UnderStanding (Clexa)

Chapter Three

I own nothing
TonDC - Six days since the fall of the mountain

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Clarke takes a deep breath and sits up slowly. The sun has already risen, but she has stayed in her tent, staring at the varying shades of brown since she woke. Another night and another nightmare. At least today will be the day. The day she will hopefully face the trials with strength and honour and come through them a more whole and complete person. At least, that's her hope.

She can hear the sounds of the village coming to life and stands. She expected them to come for her at first light but no one has entered her tent since she parted ways with Echo at the end of the last evening. She hadn't been tired, but Echo stressed the importance of her getting some sleep, going so far as to make her drink a special mixture to allow her to rest. It had worked for a few hours before the scenes of the dead children in Mount Weather haunted her enough to wake.

Just as she is about to head out of the tent, Echo pokes her head in and smiles. She doesn't speak, but just nods her head, summoning Clarke to follow her out. Clarke does so, eager to close one chapter of her life in order to start another.

"How did you sleep?" Echo asks from a few paces ahead of her, walking towards one of the buildings to the South.

"Fine," is her response, to which Echo gives her a pointed glare, knowing she isn't being completely honest.

"For the first while, yes?" she asks knowingly.

Clarke doesn't bother asking her how she knows; she figures she was checked on a few times. Since Echo told her of Bellamy's kindness in the mountain when he found her, and how she is grateful to the Skaikru's help and sacrifice in freeing them, they have become closer. "Fine, I slept alright at first but then woke up with the nightmares."

Echo nods in understanding. "They will pass, Clarke. Today will be a day of cleansing for you. It will forever be a part of you, but it won't always plague your thoughts. The wounds are still fresh."

She isn't sure if she believes that is possible, but she is going to try, so she just nods. Once inside one of the old buildings, she realizes where Echo is taking her. "Really?"

Echo smirks and pushes the blonde down onto one of the chairs at a small table. "You must eat." She nods when, once again, Clarke doesn't argue and does as she is instructed, eating some of the prepared meats and fruits that are presented to her.

They chat as they eat, no heavy topics brought up. Echo is helping her with a few pronunciations, and Clarke tells her of her passion to draw. She promises Echo that, if ever she gets that urge back, she will allow her to see her work. Once they finish, Echo excuses herself to take over a patrol before promising to see Clarke before the rituals. She will be there for her.

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Five hours later

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She paces. Back and forth, back and forth. She paces around the small tent she's been staying in the last two days so much that she's worn a path from one end to the other. She's as rested as she can be and has eaten better in the last two days than she has in months despite the constant nightmares and overall lack of appetite. She pauses and huffs. Indra told her two days and they would begin, but now the woman is nowhere to be found, and no one seems willing to tell her where she's gone. Just as she turns back to walk across the length of the tent again, a noise causes her to turn.

"It's okay to be nervous, Clarke," Echo states as she enters the tent and meets the blonde half way, reaching her arm out to clasp with Clarke's. The two have formed a bond of sorts with Echo having her meals with Clarke, and the two have been talking some about the Trikru customs as well as stories about Clarke's time on the ark. Clarke can't be sure, but she feels she is actually forming a friendship with the kind warrior. She would almost say she can trust her.

"I'm not nervous, Echo. I'm anxious. Indra said we would start today and no one knows where she is. Or if they do, they aren't saying," she huffs out in annoyance, finally coming to lean against the small table to the side of the tent.

"It will begin tonight, Clarke. None of the trials ever take place in the light of day. The earliest it will begin is at sundown. That is our way." Echo smiles slightly.

"Oh. Why wasn't I told this?" she questions. Her thoughts briefly travel to Finn and how that particular ritual was performed at night also. But then, Raven and Gustus had been during the daytime. She stops thinking about it, knowing it isn't worth questioning right now. "What am I supposed to do for the rest of the afternoon?"

Echo smirks and shakes her head at the stubborn woman. "I would say conserve your energy, have another light meal and mentally prepare yourself for what you're about to endure. Indra has traveled to the next village to seek another fisa to have here."

Clarke pauses, her eyes flickering to the floor briefly, betraying her calm exterior, before focusing on Echo once more. "Another healer? Nyko won't be here?" Clarke has come to respect and trust the healer, mainly due to him having Lincoln and Octavia's trust. She feels better knowing he will be there to help see her through this.

Echo sighs and steps forward to stand close to Clarke. "He will be here for you of course, but with these trials, it's always better to have another." She pauses and considers her next words carefully. "I know your will is strong, Clarke, perhaps one of the strongest I've seen, and while I have no doubts you can do this… there is a chance that even with two skilled healers, your body may not have the strength to see the sun rise."

She raises her hand slowly to the blonde's cheek, giving her time to move away. When she doesn't budge, she cups her cheek and smiles as Clarke leans into the caring touch. "We haven't known each other long, Clarke, but you are the blood sister I never had, but always wanted. Emotions aren't something my people openly share to many, but I trust you to keep this knowledge safe in your heart. Regardless of how you think others feel about you, just know you have a sister in me already."

Clarke shudders out a breath and raises her eyes to the sky to keep the moisture that has collected in her eyes from falling. She shakes her head and huffs a laugh, rolling her eyes before throwing caution to the wind and pulling Echo into a tight hug. "Thank you," she whispers softly.

Echo doesn't hesitate to return the hug and laughs quietly. "I think the word you were looking for is 'mochof,' little sister."

Clarke pulls back, smiling. "Mochof."

Echo nods and steps back. "I must go and help finish the preparations. Indra should be returning soon. Make peace with what you can now, Clarke. The rest you'll purge in the trials."