We are Grounders

ℂ𝕙𝕒𝕡𝕥𝕖𝕣 𝕋𝕨𝕖𝕟𝕥𝕪 𝕊𝕖𝕧𝕖𝕟 - 𝕀𝕟𝕚𝕥𝕚𝕒𝕥𝕚𝕠𝕟

Everyone gathers around the mound of sticks at the centre of Tondc, Finn, wrapped in cloth, rests at the very top with the other bodies leaning against the pile, circling around him. Different colours of cloth shine against the dull brown of the wood as the bodies rest in the centre, waiting to be burnt.

Braeya reunites with her parents, hugging them both and exchanging words until she is interrupted by Lexa's speech, "Kru kom Tondisi... Raun faya, oso wada klin laudnes de, kom foutain." (People of Tondc... In fire, we cleanse the pain of the past)

Indra hands Lexa a torch but instead of lighting the wood, she holds it out for Clarke and says her name. People around Braeya tense at this gesture and mutter to each other as Clarke steps up and takes it. She stares up at the flame hesitantly, torch in hand.

Clarke looks off to the side, seemingly at nothing, and then back down at her own hand. Watching as she gently guides the torch towards the logs.

"Yu gonplei ste odon." (Your fight is over) She announces solemnly as the wood catches alight, spreading over to the bodies. Murmurs ripple through the crowd as Clarke uses Trigedasleng, earning a little bit of their respect.

Silence follows as the flames swallow the dead, and respects are paid for the fallen.

***

Braeya stands inside next to Gustus at a long rectangular table, a feast lies on top of it, ready to be eaten by the people celebrating the new alliance.

Clarke leads her people in and stands in the space at the opposite end of the room, Braeya watches as the rest of the Sky People take their places and gives off a tiny smile when she sees Bellamy opposite her. Bellamy reciprocates the smile just as Kane begins talking.

"Please accept this gift, Commander. We drink this at special occasions, I believe this qualifies." Lexa nods at Gustus, who accepts the bottle wrapped in brown fabric before gingerly handing it over to her.

"Thank you, Marcus of the Sky People."

"You're welcome, Lexa kom Trikru." (Lexa of the Tree People) "Just, uh, don't drink too much of it." He answers awkwardly.

"Clarke, let us drink together." Lexa turns to her.

"It would be my pleasure."

Gustus places two goblets on the table and Lexa pours some liquid from the bottle into both of them.

"Heda, allow me." Gustus says after she hands one of the cups to Clarke. Lexa places it in his hand and he brings it up to his lips, taking a small sip to test it.

After waiting a few moments he hands it back over to the Commander, who then raises her glass, "Tonight, we celebrate our newfound peace. Tomorrow, we plan our war. To those we've lost. And to those we shall soon find."

Clarke raises her class and at the moment Lexa is about to take a sip, Gustus collapses against the table. Braeya flinches in shock and as she bends over to check on him, his unsteady legs send him backwards until he hits the wall, crumpling up against it.

"It's poison!" Someone yells and the room turns into a panicked frenzy. Indra draws her sword as Braeya crouches down next to Gustus.

"It was the Sky People!" She accuses. The table is thrown to the side and the warriors square up threateningly against them. Bellamy stands at the front, shielding Clarke from harms way.

"This wasn't us. You have to know this wasn't us." Clarke pleads as Braeya moves out of the way so that Nyko can examine Gustus.

"Sou nou teik em gon op!" (Do not let him die!) Lexa commands and two Trikru members drag Gustus out of the room.