Disclaimer: I do not own The 100!
Clarke's POV:
All I felt was a very strong sting, a burn almost on my hand. I felt how the blade cut deep into my palm and though it hurt I kept a straight face. I made sure to show no emotion I did not want to be seen as weak. I handed the blade back to the girl in front of me; their leader is what they say she is. I too was considered a leader, which is why I was doing this. It must be done.
This girl handed the blade to the person beside me, the person who I was refusing to even look at. He too cut deep into his palm and handed back the knife.
"You must now join bloods" the girl said in an even voice.
Facing the man beside me I stuck my hand out, he took my palm into his. This was really unsanitary but it was a tradition among these people. I could feel the blood gushing from my palm joining the blood coming from his. The burn only increased more with the touch of the flesh.
"Clarke Griffin of the sky-people you are now joined with Bellamy Blake of the Woods Clan until one of your fights will be over" yelled out the girl whose name was Lexa.
There were loud screams all around and clapping. Bellamy took hold of my hand in a hard grip and lifted our hands up which only made the screams go louder. I guess I should be thankful at least that there was no kissing involved. As soon as our hands were down he let go of my hand and started to walk away. The ceremony was officially over and I was now married to Bellamy Blake someone who I barely knew all for the sake of saving my people.
The only ones present from my people were my mother who quickly rushed towards me to wrap my injured hand with a bandage. There was also Kane and Lincoln who argued to be here to protect me if it came to that. I did not want anyone else present.
"So what happens now?" asked Lincoln in a curious voice while looking around him.
"Now we celebrate, I need a drink" I respond quickly trying to have a positive outlook on the situation.
I left quickly to sit at a place which clearly looked reserved for the newlyweds as there were two chairs side by side with a table in front filled with all types of food. I sat at my reserved table, my "husband" nowhere in sight and poured myself a cup of alcohol.
All I could think about is how I possibly ended up here in this situation. It seems like only a few months ago I was up in the Ark drawing in my cell. When suddenly we're all being sent to earth to find out if it was habitable.
The surprise that we got while getting here is that yes it is habitable because there were people living here already. It all went downhill from there, they started killing us and of course the only option we had was to defend ourselves.
Thankfully my mom as well as the rest of the Ark made it down to help us deal with all the grounders. However, it was not enough for us to beat them they had too many numbers. And, so we made it our mission to come up with some type of treaty in order for all of our people to be safe.
Finally, we met with their commander, Lexa a girl who seems to be about my age as well. Of course their customs had to be different than ours. She said that the only way there could be a peace treaty is if there was a union. She saw me as the leader of our group and so she said the union had to be with me and with her second in command. The person who if she were to die would be the new commander, who turned out to be Bellamy.
He was in the room when she said this even so there was no emotion on his face as he heard the news. My mother of course went ballistic saying how it was not going to happen. We tried to negotiate but the commander had none of that and so that's how I knew this was the only way I could save my people.
Within a week everything was plan I would marry Bellamy Blake Second in Command and my people would be safe. Throughout the whole week I had not spoken a single word to him, he kept his distance never approaching me. I saw him many times observing him, trying to find out what type of person he was. I could see why he was second in command he was obviously a good fighter though not as huge as the other grounders.
However, that did not mean he was a small man, he was still a head taller than me with very strong looking arms. He had dark hair like all the grounders with dark eyes. He was handsome and if perhaps we had a met in a different situation I might have actually liked him. But, because that was not the case I found myself disliking him very much and I'm sure he felt the same way about me. Why else would he not even bother to talk to me?
All this was running through my head as I saw people dancing around the fire drinking wine having a good time. Not all of the grounders were happy of course some of the other leaders were nowhere to be seen, they did not support this union.
The commander after the ceremony went into her tent with her advisors to come up with a plan of how were going to work together I'm sure. I was finally able to spot Bellamy; he was leaning on a tree at the very edge of camp he too was drinking. I guess I'm not the only one that needed something strong.
"Don't worry Bellamy is only acting this way because he doesn't know you, but once he does he'll warm up to you." said a girl with a friendly smile on her face. I didn't know what to say and she took my silence as an invitation to sit.
"I'm Octavia your new sister" she stuck out her hand. No wonder she looked so familiar I know I had seen her around camp before. I could definitely see the resemblance with her brother. She too has dark hair and dark eyes, the same shade of brown that Bellamy has.
I shook her hand and said "I'm Clarke nice to meet you"
Out of all the grounders that I've met so far she has the one of the friendliest faces I've seen. She didn't seem as cold and distant as the rest.
"I'm glad Bellamy got to marry you" she said with a huge smile on her face.
I studied her expression for a bit and realized she was saying the truth.
"Why?" I asked curios for her response.
"Because Bellamy would never willingly marry anyone and now I actually have a shot at being an aunt someday" I should probably be offended by what she said but I couldn't help it and I laughed. I didn't have the heart to tell her that, that wasn't going to happen either, she had a better chance at being an aunt if he would have marry on his own.
I suddenly felt my arm being pulled and I was forced on my feet. I turned to see who it was and of course it was Bellamy so I quickly pulled my arm away from me.
"Time to go" was all he said and once again was pulling me away.
Octavia too got on her feet and stood in front of Bellamy with her hands on her hips she said "Bell I was just getting to know my new sister stop being so protective."
I suddenly realized what was going on he didn't want me near his sister.
"It's time for me and my wife to leave, and it's time for you to go to sleep as well, its late."
All the while he never let go of my arm and when he said wife he said in a voice that said he was not happy. I'm glad we both felt the same way.
"Fine I'll just talk to Clarke tomorrow" before he could argue with her anymore she gave me a hug and walked away.
Bellamy started pulling me again but again I pulled my arm free of him and said "I can walk on my own" this caused him to drop my arm.
He walked and I simply followed, neither of us spoke and soon enough we were in front of a tent that was a bit on its own. He lifted a flap up and pushed me in first he followed right behind me. I stayed at the very edge of the tent not knowing what to do. I guess this is the time when we consummate our marriage. I had been preparing myself all week for this knowing that it had to happen, there was no avoiding it.
Bellamy walked around the tent taking off his shoes and putting them by the door. This was obviously his tent because his clothes where on one side of the tent as well as some armour that I've seen him wear. He grabbed one of his shirts and threw at me, I guess he wanted me to change. I was a bit glad for this because I was wearing an odd looking dress that I was forced to wear.
He too was taking off his shirt and I took this moment to change as he was with his back towards me. When he turned around I was already in his shirt which was much more comfortable than the dress I had been wearing and thankfully was quite long on me.
"Lay down" he ordered. I did as he asked and laid down on what was obviously a type of bed that was here.
It was big enough for two people and so I laid at the very edge of it. I looked at Bellamy who went around the tent turning off the candles in only his pants. As he turned off the last candle I held my breath, it was time. I felt him lift the covers and get in beside me. I could feel the heat radiating from his body, I laid facing up with my eyes open waiting for his touch.
But, they never came I don't know how long I stayed awake but soon enough I heard Bellamy's even breathing and I knew he was asleep. It could have been minutes or perhaps hours when my eyes finally drifted close. I was tired it had been a long tiring day. I don't know how long I slept for but when I woke up the sun was shining bright and Bellamy was already gone.
The rest of the week went in the same way; he didn't once touch me but he expected me to sleep in his tent. I didn't mind this was easy enough, it was better than him actually being physical with me. I must admit that I didn't know what to make of this. From what I've heard the grounders had the same motion for marriage as we did, it must be consummated.
And, so I was surprised that Bellamy had not done it of course I didn't tell anyone either. During the day we didn't really see each other he went around doing his duty as second commander and I was busy setting things up at camp. Because we were now united there was going to be a sort of settlement near the camp of grounders.
Bellamy of course would be in charge of the people that stayed behind, and I would be able to be near my people. Lexa the commander would go back to the capitol where she was stationed at.
There was still some animosity between both the grounders and my people. Not everyone accepted this union, specially my people. Right now I was in a meeting with my mother, Kane, Raven, Lincoln, and Finn.
"We'll find a way around this, we have to get Clarke out of this marriage" said Finn in an angry voice.
Everyone else seemed to agree with his opinion. I wasn't really sure what to say as of now it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be.
"Listen we have to focus on keeping the peace and finding a way to work with the grounders so we can prepare for winter." They all thought over of what I said, Raven of course agreed with me. No one could deny that winter was more important than getting me out of a marriage.
"Has there been a decision of how the grounders are going to settle here?" asked my mother who up to now hadn't really said much.
"Yes I think the best plan is to make the camp bigger so we can all fit in here" I added it seemed the most logical decision.
"What no, they can't expect us to live with them side by side" said an outraged Finn.
"There is no other option Finn!" I yelled a little louder than I intended to.
Before things could get out of hand I added "Listen it's not like they're going to be sleeping inside the Ark, we have to make the walls of the camp bigger take more land and they'll set up their tents on the other side of the Ark. They will of course all work to get food and have things running better here" when I was done with my solution I waited to see their reactions.
Kane of course was the first to comment and said "Clarke's right it's the only way besides not all of the grounders are staying only a few, who by the way we could use because there's not enough of us to get everything ready for winter" With that everyone else agreed and the meeting was over.
As I was walking out the meeting room Finn walked beside me and said "So you will still be staying in the Ark right, once the commander leaves?"
He asked in a hopeful voice. I kept on walking but glanced his way and saw that he had a bit of a sad expression. We were now outside where everyone was working "Yes I will be in the Ark, but I will stay wherever Bellamy sets up a tent for us" I responded not really knowing how to say it.
"Why? Once the commander leaves you won't have to" He said in an exasperated voice.
We were now by the gates as I was getting ready to leave to were the grounders were now staying at. "I do have to Finn, Bellamy and I are married now I have to stay with him" I said not really meeting his eyes.
Finn didn't respond right away he had a sad expression, "We'll find a way out of this Clark" he finally said while touching my arm.
I smiled in response and said "Don't worry about me Finn I'm fine, it's not too bad" it really wasn't too bad. I gave him a slight kiss on the cheek before he could say anything else and left.
Finn and I had grown together since we landed on Earth. There was always some sort of pull there, I could tell he liked me but we never acted on that. Now it was too late to even think about it, I knew he cared about me and I care about me but I could not think of him in a romantic way.
There was no point because now there was no chance. I walked about two miles before I finally saw the tents set up, I was getting close all of a sudden Bellamy pulled up in front of me on top of a horse. I looked up at him he did not look happy.
He quickly got off the horse and said angrily "where have you been?" that's a surprise he usually never cares what I do.
"I went to speak with my people about a plan on how to merge the camp" I explained in a voice that said where else would I go?
I kept on walking towards our tent. It didn't take long for me to reach it since it was one of the ones that was on the very edge of camp. Bellamy tied his horse to a nearby tree and followed me inside the tent. This too was strange we usually on saw each other at night.
"Next time you leave camp you need to tell me" He said while pacing in front of me.
I took off my jacket and faced him while I said "now you care if I leave?"
He stopped pacing and stood right in front of me while he said "I don't care if you leave, But I can't have you running around by yourself."
I crossed my arms and said "I can take care of myself" he growled at my response and I could tell I was making him angry.
"Listen here princess there are people who are still not happy with this union, so I can't have you strolling around by yourself" he said.
I had my arms on my hips this time and said "they'd be killed if they hurt me, it would be breaking the treaty."
It was a law now, grounders could not hurt my people, it worked both ways. "My people don't fear death as yours" he came closer to me and took a hold of my elbows.
"next time tell me where you're going, do I make myself clear" his voice was so hard I could tell this was a serious matter for him. I nodded as a response and he quickly let go of me walking out the tent and leaving me alone.
After a few minutes I too left the tent shaking my head and heading to talk to the commander of my plan. Octavia found me as I was passing by the training section, she quickly fell into step with me and said
"Hi Clarke, how's it going?" I was always surprised at how cheerful she always was.
"I'm finding it difficult to deal with our brother" I confessed not really sure if it was the right thing to do or not.
"What did Bell do this time?" she asked curiously.
We were almost by the commander's tent now.
"First he doesn't care what I do all day, and now that I went to see my people we went all ballistic because I went by myself" I said.
She nodded hearing me complain about her brother and said "Listen Bell is right you shouldn't be going places by yourself."
I stopped walking and faced her while I said "you're taking his side? How come he didn't care that I'm by myself around camp here."
Again she only smiled and said "listen while you're here, he knows you're safe because he can keep an eye on you."
I shook my head and said "no I barely see him during the day" again she has this mischievous smile and says "that's what you think, but he's always looking out for you."
I'm a bit confused now because I honestly thought he did not care about anything that had to do with me.
Octavia seems to understand that I'm confused because she says "Listen if anything happens to you not only will we most likely go to war with sky-crew but Bellamy will be forever being known as the man who could not protect his wife, which is the greatest dishonor a warrior can have."
I listened carefully to what she was saying. It made sense they had different customs than us, I guess that's why Bellamy was so angry with earlier he did not want to be a dishonored man.
"Ok I guess that makes sense, listen I have to go I have to speak with Lexa but thanks for the talk" I said while giving her a hug of gratitude, she was a bit stiff at first but then returned my hug.
"Sure thing Clarke I'll see you during dinner" she said while walking away almost with a skip to her Blake's sure were confusing.
I entered Lexa's tent which of course was the biggest of all. She was standing by a table which seemed to have a map of the lands beside her was Bellamy. They seemed to be standing quite close together discussing something in their language.
I cleared my voice so they would both know I was here, sure enough both looked up and Lexa with a smile said "Clarke what brings you here?"
I approached them not really looking Bellamy's way and said "I came to discuss the plans on how to move to my camp."
She went to sit by her throne and Bellamy soon followed to stand by her side all the while keeping a straight face.
"Tell me what is the plan" she said while making a gesture with her hand telling me to speak.
I met her gaze and said "So the grounders who are staying can settle inside the camp, we of course would make the walls bigger and they could help with getting things ready for winter" she seemed to think over what I said.
"And your people don't mind living along my people?" she asked.
I didn't know how to respond because I didn't what to lie so I said "they're not the happiest but they understand we're no longer enemies."
She nodded her head and said "good answer, it seems like the best solution for now and you will be staying at your camp?"
I'm glad she accepted our plan and so I said "yes I have to be near my people so I will stay at camp" again she simply nodded but her next question surprised me as she said;
"What about Bellamy, will he stay too?"
The strange thing is that Bellamy was standing right next to her and she was asking me.
"I think it would be a good idea if he stayed because your people respect him and follow him, as if he wants to stay I cannot answer that" I said it was the most honest answer I could give her.
This time instead of answering me she looked at Bellamy and said "what do you think of this Bellamy?"
Without missing a beat, he responded "I must go with you, commander as it is my duty to protect you from any harm."
Again she only nodded and after a few minutes she turned to me and said "Clarke we will be leaving in two days, some of my people will of course stay with you and help with your camp."
I nodded again relieved that she accepted the idea, as a type of afterthought she said "Bellamy will of course stay with you in representation of me, his priority now is to protect our people and his wife."
I glanced at Bellamy to his reaction and I could tell he was not happy about this. "Thank you, commander" was the last thing I said before I left.
The rest of the day went by pretty uneventful I stayed busy helping people gather what they needed for the departure that was about to happen. I had dinner with Octavia like I had been having for the past week, as Bellamy of course was never in sight, I guess he ate with the commander. There was about three hundred people set up here and this was only a fraction of how many grounders there actually was, only one hundred of them were going to stay. I was glad Octavia was one of them I found out she was Indra's second who happened to be one of the commander's leaders. Beside Bellamy, Indra was the other person she listened to the most.
By the end of the day I was pretty tired so I made my way back to our tent ready to sleep. I was surprised to find Bellamy already inside he was taking of his shirt and I couldn't help but stare at how the muscles in his back flexed. His back had a simple spiral tattoo right in the middle, I hated to admit it but it fitted him well.
As if knowing I was looking at him he turned around and said "see something you like princess" I couldn't help but blush so I quickly looked away.
With my back facing him I quickly changed into one of the shirts he gave me to sleep in. After being changed I climbed into our "bed" which was made out of skin animal and was standing off the ground with some poles making it a bed.
Like every night he went around turning off all the candles before getting in bed beside me. I no longer felt nervous having him beside me, his presence gave me a sort of calm that I needed.
Usually he fell asleep right away but tonight he said "you got your way today princess but eventually we will move back with the commander, you will have to leave your people" it irked me that he calls me princess, he knows this which is why he does it.
"She's your commander not mine, if you want to follow her go right ahead but I'm not going with you" I said in an angry voice.
All of a sudden he was on top of me holding both of my arms above my head "you will go with me because you are my mine" he said possessively.
I met his eyes and glared at him struggling to get him off which was no use because he was way stronger than me.
"Didn't you hear? She said you had to stay to protect your people" I yelled at him.
"We'll stay for now, but eventually we're going leave and you will be coming with me" he said in an even voice. He then let go of my hands and laid back on his side.
"God why do you have to be such an animal" I complained as I massaged my hands.
"Don't push me princess the consummation will have to happen eventually and you don't want me to be angry when it does" he said before he turned around not facing me.
I could tell this conversation was over and I had no idea if he was being serious or not. If we had to have sex, why hadn't he done it yet? Maybe he just said that to mess with me. Whether true or not I decided it was enough for tonight and soon enough I too fell asleep.
AN: I tried to make this chapter easier to read, because i know before everything was all meshed together. This is my first Bellarke story, in the future i will write more but for now i'm focusing on this one. Leave me a comment on what you think, and enjoy the rest.