Chapter One

It had been over two years since I'd seen her, two years since she gave everything for us. I told her it was stupid of her to go to that meeting: that it was clearly a trap and I suppose in a way it was. After all I did lose her that day.

I've tried over the years to move on but every time I think I'm on the verge of it, I dream of her: of those soulful baby blues and that golden blonde hair flowing down her back. There is only one way to truly describe Clarke Griffin: Beautiful. Even when she was screaming at me I could see it. Why did she have to leave?

She told me once that the camp needs me, that she needs me. But she was wrong; it's me that needs her. I still have nightmares of that day nearly every night, Clarke coming to me telling me that Finn had arranged a meeting with the grounders. I could've stopped it there: I should've stopped it there. But in my defence have you ever tried to say no to Clarke? It is not easy.

Me, Raven and Jasper followed behind them all the way to the bridge, none of us talking as we knew the impotence of not being seen. Clarke's life could have depended on it.

We took cover just short of the treeline; it was the best we were going to get. Straining to hear I could only get the odd sentence when they raised their voices

"Why would I agree to an alliance that people can break the moment they get here?"

"Grounder Princess looks pissed" Raven whispered.

"Our Princess has that affect" I replied having had lots of previous experience.

'I knew this was a bad idea' I thought, trying to think of a way to justify a truce to these people. This shouldn't be my responsibility, this shouldn't be my problem. I felt my rage at the Ark once again begin to rise: how could they send children with limited knowledge of the world, with no food and with no way to protect ourselves. 'Think Clarke think'

"Well let's give them a reason not to break it then" I reply thinking fast.

"What?" Anya replied, clearly surprised.

"Let's make this arrangement be so equally beneficial that they'd have to be idiots to consider breaking it" I continued.

"What do you propose?"

"Well I don't know really, what is it you need: Technology? Food?"

"And if we were to request something from you what would you want in return?"

"Knowledge and peace" It might not be the smartest answer and I know I should be pushing for food or weapons but I think we can survive alone as long as we know the dangers we face.

"Okay in that case I propose a trade"

"That's great! You'll see that all we want is to live in peace, what is it you want to trade?"

"You for Lincoln"

"What?!" She can't be serious, what could she possible want with me?

"We need a medic, Lincoln was that for our people but he can no longer be trusted"

"And you think I would be?!"

"No. But they would not have a problem putting a sky faller to work, whereas their pride would not let them go to a traitor." She continued.

"This there nothing else we could trade instead?"

"No, that is the only use your people can offer you"

"But why would we take this deal, yes this will be beneficial for Octavia but what about everyone else? They would be down a medic themselves."

"Lincoln has chosen your people over ours, he is a medic and as such they will be able to go to him. This also fits your criteria for knowledge: Lincoln will give his freely to your people while you will give yours to ours."

'Oh God, what was I going to do? It does make sense and if it ensures peace I have to go for it'

"And you can guarantee that we will set boundaries and that no one will be hurt as long as they stay within their boundaries?"

"You have my word"

"Okay, I need to inform my people and collect my belongings. Shall I meet you by the river tomorrow at noon?"

"I accept those terms" Anya replied outstretching her hand towards me. Grasping the offered limb I accepted my future.

Clarke Griffin, Grounder.