Clarke wasn't used to the peace that radiated from every corner of the camp these days. Grounders would come and go, sharing news and tips, exchanging goods, living together in harmony – a feat that they all would've thought impossible before their alliance. Small children who had come down on the Ark would play, their giggles sounding melodious in the cool autumn air. Everyone was working together and getting along and for the first time in what felt like forever, Clarke let her guard down.
At sundown, as Clarke was finishing up her rounds in the medical tent, making sure her patients would sleep soundly tonight, someone walked through the tent: Octavia.
"Hey, O, what's up?" She asked cautiously, unsure of why Octavia would be paying an evening visit to the tent when nobody she knew was currently ill or injured, and even then, the sick were resting.
"I need you to do me a favor." She said simply. Her face was clean tonight; her cuts were still healing, but she was without her usual dark eye makeup.
"A favor? Alright…" Octavia wasn't one to ask for favors lightly. She was someone who preferred to do things herself, her way, without anyone's help. "What can I do for you?"
"I need you to keep Bellamy busy so he won't notice I'm gone tonight. Lexa said she requests my presence and it's important. She didn't give me any details so don't get all freaked," she added quickly, noticing Clarke's alarmed look. "Bellamy hasn't gotten off my back since he came out of Mount Weather; he's got me on lockdown. I just need him distracted for the night. I asked you because I know damn well you won't mind." Her eyes were accusing, but then she smiled. "Whatever it is that possessed you to sleep in my brother's tent last night, I don't want to know, but it works to my advantage. Can you do that for me, Clarke?"
"It isn't safe to travel to the Grounder camp at night, Octavia. There are animals out there. You should wait until—"
"Clark, no." Octavia's voice was hard. "Lexa needs me now. You're one to preach to me about danger after you willingly sent my brother to his death." She spat. "You're not my Commander. Lexa is."
Her jab hit Clarke like a slap to the face, and she was sure her expression betrayed how much what Octavia had said had affected her.
"Look," She continued, rolling her eyes to the sky, "I'm sorry. I know you did what you had to do. But this is what I have to do." Her words had a finality, and Clarke knew she was going whether she helped out or not. "I'd just rather not face the wrath of Bellamy when I come back in the morning. So, please, do me this favor."
Clarke looked into Octavia's green eyes, which were full of determination. Octavia had gone from being a wild-child to a warrior and Clarke knew she would do whatever she needed to do for her Commander.
"Yeah, I'll keep Bellamy busy." She agreed, albeit somewhat reluctantly.
"Great, you two have fun tonight." She sneered, but then laughed loudly. "Don't be so tense, Clarke. I'm not angry. Not about that." Then she turned and prowled out of the medical tent, a woman with a mission.
She felt her stomach drop, worried that she had gone behind Bellamy's back and he'd give her hell if she ever found out, but also because she was unable to shake the feeling that Octavia hadn't been entirely truthful. She couldn't stop her though, no one ever could.
She left the tent filled with nerves. After looking around the camp once more and checking that all the guards were in their proper positions ("War is over now, Clarke." Miller chided her with a wink, "I'm only here to keep you happy."), she made her way over to Bellamy's tent. It was located across the camp from the medical tent, but it wasn't a cold night. Just knowing Bellamy was waiting for her was enough to keep her warm at any rate, and knowing she was deceiving him by helping Octavia leave was sure to keep her awake.
When she knocked gently on Bellamy's tent, he called out to her, "Come on in, princess."
"How did you know it was me, and not someone else?" She asked as she entered inside his cozy tent. It was chilly outside but the tent radiated warmth, and so did Bellamy; he was grinning at her.
"I just knew." He said with no explanation. "And I was waiting for you."
"How sweet," She teased, walking towards his bed set up, which was a sleeping bag piled with blankets and two soft pillows. Bellamy's eyes were dancing with light and mischief and her heart skipped a beat at the fact that he was looking at her like that. She was doing this for Octavia, wasn't she? She didn't have feelings for Bellamy. That was ridiculous. Bellamy and her were co-leaders. They needed each other, relied on each other, even, but there was nothing romantic there. She just needed comfort, to keep the nightmares away.
So why did the way he looked at her make her feel like butterflies were trying to flee from her ribcage?
"Come on, princess," he patted a spot next to him, "Let's get to sleep."
"I'm so not tired," Clarke lied, but she went to go lay down next to him anyways. "I don't know how anyone ever sleeps here."
"Everyone sleeps but you, Clarke, because you take the burdens of everyone in this world and you put them on yourself. I'm telling you to stop, princess. I'm telling you to stop because it's all over now. You're safe now."
"You're safe now." Clarke whispered, closing her eyes. "That's what's important – you're safe."
Bellamy leaned up on his elbows and faced her. She sensed him looking at her, but she didn't open her eyes. "What did you say?"
"I said you're safe and that's all that matters. I was worried about you, Bel, so worried." She said this all so softly that she wasn't sure Bellamy heard. All that followed was silence. After what felt like forever, Clarke began to drift off to sleep, her exhaustion taking over her anxious mind and quieting it. Right before unconsciousness claimed her, however, she heard the faintest murmur from Bellamy's direction.
"I think I love you, princess. I really do."
But maybe she dreamt it.
Clarke woke up to emptiness and cold, even though blankets covered her. The chill came from Bellamy's absence. He was not there, which was unusual, because he usually slept in later than she did. He must've gone out to hunt and hadn't wanted to wake her.
She was glad for the moment of alone time; it would help piece together last night. Now, she was probably crazy, but she was almost positive Bellamy had told her he loved her.
She was definitely crazy, and sleep deprived. She groaned and stretched and got up, ready to start the day her usual way. She was on her way to the med-tent, when a strange scene caught her eye.
Lexa. Lexa was in the camp, flanked by one of her Grounder guards, and Octavia. Bellamy was standing in front of her, arms crossed, staring at Octavia in a way that made him look like he was about to throttle her.
"It was dangerous to leave camp without telling me last night." He growled at her.
"Oh will you get over yourself?" She shouted in exasperation. Clarke cringed. Octavia was going to cause a scene, and wake the whole camp in the process. "You are so ridiculous. Do you realize just how much danger I've put myself in since I stepped foot on this goddamn planet?! Have I not proven myself to you yet, big brother?"
Clarke approached just as Bellamy was about to release a storm, but Lexa interrupted.
"Ah, Clarke. We were waiting for you." She smiled tightly, her eyes appraising her friend.
"Clarke, you knew Octavia was going –"
"Give it a rest!" Octavia demanded, stomping her foot down and giving Bellamy a look of death. "This isn't the Ark. You don't have to protect me. Now shut up, we have news."
Lexa gave Octavia a look of pure admiration, and Clarke knew she was proud of her second. She cleared her throat. "I have received a message from the Grounded capitol, Polis." She began. "Polis is known for their hospitality, but they have never experienced Sky People before, and they are afraid."
"What do you mean they've never experienced Sky People before?" Clarke interjected. "None of our people have been to Polis."
"That's where you're wrong, Clarke," Lexa continued. "It turns out, four of your people made the journey to Polis; they claimed to our leader that they were searching for a city of light, and were just looking for a peaceful place to live. When your people said they were from the sky, our leader became alarmed."
She paused and looked at Clarke, as if she was the only person in the clearing with her. "They want to speak to the Sky Person leader. They want to meet you face-to-face and decide whether you can or cannot be trusted."
"Is that really necessary?" Bellamy began. "We have an alliance."
"You have an alliance with us." Lexa said firmly, "But our people in Polis know nothing of you. Our leader would like to meet with Clarke. I am here so we can begin our journey."
"Where is Polis?" Clarke asked, sneaking a look at Octavia, who looked indifferent.
"Polis is a long ways away. It will take several days to get there, but I know the way. We will need to bring food and water, and shelter from the heat."
"What heat?" Bellamy asked. "Winter is coming."
"The desert is always full of heat. The sun can harm you." Lexa said gravely, her eyes landing on Bellamy. "Get ready, Clarke. You and I and Octavia will leave as soon as you're packed."
"Wait a minute!" Bellamy protested, "I'm not letting you go without me." He looked instinctively at Clark. "I can't lose you two again." He whispered.
"Fine, you may come along as well. But you must leave your violent tendencies behind. Polis is not a place of violence." Lexa's voice had a note of finality. "No guns."
"But—"
"Bellamy, do you want to come or not?" Octavia snapped, exasperated. "Just do as Lexa tells you or stay here."
"Bellamy, who will look after the camp?" Clarke asked. "Someone needs to be in charge."
"Jasper will do it." He responded without hesitation. "Don't you think he's earned that position?"
Clarke nodded. Lexa coughed, a not so subtle motion indicating she wanted this all to be hurried up.
"Get packed, Clarke and Bellamy. We do not have all day. We must make this journey now, before our leader decides on his own that he cannot trust your people."
With that, Bellamy and Clarke walked together to the Ark, ready to stock up on supplies for their long trip ahead. Clarke shivered in the cold air and looked up at Bellamy. "You told me it was all over," she accused, "You told me there would be peace."
"There will be," Bellamy assured her, reaching for her hand in the most nonchalant way and squeezing it. "We just have one more small road bump. Nothing we can't handle, princess. You're safe with me."
This was going to be quite the trip.