Chapter 7 Bellamy: Jus Drein Jus Daun

I hadn't slept at all last night, wanting to take these last moments to enjoy the quiet of Arkadia at night. I watched in wonder as the sun rose slowly inching its way higher and higher, as each brightening ray brought me closer and closer to my final end. I felt the corners of my lips tug up in a ironic smile. It was about this time, I had come home awashed in the blood of those Grounders.

I had been waiting in this cell for days, just shy of two weeks, watching as Arkadia went about it's days, seeing Grounders moved freely amongst my people. I felt an queer sense of betrayal at this. A slap to my face at the actions I had done. My sacrifice had been worth nothing. Sighing quietly in my corner I hope today I would finally get to see Octavia again. The last time I had seen her was after the interrogation. I had asked and I had pleaded for her to come and see me, she refused each time. It hurt, that she didn't want to see me. It hurt, that she couldn't see why I had done what I done. It hurt, that I would be punished for helping to lead my people and keep them safe. Irony seemed to be my best friend.

I was still mad at Clarke. I still mad at Lexa. My time in jail having done nothing to lessen my animosity towards them; if anything it had made it more intense, seething like an angry bull; my feelings of anger held no significance neither did my reasons or my pain. Today I would face the consequences of actions I was force to commit. My actions were needed, it is not my fault that to keep Arkadia safe, choices needed to be made. Made and then carried out. I was not to blame. Today, none of that mattered.

"Bellamy," Kane stood looking at me through the bars, disappointment plain on his face.

I turned, looking at the older man, the only indication I was listening.

Kane shook his head, seemingly defeated and resigned. The action grated on my nerves, making me mad. Why should Kane feel like this? It wasn't his life that was to end. Kane would keep on living, his heart would keep beating, tomorrow would come and he would get up, another day his. Another day to live.

"You," Kane began his voice low and neutral. "Have the special distinction of being seingeda natrona, family betrayer, and as such your fate is in the hands of Octavia," he paused after hearing my sharp intake of breath. "She alone will chose your punishment, unless she forfeits that right to the Commander and Clarke, who will then decided your fates," his tone included the 8 others in the cell. "May Octavia be merciful if left in her hands," he said before walking away. Pausing at the door "May we meet again," then left.

At noon two guards one Arkadian and one Grounder, came to collected us. We were ordered to to stripe and change into a pair of black pants made of a rough material, the two females given matching sleeveless tops. We were tied in a line, our hands in bags that kept us from using them, one behind the other with me at the head. The beating of war drums, created a rhythm for our feet to take, a march to our death. We walked on the border of the people gathered there. Nine poles stood tall and straight in the distance waiting as a mix of Grounders and Arkadian's, yelling at the top of their lungs. Some for mercy and some for blood. Nine poles to take us to our deaths.

I saw O standing besides Lexa and Clarke. Watching me watch them. Her expression as she looked at me was unreadable, her blue eyes, looked at me holding no emotion. Again my heart ached, again my resentment at Clarke and Lexa flared. They were taking my sister away from me and I from her. Making her choose my fate. Making her decided if I should die by her hand or another's. The Grounder's culture was savage, always about blood and repaying what was spilled.

She looked away as I drew closer, not willing to met my stare.

I barely registered having the rope from around my waist removed or being moved to be bond to a pole, the farthest from O. It was like I had blinked and found myself someplace else.

Lexa raised her hand and the crowd grew hush, silent waiting, as I watched Octavia brake away to stand closer to the crowd, farther from me but easier to see. She turned for a moment catching my eye, her blue to my brown. There was a calm there, a sad acceptance. She nodded ever so slightly at me, before turning to address the crowd.

In a loud clear voice. She spoke of my crimes towards her. A slight crack to her voice as she recounted the injures she suffered by my command. Then taking a deep breath and in a far clearer more composed voice, turning to me once again, so I could see her hurt and her pain and her sadness. "I Octavia Blake forfeit my right to the life of Bellamy Blake. Giving it to the Commander of the Blood, Heda Lexa and The Mountain Slayer, WanHeda Clarke." Then her eyes were gone, looking back towards the crowd.

As one Heda and Wanheda stepped forward while Octavia stepped back.

"I also forfeit my claim," Clarke's voice rang out over the crowd, before she also took a step back. Lexa nodded in acknowledgement watching as Clarke and O went to sit down.

"Belomi Blake," Lexa began her voice strong and sure. "You and yours are now subject to my ruling for your actions against my people. In light of the transgressions that the Ice Nation made against the people of farm station I will offer a mercy," part of the crowd erupted in outrage. Lexa simply raise her hand commanding silence. "Each of you will endure 200 cuts delivered by the warriors and family of the Trikru you had slaughtered. Should you survive you will be allowed to live, and work to gain back your honor through your service to Trikru. You will be the lowest of the low, but you will be have your life. Should you choose to act otherwise, your life is forfeit and will be dealt with quickly by the Chief General of TonDC." Before moving to the person nearest her, withdrawing her dagger preparing to make the first cut. Part of the crowd erupted as the first person cried out.

I watched, as cold entered my veins snaking under my skin, as Lexa made her way down to me. Watching as she swept her blade over the skin of my fellow prisoners, the various hisses and dulled cries of the people besides me. The fear swelling as her slow deliberate movements brought her to stand before me.

Lexa looked at me hard green eyes, speaking to me of kindness of a choice made. Her nod was perfunctory, a movement because. No reason other than to make one. I felt the flare of dissatisfaction, an enemy worthless of time. She held her blade before me letting me see the blood that already coated it, I watched as she brought it down placing it on my heated skin.

The bite of her blade into my flesh was sharp. My nerve endings screaming in protest as my once solid skin divided in two. I could feel the blood wet my chest as it flowed free. 'One' bellowed by someone I could not see.

Soon a line of Grounders formed as each took their payment of blood. As the count grew so did the pain, so did my cries. I had lost the ability to focus as my world narrowed to each slice or poke dealt to my body, raw and ravaged, my torso was a bloody mess. As the count grew to hit 100, I felt my mind begin to dull, but the pain grew worse until finally I was swallowed by black.