***Reviews are life! I'm sorry this took so long to update, we took the kiddos on vacation for spring break. What did you all do for Spring Break? Thank you for sticking with my crazy story, I appreciate it. I still don't own the 100, just the random story I'm creating here.

~Chapter 9~

Bellamy spent the majority of the trek listening to Lincoln explain Grounder traditions and their hierarchy to Clarke. She seemed to absorb the information like a sponge. It was not the first time that he felt like she was the better leader. She knew how to talk to people, and she knew how to negotiate. Sure, he had made some pretty good speeches in his short time here on Earth, but his Princess was a natural. She always looked out for everyone's best interests. Most times even before her own. Octavia grabbed Clarke's attention with a question about herb and soon the two of them were talking about medicine on the Ark verses medicine on the ground. He saw Lincoln stop and tilt his head to the side, indicating that he wanted to hold back for a moment.

Lincoln kept his eyes on the girls while he spoke to Bellamy in hushed tones "I really don't think we have anything to worry about, if the Commander is there and wants to talk peace, I believe her. She is a different kind of Commander than those that came before her. To be safe though, there is a hidden tunnel running out of the west side of camp under a bush behind a large boulder. It leads out near the river, you should be able to find your way back to camp from there. No one else knows about it."

"If no one knows about it, then how do you know of it?"

"I was banished from my clan years ago, I have spent the time since then exploring the land. There are many trails, tunnels, and places that are unknown to my people. I watch the different clans, paying attention to their routes, routines, and living conditions. I try to avoid being seen because if my clan sees me, they might try to kill me."

Bellamy thought back to every encounter he has had with Lincoln since they met. He was more alert to his surroundings than most, but he just assumed it was a natural instinct rather than a learned condition due to circumstance. It's possible that it was a combination of the two. Either way, Lincoln was clan-less and continued to help them despite the open hostility he has had to endure. It was obvious that Lincoln loved Octavia, which in itself was both irritating and endearing to Bellamy. He looked at Lincoln and waited until he had his full attention. "Then from now on, you're a member of our clan. You're Skaikru."

Lincoln glanced back to Octavia then back at Bellamy. He offered his arm and Bellamy grasped his in the traditional Grounder agreement. "Skaikru. Thank you Bellamy. I know we haven't always seen eye to eye, so I really appreciate this." Bellamy used his other arm to clasp his shoulder.

"I don't always agree with Clarke either, but that doesn't mean she's not family." He smirked before continuing on their journey.

They both laughed and walked quickly to catch up to Clarke, Octavia, and Finn. Bellamy noticed the way Finn was walking close to Clarke and watching her gesture as she told a story from the Ark. He knew it was irrational, but he wanted to step in between them, shove Finn out of the way, and make sure he knew without a doubt that she was with him. Finn had his chance, and he fucked it up. Clarke must have sensed him because she turned around, smiled at Bellamy, and stepped closer to Octavia to make room for him. Gleefully he stepped into the space.

"So Princess, I was thinking that when this was all over, you, me, Lincoln, and Octavia could talk about some new buildings and sleeping arrangements for camp." He gave her a wink as Octavia's head whipped around to stare at him.

"Uhh, Bel? Not that I'm complaining, but why would Lincoln care about our sleeping arrangements?" Octavia's nose crinkled with confusion.

"I just thought he might like a say in where he sleeps now that he's a member of the 100." Bellamy replied looking at his fingernails as if he was bored with the conversation.

Before Bellamy could blink, Octavia had jumped on him and wrapped her arms around his neck, squeezing tighter than she had in a long time. He had to step back with one foot to keep from being knocked over. He wrapped his arms around her and held on tight. He looked over at Clarke, she was looking back at him with a soft look in her eyes and a slight smile on her lips. She gave him a nod before turning to Lincoln and welcoming him into their ragtag band of misfits.

"Okay, O, if you don't let up, I'll pass out from a lack of oxygen and Clarke with have to carry me the rest of the way. Is that really what you want?" He let go of his sister, only to have him turn back and punch him on the arm.

"Now, children" Clarke crossed her arms and tapped her foot. "I think that's enough horseplay for the day. We need to get moving, the sun is getting lower in the sky, and I would prefer to avoid a war."

Bellamy looked at Octavia, and they both turned to Clarke and replied in unison "Yes, mom." They all laughed and continued down the trail.

As they approached Anya's camp, a grounder woman stepped out in front of them on the path. She had long dark colored hair, and black war paint around her eyes. She held up a hand in a calming manner.

"Hello, Clarke of the Sky People, thank you for meeting with me. My name is Lexa. I have a tent set up just outside of Anya's village for this occasion. Please, join me, I wish to speak with you about some very important matters. I assure you that we mean you no harm."

"Good evening Commander, I am looking forward to our talks of peace." Clarke stepped out and reached out a hand towards Lexa, she gripped it in return. They both took a moment to size each other up.

"Come, follow me and we will talk." Lexa turned and walked away.

She led them to a tent, much larger than they were expecting, with two guards standing out front. A woman stood near the opening, quite obviously a warrior. She had an angry look on her face when she spotted Lincoln. "Heda, I must protest this meeting. These people walk along with a traitor, someone banished from our tribe, they cannot be trusted."

"Chil yo daun I appreciate your concern Indra, but this meeting will take place. The Commanders have deemed it so." She waited until Indra stepped back then approached the tent's entrance. "I will speak with Clarke and Bellamy, the rest of you may sit by the fire and enjoy the offerings laid out for you." She walked into the tent followed by the Sky People's leaders. She had heard much, but she had already decided to see for herself if they will be strong enough to be what she needed them to be.

Bellamy nodded to Lincoln before following Clarke into the tent. Lincoln got the message loud and clear, he would protect his sister if anything went wrong. He glanced around, there was a throne made of branches in the center, with a small table off to the right with piles of fur for seating, cups and food filled the surface. Lexa sat down and gestured to the table.

"Please, feel free to eat, I have much to tell you and much we must decide. Let me begin by asking a question, which one of you is the leader of Skaikru?" Lexa tilted her head in query "I have heard that you share that duty, but I find that hard to believe."

"Yes, we are both the leaders of Skaikru, what you heard is true. Why is this so hard to believe?"

Bellamy stood beside Clarke, they had decided earlier that she would be the one doing the talking, unless he needed to step in. She was by far the more diplomatic of the two of them, he knew if there was any chance for real peace, she would be the one to obtain it for them. He watched as Lexa mulled over how to explain why having two leaders for one group was such a foreign concept.

"Since the first Commander, each village has had one leader, and one Commander over all the clans. There are twelve clans in our coalition. It is easier to have one person in charge to make decisions rather than having to consult someone else. Is it custom for your people to have more than one leader?"

"When we were on the Ark in space, we had a Council with multiple members, and we had a Chancellor who was in charge of the council. There was a balance of power, and rules we all had to live by. I guess in a way it's similar to what you have." Clarke paused to gather her thoughts. "When we landed on the ground, no one was in charge, just a bunch of kids, trying to survive. Bellamy decided he would run things, and a few difficulties, we both ended up taking charge of our camp." She looked at Bellamy for confirmation.

"That about sums it up, Princess." He grabbed a handful of nuts and tasted one. Once he knew they weren't poisonous, he passed a few to Clarke. She took them with a smile of thanks and popped one in her mouth.

Lexa watched the exchange silently, after observing how they interacted with one another she knew she could proceed as planned. "I need to tell you a story, a story about the ground." She waved them to the piles of pillows next to the table, when they sat down, she continued. "After the wars, most of the Earth had been lost, very few survivors were left. When a ship fell from the sky, people were scared, Becca Pramheda was in that ship, she became the first Commander. With her help, the people were able to begin rebuilding what was lost. Since then, the Commander's job had been to lead, and help her people. When you fell from the sky, the previous Commanders spoke to me, they told me that we needed each other. You have technology long forgotten by the majority of my people, and we have survival skills. We can help each other, and our people will prosper."

"How do the previous Commanders know about our technology?" Clarke picked up a cup, but before she could drink from it, Bellamy grabbed it out of her hand and took a sip. She frowned at him, but after a moment he gave it back. She realized he was checking everything for poison. She was glad he had thought of it, because she certainly hadn't, but she was going to have a talk with him later about not putting himself in danger.

"Becca Pramheda was from the sky like you, she knew all about the technology of the time and passed it on through each Commander. If you are willing, I would like to discuss a treaty between our people."

"We would like that as well. What do you have in mind?"

"As I said before, I have a coalition with the twelve clans. My people would never hear of your joining our coalition, but they would accept a treaty with you. I have heard of your skills as a healer, you would help train the healers from each tribe, and in turn, they will teach you all about healing here on the ground. We can help teach your people how to survive on Earth, our warriors will train with yours, and we will help you build a village."

"This sounds too good to be true, what's the catch?" Bellamy knew there was more to the story, and he wanted all the information before they made any agreements.

"You are right Bellamy, there is a small catch. I am Heda of my people, and so Clarke will become Heda of yours. Our people do not recognize male leaders. They would not accept this treaty unless it was done this way. Each Heda has a guardsman, someone whose sole purpose is to protect them. Unbeknownst to the people however, is that the guardsman is also an advisor, and must be chosen carefully. You have already proven to me that that is how you already are, so in the eyes of my people, nothing will change. Clarke will become Heda, and you will become her guardsman, you will protect her and advise her. Will you and your people be able to accept this?"

"Yes." Bellamy answered quickly and definitively. Clarke looked at him, silently asking if this was really what he wanted. He nodded, he knew that Lexa was right, Clarke was the true leader, and he was her protector. He hadn't realized just how much until she had mentioned it, but it didn't make it any less true.

"I wonder what's taking so long." Octavia grabbed another piece of meat off her stick "Is this normal? Shouldn't we have heard something by now?"

"Everything is quiet, if there was any issue, the guards wouldn't look so relaxed."

"This is relaxed? Their eyes are scanning the woods, and they seem to be on alert."

Octavia and Lincoln turned to Finn, he hadn't spoken a word since Bellamy and Clarke went to talk with Lexa. Octavia wasn't even sure why he was here, he hadn't done much, Clarke knew the way to the village, they didn't need him. Finn claimed that he was told he needed to be here, but if that was the case, wouldn't Lexa have asked for him to be a part of the negotiations?

"Yes, if there was any issue, the guards wouldn't have time to scan for trouble, they would be solely focused on protecting our Heda."

Before Finn could respond, there was movement in the tent. They all turned to see what was going on. Bellamy stepped out first and scanned the area, much like the guards had been doing only moments before. He held the tent flap to the side to allow Clarke and Lexa out. Lexa leaned over and spoke to one of the guards, he nodded, then walked off. Lexa nodded to Clarke and then her and the remaining guard walked towards the village. Clarke and Bellamy wondered over to the fire pit.

Finn stood and grabbed Clarke's hand. "So what happened? Is everything okay? Did we make a treaty with the Grounders?"

Bellamy stepped forward and stared down Finn until he dropped Clarke's hand. It wasn't just because he was now guarding his Heda, but because he didn't like Finn touching her, not after what he did to both Clarke and Raven. He smiled inwardly when Finn dropped her hand and took a step back. It was nice to know that he could intimidate Finn so easily. Clarke laid a reassuring hand on his shoulder, he glanced over at her and stepped to the side and next to her.

"Yes, we came to an agreement. We will have peace with the Grounders, and tonight we will celebrate. The Grounders were already planning a celebration because a storm is on its way, since the wars, rain has always been celebrated because it helps the Earth regrow."

"They celebrate every time it rains? Isn't that a little crazy?" Finn looked around as if he was afraid of being overheard.

"No, not every time, but when there are large storms we celebrate because the rivers flow cleaner, the Earth becomes greener, and we are able to gather a larger harvest. Everything has a place and purpose, storms are no different." Lincoln shrugged "We celebrate anything that helps our people prosper."

"Well, now that we have an agreement, Lexa said that there will be a special ceremony to commemorate the occasion. They have already set up food and a large fire in the village. Lexa is going to tell the people here of our treaty, then messengers will be sent to the other Clans to spread the word."

"Then let's get going, I want to see what a Grounder party looks like!" Octavia grabbed Lincoln's hand and skipped behind Clarke and Bellamy.

Finn trailed behind, watching how close Bellamy walked next to Clarke. He didn't like it, not one bit.