Negotiations
Clarke is sitting in the open eating area, sipping a concoction, enjoying the burn against the back of her throat as it went down. Bellamy approached her from across the room. "Kane has sent me to get you. The Commander has arrived." Clarke stood, gulping the last bit of the drink and silently followed Bellamy.
"So, now you are Kane's loyal puppy. Wow, it's amazing how quickly you can flip."
"I know you don't understand, but I was only doing what was best for our people."
"How could killing an army looking the other way, who was there to protect Arkadia considered best for our people?" Bellamy stiffened.
"Ever since we landed, we have been at some type of war with the Grounders. Then you struck a deal for peace, working with them to beat the Mountain Men. I went along with it, it was a chance for peace, but then they left us. They left us to die inside of that mountain. How can we ever trust them? Pike saw things clearly and took action."
"You're right, they left us. But, our chance for peace was compromised when you slaughtered their sleeping army. After that, I had to convince Lexa not to retaliate and she took the higher path of peace." Clarke was fuming. "Then you asses attacked a nearby village. Do you really not see how wrong you are?"
"I'm sorry if I disappoint you, Princess. I really am." He looks at her with sincerity. "We have been through so much together."
"I know that things have been hard and that you think that we are so different from the Grounders but, we're not. We chose to save our people at the cost of everyone in the Mountain, including women, children, and friends who helped us." Bellamy stopped when we got to the entrance of Kane's door. He stood there, looking at Clarke expectantly, gesturing for her to go inside. "Are you coming?"
"Kane has ordered me to stay out of the way."
"That's good, because if you do anything to mess up this last chance of peace, it won't be the Grounders that you will have to fear." Clarke spun to entered the room.
As she was about to go in, she froze. Everything became surreal. She was so wrapped up talking to Bellamy, she momentarily forgot that she is about to meet the Commander. She wasn't ready for this. She took a deep breath to brace herself and then entered. Before her, everyone stood as customary. Clarke saw before her; Abby, Kane, Aiden, and Indra. She gave the room a soft smile and approached Aiden. She saw him stand tall, chin up, eyes covered in war paint, similar to Lexa, but different in his own way, more formed at the bottem. Clarke bowed before the Commander before looking up and meeting his eyes. "Welcome to Arkadia, Commander."
"Thank you Wanheda." There was an empty seat at the table, the opposite end of Aiden. Kane and Abby sat to Clarke's right and Indra was close to Aiden on the left side. Clarke sat down at the end of the table. Silence filled the room as they sipped on grape colored wine and exchanged glances. Clarke glanced up and was surprised to see Aiden looking at her hard, with a purpose. For what purpose, Clarke was unsure of.
In Polis, Clarke had very brief exchanges with Aiden. Lexa introduced him to her as a promising candidate to take her place if her spirit was to leave her body. In that introduction, Aiden also swore allegiance to Clarke and her people. She wondered where that stood now.
Kane cleared his throat, standing and raising his cup, "Arkadia is so happy to host Commander Aiden and Indra tonight." Everyone raised their cup and took a sip. The Commander's face was stern, his eyes focused on Kane. Kane sat back down. "Commander, please let me know what is the reason for your visit."
"I come, in good faith, that we can find common ground for peace." Kane smiles at this. "I have heard that Pike is no longer in power, as demanded by Commander Lexa. I wish to honor her sentiment for peace, but I am here to warn you; I do not have the patience that she had for your mistakes or tantrums. If you are not strong enough to lead your people on this path," the Commander turns to meet Clarke's eyes briefly before turning back to Kane, "I strongly suggest that you find someone that is."
"I assure you, that peace with you and the 12 clans is a common goal with our ultimate objective of, once again, becoming the 13th clan." Indra scuffed at this. Her anger was visible.
"Chancellor, you are getting ahead of yourself. That was a gift from Commander Lexa that may not ever be presented again. If you wish for peace, there are some conditions that we must discuss. We will need to take Pike and those that helped him in his attacks. They are to suffer a proper death for our lost warriors."
"Pike was the Chancellor, the others acted under his order," Abby defended.
Aiden continued. "Also, you will continue to host Indra. She will be trusted to keep eyes on things and has been asked to deliver daily messages. If I receive any unfavorable reports or if there is no report, it will be grounds for me to attack. I have pulled my warriors further from your gates and lessened the numbers, but we will be watching you. There will be no more expansion." Kane and Abby exchange glances. "Commander Lexa served her people with a strong hand but had a heart that seeked peace. We have never had a better Commander, and I wish to fallow in her shoes and to continue her legacy. I will fight for Skaikru, in her honor and to honor her love for Clarke. But, make no mistake, one more attack or mishap, it will be perceived as a declaration of war."
"We understand Commander. We will not take this chance lightly, I promise." Kane was calm and in control. "I beg you to reconsider your demand for everyone involved. They were following their leader."
"Everyone has a choice, you did. I believe I am being lenient. There has to be sacrifice on both sides in order to strive for peace."
"Commander, is there anything else that we can do to avoid going down this path? Anything else, please. Lexa said blood shall not have blood." Clarke didn't want to have to see anymore of her friends die.
Aiden stood, Indra shot up. "I wish there was, Wanheda." Aiden shifted his glance to look at Kane, "Thank you for hosting us for this important meeting."
"Wait, I don't understand. It's over. What do we get out of this?" Abby was flustered.
"Peace." Kane understood. "Abby, please show Indra to her room. Commander, thank you for coming and giving us a chance to talk." Kane bowed.
Aiden looked at Clarke, "Wanheda, would you please see me out?"
"Of course, Commander. Are you headed back to Polis tonight?"
Clarke walked a half step behind him. "No, I am staying at camp, just outside of Arkadia." Once out of ear shot, "I hope you will come visit me in the morning, before I have to head back to Polis. There are things I wish to say to you." They were walking out of the building, then stopped. Clarke followed the direction of his gaze and found Theloneous about 30 yards away. He looked angry, watching every move that Aiden made.
"Who is that?" Aiden whispered.
"Theloneous. He was the chancellor when we were in the sky." Aiden continued walking. Once out of the gate Clarke could see he was upset, more than he was when he left the meeting.
"Wanheda, sleep well. I look forward to seeing you tomorrow."
"Goodnight Commander."
Clarke returned to her room, relieved for the space that she has claimed as hers. Her space to be nothing, because she felt empty. The image of Aiden as the Commander with war paint was the image she saw when she first closed her eyes. Then the face got fuzzy and was replaced with Lexa. Clarke faded in and out of sleep through the night.
When she woke up, it was still dark, but she could feel the air shifting. She walked outside and sat down, feeling the chili morning as it seeped into her pours. Once the tip of the sun was visible, Clarke stood and headed for the gate.
Some things never change. She was challenged by the guards outside the red tent of the Commander. "I'm here to see the Commander."
"Let her through." Clarke could hear him lower his voice with his command. It reminded her of Lexa.
"Thank you for coming Wanheda." The Commander motions for the guards to leave the tent. One was hesitant, but Aiden looked at her, causing her to give and leave behind the others.
"You asked for me Commander." Clarke hoped her response was taken as a note of respect.
"Titus is paying for what he did. You will never have to worry about seeing him again." Clarke was very surprised by this. How did he know? Clarke didn't know how to respond. She stood there speechless. She hadn't given him much thought, she couldn't go there. She had been consumed with the loss of Lexa so much, that she didn't think about Titus.
Aiden shifts the conversation, noting Clarke's uneasiness. "Tell me more about Theloneous."
"He is losing himself to a chip he ingested, apparently much like the one that was placed inside your neck. He has been working to convince others to join him. He has about 30 people or so."
"He is very dangerous." Aiden was thinking. "Are you still interested in saving your friends?"
"Yes, Commander"
"Then I will accept Pike and Theloneous. You deliver me both of them, then we can continue talks of peace." Clarke became intrigued by Aiden's sudden change.
"What is it about Theloneous that makes you think he is dangerous?"
"I just know it. I felt it through my whole body the second I saw him. Clarke you must be careful and must not under estimate him."
"Yes Commander. I will let Kane know."
"No. I don't trust him. You will have to lead this. Clarke, Theloneous has changed everything. If you can't stop them and give me him, we will be attacking."
Clarke was caught off guard. She took a minute to process this. "Fine. I will give you both Theloneous and Pike, but then you will allow Skaikru to become the 13th clan."
"Agreed. Last thing. If things go wrong, you must leave. With or without Arkadia, I have sworn to protect you." Clarke's heart fluttered. She knew this was an extension of Lexa's reign.
"I won't leave my people."
"I understand. Just know, I will do everything in my power to insure your safety, but not at the cost of ours. Not anymore." Clarke understood completely.
"I will deliver you Thelonious and Pike. Thank you Commander."
"I hope you do."
