SHIVER

SUMMARY:
Before there was a Sky Princess, there was the Ice Queen.
Kwin Astrid is a notorious leader; fearless, ruthless, and willing to do anything to protect her people. After the bombing of TonDC, many of the twelve Grounder clans were left without leadership and so joined the Ice Nation. With an army bigger than ever, Astrid kom Azgeda decides that it is now time to review her rocky allegiance with the Trikru, and to finally meet the Sky People.

Clarke / Bellamy / OCs

DISCLAIMER:
I do not own The 100, it's characters or storylines.

Chapter 21

ASTRID
Her right leg could barely support her, but she gritted her teeth and rose. She squared her shoulders as she marched into the battle zone, Bellamy's voice echoing in her head. The wind caressed her face and swept her hair behind her like a billowing sheet of gold. With her aching, useless arm, she wiped blood from her mouth.
Lexa grinned and bowed low in a mockery as she marched towards her. Then Lexa growled, and swung her sword- making to behead her.

Astrid shot forward, faster than an arrow. Lexa's eyes went wide as she buried the jagged end of the staff in her right side, exactly where Ress said she would be unguarded.
Blood poured onto Astrid's hands as she yanked it out, and Lexa staged back, clutching her ribs.
The fight slowed. Astrid forgot the pain, forgot the fear, and leapt forward a step. She sliced through Lexa's other arm with the broken end of the staff, ripping through muscle. Lexa swatted at her with her other arm, letting the blood pour down her side, but Astrid moved fast, cutting that limb as well.

Lexa lunged, but Astrid stepped away and she fell to sprawl on the floor. Astrid slammed her foot in her back and as Lexa lifted her head, it was to find the knife-sharp remnant of the staff pressed against the back of her neck.

Lexa wriggled, and for a moment she could have sword her eyes glowed like coals. Astrid's hand trembled with effort before she dug the spearhead deep into Lexa's neck and black blood began to spurt over the ground. Lexa's body went limp, and slowly there began clapping.

Astrid dropped the bloody remnant of the staff on the ground as she removed herself from Lexa's back. She stood and turned to the crowd, but it all came crashing down upon her and she felt herself collapse but there were arms around her.
"Bow to the victor!" Ress' voice roared over the crowd-some whom were rioting in protest and others who were cheering, but all nonetheless, sank to their knees in a bow.
Guards surrounded the pair of them, weapons raised against those who might try to jump in and attack Astrid. Not that anyone did. The last thing Astrid noticed before she passed out cold was the figure of Indra dragging away a small blonde boy who was screaming in horror.

Unbeknown to Astrid, a week passed, and she tried not to wince at the pain that shot through her shoulder and leg as she awoke. Swaddled in blankets and bandages, she glanced around the hospital room in the Ark which was empty.
Her jaw hurt as she opened her mouth. Astrid didn't need a mirror to know she was covered in nasty bruises. She frowned, and her face throbbed at the movement. Undoubtedly, she looked hideous. She tried unsuccessfully to sit up. Everything hurt.
Her arm was in a sling, and her thigh stung as she moved her legs under the covers.

"Don't move," a voice called, and there was a stomping of black boots on the metal ground as Abby appeared to push a needle into Astrid's arm and make everything go dark again. She didn't remember much of anything, but at least she wasn't dead.

She awoke the next day, unsure of what time it was. There had been a shuffle at her bedside and she blinked the sleep from her eyes in time to see Bellamy stand up- as though to leave.
He stared at her for a moment before sinking back into his seat and she managed a smile.
"Hello," she said hoarsely. She remembered him suddenly, holding her leg down as Abby stitched her up. He reached across the bed, and stroked her bruised face gently.
"You look even worse today," he whispered.
Despite the pain, Astrid sat up, "I'm fine," she lied.
She wasn't. Lexa had cracked at least two of her ribs and it hurt every time she breathed. Bellamy clenched his jay, staring at the bedsheets.
"What's the matter with you?" she asked. She wanted to reach out and cup his face with her hand but it hurt too much and he was too far away.
"I-I don't know," he said, a vacant, lost look in his eyes, "I haven't been able to sleep since the fight."
The tempo of her heart increased and she sighed. "Here," she muttered as gently as she could, reaching out her hand for him to take. Obediently, he slipped his hand into hers and she gave it a soft squeeze. He stiffened and almost pulled away, but then he relaxed, and lifted her hand to touch it to his cheek.
"Are you ill?" she asked.
"No," he mumbled into her fingertips.
"Bellamy, what's happened?" she demanded, panic rising in her voice.
"What do you mean what's happened?" he retorted, dropping her hand, "one minute you were perfectly alright, and the next Lexa was beating the living shit out of you."
"You lost sleep because of that?"
"I can't- I-" he groaned, and she gave him a moment to sort out his thoughts, "I'm sorry."
As delicately as he could, he moved to lay next to her on the bed. He looked to her and brushed a finger down her cheek. His finger was icy, but she held in her shiver.
"I'm sorry," he said again, taking his finger away, "I'm sorry that I didn't save you."
"What are you talking about, is this what you've been agonizing over?"
"I'm sorry I didn't stop Lexa the moment I knew something was wrong. I'm sorry I didn't stop it sooner."

With a wordless, heavy sigh, Astrid moved her head from her pillow to rest in the soft space between his shoulder and his chest. Heat rushed through her and her body almost seized up in agony as she turned over. Astrid put her injured hand on his stomach. Bellamy's breath was warm on the top of her head and she smiled as he brought his arm around her, cupping her shoulder.
They were silent for a while, then he leaned forward and kissed her.
It made her jaw hurt.

RIGHT HELLO!
I'm not sure, I need lots feedback because I really don't know where to go now from this.
I think this might be the end of the story, especially because I've killed off Lexa (who is actually one of my favourite characters in the 100!) but also because I've run out of ideas.
Is this a satisfying ending or nope?