Disclaimer: I don't own The 100 or its characters, but I miss them all the time always (and my Bellarke obsession has reached an all-time high ahhh!).
Chapter 25:
Several hours had passed since they'd convinced Lexa to release Tygon to them temporarily, as he was needed on this expedition. The smug bastard couldn't help the smirk that graced his face, knowing he was a crucial component of the mission, and it made Bellamy want to punch the Desert Commander, but now was not the time.
Lexa had placed Indra in charge of watching the Desert camp while she would go back to the Trigedakru. There was much to be done, and the Desert Grounders weren't making things easier. The dispute between these two clans had already caused several arguments, and it had taken Silke and Raven together to break up a few fights.
Bellamy watched as Silke knelt down, speaking quietly to Vyla, her younger sister. As she explained she'd be going away, but that she would back, and that Vyla had to be strong in the meantime, Bellamy found himself searching out his own little sister.
Octavia stood in a corner with Lincoln as he tenderly held her jaw, smearing war paint on her eyes. She looked savage and terrifying. She also looked strong. Most of all, standing in Lincoln's embrace, she looked… loved. Rather than interrupt the moment, Bellamy stepped away.
He almost immediately ran into Abby. "I've been looking for you," she began, walking alongside him.
He grunted at her, and she continued. "I'm trying to figure out how many medical supplies we're going to need, especially when we…" Get Clarke back.
Bellamy pulled up short. "Chancellor… Abby. You're not coming with us."
Abby immediately bristled. "Like hell I'm not. That's my daughter out there – "
"And we'll get her back, I promise. But Abby, our people need you. They're scared, and some of them have been abducted. They need a stabilizing presence right now, especially when there are so many Grounders around."
"But…" Abby shuddered, and Bellamy moved on instinct, wrapping his arms around her as she folded into him. He felt her take a deep breath, voice very quiet. "She's the most important thing in my world."
"I know."
They stood like that for a moment before Abby slowly managed to get a hold of her emotions and take a step back. "Bring her back."
Bellamy nodded. "I will."
And he would, or he wouldn't be back at all.
An hour later, the group was readying to leave. Raven, though still injured, had quickly and with Wick's help made a brace that would do for the journey. "No pain, no gain," she quipped.
Silke nodded sagely. "That is very wise."
"It's just a saying." When Silke's face remained blank, Raven continued. "You know, like, 'When the going gets tough, the tough get going?' No? Nothing? Okay, never mind."
Bellamy shook his head as Octavia and Lincoln joined them. "What's going on?" she asked.
"No idea."
Octavia put her hand on Bellamy's arm, and he glanced down at her. "We'll get her back, Bel."
"I know that. But stick close to me or Lincoln, okay, O?"
She huffed out a laugh. "How about you two stick close to me? I'll protect you."
Lincoln looked like he agreed. Bellamy smiled. "I don't doubt it."
"Bellamy," he heard, and he turned to see Lexa and two Trikru guards leading Tygon towards them. "I am holding you personally responsible for ensuring that this one comes back."
Bellamy appraised Lexa before he nodded. "You've got my word."
He turned before he heard Lexa clear her throat again. "Bellamy."
"Hmm?"
"He's not the only one you need to bring back."
His eyes met Lexa's, and some kind of understanding seemed to pass in the glance, and in that moment, Bellamy knew that Lexa might put off a heartless and aloof façade, but deep down, she was clearly as affected as he by Clarke's abduction. He nodded, and the Trikru Commander led out a small exhale.
"I will."
With that, she gave spun around, and her guards followed her. Nearby, Indra finished saying goodbye to Octavia and Lincoln, and Bellamy saw Abby watching from a distance.
"Let's head out," Bellamy said, raising his voice slightly so everyone would hear.
His group immediately fell into line, looking to him. Even Tygon didn't fight Bellamy's clear authority, though he kept his face blank and his intelligent eyes narrowed.
Raven shuffled along, her new brace and Wick by her side. "Ready when you are, fearless leader," she drawled, and a small part of Bellamy smiled.
As they began to leave, Tygon stuck relatively close to Bellamy, though he would occasionally cast looks at Lincoln. He seemed to ignore Raven, Wick, and Silke completely, but his gaze finally settled on Octavia.
Bellamy didn't like it.
"Don't even think about it," Bellamy muttered under his breath as they trekked through the tall dunes in the waning light.
Tygon smirked. "Think about what, Gona?"
"You know what."
Tygon finally looked away, settled his eyes instead on Bellamy. "Tell me. It is clear you are in love with Clarke, and yet you care deeply for that woman as well. But it is different, and she is with the Trikru Gona."
Bellamy didn't answer for a few minutes, wondering whether he should just ignore Tygon, or if it would be harmless enough to tell the Desert Tribe Commander.
Tygon waited patiently, and finally Bellamy answered. "Octavia is my sister."
"Ah. That does explain it. Love for a sibling is something that cannot be surpassed by anything."
Tygon's response didn't sit well with Bellamy. There was something poignant in the tone, but the man's face gave nothing away.
"Do you have brothers or sisters?" Bellamy found himself asking. Despite himself, Tygon intrigued him. He hated the man, and he would kick his ass when this was all over… But there was something about him that Bellamy found to be slightly kindred, and it both infuriated and fascinated him.
Tygon cleared his throat. The rest of the group was far enough behind or ahead that they couldn't hear this conversation, but Tygon still spoke lowly. "I did."
He didn't respond, and Bellamy prompted Tygon to continue. "What happened?"
"I had a brother. His name was Aleks. He was nine years my senior, and I looked up to him more than anyone else in the world."
Bellamy glanced at Octavia, Tygon's words resonating with him.
The Desert Commander continued, "He taught me everything. How to hunt. How to make shelter. How to fight. His favorite traps were all made with wire, and he taught me how to build up defenses with them, how to use technology to lead. He taught me to think with my head, but always trust my gut. He told me I had good instincts, and that I must always do right by my people."
Bellamy noticed as one of Tygon's fists reflexively clenched. "One day we went to a summit. With the Tree Clan. My father was Heda at the time, and Aleks was next in line. I was not allowed to participate in the talks. I was only 11."
"Then your tribe and the Tree Clan were allies then?"
"At the time, yes," Tygon said. "My father was a ruthless man. He was strong, but not kind. He was not merciful. The other nations did not agree with his tactics. Well before Lexa took command, the Trigedakru were led by their Heda Catriona. The peace talks were going surprisingly well… for a time."
Tygon's anger seemed to increase with every word, and he very nearly spat out both Lexa's name and that of the past Tree Clan Commander.
"I remember it very well. One day things were fine. I snuck out to see more of the Tree Clan territory. My father was constantly scolding me then, but Aleks had given his consent. I knew he would cover for me. Then, that night, we were ambushed. An attack on my father and his heirs, only I was nowhere to be found. My father survived, managing to call upon his guards, and a fight ensued. Aleks was killed in action, his body found near Catriona's."
Bellamy cleared his throat. No wonder the Tree Tribe and the Desert Clan had a blood feud. "They killed each other."
"So we were told."
Bellamy's brows knitted together. Tygon's wording was… strange. "No one saw it?"
"Someone saw it. My father believed it. And up until this morning, I had too."
Bellamy sucked in a deep breath as understanding began to dawn. "Jago."
"Yes. Jago. My trusted Second. He almost died himself in the fight, and he was unable to save Aleks, though together they did manage to fight off Catriona."
"And now, Tygon? Now what do you believe?"
Tygon looked directly at Bellamy, and in his eyes burned a sort of cold fury that was terrifying to behold. "I believe I must finally seek the truth that I have always been too blind to see."
Clarke stumbled once again as Jago yanked on the chain, and her knee scraped on the floor, blood beading to the surface through the cuts. Jago seemed to delight in seeing her bleed, and he hummed to himself as he dragged her forward. They finally reached his chambers, and while it wasn't nearly as grand as they had been back in the Desert Tribe encampment, Jago clearly had some authority here with the Wastelanders.
Inside the room was a large tub, filled with water. Nearby was a large pallet, and Clarke felt her pulse began to rise in alarm as Jago leered at her. "Strip," he commanded, pointing to the tub.
"No."
"A Fisa should know that she should disinfect her wounds, yes? You're filthy."
As he began to advance on her, Clarke gripped the chain attached to her collar hard. She wasn't going to go down without a fight.
A sudden knock on the door caused Clarke to nearly jump out of her skin, but she was grateful one second later when a Wastelander knocked on the door and wasted no time in opening it. Jago growled under his breath before he barked at the man in Grounder, asking what he wanted.
The man glanced at Clarke before he continued. "It is time to ready the missiles. Artigus said – "
"Artigus does not command me. I am my own Heda, and you will not bother me," Jago breathed out, and the Wastelander looked shaken.
Until another man stepped into the room. He was not as imposing as Jago, but something about him didn't sit right with Clarke. He gave her a once-over, but he seemed largely disinterested in her as he focused on Jago, who seemed to have settled down.
"Jago."
"Artigus. I am busy, as you can see."
"I do see that. But I sent someone to fetch you because I wish to aim the missile. Now." Artigus eyed the other Wastelander before he suddenly lashed out. A knife seemed to appear in his hand from nowhere, and he used it to puncture the man's neck.
The Wastelander fell to the floor grabbing at Artigus, who took a languid step back. He gasped out a final breath, and two more Wastelanders appeared. "Butcher the body. Serve it up," Artigus said, and the two nodded.
Clarke felt her stomach turn over. This man… was a cannibal? He couldn't mean that.
But looking at him, and at Jago's stilled reaction and respect, she realized that this man Artigus was bad news. What was that old Earth saying?
"Come along," Artigus said. "You can bring the girl."
Jago huffed, but he was moving, yanking Clarke forward as he went. As she walked past him, he grabbed at her waist, pulling her closely to the point where Clarke could smell his breath as he whispered hotly into her ear. "Make no mistake, Fisa. We aren't done here."
He let her go, and she tried to calm her racing pulse as they followed along after Artigus, heading for the missile launch site.
And the expression Clarke had been searching for came to her like an epiphany. Out of the pan, and into the fire.
And Clarke couldn't help thinking this would probably end with the whole world burning.
A/N: This is un-beta-ed, so please excuse any typos/mistakes - I wanted to quickly get this out to you guys for making you wait. Thanks so much to everyone reading, but even more to those of you writing reviews. I've been absolutely slammed lately, but every time I get a new review or read the most recent ones, I'm like, "AHH gotta write!" I know how this story is going to end and I promise you I'll finish (and hopefully it'll be feels-worthy for y'all). You guys are the best! xoxo, TATF