Bellamy woke up first, but he didn't immediately get out of bed. He studied Clarke's features. Bellamy loved how peaceful she looked when she was asleep, but he knew the second she woke up the peacefulness in her face would vanish until the next time. After a few moments, Bellamy slowly and carefully got out of Clarke's bed, and without waking her up, left her room and headed down the hallway towards the rest of camp.
...
Clarke noticed Bellamy's absence as soon as she woke up. Without thinking, she tried to get out of bed. The searing pain in her thigh when she put any weight on it made her sit back down on the edge of her bed. Clarke took a deep breath and stood anyway, forcing herself to walk out of her room and to the bridge with as little a limp as possible.
Most of her friends were already there. The only one who wasn't was Murphy. Clarke flashed a quick smile at Bellamy when they made eye contact before she fell into the closest chair, letting out a sigh of relief as she did so. Finally, Murphy joined them, yawning as he entered the room and closed the door behind him.
"We need to talk about our next move," Bellamy said, starting the meeting.
"What exactly are we supposed to do with an army of Grounders just hanging out in our territory?" Murphy asked. The room was quiet, everyone deep in thought.
"I need to go to Polis," Clarke said, breaking the silence.
"What? No," Bellamy said. Clarke simply rolled her eyes, pushing herself from the chair.
"Wheels up in 10 minutes. Bellamy you stay, Raven you're with me," Clarke order.
"N-" Bellamy started, but Clarke dismissed him with a wave of her hand and walking away.
"Right behind ya, boss," Raven said, sticking her tongue out at Bellamy as she passed. Bellamy watched the girls leave. Octavia snickered.
"Whats wrong big brother?" Octavia asked, clearly mocking him. Bellamy rolled his eyes.
"Nothing," he said, leaving the bridge and headed to the garage, about to attempt one last time to convince Clarke to stay, even though he knew the chances of her changing her mind were nonexistent. By the time Bellamy got to the garage, Raven and Clarke had already finished packing the rover and Clarke had the keys in her hand. She rolled her eyes when she saw Bellamy approaching.
"I'm not going to change my mind," Clarke said before Bellamy could open his mouth.
"Let me come with you," Bellamy said.
"Bellamy you're needed here. If the Grounders outside realize neither of us are here, they take that opportunity. Raven and I can handle Polis on our own," Clarke said. Bellamy swallowed, nodding. Clarke could tell how desperately he didn't want her to go, and she couldn't understand it.
"Be careful," Bellamy said at last. Clarke nodded.
"Don't worry, we'll be back by dinner," Clarke said. Bellamy watched his partner get into the Rover and start the engine before pulling out. Bellamy watched the front gate open and only turned away once the Rover was out of sight and the gates were closed. He didn't hear his sister sneak up behind him.
"When are you just gonna admit you have something for Clarke?" Octavia asked, coming to stand beside her brother. Bellamy rolled his eyes.
"I don't," he snapped. It was Octavia's turn to roll her eyes.
"You can lie to yourself all you want, Bell. But I'm your sister. And a sister can tell," Octavia said before backing out of the garage and leaving her brother to himself and his thoughts of a particular stubborn, reckless leader.
...
"If it's the clan we think it is, what could Lexa possibly do to help?" Raven asked as Clarke pulled the Rover through the clearing, Polis directly ahead.
"Confirm whether or not its them and hopefully tell us how to defend against them," Clarke said, turning the wheel and navigating the Rover into the streets of Polis. Clarke came to a stop outside the tower. Both girls jumped out. A Grounder guard must have recognized Clarke.
"Wanheda," the Grounded greeted Clarke. Clarke nodded her greeting.
"I need to speak to Lexa," Clarke said. The guard nodded, gesturing Clarke and Raven to follow.
"Top floor," the guard said stopping outside an elevator. Clarke and Raven stepped inside and the guard closed the door. The elevator lurched to a start. Raven and Clarke stood in silence until the floor came to a stop and the doors opened. Clarke and Raven stepped out onto the platform. Clarke took a deep breath.
"Here goes nothing," Raven muttered. Clarke nodded and turned the handle to the throne second Lexa saw Clarke, her whole face changed.
"Leave us," Lexa order her guards, who then left the room without another word.
"Lexa," Clarke greeted the Commander.
"Commander," Raven said.
"To what do I owe the pleasure of the presence of Wanheda and Skaikru?" Lexa asked.
"There's an Army of Grounders camped three miles away from the gates of Arkadia," Clarke said. Lexa's good mood instantly turned sour.
"That good for nothing bitch and her disgusting excuse of a prince," Lexa roared, pushing herself out of her throne. Clarke and Raven shared an uneasy glance.
"Lexa, what are we dealing with?" Clarke asked.
"Ice Nation," Lexa answered.
"What's so bad about Ice Nation?" Raven asked. "Commander?"
"Queen Nia has always tried to find a way to tear apart the coalition. Now that I have made an alliance with you, Wanheda and the Skaikru, she must see it as an opportunity to turn your people against me, breaking the alliance and starting a war," Lexa growled. "That bitch always had it out for me."
"How can we stop them?" Clarke asked. Lexa looked at her.
"Alone, you can't. However, I can send two of my own with you-" Lexa started.
"Sorry to interrupt, but can one of those be Lincoln, Commander?" Raven asked, wincing slightly under Lexa's cold stare. But then suddenly, her features softened.
"Of course. Lincoln is a great man, I can understand why Octavia wants to see him," Lexa said. Raven grinned slightly, nodded her thank you.
"And then a warrior. Someone who knows the strengths and weaknesses of Ice Nation," Clarke asked, trying not to sound too demanding. In Lexa's presence, Clarke wasn't in charge, she was only someone asking for a favor.
"Yes. I will give you Hakan. He was once Ice Nation, but his mother abandoned him when he was ten. We took him in. He's my second," Lexa said.
"Thank you," Clarke mouthed before she turned to face the door, as Raven had only a few seconds before her.
"Hakan!" Lexa called. Hakan entered, pushing open the door with ease. Clarke and Raven glanced at each other.
"Yes, Heda?" Hakan answered, bowing his head when he came to a stop in front of his commander.
"Ice Nation is threatening Skaikru. You and Lincoln are to go with these two, Raven Reyes, the most talented mind on Earth, and Clarke Griffin, their leader. You are to do everything in your power to assist them in surviving and defeating Ice Nation," Lexa order. Hakan nodded, his eyes glancing over the two girls. His gaze lingered on Clarke, causing her to blush slightly, looking away from him.
"Thank you, Commander," Raven said.
"Goodbye, my Heda," Clarke said softly enough only after Raven and Hakan were almost out the door and out of earshot. Lexa smiled.
"Till next time, Wanheda," Lexa said. Clarke nodded, and left the room behind Raven and Hakan. The group was silent the whole way back to the rover. Lincoln was waiting for them.
"Octavia didn't come with you?" Lincoln asked.
"No. She was needed at home," Clarke said, opening the door and getting into the driver's seat while turning on the engine. Lincoln opened the door for Hakan before walking around to the other side. Raven had already climbed into the passenger.
Clarke looked over her shoulder, backing up and turning around. Once she was facing Arkadia, Clarke pressed on the gas, taking off towards home. She looked in her rearview mirror. Hakan looked terrified.
"Hakan, you alright?" Clarke asked. Hakan snapped out of his daze.
"Yes, Wanheda. First time moving this fast," Hakan said, grinning softly when he caught Clarke's eyes in the mirror. Clarke blushed. Raven glanced at her, smirking and Clarke elbowed her.
...
Bellamy was standing in the middle of camp, Octavia by his side, giving orders to his people when he heard the roar of the rover.
"They're back," Bellamy said. "Let's go people. Defenses need work." Octavia was already headed to the garage when Bellamy turned, the Rover already inside the walls and headed toward the garage. Bellamy jogged to catch up with his sister. By the time Bellamy arrived, Octavia was running to Lincoln, jumping into his arms when she reached him. Bellamy pretended he didn't notice the kiss they shared. Then he saw another Grounder, and curled his lip. Clarke appeared from around the back of the Rover, helping the newcomer. Bellamy saw him place his hand at the small of Clarke's back, whispering something in her ear. He watched Clarke smile, before placing her hand on the man's bicep, pulling him close to her to whisper something back. Bellamy felt a fire start in him, and he couldn't control it. He was shooting daggers at Clarke. Once she stopped whispering in the man's ear, she left him with Raven and came up to Bellamy. She noticed his stiff features.
"Uh, everything okay?" Clarke asked. Bellamy gave a swift and curt nod.
"Bridge, now," Bellamy said. "Bring the team."
Not ten minutes later had the team assembled in the bridge. The tension was thick in the air. Lincoln and Octavia stood with Hakan, while the others stood on the other side of the room, glaring. Bellamy sat in the middle of the room, massaging his temples. Clarke entered and closed the door behind her.
"Well? Care to explain why you brought a Grounder with you? Not just a Grounder he's Ice Nation," Bellamy said the second the door closed and the lock clicked.
"Lexa sent him and Lincoln here to help us," Clarke said.
"I'm confused Clarke. He's a Grounder, and there are Grounders waiting for us just outside," Raven said. Clarke opened her mouth to argue, but Hakan beat her to it.
"If I may, Wanheda?" Hakan asked. Clarke nodded. Once more there was an interruption.
"Why is he calling you Wanheda?" Bellamy shot.
"I'm actually not sure. Hakan?" Clarke said, nodding to Hakan.
"Much like your Ark, twelve warring clans decided to join together under one Commander, a Nightblood. However one clan resented the coalition, but complied in order to survive. Your leader and my leader made a truce, an alliance a few weeks ago and now Lexa has made Skaikru the thirteenth clan. Wanheda has the tattoo to prove it. The twelfth clan, known as Ice Nation, is against this, and now they have decided to do something with their hatred for Skaikru, for Heda. The Grounders outside your wall aren't just Grounders. It's Ice Nation. They are the only clan who would dare challenge Lexa," Hakan said. Bellamy frowned.
"You're Ice Nation," Bellamy stated. It wasn't a question. Hakan inhaled."Yes. I was banished ten years ago. My own mother banished her ten year old son, sentenced him to death, because I stole an extra ration for my little sister, who had no food. My mother was eating not only her own rations, but Adsila's as well. When I was discovered, my mother ordered me to be banished, and I fled for my life. I hung around camp, always staying out of sight, only to watch my mother starve my sister to death. I ran after that, right into Polis. Indra raised me, and I met Lexa when we were eleven. I am not Ice Nation. I am Trikru," Hakan explained. Clarke frowned, coming to stand beside Hakan, her hand tracing circles on the small of his back. Bellamy frowned.
"Wanheda?" Bellamy asked. Instinctively, Clarke sat up.
"Wh-," Clarke started before she shut her mouth. Bellamy glared at her.
"Not. You," Bellamy said through his teeth.
"Heda means Commander in Grounder language. Lexa gifted Clarke a Grounder name to not only to strengthen the alliance, but because she saved a Grounder Village from Ice Nation while the marched on Arkadia. She killed nearly a hundred Ice Nation, all to save 35 Trikru, her people," Hakan explained.
"What does it mean?" Bellamy asked, now interested. Hakan looked to Clarke, who gestured him on. Hakan took a deep breath.
"Commander of Death," Hakan said. Clarke's eyes immediately shot to Hakan's, and then her head snapped to Bellamy, observing his reaction. Bellamy's face was impossible to read. He was angry, sad, disappointed, jealous, his face showed all of it. Clarke sighed.
"Why you?" Bellamy asked.
"Not only do I know everything about Ice Nation, I'm a warrior, Lexa's second to be exact," Hakan said. Lincoln stepped forward.
"Hakan is not the enemy here, Bellamy. Clarke tell us what Lexa said about their intentions," Lincoln said.
"Get rid of us," Clarke said simply.
"I guess this means we're at war," Bellamy said.
"I guess it does," Clarke said.
