Clarke couldn't remember the entire walk back to the camp. All she could think of was Lexa dropping her off at the riverbank and her offer of peace and growth. Before she knew it she was walking in the midst of the 100 camp, the by-standing delinquents parting like the Red Sea as she dragged the unconscious Jasper behind her. She could hear them all whispering, dumbstruck at her return. No doubt they had left her and Jasper for dead, and now they were watching the dead return.
"Move! Get out of the way!" commanded a voice from deep within the crowd. Bellamy made his way forward to Clarke, with his right-hand men, Murphy, Miller, and Atom by his side. "We thought you were dead," Bellamy confirmed her suspicions as he stood in front of her. "What happened to you? Where did you go?"
"I panicked," Clarke confessed with shame, "I got scared when Jasper was hit and ran from the group. While I was running away I ran into some Grounders…"
The crowd murmured anxiously, and even Bellamy looked around uneasily.
"Clarke!" shouted other voices in the crowd. Soon Finn and Monty came forth, Monty running straight to kneel by Jasper's cot, while Finn stood awkwardly close to Clarke, as if he was fighting to give her a hug.
"Are you alright?" He whispered, putting his hand on her shoulder comfortingly instead.
"Yes, I am, now," Clarke responded, genuinely feeling safer now in the presence of familiar faces. Earlier in the day she had contemplated if Finn was her soul mate, simply based on a joyful sense of attraction towards him during their adventure. She was curious to ask him about this, but knew now wasn't the time and that simply asking if one was their soulmate could be disastrously embarrassing if wrong. She would have to be content with getting to know him more first before asking the big question.
"Grounders don't exist," stated Bellamy, snapping Clarke out of her thoughts.
"They do," Clarke replied. "They had captured me and their leader asked me questions."
"What did you tell them about us?" Bellamy asked, his chest feeling heavy with tension.
"Just that we were unaware of Earth being uninhabited; that we didn't know we were trespassing," Clarke started, feeling that admitting she told Lexa of their numbers would be seen as traitorous to the 100. "Their leader, Lexa, told me that she would hold a deliberation about peace with her people as long as we stay within five miles of our camp for just three days."
The crowd began to murmur even more when she said this.
"Three days to deliberate peace, huh?" Bellamy questioned with a huff, standing back to address the crowd, "Or three days to mass an army against us to wipe us out?"
Numerous members of the crowd began to express their agreement, making Clarke uneasy.
"I told her that she had nothing to fear from us, that we're peaceful and just want shelter," she tried to reason.
"They should fear us!" Bellamy raised, "Clarke, you can't be so trusting of these people already. We know absolutely nothing about their ways and what they are capable of, but if they were willing to spear Jasper just for crossing a river, there's no way they're going to let a hundred of us prosper, let alone the rest of the Ark if they ever come down. This Lexa probably just let you go to send this message so we would all let our guard down so they could slaughter us in our sleep!" The crowd grew in agreement.
"I don't believe that," Clarke said, finding herself defending Lexa's word, "She had her people heal Jasper! Do you really think they would go through the trouble of correcting their mistake like that if they just want to kill us? 'Oh yes, let's heal him so that we can kill him again,'- sure, Bellamy." She then turned to the crowd, "She also told me that Mount Weather is already inhabited by a group of people, and that these resources the Ark promised us are probably long gone. If we respect her boundaries, since we are on her land, she will have her people help us set up shelter and we will be respected as a trading post in return. She's helping us. Why can't you all see that?"
"Bullshit," Bellamy spat, "she's keeping us disarmed and underfed. It's a basic military tactic. Did you not pay attention in history, Clarke? One of the easiest ways to kill of a population is to cut off all life-necessary supplies! She won't let us leave more than five miles- that gives us a limited amount of food, and who knows if there's a large water supply to quench all a hundred of us. She's making sure we don't have anything, and that we also can't find anything. She wants us to be sitting ducks!"
"It's just for three days, Bellamy, are you kidding me right now?" Clarke growled, feeling her anger elevate. "All we have to do is respect her conditions. It's probably for our own safety too. If we travel too far from the camp before all her people are briefed about us it could be dangerous for us. I really do believe she's giving us a chance. I know she believed me when I said we just wanted to live."
"Whatever, Clarke," Bellamy said, looking down at her, "We'll honor her request, but I'm not gonna sit here and do nothing while we wait." With that, he turned back to the circling crowd. "All those who are not already working on foraging and water gathering, create any kind of weapon you can salvage or rig. If these Grounders don't come for peace, at least we'll have some kind of fighting chance."
Clarke returned his sneer and he and the crowd dispersed.
"Clarke," Monty said, "Let me take Jasper to my tent."
"That's fine," Clarke said blandly, still thinking about Bellamy's arrogance.
"Clarke, I-" Finn started, but was interrupted by Clarke putting her hand up.
"I'm sorry," Clarke began, "But I just need some time to myself right now. It was a long journey back and an emotional day I just need some rest and privacy."
Nodding, Finn took a step back, "Of course," he said. "I'll make sure no one disturbs you."
Clarke thanked him and made her walk to the drop ship, trying to find a corner or level that was empty, and when she found a spot suitable for her privacy, she sat down in a chair and just gazed into nothing, letting her mind finally unravel. She couldn't stop thinking of Lexa, and how her piercing green eyes had succeeding in striking terror in her when she had first seen her in the forest, but how after they had spoken in private her eyes became more soft and inviting. She was hoping that her faith in Lexa was not misplaced, and that Bellamy would feel like a fool when in three days Lexa would arrive at the river with diplomats and aid. She felt like no better offer towards their survival could be made, and she really did not want to have it all be ruined by Bellamy's paranoia.
Remembering that Lexa had given her a satchel, Clarke looked down to the bag slung across her chest and began to rummage through its contents. There was dried jerky, nuts, and dried fruits. They say the quickest way to someone's heart is through their stomach, and Clarke did indeed feel her heart soften as she sampled all the food options inside. She would've shared these with the other hundred, but there wasn't enough for everyone… and they were being too stupid at the moment to deserve it.
As she hungrily picked apart the contents of the satchel, she caught a glimpse of her arm, and saw words. When did these arrive? She asked herself. Startled, she pulled up her jacket sleeve and read the words: Can we try again?
Her heart soared and ached all at once. She stood up from her seat and searched the drop ship level for any writing device, and finally found a pen. Whoever it was, whether it was Finn or another delinquent, she didn't care as she found herself writing: I would try over and over again for you.
The next day, in Polis
Lexa slumped in her throne, listening to the ambassadors of the other clans debate the issue of the Skai people amongst each other. It really seemed to be 50/50 right now in terms of agreement to her plans for peace. Some said that this handful of a hundred wouldn't be the last, and that who knows how many Skai people actually existed, since the Commander had failed to ask this Clarke Griffin if more were to come. Others however agreed with the Commander that a first attempt for peace wouldn't be any harm, as first impressions were always important. A healthy and fruitful alliance could come from these Skai people, and a trading post was their first step into perhaps gaining more technology that could help them be on the same military level as the Mountain. If the Skai people were going to throw this chance into the wind, then so be it. Better to try for peace first and destroy them at the first sign of rebellion than to wait for the Sky people to grow into disobedience later.
Having enough of the squabble, Lexa lifted her hand and silenced the room.
"These Skai people are novices, based on the Clarke's account. I urge you to see the importance in building an alliance with them while they are still unable to defend themselves. We can make them dependent on us." She shared, hoping this would do to get them all to agree.
"That is a clever idea, Heda," said one ambassador, the eldest in the room. "However, what is to stop them from having gratefulness corrupt into them taking advantage of us? We may come down there to help them grow into the kind of society they need to be in order to fight us."
"I'm sure we'll destroy them before they ever get to that stage," Lexa sighed. "If we take care of these Skai people, I'm sure some of them will feel a sense of loyalty, and would inform us on any suspicious activity."
The ambassadors began to all nod confidently.
"There is nothing wrong with trying to recruit these Skai people for our use," Lexa continued. "There is nothing wrong with trying this first. If they deny our help then your warlords may have the battle they're craving, but for now, we try to reap benefits from this situation."
"Yes, Heda," They all chanted in unison.
"This meeting is dismissed. I command you all to send riders to all your camps near the Skaikru's grounds. No one is to cross their five-mile safe zone. Let us show them that we are sincere about this attempt for peace."
The Ambassadors soon exited the room and left Lexa alone. Relishing in the privacy, Lexa looked down at her arm and studied Clarke's words from last night once more: I would try over and over again for you. Lexa's heart soared as high as Icarus at Clarke's faithfulness. Now that she had a face, and a body, and a soul to associate with her soulmate, the words were even more exhilarating. It fueled her with a barbaric desire to steal Clarke away from her Skaikru camp and keep her for herself. Chuckling at her own selfish and ridiculous desires, she wondered just exactly how Clarke would take that. It would ruin the Grounder reputation for not being savages, that's for sure.
She wanted to respond to Clarke as quickly as she always had in the past. Ever since the Conclave, she felt so pleasurably obliged to responding to her soulmate instantly, but now she felt that she had nothing left to offer Clarke in the form of written words or symbols. She wanted to approach her and show Clarke her arm. She was done drawing, she wanted to speak. But she knew Clarke valued the communication as well, she couldn't hurt her destined love like that. But what could she say that would make Clarke's heart as thrilled as hers was right now?
Bashfully, Lexa went for one of the most classic lines in the history of wooing: you're beautiful. No doubt this was sending Clarke up the walls.
Almost instantly, Lexa's arm began to tingle. There was only so much room left on the spans of her arm, but that didn't stop Clarke from writing back, small and hurried: You've seen me? Please, don't torture me, let me see you.
Lexa swallowed hard, the conversation not going where she wanted it to go, but who knows what it was she really expected out of it. Of course Clarke would want to see her if Lexa just acknowledged that she saw Clarke already herself.
Soon, Lexa wrote solemnly. She had two more days left before she got to see Clarke again. Two more days and she better have the courage to give Clarke what she desired to know.
The third day…
Clarke being nervous was an understatement. Meeting the Grounders wasn't her problem. Her problem was that Bellamy had broken Lexa's five-mile radius rule. He had snuck out with his band of misfits and found a bunker with automatic firearms. She wasn't sure if the Grounders had noticed his escapades, and if everything had been ruined, and if it wasn't ruined, if it probably would be in a bit if one of his goons got trigger happy. Not even communication with her soulmate could calm her. She had tried to speak with them again, but they did not respond to her anymore, and she had no idea why. Well, she kind of did. Last time they spoke, her soulmate had called her beautiful, and as much as that flattered her, she got impatient and kind of demanded that they meet. She couldn't take it anymore. She was haunted by the thought that they were so close to each other, and that her soulmate already knew who she was and hadn't introduced themselves. Instead of words, she resorted back to symbols, and still received no answer. This morning she had sent a biohazard symbol again, just like the first day, but still received nothing. She was tentative with Finn, whom she had started to suspect since they first landed, but couldn't bring herself to ask, as every time she wanted to, her voice would be stolen.
She knew the 100 were watching in the tree lines, eager to see the urban legend they were taught about as children, while Clarke stood the furthest up by the riverbank, and Bellamy and his "mercenaries" stood scattered about Clarke, but in plain view. She could see Octavia and Wells waiting with the others in the trees.
The far off crowd began to make too much noise, and Clarke turned around to see Lexa and three of her riders appear. The horses were majestically donned in saddle-pieces; no doubt this was a sight to see. Clarke herself didn't get to really see the horses either when Lexa escorted her a few days ago. She felt herself mount the beast, but her imagination did not play up to the real thing. Clarke took a couple more steps forward, to signify that she was still eager to make her part in these negotiations as well.
Lexa smiled as she saw Clarke make her way. She was even more beautiful than last time, all fear gone (well, most of it) from her face, only to be replaced by confidence. Lexa had never felt so lucky. The Universe really outdid itself when it created Clarke, and even finding Lexa worthy enough to be her destiny. Her pleasure was short-lived though, as a boy came running up to Clarke from the woods. Clarke turned to him and muttered something, the two of them reaching to hold each other's hands for a brief second. Lexa's smile dropped and her heart surged with jealousy. It took everything within her to not foster thoughts of killing this boy. Clarke hurriedly sent him off, turning back to Lexa with a blush gracing her face.
She's mine, Lexa thought to herself, struggling with a desire to be possessive.
"Thank you for meeting with us today," Clarke said, rehearsed, no doubt.
Lexa dismounted from her horse to be respectfully level with Clarke. "The same to you. As far as I'm concerned, your people have obeyed my conditions and have not left your camp…" Lexa began, and Clarke could feel Bellamy smirking, feeling pleased with his sleuthing. "If your people are ready, we can begin negotiations."
"Of course," Clarke nodded, "Please go first…"
Lexa took a moment to be stunned by Clarke's exquisiteness. From her soft blonde hair, to her ocean deep blue eyes, and even to the beauty mark above her lip.
"My people are here, ready to raise homes for you. They are waiting a few yards beyond my riders. We have brought enough lumber to build five longhouses for you; assign functions to these buildings as you wish. We have also brought salt, dried meat, and fruit for you to store. Enough to feed your people for five days…"
Clarke could feel her jaw dropping. She could feel Bellamy's prideful paranoia shrivel.
"We have even brought tools and seeds to help your people begin farms of their own. These essentials are our gift to you, to christen this new alliance. However, it is up to your people to help each other thrive. We will not be constantly giving handouts. We do this initial gifting in good faith, to show you what an alliance with us has to offer."
"Lexa," Clarke said, breathlessly grateful, "You are too kind. I don't even know how we can repay you…"
"You and your Sky People can offer the skills that allowed your kind to live among the stars. Medicine, technology. My people wish to honor our old ways, as usual, so we do not ask for this knowledge to integrate it with our culture, but to understand it- you can bring us knowledge that we can use to destroy the Mountain," Lexa continued. "We shall also mutually support each other through economics, as we expect this Skaikru trading post to generate revenue. You shall be open to all the twelve clans and offer them services. We expect you to work; to make sure your post is always full of game, pelts, and any other salvage that may be useful to Trigeda. Do this, and you will be protected by my warriors, and left to thrive as a colony."
This would go down in Trigeda history: the day the Commander built a community without the fear of consequences. But Lexa was the only Commander faced with this dilemma of people falling from the sky; she couldn't be compared against the others. She knew all the leaders of every clan were watching her, even as they were not present. She was giving these Skaikru more than any would have ever done themselves… and this was actually unknowingly done all because of a girl.
"We accept," Clarke blurted, before consulting anyone else. Sure the 100 had known that a meeting was going to happen between them and the Grounders, that's why they were all watching from a safe distance, but she knew that they put all authoritative decisions to Bellamy, who had promised them that they would not be slaves to the Grounders- and working for the Grounders in exchange for peace probably sounded like slavery to them. "As long-" Clarke needed to add something to please her crowd before it was too late, "As long as we are left to govern ourselves. We recognize this land as yours, but we need to rule ourselves with our own leaders to answer to."
"As long as you respect the Trade Agreement and do not engage in any standard act of war we will have no issues, Clarke," Lexa said, making her voice more gentle than diplomatic, "These are still my lands. I understand your people wish to grow, especially by forming your own sense of government, but I cannot allow you to just freely take any more of my land. If your people wish to grow outside of the five mile radius, you must petition. We'll do things as civilly as possible. I'm letting you live on my land, not letting you take my land."
"I understand," Clarke nodded. That should be fair enough, for now. "You're so generous, I speak for all of my people when I say we are so grateful. Not only for your hospitality, but for your mercy. Thank you for sparing us and having faith."
"Thank your people for obeying," was all Lexa said. She enjoyed that Clarke was beyond thrilled by her actions, but she still couldn't completely enjoy it. That boy who had touched her like a lover was still on her mind. She felt immature, but didn't care. Clarke was hers, not his, the universe said so. Reaching her hand out to finalize the agreement, Clarke more than eagerly locked hands. Lexa was expecting them to feel soft, but they were rough and dry, the product of the environment plus the Skaikru's unexperienced behavior, no doubt. As they parted hands from the shake, Lexa turned her head to nod to one of her riders. The rider nodded in obedience and reached for a horn, and its sound filled the sky with a deep droning hum.
More than pleased with herself, Clarke let a smile possess her lips. She had done it, and her people would no longer doubt her- she brought them peace- and a future. Content, Clarke let her eyes drop unintendedly taking in Lexa's figure, admiring what must have been a ceremonial tunic- when she saw it. Her smile died and her eyes widened. Quickly, she instinctively snatched up Lexa's other arm. A biohazard symbol was on it.
"Do not touch the Commander," warned one of the riders in a gruff voice, leaning his spear down in a warning matter.
Lexa cursed at herself internally. She had set out from Polis today making sure she was covered up, but had forgotten that in the heat of the ride she had rolled up her sleeves to relieve some of the heat.
"It is okay, Gustus," Lexa waived. Turning back to the awestruck Clarke, and begged in a whisper, "Later… let my people work with yours. We can talk in private… just not now… please wait."
Clarke felt like she was dreaming. This had to be a dream. Her head was spinning and her heart was pumping erratically.
"But Lexa," she said, feeling as if she would faint, "You're my… you're…"
And she did.