Wow, long time no post. I'm super sorry for the delay, but I lost my laptop and had to start over from scratch on my dad's. *cries* Also AP exams delayed me a bit, but after finals I should be able to post more often and on a better schedule. As an apology I give you 8065 words in this chapter, and I hope you like it! (quite the plot twist in this one hehehe)
"Clarke! We're almost there! You need to get changed." Octavia called out to the wandering blonde. Said blonde glanced over at the shouting girl and sighed. It had been a week since her incident in the crawl-space, and after giving the same explanation she'd given to Bellamy to Octavia, the two girls had trained endlessly. Bellamy was too busy planning a raid on a prison to help with her training or talk about her attack, and Clarke was fine with the distance. Octavia had been more accepting about Clarke's explanation, and had even revealed that due to a royal order limiting rations, families could only have one child where she was born. Clarke remembered the early years of her life when the famine had struck the kingdom and forced her father to take drastic measures to preserve resources, but all the world's problems had seemed so far away from inside her castle.
"When the guards found out about me, they took my mother and executed her for treason. They were going to kill me too when Bell saved me and took me far away. I'm the reason he became a pirate king, but I'm not sorry for being alive. I'm only sorry for the other mothers and children who weren't as lucky as I was. I swear, I will find the royal family and make them pay for what they've done. I promise Clarke. We will get our revenge."
Clarke remembered how furious Octavia had been when she'd told her the story of her life. Octavia's hatred for the royal crown ran deep, and Clarke knew she couldn't tell her of her real heritage. If Octavia knew she was the princess, Clarke would surely be killed. This knowledge killed the lonely blonde, and she focused on training and learning to fight instead of learning to trust.
"Thanks. I'll be right back." Clarke called back. She passed Bellamy's cabin and saw the door was open. Inside the cabin the Captain himself and his first and second officers as well as a few other trusted crewmembers were running over the plan again and again to test for any miscalculations or mistakes. Clarke saw the Captain glance up at her, and she quickly averted her gaze and crawled down the stairs to her room.
She opened the door in trepidation, not wanting to see the physical reminder of her past lying on the bed. The dress was beautiful, there was no doubt about that. Bellamy had claimed he'd stolen it from a duchess on some ship somewhere and she believed him. The deep blue silk was soft and well cared for, and the lace embroidery traced beautiful and delicate designs along the skirt and bodice. Multi-colored patterns made the dress shimmer and gave the impression of a cut sapphire turned to fabric. Clarke clenched her fist and took a deep breath. She remembered what the soft fabric felt like against her skin, and how tight the corset was and how it took her breath away in the way her maids told her she would to men.
First Clarke stripped down to her underdress, then she pulled on the first layer of the dress and tightened the corset. Trying to tie the corset was tough with only her hands, but she managed. After that challenge came the silk layer. She could've sworn the smooth silk itched and burned, but Clarke knew it was just her imagination. She made sure the skirt was long enough to cover the boots she was wearing underneath and that her hair was up in a traditional royal braid pattern. She needed to look like a bunch of trained servants had put her together, and not one inexperienced girl in order for the disguise to be effective.
"Let's do this." Clarke said to her reflection in the floor length mirror. Her reflection smiled sadly and her eyes were dark with trauma. Clarke turned from the reflection and slammed her door open. She was the Royal Crown Princess of Arc Kingdom. She would rule an entire kingdom one day. She was royalty and demanded respect from her subjects. Clarke repeated her mantra in her mind as she climbed up the steps leading to the deck. She is the Royal Crown Princess. She is the Royal Crown Princess. I am the Royal Crown Princes. I am Clarke Griffin, Princess of Arc Kingdom.
Bellamy was waiting on the front deck with his most trusted officers for Clarke. They were all dressed in the fanciest clothes they owned to look more like servants to a noble rather than the mangy pirates they really were. Bellamy tugged at the itchy coat and made sure his gun was well hidden by his waistcoat. He saw Murphy and Miller doing the same out of the corner of his eye.
"What's taking so damn long," Murphy complained. Bellamy just rolled his eyes.
"Speak of the devil," Miller murmured. Bellamy heard the creak of the wooden steps and turned to see Clarke rising from the depths of the ship.
That's not Clarke, part of him said. The woman who rose from the ship was obviously royalty. From the posture to the attitude and expression on her face, she dripped regality. How had he not seen it before? The regal slope of her nose, the piercing blue eyes, all of it was familiar. That same expression was the same as the one worn by the queen of Arc Kingdom. Those eyes were the Griffin Family eyes. The Royal Family's eyes.
"You know that nickname you have for me?" She blurted. Bellamy nodded slowly, not knowing where she was going.
"It's pretty accurate." She said softly.
No. No way. He was just imagining things. There was no way a royal was on his ship. They all lived in the capital, surrounded by guards and swimming in riches. The Princess was sick and kept inside the castle; she wasn't on his ship. Bellamy shook the thought out of his head and focused on the mission ahead.
"Ready?" He asked Clarke.
She gave him a small nod and gestured for them to move on. Her entire demeanor had changed. She was not the Clarke he had known on this ship for the past few weeks.
"Damn girl. Talk about fancy." Murphy whistled. Clarke looked over at him, gave him a once over, and made a sound of disgust. Then she turned back towards the view in front of them and clenched her jaw. Sitting a few hundred feet away were the gates leading into the harbor of the camp. Flashbacks of coming here with Wells and her father as a child flooded her mind, but Clarke pushed them away.
"Aren't we heading in?" Clarke asked with a sigh of disdain. She had to be in character now so she wouldn't break later. She heard Murphy snort and rolled her eyes. She was next in line to the throne, and she did not have time for such trash.
"Of course." Bellamy cursed. Seeing the transformation was strange. Clarke met his dark eyes, and Bellamy saw anguish in them. She hated this, he realized. But why? What girl wouldn't want to play princess and wear fancy dresses? Bellamy gestured for Miller and Murphy to raise the sails and for the crew below to start rowing them into the harbor. While they were busy prepping the ship, he walked next to Clarke.
"Bellamy, I need you to promise me that when we go in, it will just be me and you. The warden will want to talk to me, and I can't be alone with him and I need you to be there. Are you listening? It can't be anyone else." Clarke pleaded. She reached over with one hand and gripped his sleeve earnestly.
"Why?" He asked simply.
"You'll see." Clarke said after a pause. Bellamy resisted the urge to roll his eyes. This was becoming too dramatic.
"Prepare for boarding!" A guard shouted. After a half hour of rowing, The 100 had made it through the gate, and was now docked at the end of the harbor. Clarke looked around at the other guard ships next to them and gulped. She could do this. A ramp was lowered and the moment it hit the deck, the guards marched on board.
"Who goes there, and what be your business at Washington?" The head guard asked.
"Watch your tone, guardsman. Know who it is you speak to." Clarke spat. She strutted up to the guard and handed him a letter sealed with the Royal symbol. He opened the letter and skimmed its contents, his eyebrows raising as he did. Clarke remembered the burns she'd got from the hot wax when she tried to use her locket to seal the letter. Without a letter of introduction, they couldn't get off the boat. She'd labored for hours to make her writing seem as official as possible, and now the work was paying off. The guard paled and handed the letter back anxiously.
"I'm terribly sorry, Your Majesty. Right this way." The guard said with a bow. He gestured for her to follow him down the ramp and Clarke huffed. She picked up her skirt and walked down the rotting ramp to the dock. There she was escorted by the guards to the Warden's office right below the guard tower. She ordered the guards to bypass the usual procedure and they obeyed, allowing her and her "guards" through security without a search.
"Care to explain?" Bellamy whispered in her ear. Clarke shot him a patronizing look that told him to be quiet for once in his life. Bellamy rolled his eyes but held his tongue.
"Wait here please, Your Majesty." The guardsman said, bowing again. He opened the door to the parlor and let Clarke and Bellamy walk in. The other crewmembers were told to wait outside.
"I'm going to need that explanation soon, princess." Bellamy whispered. Clarke sighed and kept her mouth shut. She looked around the familiar parlor, at the dusty old armoires and tables covered in knick-knacks from around the world. She saw the chip on one of the decorative plates in the glass cabinet and smiled at the memory of when she and Wells had broken it and some other precious plates on one of their trips to the camp when they were children.
"Welcome to Washington, Princess." A deep voice called, jolting the blonde out of her memories. Clarke looked over to see Warden Jemory step out of his inner office. He lowered himself into a low bow and rose with a smile.
"I did not expect Princess Clarke Griffin to show up at my humble abode so soon. I'd heard you were ill." He said smoothly. Ill? Her mother must have not wanted the kingdom to know of her year of torture and escape. Clarke ignored the burning glare Bellamy was giving her and smiled slyly at the Warden. Betrayal pierced Bellamy like a blade. He'd had his suspicions about the mysterious girl who'd joined his crew, but this was definitely not what he'd expected. A fucking royal? The Crown Princess no less? He was in way over his head.
"I'm getting a head start on my duties as Queen." Clarke chuckled. The Warden laughed as well.
"What would you like to see, my Lady?" The Warden asked. Clarke glanced over at Bellamy to see if he was still motivated to rescue his imprisoned crew. The Pirate Captain was giving her a simmering glare, but nodded as an answer to her silent question. Having her identity revealed so soon was a test Clarke didn't know if she could pass. So far the plan was going good, but if Bellamy decided partnering with the Royal Princess was too much they were screwed.
"Just give me the usual tour. I'd like to speak to a few prisoners as well." Clarke replied with a wave of her hand. The warden nodded and led Clarke and Bellamy out of the parlor and deeper into the prison. The rest of the crew joined them when they emerged from the room and Miller gave Bellamy a questioning look, which the captain ignored. He had a mission to accomplish. He did not have time to deal with the royal fucking princess.
"We have made a few changes since your last visit, as per your mother's orders. Chancellor Jaha has taken over some of the duties that belonged to your late father as well." The warden explained while walking. Clarke stiffened at the mention of her father, but forced a smile out. She could feel Bellamy's intense stare at her back, but Clarke avoided looking in the Captain's direction.
"...but soon I hope you will be the one making those changes, Your Majesty." The Warden cooed. Clarke swallowed down bile at the ass-kissing the Warden was giving her, and giggled. She looked back at the crew, still avoiding Bellamy, and saw how confused they looked. Clarke sighed and stepped away from her 'guards' and gestured for the Warden to join her.
"I'm sure you're aware of how tense the Royal Court has been after my- after my father's passing, and some are not fit to be trusted. Consequently I ask that you refer to me as a Duchess and treat me as such to avoid suspicion. Public appearances are dangerous these days and my mother does not wish for anything bad to happen to me." Clarke whispered. The Warden smirked and agreed to Clarke's terms.
"Right this way, my Lady. This is the common's area where the prisoners gather between work and sleep. Food is also served here now." The Warden stated. He led Clarke up to the balcony above the common's where the guards usually observed the prisoners. Clarke looked down into the pit and saw dingy old tables and benches with dirty prisoners wandering around or sitting at the old tables. There was a counter at the far end of the pit where she assumed food was served and hallways branched out and led to the cells.
"Very well. I would like to see the where you keep the more rowdy prisoners, if you would." Clarke ordered. The Warden's lip curled, but he nodded. Clarke knew she was pushing the Warden's patience, but she had no choice. Their plan relied on getting to the more secure areas.
Bellamy was leaning over his desk, where the sketches of Washington and other papers lied, explaining the plan again. Clarke had helped him come up with their plan, but now they were explaining it to the rest of the crew directly involved in the mission.
"Now after we get in, we have to go down to the detention center where your friends will be. The first level, which is on the surface, is where all the fake displays are. It's where they make you think everything is fine. We'll have to go down to the second to last level, about fifty feet under ground. That's where we'll find them.
"The only way down is a tiny lift that can hold two, maybe three, people at a time. It's small so that prisoners can't escape up through it. But there's a secret stairwell for the guards in case of a riot on the lower levels. To get as many guards down at once, they built the stairwell. It's heavily guarded and hidden behind a wall, but I can get us to it. That's out way back out." Clarke explained. The candle light flickered across the grim expressions of the crew, casting dark shadows across the room.
"After Clarke gets us to the upper level, we fight our way outside and out to the bay. Those who are still on the ship will keep her ready to sail at a moments notice and have the cannons armed and ready to fire. It'll be a firefight, but I know we can do it. We'll sail out with our fully reunited crew and escape onto the horizon. Once we get on the ship, we'll have to improvise a bit but I know we can make it. We're The 100, the youngest pirate ship out there, and the best. We do whatever the hell we want, whenever the hell we want. And I want our crew back." Bellamy growled out. The crew cheered and left his cabin in high spirits, believing in their Captain and their mission.
"You're good at that." Clarke said quietly. Bellamy looked up at her from behind his desk and smiled.
"You have to be. Half of success comes from our skills, the other half comes from determination and the belief that we can succeed. That way when our skills aren't enough, we fight our hardest anyway." He replied. Clarke nodded. It made sense.
"Good night, oh great and glorious Captain." Clarke said with a smirk. Bellamy gave her a small smile.
"Night, princess." Her smile faltered, and Bellamy saw a brief chink in the girls outside armor, but it disappeared as soon as it had appeared. Clarke smiled back sadly and left the cabin.
"As I'm sure you know, only two can ride the elevator at a time." The warden announced when the group arrived at the elevator doors.
"Of course." Clarke replied. She moved to ride with the Warden, but Bellamy held her back.
"My Lady will ride with me." He growled. His burning eyes left no room for protest, making the Warden nod slowly. The Warden went down first with Miller, and then Murphy and Roma went down. Clarke waited silently with Bellamy and a few prison guards for the rickety elevator to open. She knew once the doors closed behind her, Bellamy would pounce- and she was not looking forward to the incoming conversation in such cramped quarters.
Ding! Rang the elevator as the old brass doors opened and the inner gate lifted. Clarke walked inside the elevator, Bellamy hot on her heels. He pushed the lever to the correct level and waited for the doors to close. He was silent for a moment as the elevator jerked into motion, then roughly pushed Clarke against the side of the elevator and slammed his arms on either side of her face, barricading her against him.
"You have some explaining to do." He snarled. Clarke glared at the pirate.
"Did you really expect me to tell the pirate who had forced me onto his ship that I was the fucking princess of the kingdom? I barely know you, and I didn't want you to know, but in order to save your crew I had to sacrifice my safety by letting you find out who I am."
"Safety? Clarke, harboring the princess of the kingdom on my ship, a pirate ship mind you, endangers my entire crew. It endangers Octavia!" He exclaimed. Clarke flinched at his mention of the girl who had become her friend, but straightened her spine and stepped into Bellamy's arms. The Captain took a step back, not expecting Clarke's sudden approach.
"Listen to me, pirate. I did not run away from my hell of a palace to be insulted. I did not watch my father die and watch Fi- my friends die to become a pirate. I did not get shot by my own mother for this! I have been through more than you could ever imagine and I plan on dismantling the injustices and corruption that is poisoning my kingdom! I will have my revenge and I will take what is rightfully mine and fix the mistakes of my predecessors. If I have to become a pirate to do it, fine. But I will not stand here and have you insult me like that. Do you think I wanted to put Octavia or Monty or Jasper in danger? Do you really think I'm that careless? Don't insult me, pirate. You know nothing, and until you do you will treat me like anybody else." Clarke spat. Fire burned in her brilliant blue eyes, and the pain hidden beneath the fury struck Bellamy. He saw the queenly grace in her posture and her anger. She would be a terrible and magnificent ruler one day, that much he could see.
Bellamy stepped back and looked away from her piercing gaze. Jaw clenched, Bellamy nodded and glared at Clarke.
"We're not finished here. And when we get out of here, you and I are going to have a long talk." He said. Clarke nodded and folded her arms across her chest. She felt bad for snapping at him like that, but she'd meant what she'd said. They did not have time for this right now. The elevator jerked again, and slowly came to a jolting halt. The outer doors opened with a ding and the inner gate slowly creaked up. Clarke strutted out of the elevator and approached the Warden, who was standing with the rest of the crew near a locked iron door. Her dress swooshed loudly in the silence, and Bellamy's boots clanked as he walked behind her.
The Warden watched the princess emerge from the elevator, and saw the queenly rage in her eyes. He swallowed nervously, knowing this girl was not to be trifled with, despite her youth. The man behind her was a looming shadow that promised death to those who fought him. The Warden was afraid of these two.
"Show me the unruly ones." Clarke ordered. She knew not to be as rude, but Bellamy had worked her up too much for silly pleasantries.
"Of course, My Lady." The Warden said softly. He took the key ring out from within his vest and sifted through the many keys until he found a rusty old iron one. He unlocked the iron door and pushed it open slowly. A pair of guards helped him open the door and shut it right when the group had made it inside. Clarke looked around the dark cavern, trying to push back the flashbacks of Walden.
The room was at the same level as the best room in Walden, which was not a compliment. The old lanterns barely illuminated the cold cavern, and from what little light there was, Clarke could make out rows of iron cells in the darkness. She heard coughing and groans of pain, and even some sobs. Every few cells down there was a guard, armed with a gun. The blonde lifted her chin and strolled down the dark hallway, Bellamy right at her side. When he saw one of his crewmembers, he was to signal Clarke by tapping her side. Deeper and deeper into the darkness they went, each foot disgusting Clarke even more. The prisoners wore dirty rags and their cells consisted of dirt floors and walls with a pile of straw for a bed and a bucket, if they were lucky. Most of the cells had a hole for excrement, which smelled like it was rarely cleaned.
Clarke almost passed a cell when Bellamy jabbed her side. She hissed and glared at the man, but looked into the cell he was nodding towards. Inside sat a pile of rags that hid a person. Clarke stepped closer to the cell, making out the long dark hair and glowing eyes of a young woman around her age. The girl glanced over at the familiar faces of her Captain and fellow crew members and raised an eyebrow. Clarke smiled at her, a sign of trust. The girl rose from her crouch and approached the iron bars of her cell. As the light of the lanterns lit up her form, Clarke could see the scars and bruises marring her skin.
"Warden, what's this one called?" Clarke asked. The Warden spat at the floor and replied, "Raven, my Lady."
"Raven." Clarke repeated. She could see the fierceness in Raven's eyes and knew she was a survivor. The two girls' eyes met and a mutual understanding passed between them. They could see how they both had lived through terrible tortures and knew each other's pain.
"Why is she here?" Clarke asked.
"Association with Pirate's, my Lady." Clarke grinned and looked over at Bellamy.
"They sound like a terrible group of people." She said with a small smile. Murphy chuckled behind her.
"My mother has ordered me to transfer some prisoners to Walden for…quantity control. I'll need five prisoners in decent shape to take with me. This one will be one of them." Clarke demanded. The Warden blinked and stared at her in confusion.
"My Lady, this is not the usual procedure for a transfer. You need to-"
"I am well aware of what I do and do not need. But you know who I am, and you will do as I say. That's an order, Warden. I hate to be so rude, but my mother insists. These five are to be used for the advancement of the kingdom." Clarke announced. The Warden hesitated, but eventually gave in to her demands. A pair of guards unlocked the door and tensely approached Raven. They locked iron cuffs on her arms and pushed her out of the cell.
"Are you sure you want this one, my Lady? She is quite…hostile." The Warden asked. Raven smirked, and Clarke smiled.
"I'm sure she won't try anything." She replied coyly. The Warden only frowned in response. A few more cells down they found Jess and Monroe, then James. With each selection, the Warden's frown deepened, but he did not protest.
"One more to go." Bellamy muttered. Raven nudged her Captain, and whispered something into his ear while Clarke distracted the Warden. Bellamy tensed, and nodded at the girl.
"My Lady, why don't we grab a prisoner from the upper level. I'm sure your mother would not want all of them to be from down here." Bellamy stated. Clarke looked back at him in confusion, but agreed. He must know something she did not.
"That would be a good idea. Let's head back up." Clarke said. The Warden walked to the front of the group and led them back to the elevator, where he and a guard went up first. Then one prisoner and one of Clarke's 'guards': Murphy with Monroe, James with Miller, Jess with Roma, and Raven ended up going up with another prison guard, leaving Bellamy and Clarke alone again. They waited a while until it was their turn to take the slow elevator, and once the doors closed Clarke, asked "Why are we going back up? It's going to interfere with the plan."
"Raven just told me that Finn is up at the top level on good behavior. Apparently he was transferred here for helping out at another prison as a sign of good faith, and he's been staying up at the top this whole time. He's smart." Bellamy explained. Clarke sighed and rubbed her temple.
"What's wrong?" Bellamy asked. Clarke glanced up at the captain, taken aback by his sudden concern for her wellbeing.
"Just memories is all." She whispered. Bellamy grunted in understanding and the rest of the ride up passed in silence. The doors dinged open and Clarke stepped out to join her gang of misfits. The Warden and the other prison guards looked nervous to have the hostiles up in the upper level, but they did not say anything.
"You can take a look around, my Lady." The Warden said with a bow, walking away towards his office. Clarke did not like the look in his eyes, and she gave Bellamy a look that said they didn't have much time left. The Warden was getting suspicious, and for good reason. The suddenly ill Crown Princess had shown up out of the blue for an inspection and even demanded some prisoners to be taken back with her. Even Clarke doubted he would believe her story, and time was running out.
"Bellamy, why don't you help me pick one and leave the guards with the others." Clarke ordered. Together Bellamy and Clarke scanned the crowd in the common's area, although Clarke didn't really know who she was supposed to be looking for.
"I see him." Bellamy muttered under his breath. Clarke gestured for him to get the last crewmember, and Bellamy descended into the pit, making a beeline for the left side. The railing of the guard tower blocked Clarke's view, but soon she saw Bellamy rising up the stairs with a dark haired prisoner in tow. Before she could get a good look at the last man, she turned around and rejoined the rest of the crew.
"Alright guys. It's time to fight our way out of here. Roma, did you get the keys?" Clarke asked. Roma smirked and raised an iron key from within her breasts. She had seduced a guard and pick pocketed the key to the cuffs.
"Good. Work on getting them free, but do it discreetly. Are you ready to finally be back on the ship?" Clarke asked the prisoners. They all nodded eagerly, and Raven smiled at a person behind Clarke.
"If you want to get out of here, do as I say and follow Bellamy's lead. Let's do this." Clarke said encouragingly. She felt Bellamy's presence at her back and turned around to face the last crewmember. Her eyes fell on familiar features and she saw the man's eyes widen in disbelief and recognition. He looked different with long hair, but there was no mistaking those soft brown eyes and gentle lips. But it was impossible, he was dead. Clarke had watched the guards take his limp body away. He'd betrayed her, and then died. How on earth was he here?
"Finnly…" Clarke muttered. She stumbled back, tripping over the bottom of her dress. Bellamy caught her-for the gazillionth time, and looked between the man and Clarke.
"Finn, you know Clarke?" Bellamy asked. Finn nodded.
"We were in Walden together." Finnly-Finn-stated. The entire group shared a gasp of surprise. Walden had a reputation, a bad one.
"You are supposed to be dead. I watched you die!" Clarke screamed. Finn's brows knit together, his expression distraught.
"Finn, what's she talking about?" Raven asked slowly. Raven walked next to Finn, holding his hand and sharing an intimate look with him. Clarke choked, memories flooding her mind.
"I heard you came back up from the white-coats." A voice called from behind Clarke. The thin girl stiffened and reached for the sharp stone hidden within her waistline. Ever since she had come back from the tortures of the caves, the rest of the prisoners ignored her. She heard the whispers, of course. She knew they thought she was a monster who had lived through the experiments and become some sort of monstrosity. She relished in her isolation, happy to be free of the rowdy prisoners looking for anything and doing anything to get it. In the first few weeks of her imprisonment she's been beaten by fellow prisoners, but now they ignored her. Clarke liked it better this way.
"What do you want?" She growled, not used to the sound of her own voice.
"For starters I want a way out of here. But for now a name will do." The voice chuckled. He must be new, Clarke thought. To still be able to laugh like that. She turned around to face this stranger. He was handsome, tall and with the remnants of a decently fit body. He had short dark hair and matching brown eyes. His chiseled face still had some color to it, and his soft lips were spread in a smirk.
"Why me?" She asked, ignoring his question.
"Because I know you're strong enough to survive." He said. Clarke snorted and turned back around to eat the rest of her gruel.
"Plus you're mother sent me." He added. Clarke froze. Her mother? She had almost forgotten about the outside world. It had been almost a year since she'd even seen the sun.
"What did you say?" She growled.
"You're mother. It took her a while, but she finally found you. Now I'm here to get you out." The man said with a shrug.
"How'd a princess get in here anyway?" He asked. Clarke slammed her fist against the ground and turned to face the man.
"Name?" She asked.
"I asked you first." He teased. Clarke glared at him, and he just rolled his eyes.
"The name's Finn-ly. Finnly." He stuttered, adding the last syllable almost as an afterthought.
"Clarke." She replied.
"Well, Princess Clarke, let's get to work."
"Clarke, I didn't think you'd make it!" Finn exclaimed excitedly. He reached out for the stunned blonde, but she flinched away. Bellamy watched the princess's expression, and moved between Clarke and Finn.
"I don't know what drama you two have, but we have a job to do. Let's do it. Worry about this later." He ordered. Bellamy grabbed Clarke's arm reassuringly and forced the girl to meet his gaze.
"Can you do this?" He asked sternly. Clarke's blue eyes swam with confusion and hurt, but she pushed back the emotions and took a deep breath.
"Yes." She said simply.
"Good. Cause we're out of time." Bellamy said stiffly. The Warden was approaching, flanked by a dozen or so guards.
"Your Highness, it seems there's been a mistake. I'm going to have to ask you to relinquish those prisoners and come with me." He demanded. Clarke stepped up in front of the crew, pushing her feeling about Finn to the back of her mind. First, she had to get out of here.
"I can't do that, Jemory." She replied.
"I'd hate to use force, Your Highness, but I hope you forgive this transgression." The Warden snarled. He lifted his arm and ordered the guards to attack. Raven and the others quickly removed the cuffs and attacked the confused guards behind them, taking their guns and swords. Clarke grabbed the delicate silk skirt and ripped it off, revealing the twin short-swords attached to her legs. Clarke grabbed the swords out of the makeshift scabbards and charged the guards. Their plan of using the staircase to escape was out the door, now they had to fight out the front door.
"To the dock!" Bellamy shouted. The crew roared back a battle cry and charged right along with them. Bellamy pushed Clarke behind him and attacked the first wave of guards. Clarke was kept in the middle of the group, stabbing and jabbing at any guards who came within her reach. Bellamy held the vanguard, with Miller and Murphy at his flanks. The rest of the crew formed a pyramid behind them. This way they could charge right through the guards and out the door. It was a flurry of blood and steel, and Clarke could barely tell where she was and the enemy began. There was a scream, and Clarke saw James carrying Jess. A sword was sticking out of the girl's side, and blood dripped down the blade.
"Bellamy, we need to hurry." Clarke urged.
"I know that, Princess!" He shot back, slipping back into his nickname for Clarke. The front gate grew closer, and soon the group had pushed through the doors and were now out in the open air.
"Quick! To the ship!" Bellamy shouted. The crew abandoned the formation and charged for the ship as fast as they could. Most of the guards were behind them now, and all that stood in their way were the guard ships in the harbor. Bellamy stopped at the gangway leading up to the ship and pulled out his gun. He fired on the guards, forcing them to stop and take cover. Miller, Murphy, and Roma did the same, pushing the newly freed crew up onto the ship. James went first, Jess in his arms, and then Monroe and Raven climbed up. Finn stopped, and looked back at Clarke, who was fighting with a guard. He saw her disarm the guard and stab him with one of her blades.
"Finn! Get on the damn boat!" Bellamy roared. Finn obeyed, and Bellamy ran over to grab Clarke. He pulled her along with him and jumped onto the ship.
"Set sail! Fire at will! Let's get out of here!" The Captain ordered. The roar of cannon fire deafened Clarke, and she slumped against one of the mast posts in exhaustion. Her side ached, and the still healing wound throbbed.
"Clarke! You made it!" Octavia exclaimed. The girl pulled Clarke up and hugged her tightly.
"Hey Octavia. It's good to see you." The tired blonde sighed.
"Clarke! We need you over here!" A voice called. She turned and saw Monty waving her over. He was standing over Jess's body, his hand stained red with her blood.
"Octavia, run down to my room and get my med kit." Clarke yelled at the girl as she ran over to Monty. The ship jerked, and Clarke lost her footing. She jumped back up and sat down next to Jess. All around her was the sound of battle, and she knew it would be a long day.
"Monty, I need you to get me some water and clean bandages. Now." Clarke demanded. She quickly cut away the scraps of cloth around Jess's wound, and inspected it. It didn't look very deep, and with any luck it wouldn't get infected.
"Don't worry, Jess. You're gonna be fine. I promise." Clarke said consolingly to the crying girl. Monty appeared with the water, Octavia right behind him. First Clarke gave some of the water to Jess for her to drink, knowing the girl would be low on fluids after staying in the prison for so long. Then, she rinsed the wound while Octavia and Monty held Jess down and started to stitch up the cut. She put some antibiotic herbs on the wound and wrapped it with bandages. Clarke wiped the sweat from her brow.
"All better. Get her down to the med bay and make sure she stays lying down. She shouldn't move for a while." Clarke ordered a nervous James. The man nodded and lifted Jess up. Clarke stood, and looked around for Bellamy. She spotted him at the helm, shouting orders to the crew. Clarke climbed up to the helm and bumped the Captain with her shoulder. Bellamy looked down at her, and her blood stained clothes, raising an eyebrow in concern.
"Not mine. Jess. How close are we?" Clarke asked.
"Close. There's more wounded, so get busy." Bellamy replied. Clarke nodded, and ignored the cannons and the screams. She focused on the task at hand: healing. Her old Master's voice rang out advice in her mind as she stitched, bandaged, and fixed up the crew. Soon the jerking stopped, and the smooth familiar rocking of the open ocean took over. Clarke looked up from her work on the most recent wounded pirate, and saw Bellamy helping the remaining crew. She told Monty, who had become her assistant throughout this ordeal, what to do to finish up with the cut and left to talk with Bellamy. All throughout the battle she had seen Finn watching her from the corner of her eyes, but she ignored him.
"We made it?" She asked the Captain. He sighed, and handed the helm over to another crewmember, walking over to the railing. Clarke walked with him and looked back at the island on the horizon and the guard ships fading into the distance.
"Barely. We'll need to stop to make repairs, one of the masts was hit pretty bad and there's a few holes in my ship that need filling, but we made it." He sighed. Clarke smiled, wiping the blood off of her hands and onto the ruined and ripped up dress.
"I ruined your dress." She laughed. Bellamy looked over at her and smiled.
"That's the least of my worries." He muttered.
"I guess I owe you an explanation, huh?" Clarke whispered, looking out on the horizon.
"You bet your ass you do. First you tell me everything, and then we deal with Finn." He grumbled. Clarke stiffened at the name, knowing Bellamy was watching her closely. Clarke looked around, noting how everyone was too busy to listen or pay attention to her and Bellamy.
"As you know already, I'm the Crown Princess of Arc Kingdom. Clarke Griffin. I'm sure you've heard of me. I watched my father die, and in a search to find his killer I put myself into a prison camp. Walden, the worst of them all." Clarke started. She took a shuddering breath, and then described what had happened in Walden, barely mentioning how she'd met Finn.
"After I escaped, when I thought Finn was dead, I was taken back to the castle where I was kept locked up until I healed enough to run away. That's when I was shot, and then I bartered my way onto that cruise ship, until you came along." Clarke chuckled darkly. With each description of her past, Bellamy tensed, and he looked ready to snap.
"You know the rest. Well, that's my life story. It isn't pretty." Clarke concluded. She stayed frozen against the rail, waiting to see how Bellamy would respond. He was silent for a pregnant moment.
"At first I was angry that you'd kept something like that a secret from me, but now I understand. Clarke, I hate your family to my core, but what they did to you… that's unforgivable." He said softly. Clarke choked back a sob. Bellamy turned to face her, waiting until she met his gaze to continue.
"No one else can know who you are. My crew hates the royal court, and if they knew, I wouldn't be able to promise your safety. But I want you to know, that I trust you. What happened to you, it's unthinkable. I promise, we will get your revenge together, if you decide to stay." Bellamy said, hope in his words. Clarke wiped away tears that had escaped and nodded.
"I'd like to stay." She cried with a smile. Bellamy ducked his head and smiled back. Clarke had never been forgiven before, she hadn't been accepted in a long time. Her past tended to scare people, even her own mother was afraid of her. Her only friend had abandoned her once he had learned what she'd done to survive, but here was Bellamy accepting her and her scars willingly. Bellamy placed his hand over Clarke's small shaking one in comfort, and the two felt a bond being formed. One that would last a long time and run deep. Clarke had not trusted anyone in a long time, and didn't know if she still could, but somehow Bellamy was breaking down her barriers and earning her trust.
"Clarke!" A familiar voice rang, ruining the moment between Clarke and Bellamy. The captain saw the hard shell return over the princess as Finn approached, Raven right on his heels.
"Clarke! We need to talk!" Finn implored. Clarke glared at him and shook her head.
"I have nothing to say to you, Finn." She spat.
"You need to know, I didn't want to do it! I had to get out of there, and betraying you was my only chance at getting out." Finn said, reaching for Clarke's hands. Clarke pulled back, and pushed as far back against the railing as she could. Bellamy loomed over her, stopping Finn from coming any closer.
"All of you, in my quarters. Now." Bellamy growled. Finn scowled, but walked down to the Captain's quarters. Bellamy pulled Miller aside and told him to take over while he dealt with Finn.
"You okay, Princess?" Bellamy asked, his nickname having a deeper meaning now. Clarke shook her head.
"I will be." She muttered.
"Now, what's going to happen, is Clarke is going to tell me what you did, and then you get to try and defend yourself." Bellamy said. He was sitting in his ornate desk chair, hand folded across his chest. He'd taken off the overcoat and was wearing only a thin white cotton shirt and his slacks. Clarke wasn't better off. She had a pair of skinny leggings and the remains of her dress, which was covered in blood. Finn was standing in front of the desk, frowning. Raven was there as well, standing right next to Finn, her hand in his.
"Bellamy, I don't-" Clarke started, looking at Raven nervously. She liked the girl, and felt a kindred spirit with her, but based on the intimacy between her and Finn, Clarke knew Raven wouldn't like her story.
"You have to." Bellamy interrupted. Clarke clenched her jaw, and reluctantly began to recant what had happened after she'd met Finn in the camp.
"I knew him as Finnly. Not very creative. But since I was not supposed to be in Walden, my mother had sent him in to get me out discreetly. Only there was a catch. We couldn't escape quickly. Finn came to me and befriended me in that hellhole, convincing me he was on my side. We had planned to kill two of the guards and take their uniforms to get out, but after a spending time together we-we grew close." Clarke said slowly. She glanced at Raven, seeing the girl let go of Finn's hand.
"Finn was the only one who had treated me like a human being, but when it came to killing the guards, he chickened out. He stabbed me instead, saying he was bribed. Said someone had bribed him to kill me so he could get transferred to a different camp, a better one." Clarke spat, she unconsciously brought her hand up to rub one of the many scars littering her body. Bellamy clenched his fists, and Raven took a step back from Finn.
"After he betrayed me, one of the guards injected him with something, making him have a seizure. I'd thought they'd killed him, but I guess I was wrong. I passed out from blood loss and woke up back in the pa-my home. That's it." The Princess crossed her arms and glared at Finn.
"Finn, do you have anything to say for yourself?" Bellamy glowered.
"You don't understand, Captain. It was worse than hell in Walden. I didn't know what I was getting into. After Raven and I were captured, someone told me to get the blonde out of Walden and I'd be free. But the months I spent there…it changes you. Survival instincts kick in." Finn stuttered.
"So you resorted to seducing an innocent young girl and manipulating her? When you and Raven were already together? You decided that instead of maintaining your honor in your darkest hour to betray Clarke and kill her?" Bellamy asked outraged. Raven smacked Finn, and glared at Clarke. Finn rubbed his red cheek, having enough dignity to looked ashamed.
"She's not innocent. I heard stories of what she's done. She killed guards and prisoners. She's not innocent. None of us are." Finn said darkly.
"Leave me. All of you. I need to think. Clarke, get Octavia and have her stay with you tonight. Finn, stay away from Clarke. Raven, try not to kill anyone. Dismissed!" Bellamy ordered. Finn scowled and stormed out of the cabin. Raven was next, and Clarke slowly walked out, leaving Bellamy alone in the dark cabin with his thoughts. She wandered around for a bit, going around to check back up on the wounded and reapply more herbs.
"Hey, Clarke, right?" Raven called. Clarke looked over at the dark woman standing right outside the med bay.
"Yea?" She asked nervously.
"I don't blame you. For what happened with Finn. But I don't- I don't know how I feel just yet." Raven stammered. She left as soon as the words left her mouth, leaving Clarke alone again. She finished up in the med bay, then wandered around the ship in search of Octavia. After searching for a few minutes, Clarke decided to just go to her cabin alone. Bellamy's door was closed, but light was shining through the cracks. Clarke hoped she could trust the pirate captain. She didn't have any other choice.
"Ouch." Clarke hissed. Her wound throbbed and some new bruises and cuts were forming. The exhausted girl pulled off her ruined clothes and stepped into a clean shirt, not bothering to put on pants. She pulled back her quilt and crawled into bed with a content sigh, falling asleep as soon as her head hit the pillow.
WOW! That's long, huh? Reviews keep me alive, and I'll reply to other reviews on the A/N chap. I hope you like this one! And did the intro of Finn surprise you? Maybe? I was going to end this one when he came in, but kept on going for another three thousand words...sigh
I hope you liked it! Thanks for reading!