Chapter 18 trial

Hello, I hope your keeping up, the next couple of chapters are coming fast.. I did this one and the last one together and had to split them up. I also had a request for a certain character to testify in Bellamy's trial and had to laugh, because that character was already one of the main witnesses. I just had to edit it first. I appreciate the reviews...Hope you're liking the Bellamy angst...

Rollins called Mack as his first witness. Mack claimed the group walked into Bellamy's camp and he welcomed them, even offered them food and he gave them refuge from the weather, but didn't follow them into the cabin. They said that Red went out to relieve himself and never returned, followed by Joey. When Carter and Lang went out to check on them, Carter was impaled by a spear and Lang took a knife to the throat. They all told the same story, it had been well rehearsed. Alan and George claimed they witnessed the deaths of Carter and Lang. He said the spear came from out of nowhere, and the knife came right after. They said it like there was a monster waiting in the dark for its next victim.

Marcus walked up to question Mack. "Did anyone hit or attack Mr. Blake?" he asked

"No, I didn't see anyone get hit, or even get mad," Mack said.

"Did you see any of the attacks?" Marcus asked

"No, I was in the cabin, but he was the only one out there," Mack said

"So you didn't actually see Mr. Blake Kill anyone, isn't that correct?" Marcus asked Mack.

"But there wasn't anyone else that could have done it," Mack said

"Strike that last statement. The fact is no one actually saw Mr. Blake kill anyone," Marcus said "It could have been anyone."

Alan was the last witness questioned by Marcus. He saw where it was going when he shocked everyone and claimed he actually saw Bellamy in the darkness throw the knife that killed Lang. It game from the same direction that the spear had. He said Bellamy was just outside of the clearance, but he clearly made him out. He even said Bellamy was grinning when he did it. This made the crowd break out in hushed whispers and gasps.

Marcus called Ilian as a witness, who testified that he and Octavia found Bellamy beaten half to death in the root cellar.

Rollins asked Ilian if he was in a personal relationship with the defendant's sister. He admitted he and Octavia were lovers and Rollins claimed that he was not a credible witness because of that.

Abby was called next and listed his injuries; two broken ribs, a broken nose, fractured eye socket, fractured jaw, and his eye was swollen shut. She said he had been severely beaten.

"Dr. Griffin, I'm sure you're a fine doctor, but you just got your daughter back, a daughter you thought for years was dead. Am I correct?" he asked

"Yes," Abby said

"I'm sure that all those years you would have done anything to get her back. To see her happy," Rollins said "Now she's back, and clearly she is extremely close to Mr. Blake. Some even believe they are in a loving relationship…why….she even spent nights alone with Mr. Blake in his cell, doing god knows what." Rollins said, in an accusing way. "I am sure that after all the grief you suffered, losing your own husband. You wouldn't want to see the same grief affect your daughter by losing the man she loves," Rollins said before he turned to everyone. "I think we should strike Dr. Griffins testimony due to the fact that she has a bias towards Mr. Blake, and the outcome of this trial," Rollins said.

Clarke's eyes made contact with Bellamy when Rollins made the assumption of her feelings for Bellamy. Bellamy just closed his eyes and hung his head after his eyes met hers, unsure of how to react.

Abby fumed. "I'm not making this up, I'm a professional and the injuries I stated that Bellamy Blake had…" she started but was cut off by Rollins.

"That will be all Dr. Griffin," he said shutting her down.

Abby stood. "No I'm not done, and you're making a mockery of this hearing. You wanted me to tell you what I found when I was called to help Bellamy in that cabin. I found a young man that was fighting for his life. He was so badly beaten, I wasn't sure if he would live or die. Then you refused to allow me to treat him once he got back to Arkadia. Someone obviously tried to kill him, and somehow, he fought back, until he couldn't fight any more. If his sister and Ilian had not found him, he would have died. That's a fact Mr. Rollins," Abby said firmly.

"I want her testimony stricken," Rollins said "Please Dr. Griffin take a seat or you will be held in contempt," Rollins said. He appeared calm but Marcus could see his jaw clenching, Rollins was livid, but held his temper in check.

Rollins paced the floor, his hands were clasped behind his back, his boots would click the floor with each step; Rollins was good. He was in his element and in command of the room. Marcus watched and knew the route he was taking. He was going after Bellamy's past, and Marcus was going to have to fight back hard.

Rollins called Jaha to the stand. "Isn't it true that the first encounter you had with Mr. Blake was when he tried to assassinate you?" he asked.

"It isn't that simple. There is more to it than that," Jaha said

"Just answer the question yes or no Chancellor," Rollins said. Jaha took a deep breath and answered, "Yes."

Kane stepped up to the stand and tried to repair the damage. He looked at Jaha. "Chancellor, when you were told who shot you, did you, at the time, recall having met Mr. Blake before?" Kane asked

"Yes, I remembered who he was," Jaha answered.

"What do you remember about the first time you met Bellamy Blake," Kane said

Jaha cleared his throat, and looked towards Bellamy. He had a regretful look on his face. "It was outside the airlock chamber. His mother was condemned to be floated. We allowed her children to say their goodbyes and Bellamy was there," Jaha said

"So the first time you actually met him was when his mother was about to be executed. You being the Chancellor were the only person that could have stopped his mother's execution, but you didn't. Am I correct?"

"Correct," Jaha said in an exhaled breath of regret.

"So the man, whose mother you chose to execute for having a second child, shot you. Why do you think he did that?" Marcus asked.

"There was an attempt to take control of the Ark, starting with my assassination," Jaha said "Mr. Blake had been a cadet in the guard until he was found harboring his sister. After his mother was floated; he was thrown out of the guard. A year later, Commander Shumway told him that we were sending the hundred kids to Earth, including Octavia. He gave Bellamy a choice; kill me and he could go with his sister. So he took the deal," Jaha said.

"Isn't it true that Shumway threated Bellamy to either shoot you or Shumway would have him floated like his mother, and Octavia would be sent to Earth alone anyway, to a planet everyone assumed wasn't survivable?" Kane asked "So he was willing to die on Earth, just so his sister wouldn't be alone. Isn't that how he was raised; to protect his sister at any cost?" Kane asked.

"Yes, that's what happened," Jaha said.

People in the room began talking among themselves in whispers. Octavia looked at Bellamy and her heart broke thinking back to it all. He glanced in her direction briefly before closing his eyes trying to shut out the memories. It was all he could do to hold it together.

Rollins could see the people begin to feel sorry for Bellamy and imagine the choice he must have been given. It wasn't the image he wanted to make. His jaw clinched in frustration.

Rollins stood "I object. That's here say. You were not there. You don't know what deal was made between Shumway and Mr. Blake." Rollins said. "For all we know, Mr. Blake was working on his own. He hated Jaha, the man executed his mother, and Shumway was the one that turned her into the authorities. Bellamy Blake had the motive to do what he did without anyone's help." Rollins spat. "Why didn't he just go to the authorities and turn in Shumway? Because the idea of killing the man that executed his mother felt good, that's why." Rollins spat.

"Who do you think the authorities would believe; a Commander in the guard, or a Janitor? He had less than 20 minutes to decide so he chose his sister," Marcus said.

The courtroom erupted, with people talking. Rollins was livid at the exchange between him and Kane.

"Of course he did," Rollins shouted and his outburst made room go quiet. "Bellamy Blake always chooses to shoot first without thinking. That's his MO, and apparently nothing's changed," Rollins said.

Rollins outburst frustrated Kane.

Kane nodded. He turned and looked back at Jaha. "What did you do to Mr. Blake when you finally spoke to him, after you recovered from your injury?" Marcus asked.

"Bellamy told me who gave him the gun (Shumway) and for that information, I pardoned him of his crimes, just like I had done for all the kids we sent to Earth." Jaha said

"Thank you," Marcus said and Jaha was excused.

Rollins told how Bellamy committed treason by stealing guns for Pike while Dr. Griffin was still the Chancellor.

"Mr. Blake's loyalties seem to waiver whenever it suits him," Rollins stated. "He is hardly anyone you would want to rely on," he said.

"In fact, Marcus Kane was the person that locked him up for that crime." Rollins said.

Rollins called Indra to the stand. Octavia looked at her as she walked past. Indra was uncomfortable, not used to the ways skaikru held court. She reluctantly came forward.

"Indra, you were in command of a Trekru peace keeping force sent by you former commander to guard Arkadia, is that correct?" Rollins asked.

"Yes," Indra said.

Everyone knew where this was going. Octavia just glanced from Indra to Bellamy. As Rollins forced Indra to recount the Massacre brought on by Pikes small group.

Bellamy was nauseous, he had to sit and hear a replay of some of his darkest moments. He felt as if he were drowning, the words were replaying in his mind. After Indra was excused, Rollins called up Niylah. She was forced to tell about how her father died in the massacre, putting a face to yet another victim.

Bellamy's guts were in knots, every muscle ached. He wanted to scream and put an end to everything. Let them take him away. Lock him up forever, shoot him, he didn't care at this point, he was just done.

Suddenly Rollins called John Murphy to the stand. Clarke turned and looked at him. Murphy met her eyes and shrugged as he stood to walk up.

"What now?" Octavia whispered to Clarke. Clarke just shook her head, not knowing what was coming next.

"When you first came to the ground Mr. Murphy, A boy was murdered," Rollins began.

"A lot of people were killed when we came to the ground," Murphy said with an attitude.

"I'm talking about Wells Jaha," Rollins said.

"Okay, what's your point," Murphy said

"You were accused of killing Wells, weren't you Mr. Murphy?" Rollins asked

"Yes," John answered.

"Weren't you hung for that crime?" Rollins asked. Murphy started to say something but Rollins cut him off. "Don't bother, Mr. Murphy. It's in the ships records; you were hung for the murder of Wells Jaha, and wasn't it Bellamy Blake that did the hanging?" Rollins asked.

Murphy didn't say anything. He looked at Bellamy who met his eyes. Bellamy's lips were pulled up, and he gave Murphy the tiniest nod, letting him know it was okay, and he understood.

"Answer the question, Murphy," Rollins ordered

"Yes," Murphy yelled. "It wasn't just him, it was everyone,' he started to protest but was caught off…

"That'll be all Mr. Murphy. Thank you, you may be seated," said Rollins.

"That was a long time ago and ya know what? I hung him back. Are you going to lock me up next?" Murphy yelled.

Murphy stood up. "This is messed up. This whole thing is a joke," he yelled.

"Sit down Murphy or you'll be locked up too," Rollins said

"No I won't sit and just listen to this. Who are you anyways? You come here and now you're in charge of the guard? We don't know you people," he shouted.

Rollins signaled for the guards to take Murphy away. As Miller and one other guard walked to him he continued without skipping a beat.

"Bellamy's the last person that should be locked up. I know he's an asshole, but we're all assholes, You made us like that when you sent us down here to die" Murphy continued and then his voice got softer, "but he's one of the best friends I have and he's still one of the good guys. What you're doing here is wrong."

They pulled Murphy from the room. Miller didn't trust any of the guards with Murphy, but he wanted to get back as soon as possible. "This is bullshit, and you know it," Murphy told Miller on the way to lock up. "We have to keep our cool Murphy," Miller said "If we lose it, Bellamy's the one that will pay the price," he said. They locked murphy in a cell. "Try not to push their buttons," Nathan said "I can't watch you and Bellamy at the same time," he said before he headed back to the hearing.

"How long are they going to keep me here?" Murphy yelled as Miller was leaving

"You'll be released when the trial is over, unless you piss someone else off, so try not to be a dick Murphy," Miller shouted back

"I can't make any promises," Murphy smarted back.

Back in at the hearing:

Rollins stood at the front and began his argument. "Don't be fooled by his innocent appearance. Clearly we can see that Mr. Blake has a history of violence. Again and again he has proven to be dangerous to the ones around him. Even his own family members suffer at his hands. His own sister beat him viciously. She accused him for causing the death or her lover, and he still carries a scar from the beating his own sister gave him, before she disowned him." Rollins said.

Bellamy's throat tightened as he choked back the tears. Octavia looked at him with tears running down her face.

"Death and destruction has always followed him, and now he has murdered in cold blood four innocent crew members from the Albatross. His life of crime needs to come to an end, for the safety of Arkadia and the rest of the people here," Rollins said

When Rollins was done; Marcus stood up. He stopped in front of Bellamy, who had red watery eyes, and Marcus nodded at him. It was a reassuring look, letting Bellamy know that he wasn't giving up.

"We sent kids to Earth believing they would probably die, in a last ditch attempt to survive. Mr. Blake, who had had his mother floated and his sister among the ones sent here, was approached and threatened that if he didn't carry out the assassination attempt, he would be floated leaving his sister to die alone on Earth," Marcus said "He had a responsibility, a promise to keep her safe. That's who this man is. He came to Earth, just to be with his sister, even though he knew they would probably die, he didn't want her to be alone."

Marcus looked at Bellamy. "Yes he's made mistakes. In war you do things you're not proud of, but he's also done so much more. Most of you would not be here today…I wouldn't be here, if it weren't for Bellamy. He saved Arkadia when he turned Pike over to the grounders. He did that. He saved us from Mount Weather. He went alone into the facility and infiltrated their compound, which led to our release. Bellamy Blake had made mistakes sure…but who hasn't?" Marcus asked

"He left Polis, and wanted to be alone. He didn't ask for trouble, and a group of men stormed into his home, almost killed him and he fought back the only way he knew how," Marcus said "It's called survival."

"I say it's a clear cut case of self-defense, and Bellamy should be acquitted."

When Marcus stopped, the room was full of whispers and mumbling.

Bellamy stared down at a random spot near the floor. He just wanted it to be over with. He didn't care what they did. Listening to everything and having to revisit it made him feel like the monster they claimed him to be. The emotional rollercoaster was beginning to take its toll on him and he began to sink into despair. Clarke was focused in on him and knew how he was feeling. She could see it on his face, the face she could read easier than any ones. She leaned over to Raven.

"We have to get him out of here," she said "We need a plan."

Raven looked at her. "How?" she asked "He's surrounded by guards 24/7."

"I'll figure something out," Clarke said "But I'll need your help," she said

"You've got it," said Raven.