Chapter Two

Disclaimer: I do not own The 100.

Bellamy had finished his shift and showered before walking through the Ark to get to where he needed to be. An arranged marriage. He was about to marry a complete stranger and all he could think was how did he end up in this position?
He'd just finished a ten hour shift, he'd been standing at the end of the 'aisle' for half an hour now, there'd still been no sign of Clarke…of his fiancé. "This happens sometimes." Chancellor Jaha comforted. Bellamy snorted, this didn't happen sometimes, in fact, this had never happened on the Ark before. A bride being late for her wedding? Yeah maybe, but a bride being late to her arranged wedding? No.

There'd been rules about the marriage, no one was to know it was arranged and a few council members had taken it upon themselves to write the couple a backstory which they had to learn. Bellamy didn't understand why no one was allowed to know, they wanted everyone to end up in an arranged marriage but apparently it was going to take time and examples of couples who had fallen in love to soften the blow.
He'd been about ready to say something to Chancellor Jaha when the door opened and a gorgeous blonde had slowly walked in, clutching to her mothers arm. Her eyes stayed on the ground as she walked forward, her knee length white dress flattered her curves.
"Let the wedding commence." Jaha announced, raising his hands happily.
The echoed, there was only the four of them, that was, until Jaha's announcement signalled for the rest of the council to enter. "You may face each other and take each other's hands." He instructed.
Bellamy spun to face inward at Clarke who had done the same, her face still aimed at the ground. Her skin was pale, her blonde hair framed her face. Slowly, he reached for her hands, holding them in his tanned ones. They were so small and warm in his and he watched as a single droplet fell from her face and landed on his hand with a splash.
"We are here to celebrate the love between Bellamy Blake and Clarke Griffin. We are here to unite two lives forever." Jaha began before Bellamy could do anything about the tear. "I understand the couple have written their own vows." He smiled, his white teeth sparkling against his dark skin. "Bellamy." He said.
"Clarke…" He began, trying to be as truthful in his vows as possible. She glanced up timidly, her crystal eyes meeting his. "When I saw you, my first thought was that you were beautiful. I was attracted to you instantly, but who can blame me? I could tell you were somewhere you didn't really want to be, you there because you felt obligated to be." To others, he'd be referring to the dance where they 'met' but in his mind, he was thinking of when she walked into the room. "I felt bad for you." He continued which sparked an anger inside of Clarke. She didn't want his pity. "You take on the weight of the world, you will do anything to protect those you care for and I vow that I will protect you, even if that means having to take the weight from your shoulders and baring it myself. You deserve happiness and I want nothing more than to give that to you. I love you Clarke Griffin." He bit through the exaggerations, the lies. He didn't want to take the weight off her shoulders, he didn't think he should have had to, he didn't know her and even though she did deserve happiness, he knew he couldn't give that to her. He certainly didn't love her. He was attracted to her, yes, but love was something out of his reach.

"Clarke." Jaha turned, gesturing for her to speak her vows.
"I can't compete with that." She laughed a small, forced laugh. They weren't Bellamy's original vows but the ones he had written didn't seem to fit the situation. "Bellamy, I've only known you a short while and although I grew up thinking that I'd fall in love with prince charming, date for many years before being proposed to on an anniversary, I found something completely different. I didn't find a prince charming, instead I found a knight in shining armour." She paused, referring to when he was in the Guard. "I didn't spend years getting to know you, falling in love with you and you didn't propose on an anniversary. Instead, things were rushed, but in a good way. There's this unexplainable chemistry between us, something that tells us we are right for each other and no amount of time will change that so we decided not to waste time taking it slow. I don't know how well we're going to do, I'm not psychic, but I do know that I love you and I'm here, taking this jump with you. I vow to nurse you when you're ill, to stand by your side even when I disagree, to love you unconditionally and to never let another man persuade me against my love for you. I will be loyal and faithful and I will spend the rest of my days proving that to you." She was crying by the end. It was obvious her words weren't as true as his but it meant something that at least she tried.

Bellamy knew what the council had on him but what he wondered is what did they have over Clarke? Or was it Abby they had something over? He was lost in thought, his imagination trying to think of what could possibly make the Princess marry a factory worker. "Bellamy?" Jaha interrupted his thoughts, it was obvious he had just missed what was said.
"Sorry, I was lost…" He trailed off, what was he supposed to say? He was lost in thought? In Clarke? In the moment?
"That's okay, it's understandable. Do you, Bellamy Blake, take Clarke Griffin to be your lawfully wedded wife? To have and to hold her in sickness, and in health, to stay faithful and love her until death do you part?" Jaha repeated, it wasn't the usual offering to say 'I do' but given the circumstances, the council thought they needed the extra reminder to stay faithful.
"I do." He choked, trying to sound confident, like marrying Clarke was the only thing in the world that mattered.
"And Clarke, do you take Bellamy Blake, to be your lawfully wedded husband? To have and to hold, in sickness and health, to stay faithful and to love until death do you part?" Jaha repeated and Bellamy thought how unnecessary it was to repeat the same thing, changing the word from wife to husband.
"I-I do." Clarke stuttered, stumbling on her words…maybe on her decision.
"The rings." Jaha smiled and Bellamy began to panic, he didn't have a ring, he didn't even think of a ring. Stupid, he thought.
"A gift from the council." Abby smiled forcefully. He dropped a metal band into his hand before doing the same for Clarke. Bellamy looked it over quickly before taking Clarke's left hand in his. The band was silver and plain, nothing special and it was also too big.

Clarke repeated the motion back, the slim silver band fitting him perfectly. This was meant to be the happiest day of her life, instead she was filled with dread and dare she admit it, regret. Instantly, she kicked herself. Saving her mothers life was not something to regret.
"I now pronounce you husband, and wife. You may kiss the bride." Jaha announced.
Bellamy, still with panic in his chest, glanced around the room. The entire council was waiting for the kiss that would seal their marriage, and a kiss on the cheek was obviously not going to cut it…it wouldn't satisfy their sick need for control. Swallowing hard, he leaned forward slowly, his brown eyes staring into her green ones. Softly, he placed a gentle, barely there, kiss upon hers and the council cheered in succession.

Bellamy let go of her, adverting his eyes and clearing his throat. They had to sign the legal documents before leaving the marriage chamber. "Mr Blake, may I have a word with you?" His now mother-in-law asked.
"Of course." He didn't even glance at Clarke before following Abby out the door. They stood in the corridor that lead to just about everywhere.
"I know you're only doing this to save your sister, just like Clarke is only doing this to save me, but you treat her right. You look after her for me. I know you're not a bad person, not after everything I read about what you did for your sister, so please, look after my daughter." Abby pleaded.
"My wife, my responsibility." He spoke softly, copying the words his mother had said only moments after Octavia was born. "How old is Clarke?" Bellamy found himself asked.
"Seventeen. I wish you two had been given more information on one another, instead the only thing you don't have to learn is your names." Abby saddened, she had just married her daughter off to a complete stranger. Seventeen was only a year older than Octavia…Clarke may as well be a little sister to him. "Here's a bag with some toiletries and clothes." Abby handed him a small backpack.
"I'll look after her." Bellamy assured, taking the bag. He didn't know how true that could be. He'd make sure she was healthy but apart from that there wasn't much he could do…not until they eventually formed a friendship of sorts.
"Your wife, your responsibility." Abby smiled. She liked those words, she liked how Bellamy didn't falter when saying them either. She didn't like him, she didn't believe he was good enough for her daughter and she didn't like how he broke the rules, keeping his sister a secret even when he was a Guard cadet, but she respected him. She respected that he did anything he possibly could to keep his sister alive…he had a true heart and Clarke would need that…especially with what the council was planning.

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