Summary: Non-canon, Drama/Romance hopefully with some Action/Adventure thrown in. Bellarke, Linctavia and probably more once I get going! :D
Disclaimer: Just borrowing The 100, not for profit.
The Homestead.
Chapter 3 – Clarke.
Sliding deeper into the steaming rock pool, Clarke slowly closed her eyes and let out a long breath, trying to relax every fibre of her fatigued frame. She rolled her shoulders, gently arching them backwards and lifting her chin to the sky, her lips parting in a sigh of relief as she felt her neck crack back into place.
These endless peacekeeping meetings were proving more tiring than her physical training.
True solitude like this was rare for Clarke. There was constantly somebody right beside her, or just outside the room - always within reach, always within earshot. Even now, as she bathed at the healing hot springs in the woods outside Polis, she knew her guards would be only minutes away – having realised she was missing and tracked her from her chamber.
Clarke was never alone, and yet, she was so lonely.
She missed her people, missed her mum, her friends… those who knew her best.
Today was Gathering Day at the ranch; she smiled, imagining her mother and the other representatives from Arkadia arriving at the homestead with hungry stomachs and hopeful hearts.
They would spend the morning surveying the paddocks full of produce, the greeneries and animals. Abby would be busy with routine check-ups and re-stocks. After lunch there would be reports to make, discussions and proposals for the new rotation, and then there would be celebration. A bonfire, a feast, music, dancing, laughter and probably some love making! Clarke grinned.
Kane's idea to develop the homestead had been the best move forward for her people and in particular, her friends. She only wished she could be there - be a part of it, share the path they were walking instead of having to walk her own.
She knew the homestead would never have been possible without her being in Polis, doing her thing, day after day. But it didn't stop her longing for a simpler life.
As she lay in the soothing water, making the most of her false sense of freedom, Clarke cast her mind back to the last time she had visited the ranch.
It was the summer solstice and the ranch was a hive of activity. Everywhere Clarke looked there was something different to be discovered - a new sensation to assault her senses. There was the slightly fermented scent of the horses baled feed and the raucous snorting and snuffling of the boars in their bog. The fields and garden were abundant with growth and dotted throughout them were the select Skaikru and Trikru, labouring vigorously to harvest the latest pickings.
Clarke was overwhelmed with elation watching her people work the earth.
She bit her lip and steeled her eyes, fighting back tears of joy.
"Let's take a look at the orchard," Indra interrupted Clarke's thoughts, for which she was grateful.
Some of the clan ambassadors were present for the solstice festival and Clarke could not afford to show any sign of weakness, even euphoria. She had not held her position long, and it had cost her too much to get there. To lose hold now would be to lose everything.
At the orchard the elite entourage came across a small work detail, erecting large frames above rows of young trees.
"Clarke?" a voice questioned dubiously from beside a bench, set-up with saws.
Whilst she had been invited to the festival, no announcement was made of her arrival, in order to try and keep things low key. Clarke couldn't stand the fuss that was all too often made in her presence.
A tall lanky figure lumbered towards them but was intercepted by her guards.
"Stand down," she stated plainly, allowing a wide smile to brighten her eyes. "Jasper," she cried, studying him for a moment before they shared an emphatic hug. "You look so good," she added, holding his shoulders back so that she could take in his tanned skin and toned muscles.
"Says you," he winked suggestively, eyeing off her elaborate outfit.
Clarke rolled her eyes in discomfort. She had tried to dress as inconspicuous as possible for her trip to the ranch. But there wasn't a lot of choice, in her position.
"What are you working on here?" she inquired, trying to shift the attention from her attire.
"Shade mesh," Jasper replied with a shrug, leading her closer to the detail.
Some of the workers had stopped to see who was making the scene. They didn't get visitors often. When they recognised Clarke, a small murmur of voices resonated around her.
She did not wish to distract them from what they were doing, but unfortunately it was all too common.
"Get back to work people," came a strong but respectful directive from behind the crowd.
Clarke's heart tugged at the sound of that voice and she squinted into the blinding sun, to try and get a glimpse of his face.
But then he was right before her, those long dark curls hanging wet with sweat, just above his penetrating gaze. The sun reflected off the perspiration on his shirtless chest, and his lips curled into a cheeky smile.
"Hello Commander," he teased.
"Commander! Commander!"
Clarke was rudely awoken from her daydream by her personal body-guard Nash.
"How many times have I told you not to sneak out of your chambers?"
He held up a soft towel and turned his eyes away from her.
"The morning is late, we must meet with the master for training."
Reluctantly Clarke raised herself from the warm water and stepped into the open cloth, wrapping it around her naked body.
At least today was a meeting free day, now all she had to do was garner enough strength and discipline to practice her sword skills.
She sighed unenthusiastically and got dressed, trying to divert her thoughts from the homestead.
But just like the sun that had seared her eyeballs that day in the orchard, she couldn't erase the visual of that sassy smile and those piercing eyes.
Author's note: Thank-you for reading. I had lots of fun writing this chapter - hope you enjoy it too! More soon! :D