Fallen

Chapter Forty-Three: Flames

Ash sits in the cave, wandering if this plan will work. They came up with this in a couple of minutes, so there is no guarantee this will work. But they need to do something to ensure that there is no war. Clarke walk into the cave with Roan following. War paint is covering the king's face. He looks at Ash with anger. She can feel a lump in her throat. The two sit so all three can see each other. 

"We need to come to some agreement," Clarke states. 

"I'm done negotiating with Skaikru," Roan states, looking at her. "You grieve for Lexa, yet you've learned nothing from her. She was Trikru, but she rose above loyalty to the clan. You tell yourself you have, too – the great Wanheda, the Commander of Death who says she wants to save everyone yet builds a ship for herself, for her people." He then turns to look directly at Ash. "And you claimed to 

"Ash didn't know," Clarke quickly states.

"That doesn't matter," Ash pipes up, locking eyes with Roan. "I should have made sure we were keeping to our end of the deal."

Clarke lets out a long sigh before continuing. "We need to figure out how to solve this where everyone can live."

"Azgeda takes the ship. Skaikru can decide to step down and live the rest of their days in peace or die fighting us."

"We have more bullets than you have men. You will lose!"

"Maybe. We'll both take losses, Kane and Bellamy among them."

Ash steadies her breathing looking at her hands. He's not wrong. Neither of them are. Her dad and Bellamy would be the first two killed. Afterwards, who knows how many. Over a useless bunker. One that could only hold a hundred people. A hundred people.

"Fifty fifty," Ash quickly interrupts, looking towards the blonde. Then at Roan "Literally. We each choose fifty of our people and they will be given the chance to survive."

"If we can't find another way," Clarke adds. "Luna survived the radiation and it may be due to her blood. My mother is currently working on a solution with other scientists from Arkadia. If it works, everyone will have a chance to survive."

She now mentions this? Roan looks between the two in front of him, considering this. 

"It seems reasonable," he concludes. He thinks for a moment before saying, "I need to talk to Ash alone."

Clarke looks at Ash, who nods her head. The blonde gets up and leaves the cave.

"I'm sorry," Ash tells him, pushing her short hair out of her face. 

"Did you ever lie to me?"

"Never. But I still unknowingly told you false information."

"Can I trust you?"

She chuckles softly, recalling a previous conversation. "Can I trust you?"

A smile returns to his face for a brief moment. A glimpse at the side of him few get to see. "How's your leg?" 

That caught her off guard. She lets out a genuine laugh. "You're asking about my leg now of all times?"

"I'm surprised you haven't got onto me about riding out here after being shot in the shoulder."

"I had other things to worry about. And my leg is fine. But now that you remind me, you should be resting my king."

"'My king'," he softly repeats, shaking his head. "Still odd hearing you say that. Have you given any more thought into the proposal?"

"Are you still serious about it even after everything?"

He leans forward, closing the distance between them some. "I still trust you."

All the thoughts she's had before run through her mind once more. What should she do? But in the moment she simply responds with "I'm still trying to figure out what answer I'm going with."

"You may need to decide soon." He sits up straight. "Like I have about the proposition you and Wanheda suggest."

Ash nods before going to get Clarke. The two females return and Roan stand up

"I agree to the alliance," he tells her. He pulls out a knife and holds it out towards Clarke. "Bond it in blood."

She accepts it and cuts her hand open. She holds out the knife and Roan repeats the process. 

"How do you plan on telling your people?" Roan asks. Clarke lets out a sigh.

"I'll figure it out."

The three exit the cave in order to call off both armies at a stand off. The shocking part is Echo and Bellamy are near the entrance. Apparently they were trying to prevent a person from going rogue. The five go straight to where Roan's armies are waiting. Marcus and Monty are being held prisoner. Roan doesn't hesitate to order for them to be released. Arkadia's people on the cliffs come down and everyone moves as one group. Ash walks near the back and Bellamy matches pace with her.

"I overheard the two of you," he informs her. Her heart sinks some. He sounds so upset and worn out at once. "I understand whichever decision you make."

"Bell, I'm sorry."

"Me too." His gaze goes to where Roan, Clarke, and Echo are. "Just be careful of them. No matter what, I do want what's best for you."

He goes to walk with Marcus and Monty. She lets out a quick huff in frustration before picking up her pace. She makes it to the front next to Roan. As they get closer to Arkadia, Ash notices black smoke rising up in the evening sky. Soon the smell of fire becomes strong. The gates are open, revealing half the place is on fire. Specifically the half that had been set up to withstand the radiation. 

People are rushing everywhere. Chaos is in full swing. People seem more focused on running than anything else. Ash quickly hurries towards the problem. No time to think, just act. They need to make sure everyone is okay and that they can save as much as possible.

"Get water over now!" she orders a group of people she came on the dropship with. She pulls a guy aside. "Is there anyone still in there?" 

"I think so," he tells her. 

"I'll check. Do a headcount."

She swears under her breath before covering her nose with her shirt. She quickly runs into the flames, searching. The smoke burns her eyes and lungs but she can't leave anyone in here.

"Hello," she calls out. Someone calls back. She heads in that direction, spotting through a glass panel a group of people trying to push through a door. She starts moving the debris, trying not to get burnt. The door is soon able to crack open and people rush out. 

She goes to look through more of the place. Surprisingly the flames are deafening. Or is it her heart beat? The smoke is making her light headed and it's hard to think straight. Before gets to the fork in the halls, a force yanks her back. A mass of debris on fire fall right where she was. 

"We need to get out of here," she hear Roan tell her. 

"But there could be others."

"Ash, we need to go."

Before she could respond, he starts pulling her out of the building. As soon as they make it out of the building, it starts crashing down. Roan practically pushes her to the ground in order to shield her some. It was a miracle nothing hit the two of them honestly. They pull away as people rush around to put out the flames.

"Are you okay?" he asks.

"You?" she responds, trying to catch her breath. He nods his head. She starts looking around, taking in all that is happening. The only hope left is to create the Nightblood serum. They need this alliance more than ever. She turns towards Roan. "Yes."

"Yes?"

"Yes. I accept your proposal."