Never Let You Go// The 100

Royals

 *Chapter 10*

"Long before they had ever met, I think this destiny awaited them. They were not like ships passing in the night. It wasn't like they didn't understand each other. They understood each other better than anyone else, and each was focused solely on the other." 

 ― Gen Urobuchi

 Bellamy Blake was said to have a good eye. Maybe it was from all the hunting he had done since he was a boy or the constant battle training he went through with a variety of different weapons. Most people said it was from being a warrior. 

 Either way,  Bellamy knew exactly who had entered the bar as soon as the heavy door opened. She was hard to miss, despite the hood covering her face and cloak hiding her expensive clothing. It was a surprise that only Bellamy could recognize the soon-to-be queen of Ark. 

 "What can I get you?" the bartender asked as she took a seat by the bar. Ironically, a seat right next to Bellamy. He was hoping she would notice him right away.

  "I'm fine, thank you." she said, finally taking down her hood. Bellamy thought for sure that at least one person in the tavern would notice their princess. Of course, she wasn't theirs yet, but didn't anyone pay attention to politics? 

 "You know, I'm pretty sure that when you go to a bar, you're supposed to drink." Bellamy said, leaning closer to the heir of Ark. When she faced him, he thought for sure she must recognize him, but no luck. Although, her face showed the same look of disgust as it had the last time they had met. Apparently, the princess was a creature of habit. Or Bellamy wasn't as handsome as previously thought. 

 "That's none of your business." she replied, venom in her voice. Bellamy couldn't help but think of how great of a ruler she would be someday. The Grounders wouldn't know what had hit them.

  "I apologize." Bellamy said quickly, hoping to recover their lame conversation. "I was just wondering what a fine lady like you is doing at a bar. If not to drink." 

 The princess turned back to Bellamy, her face almost thoughtful. As if she wasn't even sure why she was here. She took a deep breath. The kind of breath where for just a second your guard goes down and every worry and concern you have comes flying out for everyone to see. Bellamy knew she had been through a lot these past few weeks, but nothing prepared him for seeing her so... hurt.

  "Some people just need to get away." she stated, after collecting her thoughts for a moment. 

 "Get away from what exactly?" Bellamy questioned, leaning ever closer. The princess looked grim. 

 "Life. Responsibilities. People." she admitted, shaking her head like she didn't want to say anything but couldn't help it. "Preferably people who say they want to make peace but obviously have something else in mind."

 That caught Bellamy's attention. The last time they met, she had said something very similar. Along the lines of: "What do you really want out of this alliance?" Both times her eyes turned icy and her voice became fierce. She reminded Bellamy of a revolutionary who wanted what was best for her country but didn't know where to begin. 

 "That sounds interesting." Bellamy said slyly, hoping to hear more. "Who are these people?" The princess gave Bellamy a cautious look before breaking into a small smile. He had heard that she was a sucker for gossip. And nothing was holding her back now. In this bar, she was a completely different person. 

 "Are you into politics, sir?" she asked, folding her hands in her lap like a storyteller would. 

 "I would say so." Bellamy nodded, pretending to be oblivious. Acting was never Bellamy's thing. 

 "Then you've heard about the arrival of Princess Clarke and her betrothal to the king?" Her name was Clarke. Bellamy had seemed to forgotten it in the rush of things. Besides, when he talked to her last they didn't use real names. Titles seemed to sound more menacing. 

 "I've heard quite a bit about it, yes." Bellamy answered, barely holding in his laughter. That was the understatement of the year. His ears had been talked off by everyone he knew about it. 

 "Don't ask how I know, but the king is quite the controlling bastard. The poor princess should have him beheaded for being such a fool." Clarke said, smiling a real smile. Bellamy had never seen that before, especially not when talking about the death of her betrothed. 

 "You think so?" Bellamy wondered, suddenly feeling self conscious. "I thought he was a charming gentleman."

 "Oh please! King Bellamy is the least charming man I've ever met!" Clarke scoffed. 

 Bellamy considered revealing himself right then and there. He knew the princess didn't particularly like him but all this was too much. How could he marry someone who wanted to behead him? He needed to set things straight with her. But seeing the joy in her eyes for the first time in weeks, Bellamy knew he couldn't just yet. 

 "You have to admit that the king has a good head on his shoulders though. Not many young men could run a country the way he does." Bellamy reasoned, hoping he could change her mind in some other way. 

 "That's true." Clarke allowed, shrugging her thin shoulders. "Which leads to the question of why he needs a wife in the first place. If he's doing so well with Ark, why add another ruler to the mix? Second opinions almost always make things worse."

 "Every man needs a wife! No matter how smart or powerful! Women make men level headed and allow them to see reason. Without a wife, Bellamy could make a wrong decision that could cost him all of Ark. With Clarke, they can work together to find ways to improve the kingdom." Bellamy said, thinking of all the arguments his family had made for letting Clarke into the castle. At first, Bellamy hadn't been so keen on her arrival either. 

 "That's something I never thought I would hear a man say." Clarke laughed, looking at Bellamy fully. Her eyebrows furrowed. "Do I know you from somewhere?" 

 Bellamy's heart leaped. Finally she noticed! But at a bad time. He needed to know more, so he could show her how perfect their alliance really was. 

 "I've never seen you in my life." Bellamy said simply, taking a gulp of beer. It took a moment for Clarke to regain her thoughts.

 "Anyway, I still think their betrothal is useless." she stated, crossing her arms over her chest. "They aren't even in love!"

 "Perhaps if the princess gave the king a chance, they would fall madly in love." Bellamy countered. The thought had crossed his mind one too many times and always seemed ridiculous. Although, in that moment, he didn't find it so odd. 

 "That's not how it works." Clarke grumbled

 "And how would you know?" Bellamy replied

 "Why do you want them together so much?"

 "Because you would make an amazing queen."

 Wrong move. The words came tumbling out of his mouth before he could stop them. They were the same words he had said that very morning, when Clarke had arrived in Ark. She rolled her eyes then, making Bellamy feel like an idiot. But at the bar, staring into his face, her eyes filled with realization. And anger.

  "How did you know I would be here?" she demanded, her eyes filled with fire that Bellamy knew all too well.

  "Not just princesses need to get away." Bellamy smirked, knowing he was crossing the line. "Although, some people would say this was fate." 

 "Fate? That I found the king of Ark looking like a washed up peasant, sitting alone at a bar?" Clarke asked angrily. 

 "No. That we found each other." Bellamy laughed. Luckily, the princess started to come around after that. 

 Unlike at the castle, Bellamy and Clarke began to seriously talk about what they were going to do. There were many problems ahead of them, and if they didn't figure them out, their alliance could be ruined. As it turned out, Bellamy was much more charming than Clarke once thought. And perhaps it was that night, that they truly fell in love.