"It's getting dark, too dark to keep going. We'll make camp for tonight" Octavia says, eyeing the large silver moon rising in the distance. "We can't waste time! She might be there already!" Bellamy replies. Octavia steps in front of him, sighing. "Look. I want to keep going as much as you, but what we can't afford is getting lost and blundering around these woods in the middle of the night!"
Bellamy considers this for a second.
"Fine. But we leave at first light" he snaps, turning away and sitting down, leaning his head against the tree.
"We have to get Clarke back, Lincoln. We have to. He'd never forgive me if we don't" Octavia murmurs. Lincoln puts his hands on either side of her face. "We will get her back" he reassures her. Octavia swallows and nods, wrapping her arms around him and resting her head on his shoulder. "I hope you're right" she whispers.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Clarke is immediately transfixed by the giant room she just entered. Huge stone pillars line the walkway to the platform at the end. Clarke starts to walk down the seemingly endless floor, and focuses on the shimmering chairs on the platform. A beautiful chandelier hangs above them on the high ceiling, casting shadows and rays of soft, amber light. Clarke drops her gaze to the person sitting in the... throne. Yes. That word seems fitting. Her eyes widen and she can't tear them away. The person stares right back at her, a smirk playing on his lips. All of a sudden Lexa appears next to Clarke and puts a hand on her arm. "That's him" she whispers and guides her forwards. Taaran rises and walks down the steps of the platform. "Taaran" Lexa says, bowing her head to him. "Commander" he replies, his gaze shifting to Clarke. She clears her throat. "I'm Clarke" she states nervously. Taaran's smile widens. "Clarke of the Sky People" he says softly. The light prints golden beams on his dark brown hair and his eyes shine, a light, ice blue. One side of his face is heavily scarred, obscuring most of his cheek. He looks almost... innocent. 'He's... well... stunning' Clarke thinks, mesmerised, but mentally kicks herself. 'No. No. Play it nice, Clarke.' Taaran looks back to Lexa. "We must arrange a time to discuss our alliance" he instructs. Lexa smiles and nods. "The day after tomorrow then" Taaran says, signalling that she could leave. Lexa gives Clarke a fleeting look and then hurries out of the room. Taaran offers Clarke his arm and walks her up the steps. She sits on the very edge of her throne-thing. "Let me formally introduce myself" Taaran says. "I am Taaran, Leader of the Lautians. I also have power over... how would you say it... over the Grounders" he says, all the while looking at Clarke.
"Why am I here?" she asks him. Taaran smiles again. "You are a Healer, Clarke, a very skilled and gifted one. But you have more potential. You are a born Leader, with the abilities to lead... with me."
Clarke swallows. 'I knew it' she thinks bitterly.
"You look beautiful. I didn't get a chance to say so earlier" Taaran states matter of factly. Clarke flushes against her will and looks at her hands in her lap. "Thanks... I guess" she mutters. Taaran stands suddenly and calls out someone's name. "Maiä!" A woman appears from behind a door to the left of the platform. "Leader" she says, bowing her head as Lexa did. "Show Clarke to her headquarters please" Taaran orders. He turns to Clarke. "This is Maiä. She will cater to whatever you need." Clarke smiles at Maiä, who reminds her of the Maya that helped them out of Mount Weather. "This way please" she says, pulling back a curtain to reveal yet another door. Clarke steps down from the platform and opens the door quickly, feeling Taaran's eyes on her. She follows Maiä down many corridors, her shoes clicking on the stone floor and echoing. Maiä smiles hesitantly. "It is beautiful here. You will like it" she says. Without another word, she takes a key from her pocket and unlocks two huge wooden doors. Clarke steps inside and stares around the huge room. "Wow" she breathes. There is a large fireplace opposite the doors, with a fire already roaring in its hearth. The four poster bed is a beautiful silver colour that seems to almost ripple when the light shifts. Maiä smiles at her expression and leads Clarke over to the bedroom area. "Here's your wardrobe, there's a screen you can change behind, there's a dressing table and also a mirror" she says it quickly, as if reciting from a piece of paper. "I don't need all this!" Clarke exclaims, feeling overwhelmed. Maiä stares at her. "Of course you do! Anyway, Taaran wants you to dine with him tonight. Just ring that bell when you need me to take you there" Maiä says, backing away to the door. "Is there anything else you want?" she asks. Clarke bites her lip to refrain from saying the name on her tongue and shakes her head. Once Maiä has left she puts her head in her hands. "Bellamy" she whispers.
~~~~~~~~~~
Ok guys, here's a longer update because I probably won't be able to write for a while, I'm on holiday. Thanks for reading, thank you to everyone who suggested what Taaran should look like, and thank you all for the great feedback!
Have an amazing summer! TTFN
JustDrum xoxo
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The 100-Season 3
FanfictionCan Clarke ever forget the death and pain she has caused? Will Bellamy help her rise from the hole of guilt she is sinking into, or will she drown in it? And is she going to be destined to lead with another Clan? Taaran, an ever-looming threat, stri...
