Love Is Weakness

Journey South

The next morning I woke so early that it was barely light outside my tent and I wasn't surprised to find that I was the first one up. Pushing out of my tent, it was clear that I was the first to rise, not wanting to give Lexa any excuse to leave without me.

I unslung my pack from my shoulder and settled it onto the ground as I perched lightly on one of the wooden logs, waiting patiently for the others to arrive. I hadn't packed so much that I would be weighed down, but just the essentials in case of emergency. Mostly medical supplies and water so that if anything did occur than I knew that I was well equipped to deal with the situation.

As always, my gun rested in its holster at my hip and my sword was strapped firmly across my back. I felt more at ease taking both as we had no idea what we were about to find. I had opted for my less protective yet more manageable outfit of my usual jacket fitted with a shoulder guard. There was no guarantee that I would be needing my heavier protective armour and it was rather impractical for long journeys anyway.

It wasn't long until Indra emerged from her hut and greeted me with a scathing look before going to the commander's tent. I ignored her and twirled a small twig between my fingers as I waited for the rest of the group to gather.

Soon enough the other Grounders began to spill into the clearing and I shared a few respectful nods with them as we all prepared for the upcoming journey.

I noticed Bellamy jogging through the nearby huts towards us, relief showing on his face that he was not late. He came over and took a seat beside me, his breath slightly labored after his run but managing a friendly smile all the same.

'I thought you might all be gone for a moment' he confided, dropping his own pack onto the ground beside him. 'And I take the commander at her word that if I was not present then she wouldn't hesitate to leave without me.'

He wasn't wrong in his thinking, which was exactly why I had been up far before anyone else. After the trouble I had gone to getting on this group, it would be ill fated for them to all leave without me. I nodded in response to his words and raised my eyes to watch the Grounders surrounding us.

'She has chosen carefully' I told Bellamy, who remained silent as I assessed our group. 'The strongest have been split between accompanying us and staying behind in camp.'

Bellamy frowned at my words and looked over quizzically.

'What would be the point in that? Surely if we do encounter trouble then it would best to have only the strongest to destroy any threat?'

'Preparation' I replied simply, dropping the small twig to the ground before dusting my hands off. 'If the worst truly does happen, then the strongest Grounders have not all been wiped out at once. Thinking strategically of all possible outcomes. She didn't become commander of twelve clans without thinking ahead.'

Bellamy pondered my words for a minute, for the first time realizing just how badly this might go.

'I see you two are being as cheery as ever' a familiar voice spoke from behind us and we turned to see Lincoln stood arms crossed barely a metre away.

'Lincoln!' I exclaimed and jumped to my feet with a smile. I had not even considered that he would be making the journey with us but I was certainly glad that he was.

'No harm in expecting the worst' Bellamy retorted with a small smile. 'If the worst doesn't happen then we can all laugh about how worried we were.'

Lincoln was unimpressed by his words, shaking his head at the logic. His war paint had clearly only just been applied and he looked more fearsome than ever. I was suddenly very glad that he would be accompanying us, especially if we did run into any trouble. We would've spoken further if not for the sudden silence that fell throughout camp that signalled the appearance of a certain commander.