Black Blood, Green Eyes

Handmade

BELLAMY

There she was in the throne room, standing alone between us and Lexa. Clarke so skinny, so fragile looking, but she was darker. The sun had kissed her skin from the countless hours she spent burying the dead. I wanted to reach out and touch her but she looked more like a ghost than anything, I was scared my hand would go right through her. I walked behind her as we headed towards the rover and I kept my eyes on everyone else.

All talking and laughter stops when Wanheda walks through the markets, they stop and stare at the commander of death. Some stare in admiration and others in fear, but no matter why they cannot pull their eyes off of her. I keep watching them in case anyone tries anything and I don't relax until the doors to the rover are shut.

"We got these to start running about two months ago, they've been great for getting around for those of us who can't ride horses." Raven says breaking the silence. "You might get an upset stomach while in here, you just need to get used to being in it."

Clarke just raises and eyebrow to signal she is listening and the rover's engine roars to life. The ride back to camp is quiet except for the sound of the engine, nobody plays music in fear it will wake us from this dream and we all steal glances at Clarke. She sits across from me next to Abby and I can see the gap her mother left between them. Once we pull in to camp I start to get nervous, the engine stops and I climb out. I offer my hand to help Clarke out and when she takes it my heart stops.

Her hands were always warm but they are now cold. Helping her was a little too easy, I could probably lift her with just one arm. She removes her hand once her feet hit the ground and I instantly go into protective mode as people gather around. "Go back to your duties!" Abby shouts and I make a path through the people who ignore the order. We walk into the ark and close the opening behind us, "I will take you to the showers so you can clean up and then I will take a look at your stitches." She tells Clarke and she nods in response.

I follow them and guard the door as they enter the bathroom. Once they come out Clarke looks a little more like herself but Abby looks more worried. "How about some lunch? My treat." I ask and for the first time Clarke looks me in the eyes.

"Sure" she says and I know it's an attempt to make me think she is okay. I turn and lead them out of the ark towards the tables and after I grab one I offer to get the food but Clarke protests. "I'll go with you." She stands and follows me to the line. I make sure to give her room as we stand in line and she stares at the ground. "I'm sorry." She says quietly.

"You don't have to apologize for anything I should be the one apologizing. After lunch how about we have a talk?" I ask quickly before I step up to the cook.

"That would be nice." She says softly and we get our food and I grab an extra meal for Abby. When we get back to the table I place the tray upfront of Abby and sit a distance away from Clarke. "You guys have done a lot since I left." She says before taking a bite but looks down at her food.

"We have had a lot of help from the Tri Kru, they trained our guards and sent supplies that helped a lot with construction. We are still working in more cabins and hopefully we will expand our walls with Lexa's approval. Soon every family will have there own homes and we may be able to open trading posts." Abby explains and Clarke nods along as she eats her meal.

Once we finish our meals I place our trays for the washers to puck up and return to the table. "I would like to go on a walk with Clarke if that's okay." I say to Abby and she looks a bit jealous that I get to spend time with her daughter that has been missing for three months but then glances at her and her face goes soft. With a nod of approval I offer to help Clarke out of her seat and we head towards the gate.