Iridium

Chapter Twenty Nine

"You youths have inherited the Earth."

"And we'll save it"

"I know all of you have come here for an execution" Roan begins to tell his people, ours stood amongst the bellowing crowd of Grounders "But no one else will die here today." Exerting a tremendous amount of authority, Roan assertively tells his people "The City of Light has fallen and there is no Commander left to rule us. Until another night blood ascends I-King Roan of Azgeda, eldest son of Nia, Grandson of Theo- am caretaker of the throne and keeper of the Flame."

Pinched between his fingers Roan raises the AI up high for all to see. Immediately I'm swept up in murmurs of astonishment, people unbelieving to the Flame which is presented to them. Unconsciously, my gaze falls to Clarke who visibly falters under seeing it. I have to tell myself that Clarke will be alright to quell my guilt over forcing her to give it up. She understands, I know it, but that doesn't make me feel any less horrible about my decision. As if he can sense me watching Clarke, Bellamy's fingers find mine. Grabbing his hold tightly I try to offer him a smile toshow that I'm alright. However, he clearly doesn't buy it judging from the knowing look Bellamy's sending me.

"You're a King! Not a Priest!" One woman shouts out to Roan, clearly not appreciating that he's announced himself as the Flame Keeper "This is blasphemy!"

"Not blasphemy", Roan disagrees calmly "Order. Until another ascends Azgeda honors and will defend the coalition of the last true Commander Lexa kom Triku- including the thirteenth clan." Nobody shouts out against Roan. Instead murmurs are spoken around us, people both for and against the decision Roan has made to include us in the clans. "Let it be known", Roan assertively preaches to his people "That an attack against Skaikru is an attack against us all." Roan gaze catches mine amongst the crowd, having kept true to his word to honor us as the thirteenth clan. Biting my lip I give him a small thankful nod.

After the crowds begin to disperse, we all wait near the exit of Polis. The sooner we figure out a solution to the radiation then the sooner we can begin working on it, saving us all. In the distance we notice Echo walking towards us, surprisingly no guards flanking her. She wears a hard look showing she means business. "Not it", I call dibs when it begins to be wondered who will speak to her.

Eventually, Bellamy steps up, walking over to meet her halfway. "From your King", Echo tells Bellamy in a hard unimpressed tone. Holding up a wrap of leather, unfolding it to show a symbol forged from metal "With this, you will be safe in any of our lands." Reaching out, Bellamy goes to take it only for Echo to keep her grip tight on it. Stepping closer to Bellamy, Echo murmurs so low I have to strain myself to hear it "You think we'll ever be able to trust each other again?"

"I doubt it", Bellamy doesn't hesitate to respond, his tone just as clipped as the one Echo had used.

Echo's gaze falters for a second before she steps back, gazing over us all "Welcome back to the coalition." It doesn't escape me how Echo gives us a long hard look. She clearly was against us coming back into the fold of the coalition.

As soon as Echo is walking away Bellamy spins back to the rest of us "Time to go."

"Couldn't agree more", I admit, glancing over our small group. It's been decided that Abby, Kane, and Octavia are to remain in Polis. Not only are they playing the ambassadors of Skaikru but they're going to ensure that Roan remains on his throne by any means necessary. If Roan is to fall there is no telling what will happen to Skaikru.

"We'll do our best to keep the King on this throne", Kane tries to assure Clarke, Bellamy and I.

"We'll find a way to beat the radiation", Clarke returns the favor with a nod to us.

"If any of you screw this up", Octavia reminds us from my other side "We die." Peering across to each of us, Octavia adds onto the end "No pressure."

"This is serious O", Bellamy tells his sister without a hint of humor, seeing her gaze fall distinctively on him "If anyone finds out why Roan helped us it'll be every clan for himself. The King will fall and they'll come after us."

Noticing everyone appearing rather on edge and skeptical, I mention "We've still got the best mechanic, hacker, and engineer down her on the ground." Trying to appear more confident than I actually am, I assure them with a half-smile "We'll figure it out."

When a thick silence follows my words, Clarke states "It's getting dark." Peering over to Bellamy and me, Clarke gives us a stern nod "Let's do this."

Leaving Clarke to hug Abby and Bellamy to exchange some words with Kane, I let my attention fall to Octavia. Raising my eyebrow I hold out my arms "Are you too Grounder to give me a hug anymore?"

Watching a small smile crack through Octavia's hard expression, I wrap my arms around her. Feeling her hug me just as tightly, Octavia murmurs into the crook of my neck "Stay safe Ave."

"You too Octavia", I murmur into her shoulder "Keep Roan on the throne by any means necessary. And i mean any."

Leaning back Octavia nods, a coy smirk falling onto her lips "You can't tell me what to do when you leave."

"Older, remember", I remind her, jesting my thumb in my direction with a sly smirk "You're not too big and scary for me yet." Whilst Octavia rolls her eyes I feel a tap on my shoulder, Kane watching me with something he clearly wishes to say. Offering Octavia one last smile I turn my full attention to Kane, standing beside Bellamy. "You sure you don't need me here?" I offer to Kane unsurely "I can always head out in a few more days instead once things settle?"

"No", Kane shakes his head "We need your brain on this." When I nod I go to move past him only for Kane to grasp my shoulder. Peering back up to Kane as Clarke and Bellamy stumble past, he murmurs low so nobody else hears "You youths have inherited the Earth."

"And we'll save it", I nod confidently to Kane, assuring him "We will." I don't waver because I know I can get us out of this. We will survive because that's what we always do. Survive. Walking after the pair I fall into step beside Bellamy, following what had remained of our guard.

"Okay Princess", Bellamy begins as we storm through the gates of outer Polis "What now?"

My stares don't waver from the stony path before me. We all know about our mission. "Now", Clarke begins just as assertively "We survive."