Love & War

Summit

A week has passed since I arrived here. Everyday I look out. Wondering if Bellamy is alright. Did Marcus and the others find him? I look down at my hands and see the outfit I have chosen. Azgeda armour with leggings and boots. My sword was found on Roan and brought to me. It now sits in the corner with my bag he had taken from me.

The door opens and closes. I do not turn, knowing who is behind me.

"I respected your wish for a week, Clarke." She says. I turn to look at her.

"We have nothing to speak about." I say.

"I am holding a summit at sundown for Skaikru. It is my wish for them to become the thirteenth clan. I was hoping you would come."

"Why would I come? I'm not apart of Skaikru." I say, pointing out that I left.

"You could have been."

"I left. Went back to Azgeda." I spit out knowing she does not like Nia.

"You are lost Clarke." She steps towards me. "You needed saving."

I laugh. "You know when I could've use saving? When you abandoned me in Mount Weather."

"Clearly you didn't need my help."

"Clearly." I turn looking back out at Polis. She steps up beside me.

"You're angry Clarke, but I know you." I look at her out of the corner of my eye. "What you've done haunts you and it's easier to hate me than to hate yourself."

"I can do both." I mumble. She moves back inside. I turn watching her, her back to me.

"What would you have done if their leader had offered you the deal? Save your people at the price of mine. Would you really have chosen differently?" She faces me.

"I don't betray my friends." I say.

"But you did when you left. They needed you and you just abandoned them. Walking away because you could not deal with the pain of killing all those people."

"Maybe I am tired of killing." I say telling the truth.

"Come to the summit, not as Wanheda but as King Jake of Azgeda's daughter. Princess of Azgeda." I stare at her, my mouth partly open. Could I go to this summit? Show them who I really am or will I hide?

"I will go." She smiles leaving me. I feel defeated. She got what she came for. She wanted me to bow before her and I gave in.

If she hadn't said my father's name I wouldn't be going but I know he would be ashamed of me. He always taught me to do the right thing. Sometimes it meant putting on an act. He wanted this alliance and Nia took that from him.

I go down to a lower floor, standing on a lower balcony. I look out when I hear footsteps coming up some stairs to the side. I turn to see Roan walking up the stairs. I look away, not sure I want to talk to him. He steps up, standing beside me.

"Nice view."

"I've seen better." I say.

"Clarke..."

"Save it." I turn to face him. "You did it so you could lift the banishment. I understand. Next time tell me and I might be more willing." I turn to leave but he grabs my arm.

"What is my mother planning?" He asks into my ear. I stare up at him.

"I do not know what you are talking about." I yank my arm out of his hand, walking back into the tower. I walk back to my room, shaken. He knows Nia is up to something. I know she has a plan but she did not tell me before I left. All I know is it had to do something with Emerson.

That night I get dressed in a gold tight dress. A maid paints my face while another braids my hair, putting it up. Once done I stare at myself in a mirror. I have never looked like this. I have worn white war paint but nothing like this. I smooth my hands down the dress before walking to the door. Warriors open it, standing to the side.

I walk down the hallway towards the throne room. Once at the door I hear music. Someone sings as the door opens. I walk through, not looking to the side. I do not want to see who is here. I walk towards her, stoping at the bottom of the stairs. I slowly kneel down, bowing my head.

I hear the rustle of others bowing. I wait staring at the ground. When the song ends.

"Hail warriors of the twelve clans!" Lexa calls out.

"Hail Heda." We all say.

"Rise." I stand up looking at her before moving to where Roan and Ivon are standing. I look across to see Marcus. I am surprised to see my mom beside him. I look for Bellamy but mom shakes her head, smiling. He's not here but he's okay.

Lexa speaks to us, telling us that the summit has changed. Skaikru will become the thirteenth clan. Marcus steps forward as their leader, ready to get the mark. Once he steps up and receives it the door bang opens. My head snaps to the door, shock when I see Bellamy, Octavia and others storming in, guns up.

In woods near Mount Weather

Nia waits with her people. Emerson looks at her, painted in the white war paint.

"It is time." She says. He smiles moving towards the mountain. "Tonight." She looks at Ontari. "We end Skaikru." Onatri smiles thinking about the end to the sky people and to Lexa.