Chapter Text
Clarke stood silently behind her mother and Jaha as she watched the Grounder entourage approached the base camp, her fingers wrapped around the soft leather of Bellamy’s jacket. In the distance she could see Marcus Kane amongst the group.
This meeting was supposed to be about settling the terms of the truce. The Commander would be allowed into their settlement for the final act that would secure a cease-fire between the groups, the surrendering of Finn.
The leather creaked beneath her grip. She’d done all she could, but the council, or what remained of it had agreed on this exchange. Not that she had any authority.
Three huge men came into the camp first, the commander walking sedately behind them. Clarke kept her eyes forward on their guests. She had to set a good example for the rest of the people, showing no fear or sorrow in what was about to take place. All of this lead to being able to save the rest of the 47 still stuck in Mount Weather and securing a lasting peace with the grounders that they all might live.
“You pay a high respect to the Commander, Clarke of the Sky people,” came Lexa’s voice as she moved out from behind her honor guard.
Clarke narrowed her eyes in confusion. She felt Bellamy’s hand slip into her own and squeeze a silent warning. She pulled from the grip as she circled in front of her mother and ex-chancellor Jaha.
“To great us with your healer instead of guards say to us that you are true about wanting this peace. We are, “Lexa paused, “Relieved that you are not as barbaric as we feared.”
Clarke smiled and nodded as her mother’s hand came to rest on the small of her back, a silent warning. “Please. Let me introduce you, this is my mother, Abby Griffin, our head healer.
Lexa held her hand up and a woman with a basket came forth, “This was sent by Lincoln’s family, a gratitude for all that you have done by saving him from the reaper madness.” The basket was set down in front of Abby.
“Perhaps we should go inside for some refreshments while we continue our discussions?” Jaha gestured with his hand for the group to follow.
Lexa’s eyes narrowed and she nodded, “Yes.” She stepped up to Clarke’s side and grasped her forearm, “I have decided,” the commander said quietly, “That I would like to walk side by side with you as you did with Anya. There is no dishonor in taking an enemy like you, Commander Clarke of the Sky people, and turning them into an ally. “
Abby’s hand tightened in a silent warning, prompting Clarke to nod and clasp Lexa’s forearm back, “I agree. Let’s go inside to discuss the terms.” She looked to Jaha, whose eyes were narrowed, “After you sir.”
“Right this way then, “ He turned motioned for a path to open up.
Lexa motioned and two of her men followed while the rest pulled back to the gates.
Clarke found herself walking with Lexa on one side and her mother on the other. Brown hair caught in her peripheral view and she relaxed at knowing that Bellamy was behind her, guarding her back as always.
Jaha escorted them into the room that’d been setup for these talks. It had a clear division of space for each party and an assortment of food and drink had been arranged.
Clarke was a happy in the knowledge that since the ARC had come down, they had access to more provisions. The hydroponics bay hadn’t been too badly damaged in the fall. They wouldn’t starve this winter at least.
“Please, feel free to eat or drink anything you’d like. We hope you enjoy it.” Jaha announced.
Lexa took a seat and one of her men went and started selecting things.
Clarke turned to her mother, eyes wide and mouthed, “What do I do?” It was clear that Lexa thought Clarke was in charge of the whole camp.
Abby opened her mouth to responded as a figure rushed into the room, “Dr. Griffin, there’s an emergency in surgery one. Please come quickly.”
Clarke watched helplessly while her mother looked back and forth, assessing the situation they now found themselves in. “You know what to do,” she hissed as she kissed Clarke on the forehead. “Let’s not antagonize them further.”
She nodded to the Commander, “My apologies, I must go. I’m glad we were able to meet under better circumstances than last times. Jaha, would you walk me out?” Abby motioned with a smile.
Clarke raised her eyebrow at that while Bellamy arrived by her side, silently eating off a plate of food. She pursed her lips at him, the food had been for their guests, not interlopers who’d managed to wrangle themselves into the meeting.
“Carrot?” He offered the plate to her with a wide grin.
Clarke crunched the carrot noisily in his direction and found herself sitting at her mother’s chair at the table. He laid the plate down in front of her and to the side, so he could read over her shoulder.
“I did not know such food grew in the sky. It is quiet remarkable.” Lexa said as she picked pieces off the plate.
“It’s nothing compared to the fresh meat we’ve been able to find on the ground. Everything here seems to be,” Clarke shook her head, leaning forward, “more.”
Jaha came back in; his face tight and walked towards Clarke.
“You’re back just in time, could you begin opening discussions.” Clark was happy to let Jaha take care of this particular peace of business. Especially since it didn’t sit right with her. Clarke leaned back, nibbling at the food that Bellamy kept passing her as Jaha started the opening dialogs.
It seemed straightforward to her, the grounders and sky people would lead a large-scale attack and rescue mission at the same time. Securing the reapers to be taken down and cured while a team went into the mountain from below and another team provided several distractions elsewhere.
“That can wait until later, when we have our war party. For now we must collect on the original terms. Blood must answer for blood.” Lexa stood.
Clarke nodded, “He’s outside, just as you saw, waiting to go with you.”
Lexa responded, “Then we shall take him and return in 3 days. During such time, if we meet you in the forest, there will be no attacks from us.”
“And about Marcus Kane? Will you be releasing him back to us?” Jaha asked the commander.
Lexa smiled, “He will returned to you now, but I may ask for him back later.”
Clark was a bit confused by that but smiled anyway, stretching her sore cheek muscles, “Well since that’s all settled.” She came around to meet Lexa.
Lexa looked behind Clarke to Bellamy, examining him in a way that made Clarke a little nervous. She felt him ease closer to her in response.
Lexa sighed, “That is a small complication. However such things will be talked about after we free our peoples from the mountain men.”
Together they walked back outside and to the main gates. Lexa motioned for men to bring Marcus Kane forward.
The men released Kane, who walked on his own power, looking none for the more harmed.
Guards gestured for Finn to go to the grounder men. They tied his hands behind his back and took him outside the gates to wait.
Lexa turned from watching and said to Clarke, “In three days, we will return.”
“Until then, “slipped out of Clarke’s mouth before she could stop herself.
Lexa slipped back behind her honor guard and Clark watched until they were out of sight before whirling around to Jaha.
“Not, here. Let’s go wait for your mother.” He motioned Clarke back into the ship they walked to Kane. “Do you need medical attention, Marcus?”
“No, they treated me well after they came back from not attacking the village. I was let out of the jail, given food and water before coming here. It was strange though, no one but the commander spoke to me and even then she didn’t hold long conversations.” The group talked as they walked back into the room that’d been made up for the grounders.
Once the door was shut, Clarke turned and asked the question that’d been burning from the start, “Why does she think I’m in charge here?”
Kane sighed and went over to the food, “From what I saw after I’d been released as a prisoner, they have a matriarchal society. You are the one that brokered the peace after all. It might be better for now for them to continue to think you are in charge.”
“Now Marcus,” Jaha began, but Clarke ignored them and turned to Bellamy who was looking down at her with a particular gleam in his eye.
“Anything we want, “he whispered to her. Clarke knew it wouldn’t be anything they wanted, but this might be their only chance to have a say in what went on. She nodded in return.