Pinch Me

When Clarke had stormed from the room, Bellamy knew they were in some serious shit. When an entire group of people offer you assistance while simultaneously taking you into their personal labrynth and shifting the guns in their hands, you don’t spit in their eyes. That’s just common sense. So when the door slammed shut, leaving Bellamy and Wells to talk to Dante and convince him not to kill them all, Bellamy’s stomach dropped.

Wells kept an eye on him while they sat in silence, just across a motionless Dante Wallace. “President Wallace,” Wells spoke finally, turning back to him. “I’m sure you understand our hesitance. Let us talk to Clarke, talk among ourselves, and work out a solution.” His smile could put his father, the wildly successful politician, to shame.

“Of course,” Dante grinned, pulling himself to his feet and sweeping his hand towards the door. “You may take your leave, boys. I hope you reconsider. Mount Weather would be honored to have the Ark among us.”

Bellamy and Wells made a swift exit. Bellamy had to admit, Wells was better with words than he was. “Clarke is never going to agree to this.”

Wells shook his head. “Not a chance.”

“What do you think?”

Wells heaved a sigh. “It would be beneficial to us.”

“Exactly.”

“But, can we trust them?” Wells stopped to turn and face Bellamy. “They lied to you about Octavia and they lied to us about the Grounders betraying Clarke. If they lie about basic things like that, what will they tell the truth about? I’m not sure about this.”

“But guaranteed safety for all of our people.” Bellamy argued. “I think we should give it a shot.”

Wells tilted his head. “We need to negotiate a bit more. We need to have access to our weapons. Especially if we’ll be living outside. But those weapons can be turned on Mount Weather if they turn on us.”

Bellamy nodded. “I think you need to do the negotiating.”

“Why? You’re our leader.”

Bellamy shrugged as they continued down the hall towards their dorms. “I can rally the forces but I’m not very good with words and negotiating peace. That was always you.”

Wells nodded. “Alright. Well it’s your turn to do the talking, we have to rally the delinquents now.”

They entered the dorms with their shoulders squared and chins up. The delinquents were milling about the bunks, smiling and laughing and flirting, the first time they had the opportunity to be real kids since they were on the Ark. Even before they were all arrested in their individual incidents. “Listen up!” Bellamy boomed.

The din died down as the delinquents circled around their two leaders. “Where’s Clarke?” Monty asked quietly from Bellamy’s left side.

“Don’t know, she wasn’t happy, stormed off.” Bellamy murmured to Monty as the final few kids fell in behind the others. “Dante Wallace has offered us a place here at Mount Weather, the Ark will join us when they fall later tonight or tomorrow. Our jobs essentially will be to expand the bunker’s resources to the outside. We won’t be stuck in another tin can.” Bellamy gave a reassuring smile. “They give us their technology and protection, in return we help them with the work outside. We all know they’re not able to withstand going outside right? So we’re their eyes and ears on the Grounders.”

“And why is Clarke not jumping on this?” Murphy drawled. “What’s the catch Blake?”

Bellamy’s smile dimmed just slightly. “That’s the thing. The catch isn’t really, a thing. The Mountain Men, they survive by using frequent blood transfusions with people who can withstand the air. They capture and bleed the Grounders and use their blood to survive.”

There was complete silence for a few seconds. “What in the actual fuck?” Murphy stepped forward. “Look, I’m no angel, but that’s just fucked up.”

There were murmurs of agreement through the crowd. “We can’t do that. That’s just wrong.” Harper whispered to the girl beside her, Monroe.

“Look, if it were me, I’d be fucking pissed, as I’m sure the Grounders are. Explains why they killed Jasper when we tried to get here back when we thought it was abandoned.” Murphy shrugged. “And forget about me, if it were my soulmate, I’ll be fucked if I let them do that shit to them.”

That got more of a response. Bellamy struggled to keep his composure. “Look, it’s not us, and they were going to kill us anyway. We can’t make this decision lightly.”

“And what about Clarke?” Murphy countered.

“She doesn’t like it.” Bellamy raised his chin. “But I’m staying here, and I suggest you all do the same.”

Murphy scoffed. “Fuck this. I’m out of here.” Murphy shoved his way through the crowd towards his bunk to gather his things.

Several other delinquents scoffed and grunted their assent as they dispersed from the crowd to leave with him. Bellamy counted a dozen leaving with Murphy, but as soon as Murphy tried to leave the room, the lights shut down in the room, and a loud alarm blared. A red light flickered on, lighting the delinquents’ pale, terrified faces.

“Ah shit.” Murphy cursed.

Lexa’s feet ached and she was reduced to an undignified trudge thanks to Clarke’s inability to travel at any reasonable speed, but she had to admit, she didn’t envy Anya’s position. The other sky girl, Raven, seemed to be just a bit more irritating than Clarke was. Her whole body ached with the struggle in the tunnels against the Ripa, but at least there were no gaping wounds in immediate danger of killing her.

“You’ll need to clean the cuts on your feet. They’re going to get infected if you just leave them be.” Clarke huffed as she struggled to keep up with Lexa. “You’re the type to ignore your wounds aren’t you?”

Lexa wouldn’t dignify her with a response. Her mind was far ahead of any possible infections or injuries. “Anya mentioned the Skaikru falling to the ground. What do you know of this?”

Clarke was taken aback, she shrugged a shoulder. “Dante had Monty helping their tech crew with building a radio to contact the Ark. They must have made plans to meet and negotiate. How did Anya know?”

“Likely Raven also contacted your people. We must intercept them, if the Maunon make allies of the Skaikru then we will have no chance of taking them down. My people will be slaughtered in a very short war.” Lexa spoke quickly, stressing the danger of the situation. She stopped suddenly and looked to Clarke. “Convince your people to join us in an alliance against the Maunon and I will guarantee a place in the coalition for your people, and I will negotiate with Trikru and Azgedakru for land to be designated to the Skaikru once the Maunon has fallen.”

Clarke struggled to keep up with this turn of events. A coalition? Could she guarantee that Mount Weather will fall with the Ark’s help? Could she convince Jaha and the council to wage a war the moment they touch the Earth? Unlikely. “I’m not in charge-“

“Skrish,” Lexa rolled her eyes. “Your scouts followed your orders. You will make the rest of your people follow your orders as well. Only cowards hide behind children. Clarke, this is not an option.” Lexa warned. “If you cannot tell me that they will listen to you and accept my alliance invitation I will be forced to eliminate the threat before it can fully form. Kill the dragon before it’s learned to spit fire.” Lexa knew she was perhaps being harsh on the girl, she clearly hadn’t been a general for very long, but Lexa needed to make a move before her hand was played for her.

Clarke blanched. “I’ll convince them.”

Lexa nodded once, holding an arm out to shake. Clarke took her hand and Lexa furrowed her brows. Lexa removed her hand and gripped Clarke’s forearm. “Like this, deals are made like this here. Grabbing the hand leaves you vulnerable to attack.”

Clarke tilted her head, a bit like the puppies Lexa sees squirming in the wagons of some Azgeda merchants. “How?”

Lexa held her hand out again, which Clarke took, and in a flash, Lexa had twisted herself behind Clarke. Just as Clarke caught up with the movement, Lexa shifted just slightly enough for Clarke to feel the muscles in her shoulder burn. “It takes very little effort to force the other person to submit.” Lexa explained calmly. “But if you grip the forearm, then they are unable to prevent you from releasing the grip the moment they make a threatening move. Your forearm is broader, unless they are much larger and stronger, pulling your arm back to your chest like this,” Lexa swung her arm in a tight circle out and back towards her chest. “Will immediately release you, because the fingers are not strong enough to stop you.”

Clarke nodded, taking in the miniature lesson as best she could before Lexa marched off again. “How much further to TonDC?”

“Not far.”

“Will Raven and Anya already be there?”

“No, they have to circle downstream for a few miles before there is a natural bridge they can cross over and make their way back to TonDC.” Lexa explained, diverting her path around the thickest of the underbrush.

Clarke finally fell silent and Lexa tried to subtly pick up the pace a little bit. Within a few minutes, Clarke was back to breathing heavily and struggling behind her.

It was nearly midday when they finally reached the first signs of civilization. Lexa didn’t startle, unlike Clarke, when two scouts dropped from the trees to follow her into town. “Mochof, konge Indra en lid em gon ai.”

“Sha, Heda.” One scout bowed and took off through the forest.

Lexa continued to walk, with Clarke at her heels, her back straightening and jaw setting with every step closer. The second scout stopped abruptly to untie his boots from his own feet and offer them to his Commander. “Beja, Heda. Teik em in. Et laik ai koma.”

Lexa hesitated just a moment before she took the boots graciously, grasping his forearm and shoulder with either hand. “Mochof, ai lukot.”

The scout grinned so broadly, Clarke thought his face might split. Clearly, Lexa’s people loved her dearly. It gave her hope that perhaps she wouldn’t be allying herself with a tyrant. At least she could use this as leverage for the inevitable debate with the council. “What’s going on?” Clarke asked as Lexa finished lacing up her borrowed boots.

“I am sending for Indra.”

“Okay, when does the Ark come down?”

“Clarke, you ask as if I haven’t been out of your eyesight literally all day.” Lexa snapped before she took a longer breath. “That is one of the questions Indra will be answering.”

They only walked for a few more minutes before they found themselves breaking through the tree line into camp. It must have been several hundred warriors surrounding them as they all surged forward to see their Commander the moment they stepped into visibility.

“Gyon op, Heda!” The barefoot scout shouted to the crowd, followed by war cries and chants. Soon the massive crowd was shouting in unison as Lexa held her head high and walked forward. The warriors moved out of her way, and as she passed they pressed gentle hands to her shoulders, back, and the fabric of her stolen clothing. Clarke could hear the mumblings and whispers of warriors as they took notice of her, but they paid her very little mind in all.

“What are they saying?” Clarke asked as they finally cleared the crowd, meeting a severe looking woman in full armor.

“Long live the Commander.”

“That’s not the only thing they were saying.”

“They may be calling you either a god, an angel, or a demon. It’s a mixture.” Lexa barely gave Clarke a glance. “They are stunned and respectful, we are the only ones to escape the Maunon with our lives and sanity intact.”

“Heda,” Indra, Clarke assumed, bowed her head in respect. “I’m relieved to see you alive and unharmed.”

“Mochof, Indra. We have much to discuss.”

“Of course, Heda. My people are at your utmost disposal.”

Lexa nodded. “Allow me to change into more suitable clothes, and then we can get to work.”

Lexa left Clarke to stand awkwardly under the unflinching scrutiny of Indra. The woman was terrifying, to say the least. In fact, Clarke was more intimidated by Indra than any of the other massive warriors dispersing happily among the encampment. “I, uh, I’m Clarke.”

Indra stared down her nose at Clarke. “I’m aware. How did you escape, natrona?”

Clarke rolled her eyes. She knew that word. “I didn’t betray anyone. As I’ve explained to Lexa, the Maunon captured my people just the same as yours.”

Indra scoffed. “Not just the same. But believe whatever you wish Sky Girl.”

Clarke could hear quick footsteps behind her, but Indra didn’t react at all as a strong hand grabbed the back of Clarke’s shirt and yanked her back and around to face a very, very angry Octavia Blake.

“What happened to Lincoln? Where’s my brother?”

“Bellamy is in the mountain still. He stayed behind voluntarily, I’ll explain in private.”

“And Lincoln?” Octavia finally let the panic settle across her face, masking any lingering fury. “Where is he?”

Clarke blinked back tears of her own. “He was overcome in the tunnels. He’s dead.”

“No,” Octavia shook her head, tears falling down her face. “He’s not dead. I can feel the binds around his wrists and throat.”

Clarke swallowed the dread building in her throat. “I’m sorry. He must be in the mountain.”

Indra hissed, but immediately quieted when she caught sight of Lexa returning, armor and sash in place. “Heda, we’ve heard news of Lincoln, what of Anya, and the branwada?”

Lexa nodded gravely. “Lincoln was overcome, I don’t know if he was taken to the Maunonkru or eaten. Anya and Raven are circling the river.”

Indra gave a single nod. “Heda, the Skaikru are falling in a few hours, ai seken, Octavia, spoke to a sky person earlier. They’ll be armed.”

“Do you know where they aim to land?” Clarke asked, forgetting that Indra assumed her to be an idiot. Indra glared, but when Lexa stared expectantly, Indra nodded.

“We marked it on a map.” Indra gestured towards a large tent, evidently used for planning.

Lexa nodded once before turning slightly, she searched the crowd for just a second before she called out. “Gustus!”

Clarke turned to see an absolute beast of a man lumber over towards the group of women. He dipped his head in acknowledgment, but it seemed more an afterthought, it seemed clear to Clarke that he and the Commander were rather close. “Yes, Commander?”

“Ride back to Polis. You will relieve Titus of his duties and send him here. His… expertise, is required.” Lexa spoke distastefully.

“Heda, I am your personal guard-“

“I am surrounded by warriors, and Anya is coming along in a few hours. I have plenty of guards. You are needed in Polis. Quiet the Coalition. Word has most definitely reached the other clans.” Lexa spoke as she walked into the tent, her entourage following at her heels. “I will not have anyone taking advantage of my distraction. Ensure that Titus has not done anything behind my back. Suspend all trade negotiations and border disputes until I can give them my full attention. Do not give them word of the Maunon war until I send a rider letting you know of the developments here.” Lexa ordered, taking a sweeping glance over various maps. She clicked her tongue and began rearranging everything on the table. “Go at once, Gustus.”

The hulk bowed his head and turned to leave.

“Oh and Gustus?” Lexa waited until she had his attention, a slight smirk on her face. “You are not Anya, don’t expect to get away with rearranging my maps.”

Gustus grunted, bowing his head again. “Sha, Heda.”

Once Gustus finally left the tent, Clarke moved to look at the maps on the table, Indra glaring at the back of her head as she also entered further into the tent. Octavia remained at the entrance to the tent, back straight and jaw so tight Clarke could practically hear her teeth grinding together. Clarke studied the circles and marks surrounding an ovular area drawn over a remarkably detailed drawing of the valley between Mount Weather and TonDC. “You’re going to surround them?” Clarke asked dubiously, looking to Indra and Lexa respectively. “That’ll scare them. They’ll only be more likely to join the Maunon.”

Lexa shifted her weight to her other foot and glared down at the page. “No, Anya thought of that, these troops are hidden in the trees. This note here says that they are to be hidden in the trees and out of sight.” Lexa mumbled to herself. “Alright, Indra, I want an inner and outer ring around the landing site. Inner ring faces inwards, ready to fight in the case that they are hostile. Outer ring defends against any Maunonkru attempting to intercept the Skaikru. Clarke, you will be the first face they see. I’ll send Octavia with you as well. The more friendly-faces they see, the better we can assuage their fears and convince them that we’re the allies they want. When you can guarantee that they won’t attack us with your fayogon, you will signal to us and I and my guard will meet with your council to negotiate the terms of our alliance. When the war is over and the Maunon has fallen, we will discuss further the settlement of your people and their entry to the coalition.”

“They will enter the coalition? Heda?”

Lexa glared at Indra until the woman bowed her head in submission. “You will not question my leadership again, Indra. So far, the Skaikru have been a peaceful and reasonable people. Their invasion as described to me has been unintentional, and within the neutral zone within the shadow of the Maunon anyway. They will assist in the rebuilding of the damage done to TonDC.”

Indra pursed her lips, nodding once. “Moba, Heda.”

Lexa waved her off. “Indra, you are dismissed. Ensure our warriors are prepared and have your scouts watch for Anya and Raven. Octavia, stay.”

Indra blinked away her confusion and left without another word, patting her seken’s shoulder as she passed her. Octavia stepped forward cautiously. “Sha, Heda?”

“Please, sit. I understand you are Indra’s seken and Linkon’s keryontai?”

“Sha,”

Lexa looked between the two girls. She needed to know exactly what she was getting into with the Skaikru. “About Becca and Alie, I need to know everything that you do.”

Clarke shook her head, brows furrowed. “We don’t know anything, Lexa. I already told you. No one on the Ark knows anything about either of those women.”

Lexa scrutinized Clarke from across the table. “The first Heda, Becca, according to legend fell from the sky just as you did. I don’t believe in coincidences, Clarke.”

Clarke glanced to Octavia. The younger girl shrugged. “You’re the one who actually learned Ark History. I was under the floor my whole life.”

Lexa tilted her head, regarding the seken. “That is… absurd.”

Octavia shrugged. “I was the second.”

“You still are, you are Indra’s second.” Lexa shook her head. “I don’t understand.”

Clarke answered for her. “The Ark had a one child policy, to save resources, since we lived in a closed system. Octavia is the younger sibling of Bellamy. Her mother hid her for most of her life to keep her secret. She was put into lockup after she was discovered.”

Octavia scoffed. “I’m an illegal.”

Lexa was flabbergasted, to say the least. How could a person be illegal for being a person? Admittedly, she supposed, it was hypocritical to criticize the Skaikru for outlawing children when her own people threw away children born with mutilations. Lexa hated that tradition, sure, but if she were to outlaw it, there would be no ethical way of enforcing such a law. Those children rarely survived infancy, let alone birth. How would her guards be able to distinguish a natural child death from infanticide? Lexa schooled her features and nodded once. “I understand.” Lexa was quiet for a moment. “What of Polis?”

Clarke shook her head. “Polis? I mean, it’s an Ancient Greek thing isn’t it?”

Octavia nodded. “Yeah, my brother read a lot about the Romans and the Greeks and all that. Polis is basically an ideal city-state. Like philosophically.”

Lexa was confused. What about Romans and Greeks? “Romans?”

“Well, there’s Indianapolis.” Clarke supplied.

“That doesn’t make any sense, we’re nowhere near Indiana. We’re in Washington D.C.”

“What was the one in Maryland? Annapolis?”

“What are you two saying?” Lexa interrupted. “Is this some sort of code?”

Clarke and Octavia turned to the Grounder, hiding their smiles. “It’s not, Heda.” Octavia explained. “Before the bombs, this entire continent was essentially one clan. And they divided the clan into tribes, with villages inside those tribes. One of the villages was called Annapolis. After the perfect Polis city, from Greek philosophy, and probably some woman named Anna. Something like that right Clarke?”

Clarke nodded. “The capital of the Clan was called Washington D.C. That’s probably where TonDC got its name.”

“It can be assumed that Polis comes from Annapolis.” Octavia shrugged. “Not more than a day or two ride’s east right?”

Lexa nodded hesitantly.

“Annapolis,” Both girls nodded.

Lexa closed her eyes in frustration. “Becca fell from the sky in a ship called Polis.”

Clarke crossed her arms intrigued. “That doesn’t make any sense. No one has dropped from the Ark before us. There was a station called Polaris, but that was destroyed. No one could have survived Polaris.”

Octavia shrugged. “Look if you wanna talk Polaris conspiracies then you really need to talk to Murphy. His mom was nuts, if anyone knows anything about that it’s Murphy.”

Lexa rolled her stiffening shoulders. Pointedly ignoring Clarke’s answering wince. She certainly didn’t want to talk about that. “You’re dismissed. We will discuss this more in depth once Titus arrives.”

“Sha, Heda.” Octavia bowed her head and fled the tent in relief.

Clarke remained behind, sitting in her seat, arms crossed, staring Lexa down as she fiddled with the maps in front of her. “You can leave now, Clarke.”

Clarke shrugged. “You need to take care of those feet. If you don’t clean them they’re going to get infected.”

Lexa glared harshly. “I’m perfectly capable of taking care of myself.”

Clarke rolled her eyes. “Then why don’t you?”

“I’m busy planning a war.”

“Yeah, without any of your generals or advisors or even a solid alliance. You’ve delegated the necessary tasks. Your turn.” Clarke retorted, a victorious smirk taking over her face.

Lexa grunted. “Fine, I’ll do that now. Will that be all, Prisa?”

Clarke scoffed. “I don’t know what that means, but I’m offended. Are we going to discuss this at all?”

“No.”

“No?”

“No.”

“You’re seriously going to just ignore this?”

“I have more pressing matters to concern myself with, Clarke.” Lexa retorted. Sure, it was childish, but the Skaikru were children themselves, it only made sense that Lexa used their primary mode of communication: mockery.

Clarke blinked back at her. “Fine,”

Pain laced through her chest like a bolt of lightning. It was sharp, bitter, and stinging, but Lexa refused to react. When all else fails, denial works best. She lifted her chin just a bit higher and stared down those bright blue eyes. Lexa watched the shades change from a bright, pained blue, to the darkened skies just before a raging storm. “Clarke,” Lexa murmured. “You have to keep this a secret. There are many people who will take any chance to gain leverage against me. Including capturing, torturing, or even killing you.”

Clarke looked away. “Would it work?” She forced herself to look back up.

It was Lexa’s turn to avoid Clarke’s questioning gaze. “It didn’t work the last time.” Lexa hated the way her voice broke. She had spoken of Costia in passing several times over the years. Only with Anya, of course, but more than once. “Costia died because she was mine. Queen Nia kom Azgeda will not hesitate to lunge at the opportunity to capture my keryontai.”

Clarke was unreadable as they stared at each other, allowing the silence in the tent to stifle them. “That explains it then.”

Lexa closed her eyes, heaving a heavy sigh. “That explains it.”

Clarke nodded, moving to her feet. “Clean those cuts. And take it easy on that shoulder. I think you strained it in the river.”