Fallen

Chapter Thirty-Nine: The Crown

Jaha carries a bloody, wrapped body into the Azgedian compound. Warriors stand all around, watching him carefully.

"I figured Ontari should be with her people," he tells the woman in front. The woman he assumes is Echo. She motions for a person to take the wrapped body from him and he leaves. It's up to Octavia now. 

The warrior lays the body on the ground near the injured king where a healer is. The healer shakes his head, leaving with the warrior to update Echo. A knife cuts the fabric and Octavia breaks through the torn cloth. She opens the door so Clarke, Ash, and Abby slip in. 

"Keep an eye on the door," Clarke orders Octavia. The youngest agrees before going to the door. Abby orders for Ash and Clarke to roll Roan onto his side. There is no exit wound. They need to get the bullet out of him now. Ash stands at the end of the table where his head is as Clarke eases him down onto the table. Ash pushes down on his shoulders to make sure he holds still. Abby takes a knife, cutting into the bullet wound. He jerks forward.

"Hold him still," Abby orders.

"I'm trying," Ash grunts, trying to keep him still. Blood covers Abby's fingers as she digs for the bullet. Soon she pulls out the piece of metal. She starts patching his wound as the doors fling open. Octavia tries to stop the warriors but Ash quickly thought of what can happen.

"Octavia, don't," she tells her. Echo steps forward. 

"It's bad enough you tried to kill our king, but now you cut into him," she sneers. "I was giving you time to go back to your people out of respect for whatever alliance you had with King Roan."

"We were trying to save him," Ash tells her.

"Lies. Detain them." A couple of warriors quickly grab the four members from Skaikru in the room. Echo pulls out a sword before nodding her head. Ash is pushed onto her knees as her arms are being held out. "Jus drein jus daun."

Ash's heart picks up as the blade is raised. A warrior pulls her hair back so her neck is visible. Clarke keeps trying to talk Echo out of it, but fails. She closes her eyes, almost ready to accept her fate. 

"Stop," a deep voice bellows behind her. She opens her eyes to see how close the sword was from her neck. Echo's eyes are wide in shock. "Release my Second."

The warriors are quick to follow orders. Ash turns her head to see Roan sitting on the table. He looks pale, but honestly glad he is alive.

"My king. They were trying to kill you."

He locks eyes with Ash before looking Echo in the eyes. He stands up.

"I highly doubt that. But, until I make a decision, Clarke and Ash are to remain. Rest can leave."

Abby and Octavia look at the two. Both of the two nod their heads and so they leave with others. Soon it is just Clarke, Ash, and Roan. Ash goes to look outside the window. In the courtyard is those that were in the room, Bellamy, and a ton more guards. This is a terrifying situation. Clarke and Roan debate on what to do. The fact that there is now no Nightblood makes it a more dangerous. The Coalition could fall apart.

"Praimfaya is going to happen again," Clarke finally snaps. Ash's eyes widen as she looks at the two. "We need to work together to survive."

"How do I know that you won't be only trying to protect your people?" he asks. 

"Because I promise that we all will survive." Clarke holds out the Flame. "Just respect Lexa's last commands."

Roan accepts the Flame and Clarke leaves. Ash walks over to help him back on the table.

"Don't overdo yourself," she orders. 

"I thought I am the one in charge."

She chuckles softly.

"So I'm your Second again?"

"Slipped out."

"Sure it did," she jokes. Her eyes focus on the bullet wound. "Sorry I got you shot."

"You didn't pull the trigger."

"But I convinced you to help us."

No response. No witty remark. Just, "You should sit down."

Shock takes over her system for a moment.

"What?"

"Your leg. You must be in pain."

She is in intense pain. But she is not fully sure whether if it mostly physical or mostly mental. She sits on the table next to him.

"Clarke makes a good offer if she is telling the truth," he tells her. A beat of silence. "Can I trust you?"

"Can I trust you?"

*****

Roan stands before the balcony, crown on his head. All the delegates that are still alive are there with some of Skaikru.

"Azgeda will stand in place until a Nightblood is found," he tells them. Various reactions take place. He looks at Clarke. Then Ash. "I will step down once the Flame has chosen the new Commander. Until then, I shall honor Lexa. Skaikru shall be the thirteenth clan."

Ash could see the relief on her father's face. Soon the council is dismissed. Ash pulls Bellamy away from the others. She is unsure where they fully stand, but she feels she needs to tell him.

"I need to stay," she tells him. "I need to make sure there is no threat against Roan and that the alliance remains."

He nods his head.

"We'll figure it out."

Roan appears and Bellamy excuses himself. She straightens her posture a bit.

"Now the work begins," he states. She nods her head.

"And there is a lot to do."