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Chapter Text

The only thing Clarke Griffin could think of as she ran for her life was fuck. Because before today she was a pretty normal teenage girl and now she was in the woods being chased by a flock of feather shooting birds and lets just say the feathers were definitely not soft.

“Shit,” Clarke cursed for the thousandth time as another feather skims by her skin, just breaking the surface. She was pretty sure she had over fifty of those by now and that wasn’t even an exaggeration.

“We’re almost there!” shouted Monty.

Monty Green. Or as Clarke liked to call him the kid who was either kidnapping her or saving her life.

Clarke had literally just finished school for the summer when she noticed three silver birds waiting on the roofs across from her school.

Their feathers shimmered in the light when they ruffled them, like they were made of metal rather than flesh and keratin, and even from where she stood, a good 30 metres away she could feel their piercing eyes, like they were staring at her and no one else. And when she had glanced around but no one seemed to notice them.

Then, of course, they had started chasing her.

She had run down the streets of Sacramento to get away from them when suddenly a hand pulled her down an alleyway. She had recognised him immediately as the kid who had transferred to her school in the last month of the school year. No one had known why.

He had told her he could save her and that he would take her somewhere safe and Clarke didn’t know why, because her mom had always told her never trust strangers, or in this case a virtual stranger. But she believed him.

It probably had something to do with the freaky giant silver birds.

They had gone to her house first and he had given her just enough time to stuff as many of her clothes and belongings as she could into two backpacks.

Clothes, money, phone, sketchbook.

Then they were gone again. Monty threw one bag over his shoulders and Clarke did the same with the other.

She would have packed more but the birds had somehow followed them and started shooting their feathers at her windows, so she kind of had to leave.

They sprinted through the streets again until Monty stopped in front of an old rickety looking motorcycle and told her to hop on.

She had a moment of doubt then because she hadn’t told her mom she was going anywhere and this bike looked like it would fall apart any minute. But then a feather had sliced her arm and she thought fuck it because she really didn’t want to die that day. Monty then shoved a helmet on his head then one on hers and straddled the bike, waiting not so patiently for her to get on.

And when she finally did, Monty took off. Clarke quickly found that the motorcycle was definitely faster than it looked because they were darting through the traffic faster than she thought possible.

During the ride Monty had kept shouting information at her, but she barely absorbed any of it.

Camp. Greeks. Gods.

Those where the three things that she remembered.

What?

After about half an hour of crazy driving, Monty had said they were almost there when suddenly a feather had caught the side of the front wheel. It hit it just right to make it burst instantly. They had been thrown to the ground, but luckily the road had been deserted by then and they both landed on the soft-ish grass by the side of the road.

And now they were running.

Running for their fucking lives.

Clarke hated running.

“Does this shit always happen to you?” Clarke threw over her shoulder to the boy who was just a step behind her.

“You’d be surprised!”

And out of the corner of her eye she saw one of the metallic birds start to dive, she felt her eyes widen.

“Monty! Watch out!”

And then Clarke dove, jumping towards Monty, just in time to knock him to the ground. She hissed as she felt a talon knick her shoulder but she quickly dismissed the pain and pulled them both to their feet.

“Are you ok?” he gasped.

“I’m fine.”

“We can’t stop,” Monty told her breathlessly, he tugged her forwards and they started running again. “We’re almost there.”

“That’s like the fourth time you’ve said that!” Clarke exclaimed.

“And this time I mean it. Over there!” He pointed towards two trees that bent towards each other naturally, crossing each other and forming an arch. “Run through there!”

Clarke didn’t ask questions, she just ran. And really she couldn’t have spoken any more even if she wanted too because her lungs were on fire, her legs were burning and her skin hurt all over from the multiple fresh cuts that now dotted her face and body.

She really hated running.

Monty was slightly ahead of her now, maybe five or ten steps, she watched as he ran through the arch.

And then he was gone and Clarke gasped, because he disappeared right before her eyes and stuff like that just didn’t happen.

Her feet skidded to a stop centimetres for the arch and she didn’t know why her brain decided to do that because there were fucking birds trying to kill her. But she also didn’t know what was on the other side of this thing and that scared her too.

Her chest was rising and falling rapidly as she tried to get her breath back. When she glanced over her shoulder she couldn’t see the creatures anymore. Where were they?

She listened. She couldn’t hear them either.

Thoughts ran through Clarke’s mind in quick succession. Maybe she should leave now. The birds were gone. She was safe.

She looked at the arch again and a part of her was so tempted to see what was on the other side.

But Monty hadn’t come back out to get her and maybe that was a bad thing. She wasn’t sure.

Clarke had only made it about fifteen steps away from the arch when she heard the screech. It was bone shaking, it was ear numbing and it was way to close behind her.

Slowly, she turned around.

The three birds had placed themselves between her and the arch and up close they looked even more frightening and deadly than before. She could see every silver feather, their beady eyes; she saw their chests rise slightly as they breathed.

And in that second Clarke knew she was in trouble because she couldn’t out run them anymore. She was too tired, Monty’s bike was broken and now she couldn’t get to the arch.

She was definitely fucked.

She watched as the birds lowered themselves, their heads nearing the ground, their wings shaking out, as if they were ready to strike.

Clarke didn’t know what she was going to do because she was weaponless and exhausted, but she knew she wasn’t going to go down without a fight. She clenched her hands into fists, her nails making half moons in her palms and if she looked down at her hands she was sure her knuckles would be white.

But in the end she didn’t need to do anything because then a girl, much shorter than herself, burst through the arch wielding a bronze sword and a loud battle cry that made the birds heads whip around at her.

Clarke stood amazed.

The girl was agile and confident and she slashed at the metallic birds skilfully, making fighting them look easy and almost graceful (and she definitely wasn’t staring because she was probably one of the prettiest girls Clarke had ever seen). Clarke watched as the three birds, which moments ago had seemed so threatening, crumble to dust before her.

The girl casually flicked her dark brown hair over her shoulder as if she hadn’t just saved Clarke’s life and gave her an award-winning smile.

She tucked her sword under her arm and stuck out her hand, “Hey. I’m Octavia.”

Clarke stared at her blankly for a moment before reaching out to shake the girls hand. The girl had a firm grip but her skin was soft and supple.

“Clarke. Clarke Griffin.”

“Well Clarke Clarke Griffin,” Octavia said in a teasing tone, “Are you coming into Camp or what?”

“This is a camp?” Clarke’s eyebrows furrowed in confusion and then she remembered, Monty had said something about a camp.

“Did Monty not tell you?”

Clarke shook her head, “We were kind of busy.”

“Oh right, right, the birds. Gotcha.” She snapped her fingers and pointed her index finger at her and honestly Clarke wasn’t sure how someone made such a common action seem attractive.

“Yeah.”

Octavia narrowed her eyes ever so slightly but Clarke noticed it, “You seem nervous.”

Clarke chuckled awkwardly, “I am, a little. I mean I was just chased by some metal birds across California, Monty disappeared through this gap in the trees and you are holding a really big sword. Also, I really have no idea what’s going on right now.”

Octavia briefly looked down at her sword like she had completely forgot she was holding it, “Crap, I’m really bad at this whole greeting new campers stuff. I mean that’s probably why I never get sent out to find them,” she mused mostly to herself, “Anyway, why don’t I try and explain some stuff for you? Get everything sorted out in your brain.”

“That would be great,” Clarke said breathing a sigh of relief.

“Ok awesome, but do you think we could do it inside Camp boundaries? You never know what stuff will come at you out here. The creatures and smell you from half way across the country out here.”

Clarke wasn’t really given an option because then Octavia was dragging her through the arch. She held her breath as she went through, she wasn’t sure why she did that but she did and when she stepped through to the other side she couldn’t stop her surprised gasp. It ended in her coughing for an embarrassingly long time.

“Sorry,” she said as her coughing fit ended.

“It’s not problem, Camp Ark sure is amazing isn’t it?”

That was definitely an understatement because Camp Ark, whatever it was, looked like a utopia. At least that’s the word Clarke would use to describe it. They were stood on top of a large hill and it gave the perfect view of the Camp.

There were huge buildings with tall columns and a large tower that Clarke was pretty sure had lava flowing out of it. She could see a cluster of twelve wooden cabins all different colours and in the distance she could see a circular structure. She wondered what else there was that she couldn’t see. She glanced behind her and instead of being an arch or trees like on the other side, there was a large sign with the words Camp Ark carved into it, held up by two tall wooden poles.

“What is this place?”

“Camp Ark, like I just said, you’re not so bright are you?” Octavia teased. Clarke blushed with embarrassment because she had dyslexia and people often teased her about now smart she was. Octavia seemed to sense something was off and assured her, “I’m kidding.”

“I know.” She replied honestly, because Octavia genuinely didn’t seem like she was trying to be spiteful.

“Sometimes I forget that I’m not talking to one of my best friends, this is how I talk to them normally.”

“Is that a good thing?”

“Take it how you will blondey.” Octavia shrugged.

There was a brief pause, then Clarke asked next. “Where’s Monty?”

“He got taken down to the Infirmary, as soon as he ran through the gate he fell over and did something to his ankle, broken is my guess from how fast it swelled up. The idiot.” Octavia said affectionately. “It’s a good thing I was on guard otherwise you would’ve been toast, am I right?”

“Yeah definitely.”

The two girls started a slow walk down the long path in front of them. From where they were Clarke could see that it split off and lead to all different areas of the Camp. But it was a good half a mile until they would reach anywhere.

“So…” Octavia tapped her chin, “Has Monty told you anything at all?”

“Not really? He did a little on the ride over here but I was kind of focused on the killer birds and you know, not dying,” Clarke admitted. “I do remember him saying something about God? And Greeks?”

“So basically nothing.”

“Yeah basically.

“How much do you know about Greek Mythology?” Octavia asked curiously.

Clarke shrugged, “I know some, like the twelve Gods and what they do, the stuff you learn in grade school,” she shrugged, “Why?”

“Because,” she said dramatically, “What you know, it’s not all myth. Have you ever heard about Gods coming down to earth, falling in love and having kids?”

“Yeah…”

“Well that’s you.”

“What?”

“You are a demi god!” Octavia stated.

Way to rip a Band-Aid off.

Clarke paused, because she knew what that meant. Octavia stopped with her. “A demi god? No…”

“Yep, half God half human, how cool is that, right?”

“What? No, I can’t be a…”

Octavia twirled her sword expertly between nimble fingers and she spoke, her voice causal, “Only one biological parent? Dyslexic? Maybe ADHD? Do you sometimes see things that others don’t?”

Clarke only blinked, because everything Octavia had listed off was true. She thought back to her mother and her current boyfriend, her struggle with school because of her dyslexia and how she could never sit still because of her minor ADHD, she thought about how no one else seemed to see the birds.

“Yeah…”

“Yep, you’re a demi god. Those are classic signs; we’ve all got them. Also if you weren’t you wouldn’t be allowed into Camp, so that kind of proves it. There’s a energy field around it that keeps out all bad weather and bad creatures.”

“So I’m…”

“Uh huh.”

“So my dad is a- he’s a God?”

“He is.”

“Do you think my mom knows?”

Octavia shrugged, “She probably does.”

Clarke frowned as she remembered all the talks she had with her mother about her dad, how many opportunities she had to tell her and didn’t. How many times her mother had told her that her father had just left one day and never came back and she was never given any other details except that she had his blonde hair and his blue eyes.

“Don’t get too mad at her, she’s not allowed to tell you. I’m sure she would have if she could.”

“Why can’t she?”

“She’s not allowed to tell anyone. It’s the rules set out by the gods. If she tells you, monsters would come after you.”

“…Oh.”

“I’m sorry.” Octavia said solemnly. Then she tried to lightly Clarkes mood slightly by saying, “Don’t look so down blondey, this is a great thing! I mean minus all the life or death moments and stuff it’s pretty damn good.”

Clarke pushed the thoughts of her mom and dad out of her mind and just shrugged, she wasn’t sure how to respond to that because so far her only experience of being a self aware demi god was being chased by birds and that wasn’t that great to her. And now to add to that she found out that her mother knew about her father.

“So you’re a demi god too then?”

Octavia nodded. “Nothing gets past you, huh?”

And Clarke just rolled her eyes because she was quickly learning that every other thing Octavia said was going to be sarcastic and she kind of liked it.

“Who’s your dad? Or mom,” she added.

“Aphrodite,” she answered easily and then Clarke understood why Octavia was so beautiful. She was literally the daughter of the Goddess of beauty.

“Wow, have you ever met her?”

“Once, this year on my sixteenth birthday. I don’t know why she came to visit, but she did, and she gave me this necklace,” she said pressing her fingertips delicately to the heart shaped locket that hug loosely around her neck.

“It’s amazing.”

Octavia smiled fondly and Clarke could tell from the look in her eyes that meeting her mom meant a lot to her. She wondered what meeting her dad would be like.

“Thanks.”

“Do you know who my dad is?” Clarke asked curiously, trying to hide her eagerness because her whole life she had been wondering who her birth father was and now she may be about to find out.

“I don’t know.” Clarke’s shoulders deflated. “Don’t look so sad blondey, you’ll find out soon, once they claim you.”

“Claim?”

“Yeah, they’ll send a sign. Like for me, I glowed pink for an entire day, children of Hephaestus have glowing red hammers above their heads and for kids of Poseidon it’s a green trident. You just have to wait.”

“How long does that normally take?”

“It depends, because you know, the Gods are kind of busy,” Octavia shrugged, “It could happen any second, or tomorrow, or in a week. Maybe a month.”

“So…you don’t know.”

“Nope. Sorry.”

“That’s ok,” Clarke said, her voice slightly dejected, but she meant her words. “It’s not like you can control it.”

As they walked Octavia explained a few other things about the Camp to her. Like how everyone had jobs to do and their was a general schedule to follow but mostly you can do what you want once your jobs are finished. She told her how its purpose was to give demi gods a place to live safely through out the summer away from monsters and creatures that could hurt them and also give them a chance to train so they could protect themselves when they left.

“Some people live here permanently,” Octavia added, “Like me and my brother.”

Clarke briefly wondered why they lived there all year round but she didn’t know how sensitive the topic was so she just asked, “You have a brother?”

“Yeah, it’s quite rare to have siblings that aren’t twins of the same mortal parent. We’re pretty lucky.”

“So he’s a son of Aphrodite too.”

Octavia nodded, “Watch out for him, his name is Bellamy. He’s a nice guy really but he also tries to get in every girl or guys pants that walk through those gates,” she said sticking her thumb back the way they came.

“Noted,” Clarke nodded.

“We should probably head to the Main House first, unless you need to go to the Infirmary too?” Octavia asked, inspecting the visible wounds on Clarke’s body.

“I think I’ll probably need to at some point, but I’m ok for now. I’d also like to talk to Monty at some point.” Clarke suddenly became aware of how sore her shoulder was, but she figured she could be sore few more minutes.

“Oh don’t worry, you’ll probably see a lot of him.” Octavia assured. “Come on, Jaha will want to talk to you.”

“Jaha?”

“He’s the Director. Don’t worry, he can be scary at first but he’s actually really sweet.”

The talk with Jaha didn’t last very long; he greeted her to the Camp and smiled warmly at her when she left.

He had quickly gone over the few rules of the Camp, like you can’t leave without permission and you have to finish your job before doing anything else. He also suggested that she start training and while Clarke hadn’t seemed to eager about it, Octavia told her she didn’t mind teaching her and promised her it would be fun.

“Come on, I’ll take you on a tour of the Camp,” Octavia suggested. “You might be claimed today, so you can leave your bags under my bed until then. I’d say leave them in the Hermes Cabin, which is where you’ll be if your dad doesn’t claim you by tonight by the way, but they steal.”

Clarke wasn’t sure when it happened but from what Octavia was saying and how Jaha had acted apparently she was staying at the camp now.

“Do I even get a say as to whether I stay or not?” Clarke asked suddenly, making Octavia pause in her speech about how she wished Hermes kids wouldn’t steal so much.

“I honestly never even considered that, wow I’m such an idiot.”

“You’re not an idiot.”

“So you don’t want to stay?”

Clarke shifted awkwardly from foot to foot, “Well I don’t really know…this is all just so much. I didn’t even say goodbye to my mom.”

“Well how about I show you around first, you meet a few people and then you decide if you want to stay. After that, if you don’t want to, all you have to do is tell Jaha and we can get you safely back home.” Octavia assured, “Mind you, now that you’re self aware, there will be more monsters after you, they like to eat demi gods.”

“Oh.”

“Yeah.”

“Oh! And another warning, outside the Camp’s boundaries using mortal tech attracts monsters to you.”

“Wait really?”

“Yeah, I’m not sure how it works but it amplifies it somehow, in here you should be fine though.” She assured, “You should give your mom a call.”

Clarke juggled the idea in her head for a moment before shaking her head, “She never told me the truth about my dad, she can sweat for a few hours.”

Octavia grinned cheekily, “You’re evil Clarke Griffin. I like it.”

They dropped Clarke’s bags off in the Aphrodite Cabin. It was the fifth one along on the long line of cabins. Each one was decorated differently, according to the traits of the people who lived in them. The Aphrodite Cabin had a bright blue roof and pink columns and when Clarke walked inside she almost choked on the perfume that hung in the air like a leech.

“How do you live in there?” Clarke gasped as they left the building.

“It took some getting used to I’ll admit.” Octavia laughed, “I remember when I first came to Camp Ark I hated being a daughter of Aphrodite, I wanted something tougher, Ares maybe.” She tossed her hair over her shoulder, “But I learned quickly that just because you like to look good and smell nice, doesn’t mean you can’t be tough and brave too.”

“That’s pretty wise of you. How old were you when you came to the Camp?”

“Nine.”

Clarke hid her shock well. She thought about how Octavia must have matured very quickly for her age and she wondered what had caused that. She didn’t ask.

“I’ll take you to the Infirmary first, Monty will still be there and you probably want to get that shoulder looked at.”

Clarke glanced at her right shoulder and winced, there was blood seeping through her shirt and it made her scrunch up her nose in distaste.

She heard Octavia laughing gently, “You’ll have to get used to a little blood blondey, especially if you decide to stay.”

“Wait, so bleeding is a regularly occurring thing?”

Octavia chuckled at her shock, “Clarke, before you even stepped onto the Camp grounds metal birds were attacking you, what do you think?”

“…Ok. Point taken.”

As they walked to the Infirmary, which Octavia said was strategically placed next to the Training Arena, she pointed out the Pavilion where they ate their meals and various people that she was friends with.

So far, according to Octavia, Clarke saw, talked to or waved at most of Octavia’s close friends. She already met Monty and now she knew Jasper, Lincoln and Bellamy. Jasper a son of Hermes and an practical joker/master thief; Lincoln a son of Athena, according to Octavia he was a gentle giant; and lastly Bellamy, and just as Octavia said, he had flirted with her. While he was attractive, Clarke couldn’t deny that, she didn’t find it hard to gently turn him down. The only one she hasn’t met yet was Raven.

They were nearing the Infirmary when Clarke spotted a tall brunette walk out from under the archway leading into the Arena. She was momentarily blindsided because Clarke didn’t think she’s ever seen anyone so attractive before, and that’s comparing her to Octavia.

She had long legs and wild hair that was held back in intricate braids. She was dressed in fighting gear, still with her breastplate on and there was a tear in the sleeve of the long sleeve shirt she wore underneath revealing a long gash on her bicep.

“Who’s that?” Clarke found herself asking before she could stop it.

Octavia glanced in Clarke’s line of sight, her eyebrows shooting up her head at who her new friend seemed to be enthralled by. “That is Lexa Woods.”

“Is she a daughter of Aphrodite too?”

Octavia barked out a laugh and shook her head. Clarke felt her cheeks flush. “No. She’s a daughter of Athena.”

“Oh.” Clarke said, still blushing furiously.

“Don't worry. I won’t tell anyone about your crush on the devil,” Octavia teased.

“I- er I don’t-“

“Chill blondey, I’m just joking,” Octavia laughed. “And I really don’t suggest you hang out with her.”

Clarke quirked an eyebrow, “Why not?”

Octavia shrugged, “She’s just notoriously cold and rude and she’s only really friends with people in her Cabin anyway.”

Just then, as if Lexa could sense them talking about her, she looked in their direction, her eyes meeting Clarke's almost immediately. Normally Clarke would look away but this time she found that she couldn’t.

“Huh…” she murmured her eyes still locked with Lexa’s.

And then Octavia was pulling her towards the Infirmary and their gaze was broken. Clarke couldn’t help but feel slightly disappointed.

As she ducked through the tent flaps of the Infirmary she found that part of her mind was still on Lexa Woods.

“Anya, who is that?” Lexa found herself muttering.

The pain in her arm was now completely forgotten. Her eyes were trained on the blonde stranger, who was staring in her direction. From where Lexa stood she could see various cuts on her face and a few on her arms and she figured that the girls arrival hadn’t been easy.

Classic Camp Ark.

“I saw her walk down from the gates earlier, I think her name is Claire or Clarke maybe?”

Lexa’s eyes followed the girl as she saw Octavia tug her towards the Infirmary. “Huh.”

“Do you have a crush on the new girl Woods?” Anya teased.

Lexa scowled and tore her gaze from the infirmary entrance where Claire or Clarke had just disappeared. “What? No, of course I don’t.”

“Relax hot head, I was just pulling your leg.”

“Whatever.” She muttered.

“Let’s go to the Infirmary, you need to get your arm checked and while we’re there you can do a little checking out yourself.” Lexa heard Anya snickering at her own joke and instead of doing as her friend suggested she shoved Anya away from her. “You know you’re still staring and she’s not even there anymore.”

“No I’m not.”

“So the Commander finally has feelings?”

“I do not know what you’re talking about.” Anya looked as if she was going to say something else so Lexa threatened, “And if you continue you will be on full Cabin duty for the rest of the summer.” Anya crossed her arms and scowled but didn’t say anything else, just like Lexa hoped. She smirked smugly, “That’s what I thought.”

Lexa winced as her cut throbbed but instead of heading to the Infirmary, she headed down the path.

“Wait! Where are you going?”

“Back to the Cabin.”

“But what about your arm?”

“It’s fine.” Lexa assured, even though she knew she should probably get it healed.

But she was never good at talking to new people and Claire or Clarke was in there and talking to her was the last thing Lexa wanted to do. Especially in front of Anya and Octavia.

The Infirmary wasn’t as busy as it normally was, according to Octavia anyway. Clarke spotted Monty lying on the furthest bed from the entrance, with his leg propped up and wrapped in gauze while he munched on some food.

He smiled at them and waved for them over.

“So you’re alive,” Clarke said in way of greeting.

“Sorry I ditched you,” he grinned bashfully, “But I can see O did a pretty good job of scaring off those birds.”

“Please, what else would you expect from me?” she scoffed cockily.

He laughed, “Fair enough.”

“Octavia said that you broke your ankle or something? Good job by the way,” she teased lightly.

“Hey, sometimes people fall, it can’t be helped.”

“How’s the ankle feeling, Green?” Octavia asked, nudging his foot. He winced but it didn’t seem to hurt him too much.

“They fixed up the bone but I’m on crutches for ten days,” he sighed, irritated, “They said it’s still weak.”

“The bone’s already fixed?!” Clarke exclaimed. Monty and Octavia chuckled simultaneously. “How did they do that?”

“You can do it in lots of ways,” Monty told her, “For me they wrapped it in bandages with a special salve and it brought the bone back together.”

“Woah, why don’t they do that for mortals too?”

“Oh anything relatively Godly would seriously harm a mortal,” Octavia told her.

“Maybe not then,” Clarke backtracked.

“Plus, if you eat a few squares of this,” he held up a packet with light brown cubes in it, “It helps the healing along a bit faster too.”

“What is it?”

“Ambrosia.” Octavia told her, “Don’t eat too much though, it will make you sick and feverish. And never give it to a mortal. It will kill them, make their blood burn.”

Clarke’s eyebrows rose, “Ok, noted.”

“Oh by the way Green, Jaha says you did a good job on your quest, apart from breaking your ankle. He told me to pass on the message.”

“So you knew you were going to be taking me here?” Clarke asked confused.

“Yeah,” Monty nodded, “At other Camps they use satyrs to go get new campers, but Jaha thought that would be better to use campers. They blend in better, you know, no horns.”

Clarke blinked, “…Oh sure. But how did you know where to find me?”

“The Oracle told me, she said you were going to be attacked so I went to come get you and bring you to Camp. Sorry if I scared you or anything.”

“Don’t worry, I think the birds did that enough.”

“Oh hey Monty, you’re no longer a quest virgin,” Octavia said slapping him on the back.

He laughed, “I guess not.”

“A quest virgin?”

“It’s what we call it, I wouldn’t say that to Jaha though.” Octavia laughed at the idea. “Monty’s pretty new to the Camp, he only came at the end of last summer. He hadn’t been on any quests yet.”

“I was pretty surprised when the Oracle called me, I mean usually it takes longer to get your first quest.”

“It’s because you’re a cutie Green. She couldn’t resist you.” Octavia cooed, ruffling up Monty’s hair.

“She’s old and creepy, thanks.” Monty slapped her away and looked to Clarke, “You seem to be taking all this in quite well,” he noted.

“Honestly, I’m kind of freaking out inside.”

“And you can freak out a lot more, we still have the rest of the Camp to see.” Octavia announced, “You coming Monty?”

“Sure,” he shrugged.

“Shouldn’t you stay off your foot for a while?” Clarke asked, concerned.

He shrugged, “It’s fine.”

“But first we need to get Clarke’s shoulder looked at,” Octavia said.

She waved over an Apollo kid called Miller and he instructed her to show him her shoulder, which she did. He quickly scurried off to grab various bottles and wrappings and came back a few minutes later.

“It’s healing potion,” he explained as he poured a green liquid onto her shoulder, she felt it run down her skin and seep into her clothes, “Sorry about your shirt.”

Clarke winced, she could feel her skin healing itself and it wasn’t pleasant. “I don’t mind.”

“And I also have a numbing agent if you want it? The wound will continue to heal itself over the next 24 hours or so, so you’ll feel that without this.”

“That sounds great,” Clarke nodded.

He used a dropper and placed three drops of the numbing agent on her wound and immediately the pain disappeared, “There you go. I’ll just wrap this up to keep it protected and you can remove the bandages after the 24 hours.” He smiled happily as he quickly and expertly wrapped her up her shoulder.

“Thanks Miller,” Octavia said.

“Yeah, thank you,” Clarke added.

“No problem,” he shrugged, “And welcome to Camp,” he said before disappearing off to help another patient.

“Now that’s all done we can go!” Octavia exclaimed excitedly.

“Ready Monty?” Clarke asked.

He nodded, “Yeah I am,” then he snatched up the pair of wooden crutches, which where lying on the floor and got to his feet. “Come on, Octavia’s already gone,” and when Clarke looked, she found that Monty was right. The tent flaps swished closed behind Octavia as she disappeared through them.

The two demi gods chased after her. When they stepped outside they saw Octavia yawn over dramatically, “Took you guys long enough.”

“Shut up O,” Monty laughed.

Apparently injuries and fighting were a very common occurrence at Camp Ark because Octavia didn’t even hesitate when she shoved Monty over and he only laughed again before picking himself up off the ground.

They showed Clarke the Arena first. It was a large oval shaped open top structure. There were walls around it and in the middle was a large field, on one end there was archery targets, in the middle there was a small but challenging obstacle course and on the other end there were dummies that people were practicing swordplay on.

Next, they showed Clarke the way to the Lake; Monty telling her that they did water sports on there sometimes and if you were patient enough you could see some water nymphs. They didn’t go down to it because Monty would have found it difficult but Clarke made a mental note to go visit when she had some free time.

“What’s a water nymph?”

“They’re basically minor Goddesses, there are others too like wind nymphs, wood nymphs and there’s more.” Monty explained, “They help look after nature and all the plants and animals.”

“Never litter in front of them, they hate that.” Octavia added.

“But other than that they’re pretty friendly.” Monty told her.

They walked past the path leading down to the lake, following another one with an arrow saying ‘Forge’.

“Hey Clarke, you’ll get to see where I work.” Monty said.

“You’re a son of Hephaestus?” Clarke guessed, realising that she never actually asked who Monty’s Godly parent was.

“Yep.”

“You’d never think though would you because he’s so,” Octavia pinched Monty’s cheek, “weedy.”

He slapped her hand away, “Thanks O. A real self esteem booster.”

“No problem,” she shrugged.

“Raven will probably be there, so you’ll get to meet her,” Octavia said, Clarke noticed how her lips turned up at the mention of Raven’s name.

“Oh yeah, she took on an extra shift,” Monty recalled.

“What’s Raven like?” Clarke asked curiously.

“She’s really good at her job,” Monty told her, “Can basically build anything from scratch.”

“All you Hephaestus kids can do that,” Octavia said.

Monty shrugged, “Not as good as her.”

“True.”

Octavia assured, “I think you’ll like her Clarke.”

When they got there Monty decided to stay outside, claiming that he would probably end up tripping over something with his crutches. Octavia shrugged and pulled Clarke inside, and Clarke immediately understood why Monty had wanted to stay where he was.

It was mostly dimly lit, except for work tops which had bright lights trained on them. Clarke felt herself immediately start to sweat from the heat of the room and she wondered how anyone got any work done. She guessed the blue and orange fires on one side of the room had something to do with the heat.

Octavia sauntered over to a girl, who had her face covered with a bronze mask as she welded a broken shield together. When Octavia tapped her on the shoulder, she shut the fire off and glanced at the new comer. Clarke heard Octavia laugh gleefully as the girl threw her arms over her shoulders and pulled her into a hug.

That must be Raven.

Clarke’s guess was confirmed a minute later when she removed her mask and stuck her hand out, very much like when Clarke first met Octavia, and said, “Hey, Raven Reyes at your service.”

“Clarke Griffin,” she replied as she shook the girls hand. It was rough and calloused in comparison to Octavia’s.

“Has my girl O been treating you right?”

In the dim light Clarke could make out tanned skin, sweaty brown hair held up in a ponytail and a wide smile that Clarke wasn’t sure how she had after working in temperatures like this.

Clarke briefly wondered if all demi gods were as good-looking as all of Octavia’s friends.

In the end Octavia answered for her, “Of course I am, I’m the best.”

Raven chuckled and threw Octavia a wink, “You know it baby.”

Clarke swore she saw Octavia blush. Huh.

“How the hell do you work in this heat?” Clarke asked as she fanned out her shirt.

“It’s in my blood, I barely feel it.” Raven shrugged.

“That’s incredible!”

“She can do a step better than that,” Octavia told her, “Show her Raven,” she urged.

“Anything for you babe.” Raven said, winking again.

Raven walked towards one of the orange fires. Clarke gasped as she stuck her arm in and held it there for a good twenty seconds and Clarke was sure she could have kept it there longer.

“How did you do that?”

“It’s not something you can learn,” Raven warned, “It’s one of the perks of being Hephaestus’s kid.”

“Can you do that with any fire?”

She shook her head, “Nah, I’m not fire proof, I can’t do that with the blue fire. I’d definitely get burned then.”

“That’s still amazing.”

“It definitely comes in handy.” Raven agreed, “Now, I hate to love you and leave you, well more like love you and kick you out, but I’ve still got work to do.”

“Right sorry,” Clarke apologised.

“Nah it’s no problem, but if I want any down time today I’ll need to get these shields fixed.”

“We’ll get out of your hair,” Octavia told her.

Clarke waved goodbye and Octavia gave Raven another quick hug before ushering her out of the Forge. Clarke wiped her forehead with the back of her hand. Somehow Octavia still managed to look perfect, even with the light layer of sweat now coating her skin.

Monty had found a seat on a large rock a few metres away from them so they made their way over to him.

“So you and Raven are dating right?” Clarke asked as they reached Monty. Monty burst out laughing and Octavia began to splutter, for the first time really looking flustered since Clarke had met her.

“What? No. We’re best friends.”

“Sorry, my bad.”

Octavia cleared her throat, “Yeah, I mean no. I love her but, yeah we’re best friends,” she stumbled.

Monty was still chuckling as Octavia stormed ahead, trying to hide the blush that had now crept up her cheeks.

“What was that about?” Clarke whispered to Monty.

“Octavia has a thing for Raven, Raven has a thing for Octavia, neither will admit it,” he stated simply.

“Oh.”

“It’s kind of hilarious really. Especially because it’s so obvious and Octavia gets so flustered around her or when anyone mentions it.”

“Isn’t she the daughter of the Goddess of love?” Clarke giggled.

Monty grinned, “Exactly.”

“Come along my children! Do you want to visit the Stables or not?” Octavia called at them, “And whispering’s rude.”

“Sorry mom,” Monty snickered.

Octavia rolled her eyes, “Shut up Green.”

Monty and Octavia brought Clarke into the Stables. She scrunched up her nose at the smell of dry hay and horse. Clarke was immediately fascinated by the Pegasus and Monty promised her that if she stayed he would take her out on a chariot ride one day.

Next they showed Clarke Allayee, the obstacle that was charmed to change to pose the greatest challenge for the different demi gods. In that moment it was a huge waterfall, barrelling down on three demi gods who were trying to climb up it to fetch the bronze sword at the top.

“Isn’t this a little dangerous?” Clarke asked as she watched, yet again, a person being thrown from half way up the waterfall.

“The world is dangerous Clarke,” Octavia shrugged, “We just have to be prepared.”

“But will we ever actually have to scale a waterfall?” she asked sceptically.

“You’d be surprised.” Monty muttered making Clarke wonder what things her two new friends had been through.

“Come on, the Temple is the last thing we should show you,” Octavia said, “There’s the Woods by the Cabins, but there’s really no point in showing you those, they’re just Woods.”

“What’s the Temple for?”

“The Gods,” Monty supplied. “Kids go there to pray, talk to their parents and what not.”

“Do they answer?”

“Sometimes.”

The Temple was next to the Main House; it was a large white building with tall columns supporting the roof. It was open sided allowing the breeze to blow through it constantly and there was a pool of water at the entrance as they walked inside.

Twelve large statues sat on marble chairs, and even in stone they looked intimidating. God like. Powerful.

Clarke walked slowly, gazing at each statue in turn, looking at their features and trying to find some of hers in them. She didn’t know why but she felt tears well up behind her eyes, she wiped the corner of her eye as one managed to escape.

“Are you ok Clarke?” Octavia asked softly. Clarke felt her hand come to rest on her shoulder. It was comforting.

She sniffed, “Yeah, everything about today is just a little overwhelming.”

“We understand, it’s a whole world that you didn’t know about.” Monty said sincerely.

Octavia nodded, “But we’re here for you, we’re your friends.”

That made Clarke smile, because she may not know the two teenagers very well or for very long at all but she felt strangely comfortable in their presence, much more than with those at her school. She had friends of course, lots of them in fact, but she never felt like she fit in, like there was a part of her that was different. And now she knew why that was.

“Thanks guys. For everything,” Clarke said earnestly.

As they left the Temple, all Clarke could think was, I can’t believe one of these Gods is my dad.

Dinner at Camp Ark was not like normal dinner. They sat on the Dining Pavilion that was in the centre of the Camp. It was raised up off the ground on a hill and it was surrounded by columns, two of which were only half there and Clarke wondered how they had broken. Or who had broken them.

There were torches blazing on the sides of the columns that illuminated the Pavilion and in the middle there was a large bronze brazier, which held a burning fire. There were various stone tables and benches filled with demi gods and satyrs alike, the tables were covered in deep purple tablecloths. A main table where Jaha sat with some of the other permanent staff at the Camp was slightly raised off the ground and was at the front of all the tables, kind of like at a wedding reception.

Clarke and Octavia were waved over to one of the tables where Bellamy, Monty, Raven and Jasper were already sat at. In that moment she was very glad that she had Octavia, because otherwise she wouldn’t have known where to sit.

When they reached the table Clarke saw that their food was already set out for them, it included an array of cut up apples, grapes and various BBQ foods.

Clarke took a seat in between Octavia and Monty, across from Bellamy.

“Hey Clarke,” Bellamy grinned charmingly, “How was your Camp tour?” he asked.

“It was great,” she replied earnestly, “All of this,” she gestured around her, “still hasn’t really sunk in to be honest.”

“I get that,” he nodded, “When me and O first arrived here I always woke up thinking that it was a dream.”

“I’m sure that’ll be me for the next month,” Clarke laughed.

Octavia’s eyes lit up, “Does that mean you’re staying?”

Clarke chuckled bashfully as all eyes turned to her, “Yeah, I think I will.”

The group of demi gods cheered, earning stares from other tables. Monty patted her on the back, “That’s awesome Clarke. Welcome to Camp Ark.”

Clarke went to take a grape off of her plate then, only to be slapped by Octavia, “What the hell?” Clarke asked.

“Sorry,” Octavia apologised.

“You have to pay your tribute first,” Raven explained for her, glaring lightly at Octavia for slapping her.

“What’s a tribute?”

“You have to put a portion of your food into the fire,” Jasper expanded, “The Gods like the smell of the burnt food.”

“Ok?”

“Come on,” Raven gestured with her head, “They’ve all paid theirs already, but me and O haven’t, so we’ll go with you. Don’t worry, it becomes less weird over time,” she winked.

Clarke stood up; she snatched her plate off of the table and followed Octavia and Raven to the large fire in the middle of the Pavilion. The three of them stood side by side. Octavia went first, dropping a few pieces of cheese, some grapes and a piece of her bread into the fire.

“Are their certain foods that I have to give?” Clarke asked curiously.

“Nah,” Raven shrugged, “I mean I think it’s more respectful if you give your favourite. But I give my asparagus, because I hate it but Heph loves it, right dad?” Raven said, speaking to the fire. As soon as the food dropped in the fire blazed bigger and hotter, like Hephaestus himself had answered her, and maybe he had.

“Your turn Clarke,” Octavia said.

“Oh ok um…” Clarke decided to go with the sausage and a few pieces of cheese, “I don’t know who you are but I hope you like these dad,” she said before dropping the food into the flames.

The fire consumed them in seconds and Clarke hoped that meant she had chosen well.

And then Clarke heard a gasp; she whipped her head around to look at Octavia and Raven.

“What?”

“Clarke you’re glowing!” Raven exclaimed.

“And look! Above your head!”

Clarke looked down at herself and sucked in a sharp breath. Her skin was radiating gold light and suddenly she felt a calming warmth spread through her bones and skin and it made her feel comforted, safe. When she glanced above her there was a golden lyre floating above her head.

“Well it looks like we know who your dad is now, daughter of Apollo.”

Clarke felt a smile spread over her lips, “My dad is Apollo?”

“Apparently so blondey.” Raven said, slapping her on the back. “I don’t know about you but I’m loving this gold look, it goes with your hair.”

Clarke blushed, “Thanks?”

When Clarke looked above her head again, the floating lyre had disappeared but her skin still glowed brightly.

“Well,” Clarke heard Jaha’s voice boom over the excited mutterings that had begun quickly after Clarke had been claimed, “It looks like the Apollo Cabin has a new member.” That received loud cheering from the three other members of the Cabin. “We have been blessed by the Gods today, they have safely brought Clarke Griffin to us, even if there were a few mishaps along the way,” he joked, “and for that, we celebrate!”

Cheers echoed throughout the Pavilion as Raven and Octavia dragged Clarke back over to their table. Miller, Nyko and Maya, the three other children of Apollo came over to her to congratulate her and welcome her to the cabin.

After they disappeared back to their tables Monty held up his goblet, “To Clarke, daughter of Apollo!” he cheered.

Clarke laughed happily as the rest of the table echoed his words.

“To Clarke!”

“Daughter of Apollo!”

“Go blondey!”

They all took a sip from their goblets and Clarke was about to too when she realised her cup was empty.

Jasper seemed to notice her issue, because there was clearly no pitcher on the table with them, so he explained to her, “You speak to it. Just say the drink you want and it fills right up.” Clarke grinned. “Nothing alcoholic though unfortunately,” he added, earning a few laughs.

“Shame.” She added lightly. She looked held her goblet in her two hands and stared into it, then she spoke, “lemonade please.”

She knew what was going to happen but she still gasped as the cup filled with cloudy lemonade, she took a sip.

“Mmm.” She hummed.

“Good?” Raven asked.

“The best,” Clarke nodded, “You know, I think I’m going to like it here. I do have one question though.”

“Shoot,” Monty said.

“How do I make the glowing stop?”

Everyone burst out laughing, it was Bellamy who said, “I don’t know blondey, it could last forever,” he teased.

Clarke didn’t get a clear answer, but in that moment she didn’t care, because she was sitting on a Pavilion, surrounded by demi gods, drinking from a magic goblet with people she hoped she would be able to call her friends in the near future.

And everything just felt right.

Across the Pavilion, Lexa sat with her friends from the Athena Cabin, well really she was only friends with people in her Cabin but that was only a minor detail. She found herself staring off in the direction of the newly claimed demi god, a soft smile on her lips.

“You’re staring again,” Anya teased, earning a hard jab in the side from Lexa.

“Would you shut up?”

“What’s this about?” Indra asked.

“Lexa’s crush on the new girl.”

“I don’t have a crush on the new girl,” Lexa insisted.

“She does,” Anya whispered not so quietly.

“Love is-“

“Weakness,” the rest of the table finished for her and Lexa rolled her eyes.

“Well it is.” She muttered.

“You should talk to her,” Lincoln suggested.

“You know I can’t do that,” Lexa replied with a frown.

“I know you find it hard to talk to new people but she may be different,” Anya said gently.

“I-“ she was cut off by a loud cheer from across the room and she glanced back over to see Octavia and her friends making yet another toast to Clarke. “I’ll think about it,” she said, mostly to satisfy her friends.

“Good. That’s all we ask,” Anya replied.

Clarke continued to glow for the rest of the meal and Octavia told her it was probably just her dad playing a small joke on her.

It was dark by the time they finished dinner and after their meal Clarke said goodbye to the new group of friends so she could fetch her two bags from the Aphrodite Cabin. From there she walked the short distance to the Apollo Cabin. It was only then did her golden glow start to fade, even if it was just slightly.

The Cabin was painted bright gold on the outside. Inside, it looked much more spacious than she thought it would considering the size of the building, most of the furniture was painted gold too but the walls were white, with various musical instruments hanging on them.

As she walked through the door three heads poked out of the top of the rooms to look at her, she waved nervously.

“Uh hi.”

“Clarke!” the girl who Clarke was pretty sure was named Maya called, she jumped up from her desk. “Welcome to the Apollo Cabin.”

“Yeah welcome,” Miller added. Nyko just nodded.

“Thanks.”

Maya showed her to one of the three spare beds. It was like her own little cubicle. There were walls surrounding it but only to about shoulder height and there was no door either. But she had noticed that the others had draped curtains over their doors and she wondered why they didn’t just put doors instead. In the small room there was enough space for a reasonable sized bed, a desk, a chest and some floor space.

“We thought you might want this one,” Maya said, “One of the others has a draft and the other is near a pipe that sometimes makes a creaking noise.”

Clarke smiled gratefully, “Thanks.”

“No problem, do you need any help settling in?” she asked.

“That would be great actually.”

They sat on Clarke’s bed together folding clothes which had been stuffed haphazardly into her bag earlier on in the day.

“How was your first day at Camp?” Maya asked.

“It was…intense,” Clarke chuckled, “There was a lot to take in.”

“Oh for sure,” she agreed, “On my first day I couldn’t believe what I was seeing at first. Then I was shown the Stables and I knew I had to stay.”

“You like the Pegasus?”

Maya nodded. “On most days, after I finish my shift in the Infirmary, I head over there to look after our Cabin’s Pegasus. Her name is Sunshine.”

“We have a Pegasus.” Clarke repeated.

“Dad gave her to us a few years ago, before I arrived at the Camp.”

“Wow, we share a dad,” Clarke said in realisation, “That makes us half sisters.”

Maya nodded, “And Miller and Nyko are your half brothers.”

“I find out who my father is, that I have siblings and that I’m a demi god all in one day.”

“It’s a lot, I know, but I think you’ll like it here. Everyone does eventually.”

“I’m sure I will too,” Clarke agreed and she meant it. “So, can I ask you about jobs?”

“Go for it.”

“Jaha mentioned that I’d have to do my job before having free time, what will mine be?”

“Working in the Infirmary of course. All the Apollo kids work there.”

“But I don’t know anything about demi god healing.”

“We’ll teach you,” she assured, “Tomorrow you can share my shift and I’ll show you the ropes, we can share shifts or you can share with Miller or Nyko until you’re good enough to have your own. I also have tons of scrolls and books that you can study.” Clarke’s eyes widened, “I know it sounds like a lot of work but trust me, you’ll pick everything up really quickly.”

“How do you know?”

“It’s in your blood.”

Clarke and Maya had almost finished arranging her new room when Clarke remembered her mom. She quickly excused herself before snatching up her phone and heading out the Cabin, telling them that she’d be back soon.

She had over twenty missed calls from her mom and even more text messages. She cursed because she was going to be in so much trouble.

She dialled her mom’s number. She picked up after the first ring.

“Oh thank god Clarke! Where the hell are you?! Are you safe? What happened?” Abby Griffin fired questions at her from the other end of the line.

“Mom, mom, I’m fine. I swear.”

“You scared me so much Clarke! I’ve been running all around Sacramento trying to find you, calling everyone I know. I phoned the police!”

Clarke cringed, “Mom, I can explain.”

“You better start explaining young lady and when you get home you’re grounded for a year.”

Clarke took a deep breath before saying, “I’m at Camp Ark. I know about dad, my real dad, and I’m not coming home.”

As Clarke walked she found herself following the signs leading her to the lake. For a long while Abby didn’t say anything.

Then, “Camp Ark?”

“The camp for demi god’s mom, surely Apollo should have told you about that.” Her voice was cold and harsh but she couldn’t help it.

She heard her mom sigh, “So you really do know.”

“Yeah I do, why didn’t you tell me?” She already knew the answer, but she still had to ask.

“I wasn’t allowed to Clarke, the Camp must have told you that.”

“They did.”

“I never wanted to keep it a secret from you. But Apollo said that if you knew, monsters would start to hunt you. I couldn’t put you in danger like that sweetie.”

“Did you always know about dad? Even when you first met him?” Clarke asked softly.

“No. He told me his name was Jake, I only found out after I had you, when he had to leave.”

“Did he love you?”

“I really think he did.”

“Then why didn’t he stay?”

“He’s a God Clarke, they have other duties.” Clarke wasn’t sure if her mom was saying those words to her or to herself.

“Yeah.”

“How did you even end up at Camp Ark?” Abby asked next, just as Clarke reached the lake.

It was large and dark and it shimmered from the reflection of the moon and stars that somehow seemed so much brighter at here than back at her home.

Clarke took a seat in the sand, just a few feet from the waters edge, and then continued to retell her mom exactly how she got to the Camp, metal birds and all. When she finished Clarke could hear the concern in her mom’s voice.

“I’m fine now mom.”

“Are you sure, it sounds like you got cut a lot of times.”

“I did, but they weren’t that deep and anyway when Apollo claimed me, I think he did some sort of healing thing too, all the cuts are gone.”

“How is that possible?” she asked in wonder and Clarke could tell her mom’s doctor side was coming out.

“I don’t know, but it happened.” Clarke assured. “You wouldn’t believe the medicine mom, you’d be so interested in it. They healed someone’s broken ankle in half an hour, they sealed up a large cut on my shoulder too.” She subconsciously rolled it slightly.

“I can’t wait for you to tell me about it more.”

“I will. But I should get going now, it’s late.”

“It is,” she agreed. “When are you coming home?”

“I don’t know, maybe at the end of the summer.”

“You have to come back for school Clarke.”

Clarke wanted to say that she didn’t and that other kids lived at the camp for the entire year too but in the end she didn’t want to cause an argument so she just said, “Ok mom, I’ll come home before then.”

“Thank you. I miss you, and I was so worried!”

“I know, I’m sorry, I realise now it was stupid of me to not phone sooner.”

“It was stupid, and irresponsible.”

“I’m sorry.”

Another long sigh. “It’s ok.”

“Am I still grounded for a year?” she asked tentatively.

Abby chuckled and Clarke hoped that it meant that her mom had forgiven her for not calling, “You’re not grounded for a year, maybe just a month.”

“Ok, I can deal with that.”

“Call me as often as you can, ok?” Abby said.

“I will.”

“And be safe.”

“I know mom.”

“Also, I love you.”

“Love you too, talk to you soon.”

Clarke hung up the phone feeling a little lighter than she had before. She turned off her phone before slipping it into her jeans pocket.

She sat by the lake for another ten minutes, before deciding that she should get some sleep.

As she walked through the Camp, she wondered what tomorrow would be like.

Clarke had been woken up at 8:45 to go to the Pavilion for breakfast. There she sat with her Cabin while they dug into bacon, eggs and pancakes. She filled her goblet with steaming coffee just like her mom made it and it reminded her of home.

She spent the morning with Maya in the Infirmary learning and absorbing as much information as she could. And as it turned out Maya had been right, healing was in her blood. She learned how to mix a basic healing potion and how to make a salve for if someone got a rash from the prickly horn snaps that grew in the Woods.

At the end of their shift Maya gave her a thick leather bound book from one of the shelves in the Infirmary.

“Here, this has most of the standard potions, salves, lotions and foods that help healing.”

The book was heavier than it looked and Clarke almost dropped it when Maya handed it to her, “Thanks.”

“You don’t have to stress about learning all of them,” she assured. “Over time you’ll just naturally memorise them.”

“Ok, good to know.”

“Nyko should be coming in for his shift now. So we can head out if we want.”

As if on cue, Nyko walked through the entrance silently, nodding at both of them. Clarke had quickly learned he didn’t speak unless he needed too. But he was still friendly and Clarke knew that over time she could become close friends with him.

“So is it always just one person on shift?” Clarke asked as they left the Infirmary.

“On a day to day basis yeah, but we can be called in any time if it gets busy and then we just stay there until everyone is fixed up. After events like the Chariot Race or the Lava Climb, we usually all have to be in the tent because of all the casualties.”

“Do we not take part in the events?” Clarke asked.

Maya shook her head, “No we do, we only go if we’re not injured ourselves, and sometimes even then we have too. But it’s our job,” she shrugged indifferently.

“Who heals if we can’t?”

“The wood nymphs. They have a particularly good sense for which plants to use and they have a knack for salves.” Maya explained. “I hate to just leave you but I’m heading over to the Stables now, unless you want to come?”

Clarke smiled but shook her head, “Sorry, I’m going to drop this back at the Cabin then I told Octavia that I would meet her at the Arena.”

“It’s fine, I’ll catch you later.”

The two parted ways. Clarke went to the Cabin as fast as she could, she dropped off the large book on her desk. Then she quickly changed into a sports bra, which she was very thankful that had somehow managed to find its way into one of her bags, and a t-shirt.

On the way to the Arena she ran into Raven. She looked like she had just come from the Forges, there were patches of soot on her white tank top and there was a thin layer of sweat covering her skin.

“Hey!” Raven waved at her, “You’re heading to the Arena right?”

“Yeah, Octavia said she was going to start sword fighting with me.”

“I hope you don’t mind that she invited me along,” Raven said as they started walking again.

“Not at all. I mean I’m slightly concerned that this means there’s more people to see me fail, but other than that, the more the merrier right?”

Raven laughed, “I’m sure you’ll do fine blondey.”

Clarke Griffin could not sword fight.

She threw her sword onto the dirt in frustration and sat down on the ground. She knew she was acting like a child but she didn’t care. Even with her new leather breastplate and helmet, she had more bruises on her body than she could count and her body was exhausted.

They had been going at it for almost three hours now and Clarke still hadn’t improved at all.

“It’s fine, really Clarke. This was your first lesson,” Octavia assured. “Stuff like this takes patience and practice.”

But Clarke didn’t really hear her, well more like she wasn’t really listening. “I hate this. I hate swords and ugh!” she groaned.

“How about we take a break?” Raven suggested. “We could tell you about Thromafali?” she looks to Octavia who nods.

“What’s that?” Clarke asked with mild interest.

“Come on, lets go sit in the shade and we’ll tell you.”

The three girls moved to the only part of the Arena that had cover, Octavia snatched up the water bottle she brought with her and took two large gulps before handing it to Raven who drank from it then handed it to Clarke.

“Thanks,” she said before taking a gulp, then another. “So what’s Thomrafaliy?”

“Thromafali.” Octavia corrected.

“Right, my bad.”

“Have you ever played paintball before?” Octavia asked.

“Once, for my friend’s birthday.”

“Well think about that and then times it’s awesomeness by like a hundred or something,” Raven exclaimed.

“Thromafali is basically a huge paintball fight between the campers and it’s happening at the end of the week, on Sunday.”

“Sounds like fun.”

“Oh it is,” Octavia agreed, “But it’s not normal paintball, you’re also allowed a regular weapon, so I could bring my sword if I wanted to. But the only way to get someone out is to hit them on their torso or back with paint, if it’s on your legs or arms you can still play.”

“Sword fighting paintball, great.”

“It doesn’t only have to be swords, crossbows are good too, and hand grenades.” Raven added.

“Raven and Monty make all of our Thromafali weapons, the paint ones. And our regular ones.” Octavia informed her.

“Who else is on your team?” Clarke asked curiously.

“The rest of the gang,” Raven answered, “And you too, if you want.”

“Wait, really?” Clarke asked excitedly.

“Yeah, you’re pretty cool blondey, why not, right?”

“Ok awesome, thanks.”

Then Raven informed randomly, “You know, I’ve heard that in other Camps they make you play these sort of events in Cabins, but we don’t do that here. Jaha says it’s because when the Gods fight in a war they don’t fight only by themselves, the fight in a team with the rest of the Gods, so that’s how we should do it to. Use all the skills you can in one team and what not.”

“That’s reasonable,” Clarke agreed.

“How shit would it be to be stuck with just the people in your Cabin?” Raven asked.

“Raven, everyone in your Cabin is really nice. Plus you guys make the best weapons.” Octavia reminded.

“Yeah I know but still,” she shrugged. Raven clapped her hands together. “So, blondey, are you ready to try again?”

Clarke groaned but stood up. Raven and Octavia followed suit.

“Fuck. Yeah let’s get this over with,” she muttered making her two teachers burst out laughing.

Clarke’s next day at Camp Ark was very much like the one before. She spent the morning in the Infirmary, this time with Miller. After that she went to the Lake to read through the various books Maya had given her and then after that she went to the Arena with Raven and Octavia to practice her sword play.

On the fourth day, Clarke was ready to give up and she’s pretty sure that Octavia was becoming frustrated too.

After their session Octavia left to go meet with Lincoln who had booked Allayee for the two of them, Clarke didn’t understand how she had the stamina.

Instead of leaving though like she had originally planned, Clarke decided to hang around for a little bit longer. She stood herself in front of the wooden dummies and practiced the manoeuvres that Octavia had shown her time and time again.

When she stumbled over her own feet she couldn’t hold in her yell of frustration, “Fuck!”

“You need to lower your stance.” Clarke jumped at the sound of the voice.

She twirled around, and she hadn’t meant to but she brought her sword with her. But the person had good reflexes, very good reflexes apparently because in a second her sword was unsheathed. A smooth shearing noise was made as she whipped out the weapon, blocking Clarke’s accidental attack and easily unarming her. Clarke’s sword flew threw the air and the point jammed into the ground, leaving it sticking up out of the dirt.

Lexa Woods stood in front of her, her expression not giving away any sign of emotion. Clarke thought Lexa looked even more beautiful up close, she had striking eyes that were bright green with flecks of brown. Her face was angular, with high cheekbones and a sharp jawline.

She was dressed similarly to Clarke. A breastplate was covering her chest but she wore a sleeveless shirt underneath showing off her toned arms nicely. Clarke had to stop herself admiring them and the intricate tribal tattoo that decorated her right arm.

“Careful,” was all Lexa said.

She walked over to Clarke’s borrowed sword and pulled it from the ground. She walked back over to Clarke and held the grip out towards her. Clarke took it.

“Sorry about that,” Clarke stammered, embarrassed.

“It’s quite alright.”

“You’re Lexa Woods, right?” Clarke said, even though she already knew she was Lexa.

But Lexa still nodded and then said, “And you’re Clarke Griffin.”

“Right.” Clarke nodded. “Again, sorry for the whole, accidently attacking you.”

Lexa just lifted one shoulder in reply. “Perhaps the sword is not for you.”

She didn’t know why but the sound of Lexa’s tone made her feel slightly defensive, “What, don’t you think I could do it?”

“I never said that. I’m sorry, I did not mean to imply that you were inept.”

Clarke sighed, “No I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have snapped, I just can’t get sword fighting down.”

 “What I meant before was perhaps you should try a different weapon.”

“A different weapon,” Clarke repeated, “Ok, yeah.”

“May I make a suggestion?” Clarke nodded. “As a daughter of Apollo you may have inherited his natural ability for the bow and arrow. You could try that first.”

“That’s a good idea, yeah I think I will.” She smiled widely at Lexa, who only nodded in response, “Thanks Lexa.”

Clarke didn’t expect Lexa to stay and help her because Lexa had obviously come to the Arena to train, but she was pleasantly surprised when Lexa followed her, plucking a standard bow and arrow off one of the racks just as she did. Lexa then slung a quiver over her head so it rest diagonally across her back, and Clarke did the same.

Clarke noticed how much more natural the bow felt in her hand rather than the sword which she hadn’t been able to manage to make feel right.

She had a good feeling about this.

They moved to the archery targets then, Lexa bringing her sword and leaving it stuck in the ground next to them.

“Have you ever done archery before Clarke?” Lexa asked first.

“No, never.”

“It is quite simple in theory, but for some it can take time to master it.”

“Ok.”

Lexa demonstrated how to hold the bow and how to load the arrow. She used three fingers to pull back the string. She had a firm hand on the grip and a steady arm as she lined up her shot. She fired. The arrow landed just left of the bullseye.

Clarke’s jaw dropped, “Impressive.”

“As a daughter of Athena I am naturally skilled at almost any weapon,” Lexa shrugged, because to her it wasn’t incredible or shocking, it was simply one of the things she inherited from her mother. “Now it’s your turn.”

Clarke followed the motions that Lexa had done, holding the bow out in front of her with a straight arm, knocking the arrow onto the string and using three fingers she pulled the string back.

She paused.

She could feel her nerves, her shoulders were tense and she was already tired from the hours of sword training.

“Take a deep breath and relax.”

Lexa’s voice was closer than expected, but her words and voice washed over Clarke like some sort of potion and she felt her muscles relax.

“Ok.”

“You can do this Clarke.”

She lined up her shot. She fired. The arrow landed with a satisfying thunk in the middle of the bullseye. Clarke gasped in excitement.

“I did it. I did it!” She jumped up and down where she stood, then spontaneously she threw her arms around Lexa’s shoulders.

She felt Lexa stiffen in her arms, so she hastily retracted herself.

“Sorry.” She flushed with embarrassment and excitement.

“It’s fine.”

“I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable.”

“You didn’t,” Lexa replied honestly. Quite the opposite in fact. “Shall we try again?”

Clarke nodded determinedly and knocked another arrow. Lexa did the same.

They spent another hour and a half firing arrow after arrow and almost every time Clarke would get a bullseye and each time it happened she still felt that same rush of excitement.

By the end of their session, Clarke’s arms were exhausted.

“Thank you Lexa,” Clarke said.

“It was no problem,” Lexa shrugged.

“Still, I really appreciate it,” Clarke told her. “I’m going to get a drink from the Pavilion, do you want to join me?” Clarke asked.

Lexa looked as if she was trying to decide but finally she shook her head, “No thank you Clarke perhaps another time. I would still like to get in some sword practice before dinner.”

“Right, sorry. I didn’t mean to waste your time.”

“It was no waste, I assure you,” Lexa guaranteed and Clarke smiled at her words. Lexa cleared her throat uncomfortably when she realised what she said. “You did well today Clarke, you’re a good archer.”

“Thanks,” Clarke grinned, “I’ll see you at dinner then?”

Lexa nodded, “Of course.”

Clarke left the Arena with a smile on her face and a satisfied feeling deep in her chest. She learnt two things that day.

One: she was a good archer.

And two: there was more to Lexa Woods that people seemed to think.

Clarke wasn’t sure which she was more excited about.

Clarke was sat around the table at the Pavilion. Her arms were sore and she had a large bruise forming on her thigh from sword practice with Octavia but those things hadn’t deterred her high spirits.

Raven was sat to her left and Jasper to her right. They had already paid their tributes to the Gods and now they were digging into their meals. This night it was pizza, Clarke’s favourite. Clarke sipped from her goblet, the refreshing taste of apple juice filling her mouth and sliding down her throat.

“Wait.” Raven said. “So you’re telling us that you actually talked to the Commander herself?”

Clarke nodded, “I honestly don’t know what you guys are talking about when you tell me about her. She really wasn’t that bad.”

She was really nice in fact, Clarke thought.

“Are you sure it was Lexa?” Bellamy asked. “Maybe she has a secret mysterious twin.”

Clarke rolled her eyes, “I’m almost certain of it.”

“Almost,” he repeated.

Clarke threw a grape at him and he tried to catch it in his mouth but missed, bouncing against his cheek instead.

“Shut up Bell,” Octavia said earning a glare from her brother, but he did stop talking.

“Lexa helped me with my fighting, she suggested the bow and arrow rather than the sword.”

“Bow and arrow,” Octavia groaned, “Why didn’t I think of that?”

“Because you’re stupid,” Bellamy muttered.

Octavia scoffed. “Good one bro.”

“Well anyway,” Raven interrupted them before they could get into a full sibling dispute, “the Commander must really like you, and she doesn’t like anyone,” she mused.

Clarke shrugged, “I’m sure it was just because I’m new.”

“Nah, she doesn’t like anyone ever.” Raven shook her head.

The Lexa topic quickly lost interest and the conversation moved onto the upcoming Thromafali. Monty and Raven both launched into conversation; describing all the new weapons they had come up with. Raven even saying that she’ll pull together a bow and arrow for Clarke.

During the conversation Clarke found herself glancing towards Lexa’s table every so often, as if she was checking that she hadn’t disappeared throughout the meal. It was clear she wasn’t talking much, only ever adding a few words now or then to the conversation. And Clarke wondered what Lexa had done in the past to make everyone dislike her.

Clarke hadn’t been at the Camp very long but so far Lexa hadn’t seemed like someone to hate. Sure she wasn’t very talkative, and she was quite formal, but that was nothing to dislike. Some people were like that.

Just then Lexa looked up and their eyes met across the room like they were in some cheesy chick flick, but they didn’t look away bashfully or become flustered. Instead, Clarke sat up a little straighter so she could see Lexa better and Lexa moved her chin from her hand where she had been resting on it. Clarke smiled at her and even from this distance she was certain that she saw Lexa smile back.

And then Raven was prodding her side trying to get her attention, breaking her eye contact with Lexa.

“Sorry what?”

“I said, tomorrow when we’re all finished with our jobs we should meet up and discuss tactics.”

“Ok, sounds good. And maybe teach me how to play?” she added lightly.

Raven laughed, “Yeah, yeah blondey. We’ve got your back.”

The next day Clarke had just finished up in the Infirmary. She spent her day learning about how to treat various degrees and types of burn after a kid from the Dionysus Cabin was carried in on a stretcher having been in an accident on Allayee involving lava.

She headed to the back of the Stables, where Raven had suggested they meet as there were work tables and it was close to the Forge so she could show them their new weapons easily.

“Hey slacker,” Bellamy called and Clarke realised she was the last one there, everyone else was sitting in some form of a circle on the ground waiting for her.

“Sorry, the Infirmary was crazy today.” Clarke apologised.

He nodded and assured her, “I’m just teasing you.”

“Now that the team is all here lets begin.” Raven said and everyone hushed down.

“First off, we thought we’d explain the rules to you,” Monty said, looking to Clarke as he spoke, “Then we’ll go over defence tactics, then offence and lastly you’ll get your new weapons.”

“Wait, can’t we get the weapons first?” Octavia asked.

“We both know that if you get them now you’ll be distracted with them for the rest of the day.”

Octavia couldn’t argue with that. “Ugh fine.”

Everyone seemed happy with the plan so Raven launched into telling Clarke the rules of the game, and this is what Clarke learned in the next ten minutes:

The aim of the game was to protect your Fortress and stop others invading while also trying to invade opponents Fortresses.

To invade a Fortress you have to get your body fully inside and take the Fortress’s clip to prove you invaded.

You’re dead if you get shot in the chest or the back but not if you’ve been hit on the arms or legs. This rule being based on the fact that it was possible to still fight in a real battle if your arms or legs have been hurt but it’s most likely a death shot if you get hit on the torso.

You can have other weapons to fight off opponents but a player is only out when they are hit with paint.

The game ends when one team is left.

Headshots, killing and permanently harming someone is strictly forbidden; your clothes or armour can’t be charmed to stop paint showing up or sticking; and if you’re out you’re out.

“So do you think you have it Clarke?” Jasper asked after no one could think up any more rules.

“Most of it,” she nodded confidently.

“Ok great,” Monty grinned, “Now, offence and defence, we need ideas.”

“Well obviously we always need at least one person guarding the Fortress,” Octavia said.

“Any takers?”

Jasper volunteered himself and Clarke surprised herself when she raised her hand too. “Yeah I can do it too if we need more.”

“Ok good.” Raven nodded, “That means that if the other teams are really on the offence we have a better chance. Now, I know I said I was going to show weapons later but I want to get your opinions on something I’ve been working on.”

Raven dug around in her pocket and pulled out a metallic cylinder that was no longer that four inches. She clicked the top and it extended either way, one end forming a sharp point.

“Wow, there’s no killing remember,” Bellamy reminded.

Raven rolled her eyes, “It’s not for killing numb skull. You press the button on the top again and then you throw it into the ground like a javelin. You then have ten seconds to get out the way before it shoots paint out in all directions.”

Octavia took the weapon out of Raven’s hands and inspected it, “That’s insane.”

Raven blushed modestly after Octavia’s compliment. “Thanks. I only have one though.”

“They’ll be great for defence.” Jasper added.

“Yeah that’s what I was thinking originally.”

There was a hum of agreement.

Clarke cleared her throat gaining everyone’s attention, “So how exactly do we defend?”

“The best way to do it I’ve found is to stay hidden but alert,” Octavia said, “Put one obvious person on top of the Fortress to get a good view, the other stays hidden and attacks when they’re distracted. You just can’t let anyone in, otherwise it’s game over.”

“Ok sounds easy enough.”

Octavia chuckled, “Aw so naïve, you’ll learn soon enough.”

“That sounds…ominous.”

They moved onto talking about offense, deciding to break the remaining people into teams of two with Raven and Octavia together and Monty and Bellamy in another team.

“That way we can attack more Fortresses at the same time.” Monty said.

They discussed various other tactics over the course of the hour until they decided that they had a few good ideas in their bag. Eventually Octavia’s incessant asking for their new weapons became too much and Monty relented. So he and Raven disappeared to the Forge.

“Why are you so annoying?” Bellamy asked.

“Why are you so ugly?” Octavia shot back and Clarke couldn’t help but chuckle because calling a son of Aphrodite ugly was like saying puppies weren’t adorable. “Anyway, you know you want to see your knew stuff.”

And Bellamy couldn’t deny that.

Raven and Monty appeared a few minutes later pulling a small wagon behind them. It was filled with various weapons and items.

“Gods, you must have spent ages on all this,” Jasper said.

“Well everyone’s gotta have a hobby,” Raven shrugged. She reached into the cart and pulled out two spheres, “They're new and improved hand grenades, now equipped with more paint and a larger radius.”

Monty went next; he picked up a variation of a crossbow and a large quiver of arrows. “For Bellamy we have your favourite, the arrows are much more balanced now,” he told him.

“Awesome, thanks dude.” He said taking the items and inspecting them.

“Now I know most Cabins don’t like to use classic paintball guns, but this game Monty and I thought that we should go for it, it may give us an edge, you know?” She pulled out four paintball guns constructed with scrap pieces of metal but no one doubted them, Raven and Monty made them after all.

They handed one to Jasper and one to Octavia, Raven and Monty keeping one for themselves.

“These things can fire paintballs every second, but the only thing is you have to be careful about how many you use, they can only carry about 100 paintballs before you have to reload.”

That left Clarke. Raven reached into the cart again and pulled out a bronze bow.

“Now I know you don’t have a bow of your own, so I spent all last night pulling this together for you.” Raven said.

“Raven, it's beautiful,” Clarke breathed as she ran her fingers over the flexible metal. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome blondey. Now this one’s special because it can fire regular arrows and the special paint ones, so don’t go breaking it,” Raven joked. “I’m kidding, I could fix that thing easily.”

“I know I already said thank you but I feel like I need to say it again, so thank you.” Clarke said making Raven chuckle and pull the blonde into a hug.

“Don’t mention it. And here is your quiver. It’s only got paint arrows at the moment. I’ll make you some real ones after the Thromafali.”

“So, what do you guys think?” Monty asked.

“I think we’re gonna fucking win this thing!” Octavia exclaimed.

The rest of the gang cheered loudly with her and as Clarke glanced around her new group of friends, she thought she could definitely get used to life at Camp Ark.

Thromafali day arrived quickly, with Clarke spending her time either in the Infirmary, studying the books and training in the Arena with the gang. They had a couple more meetings over those days to discuss more tactics but Clarke still felt nervous, butterflies had been a constant in her stomach since she woke up.

Over the last few days she hadn’t spoken to Lexa very much, except for smiles every now and then and once when she came into the Infirmary with a cut across her abdomen from sparring with Anya. Clarke had been the one to treat her and her whole face had flushed red when she asked Lexa to lift up her shirt. They didn’t speak much then either but Clarke did learn that according to Lexa she was prone to get scrapes and bruises during battles. The girl had well defined abs and it didn’t help that Clarke had to rub a healing salve all over it. Maya had teased her for the rest of their shift.

Now Clarke stood hidden high in a tree that she had scaled, waiting for the horn to sound signalling the start of the game. They were Team 3 and there were six teams overall with members ranging from six to seven. That was six Fortresses to take down and a lot of people to ‘kill’/ not be killed by.

The Woods around them were a mixture of various greens and browns, the floor was littered with fallen leaves from past seasons and different flowers, some of which Clarke had never seen before.

Monty and Bellamy were on one side of the Fortress, ready to disappear off to Fortress 1 and 2 while Octavia and Raven stood on the other side ready to go to 4 and 5. The last one they would attack together if it still hadn’t fallen by the time the others had. That was the goal anyway. Jasper stood on top of their Fortress, the game hadn’t even started yet and Clarke could see his eyes darting around, always watching. He sent her a thumbs up and she responded by sending one back.

The whole team was dressed in matching outfits, with dark green shirts to blend in with their surroundings, their breastplates and helmets. They wore lines of some kind of black grease that Raven had scavenged from the Forge under their eyes. Clarke had been sceptical but Raven had just grabbed her face and put the grease on herself, claiming that they all had to look equally badass.

Clarke had a long dagger sheathed at her side just in case she ran out of arrows but she hoped she wouldn’t, Raven had made her plenty and they were all strapped to her back in the leather quiver she had been given. A piece of rope was attached to her waist, which was wrapped around the tree branch, ‘a safety precaution’ Monty had said.

Suddenly, the sound of a loud horn echoed through the forest and the offense teams were off.

Now they just had to wait.

It didn’t take very long for Clarke to spot their first opponent. She recognised them as Fox, daughter of Dionysus and member of Team 1. Jasper hadn’t spotted her yet but she had definitely spotted Jasper. She didn’t want to call out and give away her hiding spot so she quickly knocked an arrow and took aim.

She heard Lexa’s advice in her head, “Take a deep breath and relax.”

Clarke took a quick calming breath then fired the arrow. It sailed through the air and hit Fox firmly on the back.

“Gods!” she exclaimed, spinning around looking for her attacker.

Clarke hid behind the trunk but it didn’t really matter because Fox was out and a moment later Clarke watched her trudge dejectedly back towards the Pavilion where everyone who was out had to go to.

She glanced quickly at Jasper who sent her another subtle thumbs up and she smiled at the silent compliment.

The next two people came together; they were from Team 5, Monroe and Harper. Jasper spotted them first, he was quick to fire two shots, both of them hitting Monroe, one on the arm and the other on her side. He dodged out the way as Harper sent two arrows at him in quick succession. One hit his shin and he yelped at the contact and Clarke sighed with relief because he may have been hit but he wasn’t out.

Before Harper could shoot again Clarke lined up another shot. She cursed when it just missed her. Monroe was already walking back to the Pavilion but Harper's eyes snapped straight to her. She knocked an arrow and Clarke gulped. She hid herself behind the tree just in time the arrow hit her bare hand, immediately splitting the skin between her middle and forefinger, she cursed in pain.

She pushed it aside though and was about to fire an arrow back in retaliation but Jasper did it for her. He fired three paintballs at her, they all hit her chest and he whooped and hollered at his successful ‘kill’.

Three out. A lot more to go.

“Why are you so loud?” Octavia whispered as she and Raven weaved through the trees aiming for Fortress 4.

“I’m not the one who’s talking,” Raven shot back.

“You are now.”

They both paused when they heard something crack behind them. They spun just in time to have enough time to dodge out the way as paint balloon was sent flying towards them.

In front of them was Charlotte, daughter of Ares and Team 4 member. She was dressed in a yellow shirt under her bronze breastplate and she had a small shield strapped to her forearm. She was slipping her slingshot into her waistband and replacing it with her sword.

Octavia whispered to Raven, “I’ve got her. Keep a watch out, they don’t normally defend alone.”

Raven went into full scout mode as Octavia squared off against the girl. She took aim with her gun and fired in Charlotte’s direction, but the girl was fast and she easily flipped and spun out of the way. Octavia shot again, but Charlotte dodged her attacks once more.

The girl was younger than Octavia by a few years, but she was small and fast and it was working for her.

Octavia quickly realised that she was going to have to take Charlotte down the old fashioned way. She threw her gun over her shoulder and felt it click into place on the straps on her back. She unsheathed her sword.

“Nice day for a good old Thromafali, right?” Octavia said, her voice casual.

Charlotte narrowed her eyes, “You’re trying to distract me.”

“You’re good kid,” Octavia said as she lunged towards the girl. She kept her movements tight and clean knowing that Charlotte wouldn’t be able to defend easily, she had seen Charlotte train before and knew she wasn’t as good as her yet. “Keep it up and you might beat me one day.”

Octavia rammed the pommel of her sword into Charlotte’s side, not wanting to cut the kid. The girl stumbled but she didn’t fall.

“Or today,” she grunted. Octavia was surprised by the ferocity of her attack. She winced as Charlotte’s blade slashed her forearm.

“Fuck,” she muttered. Out of the corner of her eye she saw Raven start to take on Wells who suddenly appeared out of now where. “You know, I was going to play nice with you because you’re just a kid but that’s out of the window now.”

Charlotte’s smirk formed into a look of fear under Octavia’s glare. She backed away as Octavia advanced.

And then Octavia attacked, thrusting her sword out and slashing across her chest, she saw the point of her sword scrape a fine line across her breastplate, it was a move that was never intended to do any harm but over the years Octavia found that it was a good one to scare people with, especially younger kids.

While Charlotte was momentarily distracted, Octavia used the moment to her advantage. She twirled her sword expertly and in a second Charlotte was disarmed. Her sword flew threw the air and landed with a dull thud a few metres away. Octavia quickly swept Charlotte’s feet from underneath her making the girl topple to the floor in a heap.

She went to reach for her slingshot at her belt but Octavia simply threw her sword expertly, it landing in the narrow gap between Charlotte’s hand and her waist.

“I wouldn’t think about doing that.”

Octavia reached behind her and unclipped her gun, she aimed it towards Charlotte’s chest, who didn’t even bother to try and protect herself. She fired two shots and they clanged against the metal.

“Better luck next time kid.”

Charlotte disappeared off to the Pavilion, Wells already a few metres in front of her, who had quickly been beaten by Raven. The daughter of Hephaestus stood smirking at Octavia, one hand on her hip the other casually pointing her paintball gun towards the sky.

“What?” Octavia asked.

“Can I say that I’m oddly turned on right now?”

Octavia flushed, “Uh…no you can’t,” she stammered making Raven’s smirk increase, “Now come on we still have to invade this Fortress and then get to number 5.”

Bellamy scoffed as they found the first Fortress. They had four people on defence, a classic mistake. Always play the offence that was his rule.

The couple soon invaded the Fortress, after Monty threw two grenades at them before they could suspect anything. Bellamy laughed as they jogged inside past the four paint smothered demi gods.

“This is going to take ages to get out of my hair,” he heard one boy complain.

“No shit, at least yours is short,” a girl replied. He couldn’t really tell who they were being covered in paint and all.

Bellamy adjusted his crossbow in his arm then snatched the number 1 pin from inside the Fortress and sauntered out to where Monty was keeping guard.

“Here,” Bellamy tossed the clip to him.

“What? Why? You invaded.”

He shrugged, “Yeah but it was your idea to throw the grenades, plus wearing the clips is hot,” he winked and Monty felt himself blush despite knowing better.

“Shut up,” he said, clipping the number one to his belt anyway.

“If you’ve got it flaunt it Green.” Bellamy responded and then he was off running, heading in the direction of Fortress 2.

Clarke heard the leaves ruffle and she quickly aimed up her shot, she almost fired when she realised it was Raven and Octavia.

Clarke had climbed to a lower branch during her defence. “What are you guys doing here?” she called down quietly.

“We took down 4 and 5, have you seen the guys?” Raven asked.

In the end they hadn’t needed to invade Fortress 5. They had taken down two members of Team 5 before they even reached the Fortress and then they managed to shoot down the two defenders before they even realised what was happening. 

“Yeah, they were knocked out at 2.”

Octavia rolled her eyes, “Of course they were, stupid Bell.”

“We’ve seen nothing of 2 out here though, we think they’re doing a stake out, waiting for all the other Fortresses to be taken down so they don’t have to.”

“Huh, sneaky,” Octavia said.

“What should we do?” Raven asked.

Clarke climbed down from the tree she was in, she scraped her knee on the way but it didn’t hurt too much, “I’ll stay here. You go and take Jasper to Fortress 2,” she decided.

Octavia asked, “Are you sure you’re going to be ok by yourself?”

“I think I’ll be ok,” she nodded.

“Maybe we’ll even win today. We haven’t won in a while now. Team 2 have always bested us.”

“Well let’s try our hardest to win today then.”

Clarke took Jaspers place on top of the Fortress while the three of them disappeared off to Fortress 2.

Clarke felt oddly at ease as she spun in a slow circle, keeping her eyes trained on the woods around her. She had her bow ready, now all she had to do was wait.

Ten minutes later, Clarke was starting to get bored and tired, not a good combination. It was then that she saw her.

Lexa.

She was running quickly from tree to tree, not so much as to stay hidden, but to stay protected.

Clarke tried to aim but Lexa was too quick for her and she could never get a clear shot. With a brief scan, Clarke couldn’t see any paint weapon on Lexa at all; she only had her sword in her hand and a dagger at her hip. It was when Clarke looked more closely at the sword and she realised that it was coated in a layer of paint.

“So have your team really just been playing defence the entire game?” Clarke called.

Lexa stopped a good ten metres from the Fortress, realising that if she came any closer without the cover of the trees, Clarke would definitely shoot her. She looked surprised that Clarke had bothered to talk at all but she quickly disguised her emotions again and Clarke wondered how she did that so quickly.

“We have,” she admitted. “Patience sometimes has its rewards.”

“Seems like a cop out to me,” Clarke taunted.

It didn’t phase Lexa at all who just shrugged, “Believe what you wish.”

“How are you going to fight from all the way over there?” Clarke called to her.

“How are you going to fight from up there?” Lexa retorted.

“I’m the one with the arrows.”

“Then why aren’t you using them?”

Clarke fell for the bait; she fired an arrow towards Lexa. It was heading straight for her, what she hadn’t expected to happen was for Lexa to slash her sword quickly in front of her at the last second. The broken arrow fell to the ground in front of her.

Clarke’s jaw dropped and Lexa smirked, “That the best you’ve got?”

As fast as she could Clarke fired her arrows at Lexa and each time Lexa blocked it, cutting the arrows in two before the paint could touch her. It was too late by the time that Clarke realise what Lexa was doing.

She only had one arrow left.

“What a shame,” Lexa drawled and Clarke glared because she definitely wasn’t going to go down without a fight.

Her fingers curled around the shaft of the arrow, clutching it tightly as if it was a lifeline.

“Don’t count me out just yet Woods.”

“What are you going to do?”

“Something stupid probably.” She muttered to herself.

Clarke hopped down from the top of the Fortress; it wasn’t a very long drop down. Now they were on even playing field, literally.

She sprinted as fast as she could towards Lexa. She may not be good at sword fighting, but over the past few days after sparring with Octavia, she had found that she wasn’t too bad at hand to hand combat.

Clarke didn’t know much, but she knew how to evade. So when Lexa swung her sword up, Clarke curled to the right, spinning around Lexa. She kicked the back of her leg forcing her to one knee.

She didn’t expect Lexa to recover so fast but then she was swinging her sword again and Clarke only had enough time to turn her body, her arm catching the sword instead of her body.

She cried out in pain and Lexa quickly got back up and into a fighting stance.

“Clarke-“

“Fuck,” she pressed her hand to the wound and it immediately felt warm from the blood. But she could tell it wasn’t as bad as it looked, not that Lexa knew that.

Clarke thought that Lexa would finish her off then and ‘kill’ her. But she didn’t. Instead she stood frozen with her sword still out.

“Clarke, you’re bleeding.”

And then Clarke realised. Lexa was worried.

She decided to see just how worried Lexa was.

“No shit,” Clarke hissed. “Woa-“ she drooped her eyes then and swayed on her feet.

Knowing that if this didn’t work she would be out anyway, Clarke decided to fully go for her act.

She dropped her arrow and it hit the ground next to her, splattering the leaves and dirt with paint.

“Lex-Lexa,” she stammered and as convincingly as she could she collapsed forwards onto her knees before sinking to the floor.

“Shit, shit, shit.” Clarke hid her smile as Lexa dropped her arms and sheathed her sword. She crouched down next to the blonde and shook her shoulder gently. “Come on Clarke, stay awake for me.”

Clarke felt Lexa scoop her up into her arms and she felt her walking.

“Lexa,” Clarke breathed.

“Yes Clarke?” Lexa answered softly.

"You’re out.” She whispered.

Lexa’s eyes widened. “…What?!”

She readjusted Clarke in her arms and saw her stomach covered in blue paint her eyes darted to Clarke’s hand, which was coated in paint from her last arrow.

Then Clarke felt herself falling. Lexa had dropped her; she winced as she hit the ground because even though she had been playing her injury up it still hurt like a bitch.

Lexa looked shocked and Clarke honestly couldn’t tell whether it was at her or at herself, “…You-“

But then Lexa clamped her mouth shut and hardened her gaze. She turned on her heel then and stormed away from Clarke, leaving her sitting on the ground by herself.

In the end Team 2 still managed to win, even when Bellamy used Raven’s fancy staff. Clarke had made her way back to the Pavilion slowly and when she got there wood nymphs and the other Apollo kids were running around tending to injuries.

Maya came over to her and patched up her arm in minutes and it immediately felt better. Once her arm was sorted out she started to go around and help with the injuries that she could.

She looked around for Lexa but the girl was nowhere to be seen, not even when Jaha announced Team 2 as the winners. After a brief celebration everyone began to head back to their Cabin’s to clean up. Clarke was walking with her team.

“You can’t be serious,” Monty gaped.

“I am.” Clarke said.

“No one’s ever got Lexa out, not since she’s been at the Camp and that’s a long time.” Octavia told her.

“Oh.”

“Oh’s right blondey,” Bellamy nodded.

Raven added, “Get ready to regret the rest of your life.”

And for the first time Clarke believed what her friends said about Lexa Woods.

Clarke spent most of the next week actively avoiding a certain brunette who glared at her any time they were within seeing distance.

She spent most of her time either at the Infirmary or with the gang. She found that she and Bellamy shared a love for action movies, Jasper taught her how to pick locks, or the basics of it anyway and Lincoln and Octavia helped her train. On one day she went with Raven to the Forge and helped her construct herself a quiver of arrows.

But even with all those distractions Clarke couldn’t stop thinking of Lexa, at every meal she found herself looking over to her table but the girl never looked back.

It had reached the point where Lexa would come in to the Infirmary with a gaping wound from training but end up leaving if Clarke was on shift and Clarke couldn’t help but think how ridiculous Lexa was being.

It was five days after Thromafali that Clarke gained the courage to speak to Lexa. She found her on the Pavilion flicking through a book and either Lexa didn’t notice her approach or she didn’t care, either way she still had no reaction when Clarke sat down with her.

Without looking up from her book Lexa asked coolly, “What do you want Clarke?”

“To apologise.” Clarke sighed, “I shouldn’t have tricked you like it did during Thromafali. It was mean and I’m sorry.”

“It was smart,” Lexa told her honestly. She looked at Clarke her eyes uninterested and for some reason that hurt much more than a glare from the girl. It was so different from their previous looks, ones that seemed almost nervous, timid or in some cases angry and glaring. “Really, I should be thanking you,” she said closing her book. It slammed shut loudly.

“Thanking me?”

“You confirmed something for me that I was starting to forget.”

“And what is that?”

Lexa stood up, tucking the book against her side, “Love is weakness Clarke. Caring is weakness.”

And then Lexa was walking away and Clarke couldn’t do anything but watch her go.

What the hell did she mean by ‘love is weakness’?

Clarke didn’t know what made her do it but the next day she found herself in the Stables. She walked through the stalls until she found who she was looking for.

Anya was brushing down Moonshine, an elegant white Pegasus with grey flecks. Clarke almost regretted her decision when Anya’s gaze turned into a glare almost immediately at the sight of her.

“Uh hi.” Clarke waved awkwardly.

“Claire is it?” Anya asked as she continued to brush down the Pegasus’s coat.

Clarke frowned and shook her head, “Clarke actually.”

“Right, well what do you need Claire?”

She ignored Anya’s obvious efforts to get a rise out of her and instead went straight to what she came to the Stables for. “I need you to tell me why Lexa insists that love is weakness.”

Anya’s eyes snap towards her, “And why would I do that? After how you treated her.”

“I didn’t realise what I was doing would hurt her so much! I don’t know anything about Lexa at all, how could I know that my trick would upset her so much?” Anya sighed because she did understand what Clarke was saying to her. “If I had known, I never would have done what I did-“

“Why do you care so much anyway?” Anya asked, cutting her off.

“What?”

“Why do you care about Lexa? No one else does.”

Clarke opened and closed her mouth, unsure what to say. “I- I don’t know.”

“…Right.” Anya slipped out Moonshine’s stall and headed to the back where they kept the chariots.

“No Anya wait, please!”

Anya spun on her heel to face the blonde as she almost ran into her. “What?”

“I don’t believe what everyone says about Lexa. When I first met her at the Arena she was nice and patient and she helped me with my archery. I knew the person I met then couldn’t be the one that everyone else described.”

Anya’s eyes softened, but only a fraction but Clarke saw it. She sighed for what felt like the hundredth time since Clarke entered her stables.

“Lexa, she’s been at the Camp the longest, since she was five years old. And she lives here because she has nowhere to go in the mortal world,” Anya disclosed and Clarke wondered if she should be hearing these things. “And then she met a girl here when she was seven and she fell in love, or whatever seven year olds do, fall in like or whatever. They were best friends. But something happened and now she’s gone and from then on Lexa told herself that people don’t stick around and that-”

“Love is weakness,” Clarke whispered in understanding.

“Exactly. And then you came along and she started to have feelings for you-“

Clarke smiled, “She did?”

“Of course she did, don’t be an idiot.” Anya crossed her arms. “And then you pulled that stunt at Thromafali and once again her trust and her worry and her feelings were stepped on.”

“Shit.”

“Basically.”

“Why-why did you tell me all this?” Clarke asked, confused. Because if Anya and Lexa were really as close as they seemed she figured it would have been harder to get information out of her.

“Believe it or not, even after all the shit you pulled I still think you could be good for Lexa. Whether that’s as a friend or something more that’s between the two of you.”

“Thank you. I promise I won’t step on Lexa’s feelings again, not if I can help it.”

“You better not, because you’re still a newbie and you should know that I could crush you in a second.”

Clarke swallowed thickly, “I know.”

Then suddenly the stable doors burst open and then Maya was standing in the door, her chest moving up and down as she tried to catch her breath.

“Maya, what’s happening?” Anya asked.

“Guys, come quick.” Urgency was laced through Maya’s tone.

Anya and Clarke looked at each other for a second, then Anya dropped the brush in her hand and let it fall to the floor. Wood cracked against tile. It took them less than a second to follow Maya out the Stables.

“So what’s going on?” Clarke questioned, still unclear.

“It’s Lexa. She’s been called on by the Oracle.”