Disclaimer: I own nothing.
This will be so much different to what you expect but please give it a go. Need this story as is before we can explore grounder culture more.
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By mid-morning of their second day trekking across the plains, their fourth day of their journey to Polis, Clarke became aware of the change in the air. It felt different, smelt different.
Since lunch yesterday their journey had been on a road, surrounded by the fenced fields of farms holding livestock consisting mainly of bovine. There was however some sheep and goats. They had passed a farm which was obviously reclaimed from the old world. Everyone had wrinkled their noses and hurried their horses past it. Pigs, Lexa had clarified by the smell. Bloody revolting Clarke shuddered while still awed by the sheer volume and size of the farms.
The more they travelled and closer they got to Polis the more the large open paddocks became smaller well-tended fields that Lexa told her were for growing fruits and vegetables. The fields for growing crops of wheat, oats, barley and corn were further to the east. The orchards for apples and citrus to the south.
Lots of farmers and workers tended to the paddocks and fields. Some merely watched from their place of work as they went past. Others hurried to the road side to smile and wave and wish them well and congratulations. Even word of their merger had spread to here. No doubt word of their wedding too.
They spurred their tired horses up a rather large hill and there were exclamations of excitement and wonder as they reached the top and before them lay Polis. It was much larger than Clarke dreamed it would be, thousands must live there. The size of the buildings was clearly visible too and left her eager to explore. In the distance she caught something glimmering and excitement overcame her. She turned to Lexa and asked
"Is that the ocean?"
"It is." Lexa couldn't help but smile at her exuberance "My house is on the waterfront. Our bedroom overlooks it"
Clarke blushed at the mention of their bedroom causing Lexa to chuckle. Everyone tried not to stare at them, still trying to get used to the more open and carefree Commander. The Trikru had not seen it in a long time. The Skaikru having only seen her formidable side until the past week with Clarke.
The horses sensed they were close to their destination and seemed to be in a rush from there. There was a small downhill section then it was all flat. Clarke had a little trouble trying to rein her mount in. He must smell fresh food, clean water and a soft bed.
After an hours quite brisk ride she could see the walls of the city looming high above them. A good 5 meters high she thought. They started to ride through ruins of buildings, those that couldn't be salvaged, too far on the outskirts of the city to protect.
Lexa had told her that Polis was once a city called Annapolis. A naval town. Fortunately for it the nuclear warhead had malfunctioned and failed to hit its target, landing miles out in the ocean allowing for the beautiful inner city brick buildings and paved roads to survive without damage. The naval base had suffered some damage but its fleet had been at sea so hadn't suffered major damage which left the city untouched. It stood today as it did before the war, the first Heda deciding to preserve their history and culture. Only the outer suburbs hadn't been saved. A defensive wall could only protect so much. What was protected was stuck in time and the people worked hard to keep it maintained as it was pre war. Everything. Including themselves.
They eventually made it to large steel gates, guarded by several guards in towers. The gates were opened and they were allowed through. Clarke was surprised to see more ruins and a few huts for the guards and in the distance another wall. They were very safety conscious and it showed, if you were to breach the first wall you were faced with a second stronger one.
"Heda, Skaiprisa" the head guard nodded "We have been expecting you. The city is abuzz with excitement and there will be a large festival"
"Excellent" Lexa nodded and Clarke could see the excited sparkle in her eyes. Obviously Lexa liked festivals. From what Clarke remembered her telling them about festivals she wasn't surprised. A horn blew in the distance and a dull roar went up. Clarke heard Lexa sigh and raised a querying eyebrow.
"They've arranged a welcoming parade" she muttered "I hate them"
"I'll protect you" Clarke teased as the big metal gates behind them were shut and they were led the few hundred meters through more ruins to get to more gates. Lincoln and Octavia positioned themselves in front, Lexa's guards surrounded them and Clarke's mother and friends were left to trail behind. Clarke grinned when Raven called her a spoilt princess turning to wink at her to make her friends laugh.
The gates were opened with another blow of the horns and Clarke's mouth dropped open in shock at seeing the hundreds of people lining the streets awaiting them. They were dressed in a style similar to old world clothes! It was like stepping into a time warp. The world pre war. Nothing had changed. It was just like the pictures she had seen on the Ark of what people wore before the bomb dropped. She was stunned. How had they done this? Admittedly what the Skaikru wore was similar but some advancements and changes had been made.
The streets themselves were decorated in coloured streamers but the city itself was beautiful and not to be outdone by decorations. From the red and brown brick buildings like she had seen in pictures in the old Europe but much prettier, the paved roads which were a blessing compared to dirt and grime of their travels, the cleanliness compared to their camp and villages she had seen. It was gorgeous and she fell in love with it. It was like stepping back in time and into the future all at once.
"How do you make yourself leave this place?" She asked Lexa who was trying hard to keep her Commander face on but she could see the sparkle in her eyes.
"With a great deal of difficulty" Lexa sighed as they made their way through the cheering crowd, nodding her acknowledgement towards the people, looking tough and serious in her Commander gear and war paint. Clarke could hear the odd person call out 'Skaiprisa' and when she followed Lexa's lead and nodded she caused slight pandemonium. "I think my people love you more than me" Lexa joked
"That's because I'm a Princess. I think the people have always loved the princesses more" Clarke teased back and Lexa had to prevent herself from laughing openly. It wouldn't do, dressed as the Commander. Later, when she was just Lexa she would allow herself to relax.
They continued on for miles through the city, by the distance travelled and the number of people who came out to see them Clarke realised the city was bigger than she ever dreamed. Just when she was getting tired of all the nodding of acknowledgement and her smile became fake and plastered rather than sincere the streets opened up, the two story little houses giving way to bigger buildings and a thin crowd.
Another few minutes and those buildings opened up into a large square that tents were hastily being set up in. Lexa told her they were stalls for food and produce and would be for the festival that night which would start at sunset. Clarke couldn't wait as the crowd was left behind as they made their way through the streets of bigger buildings until finally it opened up again into another large square. In front of them was a large 3 story house, larger than any house she had seen. In front of it was a large green lawn with a stone drive splitting it in half. Surrounding the whole area and disappearing from view at the back of the house was an 8 foot tall iron fence with a guarded gate.
These guards did not wear grounder clothes. They wore elaborate uniforms with black pants and red jacket, a cap on their head, a sword strapped around their waist. Looking around as Lexa had taught her she noticed other roving guards along the boundary of the property and to her surprise archers standing at vantage points on the roof. She was certain there were more she couldn't see.
"Security is tight" she whispered to Lexa
"Security is always tight here. If The Heda's current vessel is to die it is to be at war, not in Polis. We are safer here than anywhere. Or should be. The people of Polis respect us highly, treat us like kings and leave us to our privacy. If we fight it means they don't have to" Lexa informed as they rode through the gates and up to the main house "I still don't trust the guards, none were picked by me but are the best at what they do. So far they have done a wonderful job but I still make sure I bring my own guards"
Clarke nodded. She could understand that. So much had happened in a short span of time to Lexa. She needed to be surrounded by the ones she trusted at all times. Having finally reached their destination they slid off their horses, Clarkes knees buckling momentarily after so long on horses. Lexa steadied her with an arm around her waist and to Clarkes surprise kept it there as she led them up the steps and to the front door.
The entrance was typical of what she had seen in photos from pre war houses. White Gyprock walls with paintings hanging from them. The floor was tiled. It was softened by a couple of tables holding vases of flowers. Clarke thought it was warm and welcoming. They were greeted at the door by a tall man, maybe mid fifties, short greying hair and wearing a suit. He looked like a typical butler and he nodded respectfully but did not bow to Lexa.
"Heda, your room is prepared as requested."
"Mochof" Lexa nodded "I will find my own way with my guard" she nodded at Octavia "Make sure the rest are comfortable on level two and bring them all the items I requested"
The man nodded and looked at her next.
"Skaiprisa" he smiled warmly and Clarke smiled back "Welcome to the Homestead"
"Thank you" Clarke managed before being led off by Lexa, Octavia and Lincoln following behind. She could hear the man addressing her mother and friends and requesting them to follow him. Clarke turned her attention back to the house as they walked through a short corridor with a greeting room on either side if the lounge chairs and bookshelves were any indication before entering into a large room with wood floors and a magnificent grand staircase that led to the second floor. The walls around them were again plasterboard with hanging paintings of spectacular pre war sceneries. A few day chairs and decorative pieces were strewn around so the room didnt seem bland.
"Holy shiiiit" Octavia murmured "why do you live in a tent again?" She asked Lexa who smirked then led them up the staircase to the second floor and to the right along the balcony that overlooked the great room. They passed many doors which Clarke presumed were bedrooms before turning right further along the balcony which turned into a corridor. At the end was a staircase up to the third floor. At the top of the stairs there was one long corridor with only two doors.
"Octavia you and Lincoln are in this first room. We will meet you back at this spot after the sun has set. Clothes will be provided for you" she informed before leading Clarke away.
Octavia took Lincoln's hand and they went through the first door. Their jaws dropped in shocked disbelief and Octavia could only murmur "I love being a personal guard"