She trailed behind the other girl, counting footsteps.
One, this is weakness.
Two, love is pain.
Three, peace is fickle.
Lexa sighed audibly causing a falter in Clarke's steps. Clarke the Sky Princess. The mere existence of the girl was baffling. She grew up in a pampered lifestyle and yet adapted so well on the ground.
Four, indulgence.
"Why is it that you fight, Clarke of the Sky People?" By the end of this trek back home Lexa intended to know all there was to know about the enigma in front of her.
Clarke glanced back but didn't slow her pace. "To survive." Her answer was so intense and yet the commander almost let a chuckle escape. She was merely a child, sheltered, and ignorant. "Why do you fight?" Lexa's original response died on her tongue.
"Because it is the reason for my existence. My duty as commander. What I was created for." The answer was rehearsed but nonetheless true.
"But what if you could just leave? Explore what remains on Earth, discover new or old things. Wouldn't that be a better reason to exist?" Lexa could not tell how much thought Clarke was putting into her words. They seemed to just flow out of her with disregard to any logic or thought. She's just a child, Lexa thought.
The Sky People knew so little about life on the ground. With all their ideas and science, they failed to see what was right in front of them.
"If I left my people to wander the monstrosities that lie beyond our home your people would undoubtedly be slaughtered." Walking behind Clarke was not a matter of choice but rather necessity. In part because of the mild throbbing of her arm and then the fact that she did not trust Clarke. With her own life, yes, but Clarke always failed so miserably at protecting herself.
At this sentiment Clarke had slowed to match the commander's speed or lack thereof. "Yes, I'd prefer you and your spirit not go wandering too far when you put it that way."
"Perhaps one day you can show me this better reason to exist. When everything has found some kind of balance here." Lexa had no intention of leaving her people to run off with the Sky Princess. However, the thought of it did bring a small smile to her lips.
Clarke gave her a playful push, "Perhaps I can."
Five, impending adulation.