A/N : I don't own anything the 100.
This chapter is pretty short, it's been a while since I've written anything creatively, plus I'm in the middle of re-watching both seasons to refresh my memory on events. So I don't expect this to be anything good but thought I'd give it a go~
The wind was whispering through the trees, it would have almost been peaceful if it wasn't for the sleet rain hammering the trees and ground, the chill in the air would be uncomfortable to most. The sun was low in the sky, darkness slowly falling, the thick layer of trees and dark rain clouds smothering what little light there was left.
The weather was no more than an annoyance to the three riders making their way through the thick undergrowth of the forest, though it would have been questionable whether or not the horses would have been more of a hindrance than benefit for the journey they had just made. More of a status symbol than anything, not that the riders required such a thing.
A slight tug of the reins bought the massive steed to a halt, the two riders behind the lead stopped in tandem, the narrow forest path making it almost impossible to pass the lead rider, being in no rush even given the weather they were not fussed, besides they were there to guard not lead.
Digging one foot heavily into the waterlogged mud the mount snorted, chewing on his bit impatiently, he knew they weren't far from camp, food and rest within reach, tossing his head he shook his waterlogged mane, a cold leather clad hand brushed down the side of his neck, instantly bringing his insistence under control, he steadied this foot and waited for further commands, eyeing off the trees, perfectly alert to any threats around.
Lifting her head towards the sky the Commander sighed softly, tired from the long ride she pulled her hood back slightly letting the rain which had lightened off significantly hit her war painted face, the cold drops were a nice distraction from her thoughts, of where she had been and what was done only seven moons prior. The long trip to the Capitol had taken up most of her time, there had been no news from the scouts that had been sent to monitor Mount Weather, at least not while they had been on the road.
Lexa was nervous, it didn't happen often, being nervous not many times since she had been called to lead her clan but today she was nervous, if there was any news about Clarke and the Skaikru the scouts in her village would know and shortly so would she. She dreaded bad news, if it was bad news however she would just have to take it on the chin, she made a decision for her people. Her people were safe but it could have been a death sentence for the people from the sky.
Pulling her cloak back up to cover her face she nudged her steed forward gently, the horse snorted softly and moved forward obediently, his pace steady and itching to pick up speed but in the thick growth of the forest it would be dangerous for Lexa to allow him take his excitement too far.
A horn blew in the distance, a scout had spotted the approach of the riders, although the Commander would have preferred perhaps a more quiet return she wasn't surprised they had been spotted, the horses also didn't really make for a stealthy approach. As they neared the walls of the camp Lexa could hear yelling and cheering, as the camp came into view she could see the large bonfires, larger she noted than the usual fires they used for cooking and warmth, people were dancing, drinking, feasting, although it had been seven nights since the liberation of her people from Mount Weather the celebrations were still raging on, it seemed unusual to her but she also wasn't surprised, some of their warriors had been missing for a long time, some of them important figures in their clan.
Indra was the first she spotted approaching them from the crowd, as she reached the Commander she bowed her head, showing her respect, a nearby warrior grabbed Lexa's horses reins as she came told a halt. Kicking one leg over the horses back she landed hard on the mud slick ground, the ache as always took her by surprise, she hated long rides, not so much the ride itself but the punishment it legs gave her afterwards.
"Indra," Lexa acknowledged Indra's presence, waving one hand briefly at the man who had taken her horse, giving him permission to leave and take care of him. The man bowed briefly and led him away.
"Heda," Indra replied, falling into Lexa's side as she moved off towards her tent, it was clear the Commander didn't want to join in on the celebrating like everyone else. "I have much to brief you on, Heda."
"I expected as much," Pushing aside the heavy cover to the tent she was pleased to find the air was much warmer inside. Pushing back the hood of her cloak she unclasped her shoulder armour, removing both it and her cloak, hanging them up to dry off, the warm air on her cold skin sent a shiver through her, she turned to face Indra, waiting expectantly, she knew the woman had the information she both craved and feared.
"We have received news from the scouts posted to watch Mount Weather," Indra watched the commander carefully, deciding to continue after a few moments of nothing from Lexa. "The Skaikru emerged victorious from the Mountain, we underestimated their strength."
Lexa could sense the surprise and slight tinge of respect in Indra's voice, the Skaikru continue to change her mind it seemed on their strength, courage and resourcefulness. Lexa felt some of the tension leave her body, it was good news, they had survived, she knew she had a lot of blood on her hands, most of it she was proud of, as a leader it was expected she be strong. she had been unsure how she would have handled the guilt if she had have also been responsible for the deaths of the entire Skaikru.
"What of the Mountain Men?" Lexa didn't comment on Indra's opinion of underestimating the Skaikru. She knew that they were strong but the Mountain Men we also formidable enemies.
"Dead, they were all killed," Indra sounded far too pleased with this fact, lifting her chin slightly as she eyed the Commander for her response.
Lexa lifted a brow towards Indra as she spoke, the Mountain Men dead? She realised now why the celebrations had been continuing for so many more nights than expected, no more Reapers, even though the Skaikru had bought the cure to the table of peace, no more Reapers being made would save many more of her people. No more trigdekru being taken to be drained of their blood for medicine. Although the negotiations with the Mountain Men would have released her people she had no intentions of trusting them once they were on the ground.
"Interesting..." Lexa muttered as the information stewed in her mind for a moment. "Klark kom Skaikru?"
The question took Indra by surprise, the survival of the sky people was one thing but it was curious to her that the Commander seemed suddenly so conserned of the welfare of the Skaikru's leader. It wasn't her place to question the Commander.
"She has not been seen since after the Skaikru returned to their camp, it's uncirtain is she even still resides there," Indra kept her response brief, there had not been any scouts posted near the Skaikru's camp, it was unsure if the shaky alliance between the two people was even still in tact, that was something Lexa would have to attend to.
"Leave me, we will discuss these matters more in the morning."
"Sha Heda," Indra didn't question the Commanders quick dismissal, she could see the tiredness on her face, knowing the distance to the Capitol and the time she had done it in. Bowing her head briefly Indra stepped out of the tent leaving the Commander to her thoughts and the promise of rest.
Lexa let out a breath after Indra's departure, finally allowing herself to relax slightly, her nervousness appeased a little now she knew the Skaikru escaped the clutches of the Mountain Men. Although she had no idea if they had suffered any casualties she was convinced Clarke would have been one of the survivors, she had to be.
Turning to the small table near her she dipped her hands into the small bowl water waiting there, lifting the cloth from the water she wrung it out gently, using it to wipe off the easier to remove paint from her face, the rest would have to wait until the morning.
Shaking her head Lexa stretched out her back, stiff from the days ride she allowed herself to kick off her boots, enjoying the feel of the warm rug beneath her cold feet. Unclipping her belt she rested her weapons on the table next to her bed, always keeping them close to her. Stripping off the remains of her damp clothing she slipped under the furs, a deep sigh escaping her as her body was enveloped in warmth, she felt as though she was chilled to the bone, as her body adjusted to the warmth of her bed her mind was overwhelmed with tiredness.
Deciding not to fight it she allowed her mind to shut down, leaving her thoughts of Clarke and the Skaikru till the morning, for the first time in days she drifted off into a sound sleep.