Lexa sat tall in her throne and didn't flinch when the double doors flew open.
"Heda. There is an intruder near in the woods, close by." Her warrior said slightly breathless.
"Take me there." She said simply and they descended to the ground floor. Her dark stallion was presented to her and she slipped on gracefully. The woods were quiet, the only sounds were that of the moving horses and soft, pain-filled gasping.
"Hod op!" Lexa said holding up her hand. She dismounted and moved to a cluster of bushes.
"Clarke?" Lexa's eyes widened at the sight. The girl's clothes were covered in mud and dried blood. Her hair, a mess. There was a small dagger embedded in her thigh.
"Lexa." Clarke choked, "Help me, beja."
"Help her! Now! Get us back to Polis." Lexa's sharp voice said. Her guards carefully lifted Clarke onto Lexa's horse and they rode back to Polis as fast as her injuries would allow. Inside the healer's building they undressed Clarke to assess all injuries. Lexa couldn't stop her jaw from falling open slightly. Four large claw marks ran diagonally from the top of her shoulder down to the center of her chest.
"Don't stare, Heda. The cat was worse off." Clarke said drily as the healer stitched the dagger wound closed.
"I'm sorry, Clarke." Lexa said sincerely. She knew partly this was her fault. She left her at the mountain.
"Lexa. I forgive you. I know why you left us. I would have done the same." Clarke said her eyes filling with tears. "I see them every night, Lexa. Lifeless eyes. I'm broken. I couldn't stay there, at Camp."
"It's all my fault." Lexa said quietly.
"I killed them all. Innocents and all. I deserve to die." Clarke choked, turning her gaze away from the fierce Commander. "My mom, she wants them all to move into the mountain, I can't go back there."
"Stay here, in Polis. It has a way of healing." Lexa said smoothly.
"I don't want to take up your space here."
"I want you to. Please stay. There is a room across from mine that was meant for you." Lexa pleaded.
"Until I'm better, that's it." Clarke said.
"Second order of business, you will be trained as a warrior as soon as you are better." Lexa said. Clarke nodded.
"I understand."
•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
Lexa stood next to Clarke, in the sky girl's new room. Paints, charcoals, canvases, sketch books adorned a large desk.
"I had these brought here for you when I first offered to you." Lexa said softly. She could tell the girl was in awe.
"Lexa. Thank you." Clarke said softly. Lexa nodded swiftly.
"I shall leave you to it then. Goodnight Clarke." Lexa slipped across the hall I to her room. Clarke looked around in wonder. The pale cream walls, the large comfortable fur bed. There was a closet of clothes and a bathtub in the next room. A knock sounded at Clarke's door.
"Hey Lexa, you know, I think-" the limber girl stopped.
"Uh hi." Clarke said her blue eyes wide.
"You aren't Lexa. Wrong room. Can never remember.." The girl trailed off. "Uh I'm Caris.. You must be the Skai Prisa."
"How did you know?" Clarke asked.
"You're the only one Lexa would give my sister's old room to." Caris smiled.
"You sister?.. Costia." Clarke breathed suddenly.
"Right on, Skai Prisa." Caris laughed.
"Quit calling me that." Clarke frowned. Caris smiled widely at her frustration.
"Lexa said you were stubborn." Caris said. "We're gonna be great friends. I'm glad Commander Bad Ass has you."
"Caris!" Lexa barked from the doorway. "Quit antagonizing our guest." Lexa's green eyes were apologetic when she looked over at Clarke.
"Coming, coming." Caris laughed and flicked her black hair over her shoulder. Her grey eyes sparked with mischief.
"Bye, Prisa."
Clarke shook her head in amusement and changed her clothes quickly. The furs were soft and inviting as she laid down. Sleep came quickly.
But so did the nightmares.