Lexa sat on her throne pondering the events of the previous day. Her eyes drifted around the room and landed on Clarke who sat in the corner on a fluffy chair, wrapped in a bear fur, taking in the view of Polis from the window. It had been very quiet. Almost every ambassador had personally come and apologized to their Heda, re-pledging their allegiance to the coalition. Titus was pleased with her as well and promised that he would never show any doubt in her abilities again. Lexa was pulled from her thoughts by her door being thrown open as an out of breath teenager appeared. Clarke turned her attention from the window at the commotion. Lexa abruptly rose from her throne.
"Adi, what are you doing here?" Lexa questioned the girl who smiled at her, bright blue eyes sparkling.
"When I heard about the fight, I had to come. I would either be seeing you a victor or saying my final goodbyes. Either way, I wanted to be here." Lexa smiled.
"Did you hear about the queen?" Lexa asked, her smile fading slightly as she moved to glance at Clarke before turning back to Adi.
"I did, Heda. She is avenged. Jus drain jus daun," Adi said, moving toward Lexa. Lexa relaxed. Moving forward, she met Adi at in the middle of the room. The two brunettes embraced each other without hesitation. Clarke was slightly taken aback. She had never seen Lexa so open with anyone, let alone a random girl who showed up at her door. As if sensing Clarke's confusion, Lexa broke the embrace and turned to her.
"Clarke, this is Costia's niece, Adi. Adi lived with us for a while after her mother died and was there when Costia was taken." Clarke's eyes widened as the pieces began to fall together. Adi moved forward.
"Hello, Clarke. It is very nice to meet you," Adi greeted her, a bright smile gracing her face. Clarke studied her. She had dark brown hair like Lexa and vibrant blue eyes with just a touch of green. Her shirt was sleeveless, allowing Clarke to see a tattoo along her arm similar in fashion to the one on Lexa's arm, but far less detailed. Clarke pulled her attention away from the tattoo and spoke.
"It's nice to meet you as well." Adi smiled and turned back around to Lexa.
"Since you have been off making new clans and fighting battles, have you given Clarke a proper tour of Polis?" Lexa turned away, a hint of a blush on her face.
"I have not," Lexa admitted sheepishly. Adi laughed at Lexa before turning to Clarke.
"Clarke, how about you join me and Lexa on a walk? There is so much to see." Lexa's eyes bore into Adi.
"Adi, I have things to do," Lexa snapped. Adi whirled around.
"You can spare an hour, Lexa. I don't care how busy you are, Clarke deserves it and so do your people. They want to see their Heda." Lexa sighed.
"Alright, Adi, you're right." Clarke stood shocked. She had never seen anyone so bravely argue against Lexa. Adi smiled.
"Alright, now that that is handled, let's go." Clarke stood and Lexa moved to fix her war paint before the trio exited the room.
The streets of Polis were alive with activity. Stalls lined almost every street, selling all sorts of things from food to furniture. Everyone smiled and rushed to greet their Heda. Lexa for the most part just nodded to them and waved. Adi led them around the center of the city, and Lexa spent the walk explaining to Clarke what they were seeing, pointing out where she could purchase furs or trade for weapons. Clarke was enthralled with the life of the city. Everywhere she looked, she saw people bustling about with excitement. They spent hours showing Clarke every residence, meeting point, fighting pit, and lounging square the city had to offer. Lexa drifted away from Clarke and Adi at one point, returning in a rush with a small smile on her face. Toward the end of the day, Adi suggested they grab some food and head home. Lexa nodded and turned to Clarke.
"What would you like, Clarke?" Clarke smiled, pointing to a booth that served fresh caught fish. Lexa nodded "A wise choice, Clarke," and with that they went to get their meals before heading back to the capitol's tower.
Back at the door to Lexa's residence, they all said goodbye to each other. Adi headed into the more residential part of Polis, and Clarke and Lexa retired to Lexa's room. Lexa decided it best to start teaching Clarke their language.
"Clarke, you must learn. It will make meetings and your stay with us much easier." Clarke nodded.
"Alright, Lexa, but go easy on me. Languages are not my strong suit." Clarke sighed sitting down in her ambassadors chair, Lexa's eyebrows furrowed.
"Clarke, what does a suit have to do with learning a language?" Clarke smiled, chuckling a bit at the Commander's confusion.
"Nevermind, Lexa." Lexa shook her head before beginning to teach Clarke the fundamentals of her language.
Some two hours had passed, and Clarke had a good handle on things and could hold a conversation surprisingly well for having had such little instruction. Just then, there was a knock on the large wooden door. Lexa got up to open it. Her guards had headed home a while ago. In Polis, she didn't require all night guarding because weapons weren't allowed. Lexa looked all around before Clarke could hear an audible gasp come from her. Lexa bent down and turned back into the room, quietly closing the door.
"Who was it?" Clarke asked, still flipping through the Trigedasleng dictionary Lexa had given her. Lexa didn't answer, just moved to sit on her throne. Clarke looked up, slightly annoyed with Lexa's lack of response, only to radiate shock as Lexa sat cradling what appeared to be a bundle of blankets. Standing and moving closer to investigate, Clarke realized the blankets were in fact wrapped around a baby. Lexa carefully unpinned a note from the baby's blanket.
"Read it out loud," Clarke half demanded, half asked. She was curious as to why someone would leave a baby outside the Commander's door. Lexa cleared her throat and read.
"Dear Heda,
I do not do this lightly or without months of thought, but I am simply incapable of caring for this child. However, I know how much you care about the children of all the clans, and I trust that under your watchful eye my daughter, Amira, will be well taken care of."
Lexa looked up, eyes locking with Clarke's.
"What are you going to do?" Clarke asked gently, taking the note from Lexa and studying the shaky handwriting, it clearly had been written by someone in distress. Lexa looked down at the sleeping child in her arms, and she would be lying to herself if she said she didn't enjoy it.
"I'll have to send out someone to find out who left her. We'll need to find someone in the mother's clan to take care of her," Lexa responded thoughtfully
"Aren't there places for children like her?" Clarke asked. She thought back on her Earth History readings. "I think I remember reading about orphanages, places that took care of unwanted children." Lexa shook her head
"We do not have anywhere in Polis to take care of such lost soles. Until a suitable caretaker is found, she will remain here with me, under my care and protection." Clarke's eyes widened. That was the last thing she thought she would hear the Commander say.
"You're going to take care of her? All by yourself?" Clarke whispered the last part more to herself than to Lexa.
"Well, I'm sure I could hire help, but that wouldn't feel right. I want someone who will care about her as much as I do to be taking care of her." Lexa blinked in surprise. Had she really just admitted that she already cared about this tiny little bundle?
"I'll help you," Clarke blurted out before her thoughts had completely gathered. Lexa looked up with shock and locked eyes with Clarke.
"Clarke, are you sure? It's a big responsibility, and it would in a sense tie us together permanently. We do not know how long it could take to find her true clan." Clarke nodded in response, smiling.
"I have never been more sure of anything. You're going to need someone to watch her while you hold meetings, and someone to help at night. And let's face it, you can get busy, and she should have someone consistent taking care of her when you can't." Lexa nodded, smiling down at the little baby that was bringing Clarke closer to her. Clarke smiled at Lexa. She may not have been ready to say it out loud, but Clarke was completely infatuated by Lexa and hoped that Amira would help pull them a little bit closer together.
A/N Hope you guys enjoyed as always reviews are helpful and encouraging, or even a like can brighten my day I love you all. And thank you loads to my amazing Beta, You're the best girly. This chapter was kind of rushed I know but it slows down a lot next chapter.