So this is the story after the love scene. Titus instead of trying to take matters into his own hands puts his in faith in Lexa. Clarke goes to Arkadia to ensure that t its people stop Pike, eventually meeting up with Octavia who has gotten Indra back on their side. I was listening to Taylor Swift's Safe and Sound closing my eyes I let the story settle in my bones. Hopefully it makes sense. Because of the scope of what I hope for it will probably be multiple chapters. Let me know what you think.
Disclaimer: I own nothing The 100 is the property of the Cass Martian and those in connection to the CW show.
Post Scene.
Lexa
Lexa felt as the hand traveled up and down her tattooed arm, gently and with care. Shushing Clarke as she began to remind her of the time. She guesses at the smile coming to Clarke's lips. A bitter sweetness settled within her as the hand moved to trace the tattoo down her back.
"This is beautiful," Clarke breathed.
"I got it on my ascension day, a circle for every Natblida that died when the Commander's Spirit chose me."
Clarke questions about the missing eighth, but that was a wound that Lexa wasn't really ready to share. She had mentions her old love before, but not the full story. That Costia had been the eighth, beening spared because Lexa couldn't let her go. In the end Lexa lost her to the hands of Azgeda and Lexa learn the lesson Titus had tried to teach her. The Commander is always alone. Turning to Clarke she asked if they could talk about something else.
"Who says we need to talk at all?"Clake's rasp of a voice teased seductively.
As a smile spread across Lexa's face, happy to comply.
Clarke
In a rush Clarke entered her room. She still needed to gather her things and make her way over to where Octavia was waiting for her. Looking up she was startled to see John Murphy bruised, bond and gagged besides her bed. Slight movement to her left had her twirling around to face whatever dangers awaited.
Titus stood his hands in the air and expression of sincerity upon his features.
"Forgive me Wanheda for the intrusion," he said quietly.
"What brings you to my room, again?" she asked not bothering to hide her annoyance.
"I wish to give you this boy as a peace offering in hopes to persuade you to leave Polis and rejoin your people."
Looking over to Murphy asking why he was even here.
"He was brought in after stealing from tradesman who were journeying to Polis to sell their wares. One of them didn't take kindly to his actions and handled him accordingly, before bringing him here," pausing to take a breath before adding. "I then sought to torture him to get information to use against you. I was able to find none."
Clarke was thrown off guard by Titus's honesty, opting to cover up his actions. He did no such thing, instead he laid down before her his reasons for what he did.
"Of all the Heda's that had come before none were as special as Leksa," he began as Clarke could hear the admiration he felt for his Commander. "She had always been my most stubborn of students. Constantly questioning everything I tried to teach her. He never thought the Spirit would have chosen her, but like always the Commanders Spirit surprised him. After the bonding of the Commander's Spirit and Leksa. She changed. She became more thoughtful and less curious. It was like she had asked all the questions she had need of answers for and from them made her choices. I had always told her that love was weakness and that it would cause her harm. Costia's murder had taught her the lesson better that my words ever could. It pained me that her heart had to go thru that. But I felt she was made stronger. Her strength was proven when she accepted the Azgeda into her alliance. I know to do so had been like a knife to the gut for Leksa, but it was a cut that came with being Heda. So of course she bore it and moved forward," taking a moment he regarded Clarke thoughtfully "As her obsession to find you began to breakout and leak into those outside our private discussions I feared history being repeated. I saw the same path before her as the feelings you both share may be the cause of more pain for both of you or even her death. In everything the faith in my pupil had been challenged. It still is in question, but I am choosing to continue to put my faith in both of you before doing something I would probably regret," he said pulling from his robes the gun he had brought to shoot her with, handing it to her.
Slowly she took the gun emptied it of it bullets and gave it to the guards to dispose of after wrapping it firmly and securely in some cloth.
"Thank you," she gave a low nod. Looking out the window to get a feel for the time. She knew she had missed her opportunity to meet up with Octavia.
Octavia's words vibrated in her head as she hoped she could catch up to the young warrior before their friendship was damaged beyond repair.
"Mochof, I had made the decision to join me people. I fear however that I will not make it in time to be past the blockade before the kill order is put into effect," she said concern heavy in her tone.
Titus dipped his head and went to the door asking one of the guards to get Khan. Clarke looked at him curiously. She had never heard of Khan before and wondered why Titus had sent for him. It was obvious that Khan was someone of importance if Titus was asking for him directly. Clarke grew cautious as Khan entered. He towered over everyone and built for speed. His movements quick and sure. He wore a robe similar to Titus but of a lighter hue. As Khan came before them bowing before Titus, who removed from his overcoat a piece of parchment. Which he then presented to Clarke.
Looking at it she saw that it was a pardon of sorts allowing her presence and any in her party on the other side after the Kill order.
"What is this?" Clarke asked seeking clarification.
"I knew my talk with you would cause a delay in your ability to leave. I wrote this so that as you drew close the warriors wouldn't harm you. Which is also why I am sending Khan with you. He is one of my most trusted apprentices. Gather your things and your friend. You leave within the hour," he said turning on his heel before walking out the door. Khan made no move to leave, merely bowing his head and closing his eyes as he waited. For some reason, Clarke felt safe in Khan's presence.
"Can I trust you?" Clarke asked as she looked down at Murphy.
Her blue eyes bore into him striping him bare as though everything about him could be seen. Murphy felt a shudder run down his spine as felt the beginnings of hope. Looking into Clarke steady blue eyes he felt as though he was in the presence of someone who he could follow. There was strength in those eyes, also.. was it understanding? Her gaze was unmanning him and he wasn't sure if he minded. All he knew was that he was looking into the eyes of someone who could finally, maybe, make a difference.
He simply nodded while he kept his eyes on hers.
"There is much we must do now," she said while bending down to untie him. "Pike must be stopped and I need to know everything you've learned while in Titus's presence."
"Are you sure Princess, I'm not known as the sharpest tool in the shed," he said with a mixture of pride and self-loathing.
Again Clarke's gaze bore into him but then soften. Clarke had learned much from Lexa. That people who are often filled to the brim with anger are the ones who are often the most hurt. Murphy's life on the Ark had been cruel and without compassion he had shouldered the burden of being the son of a thief, and instead of being looked at as someone different he was wrapped in the identity of his father and took it as his own. Clarke like the others had continued to treat him as such, but now looking at him with a different pair of eyes she saw a boy who was hurt and trying to be something more than identity given by his father. Someone who could be their own man.
"I'm sorry Murphy," she said and her voice was honest. "In the past I had gone with the status quo. I saw not you but the boy who was his father's son. I didn't see you. I see parts of you now. I know that you are smart, and when given the chance kind. That you know right from wrong but are also hurt and unwilling to be forgotten. I see the beginnings of a man whose father stole medicine to save his son and was floated because of it. I see you Murphy," Clarke said and the look in her blue eyes told Murphy it was true.
As the sincerity of her eyes hit him. He knew that he had lost his soul to her. She was his leader and he would die fighting to protect her and her goals. "I'll tell you while we ride. I don't want to be here any longer than necessary." He moved to stand wincing slightly. Clarke moved to help him up. He waved her off. As his body adjusted he stood straighter. Clarke looked to him watching, when he didn't falter she nodded turning to Khan grabbing her stuff.
"We are ready."
"Follow me," he said.
They made their way outside where three horse stood ready. Murphy waited besides the white horse in the middle as Clarke busied with loading her pack, when she was ready he helped her onto her horse before going and mounting the horse to her right. Khan already seated on the one to her left.
They had left sometime after Octavia and Indra had but thankfully were able to catch up to the pair in no time. The look of relief was evident on Octavia's face as she saw Clarke draw near.
"I thought..."
"I know," Clarke said with a smile. "I was held up."
Nodding as Octavia looked behind her face twisting in disgust. "What is he doing here," she spat looking at the battered face of John Murphy.
"John is with me," Clarke said before Murphy shot back with a biting comment. Her tone held a power to it that shocked Indra. It was as though she had heard the voice of Heda. She sensed that both her Second and Murphy has noticed it too. Seeming both to accept the statement as a command as they both gave each other a tolerant nod.
"Alright Murphy," Clarke said inclining her head.
"Do you remember the 13 Station, Polaris?" He asked, Clarke gave a little nod while Octavia shook her head. Indra and Khan simply listen.
Noting Octavia's reaction, he briefly explained the story. Octavia after hearing simply shook her head more as the brutality of the Alpha station was made clear.
"Anyway, apparently one of the escape pods had been deployed. Before the station was blown out of the sky. I was held in this room a worship room of sorts that had sketches on the wall of the mushroom cloud and then a picture of a light streaking down from the heavens followed by a picture of a women with the Polaris symbol above her and a picture of the pod she was coming out of surrounded by a group of people. I saw a piece of a spacesuit with a patch on it and a briefcase all with the Polaris symbol on it and the escape pod all set up like a shrine."
"Careful Murphy," Octavia warned as she felt the tension from her warrior.
Nodding, Murphy choose his words carefully. "The Pod had the only survivor from Polaris."
"Thank you," Clarke said quietly, understanding what Murphy was trying to say without upsetting Indra further. If from what she was gathering the Pod had the First Commander. Which would have been a big deal, since the entire foundation of their culture rested on the arrival of the First Commander. But who was it. There was only one that made any sense since not much is known about the 13th station other than Commander Cole on board had not complied quickly enough and was therefore destroyed. But why would the commander leave and betray those under his care only to make his way to a surface filled with radiation poisoning. Which would have assured his death, but John had said it was a woman. These questions would have to wait as the blockade came into view setting their horse into a run. Khan went with them but stopped after speaking to one of the generals and handing him the pardon. Who nodded and made a path for the three Skaikru and Indra to proceed thru.
Indra stopped at the front of the Blockade and with a nod to her Second who proceeded forward with the others.
They rode on to Arkadia pausing just before the tall watch towers. Clarke paused closing her eyes hoping that she could return to the person she so desperately wanted.
Holding her head high gathering her strength and courage letting the mantle of responsibility settle and weigh on her shoulders. As she adjusted to its burden Clarke steeled herself for the challenges that lay ahead to meet them head on.
Octavia and John watched the subtle change in Clarke. Saw the way her jaw set and the carriage of her form. She was their leader. Not Pike or any other. In her they saw their hopes and dreams and knew that soon those behind the walls would to.
At her silent command they followed her to the gates of Arkadia.