The sun was just beginning to disappear behind the tall trees as I slowed my step. It wasn't only because I was tired, but because she looked exhausted, though she'd never admit it. Running from a big ass gorilla could take a tole on a person, even if said person was the commander of a big group of large men and intelligent women who lived to fight.
"We should rest for the night" I said, noticing a nice area of grass to make camp. Lexa stopped walking and turned around to face me. She looked different somehow than when I first met her, she didn't look as threatening.
"Yes. That would be good" she said, walking to the clearing, picking up branches along the way to make a small fire. I too gathered what branches I saw and laid them on top of the small pile she had already made. I started the fire with two dry stones, hitting them together until a spark lite. Soon a nice fire had started, and we both gathered around to absorb the heat. It was quiet for a while as the sun finally left the sky, both of us staring into the bright fire, until she spoke up.
"You shouldn't have saved me" Lexa said, looking at me briefly before returning her gaze to the fire.
"I thought we already talked about this. I wouldn't have just left you if there was something I could do to help." I said, watching her watch the fire. "Besides, I need you. If something were to happen to you, especially on my watch, the bond between the sky people and the grounders would be broken."
"But like I told you, my soul would move onto the next commander, who would-"
"Lexa." I interrupted "I wouldn't let you go that easily". She looked up at me with a smirk. I smiled back, enjoying the peace between us. "You can sleep first, I'll keep watch" I volunteered.
"Thank you Clarke of the sky people" She said, laying down along side me and the fire "for everything"
"You're welcome Lexa" I said softly. She soon fell asleep, her eyes shutting and her breathing steadying. She was unlike anyone I've ever met. To be so young and have so much weight on your shoulders. The weight of all her people, and now the weight of mine too. So much courage and strength, to be able to give her life up at any moment to save the life of another, even the life of a Sky person. I could see why they made her commander, no one else was like her.
A distant noise woke me from my sleep, which wasn't very peaceful to begin with. Through the middle of the night, Lexa woke and told me to sleep, even though I insisted I needed none. I had fallen asleep quickly, but had nightmares and fits throughout my short slumber.
I quickly scanned the forest around me, searching for the source of the noise, for the large gorilla I assumed was lurking in the thick green of the woods, waiting to attack.
"It's okay." A soothing voice said from behind me. "You're safe" I turned around to see Lexa leaning against a nearby tree. She looked a little less tired then the night before, and was sharpening one of her many knives.
I stood up and walked over to her, sitting down next to her to lean against the tree as well, tilting my head back. "Would you like to leave soon?" I asked
"Not really. We aren't too far, and you're still tired" She said, keeping her gaze on the knife in her hand.
"I can still walk Lexa" I said dryly, lifting my head to look at her. She stared back, a smirk on her face again. It was nice to see that smirk, she didn't show it often.
"You were moving and talking the whole time you were asleep" She stated "Each time something moved in the forest or the fire cracked, you jolted awake"
I nodded "fine, but not for very long" I said as I leaned my head against the tree, my eyes slowly closing again.
I could hear her laugh a little and say "Whatever you say princess" as I drifted off to sleep, my head eventually drooping to the shoulder of my companion.