As Clarke was guided to where the initiation ceremony was to take place, Clarke observed her surroundings, as she was not used to the silence that had befallen the capitol city. The dilapidated building was the complete opposite of how it usually was during the day, no one was in the halls except for Clarke, her guide, and guards positioned at specific spots. All of this was new and odd for Clarke, as it seemed like the building had become a ghost town within the few hours of her discussion with Lexa, and she was only there to take witness to the fact that people once had thrived here.
Clarke was in her head too much to notice her guide stop and face her, giving her a quick once over, she only came back to reality when she felt a calloused hand grab her chin and maneuver her head left and right. The guide made a low affirmative noise, before pointing Clarke to the double doors guarded by two stoic guards, and taking his leave down a hallway that was off to the right. Clarke could hear the music through the doors, noting the deep alto sound the voice had. The sound was one of beauty and strength, one fitting for the occasion as it conveyed the growing strength of the coalition under Lexa's command.

Clarke sucked in a deep breath and began her confident strides toward the doors that hid behind them an unpredictable future for both her and her people. The doors opened to reveal the candle lit throne room, and it's small yet powerful audience; however Clarke paid them no attention as her eyes immediately glued onto Lexa's, creating a connection between them that no one else could feel.
This connection between the two empowered them both, as they both fed off one another. They fed off one another's mistakes, pain, and their sacrifices, as each one of them played a role that led them to this very moment. Clarke strolled confidently toward Lexa, each step more confident than the last.

Clarke finally stood before Lexa, and only took a second before lowering herself onto one knee before her while also bowing her head, relinquishing all the power Wanheda had over to the Commander of the Twelve Clans.

With this sign of submission, Lexa couldn't help but intake a breath. She had never imagined Clarke would ever bow to her, not after Mount Weather and the deep hurt she had caused her. Lexa kept her eyes glued on the Clarke bowing before her, ignoring all her subjects slowly take to their knees; afraid that if she were to take her eyes off Clarke, even for a second, she'd evolve back to what Lexa had made of her. An animal, filled with hate, and distrusting of anyone that tried to get near her.

Lexa recognized the ending of the song, and pulled her gaze away from Clarke, allowing herself to take in the audience before her, taking in all the power, peace, and prosperity that surrounded them all.

"Hail warriors of the twelve clans."
"Hail Commander of the Blood." All the present Grounders recited, out of respect and loyalty.
"Rise," Lexa commanded.

As Clarke rose to her feet and joined her people, Lexa couldn't help but track her with her gaze.

"We welcome Skaikru to our halls in a spirit of friendship and harmony," Lexa took a moment before continuing increasing her volume slightly, "And we welcome Clarke kom Skaikru, Legendary Wanheda, Mountain Slayer. The reason for this summit has changed. We are not here to negotiate a treaty with the Skaikru, but rather, to initiate them into the coalition."
Many murmurs among the grounders present broke up, expressing their disdain and distrust for the new clan. As unnerving as it was to Lexa, she did not let their murmurs guide her off track. Instead, the uncertain murmurs encouraged her to initiate Skaikru into her coalition.

"To symbolize this union, the leader of Skaikru must bear our mark."

Upon hearing this news Kane and Abby turned to one another, Abby realizing how unfit she seemed to be to be recognized as the leader of Skaikru, while Kane was not for the idea of Abby enduring the pain of being marked.

"The honor should be yours," Abby whispered softly.
Kane simply nodded his head, before turning to acknowledge Lexa as the leader of Skaikru. Lexa accepted this change in command and commanded, "Present your arm."

All eyes focused on Kane, as he rolled up his sleeve, and watched as the scalding hot brand was forced upon his forearm. Kane's discomfort was quickly overshadowed, as the two throne room doors were thrown open, by Bellamy, Octavia, and Pike forcing their way in, throwing the summit into complete chaos.

"Bellamy?" Clarke asked, shocked to see him, especially with a gun pointed at one of the Grounders.

All eyes flicked back and forth, concern evident on everyone's faces. This wasn't how the summit was supposed to go, it was supposed to be one of peace and strength. These weapons and acts of violence ruined the meaning of this summit, causing all to begin to question Lexa and her control over the coalition.

"What is the meaning of this?" Titus questioned, barely able to contain his anger.
"The summits a trap," Bellamy answered as he threw the Grounder on the ground. Bellamy then turned to face Clarke and said, "We need to get you out of here."
Sick of the confusion created by this scene Clarke channeled her frustrations and berated Lexa with the question, "What the hell is going on?!"
"I don't know." Lexa bit back, with her eyes glued on Bellamy and the imposters, as she still was suspicious for the reason behind their intrusion.

"It's the Ice Nation," Bellamy said as he turned to scan the crowd, looking for any Ice Nation representative to blame.
"These allegations are an outrage. The Ice Nation never stormed this summit with weapons, breaking our laws, that was the Skaikru." Ivon, the Ice Nation ambassador, pointed out.
"We're right about this," Pike said over his shoulder, "The two guards you left behind are dead already. We need to go now!"

"How did you come by this information?" Lexa commanded loudly, determined to get to the bottom of this situation.

Pike, Octavia, and Bellamy all began to scan the area, searching for Echo. She was the one to relay the information of the Ice Nation and the trap they had set up. She was the one that had led them to this summit, without her, they wouldn't have been able to put an end to this summit to save their people.
"Where the hell is Echo?" Octavia asked, unable to process that Echo may have lied to them just to stir up war.
After fruitless seconds of scanning, Bellamy had become agitated. "What's going on?" Where the hell is she?!"
"Bellamy, maybe we were wrong about this?" Octavia questioned openly as her doubts began to fill her head.

"I don't understand."

Kane decided it was his time to intervene, sick of seeing his people waving their weapons around and blindly accusing the Ice Nation without any evidence.
"Stand down." Kane firmly ordered as he outstretched his hand waiting for Bellamy to relinquish his gun.

Just as Kane was about to rejoin the audience a static voice came over the radio.

"Bellamy, Bellamy, come in. The Grounders attacked Mount Weather." a voice that belonged to Raven announced.
"What are you talking about?" Bellamy asked in disbelief.
"It's gone. It's gone. They're all gone. Sinclair and I are the only ones left, I'm so sorry," Raven's voice cracked as she began to sob, "I'm so sorry."
Raven's sobs seemed to reverberate off the walls of the room, as realization began to settle into the Skaikru.

"You should have never moved your people into Mount Weather," Ivon stated simply as he moved to face the entire audience, a look of smug arrogance written all over his face.
"The Ice Nation did what Lexa was too weak to do." Ivon continued, as he turned and smirked in the face of the Commander of the Thirteen clans.
"This is an act of war!" Lexa growled as she stepped down to face Ivon head on.
"Sentries, arrest the Ice Nation delegation!" Lexa bellowed. Her eyes quickly fell upon Prince Roan, and just to ensure security she continued with her orders, "Including the prince."

Abby turned to Kane and said," We need to get home. If they attacked Mount Weather, Arkadia could be next."
"I agree," Kane said solemnly.
"Go, marshal your forces. We'll avenge the attack together." Lexa assured calmly.

"I'll escort them." Indra said, before turning and getting Octavia's attention, "I hope you kept up your training, you'll need it."
"Clarke, we need to leave now," Bellamy stated firmly, distrusting the security Polis offers for his people.

"We need an ambassador from the 13th clan to stay here in Polis." Lexa intervened smoothly.
"It's not safe here." Bellamy pointed out.
"Clarke will be safe here, under my protection," Lexa reassured him.

Clarke's mind was made up the moment she had agreed to join the coalition. She was going to stay in Polis, and do everything in her power to ensure the coalition remained in tack, and that Lexa remained true to her word.
"I have to stay," Clarke said softly.
"Clarke-" Abby began to argue, however, was cut short by Clarke.
"I have to make sure she keeps her word."

"Come on, Heda, we must convene the war council immediately." Titus reminded Lexa, catching Clarke's attention.
"I'll be right there," Clarke replied as her's and Lexa's eyes were allowed a quick second to share the same concerned look.

Abby understood that Clarke had decided long ago that she was going to do all that she could to ensure that her people had a chance to continue their survival. She didn't need any more persuasion to understand that Clarke's mind was already made up. She simply hugged Clarke tightly and savored every moment of it.
"Be safe." Kane said quietly, to which Clarke replied with a simple, "You too."

Bellamy was the last, and hardest goodbye.
"She left us to die on that mountain, she will always put her people first. You should come home to yours." Bellamy argued, hoping that his words would convince Clarke to see how untrustworthy Lexa was.
"I'm sorry." Was all that Clarke could muster up in response to Bellamy.
Clarke's response was not what Bellamy had had expected, in fact, it angered him. Clarke didn't even attempt to try and persuade him to see her reasoning behind her need to stay. She treated him as if he didn't deserve to know what she was thinking, and her true intentions for staying. Sick of being pushed aside, Bellamy allowed Clarke to stay. He had done his very best to keep Clarke out of harm's way, however, he was done trying, especially when she acted like she didn't need help. Bellamy just simply turned and left the throne room, not once looking back to Clarke.
Clarke didn't allow this to dwell on her mind too much, as she had much to plan with Lexa and the war council. She turned and gave Lexa a small nod of her head, that of which Lexa returned. Both ready to face whatever would come next, together.

It was deep into the night, well past the time anyone in Polis should be up and about, except for Lexa and her convening war council. Most of the members had taken their leave, as plans were solidified and promised to be put into action once everyone had gotten their proper rest. The only ones that remained were Clarke, Lexa, and Titus.

"Let me know as soon as the scouts come back," Lexa ordered calmly as she followed Titus to the door of her throne room.

Before Titus took his leave, he couldn't resist saying, "I hope you know what you're doing."

Lexa was left to reflect on his biting remark, however, controlled herself from shouting anything after Titus.

"I keep asking myself, "How did the Grounders know there was a self-destruct mechanism inside Mount Weather." Clarke thought aloud, bringing Lexa back to face her.
"We'll get the answers soon, Clarke," Lexa reassured as she paced toward Clarke as if they were magnetized together, "Thank you for staying."
"I stayed because it was the right thing for my people." Clarke snarkily answered. She wouldn't allow Lexa to believe for even a second that Clarke had decided to stay for any other reason than that.

"Our people." Lexa corrected softly.

Clarke fixed herself in front of Lexa, in hopes of conveying her power, "If you betray me again-"

"I won't," Lexa said softly, interrupting Clarke's empty threats.

Clarke and Lexa shared a quiet moment and look before Lexa lowered herself to kneel in front of Clarke. Clarke was taken aback by this, unsure of how to react to this sign of respect, and loyalty.

"I swear fealty to you, Clarke kom Skaikru. I vow to treat your needs as my own, and your people as my own." Lexa promised, keeping constant eye contact in hopes of showing her deepest sincerity.
Clark had no words, unsure that any would convey her feelings. She simply let her actions speak louder than her words, and offered Lexa her hand, to symbolize their unity and the trust she was instilling into Lexa. Lexa took the outstretched hand and stood.

For moments they simply stared into one another's eyes, as if for the first time. They truly saw one another for who they really were, and accepted another. Deepest flaws and all. And through this moment, their bond grew by tenfold.

...