Let me start this chapter by apoligizing for such a horribly long abesnce!
I got completely caught up with school and had to put my story on hold.
It's safe to say now that I'm back, and ready to pick up right where I left off!
For anyone who chooses to stick with the story, thank you for your patience and understanding.
As always, I do not own characters of The 100, and reviews are always encouraged and welcomed.

Flashback
*The soft crackling of a fire filled the silence of the dimly lit tent.
A large stone slab served as a table in the center of the makeshift room.
On one side of the table, a young, wide-eyed Lexa stands, flanked by two rigid guards.
Across from her, a burly man towers over her, flanked by his own massive guards.
He is clothed in burlap and cloth, and has a cross stitched into the breast of his shirt.*

Lexa glanced down at the paper on the table in front of her before clearing her throat.
"What you are proposing ambassador, is essentially an overthrow of my reign."
She fought to hide the fury in her voice before speaking again.
"This document is not a proposal of any sort. It is simply a paper crawling with the implications of treason."
The larger man smirked before folding his arms across his armored chest.
"Let us not jump to conclusions so quickly now, mighty Commander."
He spit the title out accusingly, as if it was coated in poison.
"All that I, and my people, are proposing is a simple way to resolve the tension within the clans that has accompanied the beginning of your reign."
His stance shifted, and he bore his chestnut eyes into her, watching her for a reaction.
"Look at yourself. You are barely old enough to be called a young woman. My people have been your people's closest allies for as long as our most respected elders can recall, and never have we seen a commander come into power so young."
Lexa narrowed her eyes as the man and spoke through gritted teeth.
"You know as well as I do, that a commander has no control over his or her reign. When it begins, and when it ends, is completely out of our hands."
Across the table, a malicious glint flashed across the rough face of the burlap clad ambassador.
"Ahh, but you see young Heda, that's precisely where our opinions differ."
He pushed the paper closer to her as he continued.
"By signing this paper, you will be the first commander to take control of when your reign truly begins."
Lexa's guards tensed, unsure of his intentions, and placed their hands on their blades strapped to their sides.
The young brunette raised a hand, stopping the guards and allowing the ambassador to continue his speech.
"All we are proposing, is that you sign this paper saying that you do not yet feel fit to lead the clans. Immediately after signing, you shall call a meeting of the clans, in which you will step down from your position of Commander. Our leader would then step in, and with the majority agreement of the clan leaders, as well as your recommendation, take over the position of Commander."
Lexa took a slight step back from the table, unable to hide her reproach.
"This is not an election that we are discussing here. The title of Commander may only be held by one that holds blood tainted by the night."
She looked down at herself quickly before settling on her final point.
"Even if your leader manages to possess this rare trait, members of the clans do not choose their Commander,that is the job of the Commander's spirit. The Commander's spirit has already chosen a successor, and to question the ways of the spirit is a crime much worse than treason."
The ambassador sighed, clearly agitated with her lack of understanding.
"My leader does not intend to use the power that the Commander holds. He simply aims to make this transition easier for you."
He said this as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.
"While all clans greatly respect the choice of the Commander's spirit, do you think they will be eager to agree with your decisions without question in a time of crisis?"
Lexa hesitated, and the ambassador took the chance to continue.
"With all due respect Heda, you are hardly older than our youngest warrior, and nobody with good sense would follow their youngest warrior blindly into battle."
He swallowed, once again gesturing to the paper.
"You will still be making every decision. You will keep your power. All that will change, is the face at the front of it all."
Before Lexa could open her mouth to once again reject his proposal, he continued.
"Let us take a short break to stretch our legs and clear our minds. You may present your decision to me once we reconvene."
Lexa nodded, standing up a bit straighter.
"Very well Ambassador. We will return here when the call for the guard change sounds."
She followed him from the tent, closely followed by her tense guards.
With a wave of her hand she dismissed them, and she waited until they reluctantly left her side before heading towards the woods surrounding her village.
Night had pulled a blanket of stars over the sky during the length of their discussion, and Lexa felt herself shiver as a gust of wind rustled the leaves on the trees overhead.
Listening to the sounds of the forest, Lexa walked until she came upon a small clearing.
She had trained here once, years ago, and often returned when she felt the need to clear her head.
Leaning against a tree, Lexa placed her head in her hands and let out a shaky sigh.
As much as she wanted to spear the Ambassador for his suggestions, she had enough sense to know when someone had a point.
She felt less than confident that her abilities as a Commander were developed enough to lead each of the clans.
No matter how much training she had endured over the years, physically holding the title and responsibilities of Commander was uncharted territory.
She was well aware of the doubt that circulated through the clans, and had spent many sleepless nights pouring over documents in her tent, hoping to gain more knowledge on each clan she had power over.
Lexa had been trained to hold her emotions together with a glue composed of confidence, authority and respect, but even on good days she could feel that glue thinning.
Taking the roll of parchment from its place tucked away on her belt, Lexa read over the symbols slowly.
The ambassador seemed to have been telling the truth about the agreement's terms.
She would keep her power and decision making responsibilities, but would not be the face of it.
Lexa allowed herself to consider the option briefly while running her thumb across the line at the bottom of the page, reserved for her signature.
The low, demanding tone of a horn sounding jolted the brunette from her thoughts.
Lexa rolled up the parchment before tucking it back into her belt, and heading back to the village with her mind made up.
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Hopefully this chapter gave everyone an insight on who the attackers are, and a history of their association with Lexa herself.
-SJG