Thanks again everyone for your reviews, favorites and follows. I really appreciate it. Chapter 4 will be less bloody and violent and will hold some more Clexa moments. But it starts with a sidestep I meantioned, enjoy!
Chapter 4 – Medo en Keryon
The mornings were getting colder. She could see her breath with every exhale in the frosty air. They were calm breaths, Raven was enjoying the morning air and the beautiful view of the sun rising in the clear blue sky. A gentle breeze blew through the tall trees surrounding Arkadia, giving off the most subtle rustling sound. Things were quiet at Arkadia at this hour, they always were. Only the guards were awake and just a handful of people who seem to be early risers. Raven herself has always been a morning person. But the reason she's awake this time has a lot more to do with the pain in her leg.
She wished she could sleep in for a change, to not have the pain torment her and significantly decrease the amount of sleep she is getting each night. The young woman had stopped looking in the mirror a long time ago, more than aware of the bags under her eyes that no doubt made her look like a walking corpse.
She kindly smiled as one of the guards walked past her and nodded at her. The last few days it had become kind of a ritual between the two. She would sit in her usual spot, he would walk by and greet her. His name was Peter, she learned. He used to be civilian until the Ark crashed on earth and his wife died. Being a guard had given him a new purpose in his life and Raven was glad he had moved on, as Raven had done after Finn's death. Though it wasn't easy and she held a grudge against Clarke for a while. But after the day that Gustus tried to frame her, and paid with his life for it, she forgave Clarke. Raven knew now that giving her the blade to kill the Commander was never going to happen. If Clarke had done it, it never would have saved Finn. The moment she would have made a move, Lexa's men would be all over her and not only Finn would have been tied to that tree but Clarke too.
Finn would have been tortured and all Clarke could do about it was make sure he would die a quick death. Something, considering his crimes, he might not even have deserved.
"Raven." A gentle and caring voice lassoed her away from her train of thoughts.
She didn't have to look up to know who went to sit down next to her. "Good morning, Abby."
The two women briefly shared a smile before Raven looked back at the sunrise. She didn't only know it was Abby who went to sit down next to her, she also knew exactly why the older woman was here.
"I miss her…"
Or so she thought. "What?" Raven said confused and had already bolstered her shoulders for the expected speech about how she should come by med bay to help ease the pain in her leg.
"Clarke..." Abby explained and smirked. "You thought I was about to give you another speech, didn't you?"
Raven chuckled. "Hell yeah doc, I kinda did." She said smiling but then the smile slowly faded. "She will be fine, you should stop worrying about her. It was her shit decision to leave us."
The coarse remark towards her daughter hurt her, Raven saw the pain in the doctor's eyes. "Raven…" Abby said with a warning tone in her voice.
"I'm sorry doc, but it is. I get it though. What she did must be one hell of a nightmare to carry around. But she has us, she could have just talked to us you know."
Abby nodded in agreement. "I know Raven, but you haven't been a mother yet." The doctor said to try and make her point.
It made Raven chuckle and smile at Abby. "Thank God I'm not. Besides, think of all the horror if there would be miniature versions of me walking around here." She joked.
The two women laughed together and when the laughter died down a short silence fell before Raven spoke up again. "Tell ya what doc. If by some miracle Clarke shows up here realizing running away was about the shittiest thing she could have done I'll be the bad guy and you can just be all motherly and hug her and tell her how much you missed her, okay?"
"Deal." Abby said smiling.
Another moment of silence followed. But when a cold breeze sent shivers down Raven's body she continued their conversation.
"You know Doc, I don't know if you've noticed. But it's getting colder." She stated.
Abby nodded. "I have and it worries me. Our food supply is dwindling, hunting parties are returning with less food every day and on top of that we need supplies to make sure no one will freeze to death."
"We need help." Raven said, barely believing herself that she did.
The engineer wasn't surprised when Abby immediately shook her head. "No. I know what you are about to say but no."
"Abby…" Raven started but Abby stopped her.
"The Commander betrayed us, Raven. And because of that my daughter is out there in the wilderness if she even is alive at all."
"So your personal grudge is going to make your people freeze to death?" Raven bit back.
Abby's jaw slammed shut realizing that the young woman next to her was right. She seemed to think something over before speaking up again.
"It's not personal and don't tell me you don't agree with me." She said.
Raven folded her arms in front of her chest. "Hell yeah I am pissed at the Commander. She left us to die. But I mean, what choice do we have. The Commander clearly doesn't want any trouble with us anymore or she wouldn't have warned us about this war currently going on with them and the Ice Nation. And besides, whatever deal she made with the Mountain Men, it doesn't matter anymore because Clarke killed them all."
Raven saw Abby tense up at the mention of what Clarke had done. She couldn't blame her for reacting that way but it was the brutal reality they were living in right now. Maybe Raven had accepted this a whole lot more already than Abby had.
"Look just…I don't like this either but I also don't see any other way to do this. They know their stuff here on earth, we don't. But maybe you should just discuss this with the council, I'm not really made for this shit Abby. But all I'm saying is we should just look past our grudges and look after our people."
Raven could see Abby letting out a breath she was probably unaware she was holding back. She looked content suddenly and pulled herself up to her feet. She outstretched her hand towards Raven and smiled.
"You are probably right, Raven. Let's just have breakfast okay? And I will discuss this in our usual council meeting in two days."
Raven took her hand and struggled back on her feet. "Yes! I'm starving."
Death by a thousand cuts. Colioh didn't even come close to a thousand; or even a hundred. Clarke could keep counting down and honestly she hadn't kept count. But after the villagers had taken their turn there might have been only about a dozen of Lexa's warriors before Lexa herself dealt the final blow. Though Clarke was fairly sure Colioh was already half dead before her sword went through his heart.
The entire scene had been brutal, even more so than she had seen done to Gustus. Some of the Trikru people held back due to the respect they had for Gustus. For the former leader of the Lake People it was completely different. No one showed mercy. People would either find the more sensitive parts of the human body or some would just cut through an eye, ear or a finger. It looked disgusting and Clarke wasn't sure how she managed to not run away and find the nearest bucket to throw up in.
Then again maybe she did know why. Things like this didn't bother her anymore and frankly she had experienced worse. She had seen bodies with their limbs blown off. She had smelled the scent of burned flesh and she had seen the corpses of men, women and children scorched from radiation exposure. Today's sight of Colioh being tortured and the screams that came with it was nothing and it worried her. What was she becoming? Was she really the Commander of Death now? Was this really the life that awaits her?
Clarke was really close to panicking right now. Not because she was horrified of what happened to Colioh and definitely not with how ruthless Lexa had been today, not even when she was about to kill that boy. It hurt Clarke to see it and allow it but it hurt her even more to know that Lexa never wanted to do it but the turn of events forced her into it as Commander. No the panic was for the realisation of the changes she was going through. Clarke felt like she was becoming a monster. Maybe she already was one? Why had she been so stupid to talk Lexa into taking her with her. Clarke should have just taken her offer to go to TonDC.
But what would she have achieved if she'd stayed behind in TonDC? Lexa wouldn't have been there, nor would Anya though Clarke wasn't ready to admit yet she was happy Lexa's former mentor was around. Clarke would just have been on her own around people she didn't know, but they knew her. They knew of Wanheda and probably would have questioned her ears off about the mountain. The one thing she didn't want to talk about. Talking about the mountain was exactly the wrong thing to do. It helps no one to dwell on the past. But in her time alone in the woods she had done exactly that. And that must have been why nightmares still kept haunting her at night. Well maybe not anymore she didn't know, Clarke hadn't slept in almost two days now.
But the point was coming here, to Selin Village with Lexa, was it actually the right decision? The way she was healing felt completely wrong and Clarke wondered if she even had a soul left. Could this not have been done in a different way? Maybe more peaceful by just talking it through with Colioh…Clarke stopped her own train of thoughts there and heard herself snort when realizing how ridiculous it actually sounded. Who was she kidding? With Lexa even mentioning the words peace talks she would have been struck down by one of her Generals. It was their culture, and Clarke suddenly realized she wasn't losing her soul or humanity. She was sacrificing it for the greater good. For the hope of maybe one day to be able to live on earth in peace; and maybe then there would be opportunity for talking about peace instead of demanding vengeance.
Clarke also realized that the fact she was worried about who she was becoming means she still has a soul and that she still is human. Lexa had grown up with vengeance and death being the norm and had not become a soulless, murderous monster. Despite having the head of the girl she loved delivered to her Lexa had remained a caring leader of her people, even going as far to drop all barriers and open her heart to Clarke to show she is still human.
Clarke had tasted Lexa's lips on hers and she remembered what it had felt like. It had felt sweet and soft. Breath taking and so peaceful in a time of war. It almost made her regret she pulled away. But as long as Clarke could recall memories like that she knew she was going to be alright. Sacrifices Clarke, so that they don't have to…she reminded herself and almost said it out loud to make sure she wouldn't forget.
"Wanheda?"
The voice that interrupted her thoughts was soft and with doubt. Clarke looked up, not realizing she had been staring down at her own feet and her eyes landed on Aden. The boy looked a bit scared and had been hesitant to approach her.
"Yes, Aden?" she said but her face remained expressionless because she was still recovering from her emotional trail of thoughts.
"A-Anya said you are a healer. She said…you could…" he didn't dare to say anything else because Clarke's expression wasn't changing.
She looked up from the boy to search for Anya. Anya was stood on the other side of the village but noticed Clarke looking at her and just offered her a look that said help the boy out you could use the distraction. But honestly Clarke wasn't sure if she read that correctly because Anya being nice to her was something that just didn't feel right. She also wondered if Anya had seen her sitting here on a crate outside one of the houses staring at her feet. In the end it probably was a reminder that she should act as Wanheda and staring down at your feet is most definitely not fitting for that title.
"I c-could…I'll f-find our own healer again."
Clarke stared at Aden as he turned around and was about to walk away from her. She realized she still hadn't really been welcoming to the boy and that hadn't really helped the pit of fear in his stomach to go away. Clarke slightly shook her head and finally showed a smile on her face.
"No it's fine Aden, Anya was right I am a healer. Come sit." She said and the boy stopped walking as he heard the tone in her voice was a lot kinder than the look Clarke had on her face moments ago.
And when he saw she was now smiling he found the courage to do as she told and went to sit down on the crate she just stood up from. Clarke remembered how brave, or stupid he had been earlier today to attack Kensi and Anya and how he now seemed to be nothing more than a scared and shy young teenage boy. Though Lexa's treatment towards him earlier today probably was part of the reason he changed into this.
"Okay." He said as he sat down on the crate.
Clarke looked at his wrist and the bandages around it that looked to be in poor condition. Whoever had put these on either had a lack of medical skills or simply was not interested in looking after Aden's well-being.
"Stay here I will get you some bandages."
She quickly hurried towards Zephyr and pulled out some bandages from his saddle. And when she spotted Kensi's horse she had a quick peek inside of the saddle too and found what she was looking for. Clarke inhaled the scent from the damp piece of cloth she pulled from it and recognized it from the bandage Kensi had given her when she rescued Clarke from the Ice Nation. Satisfied that this would be enough to fix up his wrist as much as she could and tend to his slightly beaten face Clarke headed back and was relieved to see Aden was still there. He was using the edge of the crate he was sitting on as a distraction and ran two fingers back and forth over the edge.
Aden stopped this as soon as he saw Clarke coming back and looked at her with a little bit of worry as she knelt down in front of him.
"I hope I am not a burden to you, Wanheda." He said, his words confirming the worried look he held in his eyes.
Clarke chuckled. "You are definitely not a burden, Aden." She said.
If anything it gave her something to do. Anya was right she did need the distraction. Lexa was in the tavern with Kensi, Colin and Thoni to discuss future leadership, the threat of the Ice Nation now to the Lake People and the terms for the Lake People to re-join the coalition. Or in other words, Lexa was busy doing politics and Clarke was more than grateful for not having to be part of it.
And while Clarke needed the moment of peace and quiet she had taken outside this house, she had been using it for too long and she was glad Anya noticed the slight panic attack that threatened to surface. Though if she were to go to Anya and thank her for the distraction, she was more likely to get scolded for looking weak in public, after all she has a title to live up to now, just like Lexa. Although Clarke couldn't help but laugh at the thought of Anya giving her an earful, in reality Clarke would most likely feel more intimidated than amused if she did.
She quickly shook her thoughts away and decided to focus on the task at hand and after removing the bandages she decided to see how badly broken Aden's wrist is. "This might hurt a little bit, Aden." She said and started pressing down on different locations on his wrist.
He only flinched once or twice when Clarke pressed down. All in all when she finished examining it she could clearly tell it was a clean break. Now she wondered if maybe Lexa had known exactly what she did and at least give him the mercy of not needing to have it set back in place.
"You are in luck, Aden. It's a clean break. I will just wrap this bandage tightly around your wrist and you will need to wear a sling so that it can rest for the next ten days."
"Ten days!?" he exclaimed "How am I supposed to go fishing?"
Clarke couldn't help but chuckle at his worries. "Well maybe you should have thought of that before you decided to anger the Commander, hmm?" she said as she started wrapping the bandage around his wrist.
Aden lowered his head at Clarke's words, realizing she was right. "But I was just so angry at Kensi."
Clarke's lips slightly parted in surprise when she heard him say this. Sure a lot of villagers had felt betrayed when she showed up at Lexa's side. But the tone in his voice showed that there was more to it.
"You two are close?" she asked him.
He just nodded, his head remained lowered to the ground and he even turned it away from Clarke now. Clarke had finished wrapping the bandage around his wrist and gently placed her hands on his knees. She felt like placing one hand on his cheek to comfort him but that would probably take it one step too far.
"It's okay, Aden. You can tell me, I won't tell anyone." She tried to assure him.
To Clarke it didn't sound very reassuring but clearly Aden thought otherwise because he looked away from the ground and aimed his eyes at hers.
"C-Colioh hurt me after he killed my parents. Not from the outside though but with words. Kensi started noticing this and whenever she was around she would visit me and talk with me. We sometimes would go fishing If Colioh wasn't in the village, because he could not know we did this. She looked after me, like a big sister you know?"
Clarke sighed. She didn't know what it was like to have a sibling but she understood the point he was making. Aden was mentally being abused by Colioh and the only conclusion she could draw from this was to make sure he would not get the same idea about defecting as his parents did. Seeing Kensi at Lexa's side must have hurt him badly. With all the bad things Colioh had been saying about Lexa something must have snapped inside of him.
"So you saw her with us and you felt betrayed." She said softly and pushed the piece of cloth she had removed from Kensi's saddle in his hand and moved it up to the bruise under his eye. "Keep it there, it will help. Also for your nose."
But as soon as Clarke let go of his hand he pulled it away from his face and looked at it and then he smelled at it before he put it back under his eye. "This is from Kensi?" he asked with a smile on his face and clearly he recognized the scent coming from the cloth.
"Well it's from her saddlebag, but don't tell her I took it." Clarke joked and saw the smile on his face widening.
"I won't." he said. "Thank you for helping me Wanheda."
"You're welcome Aden. Just don't tell anyone I was nice to you. I have a reputation to keep up to." She said and winked at him.
"Your secret is safe with me." He said and moved his head forward so that Clarke could put the sling behind his neck and then wrap it around his arm.
"Aden miya!"
Both of them looked up at the mention of Aden's name. Lexa was standing outside the inn and surprisingly called out to him. The smile on his face dropped in an instant and Clarke saw fear seeping into in his eyes. She quickly placed a gentle hand on his shoulder to try and reassure him but in his defence she did give him a rather intimidating look.
"She will not harm you again, Aden. Go to her. Don't keep her waiting and give her a reason to be mad at you again."
He nodded at Clarke and quickly jumped off the crate to hurry over to Lexa. Looking up at the sky Clarke suddenly noticed that the sun had already reached its highest point and was slowly descending. Clarke guessed it had to be around three in the afternoon which meant Lexa had been in the tavern for several hours. She was glad Lexa was done now. Or she hoped at least and that she wasn't on a short recess before going back in again. It was probably best to go see her as soon as she finished talking to Aden and find out if she finished the negotiations.
"Raven!"
Raven was on her way to get dinner when Octavia caught up with her in the corridor. The brunette looked up to meet Octavia's worried eyes.
"What's wrong?" she asked,
"Have you seen Abby and Marcus?" she asked.
Raven shook her head. "Not since this morning, why?"
"There is a Trikru emissary standing outside our gate asking to speak to the Chancellor."
Raven's eyebrows rose at that and she immediately decided dinner can wait and she should go see what's going on at the gate. "I was on my way to the mess hall. Maybe they're there."
"Was?" Octavia asked teasing.
"A girl can be curious can't she?"
"Curiosity killed the cat, you know. But see you there." She said smiling and headed towards the mess hall to check what Raven suggested.
Raven chuckled at the old saying and picked up her pace to make sure she arrived there before Abby and Kane did should Octavia find them. Once she was outside she could already see quite the commotion. A large crowd of people had gathered at the gate and Raven had to put in some effort to work herself through them before she finally reached the gate and spotted Bellamy and Lincoln standing there already.
She just about saw them nodding at her before her eyes went to the people who stood at a respective distance at the other side of the gate.
Four grounders were still seated on their horses and all lined up. One of them was stood a few meters in front of them and stood next to his horse, holding the reigns in his hands. The man wasn't very tall, average height probably but he was muscular. Very muscular Raven noticed. He looked young, late-twenties probably though these days that could maybe count as old? The sides of his head were almost completely shaven. The top of his head held a lot more hair that was rather long and braided down with the end of the braid ending somewhere on his back. He had a perfectly grown beard. Not too long and not too short. His eyes were blue with a slight hint of green and a Trikru defining tattoo appeared just from under his beard.
The dark brown cotton coat that reached his thighs was buttoned down just above his chest. A black shirt appeared just above the top button. Below the coat he wore a pair of dark-grey pants and black boots and on his back she could just about see the handle of a sword sticking out of the scabbard it was sheathed in. Raven scoffed, another typical looking Grounder.
"Who is he?" she asked Lincoln, craning her neck to face him.
Lincoln looked back and answered her question. "That is Nyc. He is a Trikru diplomat."
Raven snorted at that. "A diplomat? Really Lincoln? He's more muscled then you are."
Lincoln raised an eyebrow at her. "Have you ever seen anyone serving Heda not being well-trained?"
Now that he mentioned it, Raven realized she actually hadn't. "Touché." She said and then turned her head when she heard Abby and Kane approaching. Octavia was right behind them as a few guards ordered the people to make room for them to pass.
Abby had barely arrived at the gate before she spoke up to the man. "Who are you?"
The man, Nyc, gave a slight bow towards them as he realized he was finally met with their leader.
"I am Nyc. Heda has offered to help you get through the winter and." He started, taking a few steps closer but seemed to pause, hesitating to continue talking.
His pause lasted too long to Abby's liking. "And what?" she snapped again and Raven flinched and the not so subtle tone she held.
Nyc seemed to ignore it and just locked his eyes with a slight kind smile at Abby. "We have news of Wanheda."
Wanheda. Raven remembered that name the Grounders had given Clarke. Octavia told her it meant Commander of Death. They weren't wrong with that. Clarke had a lot of blood on her hands. Finn's blood. She shook her head and refused to think about that now. It's not why she is angry at Clarke. Not anymore. Her anger is now purely focused on the fact that she chose the wilderness over her people to deal with her problems.
"Where is she!?" Abby once again snapped at Nyc and Raven swore he was the perfect example of self-control. He didn't even look offended in the slightest. Which she was grateful for. The mention of Clarke made Abby abandon any diplomatic skills and right now she was nothing more than a concerned mother.
"Perhaps we should talk in a better suited environment?" he suggested in a calm demeanor.
"Not until you tell me where my daughter is."
And still Nyc managed to stay calm. Raven herself was already getting tired of Abby's stubbornness.
"If I answer that question now, you will have more. And more after that. I assure you I will answer all of them Chancellor Griffin but it will be best if I do so with only your council."
Abby was ready to protest once again but this time Marcus placed a hand on her shoulder to stop her and spoke up instead.
"I think you are right, Nyc, please come in but only one of your guards is allowed with you."
Marcus turned to Abby to make sure their eyes met so that he could convince her that this was the best option. After a few seconds of hesitation she finally gave in and ordered the guards to open the gate for Nyc to enter.
"Thank you, Marcus Kane." He said and ordered one of the men behind him to follow.
Raven couldn't help but think Nyc lived up to his title as a diplomat. He had never met any of them in person and yet knew their names. Or maybe Clarke had actually told them the names and descriptions so that Nyc could make a better impression.
"You're coming in too." She heard Abby say and was surprised it was aimed at her when their eyes met. "You have a pretty good idea of our current supplies and you did suggest us needing help for the winter this morning so I would like to hear your thoughts." She said as they made their way into the Ark.
Not much later they were standing in the council chambers. Abby, Marcus, Sinclair, Raven and Bellamy were all present. Raven smiled as she remembered how the kids who had been sent down to earth basically demanded for him to be among the council and after some convincing Abby had actually agreed. And Bellamy had done a great job so far. Clarke could actually learn a few things from him. He had some of the same demons to carry around but he actually had been talking to people here at Arkadia.
Either way it was not worth it to dwell over it now. She looked up to see the guards closing the door and stepping in front of it while Nyc went to stand on the other end of the table, opposite of Abby. Raven couldn't help but think he did this on purpose so that he could look her directly in the eyes.
"So, now that we are here. Will you tell me where my daughter is?"
He nodded. "Of course, Chancellor. Your daughter is with Heda. They are scheduled to return tomorrow."
Abby shrugged. "Scheduled to return? You are saying that as if she is with your Commander on her free will."
"She is."
"I highly doubt that after your Commander stabbed us in the back."
And this is where Nyc's patience ran out. He could handle being insulted himself but when it came to the Commander he would not tolerate it for a second. Raven sometimes wondered if the Grounders worshipped her like she was some kind of Goddess.
"You think you know us. Know her. You insult a woman who after only witnessing sixteen summers has achieved more than any Commander before her. She has united the clans and created peace. A peace we enjoyed as much as we could with the threat of the mountain until you landed in our lands. Your people killed hundreds of ours and yet Heda still chose an Alliance over laying waste to your ark-"
"An Alliance that your Commander broke and forced my daughter to do something no girl her age should have done."
But Nyc would have nothing of Abby's anger and even stood up for Clarke now, much to Raven's disgust.
"You insult your daughter. Her actions caused freedom for both our people. You should honor what she has done."
Raven didn't mean to say it. She really didn't but her words were out before she even knew it. "There is nothing to honor. She ran away from us, she's a fucking coward."
She regretted her words instantly but couldn't take them back anymore. It was a direct insult towards Clarke. To Abby's daughter and one would think Abby would be offended by this but it was Nyc who spoke up firmly and strangely enough with a lot of authority.
"You should all be ashamed of yourselves." He started. "Do you not realize you no longer live in the sky? Whatever rules you upheld there they no longer apply here. Down here we are to follow the rules Heda sets for us. You are the ones invading our lands and instead of respecting our culture you go around and act like the land is yours and yours alone. We cannot work together this way. We cannot offer our assistance when all of your people except one have understood that in order to survive you need to be willing to make sacrifices. War is upon us and may very well reach your walls sooner rather than later. Your daughter, Chancellor Griffin, is out there trying to prevent that." He went to face Raven now. "Wanheda did not run away from you. She avoided people who do not understand what she has done. She avoided a mother who thinks she is but a child still and she sought out the people who do respect and understand her."
Nyc turned to the guard he had brought with him. "Let's go, we have no need for negotiations anymore." He said.
And all everyone did was just watch how the door was opened for Nyc and his guard and seconds later closed again leaving them all to their thoughts. Seconds passed by in complete silence and Raven was completely shocked. Most of what Nyc said was true and he just figuratively slapped them all in the face.
"We just got put in our place, didn't we?" she said being the first one to speak up.
"Yep." Bellamy said and the rest followed shortly after that with just nodding their heads.
"I'll make this right, just hold on." Raven said and hurried towards the door as fast as she could.
"No Raven wait let one of us-" Bellamy tried but Raven brushed him away.
"I'm not a cripple Bellamy, I'll get him back." She said angrily.
She didn't wait for Bellamy's apology and just ran after Nyc as fast as she could. But when he didn't come into view when she reached the end of the corridor she thought that maybe she should have let Bellamy go after all. Those damn grounders walk fast, she thought.
Luckily when she was outside she just about saw the guards opening the gate for him and Raven thought her only chance to stop him was to shout out his name.
"Nyc wait!"
He heard her alright but he didn't have any intention to actually acknowledge her. The gate opened and he stepped outside. Raven cursed at herself and increased her pace, not knowing that she was actually capable of it and no doubt will regret it later on.
"Come on, I'm sacrificing my god damn leg here, that's got to count for something." She barked at him when she finally reached the gate and he got onto his horse.
She quickly went to stand into the path of his horse and placed her hands on her hips. He glared down at her and a frown formed between his eyes showing that he was considering his options.
"And, right now I'm actually sacrificing my life if you decide to ignore me and run that giant animal over me." She added.
Raven wasn't sure but she could have sworn she saw a smile showing somewhere in that beard. Even if it was there it was gone almost as quickly as it appeared. His hand ran through his beard a few times while he looked up and down Raven's body and frankly Raven didn't know what to make of it. Was he checking her out?
"Raven of the Sky People you are an interesting one." He said but remained on his horse.
"Wait what?" Raven said confused. "How do you know my name? Abby just went straight at you and never bothered with introductions."
This actually made him chuckle a bit. He kept staring at her a little longer before he decided to get off his horse. The guard that had joined him earlier mirrored his actions but kept a few paces behind him as Nyc faced Raven.
"Indra said to me not that long ago; if you ever run into a sky girl who acts before she thinks you have run into Raven. That girl is wild and carrying the name of a bird does not fit."
Raven raised her eyebrow at that. "I'm not sure if I should feel insulted or not."
"She said a wolf would be more fitting. It is a compliment especially coming from Indra." He said to her.
Raven just threw her hands up in the air. "Whatever." She huffed. "Just…come back inside, please?" and she wondered why on earth she made herself so desperate to practically beg to a Grounder now.
"Promise me something, Raven of the Sky people." Nyc said, now on a more serious tone.
"How about you ask me first and then I will see what I can do for you."
He nodded. "If I go back in there, your people will respect Heda, they will respect our culture. Only then we can negotiate."
Raven went to protest but she knew he was right. Every word he had scowled at them earlier was true to the core. This wasn't their home. This is land that Lexa was allowing them to live on and she was offering them help to get through the winter. Help they really need. All she had to do was convince Abby, how hard could that be?
"Okay…" she started "Okay. But give me a few minutes to talk to the Chancellor.
It had been a long day. The assault on the village had been dragging but the seemingly endless session of politics in the tavern was a lot more tiresome. With her injuries not even close to being healed yet she could feel the wound in her stomach starting to object. But Lexa had to ignore it. She could not appear weak in front of the Lake people now that she had only just won them back on her side. She was just glad the negotiations were over and she could go out to get some fresh air. Inhaling deeply she took in the crisp air of the nearing winter. She briefly closed her eyes and as they opened again they searched for Clarke. It didn't take long to notice her sitting in a kneeling position in front of Aden and talking to him while she was treating his broken wrist. The wrist she had broken. Something he had deserved. If the boy had just listened it wouldn't have happened, regardless of what Kensi and Thoni told her about him earlier today. He should be lucky at least that Lexa was generous enough to make it a clean break or the bad news of recovery that Clarke had no doubt given him would have been a lot worse.
Lexa wasn't sure what to think of him. He was young still, only thirteen winters had passed for him so far according to Kensi but he had no discipline and due to Colioh's horrible treatment towards him his mood could swing in the blink of an eye. Much like what happened when he tried to kill Kensi. At that moment Lexa had seen something in Kensi's eyes, something that most people would have missed, but Lexa didn't. She was attached to Aden and startled, maybe even shocked when he charged her, his eyes filled with rage and disgust.
Still, now that the negotiations were over she had to stay true to her word. And now that they were dealt with Lexa wants to head back to TonDC as quickly as possible. There was a lot to be done. The situation around Echo needs to be handled, Lexa wants to know how negotiations are going at Arkadia and the only actual thing she is looking forward to is finally getting the chance to train Clarke. She would love to dwell in this thought but the pain in her stomach forced itself forward again and this time forced the Commander to grind her teeth together and bite away the pain without anyone noticing. Lexa felt a drop of sweat coming down the side of her head and quickly wiped it away. It was time to sort out the final steps of her plans here so that she could head back to TonDC.
"Aden miya!" she yelled out to the boy.
She could see his shoulders slump when he realized who called him over which made Lexa slightly huff in frustration while she pinched her thumb and index finger between her eyes as she reconsidered everything she had just agreed upon with Thoni. But it was too late for that now. And if he knew no discipline she might as well show him the meaning of the word. Lexa straightened her back, clasped her hands behind her back and looked as commanding as ever.
Aden finally approached her after Clarke gave him a few more words of advice and a pat on the shoulder. But the closer he got the lower his walking speed became and when he finally stood in front of her he bowed his head and decided not to look up at her again. From fear probably, Lexa thought. And it showed again he knew nothing of discipline.
"I didn't call you to me just so you could study the laces of my boots, Aden. Look at me." She said firmly.
Aden didn't need to be told twice and his blue eyes met with Lexa's. And Lexa's guess earlier was correct, his eyes held fear.
"Sha, Heda." He said softly and reminded himself just in time not to look away from her again.
"Get yourself ready to travel, you are coming back with us to TonDC." She said, cutting right to the chase.
He gave her a confused look. "Heda?"
"Part of the negotiations today were about you, Aden. Kensi wants to take you to TonDC to honor your parents and so does Thoni."
A slight sparkle showed itself in his eyes at this news. "I get to go to TonDC? With Kensi?"
Lexa groaned in annoyance and had to bite back a wave of pain that forced itself through her stomach. Aden was working her patience and it didn't do her injured body any good. "I do not wish to repeat myself again, Aden. Gather whatever you can fit in one bag and report to Anya at the stables. You are her second now." She said.
"Y-you are training me?" he asked yet another question but he seemed excited about it.
"No, Anya is. Now I suggest you do as your Commander tells you before I change my mind and leave you here."
She could see him about to ask another question and Lexa knew what it was. He didn't want to be trained by Anya; he wanted to be trained by Kensi. But one commanding and impatient look full of authority was enough to make him change his mind. Instead he bowed to Lexa and thanked her and then advanced towards his house to no doubt do as Lexa told him.
Lexa could no longer hide the pain and sick feeling seeping into her body. As soon as Aden left she felt the world spinning around her and her body started heating up. Drops of sweat were sliding down her head, her back, just everywhere. The Commander knew she could not have a repeat of what happened with Clarke in the cave. Not right now. Somehow the pain inside needs to be pushed aside. She had to go somewhere private but she feared as soon as she would take another step she would collapse.
"Jok…" she softly cursed and reminds herself to stay calm and take short and deep breaths while her eyes close for a few moments. But whatever she did the pain was only getting worse.
Suddenly a hand gently placed itself on her shoulder and her eyes shot open. They merged with Clarke's blue and confident eyes as the blonde nodded at her. "Ste yun, Leksa. Jos mafta ai op." She said just loud enough for them to hear.
Lexa just let it happen. Clarke's words, surprisingly in Trigedasleng, gave Lexa just about enough strength to follow Clarke inside the tavern. Now that the negotiations were over the owner was back inside and serving some of the local villagers as well as Lexa's warriors. Lexa wasn't sure what exactly was happening, black spots were still forming in front of her, and she knew she was close to passing out.
But as soon as they were inside Clarke spoke up in a commanding tone. "Ban op! Nau!"
Despite the fever attacking her body, her soaring temperature and sweat dripping from any part of her skin not covered by clothing, an overwhelming sensation of adoration raced through her upon hearing Clarke speak with such authority. Such authority that everyone immediately got up to leave as though the Commander herself issued the order.
But Clarke stopped one of Lexa's warrior's, grabbing her by the bicep.
"Non min op."
The tall dark skinned woman nodded. "Sha, Wanheda." She said, bowed her head to both women and then left. As soon as she was gone Clarke hurried over to Lexa and the Commander felt a hand landing on her hip and another on her shoulder. She felt herself being guided backwards until suddenly she sat down and Clarke was unbuttoning her coat.
"You better not have torn your stiches again, Lexa." She said, the tone in her voice slightly agitated.
Lexa still felt she was too weak to object and once again just allowed Clarke to examine her, studying her face as she did so. After looking up and down Lexa's body a few times she saw blue eyes fill with content. This meant the stitches were still in place but Lexa suddenly noticed Clarke went to remove the bandages, probably to replace them with clean ones.
Lexa quickly got hold of her wrist, wrapping her fingers around it but not putting any pressure on her grip. "Leave them on. Do it when we are back in TonDC, we need to leave soon." She said and cleared her throat as she noticed her voice was a bit hoarse.
Now that she was sitting Lexa slowly felt the dark spots in front of her fading and the sick feeling as well as the pain that swam in her stomach was slightly subsiding. Clarke looked like she was about to object but realized quickly it was pointless to do so. Instead she was set on giving Lexa a speech.
"I told you, you weren't fit enough for this yet." She said, reaching for another chair to sit down in front of her.
"I know."
"Have you actually had something to eat or drink since we left the cave together?"
"Not much."
"Lexa!"
"I know…"
Clarke shook her head disapprovingly and stood from her chair. She disappeared from sight but Lexa knew what she was going to do. Not much later she returned and sat back down on her chair, holding two cups of water. One of them was handed over to Lexa. "Drink." Clarke said and Lexa happily did so.
After a few strong gulps the cup was empty. Clarke swiftly pulled it from her hands and had it replaced by the other cup. This time Lexa just took a small sip before resting it on her leg. "How did you know?"
Clarke knew exactly what Lexa was referring to. "The same thing happened back when we were in the cave together. Only this time I saw it coming."
Lexa was suddenly glad she had brought Clarke with her and dreads to think what would have happened if she hadn't shown up. The collapse probably couldn't have been avoided but Anya or Indra would no doubt have come up with something to make Lexa less weak then she appeared. But luckily thanks to Clarke it never happened and she was thankful for it. Thankful for her.
"Mochof, Klark." She said slightly smiling.
"Sure." She said back. "Now, want to tell me why Aden ran by me looking scared and excited at the same time?"
This made Lexa chuckle and she answered the blonde after taking another sip of her water.
"He will come back with us to TonDC, Anya will oversee his training."
Clarke laughed. "And now it all makes sense." She said. "Not that I am not happy for him, but something tells me it wasn't your idea to take him back with us."
Lexa shook her head. "It wasn't, Aden's mind might be too broken to train. He lacks discipline and backbone."
"That-"
Lexa already knew what she was going to say. "I know Clarke, Aden's mind was broken not by his own fault but by Colioh's. But Kensi was almost begging me to take him with us and Thoni argued I owe it to his parents. So I agreed, but only with Anya training him, not Kensi."
Clarke nodded. "Because Kensi is too close to him and Anya is tough and has the right attitude." She said.
"That and Kensi still has Timor as her second, though from what she told me he is close to finishing his training." Lexa added.
Lexa took another few sips of her water, glad to feel better again. The heat had left her body and the pain was on a more tolerable level now. Clarke suddenly looked away from her, eyes gazing down at her feet.
"Clarke?" Lexa asked confused.
"Would you have done it?" she asks, eyes moving back up to face Lexa.
"What?" Lexa asked but she knew what Clarke was referring to and rather not answer the question at all.
"You know what I mean." She countered, slightly annoyed.
Lexa sighed, her lips parted to say no, no she wouldn't have done it. But it was a lie and Lexa didn't want to lie to Clarke. So she sealed her lips again and did what Clarke did to her earlier; she looked away.
"Clarke, I told you, I-"
"Yes I know, you said you might have to do things you don't want. It's just…it's difficult Lexa."
"You think I don't know that? You think I wanted to kill him?" Lexa hissed. "I am Heda, Clarke. My people demand justice. They demand vengeance. It is my responsibility, my burden to carry. I told you my soul is broken, my hands are stained with blood I can never wash off. An example had to be made, a sacrifice…"
Clarke suddenly placed a hand on her cheek. It made Lexa look back up at Clarke and she found a gentle smile aimed at her. "I know Lexa. And as I promised I didn't interfere. But I also said I might call you out on it when it's just us. I am changing Lexa. Ever since I landed here on earth I have been changing. And it scares me. And I want to know I still have a soul so I need these talks with you. I need to remind myself that I can still care."
Lexa gasped at Clarke's words. Placing the cup at the table next to her she got hold of the hand pressed down on her cheek, linking her fingers with Clarke's and doing the same with Clarke's other hand.
"Klark kom Skaikru, you are the most caring person I have ever come to know in my life. You are a good person and there is absolutely no need for you to constantly remind yourself about this. You are strong and smart but also stubborn and fierce. These qualities combined make up who you are. Clarke Griffin, a young and beautiful woman who will do anything for her people because she cares."
Clarke looked at her, eyes watering up but she refused to release the tears from their cage. She swallowed deeply and blinked a few times. Their eyes stayed locked and their fingers stayed linked. Lexa suddenly noticed Clarke's gaze lowering to her lips. Then slowly her head moved forward, inching closer to Lexa's. Lexa closed her eyes, knowing what was happening but not wanting to make the first move herself. It had to be Clarke, Lexa would not want to initiate it and risk hurting her again.
But it never happened. Clarke suddenly dislodged their hands and leaned back in her seat. When Lexa opened her eyes she saw Clarke cradling the back of her neck with bit both of her hands, looking down at her feet once more. Lexa quickly cleared her throat and searched for a place to rest her slightly trembling hands. First she went to fold them together in front of her chest but decided upon placing them on her knees instead. A deafening silence of what felt like it lasted forever followed before Clarke placed her hands on her lap and spoke up again.
"So…uhm…Aden comes back with us, I take it your army stays?"
Lexa smiled, thankful to Clarke to kill the silence. "Yes, they will protect the border with the Ice Nation, though most of Nia's army is at Polis now. But she could still order what's left of her army in Azgeda to attack the Lake People. Indra will oversee it all. She will remain here for half a season to support Colin in his new role as leader together with Thoni as his advisor."
"With Thoni's guidance and Indra's battle experience I'm sure he will become a great leader. A much better one than his father no doubt." Clarke said.
"Yes, he will be in due time." Lexa agreed.
She stood to her feet and started buttoning up her coat again. "It's time to go Clarke, we need to get back to TonDC as quickly as possible."
Clarke nodded and followed Lexa outside. The warrior Clarke had ordered to not let anyone in stepped aside and had stayed true to her word because Kensi was waiting there for them.
"Heda, everyone is ready to leave at your Command." She said and fell in line behind the two women as they made their way to the stables.
She all but nodded at Kensi and not much later they found themselves entering the stables. Anya, Gia, Timor, Tys and Indra were already waiting for them, including a handful of Trikru warriors. Anya sat on her horse with Echo sitting in front of her, hands firmly tied together. Tys and Gia both were seated on a horse this time too. Aden sat down on Kensi's horse and Kensi jumped up on the animal too, taking place behind the boy.
Indra stood waiting with Rasha's reins in one hand and Zephyr's in the other. Clarke immediately hooped on top of the black steed and Lexa mirrored her actions.
"Heda. The army has been informed, we will march for the border with Azgeda tomorrow. Colin will accompany us and Thoni will remain to oversee the village." Indra said, letting go of the reigns now that both women had mounted up.
"Good. Make sure the army is well fed and rested. They need their strength, the closer they get to the border the colder it will get. Make sure Colin rides at the head of the army, his people need to see him in charge now but I assume he has already sent scouts ahead to inform the remaining villages of what happened?"
Indra nodded. "Sha, Heda."
"Very well, then we will depart for TonDC, keep me informed Indra."
"I will Heda, but I have one more thing to report." She started. "Ryder just returned and he informed me the Ice Nation soldiers you expected to be sent by Azgeda were nowhere to be found."
This worried Lexa. "Are you sure? Did he do a second sweep?"
"He did, Heda. Even over a larger perimeter. There were no Ice Nation soldiers located."
"Heda this isn't good. They must have arrived sooner than we thought and probably seen us taking control of the village." Anya said.
Lexa cursed at herself and lowered her head to think through her options. But surprisingly Echo spoke up.
"If they are nowhere to be found they have already reported everything to the nearest outpost."
Her unauthorized speech immediately earned Echo a knee from Anya in her side, forcing a grunt of pain to escape her lips.
"Shof op, do not speak unless spoken to." Anya ordered her.
But Lexa realized if Echo was willing to share this information, perhaps she was willing to share more.
"Tell us what you know, Echo kom Azgeda."
Echo swallowed deeply as she looked Lexa into the eyes. She was considering her options but realizing that she no longer was part of Azgeda it was pointless to protect her former queen. Then again, Lexa knew Echo also had no obligations towards her either. After all Lexa told her she would die one way or another and what she was going to say could be a complete lie.
"If they reported what happened here to the nearest outpost a rider will already have reached our capital. With Nia in Polis Roan will be on the throne there and he will be certain to report this back to Nia. A rider is probably already on its way to Polis, far out of your reach but he is not your biggest concern. Roan knows that you are here now, and he is smart enough to know you will leave your army behind…"
Echo didn't have to say anything else. "He will plan an ambush…" Anya said worriedly but then grabbed a fistful of Echo's hair, forcing her head back. "Why should we believe what you say? You have no loyalty towards Heda."
Lexa narrowed her eyes when she suddenly saw Echo looking at Clarke. "Maybe not. But wouldn't my loyalty towards Wanheda be enough?"
Anya snorted at this. "Don't insult us." She said angry, letting go of Echo's hair.
But Echo kept her eyes locked on Clarke. "Her friend Bellamy, and Wanheda's actions freed us from the mountain. It is you who insults her, Anya."
Anya was just about ready to hit her again but Lexa stopped her. "That's enough, Anya. I do not see why she would lie about this. Either way we have no choice, we need to leave for TonDC."
"Are you sure, Heda? Perhaps we should send riders ahead first." Indra objected.
But Lexa shook her head. "There is no point, Azgeda will already be waiting and I will send these riders to their deaths." She said.
"How many can we expect?" Clarke asked Echo realizing that if she holds loyalty towards Clarke she would answer this question with honesty.
"A dozen, maybe two. An outpost will not have much more available." She said.
"Very well then, gather five more warriors from the army and tell them to catch up with us." Lexa told Indra.
Indra nodded. "Sha, Heda." She said and quickly headed out of the stables.
"Gia, Tys, do not leave Wanheda's side until we are in TonDC. Kensi, you ride slightly ahead of us with Timor, keep your eyes open and I want to know as soon as you see anything suspicious. Anya and I will be right behind Wanheda." She said and then faced the group of five warriors in waiting. "Two of you in front of Wanheda and the rest ride behind me and Anya."
Everyone nodded but Lexa had one last order to deliver. "Aden, you ride with me. It is not safe for you with Kensi ahead of the group."
The young boy immediately did as he was told and seconds later he was seated on top of Rasha and in front of Lexa. She paid no attention to the brief moment of worry that showed up in his eyes for having to sit on the same horse as the Commander. Instead Lexa swallowed deeply as she urged Rasha forward. An ambush was awaiting her once more, only this time she knew it was coming. Just not when or where.
Ok I would just like to make a note here on Aden and Lexa because I think some of you might not like how she is treating Aden and what she thinks of him. I know Lexa favors Aden in the show and feels a connection with him. But as I said this is my take on what happened after season 2 though that doesn't mean they will not become as close as they seem to be in the show. Just give it time, they only just met and who know's with hard work Aden might change Lexa's mind. ;)
Thanks for reading though and please share any feedback, idea's or comments you have so that I can try and improve my writing in the following chapters.
Translations:
Medo en Keryon – Body and Soul
Miya - Come here
ste yun, Leksa. Jos mafta ai op. - Be strong Lexa. Just follow me
Ban op! Nau! - Leave! Now!
Non min op - No one enters
Name explanations:
Nyc (Pronounced as Nick) chosen from New York City.