Disclaimer & Notices
Copyright: See the prologue.
AN: So we have some slower paced chapters ahead of us, but a lot of development in them too. I'll try to work in some action later. But thank you again for all the support and feedback. I've been doing my best to reply to the feedback I've received, but I don't think I've replied to everybody. I hope y'all enjoy the update!
Anonymous Reviews
Fishmotherfuka: lol! Your review had me dying from laughter. That was so great. Those creatures definitely messed up her spiritual journey. Maybe Clarke will get back on it. lol. Thank you for the feedback! :)
Guest (from May 4): I hope you continue liking it. We have a ways to go. I'll try to stay consistent with the chapter updates. Thank you kindly for the feedback!
Website: www . redhope .net
Started: March 3, 2015
Series: One Shot
Hedatu
by Red Hope
Chapter 6
Thank god it was winter, Clarke silently repeated each time she took a step. Summer heat would only make her swollen leg ten times worse. Her pain continued following her, just like the grounders. She glanced at Ares on her right. At least he was in better shape than her. Clarke lifted her head and considered the broken road's length. Perhaps it would take her into the rising sun, if she kept following it east. But the sun was behind her back.
From this morning on the phone, she remembered that this major road went directly into Washington D.C., which she was determined to see. All around her was wooded areas, and the grasses had crept onto the road and between the cracks. Clarke watched her footing so she could save herself from being embarrassed in front of the grounder commander.
At thoughts of the commander, Clarke sighed and lifted her hands to her pack. She hooked the straps and went back to her earlier thoughts about what to do about Lexa, Octavia, and Lincoln. She refused to go to Polis. God only knew what she would face there, good or bad. She was tired of the human race, no matter their affiliation. To be alone was freeing, of duty and of responsibilities. However, her three shadows made her remember what was far to the west. She stole another glance at them, as if she expected them to be gone.
Lexa rode in the front with Octavia and Lincoln several paces behind her. All her senses were on alert. She looked for trouble, especially closest to Clarke. So far, there had only been wildlife. Curiously she watched Clarke go over to the strange metal fencing to the right and lean heavily against it. She twisted in the saddle and nodded at Lincoln.
Instantly Lincoln honored the silent order, and he cut his horse in front of Octavia's horse. He enjoyed her scold, but he softly explained to Octavia that they were to wait here.
Clarke sat on the guardrail that ran parallel alongside the road. Ares sat next to her, happy for a break. She took off the pack and retrieved her canteen of water. She had just enough for two mouthfuls. Now she was out of water, dried meat, and very low on nuts and berries. Her injured leg would make it nearly impossible to hunt.
From her slouched position, Clarke listened to the clop of hoofs. She closed her eyes once the horse came up to her. She waited for Lexa to reprimand her, give her a lecture, or simply order her. Only silence drifted between them, and the horse's huffs. Slowly, Clarke lifted her head and discovered a hand held out to her. Several times Clarke flexed her jaw as a war waged in her head. Her blue eyes drifted higher to Lexa's dark features that were calm as ever. Clarke rarely accepted the commander's help and in turn, the commander hardly offered it. To continue refusing it would ultimately insult Lexa and further fracture their broken relationship.
After a difficult swallow, Clarke pushed off the guardrail and stretched out her hand. Lexa's hand was too warm, from fever. She held down her concerned comment and instead was lifted upwards. Again, Clarke was surprised by Lexa's sheer strength as she was easily pulled into the saddle. Some part of her expected to be behind Lexa, but Clarke was surprised to find herself in the front of the saddle.
Lexa made room for Clarke after she adjusted a few times. She kept her arms under Clarke's own and held the reins between her fingers.
"My pack," Clarke reminded.
"Lincoln and Octavia will get it." Lexa tapped the mare's sides. She kept the pace at a walk because of Ares, who trotted alongside. She hoped not to wear out the wolf, although he seemed to appreciate the slightly faster pace.
Clarke was relieved to be off her feet. Her injured leg was going to take time and rest, which was not on her to do list. She softly sighed. Right now was a chance to rest, and she unknowingly sunk into Lexa, until she felt Lexa stiffen. Clarke straightened up and muttered an apology.
Lexa released out a low breath. The pain from her side and broken ribs eased after the new weight was gone. She was unprepared for Clarke to lean into her. Normally she only wrapped her breasts, but before she left the grounder camp, she had wrapped her entire torso to add support. Broken ribs were an annoyance to Lexa.
"It's okay," Lexa murmured.
Clarke bit her lip and tasted the undercurrent of comfort in Lexa's simple words. It meant that the commander was only startled by their closeness, not angry. She cleared her throat and softly stated, "I guess I am headed to Polis after all." She assumed taking Lexa's hand earlier meant she had given into Lexa's invite.
"We will continue east." Lexa considered Clarke's odd direction. "East to nowhere," she softly added.
Clarke grunted at the commander's smart comment. She gripped the saddlehorn and explained, "I want to see Washington D.C. It was the old capitol of the country."
"Polis is now the capitol," Lexa stated.
"That was my guess since the name means 'government' in Ancient Greek." Clarke was a history buff. She especially enjoyed ancient history, when man only knew iron and bronze. Yet she hardly expected to return to Earth and find humans had returned to such ways.
"You will not find your old capitol," Lexa informed.
Clarke held her tongue. She and Lexa could buttheads until the sun went dead. It was the nature of their relationship. But, she had to admit that overtime it had improved thanks to mutual respect and understanding built between them. Her mind wandered at such thoughts and seemed to match the horse's motions.
Lexa peered down and confirmed why Clarke had grown so quiet. She traded the left rein into her right hand then she slid her left arm securely around Clarke's waist. She drew their bodies even closer and held her breath as Clarke's weight leaned into her. Lexa was ready this time and waited for her body to absorb the initial pain. Once settled, she refocused on the ride.
Clarke rested her head against Lexa's shoulder as she remained asleep during the ride east. It was a more fitful sleep than her past attempts. The commander's proximity kept her safe from falling out of the saddle.
A couple of hours passed before Lexa turned in the saddle and hollered a command in Trigedasleng. Her heavy voice stirred the Sky Princess, who was rather groggy.
Clarke wiped the sleep from her face and sat up better. She felt the commander's arm release her and retake the reins with both hands. A flush spread across her cheeks. "I… uh…"
"You needed the rest," Lexa helped. She had steered her mare off the ancient road and entered a wooded area. She watched Lincoln ride ahead of them. She had ordered him to find a camp location.
Octavia caught up to the commander and Clarke. She slowed her horse alongside and scanned their changing surroundings.
Lexa also kept a careful watch. She sensed Clarke was wide awake now.
Clarke was quiet and listened for anything unusual. She reached behind, and her fingertips grazed the Glock handgun. It offered a sense of security in such strange lands.
A low but distinct whistle caught Lexa's ear. She returned Lincoln's call and followed the direction to him. She, Octavia, and Clarke entered a nice clearing that would provide for them tonight.
"A creek is not far," Lincoln informed and pointed in the general direction of the creek. He and the others dismounted the horses.
Lexa faced Clarke, who was still in the saddle. She waited until Clarke had her injured leg over the saddle then she helped Clarke get down. She made sure Clarke settled onto the ground with most her weight on the good the leg. Off to her right, she saw Ares in the corner of her eye.
"I'm alright," Clarke softly insisted.
"You are hurt," Lexa just as softly insisted.
"So are you." Clarke kept the challenge out of her voice because she was only concerned. She noted the sweat was still across Lexa's brow.
Octavia was untacking her horse, and she did her best to ignore Lexa and Clarke's whispers. She heard pieces of it and suspected Clarke was still unaware what had happened to Lexa back at the grounder camp.
"I tolerate it better than you," Lexa reminded. She sensed Clarke was about to ask her what had happened and why Lexa was injured after the war. She cut it off by turning to Lincoln. "We will hunt." She received Lincoln's nod so she turned back to Clarke. "I suggest you and Octavia go to the creek." She indicated Clarke's leg. "The cool water will help it." She then slipped away.
Lincoln had a bow and filled quiver in his hands. He followed behind his commander into the woods.
Octavia set the tack down and decided to take care of Lincoln's horse next. She dare not touch Lexa's horse unless she wanted to lose a hand. She sensed Clarke at her side, but she focused on her task.
"Thank you for coming," Clarke attempted.
Ares still sat in the same spot, relaxing. He watched his friend and the other female talk.
Octavia jerked too hard on a leather strap. She ignored the horse's displeased huff. "We're just following orders."
Clarke nearly argued that Octavia only did so if she wished to do so. She snapped her jaw shut though, but she sensed Octavia was hardly done.
"And somehow you got my brother to lie about your whereabouts." Octavia removed the saddle and took it over to her own.
"What?" Clarke watched Octavia come back with Clarke's pack.
"Yeah." Octavia thrust the pack into Clarke's arms. "He said you were at the drop ship."
Clarke was confused and explained, "I never told him to lie for me, Octavia."
Octavia shook her head and worked on the bridle last. "Everybody covers for you."
Clarke had placed her pack against a tree. She turned on her boot heels because Octavia's words dug under her skin, intentionally. With a hot temper, she stalked up to Octavia and snapped, "Screw you."
Octavia held the bridle in her right hand. She clenched her jaw after her own favorite words were turned on her.
"Next time there's a war, I'll let you make the decision about who lives and dies." Clarke held Octavia's cold stare. "Then I'll ask you how well you sleep at night." She brushed past Octavia and started towards the creek.
Ares popped up and trotted off in Clarke's direction.
Octavia closed her eyes and gave a heavy sigh. She quickly deposited the bridle near the saddle then grabbed a worn towel from her own saddlebag. She hurried after Clarke, who was already at the creek. She paused beside the tree line and studied Clarke's stiff shoulders. She watched as Clarke removed her black jacket and revealed the torn shirt under it. She placed it on the ground, next to Ares.
After a heavy sigh, Octavia stepped onto the river stones and approached Clarke. "Here." She held out the folded towel. "There's soap in there."
Clarke accepted the towel and opened it carefully. She found the round soap, which had a distinct pine scent that reminded her of the Woods Clan's territory. For some reason, part of her associated it with home. "Thank you," she murmured.
Octavia gave a low nod. "I'll keep watch." She backed up to a log that had once traveled down the creek and was now smooth. "Don't let any water snakes grab you."
Clarke had a sad smile at old, scary memories from their first adventure. She set the towel on a large riverbed stone along the water's edge. She continued removing her clothes, careful with her pants as they went over her wrapped wound. Once fully nude, Clarke slipped into the cool water and knew it would be a fast bath but a necessary one. A quick glance at her watch told her it was almost four o'clock.
Ares remained on the shoreline and drank some of the cool water. He sat down but occasionally sniffed the air. Nothing was unusual in the air.
The crisp but clear water soothed Clarke's muscles and cleaned her wounds. She moaned at how great it felt to clean herself. The pine soap was a treat. She had to wash her hair twice to get it completely clean. Once done, she returned to shore and realized that Octavia was gone. If only Ares could tell her what had happened to Octavia.
Clarke hastily gathered her towel, opened it, and covered herself. Her alarm increased when she called for Octavia.
Suddenly somebody jumped from the tree along the creek's side. The commander straightened up and in her right hand, she held a circular weapon that reminded Clarke of the one that had gone into one of the 100's head. She swallowed hard.
"I sent Octavia to get clean clothes." Lexa approached the Sky Princess and black wolf. She hooked the weapon behind her back.
Clarke tightened her hand around the towel. She was uneasy about Lexa's presence and the fact that Lexa may have been watching her, naked in the water. Clarke was at a loss for words once Lexa stood in front of her. The commander was fully clothed in armor and leather with a variety of weapons. Clarke only had her towel, and her father's watch.
"Your wet hair reminds me of melted gold." Lexa was studying Clarke's dark golden hair, still damp from the water.
Clarke swallowed hard, further uneasy. She attempted to hold up the conversation, but she stuttered. "Y-y-you've seen melted gold?"
Lexa smirked at Clarke's still perceptive nature despite their awkward situation. "Many times." She tilted her head as the smirk slipped away. "My father was a blacksmith before he was a warrior."
Clarke was startled into silence from the tiny window into Lexa's past. Some part of her never imagined that Lexa had parents, as if Lexa was born as the commander. Her furrowed brow grew deeper, and she was about to ask more until Octavia interrupted them.
"Sorry I took so long." Octavia hesitated once she saw how close Lexa and Clarke stood next to each other. She bit back a grin because it reminded her greatly of herself and Lincoln. She noticed how Ares sat next to them and watched them with peaked interest.
"It's alright." Clarke sidestepped the commander.
Lexa stepped back and faced Octavia, who joined them. She nodded at Octavia, in silent order. She then left the pair and returned to camp without another word.
Clarke blew out a breath and loosened her death grip on the towel.
Octavia struggled to keep her mouth shut. She instead focused on the clothes in her hands. She had brought them from the grounder camp, under Lincoln's suggestion. "They're sorta grounder clothes, but I did my best to guess your size." She knew Clarke was larger framed than herself.
"I'm sure they're fine." Clarke was happy to be out of her old ones. She doubted she could salvage her jeans after the one pant leg was shredded by the creature's talons.
Octavia set the items on the river stone. "I'll wait for you up here." She wanted to give Clarke some type of privacy, even though they were fairly comfortable with each other.
Clarke nodded and waited until Octavia was within the trees. She sighed then quickly changed into the clean clothes. She finished off with putting on socks and her boots. Once done, she picked up the towel and folded it with the soap in between it.
Octavia straightened up from the tree when Clarke and Ares came to her. Together they returned to camp and found that Lincoln was already cooking two skinned rabbits over a campfire. Like the others, she was hungry. She decided to help Lincoln with the other items for dinner.
Ares broke away from Clarke and found a comfortable spot by the fire. It was also a strategic position near the food.
Clarke debated what to do with her clothes and simply placed them on the ground beside her pack. She retrieved a clean wrap from her medical supplies and looked over at Lexa, who was caring for her horse. She needed help with the wrap and Lincoln and Octavia were already busy with the meal.
Lexa had untacked her horse, and she spent time brushing her down. Each time the brush went down, her freehand followed behind it. She paused when Clarke neared her.
"Do you have a minute to wrap my leg again?"
Lexa nodded and tossed the brush near the saddle. She patted the mare's side in silent signal to go eat grass. She then followed Clarke over to a spot near the campfire. Similar to last time, she knelt in front of Clarke and unraveled the wrap.
Clarke pulled up the black pant leg and patiently waited for the commander to tend to her.
Lexa could see that Clarke's leg was still swollen, but she suspected the cool water helped it. Gingerly, she started to bring the wrap around the slashed flesh.
Clarke could no longer ignore the tension. She always broke the silence between them. "I'm sorry about earlier." She understood how far she had pushed Lexa's buttons in the church. It was to a dangerous breaking point for Lexa, and Clarke had wanted it. "I'm very angry."
"I know."
Clarke clenched her hands against her thigh. "I do want to die," she finally admitted aloud. She had been close to it days ago and again today, a couple of times.
"I will not be the one to kill you," Lexa whispered. She peered up from her administrations and held Clarke's blue eyes. "Despite you provoked me to do so." She saw Clarke's eyes drop, in guilt. She continued wrapping Clarke's leg.
Clarke sighed and lowered her head. Something dark in the recess of her mind had chosen Lexa to be the one to kill her. She knew exactly what words would incite the dark commander deep in Lexa, and it had started to work until Lexa destroyed it with her sweet confession. For such a cold war commander, Lexa could battle and disarm with simple, sweet words. She recalled the time Lexa revealed that she cared for Clarke, on a personal level. It was hardly that long ago even though it seemed like it had been years.
"I just… don't know what to do with this anger," Clarke rasped.
Lexa worked on tying the wrap. It seemed as if her entire focus was on it, but she listened to Clarke's desperate words. "It will give way to your pain soon."
Clarke feared so. "Then what?"
"You have a choice." Lexa finished the knot then lifted her head. She met Clarke's worried features. "You can move on or let it consume you." She then pulled Clarke's pant leg down.
Clarke gave a faint nod at Lexa's last words. She watched Lexa stand up and leave her. A low sigh drifted from her lips.
The rest of evening passed in silence. Lexa had left the camp after caring for Clarke's wound. She performed a perimeter check and returned for dinner. She ate alone, back against a tree along the clearing's edge. Her dark eyes often fell upon the Sky Princess. She considered tomorrow's plans, which were in Clarke's hands. It was extremely difficult to silently rest the command into Clarke's damaged hands. However, it was a decision Lexa had made to garner trust again.
Lincoln and Octavia ate together, occasionally chatting about things. Octavia worked on her Trigedasleng, which was becoming easier.
Clarke had company at her side. She fed Ares some of the meat, and she was surprised when he took some of the vegetables too. She was grateful that he continued to accompany her. His loyalty reminded her greatly of Finn. However, she thought of Lexa whenever she gazed upon Ares. His eyes spoke to her, like Lexa's own.
After dinner, Clarke glanced over her shoulder at Lexa, who hid in the shadows past the campfire. She knew exactly where the commander was, even in the early darkness. She blew out a low breath then climbed to her feet. A few steps showed her limp before she worked through the pain. She set her dirty wood bowl on top of the others.
Lexa carefully watched the Sky Princess, who started to the camp's edge. She canted her head and grinned at Clarke's motions to check that the handgun was still present. She was pleased by Clarke's developed habit for safety. Lexa was further pleased when Ares accompanied her out of the camp.
"Heda?" Lincoln softly called.
Lexa rose from her spot, went to the campfire, and deposited her own dish into the others. "I will watch her."
Lincoln nodded and continued practicing Trigedasleng with Octavia. Their fingertips traced each other's hands as they worked on Octavia's tones.
Lexa vanished into the woods and followed Clarke's cold trail to the creek. She found the Sky Princess seated on a large river stone and gazed upon the stars. Ares was between Clarke's feet, and he turned his head when he smelled Lexa.
Clarke tightened her grip on the gun until Lexa made her footfall purposely loud. She sadly smiled at the fact she had learned Lexa's footfall. "There's some room." She patted the empty space to her right.
Lexa remembered the last time they had star gazed together. She slid into the vacant spot beside the Sky Princess.
Clarke was idly running her fingers through Ares's fur. She and Ares shared comfort from the repetitive yet affectionate motions.
"Who were you just thinking about?" Lexa asked.
Clarke licked her lips but kept her eyes on the stars. "How do you know it was a who and not a what?" She met Lexa's dark features and Lexa's unspoken reply went between them. She sighed and weakly admitted, "Finn."
Lexa dipped her head slightly then looked at the stars again.
"I was forgiving him." Clarke stared sadly at the stars. "He wanted me to forgive him… but…" She shook her head, not wanting to discuss it further. She remembered the night she had mercy killed him on the hill.
Lexa sat quietly for awhile then she finally asked what had been on her mind since that very night. "Why did you not kill me?"
Clarke tensed at the discussion's new direction. "You knew the blade was there." She looked at Lexa and countered, "Why didn't you stop me?"
"It was your choice to use it… as you saw fit." Lexa kept her eyes trained on the night sky. "You asked me for mercy."
"It was the only mercy you could show us… show him," Clarke realized aloud. That night Lexa had allowed Clarke the choice to end Finn's life without pain or allow the grounders to give him the death of eighteen innocent.
"Just because I am a savage does not mean I do not understand, Clarke." Lexa remembered the Sky Princess's harsh words. "I understood his pain that day in the village and your pain that night."
Clarke had her head down, her hair hiding her contorted features. Her eyes burned badly. "I was so angry at you. I wanted to jam that blade into your heart." She remembered Lexa questioning her the next day about stabbing her, instead of Finn. She lifted her head and hoarsely added, "See if you bled because I was sure you wouldn't bleed." She hated confessing her feelings from that night, yet they were opening up to each other. "But every time you had a reason why you couldn't free him, I realized that you had your hands tied by your people. And I knew it was true that he had murdered those people." She shook her head and whispered, "I finally agreed with you."
"He is in a better place now, Clarke."
"Yeah." Clarke swallowed the lump down and whispered, "I'm starting to think so too." She let her words hang in the air until suddenly Lexa gripped her forearm.
"And it is not a place for you," Lexa stated. She locked eyes with Clarke. "Not right now." Perhaps never, she silently added. She released Clarke. Again she and Clarke fell into silence, but it was more comfortable than earlier.
Clarke lowered her eyes from the stars after she thought about the meukre again. She wanted to learn more about them but not tonight. Still her mind rehashed the fight and made her look at Lexa. "How did you do that earlier?" She found curious features on her. "How did you lift that meukre off the ground?"
Lexa revealed a dark smile, and she leaned in closer. "It is my soul, Clarke." She straightened up again. "But, you do not believe in my commander spirit."
Clarke worked her jaw a few times then finally stated, "Seeing is believing." She shook her head and argued, "That was impossible unless you had an adrenaline rush."
Lexa was unsure what Clarke spoke of, but she offered, "I can demonstrate it again." She held out her gloved hand. "If you will provide your neck for it."
Clarke slotted her eyes and read the mirth in the commander's eyes. She watched a sly smile tug at the corners of Lexa's lips. Suddenly she smacked Lexa's open palm. "Funny, funny." She shook her head. "A grounder with a sense of humor."
"More dangerous than my superior strength."
Clarke rolled her eyes and shook her head again. "I think I liked it better when it was just me and Ares here."
Lexa slid off the rock. "Then I will take my leave."
"Oh please," Clarke drew out in an aspirated tone. She hooked Lexa's solid arm, which was clad in leather from the long jacket. "You'll just sit in a tree and watch me anyway." She hauled Lexa back down.
The commander slid into the spot again. She then removed her gloves and reached for Ares. "He has taken a liking to you."
Clarke studied her furry friend. "I saved him from a trap. He's been following me ever since."
"I can understand why he has done so." Lexa peered up from the wolf. "He walks my same path."
Clarke was confused what Lexa meant until it hit her exactly what trap Lexa had walked into that Clarke saved her. She hated memories about Tondc, but it had been a trap from the Mountain Men. After the destruction, Lexa had indeed changed course with Clarke.
Lexa saw that Clarke understood now. She leaned in closer to Clarke and whispered, "You could have let that missile hit Tondc with me in it... my generals too. You would have been rid of all the clan leaders, but you saved me from it."
"I rode as hard as I could," Clarke recalled. Her worries were with the people, but her fears were for Lexa that night.
"You rode well," Lexa stated. Clarke's speed had saved her life.
Clarke had a sad smile. She was unsure which memory drained her more, Tondc or Mount Weather. She hated those places, right now. Yet, she realized Lexa's death would have been the hardest blow if she had failed to warn Lexa.
Lexa leaned back into her own space. She let out a low breath and looked at Ares again. She continued playing with his fur.
Clarke was doing the same, her hands never touching Lexa's though. She could tell Ares loved the attention. She smiled and mentioned, "He's taking a liking to you too." She noticed how Ares stayed away from Lincoln and Octavia.
"It would appear so."
Clarke bit her lip then finally confessed, "I named him after you."
Lexa's hands went still in Ares's fur, and it caused Clarke's hands to travel over hers. She peered up into soft blue eyes that shined under the half moon.
Clarke heard Lexa's unvoiced question so she shrugged and explained, "He has your eyes and wears your war paint."
"But how does the name relate to my own?" Lexa countered.
Clarke puckered her lips for a second then looked down at the black wolf. "Ares was the God of War." She gave another shrug. "Just like you are the Commander of War."
"What religion?" Lexa asked.
Clarke quickly looked up after she heard Lexa's interests. "Greek… Ancient Greek." She could hardly control her excitement about the topic. "His name literally means battle. He was extremely dangerous, and his thirst for war could never be quenched. His prowess as a warrior could not be matched by any mortal or god." She saw that Lexa intently listened to her. "His lover was the Goddess of Love, Aphrodite."
Lexa tilted her head and summarized, "His counterpart."
Clarke nodded. "His balance," she softly added.
Lexa agreed. She withdrew her hands from Ares and put on her gloves. "You have learned much about Ancient Greece."
"Art and history… my two favorites," Clarke confessed. "But, history is fickle, and it likes to repeat itself."
Lexa had a faint grin.
At such thoughts, Clarke lifted her gaze and studied the commander's profile. "If you could do it over again… would you still choose to be the commander?"
"It was not a choice." Lexa folded her hands in her lap.
"But if you could choose, would you choose this life for yourself?" Clarke waited, patiently. She wondered if an answer would come or if she had pushed too far.
"Yes."
Clarke went still, even her breath caught in her chest. She expected Lexa to choose differently, even if to be a general or famed warrior, but not the commander.
Lexa turned her head to Clarke. "How else would I meet the Sky Princess?"
Sharply Clarke let out her half breath. Each time a sweet confession tumbled from Lexa's lips, Clarke's anger weakened further. She was starting to see that Lexa did care, and more. Their first and last kiss was just before the ugly march on Mount Weather, but it was strong memory that remained on the surface. It often drifted to Clarke's consciousness and teased her.
Clarke's attempts to ignore the tease were broken each time Lexa acknowledged a little more emotion. She shut her eyes as the memory colored her cheeks.
Lexa stared at Clarke's lips. She was lost in the same memory from days ago. Yet, she remembered why Clarke had drawn away from her too. Not yet, she reminded herself. Perhaps never, Lexa's inner voice echoed for the second time tonight. She hopped off the rock and suggested, "We should return to camp."
Clarke slowly opened her eyes and studied the commander in front of her. Even though Lexa kept a cool mask on, it was obvious their charge excited Lexa too. But, not yet, Clarke remembered from days ago.
Similar to last time, Lexa held out her hand even though Clarke needed no assistance. "It is almost your bedtime." She enjoyed the instant flush across Clarke's face.
Clarke took the commander's gloved hand. "I like it better when you're brooding." She slid off the rock and stood, her injured leg took a second.
"I highly doubt that," Lexa countered.
Clarke rolled her eyes, again. She patted her thigh at the wolf. "Come on, Two Tails." She had the wolf on her left and Lexa took her right side. She allowed Lexa to go up the small embankment first. In that second, she noted how Lexa's long, black leather jacket had a slit part of the way up. Her creative mind imagined it as two tails, similar to Ares's own. She shook her head after she realized she had named the wolf well. She hurried up the bank's side.
Ares was last up, and he returned to Clarke's side during the walk back to camp. Occasionally he sniffed the ground.
"Heda, I can take the first watch." Lincoln was seated by the fire. To his left, Octavia slept on her side. He had put salve on her back after she had done the same for him. He was glad her wounds were healing well.
Lexa came to Lincoln's side, and she considered his offer. She gave a faint nod then went her own way.
Clarke went to her pack and freed her rolled up furs. It was the first time she noticed that the lamp had a broken lens. It must have happened during the fight with the meukre. "Great," she muttered. She hoped it would still work. She then took the furs and also her sketchbook. She found a warm spot near the fire but sat and opened her sketchbook.
Her last drawing was of the airport. She remembered the oil stain on the tarmac. She glanced across the camp to Lexa, who hid in the shadows again. She made a mental note to tell Lexa about what she saw on the tarmac. Clarke flipped to the next blank page and considered her latest drawing.
Slowly she started drawing what new encounter she had today. She was careful and detailed as she drew the first meukre she saw on the street in Reston. Her mind kept a perfect record of his appearance, right down to each scar, including the distinct one across his head. Clarke jotted down the Trigedasleng name for the creature at the bottom. After completing the drawing, she closed the journal with the pencil in it. Clarke crawled under the fur and sensed Ares next to her.
Clarke eased out a low breath. She was safe tonight under Lincoln's eye, Ares's loyalty, and Lexa's sword. She prayed her dreams were just as safe, but peace would elude her, again.
To be continued.