Chapter 8 – Hosh (Quiet)


Updated Author's Note: Chapter title altered to be more accurate.

Original Author's Note: So, let me first assuage some fears I saw in some reviews of chapters 6 and 7. This is not and will never be a Bellarke fic. I do not ship Bellarke although I see how other people do. I really only ship Clexa and Octavia x Lincoln (do they even have a ship name?) All my future 100 fics will be Clexa, so there is really nothing to worry about. I am obsessed with this pairing to an excessive extent. Don't worry. I only read Clexa fics. On the other hand, if you are looking for a quick burn Clexa or some quick Clexa smut this story is not for you. I plan to have this story be as realistic as possible. That means Clarke will not be leaping into Lexa's arms. Will Clarke and Lexa end up together? Yes. Will it take a while? Yes. Why? Because that's realistic. The whole Bellamy and Clarke deal is a set up for a future plot point that I wasn't originally planning on, but I later decided on adding. This is still Clexa. This will always be Clexa. I don't even know how I'd write Bellarke as that is over my head since I do not ship them. Anyways, enjoy this chapter. – E


As Clarke expected, when the Commander arrived for their hunting trip, she was escorted by guards. However, instead of one guard there are two. One of the guards dismounted his horse as he approached her.

"For you, Skai Heda, we will ride together," the guard said while he bowed his head and handed the reins over. Clarke looks over the horse, and she feels a little overwhelmed by her inexperience. But everyone is waiting for her to mount, so that is what she must do. Just as she is about to give her first attempt a go, the guard places a hand in front of her.

"Allow me," he said. He waited for acknowledgement then lifted Clarke atop the horse. She was placed toward the back to allow him room to mount. He took the reins from her hands and mounted the horse himself.

"You may hold on," he said in a quieter voice. That is when the Commander approached on horseback. Her small hunting team flanked her sides.

"We will be traveling to the south," she stated with a glance over to Clarke. They had not spoken any words since they arrived. Only eye contact and head nods had been made, but those English spoken words were clearly intended for her.

"Oso gon we gon ouder," she addressed one of her people. [Let's leave for there.]

"Sha, Heda," he said with a bow of his head before turning his horse around and making his way toward the south. [Yes, Commander.] The guard riding with Clarke pulled up their horse next to Lexa's. The Commander's own guard was keeping a little farther back.

"Are you excited, Clarke?" Lexa questioned. She didn't look toward Clarke when she spoke, and there was very little show of emotion. The sky girl wasn't sure what to make of it initially.

"Nervous, if I am honest," she said quietly.

"There is nothing to be nervous about. You will be safe."

"It's not my safety I'm nervous about," she clarified.

"Then what?"

"My hunting ability," she said softer. It was a mere statement, and she was sure Lexa knew that before she forwarded the invitation. Although, it was less of an invitation and more of statement that she would go hunting with them.

"It is okay, Clarke. We are aware. Why do you think we are heading to the south?"

"Because there is more wildlife?" she offered.

"Because your people are loud." Clarke wasn't looking at Lexa, but she swore she could hear a playful smirk in the Commander's voice. "You scare all the prey away."

Clarke could not resist rolling her eyes and disputed, "We have managed just fine."

"Managing and thriving are two far different things, Clarke."

The Commander had a point, but Clarke struggled with the idea that a high-meat diet was the key to thriving. She would allow Lexa to have this one though. It almost felt good to be able to talk with Lexa again. As their horses walked side by side, the pair spoke of plans for Polis. Clarke was to leave with Lexa after the rest of the work crew arrived, and together they would make their journey to the capital. Guards would accompany them as well as Indra and several Trikru members. Their first night in Polis they were expected to be at a dinner with several other clan leaders, but Lexa assured they would have down time between meetings in the following days. While this was a business trip, pleasure was allowed.

Clarke was pleased at how easily the words were flowing with Lexa, but her mind and her heart were still set on protection mode. Nothing personal was being spoken of, and that was how she wanted to keep it. This was purely about the alliance and the start of rebuilding friendly interactions. Clarke knew nothing good would come from holding onto her anger for Lexa, but that didn't mean she would forget it completely.

The actual hunting part of the hunting trip was far from eventful for Clarke. Lexa and her men did all of the hunting. She could hear them speak in grounder to their Commander as they moved through the forest, and she was fairly sure many of them were objecting to her presence. At one point, she was pretty sure the commander threatened to slit one of the hunter's throats if he didn't quiet up. It was just a guess, but the knife against his throat was pretty good evidence. When they began their journey back to Camp Jaha, Clarke took the opportunity to speak to the guard she was riding with.

"They were talking about me," she stated.

"Do not worry about them Skai Heda," he assured.

"What were they saying?" she asked.

"They do not think you should be with us because you are too noisy."

"The Commander didn't seem too happy with them," she said almost trying to defend the heavy foot falls she had made.

"She was not. She said their constant talking was far worse, and she should just silence them herself."

Clarke nodded and held onto the guard's armor. She was about to ask another question when Lexa pulled her horse back and circled around to come up beside them. She looked as though she wanted to ask something, but the words fell silent on her tongue.

"I enjoyed myself," Clarke said while filling in the blanks.

"Next time I will be sure to bring others instead of them," she said with a glance toward her people in front of them.

"It's okay," she said, "They just aren't used to hunting with someone lacking any skill."

"Everyone starts somewhere, Clarke," she said, and a small smile graced her closed lips. "You are just far behind."

The blonde pressed her lips together to keep a smile from forming. She glanced down and said, "Well, I'll have to just catch up then."


Original Author's Note: Thank you so much for all the encouraging words and comments regarding the storyline. I have huge plans for this story and everything is very carefully planned out (at least that is my hope). Here we have seen Clarke and Lexa's relationship building back up to a sort of "level 1" friendship. Where they are friendly, but they are not feeding personal feelings to one another, instead they are simply enjoying one's company and letting it be. At the bottom I'll be writing some individualized responses to reviews just so that you understand better as a reader where I (as the writer) am coming from. Also, I plan on writing some Clexa songfics in the near future. I understand songfics aren't everyone's thing, but I suggest you give mine a try. There will be a songfic series related to Den, ai hod yu in (it will take place in the same universe with direct references) as well as a series of In This Moment smutty Clexa songfics. If you have song suggestions, I will consider any of them.

Reviews:

laulue & kawagirl1993: I look forward to your two reviews so much. Thanks for sticking with me and the lovely reviews! laulue, I hope you enjoyed the hunting trip even though I do not feel, myself, much happened. More will happen in the next chapter. I promise. kawagirl1993, their connection is very important, and I'm glad you see it! Lots of talking (and struggle) will be involved before a romantic relationship will be formed. But hopefully the story is still enjoyable to you!

The smell of blood and sand: So glad you think Sam is adorable! I am rather fond of him!

resinswhy: Okay, your review made me laugh hysterically right before I was about to go to bed. You're right. It's not a tea party! Get it together Clarke!

stingslikeabee: Me too, me too!