Hi back again. Sorry for the delay (again). I had fun with this chapter I like exploring the idea that in isolation the two groups would have developed two different cultures. I realise that Indra might be getting a little OC at this point but all the characters in the 100 have a lot of depth and I wanted to bring out hers (plus I love her grumpy pants). Once again if there is any plot inconsistencies from previous chapters just roll with it :P info in later chapters supersedes the old chapters. Also uh sorry in advance?...you'll see what I mean.. this chapter gets a little intense.

Lexa tugged her hood closer around her as she stepped out of the stables only to halt abruptly as she spotted Lincoln directly in front of her, his back to her as he wound some rope around his arm.

Her gazed darted around in a panic before spying a fully laden cart which she promptly launched herself behind, just moments before the big scout turned to pick up a saddle by his feet, muscles in his arms rippling as he hoisted it onto the fence in front of him.

Lexa peered through the sacks piled on the cart before turning away and cursing herself vehemently. Heda does not hide! All the same she furtively casts another glance over her shoulder. Heda doesn't hide but Lexa does apparently. Lexa growls to herself she doesn't even know why she's hiding! She'd been showing Clarke the Makers Quarter. Things had gone well earlier in the week at the Markets.

EARLIER IN THE WEEK

She'd found Clarke once again loitering in the corridor outside her room as promised. The other girl had raised an eyebrow but no protest as Lexa had brought her into her rooms, passed her a cloak and shuffled her down and out the secret passage that lay behind a shelf of belongings.

Clarke had been quiet throughout their escape from the tower and Lexa hoped she wasn't thinking of the last time the two of them had donned disguises and slunk out of a building in secret. She wanted Clarke to think more of her than that. The thought forcing her to explain.

"We can see more if people do not recognise me as Heda. I want you see Polis as it is, without the influence of my title…."

Clarke was still surprisingly quiet and merely replied with a small "Sure, ok"

Which did nothing to alleviate Lexa's nerves. Still, she told herself if she could lead the combined armies of Twelve Clans she could lead one girl through a market.

"Linkon." Said Indra coming to stand beside the man as he worked. Lexa again cursed under her breath and instantly felt conflicted. Should she stay hidden? She did not wish to give away that she was present but she also wanted to give them their privacy, she was aware that their relationship had been fraught for many seasons, even before the Skaikru fell.

"Indra" The big man nodded not looking up from his task.

The brusque warrior leant up against the railing on which he was working surveying the bustling crowd.

"You should buy Oktavia some good food, festival food. Maybe some Caff (coffee)... if you can find any here this time of year or some of those glowing berries the Trishana bring . The ships from the south won't be in till after winter now." She states this with the same serious intensity she'd use to discuss battle plans. From her vantage point Lexa could only make out half of Linkon's face but she saw his befuddlement register clearly as he stilled his hands and gave Indra his attention.

"What? Why?" He gave a light chuckle "Could you imagine Okteivia with Caff (coffee)? She can barely find stillness as it is! " he sighed "I would gladly shower her with gifts if I were able but you know I don't have the trade. Not for something as rare as that""

The other woman grunts

"If there is some in the market I will help you buy it." she still is yet to look at the man by her side persisting in surveying the crowd but Linkon now faces her.

"Indra. What is this about? Why all of a sudden is it so important that I buy Okteivia food of all things? Important enough that you would speak to me of it?"

Indra looks like she's tasted something bad before she gives a truly aggrieved sigh turning to face the big man and grits out.

"Its courting Linkon...Skaikru courting" She faces back out to the crowd before continuing in a quieter voice "Every houmon deserves to feel the joy of a proper courting. Oktavia more than most…."

Linkon is silent but he is now giving Indra his full attention.

"I...I had not even thought to ask...I did not think it mattered" The man ran his hand over his shaved head in what Lexa perceived to be a stressed gesture "She seems happy I thought it was enough that we were together" Now, to Lexa's utter amazement, the seasoned scout looked positively bashful "I uh I...left her flowers...in the beginning." He rubbed his head again shuffled his feet "before everything got…" he waves his hand in a loose gesture "complicated". Complicated being code for "before her brother caught and tortured him" thought Lexa. He looks back at the General "but maybe she didn't understand?" He casts a glance at Indra before his eyes widen and he slaps his hand to his face cursing himself " Branwoda! Of course she didn't! There are no flowers in the sky!"

The older woman shoots him a bemused look full of affection and Lexa wishes she could give them their privacy, despite her own closely guarded interest in the courting customs of Skaikru but she's lingered too long and she cannot hope to leave now and not be noticed.

"Fear not my skat (boy)... for our Okteivia it is more than enough that you chose her and I suspect gifting flowers is an obvious enough a gesture that it will have transcended the differences in our cultures " then she continues with an arched brow "Still you should do more.." says with a firm nod

"Yes Chief" He replies calling her chief despite Indra's new rank of General and Lexa can hear the affection there. The woman in question is regarding him fiercely now.

"Indra..."

She sighs "I have not been fair to you Linkon."

"No Indra...I broke from our people, I broke from you"

But she shakes her head "No Linkon you followed your heart, I betray you long before that...Milo would be disappointed in me"

Linkon gave a rueful smile "You were..are his hero you could never disappoint him"

Indra grunted. "You will find skat, that in life it is our heros that disappoint us the most. No he would be disappointed." she says as a statement of fact "You are his Keryon Bro (soul brother) I have let him down because I have let you down." she says simply "I should have protected you after he fell but I blamed you" The tattooed woman clenched her jaw and continued "...I just could not...It shames me to say it but I just could not look to you and see you and not him, I could not understand why the Gods took my son from me and left you in his place"

" Your false son ...I was not enough, just as I wasn't for my father" fills in Linkon

Indra scowls "Your father was a selfish unkind man and I am sorry we left you with him as long as we did"

Lincoln gives a tight shrug "He wanted a warrior and I wasn't one. I never measured up" and even Lexa from a distance can hear the self recrimination in the big man.

"Oh Hush" The gruff General turns to grip the man's shoulder holding his gaze " You are one of the finest scouts TonDC has ever produced. Scouts are gona (warriors), fisa (healers) and trikova (shadows) all in one. I'd like to see your useless branwoda father do half as well as you have. You might look like your father but your soul is your mother's. I was sorry for her passing. I should not be surprised you two found each other my skat without a Nontu and you without a Nomon"

"Milo did not have a warrior's soul either" mummers the big man.

The woman is silent for a long time.

"No. No he did not... like you he was made for gentler things but I pushed him to be a Gona. I pushed him because I wanted him to be strong. I saw us surrounded by enemies and I thought the only way my goufa would survive was if he was strong. Gona strong"

"There is no shame in wanting your son to be strong Chief.." he said softly

"No. But there is shame in pushing him into being something he was not. In the end I drove him into the arms of the very mountain I feared and after I lost him I blamed you. I blamed you for leading him away from being a gona, I blamed you for coming back without him and I blamed you for being a son but not MY son. It was easier to let you run with the Skaigada than keep you."

Lincoln now raises his own arm mirroring the older warriors earlier gesture and clasping her shoulder in return.

" It is ok Chief "

She shook her head sharply

"No it is not... but I am sorry and now we have nothing to do but move forward. So you have my support, you and Okteivia both and gods willing I will have a second chance to do right by Milo as well"

" You will Chief I am sure of it. He is stubborn like his Nomon he will not give in so easily"

Though she didn't smile Indra's lips twitched upward.

"Should you ever not have a place within the Sky Clan know you would be welcome back within Trikru, within TonDC"

Mochof Chief… But Klark is good to us and I feel she and the Skaikru need us more at the moment"

"True" conceded the other woman.

The big scout gave a rueful look while resuming his winding now it was clear the serious part of the conversation was done with.

" You know, she claimed me as her people even before the mountain fell...it meant a lot...That someone other than Okteivia would give me a place when I had none " Lexa remembers the moment well. Linkon had been caught by the Maunon (Mountain Man). Desperately Linkon had told them to disregard him, to shoot the Maunon. Clarke had replied looking as dark and determined as Lexa has ever seen her "You are my people" shooting through his shoulder, killing the Mountain Man in an impressive display of marksmanship. In her quiet moments later, Lexa had idly contemplated whether the accuracy would translate to the bow and whether she could teach Clarke, could share that with her.

Indra just gives a stiff nod in response and the two lapse into a silence more comfortable than before. Lexa was just wondering how she would ever get back to her rooms when the Scout spoke again.

"Food huh?"

"Or drink I believe…"

He looks at her incredulously

"How do you know this?"

Now the fierce General looks like she swallowed something sour.

"Okteivia spoke to me…"

The scout looks at her horrified.

"About us?!"

"No" though she looked no less displeased "About the Commander" It took all of Lexa's training to hold her position and not to start forward. Lincoln looks bemused.

"Okteivia spoke to you... about the Commander ...and Skaikru courting customs…"

"I am trying to repress it."

"Why?" he said baffled

"I should have thought that was obvious... the conversation was tedious"

'No." He said exasperated "Why would she discuss such things with you!" Yes thought Lexa still precariously trapped behind her cart but now hanging on every word. Why indeed?

Indra gave a rare grin.

"You should have seen her" and now, to Lexa's shock, the woman out right laughs " terrified to bring it up with me but fierce like lioness defending her cub" and Lincoln joins her in a fond smile

"Apparently she had some concerns"

"Oh?"

"Apparently the Commander showed the Skai Prisa to the market and bought her lunch and it seems Okteivia is worried about her intentions. Our young gona wanted *me* to alert the Commander of Skaikru customs just in case she is unaware...so there is no potential misunderstandings"

Lincoln snorted

" and will you?"

Indra looks at the man flatly "Skat, I'd rather fight a pauna in the frozen tundra of . than have that conversation"

Lincoln gives a full throated laugh.

She shrugs" I trust they can sort such things out for themselves and their business is nobody's but their own" her she gives him a pointed look "…..but perhaps if you could deliver your gift to Okteivia while in the commander's presence I feel that would resolve it" They shared a few more moments together before Indra left and Lincoln resumed his task. While she waited for the scout to leave Lexa thought back to the trip to the markets…

EARLIER IN THE WEEK

She guided Clarke towards one of the places she most wanted to show if only to see the other girls reaction to it. They'd spent the better part of the morning in the Markets and despite being initially subdued Clarke soon became animated at the sites and sounds of the market. Her eyes glowed as she took in craftsmen spruiking their wares, the fruit seller selling fruits the likes of which the skaigada had surely never seen and the sheer numbers in the crowd.

Lexa watched as Clarke was distracted by a stall held by someone from the Delfikru (Delphi Clan) the blonde pausing to reach out a hand to lightly finger the brightly coloured braid work the Clan was famed for.

" And here I thought your people only believed in wearing blacks and skulls" commented other girl still distracted by the braid work in front of her.

Lexa shrugs lightly "Black and Skulls keep us safe in war...but we are not always at war. Come." She says grasping her wrist lightly and leading her onwards to Drew's stall. Honey. Honey is what she most wants to share with Clarke, Clarke who had never eaten things from animals. Honey, which was her favourite.

"Hei Drew!"

"Hei Dria! You've returned! I'm glad that I did not have to wait another three winters until I got to see your smiling face! And you've brought a friend I see!"

Lexa gave him a laugh

" I told you Drew I'm back. Now tell me how is my timing? How is the afternoon batch coming along?"

"As usual yongon your timing is spot on! They should be ready to come out of the oven at any moment" Out of the corner of her eye she can see Clarke staring at her incredulously, she supposes her persona as Dria is very different to that of Heda and neither of them are truly Lexa. Noticing that the stall is quiet she decides to take a risk.

She leans forward conspiratorially "Can you keep a secret my old friend?" Drew looks mildly affronted

"Course I can I ain't no market gossip!"

Lexa looks back at a now wide eyed blonde before replying.

" I met my friend…" She pauses only slightly as she searches for an alias for Clarke "...Claire here while I was away at the Battle of the Mountain. Claire is a Skayon! (Sky Person)"

"No? You don't say!" he replies old eyes bright clapping his hands together.

"Well girl c'mere then!"

Clarke shuffles forward looking uncertainly at Lexa.

"Come now! None of that! Dria is one of my oldest and greatest customers! Any friend of hers is a friend o'mine."

"I brought her to you Drew because I need your help on an important matter!" Lexa keeps her tone in the same dramatic hushed voice as before, the one she use to use at the Tellerhouse when she was a yongon

"Claire has never tried honey…."

The old man drew in a sharp breath looking scandalized. Lexa can tell he's playing it up to jest along with her.

"WHAT?! Impossible!"

Lexa schools her face to impassiveness

"She comes from the sky and there is no honey in the sky" she turns to Clarke " Isn't that right Claire?"

Clarke still looks unsure but seems willing to play along.

"Yeah it's true...but I do know about it...it comes from bugs right?"

Drew's incredulity seems more real now as he stares at the blonde in disbelief.

"Bugs?! Bugs? You think….they're bees goufa BEES" he runs a hand through his hair muttering to himself before all of a sudden he hustles the two of them into his stall, sitting them down on a workbench before spinning and peering in the oven

"It is a good thing you brought her to me Old Drew has the best honey cakes in Polis! Doesn't know what honey is why I never…." The rest of his words are cut off as he leans toward his produce.

Clarke turned to her while Drew's head was almost entirely in the oven.

"You're different out here….*Dria*"

Lexa gives a noncommittal shrug

"I am always who I need to be...people trust someone affable , quick to laugh."

Clarke scowls "So you're playing him….lying."

Now Lexa frowns and sighs would Clarke ever stop seeing the worst in everything she did?

"No. Dria is still me just the best version of me for this purpose…" Clarke says nothing to this and Lexa continues " Dria is as much my name as Lexa." She suddenly feels shy which is a ridiculous notion " my full name is Alexandria.." She say in a rush, it suddenly seemed absurd that she had never told Clarke this, that with all the weight of emotion between them Clarke did not even know her full name.

Clarke turns her head to regard her and her expression is no longer closed off instead it is soft.

"I know, I mean I heard. Alexandria... I think it suits you.

Hearing Clarke say her name made her heart stutter in her chest and she could do nothing to stop the tentative smile breaking out on her face. When the blonde returned it she was glad she hadn't.

"Do you prefer Dria then? Is it like your nickname?"

The the term "nickname" was outside of Lexa's knowledge of Gonasleng but she inferred it's meaning.

"No not really...It is from a time when I had a greater freedom and greater need of a cover, to be someone I'm not. My friends and allies call me Lexa" She is amused by her next thought " It is mostly my enemies and my Nomon who call me Alexandria..."

"You have a mother?" Queries Clarke sharply before biting her lip as if she wished she could bite back the words.

Lexa cast a wry look at the other girl

"Of course. I did not spring forth from the earth fully formed from clay Clarke."

"No, No I know! I just meant…" she trails of helplessly Lexa takes pity on her.

"It is true, as a Natblida and potential I was separated from her for training...however I was already eight summers old before this happened "

Their moment is then interrupted by Drew crowing as he presents two piping hot honey cakes one for each of them to try.

And that is how Octavia and Ryder had found them. Sitting shoulder to shoulder, hands and faces sticky with honey and bright eyes conspicuously avoiding each other's gaze. The brunette had narrowed her eyes and growled at the two of them despite their rank making Ryder blanching beside her however Lexa swore she saw an element of smug approval in his eyes as the feisty warrior ripped into the two of them for their "reckless disregard for their own safety and the sanity of those tasked with watching them!'

Lexa scrapped her nail against the armrests of her throne while she waited for the Delegates to file Seasonal Sitting was officially starting, the event was a formal gathering, one that only happened four times a year. As such all Clans came with full ceremony, trying to show off the best their clan had to offer. Lexa herself was in the full ceremonial black and red armour of The Commander. Black and Red for she was the Commander of the Blood. Black for her own blood and red for the blood of her people.

Finally the last Delegate sat or rather no more Heda's or Ambassadors filed into the room. Which Lexa knew to be incorrect. Clarke was not here. She kept her face schooled in an impassive mask. Where was Clarke? There was the usual shuffling and murmuring as the assembly settled. Clarke would not miss this, it is unlikely she would even be late Lexa knew that the other girl had spent the last week preparing for this very meeting, speaking to other Clan Leaders, negotiating as much favour as she could curry before the event. So where was she?

Lexa waited as long as she could. She waited until the gathered ambassadors and Heda began to get restive. She could feel both Titus and Luna's gaze on her as they tried to understand the situation, Luna at least was aware of Clarkes intentions at the meeting and Titus if he was worth his salt as a Flamekeeper should also know who was missing and why she now hesitated.

She glanced behind Luna to Kyra, catching her eye. The other woman gave a subtle shake of her head indicating she was also in the dark as to the famed Wanheda's whereabouts. Her newly acquired Spymistress had, in recent days, been very informative as to the current political climate amongst her Clans. For instance she was previously unaware that Yujleda (Broadleaf) had apparently buried the hatchet with with Louwoda Kliron (Shadow Valley) The two clans having had a fractious history in the past, one that was almost as bitter as the one between Trikru and Azgeda. However according to Kyra the two were in communication and yet they still pretend to hold animosity outwardly to the other Clans. The subterfuge concerned her.

But most of the news was as she expected-The Stedakru ( Horse Clan) continued to flex and test their boundaries, trying to negotiate an alternate trade route with Trishana rather than be forced to travel through Triku as land as they currently did and Azgeda as usual continued to tow the line of sedition.

The rest was merely rumblings of discontent with her decision at Maun-de (Mount Weather). With her retreat and the subsequent fall of the Mountain those that were the wolves amongst the Clans smelled weakness and were now circling in an attempt to exploit what they could. It irked her that had the mountain NOT fallen her strength would not be in question, in fact her wisdom would be lauded . Regardless though, the Mountain HAD fallen, slain by the great Wanheda, Mountain Slayer, the Skai Prisa. Clarke. Which now put her in a delicate and somewhat precarious political position. She now must be unwavering and convince the Clans of her strength, of her will to hold this coalition together. For while the Spirit chose to whom it ascended too (and that was sacred to all)…many had no compunction about hurrying along the selection process if they did not like the current host of Heda. There could be an outright challenge of her leadership and if she fell in such a challenge the Coalition would fall as the wolves hungrily took the opportunity overpowered the weaker clans and new inexperienced Commander.

It also placed Clarke in a dangerous position that the other girl could not possibly hope to understand. By her defeat of the mountain Clarke had elevated her own spirit. Even goufa knew your spirit was the sum of your deeds, that from each victory you collected the power of your slain. Clarkes deeds lifted her to lofty heights indeed, almost as high as her own.

Clarke now had a Named spirit.

Lexa wasn't sure at what point Clarke had gained it but Lexa had known. Perhaps like recognised like? But she had always know Clarkes spirit was destined for greatness.

To the Trigeda people this earth was full of spirits, these spirits were in fact the unformed thoughts or children of the Gods. The spirits were the potential in all things and they bonded with those that suited their nature. For instance Lexa knew of a Waterfall that held a spirit Named Ogonzaunwoda (Peacewater) The place was so beautiful, the water so clean it caused any that entered it to find peace no matter how angry their hearts. There was also a great Cat Beast that guarded the pass between Stoneman and Delphi Clans. It was said to be no ordinary Cat having the smarts of a man and a heart with ten times the courage of an average cat. His Spirit Name was Fayatombom (Fire heart) Not all spirits were benevolent though. There was Ripa(murderer) out Ouskejon (blue cliff) way call Pisfesha (Mad Dog) he's victims were brutally slain and seemingly endless but such was his power none had yet been able to bring him to justice.

For all of these examples, a spirit choosing to bond and thus reveal its name was rare. Spirits mostly moved through the world and could stir people to action and influence them but rarely would they stay and bond. In fact at present there were only five known Named Spirits with human hosts (though many more throughout the land in non human form) Pisfesha the Ripa, the Fisahef (Healer-man) Blinka (Eye) De Deimeika (The Sun) and herself - Heda. Of these hers was the greatest spirit as Heda returned time and time again to those of the Natblida line, for Heda was the Guardian of the people. All other spirits were generally unconcerned with the cause of man and came and went as they pleased. Fisahef had appeared many times before, perhaps as many as five? And Blinka twice before. The others, Pisfesha and De Deimeika were new spirits to bond as far as Lexa knew.

Now there was Wanheda as well. Six spirits walk the earth and Lexa feared what so many might mean, especially given Wanheda had only been seen once before. The last time Wanheda had appeared had been during the Great Cataclysm itself.

She could well imagine how the various Heda of Clans were taking the news. No as soon as you brought spirits into play it made the political landscape even more of a headache than it already was...

She had done more than any bonded with Heda before her, uniting twelve warring clans and creating the coalition. No, her strength of spirit or as Heda should not be in question but it was... and Clarke? Clarke was the wild card her spirit, Wanhada, feared and coverted in equal measure. Yes, it was all one big headache.

She could not delay this meeting any longer. She felt her worry for Clarke settle like an itch between her shoulder blades. At the recess she would send Ryder to look for the wayward Prisa. This meeting was to important not too, for once since the mountain she and Clarke were in accord, Skaikru must join the Coalition. She sighed and signaled to Titus. He strode forward.

"All hail the Commander of the Blood!" he boomed pitching forward into a deep bow. The assembly followed suit. Lexa took note of those whose bow seemed a little too shallow.

"Hail the Commander of the Blood!"

"Greetings to the Coalition of Twelve! May united we go from strength to strength." With the welcome out of the way the twelve and their representatives shuffled to take a their seats around a large table brought into the throne room for this express purpose, while Lexa sat on her throne.

"I welcome you all once again to what is to be a momentous Seasonal Sitting. This Sitting we mark the Vanquishing of the Mountain!" At this there were several shouts of approval around the table. "Something we achieved with our unity and with the help of the newest Clan - the Skaikru. Both are to be topics of discussion in coming days." At this there was murmuring.

"As usual each delegate may put forward one topic of discussion for the duration of the Sitting. Let us now hear your topics and I will decided upon the order of discussion. Louwoda Kliron! What is it you wish to discuss?"

"Louwoda Kliron, wishes to discuss the Mountain and the Skaikru's Claim to it. As you know Laiwaoda Kilron live amongst the caves in the valley on the leeward side of the mountain. We are hemmed in by Azgada and Stedakru and have suffered for decades under the Mountain Men's rein. With nowhere else to go my people have been forced to make homes into the very earth itself in an attempt to eek out enough space to live! Yet now when land becomes available the Skaikru, who are not part of this Coalition, are given this precious land! Louwoda Kliron fought bravely at the mountain and we say the mountain's lands be divided amongst those who fought! By your own hand the alliance with the Skaikru is no more. The intruders from the sky should not be given land rightfully the Coalitions!"

Lexa sighed internally she had hoped to delay all talk of the Mountain and Skaikru until later by sorting out the agenda first. Summoning patience she replied.

"Your grievance has been heard. However I intend for the Skaikru to join the Kongeda, only through absolute unity will we have peace and prosperity. I have ruled that the Skaikru's claim to the Mountain land is legitimate, for it was them, under Wanheda, that finally prevailed in felling the mountain."

"Should Skaikru really be allowed into the Kongeda?" Broke in the Yujleda Heda, Dominio Lexa recalled his name was " They are different from us, with their guns and tek they are more like the Men they slew than any of us. There is a power there that we can use but only if we take it! They will never be part of us,never be one of us"

Lexa's level of irritation increased. "This is not up for discussion. Let us move on" Said said dismissively.

"With all due respect Heda When WILL it be up for discussion? Do you truly believe a spirit as strong as Wanheda will submit to you? That Skaikru will bend to the ways of the Kongeda? If that is true where is the Skai Prisa now? Why is she not here? On her knees pledging loyalty and unity!"

Lexa rose to her feet worry and irritation sharpening her tongue. Where was Clarke? "Mind yourself Heda Domino! That is som.."

Without warning the door to the chamber swung open violently and an Azageda messenger burst into the room and Lexa felt the worry that had been itching behind her shoulder blades turn into the first inklings of panic. She should have sent Ryder from the start. All eyes turned to the messenger as he made his apologies for the abrupt interruption. As the messenger walked pass the others heading in her direction without pause, panic began to spread its large bat like wings within her, beating a fast angry tempo in her chest. Clarke was not here. He rounded the table and she could see he was carrying a small wood box. Clarke was not here.

Suddenly she was stone. The crowd of angry babbling delegates faded away and all she was left with was a strange ringing in her ears, even the angry beast of panic in her chest ceased. She could not breathe but that was as it should be because stone did not breathe. Clarke was missing and there was an Azageda messenger here before her with a box. She was stone. She was stone. Implacable impenetrable stone. She could not be moved she could not be swayed. She could not feel . She would stay strong, strong as stone. Slowly, so slowly she reached for the box being presented to her and lifted the lid.

There was a finger in the box. A pinky finger. She swallowed. She was stone, it meant nothing. She was stone. It could be any person's finger. Clarke was missing. There was a finger and a braid, a braid of blonde hair. Lexa sucked in a ragged breath. She was stone. She thought she recognised the ties used to bind it, she thought she recalled Clarke's hair being tied with the exact same kind. No. No it meant nothing, it was just her mind playing tricks on her all ties looked the same she couldn't know that for sure...Finally all that remained was a cloth covering something bulky and with a shaking hand Lexa drew the cloth away. Behind the cloth was a small glass jar. The jar was filled with liquid and sealed with wax. .. Floating within the jar was an eye. An eye as blue as the sky on a cloudless day. There was a finger, a blonde braid and an eye in the box and it meant everything.

She was was not stone. She was fire.

With an inarticulate noise, sounding more animal than person she lunge for the messenger. Clearly he had not been expecting it, lulled into safety by her lengthy stillness. He put up no defense as she grab him about the the neck and threw him down onto the table and before he knew what was going on she'd viciously slammed her dagger through his knuckles separating most of his fingers from his hand. He howled and threw himself upright. She let him go, let him find his feet before whirling and slicing her dagger across one of his eye sockets. He shrieked and stumbled back she made to follow him only to be stopped by arms on her shoulders.

"Hod op! hod op Heda!" (stop)

Now Lexa could hear him wailing "I'm a Messenger! Please! Please! I'm just a Messenger!" and then Titus was in her space talking urgently.

"Commander you cannot break the oath! It holds our peace! None may slay a messenger!That is the law! That is your *own* Law! To do so is an act of war! Beja Heda!"

"Exactly!" Shouted the Azgeda Ambassador "Do you now declared war on Azgeda Heda? Whatever the message Heda you have no right to touch our man!" Exclaimed the Azageda Ambassador.

Lexa whirled to face him with a roar "I have EVERY RIGHT!"

She could feel herself unravelling her breathing came in harsh pants. She was no longer stone she was fire. Fire roared along her veins, it was in the feeling of panic roiling beneath her skin. The burning desperation that had not yet coalesced into grief. Lexa was on fire and this time she was sure she would be entirely consumed. Because Clarke was in pieces in a box and she knew, she knew she could not survive such a thing twice. She was fire and she was burning and she would burn the whole world to the ground with her if Clarke was truly gone.