Rebuilding Ruin

Disclaimer: I don't own the 100 or its characters

Spoilers: All episodes of Season 1 and 2

The sound of heavy knocking made Clarke groan, it was nowhere near dawn but already someone was demanding attention. Feeling the bed dip, Clarke opened her eyes to see Lexa rise from the bed and move to the door. A quick touch of the button revealed Ryder as the door slid open, the man moved into the cabin with another behind him. Lexa shut the door as Clarke sat up, trying to ignore the fact that her sleep was disturbed.

"What news wakes me before the dawn?" Lexa's tone was sharp and Clarke watched the second man lower his head.

"I was sent by the scouts Heda, Azkru retreats back to their lands. Their queen leads the army away from our own."

Lexa looked over at Clarke as the blond rose from bed, thankful she'd forgotten to remove her pants before falling asleep. "They're retreating, any indication as to why?"

"None was seen or given Prisa, we will continue to watch the woods but it was decided you must know immediately."

Ryder opened the door and the man followed him out, once the door was shut did Clarke sit down on the bed with a concerned look on her face. "Why would she retreat?"

"Retreating presents many options in battle Clarke, why Dara chooses this tactic can only be that she requires to replenish her army." Lexa moved to the bed and stopped before the blond. "We can do nothing before dawn so rest ai kwin." She pushed stands of hair behind Clarke's ear and out of her face, blue eyes meeting green.

"I'm not tired anymore."

"That is a lie but if your stubbornness demands that you lay awake then you can at least lay beside me." She crawled past Clarke and laid down on the bed, closing her eyes. "Join me and rest your body even if your mind will not."

Giving a sigh, Clarke curled up beside Lexa and rested her head on the leader's arm. "Why do you call me your queen?"

"That discussion is for another time when we are fully rested."

"I don't mind since it's a nickname but I just wondered."

Lexa put a hand on Clarke's arm and pressed her lips to the blond's crown. "Quiet, rest Clarke."

The following day Clarke found Octavia and Lincoln sitting with Ryder and Echo, all were sharing a cooked rabbit. Sitting down beside Octavia, Clarke reached for some of the rabbit herself. Laughter and rejoicing from the Skaikru made all look over, watching as some of the delinquents enjoyed themselves.

"They celebrate before the war is won." Ryder commented and Clarke nodded.

"They don't know war like we do. One won battle doesn't end a war." She accepted the cup of water that Lincoln handed her. "Mochof."

"Pro." He picked up his own and gave a soft chuckle. "You have learned our language fast."

"While I was in Polis I had nothing better to do, Lexa was always talking to some general or someone in Trigedasleng and I figured I should know if she's insulting me." Clarke chuckled and took a sip of water. "Now if I'm not talking, I'm trading insults with her."

Echo shuffled her feet slightly, "I have never heard her allow one to insult her without death following."

"Clarke insults her and challenges her all the time." Octavia snorted and shook her head. "It's almost as if they're married, or seems that way at times."

"Heda would not take a kwin without serious thought." Lincoln spoke softly to Octavia, "for a Heda to take a kwin or kin is dangerous and rare. It presents complications in war and leadership is often a challenge if Heda falls. Since my birth none have taken a kwin or kin."

Clarke narrowed her eyes, "is that the official title?"

"Sha." Ryder nodded and put his cup aside before grabbing more rabbit from the spick as it sat over the fire. "Consort of Heda are called Kwin and Kin, although the last was when Azkru took a kwin two generations ago."

Octavia looked between the men, "complications how?"

"Hierarchy demands that Heda be protected but if they have a kwin or kin, they are to be protected above Heda. Heda is still above their consort when it comes to commanding the people but in matters of protection, the consort is above them." Lincoln kicked dirt as he grabbed a branch to carve at. "You know the ancient law of leadership, that no leader can touch another. That would lead to war, however there is a condition in which one leader can strike at another without inciting war. If a consort was harmed then all clans would retaliate against the clan who struck against the consort. This is dangerous for all who lead so they do not make the claim despite having a houmon who stands beside them."

"So the likelihood of Lexa actually declaring someone her kwin is next to none."

"I believe after her last beloved was struck down she would not risk it again." Echo spoke softly and they all looked at her. "No matter if she takes another to call her houmon, she will not risk the life of her mate by declaring them kwin."

Lexa stood reviewing a map when the door to the room opened and closed. Looking up she found Clarke starring at her and she narrowed her eyes in concern. Moving towards the sky girl she waited for Clarke to speak before speaking herself.

"Clarke, what burdens you?"

"When were you going to tell me? Better yet, when were you going to declare it to the clans? After war or perhaps during it?" Clarke stalked to her as Lexa looked confused.

"What do you speak of?"

"You know what Lexa!" She stopped a few feet away, "we're barely finding ourselves in this relationship after a massive betrayal. This is all new to both of us but already you've made up your mind, planning to throw discord into the clans."

Lexa took a step back, "Clarke speak plainly, I am not following."

"You put my protection above your own, you declare that I'll lead if you fall until your spirit finds another and you call me ai kwin in private." Clarke took a few steps away and turned suddenly. "When did you plan to declare your intent take me as your kwin?"

The leader turned away and leaned against the table. "It is not an easy decision Clarke, to declare such would indeed throw discord among the clans and make you a target. While the title offers you a protection, it also presents my weakness to all who would oppose me."

"I know that look." Clarke's voice eased it's edge as she neared the brunette. "You were preparing to name Costia your kwin until she was killed."

"No, I mean yes I intended to but Anya and several others stated that she was not fit to be such. Our people needed a leader, not a meek healer who could not harm even an attacking wolf for fear of harming the animal despite the danger to herself. I listened to them and did nothing further, within a single moon she was dead by Dara's hand. Anya attempted to apologize, citing that if all would have allowed Costia to be named ai kwin that she would have been safe. I knew it was not true and war would have ensued. No, they were right that I allowed my weakness for Costia to rule over logic, she would have sent the clan into true chaos if she had been named kwin and I had fallen."

"Did she know your intent?"

"It is custom to ask the intended only after approval is sought. Costia went to her death not knowing my intent, of which I am thankful because Dara would have used it to taunt me."

Clarke gently kissed Lexa's shoulder and leaned her forehead against the soft skin exposed by her tank top. "Declare it."

Lexa turned suddenly, "Clarke…"

"If you declare it and Dara touches either of us, we can take her life without breaking the laws. There would be no retaliation by the clans except against her."

"As you said, we are finding ourselves after the mountain and its costs. To declare it would do far more than make you ai kwin officially. My people would expect a union within days and you would be my wife, bound to me till my spirit moves on even if you no longer wish to be beside me."

Clarke nodded, "well we'll kill each other eventually but right now our people are the most important thing. We do this so they don't have to and I have to admit this plan isn't the worst we've had. Our unions are to our people, leading them and guiding them at the sacrifice of our own happiness. If we're meant to sacrifice our happiness, at least we can do it together."

Lexa touched Clarke's cheek and the blond looked up, meeting the woman standing before her just as she leaned in. Tangling her hand in Lexa's shirt, she took a step closer and only pulled away when air became necessary. Green eyes seemed to search blue as if looking for something and Clarke realized Lexa must have found it because she kissed her again, whispering as she did.

"Ai kwin." It was repeated between each kiss Lexa placed on her skin, brushing blond strands away from her pale neck. Clarke heard herself moan as Lexa kissed her neck various times, calloused hands sneaking under her shirt to touch soft skin.

"Lexa stop." It was said in a breathless voice and Clarke felt the brunette pull away. "I'm all for making out a little but I'm not ready for…"

"For me to take you to my bed?" Lexa gave a soft smirk. "No I doubt you are."

Clarke raised an eyebrow, "confident much?"

"None of my previous lovers have complained, in fact they were quite vocal." Lexa nuzzled her nose against Clarke's cheek. "As I am sure you will be the night I make you mine, when you are ready and not before." She pulled back and the playful look slid away quickly. "When I declare you ai kwin you must understand that there will never be another for either of us. Are you willing to give up your lovers?"

"Are you?" The blond countered as if expecting consideration on the subject.

"I want no other than you Clarke and I will wait many lifetimes if necessary." Lexa played with the end of blond hair.

The decision to tell everyone at once seemed the smartest so both Skaikru and Trikru could hear the news. Lexa and Clarke stood side by side before their friends and fellow fighters. Bellamy and Echo stood side by side as did Lincoln and Octavia, Ryder and the others not far off with Abby and Kane standing beside Bellamy. Raven and Wick stood beside Jasper and Monty, silently waiting instead of continuing their previous argument that had ensued moments before being called.

Clarke took a step forward and sighed before speaking. "The Commander and I formed this alliance to give our people a fighting chance in this world, against any who caused us danger. We're united through Octavia and Lincoln, one people together into the future. However, we know the unsteadiness that grows due to betrayals and broken promises. After much discussion and I assure you, a few bladed arguments," that got a chuckle from everyone including Trikru warriors, "the Commander proposed a solution that would benefit both our people. It's also something we both agree we can be happy about."

Lexa met Clarke's eyes as she turned to look at the fearsome leader. Taking a step forward the brunette raised her voice so all could hear. "I intend to send word to Polis that I have found my queen."

Gasps were heard and weapons dropped to the ground. Ryder dropped to his knee first and bowed his head, all the warriors followed as did Echo, Octavia and Lincoln. Looking up the burly man met Clarke's eyes, "we declare our loyalty ai kwin."

"I already had your loyalty, stand up all of you before you embarrass all of us."

They all rose on command and it was Raven who asked the critical question. "What the hell does that mean?"

"They intend to unite." Lincoln told the mechanic.

"What?" Abby asked sharply and Octavia looked at the Chancellor.

"The Commander asked Clarke to marry her and your daughter said yes." Octavia shrugged, "could be worse I supposed, better to be married then stabbed in the back."

One of the warriors chuckled, "you have not been united long, at times we would wish for a sword versus the anger of one's houmon. My own makes me sleep outside if I displease her, I would prefer a sword wound as I would be in the healer's tent instead of the cold."

"I know the feeling and mine is Ice Nation." Bellamy stated and Echo slapped his chest with the back of her arm, he caught it and pulled her close despite her resistance. "I wouldn't trade you, even for my own life."

Kane took a step forward and met Clarke's eyes. "Are you sure about this?"

Looking at Lexa softly Clarke nodded before meeting Kane's eyes. "Yeah, I am."

Two Months Later

Dara looked up from where she sat on her throne to see a messenger from one of the outposts near the border. She watched him get to his knees in respect as she sat quietly observing him.

"Well, what news do you bring?"

The man looked up at her, "messengers have been sent to neighboring clans, all but Azkru. Word has reached us from Polis ai kwin."

"What news, does she intend to raise the clans against us?" Dara laughed as she leaned back. "She cannot, I have given no reason or done anything to warrant such."

"No ai kwin," he looked at her in fear. "She has declared her houmon the Trikru Kwin."

Dara looked up from her knife, "she has no houmon."

"Word has reached Polis of warriors that witnessed the uniting ceremony between her and the Skai Prisa. It was stated that before the union was complete, she declared the Skai Prisa as Kwin kom Trikru."

"She is weaker than I believed, taking the weak sky girl as her houmon."

"Polis celebrates ai kwin. They believe the Skai Prisa strong and powerful, an equal match to that of Heda."

"I will show them how weak they are." She stood and glared down at him. "Tell my men we ride at dawn."

"Sha ai kwin."

A/N: Plans do change...

Next...A confrontation outside Lexa's war camp outside Tomac.

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