Disclaimer: I own nothing.
Thanks to Miss. Pixie. M for beta reading.
Clarke was walking along, well her guard of men, she guessed, it was still so hard to believe. She didn't become a super warrior with an incredible mind thanks to the reincarnation. It was difficult to explain but it felt as if she had gained the impressions and feelings of her ancestors. For example, she knew she should be able to fight better, her body should move more fluidly and her sword movements shouldn't be so wide. However, even if her body knew it, she just wasn't able to do it. She still needed some training. She stopped walking and watched the sky, some eagles were flying above them, letting them hear their piercing cries. It was why the eagles clan had been such a legend and was still spoke about with respect, her ancestors who had been chosen by the spirit could communicate with the eagles. They couldn't talk per say with them but they could understand the different cries and their meanings. It gave them an incredible advantage during the battles, they knew where the enemy was waiting for them and could make plans in consequence. One image had remained clearly in her head: all her ancestors had an eagle on their shoulder, she was hoping that the same will be true for her too, she couldn't wait for an eagle to choose her. Maybe it was still the little girl in her who was reading every book she could find about the earth while she was on the Ark, but she had always been passionate about nature and the animals living on the earth. Having an animal as a companion was a dream come true for her.
She kept walking and looked at the people around her all nodding their head in respect. It was all so strange, she didn't have to prove herself or say anything, it was instinctive, they were recognizing her as their leader, there were no yells, no fights, no votes. She shook her head, still bemused by everything that was happening to her, she wasn't used to this blind obedience and frankly she wasn't really comfortable with it. What if she made a mistake that got some of them killed? That nobody dared to confront her about her plan since she was their leader? She needed people who didn't always agree with her and were not afraid to tell her when she is foolish. She didn't have Lexa's training and experience, she couldn't be sure her decisions would always right for her people. Maybe with Lexa's help she would be able to become a good leader. She cringed a little when she imagined Lexa's reaction after she had told her she was going to rescue Lincoln. She already knew it wasn't going to be pretty. She passed in front of Octavia, who gave her a little smile and a nod of her head, it seemed that they had finally buried the hatchet and could start anew again, a little weight lifted off her shoulders.
She was now standing in front of her warriors with India just a little behind her, she took some deep breaths to calm her rapid beating heart and looked silently into the eyes of the warriors standing before her. Their eyes were fierce and trusting, she felt it wasn't false as if something inside her was telling her to believe in them, it gave her some courage and a feeling of peace she hadn't felt for a long time. It was like she had finally found her place on the ground and all the hardships she had had to endure had led up to this moment.
"My name is Clarke of the Sky people, but starting today I want to be known as Clarke of the Eagles clan! The Sky people will always be important to me, but now it's you who have my heart! I will fight with you and for you! I will bleed with you and for you! I will do everything I can to lead you wisely and with courage!" She stopped talking, her eyes moving around the different faces in front of her. Her powerful and hard stare making the warriors stand straighter.
"I want the Eagles clan to be once again be feared and respected by every Grounder! I want the Eagles clan to be once again known for the incredible bravery of its warriors! For our enemy to watch the sky apprehensively and to tremble when they see some eagles flying high in the sky! I want all of you to be proud to belong to the Eagles clan!"
The warriors were bowing their head with reverence, knowing they had found a great leader, someone who would give them a new purpose, someone worth following.
"Enjoy the next few days and try to rest and recuperate, someone close to me, someone that I consider as a member of our clan has been captured by the Ice Nation. In one week we are moving toward their territory. The legendary warriors of the Eagles clan will once again make everyone hear their battle cries!"
A chorus of "Hear, hear!" was roared by every warrior, their swords tapping against their shields.
Lexa was still in the forest surrounding the village, but she saw and heard everything, she was proud of Clarke at first, then it quickly changed into worry and anger. When Clarke had finished her speech, she made her horse move slowly towards Clarke, her glare firmly fixed on her.
Clarke caught sight of Lexa on her horse and smiled, incredibly happy to see her, but when she saw her expression the smile was quickly wiped from her face, she sighed, well she knew what to expect, she left her warriors and followed Lexa to the Healer's house. They would be alone in the house, without the fear of anyone hearing them yelling.
Indra and India were standing outside at the door, guarding the house. India felt the heavy and menacing look of her big sister on her, it made her shiver a little.
"Congratulations, India." The tone of the voice was so seething that it made her flinch.
"The Heda ordered you to protect the Sky girl and to help her to recover, even by force if necessary, so she could become a great leader, and you have clearly been successful. Beyond expectations! She is now the leader of a clan and wants to go to war against the Ice Nation. I knew you weren't ready for a mission, you are still too young. "
India lowered her head, her shoulders dropping, it was going to be a long wait for Clarke and the Heda to finish their talk.
Inside the house, the situation wasn't much better for Clarke, she knew that Lexa would be angry once she learned about what she had planned to do, but she never thought she would be so furious.
"I try to keep peace on my lands, to avoid war, even when all I wanted to do was to kill the Queen of the Ice nation, I thought about my people first! I walked away from the Mountain to protect them, even if I felt my heart break! I still did what I had to do for them! I'm assembling an immense army to show the power of our coalition to the Queen, to force her to accept a negotiation so we will not exterminate each other in a stupid war! And you, what are you doing? You are declaring a war! " Lexa was screaming at Clarke, all pretense of calm had completely left the Heda.
"It's just my clan that is declaring war! You have nothing to with it! You can still make your negotiations! " Clarke answered defensively .
Lexa let out a bitter laugh, "And what? Let the woman I love walk towards a certain death? I can't do it anymore Clarke, I'm tired of seeing the people I love get killed!"
There was a heavy pause while Clarke was searching Lexa's eyes. For the first time she saw all the emotions that Lexa was keeping hidden, her burden as well as her soft side. It wasn't the confidant leader standing in front of her anymore but a woman who had been hurt, hurt far too much during her life.
"You, you love me? " asked Clarke, her voice trembling a little.
Lexa didn't answer right away, she was troubled by what she had revealed to Clarke. This was why she always tried to be careful and kept her temper in check.
You always say too much when you were overwhelmed with emotions. She told herself as she passed her hand over her face and sighed.
"Yes Clarke, I love you. I'm sorry, I didn't want you to hear it like this. "
Clarke had a huge smile on her face, she didn't care about the way it was said, she never thought she would hear Lexa tell her that she loved her. It not only meant her feelings were returned but it also meant she could now fully trust her. She believed you couldn't betray someone who you truly love and Lexa wasn't a liar. She has always told her the truth, even if sometimes she didn't want to hear it.
"You love me!" She exclaimed once again, when she saw Lexa narrowing her eyes, she couldn't help but laugh, "You don't have to be the mean and intimidating Heda to me, I love you too, you know! "
Lexa finally relaxed and gave her a gentle smile, she leaned forward and gave her a passionate kiss.
Outside of the house, the sisters were looking at each other, they couldn't hear any screams anymore.
"It seems that they have made peace. " said a relieved India.
"Yes, good for them, but it doesn't change anything for you! I will keep lecturing you until they come out of the house! " Indra replied severely .