"Why do you believe Nia is back?" Lexa asked Queen Luna.
"The demons and undead army are the same as the ones she used a hundred winters ago."
"But why do you believe it is Nia, your highness and not someone copying her?" Clarke asked.
"Six moons ago a girl was employed to work in the castle kitchen. She was spotted often near a lock door which holds private documents. I thought nothing of it. Then two months later Ontari disappeared. When I check the documents a list of Nia's supports had been taken. Word came back to me that the elven clans and some humans tribes who were supporters of Nia had either disappeared or been slaughter. After that is when the attacks within my Kingdom started. I hoped it was a copycat, but after you said about seeing a dragon at the Azgeda ruins I am sure that Nia has returned."
"But why is she attacking innocent people, Your highness?" Abby asked.
"I believe she hopes that my people will turn to another for help because I can do nothing to stop these attacks. Also that the stress will weaken me enough for her to strike me down. Absolute power is what she desires."
"How will you stop her?" Clarke spoke up.
The guard who lead them in stepped forward quickly. "That is official royale business. And is of no concern of yours. "
"Stand down Murphy." Luna commanded her guard. She then turned back to her visitors. "What will be done about Nia's return is none of your concern and will be handle accordingly. In the meantime, I shall grant you accommodation and the chance to work in the capital. If you wait outside I will have someone show you to homes we have available. They will also inform you of work."
With these words queen Luna dismissed them and they were again led through the giant castle by a guard. As soon as they were outside Bellamy turned to the two elves. "So you two will be on leaving now?"
"No. We are staying for now." Lexa replied.
Bellamy looked anything but pleased at this. "You'll have to stay in the Alienages then,with your own race "
That got him a couple of cold glares from the rest of the group. He ignored it and wanted to continue but Kane cut him of.
"No." Kane said coldly before he turned to the elves sending them a warm smile. "You will stay with me as my guests."
"Thank you." Lexa nodded her head at Kane. "That is very kind of you." Lincoln added.
Once their guide had arrived she took them to their new homes. They weren't the best of housing, somewhat rundown. But they were giving to them for free so they could not complain. It was explained that once they had found work they were welcome to buy or rent better accommodation. Once everyone had put what little belongings they had away, the rest of the day was taken up by their guide giving them a tour of the city.
The next day Clarke, Lexa, Raven, the Blake siblings, and Lincoln meet in the travin Moonshine. They had found a table towards the back of the bar, in the hope no one would cause trouble with two elves sitting with them or overhearing them discussing what Queen Luna had told them.
"I bet she hasn't even got a plan!" Raven grumbled annoyed.
"Why wouldn't she have a plan" the older Blake asked.
That got him a raised brow from Raven. "Oh come on. I don't buy a thing from her 'It's none of your business crap'. Hell she didn't even know about the dragon until we walked in there."
"Still" Bellamy defended. "Doesn't mean she won't come up with one. Besides what does she need to know. All she needs is a location and her army then all of this will be over."
"You really think it will be that easy" Lexa scoffed.
"Haven't you heard the stories." Clarke piped up. "Last time she almost succeeded in her intentions."
"She was the Keeper of the Azgeda elves when she discovered blood magic." Lexa began to explain. "And somewhere in that crazy mind of hers she saw this as a way to accumulate more power so she began practicing it. It started with small spells but it didn't stay that way. She used her powers to build an army of demons and undead strengthening the troops of Azgeda. They slaughtered every army that rose up against them. Till the battle of Polis. Where the lands came together and fought against Nia. the losses were great but they won. They won and divided the lands of Azgeda building Polis here as a reminder of what had come to pass."
"So what do we do then? Clearly Luna's army alone will never be able to defeat Nia's monsters" Octavia asked.
"We come up with our own plan." Clarke answered. Suddenly all eyes were on her.
"To take on Nia?" Raven asked in shock.
"Yeah"
"Clarke we can't even fight."
"We could learn!" Octavia turned to look at her brother and the two elves at the table. "You three could teach us!"
"Think my leg wouldn't agree with that O."
"Then help with the logistics." Clarke jumped in, "There is more than just fighting to be done. We need all the information we can get on both Nia as well as on Queen Luna and her plan. Maybe find out more about this Ontari girl? Every bit helps. We need to keep our eyes and ears open for everything but most importantly of all? This should stay under tight wraps. Nobody but us should know about this. We lay low, train and inform each other so when shit hits the fan we are ready."
Octavia was about to react when a skinny young man approached them. He has brown eyes and pale skin. On top of his thick dark brown hair he had a pair of goggles.
"Welcome my good people. My name is Jasper and this here is my good man Monty."
Another tall young man came up beside Jasper. He had an oval shaped face that was framed by straight, black hair. His skin was tanned with a golden undertone, and he had deep brown eyes with an epicanthic fold."Hey." Monty gave them a short wave.
"We own this fair tavern here and since we haven't seen your faces before I am guessing you must be new in town. I can only say you will have to try out our famous 'Monty Moonshine'."
"Famous? I've never heard of it before." Raven quipped.
"That will change quickly then" Jasper smiled, "As soon as you go moonshine you never go back."
That got a laugh from their table.
"Andraste's Knickers!" Jasper suddenly interrupted as he pointed at Lexa and Lincoln. "Are you two the Trikru elves people are talking about?"
"Wow news travels fast here." Raven whispers to Clarke, who nodded in agreement.
"Yes we are." Lincoln answer calmly giving away no emotion about the sudden outburst of the tavern keeper who was nodding at his answer.
"Cool! Well I don't mind you guys being here. Just, don't cause any trouble in here, alright?" Jasper answered. With that both he and Monty headed off.
' Maker that is unfair! They wouldn't start trouble.' Clarke thought to herself. She could see Lexa clenching her jaw and swallowing down her angry.
Once Jasper and Monty were back behind the bar Bellamy turned to look at the two elves. "Maybe you two should cover your ears, like Clarke does."
"We shouldn't have too." Lexa spoke in a displeased tone, standing up from her stood. "And neither should Klark." With that both of the elves left.
Clarke narrowed her eyes at Bellamy, while his sister smacked him on the arm. The pair got up and followed the elves out. Bellamy turned to Raven in confusion. "What?"
She just shook her head at him and left as well.
"Lexa! Wait!" Clarke shouted catching up with the brunette elf. Lexa slowed her pace gesturing to Lincoln to go ahead.
"I'm so sorry for Bellamy." Clarke said as soon as she reached the brunette and they started walking again.
"Don't apologies for him. His actions are not your own"
"I know but that doesn't change the fact he was a complete ass to you guys."
That brought Lexa to a halt again. She faced the blonde. Lexa's green eyes found Clarke's blue before she spoke.
"He was to you as well Klark ", Lexa said her eyes never leaving Clarke's, " Bellamy saying we should cover our ears like you cover yours implies you too. By the dread wolf Klark, you are one of us don't you see that and telling us we should cover our ears is like saying we should ignore who we are. I am an elf and I am proud of it no matter what he says. I'm not covering it up and neither should you Klark . You shouldn't be ashamed. Those ears don't change the woman you are inside."
She let out a long sigh before reaching slowly for Clarke's bandana, giving the half elf enough time to back away. When the blonde didn't move she slowly and carefully took off the bandana covering Clarke's ears.
"You are perfect like this Klark . Let nobody tell you otherwise."
Before Clarke could even think about what she was doing she enveloped the elf in a tight embrace burying her face in the brunettes neck. It took a second for the elf to incorporate. The brunette was totally overwhelmed by the sudden outburst from the blonde but as soon as she caught up she slid her arm around Clarke's waist pulling her impossibly close.
"Thank you" the half-elf mumbled into the brunettes shoulder, "Thank you for accepting and for seeing more than just 'the half elf'. Thank you for seeing me. "
"Always Klark " the brunette whispered planting a soft kiss on Clarke head, "Always"
"I never got a chance to say this yesterday but I'm really glad you're staying"
"As am I, Klark"
Clarke smiled as Lexa gently held her cheek. She leaned into the warm palm, but moved away and rolled her eyes when she started to hear gagging noises and laughter from behind her. She turned around to see Raven pretending to be sick while a laughing Octavia stood alongside her.
Over the next month everyone began to settle into their new life in Polis. Raven got a job at the local blacksmith. Abby and Clarke started their own healer practice with the help of Kane. Bellamy was on the waiting list to get into the guard's training program and Octavia found work in the Moonshine.
The best thing about this was that their jobs gave them access to information. From the rumors spoken in the tavern to the stories of the wounded seeking refuge from the demons and undead.
Raven could tell them about the weapon's ordered by the castle and if Bellamy were to get into the guards they would also get more classified information straight from the army.
The only ones who couldn't really do anything were Lexa and Lincoln. They were ignored and avoided all around. Nobody talked or even wanted to look at them. The only reason people didn't comment on Clarke was because she was a half elf and still kept her ears covered half of the time despite what Lexa had told her. It was just easier that way. Nobody commented on not wanting to get treated by a filthy 'knife ear'. But the two Trikru elves still refused to cover their ears despite all of that. So they spent most of the time training and walking through the Alienages trying to gain info from the other elves.
It also had been decided that every quarter moon they would meet up in Moonshine to catch up and exchanged any gathered information.
For now things had been slow. Mostly training, reading up on history since they didn't have the contacts in the city yet and the people were still wary of them, but with the constant stream of refugees coming in, and they themselves trying to fit in with the people of Polis, the group of Arkadia slowly started to disappear from the spotlight and winning the locals trust.
"So anyone got something new and interesting to say?" Raven quipped falling down on the chair next to Octaiva on their fourth gathering.
"I've finally officially be accepted into Luna's guard as a trainee." Bellamy announced plopping down while grinning at his friends.
"That's great Bell!" Clarke quipped, "maybe now they let you do more than scrub toilets"
"Hey! Let me tell you that scrubbing the toilets is VERY important task." he defended himself mock offended, "It's good for our discipline"
"You're still scrubbing toilets aren't you?" the younger blake jumped in.
He shot her a death glare before he let out a grunt that sounded suspiciously a lot like a yes. "But" he jumped in before anyone else could comment "it's only when mess up badly during training"
"So about all the time then?" Raven grinned.
"I'm so flattered by all the faith you guys have in me." The older guy sighed dramatically
"It's not that we don't have faith in you Bell, It's that we know you" Clarke teased.
"Hey!" he exclaimed only half offended, shoving her playfully and unwantedly starting a play tickle fight between the two.
"Okay, okay break it up you two before you attract even more attention" Raven spoke while separating the two friends
"He started it" Clarke huffed
"No I didn't"
"Yes you did!"
"Ok enough you two" Raven exclaimed "Bell go sit next to O"
Reluctantly the older blake stood up and did as Raven told him. Plopping down next to his sister. Waiting till Raven reseated herself next to Clarke.
"Ok now we've separated the kids we can get back to business. O, you anything to share this week ?"
"My training with Lincoln is going well that's about it. The rest is the same old same old. Refugees streaming in from all over. All attacked by Nia's puppets"
Bellamy turned his head towards his sister looking unpleased "I said I would train you!"
"Yeah well, you've been busy with all your work and guard training."
"You and Lincoln must do a lot of training the amount of time you spend together." Raven winked at Octavia with a smirk.
"Shut up Raven!"
Raven and Clarke burst out in laughter as the Blake siblings faces seem to go red, one in embarrassment and the other in angry.
Once the laughter had died down Clarke stood up from the table. "Well, if you'll excuse me. I have to go meet Lexa."
"Yeah I should go train with Lincoln some more." Octavia said leaving before Raven or her brother could say anything to her about it. Clarke chuckled at her friend's retreating back then turned to Raven.
"Oh Raven don't forgot my mum asked you to get some fish from the market." and with that the blonde left too.
"What do those two see in those elves?" Bellamy asked Raven.
"Apart from the hotness? I have no idea."