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Clarke woke from a restless sleep, not looking forward to traveling back to Camp Jaha to inform the council, or what remained of it, of her trip to Polis. The Chancellor was going to be furious, even more so in light of recent events. Deciding to eat on the road to save time, she asked one of the stable hands to prepare a horse for her, trying not to smile at how eager he was.

The blonde searched the camp for Lexa, knowing the Commander was an annoyingly early riser. She did not find her eating with her generals or in her tent, but heard a commotion at the far side of the camp. As she approached, her mouth gaped open at the sight of dozens of warriors surrounding what looked to be a training area watching Lexa spare with an absolute bear of a man. He was easily three times her size, one of the Valley people, if Clarke remembered correctly.

As large as the man was, he was also fairly agile and smart, but the blonde had no reason to doubt the Commander's prowess and it seemed no one else did either. He managed to land a few solid blows to Lexa's head, and the air became incredibly still, everyone waiting to see what would happen next. She looked dizzy, and the Valley man ran at her to make his final attack, taking advantage of her momentary weakness.

Clarke wished in that moment for a camera, because no one was ever going to believe what happened next without having seen it. A moment before the Valley man landed a devastating blow to her head, she smirked and sprung off of his extended leg her knee connecting with his jaw with a sickening crack.

The crowed erupted in cheers as the man teetered on unsure legs, no doubt losing consciousness before Lexa swept his legs out from under him and landed a solid punch to his temple, knocking him out. It was in this moment that Clarke's mind decided to register just how little the Commander was wearing. Tiny, tiny shorts and a wrap around her chest, and covered in bleeding cuts and angry bruises. The blonde was sure she had never seen anyone look so dangerously beautiful.

In the midst of all the commotion, intense forest green eyes still managed to find eyes bluer than any sky the Heda had ever seen and if possible, she puffed up even further. Clarke couldn't remember ever seeing the Commander smile quite so brightly before, deliberately ignoring the knots that were forming in her stomach because of it.

Eventually, Lexa weaved through the crowd of people and found Clarke, her proud smile still firmly in place. Clarke returned the smile, shaking her head at herself.

"You just couldn't wait until after breakfast, could you?"

Lexa laughed, a sound the blonde would never have imagined the normally stoic Commander could even make.

"It is well past breakfast for us, Clarke. Tarlok wanted to spar with me, it would have been disrespuctful to refuse him and my victory has brought the people joy. Did you truly doubt my prowess?"

"You never fail to remind me of your prowess, Commander. Want me to look at those cuts before I go?"

In an instant, Lexa's mask returned, her face as impassive and stoic as it ever was. Clarke couldn't help but be a little disappointed.

"You are leaving? I was unaware."

"I have to tell the council about our trip, they still don't trust you and the last thing we need is them thinking you've kidnapped me. It'll be a quick trip, I should be back by nightfall."

Lexa nodded, "I will send Ryder with you. There are still ripas in the forest. Be klir, Clarke."

The trip back to Camp Jaha was silent, Ryder riding a respectful distance behind Clarke, giving her too much time to think. The leaves were starting to change color and there was a chill in the wind, she remembered Lexa telling her about the fall and winter months and how excited she had been about it. Thankfully, with alliances in place for now, the Ark would survive the cold months.

The pair approached the gates on foot and Ryder left to tie down the horses, returning as the gates were opened. Clarke was greeted with a barrage of embraces from the 100, save for Jasper. He nodded at her curtly and she returned the gesture.

Abby and Kane heard the shouts and ran outside, upon seeing Clarke they made there way to the front of the group. Mother and daughter embraced and Kane shook her hand, smiling.

"Negotiations went well. As of now, we are a part of the coilition and trading has been secured with the Boat People and the Valley People. More will come shortly, but it will be enough to get us through the winter."

The group let out a collective sigh of reliefe and high fives were exchanged. This was a huge weight lifted off of their shoulders.

"There has been no word from the Ice Queen, however and that could prove to be problematic. The Commander is looking into it. Plans will be made for some of our people to travel and meet with the other clans, learn from them, and leaders will be coming here as well. Not until the Spring, though, no one wants to travel in the cold."

Abby was tight-lipped and Clarke groaned inwardly. This was not going to end well.

"I have been invited to the capital, Polis. I'll be leaving in the next couple of days."

Abby straightened and ordered everyone to leave, practically dragging Clarke into the medical bay for privacy. Ryder moved to intervene, but Clarke stopped him with a motion of her hand. "Apologies, Skai Prisa."

While Clarke chose to ignore the title, Abby obviously had different plans.

"Princess? They call you Sky Princess now? What the hell is this, Clarke? You can't just come back to camp after days of deliberating on our behalf and tell the council what needs to be done. We have to vote on these things. And this trip to Polis? Not happening."

Clarke pinched the bridge of her nose to contain the eye roll that was threatening to make itself known. She sighed deeply before collecting herself.

"I didn't ask for the title. I know it's asking a lot, but this is the way things had to be done, this is how the alliances were made, and this is the reason we won't starve this winter. I don't want to make this into a power struggle, mom, I didn't ask for any of this shit. I'm tired and I would like to take some time to myself and enjoy the capital."

"Do they think you're our leader?"

Abby eyed her daughter, almost as if she were sizing her up. This is absolutely the last thing Clarke wanted to deal with, but if the Chancellor wanted a fight she was going to get one.

"Yes."

Clarke watched her mother's fists clench, noticed the way her body was trembling and prepared herself for inevitable verbal brawl that was about to ensue.

"Why would you let them think that, Clarke? You are a child. Just because the grounders are led by a child, does not mean we will be led by one."

"Tridgedakru. That's what their people are called. If you can't be bothered to learn anythig about their culture, how can they trust you? I don't give a damn about your title or the council, this is how we survive. They trust me, and the ones that don't fear me, that gives me pull with them that you don't have. You want to go and negotiate with them? Be my guest, but you'll be responsible for the outcome, not me."

Abby deflated and sighed in defeat. The room went silent for a beat, mother and daughter both trying to remember a time when they could be in the same room without fighting.

"How long will you be gone?"

"I don't know, a few weeks maybe."

Abby stiffened and prepared herself to ask a question she wan't sure she wanted the answer to.

"Is the Commander going with you?"

Clarke cringed, really not wanting to have this conversation with anyone. Ever.

"Yes, it's her invitation."

The Chancellor stepped closer to her daughter, leaning on the bed next to her. Clarke had almost forgotten just how much the smell of metal and being enclosed made her skin itch. Her eyes flicked to Ryder who looked as uncomfortable as she felt.

"Ryder, bants osir. Beja."

Her guard met her eyes and nodded curtly, leaving the room. Abby watched him go with careful eyes before meeting her daughter's eyes that were so much like Jake's.

"They listen to you. Commander's orders?"

Clarke shook her head. She wanted to cut to the chase, they were burning daylight and she wanted to be back in Ton DC before it got too dark to travel.

"Just ask, mom."

"What's going on with you and the Commander?"

The blonde didn't wonder how her mother had gotten wind of whatever was going on, people were incapable of keeping gossip to themselves.

"I don't know."

She answered as honestly as she could. She had no idea what she was to Lexa or what she wanted to be. They kissed and slept together in the midst of a bloody war, desperate to feel alive when they were surrounded by death. They cared about each other, more than was wise, but they had never spoken of their relationship.

"But there are...feelings?" Abby prompted.

"Yes."

There were feelings, many feelings. Mainly lust and frustration. Lexa was easily the most infurating person she had ever met, everything about her was a contradiction.

"Just be careful."

Clarke nodded and moved to hug her mother once more before she left.

"I am."

There were a hundred other things they should discuss, but she would leave it to the council to figure out.