Chapter 9 Celebration
Clarke sat on the bed drawing using the charcoal that Lexa had given her. After learning about the running water Clarke took a much needed warm shower. It was the first time she smelled so clean in weeks. Ever since she got to Earth she had felt a weight on her shoulders that being in Polis made her forget about. She could relax she could draw. She could be herself not the leader everyone wished her to be. And it's all because I almost drowned. Clarke thinks to herself as she drew the woods. Now knowing what it really looked like she could be even more detailed. She soon finished the drawing and set the sketch pad down. Her eyes looked out the window and she saw the sun was setting.
Clarke's eyes widen remembering that Lexa was going to arrive soon. She quickly walked to the bathroom and cleaned the charcoal off her hands. Remembering what Lexa had said about the clothes in the closet she opened them up. Clarke's eyes immediately landed on a simple blue dress with golden colored trimmings. She reached for it and paused wondering if she should wear it. Clarke knew that the other clothing were less formal or rather less appealing but something like the dress in front of her would be more suited for a date. Unless this is a date. Clarke thinks and at the thought begins a mini freak out inside her head as she tries to decide whether or not to wear the dress. If it's a date I'd look really appealing in this dress. If it isn't I'd have dressed up for nothing. Clarke thinks.
Finally she grabs the dress. She takes off the nightgown she had on and slips on the form fitting dress. Clarke looked at herself in the mirror glad that the dress fit her so well. The dress hugged her hips but flared out a bit when they got lower than her upper thigh. It hung just above her ankles. Clarke looks for shoes that would work. She frowns when she only sees flat shoes. It'll do. Clarke thinks putting the shoes on. They were a little loose but fit well enough. Clarke then runs her hands through her hair wondering about it. She decided to let it hang. A knock sounds on her door. "Clarke?" Clarke felt her heart pickup speed hearing Lexa's questioning voice. She then breathes in deeply. It's not a date. She thinks to herself. She then walks to the door and opens it. Lexa stood there in black tunic length shirt with a V-neck. The collar of the shirt stood up high and the shirt fit her figure. For pants she wore simple black leggings and on her feet were boots. Lexa's hair was braided in a simple way the only real difference was her face. On her face was red and gold war paint shaped like her regular paint the only difference was the color. When Clarke finished staring at her she had to admit that Lexa looked good in the clothing though admittedly the tunic was something newer.
"You look good." Lexa nods her head her face slightly stiff as she looked over Clarke. Clarke squirmed under her stare.
"You look nice as well Clarke." Lexa tells her before stepping back. That's all I look nice. Clarke frowns. She then breathes in deeply and follows Lexa out. The two of them walk through the house together.
"So what's with the gold and red war paint?" Clarke asks not liking the silence.
"It's Heda's colors. The gold symbolizes courage and warrior's spirit while the red symbolizes the leadership capabilities of my rank. I wear them for ceremonial occasions and festivals." Lexa explains. Clarke nods her head in understanding.
"It suits you." Clarke glances at Lexa as they exit the house. She stares at Lexa's arm before hesitantly grabbing it looking her own with hers. Lexa raises her eyebrow at the action. "So I don't get lost." Clarke explains motioning to the huge crowd. "So what usually goes on during these festivals?"
"Games are set up. Music is played. We eat and celebrate." Lexa shrugs. Clarke opens her mouth to say something else but was cut off by the loud calls of people around the two of them.
"Heda!" Clarke turns as she sees the people chant Lexa's title. She looks to see Lexa standing tall with pride as she they chant her title. She watches as different people try to get her to try out their goods.
"Come Clarke." Lexa drags her to the nearest booth.
"Heda would you like to participate." The stand man motions to the dart boards stationed further and further back.
"I would need some competition." Lexa states a small smile on her face. The man motions to Clarke and Clarke declines.
"Throwing knives aren't my specialty." Clarke glances at the different knives on the table.
"Heda will need true competition." The man states. He then grandiosely waved his hand. "Anyone willing to challenge Heda for the prize of the day. A mask artfully crafted by Zoran." Clarke furrows her eyebrows trying to understand what the man just said. He heard challenge and Zoran.
"He asked if anyone wanted to challenge me for the mask crafted by Zoran one of the best craftsmen in the city." Lexa explains to Clarke. Clarke nods in understanding.
"I'll take that challenge." A man steps forward a proud smirk on his face. Clarke releases Lexa's arm and assesses the man. The man looked sure of himself. He was tall with a slightly thinner figure than what Clarke was used to seeing in the warriors. His long black hair was braided back into a ponytail. His eyes were bright green and with slightly playful expression on his face.
"You think you can win Alec." Lexa teases him. Alec as Clarke now knows him as scoffs before smiling. Lexa picks up a knife and twirls it expertly in her hands and Alec does the same.
"Heda you are overconfident."
"I have reason to be Alec you've never beaten me once in any game." Alec pouts.
"That's because you cheat." Lexa laughs heartily shaking her head. Clarke was surprised at how easily Lexa laughed. It made her wonder who Alec was. Clarke has yet herself been able to get the usually stoic older woman to laugh.
"It is the simple fact that you my friend are terrible at this game." Lexa responds before turning to Clarke with a smile plainly written on her face. Clarke returned the smile. She enjoyed seeing this lighthearted side of Lexa instead of her normally serious side.
"I'll make you eat those words." Alec responds twirling his dagger. He nods to the game master who tells them to throw. Clarke watches as Lexa raises her arm to throw the dagger. Her arm swings and the dagger sails through the air. The posture reminded Clarke of when Lexa saved her from Quin and told him 'Jomp em op en yu jomp ai op.' (Attack her and you attack me.) Clarke had wondered what that meant since she heard the words. A loud groan brings her out of her thoughts. She sees Lexa standing with a mask of a bird in her hand a proud smirk on her hand.
"Here Clarke for you." Lexa hands her the bird mask.
"I couldn't you won it fair." Lexa stiffens as does the rest of the crowd. Clarke furrows her brow in confusion wondering what was wrong with Lexa. She looked to Alec hoping he'd help her out but he was looking away.
"I insist Clarke of the Sky People." Clarke stiffens when Lexa says this wondering why she was angry enough to use the title she had called her when they first met in that angry tone.
"Okay." Clarke takes the mask from her and it was as if everyone in the crowd looked relieved at her action. Clarke furrows her brow in confusion before putting the mask on and turning it so it was on the side of her face but still strapped to it.
"Come let us eat."
…
Hours passed before the two of them decided to sit in the square around a huge fire both of them with a plate of food. Or rather Clarke had a plate of snacks. She was at the moment eating chocolate cake. After the moment at the throwing stall the two of them returned to their regular manner. Clarke never asked why Lexa's people were so observant of how the two acted especially when Lexa gave Clarke the mask. It took about an hour for Clarke to realize what she had did wrong. Her actions of denying the gift could be seen as embarrassing for Lexa in front of her people but that's not why she denied the gift and had tried to explain that to Lexa without sounding like an idiot. But because she did the two of them sat amicably beside one another at the bonfire.
Clarke's feet taps as she watches multiple grounders dancing around the fire to the beats played by a band. She smiled knowing that times like this is the reason that Lexa made the decision that she did on the mountain. Clarke knew that Lexa loved her people and her people loved Lexa just as much. She had seen it in the way they called her Heda and approached her. She saw the smiles of children and the enjoyment on their faces when Lexa gave them a moment of their time while they explored the festival. Clarke had to admit that this was the most fun she'd had in the eighteen years that she's been alive. When the song changes Lexa stands.
"Clarke dance with me." Lexa holds out her hand expectantly to Clarke. Clarke stands with a smile on her face grasping her hand. Lexa drags her towards the crowd of both drunk and not drunk people of Polis who decided to participate in tonight's festivities. The two of them begin to dance Clarke not so well as Lexa did but she did enjoy dancing with the other girl. Clarke laughs when Lexa twirls her smiling widely. She moved with Lexa noting the huge smile on the other girl's face. Lexa dips Clarke and the music ends. Clarke smiles up at Lexa who was staring down at her with a pleased expression before lifting her up so she's standing up right. Lexa moves Clarke back to where they stood. She sat down and Clarke followed. This time sitting much closer to Lexa.
"Heda!" Lexa turns to see a man coming towards them with two mugs of a drink that was foaming.
"Mochof!" Lexa thanks the man taking the cup.
"What's that?" Clarke asks in excitement. Lexa raised her eyebrow.
"It is rum mixture." Lexa tells her drinking from it. Clarke holds her hand out expectantly knowing that rum was an alcoholic beverage. Since there were two cups she of course assumed the other was for her. "Clarke our beverages are strong." Lexa warns handing her the cup. Clarke scoffs. It can't be as bad as Monty's brew. She thinks before taking a sip. She smiles as she tastes a sweet flavor but the underlining taste of alcohol under it.
"This is good." Clarke tells Lexa before downing it. Lexa looked at Clarke with concern. "What?"
"Reynold's rum is strong and it will hit you faster since you did not drink slowly Clarke." Lexa warns drinking hers. Lexa signals for another mug.
"You finished yours fast." Clarke pouts causing Lexa's eyes to focus on her lips before looking back up at her eyes. The movement did not go unnoticed by Clarke. A smirk appears on her face. Maybe she hasn't lost interest in me. Clarke thinks.
"That is because I am great at holding drink Clarke."
"Well so am I. I want some more." Clarke argues. Lexa sighs and signals for more rum to brought their way. Reynold appears with a tray of six mugs. Clarke squeals and grabs one while Lexa does the same. Lexa watches Clarke chug the drink down. Oh this does not bode well. Lexa thinks to herself. And she was right. About two cups more in Clarke began slurring a lot of her words. Lexa had been forced to take the rum she was currently drinking and down it herself. "Hey that was mine." Clarke slurs leaning against Lexa.
"Clarke you are inebriated." Clarke furrows her eyebrows.
"I'm what now." She wiggles her nose in confusion. Lexa thought the expression was undeniable cute. "Is that another way of saying I'm sexy Lexa. Ooh I have a new nickname for you Sexy Lexy. See it rhymes." Lexa withholds a laugh but she was still amused at how the drunk Clarke acted around her. She didn't glare at her or withhold feelings because of Lexa betraying her on the mountain.
"Come Clarke we should return to home." Lexa states amusement clear in her tone. She stands up holding half of Clarke's weight as she could barely stand.
"Why we are having fun and I want to dance some more?" Clarke mutters. Lexa shakes her head.
"No I must get you home you are inebriated Clarke." Lexa tells her.
"Home I like that." Clarke presses herself closer to Lexa. "I like the thought of us having a home. I like you Lexa." Lexa's heartbeat picked up speed when she hears those words from Clarke. A smile made its way to her lips before she wiped it off knowing that Clarke is drunk. She knew that Clarke would never say those words to her sober not after she took the girl's trust and ripped it up in front of her face but that didn't stop Lexa from responding.
"I like you too Clarke now let's go home." Lexa waits for Clarke response but she looks down and notices that the girl was standing on her feet sleeping. Lexa chuckles before lifting her up. She buckles slightly under the weight before she got used to Clarke. Lexa began her walk back to her home. She nodded to the guards and her people roaming the streets. A few of the warriors looked from her to Clarke with a smirk on their faces. Lexa knew that word had spread earlier about what she had did. It was a part of the Trikru custom of courting. The first step was to teach the subject the way of your status. Since Lexa was a Leader and warrior she would teach Clarke such. The second step was gaining or winning a prize for the other half. With that step cemented Lexa pretty much claimed Clarke as hers in front of her people. She had seen some other members of her people looking at Clarke earlier with interest other than friendly. It angered her slightly so she made a claim on her that she had begun courting her. Until she was denied the continuation of courtship no one could touch Clarke other her and that was enough for Lexa. Well for now.
Lexa glances down at Clarke as she comes out of her thoughts. She then looked back up not wanting to bump into anyone. She could feel her arms straining. She was strong but not strong enough to carry a grown woman for blocks. But Lexa refused to get any help in carrying the girl. She would never stoop so low as to ask someone for help with the girl she was courting. So Lexa trudged on and entered the house. She closes the door behind her before making her way up the steps. She goes up floors before leaning against a wall and resting slightly. After a few moments she continued on until she reached Clarke's door. She opened the door and walked to the girl's bed lying her on it. Lexa moved the covers over Clarke chuckling when the other girl murmured in her sleep curling up under the covers. Lexa stands up straight and with one last look walks out of the room closing the door behind her softly. She walks into her own room taking off her tunic first. She strips into her undergarments shedding the hidden knives she kept on her under her clothing. She walks to her drawer and pulls on a nightgown before lying in her bed.
Lexa lays awake for a while staring at her ceiling before soon falling into a somewhat peaceful sleep. Until piercing screams woke her out the bed. Lexa immediately had her sword that she kept by her bed drawn and she ran out of her room. She burst into Clarke room her sword poised to attack any intruder but she paused when she saw Clarke having a nightmare. Lexa immediately moved to the bed dropping the sword and holds the flailing girl. "Clarke wake up it's me Lexa." Lexa speaks.
"No I'm sorry. I'm so sorry." Clarke sobs tears falling out of her eyes. "You gave me no choice." Lexa's heart ached at the sight of the blonde in obvious pain.
"Clarke please wake up." Lexa shakes her.
"Heda is everything alright?" Lexa turns to see Alec standing there with three other people from her special guard unit.
"No everything is fine she's having a nightmare." Alec nods and closes the door silently. Lexa turns back to Clarke worry plain as day on her face.
"Please Clarke wake up." Lexa shakes her gently once more. It seems to have done the trick.
"Lexa?" Clarke's eyes flutter open tears in them.
"Yeah it's me." Lexa mutters softly wiping away the tears.
"Don't leave me. Beja Lexa. Don't leave again." (Please) Clarke whispers. Lexa swallows and climbs into bed.
"I won't leave you Clarke no matter what." Lexa whispers back. Clarke curls up next to her.
"Promise." Clarke mutters curling into her arms.
"I promise." I won't ever turn my back on you like that again Clarke. Lexa vows to herself silently. As she says and thinks those words Clarke falls asleep. Lexa lies awake for a few moments waiting to see if she has another nightmare when she doesn't Lexa closes her eyes and rests.