Chapter 11: Compromise

Lexa finds herself seeking shelter in what has become known as the Skaikru hut afterwards.

As far as Maunon attacks this one wasn't bad. They burned a town near the edge of their territory. Resulting causalities were many true, but defense was rallied enough that the village wasn't lost entirely. No, what made it bad was the reminder of what these attacks mean.

They mean the Maunon is still preying on them. That they are still helpless to stop them. That Lexa has yet to find a way to defeat the Mountain.

It is a stark reminder that the Mountain could attack the Skaikru.

Attack Clarke.

Once all the fires have been put out, patrols organized, the area searched for survivors and a final body count made Lexa returned to TonDC. Yet instead of heading straight to her bed she finds herself standing quietly in the doorway to the hut where Wells sleeps.

For a long while she stands there wondering why she's even there.

When her eyes fall on the books she loaned him she finds her answer.

With Wells there is no pressure to be Heda. No near legendary image of greatness to uphold. No mythical spirit in her veins and in her soul. She is simply Lexa, leader of the people yes, but a young woman only a few years older than him who is as curious about his world as he is about hers. Additionally, they have one more thing in common.

Clarke.

Early on, after Lexa had confirmed Clarke as her mate, Wells had taken to sharing stories about his and Clarke's childhoods. From coloring on walls to chasing parents down hallways and being chased in turn. From their favorite classes to Clarke's love for drawing and Wells skill at chess. She learns about her mate from the eyes of an observer.

In exchange Lexa shares the reports that come in on the Skaikru. She shares what emotions she felt and when so that together they speculate on what correspondence there might be between the reports and Clarke's emotions. Lexa teaches Wells about the customs of the Trigedakru regarding soulmates, how her people view the bond and what actions may be permitted when and by who. How either mate may present the bonding bracelets but it's tradition that they are hand carved. How each must prove capable of some skill which will help provide for the pair should something happen to their partner - be it hunting or producing a product to trade or a skill to exchange. About how the needs of the population affect the bonding of platonic soulmates and occasionally the same sex ones that normally adopt.

All this she shares while quietly grasping a worn bracelet in hand.

Since she had first explained Wells had never asked about the bracelet and Lexa appreciates him even more for it. She would be honored to call him her tombro once she and Clarke our bonded.

Assuming they are ever given the chance to do so.

Maybe it is this underlaying fear that has led her to stand outside his room in the dead of night. This certainty that the Skaikru's only hope of understanding lies in the knowledge of her people she has bestowed upon him. And the hope that they will listen to him and her mate long enough for Lexa to find a way to protect them. To keep them safe from the Mountain and from the Coalition and from Nia.

With a deep sigh Lexa turns and leaves.

Nothing stirs inside the small cabin as her shadow passes briefly under the door frame. It is a dark night, a new moon making even the lightest shadows seem dark. Lexa makes her way back to her own bed silently. All the while pondering how to balance her seemingly never-ending responsibilities with her desire for peace. A peace where she is free to be weak for the one her soul is tied too.

She fears there will never be a time where she can be with Clarke as bonded.

They had just finished reviewing the Maunon attack when a messenger arrives. Dismissing the Trigedakru leaders and generals other than Indra and Anya, Lexa calls the messenger in.

The news is not good news.

Lexa is needed back in Polis. Quarrels between clan ambassadors have increased and Titus requests her presence to sort the newest issue. He also sends a carefully worded warning reminding her of her duty to all the clans now and not just her own.

What stung the most was the comment insinuating neglect of her natblida.

Internally Lexa swore. Externally she didn't so much as twitch.

After acknowledging the message and stating she would leave after lunch, therefore arriving after nightfall, Lexa dismisses the messenger. She did not respond when Anya moved to stand in front of her throne. Instead she focused on her breathing and maintaining her emotions.

There was nothing to be done about the summons.

Certainly, Clarke could feel the frustration pounding through her.

Releasing a long exhale Lexa finally looks at Anya.

"Tell Sevek when he returns that all previous terms for the exchange stand. The date will simply need to be moved back at least two days. Maybe three. We can't afford to delay much longer than that."

Anya nodded and though she appeared as if she wished to speak, she left it at that. Lexa was grateful. Her emotions had only gotten more turbulent as the bond strengthened and Clarke's became clearer. Now she was expending significant focus to maintain her calm exterior when before it came easily.

Slip ups could not be allowed while she was in Polis.

Turning to Indra she evaluated the woman silently. Indra stood steady and confident under her gaze. Nodding slightly in acknowledgment of the woman's determination Lexa gives her next order.

"Begin strategizing ways to defend the Skaikru from the Maun-de. They are not our allies yet, but they hold knowledge of things our people have long forgotten. I'd much rather that knowledge came to us than somehow allowing the Maunon greater reach. We may need to step in sooner rather than later."

She hoped not. She really hoped not. But in her experience, nothing would work right the first time and enemies didn't like to follow your expectations of them.

Indra too appeared as though she wished to speak. Although Lexa had a better idea about what the leader would be protesting.

"I've no intention of adding undo strain to your warriors. I plan to petition for troops while I am in the capitol. Perhaps with Skaikru knowledge we can finally find a way into the Maun-de."

Both women startle, but bow their heads to show their understanding. The idea of utilizing the Skaikru knowledge of tech was something Lexa had been mulling over since her one-sided conversation with Clarke and it had only grown as Wells had shared more about the Skaikru lifestyle. While it was true most of the Skaikru goufa did not understand the inner workings of technology, any one of them had a greater understanding over all of technology than any of Lexa's people.

If Lexa could find a way to capitalize on that knowledge... or gain access to those with the intricate understanding most lacked... they may find a way past the Maun-de defenses, of which Lexa was certain were technology based.

Decision made Lexa dismissed the two leaders and left to speak with Wells.

Maybe he would be able to present a better case for Skaikru technical knowledge.

"Something has come up. I'm afraid I need to leave for a few days and the exchange has been pushed back in the hope that I can return in time."

Wells looked startled at the news. Or perhaps he was startled by her rather rushed entrance into the hut, door having just finished slamming closed by the time Lexa had started speaking. No matter the cause, Wells blinked at her in a stupor for a few minutes before nodding.

"Okay. What's the real issue?"

It was Lexa's turn to blink. Had she really become so close to Wells in the past handful of days that he could already read her? Or was it because she lowered her guard and dropped her Heda mask around him? Did his connection to Clarke mean she had shown too much of herself in a desire to learn more?

Did it matter that he knew her so well?

No. Well, no so long as he was an ally to her and Clarke.

"What are the odds of your father respecting any deals we make with you and Clarke?" He sighs.

"Slim. He may respect that we made a treaty with you, but he will likely not agree to the terms. We are viewed as children unable to make decisions on our own. Worse, we were criminals with no right to make decisions for ourselves."

Lexa nodded. Even though it wasn't what she wanted to hear, it was what she expected. They had discussed how the Ark viewed the delinquents before. Now it was time to finalize what to do about it.

"What if you're people were treated separately from you and the others already down here? We have already suggested to Clarke treating the drop site like a village or trading post. Then when your people come down they would need to establish their own settlements separate from your own."

"That could work yes, but I'm sure if you talked to Clarke she'd tell you we have nothing to trade." Lexa smiled softly remembering just what Clarke had said.

"Moonshine may yet make a valid trading item." Wells let out a startled laugh, his eyes wide. Lexa had not told him the details of the conversation. At his reaction she was quite glad for that decision.

"What about technical knowledge?" Although she had made a joke moments before, there was no humor in her tone or expression now.

"What about it? Most of us down here know how to work a variety of technologies but I doubt more than a handful of us have ever taken one apart."

"Would you be able to work the Mountain's technology?"

Wells jaw dropped. He knew of the Mountain from reading their histories. There were dozens of stories revolving around attacks by the Maunon or attempted sieges upon the Maun-de. Lexa herself had told him of the theories not in the histories, those of how the Maun-de was able to do what it did.

By use of old world technology.

Now Wells eyes take on a serious glint, his head tilting back slightly as he considers his answer. That was one thing Lexa had found interesting about Wells. His various tells were completely different to any other she had worked with. He would raise his gaze above the head when in deep thought. If he was worried about something his face and tone betrayed nothing, but his hands would shift in certain ways - sometimes smoothing over his lap, other times clenching into fists at his sides.

It was refreshing to be learning to read someone new. Someone so different from everyone else she'd ever met.

She wondered how similar Clarke would be to her best friend. If Clarke would have similar tells. If Clarke would react first or think through her words like Wells did. She suspected Wells was the more level headed of the two. The two times she had seen them interact certainly gave that impression.

"It's possible." Wells' voice broke her out of her thoughts.

"If we could gain access to some of their tech, it's possible. Most of it should be fundamentally the same. Walkie-talkies can only change so much, and cameras all require certain features. The biggest problem would be getting access to it so we could find out. And those with actual experience taking things apart could probably give you greater access if we could get them inside with the tech. Or the tech to them."

That was about the same conclusion Lexa had come to. Still, it was nice to have her thoughts confirmed by someone else with a better grasp of the resources she was talking about. Speaking of resources...

"What about medicines? Surely you have advancements among your people that have been-"

Lexa cut herself off in a sharp inhale. Quickly she worked to mask her reaction. In Polis she would not have the luxury of reacting to the bond. Here though, Wells had already seen her react before. He knew what was happening the moment her eyes had widened and her breathing changed. Closing her eyes Lexa focused on processing what Clarke was sending and keeping it below the Heda mask she showed the world.

The first thing she noticed was an unusual lightness at her wrist.

The second was the shear strength of Clarke's panic and worry and confusion and over all reaction that Lexa mentally labeled as Clarke's 'what just happened' reaction.

Opening her eyes Lexa stared silently at her wrist for a moment.

It took her longer than she would like to admit to remember if Clarke had anything on her wrist. When she did understand came. The metal wristbands Clarke had said sent their information to the Ark about them.

"The wristbands. The ones you all wore. Clarke's is off. Maybe everyone's is based on the amount of panic she is sending."

It was Wells turn to inhale sharply.

With the wristbands dead the Ark would not know whether the ones on the ground were okay. That much Lexa clearly understood. From what she'd learned talking to Wells, no one down here could predict what those in space would do now that the bracelets were dead. Whether they would try to send someone down to check, or write the goufa off as lost was anyone's guess. For all they knew the Ark could decide to send people down anyways.

Lexa hated not being able to predict what an enemy would do.