There's quite a bit of jumping back and forth between people in this chapter; Also some questions should be answered... Should... Maybe not... We'll see...
Disclaimer: I own nothing
Octavia was pacing. Octavia was pacing and it was starting to get to Lexa. Aliyah was tapping her foot persistently against the log she was sitting on; Echo was practically bouncing whilst Benjy was scanning the forest wide eyes. She hated waiting as much as the next person but they couldn't just ride into Polis. Finnick was asleep on the ground next to Braelyn who was leaning back against the tree. She was the only one completely still. In fact she hadn't moved since taking up her place as guard over two hours ago.
Lexa had sent two guards to scan the perimeter for an entrance that wasn't guarded over an hour ago. They should have been back by now.
After Finnick's warning Lexa had sprung into action. They had been tricked, betrayed, and now it seemed the people of Polis would suffer for that mistake. Currently her army filled out the forest beside Polis waiting anxiously for their orders but Lexa's focus was on getting inside the city unseen. If she could just get to the girls and get them out… If she could reach the Queen and kill her…
Aliyah glanced up at her, "We'll get them out."
"We will," She nodded but couldn't avoid the doubt in the back of her mind… Lexa swallowed thickly and took a steadying breath.
"Someone betrayed us," Octavia said bitterly, "Someone inside Polis let them in."
"It had to have been one of the clan leaders… They were the only ones left in the city with the authority." Echo pointed out.
Lexa shook her head, "I should never have left the city undefended. I believed them when they said they would defend Polis…"
"You could not have known this would happen," Echo reassured her sister, "None of us could."
"Juan stayed," Lexa sighed, "Juan stayed to fight and defend the city…" She eyed Finnick, "He said her warriors died the moment the Ice Nation entered the city… I killed my friend."
"No. The traitor killed your friend."
Aliyah looked up, "Who were the most reluctant to fight against the Ice Nation?"
"The Northern clans… They are the closest but the mountain clans are known to side with Ice Nation as well. Anyone of them could have betrayed us. The point is I trusted them," Lexa said bitterly.
Octavia's pacing continued. She wanted to shout at her to stop her movements but Raven was inside with Savannah just like Willow was for Lexa… Possibly Clarke. Lexa hadn't allowed herself to consider it but it was highly likely that is the Queen was here then so was Clarke. God, how she missed her.
Lexa closed her eyes as the ache in her chest returned. Protecting Willow was the one thing she thought she could guarantee but it would seem that even she wasn't safe from the Queen's clutches. The Queen now had both Willow and Clarke. She glanced back over at Aliyah who was staring at the floor whilst biting the edge of her lip.
A rustling caught her attention and she looked up to see the guards appearing. Aliyah jumped up almost instantly and Braelyn was at her side in the blink of an eye. The guards stopped short and Lexa walked over to them.
"Did you find one?"
One of the guards indicated over his shoulder, "There is an old entrance by the edge of the forest… There are no guards however I am unsure as to how you plan on entering the halls once inside?"
"We will find a way," She turned to the others, "Aliyah and I will search the halls for the Ice Queen. Echo and Benjy I need you two to head down to the main gate in an attempt to open it." They nodded, "Octavia and Braelyn. You will head to the prison cells in an attempt to find everyone and get them out."
Everyone nodded and Lexa gripped the hilt of her sword, "Then we go. Right now."
XoXoXoX
Clarke was having a silent conversation with Raven, Willow could see it, but she wondered what plan they could possibly come up with that would work. Her mother cut away from Raven and met her eyes. Willow's eyes scanned her face. That was a bruise darkening on her jaw and there were the beginnings of a black eye appearing her left side. A cut ran down her cheek but apart from the busted lip they were the only signs of injuries on her mum.
"I missed you," Willow whispered under her breath.
Clarke nodded and gave her a watery smile, "I missed you… I'm so sorry-"
"It wasn't your fault!"
"I'm supposed to protect you," Clarke glanced at the Queen who was still talking with Dana, "And now we're here… I didn't think it would be as bad, if she had me, because at least she wouldn't have you, Aliyah or your mother." At the mention of the commander Clarke's eyes flickered and Willow wondered how desperate she had been to see her again.
Willow shuffled so her bound hands could grasp her mother's, "She misses you… We all do."
Clarke closed her eyes as a tear slid from her eye and she shook her head. When she spoke again her voice was hoarse as she attempted in vein to hold back tears, "She's going to walk into a trap unless we do something."
Willow felt her heart sink. They had to find a way of warning the commander some-how…
Suddenly the Queen stood from the commander's chair and called to one of the guards, "Double the watch. The Commander will be here soon and I want to know the moment she enters the city."
They nodded and moved away from the room. Izara looked to her daughter next, "Bring me our accomplice… I think they at least have the right to know who it was that betrayed them."
Dana gave a nod and walked away towards the door. Willow felt her heart clench and she eyed the girl carefully. She looked so like Braelyn and yet the two were nothing alike.
XoXoXoX
Lexa peered around the corner as the guards disappeared into the darkening streets. They had just watched as Octavia and Braelyn descended the steps to the prison. Echo and Benjy had long since made their way to the front entrance. Here Lexa stood watched the door to the halls which was heavily guarded.
"They must be inside," Aliyah whispered.
Lexa nodded and clenched on the sword in her hand, "We just need a way in."
She shared a look with her daughter. Either they waited until the guards changed shifts or they found another way in because at the moment these doors weren't holding the answer.
Lexa growled under her breath, "They are all Ice Nation."
"What happened to Juan's men?"
"The Ice Nation has taken complete control of the city… I dread to think what has happened to them," Lexa swallowed and stepped away so she was hidden in the shadow of the alleyway, "Izara will no doubt be in the Commander's hall. If we could just get there then we would take some control back."
Aliyah looked to something over her shoulder, "They have increased the patrol."
Lexa glanced back and hissed, "Indeed…"
"They know we're here…" She said into Lexa's ear, "This is a trap."
"I did not doubt it was a trap but I will not sit outside whilst the others are in the Queen's grasp."
Aliyah shook her head sudden realisation hitting her and how foolish they had been in coming here, "This was a trap for you, the Ice Queen wants you, and we've just walked into it-"
"I will not turn back."
"She can't take control if you're still alive," Aliyah spluttered, "It would make more sense for you to leave so the rest of us can-"
"Don't," Lexa spun to face her daughter with barred teeth in a warning, "I will not leave you as well. I have already lost your mother and now Willow. I will not lose you as well."
"I'm not saying that, you won't lose me, but we have to think realistically…" Aliyah tried to plead with her mother.
"No," Lexa shook her head, "I am not leaving."
The sound of footsteps approaching from the other end of the alley drew them into silence. Lexa pushed Aliyah behind her and raised her sword ready for an attack but was surprised when none came. Instead of seeing another member of the Ice Nation guard the shadows disappeared to reveal the bruised and worried face of Juan.
Her eyes widened at the sight of Lexa and she seemed to drop her stance in relief, "Heda!"
Lexa glanced back at the guards but was relieved to see they hadn't noticed them and turned back to the woman, "Juan… How are you alive?"
"I awoke to the sounds of fighting outside my room. I kept low and fought my way out… I tried to warn the others but I was too late to do anything. I have been keeping out of sight looking for a way out to warn you but," She cut off and looked between them, "How are you here Heda? You should not be here," She grasped Lexa's arm; "If the Ice Queen finds you she will kill you."
"It does not matter how I am here but I will not leave. Now tell me, where is my daughter?"
Juan swallowed thickly, "Everyone that was inside the Heda's building at the time is still there, I have not seen anyone being taken away, and I can only assume the Ice Queen is keeping them with her in the Commander's hall."
"Can you take me there?" Lexa asked desperately, "Without being seen."
Juan nodded, "Heda…" She began warily, "The Queen has brought the Skai with her…"
Lexa's breath caught in her throat and she spluttered out, "Clarke? Clarke is here?"
"Sha," Juan nodded, "No doubt with your daughter."
She shared a look with Aliyah who merely nodded determinedly. Lexa looked back to Juan and grasped the woman's forearm in her own, "Take me to my wife and daughter."
Juan led them through the streets of Polis. They kept to the darkened alleyways often being forced to hide in the shadows until guards passed them by. Lexa was grateful for her friend's help but the anticipation of seeing Clarke and Willow clouded all else. Juan used the kitchen's entrance to enter the halls and Lexa was unsurprised to find them empty.
"The Queen had the servants emptied out earlier," Juan explained to Aliyah's questioning.
There were fewer guards inside the halls and Lexa noted the Queen must have sent most of them in search of the streets. Juan was wary as she led them through the empty passages but there was no need to be; they came to no guards.
"I don't like this," Aliyah hissed, "Where are the guards?"
"Out on the streets," Juan said simply.
Lexa nodded in confirmation but that didn't seem to ease Aliyah. She felt the tension release form her body slightly at the sight of the Commander's hall and crept up beside Juan who was checking inside.
"It is empty," She whispered, "The Queen must have left them unguarded…" Juan trailed off in thought but Lexa didn't wait.
She pushed the door opened and stormed inside. Lexa's knees went weak as the blond head of her wife turned around and familiar blue widened in shock at the sight of her.
Lexa heard Aliyah rush inside behind her but didn't take notice. She dropped down onto her knees beside Clarke and cradled the blonde's face in her hands; as if terrified she would break. Lexa felt her cheeks dampen with tears but she didn't care and a few moments later Clarke was crying too.
"You're alive," She breathed, "I have you…"
Clarke shook her head but Lexa leant forward and kissed her cheeks, "I love you, I have missed you so much… Clarke…"
The blonde whimpered slightly and scrunched her eyes shut as she shook her head furiously. She was crying too much now and barely got out her next words, "Lexa no… You have to leave!"
Lexa pulled back slightly with a frown, "Why would I do that? I can get you out of here," She met Willow's panicked expression, "All of you."
Clarke shook her head again in an attempt to push Lexa away, "No. You don't have time-"
"Clarke there is time I won't leave-"
"Lexa it's a trap!" Clarke cried; her eyes wide and pleading with the brunette.
Just as she said that the door slammed shut and Lexa whirled around to see Juan standing there with her sword pointing at the commander. Behind her stood a group of six guards.
She felt her heart sink in her chest and closed her eyes as Juan smiled at her bitterly, "I am sorry Commander…"
"Juan," Lexa opened her eyes as two guards moved to force Aliyah on the ground beside Willow trying her arms behind her, "You were the one who betrayed us."
The woman merely stared at her unblinking. Lexa's face formed into a snarl, "I trusted you."
"As did I… It has come back to haunt you just as it did me," Juan said and nodded to the guards. They walked over to Lexa and gripped her arms tightly to restrain her as she attempted to fight back. Accepting defeat she turned her glare back on the woman in front of her.
"I never betrayed you."
"As a leader, no," Juan shook her head, "As a friend, yes. You went running off to fight that madman Jaha without a second thought about the consequences, you took my son with you and you did not give a second thought as he died."
"We did!" Clarke shouted from behind Lexa, "Jua's death haunted me for months after…"
"Months!" Juan cried as she darted over and dropped down in front her, "My son's death has haunted me for years! All these years… You have sat back happily with your family, raising your children, but you gave no thought to the son you took from me."
Clarke shook her head, "He was my friend-"
"He was my son! And you killed him…"
Juan stood back up and walked over to the door which she opened and nodded to guards outside. They filed in dragging behind them a restrained Octavia and Braelyn. Octavia was dropped down beside Raven and Savannah who she immediately attempted to comfort. Braelyn was placed down beside Abby and Willow turned to meet her eyes.
Lexa felt another pit open up in her chest. Echo and Benjy were the only two left…
Juan nods to the guards and Lexa is forced down beside Clarke. She doesn't dare look her wife in the eye for fear of what she will find but instead stays locked with Juan. The woman's eyes are flooded with anger as she looks over them all and Lexa wonders if this would be her had Clarke, Willow and Aliyah all lost their lives.
"The Ice Queen will be here soon," Juan walks over to Aliyah and Willow with her blade, "And I agreed to hand over the Commander willingly but Clarke," She looks to the blonde who is glaring up at her from the floor, "As you are the one who I blame for my son's death." Her blade balances against Willow's neck, "You will repay it… Blood for blood. I only lost one child so I will not take both from you."
Willow closed her eyes with a slight shake until the blade moved away from her neck and she opened them again to find it against Aliyah's.
"It is you choice Clarke," Juan's eyes are on the blonde still as she points her sword at their eldest daughter, "Aliyah," She moves it back over to their youngest, "Or Willow?"
Clarke felt her mouth dry up as she looked down at the blonde's panicked expression and Aliyah's wide eyes. Lexa felt her heart stop at the movement.
Right so I am going to apologise now because this is the last update until I get back so I predict I will update a week on Monday. I am so sorry for the cliffhanger but… I do so enjoy them! Just don't kill me. I'd hate to come back and find that I'm virtually dead… That wouldn't be nice :/