Chapter 13
Lexa sat in her commander armor on her throne her red cloak billowing behind her. Her face painted in her black war paint. Her hand touched her throne lightly. Her mind wandering to Clarke. Fear gripped her and her heart ached. She was scared. No she was more frightened then scared. Lexa had moved past her happiness of having Clarke as her own. Three days had passed since Lexa and Clarke moved past the friendship part of their relationship. She had told Clarke that she was courting her since they reached Polis and it was amusing to watch Clarke's mind wander to all of their interactions because her facial expressions would comically change. But the happiness ended as soon as she learned that the Az Kwin (Ice Queen) would arrive today. So now she stood at her throne trying to collect herself.
Lexa knew that she would have the burning urge to kill the woman that was responsible for the death of her first love. Still she knew that she should control herself to not damage the coalition. Without the mountain the clans has had the first peace they have had in the longest living together in coexistence. It was necessary as the Commander to keep that peace no matter what. That's why she had allowed the Azgeda (Ice Nation) to join in the first place. Of course whenever the Az Kwin showed her face she had that smug smile on her face that Lexa wanted to rip off. But now Lexa knew that if that woman made a move to harm Clarke anyway the coalition be damned. She has sacrificed her heart too many times. She could not lose Clarke it was something that just couldn't happen if she was to be happy. Clarke gave her strength. The love she thought at first was a weakness had become a strength to her. Clarke was the pillar of that strength. And so Lexa resolved herself to not lose her.
"Lexa." Lexa turns to Clarke who had appeared beside her without her knowing. She noticed that stared Clarke at her with worry in her eyes. Lexa smiles softly to ease her worries. "You don't have to pretend in front of me." Clarke gripped Lexa's hand that was on the throne. She moved and sat on Lexa's lap. Her thumb rubbed soothing circles on the back of Lexa's hand.
"I am scared Clarke." Lexa admits looking into the bright blue eyes that just the thought of brings an unbidden smile to her face. Clarke sees the fear and Lexa's eyes and tears water in them knowing why Lexa was scared. She felt her pain knowing that losing Lexa would be losing everything that kept her sane. She would lose the woman she loved and she knew Lexa was thinking about the pain of losing Clarke. And Clarke knew that her admittance meant that Lexa wasn't herself.
"Don't be scared Lexa. I'm not going anywhere. I promise you that. I don't plan on dying anytime soon. You trained me for a reason my love." Clarke tries to soothe her worries.
"You are strong Clarke I just fear you are not strong enough. The Azgeda are merciless and their Kwin even more so." Lexa wraps her free arm around Clarke. The fear still ever-present in her eyes. "The Az Kwin will quickly figure out that you are the Heda kom ain tombom." (Commander of my heart) Lexa murmurs leaning forward pressing a kiss on her neck. Clarke closes her eyes leaning into the touch.
"Since you are so worried I will not leave my guards. You can even have Reisha guard me." Clarke thinks of the huge tiger that lazily lounges around all day but seems fitter than Clarke herself who trains daily. Lexa smiles at this.
"I shall take you up on that Clarke." Clarke presses a kiss on Lexa's lips. Their lips move against one another the both of them fighting for dominance. Clarke whimpers when Lexa bites lightly on her bottom lip. A throat clears and Clarke pulls herself back from the kiss. Both of them glare towards the intruder. Alec's eyes widen and he swallows.
"The Az Kwin is coming up to the gates. I figured you'd want to know." Alec states swallowing heavily. Lexa sighs.
"I must go Clarke." Clarke sighs and stands up of Lexa's lap. Lexa stands as well. She grabs her sword that was sitting next to the throne. "Clarke go get your daggers I want them on you at all times."
"Okay Lexa." Clarke tells her. Lexa gives Clarke one last smile before she walks towards Alec.
"Alec I want Sariah, Walter and Corban guarding her at all times." Lexa whispers into his ear. Alec nods stiffly.
Lexa then proceeds to walk out of her house. She calls for Reisha and gives her the order of being of with Clarke. She then makes her way onto the streets. The bustle of the streets had lessoned. The Trikru members of Polis weren't too excited by the appearance of the Azgeda Kwin. They had been at war with them for years. Lexa regretted ending the war with them. If it was best for her people she would've had the entire nation burned. Yet she didn't. She knew that the Azgeda had great warriors and generals that would fortify the coalition so she let them survive. So now as Lexa stood awaiting the entrance of the Az Kwin her hand twitched beside her side with want to draw the sword that she had strapped to her hip. As the gates opened she steeled her face but her eyes held burning fury barely caged as they strolled in atop their horses in heavy armor of fur.
Lexa's eyes stayed on the woman who led the charge. Leila. It was a name she despised. It was the name of the woman who personally took it upon her to torture and kill the girl she loved. The woman who Lexa had at the end of her sword ready to kill. The woman who Lexa had let live knowing that she was tired of war and whom she gave an ultimatum of dying or living and joining the coalition. Lexa felt her mouth twitch a small smirk when she looked at her face. A large knife scar ran down the side of her face that Lexa dealt her to remember her by. Green eyes met ice cold grey eyes. Eyes that almost everyone in the Azgeda held. Eyes that angered her immensely. Lexa steps forward when the pale black haired woman easily jumped off her horse.
"Welcome to Polis Leila." Lexa watched as her eyes twitched at Lexa not calling her by her title. She knew that all Leila cared about was her title as Kwin. She was the only member known as Kwin and she loved it. Lexa purposely disrespected her and angered her in hopes that she would snap.
"Your city is as meager as always Heda." Leila responds jutting her chin out. Lexa ignores the comment and turns to her men.
"Lead them to their quarters." Lexa orders a few of her personal guards. It usually is an honor to have her guards to escort someone. But Lexa had five guards escort them meaning she saw them a threat to be disposed of if they dared to get out of line. Lexa turns to walk away. She had done the customary greeting as all leaders are privy too. Now all she wanted to do was return to her mansion and hold Clarke.
"I have heard of a new consort you took Heda. I hope she likes cold places." Lexa's entire froze her demeanor shifted and a few of her guards around her took a step away in fear once they saw the murderous look on their Heda's face. Lexa schooled her features but her eyes were cold as she glared at Leila as she turned towards the Az Kwin and her men. Her guards who moved closer to her when she made that comment. Lexa recognized one of them as the one named Echo who one of the Skaikru had saved.
"Leila do not test me. Your life can only be extended by so much. Keep pulling on that string. And I will have my wish. Your head on my mantel." Lexa responds this time walking off not looking back. Lexa releases her hand from the grip she had. Noticing the blood on her palms. She hadn't noticed herself piercing skin. Lexa turns to Alec who had his jaw working and he looked angry or rather pissed. She knew it was a risk to have Alec in front of the murderer of his sister but the two of them were the only ones that could stop the other had they wanted to kill her. "When we arrive to my home. None is to disturb Klark and I."
"Sha Heda." Alec replies gruffly.
…
Clarke moved her brush as she painted the powerful creature that lied in front of her. She had drew Reisha first wanting to get the details of the fierce yet docile creature correct. Clarke wasn't the best painter but she was a good one. She looked at the tiger once more to see the intelligent looking at her with if Clarke could describe the look the look of 'are you done yet.' It made a smile crack on her face seeing the annoyed look on the tiger. It didn't take away the worry that gripped her heart as she wondered if Lexa was alright. Clarke sighs and looks back at the canvas before continuing to move her paint brush. She finished a little later.
"You can move Reisha." The huge cat stretched yawning before moving to where Clarke was before plopping down and closing her eyes dramatically. The action caused Clarke to laugh lightly. She stood up from her bed putting the canvas aside having finished the drawing with Reisha in a clearing with a forest surrounding her. She left it to dry and stands stretching. As she did so she noticed movement outside her window. She looked just in time to see an arrow whistling through the air. Clarke dodged immediately the glass shattering the window but Clarke was well out of the way as the arrow soared through the air. The sound of glass breaking caused the door to slam open and Reisha to stand a growl released. Sariah came in sword drawn ready to kill. Walter and Corban following. Clarke immediately went to action. "Archer outside Walter, Corban after him!" Clarke yells. When they didn't move Clarke snarls. "Now!" She orders and that set them in motion. Corban leapt out the window onto the tree that was outside while Walter ran out down the stairs.
"Clarke are you injured?" Sariah asks.
"Sha." Clarke walked to the arrow that was embedded in the wall and pulls it out. She inspects it before licking the tip. She immediately spits out tasting the poison coating the tip. "Poison." She frowns angrily staring at the arrow.
"Hedatu may I." Clarke blinks at Sariah who was holding out her hand for the arrow. She felt her chest swell with happiness at the title.
"Sha." Clarke hands the arrow over. Sariah inspected the design before growling.
"Azgeda." She snarls out. Sariah throws the arrow down.
"Klark!" Lexa bursts into the room her eyes immediately roaming over Clarke's body trying to assess her for any injuries as she briskly walked towards her. "Yu ogud?" (You okay) Lexa stares at her worriedly her hands gripped her face looking for any marks on her everywhere.
"Sha Leksa ai laik ogud." (Yes Lexa I am okay) Clarke tells her. Lexa looked relieved for a few moments before turning towards Sariah glaring at her. Sariah swallows fear evident on her face.
"What happened!" Lexa barks at her. Sariah jumps and glances at the arrow. Lexa's hand was on her sword noting this Clarke gets in between them.
"Chil yu au Leksa." (Calm yourself Lexa) Clarke presses her hand on Lexa's chest. She noticed that Lexa still had murder in her eyes. "Beja." (Please) Clarke whispers in her pressing a light kiss on her cheek. Lexa's posture relaxed slightly. Clarke was relieved knowing Lexa might kill her guards. She then turns to Sariah who looked too scared to even talk. "Chich nau Sariah." (Speak now) Sariah blinked and nodded before leaning down picking up the arrow.
"We were outside the room as ordered when we heard the breaking of glass. I immediately entered the room sword drawn. Hedatu ordered Walter and Corban after the assassin before she went to the arrow pulled it out noting it was poisoned. I asked her for it and noted it was Ice Nation in design." A string of curses and threats left Lexa's mouth in Trigedasleng. Murder in her eyes Lexa stalked towards the door removing herself from Clarke's hold. Clarke didn't understand most of the conversation but she understood the Ice Nation was taking the blame for the attack.
"Hod op Leksa." (Wait) Clarke grasps Lexa's hand. "No finga au." (No accusing)
"Clarke you've been attacked by the Ice nation. I will not let them stay safe in these walls when they send an assassin to ain tombom." (my heart) Clarke closes her eyes swallowing the feelings that rose up in her at Lexa's words. "Jomp em op en yu jomp ai op." (Attack her and you attack me) Lexa repeats the words from when Quint attacked her. "They have attacked you Clarke and as such have attacked me. Jus drein jus daun Klark." (Blood must have blood)
"As much as I want you to kill the people who did this there is no concrete proof that the Azgeda have done this."
"That arrow is proof!" Lexa roars. Clarke knew she wanted blood and wasn't thinking clearly. She had to get Lexa to see the point she was trying to make.
"Gon we Sariah." (Leave) Clarke tells Sariah. Lexa nods to the guard and Sariah leaves closing the door behind her. "Lexa the arrow is of Azgeda design yes but you must think with your head."
"I am." Lexa responds.
"No you are not. You are thinking with your heart wanting whoever did this to pay but I am not injured because of your spectacular training of my reflexes. And I have calmly assessed the situation. Will you listen to me?" Clarke asks of her. Lexa stiffens before nodding her head. "Before you run off accusing anyone think. There are many who know of your hatred of the Ice Nation and of theirs for you. Our relationship is not a secret among the clans. There could be someone out there wishing me dead and planning to put the blame of the Ice Nation on it. Isn't it odd that the arrow had the markings of Azgeda's arrows on it. Someone wants you to start a war. An assassin would not identify his people so easily they would use a different arrow style."
"What would you have me do Clarke? If it was Azgeda or not a war would start anyway."
"But if or rather when it does it will be with the clan who dared challenge the Heda of 12 Clans and who dared to attack me the defeater of the Maunon. At least wait until Walter and Corban return with information on my would be assassin. Beja Leksa." (Mountain men) Lexa sighs and shoulders slump.
"I shall concede for now Clarke. You are right in saying my actions were too brash but do you blame me."
"No Lexa I do not." Clarke cups her cheek. "But I know you truly do not want to thrust your people into another war so soon Lexa." Lexa nods her head stiffly. "Ai hod yu in Leksa." Lexa smiles slightly.
"And I you Clarke…" Lexa pauses slightly before continuing her thoughts. "Clarke I want you to stay in my room for now on." Clarke's heart stutters in shock. "I want you to sleep next to me so I will be there to protect you. I don't want you here." Lexa points to the room. "Will you stay in my room?"
"Sha ain hodnes." (Yes my love) Clarke watches as Lexa visibly relaxes and tears gather in her eyes. The sight caused Clarke's heart to break.
"I am sorry Clarke. Had I not pursued you this would not have happened you'd be safe." Clarke eyes narrow angrily and Lexa blinks in shock at the expression.
"Lexa you are a branwada." (Fool) Clarke snarls. "You are not the cause of this. We may be together but do not forget that I am a leader too or rather a former leader. One your people both fear and admire just like you Lexa. Attacking me would be getting rid of a possible threat. This isn't your fault Lexa. As my people say shit happens."
"And what does that mean."
"Things happen that are out of your control. No matter how much you are prepared something still goes wrong or some accident happens."
"Ah wyrd decides." (Fate) Clarke blinks trying to figure out what she said. "Fate. Wyrd is our word for fate love. I am familiar with this concept though I do not like it." Lexa admits. Clarke smiles.
"Fate decided for us to be together Lexa. It would not tear us apart so soon. I shall sleep in the room with you Lexa." Clarke tells her. Lexa nods stiffly.
"Then gather your things we shall settle you while we wait for Corban and Walter." Clarke turns to do as told but Lexa pauses her. "Clarke as you say fate did bring us together but fate just like karma is a bitch." Her serious expression as she said this elicited a laugh from Clarke.
"Yes she is but there are times she can be a saint nami?" (you feel me, understand me)
"Sha Clarke you alright." Clarke gathers her things. With the help of Lexa and Sariah her stuff was moved into Lexa's room. Clarke looks around the brown and green painted room that was designed so it would look like one was in a forest. She smiled before lying on her bed. She turned to see Lexa unabashedly staring at her with lust. Clarke immediately felt heat pool between her legs at Lexa's attention.
"Heda!" Lexa glanced at the door annoyance clear in her eyes. Clarke sits up resisting the urge to roll her eyes. Lexa opens the door to see Walter and Corban there.
"What of the assassin?" Lexa asks.
"He was dead when we found him Heda." Lexa's eyes narrow.
"How?"
"Poisoned himself we believe."
"Did you identify his clan?"
"No Heda he had nothing on him to use to identify his clan. We searched the surrounding area but came up short." Lexa nods clearly angry but she would not take her anger out on her guards.
"Gon we." (Leave) The two leave the room and Lexa closes it. "You were right to be suspicious Clarke." Lexa turns to her love. "Thank you for stopping me." Lexa looks down.
"Lexa come." Clarke wiggles her finger. Lexa walks over to her. Clarke stands and begins to disrobe her of her armor. Lexa watched her with an acute eye. "For now we relax and deal with internal issues. The external ones can wait after this week is over. It can wait until my people and yours are finally one and the same." When Clarke drops her shoulder guard, Lexa's last piece of armor she drags her to the bed.
"Your people will become my people. I will do everything in my power to make this happen." Lexa tells Clarke with weariness in her eyes. "Clarke you make me weak." Lexa kisses her. Clarke closes her eyes deciding to relish and enjoy the moment she was having with her love knowing that tomorrow things would become hectic.
I hope you all don't find it strange that the two are in a relationship already. I just wanted them to be together before the true beginnings of the Coalition meetings and when Clarke's people arrive.