CHAPTER 21
Lexa stood at the beverage table next to Clarke and pushed thoughts of the meeting far from her mind. She wasn't going to mention her plans prematurely to Clarke tonight especially as there had been some conflict over her asking Clarke to bow before her. It seemed that after their conversation Clarke had come to understand her reasoning, though she may not have liked it, she submitted to the idea.
Lexa did not view Clarke the way she viewed others, she was unlike any other person she had ever met. Clarke had never or would never be one of her subjects. She was her equal on every level she thought. From the moment they met Lexa knew this girl was going to challenge her very being at every opportunity. Recalling their first meeting in her tent all those months ago Lexa saw the bruised and scuffed Clarke in front of her, her eyes piercing and un avoiding and her voice unwavering as she made her demands. The memory brought forward a small laugh which caught Clarke's attention. "Something amusing Commander?"
"Nothing worth mentioning." She dismissed. "Come join me by the fire it's freezing over here. The mountain lion should be about ready, you can have the first cut if you wish" Clarke's features were soft as she appeared to finally relax. Lexa lead the way back to the main circle and took her seat, she looked to Byron who still occupied her right hand seat. "You are dismissed for the night Byron." She stated gently.
"Heda?" He asked confused.
"No one will harm me here, go and enjoy the festivities, I am not asking." She spoke softly, as it was only them that could hear the conversation there was no need for her to give her orders harshly. She considered him a friend, they had known each other for years, he had been one of Gutus's protégés in Polis and had been a part of her private guard since she took Command. "Sha Heda." Bowing low he took his leave. Gesturing with her hand she offered the now empty seat to Clarke. She took the seat with no argument and Lexa allowed her eyes to rest on the beautiful blonde. Her heart lifted as she watched Clarke's face break into a wide smile when one of her people handed her a large helping of meat.
It gave her so much pleasure to see Clarke happy, it was a sight she thought she would never see and even though it was over something as trivial as food, in that moment it didn't matter.
For the first time in as long as she could remember Lexa felt at peace, she finally allowed herself to feel. Finally she started to accept her feelings for Clarke.
"How is it?" She asked referring to Clarke's plate. Unfortunately for Clarke she questioned her at the worst possible moment, her mouth was filled to the brim and she couldn't form a comprehensible response. Amused at Clarke's table manners Lexa chuckled shaking her head. "Actually it doesn't matter, I'll try it for myself." She helped herself to a decent portion before sitting back down. Clarke finally swallowed her oversized bite and wiped the grease residue from her mouth before talking. "It's good, I can't say I have ever had mountain lion since landing on the ground. It tastes different to panther. How many warriors did it take to bring this one down?"
Lexa simply raised a single eyebrow in response as she delicately pulled the meat apart. Clarke's jaw dropped before she tried to reign in her surprise. "You? You're telling me you the Commander went hunting and single handedly killed this beast?"
Lexa slipped a small bite in her mouth and began tapping the arm of her chair and regarded Clarke. A small frown of confusion covered her features. "Why is that surprising to you? I have many skills Clarke Kom Skaikru and utilise them when the opportunity presents its self. I thought it was quite fitting that I bring back such a prize for my people." Lexa made emphasis to her referral of Skaikru being her people. She noted that Clarke skipped over it and carried the conversation towards an insult. "Congratulations Commander I didn't realise you actually get your hands dirty personally, I thought your precious time was taken up with taking advantage of those less fortunate to serve your own purpose." Lexa stopped mid chew and threw Clarke a stone cold look, though she was enjoying their light hearted banter Clarke's remark was harsh and out of line. Before she could retort Clarke looked immediately embarrassed by her words. "I'm sorry, that was uncalled for. I guess I am still getting over the mountain and am apprehensive about my people's future. I want to trust you Lexa I really do. It'll just take time."
It was difficult to hear the truth but Lexa appreciated the apology. "Thank you for your honesty Clarke. Hopefully I will regain your trust soon but not a moment before you're ready." Lexa's mood dipped after the sudden change in topic. She turned her attention back out into the crowd and spotted Abbey Kom Skaikru watching her intently from a distance, the look in her eye suggested she was unhappy about the company Lexa was keeping that evening. As ever Lexa never one to back down lifted her chin in a silent challenge to the older woman daring her to pass comment on her dining with Clarke. Abbey was the first to concede, she looked away and appeared to strike up a conversation with a dark haired girl in a red jacket.
Deciding it was now time Lexa discarded her unfinished food onto the fire, and set about fastening the buckles of her long coat. She had left them undone whilst in front of the raging fire and felt it appropriate to relax in such an informal gathering. However now she must be nothing but presentable as she addressed her people. Lexa wanted the ritual of Kane taking the mark to be a quick affair, she was tiered and wanted to give Clarke her space for the rest of the night. Clarke seemed to have lost her hostility and had apologised for her earlier comment, but Lexa didn't want to out stay her welcome. Like Clarke said mending their broken bridges would take time.
As she stood up Byron was at her side in moments, he had clearly been watching her nearby even though he had been dismissed. Without a word Lexa strode into the centre of Arkadia, Kane and his people had also picked up on the que and followed directly after her. Within minutes the Grounders had gathered in formation leaving a clear walkway between them, the Skai people not really sure where to stand tagged along the edges or where there was a space so they could see the Commander. Lexa took in their faces and chose not to speak for several moments to make sure she had every ones attention. "Today is a very special day. We have ended a war that was certain to take many lives, we have chosen peace. Our people will now be able to exist together and gain from one another in safety. Your children will grow up in a world without fighting and death under my protection. But first you must all swear fealty to me. Bow to me and I promise to work hard towards a new future." She allowed her words to sink in before she started again, though it sounded like her speech was aimed at Skaikru alone she spoke more to her own people to ensure her warriors understood why 'Blood must not have blood' in this case.
Lexa looked around for Clarke and found her stood at the front with her mother and Kane. She turned her gaze to look directly into the other girl's blue eyes, there seemed to be no anger, betrayal or hatred when she looked back. Only acceptance and understanding to Lexa's relief. "As the strongest among Skaikru, Wanheda Commander of death. Do you accept these terms?"
Clarke strode out and stood before Lexa, she took a deep breath and knelt down on both knees and bowed her head low. Kane came to stand next to her and followed her exactly, needing no prompting every member of Skaikru and warrior bowed before her. A flood of emotion spread through Lexa as she watched everything falling into place. She stepped forward and extended and out reached hand to Clarke to respectfully assist her to standing. Her face was hard as she looked at the Commanders gesture and took her hand. Between the two of them they both felt the heat course through their hands and up their arms as a result of the skin to skin contact. Despite the freezing cold night Lexa could still feel the Skai girl's fingers burned into her skin after she had let go. As Clarke stood so did the crowd, Lexa cleared her throat and motioned to Kane to step forward. One of her guards brought forward the red hot branding iron that bore the mark of her coalition, Marcus pulled up his sleeve to expose the inside of his right forearm and willingly held it out. Lexa nodded giving her final permission to make the alliance final. Kane stifled a scream and took the brand well, the smell of burning flesh lingered a little too long for Lexa's liking and she held out her left arm to congratulate the new Leader of the thirteenth clan. Kane smiled as he realised she was holding out the opposite arm that was customary to grasp in acknowledgment of his freshly melted forearm. Lexa noted his appreciation and nodded as they let go,
"Indra will meet with us here in Arkadia tomorrow, we have much to discuss. I would normally holdd meetings at dawn but in light of our gathering I will say an hour passed sunset."
"Yes that sounds perfect Commander. Your warriors are welcome to stay for as long as they wish, the night is still young."
Lexa decided to take her leave, but before she did, she had one more set of orders to delegate. Three young warriors stood before her, "I need you to send word to the Capital, speak directly to Fleimkepa Titus only. Tell him Arkadia has taken the brand, we have the traitor Pike and he will be executed on our return. We leave for Polis following a leaders meeting tomorrow. I expect him to know this by morning."
"Sha Heda."
They all turned to head back to their camp on top of the hill, there she expected them to find their horses to ride back to Polis.
She headed to the gates where she found Theron grazing unfazed by the noise, she patted his head and ruffled his mien before mounting. She took one more look at the one hundred warriors with in Arkadia's gates and smiles inwardly, it was a wise decision to send the other three hundred members of the army home earlier as the tiny camp would not have held all of them. Making their way back to Polis with fifty men would be sufficient she thought as the others would head back to Trikru territory.
Slowly trotting away she heard someone call out. "Good night Commander!"
She didn't need to turn back to know who's voice it belonged to, she smiled as she looked over her shoulder. "Good night ambassador."