Chapter 25:
"Titus, if you are lying to me-"
"Heda, I swear to you, I am not lying to you. I would not lie to you." Titus defended as they rode on horseback toward the location outside of the city.
"You lied by omission when you failed to tell me you had captured Murphy and planned to murder Clarke." Lexa retorted.
"We don't need to bring that up again." Clarke interjected.
"If Titus wants to make an incorrect statement, I will argue it." Lexa kept her eyes locked on Titus who was bound on his horse and was actually being pulled by one of the guards that accompanied them.
The group settled into an awkward silence for the remainder of the ride, which took them well into the night. The guards that were on foot carried torches to light their way, but Clarke was regretting the need for immediate action like this. They'd technically gotten married the night before, but this was still very much their wedding day and after she stayed up all night with Lexa and riding to the house, getting ready for the celebration and ceremony today, she was exhausted. The only thing keeping her going was the fact that she knew Lexa needed her with her. She'd do anything for her.
"She is there, Heda." Titus had to motion with both of his hands since they were tied together. "Inside." There was a small one-room shack more than a house set back in a grouping of trees. "I built it myself." He finished.
"It looks like there's a light or a lamp on inside." Clarke commented. She could see a sliver of light emanating from the crack in the door. She turned toward Lexa, who'd chosen to wear full Commander gear including the war paint she so rarely needed these days. "Lexa?" Clarke checked on her. She hadn't said anything in a long time and appeared to just be staring at the shack.
"Heda, we should check-" One of the guards started.
"Yes. Go." Lexa ordered and two of the guards walked with their torches and swords at their sides toward the small building.
"Do you really think it's a trap?" Clarke asked her.
"I trusted Titus once. I won't make the same mistake again." Lexa replied well within earshot of Titus who hung his head.
They watched as the guards approached cautiously. They inspected the surrounding area and then walked toward the door. One drew his sword while the other had his hand on his and knocked on the wooden door. Clarke looked at Lexa who gulped when the door opened. They couldn't see who it was, but the guards turned back a moment later and nodded.
Lexa suddenly became quick in her movements where she had so recently seemed so hesitant. She climbed from her horse and Clarke watched as she took several large steps forward at a face pace. Then, she stopped suddenly and stood still. Clarke knew. She climbed off her own horse and just as her footsteps approached Lexa, Lexa reached her right hand out to her side. Clarke slid her own into it and they walked forward together toward the building. The door was still open and there was light streaming outside now.
When Lexa made eye contact with her, she stopped walking. Clarke felt Lexa's body tense. She looked at Lexa and then toward the house and couldn't believe what she was seeing. Luna was dressed in tattered clothing, but other than that, she looked just like Lexa. Her hair was slightly shorter, but the same color. Her eye color, her bone structure, her height… everything. Clarke turned to look at Lexa as if to check that she was still there. Lexa's mouth hung open.
"Sister." Came a greeting from the shack. Luna's voice was similar to Lexa's, but slightly higher.
"It's you." Lexa replied.
"Yes, Lexa." Luna took a few steps outside. Lexa remained in her position. Her hand had grown sweaty inside Clarke's. "My apologies. Yes, Commander." She lowered her head.
Lexa let go of Clarke's hand and ran to her sister. Clarke watched as she lifted Luna's head and held it in place.
"No, I am your sister."
Clarke watched as the two of them embraced. She turned back to see that Titus was smiling on his horse and the guards appeared to be doing their job without invading Lexa's privacy by imposing their presence.
"The two of you take him back." Clarke ordered the guards quietly enough so as not to disturb Lexa and Luna's reunion. "Lexa and I will remain here."
"I will stay behind." One guard offered. Clarke nodded.
"Lock him away until the Commander decides what to do with him."
"What happens to me does not matter." Titus stated as his horse was turned to walk back toward Polis. His head remained turned for as long as he could hold it that way as he watched the sisters embrace and talk.
The guard who remained behind took watch by facing the other direction. Clarke appreciated his respect for Lexa. She turned back around to see that Lexa and Luna were no longer hugging, but were talking. She stood there for several minutes watching them and trying to both listen and not listen at the same time. Lexa turned around and smiled at Clarke after what felt like an eternity to her. She nodded for Clarke to approach, which Clarke did.
"Luna, this is Clarke."
"It's nice to meet you." Clarke greeted.
"And you." Lexa replied.
"Clarke is my wife."
Luna's expression changed immediately. She was clearly thrown off by this.
"But you are Commander."
"Titus was not lying to you when he told you things with our people have changed." Lexa explained. "Clarke and I have been together for a long time. We married today in Polis."
Clarke didn't know what to say or do. She figured Lexa would let her know what she needed and she'd do that.
"How is that possible?" Luna asked.
"Come back with us. Come to Polis."
"I cannot return to Polis, Lexa. I fled the conclave. I am a coward to our people. I should be dead."
"Things have changed, Luna. Let me show you." Lexa implored. "You don't have to hide anymore."
"I can't return to the city, Lexa. We can talk here or in the woods for now. Titus found me at great risk to himself. I nearly killed him when I found him following me."
"What about outside the city?" Clarke interjected.
"We are outside the city." Luna replied.
"We have a house. It's outside of Polis, but it's closer than this. It's private and it's not in the city. You don't have to worry."
"You have a house?" Luna looked at Lexa.
"Everything is different now. Clarke is right. You can stay at our house so we can talk. It's a short ride from here. Please, Luna."
"You arrested Titus." Luna shared. "Why did you arrest him if he brought you to me?" Luna appeared to not trust her sister telling her that things have changed.
"Titus committed an offense. He was banished for it. He returned against my orders and was arrested. His punishment for that has yet to be determined."
"He should be freed." Luna tried.
"Titus is not my concern right now."
"Promise me that you will let him go and I will come with you."
"Why is his safety so important to you?" Lexa asked.
"Because after I nearly killed him and he explained what happened in Polis, I got caught in a hunter's trap. It almost severed my leg. Titus removed it and tended to the wound until it healed. He saved my life. I would like to offer the same to him in return now."
"His life is not at risk." Clarke reminded. "We don't kill people anymore."
"Heda, swega em kiln." Commander, swear it.
"Titus will live. I have no intention of taking his life."
"And he will be freed?"
"Yes." Clarke answered for Lexa.
"I need the Commander to say it."
"She just did." Lexa replied for Clarke this time. "We have been bound in blood and flame. Clarke is a Commander now as I am, Luna."
"Ron ai ridiyo op!" Speak true! This was the most shocked Clarke had seen Luna.
"We can talk about this at the house. She has made her promise. Will you come with us?" Clarke asked Luna.
Luna thought about it while staring at her sister. Clarke noticed they both had the same stubborn streak, but while their eye color was the same, there was something about their eyes that was different too. It wasn't something that could necessarily be quantified, but Clarke knew that despite the fact that they appeared to be identical, they weren't really. Lexa's eyes were the only eyes that held everything Clarke needed in them.
"I will come with you." Luna finally replied reluctantly.
It appeared that both sisters got the stoic silence gene because while Clarke had hoped Luna would fill Lexa in on her years in hiding and Lexa would fill Luna in on the changes in Polaris since she'd fled the conclave, neither of them spoke a single word the entire ride back to the house. Clarke realized when they arrived that this place was not supported like their room in Polis. There were no brightly lit torches or candles illuminating the house and greeting them upon their arrival. This was truly their house. They would have to manage the basic upkeep of it on their own. Clarke knew that if Lexa commanded someone manage it for them, they would and there would undoubtedly be people that helped them, but Clarke kind of enjoyed the idea that this place belonged to them entirely.
She reentered the present moment as Lexa and Luna climbed off of their horses in unison. The guard had walked back alongside them; giving Luna his horse for the ride. He took the reins of their horses and moved to tie them up while Clarke climbed down herself. Luna had brought a small bag of belongings with her, but Clarke guessed that might be all she owns in the world.
The three of them made their way in silence toward the house. It was nearing dawn and Clarke could not seem to keep her eyes open for very long. All she wanted was to climb into a bed and fall asleep for several hours, but she wasn't sure how likely that was at this point given their new arrival. She realized she might have gotten used to peace and consistently sleeping the night through.
She was grateful Lexa had the house fitted for electricity. Although they couldn't keep it on for too long each day as the grid was rather limited while the engineers continue their work on expanding it and finding reliable fuel sources.
Lexa entered first and turned on a light switch to the right illuminating two small light bulbs overhead. It wasn't enough light to really show off the whole space, but it was enough to give them their bearings. Clarke followed behind her and turned to see Luna hesitate before entering the house after her.
"I'll light some candles." Clarke offered.
"Supplies are in the kitchen." Lexa instructed as she recalled that Clarke hadn't yet really explored the supplies she'd had stocked here. She'd hoped for a very different night in their new house, but Lexa also couldn't help but feel somewhat happier that Luna was alive and with her after all this time.
Clarke looked toward Luna who had closed the door behind them before walking toward the kitchen to retrieve what she needed to begin lighting the candles. While the house was certainly larger than most she'd seen, it was still small enough to where she could hear if they were talking from the other room. She silently moved around trying to pick up anything they might be saying, but was surprised and yet not so to hear nothing coming from the siblings. She lit a few candles in the kitchen and then moved to the living room where she could see the two of them standing facing one another, but not speaking.
"I just realized we only have one bed." Clarke pointed out. She'd gotten used to Polis having several bedrooms for people to sleep in.
"I'll sleep down here." Luna told her without turning from Lexa.
"You should take the bed. Lexa and I-"
"I will sleep down here." Luna repeated and finally looked toward Clarke. "I haven't slept in a bed in a very long time."
Lexa looked at the floor for a moment.
"Lexa, are there blankets here?" Clarke asked her wife.
"I'll get them." Lexa replied. She seemed glad to have an excuse to walk off somewhere.
Clarke lit a section of candles near the small sofa that sat in their new living room. It had a few pieces of modest furniture, but nothing fancy.
"Titus tells me you come from the sky." Luna moved toward Clarke.
"I did, yes. We've been down here for years though now." Clarke finished lighting the candles.
"The Flamekeeper told me stories while I was healing, but he'd been banished so he could only speak of-"
"Clarke is our Flamekeeper now." Lexa returned to the room. She laid two thin blankets on the sofa along with a small feather pillow.
"Clarke is many things." Luna stood between them before taking a few steps to the sofa and sitting on it.
"Yes, she is." Lexa replied.
There was clear tension between the sisters and Clarke had no idea how to address it. She was still trying to get over the fact that Lexa had a sister and that she looked just like her.
"How is it that she is both Heda and Fleimkepa, Commander?" Luna asked Lexa.
"That is a story for another time." Lexa told her.
"Maybe I should go upstairs and give you two time to talk." Clarke offered and began walking toward the stairs.
"No more talking tonight." Luna shared and began pulling at the blankets. "I'd like to sleep now."
"Very well. We will leave you alone." Lexa agreed and walked toward the stairs. "Clarke?"
"I'll meet you up there. I'm going to grab some food from the kitchen. Luna, are you hungry?" She asked the girl who was now lying down with her eyes closed.
"I am not."
Clarke looked toward Lexa who nodded toward the kitchen and they both walked in that direction.
"How-" Clarke began.
Lexa put a finger over Clarke's mouth and motioned with her head toward the living room. Clarke understood her. Luna could hear them. They moved as quietly as possible to get food for both of them and then walked out the backdoor to the backyard. The sun was just about to rise. They sat in the grass near the apple trees and ate breakfast together; which was really their dinner from the night before.
"How are you?" Clarke asked her after a bite.
"She doesn't trust me." Lexa answered after a moment.
"She will. She's just been gone for a long time, Lexa. She doesn't understand."
"She thinks I found her to kill her."
"What?" Clarke looked at her. "Why would she think that?"
"Because she should have died at the conclave. She believes I want to kill her now to keep her from trying to take the throne from me."
"You wouldn't do that."
"Clarke, her return could cause problems. It may make people skeptical and even a small amount of doubt can be enough to cause worry."
"You said they branded her a coward."
"They did, but a lot of time has passed since then. Many of those people around back then are now gone. Dead in battle or are no longer in positions of authority if they still live."
"She just needs time, Lexa. We can take her to Polis in secret if you're worried. Once she sees how much has changed, she'll trust that you just want your sister back."
"She may not be the sister I knew, Clarke. She's been out of the world a long time now. She may not be able to be saved." Lexa finally looked at Clarke.
"Everyone can be saved, Lexa." Clarke reminded her and put her hand on Lexa's cheek; turning toward her at the same time. "Listen to me. Whatever you decide to do, I am with you. You are the wisest person I know, Lexa kom Trikru. If she has half the wisdom you have, she will know that you won't hurt her. She'll learn that you're the right person to lead these people. She just needs time to see that and you need to listen to her."
"I was listening. She didn't say anything."
Clarke laughed at that comment.
"Maybe try changing your clothes the next time you go to talk to her. You can be a little intimidating dressed like this." Clarke pointed out and ran her finger along Lexa's black war paint and then showing it to her. Lexa smiled. "At least leave the sword." Clarke continued. Lexa's sword was lying next to them in the grass.
"I am sorry about how this night went. It was not what I expected for our first night here." Lexa took a bite of her food and looked at the sun, which was now lighting up the sky in its morning hues.
"We'll have many nights here. I'm not worried."
"Are you angry?" Lexa kept looking forward.
"I am tired." Clarke admitted. "I am very tired and still in shock that there's someone else that looks like you out there that I never knew about."
"I understand." Lexa sounded defeated.
"But I am not angry, Lexa." Clarke continued. "I wished you would have told me, but I know you. I've always known you. You're not usually the person who pours her heart out to the world and even with me, you sometimes take some prodding." Clarke took Lexa's free hand as it rested in the grass. "But I love you and I'm with you while you figure this out."
"You should sleep." Lexa squeezed Clarke's hand.
"We should sleep." Clarke emphasized.
Lexa nodded, but seemed to have something rolling around in her mind.
They walked past the living room after putting their remaining food away in the kitchen and saw a sleeping Luna on the sofa wrapped in blankets and head resting against the pillow. They walked up the stairs and readied themselves for bed. Clarke climbed in first with Lexa following shortly after. Clarke rolled on her side to face Lexa and Lexa turned her head to look at Clarke.
"You're not going to sleep, are you?" Clarke asked her.
"I can't." Lexa admitted. "I will be here though. Sleep." She rolled on her side toward Clarke and placed her hand on Clarke's cheek. "I love you more than anything." Lexa leaned in and kissed Clarke gently. She knew the girl was exhausted and honestly, she was too, but she knew she wouldn't be able to sleep. Clarke reciprocated as much as her energy level would allow and then rolled over on her other side. Lexa knew what that meant and she wrapped her arms around the blonde. She pulled her back into her and rested her head on her shoulder.
"I love you more than anything." Clarke responded in more of a whisper and soon her breathing slowed.