CHAPTER 25

The pain she felt was sickening, the poison had entered her blood stream and penetrated every tissue in her body. Lexa's head swam in blackness, trapped in delirium she could barely straighten her thoughts. She knew that she had been close to death, the demons that haunted her subconscious had almost dragged her away, she fought screaming and clawing her way out, unwilling to submit. Unwilling to leave Clarke.

It must have been weeks that passed when the dark haze began to lift, she finally began to feel at one with her body, her limbs prickled as she regained control of them. Everything hurt, the smallest of movements caused a surge of agony down her nerves, but it meant she was alive.

Using all her energy Lexa managed to open her eyes and concentrated on focusing them. The room was dimly lit, and she could feel the warm glow from the many candles that surrounded her. As her vision came into focus she saw her beautiful blonde leaning onto the edge of her bed fast asleep, she was hanging off the edge of her chair so Lexa was careful not to startle her in case she fell straight off. As she looked around a little more Lexa saw Clarke's hand inches from her own, had she been holding it? As she pondered, fractured images passed over her. Images of Clarke barking orders, Clarke crying and holding her and as the last image came to mind Lexa pressed a finger to her tingling lips. Had these really been memories? Or was she just delirious?

Shaking it off Lexa took small pleasure in watching Clarke sleep, she didn't want to wake her as she was clearly exhausted. But feeling extremely uncomfortable Lexa attempted a little shuffle so not to disturb her, but with the slight movement her body protested and the very fresh wound in her abdomen made her take in a short gasp of air.

Clarke immediately jumped at the noise appearing dazed as she stood to tend to her. "Clarke, I am sorry." She managed through gritted teeth.

"Lexa, you're awake! Thank god. Lay still, if you move too much you could tear your stitches."

Clarke fussed for a few seconds then calmed herself when she looked into Lexa's eyes.

"Honestly I am ok Clarke" gently touching her bandaged middle she rested her head back on the pillow. "Thank you, it would appear that you have saved my life." Smiling at the Skai girl she continued "and I notice you have all you fingers, Theron didn't bite any off when you approached him then?" Assuming it was her who retrieved the med pack from his saddle bags. Clarke would have broken into a smile at the Commander's joke had Lexa's lips not looked so pale, her colour hadn't returned and she still looked awful.

"Stop being brave. I know you're not ok Lexa, you can be honest with me." Her face fell and she began to bite her bottom lip. Lexa didn't say anything, she was not going to admit how she felt but there was no point in lying to Clarke either so she opted for no comment.

Changing the subject quickly she almost demanded to know who was responsible for the attack. Clarke didn't know and explained that she had not left her side since it had happened.

Still without any concept of time Lexa was mortified that Clarke had remained in this smelly tent and received no word about the attack for so long.

"Clarke! You can not tell me we have been here for weeks and you know nothing about what has happened! How could Titus and Byron let this happen?" She exclaimed. Clarke's features finally softened and she sat down on the edge of the bed and placed the back of her hand to Lexa's forehead testing for a fever. Speaking softly Clarke explained. "Lexa you were shot today, we're in the early hours of the morning. It hasn't been weeks. Byron is leading the warriors to capture the rest, we should have answers soon."

Completely confused Lexa suddenly felt exhausted, it was difficult to keep her eyes open let alone plan a strategy for a counter attack. She struggled to keep the fatigue away as she began to drift off once more, with the last of her energy she reached out and took Clarke's hand. "Stay with me?" Lexa felt the younger girl grasp her cold hand with both of hers and reassured her she wasn't going anywhere.

Running as fast as her legs would carry her Lexa scrambled through the burning corridors of Polis. The walls crumbled around her and the thunderous crashing could be heard for miles as thousands of bricks fell from directly above. The very ground shook beneath her as she tried to escape the dying building.

Her throne room caved as the walls imploded, narrowly missing being crushed Lexa stepped up her pace pushing her body to its limits. Trying to make sense of the chaos around her she dived through an open door and was thrown across the floor. A searing pain shot through the right side of her abdomen, gasping she placed her hand to the now gaping wound. Completely taken back by what she saw Lexa raised her hand to eye level to get a clearer view. She hadn't imagined it. Red. Her limbs turned cold at the sight. Looking down, there was a steady flow of bright red blood pouring from her body. Having no time to try and understand the ground beneath her gave way and she fell through along with a ton of debris. She landed hard in a state of semiconscious, trapped. Amongst the ringing in her head a distinct voice dominated her mind. Harsh soft whispers meant only for her swirled around repeatedly, she had difficulty distinguishing the taunts before darkness took over.

The ripping pain that tore across her abdomen, as she involuntarily jolted back into reality, saw Lexa call out and grasp her injury with her hands. She could feel the sweat trickle down the back of her neck as she attempted to sit. The effects of the poison had certainly not left her system as the small manoeuvre caused a thick dizziness in her head and an uncontrollable nausea. Fighting it Lexa looked around the tent to find it was empty, no Clarke. Immediately worried for her welfare the Commander forced her self off the bed and fought every protest her body made. Not being a stranger to caring for her own wounds she removed her bandages and replaced them with the clean ones left on the side.

The evidence of black blood residue left on the old bandages made her throat closes up at the memory of her nightmare. What had it meant? Deciding there was no time to dwell on something so trivial she set about dressing her self. Having no clean wardrobe to hand she wore the same black shirt that now bore two holes and dried blood. Putting on her trousers and boots was more of an endeavour that took a frustratingly long time to complete.

Every small movement pulled on her stitches in both her stomach and back, and the effects of the poison pained her everywhere and made the simplest tasks difficult.

Finding her long black coat draped over a chair Lexa flared her nostrils as she poked a finger through the small arrow hole left in the front, the coat was her favourite item of clothing, this was not ok.

Sighing in frustration she buckled the metal binding around her waist and almost vomited as the pressure pressed against her injuries. She took a few deep breaths and refused to loosen them, this was apart of the armour of the Commander and it was her heavy burden to wear at all times. She was not not weak and she certainly would not appear fragile in front of her people.

At a time like this if the wrong person caught wind of any slight weakness she would be vulnerable to another attack, and in her present state she would not be able to defend her self.

Lastly before fastening her sword and wooden hilted knife Lexa attempted to right her braids without a reflection to aid her. With everything she was feeling a sloppy appearance would not do. Ready, she rested her right hand as casually as she could across her wound to support it as she walked out of the tent. Lifting her head up high she made every effort to walk out as confident as ever.