Evening everyone! Thank you for your patience in waiting for this update. It's not super eventful, I won't lie, but it does set up the next few chapters that yes, I am already working on!
As always, enjoy and thank you so very much for your continued support! Mochof!
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TonDC – Klark kom Trikru
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The journey back to TonDC was uneventful and for that, Clarke was thankful. She had felt complete contentment settled behind Lexa on her horse, arms linked around her waist. The feel of being close to her, even in front of the others, warmed her heart. She found herself surprised at Lexa's openness with her in front of some of her warriors, but she knew what they shared would mostly stay behind closed doors, or with the few of those they trusted. It wasn't wrong or frowned upon to show affection with your love, quite the opposite, but Lexa was a very guarded soul and after what had happened with Costia, Clarke knew it would be a fear of hers.
She was broken out of her thoughts at a light tapping on the door. Turning, she smiles, seeing Echo and Octavia approach. "What are you guys doing down here?" Clarke had been guided down into one of the bathing rooms to prepare for the celebration upon returning to TonDC. Lexa had kissed her softly, telling her she had a few things to do and would join her before the sun began to set.
"I've made it my personal responsibility to guard you when the commander isn't around and this one," she points over her shoulder to Echo, "decided we should come check on you." Octavia smiles at her, and Clarke is skeptical.
"Why do I feel like you two are up to something?" She can't place it, but something is nagging at her and the innocent smiles on the two faces in front of her aren't helping.
"You worry little sister, there's no need." Echo steps around her and plays with her hair. "Let me wash your hair and I will braid it for you."
Clarke can't help but nod, a smile on her face at the thought of her hair having braids like Lexa's or some of the other Trikru. It feels like another right of passage she was earning and it warms her. "Mochof, Eko."
Echo smiles and leads Clarke to the tub in the room as two women finish filling it with warm water and points, "Hop in."
Clarke hesitates for only a moment, glancing between Echo and Octavia before rolling her eyes at herself and shedding her clothes and climbing into the tub. "This is ritual, is it not?"
"It is," Echo begins and starts wetting and lathering the blonde hair in her hands, "usually two of the village women would see to this, not two warriors, but Okteivia and I asked if we could have the honour instead."
Octavia smiles and nods, eyeing Clarke, "That, and we thought you might be more comfortable with us too."
Clarke huffs out a laugh, not denying it. "I feel as if I've changed so much already in such a short amount of time, but then sometimes I don't. I guess nudity in front of someone that isn't Leksa is still odd for me."
"I do not need to hear about you being nude with the commander," Octavia laughs, splashing some water at Clarke's face, "no matter how good looking you may be."
Clarke rolls her eyes as she hears a throat clear and a husky chuckle, turning her eyes to meet green as Lexa enters the room. "I'm fairly certain Klark's good looks are only for me to appreciate now."
Clarke nearly laughs as the wide-eyed expression Octavia gets as she scrambles to stand up quickly and turn away from her. "O, she's teasing you, Leksa won't hurt you."
Lexa smirks slightly, turning to Octavia, "While she's right and I won't hurt you, I certainly was not teasing."
Echo grins as she lowers Clarke's head gently into the water, washing out the suds. She watches Lexa carefully, seeing how her eyes sparkle and soften as she stares at Clarke and feels her own chest tighten at the love these two share. She feels envy at what they have together.
Lexa takes one of Clarke's hands in her own and pulls her arm out of the warm bath and trails her fingers along it. She's tracing the scars, committing them to memory before kissing the pale knuckles and lowering her arm back down. "I'll be with Indra awhile longer, but I wanted to check on you seeing as the door was unguarded."
"That's because I have two personal guards in here with me," Clarke smiles and shakes her head.
"I'd still feel better with someone at the door. I'll be leaving Kiern outside if you all need anything." She leans forward and brushes her lips softly over Clarke's, willing herself to back away even though everything inside her is fighting to stay right where she is. Swallowing back the overwhelming emotion she pulls back just enough to see the shine in Clarke's eyes and knows she's feeling the same thing.
They kiss once more, before Lexa brushes her lips over her forehead and whispers softly for Clarke only, "I'll see you soon, love." With that, she stands and nods to Echo and Octavia before raising her chin and exiting.
"Wow," Octavia breathes out, nearly out of breath. "Just being in the same room as you two, doing nothing but sharing a kiss and…just wow."
Echo nods, not trusting her voice as she washes Clarke's back now.
Clarke feels the heat around her and can smell it in the air. It's thicker than it was minutes ago and she finds herself biting her lip. "I really need to read some more of my dad's journal."
"I believe Heda also mentioned finding the wise one in the next village to seek her wisdom also. We'll have much to learn in the coming days, but for now, we must get you ready for the initiation ceremony that has been delayed for too long." Echo holds out a large towel for Clarke to wrap herself in as she stands up, bath now complete.
She sighs as she dries off, feeling good inside, clean outside and ready for the evening to begin. "So what's next?"
Octavia and Echo grin at her and Clarke knows she's about to find out.
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Lexa nods to her people; proud of the work they are doing for the celebration to initiate Clarke into their ranks. Those that remained in the village had worked hard to pitch tents and rebuild fallen structures and homes while still making time to finish the small raised platform she now stands in front of.
The ceremony isn't a large and grand event usually, but she can tell her people know that this time it will mean much more. They aren't just welcoming a new clan member; they are welcoming their Kwin. She is also aware that she will need to speak on the whispers of her being the last commander as well. Nothing is ever set in stone, but with the way things are happening, she's beginning to believe it all possible herself.
She watches as a few of her men carry a weapon's rack over and carry it up onto the platform. There are a variety of weapons, including swords, daggers, chains and heaver club style weapons. She shakes her head before raising her hand and flicking her fingers, summoning them to her. "Yes Heda?"
"Please make sure there is a good strong staff amongst the weapon choices," she instructs them, watching as one of them tilts his head sideways.
"A spear, Heda?" They are aware that all weapons need to be suitable to kill and protect, and a training staff wouldn't do the job.
Lexa levels her eyes on them, "Yes, a spear, but also, make sure there is a good strong staff amongst the choices." She nods as they understand and do not question her further and leave.
"You want to make sure she doesn't feel obligated to choose a sharp weapon." It's not posed as a question, but Lexa feels Indra would like a response.
She gives a curt nod, watching the men and happy to see a fine staff placed amongst the weapon choices. "She may not ever wish to kill, and I will not force that upon her. However, with proper training, she can easily subdue with that weapon."
Indra nods, understanding, "You know our kru will be expecting an announcement tonight as well."
Lexa sighs, "They will be disappointed on this evening, for I will not push too much on her at once. There will be a time to speak of our bonding ceremony, but I will not spring it on her before I've had a chance to talk with her first."
"I understand, Heda. That is your intention though, is it not?" Indra eyes her, a slight smile playing at her lips.
Lexa allows herself a smile and the faintest of blushes, "Yes, I wish to be bound to Klark for the rest of this life and any others that follow."
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"It feels strange to be here, but like, not in a weird way. Does that make sense?" Bellamy can tell Monty is a little nervous despite his obvious delight at being amongst the grounders in one of their villages. There are a few cautious glances and a few snarls, but otherwise most people are fairly welcoming.
Bellamy nods at him, "Yeah, I think I get what you mean. Don't worry, with Clarke and the Commander together, I think everything will be alright now."
"I know, right? Like, how rad is it that Clarke not only found her twin flame, but it's the leader of the grounders?" Monty smiles, his boy like excitement overpowering his nervousness.
"All that matters to me is that she's happy," Bellamy said seriously, stopping to look at his friend, "and the smile and love that radiates off of her when she's looking at or even near the commander…tells me she is and will be."
Monty nods and smiles before a young grounder who is giving him a shy smile takes his attention. He gives her a small wave and lowers his head slightly. "I think I'll just go," he points in the girl's direction and see's Bellamy's smile as he shakes his head and walks away.
He continues on, glancing around the camp to make sure all of the people from the Ark that came to attend were safe and accounted for. He see's Octavia as she exits a building, saying something to the guard outside before heading his way. "Octavia, where have you been?" He hugs her in greeting and pulls back.
"Helping Eko get Klark ready for tonight. Have you seen Raven?" She glances around, not seeing their friend.
Bellamy nodded over towards Kane and Abby who were sitting at a table nursing drinks, trying to converse with anyone but each other. Raven appeared to be keeping the peace as best she could. "Although if you plan to take her away, who knows what will happen with those two."
Octavia thinks on it, realizing her brother is probably right and the last thing they need is any type of fight breaking out, verbal or not. "Care to join them and take her place as peace keeper for a while?"
Bellamy sighs, scratching the back of his head. "Fine, but find Lincoln and send him to help me."
They approach the tense table together and everyone seems delighted at their presence. "Raven, I need you to come with me." All eyes glance at Octavia as she rolls her eyes and grabs at the girl's arm, "Come on."
Abby is the first to speak cutting off anything Marcus was about to say. "Is something wrong, Octavia? Why do you need Raven?"
"She has to give something to Klark but don't worry, I'm leaving Bell here to entertain you both. Lincoln will be by shortly and he'll explain how tonight will happen." With that she turns and leaves, Raven following behind her.
It's only a few awkward and tense minutes later that Lincoln approaches and feels all eyes on him. "What?"
"You look," Bellamy hesitates, unsure how to explain and not offend the kind grounder that's fallen for his sister, "different. Good different."
Lincoln cracks a small smile, "We do get dressed up during ceremonies and times of celebration. It's not required, but since Okteivia has declared herself one of Klark's personal guard and we are together it would be frowned upon if I did not." He sits down next to Abby, sitting across from the other two men.
Marcus beats Abby with his question this time, "Clarke's personal guard?"
Lincoln nods, "We are aware that you two are the chosen leaders of the Skaikru, but our people have always seen Klark as Heda. Now that she will be joining our kru and is known as our Kwin, she will be protected just as well, if not better than the commander herself."
"I know our people have our beliefs, and it's obvious that there is something incredible between them," Abby licks her lips and sighs, "obviously they are twin flames, but what is this Kwin business?"
Lincoln sighs and rests his elbows on the table and laces his fingers together as he decides how to approach this conversation. "Just as your people have your twin flame, our people have our own legends…prophecy, if you will. All of our children are taught this at a young age, regardless of which clan you are born into so that the knowledge can be passed on and any that can witness it, will know what it means."
He rubs his freshly shaved chin and rests his hands down on the table before he begins to recite from memory, "A time will come, when the last commander will be called. The last commander will sacrifice all in the protection of our people. The last commander will sacrifice the heart's love as the final test of strength…" he pauses then, looking to the distance and seeing his Heda and feeling a stronger sense of devotion to her and to his people than ever before, "and we will know peace when the sky meets the ground and the sun shines in reverse."
He swallows and sits quietly, waiting for his words to sink in. He watches each of them, knowing they are beginning to understand just how big of a deal this is. Bigger than even they thought before, knowing Clarke and Lexa were twin flames.
"Our dropship was the sky meeting the ground…" Bellamy starts and see's Lincoln nod once.
"The sun shines in reverse…" Marcus whispers out, thinking back to the Ark, "That glow that came from them, the others said it went beyond the walls of the Ark."
Lincoln nods again, "Straight into the sky, as if the sun was shining in reverse."
Abby sits quietly before asking the question she felt they all must be curious about, "What does it mean if Lexa is your last commander?"
"Ever since the war, we were told there was a chosen among us, one who would lead us and keep the peace. Every commander seemed to be awakened when most needed and each commander would lead until his or her death when another would be called to take his or her place. There were always fights between the clans, first it was riots to scrounge any surviving supplies, then it was raids for land and resources for survival…it would have been impossible to not have a unified leader in each clan. Our heda, Lexa, was the youngest ever called. She's also the only one who wanted peace between all of our people. She wanted to unify us all to leave in peace."
Lincoln stands then but leans forward, resting his hands flat on the table. "You may find us simple, or sometimes savage, but just know that Lexa got us to this point, just as Klark did for your people. Their vision and sacrifices were required. There will be resistance, those that will call them out or seek to prove they are truly the last Commander and Kwin, but together, they will bring peace to all people. You can help us, or you can be excluded." With that he stands to his full height and turns, making his way over towards his heda with a proud smile on his face.
He approaches her and stands silent at her side. She turns slightly, glancing at his attire, a small grin tugging at her lips. "Linkon, you look well."
He grins back and nods, "As do you, Heda." He will probably never voice his thoughts on the matter, but truthfully, he liked getting cleaned up and wearing his finest and softest leather and fur clothes. This time, it would be an even greater honour as he would have his love at his side and be witness to the initiation of Klark, his Kwin.
"I take it you conversed with the Skaikru and told them of our legend?" Her eyes stayed straight ahead, taking in the people around them, but she was eager to hear his response.
"Yes Heda, and there were only a few questions but the three leaders are aware and know the truth. I did not sense there will be any issues from them and I made their options clear." He watches until she nods, turning to face him and clasps his arm with hers.
"Thank you, Linkon, feel free to enjoy your evening tonight with Okteivia after the celebration. I will have others posted for guard and healing duty as required." Lexa smiles. She now understands more of Lincoln's actions in the past and while at times it was against their ways, she knows now she would have done the same if in his place.
"Mochof, Heda." He bows his head slightly as she takes off to prepare herself for the evening ahead.
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