Chapter 28:

The journey to Polis was long but beautiful. Octavia, Clarke, Lexa and Ryder had all gone ahead on the horses while the warriors brought up the rear. They passed no one on their route. They crossed a river that was surrounded by rolling hills of wheat. This area looked familiar to Clarke as she recalled being in a similar place when Roan had captured her. She looked at Lexa, did she send Roan? Was he trying to taking me to Polis? Clarke recalled Roan telling her that she was shouting out her name in the middle of the night. So Roan knew Lexa that was certain. Clarke kept watching Lexa as she thought about her time with Roan. He never hurt her unless she forced him to defend himself, he kept her safe from the broadleaf clan, he let her go… Clarke slmost smacked her hand to her forehead. She had been so blind. Lexa most definitely had sent the man to look for her. Clarke found herself smiling, Lexa had sent Roan to keep Clarke safe.

When they arrived in Polis people swarmed them trying to touch any part of them like it would bless their life. Clarke heard shouts of 'Heda' and 'Wanheda' as they made there way towards the tower. Clarke tried to keep her head held high as she followed Lexa through the crowd on her horse. She understood the grounder's views of her, she knew the amount of lives that they lost in the mountain way outnumbered Clarke's people. She knew that her irradiating the mountain had brought down the grounder's biggest threat to survival. She tried to feel pride in her actions. She tried to puff out her chest like she deserved the praise and credit. She tried to ignore the remaining guilt from her actions weighing on her conscience. Clarke was surprised to find that guilt had actually lessened tenfold than 3 months ago. She wasn't sure when it happened but she was certain it had to do with being in Lexa's presence again. Lexa made Clarke feel like a hero. Not only because she had brought down the mountain but because Lexa made it okay for Clarke to bear guilt for her actions, to still be human. Lexa made it okay for Clarke to feel every loss of life but relish in every life saved. Clarke knew Lexa felt the same way of every life that fell beneath her as well. She had seen it in person; she had seen Lexa feel deeply when no one else was privy to such moments of 'weakness' from the commander.

Lexa had shown Clarke that she could be a hero and a killer; that she could find a harmonious balance between the two. To find the person she was all along: merciful but unafraid to do what is needed for the greater good.

Clarke turned her attention to her left where Octavia was riding her horse. She smiled as she watched Octavia take in the sight of the city. Up until now Octavia had only seen Trikru clan and land surrounding Arkadia. She had never seen the more civilized grounder city. The look of awe was written across her face.

"This is incredible," Octavia said to Clarke realizing she was being watched.

Clarke nodded, "I know." She meant it. When she first arrived to Polis she hadn't exactly stopped to take in the sights of the city then. Now that she was taking it all in she felt like she was seeing it for the first time. It was huge.

There were people everywhere just going about their lives. None of them were worrying about war and death in Polis. She saw children running in the streets after a goat, laughing and hollering as they passed the horses. Octavia laughed as a young boy handed her a flower, she graciously accepted and put it in her hair. Clarke squeezed her heel into the horse urging it to speed up so she could catch up with Lexa. They were close to the tower now Lexa smiled wide when Clarke rode to her side and Clarke returned it.

They went to the stables and handed over the horses. Lexa led them inside before showing Octavia to her quarters. They left Octavia to wash up and rest from the journey before Clarke and Lexa entered the elevator again going up another level. They were on the top floor when they exited. Clarke followed Lexa to a set of double door, she opened them and went in stepping aside to let Clarke enter.

Clarke gasped. The room was absolutely royal looking. It had furs on a giant four posted bed, candles everywhere, a couch in the corned and a giant window balcony. Clarke's jaw dropped at the sight. She couldn't believe it. This was so different than Lexa's commander tents; this was positively feminine looking. She looked at Lexa who was beaming at Clarke's expression.

Lexa walked forward and pulled the curtains wider bringing more light into the room. The fresh air filled Clarke's nose and she breathed in deep. She felt lighter here. She walked over to where Lexa was standing and stopped beside her. Lexa was looking out on the city fondly. Clarke reached down with her hand and found Lexa's entwining her fingers into the brunette's. "Thank you for bringing me here," Clarke said breathlessly looking out the window with Lexa.

Lexa turned to face her, "Thank you for coming." She nodded slightly and finished the sentence with a smile.

Clarke brought her other hand to cup Lexa's cheek before leaning in slowly and capturing her lips against her own. They sunk into it, hand and arms encircling each other. Clarke ran her hand through Lexa's hair, she felt the girls hips against her own, felt the push and pull of there lips colliding again and again. Their kisses sped up, they became more urgent a little more forceful, they were getting lost in the actions.

Then she felt Lexa pull away and Clarke opened her eyes and screwed up her eyebrows confused. Lexa kept her eyes closed a moment as if trying to wake up from a dream, before she opened them and looked at Clarke, "You need to rest, we have the meeting later."

Clarke made a stubborn face, "I don't want to rest. I want to do this." And she kissed Lexa again. She felt Lexa give in slightly before tensing up and stepping out of it again. Clarke let out a sigh in frustration. She was losing this battle and she knew it.

Lexa smiled at her sigh, "We will have time for that later," she reassured her.

Clarke tried to wipe the look of a pissed of child from her face before she turned and headed to the bathroom to get cleaned up. She heard the door to her room open and close signalling that Lexa had left the room. When Clarke was finished she went back to the window and looked out on the city. She stayed there for a while watching the tiny figures move this way and that on the ground.

She was wearing grounder clothes that had been left out for her. They fit well and were surprisingly comfortable. Clarke yawned and turned to head to the bed. It looked incredibly comfortable. She ran a hand along the furs before she pulled them back and crawled in. The bed was soft and luxurious. Clarke felt her body relax into the sheets and mattress.

She lied there for some time, never falling asleep but simply resting and taking in the safety of her surroundings.

A knock came at the door, "come in." She called.

Lexa entered the room and smiled at her, "did you sleep?"

Clarke shook her head, "No, but I rested."

Lexa looked at her shrewdly before nodding, "would you like to join me for a meal before the meeting?"

Clarke nodded eagerly and hopped out of bed. She followed Lexa out of the room and to the elevator.