A/N: Thank you for all your reviews! This update is a little later than expected, but I really wanted to get this chapter right.

Also, I am planning on finishing this fic in the upcoming 4 weeks. After that I won't have time to write for a while, so I at least want to leave it at a point which makes us all feel like they got their happily ever after.

So. Here we go. I hope you enjoy :)

The tension in the room was sickening. The shock was clearly written on everyone's face and even Nia's eyes widened a bit at the unexpected entrance, although she was quick to compose herself.

"What is the meaning of this?!" Titus immediately questioned, stepping forward from where he had been standing in his position next to the Commander's throne.

Clarke, however, ignored him and fought to hold her jaw set, determined not to show even the slightest hint of hesitation.

Nia's eyes stayed glued to Clarke's in an arrogant gaze and only after a few long seconds did she lower them to the rolling heads on the floor. Azgeda marks were clearly visible on the men's painful faces and with the same smoothness the Queen directed her gaze back up to Wanheda.

"They are mine indeed," she answered Clarke almost carelessly. "I suppose you have an explanation for bringing them to me in this state?"

"This one," Clarke said, nudging the decapitated head on her left with her foot, "didn't do well under stress. Which is ironic, since they snuck into the Commander's bedroom in the middle of the night. You'd think an assassin sent to kill you wouldn't immediately spill his guts at the slightest indication of torture."

Nia's teeth gnawed at the inside of her cheek in anger. The dead warrior in question was known to be a bit of a fool, but she had hoped his determinism to kill Wanheda would be enough to keep him focused. The Queen hadn't expected things to work out this way, with Clarke alive and her warriors dead and the plan apparently uncovered - but now that it did, she would just have to find another way to work this out in her favor.

"Lexa seems to have a special place in her heart for you, Wanheda, but that doesn't mean the rest of us do," Nia said, rising from her chair, knowing their height difference would add somewhat to her impression of power.

"You will refer to Heda properly," Titus growled, displeased with the way Nia threw Lexa's name around like she was just anyone. Nia spared him an unimpressed glance before turning back to Clarke.

"The Commander has had trouble handling her weakness before. Ice Nation had happily stepped in back then and certainly didn't hesitate to do so again. See it as a favor; it helps her rule better. Besides, who am I to deny my warriors the chance of gaining Wanheda's power?"

The confession took Clarke aback. A murmur went through the leaders present and Clarke realized Nia expected them to back her up. She expected her reasons to be valid enough to somehow gain their support. The thought left Clarke nauseous.

"Are you confessing to an attack on the Commander?" Titus asked with subdued rage and nervousness in his trembling voice.

Nia chuckled dismissively. "I did no such thing, Flamekeeper. Everyone here will confirm that I was preparing for a vote of no confidence, not for Lexa's execution."

"Really? That is not what he told us," Clarke said, once again motioning to the head of the dead Ice warrior on the ground. "But it is of no matter-"

"It does matter! You will not stand here and confess to sending attackers to Heda's chambers," Titus roared at Nia. Lexa's absence was getting noticeable by this point, the entire room growing restless and no one but Clarke knowing of the Commander's wellbeing. "Whether this was an attempt on Heda or Wanheda, you broke the Coalition's rules you bound yourself to yesterday. You may have gotten away with Kostia, but do not for one second think that-"

"Shof op, Titus." Lexa chose that moment to appear, four guards at her back and walking through the throne room's doors as if it was just another everyday meeting, stoicism once more fixed on her unimpressed face.

Those present reacted with a shallow gasp before one by one hesitantly dropping to one knee. Clarke watched Lexa walk up to her throne, the Commander's red sash standing out more than ever and their eyes met for the shortest moment in which sparks flew. With an air of authority Lexa strode through the room and Clarke was reminded of all the moments that she had seen Lexa in this commander mode; proud and regal and beautiful all the same, making butterflies erupt in Clarke's stomach like the day they first met.

Before Lexa reached her chair, she passed by the Ice Queen who was still standing proudly. Nia's eyes, however, betrayed a sort of surprise.

"Queen Nia," Lexa greeted her. "You look as if you weren't expecting my presence."

Lexa noticed the movement as Titus stepped forward and knew he was about to order the Queen to bow before the Commander. Before he had the chance to say anything, Lexa held up her hand. "Clarke. Please continue."

Their eyes met once again and Clarke took a breath, drawing more determination from Lexa as the Commander settled in her chair. "Titus is right. Even if you think you have legit reasons to wish me dead, it is still a crime against the Coalition's rules."

"It is," Nia confirmed. "So let Heda make her judgment and let us see if those assembled here shall not rebel."

The Queen's lips turned into a suppressed smirk and once again Clarke knew she was counting on the other clans' support.

"We shall. However, this wasn't simply an attack on Wanheda," Clarke said, and saw the small roll of Nia's eyes. "No, this was an attempt on the life of Heda's betrothed."

The murmur that broke out was louder this time and Clarke watched Nia's self-confidence break piece by piece.

The Desert leader stood up. "Heda. Is it true?"

Instead of answering, Lexa let her gaze roam over the seated leaders, chin high. Her silence spoke loudly and a knowing smile broke out over Luna's face while Titus shifted in place, unsurprised but still displeased.

Darios stood up and slowly walked until he stood in front of the Queen. The Lake leader's imposing height ridiculed Nia's own stance and she visibly had to fight the urge not to step back.

"You tried to assassinate Heda's betrothed?" Darios questioned, voice heavy.

"I tried to save you all from falling victim to a weak commander," Nia retorted.

Without warning, Indra stepped forward and slapped the Ice Queen across the face. "Call her weak again and I will cut out your tongue for speaking ill of your commander."

With a growl Nia recovered as various people reached for their sheathed weapons. Before it could escalate any further Titus called out, "Enough. Queen Nia kom Azgeda, you have been accused and have confessed to an attempt on the life of Wanheda, betrothed of Heda and leader kom Skaikru. What do you have to say for yourself?"

Nia's face scrunched up in what seemed to be anger and disgust. "I say Lexa is no longer fit to rule. A Commander isn't supposed to have a spouse and I am disappointed you would allow it. I stand by my actions and call for the support of the other clans."

What could've been an impressive speech now sounded more or less like a panicked attempt to escape punishment.

"You will have no-"

Lexa held up her hand, effectively silencing Titus once again. "Let her make her move."

A few silent moments passed but to Nia's dismay, none made an attempt to back her up.

"Heda houmon ste presh; jomp em op en yu jomp Heda op. Yu dula foto fop (The Commander's wife is sacred; attack her and you attack the Commander. You made a grave mistake)," one of the leaders then spoke. The other clan leaders stood up, mumbling their ayes in agreement and watching the Queen with heavy eyes, and with that statement Nia realized she had been outplayed.

With growling words she tried to convince them there was no difference, that history had taught them better and that Clarke was the Commander's weakness which would become their downfall.

Once glance at Wanheda, the heads of two dead warriors lying at her feet, and that statement was ridiculed. Clarke oozed of power and those present in the room recognized the united front of Heda and Wanheda.

Nia had never stood a chance.

"This is not what I expected when you called for a summit of the clans," Titus said displeased after the room had been cleared of all the other leaders and Nia had been taken into custody.

"Plans change," Lexa responded. She still sat in her throne, gaze absentmindedly fixed on the closed doors of the throne room.

"There will be a trial tomorrow," she continued, "to decide what happens to the Queen."

Indra scowled. "If you can even call her a queen by now. She doesn't deserve a trial, Heda, she deserves death."

"Allow me to rephrase," Lexa said, "to decide what happens to Azgeda."

Clarke, still flushed with adrenaline, couldn't find the calm to sit down. She shifted in place, pacing back and forth every once in a while.

"What of Skaikru's joining to the Coalition?" Titus asked, remembering the initial reason for the summit.

Lexa's eyes went to Clarke. The blonde was still dressed in the outfit that had been arranged for Skaikru's initiation, beautiful and dangerous for all to see. It made Lexa's cheeks feel on fire. "Clarke is to be bonded to me; her people are my people."

"Fine," Titus sighed heavily, moving to leave the room.

"I will make arrangements for the trial tomorrow. And someone get these out of here," he mumbled with disgust, motioning to the heads that still laid on the floor not too far from them.

Lexa shifted her gaze to Ryder, who had taken a stand near the doors. She raised an eyebrow. It took him a moment to realize, but then, with a grumble, he reluctantly went to do as Titus had requested.

In Lexa's bedroom, no sign remained of the struggle that had taken place earlier that morning. The memory, however, was still fresh in their minds. Lexa suggested they could sleep in Clarke's originally assigned room instead for a while , but Clarke was quick to dismiss that idea.

There were too many great memories to let them be overshadowed by one terrible one, she insisted. Lexa silently nodded, having a fair share of sickening reminders herself. Still, with Clarke, they faded to the background.

With heavy arms Lexa reached for a small mirror and a wetted cloth before plopping down on the bed. As she went to work on removing the black paint from her eyes, Clarke casually shrugged out of the top part of her dress. She faced Lexa, moving slowly and with purpose as more of her skin was uncovered. Noticing the unexpected turn of events, Lexa's hand froze, half the war paint still smudged on her face. Breathlessly and with a slight raise of her brow, she stared at the sudden exposure of Clarke's breasts.

Clarke smirked, getting a little closer and keeping her eyes fixed on those of the other girl. It was quite adorable how after all the nights they spent together, Lexa's cheeks still flushed at seeing Clarke. As she stepped out of her dress further, leaving her only in her underwear, Lexa's eyes dropped as well before shooting up to Clarke's, the delicate outline of black war paint still surrounding blue eyes.

Clarke chuckled softly at the disheveled state Lexa suddenly seemed to be in. Fingertips smoothed over the skin of her stomach and hands reached for her sides but before Lexa could tug her onto the bed, Clarke stepped back.

"You done?" Clarke asked, and it took Lexa a moment to realize the blonde was referring to the cloth she had been using to clean off her war paint.

Even though only half of her face had been cleared of the charcoal, Lexa absentmindedly nodded and handed the cloth over to Clarke.

Clarke cleared the war paint off her eyes while Lexa still quietly watched her with parted lips. When she was done, however, Clarke reached for a set of fresh clothes from the wardrobe, a snug fitting shirt and trousers. Lexa's expression fell as the blonde swiftly changed into them.

She kissed Lexa once on her cheek before moving towards the door.

"Clarke?"

"You need to go take care of the new prisoners, remember? I'll see you at lunch."

The bedroom doors closed, Clarke disappearing behind them, and it admittedly took Lexa a moment to gather herself again.

"Well, that was fun," Octavia said with a grin.

Clarke frowned.

"You were totally badass, Griffin. You should've seen her, Rae, Clarke was all: 'walk into the room like - what up, I got two Ice Nation heads.'"

Raven chuckled and Clarke's eyes went wide. "You were at the meeting?"

"Of course I was there. I'm your shadow, Clarke. Lexa's words, not mine."

After going by the workshop where they had met with Raven, they had made their way to Polis' stables on Octavia's insistence. Something about Indra expecting her to take care of her new horse.

The people they passed on the street seemed to be even more interested in them than usual. As if being from the sky didn't make them stand out enough, Clarke was now also known to be the Commander's spouse soon. Now that the clan leaders knew, it was no surprise that word had gotten out on the streets as well.

Clarke, however, didn't act any different. The same smile was still on her face when they passed the market stalls, she still ruffled a hand through the hair of kids that came up to them, and she still joked around with Octavia and Raven like they were all simply a bunch of teenagers.

"This guy's yours?" Raven asked with an impressed smile, looking at the black, young stallion in the stables.

"Yeah," Octavia huffed. "Indra said he was perfect for me. He's a stubborn piece of shit, though."

"Sounds like Indra was right," Clarke commented, receiving a jab from Octavia's elbow in response. As the young warrior got to work on taking care of her given horse, Raven walked past the other stables.

"Woah, who's horse is this?"

Clarke moved to take a look at the large, white mare Raven was gaping at.

"Queen Nia's," Clarke mumbled, remembering clearly how she had arrived on the beautiful beast's back. There was no doubt this was that same horse; it stood tall and proud like it was something of royalty itself.

"What's going to happen to her, anyway?" Raven asked, reaching out a hand to gently place on the mare's nose.

"Nia? I don't know, Lexa's got her thrown in some cell and the rest of the Ice warriors were arrested as well."

"Hey, I could take her horse," Octavia said, an excited glint in her eyes as she came to stand next to them, still holding a hoof pick in her hand. "I mean, I don't think the Queen's going to be riding anytime soon and my horse seems to be set on being an asshole."

As if the black stallion understood her, he kicked the door to his stable and huffed loudly. Octavia turned to him. "How am I supposed to clean your hooves if you refuse to raise you damn leg?!"

Clarke couldn't contain her laugh.

"Yeah, he's definitely perfect for you," Raven confirmed.

Octavia pouted and Clarke ran a hand over the white mare's mane. "Besides, O, I think this one might fit Roan a little better. It is a horse from the Ice lands, after all."

One of Raven's eyebrows shot up. "Oh, Roan as in Prince Handsome Roan?"

"Prince Roan as in Prince Roan of Azgeda."

"Yeah. That guy. So you know he's in town, huh?"

Clarke nodded.

"Hm. You know, I always felt like he and Echo were up to something," Raven remarked uninterested and Clarke rolled her eyes, amused. "Did you see his beard though? For someone who's banished he sure did a neat job of keeping it trimmed."

"Cedarwood oil," Roan explained later over lunch to a curious Raven and Bellamy, who were shoving their faces with bread, cheese and berries. "Keeps it nice and smooth."

Bellamy raised an eyebrow in question.

"What? I guess some of my mother's beauty tips rubbed off, okay?" he mumbled defensively, placing his elbows firmly on the table before taking another bite of his lunch.

"But you were banished."

Roan shrugged. "I had my suppliers."

The Sky people visiting Polis had joined Clarke and Lexa for lunch in one of the smaller dining rooms along with Echo and Roan on Lexa's request. Allies were formed not only at political meetings, she realized.

Roan had asked about the circumstances regarding his mother and the other Ice warriors, and Lexa assured him and Echo they had been taken into custody for the time being. Tomorrow the fate of Azgeda would officially be decided; for now Lexa urged them to share a meal with her.

Introductions had been slightly awkward, Abby not quite sure what to make of these new two figures. Once Clarke had recited how they had saved their lives, however, all Sky people present seemed less hesitant towards them.

Echo had rolled her eyes various times at some of Kane's attempts at conversation, but recognizing Bellamy and having Raven by her side, she soon no longer minded being in the Sky people's presence.

For a short moment, political worries were left behind and Clarke and Lexa could breathe.

"You looked very nice this morning," Lexa said soft enough for only Clarke to hear.

A smirk took over the blonde's face. "I know. If you're nice I might dress up for you again some time. Maybe in a more private setting."

Lexa's eyes widened at the implication and she had to put her cup down to avoid choking on her drink. Clarke chuckled and smiled at her, not bothering to hide her affection. "You looked great too, babe."

Lexa glanced over the table, seeing their guests in conversation and the mildly content expressions on their faces. A smile tugged on Lexa's lips. A small one, but a smile nonetheless.