Disclaimer & Notices
Copyright: See the prologue.
AN: I'm still here. So many of y'all have been wonderful about reaching out to me to see if I'm doing alright. Sadly I have been hiding under a rock and really haven't responded to everybody. I'm probably still going to stay under that rock for a bit longer. But, hopefully posting this chapter is a start. I can't promise that the next chapter will be done in a week. I'm afraid we'll just have to take what we can get from my muses. I still hope y'all enjoy the story and continue with your awesome patience and support.
Please enjoy! :)
Started: March 3, 2015
Series 1, Story #2
Hedatu
by Red Hope
Chapter 36
The cloudy day continued blocking out the sun's warmth and caused the Trikru warriors to push down their shivers. Nobody spoke during the return trip to Camp Jaha. However, the commander sensed there was much to be said, especially between herself and Clarke. From Clarke's stolen glances, Lexa sensed her second's high stress levels. The unseen tension had caused many warriors to give a wide berth between Lexa and Clarke.
The only brave individual among the group had four paws and two tails. Ares remained beside Clarke during the walk to the valley. He would peer up at Clarke now and again. He often received a pet from Clarke but nothing else. Ares was quite familiar with the stress lines along his human friend's brow.
Clarke carried herself with normal confidence. Yet, under the shell, she was distraught about Anya's missing body. She was worried about her pending conversation with Lexa about the new alliance. And she was torn about Jasper's fate. For once, she longed to simply be training for her Right to Honor.
Lexa travelled alongside her second. In her left hand, she held Star Gazer's reins and guided the horse through the forest. Behind them, the dozen warriors faithfully followed them to the Sky camp that would appear soon.
Clarke nibbled at her bottom lip. She disliked the continued silence even though it was warranted by Anya's lost body. Several times, Clarke considered who would have taken Anya's body. Nothing made sense to her, and the guilt ate away at Clarke's heart. First Anya's death was her fault and now the missing body made matters much worse. She was grateful Lexa believed her that Anya was in fact dead.
"What is it, Clarke?"
Lexa's voice cut through Clarke's heavy thoughts. Clarke was startled and nearly bumped into Ares in her next steps. She gathered herself after green eyes landed on her.
"Speak true," Lexa quietly but firmly ordered her second.
Clarke peered over her shoulder before she looked at the commander again. "We need to speak alone."
Lexa narrowed her eyes and realized the conversation would be dire. She gave a low nod and waited until they were closer to Camp Jaha. Shortly, the forest opened up to the valley so she turned to her warriors. In Trigedasleng, she ordered Indra to lead the warriors to camp and setup more tents for the duration of their visit.
Clarke stood near a tree with Ares seated at her boot tips. One by one, she watched the Trikru warriors leave her and Lexa alone. She briefly traded a nod with Connor, who held concern in her blue eyes. She appreciated the budding friendship between her and Connor.
Lexa busied with hitching the horse to a low tree branch. She kept her back to Clarke and listened to the warriors' soft footing fade away until it was only her and Clarke's breathing. She placed her left hand on her sword hilt in usual fashion. As she turned, her long coat rustled several leaves under her.
Clarke pensively looked up from Ares and captured her warrior's stare. She kept her features neutral even as Lexa approached her. As her warrior grew closer, she was absorbed by Lexa's place as Heda. In those green eyes, the spirit of the commander gazed back at Clarke.
"Tell me about my alliance," Lexa ordered.
Clarke weighed her warrior's choice in words. She barely contained a slight tremble in her bones at feeling the spirit's raw power. She straightened up and pivoted on her feet so that she matched Lexa. Clarke was a leader too and similarly respected like Lexa. She was, after all, known as Wanheda.
After a deep breath, Clarke jumped right into the most important piece of the new alliance. "With this fast approaching winter, the Trikru is giving Skaikru permission to move into the Mountain." She prepared for a verbal battle when Lexa's grip flexed on the sword hilt. Clarke already learned her warrior's tiny tells.
Lexa grounded her teeth and seemed as if her war paint blackened further. She slotted her eyes and demanded, "What in Woraun's name were you thinking?" She held a dark edge in her tone.
Clarke remained too calm and answered, "I was thinking strategically… not emotionally, like I've been taught." She then held out her arm in the general direction of the Mountain. "Hell! You suggested the damn Mountain anyway."
"To take the supplies," Lexa snapped. She nearly wanted to spit on the ground at the idea of the Sky People going into the Mountain. "Not take it over."
Clarke opened her mouth, but she was silent. She stared oddly at her warrior then took a step closer. "Wait." She narrowed her eyes and accused, "You were really there?" She shook her head and added, "In my dream." By Lexa's drawn silence, she had her answer. "How is that even possible?" She took a step closer to her warrior. "What the Hell is going on here, Lexa?"
With a sharp headshake, Lexa replied, "We are not discussing this right now." She saw Clarke open her mouth so she held up her hand and added, "There are more important matters to discuss."
Clarke blew out a frustrated breath but promised, "Don't you think I will forget."
"I expect not," Lexa agreed. She tilted her head and returned their conversation to the earlier discussion. "Now tell me why I am allowing the Skaikru to take the Mountain?"
Clarke mentally shifted gears and lifted her chin slightly. She had convinced Lexa of many things in the past, and it was no different now. This time, she believed she was doing this for both of her people even if there would be disbelievers. As her bright blue eyes met green ones, she strengthened her resolve.
"There's a lot of damn good reasons," Clarke started, "For both krus." She continued holding Lexa's hard gaze, and it briefly took her back to the first day they had met in the tent. "The Skaikru has a weak plan to stay alive this winter, but I'm confident many will die… from starvation, cold, and disease. Yes there are supplies in the Mountain that will help them get through the winter. But that Mountain also offers shelter from the harsh winter."
Lexa narrowed her eyes yet continued listening to Clarke's reasoning. She was clearly still dissatisfied by it.
"That metal camp down there…" Clarke glanced off to the right and pointed towards Camp Jaha. "It was a space station that crashed and destroyed many of the onboard systems. Some of the necessary systems are on other stations." She paused and better explained, "Raven is doing her best to repair what she can, but it won't be enough. And the solar panels won't be enough to keep power up for the heating system." She sighed and dropped her arm to her side. "Cloudy days and snow will make it hard for the panels to collect enough energy." She shook her head and hotly added, "We haven't even got into the discussion about food and hunting."
Lexa felt her lips tug with a slight frown. She drew away from Clarke and stated, "I am waiting for the part on how this benefits Trikru." She had put space between them and held her hands behind her back now. She pivoted on her boots and peered over her shoulder, towards her second. "How this benefits our people, Klark."
Briefly Clarke closed her eyes before she met Lexa's patient features. "Mount Weather is a symbol… for so many things." She watched how Lexa stared through the woods, as if seeking something from the trees. But, she knew Lexa was listening to her. "Most of all, it's a symbol of power and whoever controls it is a god among our people."
"No good comes from pretending to be a god, Klark." Lexa faced her second. "It brought death to the Maunon and the Trikru." She shook her head. "It is a symbol of death."
Clarke crossed the short distance and argued, "Who is pretending?" She shrugged and stood in front of her warrior. "Heda… and Wanheda."
Lexa huffed at Clarke's attempt. "Appealing to my ego will not work." She brushed past Clarke and declared, "The Mountain is off limits to Skaikru."
Clarke turned on her boots and called, "And if Azgeda takes it?" She folded her arms and smirked when Lexa went still a few feet before the horse. "Have you located Emerson?" At how the commander kept her back to Clarke, she knew the truth. "The enemy of my enemy is my friend." She rocked on her boots and guessed, "I think it's safe to say Emerson is with Azgeda."
Lexa released a low breath then turned around towards her second. She was clearly annoyed now because she knew Clarke had a point.
"You're letting your emotions about Mount Weather control you." Clarke saw a flicker of something across Lexa's features. Perhaps it was better control and logic coming into play. She hoped the commander would see Clarke's vision for Mount Weather. "If we control the Mountain, we have a power over the other clans, and it takes power away from Azgeda if they have Emerson." She carefully watched her warrior's features in hopes to get a signal about something. However, Lexa was very good at hiding her thoughts and emotions. "The coalition could fracture at this assembly next month." She released a frustrated sigh and added, "At least we can stand there with the biggest sword in the room."
"But we would not," Lexa countered. "The Skaikru will hold the power."
Clarke approached her warrior. "I have it figured out… on how Trikru and Skaikru can split the power." Each step closer, she felt the energy relight between them. "So we can build trust." She studied the green of her warrior's eyes. "Skaikru spent a century in space… learning how to get along and accepting diversity." She shook her head and softly added, "Out of all the krus, the Skaikru is the least likely to fire a missile." She frowned slightly and whispered, "We remember what it did to the ground and why we took refuge in space. None of us want to go back there."
Lexa continued her internal struggle with what she felt was best for her people. Her second had many key points, but the Mountain bred demons. She parted lips, about to deny the request, but Clarke took her hands.
"I need you to trust me on this," Clarke pressed. She squeezed their hands tightly together, now linked together. "I have a plan that I want you to listen to, and if you still don't feel comfortable about it, then I'll tell my mom and Kane we can't do it." She shook her head and mentioned, "We haven't made any of this public." She waited for an answer, but the drawn silence made her stomach turn into a knot.
Lexa inhaled deeply and finally gave a curt nod. She would listen, openly then make her final decision. Over a month ago, she and Clarke had built a delicate trust and now they were warrior and second to each other. She had sworn an oath to teach and protect Clarke. That included an unbreakable trust and bond between them. It was time to standby her oath.
After a suggestion for warmth, Clarke and Lexa were soon seated in front of a small campfire on a fur. Ares was snuggled against Clarke's left thigh with his head filling her lap and providing more warmth. He released a heavy breath that thrummed in his chest. He loved how Clarke rubbed his ears.
Lexa had taken a seat beside her second and drank from a water skin. After she was done, she handed it to Clarke, who refused it. She corked the skin and set it aside then placed her attention on the fire in front of them. She waited for Clarke.
Similar to her warrior, Clarke was staring into the fire as her plans for the Skaikru came back to her after hours of thinking about it last night. She could have spent her night drawing or reading Thrigad, but she instead rested under the furs while her mind worked most of the night. She had a plan, and one that her Sky people would have to agree to, without question.
"The Skaikru would move into the Mountain for only the winter," Clarke started, softly. She continued playing with Ares's ears. Occasionally she tweaked his nose but all her attention was on the fire, as if it spoke back to her. "It would provide shelter and supplies… also time. It would give them time to plan out a better camp, to learn the ground, and also remove the supplies in the spring time." She withdrew her right hand and placed it on Lexa's knee. She looked over at the commander's profile. "And not just food or clothes but equipment for medical, farming, transportation, education... It's hard to say what's in Mount Weather that we can use."
"And the missiles?" Lexa prompted.
Clarke nodded at her warrior's concerns about the weapons. "For the missiles to be launched, they probably require a code. It's a code that most likely only high security people knew like Emerson, Cage, or Dante." She squeezed the commander's knee and became less worried when Lexa looked at her. "I think I can get Monty to hack into the system and change the code… to a code only you and I pick."
"What keeps him from changing it again?"
Clarke became more comfortable. If Lexa was asking questions then it was a positive sign. She withdrew her hand and rested it near Ares's nose. "I trust Monty." She tilted her head to get a better view of Lexa. "But, that's not enough. So, the Trikru would perform periodic checks, not just on the code for the missiles, but the entire Mountain. We go in there to see what the Skaikru are doing with the facility, check the code, and continue to develop trust."
Lexa shook her head and looked over at Clarke. "We will be unable to release a missile if we cannot communicate with Skaikru."
"I know," Clarke readily agreed. "I have something in mind for that too." She grinned, devilishly. "You remember that device I had when you found me?"
Lexa dug into her memory and gave a faint nod.
"I'm going to have Monty look at it, but I think he can modify it so we can communicate with Mount Weather." Clarke lost her grin and became serious. "Then we can talk to Skaikru."
Lexa turned her attention to the campfire. She was weighing the prospect of the Skaikru taking shelter in the Mountain for the winter. She worried that the Skaikru would want to stay permanently once settled into it.
"Besides just control over the missiles," Clarke's voice cut into the silence, "Skaikru will be educating Trikru." She found curious green eyes on her. "Reading, writing, and math…" Clarke shook her head. "Educated warriors will be more beneficial to us."
Lexa silently agreed. She had educated herself over the years so that she became an intelligent commander. Those commanders before her had been found lacking and weak intellectually, but Lexa reasoned it had to do with the times of heavy war. At the time, previous commanders had to prioritize fighting over education.
"There's tech too," Clarke softly reminded. "Skaikru has medicine, advanced systems, and the weapons." She studied Lexa's unchanged features, but Clarke knew her warrior was processing the benefits to the alliance. There was a benefit to ensuring the Skaikru survived the winter.
"How can we be assured that Skaikru will leave the Mountain in the spring?"
Clarke nodded at the concern. She switched her attention to the campfire and mentioned, "There is a certain amount of trust there." She considered her first people; those she had grown up in outer space with for eighteen years. "After being trapped on a space station… I don't think they're going to want to be trapped in a Mountain." She shook her head and argued, "The Mountain Men wished to escape it."
"The Skaikru would not be trapped there," Lexa reminded. "They can walk on the ground."
Clarke blew out a breath and nodded. "As I said, there is a certain amount of trust we all must have with each other… that they will honor the terms of the alliance."
Lexa narrowed her eyes and gazed upon her second. "As I had honored the terms of our last alliance."
Clarke flinched at the thick mockery laced in her warrior's words. She blew out a breath at the bitter memories of Lexa betraying the Skaikru on the Mountain. She shook her head and reminded, "We aren't in the middle of a war." She shook her head and softly added, "And I'm not setting you up for a fall, Lexa." She leaned in closer to her warrior. "I want to destroy that Mountain for good by spring time."
Lexa swallowed hard and softly asked, "Is that possible?" In her mind, the Mountain seemed invincible even if Clarke had weakened it in a matter of months.
Clarke took a deep breath and considered the possibility of completely destroying the Mountain. She wanted to take away its power over the Trikru, and even the Skaikru. She gave a low nod and promised, "I will burn it down, Lexa." Green eyes cut to her and a hint of admiration shined back at Clarke. "Ai swega em klin, Heda."
Lexa was held in the burning blue eyes, and she knew she trusted Clarke's judgment, despite her own fears. She gave a faint nod and whispered, "Sha… Yu na fleim daun maun."
Clarke returned the nod. She had a thin smile as she focused back on the campfire.
Lexa noticed that the flames were weakening so she climbed to her feet. She took two steps over to the small pile of wood.
Clarke watched her warrior feed the campfire. "I have a lot of the minor details worked out in my head." She released a low breath. "We can go over it later with my mother and Kane." She waited until her warrior sat down on the fur again. "That is if you agree, Heda…?"
Lexa had removed her sheathed sword earlier, and it rested off to her right. She tapped the handle with her fingertips before she met her second's gaze. "I am uneasy about such terms, Klark." She released a sigh. "Many Trikru will fear such an alliance and question my judgment. It could ensure that the coalition breaks."
"Unless the Skaikru is part of the coalition," Clarke debated. Again, she watched her warrior's careful consideration. "Skaikru isn't going anywhere… we're here on the ground now. We're all playing in the same sandbox and need to get along. It's no different than the other krus learning to work together."
"Skaikru is different than the other krus," Lexa reminded her second.
"Are we really?"
Lexa peered over at her second. She noted how Clarke continued perceiving herself as Skaikru, as much as Trikru. She considered how difficult it must be for her second to be split in half and jumping from side to side. She inwardly sighed but respected Clarke's ability to manage all that she had these past days.
"You know it's about building relationships," Clarke debated with her warrior. "That the Trikru, or any kru, will fear the Skaikru less if they get to know each other." She shook her head and softly reminded, "We're all humans."
Lexa was staring into her own lap. She studied her palms and noticed the blue veins that allowed her blood, her black blood, to travel through her body. She was human, indeed but a different kind of human. She was a wrinkle in human structure that blessed her with the commander's spirit. Still, she was a human that bled, especially for her people.
"If you and I are from two different worlds," Clarke gently pressed, "And forged a relationship then so can our people." She saw her words pierced her warrior's defenses. "Peace is not easy, Lexa… we both know that but the results are worth it."
Lexa remained quiet as she considered all she had done and sacrificed over the years to garner peace among the different clans. Now she was faced with a new clan, one only foreseen by the Priestess of Staurra. Yet, she feared what this alliance would do to the coalition, but she knew in truth that the coalition was long ago fractured by other issues.
After a deep breath, Lexa quietly mentioned, "Polis will not support this alliance." She lifted her head and looked directly at her second.
Clarke opened and closed her mouth a few times. She felt defeated by Lexa's statement. It was a slice through Clarke's hopes that her warrior would agree to the alliance's terms. Her eyes pricked with a sting, but she choked it down.
"They prefer the clans to be at war," Lexa continued. She watched a furrow dig across her second's brow.
Clarke was jarred by the truth. She mind was jerked in another direction by the mention of Polis and Senate's desire to keep the clans feuding all the time. Over the seconds, her heart started hammering against her chest and anger warmed under her skin.
"I will agree to this alliance if you agree to help me take Polis," Lexa offered. She tilted her head and explained, "I will need the power of Wanheda behind me if I am to be successful."
Clarke was refueled by her warrior's agreement. She had her fingers painfully tangled in Ares's fur, and she silently apologized as she loosened her hold. She considered how her role as Wanheda helped Lexa in a battle against the Senate. But, she was learning the beliefs among the grounders, which included the Commander of Death. Like Lexa, Clarke was considered a demi-god among the grounders and their powers together made them a dangerous force. She could only imagine how many grounders feared Heda and Wanheda being tied together as they were now.
"You know you have me, Heda," Clarke promised.
Yet, Lexa shook her head and argued, "But I must have Wanheda." She narrowed her eyes. "You must embrace your honor."
Clarke had refused her title as Wanheda since she first learned it. She better understood her warrior's desire so she sighed but finally nodded at her warrior. "And you have Wanheda."
Lexa reached over and rested her hand on her second's knee. "Polis has toyed with the clans for too long."
Clarke shook her head and asked, "What have they done?"
Lexa nearly drowned in all the dark history between Polis and the clans. She released a low breath. "They have done too much." She looked over at her second. "Many have tried undoing the Senate and paid with their lives."
Clarke was disgusted by the truth. She had darker features that made her war paint angry.
Lexa was quiet for a moment then whispered, "My mother and I had many differences, but we both agreed upon peace." She was staring deep into the fire, but she rewatched a funeral as her mother's pale features were eaten by flames. "She was close to a coup but…"
Clarke freed her hand from Ares's head and placed it over her warrior's hand. She clutched to Lexa and insisted, "But?"
"She was assassinated," Lexa whispered.
"By the Senate," Clarke softly concluded. She bowed her head and closed her eyes. Suddenly, she stiffened and gripped Lexa's hand harder than necessary. "Alex," she breathed.
Lexa clenched her teeth.
"We should bring her to Tondc," Clarke hastily suggested. She shook her head. "It won't be safe for her."
"We cannot." Lexa turned her worried features to Clarke. "It will only alert the Senate of my plans."
Clarke bit her bottom lip. She threaded her fingers through Lexa's own. Later they would have to discuss further what Lexa had in mind to take over Polis and rid of the Senate. Right now, it was getting late and the sun was low in the western sky. They needed to go soon, but she still had to talk to Lexa about Jasper Jordon. It was another difficult conversation that would draw a new divide between them.
"We should be going," Lexa announced, as if reading her second's thoughts. She started rising up.
Clarke hastily climbed up, nearly jamming her knee into Ares's chin. She still held her warrior's hand and halted her attempt to separate them. "Wait…"
Lexa was partially bent to get her sword, but she was pulled away from it by Clarke's strong grasp. She came toe to toe with her second.
"There's something else you must know," Clarke mentioned. "Something happened while you were gone."
Lexa shifted into her commander mindset. "Klark-"
"Jasper attempted to kill me but shot Octavia instead," Clarke hastily spilled out to her warrior. She kept her hand linked with Lexa's own, as if it would keep them together. She grimaced at the darkness that entered her warrior's normal bright green eyes. Just as Lexa opened her mouth, Clarke added, "He's in lock up in Camp Jaha."
Lexa freed her hand and twisted around to her right. She bent down and scooped up her sword. "Not for long," she bitterly declared.
Clarke took a side step when her warrior tried to get past her and Ares. She held up her hands in defense. "Wait."
Lexa's grip on the sheathed sword was telling of her anger. However, her features were mostly calm other than the ice in her eyes. "He attacked two of my people including my second."
"Technically he only attacked one of your people, who is unharmed. But he did manage to injure one Skaikru." Clarke still had her hands up, between their close bodies. She nearly jumped when Lexa growled at her.
"You are not protecting him on a technicality," Lexa snapped.
Clarke lowered her hands but kept her back straight. "Oh so now Octavia is conveniently considered Trikru after she's been attacked by Skaikru." She shook her head and reminded, "She has been banished once and is now ignored by her warrior." She folded her arms and argued, "I see the double standard here."
Lexa stared coldly at her second, but she made no other moves to rush off.
Clarke could tell she drove her point home about Octavia's missing place as Trikru. She sighed and stated, "I agree that he should be punished, but I also think he's fighting with a lot of demons in him."
Lexa straightened her back. She knew Jasper's recent history with the Mountain and meeting the girl named Maya. She understood his pain, without fail. "We all have a monster within us," Lexa snapped, "And we must take responsibility for it when we release it."
Clarke closed her eyes at how the truth stung against her heart.
"I know you care for him… that he is a friend to you," Lexa continued. Her tone had become more understanding, but she was still firm. "But you cannot allow your guilt over Mount Weather dictate your decisions with him now." She gritted her teeth and hotly declared, "His attack is his own… not yours."
"But I am the cause," Clarke argued, in guilt.
"No," Lexa snapped. She stared hard at her second and finally stated, "He is responsible for this, not you." She finally side stepped her second and brushed past her. "He will pay what is due." She went directly to the horse.
Clarke sighed and argued, "He needs help… not an eye for an eye." She could tell her warrior was too gone at the moment. She would try again later so she stepped off the fur. Once Ares was off too, she rolled it up in haste. She felt heavy with her warrior's argument that Jasper was responsible for his own deeds. Clarke's guilt over Mount Weather would always follow her.
Lexa had rehooked her sword to her side. She had Star Gazer's reins in her hands and looked towards her second, who was putting out the small fire.
Clarke came over with Ares at her side. She lashed down the fur to the back of the saddlebags. She then turned to her warrior. "Lexa…"
The commander sensed Clarke's pending conversation was about something else other than politics. It was personal and about them.
"I'm really glad you're back," Clarke confessed.
Lexa released her commander facet and softened towards her second. "As am I."
Clarke placed her hands in her jacket pockets. She shrugged and mentioned, "I think I prefer fighting with you than the Skaikru."
Lexa gave a low huff, but a grin turned her lips upwards. "It's what two strong leaders do."
Clarke mirrored her warrior's grin. "Yeah… something like that." She freed her left hand and grabbed her warrior's hip. Even with the cold air, Clarke felt Lexa's warmth through the jacket's thickness. "Just as long as we're doing it together."
Lexa released the reins and took a step closer to Clarke. She was drawn into Clarke and pressed their bodies together. With both hands, she cradled Clarke's face below her jaw line but mindful of the war paint. "Sha," she whispered and bent forward. "Otaim," she promised against Clarke's lips.
Clarke pushed forward and felt some of her war paint smear against her warrior's thumb. She hardly cared and was too hungry for Lexa's lips. She moaned with Lexa and freed her other hand from her jacket. She snaked her arm around her warrior's lithe frame. Their bodies molded together as their lips parted with fire on their tongues.
Lexa's nails slightly dug into the back of Clarke's neck. She pushed hard against Clarke's hot lips and felt the intense embers from the earlier arguments spark their passion. Their kisses since their reunion were different than previous ones before their separation. Clarke had let down her lingering walls, and Lexa tasted a different kind of fire between them.
Clarke gasped for air after their lips tore apart, her bottom lip swollen. She clawed against her warrior's jacket. "I want this, Lexa," she murmured. She was certain and final in her statement. "I want you."
When Clarke drew back, she expected many things but not the sad smile on Lexa's open features. She nearly broke at seeing it because she understood why. She instantly squeezed her warrior's hip, where she still had her left hand. "Lexa…"
After a few blinks to clear her emotions, Lexa still kept her smile. She was reshaped by Clarke's admission. Many had wanted her, but only for Heda. There had been one in the past that needed Lexa, but the Ice Nation had taken her first. Now, Lexa was honored by another love, but one that came from the stars rather than the waters. She wanted Clarke, just the same.
"And you have me," Lexa promised. From the past to the present and always in the future, Lexa realized. She was Clarke's and even felt Heda kneel to it. She wished to say more, so much more, but Ares's whine made her come to her senses. It was late and nearly close to sunset.
"We should go," Clarke mentioned. She faltered though and instead brushed her lips against Lexa's soft ones. It was a silent promise that they would continue later. "Come on." She released her warrior, but she took Lexa's right hand into hers. She had done it without thought and locked their hands together in a natural fit.
Lexa took the reins into her freehand and clicked her tongue once at Star Gazer. With Clarke at her side, they started the walk to the camp.
Ares trotted beside Clarke and occasionally sniffed the ground. He often picked up hints of the Trikru warriors that left them awhile ago.
"I wish to see Octavia after dinner. Do you want to join me?"
Lexa weighed her second's offer. She nodded. She had to be assured that Indra's second was healing well. She also had an indirect confirmation that Octavia was being cared for by the Skaikru. It only made sense if it involved a gun and a bullet. She inwardly seethed at the Skaikru's lenient control with the weapons. She made a mental note to add that to the terms of their alliance.
Just as they approached the forest's edge, Clarke squeezed Lexa's hand and separated them. She even put slightly more space between them.
It went noticed by Lexa, but she said nothing about it. She straightened her shoulders as they came upon the Trikru's camp. She already smelled food cooking over the fire. The pleasant smells made her mind skip to the pending winter in Tondc and even Polis. She puckered her lips slightly and softly tempted, "Klark…"
Clarke had been studying the enlarged camp, but she looked over at her warrior at hearing her name. "Sha?"
"Can you cook?"
Clarke curiously tilted her head. "Sha." She slowed her steps as they approached the corral of horses. "My mom taught me."
Lexa nodded and turned to her horse. She first went about freeing the saddlebags. "It is an important skill." She hefted the saddlebags off the horse. "One that I am not apt with."
Clarke nearly folded her arms but instead hastened forward to take the saddlebags rather than letting them sit on the ground. "I'm not bad at it." She adjusted the bags while Lexa returned to the horse. "Why?"
Lexa hastily worked on Star Gazer's tack. "I often prefer to eat alone rather than with my warriors." She needed the space typically.
Clarke quickly caught up to her warrior's intent. She chuckled and promised, "I can cook for us, Heda."
Lexa had the wrapped tack dangling from her left hand. With her other hand, she opened the corral for Star Gazer, who followed in and joined the other horses. She turned to her second, who stood beside Ares. "And I can clean the dishes."
Clarke laughed and grinned at her warrior. "It sounds like a deal." She and Lexa started into the camp only a few yards from the corral. In those few seconds, Clarke realized she and Lexa had worked out a piece of a domestic lifestyle. It warmed her to know that such a life was possible and also ahead of them. She was more than willing to handle a seemingly mundane chore. It brought a smile to her, especially after the hard conversations earlier.
In the camp, the Trikru were more than quiet than normal. Clarke guiltily wondered if it had to do with Anya's missing body. It reopened Clarke's wound about Anya's death. She now had failed Lexa twice when it came to Anya. And not only Lexa but others that were close to Anya like Echo, Indra, and many others that held their tongue about Anya. Clarke knew that Anya was well liked within her clan. Clarke silently swore she would bring peace to her clan and Anya's soul.
After dinner, Lexa joined Clarke with going to see Octavia. She was pleased that Connor accompanied them as a guard. She had considered whether Clarke had chosen a guard during her stay at Camp Jaha. Ares was an excellent protector, but a Trikru guard was still necessary.
At the sealed gates, Clarke called for them to be opened under the cloak of darkness. She allowed Ares to go in front of them after the gates creaked open for them. She noted that the gates remained open as they continued further into the camp. Under the moonlight, many Skaikru whispered about the commander's arrival. Lexa was distinct and well marked by her red sash hooked to her pauldron.
"This way," Clarke softly encouraged her warrior. She felt her warrior's high strung tension because of the Skaikru. She half expected her mother or Marcus Kane to materialize from thin air to greet Lexa. But, she was also glad nobody bothered them on the walk to the hospital.
Lexa kept her hand on the sword hilt during the walk through the old space station. Her eyes darted left and right. Noises from all sides made her hyper sensitive about the strange interior of the ship. She hated it.
"Monroe," Clarke greeted her friend at the hospital's entrance. She suspected her friend was on duty.
"Hey, Clarke." Monroe offered a smile but straightened upon seeing the commander. She faltered to greet the powerful leader of the Trikru.
Clarke sensed it and easily stepped in to handle the situation. "We're here to see Octavia."
"Uh yeah, sure." Monroe took a sidestep and mentioned, "She was awake earlier… eating dinner." She curiously looked at Clarke. "I thought Lincoln would be here."
"He's back at camp," Clarke mentioned. "He'll probably be here later." She caught Monroe's nod so she offered a smile. "Thanks." She guided Lexa and Connor to the room that had Octavia. She cut her eyes to Connor, who gave a curt nod.
Lexa entered the room after Clarke worked the metal handle. She listened to the door click shut and felt Clarke and Ares directly behind her. However, Lexa's full attention was on the injured girl in the bed.
"Heda," Octavia greeted, in surprise.
Outside of the room, Connor stood post by the door. She wore both her sword and battle axe tonight. Perhaps it was too much for some, but she felt more prepared because their commander was with them now. She kept focused about her surroundings and watched Skaikru come and go from the hospital. She then heard the Skaikru guard's voice. Monroe was the girl's name.
"Hey, Bethani." Monroe slung her rifle over her shoulder, in silent statement to the end of her rotation.
Bethani toyed with her black hat and flashed a smile at Monroe. "How's it going?"
"Quiet," Monroe mentioned.
Bethani gave a low hum. She knew guarding Octavia was a quiet shift, but it was also a good thing. Octavia had enough to deal with after Jasper's attack.
"Thanks for coming early too." Monroe smiled.
"Hey, don't thank me." Bethani held up her hands for a second. "You better thank Lana." She now reached of her own rifle, strapped across her back. "You owe her big."
Monroe chuckled and promised, "I'll make it up to her."
Bethani shook her head and argued, "Lana gets it. She knows how important anniversaries are."
Monroe blew out a breath. "Yeah… speaking of which…"
Bethani took the hint because she knew Monroe had to get to Harper. "See you later."
"See ya."
As soon as Monroe moved out of the way, Bethani's attention was instantly drawn to the grounder that had been hidden by Monroe's earlier presence. Bethani released a low breath at seeing the grounder's hard features. However, she moved into Monroe's spot and kept her back to the quiet warrior. For a few minutes, Bethani debated different ways to break the ice again with the warrior.
Connor remained at her post and did her best to ignore the tall blond Sky guard. She prayed the Sky girl, Bethani, would leave her in peace. However, Connor released a low groan when Bethani turned on her heels. "Jok," she softly cursed in Trigedasleng.
Bethani had moved her position to be across from Connor. She again faced the entrance and stood guard. She remained quiet though as she adjusted to how much closer she was to the grounder. She finally stole a glance at the warrior, who was attempting to ignore her.
"In case you forgot, my name is Bethani," the Sky guard reminded.
Connor gritted her teeth but her reply came out calmer than she intended it. "I have been attempting to forget it."
Bethani smiled, instantly. It was hardly due to Connor's reply but the fact she had one at all. "I'm kind of hard to forget."
Connor reacted by rolling her eyes, but she remained quiet.
"Just like you are," Bethani murmured.
Connor had heard the soft statement. She swallowed hard and continued with her silence. Why she had to be stalked by this Sky girl was beyond Connor's understanding. The gods were humorous at best and often tortuous more than anything. Connor steeled her resolve and continued staring past Bethani.
"Where are you from?" Bethani attempted. "Tondc?" She looked over her right shoulder, directly at the warrior.
Connor dug her nails into the sword hilt. She felt the first crack and whispered, "No." She focused on the soft blue eyes that were locked on her. "I am from Allen." She gathered her strength and further added, "It is less than a two candlemark walk from here… depending on your pace."
Bethani had a grin and replied, "I have a fast pace." She became more serious. "Is it west from here?"
Connor shook her head and replied, "It is a village in a valley… to the north."
Bethani already pictured a quiet village nestled in a valley with snow falling on it. She had soft features thanks to the image in her mind. She then asked, "How old are you?"
Connor shifted on her boots and bit the inside of her mouth. She huffed and replied, "I am old." She knew she was older than Bethani. "I am twenty-three."
Bethani softly laughed and shook her head. "That's hardly old." She shrugged and offered, "I'm eighteen." She released a content breath and decided to tempt fate further. She knew she was closer to the Trikru warrior opening up more. "Since you don't like your nickname Lil… what's your real name?"
Connor lifted her chin slightly and felt the struggle in her. As if Bethani knowing her name would give her a power over Connor. She tried ignoring her pounding heart that made her feel like she was going into battle. She parted her lips and weakness filled her knees. "My name is-"
"Bethani."
Bethani jumped at hearing the familiar voice that rattled her from her longing stare at the beautiful grounder. She stiffened slightly as the short, young woman came right up to her. "Hey, Lana." She adjusted the rifle in her hands and offered a smile.
"Hey," Lana warmly offered. "I need to talk to you for a second." Earlier when she had seen the entrance to the hospital, Lana noticed Bethani wasn't posted directly at the entrance's mouth but further back. Now it made more sense to her once she saw the grounder posted at the door. Lana reigned in on her jealousy.
Bethani nodded at Lana's request and left her post to follow in Lana's wavy brown wake. She blew out a breath and shook her head. Once outside of the hospital and in the metal hallway, she looked to Lana. "What's up?"
Lana faced the other teen. "It's family stuff but…" She narrowed her eyes and asked, "Were you talking to that grounder?"
Bethani had lowered the rifle to her side, the strap swayed in the air briefly. "Yeah… so?"
Lana had a frown and looked past Bethani towards the hospital entrance. "You should be careful." She was about to say more until she sensed another presence coming up from behind so she twisted her head around at the newcomer. "Hey, Raven."
Raven traded a smile with Lana and Bethani. "Hey, guys." She knew that Bethani was on duty to guard Octavia. She suspected Lana was visiting Bethani quickly, and it was personal. She kept moving to the hospital, but she distantly heard Bethani reply to Lana's inquiry.
"There's just something about her," Bethani answered Lana's question about the grounder warrior.
Lana had a tight frown then wiped it away. She easily brushed off Bethani's words. "You think there's something about everybody." She was making light of it.
Bethani opened her mouth, but she let her argument die. She knew what battles to pick with Lana, and this one was worth leaving alone. She instead straightened up and listened to why Lana stopped by to see her. Indeed it had to do with their families getting together tomorrow.
Raven approached the door to Octavia's room. She noticed Connor's distant look but cut her eyes to the hospital entrance. She could barely make out Bethani and Lana talking together. She cleared her throat and focused on Connor. "A bit of advice…"
Connor cut her eyes to the Sky girl at her side. She was listening and only because she liked Raven. There were few Sky people that held Connor's respect, and Raven was one of them.
"Bethani is taken so if she's chatting you up then don't touch her with a ten foot pole," Raven explained. At seeing Connor's slight confusion, she sighed heavily and fully turned to the warrior. "She and Lana have been together for a couple of years. They've had their differences in the past, but they reconciled too. You will get burned by her."
Connor's blue eyes turned stormy. "Lana is her houmon?"
Raven took a second to translate the word after hearing it a couple of times in the past. "Not quite, but…" She shrugged and explained, "They're together." She had a hard time reading what was going through Connor's mind now. She filled in the silent void between them. "It kinda sucks too."
Connor narrowed her eyes at the Sky girl. "Is your friend not happy?"
Raven shrugged and studied the conversing couple beyond the hospital. "I think she's content if nothing else." She focused on Connor. "But my beef is with Lana more than anything." She was clearly annoyed. "Bethani was meant to be a mechanic, but she was made a guard instead." Raven knew her perception was badly tainted by fact Engineering was hurting for another mechanic, like Bethani.
"But if she wishes to be one then-"
"No," Raven cut off and bitterly vented, "It's what Lana wishes for her because it gives Bethani's family name more status among our people. It makes Bethani more worthy of Lana's hand in her family's eyes." She gritted her teeth. "A mechanic is considered lower status than being a guard. But Lana's father was… is close to a former chancellor and landed Bethani the job."
Connor huffed and felt every ounce of frustration and anger contained within Raven.
"It gets Bethani closer to possibly being on the council one day," Raven softly explained. "And if nothing else, it at least looks better than being a mechanic." She huffed and whispered, "But, I know Bethani rather be doing what she loves than that… " She held out her hands towards the hospital's entrance. "That bullshit." She shook her head and dropped her hand to her side.
"Have you spoken to her about it?" Connor tempted.
Raven huffed and muttered, "Please." She grabbed the door's knob. "Lana is the puppeteer so if you can figure out how to cut the strings… be my guest." She hesitated from going into the room. "Just be careful, Connor."
At the warning, Connor dropped her internal armor and looked at the mechanic. "Only the gods can change our stars… not us."
Raven nodded, actually agreeing that destiny and fate were often out of their hands. "I'll catch ya later." She noticed that Bethani was coming back without Lana. "And good luck." She cracked the door open but a strong hand grabbed her bicep.
"Thank you, Reivon," Connor whispered. She had bowed her head closer to Raven's own.
Raven peered up into blue eyes and realized exactly why Bethani may be interested in Connor. She was tongue tied and barely managed a nod.
Connor released the mechanic and listened to the door click shut. She adjusted her stance back to normal. She warily eyed the tall, blond Sky girl that took her post again albeit closer to Connor than the entrance. Raven's firm warning rang in her mind again.
Bethani stood more rigid than in the past. She seemed distraught and unsure as she remained quiet at her post. One time she lowered the rifle and toyed with her hat's brim. She had a slightly nervous tick.
"What is that?"
Bethani was shaken from her thoughts and looked over at the Trikru warrior.
Connor pointed at Bethani's head. "What is that?"
Bethani regained her confidence and grabbed her hat's brim. She pulled off the ball cap and held it out vertically in Connor's direction. "It's called a hat."
For a second, Connor admired the unusual wheaten shade to Bethani's hair. She decided it was slightly darker than Clarke's hair, but the shade still captured Connor's attention. "A hat?" she repeated.
"Or ball cap," Bethani supplied. She ran her fingers through her hair, in preparation to put on the hat.
"What is the symbol on the front?"
Bethani twisted the hat's front towards herself and studied the black and yellow symbol.
"Does it mean something to your people?"
"Maybe… a long time ago," Bethani replied. Her eyes traced the sharp curves of the black symbol that stood out against the yellow oval. "It means nothing now though." She fondly put the hat back on and felt more comfortable. She had been gifted the hat from her grandfather, who was long gone now. She neatly stowed her grandfather's memory away in a compartment.
Connor curiously observed the Sky girl's self-control, but she saw the broken pieces in Bethani. She kept her silence though because she hardly knew the young girl.
Bethani adjusted the hat into the correct position before she peered across. Her blue eyes playfully danced from under the darkness of the brim. "So, what is your name again?"
Connor softly huffed at the Sky girl's persistence. She admired it, but it also made her cautious, especially thanks to Raven. But, Bethani knowing her name would never control her. Just as she prepared to answer again, she was also interrupted again.
Bethani glowered when Clarke Griffin and the commander cut off the Trikru warrior's response. She wanted to curse them both but knew to hold her tongue.
Clarke nearly drowned in the tension between Connor and Bethani once she stepped out of Octavia's room. She blew out a low breath then gathered herself. "Yu ait?"
Connor looked to Clarke and gave a low nod.
Lexa stood at her second's side. Her dark eyes cut from Connor over to the Sky guard. She noticed that Ares approached the Sky guard. She relaxed only a little.
Clarke studied Bethani petting Ares, but she ordered, "Teik oso gon we." She and Lexa led the way out of the hospital.
Connor followed behind, and she noted that Ares broke away from Bethani. She slightly grinned at the wolf hurrying back to Clarke's side. Just as she passed the hospital's threshold, she glanced back over her shoulder at the Sky girl.
Bethani shot a crooked grin at the Trikru warrior. "We'll meet again," she muttered.
Connor missed whatever the Sky girl said, but she focused on her duties. She returned her hand to the sword hilt and marched behind Heda and Wanheda. She noticed the halls were quieter than earlier, but she was grateful for it.
Clarke was guiding the small group. She rounded a turn and spotted her mother a few yards ahead of them.
Lexa instantly recognized Abigail Griffin too. She lifted her chin and slowed once they were joined together.
"Hello, commander." Abby offered a pleasant smile to the young leader. She was initially taken aback by the war paint on both girls' faces. Her fingers tightened around the digital notepad in her hands.
Lexa gave a slight bow, of respect to the chancellor.
"I see you made it here safely."
Lexa was barely taller than the chancellor, but her spirit filled the tight space with power. "I have learned of the initial talks that you have held with my second."
Abby noticed Lexa's choice of words about Clarke's position. "Yes." She cleared her throat and glanced once at Clarke before she focused on the commander again. "We would like to continue those talks tomorrow." She tried gauging Lexa's reception to the pending alliance. However, she was unsure what exactly Clarke had told the commander.
"Probably in the late morning," Clarke mentioned to her mother.
Abby was open to the idea. "How about after twelve?"
Clarke nodded and promised, "We'll be there." She then looked at her warrior. "Sha, Heda?" She was pleased when Lexa nodded in agreement. She could tell her mother was about to go so she held up her hand. "Oh, Mom."
Abby paused from going around the small group of Trikru warriors. She needed to check on her patients.
"Do you mind if I borrow your notepad for the night?" Clarke indicated the piece of tech in Abby's hands.
Abby was startled by the request and held up the notepad between them. "It's my medical notepad, Clarke." She was baffled why her daughter wanted it.
"I know." Clarke could tell her mother needed a reason to release it to her. She sighed and softly explained, "I want to show Lexa something."
Abby was still at a loss but sensed her daughter refused to divulge further, out here in the open.
"Are my medical records on it?" Clarke prompted. She hoped her question was enough of a clue for her mother.
Abby shook her head and lifted the notepad once it hit her why Clarke needed it. "Let me download them so you can have them offline." She unlocked the notepad with her passcode then went into the medical application. She searched up Clarke's file and began downloading it in seconds.
"Are my credentials still any good?" Clarke checked.
Abby locked the screen after she saw the files were now offline for Clarke. "Yes." She held out the notepad to her daughter. "I never had them removed."
Clarke sadly smiled and murmured, "Thanks, Mom." She took the notepad. "See you tomorrow."
Abby touched her daughter's arm before she moved past the group. She gently called, "Goodnight."
Clarke glanced between Connor and her warrior. She said nothing and instead continued the journey through the space station. She was happy to be outside even thought it was colder than in the space station.
Lexa glanced at her second and quietly asked, "Why do you need your medical records?"
Clarke held up the notepad between them. "We have a lot to talk about tonight." She then leaned in closer to her warrior. With a low voice, she mentioned, "Including some burn marks on my back." When she straightened up, she caught a flash of recognition in her warrior's eyes under the camp's artificial lights. She and Lexa slipped into a tense silence on the walk back to camp.
Connor said nothing during the walk. She was well aware of their surroundings, but her mind was still processing other things.
Ares was ahead of the women. He sniffed the ground feverishly. Eventually he vanished into the night but emerged at the camp. He waited for the women and noticed that Lincoln was leaving with a small pack. Ares sat up from his warm spot by the campfire when Clarke and Lexa went directly to their shared tent.
Lexa held open the tent flap and allowed her second to pass first. Ares went next, and she followed last. Briefly, she stared at Octavia's neatly organized things setup in one corner. But, Lexa had taken over the tent's space and Lincoln would gather Octavia's things tomorrow. Even in the low candlelight, Lexa could tell her second was engrossed in the piece of tech that Abby had given her.
Clarke continued drilling down through her medical files until she came upon the pictures. She tapped on the first image and rotated the notepad, which caused the image to grow larger. Clarke stared oddly at the picture her mother had taken the other day. She blew out a breath and lifted her head. She noticed the room was lighter because Lexa had lit more candles.
Lexa drew away from the table of candles. Just as she pivoted on her boots, she was faced with her second. She tensed at the serious look on Clarke's face.
"Now you're going to tell me what the Hell this is." Clarke held up the notepad's screen. Lexa's features contorted with different emotions, and Clarke reached up with her freehand. She swiped to the next one. "And don't bullshit me, Lexa."
Despite the situation, Lexa had a slightly amused look after Clarke used the slang curse. She reached up and took the notepad from her second. The marks on her second's back were clearly designed by the gods or perhaps just one. She looked up and met Clarke's worried stare. After a heavy breath, Lexa decided Clarke indeed deserved to know the truth. She met worried filled blue eyes and knew she had to ease her second's fears.
"Klark… you are the human form of Staurra."
To be continued.
Trigedasleng to English
Ai swega em klin, Heda. - I swear it, Heda.
Sha… Yu na fleim daun maun. - Yes… you will burn down the mountain.
Otaim. - Always.
Yu ait? - You okay?
Teik oso gon we. - Let us go.