All they had was berries and water, and there wasn't much water left. They walked for hours, always keeping Chesby to their right, but it was slow going. Neither Clarke nor Lexa was feeling well, and knew they weren't making as much progress as they'd like.
They were in it together, though, always checking on each other, taking turns walking in front and holding branches aside, and trying not to worry the other. It was hard not to worry when the fever made them shiver despite the heat and humidity. It was hard not to worry when they emptied the pot of fresh water, and it was a huge relief when they stumbled across another pump.
They drank their fill again, stuck their heads under the cool water, and refilled the pot. A muddy path led away from the pump, and fresh footprints showed. Lexa pointed them out to Clarke, who nodded her agreement that they should follow the path, hoping it led to other people.
The path took them to an extremely small village. It had four homes and a smokehouse around a large fire pit. A young man stood at the fire stirring a large pot.
"Heya, weron osir kamp raun?" (Hi, where are we?) Lexa asked, and when he didn't answer, asked, "How far to Polis?"
"Far."
"Where is your elder?"
"Hunting. She'll be back soon." He pointed at one of the logs circling the fire. "You can wait."
"Do you have anything to eat?"
"No."
"What's in the pot?" Clarke asked.
"I'm making soap."
"Explains why it doesn't smell good." Clarke wrapped her arms around herself.
Lexa looked at her. "Cold?" she asked quietly.
Clarke nodded. Lexa put the back of her hand on Clarke's forehead. Her hand shook, and Clarke grabbed her wrist. "Stop. You're sick, too."
"Do you need a healer?"
"Sha."
"Stir the pot while I fetch him."
Lexa got up and took the paddle from him. Clarke got up to see what was in the pot, but couldn't tell. "Ash from fires and animal fat."
"Any way to make it smell better?"
"When it is closer to done, you can add herbs or oils."
The young man returned with a much older man who stood up straight when he saw Lexa. "Heda?"
"Sha."
The older man said a few unkind words to the younger, who hurried to return to his job.
"I am sorry, but I do not recall you."
"It was a long time ago. Catlett."
Lexa smiled. "You fixed my arm."
"Sha," he answered, pleased she remembered. "How can I help you, Heda?"
"We both have a fever."
Clarke poked her.
"And questions," Lexa added.
He turned and gestured for them to follow. His house was full of drying and dried herbs. Small containers filled every shelf. He directed them to sit on stools and put his wrists on their foreheads. He nodded and spoke to himself while he prepared two mugs.
It smelled pleasant, which was a surprise to Clarke, and she drank it without hesitation. Lexa drank hers quickly, as well.
"You have questions."
"Where are we? How far to Polis? Does anyone nearby have horses?"
"This is my home. We don't have a name. Polis is many days walk. There is a blacksmith in Hunton. She will know where you can get horses."
"How far to Hunton?" Clarke asked.
"Three days' walk, but I will send the boy as soon as the rest come. He will return with horses. You," he gestured so they knew he meant both of them, "will stay with me."
"You are still bossy," Lexa smiled.
"You are still impatient."
"Sha. We must return to Polis quickly."
"What are you doing here?"
"It is a long story."
Clarke snickered and Lexa glared at her.
"Who are you?" Catlett asked Clarke.
"Klark kom Skaikru. Thank you for your help."
"Wanheda?"
"Sha." Clarke suppressed a sigh.
"You turned Reapers into men."
"That was ai nomon."
"At Klark's direction."
Catlett looked from one to the other and left his house. They sat on the stools and waited. When it was apparent he wouldn't be returning any time soon, Lexa said, "Say yes when they ask you that."
"Why? Mom was the one who resuscitated Lincoln."
"It was your idea to wean Reapers from the Red."
"This is one of those things I'm never going to understand, isn't it?"
"Sha." Lexa checked Clarke's temperature, but it was still high. "Why did you jump in the water after me?"
"Why wouldn't I?"
"You don't swim well."
"Would you have come in after me?"
"Yes."
"Why?"
"I would not rest if I did not do everything possible to save you."
"Why would I do differently?" Clarke shivered for a moment, and again put her arms around herself.
Lexa got up and moved her stool behind Clarke's. She straddled it and pulled Clarke back. Clarke sighed. Lexa rested her chin on Clarke's shoulder. "Ai hod yu in."
Clarke smiled kissed Lexa's cheek. She put her head on Lexa's shoulder. "Poor Cap Jonah."
"As soon as we can, I will send messengers."
"He'll be in Polis long before we will."
"Perhaps."
Clarke yawned. "I wish we were in Polis right now. I'd love a bath."
"Sha," Lexa agreed. "And our bed."
"Um hmm."
"Those things are nice, but all I need is you, Klark."
"Me, too."
"You can rest."
"When you do."
100 – 100 – 100
There was nothing to do except wait. This tiny village had nothing to spare. They borrow weapons and go to hunt, but game is scarce, and all they get are a few rabbits. It explained how thin everyone was. Lexa would send help when she reached Polis, and while they were there, Lexa and Clarke took tiny portions, not wanting any of their people to go hungry at their expense. Everyone but Catlett was in awe of their guests and wouldn't meet their eyes or do more than mumble an answer to a direct question.
Five days after he was sent away, the boy returned with a half dozen warriors on horseback. They didn't believe their Heda was there, but the boy insisted so they went to make sure. Stranger things had happened, but not many or often.
The oldest warrior recognized both of them. He followed them through Azgeda lands, into the biggest battle he ever heard of, and slid from his horse to kneel before them. "Heda. Wanheda."
"Rise," Lexa said, and waited for her order to be followed.
"Send a rider to Polis. Tell them we are well and on our way."
He immediately turned and pointed to one of the mounted warriors, who turned his horse and went through the woods at a fast trot.
"We need a horse, and will be ready to depart shortly," Lexa said. She and Clarke said goodbye to everyone in the village and thanked them for their hospitality. Lexa mounted the horse held by a warrior, and helped Clarke get on behind her. They followed the leader of the party through the woods.
When they stopped hours later to make camp, Lexa and Clarke pitched in over objections. They were used to taking care of themselves, so Lexa went to hunt and Clarke helped tend the horses. Lexa again returned with only a few rabbits. Warriors pulled stale bread and dried meat from their packs to supplement the meal.
They reached Hunton the next day, and Clarke nearly cried when she saw the bathhouse. The town was big enough to have a trading post, so they got new clothes to put on after they bathed. They soaked in the tub until the water was cool, and happily dressed in clean clothes. Boots were uncomfortable after so many days barefoot, but they were necessary in the woods.
The leader of Hunton put them up for the night. They ate their fill for the first time in more than a week, and soon went to sleep in a comfortable bed. Before they left, Lexa told Hunton's leader to send food to the village. She would ensure the town received double in return.
100 – 100 – 100
Three days later, Lexa and Clarke reached the gates of Polis. The guard yelled for the gates to open, and they were swarmed before they reached the stable.
Braddock, Lang, Roosevelt, and Bowie pushed through the crowd. Clarke handed her reins to Lang while Roosevelt took Lexa's. Lang and Bowie cleared a path to the stable, and the four of them held back as much of the crowd as they could while taking them home. Clarke followed Lexa's lead and extended her hand so people could touch it or hold it for a moment as they passed.
They finally reached the heda's home, but before they got out of the waiting room, the door opened.
"You took 30 years off my life," Cap Jonah told them.
"I told you he'd beat us back here," Clarke told Lexa, and smiled at their unexpected guest. "Only 30?"
"Thirty each."
Lexa laughed. "How is your crew?"
"Fine. Ship is fine. I'm better now. I am so happy to see you, old friend," he told Lexa.
"Us, too. Come for supper tomorrow."
"Bring Shad," Clarke added.
"Sha. Sha, we will be here."
100 – 100 – 100
Clarke appreciated their guards more than ever that evening when she and Lexa went to bathe. Everyone in Polis wanted to see for themselves that Lexa and Clarke were well, and it took all four of their guards to hold the crowd at bay.
The bathhouse was perfect. It was small, dim, and comfortable, and they both sighed when they settled in the steaming water. "I've had enough adventure for a while," Clarke said.
"Sha. The other capitals will wait. We will see the leaders at midwinter. There is more than enough for us to do here."
"Um hmm."
They soaked, easing their muscle aches. It didn't lower their fevers, but they stopped shivering, and were content to laze in the water and enjoy time alone with each other. When they left the bathhouse hours later, Clarke pointed at the top of the library. "Are they still here?"
"Sha," Braddock said. "They leave tomorrow."
"Tell them to come for breakfast," Lexa said.
"Should we make them take it down?"
"Yes." Lexa looked at it again. "I like it, but it is not appropriate."
"Should I make a design for them to use?" Clarke teased.
"Do not encourage them, Clarke," Lexa said. They entered their house and closed the door. "It is," she paused, looking for the word.
"Juvenile, totally adorable, and completely true." Clarke supplied.
"Exactly." Lexa smiled.
100 – 100 – 100
Raven, Wick, Monty, and Miller were sitting around the table having one last drink when Bowie came into the room.
"Are you lost?" Raven asked.
"Heda and Wanheda invite you to breakfast."
"They're back? Are they all right? Where were they?"
"Be there on time," Bowie said, and left.
Raven punched Wick in the shoulder. "I told you that was a bad idea."
"Hey, it worked. They're here, aren't they?"
"You can explain it to the Commander," Monty said.
"Yeah, I was just hired help," Miller said. "I had nothing to do with it."
"Other than finding the red LEDs and suggesting the hearts," Raven answered.
"Oh, man, we are so screwed."
"On the bright side," Monty pointed out, "we'll be here for at least another day."