Happy New Year everyone.

A little late I know! Here you go finally a new chapter for you. Let me know what you think, I always appreciate your opinions.

CHAPTER 38

"Lexa?" Clarke walked over to the solid wooden desk in the Commander's chambers to find Lexa leant over the same giant map she had brought to Arkadia. She stood transfixed, her eyes darting back and forth over her vast lands while she absentmindedly tapped her index finger on the desk. Her level of concentration could be seen from across the dimly lit room as her jaw worked and her brow furrowed creating a small crease between her eyes. With her other hand Clarke noticed she was holding a fist full of the thin white bed sheet that clung tightly to her figure keeping it close to her chest preventing it from falling down.

Lexa made no move to suggest she heard Clarke call her name and remained in the same position. Clarke smiled to herself, she took a few more moments to enjoy the sight in front of her and stood in awe as she allowed her eyes to run over Lexa's fine form. Snapping out of it she wondered over to her and slipped her arms around the Commander's waist and pressed a small kiss across the back of her shoulder. She couldn't help but notice the hairs and other girl's skin stand up as she touched her, warmth spread to her heart as she pulled the taller woman in closer to her.

She heard Lexa sigh and moved her chin up to create room for Lexa's head as she rested it back on to her. "What are you doing up before dawn yet again Commander?" she whispered in her ear. Breaking position Lexa turned to look at her, she looked tired she noted. The lines in her young face seemed to make her appear older, the dark circles under her eyes were more prominent than ever and her complexion had lost its glow. Clarke placed her hand to her lover's face, a gesture that spoke a thousand words.

"Because Clarke I have an entire nation to run, thankfully my armies have come, but I cannot rest when I know my people are under threat." Her protest had lost its usual conviction, even her words conveyed her exhaustion. It had been eleven days since she had requested the presence of the Coalition's armies with in the capital and sent word to the leaders with an invitation to be her guests for a celebration of their new found peace. Lexa had been working hard with preparations to ensure her alliance with the other twelve clans excluding Azgeda, she couldn't afford to lose a single clan to Queen Nia.

Clarke was worried that a mere gathering in honour of the clan leaders was not going to be enough to ensure their co-operation. But Lexa had stated that a gesture such as this had never been afforded to any Clan by a Commander, this would be seen as a great act of respect and each of the leaders would feel greatly honoured. All had accepted her personal invitation and would be arriving in two days time. Unfortunately Lexa had received no word from Azgeda and Clarke could see the mounting tension this was causing her.

Clarke again could not fathom why Lexa would welcome Queen Nia into her home knowing just how much of a threat she was, but Lexa had maintained she knew what she was doing. When they had discussed the subject Clarke had tried to reason with her and change her mind, but Lexa was a mountain, routed to the ground never to be moved. Having been a leader of her people for only a matter of months Clarke knew she was a novice next to Lexa. She was cool and calculated and she was aware that Lexa would have been agonising over this decision for some time, going over every possible variable before she settled on a decision. If there was one thing Clarke was sure of, was that Lexa was more than capable of making a decision with her head.

In hind sight Clarke managed to understand why it was important to include the Ice Nation to the gathering as they were still technically a part of the Commanders coalition. Nia would have to be a fool to ever make a move during such an event and at least the people would see Lexa as the gracious leader she is.

"I am aware that you have responsibilities but you have to look after yourself, you are exhausted. Come back to bed."

Lexa stared at her blankly. "No." She simply offered and turned back to the table. Clarke blew out her cheeks in frustration at her stubbornness and unwillingness to ever put herself first. "Lexa, I am not asking."

The commander again did not move as she resumed staring over the map again and ignored the Skai girl. Her jaw was set and Clarke knew she was going to have a hard time getting through to her. "Do you not recall once, in your tent? You can't move forward and it's giving you too much time to think. You have taken every precaution you possibly can, you have you army in Polis, you are strengthening your bond with the Coalition, your Nightbloods are under the highest security. Lexa I'm sorry but there is nothing else you can do until your men find out more or Nia makes another move."

Lexa barely moved but her gaze immediately shifted to Clarkes face and she felt the heat of her stare, the pair of green eyes bored into her much like they had when she first met Lexa. Her cold glare made her mouth go dry and for the first time since she had returned to Polis Clarke felt like a stranger there. For what felt like an eternity neither of the two girls spoke and Clarke was relieved when the Commander straightened up and broke eye contact. "You're right Clarke." She stated simply. "I am exhausting myself. I am sorry to project my stress on to you. I just don't know how to clear my mind."

Feeling her fear melt away Clarke stepped forward and took hold of her for the second time that morning. "I know, I understand how much strain you're under." Clarke smoothed Lexa's hair and noticed the young woman's eyes had returned to their soft, open and warm gaze again. Something Lexa only gave Clarke.

Trying to change the subject slightly the blonde's face creased slightly into an awkward expression before she spoke. "So the Gathering is in two days, which meeeeeeans we have guests arriving today." Lexa's face dropped and she dramatically groaned holding Clarke's shoulders feigning the need for stability at the news. "No, oh Clarke today?" She moaned.

"Yes today, we invited them early remember! We agreed that it would be a good idea for them to be familiar with the place and meet you formally before the gathering." Clarke stated trying to keep the chuckle back at Lexa's reaction. The older girl closed her eyes and took some deep breaths, presumably to compose herself.

"You promised to receive them personally Commander."

Lexa's eyes opened and she still looked utterly unimpressed, especially when Clarke's face became decorated with a grin.

"Yes Clarke I will be there to greet SkaiKru and you Mother personally." She managed in a level tone.

Clarke couldn't say she was excited to see her people, the pain of the past still haunted her but the main reason was she was terrified of how they were going to behave in the Grounder Capital. Thankfully when Lexa had been to Arkadia there had been no incidents after Pike had been apprehended but Clarke was aware of the unpredictability of her people. One wrong move and the alliance could be broken and not even Lexa would be able to justify keeping them within the coalition. This is why Clarke had come up with the idea of Skaikru coming to Polis a day before all of the other Clans, just to settle in and become accustomed to their ways. She had to admit she was looking forward to her mother and Kane seeing the civility among the Grounder here in Polis. Lexa had once said how the Capital would change the way they thought about them. Perhaps her Mother would finally be comfortable with her decision to become ambassador when she realised that Lexa and her people really weren't savages.

"Thank you Lexa, I know you don't really like my people but this means a lot to me." And for the first time in days Lexa gave a half smile and simply nodded in response. They broke away and she noticed Lexa heading to her wardrobe.

"What are you doing?" Clarke asked wondering where on earth she would be going at this time in the morning.

"I am going to the sparring ring, I need to clear my head Clarke. I will be ready to receive them I promise. I will see you outside by the gates when it's time?" she asked discarding her sheet. If it hadn't been for the fact that woman of her dreams was stood baring all in front of her Clarke was convinced she would have been annoyed that Lexa was going off to engage in physical activity in her exhausted state. So she merely stood watching and nodded her agreement. Once Lexa was dressed she laid a gentle kiss to Clarke's mouth. "I will see you soon Ai Hodnes." She whispered lovingly before she picked up her knife and sword and marched out of the room.