Thirty minutes outside of Tondisi
They had been walking for about 3 and half hours when Lincoln turned to Octavia and said "We should be almost there. When we get there you will need to say who you are and why we are here." Lincoln said. After four hours of caring Clarke he was starting to struggle. He would need a long day of rest after he made sure Clarke was safe.
"Oh so like when I first met Indra, wonderful i'll try to be more calm this time." Octavia said while smirking at Lincoln. She knew that this time would be different than the last. She didn't have to bargain for anyone's life this time around. She had come a long way since that day.
"Sha let's not repeat that scenario any time soon." Lincoln said with a chuckle. He remembered being brought out at dark to the middle of the woods and exchanged for Nyko. Then when he got close to Octavia they were ambushed by reapers. Definitely something he didn't want to ever go through again.
As they were getting closer the guards of Tondisi started to make themselves known to them. When they got to the gate Octavia said as loud as she could, "Ai laik Okteivia kom skai kru. Osir laik hir kom see heda." (I am Octavia from sky people. We are here to see the commander.) One of the guards left to alert someone, of who was at the gate. A couple minutes later the gate opened for them and they were greeted by Indra. "Heya okteivia, follow me" ( Hello Octavia, follow me.) Indra said as she turned around.
Octavia was glad to see that they had already started to rebuild after the missile struck here. She followed Indra in the direction that went to Lexa's tent. As they were walking through the village she would occasionally catch someone looking at Clarke and say the name Wanheda. She didn't know what they were talking about so she asked Indra. "Indra why are some of the clan calling Clarke, Wanheda?" Indra stopped in her tracks and turned to look at her. "The clans have bestowed the title of Wanheda to Clarke because she brought death to the mountain. Wanheda in our language means "The Commander of Death". It is a name that Heda has requested not to be mentioned to Clarke. That is until she can explain what the meaning is and what comes with that title." With this Indra turned around and continued to Lexa's tent. Octavia looked at Lincoln who despite being exhausted, stood straighter and walked like he was caring a hero home from a battle that left Clarke exhausted.
Lexa's tent
Lexa had been informed when Clarke had arrived at the gate, and just like she expected Octavia had introduced herself and made her intentions clear to the guards. Lexa had made sure to have everything in order for when they arrived. Since she had returned from the blacksmith she could barely sit still. She had so much pent up anticipation and worry for Clarke to arrive that she almost ran out of the tent to meet them halfway so she could assist with Clarke. She had heard the whispers when news spread about the mighty Wanheda arriving at the gates. She just hoped Clarke didn't wake up and hear this from anyone but her. The blacksmith had shown up just as Indra was letting Octavia and Clarke into Tondisi. "Heda where would you like me to put these for you." Setku asked trying to get the items to her tent before Clarke got her. "You can put them in the corner over there Setku. Thank you again for your hard work on this matter. I will bring Clarke to meet you after I have given these to her." Lexa said to him as he started placing the armor and weapons in the corner to where they would be hidden till Lexa wanted to show them to Clarke.
Just as Setku had left Indra stepped in to the tent flanked by Lincoln and Octavia. When she laid eyes on Clarke her heart broke. She could tell that Clarke had worn herself out from the struggle with Octavia. She could see the dark circles under her eyes as she approached. "You can set her in my bed Lincoln. Thank you for looking out for her." Lincoln softly laid Clarke in Heda's bed and made his way back in front of Lexa, "I can't not thank you both for making sure Clarke got here safely. Lincoln you can relax. I am not going to revoke my offer that I made Clarke. Your banishment was lifted the minute you left Camp Jaha with Clarke." she could see Lincoln finally relax a little. She looked at Octavia and said, "Mochof Okteivia kom Skaikru en Trikru, gon helping Klark kom the nightmare em had. Indra will show yu kom your tent. Ge some rest yu both deserve em." (Thank you Octavia from Sky people and tree people, for helping Clarke with the nightmare she had. Indra will show you to your tent. Get some rest you both deserve it.) She could tell Octavia was surprised by what she just said to her. Lexa had been impressed by Octavia for how she had been able to be loyal to both the Skaikru and the Trikru. She had earned to be recognized as apart of both clans. After they bowed to her the turned and followed Indra to their tent. Lexa told her guards that she was not to be disturbed and she would let them know when she wanted dinner.
Once that was taken care of she made her way to her bed where Clarke was still asleep. She decided that it would be better to sit beside her than lay down with her. Just as she was getting comfortable in a chair close to Clarke, Clarke started to toss and turn in her sleep and started to groan and make noise.
Clarke's nightmare
She could tell she was being carried by someone. She didn't dare look because she was afraid to open her eyes and see where she was being taken. She was laying down on something now but she couldn't tell if the surface was cold or warm. She felt comfortable but when she felt cold metal she opened her eyes and panicked. She was in the room where she had seen Raven strapped down being drilled into. She looked to her right and saw Kane, Abby and everyone else chained to the wall. How did she get here, she was just in the control room about to irradiate level 5 of the mountain. As she was trying to assess her current situation Cage walked in and saw that she was awake. "Well look who decided to join us. You must be wondering how you got here. Well Clarke it seems like you couldn't trust anyone." As he said this Bellamy walked into the room. She was furious. "What did you do Bellamy?" She asked trying to stay calm but that was getting more difficult as her blood pressure rose.
"I did what any good leader would do. I made a deal just like your grounder girlfriend made. You were betrayed once again, Clarke." He said while almost laughing at her. "While I was trying to get around this mountain I was captured by Cage. He gave me a choice. Either betray you and let you believe that you would win. Or die. If I betrayed you and knocked you out right before you pulled the lever, all of our people would be set free and together we would take the fight to the grounders. All we would have to do is willingly do the bone marrow transplants." As he was talking Clarke couldn't believe it, he betrayed her. The one person she looked at like a big brother. That had been twice in one night that she felt betrayed. She knew Lexa had taken the deal earlier to save her people. That one still hurt but she understood. This hurt a whole lot more. "Why Bellamy? Do you really think that by making this choice that you actually stand a chance of beating The Commander." she shouted at him unable to contain her emotions any longer. He just shrugged and started to unchain the rest of Skaikru.
"Now what to do with you Clarke." Cage said getting her attention back on him. "Oh wait I know. Emerson, bring in the other guest." He shouted and at that moment Clarke's heart sunk further than she thought was possible. Emerson had walked in with a shackled Lexa. She looked like she had been beaten and tortured. When Lexa looked up at her Clarke lost it again. She started trying to break free of her binds but it was all for not. "Oh does this upset you Clarke at how we have your girlfriend chained up like the savage she is." Cage said while smiling like the evil bastard he was. "YOU BASTARD. WHAT DID YOU DO TO LEXA. ?" Clark yelled at him with pure venom and hate. "All we wanted was information but as you can tell she is a very tough nut to crack. Now that we have you she is no longer of use to us." when Cage said that Clarke struggled even more against her binds cutting her wrists and legs in the process. Cage walked over to Lexa and made sure that she was looking at Clarke. Lexa mouthed to her that she would be okay. The next thing she heard and saw was the trigger being pulled and Lexa slumping over. Clarke couldn't take it anymore and let out a primal scream.
Lexa's tent
Lexa had started to get closer to Clark when she started to toss and turn. Was this the start of another nightmare? She got as close to Clarke as she dared for the moment when she heard Clarke ask something. "What did you do Bellamy?" was all Lexa heard. Why was she asking Bellamy that? What is going on in her dream, that she would be talking to Bellamy while thrashing in her sleep. Lexa got closer and started to quietly wake Clarke up. "Clarke are you okay?" no response "Clarke you need to wake up." No response from this. After the third attempt Lexa decided to crawl in and try to hold her till she came out of this. Lexa knew it was a risk especially after what had happened to Octavia but she didn't care, Clarke was in pain and she hated it. When she was able to get into a position to hold Clarke, she heard Clarke say and ask very loudly, "YOU BASTARD. WHAT DID YOU DO TO LEXA." at the mention of her name Lexa jumped slightly. Clarke was having a nightmare that involved her. What had happened to her that caused this kind of reaction from Clarke. She continued to hold and rock Clarke when Clarke let out a primal scream that woke her out of her nightmare. One of the guards came rushing in and Lexa had to quickly tell him everything is fine and not to mention what he had seen. "Clarke listen to me you are safe. You are here with me, Lexa. It's okay Clarke." Lexa tried to get Clarke to calm down. Clarke eventually looked over at her and she could still see traces of the haze in her eyes. This broke Lexa.
"Lexa, what do you mean I am with you? Did i die because that is the only way I could be with you. I watched as Cage shot you." This broke Lexa even more and confirmed her suspicions. Clarke had a nightmare that involved her losing someone. "Clarke I am not dead, He did not kill me. We are safe in Tondisi. You are here with me and we are safe. He can't hurt either of us anymore." As she was talking, the haze in Clarke's eyes started to clear. "Come on Clarke just listen to my voice. I will never leave you again. I will do everything I can to make sure no one hurts you again." Lexa said this as her voice was faltering. She didn't dare let Clarke go. She started to feel her shoulder get wet when she heard Clarke say, "Do you really meant that? You won't leave me again." She pulled back slightly so she could look into Clarke's eyes. "Yes Clarke I do." she said while trying to convey that she cared deeply for Clarke. "Good because I don't want you to leave either." Clarke said as she leaned back into Lexa's warm embrace. Lexa went to adjust to make it more comfortable for her when Clarke whimpered. "Don't leave please. Stay here." Clarke had a death grip on Lexa. Lexa knew she wasn't going anywhere for the rest of the night. She was here to make sure Clarke would be taken care of. "I am not going anywhere ai hodnes(my love). All I was doing was trying to lay down so we both could be comfortable." At this Clarke relaxed and asked what Lexa had just said. "I'll tell you later Clarke you just lay here and try to rest some. If you don't want to sleep then just lay here and rest." She hugged Clarke tighter as she spoke.
"You know Lexa if all I had to do to get you to hold me like this was have a bad dream, I would have come found you after had one while I was still at Camp Jaha." Clarke had moved her head to look at Lexa as she said this while smiling at Lexa's flabbergasted reaction.
"Well Clarke if you had come found me I would have done this and much more for you." Lexa replied while smirking at Clarke. Lexa couldn't help but laugh at Clarke's reaction of being stunned silent.
"I really am glad that you are here now Clarke." Lexa said with compassion and love for Clarke. "I am too Lexa. I am sorry you had to witness one of these. I hope I didn't hurt you." Clarke snuggled closer into Lexa's side like she was trying to hide the embarrassment from her. "You didn't hurt me Clarke and don't worry about this. I don't see you as weak. I still see the strong, kindhearted, and brave woman that stole my heart when she came into my tent that day."
Did Lexa really just say that Clarke had stolen her heart. Clarke didn't want to dwell on this for too long as she didn't know if this was just said to comfort her or if Lexa actually shared the same feelings as Clarke held for her. The moment was interrupted by Clarke's stomach deciding she was very hungry. "Sorry about that I guess I worked up an appetite." Clarke said trying to make light of the emotion that was currently in the room. Lexa actually laughed at this and it was like music to Clarke's ears. "I think I have a new goal for everyday now." Clarke told Lexa as she was coming down from laughing. "And what would that be Clarke?" Lexa questions as she finally settled her laughter down. "To make sure I hear that laugh and see you smile everyday from now on." Clarke told her as she planted a kiss on her commander.
Lexa had to gasp at the unexpected contact. She had not expected Clarke to be kissing her so soon after getting here let alone after dealing with a nightmare. Lexa happily returned it, not wanting to waste any moment of this. They fell into the same tango they were doing the night they first shared a kiss. Lexa started to move her hands over Clarke's body while being mindful that she didn't overstep any boundaries. She didn't want Clarke to feel like she was trying to force anything because they still hadn't talked about any of this. Her thoughts were interrupted when she felt Clark move her hand down behind her back and give Lexa a firm squeeze of her behind. "Consider that payback for you catching me off guard when we first kissed." Clarke said with a smile plastered on her face. Lexa just smiled and leaned up to capture Clarke in another kiss.
Before they could go any further Clarke's stomach growled loudly making its presence known for the second time. "I'll have one of the guards get us some food. We are staying here tonight. If you feel like it tomorrow I can show you around so you can see what all we have been able to rebuild so far." Lexa said as she got up to speak to one of the guards.
"I would like that Lexa." Clarke said as she sat up in the bed. Clarke had been glad that she woke up to see Lexa after that horrific nightmare. The images of seeing Lexa dead were already fading as she stared at the beauty walking to the front of the tent. Clarke would be fooling herself to not admit that she wasn't falling for Lexa. Every since the night before that battle, Lexa was all that kept Clarke from completely losing it after she irradiated level 5. Anytime she came close to losing she would remember that she had a place to go that she would be safe. Tondisi with Lexa. That is what she was living for. That is what kept her from breaking down at the sight of all the people in the mountain covered in scars, burns and boils. She promised herself that she would tell Lexa soon how she felt towards her.
Lexa had just turned around to let Clarke know that food was on the way, when Clarke said, "So what does a girl have to do to get a bath around here?" "Well that depends on if you want it now or before we go to bed for the night." Lexa said while trying to calm the fire that was building inside her at the image of Clarke in a bath with her.
Clarke noticed the blush rise on Lexa's face when she asked this. Clarke had to admit she wanted to share a bath with Lexa but she didn't dare take that step till they had talked about everything. She had to calm her own fire down at that image. "I think I'll take it before we go to sleep." Clarke said unsuccessfully hiding her blush. "That can be arranged. I'll have them start to prepare an area in here that would give you some privacy." Lexa said going to talk to the guards again. Clarke was touched by this gesture that Lexa had shown. Yes they had kissed a few times and caught each by surprise but that was just simple teasing and testing the waters. Lexa came back with the food and the eat in a comfortable silence next to each other. Clarke knew that she could get used to seeing this side of Lexa. After they had finished eating Clarke went to a corner of Lexa's tent that had been set up with the tub and cleaned up from traveling for what felt like four days. When she was done she looked around the tent when she saw that Lexa had stepped out. She asked one of the guards where she went and was told that she went to check on Octavia and Lincoln. She was also told that she would be back soon.
While she was waiting she looked around the tent. It was set up the same way as she remembered from the night before the battle for Mount Weather. The throne was at the back wall directly opposite the entrance to the tent. To the left side of the tent was an area that looked like it was where Lexa stored her armor. What caught her eye about this room was she saw two nearly identical armor sets. She immediately recognized Lexa's full gear but the other one looked like it was made for someone else. She made a mental note to ask Lexa about it later. To the right of the throne was the bed she had woken up in Lexa's arms in. She could still feel the warmth from her embrace and it made Clarke not want to ever forget that feeling. It was a feeling of safety. Safety that came from being with Lexa. She smiled at that thought and wandered to where she saw a book laid on a small table. She picked up the book being careful to not damage it. The title read The Iliad. She smiled this was one of her favorite books to read on the ark. She opened it as she made her way to Lexa's bed to read.
While Clarke was cleaning up from her travels. Lexa had stepped out to go check on Octavia and Lincoln only to find them asleep in each others arms. She turned to the guards outside of their tent and told him to get them some food when they wake up. When she returned to her tent she found Clarke reading the book she had just finished reading. She made her way over to her bed while taking her boots off. "Are you going to share or am I going to have to move you myself?" Lexa asked with a playful tone. "Well that depends on if you want to sleep or just relax with me." Clarke said not even taking her eyes of the book. "Just to relax for now." Lexa said and Clarke moved over to allow Lexa to climb under the furs.
Lexa had been laying her head on Clarke's lap and Clarke had been running her fingers through her hair when Clarke spoke. "Lexa thank you for everything. You didn't even flinch when you saw me having a nightmare. You were there to help me through it. We need to talk about something tomorrow though. It's nothing bad I promise just want to be able to go into it with a clear head and not still be foggy from a bad dream." Lexa could hear the hesitation in Clarke's voice. "We can talk about whatever you want Clarke. I don't have to be back in Polis for a month, so we all have the time in the world to talk about whatever you need to." Lexa had raised her head to look at Clarke when she said this. Clarke smiled at her. That was something Lexa would never tire of seeing. Something about Clarke looking at her like this made her warm and fuzzy all over. "I do have a question that I hope you can help me with." Clarke asked breaking Lexa out of her daze. "And what can I answer for you Clarke?" Clarke took a breath and asked "Why is there two sets of armor over in that corner and why does it look like one was made for someone else besides you? I thought you just had the one set." Lexa should have known Clarke would see that and ask about it. "Well that is part of something that I will be needing to fill you in on. I just didn't want you to have to deal with anything after what you had been through." Lexa said looking at Clarke showing with her eyes that she was just trying to care for Clarke. "I think that will tide me over till in the morning but you have to promise me something." Clarke said knowing Lexa had a good reason to wait on talking about it. "Anything for you ai hodnes." Lexa had used those words again. Clarke would need to ask Octavia what they meant. "Hold me tonight?" Clarke asked sheepishly. "Always." Lexa said as she moved to where Clarke could rest head on Lexa's chest. Clarke moved one of her legs of one of Lexa's and she was now comfortable. "Goodnight Lexa." Clarke said as she was starting to fall asleep quickly from being worn out over the last few days. "Goodnight ai hodnes." Lexa said kissing Clarke on the top of her head. "If you don't tell me what that means I'll just ask Octavia." Clarke said fighting sleep. "I'll tell you in soon Clarke, now rest." Lexa said as she was rubbing up and down Clarke's side trying to soothe her to into a peaceful sleep.
Soon Lexa could hear the steady rhythm of Clarke's breathing and she knew that she was asleep. Lexa let out a content sigh. Who was she kidding she had already fallen and fallen hard for Clarke. So when said first had called her my love in her native language it felt right. She had a lot to explain to Clarke tomorrow. Yes she had a month here before she left for Polis but the sooner Clarke knew everything that had come from her slaying the mountain the better. She just hoped it wouldn't scare Clarke away from her. She gave Clarke one more kiss on her head and closed her eyes to sleep.