After lunch was a rest period before a formal banquet in honour of Skaikru. The dinner was easy and went well, many people were asking Skaikru about living on the Ark, the Drop Ship, Mount Weather and that focus kept the dinner moving along. Each of the four had tried asking Clarke about the Coalition and Clarke fended them off as well as she could, as was part of the strategy. Kane was the only one bold enough to ask Lexa, she gave him threadbare answers and kept trying to put him off until tomorrow, "Enjoy this dinner, it is for you", "Thank you for coming to meet with us, another drink?", "We hope you are enjoying Polis".
Anya was wearing some daring dress and was flirting up a storm with Raven, Raven had been dressed by Hetty and she looked gorgeous. Raven tried asking Anya about the Coalition but Anya was more interested in telling her that the firelight brought out the golden flecks in her eyes. It was true, about Raven's eyes, but it was also true that Anya's loyalty would always be to Heda.
Bellamy cornered Clarke at one point and revealed that Skaikru were inclined to view the offer as a bit of a trap, and although Clarke understood their position she also knew that no one was forcing their hand. "Please try to enjoy the night Bellamy, when I said working holiday, the work hasn't started yet, here have another drink."
The next morning Clarke adjusted the strategy, tweaked slightly, she told Lexa that rather than making Skaikru wait until after breakfast, if they ask at breakfast she should just do it. Lexa agreed. So far everything Clarke had suggested had worked perfectly and she was proud that her partner, soon to be wife, could be so successful. Lexa was enamored with Clarke more and more, she really could not believe her good fortune, to be so well loved by someone as beautiful, intelligent and successful as Clarke.
Lexa was not unaware of Clarke's popularity within Polis, she was made aware of the places Clarke frequented, the activities she participated in and Lexa was extremely happy with Clarke and proud of her. Proud that she could be so kind, could bring joy to people, that she cared for the sick and injured, that she was kind to the elderly, that she laughed and played with the children. Lexa knew that she gave people their likenesses in the marketplace, that she trained hard, cared for her horse and took the stairs every afternoon.
She knew it all and everything about Clarke she loved. Clarke never used her power or influence for gain, she had never used Heda's name in public. She never took gifts from the Market stall holders, or others who sought to curry her favour. The only thing that concerned Lexa was the tension between Clarke and Titus and after a long consideration Lexa came down on the side of Clarke, the main motivation was the testimony of Aden concerning the Nightblood children who were very dear to Lexa.
So when Clarke suggested they not make Skaikru wait any longer, she deferred to Clarke's suggestion, and of course they could not wait, clearly they had been speaking of it amongst themselves. Lexa outlined the rights and responsibilities of the clans in relation to the Coalition and Bellamy responded by saying, "So we are not allowed to attack other clans, and if other clans attack us, you will defend us. And if the coalition goes to war we provide fighters? What's in it for us?"
"Defence, as you have just outlined, guaranteed trade agreements with other tribes, and the Skaikru Ambassador will represent Skaikru interests within the Coalition, they may exercise their democratic right to vote on all issues before the coalition." Lexa was calm, easy, straightforward.
"Who would be the Ambassador?"
"The ambassador would be appointed by the Skaikru Chancellor."
"And we have to decide before we leave, is that it?"
"There is no time limit."
"And if we say no?"
"Perhaps we can return to the topic of the Alliance?"
Skaikru were defensive and probably afraid that this was a trap. Lexa remained easy and friendly, Bellamy, at least, was unable to pick a hole in Heda's offer.
"Heda, what sorts of products and services could Skaikru benefit from the other clans?" Kane asked diplomatically and Lexa turned to him, showing enthusiasm, she went into great detail, clan by clan what their natural resources were, what their skills and traits were, Kane leaned forward, highly interested and Bellamy and Sinclair couldn't help but be drawn in by Lexa's passion for her topic. They so rarely saw this side of her, so excitable, unless she was fighting of course. Clarke watched her open up and talk about her people, she was so proud and easily recalled all manner of details, trade routes, travel times and distances, when certain things were in season.
When Clarke looked up she found Raven watching her, she had been watching Clarke watching Lexa and now she knew. Clarke got up to make more coffee and signalled to Raven to join her and the two women took a seat apart from the others. "You love her, Clarke." she said simply.
"I do," she replied, "We are getting married but it is a state secret for now. Please don't mention it."
"Pfft. as if I would. What is really going on here about this Coalition thing, Clarke? Are we getting baited?"
"Honestly Raven, no. I know you all think she's an uncaring automaton and I wish you could see the parts of her that she shows to me. She really loves me and she really, really cares about her people. If she achieves this, Skaikru joining the Coalition, she will achieve peace, Raven, peace for the first time in the history of her people."
"Shit. Thats big." "Yeah."
It started with Raven, Kane got on board and finally Sinclair and Bellamy. It was actually Raven telling the others what Clarke had told her - about peace not weddings, that turned the tide. By dinner there was talk about how soon Skaikru could join the coalition because defence and resources were Skaikrus biggest concerns, especially in the winter and here Heda was offering both on a plate.
Heda hummed and harred a little and Clarke mentioned that she couldn't see why it couldn't be done now and at least some supplies sent home with Skaikru tomorrow. Kane mentioned that he didn't think he could make such a decision without Abby's consent to which Raven snorted and said that Abby was hanging onto the Chancellorship by her fingernails and the four of them would be heroes rocking back to Mount Weather and Camp Jaha with peace, supplies and a trade agreement. No one could argue with that.
Lexa and Kane easily came to an agreement about Mount Weather supplies for the other clans, Bellmay ratified the decision, and the only thing that remained unresolved was who was going to be Skaikru Ambassador. Raven suggested Clarke and Clarke suggested Bellamy and so it was decided that Clarke would do it at least in the medium term until Skaikru got sorted out with the Chancellorship and so on.
When Lexa got Clarke back to their rooms that night she was ecstatic, "Clarke, you did it. You gave me everything I needed, Skaikru to the Coalition, the supplies for the clans, you are the Ambassador. I am so happy and you made it happen. My people can have peace, Clarke, our people will all have peace!" Clarked poured Lexa some wine, she was certainly wired.
"Actually, I did help a little but you know what really did it?"
"What is it?"
"You. You talked so proudly, so passionately about your people and the trade options, you knew all about the produce and the trade market. You made them see your vision, what you see for your people, for their future. I am so proud of you, Lexa. You did this." She raised her glass to Lexa and Lexa looked as though she dare not believe it. But it was true.
Overnight wagons were filled, warriors ordered to protect the supply run and Raven was able to ride home in comfort. Heda and Wanheda saw them off and returned to their previous life for thirty odd days until Lexa walked in the door, banging it shut behind her, coat slung over her arm, grumbling to herself and in a terrible mood. When Clarke approached to see what the problem was and how best to comfort her, she noticed a fine line of tiny sweat beads above Lexa's top lip. She could hardly contain her joy and delight!
That seemed to disgust Lexa further. Clarke took Lexa's coat, pulled out a chair for her, she popped down and untied her boot laces, removed her shoes and socks and rubbed her feet a little. Next she took off two of Lexa's undershirts, brushed her hair back off her face and straddled her. "Have you had a difficult day, Ai hodnes?"
"You are mocking me, Clarke?"
"No, darling, I am not. Perhaps you need a couple of days of rest?"
"Heda cannot rest, there is much to be done."
"I want to show you something."
"What is it?"
Clarke ran her finger over Lexas top lip, gathering the sweat there to show her and when she didn't get it, she wiped down her brow, "You are sweating, Lexa, you are overheated and in a bad mood. You are coming into your rut."
With that Lexa looked momentarily stricken and then burst into tears. Clarke was a little surprised but pulled Lexa's head down onto her shoulder and held her, she rubbed the back of her neck and waited. "Have confidence, be her rock" Clarke was always so glad to be reminded of this simple message, it had served her well in the short time that she and Lexa had been together. Actually, it felt like they had always been together.
Clarke ran a hand through Lexa's braids and began habitually to straighten them, she kissed her forehead and said some very sweet things to her and Lexa's tears dried and she felt a little foolish. "No, my love, tell me," Clarke insisted, she had never seen Lexa cry before.
"I am not used to being in my rut that I forgot to look for it. Also my bad moods used to upset Costia, we would often argue and then with my rut, sex became difficult because she was upset with me. And just now you were so sweet, and kind and you seemed to really care for me that it just felt, I don't know? Too nice, I didn't deserve it."
"I see. Well, it appears that you have had an unpleasant afternoon, and now I want to make it up to you. Anything you want? Food? A cool bath? Sex?"
"I think I would be more comfortable with a loud argument and maybe you could throw a mug at me or something?"
"I would absolutely do that for you. Lets try the bath first, if that doesn't work I will give you such a scolding, you will want to throw a mug at yourself." And Lexa burst out laughing despite herself.
Clarke ran a tepid bath and helped Lexa get comfortable in it, she brought her some nuts, dried fruit and some tea. She put away Lexa's clothes, lit some candles and took some rugs away from Lexa's side of the bed. She returned to the bathroom and asked Lexa what she would like, "I love you so very much, Lexa. I am sorry if this time is difficult, but I kind of like it. I could braid your hair, I can hop in with you, I can go and take my clothes off. Anything you want. Oh, we can go away, remember?"
Lexa rested her head back on the bathtub and watched Clarke chatting away, she was already feeling better, just knowing she was overheated and in a bad mood made it easier to bear.