Operation Lexa's rescue in action!

Three days earlier

"What do I do?" Clarke mumbles to herself as she leans against the wall, thoughts of Lexa, and what state she may be in take possession of her mind. Absentmindedly, she puts her hands in her pockets, feeling an odd sense of tranquility inside the chaos and anxiety in her soul. 'Must be the spirits' she concludes, sighing loudly. Clarke's eyes suddenly open widely. 'What's this?' She retrieves an object from her coat pocket.

It's a knitted bracelet, one that is similar to the one Lexa has on her nightstand.

'But why do I have…" Clarke questions, then she remembers 'wait a second… Orita had one too,' and suddenly it clicks. 'Oh my God she makes these, she put this in my pocket but ho…' The image of the girl crying in her arms, almost falling, holding onto her, comes to her mind. 'The little bitch!' Clarke chuckles, a smile instantly appearing on her lips. 'I knew it, I knew she couldn't be a traitor, I knew she couldn't do this to Lexa.' Once she accepts the realization of the situation Clarke decides on a plan of action. 'OK, this is a lead… but for what?' She examines the object closely, noticing the figures on it.

An arrow pointing ahead and two triangles with a circle in between them.

Clarke paces around the room as she racks her brain trying to figure out the meaning of the shapes. 'The arrow… she wants me to follow… but follow what?" She is momentarily intrigued until she realizes the answer is literally in her hand. "The bracelet!" Clarke runs in search of Raven.

…

Raven jumps up from her seat when her bedroom door slams open. "Jesus Christ Clarke! I know you're pissed but have some respect!" She demands but shuts up immediately when she takes notice of Clarke's expression.

"Raven, prepare everything to make a video recording to send to every clan, I'll be back in a moment," saying that Clarke dashes out of the brunette's room.

"What the… Clarke!"

…

"I want you to send your best searchers out to find this." Clarke puts the bracelet she got from Lexa's room and places it in front of the camera. "Mrs. Reyes will send you a picture for every searcher to have a closer look". She explains, "you must follow the path starting from the heavy woods right outside Polis. The searchers here in Polis and vicinities will be there and they will tell you where to start. I want every branch and every rock inspected; we must find more of them." She emphasizes every word. "And when they find one, I want them to mark the exact location and notify the General immediately. The army will be waiting until we have enough of them to guide us in the right direction. We will be in touch." Clarke signals for Raven to stop recording.

"OK, I'm gonna upload this" Raven opens the program.

Indra waits patiently for Clarke's next move.

Clarke makes brief eye contact with Indra before directing her attention to her friend "um, Raven?" Clarke calls, somewhat uncomfortable.

"Yeah?" Raven looks at her friend, sensing the feeling in her voice.

"I…" Clarke hesitates briefly then announces. "I've decided we must show the video".

Indra lets out a big sigh of relief.

"Oh, that's good news! I knew you would come to your senses". Raven can't hide her excitement.

Clarke just exhales not wanting to concede and switches the topic. "I also think Roan should be the one to tell Azgeda about the video."

"Roan?"

"Really?"

The skepticism in the women's voices prompts Clarke to elaborate. "Yeah, I think it will add some pressure and credibility to the images, especially for the rebels. Nobody like their own to break the news."

"Makes sense", Raven agrees.

Indra isn't that convinced but if there's one thing she has learned throughout these seventeen years is that she can trust Clarke and her ideas. "And now what?" It's her only query.

"And now, I go and fill Octavia in about my plan. The information is too vital to send it via a messenger", Clarke lets them know.

"OK. I will arrange for a jeep and your guards to be ready", Indra says but her attempts to move forward are cut short.

"No, I'm going by horse, alone".

"What? Are you crazy?" Raven exclaims.

"You can't do that!" Indra points out in a loud voice. "It's too dangerous Clarke, they are after you!"

"Yes, but if I go by jeep and have security, it will create more attention than if I go by myself, incognito".

Indra and Raven exchange gazes. As much as they don't like how dangerous it sounds, what Clarke suggests is by far less risky.

"That way I won't raise any attention. I will cover myself and I will not reveal myself until I'm there".

When Raven shrugs, Indra grunts and voices "it sounds incredibly reckless but under the circumstances I think this is our best choice".

Clarke nods. "Everything is gonna be OK." She tries reassuring the women before getting back into war mode. "Now let's finish the planning before I leave".

…

It was a success. It took the searches a day and a half to find other bracelets that were hanging on branches or hidden near bushes. They had enough of them for the army to advance until they could figure out where the rebel camp was stationed.

But during the preparations, something caught Clarke's attention.

Among the different hills that started showing up, a couple of those were closer together, in the same size. The two triangles in Orita's bracelet came to her mind so Clarke determined to give it further inspection later.

Clarke rides her horse promptly in the direction of the hills. Already close, she comes to a halt and instead trots her horse giving the area a careful scan. She identifies the twin hills. 'OK, the triangles are evidently these, but the circle, what could…' and just when she starts the search, her eyes land on an old well. Clarke chuckles as she approaches the well. 'Of course, the smart bitch'. She dismounts the animal, goes straight to the well to inspect it and when she finds nothing, she does what she was told not to long ago.

'You're gonna bring her back safe and sound and you're not gonna risk her life in the process, do you hear me? You're gonna take your time and do it safely and patiently. Promise me that'.

"Alright". Clarke cracks her knuckles and paces around the well. "I'm gonna be patient, I'm not gonna risk Lexa's life by doing something uncalled for. I'm gonna wait". A hard task for the ever-impulsive commander, but she's willing to take the chance for her love. 'All for Lexa'.

…

Lexa; still on the floor, tied to the post; does her humanly best to remove the ropes from her wrists. As soon as the commotion began and she realized there were no guards close to her tent she tried to escape from her confinement. Her efforts are causing wounds on her skin and her body is still weak but she doesn't care, she keeps trying. Sadly, her attempts are abruptly interrupted when three rebel warriors enter the tent.

"Just in time". The rebel woman who Echo sent voices with disdain. Noticing what Lexa was trying to do, she points with her head and both men approach and pick-up Lexa forcefully.

The men work fast, lifting Lexa by the arms and tying her to the post and then tying up her legs too.

"Don't worry, this is gonna be quick". The woman removes a dagger from her belt walking towards Lexa.

…

As they stride towards Lexa's tent, Orita hands Esiry her gun and sword, warning in the process. "This is not training anymore Esiry, this is real and these people can and will kill you. You must not hesitate or think too much, if you must kill them, do it."

Esiry places the weapons in position, the words sinking in like a hard blow of reality. She inhales knowing there's no time for her to process the info, simply act.

When they are meters away from the tent Orita stops their advances and quickly strategizes the plan. "The fewer people we have to confront the better. As you know I'm no warrior so you must deal with whoever is still standing while I try to free Lexa." Saying that she takes a long exhale and declares, "From now on, we will see what happens. Understood?"

Esiry instantly summons the warrior within her, the one she has being training to be for all this time. She removes the gun from her holster and responds with a firm nod.

…

Bellamy and Myrreh along with most Skykru soldiers, waited at the back of the campsite for any signal to attack. But it never comes, instead, they watch as some rebels head in their direction with their hands up.

"They are surrendering". Miller shouts. "Hold your fire, the enemy is surrendering, hold your fire".

When the soldiers get closer, to capture the surrendering rebels Bellamy turns to his wife. "C'mon Myr let's get these bastards".

But Myrreh has her eyes somewhere else. She's staring toward one side of the campsite, where she could swear, she saw the bushes moving suspiciously. "You go ahead. I'm gonna check out something". She doesn't wait for Bellamy's response she simply runs in the direction of the bushes.

"Myr where… Myrreh!" Bellamy calls loudly, but it's in vain.

Myrreh is already gone.

"Damn it!"

…

Octavia, who was slowly moving closer to the campsite with the troops when the chaos ensued, also notices the rebels are surrendering. "Hold your fire, arrest the rebels," she commands. "Three squads will search for the ones escaping! The rest will search for Lexa and Esiry". Octavia starts advancing, speaking only to herself "… and Echo".At that precise moment, her radio begins to transmit an incoming communication. "Go ahead. What's going on Bell?"

…

Esiry and Orita cautiously approach the tent where Lexa is being held captive.

Holding onto the flap, and counting down with her fingers, Orita signals the moment they will enter.

Esiry quickly grips her gun and with the final count, she points it inside the tent.

…

The dagger is barely millimeters away from Lexa's throat when the rebel woman senses someone behind her. She turns just in time to see the nightblood, with gun in hand, aiming it at her. She immediately ducks down just as Esiry begins shooting.

The two other rebel warriors behind Lexa weren't as lucky.

Esiry, in an impressive display of skill, shoots both of them in the head with only two shots.

Lexa is startled at the sound of the bullets suddenly passing by her head, and she becomes even more agitated when she realizes it's Esiry who is shooting.

With the woman standing away from her and both warriors dead, Orita runs toward Lexa.

If Lexa was agitated by Esiry's real warrior display, her mind simply explodes when Orita approaches her. She is too shocked to function and she merely observes dumbly at how the girl positions behind her – stepping over the bodies on the floor- and cuts the ropes quickly from her wrists.

The woman on the floor throws her dagger at Esiry's hand.

Instinctively, the teen moves her hand, successfully avoiding the knife so that only a scratch shows where a blade should have landed.

Taking the opportunity, the woman reaches for her gun but as she lifts it, Esiry knocks it away with her sword.

Esiry swings the sword toward the woman but she dodges her blows with ease.

The woman rolls over and this time finds a way to stand up, removing her own sword in the process.

Adjusting the grip, Esiry prepares for combat.

Without any hesitation and nothing to lose, the woman launches toward Esiry with an intimidating cry and a hard strike.

Esiry blocks the attack and strikes back, but the rebel's rapid blows and her already injured hand threaten to slow her down.

Meanwhile, Orita cuts the last of the thick rope binding Lexa. She immediately works on Lexa's legs while Lexa tries to accommodate the pain of her muscles after been tied for so many days.

Lexa looks closely at Esiry who is having a hard time fighting off the experienced rebel. "Esiry is in trouble," she instantly crouches trying to untie the rope on her other leg, momentarily forgetting about her aches.

"Lexa, stop, let me…" Orita continues her task painfully aware of Esiry's situation.

"I gotta…" Lexa looks around until she finds what she's looking for. She takes a dagger from one of the rebel warrior's belt and proceeds to cut the rope.

With both working at the same time Lexa is freed, and she has only one objective in mind. "Stay back". She removes the sword of the dead rebel and stomps towards the other rebel woman.

"Lexa!" Orita desperately calls out but Lexa is already on the attack.

The woman knocks Esiry's sword down but she doesn't have time to finish her off, she has to defend herself from Lexa's blow. "You fucking bitch, you should be dead", she counteracts with rapid strikes.

That's when Lexa realizes she has made a terrible mistake. She's not strong enough. She has barely started the confrontation and she is already losing strength in her arms. A hard blow and Lexa's sword is sent flying to the floor.

Esiry is back, retaking her position and confronting the unwavering rebel.

"Lexa," Orita runs to Lexa, pulling her back.

"Let me go!" Lexa frees herself from Orita's grip. "She needs my help".

"You can't fight", Orita yells at her. "I will help her, stand back".

"You're not a warrior!" Lexa rebukes, pushing Orita away.

A grunt catches their attention and both turn their heads and notice Esiry is struggling again.

"C'mon!" Lexa makes a quick decision and together they join in the fight.

Seeing she now has more than one adversary to contend with; the woman gets a hold of a stick previously used to poke at Lexa and swishes it in front of the three teens effectively creating distance.

It is exasperating how good this woman is in combat. 'No wonder Echo sent her,' Lexa thinks. She totally could have taken her down on her own but due to her condition, she has to rely on the other one capable of the three of them, Esiry.

With just a slight gesture Esiry understands exactly what Lexa wants from her. She nods quickly and immediately moves ahead and aims her assault directly at the woman's legs.

Now Lexa signals for Orita to attack.

Orita launches her sword in an upward stroke, aiming for the rebel's head.

The rebel knows exactly what they are planning so she twists her body, sword down, stick up.

Lexa takes the opportunity to charge with her sword at the woman's midsection.

The sword manages to scratch the side of the woman which makes her lose her balance.

It's at that moment Esiry attempts to deliver the final blow that will kill the woman but things don't go as planned.

The woman instinctively swings the stick at Esiry's head, landing right on her temple.

"Esiry!" Lexa can't help yelling as she watches her friend fall to the ground barely conscious and moaning in pain.

Hurt, but not defeated, the woman challenges Lexa.

Orita attempts to block the rebel's way but Lexa grabs her by the jacket and pulls her aside.

The rebel woman chuckles as she hits hard with her sword at Lexa who is blocking her.

Lexa does her best to resist the blows but she just can't. Her weapon ends on the ground, receiving in the process a smack in the stomach with the stick.

"Bitch!" Orita strikes against the woman but she is simply shoved aside.

"You will have your turn," saying that the rebel smacks Lexa's face twice with the stick, and finalizes her assault with a powerful kick to Lexa's chest.

"Ahhhhh!" Orita with both hands in her grip, lunges straight into the woman, not able to stand watching Lexa being hurt. But it wasn't enough; it just took two jabs from the woman's weapon to disarm the inexperienced teen.

Orita gulps, realizing it was a bad idea.

"I knew you were hiding something". The woman walks ahead intimidatingly, forcing Orita to step back. "I was gonna end her first but I better start with you, so you can learn what the rebellion does to traitors".

Cornered and unable to escape the tent, Orita's lips tremble, knowing her fight is about to be over. 'May the spirits guide my way,' praying silently she closes her eyes.

The rebel lifts her blade, aiming it at Orita's chest, gaining momentum to create a forceful strike.

A gunshot rings out.

The woman gasps. Her hand flies up to her neck where blood flows out like a fountain.

Orita opens her eyes with a shrill. She takes with horror the scene of blood leaking out of the woman's neck as she falls to the ground giving her last breaths. "Wha…." With the woman not blocking her view any longer, she's able to see Lexa still on the ground, holding a gun in her hand.

Lexa looks at the rebel woman as she makes strangled noises, how she writhes for a few seconds and then stops moving entirely. Lexa's eyes then land on the weapon still in her grip. "Oh God!" Her hand begins trembling and she lets go of the gun, disgusted.

"Hey, hey" Orita runs toward Lexa and gets on her knees "Everything is gonna be OK. You did what you had to do". With a soft pat on her hand, she allows the girl a few moments to regain her composure and she walks over to the other teen.

"Esiry," Orita shakes her a bit. "C'mon we gotta get out of here. We need someone to watch our backs".

Still a little groggy but willing to fulfill her duty Esiry makes the effort and stands up.

Orita goes back to Lexa and carefully helps her up.

"We have to go!" Orita announces, getting Esiry's attention. "Me and Lexa are gonna go ahead of you a few meters, make sure nobody is following us. OK?"

"OK", Esiry replies shaking her head to try and ease the still present ache. She picks up her gun and sword from the floor, preparing for her new role as bodyguard.

Orita holds Lexa around the waist and says in a low voice "Lexa, we have to leave now and we have to be quick. I know you are in pain and weak but please make one last effort, this is almost over".

Lexa stares at Orita in awe while supporting herself around the girl's shoulder. She's still very confused and shaken but she understands the urgency of their situation so she simply nods.

With that acknowledgment, Orita begins to lead them both in the direction of the hills.

…

Echo runs as fast as she can among the thick nature until it starts clearing. She stops at a tree, reaches her hand down inside a hole, and retrieves a knapsack. She quickly rises up, ready to continue her way but a surprise waits for her.

"Leaving so soon?" Myrreh comments casually while pointing her sword at Echo.

"Oh, of course, it had to be you" Echo lets go of her knapsack slowly and takes her own sword out.

"You know me; I can smell scum from kilometers" Myrreh shrugs wielding her weapon.

Echo chuckles humorlessly. "Usually, I love our exchanges but currently, I just don't have time"

And just like that the combat between both women begins, with fast strikes and the incessant sound of metal clashing.

"Not bad for a devoted mother and wife." Echo praises sarcastically walking in circles.

"Once a warrior always a warrior" Myrreh remarks following Echo's movements closely.

Echo attacks again, this time with more aggression. "I see your husband hasn't been keeping you as busy as I thought he would" She taunts at her opponent in an attempt to get a reaction that brings her an advantage.

But Myrreh couldn't but bothered, instead she has a comeback of her own. "Well, busier than you've ever been with him I can assure you that."

Echo grunts, she's losing her patience. She knows this duel won't end any time soon with how good Myrreh is. She usually has a code of honor, especially with decent warriors like Myrreh but the circumstances and also the sound of someone approaching prompts her to make a harsh decision. "Sorry," she lets out pushing hard at Myrreh's blade with her own, "I said I don't have time" with that Echo snatches her gun and shoots two times straight at Myrreh's chest.

"NOOOOO!" the desperate cry of Bellamy erupts in the scene.

Echo turns toward him and watches him petrified his eyes on his wife's body laying on the ground. Taking advantage of his lack of reaction she aims at him now.

Bellamy makes eye contact with her, he knows what's gonna happen and he knows it's too late to respond so he remains there, fixes his eyes on Myrreh instead, and waits for whatever comes.

The sound of a gunshot breaks into the silent forest.

Bellamy jolts, confused as to why he's still standing. But then notices Echo holding her own bleeding hand, her gun on the ground.

"Don't you dare fucking move or I will blow your brains out!" Octavia warns through gritted teeth.

Shaking with pain and frustration Echo contemplates. She knows Octavia is not bluffing and most importantly she knows Octavia won't miss. Deciding she would do more alive than dead Echo lets her body fall on one knee to try and put up with the pain. Making it clear she is surrendering.

Octavia never stops aiming at her, waiting for backup.

Bellamy finally reacting runs toward Myrreh. "Baby" He crouches by her side and takes her by the head "help is coming please stay with me"

…

Despite the time it has passed and how nervous she is, Clarke manages to keep it under control. She's now sitting on a rock, waiting for any sign of her girlfriend when she suddenly sees something moving in the distance right between the hills. 'Is that…' Clarke jumps abruptly and sprints to the foot of one of the hills. "Oh my God…" Her face lights up when she makes up two familiar figures, but only one name slipping from her lips like a sweet melody mellowing the bitterness of these conflicting times. "Lexa…"