Clarke was looking between Lexa and Anya, both of them portraying barely concealed fury. She wasn't able to translate the first thing the man had said, but she did know that it had something to do with her.

"Leave," was all Lexa commanded, even though she easily could have run her sword through him. He turned on his heel and left cooly, not even a grunt in response. She saw the wheels turning in Anya's head and knew what she wanted to suggest. "No one fights for me."

It only took Clarke a second to start connecting the dots. When she figured it out she stepped out from behind Lexa and moved to be in front of her. "What did he say…?"

Lexa put her arms behind her back and took a deep breath before muttering, "The queen of Azgeda has issued a challenge towards me."

At first, all Clarke could feel was worry, then she was overcome by rage. She made a move for the door and was promptly blocked by Anya. Clarke saw red, and it was aimed at the messenger. She began swinging her fists around blindly, not even noticing when she jammed an elbow into Anya's nose. The only thing that jarred her out of her rage was getting the wind knocked out of her. She crouched down, gasping for air, with her hands placed on her knees. Dots clouded her vision, Clarke thought she was going to pass out, but then she started hearing whispers of her name. They became increasingly loud until she heard it clearly.

"Clarke!" Lexa was crouched down, looking up at Clarke. Anya was holding her know bloody nose, attempting to make the flow stop. When she saw Clarke's eyes finally focus on her own, Lexa said, "You can not hurt the messenger."

The blonde could barely remember what was going through her head not even a minute before. There was a faint reminiscence of irritation, but that was it. She felt weak- just squatting over like she was was enough to make her shake.

Lexa saw how unwell Clarke was quickly beginning to look and guided her over to a nearby chair. She had heard tales of Wanheda's spirit, mainly from Anya, but seeing the emotion that it held in person was completely different. Clarke was more Wanheda in that moment than she was her actual self. When the blonde didn't look like she was about to pass out, Lexa explained, "If a messenger is killed then it is seen as a declaration of war from the people that killed him or her. We did not let you attack him, because it would have been your people against Azgeda. As Heda, I would have to side with them. Even with guns, Skaikru would have been brutally annihilated."

It took Clarke a few seconds to process, but she was grateful that she'd been restrained. Having more blood on her hands would cause too much pain. The thought alone of almost having inadvertently ending the existence of everyone she used to know made her sick to the stomach. "Is Skaikru no longer allied with Trikru?"

Lexa paused, trying to think of the best way to answer Clarke. "Yes, but whereas that is just an alliance, Azgeda is in the coalition. Because killing a messenger goes against law, I would not have been able to aid your people in any way. Even if Trikru sided with Skaikru then they would be forced from the twelve clans."

Clarke nodded along to Lexa's words, understanding that she had much more to learn about grounder culture. She decided to save her questions for a later time. All she could focus on was pain in her abdominal region. Clarke leaned back against the chair and groaned.

In an attempt to lighten the mood, Anya moved to where Clarke could see her and asked, "Want to trade," while gesturing to her now bruised, but no longer gushing nose.

"You knocked the air out of me, it's payback," Clarke sniped playfully.

"One, you hit me first. Two, Lexa did that to you, not me. I would have done worse if you did not calm down."

Clarke felt slightly guilty for hurting Anya, but knew she had experienced much worse in her past, so she mumbled out a barely audible apology before turning to Lexa and raising an eyebrow. The brunette met her expression and matched it.

"I am sorry for your discomfort, truly, I do not like seeing you in pain, but it could have been much worse if you battled." Lexa did feel bad, but did not believe she was in the wrong. "If you would like, that can be one of the first things I train you to do, second." As she said the last word, Lexa gave Clarke a small smile.

Anya's eyes widened in surprise. "You are taking on a second? Actually doing so is different than simply training her."

Lexa stood up with her back straight and chin up, simply responding with, "Yes." She used the tone that she pulled on her advisors to get them to stop arguing.

Clarke felt like there was something that she was not being told and curiously probed, "Is there a problem with that?"

"No," Lexa responded. "Although it has never been done before."

"Then why me?" Clarke inquired.

"You are worthy." It was a simple response, but Lexa's words meant a lot to Clarke, and both of them knew it.

Clarke leaned forward, wrapping her arms around Lexa's neck and breathed in her calming scent. Lexa returned the gesture except her arms were around Clarke's waist. The simple act allowed the two of them to unwind from the events of the day. Although it did not last long because Anya quipped, "If she is as stubborn as you were, which I believe she is, you are going to have a fun time."

Clarke smirked and hid her face in Lexa's hair, knowing just how headstrong she could be, but would not admit it out loud. Lexa held Clarke tighter, leaving her head to rest atop the blondes. When Lexa felt Clarke sigh, she asked, "What is wrong?"

Clarke wondered if she should tell Lexa the full truth or only half of it. She didn't want to lie, but she also didn't want to add to the stress she knew was already pushing on Lexa. "It's just… It has been so peaceful here, minus Bree." She shook her head lightly before continuing. "I just feel like we never get a break- never get a chance to live, truly live."

"That is a price leaders must pay at times." Lexa had experienced that the hard way. She thought back to when Costia was murdered, even then she did not pause her duties for a single day. Lexa did not allow herself to grieve until it was on her own time, even if it meant she went without sleep.

"I know, I just wish it was different. I wish we were not forced into these positions," Clarke sighed.

Lexa pulled back, putting a chaste kiss to Clarke's forehead. "If we had not, then we might have never met."

Clarke pondered that for a second. If she had not gone to meet the grounder commander, then Bellamy most likely would have. Knowing how reckless he could be at times made Clarke grateful she had been the one to meet Lexa. One thing she began to notice was that Lexa seemed to always find the positive out of a bad situation, and she loved that. In the world they resided, the world Lexa grew up in, Clarke didn't know how that was even possible.

Clarke desired for the moment to last longer, but wanted an answer to the question that was gnawing away at her. "When do we have to leave?"

"The challenge will take place after the summit that is a week away. Since you can now ride better, the journey will last roughly one day, two and a half at the most. Azgeda's queen, Nia, will have someone fight in her place. Who that will be I do not yet know." Lexa had never actually seen Nia battle. The woman always had someone fight for her. It made her wonder if it was because of fear, cowardliness, or lack of skill. In the brunette's eyes, it was not the honorable thing to do. She would never allow, let alone order, someone else to fight a challenge meant for her.

Clarke pulled back and looked at Lexa with a creased brow. Lexa could read the worry etched across the blonde's face and comfortingly soothed, "Do not worry, I have been in many fights- some to the death, some not. If I am defeated then my soul will choose the next commander. Just promise me one thing."

Without a seconds hesitation, Clarke replied, "Anything."

"If you observe the challenge, stay by Anya." Lexa hadn't noticed the woman leave the room, but she returned when she heard her name. They shared a brief moment of eye contact before Lexa continued. "She will protect you if I do not make it out alive. You are no prize, and I will not let you be treated like one."

"I trained you well. You will live to fight again." Anya and Lexa both nodded at each other before the elder of the two exited the room again.

The idea of losing Lexa made Clarke feel sick. She was finally believing that her previously spoken words, not yet, were in the past, along with the bumps that had formed along their interlocking paths. "OK," was all she could force out of her lumpy feeling throat.

Lexa looked down and could see easily tell how much was being held back. She could read the fear in Clarke's blue eyes. She not only wanted to win the challenge to protect Clarke, but also so that the blonde would not shed her tears. Lexa planted another kiss on Clarke's forehead, followed by one on the nose, and a last one to her soft lips. It did not last long, but the emotion behind it spoke volumes. When the two pulled apart, Lexa was glad to see that Clarke was now smiling.

An idea sparked in Lexa's head. She pulled Clarke up from her seat and gently tugged her hand towards the door. The confused look on Clarke's face only made her grin expand further. She answered the silent question with an amused, "Come."

Clarke could not help but go along with whatever Lexa was planning, she'd do anything to keep the brunette smiling. When Lexa opened the door, Clarke left with a sideways glance to eager green eyes. She was surprised to see that Lexa was not holding up her commander facade, as they walked through the village, her expression never once faltered. Clarke took note of the few people that saw them, they all looked relieved to see a content heda.

Lexa knew that eyes had landed on her, but could not mask her excitement. It might be an unwise thing to do, she knew. Lexa was willing to let the weakness show, if it could even be called that.

After a few minutes, Clarke recognized the area that her and Lexa had raced through earlier in the day. She still was not a hundred percent sure on where they were going though.

Lexa hadn't done this in several years, but she was eager to share it with Clarke. When they reached the right tree, Lexa stopped Clarke and locked her fingers together. "Up you go."

Clarke's smile only grew when she recognized the spot. Although it did look different when she wasn't being unexpectedly pulled into a tree. She stepped on Lexa's hands and let herself be hoisted up. Clarke required less help than the first time she was in the tree, but gladly let the brunette assist her at certain points.

Lexa settled amongst the branches first, tapping the spot in front of her once she was stable. She had visited the tree so many times in the past that a small seat of sorts had been formed.

Clarke inspected the area, and when she was sure that she wouldn't fall through she carefully moved to sit in between Lexa's legs and leaned back. Lexa's arms wound their way around Clarke's waist to further secure her.

The sight was beautiful, Clarke was in no way denying that, but what happened in the next few minutes was absolutely mesmerizing. She gasped as the sun began to set, the sky turned into all different shades of color, ranging from reds and oranges to pinks and purples.

Lexa watched, loving the amazement that quickly spread across Clarke's face. The colors of the sunset itself was being reflected in her blue eyes.

Clarke couldn't help but state what was on her mind. "This is breath taking." The sunset was one of her favorite things about being on the ground. In space, she could see stars, that was all. It was nice, but nothing compared to what was before her eyes.

"You are." Lexa hadn't meant to say it, she was aiming for it is, but she'd be lying if she said it was not the truth. Clarke was breath taking. Watching the colors dance across the blonde's irises caused her to become entranced in the sight.

Clarke turned her head past her shoulder, just enough to see a light rosy color on Lexa's cheeks. She found it cute, Lexa not being so composed, it was an uncommon sight. Clarke closed the few inches between her and Lexa's lips. She didn't know if it was the altitude or what, but her head started to spin.

The kiss was slow and steady, Clarke and Lexa savored the moment for what it was- a small chance to live. Clarke was the first to pull away. She tried to turn around more and felt a branch shift under her, reminding the blonde of where they were. To her surprise, she only flinched, but did hold onto Lexa more firmly. The two laughed. Lexa stopped first and basked in Clarke's laugh, her happiness, her. Clarke only stopped when her stomach began to ache.

"Wow," Clarke started to say as she rubbed a few stray tears from under her eyes. "I haven't laughed like in a long time."

Lexa made a humming noise before responding. "I will have to work hard for it to happen again then."

"You know what you really need to work hard for?" Clarke asked with a look of discomfort on her face.

"What would that be?" Lexa asked with a combination of confusion and subtle concern.

"This weather, it's so cold.." Clarke complained. It was something that she never really had to experience on the Ark, which was only ever one temperature, so she had not built up a tolerance.

Lexa lightly rolled her eyes in response. "I can't exactly control that. You will have better clothes soon, until then I will just have to keep you warm." The sentence was punctuated with a wink.

"Smooth, Commander, smooth." Clarke grinned until she felt Lexa preparing for their descent down, at that point she groaned. Going up was easier than going down for the blonde. Clarke was glad when her feet struck dirt. She used the moment immediately following it to stretch her muscles. Clarke heard a thump behind her, signaling that the other woman had rejoined her on solid ground. She had just begun to walk when she felt an arm snake its way across her shoulder.

Lexa looked at Clarke and smiled. "I would provide you with my jacket, but it is not with me. I am many things, although a fabricator is not one of them." She took pride in that, telling the truth, which some might find ironic, but it is a quality she very deeply values. Her honor code came second to being heda however. The commander had to lie at times, but Lexa did not.

Clarke grinned while wrapping her own arm around Lexa's waist. She didn't know how, but Lexa was always warm. The brunette was like her own personal heater.

They walked like that, side by side, even when they neared the village. Clarke went to unwind her arm, causing Lexa to hold her closer.

"The sun is at rest, many people are in their homes. There is no need to separate." If Lexa was being honest, she just wanted to remain close to Clarke. The blonde made her, a person who had been training in the art of battle for well over half of her life, feel safe.

Clarke was surprised, but she did not question the woman. She knew how hard it was for Lexa to let her walls down, because of that she stayed more alert.

The two were still like that when they walked through the door of Anya's house. Lexa looked around, seeking out her former mentor. When she did not find her, Lexa supposed she had gone to hunt for the upcoming journey to save time. When she heard a small yawn from beside her, Lexa smirked and said, "Do not try to deny it, you are tired, Clarke."

Clarke simply nodded in agreement, too sleepy to argue. The days' activities had caught up to her, hitting her out of nowhere. She let Lexa guide her drowsy body into the room where she had been sleeping the last few nights.

Lexa grinned the entire way, even though they didn't have to travel far. She knew the adrenaline from everything that happened would wear off eventually, but this quickly is something she would see happen to a child that at too much sweet food.

The moment Clarke neared it close enough to do successfully, she flopped onto the bed and kicked off her boots. She rolled over and looked at Lexa who was standing slightly awkwardly. She stuck her lip out in a pout and said, "I thought you were going to keep me warm."

Lexa fancied the idea, of spending the night next to Clarke, but she hadn't done something so intimate in many years. Many women had thrown themselves at her, but she never took on any of them. In her eyes it was disrespectful to Costia's memory. The brunette couldn't help but think, Clarke isn't just any other woman.

Clarke felt giddy all of a sudden, still tired, but she was excited to share an actual bed with Lexa. It gave her a certain sense of security.

Lexa sat on the side of the bed before asking, "Do you prefer to hold or be held?"

"You mean big spoon and little spoon?" Clarke smiled when she realized Lexa wouldn't understand what she was saying yet again. "Big spoon is the holder, little spoon is the person being held." Realizing she had not responded to the actual question, Clarke replied softly, "I am fine with both, but… can you hold me tonight?"

Lexa nodded while removing her boots, weapons, and shoulder guard. She then laid her head on the same pillow as Clarkes since their was only one, not that that bothered either of them. The bed was quite small, yet surprisingly cozy at the same time. She wrapped one arm around Clarke's waist and left the other to rest underneath her own head.

Clarke was warm, definitely warm… She ignored the feeling and snuggled into Lexa, leaving no space between them. She mimicked the brunette's position, the only difference being that her hand was over Lexa's. When she felt a gentle kiss to the base of her shoulder, Clarke smiled sleepily and whispered, "Goodnight, Lexa."

To which came the reply, "Goodnight, Clarke."

Lexa chose to stay awake until she felt Clarke's breathing even out. Only then did she finally allow her eyes to droop closed.