Lexa was the first to wake up. Her arm was now draped over Clarke's back- their positions hadn't changed much other than that. The brunette would have been more than wiling to stay like that for the remainder of the day: Basking in the sunlight that came through the window, and snuggling with Clarke. It was ideal in Lexa's mind, but she had something to do.
Without trouble, Lexa stealthily pulled herself away from the sleeping beauty. She silently took the items she had removed the night before and left the room, leaving the door cracked behind her.
Before leaving, Lexa scrawled a note to the best of her ability. She was glad that she chose to bring a pencil and a couple pieces of parchment, being prepared for anything really came in handy sometimes. The commander had awoken much later than usual, and decided to let Clarke do the same.
Having an idea of where her general might be, Lexa ventured towards her destination. When they visited years ago, the area she had in mind was always where they would hunt. Depending on the season, it would be rich with deer, rabbits, squirrels, and sometimes boar.
Once Lexa exited the village, she began a light jog, trying to find Anya as quickly as possible. She only slowed when entering the more wooded area, so no game would be alerted of her presence. After a few minutes, Lexa opted to enter the trees. As she danced from branch to branch, Lexa caught sight of who she was looking for.
Anya was tugging along a young buck by some rope around its' antlers. Lexa jumped gracefully from the tree, landing on a small pile of leaves yet still not creating a single noise. She performed the stunt in such a way that the other woman would see her shadow.
Anya knew it was Lexa, only because she taught the commander not to make such carless mistakes. "Heda," she greeted as she stopped what she was doing to nod at Lexa. Not much luck had come the night before, so she decided to camp among the trees, that way she could still hunt from above if anything were to be unlucky enough to come near her. She had just found the buck an hour ago and was headed back towards the village when Lexa found her.
"We must leave soon. I want to begin the ride today."
"You left the sky girl just to tell me this? I know you well enough to sense when you are wanting to leave. What is it you really want to talk about?" Anya probed- she had an idea, but wanted to hear it for herself.
There was a brief pause before Lexa responded. "Do not let Azgeda near Clarke. I want you to act as her personal guard until the challenge is over. No one is to know I have taken a second until a formal announcement has been made. The summit would be an option for such an event, but not everyone has excepted Skaikru yet."
Anya recognized the tone Lexa was using, it was one that implied the brunette had plan- whether it be good or bad. "What do you have planned, Commander?"
Lexa knew that Anya was loyal, one of her most loyal warriors at that, but she was unsure of whether or not Anya would approve of her scheme. "Skaikru is to become the thirteenth clan." Lexa did not have to wait long for a reaction. Anya's brows furrowed together, while her lips parted briefly.
The older woman went to speak, but did not even know what to say. If it was up to her, Skaikru would have been ended long before. They killed three hundred of her warriors, but then they took down Mount Weather. They all put aside their differences and worked together to defeat the Maunon. In Anya's eyes, they, or at least Clarke, had made up for what her people had done. "Would Skaikru accept this?"
Lexa asked herself this question when the whole idea first popped up in her head. If she based her guess off of how Clarke treated her when they found her in the woods, then they might not. Her advisors might not. The clans might not- Azgeda surely would not. "They will not survive without help. Clarke is the one that needs to accept it, she is their true leader."
"They have not been in contact in months, how do you know the sky people will accept her decision?" If Anya knew one thing about the invaders from the sky, it was that they were all stubborn and had strange traditions.
"I don't, but them being in the coalition will bring peace between our people and theirs. We have both wronged each other. If they choose to hold grudges then so be it. Someone has to make the first move." Lexa stood tall as she awaited a response. She could see Anya ponder and waited patiently; it was a lot to take in.
The elder of the two held her arm out and said, "I stand with you."
Lexa was relived and it showed on her face. She grabbed the other woman's arm and the pair shook once. They then reworked the rope so that Lexa could assist with hauling the buck.
It did not take long for the pair to reach the village. They were greeted with excited eyes and thankful expressions. The same thing crossed both of their minds.
"We can hunt again at a later time," The commander whispered. Their leave still hadn't been announced to anyone publicly, so Lexa easily understood the misunderstanding. She ate well more frequently than these people did, so giving the deer up did not bother her in the slightest.
Anya however started grumbling, "Yeah yeah…" She thought to mention how the we that scored the buck was in reality just her, but she kept her mouth shut. She was not one to complain and didn't plan on beginning anytime soon.
Lexa rolled her eyes lightly and let to other woman sulk quietly.
They arrived to Clarke drawing on the back of the note that Lexa had left for her. She stopped to greet them with a friendly smile. The blonde abruptly stood up when she sighted the trace amounts of blood on Anya's figure.
"Calm down sky girl. It is not mine."
Judging my Anya's apparently poor mood, Clarke decided to leave it alone. Lexa leaned near her ear and whispered, "She can be difficult to deal with when hungry. It is best to just ignore her."
Clarke heard a small growl come from the hangry general and chose to avoid eye contact, understanding what Lexa meant. She herself was feeling empty but decided that stating so would not be beneficial to the situation. When she saw the other two preparing to leave, Clarke did the same. She only had her small pack and slung it over her shoulder. Lexa and Anya had slightly more than her, but not by much.
Anya exited her home first, followed by Clarke, and lastly Lexa- who let her hand linger on the small of the blonde's back until they were both out of the doorway.
"Are we saying bye to your parents?" Clarke questioned.
Lexa stiffened and Anya stopped to judge the brunette's response. There was a pregnant pause, Clarke stood in between her traveling partners awkwardly. She knew there was some tension when they first encountered Zoran and his wife, but the man seemed welcoming enough. When Lexa closed her eyes and sighed, Anya took the message and altered her destination.
They arrived in front of a house near the healers hut. "Three," Anya said, causing Clarke to look at her curiously. In was the followed by, "Two.. One.." After the last word Lexa knocked on the door. Her mother opened it with a surprised expression on her face.
They were greeted by the green eyed woman that they had encountered a few days prior. "You're actually saying goodbye?" The woman's tone was not snarky, but genuinely caught off guard.
To break to silence, Clarke cleared her throat and said, "I never got your name."
"Nina," was the only response that the blonde received. She turned her attention to her daughter before asking, "I suppose that you are unsure of when you will return?"
Lexa strained herself to look Nina in the eyes. "You are correct."
Anya looked at Clarke and nodded her head to the side. Wanting to give the two some privacy, Clarke took the nonverbal cue and followed he general.
"Nina knows little English, that is why her response was short."
Clarke inclined her head in acknowledgment. "I didn't think she was being rude or anything. It was all just awkward." She did like how she met someone who did not seem amazed by her title though. It was refreshing.
Anya was able to read between the lines enough to spot the question. "Her mother had a hard time accepting that Lexa wanted to become a warrior. When we learned of her nightblood.. Nina became very distant."
"Nightblood?" Clarke questioned.
"Nightbloods are the people that have a chance to become heda. Lexa would be able to explain it better than I," Anya responded. In truth, that was all she knew. That was all most people knew. Not much is taught about it to someone unless they themselves have the black blood.
Clarke looked back in time to see a teary eyed Nina briefly hug her daughter. They shared a few more words before Lexa turned to leave.
They returned on their original path of heading towards where the horses would be residing. Clarke walked close enough to Lexa that their arms would occasionally bump against each other. It was what little comfort she was able to offer while the sun was still shining. She thought to ask about Zoran, but guessed that he was most likely busy with a new patient. It was when the three reached the horses that Clarke remembered they only arrived on two. Now the anticipation of being in such close proximity to the brunette was much more exciting, it was no longer something that Clarke dreaded.
Carefully observing how Anya mounted her horse, Clarke tried to mimic it with her own steed. To her astonishment, she actually succeeded in not humiliating herself. She earned a satisfied grunt from Anya who was watching, and Lexa said, "It might not be too exhausting to teach you to ride after all."
Clarke grinned at the compliment, and it only spread when Lexa ascended behind her. This time there was no hesitation between the two regarding physical contact; Clarke leaned back while Lexa held the reins around her waist.
"Do you want to try riding faster? It will make for better time." Lexa inquired. She could feel small amounts of nervousness radiating off of the blonde so she reassuringly squeezed Clarke's leg before whispering, "I'll be able to hold onto you tighter."
Clarke chuckled before giving the brunette a rigid nod. Lexa whistled a short tune that caused Anya to urge her horse to a greater speed. At first, the blonde froze. She remained that way until she began to feel the pressure of Lexa's arms that enveloped hers. Clarke didn't know when she closed her eyes, but when she opened them she saw the trees rushing by in a blur. It made her wonder how quickly the horses could really run.
Lexa was relieved when Clarke finally relaxed in her arms. Having to slow to a walk would have made the trek much longer. She wasn't exactly thrilled to return to Polis, but things needed to be done.
"Hey Lexa." When Clarke heard a hum she continued, "You don't have to answer this if you don't want to, but what was that countdown thing from earlier?"
"It is how Anya taught me to not become a victim of my fears. You are allowed to be scared for three seconds, by the fourth you need to face whatever it is that is scaring you." Lexa thought back to the first time her former mentor had used this on her.
Lexa was still crying, not as forcefully as before, but her eyes were puffy and she still had tears on her cheeks. The adrenaline had worn off, now all she could think about was how her sister was gone. It was truly starting to sink in.
"Come young one, we should return," Anya said. She was still holding her former lover in her arms. They had not yet returned to their village. She noticed Lexa begin the slow then stop walking altogether. When she looked at her, she saw small green eyes searching around frantically.
"Did you hear that?!" Lexa asked with a wavering shout. "What if there's more out there?!" Her breathing starting to become erratic, she gripped her sister's sword that was bound around her waist.
Anya wanted to comfort the young girl, her new second, but there was little she could do with Bluma still in her arms. An idea came to her. "Lexa, second, listen to me, please." She tried to sound as soothing as possible. After repeating it she was able to gain Lexa's attention. "I want you to do something for me OK?" When Lexa nodded she continued, "Count to three, during those moments, be scared, do whatever you need, but when it's over you need to push forward. Can you try that for me?"
Lexa nodded. In her head she counted to three. She thought of Bluma, of the events that had transpired that day. She let visions of reapers coming after her swarm her vision. "Three," she whispered. As she did, Lexa stood and ventured forth next to her mentor.
Clarke blinked briefly after hearing the story. Her eyes were watering, every time she heard of Bluma there was always some level of tragedy as well. "So that was your first lesson as a second then?"
Lexa thought about it for a second. "Yes. Also, do not fear asking me questions, I will answer whatever you want to know."
Clarke leaned her back further into Lexa's front. She chuckled as something accrued to her. "Anya is good with kids then?"
Lexa snorted. "That's one way of putting it. In all honestly.. she is, but it is not shown very often."
Clarke nodded her head before leaving it to rest on Lexa's shoulder. Even though the horse was not at an easygoing pace, Clarke managed to close her eyes and drift off to the beat of hooves.