Clarke woke up and immediately reached out next to her. When she was met with and empty mattress she popped open one eye and was indeed met with an empty mattress. She groaned as she stuffed her face into the plush pillow next to her. It still smelt like Lexa.
Just as she was about to fall back asleep, Clarke heard a knock on her door followed by a familiar face protrude past the crack.
"For someone who came from the sky, you do not know how to rise with it," Anya commented once she saw the blonde half awake in bed, tangled with the furs.
Clarke was startled fully awake when she felt something hit her forehead. She sat up and found the culprit, a chunk of bread, laying on her lap.
"That is all I was able to save from this morning's meal."
The bread wasn't bad, it was soft and easy to chew. When Clarke finished the quick snack she headed to her bathroom to change and get ready for whatever the day had in store.
"The summit is tonight."
"So soon?" Clarke replied. Everything seemed to be happening so fast, more so than usual.
"Yes, and because of who you are, you have little choice but to attend." Anya hoped that things would go smoothly, especially with what Lexa had planned. "Everyone arrived early and Nia pushed for it to happen."
Just the sound of the queen's name caused Clarke to scowl. When she returned to her room, the blonde still had a displeased expression on her face.
Anya chuckled quietly. It was no secret that she too disliked the Azgeda leader- few people, if any, ever actually appreciated the pale skinned woman being around them.
"Come, sky girl, we have a busy day ahead of us," Anya said before turning towards the door.
They walked through the districts on a path that Clarke recognized.
"More shopping?" Clarke asked curiously. She had gotten more new clothes yesterday than she ever had, everything on the Ark was some kind of hand-me-down.
"Summits require a certain type of.. dress code."
Clarke hummed in response. "So I'm going to be dressed up like a Barbie Doll then?" She shook her head and chuckled, "Never mind," when she received a perplexed look.
The two didn't go inside any of the shops that they had the previous day. The one they entered was new, to Clark at least. There was more structure in it than than many of the places outside. Few people walked around inside, those that did either completely ignored Clarke or observed her with blank expressions.
Even though the blonde was becoming uncomfortable with the staring, she was determined to stay perfectly composed. Anya blocked most of the wondering eyes as she guided Clarke to the end of the upscale shop.
"You may choose anything to your liking, Wanheda." Clarke was amazed at how quickly the people she was coming to know were able to change. One second Anya was well.. Anya, and the next she would become a stone faced general.
Clarke browsed the selection for a few minutes. There really wasn't all that much to decide from, but she tended to be indecisive when she did not fully know what to expect. Finally, after spotting a dress that caught the blonde's interest, she decided to take it from the rack.
Anya pointed in the direction of what was supposed to be a changing room. In reality it was just a thick piece of cloth covering a decent portion of a corner in the store.
The first thing Clarke noticed behind the curtain was a mirror carefully leaned against one of the corner's walls. It was littered with cracks but Clarke didn't bother to mind them. She quickly disrobed and paused before turning to look at her reflection. She was almost shocked at what she saw. Power. Clarke looked powerful; she looked confident.
The two left the store in the same manor they had every single one yesterday, with Clarke attempting to pay. She was starting to learn that that was just how it was going to be, and no arguing would change that.
Next, the general led Clarke back to her room in the tower.
"No more preparations for the day?" It was asked in an almost mocking tone, but Clarke was also at the same time kind of curious.
Anya just chuckled. "In your dreams, sky girl."
As if on que someone knocked on the door. Anya left the room momentarily, and when she returned she also had a small satchel in hand.
Clarke watched as the woman took out a few things and spread them out- several of the items she recognized. "You're going to do my hair?"
"Tonight, things will go more smoothly if you look like one of us." Anya answered as she organized the things on Clarke's bed. She looked up to see the blonde looking at her strangely. "You will find out soon enough."
At first, Clarke thought that the whole idea of having her hair done reminded her of those sleepover movies she would watch when bored before being sent into solitary. The reality was much more quiet, not that that bothered her.
When the tugging and pulling of her hair ceased, Clarke took the mirror that laid atop her bed and looked at her reflection. It was in a half up half down type of style. There was one main braid going down the top of her head, and two smaller ones on each side. She ran a hand along each of them and felt the braids stop and form some type of knot at the back of her head. The rest of her hair flowed freely down her back.
"You're good at this, you know," Clarke complimented. She quite honestly was pleasantly surprised.
"I used to help Bluma with her hair," Anya explained.
Clarke nodded and left it at that, not sure what to say.
In a different room of the tower, Lexa had just been approached by one of her scouts.
"There is still no sign of Azgeda troops outside the walls. There is someone else though," the scout began.
"Who," the commander demanded. She needed everything to go smoothly before the summit in order for everything to go as planned.
"Skaikru."
XXX
"Bellamy, this isn't a good idea. She left us, who's to say she needs saving?" Octavia complained- not for the first time. A woman had approached her, her brother, Raven, and Lincoln while they were out putting up some cell tower thing that Raven had made to increase the range on the walkie talkies..
"I trust Echo," Bellamy said shortly.
"You don't know her, Bell." Octavia was no longer patient and started yelling. "You don't know where she is from!"
Bellamy stopped and swerved around and pointed a finger at Octavia, matching her tone while asking, "And you do. Who's to say you know her better than I do."
Lincoln stepped behind Octavia and put his hands on her shoulders while Raven stood as a barrier between the arguing siblings.
"She is Azgeda, they can not be trusted," Octavia was slightly calmer with Lincoln's presence near her. The only reason she could tell where Echo was from was because Lincoln had told the brunette stories of the warriors that wore scars on their faces. The strange thing was that the woman had no scars, but her clothes were those of someone from the Ice Nation.
"Who said that, huh? Was it that general you used to parade around? Well news flash, she ditched you!"
Lincoln wrapped his arms around Octavia's waist to keep her from lunging forwards. "Fuck off, Bellamy!"
Raven, who had been mostly quiet, decided to speak up. "Dude, you need to chill. None of us know Echo and we're all going out on a whim here because you think Clarke needs some knight in shining armour."
"It's been months. You heard what Echo said, that bitch of a commander took her," Bellamy was still fuming. Those hadn't been her exact words, but it could be implied.
Lincoln glared at the shaggy haired boy. He may have been banished from Trikru lands, but he still respected Lexa. "If you are going to get anywhere inside of the walls then you will need to watch your tongue." It was a veiled threat that was also masked as a warning.
Bellamy narrowed his eyes but after meeting Octavia's glare he took a deep breath and continued on his original path. He didn't like arguing with his sister, but he also didn't want Clarke to be caught up in the commander's grasp any longer. It was time for her to come home.
XXX
The Skaikru had become more bold in the past few months, pushing the boundaries of land that Trikru had allowed them to use. Lexa had been spoken to about it by her generals and advisors, she told all of them that they needed to be patient. With the way that the sky people were acting, it would be hard for anyone to accept her plan of initiating a thirteenth clan.
"How far are they?"
"They were last spotted near the tunnels that go under the city." The scout would have apprehended him if he had not already received direct orders not to. The tunnels were a maze and almost no one made it through them anyway.
Lexa thought carefully about what to do next. "Trail them. They can not be sighted by anyone else or they will be viewed as trespassers."
The scout nodded and ran off in the same direction he came from. Lexa sat back on her throne and slouched forward while sighing. She would have to begin getting herself ready for the summit soon, but Lexa had to do something first.
Lexa headed up the tower, entering her room briefly to gather a few things. When she was done, the brunette headed down the hall silently. She opened the door and first saw Anya. Her general had made a move to get up but Lexa shook her head and gestured for her to be quiet. Clarke hadn't noticed anything because one her back was to the door, and two she had found something to draw on.
Clarke felt hands go over her eyes and flinched before recognized the hands. She decided to play along with the little game. "Uhhh Anya?"
The woman in question let out a short audible ha before saying, "Try again."
Clarke stood and turned around to wrap her arms around Lexa's waist. "I missed you."
Lexa kissed her head and replied with, "I missed you too." When the blonde looked up Lexa smiled and leaned down the short distance to press a soft kiss to her lips.
Before it could turn into a make out session, there was the sound of someone clearing their throat, and rather dramatically. "Get a room, you two."
"We're already in one," Lexa joked. Anya chucked and got up to leave. She was stopped by Lexa grabbing her arm and leaning near her ear.
"Skaikru has made it into the tunnels. A scout has orders to keep them out of the public's eye. I ask that you do the same if you come across any of them."
Clarke couldn't hear what Lexa said, but it was enough for her to briefly catch Anya furrowing her brow. When Lexa returned to her she was going to ask when Lexa shook her head.
"I will tell you, but something needs to be done first." Lexa picked up the container she had sat down next to the door before surprising Clarke. She showed the black substance to the blonde and explained, "Every warrior designs their second's warpaint."
"What's yours supposed to be?" Clarke always thought that it made Lexa look like a raccoon in a way.
"My tears, when Anya painted it she told me that the paint would cry for me."
Clarke understood the meaning; it was like a memorial of sorts to Bluma. She just didn't know if she would be able to have something as meaningful painted of her.
The thin feather like brush was soft against her skin, and the cool paint mingled well with the warmth from her cheeks. Clarke was more focused on Lexa's concentrated look than each of the various strokes on her face. Lexa's brow bent in concentration. Clarke thought it was cute how focused Lexa was, then again it was a symbolic process for her people.
Lexa took a step back to fully look at Clarke. She looked at the pattern, feeling quite proud of her work and the beginning of the story it told. Giggling broke Lexa's concentration so she looked at the blonde, unsure of what was so funny.
Clarke stood and wiped a bit of black off the side of Lexa's temple, who in turn blushed in a faint red tone and rubbed at the spot. The commander couldn't believe that she had done something so childish.
When Clarke took her hands to stop her frantic movements, Lexa glanced into her bluer than normal eyes. "You're OK, it's nice seeing you not so perfect."
They leaned together in a way that wouldn't smudge the still wet paint. In between kisses Lexa husked, "Your hairs.. looks.. good.. by the way." She pulled back to fully examine the blonde's hair. She chuckled at memories from her past, recalling the many times Anya would tug and pull her hair every which way. It was enough to give her a headache a few times.
"What's so funny?"
"Nothing," Lexa picked up a mirror and continued with a simple, "Here." While she was proud, she was also anxious of whether Clarke would be fond of what she had done or not.
Clarke took the mirror that she had previously used to inspect her hair. There was a brief moment of contact between her and Lexa's fingers when the transition took place, enough to make Clarke smile.
The brunette shifted from foot to foot. When Lexa hadn't heard anything in what seemed like forever she was going to say that she could get a rag to wipe it off, but Clarke looked up at that moment and shook her head.
"I love it." Clarke looked at the mirror again. There were star shaped figures under each of her eyes with lines above them, creating the illusion of them falling. She almost wanted to touch it but feared ruining the work. There was meaning behind it, not the same as Lexa's, but enough to remind her of where she came from. Although her time in space had its setbacks, there were still good memories.
Lexa was smiling, thrilled that all had gone well. She sighed semi-dramatically before saying, "To my dismay I still have to get ready, so I can not stay with you much longer." She gave Clarke a goodbye kiss before backing up until she got to the door, only then did she turn around and her eyes left Clarke's.
As she was putting on her dress she shook her head at how much like a teenager in love she was acting. "I am a teenager in..." Her jaw hit the floor when she realized what she was about to say. Sure, she'd felt like she had been getting closer to Lexa, but they hadn't even been reunited that long. Clarke had dropped her dress during her realization and picked it up to continue getting ready.
A list formed in the blonde's head: Lexa could make her smile, could make her believe in herself, made her feel like she wasn't alone, and surprisingly was a hopeless romantic at times. Lexa protected her, let Clarke see the real person behind the facade, taught her new things, and the kissing was a whole other story.. Clarke loved the way that they seemed to fit as if they were made for each other.
It dawned on her for the second time, causing her to whisper, "I love Lexa.." What scared Clarke the most was that she was unsure of wether or not Lexa loved her back. Scared was an understatement.
The door opened, startling Clarke from her thoughts and providing a welcomed distraction.
"Care to knock next time?" Clarke asked while quickly adjusting her dress into place. Her inner musings hadn't helped the blonde with her preparations. She couldn't help but think, 'At least I'm clothed..'
Anya looked at her, fully donned in warpaint, and couldn't help but notice how much Clarke truly looked like she was apart of them. The general had a feeling that Lexa would paint something worthwhile, and she was right.
"Would you like me to go back out and start over," Anya asked sarcastically.
Clarke was about to respond when she realized something. "Do you by chance know what Lexa was going to tell me earlier? It seemed important."
Anya paused, unsure of what exactly Clarke already knew. 'The one time the woman forgets something..'
"It would be best for you to talk to Heda about this," Anya decided to reply.
The first thing that Clarke took note of was the way that Anya said Heda instead of Lexa, the second thing was that she seemed to be hiding something. She turned around and marched out of the room, disregarding the shoes that didn't make it onto her feet yet, and walking in the direction of Lexa's quarters.
She not so subtly burst through the doors, meeting a wide eyed Lexa who looked furious until she saw who it was, then she just looked puzzled.
"Clarke, wh-"
"What are you hiding from me?"
"Excuse me?" Lexa was honestly very lost. That's when she saw Anya from the doorway, mouthing sorry and closing the door.
Clarke was becoming more and more annoyed by the second. "Before this," she gestured to her face, referring to the now dry warpaint, "you told me that you had something to say. What are you hiding from me?"
Lexa sighed when she registered what Clarke was talking about. She quietly scolded herself for forgetting such an important issue. She couldn't let herself become so distracted.
"Sit down."
"What."
"Clarke, I need you to calm down." She grabbed the blonde's hands and pulled her to a nearby chair to perch herself on. "I did not hide anything from you- the topic slipped my mind." In a more hurt voice she added, "I thought you trusted me?"
When Lexa started to pull her hands away Clarke held on. "I do, Lexa, I just.." She leaned her head against the top of the chair to take a deep breath. "I will admit I over reacted just now, but I'm terrified of being left or lied to again. I don't say that to hurt you, but because it's true."
Lexa nodded, she wasn't going to lie and say that that didn't hurt, but she'd also never yell at Clarke for expressing her feelings. Next she did what felt right.
Clarke almost gaped when she saw Lexa drop to her knees, her heart picked up its beat, and all she could think about were her thoughts not long before.
"I swear fealty to you, Clarke kom Skaikru. I vow to treat your needs as my own and your people as my people." There was no waver to Lexa's voice.
Clarke was unsure of what to say. Her mouth had gone dry when it looked like Lexa was about to propose to her. The look of utter devotion held in those green eyes didn't aid in helping her find her voice.
"Clarke?"
"What does that mean?"
Lexa stood up before responding. "The summit isn't just that, it is also the introduction of the thirteenth clan."
Suddenly it dawned on Clarke, 'my people as her people.' "Skaikru?"
Lexa nodded, unsure of how her voice would sound. "It will offer them protection to be a part of the alliance. Going against them would be going against me." She was about to say something to Clarke's vacant expression when blue eyes refocused on her.
"What about your advisors?"
"With you as their leader, many of the clans respect your people. They will do as I say," Lexa added defensively. It was true, almost no one was audacious enough to go against her orders. "There is something else.
"What?"
Lexa paused for a few seconds, trying to figure out the best approach to her next revelation. "Skaikru members are inside the walls."
Clarke visibly paled. Her palms began to sweat. She was not ready to face her scars. "W-where?"
"They are in the tunnels below the city. I have sent the scout that saw them to continue tracking their movements. No harm will come to them."
Clarke nodded, not knowing how else to respond.
Lexa could tell how emotional and caught up in her head Clarke was becoming, so she sat on the arm of the chair and pulled Clarke to her. "Ste yuj, Clarke, stay strong."
Clarke nodded against Lexa's chest and took a moment to prepare herself for whatever was to come next. When she stood up she finally realized that Lexa was in different clothes than before. This time her jaw actually did drop. She was in a black dress with the same red sash she always had adorned on her shoulder now tied around her waist.
"If you would have given me the chance to speak," Lexa began, laughing lightly at Clarke's expression, "I would have told you that you look beautiful, Clarke. You are more than beautiful." Most of the dress was grey and lengthy, reaching past her heels- much like Lexa's, the difference being a copper looking vest covering her chest and stomach.
"You're one to talk.." Clarke replied, her eyes going up and down Lexa's figure until they landed on her face. "We should probably go soon, right?" She worried that if she was there a second later then neither of then would leave.
"I do at least, yes. You however have a bit of time if there is anything you need to do."
"I want to go with you." Clarke smiled. She knew they'd have to be separate during the summit, but being near Lexa was better than nothing. The more time she spent around her the more Clarke began to crave that time together.
"OK," Lexa said while smiling back.
They headed in the direction of the door when Lexa stopped abruptly, her arm reaching out in front of Clarke's waist. She looked at the blonde, who had a bewildered expression, and held an index finger to her lips. No one else should have been on the top floor, yet she had just heard the thudding of several feet. She silently crossed the remainder of the distance between her and put her hand on the door handle.
Clarke watched the next events unfold with a mixture of confusion and interest that soon morphed into horror. At first, Lexa seemed to be struggling with opening the door. Everything that followed seemed to go by in slow motion, yet somehow still too fast for Clarke to react.
Lexa finally got the door open to see Anya's eyes glued to something not far away. She strode out of the room just in time to see the setting sun's rays bounce off of something metallic. Lexa only had the chance to see the party out of the corner of her eye when she was forcefully shoved back into her room. A yell, a quiet bang, and a thudding sound followed.
Clarke recognized the voice. She recognized the sound of a gun going off. That finally got her feet working again and she darted past Lexa, who didn't get off of the floor in time to stop her, and left the room. She may not have been ready to face her scars, but they were ready for her.
She looked to her right and saw Anya leaned against the wall, holding her upper bicep. Clarke then looked at the chaos unfolding on her left. Lincoln had tackled Bellamy to the ground, who was struggling to release himself. Octavia was retrieving the gun that had gone flying, and Raven had just finished yelling at the older Blake when she turned to see a pale faced Clarke.
"Clarke." It was but a whisper, but enough to make everyone freeze momentarily. Raven barely recognized her, she looked liked as if she could be a completely different person.
When Lexa stood up she saw Clarke about ready to hurl and rushed outside. The first thing she saw was Octavia with a gun, she pulled a dagger from her waist band and was about to embed it into her target, but was stopped by Clarke pushing her wrist against the wall. When she caught sight of Bellamy the brunette was able to put two and two together but was still on guard.
Clarke looked at Octavia but couldn't read the expression on the girl's face. Bellamy's entire demeanor soured the moment he saw Lexa beside Clarke.
"Get away from her!" He started thrashing against Lincoln again, he couldn't get the muscular man to budge even an inch.
Lexa put on her mask and straightened up, trying to figure out the best way to handle the situation.
Before she could come up with a response, Octavia said with a poorly concealed yell, "Look at her, Bell! She might as well be one of them." There was a hint of jealousy in her tone. She had made her choice at Mount Weather, but it wasn't one that didn't leave her bitter.
"Why are all of you here?" Clarke had been speechless up until that point. She wouldn't have even moved if Lexa hadn't been about ready to attack. "How are you here?" She had just been told that they were in the tunnels, and had seen the tower's security, it shouldn't have been easy to slip past.
"We're here to take you back." Bellamy said it like as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.
Clarke saw Lexa tense up next to her. She hadn't taken her eyes off of the Skaikru, but then she remembered the gunshot sound and looked behind her. Anya was still holding her arm- blood was seeping between her fingers, but the scowl she had told Clarke that she was alive.
A rush of emotions hit the blonde. She was still confused, she was still blind sighted, but now anger was also mixed in. She put her hands on her head before throwing them out and yelling, "Who said I wanted to be taken back? Who said I needed to be saved?" She wanted to say more but restrained herself.
Another moment of silence followed when Raven exclaimed, "You dumbass! You made all of us come here because some chick you don't even know told you to." Bellamy tried to get a word in to no avail. "No, you didn't even bother to think of your sister or Lincoln, who can not be here by law!"
Before any one else could add to the argument Lexa asked, "Who told you to come here," in a strong voice.
Bellamy avoided her gaze stubbornly, Octavia still hadn't said anything, and Raven was still fuming, so Lincoln stepped up to reply, still keeping a careful eye on the shaggy haired boy. "Echo kom Azgeda, Heda."
Lexa looked at Lincoln and switched to their native tongue. "You let them come here?"
Lincoln paused before nodding once. "The boy would have come on his own. I came to stop him from doing something reckless."
"Like shooting at me?"
Octavia chose then to say something. "He stopped anyone from dying."
Lexa looked at her briefly before nodding.
"All of you, come with me," Lexa ordered.
Lincoln obeyed right away, Raven hesitated but followed after him, and Bellamy was about to contradict Lexa when Octavia slapped the back of his head not so gently so he shuffled along behind her.
They were lead to the only other room in the hall that wasn't currently occupied. Anya was the last one inside and closed the door behind her. The tan skinned girl, that she had seen while scouting Clarke's people, but not personally spoken to, approached her. Anya looked at her indifferently until she held out a hand containing a mostly spotless bandage. She took it and grunted a thanks to which Raven rolled her eyes at.
"You are to remain here until the summit has concluded. At that point I will assign each of you rooms at a lower level." Lexa looked at Lincoln before continuing. "You may remain here as well, they are to stay hidden. Do not disobey orders this time."
"Yes, Heda," came the immediate reply. He knew he was lucky to be alive as most of the banished who ever dared to return were killed on sight.
"Who says we even want to stay here?" Bellamy asked defensively.
"Watch your mouth, boy. You're lucky that I am not allowed to attack you or you would not be breathing," Anya growled.
Octavia saw him look the general up and down, as if to say why should he listen, so she said, "Shut up Bell, just shut up."
The three left in silence. Clarke made sure to grab her shoes, nearly forgetting to put them on all together. She was glad that the weapon Bellamy used at least had a silencer on it or they would have been swarmed by guards by now. She still didn't know how they managed to make it so far, but right now she needed to focus on what had to be done.
When the trio entered the elevator, Clarke went to check Anya's arm but was only shrugged off.
"I am fine," Anya said. It wasn't the first time that she'd been shot. The first that hit her in the abdomen would have been fatal had it not been for Clarke's people recognizing the blonde. It took some work, but Abby eventually got Anya to allow her to take to bullet out and properly bandage the wound. The rest is history.
They got off on the correct floor and walked to the throne floor. Lexa entered first, followed by Clarke, and then Anya. Everyone else had arrived at some point before so all eyes were on them.
"It is nice to see that you all have decided to join us," Nia called out.
Lexa ignored her, as did almost everyone else, and began. "I thank all of you for coming on such short notice." Not all of the clan leaders were able to make it. The ones that resided a far distance away had permanent advisors stationed in Polis to keep them up to date and take their places during events like the summit.
"Is it true that you have been challenged, Heda?" The Sankru advisor inquired.
"We will speak gonasleng out of respect for Wanheda who is not yet fluent in our language. Yes, the challenge will take place tomorrow at noon."
There were some murmurs around the room. Everyone who had looked at Clarke questioningly when she first entered now stared at her in a whole new sense. The only person she paid any attention to was Nia, who had the hint of a smirk and amusement dancing in her eyes.
"And why would anyone challenge you," the Floukru advisor added to the question.
"I," Nia emphasized the word, "challenge her for the power of Wanheda."
The Sankru advisor chimed in again. "What if Sankru wants to wield Wanheda as well? What if I also want to issue a challenge?"
Lexa had been to enough of these meetings to easily pick up on what the advisor was saying between the lines. He wanted a challenge. Lexa stood, walking towards the balcony and motioned to him. "Come, let us speak outside." He stood and sauntered over, passing Lexa. He turned, prepared to speak, but before he could utter a single syllable he was kicked from the building. The scream that followed could be heard until it eventually faded away.
"Is anyone else wise enough to challenge me at my own summit?" Lexa questioned evenly, eyes meeting with everyone in the room. The people that did not answer with no shook their heads. Nia was the only one not to respond.
"Good. Now for the main reason of this summit." Lexa paused to take a quick silent breath, preparing for whatever reactions she may receive. "I am introducing a thirteen clan into the coalition- Skaikru."
Everyone, including Nia, looked at Clarke with shock.
"Is Wanheda their advisor?"
"But they're invaders!"
"What do they have to offer us?"
"Enough!" Lexa had expected people to react this way, but had already had enough with voices yelling over each other. "Wanheda is their leader, she may opt to select an advisor is she so chooses, or she can stay here herself. It is her choice. They have technology that can aid in communication and food that has been gone from our lands for a long time. They have plenty to offer."
Everyone nodded- almost everyone, those that didn't looked at Lexa with unsurety. "Are there anymore questions?"
"Who will fight for you?" Clarke couldn't find the owner of the voice but it caused several people to stand and offer their swords in her place.
Lexa motioned for those that stood to retake their seats before saying, "No one, I fight for myself. As for who I am fighting, that I am unsure of." It was a subtle jab at Nia. The commander knew that the queen would never fight for herself if it meant there was a chance to lose.
Nia stood, meeting the silent challenge. "My son, Roan, who I have removed the banishment of."
"It is not your place to remove his banishment. That is up to Heda." It was the first time that Anya had spoke up during the entire event. Lexa was from Trikru, but because she had to be impartial to all of the clans at times, an advisor had to be chosen- she chose Anya.
"I will allow it. If I lose then the challenge his banishment may be rightfully lifted."
A few other things of importance were discussed, mainly having to do with what would happen if Lexa was to fall to Roan. The summit concluded with Lexa formally inducting Skaikru. Clarke knelt before her, as Lexa had done earlier, vowing that she and her people would abide by the coalition's laws and its' commander.
After everyone was dismissed, a few people came up to Clarke, telling her that they would be open to setting up trade routes with her people. A few others simply left without another word, and the last bit stared at her like she was something stuck on the back of their boots. The blonde was just glad that Nia hadn't bothered her again.
When everyone finally left to return to their accommodations for the night, Clarke, Anya, and Lexa headed towards the elevator.
When they got to the top floor, Lexa turned to Clarke, saying, "All of the rooms on the floor under this one are open. You may situate your people however you wish. I will be in my room."
Clarke sighed when she didn't get any kind of goodbye from Lexa, but she knew that that wouldn't always be a possibility. Although the brunette's final sentence did seem appear to be an open ended invite.
Anya continued to accompany Clarke until they reached the room that held the Skaikru people.
"They won't hurt me, you can go rest."
Anya looked like she wanted to say no, and she didn't fully trust Bellamy, but she did trust Clarke, so she nodded and excepted the dismissal.
"Wait," Clarke said. When Anya turned to her, Clarke continued, "Do you think she'll make it?"
Without any hesitation, Anya said, "She is not fighting for herself, but for you. She will make it."
Clarke saw nothing but sureness in the woman's eyes so she nodded and waved a goodbye. Once the hallway was quiet, Clarke knocked on the door and entered the room. Everyone looked at her, fully alert. It was still until Raven partially limped over to hug Clarke.
"Don't ever do that again or I'll make you go boom."
Clarke chuckled and returned the gesture. She had missed Raven's humor, even though it wasn't always entirely appropriate. When they pulled apart Clarke looked at Bellamy, who looked like he had a lot to say.
The two pulled apart so Clarke could tell the four, "I will explain everything that has happened in the morning. It is a busy day, Le- the commander is being challenged so I will be there for that. You are all safe here to explore, and may attend if you want to."
Both Lincoln and Octavia's eyes widened slightly. Octavia because she had the chance to see a real challenge, and Lincoln because Lexa was actually being challenged- few people had the guts.
"I will show you to your rooms," Clarke said before leaving the room. Everyone followed her into the hall and then the elevator. It was a very short journey since the floor was just below. Raven got the first room they came across, and Bellamy the second, leaving Clarke with just Octavia and Lincoln. When she reached the third room that they came across, Clarke turned and asked, "I'm guessing you will both be staying together?" They nodded in unison.
Clarke opened the door to let them in but stopped them from entering just yet by placing her body in front the doorway. "Without getting too far into it tonight, I believe I have found a way to lift both of your banishments."
That caused the couple to perk up. Octavia, who had previously been leaning against the wall, straightened up and listened.
"If I claim both of you as Skaikru, then you will be safe."
"Meaning?" Octavia asked impatiently. She was already apart of the people in Arkadia, Lincoln might as well of been as well.
"Meaning.. Meaning that we are one of them now." When Clarke still received the same expressions she clarified, "We have become the thirteenth can."
Lincoln's mouth dropped. No one had been added to to coalition since the commander had first formed it a few years ago.
"But they left us!" Octavia exclaimed almost immediately.
"And now she can't, because our people are her people. Look," Clarke began tiredly, "If you want to argue, fine, yell at me all you want, just do it tomorrow." The blonde turned to leave, not in the mood to get in a yelling match with anyone.
"Wait," Clarke turned to see what Octavia had to say this time. "Thank you."
Clarke was surprised to hear any sort of gratitude from the younger Blake sibling. The last few times they had communicated had not exactly gone over smoothly. Sincerity rested in Octavia's eyes though, same as Lincoln's, they were both grateful and Clarke could tell.
"I know I haven't made the best decisions in the past, but it was always to protect my people. I intend to keep on doing that." They nodded and she left, ready to finally get some sleep. When she returned to the top floor, Clarke debated whether or not she should go by Lexa's room. She let her feet decide and ended up in front of the commander's door.
Lexa had just finished blowing out all of the candles but one that was always left lit when Clarke emerged from behind the door.
"I was not sure if you would come by or not."
Clarke shrugged and walked over. "I missed you."
Lexa chuckled and wrapped her arms around Clarke's shoulders. "Even though it has been no more than ten minutes, I missed you as well, Clarke."
"Can we stay together again, tonight." Clarke had debated asking- knowing she shouldn't, especially with the extra guests below them.
Lexa knew the same things that Clarke did, but if this was to be her last night then she wanted it to be with Clarke. "Yes."
The blonde sat on the bed and bent over to take off her shoes when Lexa lightly swatted her hand away.
"Allow me?"
Clarke held her hands up in mock surrender. The shoes were not the most comfortable in the world so she reveled at the feeling of finally getting them off. Clarke started to think it might not have been that bad if she had ended up forgetting to put them on- her dress covered her feet anyways.
As Lexa took the second shoe off she placed it near the other, both tucked neatly beside her bed. When she looked up she realized that Clarke still had on warpaint so she walked to her restroom and cleaned off the cloth that she had just used to clean off her own. She returned with a fresh bowl of water as well. After Lexa helped Clarke clean her face she moved all of the items to the table situated in the middle of her room.
Clarke gently clasped Lexa's wrist the next time she was within distance. The two stared at each other, basking in the beauty the other held. Clarke began to tug Lexa, not once taking her eyes away. The brunette had to lean forward in order to keep their eye contact from breaking. That single candle was still burning and added a sparkle to the Clarke's eyes.
When there were just inches left between the two, Clarke put her hand behind Lexa's neck and urged her forwards to close the remainder of the distance between them. Their lips met at and Clarke swore she felt a spark ignite. It began steady but soon turned into something more frantic. Clarke continued to pull Lexa to her until her back hit the mattress. The blonde moved up the bed so that her legs would no longer be dangling off of the side.
Lexa matched every move that Clarke slid back by crawling forward, eventually settling with one of her legs between Clarke's. She leaned towards Clarke's lips, moving to the side the moment they would have met and planted a trail of sloppy kisses until she reached the other girl's pulse point. Lexa sucked and gently bit at the area causing a low moan to escape Clarke. She then trailed her way back up until her lips were reunited with Clarke's.
One of Clarke's hands was tangled in Lexa's hair while the other ran up and down her back. Lexa supported herself on her elbow while removing Clarke's copper looking vest with the free one. It took some re-situating but they were eventually back in their original positions, this time under the covers.
When Lexa began to kiss her way down Clarke's chest something caused her get a panicky feeling in her chest and her heart picked up to an uncomfortable beat. She tried to suppress it, but the further down Lexa went the more the feeling brewed.
"Wait," Clarke whispered breathlessly.
Lexa stopped immediately, worried that she had pushed past the blonde's comfort zone.
"Did I-"
"No you were perfect, Lexa. I just.." The last and first person she had had sex with died, by her hand. With Lexa going into a fight to the death tomorrow she was worried that the same thing might happen again, just not directly by her. The thought alone was overwhelming.
Even though the room was dark, the final candle having run out of wax, Lexa could still spot a tear fall on Clarke's cheek. "It is OK, I understand." That wasn't entirely true, she was confused but did get that something was holding Clarke back, so she leaned forward and kissed the tear away. When she moved to slide off of Clarke she was stopped.
"Can we just stay like this, please?" It was said in such a soft tone that the question was hardly able to be heard.
"Of course, Clarke." Lexa laid her head on Clarke's chest, using the beat of her heart to judge when she calmed down. If Clarke did not want to talk about it at the moment then Lexa would not push her to do so.
Clarke ran her hands up and down Lexa's smooth unbraided hair and appreciated the weight on top of her, letting it remind her that the brunette was still there. After a few moments, Clarke tried to lighten the mood with, "You should probably save your energy anyways." She felt a vibration on her chest from Lexa's chuckle.
"I have good stamina. You are the one that needed to work on that, remember?"
Clarke's mmhmm was the last noise between them that night.