"Clarke….." I heard someone say in a loud whisper as they shook my arm.
I groan at the intrusion to my tent.
I open my eyes and its dark out. I sigh as I turn my head from my pillow towards the person touching my arm. I couldn't see who it was but I'd know that profile anywhere. "Mommm….Go awayyyy…can't you see I'm sleeping…" I groan as I flop back onto my pillow. I mumble into my pillow and then roll onto my side. "What time is it?"
"Its 5 am." She said.
I sighed heavily as I sat up. "What do you need me for at 5 am in the morning." I deadpanned.
"Lexa should be arriving at sun up. Don't you want to get ready to greet her?" her voice was playful and I growled as I hit her.
"You better not act all-knowing in front of Lexa…this is why I should have never told you I liked her." I grumbled and crossed my arms. My mom laughed and nudged me out of bed.
"Go get ready grumpy-pants. I'll have breakfast waiting for you."
I sighed as I grabbed my clothes and went to the other side of the tent to change.
My mom was something else. Ever since I got a tent right next to the chiefs since I was her second my mom thought it was her duty to walk over in the dark in the morning to wake me up for things. I'm almost a grown teenager. Okay not really…but still…I could take care of myself.
I put on my usual clothes and armor and then yawned as I left my tent while sheathing my sword to my back. Mom was of course already making her way to me with a plate full of food and a cup of water.
"You know you don't have to wake me up so early. The Chief would have come woke me up." I said playfully as I took a piece of meat and chewed it.
My mom smiled lovingly at me and then took my chin in her hands brushing my hair out of my face.
"You're my only daughter, and as such I have reason to spoil you." She kissed my forehead and I couldn't help the smile come over my face.
I heard a rustling behind me and both my mom and I looked up as the Chief came out of her tent letting out a small yawn covering her mouth and ran her hand through her hair that hadn't been braided. We both had bed hair and I smirked as she looked over and put both of her hands down not realizing there would have been someone up yet.
"Good morning Chief." I said.
Her surprised look vanished and was stoic again as she nodded towards me. My mother had 2 more plates in her hand I realized and walked over towards Lexa's mom to greet her and hand the plate over. The Chief took it begrudgedly and I couldn't help the smile that crossed my face. My mom was smirking as well as she looked at the Chief's bed hair and Lexa's mom had the decency to seem a little sheepish about the bed hair as well as from my mom's kindness. I walked towards them and the Chief motioned us into her tent to sit down and eat together.
It was always like this every morning before everyone woke up. Us three would have breakfast together and it was like we were a family. I looked at the forth seat and sighed. It'd been awhile since Lexa set there.
"So are you happy you're going to see your daughter again Ali?" I choked on the piece of meat in my mouth surprised the Chief even had a name let alone my mom calling her by a nickname. That was a first. My mom smiled as she leaned her chin on the table looking at the Chief expectantly and I gaped. Exactly how close were these two. I looked at my mom with my eyes narrowed as the Chief just continued to eat.
She finally looked up and the twinkle in her eye as she smiled a little at my mom was enough to just send my mind blown into outer space. When did I miss this? They were always together I realized. They couldn't be more then friends right? RIGHT!? I didn't realize I was rudely staring at them until Lexa's mom glared at me and I looked at my plate as I stuffed as much food as possible into my mouth. "Yes and no Abby." She said.
I blanched. Oh. My. God. Lexa's mom and my mom have the hots for each other…I'm going to die….I'm so telling Lexa. I chewed more as I looked up to see the Chief looking at her plate and then my mom put her hand on Lexa's moms arm.
"Why's that?" My mom sounded pretty concerned and Lexa's mom sighed. "Yes I'll be happy to see her and see how's she's grown and no because I don't want to see what being the Commander has done to the Lexa I raised." She said.
Both my mom and I nodded at her words and then we were finished eating.
"Clarke." Lexa's mom said. I looked up and she motioned for me to come stand in front of her. I did so and I couldn't help the smile cross my face when she began braiding my hair. It never ceased to amaze me at how brash and scary this woman was but then does acts of kindness like this.
My mother was staring behind me with a smile on her face and I couldn't see what Lexa's mom's face looked like but I think I knew what it said. When she was done with my hair she moved to my arm and reapplied the temporary markings. I felt brave today so when she was done I wrapped my arms around her neck since she was still stooped down from reapplying my tattoo and gave her a quick squeeze before all but running out of the tent to go get my kohl from my tent.
When I believed the coast was clear I looked back in and smiled when I saw the pink hue on the Chiefs face and my mother laughed as she went behind the Chief and did her braids as well. Lexa's mom was smirking. When my mom was done the Chief did a quick 180 and peck my mother on the lips as they laughed and smiled together. I grinned. They both deserved a little bit of happiness. And if this helps both of them then yeah I'm okay with it…doesn't mean I won't tell Lexa though. I snicker as I move quietly to my tent to apply my wild child make up.
By the time I was done I was feeling the nervousness in the pit of my stomach. The sky began to lighten as more people began to wake and I began pacing my tent. What was I going to say to her…was I going to just run up and hug her? No…I can't do that…she's the Commander…then what…I was chewing on my thumb nail when all of a sudden the horn was blown to let us know they had arrived. My heart jumped into my chest as I moved to the side of my tent to peak out of the flap at the gates farther down the main path. They hadn't opened yet but we honestly had the best view of the whole camp so I would be able to see them ride in. I saw my mother and the Chief walk out of their tent and my mother walk over to my tent.
"Why are you hiding." She said with an amused look on her face.
I stood straight up again and glared at her.
"I have no idea what you're talking about…" I huffed and walked past her and I could hear her laugh behind me as I made my way to the Chief's side and then all three of us stood still waiting as the gate began to open.
Holy shit this was nerve wracking. I look over at the other villagers and they were all lined up along the path to get a look at their Heda. My eyes dart back to the gate as it slowly inched open and I held my breath. Waiting to see the girl I hadn't seen in 2 years. How much had she changed? I straightened more putting my chin up like the Chief and my mother smiled knowingly as she put her hands in front of her waiting patiently. The Chief was gripping her sword hilt tightly and I looked up at her eyes and they were just as anxious as I felt. I turned back and the gate had finally opened and there was one lone horse in the front followed by others. I couldn't quit see from this far away. I felt a hand touch my shoulder and I looked over and it was the Chief. Her head was still straight but she looked at me from the side.
"Remember Clarke…She is Heda now, do not do anything rash." I did a short nod and she put her arm down as we faced the girl we had both missed terribly. The breath caught in my throat when I had finally looked back to see Lexa ride slowly through camp looked around to the villagers. She was breath taking. My heart felt like it was filling up rapidly as I looked her over. She had grown considerably, stronger in every aspect. Even her eyes and face gave nothing away as I stared she hadn't seen me yet as I stood closer to the Chief but she had seen her mother and was now looking down at her as her mask kept a cool demeanor across her face and then she looked at my mother and a small smile was on her face as my mom returned the smile back. I stepped out and away from the Chief and she caught he movement and then I was looking into the greens eyes that haunted my dreams almost every night. She had finally come back and I couldn't hold all the feelings inside of me when I looked at her. It was like staring into an abyss you never wanted to keep away from. I saw a flash of excitement as her eyes crinkled and she was fighting the smile that was taking over her face as was I.
I could see the message loud and clear. I missed you. I looked away from her eyes so we could have a moment to reengage our masks of indifference and then my eyes were on her again. Her hair was longer, her face angler and she was tanner then I remembered. She had changed so much and I couldn't stop the red from creeping up from my neck and ears.
She was beautiful.
She stopped in front of us as she dismounted and two men came up to take the animal away as she basically walked on air towards us. Her back straight, confident steps and her face remained impassive. The air left me in a whoosh as she was standing right in front of me. I looked up into her eyes and she nodded towards me. I had to fight the extreme want of throwing myself at her so that she'd catch me like she used to and twirl me around. I just barely made the effort not to move a muscle and I bowed my head a little.
"Heda." I said. I couldn't keep the minuscule smirk from my face and Lexa was the only one that saw it. I saw the laugh bubbling up Lexa's throat as she tightened her lips and her eyes danced with mirth. I realized then. She hadn't changed at all. I could tell Indra's teachings have helped her though because now she stood with power and intimidation and it was brilliant.
She went to her mother and grasped her arm and they stood at each other's eye level.
"Nomon." Lexa said.
Her mother's face gave nothing away as she stared at her daughter and she nodded.
"Heda."
They both stood completely still and I didn't keep my eyes off of Lexa.
"I expect the trip was long." Lexa's mom began. "I have made my tent available to you Heda."
Lexa nodded and turned around to the other people in her Convoy.
"Breakdown and make camp." She ordered strongly and the warriors with her began to take things off the cart that I had just noticed. I also noticed that Indra had been standing behind Lexa the whole time as well as another. I didn't know what to make of her. She was another warrior but she just stood next to her horse as she took bags off of it and slung one over her shoulder. She looked up and we caught eyes and she smiled at me and nodded her head. She was pretty I realized. She went towards the healer's tent and my mother saw her and decided it was time for her to make her leave so she followed the girl with the bag to the tent. I watched as my mother talked with her and the girl laughed at something my mother said.
Who was she?
I looked back at Lexa and the Chief looked at me and motioned for me to follow them into the tent. As Lexa and Indra went in. I was the last to follow and I looked back to see that the girl was gone and so was my mother. I walked into the tent.
Lexa's POV
I was speechless. Seeing the girl I grew up with standing there looking like a true Trikru. I had been looking for her. Scanning for her and never realized the shadow behind my mother was her of all people. As soon as she moved from behind my mother I caught a glimpse of her golden hair and then the blue eyes that shown through the dark kohl across her lashes. It was striking, seeing her wearing armor and a sword across her back. It took my breath away. She was powerful, strong, silent and above all else observant but when we made eye contact all of those feelings I once saw in them two years ago were there once again as they lightened to a lighter hue of blue to greet me. They said it all. I've missed you.
All I wanted to do was have her in my arms again like we used to. To laugh and cry tears of joy at seeing a soul I have not seen in far too long. I was pulled towards her. Knowing full well I should have talked to my mother first I could not stay away from her any longer so I walked to her and I looked her over and when she said my title I felt a shiver go from my toes to the tips of my fingers and back. Her voice was deeper then I remembered. She was taller, agile and lithe, her face harder but then that smirk of hers it told me she was still her. Still my Sky Girl.
I don't remember moving away from her but then I was staring into the eyes of my mother. They were whispering to me telling me things I haven't heard in over 2 years. They said I am proud. I had enough of everyone watching us so I told my men to break down and then I followed my mother into her tent. I looked around and realized everything was the same. I couldn't be happier. I turned around as my mother began conversing with Indra about my training and there was Clarke standing uncertain looking into my eyes and I hers. I walked up to her and put my hand out. She looked down at it and then up to my eyes again as her eyes danced with mirth and then the huge smile I dreamt about. She took my hand and pulled me to her and I could help the gleeful laugh as she wrapped her arms around my neck and mine around her back. We squeezed as hard as we could and my heart rate accelerated. I put my face in her hair and she smelled just as I remembered.
I felt her hands trembling as she held my shoulders and she squeezed them tightly to stop them from doing so. She curled her face into my hair as well as we just breathe each other in. She pulled back to have another look at me and then she let out a breath as she held my elbows and I hers.
"God Lexa…look at you…you're the commander now." She whispered.
I smiled wider.
"And you. You've grown in so many ways Clarke, how have I missed this strength you've acquired." I said.
"You haven't missed anything." She breathed out. "Let me just take you in."
I couldn't help the laugh that followed her words.
"Are you surprised?" I cheekily whispered to her as we didn't want to be over heard by Indra.
"Never. You've grown into who you've always were destined to become." Clarke said.
It made my heart grow.
"And you've grown into who you were destined to be." I all but breathed. We stood like that for a little longer before Indra cleared her throat and I looked over to her.
"Heda. It is time that we speak about what your mother has asked us to come for." Indra said and I nodded my consent. I walked over to the table and I heard shuffling behind me.
"Chief? Shall I make my leave?" Clarke said.
My mother looked up and motioned to the seat next to me.
"No Clarke. It concern's you too." She said stoically.
I was wondering what she had to say but I didn't let it show.
Clarke sat next to me and I looked over and looked at the braids in her hair. They were magnificent. It was a pattern I used to wear when I was younger before I became Commander. Mom must have done it. I smiled knowing my mom loved Clarke as her own daughter even if she hadn't let it show. She wrote about Clarke often in her letters.
"You both are coming towards your 16th year and most seconds are fully trained by then." She began. She looked at Clarke with a look in her eye I've seen shown to me before. "Clarke…you have shown strength no second I've taught has shown before. I believe you are ready to be a true warrior of the Trikru." Clarke gasped and my eyes widened. "And you. Lexa, my daughter, Heda of our clan." I watched as her eyes swelled with pride and love. "Indra has told me much about how you have become one of the greatest Commanders this world has seen and you will do great things in your rain. I believe it is time for both of you to become warriors of our people…do you accept?"
I was speechless. I looked at Indra and she nodded as she smiled a little. It was barely there but it was a smile.
"I believe it is time Heda." I looked at Clarke and her ears were red as she was struggling to hold in the emotions.
Clarke choked out a strong and grateful yes and I nodded minutely.
My mother smiled. "Then it is settled."
"I will announce to everyone what is happening and there shall be a feast for days." My mother spoke. "Our Heda becomes warrior tonight."
She got up and left and Indra followed too.
I looked at Clarke shocked and then she squealed and threw herself at me as we toppled over. I burst out laughing as I held her tight.
"Finally!" I said and Clarke laughed agreeing.
"You're here! And we're becoming warriors!" Clarke yelled unbelieving as she was being smothered by my Commanders cloak.
I pulled it off her head and her mussed hair fell against her cheeks as she smiled as the color returned to her cheeks from laughter.
"It's unreal Lexa…seeing you…the last time was when we became seconds…and now we're becoming warriors!" Clarke said and I nodded.
I touched her face and my thumb ran across the Kohl on her cheeks.
"It is good to see you Sky Girl." I whispered.
She stopped as her face became serious as she looked at me.
"You have no idea how I've missed you Lex." She leaned her head on my shoulder as she gripped my armor. I put a hand on the back of her neck as we laid there on the ground.
"Tonight. No one commands me." I said. "Tonight I could order you to be my personal guard and no one would deny me." I said firmly as I gripped some of her golden hair.
Clarke raised her head and looked down into my eyes.
"Maybe I don't just want to be your guard Lexa." She said.
Her eyes were telling me something I had never seen come from her before. I couldn't quite grasp it. I was about to reply when Clarke's mother walked in.
"Oh…OH…am I interrupting something?" she said sheepishly. Clarke quickly got off of me and I got off the ground and looked at her mom with a frown.
"No. Not really." She said.
I looked at her quizzically before regaining myself and looked at Clarke's mother.
"Is there something you wish to speak to me about?" I asked.
"Oh! Yes. Lexa your mother wishes for you to get ready for the Ceremony. I had come to collect Clarke so that she may get ready as well. No one is to see the almost warriors until tonight at the marking Ceremony."
I nodded and then looked at Clarke.
"We'll speak after?"
Clarke smiled and nodded as she hugged me again and I her and then she was gone.
I missed her already.
Clarke's POV
When we were far enough away I glared at my mom.
"Nice one…I almost told her how I felt!" I said exasperatedly.
My mom continued to look sheepish.
"Yeah I figured that out when I found you. I'm sorry Clarke."
I sighed.
"I'll try and tell her some other time." I said.
My mom patted me on my shoulder as we arrived at my tent. I was already tired of today and it was just beginning.
The Ceremony was a long and heavy process. When I stripped down to just a tank top and pants I looked at my tattoo. It was vivid as ever.
I sat down on the ground and began to meditate waiting for my mentor. The first challenge awaits and It was going to be a doosie.
Hey guys! I'm backkkkkk so first things first….since I broke your heart's last chapter I wanted this one to be all about Clarke and Lexa. They deserved some happiness even if it's going to be short lived come next chapter. They didn't need some hoe messing their time together up right!? Who's with me on that? –raises hand- Second I love all of you guys that send me hate mail and say I kill you. It's true I do. But that's why you love me because I give you such juicy stories. The challenges to become a warrior are hard and ruthless but no worries! Clarke and Lexa will have each other :) Until next chapter!
Love Artemis