Thank you so much to everyone reading my story! Also super thanks to the two people that pointed out the blood thing. Lexa, Indra, and Gustus know about but no one else did and I didn't really show the rest of the grounders reacting to that new bit of news.

Extremely sorry for the delay. I have been really busy with school, work, and then working on my other stories. When the Fog has Lifted newest chapter has worked its way up to over 12,000 words and was very close to reaching 13,000. I finally finished it and was able to once more work on this chapter for you guys. I truly am sorry for how long it took to complete but this chapter is over 14,000 words making it my largest chapter yet. This really is my favorite story to write so far so expect most chapters to be average over 10,000 words.

I own nothing.

Chapter Four

I throw myself down on the bed and close my eyes allowing myself to relax and I sink further into my mind, only to find myself in a massive hall that I easily recognize as the throne room in Polis. Lexa's throne was in the middle, but it was not Lexa sitting in it but Becca.

"Becca? How the hell did I get here?" my voice was hard as steel, and it was also easy to hear the confusion.

"Beware of how you speak to the first," a low deep voice growled out.

Then I finally notice that there are more chairs that all together make a U shape. The left side was all women and the right were all the men, making a total thirteen chairs in total with a fourteenth one that was charred and burned. There were only four women to the left of Becca, one was empty, and then one beyond that was the burned. The thrones to her right were all filled with men. Many covered in war paint or tribal marking with a few with the Azgeda scars.

"I speak the way I want. What is this?" throwing my arm out around the whole room. I only felt slightly relaxed because at least I was able to somehow bring my knives with me.

The man slowly rose from his throne only to sit back down when Becca raised her hand. "Farkas be still. She does not know what this is. Clarke these are the past Commanders here before you. Every man and woman who was my successor after my passing is here seated before you. Everyone this is Clarke of the Sky People she is the one brought back to make sure that the disaster that is brought by Ontari doesn't come to pass."

A red-haired woman that had blue war paint covering the entire right side of her face stood up swiftly from her throne that was situated next to the empty throne and marched down to me and began to slowly walk around me, looking me over from head to toe. Then began to grip my arms, squeezing my biceps, triceps, and touching parts of my back. The more she inspected me the angrier I became. I did not like this woman touching me and the more she continued to touch me the angrier I felt, even though I knew that I shouldn't I was close to snapping and attacking her. The woman's hand then finally reached for my face and I wrapped my fingers in a steel-like grip around her wrist. "Stop touching me."

A vicious smirk slowly fell across her face. The woman finally stepped back and once pulling my hand off of her wrist turned around and sat down on her throne looking thoroughly amused at my discomfort. My eyes instantly focusing on the silver ax that flashed into existence into her hands once she sat "My name is Mjorll and I am the 12th Commander. The first explained how you came to be here but you will not last long if you do not get stronger. Guns are a disgraceful way to fight," she waved her hand distastefully at the last statement.

"Ignore her she just has a spear shoved up her ass. She took the lessons from Titus to heart, while I, on the other hand, felt they were useless. Love can certainly come in handy," the man's eyes were slightly crazed as he wagged his eyebrows. He looked to be in his late 20's and had grey hair as well as a dark grey beard. Resting next to the armrest was a 5-foot long spear with a wickedly jagged blade at the end.

"My name is Sheogorath and I am the 11th Commander," the slightly crazed man spoke. His throne was the outside throne on the right side. The man beside him stood was so pale in color that he almost looked like a ghost and had dark shadows under his eyes.

"I am known as Vilkas and I am the 10th Commander," then sitting once more when he was done speaking, hand instantly going to the head of the sword that was leaning against his throne.

The woman sitting next to Mjorll then rose from her seat, lifting her sword into the air as though she was saluting me. She was as pale as Vilkas but not so much in a sickly way as him, as well as having the markings of Azgeda and if that hadn't given away her being from the Ice Nation it would have been her whitish armor. "Ai laik Lydia kom Azgeda and I am the 9th Commander," her voice rang with strength. She then lowered her sword taking her seat once more.

The man sitting next to Vilkas then rose from his seat and standing with a massive Warhammer. The man was built similar to Aric and had to be over six and a half feet tall, his biceps easily the size of my head. The need to take a step back and grab my swords was instant and hard to force back. His skin tone was darker than Lincolns and had the same style of hair as him as well, with tribal tattoos that covered every part of his visible skin. The man slammed his weapon against the stone floor with force, the sound echoing around the throne room. "I am Delvin and I am the 8th Commander," taking his seat with a huff once done as though he had done a great chore with that simple act.

The next man to stand up had even darker skin than Delvin. It looked like he was painted as dark as the night sky. His eyes so dark they looked almost black. The marking of Azgeda covered his face and instantly alarm bells began to go off. This man was far more dangerous than Delvin ever was. "My name is Fallion and I am the 7th Commander," then sat once more. Even this was graceful and just because he was sitting mean that I felt better I didn't. His armor was light and he seemed to be almost covered in knives and daggers.

The next to stand was a woman whose dark blonde hair was pulled back into braids, the sides shaved down to the skin revealing tattoos that crashed like those of a wave. She looked almost like Anya did and even had her war paint done in the same style as her. Hanging from her back I could the top of a double-edged war ax. "I am Jordis and I am the 6th Commander."

I was convinced that she was related to Anya in some way. The eye color and slightly lighter hair, she was almost a spitting image of her and it caused a sharp pain to fly through my chest again at the thought that I had not been able to send back far enough to save her but I was pulled from my thoughts once more by the next man to stand. He strangely had all white hair that was pulled back in a ponytail. He was slimly built and like many of the Commanders in front of me had little to no armor. A large longbow was leaning against his throne, his eyes following mine. "I am one of the few who find joy in being able to use a bow. My name is Fanzdal and I am the 5th Commander."

"That is to true. You just sit back and fire away while some of us like to bash the other persons face in!" The man sitting next to Fanzdal suddenly shouted as he shot up from his throne, grabbing a staff as he rose. "I am the 4th Commander and my name is Cicero. I am the only Commander who was skilled enough to defeat my enemies with just a bow staff. You may call me by my name Cicero," he accented his words by swinging the staff in a smooth arc over his head before slamming the end onto the floor. His body slightly crouched, my body instantly shifting into a defensive position, pulling my knives from my vambraces as his deranged smile shifted to a vicious sneer.

"You'll do," the sneer then changing to a large grin. The confusion must have shown on my face because Becca smiled slightly at me. Cicero laughed as he turned and almost threw himself down into his chair as he continued to smile at me.

"He does that with everyone. He feels that if you don't do what you just did then you aren't worth his time."

"Ya, he never spoke a single word to me the entire time I was Commander because I just stared at him," Sheogorath spoke up with a frown on his face, as he picked at the blade of his spear.

"You need to always be ready! Constant vigilance! That's the reason you died because you just stood there."

"Be quiet! We have more pressing matters," it was the same voice who had reprimanded me for cursing at Becca. The man finally stood to his full height. He was just as tall as Delvin but not as broad, but his arms were still just as massive. His left hand gripping his massive claymore. The sword was almost five and a half feet long.

"My name is Farkas and I am the 3rd Commander. Explain to me something Clarke. Is what you speak true with how you feel for Lexa?" his hair was a dark brown color and had striking green eyes. They were eerily familiar before he smirked as he was watching me trying to figure it out and that was when I realized where I had seen it before and determination filled my entire being.

"Her death will never happen. I would rather die than let it come to pass once more," gripping my daggers tighter, his gaze relaxing at my words.

"Good. She is the last of my kin. I have already dealt with the one who followed you here and I do not think you would wish to join her," his green eyes darkened as he gazed over to the burned and destroyed chair. I had wondered what had happened and can only guess that he somehow had gotten rid of Ontari.

"Wait! Ontari followed me back? What happened to her?" fear coursing through my veins at the thought of Lexa meeting that monster.

"Do not worry Farkas took care of that diseased ridden child. She has been twisted into a sick monster and has been since she was a child. You should have been the next Commander but the First has given you a gift that I know you will not squander," the woman had light brown hair with three lines running diagonally across her face as her war-paint and attached to her back I could see the twin swords. Farkas grunted his agreement before reclaiming his seat.

"My name is Aela and I am the Second. It is good to know that you will bring the change needed to prevent the disaster that became your time," her voice was soft, and it was an interesting combination to see out from a woman who looked so fierce.

Placing the daggers back in their sheaths, I bowed my head deeply before raising once more. "It is an honor to meet all of you. I will not fail you, this I swear," Becca seemed pleased with how everything was going but I was still confused and scared about Farkas mentioning Ontari being here.

"Lexa didn't meet Ontari did she?" I bite out her name. Her name tastes foul coming from my mouth, as fire burns through my veins at the thought of that woman anywhere near Lexa. When the mountain falls and Queen Nia tries to overthrow Lexa, Ontari will be with her. I know that if I see her that I will kill her. The consequences of that action be damned because Ontari had turned out to be far worse than Nia.

"No, we did not let that natrona see Lexa. She was greatly confused when she noticed the burned throne, and it was quite funny," Becca laughed slightly.

"You can take that traitors throne. When I pretended to attack Ontari, she called me a barmy old fool. Which I think wasn't very nice. I mean I'm crazy, not barmy. Just so uncalled for," Sheogorath released a high-pitched cackle before his face smoothed out once more.

"You can take her throne. It belonged to you and not her. If you hadn't been caught then by all rights you would have commanded the flame," his voice slightly pleaded.

"Why should I do that? I don't want to take anything from Lexa and this is the one thing that I feel is keeping her remotely safe. What if she decides that she doesn't deserve to be Commander anymore? What if she decides that there can only be one and she kills me? I wouldn't fight back! I'd die before I hurt her," I swore to them. Determination flooding my body.

"That is not what we are saying. Accept that you are one of the Commanders. You may have done this to see Lexa once more, but you are now once more leading your people Clarke. You once more are preparing your people for a war against the mountain instead of just trying to keep them safely hidden. You will keep the next war from happening. We believe in you and already Lexa admires you more than she did the first time you were here."

"She watched you fight and win against her top two guards and generals. She gave you weapons, armor, and plans to give you the black warhorse you seem to favor. Lexa from the first timeline is hidden deep within her Clarke and she is feeling the imprinted emotions for you. That is why she bolted from the tent when you were speaking with Aric. Keep on this path Clarke. Save Gustus. She needs him more than she ever admitted to you. He is the closest thing she had to a father and his death hardened her heart more than even you know. Make sure he does not make the same mistakes," Becca spoke calmly before raising her hand and pushing it toward me. The world narrowed into a funnel, colors flashing before I was forced back into my own body to my mother just walking into my tent.

I didn't move from my spot on the bed as she slowly crosses the room before landing heavily onto the cot next to me, wrapping her arm around my shoulder and pulling me deep into her side. I rested my head on her shoulder and allowed her presence to wash over me, eyes burning slightly as I relaxed further into her side. Her hand lightly running through my hair, as my arms slowly pulled her closer to me. Her comforting scent continuing to wash over me. Releasing another sigh, I gave her one last squeeze before releasing my tight grip.

"He killed so many people mom and I know that I have as well but I would never do something like what he has done. I would never kill a child," my words coming out as a harsh whisper.

"I don't necessarily agree with what you did but you are right. I took the time to think over what you told me earlier. I didn't make the agreement with the Commander. I was elected by those on the Ark in space and then came down here and acted like nothing changed but in reality, everything was different. Now my daughter who I sent down is a leader, one I know that can make the harder decisions. I don't know what happened in the last couple of days but you don't seem the same. I could tell something was off when you walked into the dropship and I know you might not want to talk about but just know that if you want to talk then I will be here to listen to you," gently kissing my the crown of my hair and continued to run her hands through my hair before stopping and grabbing my chin and forcing my head to the side to look at the cut across my face. Fingers digging deeper when she noticed how my blood was now black instead of red. The understanding switched to quick fury at sight of the injury.

"Are you sick? What happened?! Who did this to you!" the small bag that she strapped to her waist was ripped open and she already had out hydrogen peroxide. "Close your eyes," was my only warning before the cloth she had poured the liquid on was lightly cleaning my face. I grit my teeth as fire ripped into my face, part of me wishing I had just gotten cut instead of this. A few more minutes and she had cleaned the wound. Her eyes so dark with anger they looked almost black and I swallowed heavily.

The threaded needle then entered my vision when I opened them slightly, quickly shutting my eye because I still hated getting stitches. "Clarke explain this to me right now," she gave a particularly sharp tug on the stitch she was working on.

"It has to do with how you noticed I seem different. It is a good thing. It quickens the healing process. The cut is from Gustus, we were fighting," I whispered the last part because I knew she was going to pissed. Even in the future she always got upset when I put myself in unnecessary risk.

Her hands stopped, and I cracked open my eye to meet her livid glare. "What do you mean you were fighting Gustus?"

"Well, it wasn't just Gusts. I fought Indra as well…" my eyes looking anywhere but in her eyes. Instantly I noticed that Gustus was standing at the entrance of my tent with a satisfied look stretched across his face as he grabbed his jacket again.

"Who just so happens to be here right now…" I say as I try to pull my face away from my mother's hand only for me to stop when her fingers dig into my chin.

"You will stay still till I am done with this, Clarke," her tone was layered in steel and I felt my back straighten unconsciously. She had only ever used that tone of voice with me when I was in trouble and she was aggravated. I did not get my hardheadedness from my father but from my mother. Jake Griffin was easy to manipulate when it came to the wishes of his wife and child, but Abby was an entirely different story. No matter how large I forced my eyes or cried, when she was set on something she didn't back down.

I rolled my eyes, ignoring how her grip tightened before she started to the bottom half of the stitches. Gustus walked further into the tent stopping to lean against the wood post in the middle of the tent before straightening once more when he noticed my mom was almost done with the stitches. "Heda requests your presence Sky girl but I see that you are busy."

"I will be done within another minute or two Gustus, then she may leave," my mother mumbled as she quickly and efficiently stitched the wound closed.

"Why were you and my daughter fighting?" her furious gaze did nothing to Gustus who in turn gave her a disinterested look in turn.

"We were testing her worth as your leader. If she had failed to defeat one of us she would not have been given to support of many of our people and because she has defeated both of us she is given even more respect as a capable leader. When I wounded her and those gathered saw that her blood ran black she was elevated further because for our people those that are natblida's have the ability to be chosen as Heda. Speaking of her, you are done, and we must go speak. Please follow me," part of me was relieved to see the respect in his eyes when he looked at me. Hoping that this meant that he would not poison himself.

"Alright let's get this show on the road," I happily agreed, the stitches stretching when I grinned. I slapped Gustus against his back, causing him to give me a dark look before doing the same in turn almost throwing me to the floor before turning and leaving the tent.

Quickly following after him, taking note that my mom and Kane were both following me as I walked after Gustus. "Are you friends with him, Clarke?" Kane asked. Gustus must have heard his question because he turned back slightly to look me in the eye before looking away.

"I like to think we are. Especially after I beat his ass today. Isn't that right Gustus?" He released a gruff laugh.

"That you did but do not get too cocky because we will have another fight to see if it was just beginners luck."

He stopped in front of Lexa's tent before moving the fabric to the side and letting my mother, Kane, and I enter before him.

"Mochof, Gustus."

Gustus didn't say your welcome, but he did give me a slight head nod which was his own way of saying your welcome. I turned away from him to gaze at Lexa who looked exactly like the warrior goddess I knew her to be. Her pupils were extremely dilated in the darkness of the tent, the small fire in the center not giving off enough light to the entire floor. Lexa's eyes softened when she met my gaze before confusion flashed across her face and hardening once more.

Indra seemed to be glaring at my mother, an old memory flashing behind my eyes of her telling me that her first meeting with Indra was dodgy, she had been concerned that she was going to kill her but that didn't happen in this timeline, so Indra believed my mother to have no courage or current use. At least she wasn't glaring at me if she was I would have probably thrown something.

"Blood has answered blood. Some of those believe that this wasn't enough and wanted the murderer to suffer as our traditions demands but they do not know that your suffering will be worse... what you did tonight will haunt you till the end of your days. Still, there will be restitution. The body will be given to the people of Ton DC. Murderer and murdered joined by fire. Only then can we have peace."

The previous memory was hazy but I swear this was the exact same thing she said before. I barely stopped myself from snorting. This little speech was in no way as intimidating as it was the first time. Kane took a step forward and the anger was easy to see on his face. Indra gripped her sword tighter and I knew that she was one of the ones who believed that I still stole their justice.

"No... No, we have done enough. The boy should be buried with his people."

And here we go. "We were owed the pain of 18 deaths. We were owned our righteous kill," Indra took a step closer.

"Be quiet, Kane. Not another word from you. Indra, I let cuts be performed. Justice was served. I am going to assume that we shall be leaving in the morning then?" I turned back to face Lexa who had her eyebrow cocked as she looked at me, her eyes seemed almost clouded over in thought before she shook her head slightly, her eyes focusing on me once again.

"Yes. Choose your attendants," she told me as stood from her throne.

"When this is over we will discuss terms and strategies of how we are going to get our people out of Mount Weather," I told her as I straightened, gripping my hands behind my back.

"Of course, Clarke. We want the same things," bowing her head slightly, not enough that it was too obvious because she kept her eyes locked on mine but I noticed and I was quick to return the gesture.

Lexa then left the tent with Gustus and Indra following close behind. Gustus seemed almost relieved to leave the room. Turning as I watched her leave, the pressure returning once more to my chest. "Clarke, you don't have to do this," my mother spoke softly to me.

I shook my head. "I do have to do this, trust me, mom. This truce will bring peace to our people and if everything works out we will secure ourselves as the 13th clan and then will be immune to attacks from other clans without fear of war," I tell her placing my hand on her shoulder giving it a squeeze, before letting go and walking out of the tent. Wanting to get some sleep before we would move out.

Movement to my left caught my attention, instantly noticing Raven leaning over Finn's body. Making my way over, rolling my shoulders a couple of times because I know that this most likely end with her trying to hit me.

"Go away," her voice watery as she spoke.

"It may not mean much to you but I am sorry. The warriors will be coming soon to take his body and then we will be going to Ton DC. You will come but I need you to work on the radio," stopping next to Finn's body.

"I said GO AWAY!" she screams as she stands, stalking over and giving me a hard shove. I was prepared for it and grabbed her wrist as she shoved and used my momentum to pull her with me, swinging our bodies around to where she landed heavily to the ground.

Raven released a scream of fury as she quickly jumped back up, only to have ass meet dirt as I gave her a hard shove. Raven started pushing herself up off the ground once more, only to be slammed back down when I placed a heavy booted foot on her chest. Raven screamed in rage as I increased the pressure.

"RAVEN!" I roared down at her. She finally stopped fighting and began to sob as she held onto my foot in her futile attempt at trying to remove it.

"Who are you crying for Raven? Are you crying for the boy who you knew on the Arc or are you crying for the boy who cheated on you and then went on to kill 18 innocent people? Tell me, Raven. It better be for the boy on the Arc who would use his own ration points on you, on the boy who you used to know because if it for the Boy who was on the ground then I guess you aren't the person I thought you were," at the end Raven was shaking her head as fat tears snaked down the side of her face.

"He…he was all I had," she cried out to me.

"I don't want to be alone," she continued to cry to me as I slowly took my foot off her chest. Her breathing was slowly picking up as panic began to set in. I sat down next to her curled up body and slowly rubbed her back as all her pent-up emotions slowly released. The grounders who came to take Finn's body away just gave me a strange look and seemed greatly confused when I flipped them the bird.

After about ten minutes Raven finally calmed down enough before she shifted to where she was sitting next to me and then she punched me as hard she could from her sitting position. I was shocked when I felt the bones in my nose snap and I feel the hot liquid running down my face. My hands instantly cradling my face as I roll back and forth on the ground.

"The FUCK!" I scream.

"It's payback bitch. I am still mad but you're right. I'm mourning the Finn from the Ark. I didn't want to accept that the Finn here on the ground had changed so much and don't worry I'll work on the radio," then she stood up and slowly walked back to Arkadia, using her coat to wipe the tears from her face as she went.

I fell back onto the ground once more, trying to force back the surprising amount of pain coming from my nose. Touching the bridge of my nose and can feel that my nose is out of place before I can stop myself I automatically correct it, releasing a small hiss of pain. The pain from my nose then lowers to just a steady throb.

My arms drop back to the ground and I am spread out like a starfish on the grassy area and just stare at the sky. The sky that is so black it looks like the void, only to be interrupted by the brightly lit stars. There are millions of them, all sitting high in the sky. I felt so small at that moment. Everything that I had done in my life, felt less important my task smaller. My heart rate picking up and I was thankful for being outside.

Being indoors when this happened was never a good thing anymore, not since the time I had spent with the Azgeda warriors. Not since the week, I spent with them. Thankfully they hadn't violated me, but they had tortured me. The especially loved using water, for long periods of time they would place a cloth over my face before pouring water over it or would just dunk my head under water. My body after that was littered with scars, almost every inch was covered in stab wounds, cuts, and burns when I was finally rescued. My mind was even more scared.

I had night terrors still of that night, not as often but at least once every other month I would find myself back in that room when I woke. It was never a good thing to be near because the need to escape overpowered any sense of self. Octavia had helped especially during the early months. She would sleep in my bed, always holding my body close, whispering words of comfort.

My fingers dug into the dirt, as I allowed the dirt and the smell of the camp wash over me, slowly lessening the panic that had set in. By the time I was able to take a breath without something in my chest clenching, I was exhausted, both physically and mentally. The day had been long and I knew I had been laying on the ground for at least half an hour. The blood on my face was hard and crusty, the skin tight when I moved my face any.

Rolling up I noticed that only two grounders were in the area. Ironically, the bone mask man from the night before was there, his dark eyes trained on me or more like the blood that was staining my face. I didn't feel threatened by the gaze and when he noticed I was watching he bowed his head to me, before straightening up once more into attention, his eyes scanning the surrounding area.

I slowly forced myself up, once standing stretching my back out enjoying the loud cracks that loosened the muscles and my spine. The edge of my vision slightly fuzzy from how tired I felt. My body felt as though is being weighed down, a feeling that was only nice when I knew I could sleep for a long period of time which unfortunately was not the case here. I hurried to my tent, stripping till I was left only in my shirt before slipping under the furs and passing out.

The sudden brightness of the sun, forced me from the dream, which I was in every way grateful for. I could not remember it, but a sadness hung over me, down to my very soul along with a fiery pain that seemed to originate in my gut. I could feel the remnants of a kiss and immense amounts of guilt and a small part of me felt acceptance. The feelings were concerning, especially because I could not remember any of it only the leftover emotions and feelings. It was Indra once again that had entered my tent, in her arms was armor but not just any armor, my armor, as well as something wrapped in leather.

I jumped from my bed the sadness leaving only a dull ache in my heart, my hands reaching out to grab the armor only for Indra to take a step back. Her eyes locked on my face, swimming with a hidden anger. "Who did this to you?" she hissed out.

Then I remembered, in my sleep filled state from the night before I had not cleaned my face and now that I remembered it was easy to feel the slight ache from my nose and the tightening of my skin when I moved my mouth around, the dried blood cracking as I did so. Lightly touching my nose, a small hiss of pain escaping my lips. Indra's face tightened further into a frown, the bruising to her face as easily noticeable as mine probably was.

"Raven was upset. It's better now," I tell her with a blank face. Indra's eyes narrowed at me before she finally scanned my whole body, eyes stopping only briefly on my lower half and then I remembered I was half naked in front of her.

"Um…I am guessing Aric finished my armor then?"

Indra nodded her head, walking over and placing the armor on the bed, with a few other items, that I could only assume was the knives, before grabbing a rag dunking it into the mug of water I had near my bed and then throwing it at my face. I barely had time to catch the rag before it hit my face and going off of how tender it felt currently it would not have been fun.

Quickly using the rag, I whipped all the blood from my face, grimacing from how black and gross the previously clean looking rag now looked. Holding it out for Indra to take but she just shook her head with a slight frown, obviously not wanting the dirty rag. "Well since you now don't look you lost a fight with a wall, Aric dropped off your armor this morning to Lexa saying something about how he didn't know where you would be and that when you are free he wouldn't mind teaching you a few things. It is quite an honor for him to offer such a thing and I hope you are smart enough to accept it."

I just nodded my head before grabbing the armor, holding it up to look at it its entirety. It was exactly what I wanted and more. The man had added steel looking shoulder pauldron to both sides with the left side somehow tinted blue and the man, bless his heart had added a blue slash that was held in place by the knife holster he had somehow built into the hard leather. The sash wound down and across my chest before going up and across the back to my left shoulder. A knife already in the sheath. I pulled the knife from the sheath and lightly ran my finger across the length, taking note how sharp it was. The dagger was curved slightly at an angle with the end of the dagger being larger than near the grip. I put the dagger back before examining the rest of the piece.

My favorite part of the whole thing is that in the center of the chest the man had been able to burn in my clan's symbol. I lightly ran my fingers over the symbol and for some reason, my eyes began to water at the thought that Aric has gone above and beyond what I had wanted.

Placing the chest piece softly back on the bed, I quickly pulled my pants on and laced my boots. Indra was waiting at the front of the tent still with her arms crossed. "I did not realize how excited you would be over a simple piece of armor," she sounded truly curious and not at all condescending.

"How could I not? This isn't just some new article of clothing. No this is something that I will have for years to come. It will become a part of me," I tell her as I slowly pull the armor over my head and start working the multiple straps located on the sides, only to have Indra slap my hands out of the way.

"Stop that. I shall help and then you shall answer a question," I just nodded my head, letting her adjust and tighten every strap and when finished she pulled out a rolled leather pouch that she handed me. I was confused wondering why she would help to do such a thing, putting it on the back burner for now.

Slowly unrolling the package I was in no way surprised to find the rest of the blades, my eyes watering at the sight. The vulnerable feeling that I had been feeling at the back of my mind was lifted at the sight of these blades. Blades that I could to protect myself, blades that I would soon cover in the poison that Monty would later come to invent, something that only those in my group knew the antidote to. Originally, we had added blood to it but it seemed that those who came from the ark all had the same blood type and our blood could be given to others without adverse effects.

"Why did you end the boy's life so soon last night? I know you know the importance of Death of 1000 cuts, but yet you only allowed the people the partial retribution. So, tell me Sky Girl."

Methodically, I placed each dagger in its proper place on my back, before grabbing my vambraces. "I understand and respect your traditions, but I am not accepting torture. He will burn in the after-life for his sins."

"What do you mean by that?" now she sounded confused.

"In the time before the bombs there was a religion called Christianity and I read that they believed in the concept of both heaven and hell. Those who followed his tenants and commandments would be sent to heaven and those that did not, those who gave in to sin would find themselves in Hell. It was a place that is filled with hellfire and demons and you would pay for your sins in life in this place."

"That is strange. Our belief is that to release out souls you need to burn the body and if you are to detach the head then that soul will never find rest and will spend eternity trapped," her eyes seemed distance as though she herself was trapped in a memory.

Then the tragicness of what she just spoke hit me. If that was true, then many of my people never found peace. My mother never found it and little Aden certainly never would. A crack sounded from my mouth from how hard I am clenching my teeth. I had not known this. I had known that grounders would always burn the body but not as to the why. No wonder finding Costia's head had been such a tragic thing, not because her death was gruesome but that the girl that Lexa had loved with all her heart would never find peace in the afterlife.

Taking a deep breath to calm myself, I finally finished tying the last knot on my arm guards before slipping the throwing knives into place. Then I attached the dagger sheaths to my thighs and finally the swords that I strapped to my hips. I barely caught the dark pot thrown at me in time.

"What is this?" I ask as I open the jar, surprised to see the black war paint.

Indra snorts at my question. "You are a warrior are you not?"

Indra is being too nice and I don't understand it. She was never this courteous to me the first time around and had only acted like this after Lexa's death. "Indra, may I ask you something?" I tell her as I dip my four fingers in the paint before going from the edge of my hairline next to my eyes and go straight across, closing my eyes as my fingers sweep past going to the other side of my hairline. The paint now covered slightly above my eyebrows and covered my nose and then I carefully added six points that went to the top of my hairline. For a while in the future my war paint was worn in the same style as Lexa, but it hurt too much to see it done and to have my blue eyes glowing back at me instead of green, so I had changed it to the same as Lexa's but upside down so instead of looking like teardrops it looked like the spikes of a crown.

"That is an interesting design you have chosen. Why would you choose something like that, sky girl?" Indra's question pulling me from my thoughts of the future.

"Besides the fact that it covers my bruised ass face? I just like it," I answer, and I wipe the paint off my fingers on the cloth from earlier. You can barely tell the difference between the paint and my dried blood.

"Also, why are you being so respectful to me? I mean I did win our fight yesterday but that doesn't mean much in the long run. I mean hell Indra you brought my armor, my knives, and even gifted me a jar of war paint. I don't understand, and I don't like not knowing."

"You know that our people respect strength above all else. That if we have a weak ruler then we find a stronger one to take their place. From what I have seen you are strong. You showed skill that might match the Commanders, something that many of us cannot. You beat not only me but Gustus as well. While Gustus may be a general he is also the Commanders personal guard. I respect strength Klark kom Skaikru and you have shown that you have it. Do not betray this trust that I am giving you because once lost it shall never be returned. Now come, we need to head to Ton DC," then without even waiting for me, she marched out of the tent.

I marched out of the tent and followed after Indra till I reached the horses, confused to see the four horses saddled and ready to go. The forth was the massive black Clydesdale horse that I had been riding the last time I was in need of a horse. The black stallion noticing me trotted over and pushed his head into my chest. I ran my hand over his smooth nose and up and around his face to run my hand down the horse's neck, greatly enjoying how soft his shaggy coat felt beneath my fingers.

A person walked over and just going off of how relaxed I was starting to feel, I knew it was Lexa. I smirked, as I continued to run my hand down the large horse's neck, as he released a large sigh causing him lips to flap, and I couldn't stop the small giggle and if I had turned then I would have noticed that Lexa's eyes shone brighter and a small smile crossed her face before her mask fell back into place.

I finally turned to face her, her mask firmly locked into place but thankfully not as severe as normal, but her eyes flashed with surprise when she noticed the war paint. "We will be moving out in a few minutes. I ordered Maximus brought out for you. I was told that yesterday you spent a few hours with him and he seems quite taken with you. Every leader needs a sturdy war horse."

"Thank you, Commander," I tell her respectfully with a small bow of my head, turning and grabbing hold of the horn on the saddle and pull myself up smoothly, relaxing quickly into the saddle, then noticing the saddle bags attached.

I lean down and pat Maximus's neck a couple of times. I finally take note of those around me and see that Octavia, Lincoln, Bellamy, Kane, Raven, and my mother are once again coming. Raven was sitting on the wagon that was carrying Finn's body, and every once in a while, as we all slowly made our march toward our destination she would caste sad eyes once more on his body before going back to fiddling with the radio.

Maximus gets a little eager when I lightly tap his sides and he speeds up slightly and releases a small snort when I pull him into a walk when I am next to Bellamy, jumping off quickly so that I can walk next to him. He glances at me curiously, especially when he takes note of the size of the horse, and then his eyes widen further in size when notices the large amounts of weapons on my body. The disdain I feel for him is pushed to the side when he finally speaks.

"We need to save our friends Clarke. Not playing nice with the grounders. Though from the looks of it you might be enjoying it," his face turning into a sneer.

"Let go of your anger Bellamy, for it shall bring us nothing, and take care of how you speak to me. Tomorrow you and Lincoln will return to the reaper tunnels and you will get into the mountain. We need an inside man and I know you can do it. Once inside I need to you to find a way to get into communication with us and bring down the acid fog. Knowing Raven and how smart she is when it comes to stuff like that she will most likely have the radio-ready later today or early tomorrow morning," I tell him in my Commander's voice. No room for arguing.

"I will talk to Lincoln about it but be ready Bellamy," I tell him. He only jerks his head in response as I pull Maximus behind me, who is acting put out that he isn't actually being ridden, as I make my way over to Octavia and Lincoln.

Octavia's eyes rake across my body with envy when she sees the large number of weapons that I have stashed on my body. "Damn Princess! What'd you do to get all that?"

My smirk was large and showed too many teeth. "What would you say if I told you I beat both Indra and Gustus and because I did I won a bet against the Commander?"

Lincoln actually tripped, his eyes blown wide as he looked at me. Octavia gave me an equally disbelieving look as well. "No fucking way! I think you're lying. And what gives with the war paint?"

"Indra gave me a jar of the stuff this morning, as well as brought my completed armor and the rest of my throwing knives."

"Ok, now I know you're lying to me. No way you know how to use throwing knives," her tone incredulous.

I laugh loudly as I once more pull myself up easily into Maximus's saddle. "I'll show you later. Also, Lincoln you will be joining Bellamy and use the reaper tunnels to get him access inside. I don't want to hear about your doubts. You are a Trikru warrior. This means you are strong. If you do this you will show the others that you are once more a warrior and not a ripa," My voice ringing with certainty and that left no room to argue.

I slow Maximus down slightly, allowing me to be close to Lexa, allowing myself to enjoy being just near her presence. I was enjoying it till I heard Gustus' words to her. As terrible as it is, I agree with his words. Her alliance with my people does end up being the reason for her death as accidental as it was.

I slow down further till I am riding next to Lexa, well as close as possible because Gustus did not relinquish his position from her side. Whose eyes immediately meet mine, her eyebrow cocked in an unspoken question. "This area is beautiful. I don't know if Gustus told you, but we had nothing like this in space, especially the animals. Everything on the ark was cold, grey, and the same. When we came down we were told to go to Mount Weather," I stopped speaking at that point. I could see the fire in Gustus' eyes at the statement and how Lexa now looked suspicious.

"You can imagine our surprise when all of sudden we found out that people still lived down here. A whole civilization that had survived the bombs and is now thriving. I was amazed but also worried. Many of my people were not strong enough to survive the harsh realities of the ground. Then all of a sudden, we are being attacked on all sides. The reapers and then your own warriors on the other side. After the burning of your warriors, we were all taken to the mountain and then I found that another group of people survived," Lexa was staring intently at me, as though she was looking directly into my soul.

"I then learned that they were using your people's blood. People that were preaching how righteous they are and how all they want is to escape the mountain. That they are doing this by taking the lives of your people. I was mortified. Everything that I thought I knew was a lie. The people living in the woods were the ones that I wanted to know. The ones I wanted to make deals with, the ones that I would trust over these monsters that pretended to be human," I stopped once more as I tried to articulate all of my thoughts properly because I knew that both Gustus and Indra were listening.

"Then I was told of a Commander named Lexa. A woman who was strong and compassionate. A woman who loves her people and would do anything for them. Then I met you and I found that the stories were true. You are truly a leader of your people and will do anything it takes for the betterment of your people. What we have here will be for the better that I promise you. I may be a leader of my people but that doesn't mean I won't protect you as well. I would gladly give my life for yours because I know that you would take care of my people in my absence and keep the alliance intact," I turned back slightly to look into Lexa's eyes. Her eyes seemed distant as she seemed to be lost in her thoughts from my words.

Gustus seemed to work through his thoughts faster. "You would give your life for Heda's? Why? How can we trust that you won't turn into another Mountain?" Lexa's eyes flashed as she turned to look at Gustus. He did not seem ashamed at all in the way his questions sounded. Even if we had been getting along it did mean that I wouldn't be a dangerous enemy. A memory flashed in my mind's eye. Of mistrust, sorrowful eyes, an oath of promises of protection.

"I swear fealty to you, Lexa kom Trikru. I vow to treat your needs as my own and your people as my people. This I swear in blood," then I grabbed my dagger, and brought it down and across my palm. Lexa's eyes were in surprise and I could see as the respect filled her eyes once more. My chest puffing out slightly in pride. Many of the grounders surrounding us as our horses continued to walk on were all staring at me in disbelief.

I know the importance of that oath. Not caring that I might be playing my hand too soon, but I had to nip this thing with Gustus in the bud and to let Lexa know that I would do anything for her. Being in her presence would not be enough for me soon. She was mine as much as I was hers. She just didn't know it yet.

"Do you know the importance of that oath Klark?" her eyes now searched mine. Gustus had allowed Lexa to move forward to have her riding next to me. Her eyes stared into my soul, as I did the same in turn. My eyes searing this vision in front of me to my memories.

"I know the importance of what I have sworn to you," my gaze hard as I stared. The steel in my voice conveying the seriousness of my oath. Lexa's eyes softened, and the edges of her lips curled up slightly in a small smile.

Lexa then turned in her saddle to look back at Gustus. "See Gustus. Nothing to fear."

"Ya big guy. In a few years' time, my people will run out of ammo and will have to learn how to actually fight. Think about all the Sky people you could train and how many you can totally demolish?"

Gustus actually laughed at my response. "That would be something I would enjoy. The only true warrior I have seen among Skaikru is you. Maybe that girl Octavia would make a good second. She seems very eager to learn our ways. I am a much better fighter than Lincoln," he seemed to let the last part slip past his lips. My eyes caught Indra's face as she slightly scowled at Gustus' statement, a part of me hoping it was because of what he about taking Octavia as a second. I knew that she was already intrigued by the woman though she had only admitted it that one time because we might have indulged ourselves in more liquor than we should have.

Lexa ordering everyone to break for camp pulled me from my thoughts of the future. When I hopped off of Maximus' back, he actually seemed greatly relieved. I laughed in his face and he blew his lips back at me. Rolling my eyes, I grabbed the reins and pulled him behind Gustus as we walked over to a small clearing and slowly took off the saddle and saddlebags, then I finally removed the bit from his mouth.

Maximus seemed to enjoy this new development and pushed his massive head into my chest. "That's a good boy," I coo at him as I run my hand down his thick neck.

"You spoil him," the gruff voice of Gustus catches my attention. Releasing a snort, I turn to him, Maximus releasing a noise of disappointment at the loss.

"I am not spoiling him," as I cross my arms over my chest.

"He is a warhorse, not a pet," he tells me after I turn back around and begin to brush him down.

"Don't pretend that you don't give your own horse sweets and praises," answering when I turn back to just cock my eyebrow at him. His face reveals nothing but he does slightly shift his weight enough for me to noticed and my smirk turns vicious.

"Do you truly promise to protect the Commander? You are not just saying this for the alliance?" I could almost hear the worry in his voice. I stopped brushing Maximus and turned to fully face him. He was once more holding the lapels of his jacket, but the worry was easy to spot in his eyes, confirming what I had just heard.

"Lexa is more important than you will ever realize Gustus. Her death will bring about an age of death that none would have imagined. I plan to protect her with everything I have, if I had to take a sword stroke for her or a bullet then I would. If I had failed to protect her again then I do not think I could live with myself," the words slipped past my lips before I could stop them but they were all true.

Gustus' stare was heavy and filled with slight disbelief. "What makes you say this?"

My eyes looked around the clearing and I noticed a couple guards who were discreetly looking in our direction. Shaking my head. "Not here," I then walked into the forest and continued for a couple of minutes, not needing to look back, knowing that he was following.

When we reached a small stream I finally stopped before sitting down on a large rock. Gustus choosing a seat next to me on the log that was also located on the bank of the small stream. "I know what you plan to do tomorrow Gustus," I spoke calmly as I watched the water babble by.

In the corner of my eye, taking notice of how he pulls something from his sleeve. "I didn't bring you out here to kill you but to explain. You know that this alliance is dangerous. Not because of the mountain men but because of Lexa's own people. The ones in particular are the Ice Nation, especially with Queen Nia in charge, though Roan will be a better ruler he will still be under the rule of Heda."

"How do you know these names?" he had relaxed somewhat but still seemed on edge.

I ignore his question as I try to form my thoughts coherently. "Queen Nia has a nightblood of her own Gustus. A foul and disturbed being who brings about the death and destruction of everything that Lexa has made. I will not fail again," the last part came out as a whisper, but he still heard me.

"I had heard rumors of a nightblood in Azgeda but had not given thought to these rumors. How do you know these things, Clarke?"

"I know because I lived this before. You are right that this alliance leads to her death. It should have been me though. Titus was aiming for me but Lexa opened the door. The bullet hit her and she died," Gustus sucking in a large breath, his eyes lightening up with fire. His dark eyes burning even darker, the pupil no longer visible. He did not say anything but kept his eyes trained on me, waiting for me to continue my tale.

"She died and then Ontari took power and brought the death of hundreds of thousands of your people, including in succeeding on destroying Skaikru. I was the last and I took the bitch down with me. I took the flame for myself and the first Commander Becca sent me back. I came back to keep Lexa alive. Her death broke me and I was not right for a long time," I was startled from my thoughts from Gustus laughing loudly. His laugh was slightly hysterical and easy to tell that he thinks I am crazy.

"Your father did not teach you to fight then?" he finally managed to ask.

I released my own laugh. "No, believe it or not, Indra did. Then I went on from there to become one of the deadliest warriors with just my blade. I was named Wanheda when I destroyed the mountain but in the final years, my title became a warning. I was feared and feared for good reason. I slaughtered many of Ontari's warriors," my eyes haunted as I continued to talk about the future.

Then he seemed to come to some conclusion. "You love her, don't you?" emphasizing the 'her.'

"I have been watching you and I have noticed the way in which you watch her when no one else is looking. How you always seem to relax in her presence. Speak true," his still haunted looking but staring intently at me.

"I love Lexa with all of my being. Her entire being draws me in. She was the reason I even have the black blood. She is the reason I took the flame from Ontari and placed it in my own neck. I wanted to be able to see her once more before my spirit passed. Just the thought of seeing her one more time was enough, and I could have died," ringing my hands as I tried to get the image of her dead body out of my mind, not realizing I was silently crying till the tears dripped onto my hand.

A large hand gripping my shoulder, causing me to jump. "This is no longer the future Klark kom Skaikru. You have sworn to keep her safe. Now come it is dark and I know Lexa will worry. I will keep what you have told me to myself but Heda will need to know about Ontari and the Queen," tightening his grip once more before letting go.

Standing, I turn to Gustus. "I didn't ruin my war paint, did I?" He smiles at me, the gesture showing more than I ever expected.

"I did not know you were so vain. It is fine, you worry for nothing," he joked back.

"You would worry if you were this good looking."

Gustus did not respond but I did hear him snort.

"Wait, Gustus. What you plan to do tomorrow? You won't, right? This is the reason for your death and I can't let her go through the pain of losing you."

Gustus looked down and clenched his fists. "Who became her guard after my passing?"

I closed my eyes to think. I could picture his face and his name was on the tip of my tongue. I know it started with an R. "Ryder," I exclaimed happily.

His eyes narrow. "I am a better fighter than him," were his only words. Then he turned and started walking once more to camp. I guess that was my answer.

No words were spoken as we made our way back. When we arrived back to the horses, both camps were set up, and fires made. It was how it was originally. Bellamy hustled over to me when I made to go back to the horses because I had forgotten my saddle bag. His hand grabbing my wrist, in a tight grip.

"What are you doing? Where were you?" he hissed at me. Many of the warriors around the fire were all watching, Gustus one of the few who had his hand on his weapon.

"Let go of me Bellamy," I hissed right back. His eyes glanced between the grounders, some of whom had stood, and I. He dropped my wrist like it burned. "I am going to go get my saddle bags and then I am going to go to sleep. We are leaving at first light and I am tired. Also, news flash Bellamy? Don't grab me like that again," I then turn back towards where the horses are, only to stop by Bellamy once more.

"Clarke they're dangerous. Just stay over here and I will get your bag," he told me as he already started to move. My response was automatic, and I slapped him over the back of the head hard, Bellamy releasing a small grunt from in surprise and pain.

"What the hell, Clarke?"

"I'm not a child nor am I weak. I don't need you to do anything for me. What I need you to do is get your head out of your ass. We are in an alliance with these people. They are a hell of a lot better than the Mountain Men. I don't want to hear you disrespect them again in my presence. Do you understand me?" I seethed out.

Bellamy's eyes widened in surprise at my order. His eyes continued to look back and forth between the warriors behind my back and me. He finally ground his teeth and nodded before turning and walking away.

"God I don't have the patience for his shit right now," I mutter before I walk over to my items still on the ground before walking back to the clearing and setting my stuff on the ground. I slowly untied the bindings that were keeping my swords attached to my hip, placing down next where my head would be when I slept.

Finally, I sat down on the ground and opened the saddlebags. I was in no way surprised to find the stone used to sharper weapons. Pulling that out and placing it in my lap before, digging around once more in the bags and finding a full water bladder and dried jerky. Munching on the jerky, I started to slowly undo all the buckles. As much as I would prefer to sleep in it, I knew it would safe to remove and let me get a good night's sleep. The hard ground no longer depriving me of a decent night's sleep.

I carefully pulled the eight daggers off of my back before placing them in the leather roll, each knife sliding into its place. Finally, I pulled the hard leather off but leaving on my vambraces, then slowly sharping the swords to a deadly edge.

Then I slowly stood and began to stretch my limbs, especially my legs. When noticing no one watching me, I took off into the forest at a steady jog, not seeing the green eyes watching me intently from the entrance of her tent. I needed to become stronger and sitting down wasn't going to do it. I wouldn't come back until at least 3 hours later after doing different strength training exercises many of them looking like a dance as I twirled my daggers.

The next morning came about quickly and once more everyone was moving. I was terribly sore, and I won't lie, this was terrible. I hadn't been sore in years and this body was terribly weaker, than from the future. The three month's I spent in the woods after the fall of the mountain, was an important step in priming my body. I had lost all of my baby fat and was able to start the muscles that I would later build upon. Thankfully I didn't have to relearn any of the skills, but my muscle memory was utter shit and damn that was already proving to be annoying.

Lexa seemed to get tenser the closer we came to Ton DC. It wasn't until I had gotten off Maximus that I remembered that I couldn't bring in my weapons and I could already feel the anxiety starting to build.

Lincoln brushed past as he went to go place his dagger in the bucket. "We need to disarm before we can enter."

Everyone slowly put all their weapons in the bucket till I was the last and I was starting to feel my heart rate increase but when Gustus stood in front of me he seemed to understand, and his eyes softened. I walked over to Maximus and dug around in the saddle bag till I found the leather wrap and I placed all the daggers into their slots before I placed it in the bucket. Then I pulled the large dagger from my chest strap.

The guard from the village to Gustus' right eyes widened as he slowly watched me take all my weapons off. Finally, I pulled the two daggers from my thighs and then undid the leather straps holding my swords and placed them in the bucket.

"I want these back," I warned Gustus.

"Of course, Sky Girl," he chuckled at me before reporting to Lexa that we were all clear.

The villagers reacted the same way as they did the first time but this time I could understand the words that the villagers were shouting and was honestly happy that I had self-control because when the man had stepped in front of the Commander and started spouting off how my people were murderers I was pissed. It was one man who killed their villagers and he paid the price.

When Gustus walked forward and began to beat the man, I rushed forward to Lexa. We already were going to have enough problems with the people because of Finn's actions and having the people hate us, even more, was worse.

"Commander, stop him. They'll blame us for this too," I pleaded with her. The only one I would ever plead to.

"Teik em kik raun," her voice pulling Gustus to a stop, dropping the man to the ground, before others rushed forward to pull the man away.

Lexa stepped forward before turning and speaking to all of the people present, her voice hard as she spoke. Her words and orders final.

"The Sky People march with us now. Anyone who tries to stop that will pay with their life," her eyes seemed to grow brighter. My breath catching at how even now she looked beautiful, but it was still too soon. She didn't speak to me yet in a soothing voice, but I was patient.

"Kru kom Tondisi. Raun faya, oso woda kiln loudness-de kom foutaim," he words were somber and I was trying to keep my eyes on her instead of all those wrapped in leather that was placed on the pyre. Trying to not focus on the smaller bodies and the pain that accompanied that knowledge. To not think of the man from earlier whose wife and child was about to be burned.

My name being called from her lips pulled me from my morose thoughts. My eyes leaving hers to take in the flame. I walked forward with my back straight and my head held high, remembering that I was a leader and that I had already been showing to many emotions already. I took the torch, taking in the calm that Lexa was exuding during this time.

"Yu gonplei ste odon," my words spoke loudly for all to hear and then I placed the lit torch to the wood, as it quickly lit. The fire hissed and crackled as I took a step back and let the fire wash away a mistake that I wished I could have rectified. The wish that I could have at least seen Lexa's pyre, to whisper my own words of farewell instead of the hasty ones I did. To have had told her that I had loved her. That the pain of losing my father and having lost Finn was nothing in comparison to the pain I felt at her death. That it felt as though someone had reached into my chest and was squeezing my heart in their fist.

Lexa and I were the last ones to stand by the pyre, the only thing remaining was burned wood and the smoke still heavy in the air. I was not looking forward to the what Lexa was about to disclose to me. I know that she hated to bring up Costia, that talking about her brought her a lot of pain and though she said she stopped caring it was a lie. One that she still told herself to make herself feel stronger about the entire situation but a lie all the same.

"I lost someone special to me too," she told me. I pulled myself from my thoughts and allowed her to weave her sad tale.

"Her name was Costia," I listened closer to the way she spoke when hearing the slight hitch in her voice. She took another deep sigh before she continued.

"She was captured by the ice nation whose queen believed she knew my secrets," her words were soft and I knew was not only because there were others around the area that could listen in.

"Because she was mine…they tortured her…killer her…cut off her head," I watched as her hand tightened ever so slightly over the pommel of her sword, my own hands clenching as I felt the need to comfort her. The need to tell her to accept the pain not for weakness but for a love lost.

"I'm sorry," I tell her. The sympathy heavily laden with my words.

"I thought I'd never get over the pain…But I did," her words sounding almost heavy as she spoke the last part.

"How?" my heart already hurting knowing the next words she would speak.

"For recognizing for what it is. Weakness," Lexa turning her head to finally look at me. Her eyes almost soft but I could pass it to the pain that she was trying so desperately to hide but I had learned how to read her.

"What is? Love?" I managed to question because I know she needed to get this out because she thought she was helping to make me a stronger leader, to make me more like her but what she didn't know is that I was. I had closed my heart to all and except for my people. The only love I allowed was the love I had for her and my people.

Lexa nodded her head, confirming her thoughts to me. "So you just stopped caring…about everyone?" she only nodded her head once more.

"That's a lie, Lexa. I can see it, no matter how hard you try to hide it. I can see, all of those that you care about," I tell her after she turns her head back to burned and charred wood still on the ground.

"You're wrong. You need to accept this Clarke because if you don't then you put all those you care about in danger. The pain will never go away. Remember the dead are gone and the living are hungry," she spoke the last words with slight disdain before turning to walk away.

My hand reached out and grabbed a hold of her arm. Her eyes lit up with anger at my touch and I ignored the pleasant feeling coursing through my arm touching her. My eyes searching the surrounding area for those that were near and after not seeing anyone listening I spoke. "You lie to yourself, Leska. Hodnes nou laik kwelnes. Love lets us fight harder to protect those we care about. If something were to happen to any of those that I love, I would destroy anyone and everyone to bring them back or get my vengeance," my last words spoke with such a fierceness that Lexa's eyes widened in surprise before narrowing once more.

"Let go," she hissed at me. I only increased my grip on her arm once more.

"Stop lying to yourself Lexa," angrily replying back. Then I released her arm. I could see the anger at being called a liar before they softened, and she relaxed slightly.

"It is not a lie if it is true Clarke," her words spoken in a strange softness that I had only heard at one other time.

"Just think about it, please Lexa. You would not be such a great leader if you did not have love in your heart," my words almost pleading.

She turned away from me and my shoulders sagged in defeat, only for my attention to be garnered when she turned her head back to me. "I will, Clarke but I make no guarantee," then she continued walking away. Pleasure ran through my body at the thought of how much better that went than it might have.

Walking into the room where the feast would take place, I couldn't help but notice all of the armed guards inside the room. The want to laugh popped up when I noticed how much larger Gustus was compared to Lexa.

Lexa still seemed contemplative but allowed her face to relax into a neutral expression when she noticed my heavy stare. My eyes leaving hers to look at Gustus who simply nodded his head in greeting at me and part of me relaxed. Looking to left my eyes met Indra's who still looked like she had a spear shoved up her ass and I just smirked at her, enjoying how her eyes narrowed at me.

I finally stopped and allowed Kane to present the vodka to Lexa as our gift.

"Please accept this gift, commander. We drink this at special occasions. I believe this qualifies," his face was lit up in a smile. I can still remember how excited he used to be when it came to learning anything he could when it came to those on the ground. He held the opaque bottle out for Lexa to take but still seemed happy enough to give it Gustus. Whose eyes instantly found mine before handing it to Lexa.

"Thank you, Marcus of the Sky People," she sounded very diplomatic.

"Your welcome, Lexa…kom Trikru."

I couldn't stop the large smile that spread across my face when he spoke trigedasleng.

"Just make sure not to drink too much of it," he joked. I couldn't help but laugh a little.

"Clarke, let us drink together," her expression softened, and I couldn't help but smile just a bit wider at that.

"It would be my pleasure," I reply in an equally soft voice. I watched Lexa's slim fingers pull the cork and her pour the liquor into two separate cups before handing me my own, before placing the cork back once more.

"Heda, let me," Gustus' voice broke my appreciation. He took a small sip and gave me a small smile afterword letting me know that everything was going to be ok. I barely stopped myself from releasing a sigh.

Lexa raised her glass in a toast. "Tonight, we celebrate our peace. Tomorrow, we plan our war…To those, we have lost. And to those we shall soon find," when Gustus didn't throw himself forward onto the table I downed my glass, greatly enjoying the slight burn as it went down.

A small laugh escaped my lips as I watched as her face contorts into a sour visage. She narrowed her eyes at me and I couldn't help but laugh again. "It's quite good isn't it," I smirk, too many teeth showing.

She then opened up the bottle once more before pouring herself another shot only to down it quickly without changing the expression on her face, but I was able to notice the slight red starting to creep up her neck. I laughed loudly and even Gustus smirked at the almost childish actions of his Commander.

"Please sit," she spoke politely before she sat, all grounders quick to follow. Releasing a sigh as I sat, the muscles that were sore and tight feeling the slight relief from sitting. Lexa cocked her eyebrow at me.

"Why the sigh? Are you not happy with the food?" as she gestured to the vast amount of meats, berries, and loaves of bread spread across the massive table, warmth slowly heated up my cheeks. The war-paint not covering my red cheeks going of the smirk that slowly spread across Lexa's face.

"The food looks delicious," I tell her as I slowly pop one of the dark red berries into my mouth, enjoying the slightly tart flavor, before grabbing another one. Lexa smirk fell as I continued to eat the berries and gave me a small smile.

The night continued on, those on my side slowly started opening up and talking more with the Trikru. The same going for Lexa's side of the table as well. The longer we continued to sit around the table the more relaxed I became. This might have also been because as the night wore on, many started to change seats and I had ended up sitting between Lexa and Gustus, most of the night discussing different guns that we had, as well as which weapons were best.

This slowly broke down into, a very intense conversation about whether his sword was better than my knives. This slowly drew Lexa into the conversation and she agreed with me while my daggers were good in close quarters, the sword that Gustus uses would deal massive damage when it connects.

As the night wore down, Raven come over and informed me that she finally fixed the radio, which then forced me to go and tell Bellamy that he would be leaving tomorrow with Lincoln. I hoped that this time would end up just as successful as it did in the original time lime. When I came back, I was able to talk to Lexa once more.

"Is everything in place, Klark?" her eyes didn't meet mine but were on her hands as she fiddled with her dagger.

"Yes, tomorrow Lincoln and Bellamy will be making their way to the reaper tunnels and find their way inside. It will work and once that damn Acid fog is down we can get our people back," my eyes never leaving Lexa's slim fingers, a small shudder going down my spine at the thought of what those fingers could do.

"Lexa, we need to be extremely careful about everything we do from this point on. I know that they are already watching us, waiting for us to fight each other but obviously, that is not going to happen now that the alliance is in place," I tell her as I drum my fingers on the table, my eyes staring ahead blankly.

"Obviously not," she spoke, chuckling lightly.

"That mountain still has missiles and I don't want to put any of your people or mine in danger," the screams of that time ringing loudly in my ears. The cries of that white horse as it galloped quickly past me. I can still remember finding the once proud animal, much of the animal was burned and was still crying out in pain.

A strong hand grabbing my hand in theirs pulls me from my dark and morose thoughts. The fingers are slim, the slight scattering of scars across the knuckles, and some feeling that I haven't felt in years is slowly spreading from where the fingers touch. My heart that had been steadily beating faster, starts to slow down, and my chest doesn't feel as tight. A smile slowly comes across my face as I look up to meet concerned green eyes.

"You stopped listening and you looked as though you were panicking," she spoke softly to me, as her eyes continued to look around the room, making sure no one had watched my small moment of weakness. Thankfully the only one who seemed to be paying any attention to me was Gustus, who looked equally concerned.

"I lost myself in my thoughts. I did not mean any disrespect to you, Lexa," my voice showing my gratitude, in a way my words did not.

"It is fine. We all have those moments, even I do sometimes," her eyes soft and filled with a deep understanding. Then she let go of my hand and the feeling that had been slowly spreading through my veins disappeared and I wasn't able to stop the sigh that slipped past my lips at the loss of contact.

"Let us get some sleep. It is late and many of your own warriors have already gone to bed," my eyes widening in surprise at her words as I looked once more around the room. I noticed that only Octavia was left and the only reason she was still here was most likely because Lincoln was still seated at the table and he was talking to Nyko.

"You are right," I tell her as I stand before her. Reaching my hand out Lexa gripped my forearm in a tight grip before letting go, trying hard to not let my disappointment show. I quickly left the room before Lexa, not caring that I was showing my back to her. Once I was out in the open, I rolled my shoulders lightly as I quickly left the village, grabbing my weapons as I went before breaking out into a steady jog.