CHAPTER 3
AN:/ Sorry for the late update I found this chapter slightly harder to write for some reason… Hope everyone is enjoying it so far and I appreciate all the reviews, favorites and follows! Thanks guys!
Finn couldn't get back to camp quick enough. He needed to warn the others. It was obvious that the grounder's leader was holding Clarke hostage. The message was vague at first but after much thought it all became clear. Clarke wouldn't travel willingly into a grounder camp without weapons. That would be suicide.
The Chancellor must be warned before something happened to Clarke. They knew where the grounders were based. They had the map. All they needed now was the manpower. The ark currently held enough of the guard to take down a small village and the Chancellor would do anything to save her daughter.
Staggering out of the tree line Finn ran up to the gate arms up in the air screaming for the Chancellor. By this point he'd completely forgotten about the other boy following behind. Murphy unlike Finn understood that Clarke was doing her best to secure her peoples future and wanted to ensure that Finn didn't overreact. Although with Finn currently catching everyone's attention Murphy was left with few options but to watch with dismay.
The shouts of the guard could be heard as the gates slowly opened to allow the two teens into the campsite. Seconds passed before the Chancellor and Bellamy Blake ran forward to avoid any more commotion. Finns screams had attracted a crowd of people all curious about the outside world.
'Clarke is in danger!' Finn shouted as he finally caught sight of Abby. 'We need to rescue her! The grounders have her hostage! We saw her. She gave us a message.' Finn hurried as he tried to catch his breath through the panic.
'Get him inside quick!' Abby ordered as she tried to diffuse the situation. With Kane off on his own suicide mission no longer with his guards the people of the Ark were panicking. Ordering the gathering crowd to return to their work she swiftly turn back around and returned to the council room.
Finn was pacing in front of the doors biting his fingernails as he thought of ways to attack the grounders camp. Bellamy stood observing his fellow delinquent with worry. Whilst Murphy stood glaring at the nervous boy with frustration in his eyes. Abby didn't know what was going on but from the sounds of it Clarke was alive. At least she was for now.
'Tell me everything. Now.' She stated facing Finn with worry.
Meanwhile Clarke certainly wasn't expecting to be left alone in a large tent filled with plush cushions and large animal skins covering a four-poster bed. It was obviously preferred to the previous cell but Clarke did not understand how her actions towards the girl, she had since confirmed to be the Commander, rewarded her with this.
With nothing else to do but wait Clarke decided that she could use some time to think of the future. An alliance needed to be made. However now that she had finally met the grounders leader she had no idea of what her people may bring to the table. How can she ask for peace when she has nothing to offer in return?
Her people had advanced technology and medicine that would help the grounders defeat the mountain men, but was that enough for solid grounds of a treaty?
Pacing around in her own tent Anya was becoming restless as she awaited her own fate. Her people were being slaughtered like cattle and thrown away to the reapers to finish off, yet she was of no use to them as she was considered a traitor. She was incompetent, useless to her own people and she did not doubt coming to the end of her fight.
Her morbid thoughts were soon interrupted as her former second swiftly entered the tent as she ordered her guards and anyone else following to remain outside. Anya quickly bowed in respect to her leader praying that she would be granted a second chance. Weakness was not permitted amongst the grounders. Yet Anya hoped escaping from the mountain supplied Lexa with enough proof that she was not weak. She brought the Skai Prisa here.
'Anya, I am glad that you are alive.' Lexa stated with a blank mask set. She must not show weakness. 'I am here to speak with you of the sky girl. Who is she?'
'The Skai Prisa.' Anya started as she carefully considered her next words. 'She rescued me from the mountain Heda. She wishes for an alliance.'
'Yet the sky people sent two other males in her place as leader. You say she rescued you from the mountain. How?'
'She stated her people were also prisoners and released me from my cage. Ripa ambushed us in the tunnels when the Maunon caught her. I owed a debt. I helped her escape their weapons. She is a worthy ally Heda. She fought to escape like a true warrior. Yet she lacks real skill, she killed 300 of our warriors with the flick of her wrist.' Anya informed as her leader listened to all the information provided before considering her next question.
'You believe a treaty is the wisest course of action?' She questioned knowing Anya to be most qualified in this situation to make a decision. She knew the Skai Prisa and had fought against her.
Anya considered her answer carefully as she took in all the information she had accumulated of the blonde she had become fond of in the past 48 hours. Clarke was willing to do anything to save her people. She was willing to wipe out anyone in her way. Yet would an alliance hold once the mountain had fallen? What would prevent the blonde from turning on trikru once the mountain was gone?
'Not a treaty Commander. A Union. This will allow for the strongest alliance between us beyond the mountains defeat. A union cannot be broken. Clarke will do anything to save her people.'
'Anya if Clarke truly is Skai Prisa you understand that only an equal may propose such a union? I would have to propose. Our people will not take this lightly. Indra and Gustus especially.' Lexa stated as she considered going through with the proposal.
'Lexa the people do as you say. They do not question your orders unless they wish for death. As for Indra and Gustus, their faces alone would make me feel its worthwhile.' Anya joked as she tried to release the tension finally looking into her former seconds eyes before softening her eyes as she continued to speak. 'It has been over two summers since Costia, Lexa. You deserve another.'
'Love is weakness Anya. You know this.' Lexa fumed at Anya's insinuation. She would not disrespect her former lovers memory. Would not taint her love with another woman. She could not love another. Love is weakness.
'I'm sorry Commander. I did not mean to overstep my place. Please forgive me.'
'You are forgiven. I will take your advice into consideration. For now I must visit this Clarke of the sky people. She is wise for her years I will admit. Gustus's disguise did not fool her. Yet she is also foolish making rash decisions holding a knife to my throat as she demands to speak to me on matters of an alliance.' Lexa stated towards her former mentor seeing her lips quirk in the corners before swiftly turning and leaving the tent.
Lexa swiftly began the short walk towards her own tent in search of the blonde princess. She would certainly be an asset to Lexa's council if a union did take place. Yet could Clarke's impatience cause problems? Only time could tell. She thought as she pulled the veil, separating her from the inside of the tent, away.
The Sight before Lexa was certainly not a chore to look at. Lexa had to remind herself to breathe regularly as she truly took in the sky girl's appearance. Her wavy blonde hair glowed with the light that streamed in through the tent walls as it was tied together at the back away from her face. The blonde certainly was beautiful and her determined look to save her people merely accentuated her beauty.
Coughing lightly as not to scare the girl but still ensure the awareness of her arrival, Lexa stepped forward to speak. 'Clarke of the sky people, you wished to speak to me?'
'I assume by the new accessories I was correct in assuming you were the Commander?' She questioned as Lexa merely nodded in answer. 'Then I must apologize for my previous actions but I have important information on the mountain men. Anya will also be imperative in the coming discussion. I hope she is being treated well?' Clarke continued as she worried for the woman she had become fond of in their short journey.
Lexa however was shocked by Clarkes concern for her previous mentor and couldn't help but narrow her eyes in suspicion. 'Anya is none of your concern. If you wish to discuss the mountain I suggest you explain yourself. Otherwise I have no choice but to destroy you and you're people.'
'I will not explain myself to anyone until I am sure of Anya's safety. It is not her fault I destroyed 300 of your warriors. You ordered her to attack. Therefore if anyone is a failure Commander it is you. You forced Anya to back me into a corner. Threaten my people again and you will make be making the same mistake twice. Now where is Anya?' Clarke couldn't help but walk forwards towards the Commander pointing at her to accentuate her accusation. She must show her strength before suggesting an alliance. The Commander would not allow an alliance with those she considers weak.
'Anya is safe. I would not allow harm to come to my mentor unless deserved. She escaped the mountain that no other has been able to accomplish. She has proved herself once more in that task alone. Now answer my question. Why do you care about my mentors safety?' Lexa tried to remain passive however she couldn't seem to control her emotions as she continued to take in Clarke's own passion.
Clarke used her heart ahead of her head. A task Lexa had struggled with and fought on a regular basis after Costia's death, two summers ago. Yet Clarke's ability to put her people first without losing herself allowed Lexa to consider Anya's words to give the blonde a chance.
'I owed a debt. She saved me from the mountain men.' Clarke answered abruptly. However this simply increased Lexa's confusion.
'Clarke I assure you no debt is owed to Anya. She stated that it was in fact she that owed you a debt. Hence why she saved you.' Lexa assured the girl ensuring she understood.
'Anyway Commander I wish to speak of an alliance. Obviously you've spoken to Anya so I'm assuming you understand the situation with the mountain. I wish to speak on an alliance between your people and my own.' Clarke stated bringing the topic back negotiations.
'You are correct in your assumption.' Lexa replied as she took a breath to think over her next question. 'Clarke I would like to offer you the opportunity to accept a union. You do not have to feel obliged but-'
Before the Commander could even complete her sentence Clarke had interrupted with a loud 'Yes'.
'I do not believe you fully understand Skai Prisa.' Lexa tried to explain as shock began to seep through her body at Clarke easy acceptance.
'No, Commander. You do not understand how far I will go to save my people. Whatever the cost.' Clarke argued back.
'Well then Clarke of the Sky people.' Lexa began as she quickly unsheathed her dagger and grabbing hold of the other woman's wrist. Silently watching Clarke take a step back as she knelt down on one knee Lexa continued. 'Will you do me the honor of accepting my proposal of a union as Heda kom Trikru?'
'Oh. That kind of union.' Clarke stated in complete shock staring back at the Commander that was currently knelt on one knee, with her dagger held out as an offering, while holding Clarke in place.
Clarke soon realized that this was not the response the commander expected after her previous statement and began to stutter out. 'For the sake of my people I will accept your proposal Commander.' Clarke began as she watched Lexa's eyes shine with relief. 'But only on the condition that we are equals. If this proposal is what I assume it is, I will not be lowered to your subordinate.' Clarke enforced staring down Lexa. She may not have any choice in the matter to save her people but Lexa certainly wasn't dreadful.
'Of course we are equals. A union may only occur with those of the same rank. You as Skai Prisa are only equal to myself amongst my people. You are subordinate to no one. I do believe that if I were to even try changing this I would not be pleased with the outcome. You are a strong woman Clarke. I would be proud to call you my wife. Our People will be joined as one with the union and the mountain will fall.'
'Well then I should return to my own Camp to ensure preparations for such a union may take place. I believe with such an agreement you will let my people out of the cell?' Clarke questioned as she stared down the grounders leader.
'One has already been released as a message to the rest of your people. The other may leave with you. My men will escort yo-' Lexa began before being interrupted a second time this journey. This time by shouts outside the tent.
'Heda! Heda! Skai Kru laik hir!'
Rushing out of the tent and towards the front gates with Clarke following closely Lexa soon understood what the commotion was about. Filling the entrance to the village stood at least one hundred sky warriors. All lead by the man from the cell and a woman who seemed to have similar features to Clarke. 'Clarke what are your people doing here? Do you wish for war?' Lexa spat towards the confused blonde.
'I had no idea. I will talk to them. I accepted your union but they do not know this. It's my mother. She can be controlling, she does not know that I am here of my own volition. Five minutes Lexa that is all I ask.' Clarke pleaded as she realized Finn obviously hadn't delivered her message.
Lexa nodded silently without looking to Clarke as she ordered her men to open the gate just enough for her companion to slip out to her people.
Clarke quickly sprinted forward towards her mother who gladly wrapped her arms around the furious blonde. 'What are you doing here mother?' She fumed in frustration.
'Clarke we came to rescue you.'