CHAPTER 5
AN:/ I know some of you have reviewed saying you think Clarke's reaction to Lexa is OOC but i'm trying to show there is hesitancy yet also attraction towards the union. Clarke is desperate to save her people and lets be honest if you HAD to marry Lexa would you really be opposed to the idea? I mean just look at her! haha! Hope you enjoy!
It was still relatively early as Clarke began to awake between the most comfortable furs she has ever had the pleasure of sleeping on. She couldn't help but think abut the night before as the Commander walked her back to her tent. Everything seemed to be on track. Soon her people would be rescued from the mountain. Her agreement with the Commander will enforce peace between the two people after those from the mountain are rescued. Her actions today will help her people in the long run. They couldn't survive on their own throughout the oncoming winter. At least that's what Clarke tried to convince herself. She was obviously confused by the current situation but there was also excitement and curiosity.
Clarke was soon brought out of her thoughts as she began to hear a scuffle outside of her tent. Wondering what exactly could be occurring before the sun had fully risen Clarke strode towards the tent entrance. However she soon figured out what the commotion was as she heard her name being repeatedly screamed. Rapidly increasing her steps Clarke reached the entrance to see Finn being manhandled by Penn her guard from the night before.
'It's all right Penn, he can come in.' Clarke allowed before Finn awoke the rest of the village. However the grounder seemed hesitant as he looked at the feral look across Finn's face. 'He wont hurt me.' She stated as she turned back towards Lexa's tent knowing the upcoming conversation would not be pretty. Looking for somewhere to sit Clarke could only see the Commanders throne so she swiftly sat as she heard Finn stomp through the entrance.
'Tell me its not true Clarke? Tell me you're not actually going to marry one of these monsters?' He questioned without even waiting a beat.
'Finn, I'm doing this to protect our people I thought you of all people would understand. We need this alliance and right now this is my only option.' Clarke stated as she watched Finn pace up and down.
'Come with me. We can leave this place. I can protect you. You don't need to do this.' Finn pleaded as he grabbed hold of Clarke's hand focusing his gaze only on her.
'What about everyone else? Monty and Jasper are still in Mount Weather. If I leave with you now what'll happen to them.' Clarke demanded as she swiftly pulled away from the teenage boy in front of her.
'Let someone else save them Clarke. I don't care as long as you are safe. We can have a life together, just me and you.' He begged once more. 'I need you Clarke.'
Swiftly remembering his gift he held out his left wrist swiping the object off and placed it softly in Clarke waiting palm.
'Where did you get this?' Clarke questioned as tears slowly fell down her face.
'A grounder. He told me they had you hostage, that you would soon outlive your usefulness. Now I see he wasn't lying. Let me rescue you.'
Clarke had seen a new side of the boy that morning and she couldn't even compare him to the boy who previously only cared about peace. That boy seemed to be one big lie. First Raven, then the dead grounder and now she can see the real Finn. Sure he may of cared once but now all Clarke could see was a hollow shell.
'You were the one who killed him?' Clarke asked in shock. She had known it was a possibility but she never truly believed it. She held on to the hope and memory of the young spacewalker she once knew.
Finn turned for a split second in shame before he sprung back into action as he grabbed hold of Clarke once again. 'Please Clarke we need to leave now. I told you before that I should have fought for you. This is me doing that now. I'm in love with you Clarke. Let me prove to you how much.'
'You broke my heart Finn and now you're willing to break Ravens. I'm staying. I am going to marry the Commander and I am going to save everyone in the mountain.' Clarke was trying desperately to hold in the tears now as she began to think of the boy she once thought she loved. He was gone now.
More scuffling was heard outside as the tent flaps burst open to the sight of a very angry Commander. 'You dare come into my home and try to steal what is mine boy?' Lexa spat towards Finn as she gripped her sword by her side.
Clarke could almost see the steam coming out of her fiancés ears as she stormed over to the two Arkers. Swiftly standing between the two and continuing to glare at Finn the Commander waited for him to explain his presence.
'Clarke isn't a possession. She doesn't belong to anyone.' Finn countered as he took a hesitant step towards the seething leader. 'You've obviously threatened her. Clarke would never agree to spend her life with someone like you.' Finn argued only angering the leader further.
Clarke couldn't stand by and let Finn and his ignorance get him killed. It is true that Clarke wouldn't have thought to marry someone mere days after meeting them but it was the only way to ensure peace. Thinking quickly Clarke grabbed hold of the Commanders hand and began to rub her thumb over her knuckles attracting the Commanders focus. 'Finn doesn't understand. I'm not going anywhere. I agreed to this alliance and I won't be backing out anytime soon. You don't need to worry about Finn I may not love you but I certainly love my people just as I can see you do too.' Clarke whispered finally getting through the Commanders hard exterior. 'Finn I suggest you leave. I'll see you later at the ceremony.' Clarke stated without looking away from Lexa.
Hearing the boy leave Lexa soon relaxed around the sky princess and saw that she was now looking at a new accessory on her wrist. Knowing that it could have only come from the young boy Lexa began to seethe with rage. Glaring at the accessory Lexa couldn't stop thinking about how Clarke would always love another as her mother stated before. This new accessory merely threw that fact into Lexa's face and she couldn't help but growl. Lexa has always been possessive of hers as was expected of the Commander. However Lexa had a feeling that Clarke would not take kindly to being coddled and protected.
Clarke quickly picked up on the Commanders frustration and soon noticed it was to do with her fathers watch as her betrothed would not stop her glaring. Hoping to diffuse the situation slightly the princess decided to open up.
'It's my fathers.' she stated calmly as she held out her wrist showing off the watch.
Although Clarke was holding back her rushing emotions like a dam holding back water, Clarke picked up instantly on the Commanders change in attitude.
'I did not know that you're father had visited. He must be very proud of you and your many sacrifices for your people, I'm sure.' Lexa replied hoping to relieve the tension she had built up for no reason. Although her statement seemed to stress the blonde further as her body straightened in shock.
Clarke couldn't seem to speak as she heard the Commander speak of her father. Being down on earth Clarke hadn't had time to think of her father lately but being told by an almost stranger that he would be proud knocked the words out of her mouth. She missed him greatly and still held a lot of anger towards her mother and Jaha.
Clarke knew that she needed to explain the Commanders misunderstanding before he was brought up again.
'No. Umm… You've misunderstood. My father. Well. Umm… I'm sorry its just, well, my father was floated.' Clarke didn't know if she could handle speaking of her fathers death to her betrothed but knew it was important in building trust with the other leader.
'Floated? I'm sorry ai Prisa, I don't understand this term?' Lexa replied as she saw the tension continue to build inside her betrothed.
Quickly controlling her nerves Clarke began to explain the quality of life on the Ark and how with limited resources anybody was expendable.
'My apologies Clarke of the sky people.' Lexa stated as she slowly moved towards her betrothed. seeing that Clarke was trying to open up Lexa returned the effort. 'I lost someone special to me too. Her name was Costia… she was captured by the Ice nation who believed she knew my secrets… because she was mine… they tortured her. Killed her. Cut off her head.' Lexa choked out at the end as she focused on staring over Clarke's shoulder reigning in her emotions.
'I'm sorry.' Clarke understood the pain and was grateful the Commander was willing to share with her.
'I thought i'd never get over the pain but I did.' The brunette spoke up.
'How?' Clarke questioned in hope. She didn't want to forget her father but she wished the pain would leave so she could remember the good times.
'By recognising it for what it is.' Lexa answered as she thought over her next word 'weakness.'
'What is? Love?' Clarke couldn't help but look into the Commander eyes watching them sparkle with unshed tears. 'So you just stopped caring about everyone? I could never do that.' Clarke stated as she thought of all her friends that were stuck in the mountain.
'Then you put the people you care about in danger.' Lexa also connected with Clarke's eyes as she controlled herself. 'And the pain will never go away.' She didn't want to hurt the princess yet she wanted to ensure she understood her message. 'The dead are gone Clarke, the living are hungry.' She stated before swiftly moving away and leaving the tent.
Minutes passed allowing the blonde to think over the Commanders statement before the tent flaps reopened again, this time revealing Anya. 'Skai Prisa, I am here to ensure you understand the ceremony and that Heda's preparations are suitable. She has worked diligently throughout the night to ensure the best was provided.' Anya stated as she held up a beautiful garment.
'Wow. I hadn't realised. I will make sure to thank her later.' Clarke stated as she took hold of the outfit that had been specially made to suit her. Moving around the tent towards the back to get changed in the sleeping quarters.
'There will be much time for that after the ceremony during the consummation.' Anya stated as she watched Clarke's reaction carefully.
'Consummation?' Clarke blanched as she stopped changing into the dress and poked her head round the tarp separating the rooms.
'Yes. I assume you know the meaning. It is essential in such a union.' Anya smirked as she watched the Skai Prisa gulp in hesitancy before she went back to getting changed.
'Lexa never specified the unions activities. I just assumed we would hold the ceremony and get back to planning against the mountain men.' Clarke stated as she finished putting on the beautiful dress that complemented her figure and matched the blue in her eyes. Lexa had obviously worked hard to have the garment produced.
'Your assumptions are correct. The feast and consummation are included as part of the ceremony. Heda also went hunting with the rising of the sun in order to prove her skill in the hunt is worthy of you Prisa. Heda has already proven she can protect and provide shelter by giving you her dagger and letting you stay in her home. Heda will be a suitable houmon for you i'm sure.' Anya stated as she watched Clarke move from behind the tarp showing off the dress. Giving her approval the two women soon left the shelter to begin the ceremony.
Clarke was surprised to see that the ceremony was very similar to that of the Arkers. Lexa stood at the front of a huge crowd, that split before Clarke's own footsteps, allowing her to reach her betrothed. Lexa had changed into a more formal outfit that suited her figure as her armour was discarded for the ceremony. Each garment showing off her curves and distracting Clarke causing her to stumble as she stared at her wife-to-be. Gawping at the beauty before her Clarke couldn't think of how her people saw this to be a sacrifice. Looking at the Commander right now showed Clarke that it would't be such a sacrifice after all. Although she was still very much unsure about the consummation of the union that is included in the ceremony. Other than Finn, Clarke had never truly been intimate with any one. Yet the Commander seemed to be experience and this only seemed to intimidate Clarke further.
After Clarke had reached the front, the ceremony went by rather fast, as both Clarke and Lexa, stated their duties as Leaders had brought them to this point. That the union would solidify a bond between not only the two individuals but also the tentative bond between the two clans. The ceremony was only out of necessity, yet it would be stronger than others for this very reason.
Once all the vows were stated and Clarke was bound to the Commander the pair were escorted down through the doorway of an old building from before the great war. Heading down the cold damp stairway Clarke couldn't help but think she was no longer her own person. She was bound to another for the rest of her life. She wouldn't be able to date anyone else unless she wished for death. She would have to confer with Lexa on all plans involving herself. She wouldn't bare her own child unless she went to bed with someone else. She was no longer a free woman, she was merely Lexa's wife. Now she understood why her people saw this decision as such a sacrifice.
Quickly recovering from her daze Clarke looked up at the people surrounding her. Elders of the village were all surrounding the commander and her generals on one side of the long table whilst Clarke and her people, including Lincoln, stood on the opposite. Finn and Abby stood on either side of the blonde bride and both were clearly unimpressed by the events of that morning. Unlike Marcus who seemed to jump at the chance to build bridges between the two people.
'Please accept this gift, Commander. We drink this at special occasions.' He offered the moonshine over as he tried to control his nerves.'I believe this qualifies.'
'Thank you, Marcus of the Sky People.' The Commander replied as stoic as usual, as she took the glass bottle and slowly started to pass it over to Gustus.
'You're welcome, Lexa…kom trikru.'Marcus was glad that the Commander seemed open to the sky peoples terms swell as their own. Yet he was still nervous to be around the woman. 'Just don't drink too much of it.'
Swiftly nodding as she turned to her wife, Lexa addressed the blonde with a small smile. 'Clarke, let us drink together.'
'It would be my pleasure.' Clarke smirked herself as she looked towards her wife.
At this Gustus soon passed over two chalices filled to the brim with the sky peoples moonshine before requesting the Commanders cup to ensure it was safe.
As Gustus handed the chalice back over to his leader Lexa soon continued her speech. 'Tonight we celebrate our newfound peace. Tomorrow we plan our war. To those we've lost and to those we shall soon find.'
Just before either of the two leaders were able to take even a sip of the beverage Gustus was keeling over in agony. Finn swiftly moving into Clarke's personal space slapping the cup down as Lexa in a fit of rage and panic began to order her warriors around to subdue the sky people and save her most trusted guard.
The whole room erupted in chaos within minutes as the sky people were accused of poisoning the Commander. Whilst Clarke and her people cried out in their own defence.
'Gustus warned me about you, but I didn't listen.' Lexa seethed as she pointed towards her wife.
'Lexa, please…' Clarke pleaded as she panicked.
'Tell me something, Clarke. When you agreed to be mine completely, did you not wish that I was another?'
'That's not mine…' Clarke heard Finn protest as Lexa's Guards pushed forward pulling out a vial. 'I'm telling you, that's not mine. He put it there when he searched me.' Finn continued to protest.
'No Sky person leaves this room!' Lexa exclaimed as she swiftly turned avoiding Clarke's disappointed gaze.
Clarke could barely think straight. Not one hour into her marriage and the clans bond would be split.
'Finn I need to know the truth.' Clarke questioned as she slipped over to the corner Finn sat in.
'I'd step back if I was you.' Raven threatened as she stood to her ex-boyfriends defence.
'You wanted to kill Lexa yesterday. If you tried to poison her, I need to know.' Clarke continued as she ignored the other girls anger. Finn simply got up and walked away with Raven following in tow.
Clarke's priority was to hold this alliance. She had given up her own freedom for this. What would happen now that the alliance is possibly over? Is her marriage still legitimate if the alliance is broken? Suddenly not only Clarke's future but her peoples also seemed very disorganised.
However she was soon brought out of her morbid thoughts as Kane slowly came and sat down beside her. 'Tearing each other and yourself apart isn't a way to get through this. Lexa needs this alliance just as much as we do. She's shown herself to be flexible. She listens to you.' Kane stated. He knew the Commander did not act on impulse and the alliance could be renewed at a price.
'She thinks we tried to kill her.' Clarke argued quietly.
'But we know we didn't. So let's figure out who did. Who would want her dead?' Kane suggested.
'Too many to count.' Lincoln added as he announce his presence to the conversation.
'Forming an alliance with you was a risk, especially after what you did to her warriors.' He continued to explain.
'So it had to be someone trying to break the alliance.' Octavia added trying to help.
The group were soon interrupted as the gates squeaked open and Nyko and Indra stormed in surrounded by guards.
'How's Gustus?' Lincoln questioned hoping the problem could be solved quickly.
'Gustus will live.' Nyko replied quietly. Although before any more could be said Indra interrupted as she moved her guards ahead.
'Take them away.' Indra stated as she quickly glared at Clarke before nodding her head for the guards to understand. Chaos quickly erupted as both Finn and Clarke were grabbed.
'What are you doing? He didn't poison anyone.' Raven argued as she tried to remove the guards taking hold of Finn.
'I argued for all of you to die, but the commander is merciful. She wants only one.' Indra remarked.
'He's innocent.' Lincoln tried to insist.
'I don't care. They move, they bleed.' Indra ordered as though she were bored of the people stood before her.
'Hey, hey, stop! Let her go!' Finn cried out as he saw more guards take hold of Clarke whilst they continued to drag him out.
'The rest of you are he's dead, so is the alliance. Clarke belongs to heda now. The rest of you should run.'
As Clarke was dragged out of the underground hall she was once again escorted to the Commanders tent as Finn was taken in the opposite direction as he screamed for the girl he loved.
Clarke was furious and seeing the Commander sat on her throne just fuelled her hated further. 'How dare you? Finn didn't try to poison you.' Clarke stated in defence of the boy.
'The evidence says otherwise Clarke.' Lexa stated calmly as she controlled her own temper.
'I don't care what the evidence says. Finn didn't do it.'
'You cannot stop this.' Lexa stated as she looked over her wife.
'No, only you can. Show my people how powerful you are. Show them you can be merciful. show them you're not a savage.' Clarke begged.
'We are what we are.' Lexa spat.
'Then i'm a killer! I burned 300 of your people. I slit a mans throat and watched him die. I'm soaked in grounder blood. Take me.' Clarke pleaded as she watched her wife emotionless face in desperation.
'But Finn is guilty.' Lexa stated once more. She only wished Clarke would show the same loyalty to her one day. However after today the likelihood of this occurring was slim to none.
'Lexa if you go ahead and kill Finn, this alliance is over. Marriage or not, I refuse to stay here. You will never defeat the mountain alone.' Clarke threatened which seemed to snap the Commanders fine thread of control.
'You will stay Clarke for you belong to me. You gave yourself to me. Alliance or not you are my wife.' Lexa snapped as she stood walking out of the tent.
'I warned you Lexa!' Clarke shouted as the tent flaps closed. What was she going to do now?
'I take no joy in this, Finn. However, justice will be done.' Lexa stated as she
An hour later screams could be heard throughout the camp as Finn was secured against a wooden pole that was held firmly in the ground. His heart was beating uncontrollably and he couldn't seem to focus on anything around him. Villager after villager began to cut slowly across his arms and chest and Finn was growing weak. No one had seen Clarke in the past hour as Lexa's guards were ordered to keep her secure in her tent. However in her time alone Clarke had figured out this whole mess and had to put an end to Finns screams.
Storming through the campsite as she escaped her guards Clarke ran straight into the crowded area calling the attention of everyone around.'One of your people tried to kill you, Lexa, not one of mine.' She stated calmly as she asked Nyko to retrieve the bottle.
'You should've run.' Indra sneered at the blonde haired leader.
'I can prove it.' Clarke ignored.
'Clarke what are you doing here?' Lexa scowled as she saw Clarke's guards running into the area. Lexa would punish them later. Noticing Clarke take hold of the poisonous bottle Lexa scowl got bigger. That was until the Sky girl swiftly gulped down a hefty amount of the alcoholic beverage. Lexa suddenly became worried thinking the blonde had a death wish. Yet no side affects arose.
'Explain.' Lexa stated as she scanned Clarke over for any injuries.
'The poison wasn't in the bottle. It was in the cup.' Clarke whispered as she took in Finns battered state.
Soon Gustus peaked up and began to whisper to the Commander in trigdesleng. Allowing Bellamy to observe the situation.
'It was you. He tested the cup. He searched Finn.' Bellamy stated as he place the puzzle together.
'Gustus would never harm me.' Lexa glared as she thought over the boys allegations.
'You weren't the target… The alliance was.' Bellamy simply shrugged. 'We didn't do this, and you know it.' he continued.
Swiftly turning around Lexa questioned Gusts Quietly hoping that the young sky boy was wrong. However those hopes were drowned out as Gustus replied accepting his fate.'This alliance would cost you your life, Heda. I could not let that happen.'
'This treachery will cost you yours.' The Commander chocked out as she ordered her guards to tie Gustus to another pole as she released Finn.
….
'Oh! Ugh Uh! This would've been 're not so different, are we? How did you know it was Gustus?' Raven whispered towards Clarke. As villagers cut open fresh wounds all over the warrior.
'He'd do anything for her, to protect her. Just makes sense.' Clarke stated as she glared at Lexa in frustration.
'Look at the thanks he got.' Raven grimaced as she watched Lexa plunge her sword into the general.
AN2: So guys sorry for the long wait, Hope you enjoyed this slightly longer chapter and Please don't forget to review. I'm also wondering whether to make it M rated with the next chapter being the Consummation but i'm unsure please give me your thoughts guys thanks!