CHAPTER 9

AN:/ Okay just letting you all know, that although I am definitely still grieving for our beloved Heda, I will still be continuing this story and watching the show, if only to see the finale. Hope you enjoy this update.

Please let me know what you think :)

Screams could be heard from Quint as Lexa caught up with the guard that had entered the forest with her. They couldn't head back to the village for safety as the giant creature, that Clarke had yet to see, was still stalking them. They couldn't risk it destroying TonDC and the people that resided there during the war councils.

Lexa had yet to let go of her wife's hand as she dragged her across the forest landscape, looking for somewhere safe.

'We need to hide.' She stated as she felt Clarke slow down with fatigue. Her wife was obviously not used to such vigorous sprints, but to stop or even slow down would result in death.

'This way. I found something.' Clarke yelled as she changed direction now pulling the Commander behind her. Rolling a heavy metal grid out of the way. They both ducked through what must have been an old sewer tunnel into an enclosed space.

'What is this place?' The guard that arrived with Lexa questioned. The floor was scattered with skulls and the area stunk of blood. Carcasses surrounded the area of the enclosed cage. They were trapped.

'It's her feeding ground. Let's go.' Lexa ordered as she pushed Clarke to start climbing up to higher ground.

The screams of the creature were getting closer and Clarke was surprised she could hear it over the beating of her heart. Her body was rushing with adrenaline as she climbed for her life. Each step up she encountered a new dead animal. Guts pouring out as flies and maggots ate away at the flesh. Clarke could barely breath as it is. The stench was no help.

The three stood in a defensive position,weapons out, as the creature that Clarke soon realised was a gorilla, leapt over the wall surrounding the cage. It was furious. Blood already dripping out of it's mouth as it roared. Clarke had seen the creature in a book on the Ark but it never said anything about them being so violent.

Before they had any real plan of action, Lexa's guard had been grabbed, smashed multiple times and flung across the enclosure. Dead as soon as his head smashed against the wall. In a panic Clarke lifted up her gun and aimed. Taking as many shots as she could before the creature fell back. It was over.

Taking a deep breath. Clarke turned to check over the Commander, who simply nodded. Both leaned over the edge to get a look and check that the creature was dead. Yet they jumped back into action as it slowly began to climb back up the rocks.

Swiftly the girls turned and ran in the only direction available coming up to a railing. Looking over they saw a small exit that the creature would not fit through. They had to jump. Without thinking Clarke looked back to check for the creature and then flung herself off the ledge. Falling on her ankle Clarke looked up to see Lexa put her sword away and also jump.

Yet as the Commander was mid air, it was obvious that her landing would not be fun. The crack that resounded around them simply confirmed Clarke's original thought as the Commander yelled out in pain. Her shoulder must have been dislocated. Shit.

Clarke hobbled back over to her wife and help her pull her good shoulder over to drag her to the small exit. The Pauna was gaining. It had jumped off the ledge just as Clarke reached the exit and turned to help the brunette through. Yet it was too late. The Commander in a last effort grabbed the metal gate to hold firm as Clarke pulled out her gun.

'Leave me!' She yelled, hoping the blonde would take her advice. One of them needed to survive in order for the alliance to remain intact.

'No way.' Was all Clarke roared as she emptied the rest of her clip into the angry gorilla. Letting go of Lexa the Pauna fell back too lick it's wounds. This allowed for Clarke to pull her wife through the rest of the way and release the bar that held the gate way open. Both girls stood as they hobbled through too the only space available. Another cage, this time a small room.

Placing Lexa down Clarke, glanced around the room. 'Give me your sword.' Taking it from Lexa she swiftly shut the door they'd entered from and locked it in place with the sword. If the creature came back it probably wouldn't hold for long but it was better than nothing.

'You should've left me behind. Now two will die here instead of one.' Lexa grunted in pain. She couldn't believe how much trouble the sky girl had gotten herself into in one day. First with Quint and now with Pauna. Not to mention that Lexa was now caught up in it also. Both leaders would die and the alliance would fail. Her people never rescued from the mountain.

She was also still annoyed that the blonde had not learnt from the previous night that rash decisions ended in trouble.

'I'm still new to your culture, but when someone saves your life, my people say thank you.' Clarke sassed back as she refused to look at the women she now called wife. However she did help to strap her shoulder up. It would do no good to leave it dislocated.

'I'm serious, Clarke. To lead well, you must make hard choices.'

'Hard choices? You're telling me that?' Clarke questioned in utter disbelief. 'What of our union?'

'I've seen your strength it's true but now you waver. You couldn't kill Quint, couldn't leave me to die.' Lexa whispered the last bit. There was still tension left over from the night before but neither wanted to mention it. '- That was weakness.'

'I thought love was weakness.' Clarke questioned sarcastically. She couldn't believe that after everything that had occurred in the past 24 hours she was left here.

'Mockery is not the product of a strong mind, Clarke.' Lexa grumbled.

'You want to know why I saved you? Because I need you.' Clarke stated. She also noticed the small smirk that appeared on the Commanders face. 'God forbid one of your generals becomes Commander. You may be heartless, Lexa, but at least you're smart. Well apart from last night at least.'

'Don't worry. My spirit will choose much more wisely than that. I am also sorry for my actions last night. I did not mean to frighten you. I know nothing can excuse my actions.'

Clarke was surprised to hear that the Commander was apologising. Although Anya had stated as much earlier she didn't truly believe her. Lexa was the Commander after all. 'I also apologise for punching you.' She whispered as she kept her gaze set on her wife. 'I did not mind the advances. I understand we must consummate the union or else our people will divide once more. However I cannot be a submissive wife. If that is what you want, you must look elsewhere.'

'I would never disrespect you by lying with another. I am sorry I treated you as my subject. You are my equal.' Lexa defended herself.

'If you treat me as such again-' Clarke began only to be interrupted.

'I won't.' Seconds passed as they looked into each others eyes. 'I vow to treat your needs as my own, Clarke kom Skaikru.'

Both women smiled to each other as they looked into each others eyes. A new understanding slipping between them.

'You mentioned your spirit earlier, what did you mean?' Clarke questioned glad that they had sorted the misunderstanding between them.

'When I die, my spirit will find the next Commander.' Lexa stated simply.

'Reincarnation.' Clarke realised in shock. She'd read about the theory on the Ark but never really believed it to be true. Yet the Commander was determined that it was. 'That's how you became Commander.' Clarke suddenly realised.

'How are your leaders chosen?' Lexa questioned in confusion.

Suddenly there was a loud bang that caused the whole room to vibrate. 'It found us.' Clarke whispered as she glanced towards the door in nervousness. The door wouldn't hold with such more pressure.

'Don't be afraid, Clarke. Death is not the end.' Lexa stated as she took hold of the blondes hand and kissed her knuckles.

'We are not dying here!' Clarke growled as she looked back at her new wife. 'I need your spirit to stay where it is.'

'Then get ready to fight. He's coming in.' Lexa stated as she took up her position in front of her wife, knife at the ready. If anyone was to make it out, it would be Clarke.

'Maybe we let it in.' Clarke suggested as she grabbed hold of Lexa, watching her dislocated shoulder as she dragged her closer to the unstable door. 'Over here.'

Counting to three in her head Clarke swiftly knocked the sword out of the door, letting it swing open with the Pauna rolling into the cage and crashing against the wall. It left just enough time for Clarke and Lexa to escape and bolt the door locked as they continued to leave the enclosure.

They had decided to rest in the forest before continuing on their journey. They were both fatigued and the adrenaline had left their systems leaving both women weary. Lexa and Clarke had been huddled together around the fire all night. Lexa had taken the first watch but simply decided to let Clarke sleep. Something she hadn't seemed to be doing the past few weeks, if the bags around her eyes stated anything.

Over the past three days it seemed as though Lexa has begun to care for the clumsy sky girl. She was stubborn and strong. No one had ever dared strike the Commander for fear of death. Yet this small untrained girl struck her as hard as she could. Just the thought of knowing Clarke could protect herself left Lexa feeling proud of her wife. She knew that these feelings stirring inside her were dangerous. They reminded her too much of Costia. However Clarke was already a target, as she was her houmon. There was no escaping the dangers she must face now. That didn't mean that Lexa wouldn't do her best to protect her

Clarke began to mumble and stir from her sleep as Lexa slipped her fingers through the blondes hair. The surrounding area was calm as Lexa stared at her wife once more.

Suddenly Clarke shot up and jolted Lexa's shoulder in panic.

'You're safe.' Lexa whispered as she continued to stroke the blondes hair to calm her.

'How's your arm?' Clarke asked as she realised that Lexa was wincing.

'Hurts.' Lexa grunted.

They could here the Pauna still trying to escape echo throughout the forest.

'We should go. That cage won't hold forever.' Clarke stated as she quickly got up out the position she had put herself in. She couldn't believe she'd let herself get close to the other women. It would only end badly. Lexa has already made it clear that she does not do emotions. Love is weakness.

'Wait. I was wrong about you, Clarke. Your heart shows no sign of weakness.' Lexa whispered. The echoing screams of the angry gorilla stopped.

'The cage won't hold… I think I know how to take Mount Weather. We've been trying to get inside, but they've already let us in.' Clarke realised as she looked back to her wife smiling.

'What are you talking about?' Lexa merely asked in confusion.

'Your army is already there locked in cages. We just need someone on the inside to let them out.' Clarke answered enthusiastically waiting for Lexa to understand.

'Bellamy. You have faith in him?' Lexa questioned as she watched Clarke stamp out the fire.

'I do.'

'I hope your faith is well-placed because if he can't get inside, we can't win.'

'He will. Lexa, this is gonna work!'

They swiftly headed back towards camp, both oblivious to the fact that Clarke had taken hold of the Commander's hand to drag her back towards camp.