Beginning Note:

I know, this is a lot of angst, stick with us though! You'll get some lightheartedness by chapter 5. On another note, been so busy we almost missed this week's update. Oops. And yes, I skipped the whole running away from the snake thing, cause honestly even Lexa can't fight off something that big by herself while protecting Clarke.

"Finally you're back-"

"Not now, Titus. Guards call the medic!" Lexa interrupted, barging into the tower and immediately racing to the nearest room where a fancy chaise lounge was conveniently the closest. As gently as possible, she laid Clarke down. Clarke, ai haiheda, what if the snake had hurt her badly? She should never have let Clarke get into danger in the first place.

The nearest guard ran off while Titus scuttered after Lexa into the room and attempted to continue his tirade. "You cannot neglect your duties for a mere girl, Heda! If word got out-"

"SHOF OP, TITUS!"Lexa screamed. She was so done with all the conflicting emotions. She wanted to protect Clarke, but she could tell being near Clarke only hurt her, angered her, and brought her trauma forth. Her heart clenched at the words Clarke said in the forest. Even words screamed in a haze of rage had their bite. Still, she couldn't have Clarke running off into danger once again.

Titus flinched and Lexa immediately regretted it. Titus meant well. "Sorry… just, not now okay? I'll get back to my duties right after this. I have not forgotten them."

His lips curled into a frown but nodded. How could Lexa ever forget about her responsibilities? They constantly sat on her shoulders, they were in front of her eyes every waking moment in this tower, in all of Polis.

"Heda, the healer is here," the guard announced hastily. The healer rushed in and immediately walked towards Lexa. Lexa shook her head and pointed to Clarke. The healer didn't relent however, and grabbed her left arm. "I'll get to the girl after this. It'll be quick."

Lexa hissed. She hadn't even noticed the acid poison from the snake getting on her arm in her rush to escape. Lexa looked at Clarke with somber eyes. Clarke's words had made it clear that she truly didn't like Lexa around. That was okay. If Clarke truly hated her so much she would make herself sparse as long as it meant Clarke was safe.


Clarke awoke a few hours later, and shot up. Pain shot through her side. Clarke grit her teeth, hissing in pain and grabbed at her side with her other hand. She brought her hand up to cup her head with her other hand, a headache was beginning to brew. Her eyes adjust to the bright flares of the candles surrounding her. Flashes of what just happened flew by at a dizzying speed in her mind. The double headed snake and Lexa ready to sacrifice herself.

A cloth wrapped all the way around her, just under her chest and a little above her waist. She heard someone coming from down the hallway just outside the doors. There was a small knock but before Clarke could say anything the doors swung open. Carol strolled right into the room, shutting the doors behind her.

"Oh perfect, you're awake!" She gave Clarke a warm smile, one your grandparents gave you after you hadn't seen them for months at a time. Clarke couldn't help smiling back despite the pain she was in. Carol made her way over to the side of the bed and pulled up a nearby chair.

There was a platter of food in her hands. She sat the platter across Clarke's lap before sitting down in the chair next to her. Clarke turned her head to face the woman before looking at the food in front of her.

Clarke picked up one of the slices of bread and studied at it for a few minutes. That damned noble commander was now supplying her food too. If Lexa hadn't grabbed her, she would've gotten away without attracting the attention of the snake.

Carol cleared her throat and Clarke looked at the woman out of the corner of her eyes. The woman gave her a knowing look and gestured for her to eat. Clarke nodded and took a small bite of the bread slice she was holding. Her stomach was growling, like a beast roused from sleep.

When Clarke had finished all of the food that had been placed in front of her she let out a sigh of satisfaction.

Carol stood up from her seat and grabbed the platter from Clarke's lap, placing it on the chair she was sitting on moments ago. "Take it easy, your left side took a pretty good amount of damage. A broken rib tends to heal in a little under a month, you'll just be in pain and discomfort until it does heal."

Clarke licked her lips and croaked out, "Oh. I see." Her voice was raspy from lack of use. The pain made much more sense now. She couldn't remember exactly what happened after she was wacked by the tail of the mutated snake. She rested her hand on her left side again and took a deep breath in to try to ease the pain.

This time when Carol gave her a pitying look, Clarke snapped. She didn't want pity. It was the look everyone gave her, especially her mother. "It's just a busted rib," she grumbled. "I'm not dead or crippled."

Carol shook her head in amusement at the stubborn sky girl and turned to grab the platter, she began making her way to the door and Clarke stopped her. "Wait," Clarke called out to her. Her mind was racing with possibilities and as much as she tried to stop her thoughts they clouded her mind. "Is Lexa alright?"

A laugh escaped Carol's lips. Clarke felt her face heat up. She did not care about Lexa the way Carol thought she did. "The Heda is alright. Now get yourself looking more put together we're going for a walk." Carol didn't wait for an answer before walking out and closing the doors behind her.

Lexa is okay.

Her feelings were exhaustively complicated. At the same time that she was glad Lexa didn't die, the fact that Lexa mattered to her at all was irritating. This girl had betrayed her, yet she still found herself wondering how she was doing. Self hatred burned bright. She would not care about Lexa, that backstabbing bitch.

Clarke slumped back into the bed and laid down. She lay there for a few moments on her back, keeping her breathing steady as that was the best way to ease her pain. She let her eyes close, "Just a few minutes to rest and then I will get ready to go."


Clarke ended up sleeping through the rest of that day. Carol came in to wake her up the next day. Although Clarke knew the physical "therapy" was needed, she still winced and grumbled.

Still, Clarke got dressed with some old clothes Carol had found "lying around". Clarke had insisted on wearing her old clothes, but Carol said they were completely ruined after the snake. Clarke didn't really believe her, but she didn't really have any other options. Eventually she relented grudgingly.

It was as Clarke pulled the hood of the cloak she was given over her hair that she heard a knock. "Come in."

Carol strolled in, a girl in the shadows behind her. Clarke immediately donned a scowl. She was going to show Lexa exactly how much she hated her for keeping her prisoner here. Her scowl slid off her face when she realized the girl was most definitely not Lexa. Being taller was the first and most definitely not last difference between them. The girl kneeled to Clarke and spoke, "Wanheda, I am Ava of Trishanakru."

Clarke's head spun at the title of "Wanheda". Every time Clarke heard it, she was reminded of all the painful memories. The way Jasper held Maya as she died in his arms, the way she felt when Lexa walked away from her, all echoed in her head again and again. She had broken apart families, killed innocent children, killed her friends' partner, and she needed to suffer the pain. Clarke clutched at her chest and stumbled back into the bed before sitting down. She couldn't breathe. She was suffocating from the guilt.

Clarke barely registered the door opening and closing. She felt the bed sink and looked up to see Carol sitting next to her

Still clutching her chest, felt tears well in her eyes, and wiped them away quickly. "You're hurting," Carol stated softly.

"Of course I am. I have a broken rib!" she gurgled out through a sob. The old woman cringed at the volume of her voice.

"What I meant to say was, you're hurting emotionally." Clarke felt her stomach twist unpleasantly. Clarke bit her lower lip and turned her face away from Carol.

Carol only sighed and stood up, she reached a hand out toward Clarke as if to help her off the bed. Clarke grabbed Carol's hand and slowly stood up. "Here you may be whatever you see yourself as. As long as you let enjoy Polis." She gave Clarke a warm smile and Clarke couldn't help but give a tiny smile back.

Although the pain in her ribs was searing and she felt another headache beginning to form, she couldn't help but excited. She'd never seen a city like this before. She knew the weight of Wanheda would not disappear just because of that. Hell, she knew it would never truly disappear as she can't change her actions. But the thought of exploring Polis was enough for now.

They made their way to the door with Carol supporting Clarke and Carol opened the doors. Ava stood dutifully in the hallway. Clarke finally got a good look at her. Her hair was a bit shorter than Lexa's, Ava was much more muscular, and her forehead was adorned by dots.

"I will be joining to keep you safe. Are we ready to go?" Carol nodded and Ava looked at Clarke to confirm. She nodded silently.

With that, they started their journey out of the tower. Clarke eyed every room, looking for Lexa. It was hard not to be curious about a giant tower like this, but most of all it was hard not to think about Lexa.

Finally, they stepped out of the tower and Clarke took in a deep breath of fresh air. The street was bustling and lively before her, sellers calling to people walking by and advertising their goods. Polis was so alive.

End Note:

Trigedasleng

Ai haiheda - oh my god

Wanheda, ai laik Eva kom Trikru: Commander of Death, I am Ava of the woods clan