Chapter Seven
After making sure that Clarke had been given the opportunity to bathe, eat and receive medical care she knocked on the door to Clarke's room. There was no answer and she knocked a second time, then pressed her ear to the door. She thought she heard a sound, a noise, perhaps there was one, maybe not, but Lexa used this as an excuse to enter.
"Good morning, Clarke, how are you feeling this morning?" She saw that Clarke was still in bed and she advanced toward her, "Clarke? Clarke?" Feeling worried, she shook Clarke slightly, and felt the heat of skin through the sheets. She was burning up, she moved quickly to the door and summoned the healer to present forthwith. Going back to the bed she pulled down the furs and the sheet and took a look at Clarke who was less asleep and more passed out, she was definitely not aware of her surroundings.
She questioned the healer closely and learned that Clarke still refused to participate, she had been taking off the bandages as fast as they had been secured to her. She continued to refuse all food, nourishment and teas made available to her. The healer had raised a few days ago the likelihood of infection due to her untreated wounds but in the hectic atmosphere and Clarkes presence the last couple of days Lexa had presumed she was getting better not simply running on emotion.
Lexa made it very clear that nothing was to be spared now in an attempt to get Clarke well, if she refused treatments they could simply knock her out, safely and medically of course, and provide the care. If she refused the tea, they were to advise Lexa immediately who would make sure that she took whatever was required. The healer looked Clarke's body over and advised a cool bath to get her temperature down, Lexa herself, went to the door and ordered that water be brought.
When the bath was prepared and the healer had put some herbs and potions into the water he signalled that it was time that Clarke's body was added to the mix. Lexa picked her up carefully and gently and placed her in the bath, she knelt beside it, holding Clarke's body from slipping down under the water with one hand and with the other began to bathe her. Other women entered the chamber and went about their business, changing the bed linen, helping with bathing, and whilst Lexa allowed them to help she didn't leave Clarke's side.
Around the time, Lexa felt her temperature coming down, Clarke began complaining about the cold, half awake now, frowning and whining like a child, Lexa found her adorable but she kept her in the water until the Healer suggested she may come out. Lexa lifted her out and placed her on towels laid out on the bed. For the first time Lexa got a real look at Clarke's feet, she took a good hard look and then wandered over toward the window, leaving the attendants to dry Clarke's skin, to put some fresh undergarments on her.
Lexa had seen those injuries before, for the first time she realised that Prince Roan had dragged Clarke along behind his horse. As soon as the attendants had left the room, she returned to look at Clarke's wrists and under her arms. As she lifted Clarke's arms to assess the damage to her shoulders, Clarke made it very clear that the movements caused her great pain and Lexa called the Healer and explained the types of injuries she was suffering and gave him to understand that he was to remain close by the room at all times until this situation was under control.
Lexa suggested that he also get a move on with the teas he was suggesting and that she would remain with Clarke and ensure they were ingested. She climbed onto the bed and held Clarke up, holding the cup to her lips and encouraging her to drink, 'just a little more,' and moments later, 'just a little more.' Clarke was in and out of consciousness and Lexa was glad because if she had known who was feeding her she would have flatly refused all nourishment.
Lexa had initially come to see if Clarke felt well enough to take a ride with her in outer Polis and was not expecting to find Clarke as bad as this. But a better understanding of the extent of her injuries, the very real state of her malnourishment and overall exhaustion, Lexa was glad that she was finally aware and could now devote the time necessary to personally oversee Clarke's recovery, to ensure that she is taken care of and made well again.
It was the least she could do, she also really wanted to do it. She loved Clark and it broke her heart to think of her standing letting alone walking on these feet and she did both to make sure she was able to come to the Summit and kneel before Heda. Lexa would never forget her sacrifice and now, for the first time in a long time, both Heda and Lexa's agenda were running in the same direction. She could devote her personal and professional time and effort to protecting Clarke and Skaikru and make her well again.