Chapter Ten
As the days slipped past, Clarke's pain began to ease, her wounds continued to heal and she began to grow in strength. Lexa continued to present at Carke's chambers and was constantly surprised to find herself made welcome, she came with gifts, mainly fruit, sweets and a little heated spiced wine. She had another couch brought and placed on the balcony and lifted Clarke onto it until she could walk, they sat together in the sunshine for hours, sometimes in quiet, sometimes talking, but always holding hands.
Lexa was surprised to see that Clarke had opened some of the art supplies that had been made available to her weeks before. Lexa was unable to see what Clarke had been creating because the easel was set up to face away from the door, deliberately, Lexa presumed. Clarke didn't answer straight away, she seemed to be finishing off some particular element, so Lexa took a seat on the couch and looked out across the view available through the doors to Clarke's balcony, which were standing open.
"Sorry," said Clarke, putting her utensils away and washing her hands in a basin of water provided for the purpose. She flashed Lexa a smile that touched Lexa's heart. Clarke really did seem to have forgiven her. When Clarke took a seat opposite Lexa, Lexa noticed that she had fresh bandages upon her wrist, she tried not to make a big issue, just to notice and look away, but she made a point of looking at Clarke's feet as well to see whether she also allowed them to finally be tended as well.
"I was hoping you would feel up to a horse ride, today, or tomorrow, anytime, really?" Lexa rambled on, far less sophisticated than she had been with any other love interest, she knew it was because she cared, she wanted Clarke to be happy, comfortable, not rushed or pressured. Clarke asked if there was somewhere in particular she wanted to go and Lexa explained that she would like to take a lap of the perimeter of greater Polis, they would need to take some food and water but that it would not be a strenuous day for her. Clarke agreed.
Lexa practically tore back to her quarters in joy and excitement to arrange the outing, she ordered her horse be made ready, requested specific food, drink, art supplies, two blankets, medical supplies and ordered the guards to remain out of sight. She requested that the attendants carry Clarke down to the horse so that she was not taxed before they began.
When Clarke was brought down and placed before Lexa, who was already sitting on her horse waiting patiently, Clarke looked slightly confused. "What is it?" asked Lexa. "Just the one horse?" asked Clarke, looking around expectantly. Lexa was taken aback, she should have mentioned it, "Clarke, to ride you need to use your feet," she said, pushing the stirrups out to show her, "If you don't want to…?" Damn, why did she not think to discuss this?
"No, it's fine, I also haven't ridden before so…" Lexa grinned at her and reached down her arm, "I don't understand, how do I?" Clarke was asking when Lexa, showed her without words. She placed a hand on Calrke's shoulder, rotated her body to the precise angle, reached down, one hand firmly grasping Clarke's side she lifted her entire body straight up, brought her in close and sat her sideways before her on the saddle. "Wow, you really are strong, Lexa." said Clarke, amazed. "You are much more slight than when I first met you, Clarke." reminded Lexa, "Now swing your leg over, good. Comfortable?" "Yes."
Lexa clicked the horse and gave it an imperceptible dig with her heels, and the horse walked on. She took advantage of the movement to wrap both arms around Clarke's waist as though that's the way it has to be and allowed the reigns to be somewhat slack. This was one of her favourite horses, it knew her well and relied on little instruction to fulfill its duty. The horse walk steadily upon the stone pathways and headed to the main gates of the palace, and automatically turned left, taking the main road out of town.
Many people noticed Heda immediately and called greetings to her, then as Clarke began to take notice, people began to recognise her as well, "Heda!" "Wanheda!" "Greetings." "Hail, Wanheda." "How do they know?" Clarke asked Lexa, who was only too happy to explain that she is known to have been the cause of their people being released from Mount Weather. "But that was you, not me." "Not true and not according to them" said Lexa, waving to some children, she handed Clarke a bag with some boiled sweets and suggested she toss a small handful out to the children, which she did and was happy to hear them squealing in delight.
They quickly made their way along the main road, through the market area, past the city, with Lexa pointing out things of interest and Clarke listened and looked. They continued through the city gates beyond the walls and where the stone paved road gave way to well trodden dirt road, Lexa gave the horse new directions and they left that behind as well, for the grass of open fields. These eventually lent themselves to a line of trees which became thicker and thicker, Lexa steered the horse toward the trees and the outside world and sunshine practically disappeared.