A/N: Chapter 2 guys, still reeling from thursday but I'm getting better. I've managed to convince myself that this fiction is what really happened and no one can tell me otherwise. Going along with that note, we all lost something because of that episode so if you have any thoughts or ideas about this feel free to review with them because I would love to hear from you guys. Also, if there are any prompts not connected to this fic that people want written feel free to send me those as well, just make sure you specify it as a separate one shot prompt. Love you guys, we'll get through this together! xx
"Lexa, you don't have to do this now." Clarke cried helplessly, trailing after Lexa as she marched down the hall towards her throne room in full battle armour with her war paint firmly in place.
"Well when would you have me to it Clarke?" She growled out frustratedly, allowing Clarke to pull back on her arm for a moment, "Titus tried to kill you and in the process almost killed me. I cannot let that go unchallenged and if I don't address this now then the other clans will sense my weakness and try to take advantage."
She bit her lip worriedly and lowered her voice, "If they attacked today I don't know that I'd be strong enough to protect you."
Clarke sighed and twisted their fingers together, "Ok then, but you need to promise me that once you've done this you will rest."
Lexa opened her mouth to protest but Clarke glared at her unmovingly, smirking she leaned in to whisper in Clarke's ear, "Fine, but we could also-"
"No way." Clarke shook her head, fighting a smile, "You got shot less than three hours ago, so no sex until your better understand?"
Lexa huffed almost childishly but nodded anyway, "Clarke whatever happens today, just trust that I have your peoples best interests at heart ok?" Pulling her arm from Clarke's grasp she continued along, the guards swinging the doors open for her as she reached them.
As she strode into the throne room, her head held high, each of the twelve ambassadors stood respectfully before kneeling as she turned to face them once she reached the throne. Clarke slipped in behind her and took her place at the Skaikru chair.
"Rise and be seated." Lexa said calmly, not giving anything away on her face.
"Heda why has Wanheda been allowed to remain on this council, surely-"
Lexa raised a hand lazily and the man who had spoken quickly trailed off, mindful that the last ambassador to publicly question her had been kicked from the balcony, and he hadn't been the first by any means.
"Clarke may be Skaikru but she is also a legendary warrior, known to all as the mountain slayer, who added her strength to mine during the initiation ceremony for her clan. She has chosen to stay in Polis at my side and continue to support me without question. I trust you all intend to do the same."
She fixed them all with a hard glare, giving no illusions that she would not be willing to show leniency if one of them spoke against her. As they all avoided her gaze Clarke's lips twitched slightly but she managed to hold the smile at bay, deciding it was probably better to follow Lexa's example and put up a blank facade.
"Certain events have come to pass that have forced me to re-evaluate my approach to particular issues." She started confidently, taking her time to ensure that they were all listening and paying close attention.
With a nod to the warrior at the entrance, the door swung open again and Titus was dragged in, forced to kneel at her feet in the same way Nia had just a few short days before.
A hushed murmur went around the room, as the representatives for each clan reacted with varying degrees of shock to Lexa dragging her most trusted advisor into the room in chains.
"The stand I have chosen to taken, blood must not have blood, has been met with resistance as I knew it would. But I expected the support of all of you and of my advisors."
Lexa stared at Titus for a long moment, whilst everyone else stared at her with baited breath.
"This morning, Titus made an attempt on Wanheda's life. In the process he came close to taking mine instead."
The room was silent, a leaf could've been heard falling a mile away as they all seemed to forget even to breath.
"I understand the resistance and so, after much deliberation, I have decided to compromise because a good leader listens to her people and takes their thoughts into account when passing judgements." Her eyes flickered up again to read the feelings in the room. She avoided looking over at Clarke, sure that she would see a look of betrayal on her face.
"For serious crimes, the guilty must be punished, but I am not willing to wipe out hundreds for the mistakes of a few. Skaikru will be offered one last chance to give up the traitors to my coalition, if they don't then our armies will step in. However, our allies within Skaikru will not be harmed if they lay down their weapons and surrender to our warriors, instead they will be absorbed into the Trikru whose lands they share a border with."
Lexa's voice rang out loud and clear as she gave her orders, confidently meeting the eyes of each man and woman, feeling a wave of relief when each seemed to nod, appeased with the arrangement that still gave justice whilst keeping to the commanders vow as best as she could without allowing Skaikru to run rampage without consequence.
"What say you Wanheda?" One of the ambassadors sat across from her asked, "These are your people after all."
Lexa was forced to look over at Clarke and what she saw surprised her, instead of anger or betrayal there was only understanding and support.
"I agree with the commander, Skaikru have gotten out of control. After the Azgeda attack my people turned to a man who promised them vengeance and swore to keep them safe no matter the cost. That one man has threatened everything that the commander has tried to build with my people. As their ambassador I am fully in support of the commanders move to remove him from power and punish him for the lives lost because of his actions."
Clarke addressed each of the clan representatives as she spoke, turning back to Lexa for the last line and giving her the smallest of nods, which Lexa returned gratefully.
"Then it is agreed, I call on the armies of the twelve clan to ready the rest of their warriors to join those already at the blockade. I will go in person with Wanheda to give the Skaikru their options, and if they choose wrongly..."
Lexa trailed off and looked back to Titus, "Now what am I going to do with you?"
Titus raised his head slightly to look at her as she stood over him, "I trust you have already been training an apprentice Titus?"
"Sha Heda." He bowed his head.
"Good." She snarled, drawing her sword, swinging it without hesitation at his neck. As Titus' head rolled slightly away from his body, she handed off the sword to one of the warriors stood next to her. "By attacking Clarke who is my guest in Polis, Titus attacked me. By attacking me he attacked all of you and threatened the security of the coalition and the safety of every single one of our people. I could not and would not let that stand, tell the people we have a new Flamekeeper."
Without another word she swept out of the room, her coat flaring out behind her as each of the representatives dropped to their knees before their commander.
As soon as she was able, Clarke ran after her, finding her in Clarke's own room clutching at her side.
"I think I require your medical expertise again Clarke." She grinned wryly as she carefully shrugged off her coat and sash to leave her in plain pants and a loose fitting shirt.
There was already a small patch of blood spreading across the shirt as Clarke lifted the edge, instruction Lexa to take a seat on the edge of the bed.
"You've pulled some stitches, I take it this was when you decided to start swinging a sword around."
The corner of Lexa's lips twitched upwards as Clarke ranted about how irresponsible she was and how it would never heal if she didn't do as Clarke said.
"If anyone else spoke to me like that they would share the same fate as Titus."
"Yes well I'm not anyone." Clarke said confidently, smirking at Lexa as she tied off the new bandage, "I have certain perks and one of them is ordering you to get into that bed right now."
Lexa looked at her with lips parting in a rare full smile as she quirked an eyebrow.
"To rest." Clarke clarified, as Lexa sighed but shuffled backwards to lie down on top of the bed anyway.
"Come lie down with me Clarke." Lexa said softly as Clarke made to walk away, "It is your bed after all and we should talk."
Clarke smiled gently as she climbed onto the bed and lay down next to Lexa, mindful not to shake the bed, propping herself up on one elbow as she lay on her side to look into the commanders eyes.
"I meant what I said you know, I agree with what your doing. It may not be what I wanted but it's the only real course of action you can take that won't end up causing more problems than it solves."
Lexa stared at her thoughtfully, "Are you sure you're ok with this Clarke? I'm doing my best to take care off everyone but Skaikru has pushed too far for the clans to just forgive and forget."
"I'm sure." Clarke said softly, leaning down to press their lips together in a tender kiss. "Now try and get some sleep, I will wake you in a few hours so you can eat."
"Stay with me Clarke?"
They both knew that she wasn't just asking her to stay whilst she slept.
"Always Lexa."