A/N - I think that last chapter was the most reviews I have had so far. Not entirely sure because I didn't actually count haha, but it felt like it and everyone said really lovely things. So when I came to write this, I somehow managed to write double the usual again! If this continues then I may have to keep it up with the longer chapters, so no more sleep for me lol. Seriously though guys, I am so inspired by all the positive things you say to me, and that's what enables me to put out a chapter every day instead of having a sane amount of sleep :) Can't wait to hear what you think of this one! xx

When Abby and Clarke walked back into the hall, Lexa's eyes flicked up for a moment to check if everything was ok but soon returned her attention to Kane when Clarke gave her a quick nod. The other members of the Skaikru party watched with interest, desperate to know what had happened but no one was telling.

"And then from there all we need to do is ensure that our food reserves are fully stocked." Kane finished, gulping down some water as his throat had dried during the extended amount of time he had been talking.

Lexa nodded thoughtfully, "I believe we can help with that. Indra, you are the leader of Trikru, in exchange for knowledge on Skaikru medicines would your people be open to teaching a group how to hunt effectively?"

Indra considered it quickly, "Yes commander, as long as the exchange of knowledge is fair. There is a group in TonDC who had shown interest in the healing methods used by the Skaikru already, I am sure that a fair agreement can be made."

Kane smiled at them both, "Mochof Heda."

Lexa's lips quirked slightly, "You are welcome." She always found it amusing when Kane used their language, he seemed so proud of himself whenever he managed the simplest of sentences. He was like a young hunter after just killing their first rabbit, although his pronunciation and phrasing did get better every time she saw him and soon he would speak Trigedasleng like a true grounder, much like Octavia did.

Clarke leaned in slightly, "Taking care of our people Heda?" Eye's shining happily after the conversation with her mother, which did not go unnoticed by Lexa.

"Always, Wanheda."

"What does that mean?" One of the guards that had come with them asked, Lexa didn't recognize him but spoke respectfully to him anyway.

"In gonasleng it translates to commander of death. It is what my people call Clarke."

Abby made a face across from them as a whisper went around the table, "That's a horrible name. It is cruel to make someone carry round a title that is a constant reminder of all the people they have-" She caught herself when Kane nudged her arm sharply.

Looking up from her plate, she expected Clarke to be angry or at least upset with her outburst, but instead her daughter had an amused grin on her face.

"I didn't like it at first either, but once it was explained properly to me..." Lexa smirked, remembering the conversation, "There is more to it than just being responsible for the deaths of a lot of people. Although even if it wasn't, I still made those decisions and they are mine to carry."

Lexa opened her mouth but Clarke shook her head, "I already told you I am not getting a tattoo, I like yours but a physical reminder isn't what I need."

The doors at the end of the room swung open and King Roan stepped in, Lexa nodded in greeting at him but it was Clarke who stood up to greet him warmly, "It is good to see you again Roan." After Lexa had made him King, Clarke and Roan had become good friends in the short period before he returned to his people to enforce the commanders law.

"Wanheda." He smiled at her.

"It's Clarke. A formal title doesn't feel right towards someone you've kidnapped." The Skaikru shifted at that but didn't react further, confused as to many of the things that had happened and been mentioned already that day.

"Clarke." Roan nodded, walking with her back towards the table so he could speak to Lexa, "Heda, one of your warriors was coming to inform you but I told him I would pass along the message to give me a chance to greet you personally before the ceremony this evening and also to confirm whether I have your permission for what I said in the message that was sent to you. All the clans are in attendance and ready at the arena, they are just waiting on your arrival."

Lexa inclined her head slightly, "Thank you Roan, you have my permission, I was pleased to hear of the new changes you are implementing within Azgeda."

Roan flashed her a charming smiled, "Well after what happened to my mother I would not want to be anything less than completely respectful to your coalition Heda."

That prompted a slight smiled from Lexa, who waved a hand to dismiss him, "I am glad to hear that, we will join everyone at the arena shortly."

Roan bowed low and then spun on his heel, slipping out of the room on Lexa's command.

"Azgeda are in the city?" One of the young men, several places down from Lexa, snarled angrily, "Why are they here?"

The look Lexa gave him was murderous and everyone else shifted away from the foolish boy subconsciously. He quickly realized himself that he had made a mistake because he began fumbling over his words to apologize, but Lexa was not finding herself in a lenient mood. Snapping her fingers she summoned one of the guards stationed around the edge of the room like shadows.

"You are to follow this boy for the rest of the day. He is still my guest but if he so much as looks at one of Roan's people wrongly? Kill him."

She stalked out of the room quickly, followed by Indra who realized that the commander would most likely require help getting into her battle gear in time. There was to be no fighting that night but she must look the part to welcome the competitors.

Clarke slammed her hand down on the table angrily once Lexa had left the room, Octavia quickly snatching her own glass before it was knocked over.

"You are an idiot, what did you think was going to happen? Jacobs, right?"

Jacobs at least had the good grace to look ashamed as he nodded.

"The commander just ended a conflict with the Skaikru based on your fascination with hitting first and asking questions later. Roan is a good friend to the coalition and has eliminated the extremists from his clan. Not to mention you saw me greet him as a friend, and then you still decided to run your mouth?"

With a disgusted look she stood up and beckoned Octavia to follow her, instructing one of Lexa's warriors to escort the Skaikru party down to the arena which was really just an open space with a dais for the clan leaders. It was also where Lexa had fought Roan when Nia challenged her.

"Clarke, you realized you just referred to Skaikru as though you weren't one of us right?" Octavia asked as they walked.

Clarke thought back on what she had said and then sighed when she realized that Octavia was right, "Sometimes I feel like I'm not and it would be so much easier if I could just join another clan. All our people seem to do is cause more and more trouble that I'm left to sort through."

Octavia pulled her arm back slightly as she was about to walk through Lexa's bedroom door where the commander was just finishing getting ready.

"Clarke, I know that I haven't always agreed with you on things, but I am here to help you deal with everything know. I mean, it's literally my job now."

Clarke smiled, "Thank you Octavia, you have no idea how happy I am to have you here."

Grinning back at her, Octavia clapped her on the shoulder, "You're very welcome, maybe out of gratitude you could get your girlfriend to lift the kill order on my boyfriend."

Clarke leaned in, "Actually it's fiancée. " She whispered in Octavia's ear, "But don't tell anyone."

Octavia's eyes shined, glad for her friend, "Don't tell anyone, but me too." She whispered back, slipping a ring out from under her shirt, which she was wearing on a chain.

Then she gave Clarke a shove to push her into Lexa's room, laughing at the surprised but happy look Clarke was giving her.

"Hail, warriors of the thirteen clans!" Lexa's voice rang out clearly across the crowd, "For the first time in our history we have true peace between all thirteen clans living on the ground. Most notably Skaikru has resolved their internal conflicts and denounced their traitors to stand amongst us with pride. And I especially want to give thanks to King Roan of Azgeda for dealing so effectively with the lingering descent amongst his ranks."

The crowd cheered at her words, and she allowed it for a few moments before she raised a hand, "These tournaments have been used to show power between clans and the respect between warriors for over fifty, well documented years. Yet today is the one that will go down in history, the first tournament to include warriors from every single clan!"

She waved a hand behind her at the leaders for each clan, who were sat on the dais instead of the ambassadors that usually held their places for them. One by one they stood and moved to the front to announce the chosen warrior for their clan who would fight.

Finally there was just three clans left to declare.

On Lexa's cue, Clarke moved to stand at the front, back straight and her head raised proudly, "Octavia kom Skaikru will fight for her clan in this tournament."

Octavia's mouth dropped open, as she had been completely blindsided by this, but she stepped forward and bowed down on one knee to the clan leaders and Lexa before taking her place amongst the other warriors.

Then it was Azgeda's turn. Roan stepped forwards, fully aware that it was expected that he put himself forward after the fight against Lexa so he could prove his strength, "Ontari kom Azgeda will fight for her clan in this tournament."

There was a hushed whisper amongst the people watching, who knew Ontari as nothing more that Nia's old bodyguard. Clarke shot a worried look at Lexa, who quickly nodded that there was nothing to worry about and that she had been aware of who Roan was going to announce. Clarke quickly realized that that was what Roan had been asking permission for earlier.

Ontari bowed to those on the dais in the same way as Octavia had and then went to stand next to the Skaikru girl in the line of warriors.

Finally Indra stepped forward, as the leader of the tree people, "Lexa kom Trikru will fight for her clan in this tournament."

A thunderous cheer erupted from the people of Polis, from all clans, as their Heda leapt down from the platform gracefully and acknowledged the clan leaders by saluting with her blade rather than bowing. Standing shoulder to shoulder with the warriors from other clans who stared down at Lexa warily, having been unaware that Lexa was going to be part of the competition up until that declaration, rather than just the opponent for the final battle as was more traditional for a Heda.

Indra moved to the front, taking over from Lexa now that she had taken her place amongst the other competitors, "The tournament begins at first light tomorrow! Enjoy the feast!"

People quickly dispersed as a fast tempo drum beat started up, the streets of Polis turning into a grand festival, with drinking, dancing and food.

The warriors gathered from each clan to fight the next day, shook hands respectfully before leaving to join friends, partners and families already enjoying the celebration.

Lexa and Ontari lingered, Lexa nodding at Clarke to encourage her to join in the festivities ahead of her.

The two night bloods walked a little ways away, to an area secluded enough to give them the privacy needed to talk freely.

"I don't like you." Lexa spoke honestly, "You are an unknown element and that makes you dangerous to my peace, but Roan assured me that your intentions for being in my city are honorable."

Ontari bowed before her commander without hesitation, "I swear my life to serving you Heda. Nia trained me but told me nothing of my night blood other than that it would one day allow her to overthrow you. With Roan as King, I ask that I be allowed to remain here and learn once this competition is over."

Lexa hummed thoughtfully, "Stand." She commander, not unkindly. "Prove to me, through your actions this coming week, that you mean what you say and I will seriously consider allowing you to stay and train with the other night bloods."

"What do you want me to do Heda?" Ontari asked curiously.

"I'm not going to tell you." Lexa smirked, "If you are meant to remain here then you will. Trust that and just enjoy your week in Polis."

Without another word she headed back to the celebration, leaving a confused Ontari behind her, who didn't understand Lexa's vague answer.

Lexa had spoken with many people over the course of the night, checking in with Clarke every now and then, but otherwise leaving her to spend time with her own people.

Just under an hour before the celebration was meant to begin winding down, an inebriated Clarke caught Lexa round the waist and dragged her round in a clumsy dance.

"Lexa!" Clarke shouted happily, tripping over her own feet as the amused commander fought to keep them both upright, "Come and have a drink with me!"

Lexa smiled at her gently and pulled the cup Clarke was holding out of her hand, "I need to fight tomorrow Clarke, I do not need the after effects of whatever strange concoctions are being stirred up tonight to cloud my head."

Clarke pouted but then leaned towards her and nipped at her ear, "Then let's go back to our room and have fun in another way." She smiled in what should have been a flirty way, but instead it just came out as an adorable little, lopsided grin.

Lexa caught Indra's eye and waved her over, "If anyone asks I have taken Clarke back to the tower before she hurts herself. I trust that I can leave you to oversee things here?"

"Sha Heda."

"Mochof Indra."

She tried leading Clarke back, but they only got halfway before Clarke's legs became useless so she gave up and just picked up the other girl, glad that it wasn't much further and then they could take the elevator up to their floor. The operators wouldn't be happy about being called back from the festivities but there was no way she was going to carry Clarke up all those stairs.

By the time they had finally gotten to her room, Clarke had fallen asleep in her arms, so she just layed her down on the bed gently and pulled off her boots and jacket so she would sleep comfortably.

Shedding her own armor and boots she slipped in beside her, laying an arm around Clarke's waist and closing her eyes, focusing her ears to listen to the tail end of the party in the streets as she fell asleep.