"Is the great Commander nervous about how her people are going to react?" Clarke grinned, holding Lexa's hands as they waited just inside the tower as everyone started gathering in the courtyard to listen to her announcement.
"It is not nice to mock me Clarke, if they do not approve then life will be made just as difficult for you as well." Lexa said tensely, staring straight ahead at the closed door.
Clarke chuckled, "What does it matter to them who you marry?"
Lexa turned to face her, gently cupping Clarke's cheek in her hand, "You do not grasp the enormity of what we are doing Clarke. This has never been done before. No Heda has ever actually married, the Flame Keeper has always kept them alone and focused on the next battle."
"But Rebecca said-"
"I know." Lexa smiled, "And I am happy that we are going to be married next month, but as much as Bekka Pramheda may be supporting our union, only I can speak to the long dead Commanders and that will not go very far as to convincing my people that this is not a betrayal of my duties."
Clarke shook her head quickly, placing her hands firmly on Lexa's shoulders, "You need to calm down ok? We're not getting married today, just telling them. And I think you underestimate the love your people have for you. They won't turn on you for wanting this one little thing for yourself."
"I hope not Clarke." Lexa murmured quickly, as a knock came on the door to indicate that they were ready.
After a deep breath to steel herself, Lexa seized hold of both door handles and opened the double doors in a smooth motion, walking out confidently to stand on a raised platform that had been built up with her people crowding the street. As they had discussed, Clarke immediately moved to her side, standing on equal footing with Lexa which caused a slight stir even before a single word had been uttered.
"People of Polis, I have called you here today to make an announcement that you are all impacted by in one way or another." Lexa started, her voice even and clear, carrying easily across the crowd as she expertly pushed away her initial trepidation. "For the first time in our history, you will see the union of your Heda and the person that they love."
There was dead silence throughout the entire square, each persons face completely unreadable as Lexa stared out at them.
Clarke quickly threaded her fingers through Lexa's and raised their joint hands, "The ground and sky will be forever united by us, and it is our wish that each and every one of you join in our celebrations."
Forcing herself to stay still and not fidget was one of the most difficult things that Clarke had ever done, but she did it, using Lexa to ground herself as they waited for any reaction at all from their people. After what seemed like an eternity, the crowd suddenly erupted in cheers and applause, cheering equally for Heda and Wanheda as the two of them stood their for a few more moments before quickly retreating back into the tower where Lexa flung her arms around Clarke.
"See, nothing to worry about." Clarke said as she smirked cockily at Lexa who just shook her head with a smile.
Within moments, their family bounced through the door, against the protestations of Lexa's guards who were no match for an excitable Octavia being flanked by both Aden and Cal, with the rest of their group trailing behind flashing apologetic smiled at every one else.
"You are misusing the power I gave you Octavia." Lexa said, attempting to sound threatening.
"Yeah whatever." Octavia grinned, wrapping them both up in a fierce hug, "I love you guys, you know that right?"
Raven coughed from behind them, "Lincoln? Your girlfriend?"
Lincoln shrugged and then walked across to them, wrapping his arms round Octavia's waist and physically pulling Octavia off of the two of them. "Congratulations Commander." He smiled at Lexa as she gave him a grateful look once she was able to breath properly again.
"So what are the people saying?" She asked, still slightly on edge after the last time she tried to go against tradition and nearly ended up dead.
Ontari smiled at her happily, "I believe you have nothing to fear Commander. You are to be married to the legendary Wanheda. In their eyes the union will give you strength rather than bring you weakness, if you were insistent on doing this, then Clarke was the best possible choice of partner."
Aden was next to cling to Lexa happily, pulling Clarke in as well, "You deserve to be really happy, both of you." He got out, his voice cracking slightly.
Raven shook her head at the lot of them, all getting incredibly emotional, which she got. But there was a party just outside the doors waiting for them to go and enjoy it.
"Come on people, it's your engagement party."
Clarke grinned and nodded at her to open the doors, pulling Lexa's arm to drag her into the celebrations that had already moved into full force during their brief little conversation.
The rest of the night was soon a blur, with dancing and alcohol, and many people working up the nerve to congratulate the Commander in person as she laughed and spoke with each of them as though they were old friends.
Their friends dropped out of the festivities at various staged, Raven and Ontari disappearing first to get Cal to sleep, and at the sun finally started to peak it's head over the horizon Clarke decided that it was really time for them to head to bed.
As they lay side by side, Clarke smiled at Lexa tenderly, who had almost completely sobered up and was just lazily watching her as she had undressed and then climbed into the bed.
"How do you feel?" Clarke asked.
Lexa blinked at her slowly before covering her mouth as she yawned, "Tired Clarke, tired but incredibly happy that I have you. Now come here," She pulled Clarke into her arms, placing a finger over her mouth as she went to speak again, "I truly love you Clarke, but it is time to shut up and go to sleep now."
Clarke grinned, pecking her on the lips before settling down and closing her eyes, falling asleep just as the sun hit the exposed skin of her forearm, strewn across the top of the covers.