Almost a month of calm had passed since Ontari had passed Lexa's final test, and since then she had been given increasing responsibilities by Lexa. They were similar in a way to the tests Lexa had put Aden through, tests of leadership and judgement.
However, unlike Aden, Ontari was sent further afield, deemed old enough to leave the city and handle diplomatic issues in the border towns.
She quickly realised that diplomacy wasn't her true calling, and that she would always feel more comfortable with a sword in hand, but Lexa was pleased to receive reports of her progress and level-headed decision making.
It was after one of these diplomatic missions, that Ontari came back to find the tower in a state of upheaval and disarray.
A ring of guards surrounded the base of the tower, blocking entry to any but the trusted few, recognising her on sight and standing aside.
Confused she stepped inside, and was faced with a large contingent of warriors in the main foyer of the building, Echo standing at the head of them. Each and every one of them was alert and primed for a fight.
Frowning, Ontari waved Echo over, "What's going on? Has there been an attack?" She asked hurriedly, glancing around for any of the tell-tale signs of battle damage.
Echo quickly shook her head, "No nothing like that. Octavia went into labour this morning, and let's just say that everyone seems to have a different method of coping with that."
"So, I presume this is Lexa's?" Ontari laughed with relief.
Echo dipped her head, "She was thrown out of the room fairly quickly I believe, and has spent most of the day mustering defences just in case an attack happens whilst everyone's distracted."
"How's everyone else? Has Octavia had the baby yet?"
Echo shook her head, "Not yet, and don't we all know it. She's been taking that out on Clarke's mother, as though the good doctor has deliberately made things stretch on."
Ontari bit her lip to hold back a laugh.
"As for the others?" Echo continued, "Lincoln hasn't left Octavia's side, Clarke and her mother are with Octavia now, Lexa is defending the tower from imagined threats, and Raven has taken the boys down to the night blood floor and I think they were playing war games."
Clapping Echo on the shoulder with a grin, Ontari slipped past her, "I'm going to head up, thanks for the heads up."
Heading for the elevator, Ontari stepped in quickly, and motioned for the elevator guards to start operating the lever to move it up.
She had a few moments of quiet, before screams and shouts became audible from above. Straining her ears, she could make out many voices and quickly assumed that she was hearing the ongoing wargames from the children.
Deciding to visit her girlfriend later, she continued up to their private floor, intent on finding Lexa at least, and then perhaps looking in on Octavia if she was permitted.
As the door opened, there was a sword immediately levelled at her throat, the tip pressing uncomfortably into her skin.
Staring ahead calmly, she smiled at Lexa, who slowly lowered the weapon.
"If someone were able to get past the army you have stationed below us, then I'm not sure a sword would stop them." Ontari joked lightly, as she stepped into the corridor, immediately hit by a wave of profanity emanating from Lincoln and Octavia's room.
Frowning, Lexa glanced down at the blade in her hand, "Well we can't be too careful, if I were planning an assault on our home, this is the kind of opportunity that would serve as perfect cover."
Noting the tense lines of Lexa's face, Ontari nodded slowly, before drawing her own sword and standing at Lexa's shoulder facing the elevator.
At the questioning glance shot to her by the Commander, she shrugged.
"This would be a good opportunity to strike at us. Two night bloods are better than one, as defences go."
Lexa gave her a resolute nod, and then there they stood. Each patiently standing guard as their friend shouted and swore in the other room, giving birth to her first child.