Captured

Chapter One

At times, life seemed to be heading in a direction that felt too good to be true. As if they were living in a plot of some perfect, ideal movie. At least that's how Clarke tended to describe it. Their daughter continued to amaze them more and more by the day, so much in fact that by the time she had turned three she already knew how to correctly hold a sword. However, Clarke had requested that they hold off on training their child, instead using this time to let her simply be a child and take her for walks around the city to show her how the world worked, even if she wasn't quite old enough to understand it.

Akalya's curiosity grew more and more as time went on, asking questions that no three year old should be able to think of. Lexa took a stroll with the little girl by her side one day, allowing Clarke time to rest for the afternoon as she had been busy helping Abby in the infirmary. The child smiled happily as she held onto Lexa's hand, knowing she wasn't allowed to run off without her. Her smile only grew as she saw a bright blue flower peeking through the pavement on the walkway and she tugged on Lexa's hand in hopes of leading her over it. "We should take this back for Nomon." She exclaimed excitedly, bending down to pluck the flower from the ground. "Where do flowers come from?" Akalya asked curiously, her gaze looking up at Lexa expectantly.

"They grow from seeds planted in the ground. And just like you they need to be fed and watered until they're big and strong." Lexa answered as best she could, smiling a little in affection. "Come, I'll show you." The Commander led her towards a field where a new crop was being prepared. Farmers and workers bowed in respect for their Heda as she grabbed a handful of carrot seeds. She handed it to her daughter then wandered through the trenches of the field until they came across an empty plot.

"Depending on what you are planting will matter how to plant and care for what you grow. These will turn into carrots one day, so they need to be planted in the ground then watered until they are ready to eat." Akalya crouched down on the ground, her tongue sticking from her mouth slightly in concentration as she buried the seeds just as Lexa had directed her. As she stood the Commander nodded in approval before taking her hand once more and headed back towards the tower, the blue flower still in her hand.

…

Clarke sat upright on the couch, a book resting on her thighs and she looked up upon hearing the door open. "Nomon, nomon! I found a flower that's the colour of your eyes!" Akalya moved eagerly towards her mother and handed her the flower. "It's beautiful, just like you." The child climbed up on the couch and Clarke lifted her arm so she could cuddle into her side as she placed the flower's stem in the book.

Lexa stood back by the door, having watched the scene play out and once again wondered how life could be this good.

…

Abby Griffin stood in the doorway of the balcony, her back facing Clarke as she gazed out at the City below. "I wouldn't ask you if there wasn't another option." Clarke's brow furrowed as she walked further towards her mom, Abby turning to face her solemnly. "I want to help. I've just never been away from Akalya before. If she needs me…"

"Lexa will take care of her. Or Octavia, or Marcus. She has a lot of people who love her." A small sigh escaped the blonde's lips as she moved out onto the balcony. The most she'd ever been away from her daughter was when Lexa took her for a walk so Clarke could have a break from parenting. And even then they'd stayed inside the City walls. If anything happened to either of them while she was away she didn't know if she could forgive herself. But her mother was right. There was an outbreak of some mutated flu virus going around and all of Abby's doctors and healers were too busy to leave.

"Alright. But I'll have to speak to Lexa first."

…

Lexa's first thought when Clarke mentioned leaving the City was to tell her absolutely not. Her priority to protect Clarke was high on her list of importance. But then she realised Clarke had never been away, never been outside the walls unless it was with Lexa or to hunt. An uneasy feeling settled in her stomach at the thought of Clarke outside on her own. But when she promised she would be escorted by guards it put her mind at ease, even if only a little. And from what Clarke was telling her this Ouskejon Kru Elder was in need of a healer and fast. Which was why Clarke was to leave as soon as she was ready. So, with that in mind, and the promise to carry one of Skaikru's talking devices she agreed for her to go.

…

Lexa stood at the gates with Akalya by her side, her hand placed comfortingly on the child's shoulder. "I'll be back before you know it." Clarke promised her, bringing her in for a hug and a kiss on the cheek. The blonde stood back up and placed her hand on Lexa's cheek, gazing lovingly into her eyes. "I'll be okay." She vowed, needing Lexa to believe that. The Commander gave a resolute nod before sharing a kiss goodbye, Clarke's horse and her guards disappearing into the night.

…

Lexa stepped into the role of parenting on her own far easier than she had anticipated. The bond they had already built together helped tasks run a little more smoothly and when she had important meetings to attend to she asked Marcus Kane to look after her for a few hours.

Lexa sat on the end of Akalya's bed that first full night since Clarke had left and the walkie talkie crackled before the blonde's voice came through. "We've camped just south of the river near the border. It's cold and I miss you both." At the sound of her mother's voice Akalya sat up in bed and gazed at Lexa, silently asking if she could answer. Lexa pressed the button and held the device out to her. "We miss you too Nomon. We've been busy playing in the garden." Lexa smiled a little at the phrase, knowing it was their code word for practice fighting so Clarke wouldn't know what they were really up to. She wanted their daughter to be ready for anything and didn't think she was too young to learn the basics.

"Goodnight." Akalya murmured sleepily into the speaker before laying back down in bed, slowly falling asleep.