Captured

Chapter Three

Saying those words out loud, hearing them as confirmation from someone else felt as though she'd been punched in the stomach. As if her entire world seemed to stop and the only one in it was herself. She didn't need to ask who, or how. Although how was questionable as she knew Clarke wouldn't have gone down without a fight. She had always fought, just like Lexa. But this was different. And judging by the manner in which it was carried out, this was entirely planned and thought out. Clarke had walked into a trap.

Lexa immediately descended the steps and continued to walk until she was in the centre of the room. Her mind was reeling despite her best efforts to control her thoughts. She shouldn't have agreed, although she would never stop Clarke from doing as she wished. But that deep pit of anxiety and despair over having to raise their daughter alone seemed to rear its dark, ugly head. As if a black cloud hovered low above her. No. She couldn't, no wouldn't allow her mind to follow that path of thinking. They would get her back, even if Lexa had to go and get her herself.

…

The next few hours seemed to pass in a blur of urgent tactical meetings and whispered conversations. The disappearance of Wanheda was kept under wraps just in case it jeopardised Lexa's position. This was not a concern of the Commander's however, her entire being distracted with the overwhelming urge to march into Azgeda territory and take Clarke back herself. But of course, she was not silly or naive. This had to be done right otherwise her love could be killed in retaliation. The kidnapping had done exactly what it had meant to- receive the young Heda's attention. But along with her overpowering need to go after Clarke she also worried over their daughter.

The nursemaid politely knocked on the doors to the throne room once a five minute break had been called. She informed Lexa that Akalya seemed to unable to settle after many hours of attempting to do so and asked if Lexa's presence would be possible. Clarke's absence is already affecting her. With a solemn nod she excused herself from the room and went to see to her daughter who, just as Nadia had said, looked to be at unease.

"Ai goufa. What is the matter?" Lexa tried to soothe the restless infant, her arms rocking her comfortably in an attempt to lull her into sleep. Even if Akalya was not old enough to know the world around her, she could definitely pick up on changes of mood. And the concern and worry Lexa tried to hide from her face clearly did nothing to stop her from picking up on it.

Eventually Lexa managed to put her to sleep, the sound of an old lullaby her own mother used to sing to her doing the trick and gently set her back down in her crib. Lexa's brows furrowed as she watched the sleeping child, her finger caressing her cheek lovingly. "I will find her ai goufa, I vow it."

…

Darkness, that was what greeted Clarke upon her arrival within Azegda grounds. She felt cold, but not merely from the sleet currently falling from the sky. She felt numb to the bone, as if her entire body had gone beyond pins and needles and now she physically felt nothing.

When they came they struck quickly and methodically, malice and an intent to harm clear within their cold steely stares. And she'd fought well, right up until she'd received a blow to the head from behind and her last thought was of Lexa and their daughter.

A constant dripping sound echoed inside the cold, stony room and as Clarke came to once more she tugged harshly at the metal cuffs that bound her in place. A dull pounding headache began as she slowly sat up from the ground, a cold realisation seeping into her very being. They wanted to draw Lexa out, they wanted a war. And kidnapping the Commander's lover was how they intended to do it.

Clarke blinked a couple of times in an attempt to adjust to the darkness, her eyes scanning for a possible way out. She refused to accept that there was no way out, no way back to her family and her people. Even when her search came up blank. It wasn't so dark anymore, now that her eyes had adjusted to her surroundings. And as her gaze fell to the corner of the cell she saw it. A small shard of glass that lay several feet away.

Clarke climbed to her feet steadily and moved as far as the chains would allow her. She came up short of the possible weapon however, and again strained hard against her restraints. A frustrated cry escaped her, although falling on deaf ears. No one was around, possibly not even a guard. The panic began to rise at the prospect of never seeing her family again, but she quickly shot it down. She had every faith in Lexa and knew she would play this carefully, even if she had a strong urge to charge into battle.

Clarke knew she couldn't give up, and with a small distraction, perfect timing and a lot of luck, she knew she would get out of this.

…

A message arrived addressed to the Commander just two days after Clarke's kidnapping in the middle of the night and with a knock at the door the Commander was requested in the throne room. Her usual trusted guards and warriors had already gathered, Lexa taking a little longer so she could check on Akalya. Satisfied that her daughter was sound asleep and informing Nadia on where she would be she headed towards the throne room, not knowing what awaited her.

The two heavy doors were pushed open and all eyes turned towards the Commander. Indra held out a scroll and Lexa knew immediately what this all meant. She tugged at the ribbon and tossed it aside, her eyes scanning the words scrawled on the parchment. 'If you ever want to see your precious lover again, meet me in the clearing two day's ride from the Azgeda border. Come alone, there will be consequences if you don't.'

Lexa swallowed thickly as she passed the note back to Indra, her throat suddenly dry. They had her where they wanted her. It was ordered that she herself go alone but whoever took Clarke most certainly would not be. Her eyes met Kane and then Abby's, both just as desperate for the blonde's safe return. But they knew, they knew this was all down to Lexa.

She had a plan, a plan that could not fail.

AN: Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to everyone!

I'd just like to thank you all for your patience with this story. I realise I suddenly stopped updating and some might have thought this might be another abandoned fic. However, I simply wanted to take a pause of writing over the holidays as I do have a full time job which admittedly completely wore me out last year.

I hope to update just as quickly as before, if not I'll try for once a week but I promise this story will be finished.

Thank you all again for your support and until next update :)

~xoUselessLesbianxo~