A/N: Thank you to those who took the time to write a review. I love reading them, good or bad! I love knowing what everyone is thinking. Huge thanks to those who are following this story and added it to their favorites. I love Lexa so hopefully I do better for her character than the show did. The one thing that drove me crazy on the show was how fast Lexa changed. She went from badass to very soft, very quick. It also drove me bonkers how Clarke was so crazed for 3 months but then forgives Lexa in uh 5 minutes. In this version that will not happen how it played out in the show. Don't worry though it will be Clexa. Not everything is exactly how it was on the show. This is a rewrite not plagiarism lol. To reviewer FlameHazeKatsu, I did literally copy that quote and paste it so I wouldn't miss anything, knowing how important that one line was. Anyway that being said, stick around this will get intense.
Clarke heard what Lexa was saying but she wasn't processing it. There was no way the Commander meant this. She didn't even know if it was possible. It also brought many concerns that the blonde didn't want to consider. The thought of Lexa not being there. The possibility of her spirit choosing the blonde over the Grounders beloved Aden. How would the clans even react if it happened? Worst of all how much of a leader would she be without the Heda? The thoughts swirled around her mind at such a rapid pace it was starting to make her dizzy. She closed her eyes. It was next too impossible to slow the chaos in her brain. She blinked a few times as she opened her eyes focusing on the Commander. Concentrating on one thing at a time, the most important one, the one that was the current pressing issue. "That's not possible." Her voice barely above a whisper.
Lexa watched the emotions play out across Clarke's face. She stood completely still letting Clarke digest the importance of what was just told to her. From the instant Lexa heard what Clarke did at Mt. Weather she knew there was a true leader in her. One that wasn't so different from the Heda. Knowing that there was a war brewing she needs to know her people will be led by someone strong. Someone who is smart and can make the right decisions. A person that would put others needs before their own. Who better then Clarke, with the exception of Aden. The Commander knew if she could teach the blonde the rest of their ways, make her understand them, then she would be a strong contender. Snapped out of her own thoughts when she heard Clarke speak. Normally showing emotions wasn't her forte but she couldn't help the small smile. It wasn't much to most people; Lexa wasn't most people. "Your people found a way from the Sky to the Ground with little causalities. I know this can be done Clarke."
It was a lot to take in. Too many things she didn't want to get into now. The Wanheda looked into Lexa's eyes. Saw the seriousness in them. It was true her people did find a way to the Ground but only when forced to. It was do or die. Then again wasn't that their current situation. The blonde agreed to be the 13th clan partly for the protection of her people. Where she did them wrong last time, this time she wouldn't, couldn't, make the mistake. If Lexa died it would put her people in double jeopardy. "Then I guess I have to speak to my mom." The blonde still wasn't sure if it was possible or not. One thing she was sure on was that she would try every way. Science was all about trying, failing, trying again, and succeeding. Maybe not at that pace, the point was scientists don't give up.
Without saying another word Lexa sent the guards outside her chambers to retrieve Abbey. It only took a few minutes for the doctor to arrive. The Commander explained what she wished for to the past Chancellor. As she was listening she would glance at her daughter making sure this is what the blonde wanted. It was the glint in her daughter's eyes that told her how serious this was. The look of determination that shun through them. She made a mental note to discuss it further with Clarke alone. Abbey was all too well aware of what happened if you crossed the Heda. "I am going to need access to the NightBloods history. Down to the first Commander." The ex-Chancellor knew this was the most important information to the Grounders and weren't going to be too willing to share it with someone from SkyCrew. "What you're asking me Lexa is basically to make someone who is O negative blood type to AB. Without having all your history, I will not do what you're asking." Hoping to breakthrough to the sensible side of the Heda.
Lexa remained quiet. They did have some facts that went back to the original Leader. This was private and sacred to the Grounders. She never was faced with having to share this with any outsider. Contemplating if they still were outsiders. They were now her 13th clan and she was considering Clarke a replacement in case of her untimely demise. "I will show you our sacred temple. This is where the ritual is performed for the next Commander. No one other than the flamekeeper, current Commander and the Commander to be, have been in this room. What you see in there you must not share with anyone else." Lexa decided it was in the best interest to take them there. She wanted it known with all certainty that it is strictly for them, strictly for this purpose.
They followed the Heda silently through the main tower of Polis. Neither said a word as they entered what seemed like the dungeon. They smelled changed immediately. Gone was that crisp air replaced by muggy stale air. If air alone could tell tales, they would have heard a hundred stories. The stone was chipping around them crunching under their feet as they walked. Stopping outside an old wooden door that seemed as solid as the trees in the woods surrounding the city. Lexa stopped and bowed her head before pushing open the door. It creaked as it revealed it's inside to the three outside anxiously awaiting.
Abbey and Clarke walked two separate ways taking in all that was around them. Etched into the stone was the story of the Grounders. Clarke was memorized in the story that was unfolding before her eyes in ancient markings. It was the artist in her drawn to this. Abbey on the other hand went straight to a pod that looked all too familiar. There was no mistaken it, this was a pod like the ones they used to come to the ground. She spun around to look at the Commander.
The petite brunette stood next to a stone slab. It was just about even with her waist. Almost like an ancient medical table. This is where the ritual was performed to make her the Heda. Where it can be performed on Clarke or Aden. She let her hands glide over the cool stone. Flashbacks played through her memories of her Conclave. Her hands pushing in opposite directions as she leaned in as if she was reliving the moment. "The first Commander was from the Sky?" There was confusion and shock in the statement made from the ex-Chancellor. Lexa lifted her hands off the rock beneath them as she turned to Abbey. "Yes, it is believed that Becca, was from the Sky. Leaving it to start anew, with new people, her people, the ones on the ground. This is how the Grounders were formed."
The blonde was pulled from her trance, looking back and forth at the two as they spoke. Noticing for the first time the pod next to her mother. As if a magnetic pulled her there Clarke walked right over to it. Stunned for the second time. "Why wouldn't you tell me this?" It only brought back the pain the brunette before her could cause. Showing Clarke yet again that every time she thinks she knows Lexa something happens to let her know she doesn't.
It pained Lexa to see the hurt show in Clarke's eyes. The sadness that Lexa was once again letting her down. She pushed her own emotions deep down. "It wasn't a story for you to know Clarke. This is only for the Commander and the one that will fill the position." Making it as clear as she could that it wasn't personal.
It was all it took for Clarke to question her once more. "You better never betray me again." She tried to muster up the courage to sound just a bit menacing. The blonde needed Lexa to know she wasn't hers to play with like a toy. Nice when she wanted, cruel when needed, it was all in or all out for the Wanheda. Their relationship was strained and broken. Like gluing together glass their current status was extremely fragile.
Lexa didn't care if Abbey was in the room or not. She crossed the distance between her and the blonde. She took Clarke's hands in hers. Letting her actions and words speak together. "Clarke Griffin, I swear to you that I will never hurt you again." Their eyes held each other's. Neither one moving away. Neither one blinking. Their eyes speaking words to each other that they couldn't find the voice to say. Promises, pain, fear, and a deep connection. The Heda came to her senses first. Having not looked at anyone so intensely since Costia. She pulled her hands free facing Abbey once again. The ex-Chancellor watched the whole exchange. Never interrupting, instead watching the way her daughter gazed at the Grounder Leader. It warmed her heart seeing her daughter look that way at anyone again after Finn. At the same time, she couldn't control the fear she felt. Lexa could be viscous as she has proven over and over. "Take all the time you need in here. Always let me know when you need access and I will give it to you." The Heda had her authoritative tone back in place. Without even turning to glance at the blonde again, she turned on her heels and left the two alone.
Abbey listened to the sound of Lexa's boots going down the hallow hallway before speaking. "This is dangerous Clarke." She didn't care what her daughter thought, she was her mother it was her job to protect her. "The Grounders all don't view you how Lexa does. If she dies, will they let you live to become their leader?" Knowing that the NightBlood was started from someone that came from the Sky showed there was a way to make it happen. That Abbey no longer questioned. What was stopping her from moving full steam ahead was how risky it might be for Clarke.
Clarke might not be their first choice but one thing she was starting to grasp was Grounder politics. She put her hand on her mom's shoulder. It was touching how guarded she was over the blonde. "Mom, if Lexa tells her people I am to be her replacement they will accept it. If the Flame picks me over Aden I will face the same threats that Lexa faces." With power there was always someone who wanted it. As Clarke started to realize the seriousness to this she understood that she would be looked at differently if chosen. It was on their descending to the bottom chamber that the blonde finally grasped everything Lexa was telling her in her chamber.
LEXA'S CHAMBER
The Commander paced since she arrived back in her room. It was the way they were peering into each other's eyes that had the Heda at a loss. The raw emotions behind it brought to the surface. The way she felt the need to comfort Clarke. To assure her she would never do that again. Which was troubling the Grounder Leader. Do what exactly, protect her people? That was her duty and she always did it with complete accuracy. Yet she couldn't stop the words from spilling out. When she looked at Clarke she felt different. Strong and weak, small and large, everything and nothing all at once. Sometimes when their eyes lock she forgets anyone else exists. Seeing those blue eyes lock onto hers does something to her. Lexa couldn't put her finger on it. All she knew is she would fight it. The Commander would keep her promise she needed Clarke. The blonde has proven to be the perfect fit. That could be all, she would not allow herself to fall in love again. The feelings she had now she would fight with all her might to dissipate. They have a task now. That will take priority over everything else. No longer wanting to concentrate on her feelings she was going to put the wheels in motion. She had her guards get Titus waiting for the Flamekeeper to arrive, she pulled herself together. Taking the stance of the warrior that she is. The one that no one would dare betray.
Titus enters the room cautiously. "Yu sent gon me Heda?" He folding his arms behind his back placing one hand in the other as he waited for her to speak.
"Tomorrow you will take Clarke to the NightBloods. She is to start training with them. Do not question me on this. It is done!" Her eyes had a glint to them. They were almost predatory. Titus saw it and knew not to push. He nodded at his Commander and left without any objections.
NEXT MORNING
Clarke was facing the ground for the third time. This time her hands stopped her face from smashing into the dirt beneath her. She spit the blood onto the floor before pushing herself back up. She looked at the young gentleman in front of her. "Easy Aden I haven't been fighting since before I could walk." It wasn't that she was weak but she wasn't trained like he was either. Clarke knew how to throw punches but fighting Aden was like a white belt going against a black belt in a kickboxing tournament.
"You think your enemy will care Clarke?" He smiled as he spun around throwing his leg right towards the blonde's head. She blocked him this time. "I see what the Heda sees, you learn fast." He didn't let up his assault. For now, he was told no weapons it was hand on hand combat. His foot hit the ground after it was deflected and he dropped down with it turning his body knocking into the blonde's legs.
Wanheda blinked a few times as she stared at the sky above her. Every bone in her spinal cord ached as it slammed down on rocks beneath her. This was just her first day and the young NightBlood was kicking her ass big time. She rolled out of the way as Aden's fist was about to connect with her face. She had to keep rolling as his foot almost stomped her next. Taking that opportunity, she swung one leg over the other learning from the young boy. It hit the back of his knee as he went down. She took only a second to get up because she knew she didn't have any time to spare before Aden would be on his feet. It was the extra instant she needed to compose herself back into a fighting stance. The two circled each other like vultures circling their prey. Both waiting for the chance to surprise the other.
"ATTENTION FOR YOUR COMMANDER," Titus's voice carried over the training grounds. It sounded like gladiators practicing for the chance in the Coliseum and his voice still was heard.
All the NightBloods dropped the fighting stance as they stood at attention like true soldiers. Her soldiers. Clarke watched as Lexa approached. Walking down the line of her warriors. The Commander didn't bother to look at any of them as she went straight towards her advisor. Clarke wished she could peel her eyes off her. It was something in the way she moved. It reeked of power. Sometimes the Wanheda was in awe of Lexa. How she could be such a perfect leader. Making split second decisions to better her people. To be able to unite the fighters she had at her fingertips. Removing her eyes off of Lexa after noticing everyone around her was focused only on the air in front of them. It was as if someone hit the pause button.
As she passed through the NightBloods she waved her hand at them not bothering to acknowledge anyone, "Continue." Only noticing them when she reached Titus, turning to stand shoulder to shoulder with him. She scanned over the grounds letting her eyes linger on Clarke and Aden a smidge longer than anyone else. "How is the training going?" She didn't ask in a soft tone.
Titus never went against the Heda. Not in any of the four he served. Lexa was his all-time favorite. The one with the most potential. The one true leader to unite all the clans. Even if there was rebels she still did what was supposed to be impossible. The FlameKeeper stood beside every decision his Commander made. He would defend her to his death if it was needed. For the first time he doubted her decision. She wasn't telling him something that much he knew. He couldn't wrap his head around someone from SkyCrew training with their potential leaders. He never wanted to lose Lexa but knew that it was beyond his control. It wasn't just someone from the SkyPeople it was this one in particular. Knowing the question, she asked truly referred to one person he replied, "Clarke is a fast learner Heda but she is no match for Aden."
Lexa observed as Clarke clutched her stomach after the blow she just took. She didn't fall over. The pain was evident by the way she clenched her teeth. Lexa went to where the two were tapping Aden on the shoulder. He knew what it meant as he nodded his head in a small bow to his leader. The Grounder Leader knew that there was underlying anger with the two of them. There was a part of Clarke that wanted to hit her since she was brought to Polis. She would use it now to show her people she knew how to pick leaders. Lexa grinned at Clarke, "Ready to dance?" Bringing her fists up ready to fight.
