Disclaimer: I own nothing.

One more chapter to go I think. Then it's onto the next story in the series. Polis.

Lexa and Clarke didn't leave the tent again that day. Once Lexa was in a deep sleep Clarke got up and grabbed one of her sketch books and some charcoal and dragging a chair from the main area sat back to sketch the sleeping brunette. Her hand flew over the page and she lost track of time as she lost herself in the art for the first time in weeks.

That was how Abby found her some time later, in a deep trance and sketching madly, once she convinced Octavia and her boyfriend to let her in as she meant no harm. Of course the fact that she carried a light snack before bed probably helped. Not wanting to distract Clark she stepped forward quietly and looked over her daughter's shoulder. She was hardly surprised when she saw the darker woman in bed being sketched in situ.

Abby always thought that her daughter was a brilliant artist and let her explore that as much as she could. Artistry had no use on the Ark though and that is why she pushed for Clarke to work with her and become a healer. A useful tool that had become more useful once they had sent Clarke to the ground and since. Clarke had saved a few with her healing ways, not the least the Commander.

Switching her gaze to the woman in the bed she was taken aback by how young the woman looked. She had known the Commander was young but she had always seemed hardened to Abby, beyond her years. She knew of the legend of a century old Commander spirit that transferred to a new person on the old Commander's passing and thought it complete hogwash. More so now seeing the youthfulness in the Commanders face, and the vulnerability. If she wasn't mistaken there were dried tear tracks on her daughters girlfriends face.

She grimaced, still not happy about the whole merger situation. Which technically made the Commander Clarke's fiancé and soon to be wife. Clarke seemed happy though and from the little Clarke had told her they were good together.

Her attention was drawn back to Clarke when she realised her daughter had finished her drawing and was stretching abused muscles that had been held too long in one place. Now that her daughter wasn't focused she realised she wouldn't be able to back up to the tent entrance and pretend she had just entered. Instead she decided to announce herself gently and carefully.

"You always were the best artist of any of us Clarke." She whispered causing her daughter to jump and try and hide the drawing. Abby touched her shoulder gently and looked down into blue eyes that so reminded her of Jakes. A pang of pain squeezed her heart but she brushed it aside. Regret, guilt and her anguish at her actions were for the privacy of her room, not for the public.

"Mum what are you doing here?" Clarke asked and Abby held up the wood tray with a light snack of roast meat sandwiches she carried

"I heard you had a late lunch and did not attend dinner. I brought you a snack" Abby offered "Plus I wanted to tell you Kosta is strong. Stronger than I imagined. He is doing well"

"Thank you" Clarke placed aside her sketch pad as she stood, not bothering to hide the sketch of Lexa. "Next time please announce yourself at the entry, Lexa won't like you seeing her sleeping"

"You looked deep in concentration. I didn't want to disturb you" Abby offered but frowned "why would she care if I saw her sleeping?"

"It is when she is most weak. She does not like appearing weak in front of anyone" Clarke informed and turned to look at the brunette. Abby recognised the look straight away, the look of love. She had seen it often in her life, had felt it once herself, seeing it in her daughter made her want to wail. Her daughter was growing up way to fast.

"Except for you" Abby offered and watched her daughter blush before looking back at the woman in the bed "How old is she. Right now she looks about 16"

"She is 20 winters. I presume this will be her 21"

"How old was she when she became Commander?"

"13" Clarke offered and Abby was shocked that someone so young good lead a great army, rule so many people. Clarke took the tray from her and walked over to the bed, placing the tray down on a wooden box used as a bedside table before sitting on the bed and brushing back dark hair.

"Lexa, time to wake up."

A groan came from the brunette as she muttered "Don't wanna"

Abby couldn't help but smile at that as Clarke looked up and nodded towards the tent door. Abby nodded her understanding and mouthed goodnight before quietly tiptoeing out. She nodded to Octavia and Lincoln respectfully before heading back to the infirmary in the Ark.

Kota was still resting peacefully. His wife still by his side and talking to him softly as he slept. Their children were sitting quietly on the floor drawing with some crowns and paper someone had provided. She spoke with the wife first, telling her she could stay a bit longer but policy was they had to leave by 8. She pointed to the clock on the wall and showed the mother how to read it.

She explained it was so all the patients in the infirmary could rest quietly. She also stated that she needed to rest and so did the children. She promised to send someone to get her if anything happened but didn't think it would. The wife nodded in understanding and thanked her again before Abby moved to squat next to the children. She could barely make sense of the pictures but the children delighted in telling her.

They drew their Heda and Skaiprisa, their heroes for taking down the mountain and rescuing family and friends. The oldest drew them with bloody swords, the dead at their feet, (what child drew that?) the next drew them together holding hands on their merging day (not what she wanted to think about) and the next drew Clarke fixing Lexa who was injured. She declared she was going to be a healer like Clarke one day.

All three children asked if she could give their drawings to the Skaiprisa and Heda. They knew she was the Skaiprisa's mother and looked upon her with some awe. Abby told the children she would be delighted to give them to Clarke and they beamed as she took the pictures and left the room. Her heart was pounding in her chest and understanding was starting to dawn on her.

These people, grounders, trikru and some of the sky people alike loved and adored their Heda, and now Clarke too. It took three children, three drawings and a simple request for her to understand. They would do anything for their Commander and her intended, Clarke, fight for them, go into battle and die for them. They would do anything they said. Abby realised then the importance of Clarke and what she had done. She had saved them all, even before the mountain. She may not like her methods but they had worked out in the end. Clarke had proved herself to be a great leader, better than she ever could be, she finally saw that.

Strangely she was just relieved, she would leave the leadership to Clarke, most people looked to her anyway. She would be free to do what she loved, practice healing, and she was also known as the Skaiprisa's mother. She thought that held its own reverence. Tomorrow, after she delivered the drawings to Clarke she would speak to Marcus about it.

Entering her personal rooms she quickly got ready for bed, even though it was early. It had been a long exhausting few weeks and she finally felt she could relax somewhat and was now beyond exhaustion. She barely had time to glance at the drawing of her late husband Clarke had done before she passed out.

Meanwhile back in Lexa's tent she was not at all impressed that Abby had been in their tent unannounced and while she was sleeping. Clarke had to do some fancy footwork and some fast talking to calm the Heda down and draw Lexa back out.

She offered the sandwiches and water her mother had been thoughtful enough to bring them and then fetched her sketch pad to show Lexa the drawing she had done of her. Lexa had initially looked at it and declared she didn't look that weak or soft. Clarke merely chewed on her sandwich and waited. Lexa finally looked up, eyes soft and told her she was a wonderful drawer and wanted Clarke to do more, less personal ones. Ones they might be able to hang up around the new home they would build.

In reply Clarke had put her food aside and leant in to kiss the brunette, the sandwiches were forgotten. At least until Octavia and Lincoln called out saying they were coming in to prepare the rock pit for them. Clarke told them to wait a moment as they hastily dressed in warm clothes to visit the woods behind the tent while they prepared the rock pit.

Upon returning cold and shivering they found the tent several degrees warmer than before, their 'bedroom' even warmer still. It was pleasant to undress each other in between soft kisses that held promise of more soon. Lexa wasn't sure how'd they'd make it to their wedding night but she'd die trying, for Clarke. Only for Clarke.

The next morning they were woken early by Octavia bringing in more heated rocks and wishing them a good morning. Clarke sent her a baleful look and Lexa merely snuggled in closer.

"Time to get up and have breakfast. Word is that nearby villages have gotten word of the impending Merger and some might be popping in during the next few days to bring gifts and offer well wishes" she paused when Lexa groaned "Indra wishes you to get up so you can help deal with the issue"

"Tell Indra she caused all this and to deal with it herself" Lexa snapped finally losing her patience then sighed when Octavia blanched. "Tell her to put up my war tent, leave one side opened so I can receive anyone who wishes to see me. Put a stone pit in there to keep it warm, build several fire pits on the outside to keep well wishes warm."

"Sha Heda" Octavia nodded and left in a subdued mood.

"Damn" Lexa muttered "I feel like I kicked a kitten"

"Octavia will need to develop thick skin if she wishes to remain as our guard" Clarke grinned running the fingers of one hand over smooth skin of Lexa's back. Well not all smooth, there were quite a few scars, including the recent one. But Clarke merely enjoyed it all the more. It meant Lexa had survived. "You will do a lot of apologising"

"I do not apologise" Lexa was adamant

"In private" Clarke informed

"No not even then, never" Lexa stated before rising to meet the day. Clarke merely lay back and enjoyed the view. Her soon to be wife was lean and muscled and a hell of a lot stronger than she looked. She loved everything from the tattoos on her to her firm flat abdomen to her endless legs. Just gorgeous.

She grinned as Lexa threw her clothes at her and they landed on her face with a plop. She pulled them away and laughed

"Argh you're too happy for so early in the morning" Lexa complained

"I love you" Clarke sighed, still caught up in the perfection of the brunette despite being covered now. Lexa paused and straightened, her shoes forgotten as her heart beat loudly in her chest. Her bad mood seemed to slip away at the words and why shouldn't they. An angel had fallen from the sky and fallen in love with her, what was there not to be happy about.

"Not nearly as much as I love you" her words were soft, tender and full of the love she spoke of. Clarke threw back the covers, shivering at the slight cold and walked naked to her fiancé. She noticed the heat in her soon to be lovers eyes and decided then that she wouldn't make Lexa wait until Polis. She was ready.

She wrapped her arms around the brunette and Lexa around her as they held each other tight.

"You say the sweetest things to turn my head" Clarke teased

"Turn your head?" Lexa was somewhat confused by this phrase. Clarke just laughed and cupping her face gave her a sweet kiss.

"Make me love you more"

"Oh" Lexa grinned and blushed "I merely speak the truth"

"I know love" Clarke kissed her lover again and pulled back, too cold to stand naked for much longer as she hurried to dress, grinning at Lexa's sigh of disappointment.

Soon they were leaving the tent hand in hand, Octavia falling in behind them as they headed for the mess hall. When Clarke thought about it she realised it was a perfect blend of trikru and skaikru custom. Grounders did not traditionally have mess halls but had built one for all to enjoy. It was a show of just how seamlessly they could integrate without knowing. She pointed this out to Lexa who thought about it for long seconds before giving Clarke a nod, eyes shining.

They passed several people Trikru and Skaikru alike as they walked towards the mess hall. Lexa keeping her back ramrod straight, her Heda persona set, but at least she wasn't wearing her war paint or armour. Some merely nodded which they returned and others called out their names, causing them to wave. A few others still called out their congratulations which had Lexa's lips twitching in amusement and Clarke calling out a thanks.

Upon entering the mess hall Clarke was surprised to see one of the main cooks from the Ark working alongside the women grounders who cooked. She was explaining something as she mixed a mixture in a bowl while inspecting their work.

Clarke and Lexa sat at their table, Octavia beside Lexa and Clarke was surprised when her mother hurried in, watching a scowling Lexa warily as she came towards them. She looked inquisitively at Clarke who shrugged

"She knows you were in our tent" she told her mother who wisely made no comment on the matter and instead turned to the drawing she held.

"I checked on Kota last night and this morning. He is doing very well. He should wake some time today" she informed them and saw the anger deflate from Lexa and saw some tension visibly drain from her shoulders "while I was visiting last night his children drew some pictures. As the mother of their Skaiprisa they asked I give them to you both." She handed them over to Lexa who wondered what to do with them. When Abby turned to leave she ordered

"Abby Griffin, mother of the Skaiprisa, join us at our table. It is your rightful place as Clarke's mother" she informed in a peace offering and Abby could only stare slack jawed for a second before giving an eager nod and moving to sit by Clarke. Clarke herself was gobsmacked and thankful to Lexa, reaching over to squeeze her arm before taking the pictures out of her hand and studying them. Mostly done with stick figures she could distinguish herself with the yellow hair and Lexa who had raccoon eyes and a bloody sword.

Abby explained each picture and Clarke couldn't help but smile as she turned to Lexa and stated "We love them don't we" she didn't wait for a stunned Lexa to reply, too caught up in Clarke's beaming smile to answer "Tell the children we will hang them on the wall of our tent"

"I will" Abby nodded and smiled at her daughter just as a plate of bacon, scrambled egg, wild cooked mushrooms and bread was placed in front of the four of them. Her stomach rumbled reminding her she hadn't eaten in twelve hours. She waited for the Commander to eat out of respect before digging in.

Bellamy and Echo arrived shortly after. Bellamy was instructed that as Clarke's second he could join them if he wished. He chose to stay with Echo and instead Marcus Kane joined them.

After a hearty breakfast washed down with coffee or tea Clarke and Lexa headed to find Indra and see how the tent was coming along. A smile broke out on Clarke's face as she thought of something.

"You know you can't punish Indra now, we should be thanking her. Without her we wouldn't be in this position" she informed.

Lexa groaned

"Don't tell her that, she is arrogant enough as it is"

Many people turned at the sound of laughter and could only smile as they watched their Skaiprisa's merriment while their Heda watched on.

They spent the next couple of days helping around camp, talking to those in the Trikru and Skaikru who stopped to offer them well wishes and congratulations.

They went and saw Kota who had woken from his surgery much to the delight of his family but was still heavily sedated from pain relief. Lexa thanked him for saving her life and then Clarke stepped forward and kissed his cheek causing him to blush.

"Thanks snowman" she murmured and then regaled his family with the story of their snowball fight. His wife looked in awe that they had done such a childish act but Clarke assured the exercise had been a war strategy and winked at the wife.

"Then I am not surprised he is such a bad warrior and gets stabbed if he gets beat at a snow fight" she grumbled causing even Lexa to snort holding in her laughter.

From there it was many days of receiving well wishes in Lexa's war tent from village Generals near and far as word spread. Lexa made a compromise with Clarke that she would wear her Commander armour but would leave her face free of war paint as they were not at war.

Clarke sat with her for as long as she could each day unless called away to assist her mother or Nyko with healing. Even in times of peace there were injuries, whether due to hunting, trapping, building or just children playing and falling. There was also your general cold, influenza or other illnesses.

People brought everything from furs, to food to weaponry, to crafts from jewellery, clothes and shoes. Some even brought objects made from wood like masks and furniture. Clarke told Lexa they'd need a very big house to put everything in. Lexa told Clarke she needed to start wearing their clothes and she'd have to teach her their ways with weapons so she could hunt and fight. Clarke hesitantly agreed which earned her a smile so it was worth it.

She became more and more aware of preparations around the camp for their merger in a few day's time. Not long ago the thought of any sort of merger had scared her, worried her and troubled her. Now she couldn't wait to get down the aisle, or whatever. Looking over at Lexa now she caught the Heda staring at her despite a village elder speaking to her. The elder stopped speaking when he realised his Commander's attention was drawn elsewhere and gave a nod of approval at seeing her watching the Skaiprisa. Young love, he remembered it well.

Luna of the Boat People sat in her chair in her meeting room where she had just listened to the messenger from Heda deliver the most unexpected news.

Luna was a tall woman, nearly six foot in the old world scale, with long flowing black hair, dark eyes, and skin the colour of caramel. She was also supremely fit and barely had an inch of fat on her, her body well-muscled that had caused a few men and women to swoon in front of her (not that she cared for the men).

Luna loved the ladies, had a bit of a reputation from her youth which made her slightly uncomfortable now that she thought about it. Feeling twitchy she hastily stood, waving away her guards as she made her way out of the room and out of the building.

With fast long strides she headed for her destination, passing late night revellers who recognised her and bowed their heads. She passed several dingy buildings, breathing through her mouth because the smell was slightly offensive. Fish factories always churned her stomach. She liked her fish cooked and on her dinner plate. Which meant she was in the wrong profession.

Her boots thudded on wood as she climbed a few steps and then made their way along wooden planks as land gave way to water beneath the wood and buildings gave way to boats surrounding her. She made a striking figure as she strode down the dock, her long black mane blowing in the breeze behind her, her black leather pants and tunic hugging her muscly figure tightly and her cape made from heavy dark blue cloth and beaded with shells from the sea flowing around her. She exuded strength, power and vitality. There was a reason she was the leader of the Boat People.

Upon reaching the end of the dock she climbed several more steps of a lookout tower, making her way to the railing and letting out a deep sigh as she let the salt and the sea breeze wash away the trouble and tribulations of the day. Her mind returned to the messenger sent here by the Heda, Lexa, her good friend and ally.

So Lexa was going to marry the Skaiprisa she had heard so much about but never met. She would be merging with her in a couple of days in the true grounder way and then going to marry her as Lexa in Polis in a Skaikru ceremony which she was invited to.

Lexa was taking a hell of a risk. Especially with that bitch the Ice Queen. She wouldn't be happy and marrying Clarke would show that the Heda had fallen in love. Luna grit her teeth hard when she remembered what happened to Costia. How they didn't end up in a war to end all wars Luna would never know. Choosing a partner from the Skaikru would also cause issues, especially when Luna knew many Leaders had offered to merge with Lexa since Costia, offering up themselves or their offspring. Lexa had always declined.

This time was different she knew from her questioning of the messenger. It was quite obvious to all that the young Heda was in love and so was her bride to be. For that reason Luna was intrigued and would delay her return North across the seas and attend the wedding. Plus it was a long time since she had been in Polis.

Tomorrow she would give the order for the fleet to go to sea and head to Polis, fishing on the way to bring plentiful food for the banquet and festivals she knew they would have. It would be a great gift for the Heda if she was to arrive with many large tuna, squid and Lobster.

A footfall alerted her to a presence and she stiffened before tingles on the back of her spine advised her of who said person was. She relaxed as thin arms wrapped around her waist and a warm body pressed against her back, her head just reaching her shoulder blades.

"How did you know where to find me?" She asked and small warm hands squeezed her tighter

"I watched from our balcony and followed. It wasn't hard" came the soft voice behind her "what ails you?"

"Nothing ails me. I was just thinking" she turned and faced the woman behind her and smiled down at the most beautiful young woman to walk upon the earth, her wife Raquel. Luna had been 26 winters old with a well-earned reputation when she met Raquel who had been 16 nearly 17 winters.

Luna remembered it like it was yesterday, not two winters ago. She had arrived at the South Port of Leston (Charleston), boats loaded with fish to trade and feed her people. Raquel had seen them arriving from the Inn her parents ran, then given in to her younger brothers and sisters pleading to go and see.

It had been too much to ask one person to look after 3 boys and 2 girls under twelve winters. Especially with a large crowd that had moved in. There had been much jostling and the inevitable happened when one of Raquel's brothers had fallen in when pushed. Raquel had screamed drawing her attention and she had noticed the boy floundering in the water and no one willing to help.

Luna herself had done a running dive off the front of the boat she was on as the boy had gone under, grabbing him around the waist and bringing him to the surface to calm him. She swam with him several meters in the rough seas to the closest exit point, climbing a ladder onto the dock where they lay on their backs coughing up water. Guards had held onlookers at bay while letting Raquel and the rest of her family through.

Raquel had run up and hugged her brother, grateful that he was alive and turned to thank her. They had both been awestruck upon the sight of each other. Raquel for who had rescued her brother and Luna at the young woman's beauty. Long dark wavy hair, sun kissed skin, almond eyes, pouty lips and slender with curves in all the right places. She reminded Luna of a Greek goddess of ancient times.

They had just stared until Raquel had gone into a deep bow and her siblings had followed. A guard had hurried up and asked if she was ok. She had waved him away, informing him she was going to walk the young family home and ordered rails to be put on all docks to prevent a further accident. The guard had blinked but nodded.

Luna had introduced herself to a blushing Raquel who was shy and worried about their leader getting sick if she didn't get dry and warm. Luna had insisted and had walked Raquel and her siblings home. Her presence and her state had caused a mad panic in the family inn.

Raquel's mother had taken her son to get him dry and warm. Raquel's father had kicked people off the table closest to the fire and sat her there while Raquel had fetched a rug. The next thing she knew she had a room with a hot bath, a shot of whiskey to warm her from the inside and fresh clothes to get warm in. She knew she was ignoring her duties but when she found herself back downstairs eating a warm bowl of soup she couldn't help but stay. Especially when she could watch Raquel serving around the Inn.

She had returned the next night and many nights after before leaving for Atlan (Atlantic City) the North Port. She had been anxious and antsy to return to Leston and had hurried about her business so she could return. She had been disappointed when Raquel had not been at the docks. It had not stopped her from returning to the family Inn and the blush and bright smile covering Raquel's face had told her all she needed to know.

The first and only time Luna had hurt Raquel was when she got drunk in frustration and taken a lover in Atlan. Her men had boasted of her prowess to Raquel's father while playing cards and drinking one night. Luna had caught sight of a shattered Raquel nearby and tried going to her. She had raged at her men and clued all in to her feelings. Raquel's father had informed her that his daughter was pure and was staying like that until her wedding night and to stop coming around unless she meant it.

She should have been furious at him for speaking to her like that but she understood. Heart breaking she had thrown herself into work, she never looked at another woman and six cycles of the moon later she had returned to the Inn, a present for her intended tucked in her pocket and butterflies in her stomach.

She walked in on chaos, a drunken brawl which the family and their workers were struggling to handle. Luna had roared her displeasure and the room had gone still, all accept Raquel who had smashed a glass over the head of the man who had been beating on her father. Luna had watched him fall to the floor then turned to Raquel in awe as she fell all the way in love. Raquel had glared at her then flounced off into the kitchen. Luna had ordered everyone out and followed her to start begging.

Raquel had made her beg, a lot. She had made her court her, bring her gifts and flowers. They were always escorted; everywhere they went as Raquel's father did not trust her. She knew he questioned her men about her time away and if she took any women to her bed. Luna never did, she spent a very frustrating twelve cycles courting her wife and only made love to her for the first time on their wedding night.

Yes she Luna, Leader of the Boat People, had been undone by a mere slip of a girl. And she was so very glad she had been. Nothing and no one was as important as her wife. She was brought back to the present by said wife giving her a gentle squeeze and looked down into eyes bright with laughter.

"Where did you go?"

"I was merely reminiscing. How we met, our courtship" Luna responded and Raquel cocked her head to the side in that endearing way that she did. Luna answered the silent question "I just heard from a messenger that Heda intends to marry the Skaiprisa in Polis in three weeks. We have been invited. We will leave for Polis tomorrow"

"Their impending marriage reminded you of ours?" Raquel smiled.

"Our marriage caused great controversy because of our ages" Luna smiled "Heda's will cause much anger as mergers have been declined before. It may be seen as an insult to many"

"You worry about war?" Raquel nodded

"I worry about many things, let Heda worry about war. The messenger said Lexa was obviously in love as is Clarke. I want to get to Polis and see for myself. I owe Lexa a great deal of teasing." Luna stared at her wife lovingly. She would never get enough of this beautiful creature. She was totally possessed. She was the other half of her soul.

"Then we shall leave tomorrow" Raquel nodded drawing back and taking her powerful wife's hand "Come we should retire to bed to rest"

"Sweet wife when have I ever just rested when taking you to bed?" Luna asked before sweeping her slip of a wife into strong arms and carrying her down a flight of stairs and away from the docks towards their house and private quarters.