"Here we are," Thomas said, his eyes settling on a small stone structure. Clarke felt like they had been walking for miles. Thomas had stopped to get a horse from one of the grounders for Clarke to ride so she wouldn't have to walk on her bad leg. They spent most of the trip in silence, Clarke was too busy trying to study every small part of Polis. Even though Clarke had not really 'seen all of Polis' she was still surprised with how busy everything was. The grounders that moved up and down the streets always seemed to be in a rush. People constantly yelling out orders in Trigedasleng- all of the action was almost overwhelming. The tents were huge, and the actual buildings were surprisingly even bigger. They were made out of either wood or stone- which was also surprising, since back in TonDC everything seemed to be made out of wood.

Clarke had also noticed some grounders resting, too. A few sat in a circle, drinking and laughing. They seemed to be having a good time. Clarke missed being able to do that. To just relax and not have to worry about anything, not constantly on edge and full of anxiety. To feel safe. To feel at home. To just feel human. She hadn't felt like that since she arrived on Earth.

Hell, has she ever felt that? I lived in a damn tin can my whole life.

Those wishes were just a luxury that Clarke couldn't afford.

Clarke spent most of the trip trying to keep her head down. Her blond hair seemed to stand out, it felt like every grounder was staring at her. She lost count at how many times she heard the word 'wanheda' muttered under someone's breath as she passed by.

Clarke pushed out the thoughts as soon as they entered, and looked up to take in the short stone building in front of her. Aside from it being unusually wide, there wasn't very much to it. In the front was a curtain, where Clarke assumed people used to enter and exit, and above the curtain was twelve odd symbols. Two intimidating guards stood on either side of the entrance.

"She's in here?" Clarke's heart was racing at the thought of seeing Lexa again, "Why is she meeting clan leaders? What are they talking about?"

"I don't know much, maybe she's filling the clan leaders in on what happened at the Mountain, and what they plan on doing with their army moving forward. Sometimes it's used for emergencies, or to discuss confidential information between the clans. Not just anyone can go in there. That's all I really know," Thomas helped Clarke pull herself off of the horse, "The war is over, I don't think there's much to discuss right now."

What happened at the Mountain? "Do you know what she's telling them about Mount Weather?" Like how she betrayed me?

Thomas shook his head, "We will all find out soon. Heda will make an official announcement of some sort. Most of the people of Polis do not even know the commander is here. The only information that's going around about Mount Weather right now is through the warriors that were there."

So Lexa is going to make an announcement.

Clarke nodded and began walking towards the entrance of the building.

"Clarke, no!" Thomas grabbed Clarke's arm, "What are you doing?"

"I'm going to talk to Lexa," Clarke tried to pull her arm from Thomas' tight grip, "What do you expect me to do? Stand out here and wait?"

"Yes!"

Clarke shook her head, "I'm not doing that."

"I said I would take you here, but we can't go in there."

Clarke looked back over to the curtain that separated herself and Lexa.

"Clarke…"

"I was in that war too, Thomas. I killed everyone in that mountain. I had an alliance with your people. If anything I should be in there-"

Both Clarke and Thomas' heads snapped over to the curtain entrance as it was pulled back.

Bellamy slowly entered medical with Octavia by his side to finally talk to Abby. They stayed up all last night discussing what would be said to her, though Octavia spent most of the night constantly reassuring Bellamy that he's the best leader the Arkers could have right now. As comforting as Octavia's words were, there was still a small part in Bellamy that doubted himself- but he didn't have time to doubt himself anymore. His people needed him- no, his people wanted him- no, it didn't matter. Bellamy needed to-

"Bell," Octavia took his hand, "Stop thinking. It'll be okay."

Before Bellamy could say anything in reply, he noticed Raven was sitting on a bed near the wall, still messing around with the radio she had yesterday, "Raven? Did Abby bring you back here?"

"Are you guys here to save me? I think have something I need to show you," Raven didn't even look up from the radio.

"No," Bellamy answered, "We're here to talk to Abby… about…"

"She's over there," Raven nodded to the left, "Talking to that patient she's been obsessed with."

Bellamy nodded and moved to the other side of the room, taking in a deep breath to prepare himself. He could hear Abby speaking with a girl.

"I don't understand… how did you get here? Why wouldn't you tell us-"

"Abby?" Bellamy's voice was just loud enough to make Abby jump, "Sorry- I don't mean to interrupt but can I…"

Bellamy's eyes trailed over to the girl sitting on a bed next to Abby.

She looked so familiar…. Bellamy's eyes widened as he continued to stare, "Echo?"

The girl's voice quivered as she said just above a whisper, "…Bellamy?"

All eyes were on her.

Lexa sat at the head of the long conference table, eleven of the twelve leaders of the clans –and Indra- were sitting, staring, waiting to hear the supposed urgent news from their commander. There was enough food to feed 20 fully grown men waiting on the table for after the meeting. Lexa already went over the status of everything from the number and health of their warriors to their food. It was something Lexa did as often as possible, making sure all of the clans were doing well. When Lexa first became commander, there was talk of her having a bias to the Trikru, since it was what she was. Lexa worked hard to destroy that rumor, but it still went around, especially among the Azgeda.

She then explained the grounders' final moments at Mount Weather, which wasn't a surprise to any of the leaders, most of the information was spread by the warriors who were also at the mountain. It was a difficult thing for Lexa to do, dig up recent memories that she was still trying so hard to bury. But of course, no one else could tell, Lexa has become a professional at keeping her emotions under her 'commander mask'.

The thoughts of betraying Clarke were pushed out as she picked up on the anticipation in the room, "As you all have noticed, there is a party missing from the meeting. I have heard nothing from the queen of the Azgeda since the war at the mountain. You all know about the Azgedakru and the Trigedakru- but we have a coalition now. If the queen really has a problem, she needs to come to me about it. There will not be another war. We've lost too many people. For now, we have nothing to worry. The war is over," Lexa looked around the room as the clan leaders nodded in agreement. She knew she was leaving information out, but she couldn't tell anyone until she was 100% sure they were in danger, "That's all the information I have for you now. There are horses ready for you all tomorrow morning, I know your trips back will be long, but you are welcome to stay as long-"

"Yes!"

"I'm not doing that."

Everyone's heads turned towards the exit, where they could hear arguing outside. Lexa's heart skipped a beat when she recognized Clarke's voice. Indra, who also recognized the voice, turned to her commander, scowling. Indra knew that Clarke was in Polis- and that Lexa's 'second' was supposed to be making sure she was okay. Indra didn't approve of either.

"Heda," Indra muttered, "I'll take care of this." Indra stood and made her way to the curtain.

"Indra," Lexa called out. Indra stopped in her tracks. Lexa turned to the rest of the clan leaders and nodded, "The war is over, let us feast."

Lexa's shaky hand picked up a glass bottle in front of her and filled a goblet with wine. She passed the bottle to the large grounder next to her, allowing him to do the same. As the bottle was passed around the table, Lexa made eye contact with Indra and silently nodded, and the two made their way towards the entrance.

Clarke was a bit surprised when she saw Indra. Indra didn't seem the least bit surprised. Another person walked through the curtain. Lexa. There you go, Clarke. She's right there. Give her a piece of your mind.

Lexa muttered something to Indra, who then stood still with a scouring look on her face. Lexa continued to swiftly move towards Clarke, who stood frozen, still slightly stunned at the sight of the grounders she used to trust. Clarke felt her heart racing seeing Lexa a second time just as much as the first. Clarke already knew she couldn't show any sign of weakness. Show her you're angry.

Lexa's eyes never left Clarke's. It wasn't Lexa's first time seeing Clarke after the Mountain, but she felt different seeing Clarke now. In Polis. Her home. Lexa only had a few seconds of taking Clarke in before speaking to her, but in those few seconds, she could instantly see. Clarke looked broken. Not physically, despite the blood soaked bandage around her leg. Emotionally. She was hurting. And Clarke wore it on her face. Lexa could see the bags under her deep blue eyes. The dirt on her skin from spending days in the woods. She was visibly skinnier. The rips in her shirt and the holes in her pants. Lexa could see the anger Clarke was trying to show on her face. Lexa could already tell that the anger on her face wasn't real. She was too broken to show any real emotion. To have any real emotion. Lexa knew that because she feels the same way.

Clarke is broken. And it's my fault.

"Clarke," Lexa tried to keep her voice from shaking, "Why aren't you with Mason? You should be resting."

Clarke's eyes flashed with... something, "Don't tell me what I should be doing. There's a meeting in there," Clarke nodded towards the curtain behind them, "You're telling them about the mountain. I should be in there."

Lexa stayed calm, ignoring the apparent anger in Clarke's voice, even though it killed her, "Yes, you should be, Clarke. I thought you were recovering at Mason's," Lexa quickly glanced over at Thomas, who stood quietly at Clarke's side, "Unfortunately, the actual meeting just ended...Do not worry. I told them everything Clarke."

Lie.

"Have you eaten, Clarke?"

Clarke was at a loss for words. What? No backlash? Did she just say I should be in the meeting?

"Clarke, I understand your anger, but you should eat, for your own health," Lexa eyed at Clarke's slender arms.

"There is a feast. To celebrate the end of war. A war you helped end, Clarke. You should come in."

Clarke studied Lexa's face, trying to see if there was an alternative angle here.

"Clarke, you are welcome to leave at any time. But I bid you to stay and eat."

Clarke didn't know what the best choice was here. Correction- she did know what the best choice was, but she didn't want to choose it. She wanted Lexa to know she was angry, she wanted Lexa to know that she was hurt. But she also really wanted to know why Lexa would betray her. And she needed food. Like now.

"Okay," was all Clarke could get out.

Lexa gave a quick nod and looked over to Thomas, "We will speak later."
Clarke looked over to Thomas, who gave a nod to his commander. She almost felt bad for making him disobey his orders.

Almost.

Clarke slowly followed Lexa, Indra, and Thomas into the counselor's room. She could hear faint chatter become louder as she got closer. It was huge- gigantic. It was nothing like Clarke could have ever imagined. Candle light from a large chandelier dangling from the ceiling filled the room. Majestic decorative fabrics covered the tall walls, complementing beautiful paintings of grounders and landscapes that went along with them. A table stretched across the middle of the room, completely covered in food, and surrounded by eleven grounder men and women. She couldn't even pay attention to them. Clarke hadn't seen so much food since

Mount-

Never mind.

The room fell silent as the grounder's eyes fell on Clarke. Only then did she feel out of place. Her skin got hotter as she realized her face and clothes were dirty and her nails were gritty. She could only imagine what her hair looked like. Everyone in the room seemed to be well kept, they looked nothing like the bruised, dirty, war-driven grounders she had seen at war.

Clarke almost considered walking out, when a short, bulky woman stood, maintaining eye contact with Clarke, and respectfully nodded, "Klark kom skaikru. Mochof."

What?

Another grounder did the same. Then two more. Soon, all eleven grounders were on their feet, looking at Clarke.

"Clarke," Lexa whispered, pulling Clarke from the mesmerized stare she had at the scene in front of her. Lexa led Clarke to the head of the table. The grounders still stood, their faces showing nothing but respect and awe (and a bit of fear). Lexa picked up a goblet, and handed it to a very confused Clarke, then picked up another and held it in the air. The others in the room did the same.

"To Clarke of the sky people. For defeating the mountain men. And ending a war that has continued on for hundreds of years." Clarke's eyes widened as the room muttered in agreement and drank in her name.

Lexa told the truth? Clarke looked over at Lexa in astonishment.

Lexa told the truth.

These people are drinking to my killing of innocent lives.

Do they actually know what I did?

She said I ended a war.

I ended a war.

Clarke realized there was an audience waiting for her to drink as well. She took a sip of her wine, her mind filled with too many thoughts to taste anything.

Clarke could have sworn a faint smile appeared on Lexa's face before saying, "Let us feast."

She watched as a sea of grounder hands grabbed at the platters on the table. The last few moments seemed to rush through Clarke's head, and too many questions and emotions filled her at once.

"Clarke," the familiar voice reminded Clarke that Lexa was still by her side, probably studying her.

Clarke shifted to look at Lexa, only then realizing how close she was. Only then could Clarke make out the actual shade of her green eyes. Clarke could already tell Lexa was nervous about something. She could still see right through her 'commander' exterior.

"I don't know what happened at the mountain after my people and I left. But I know it still affects you. I know you may resent me, or even hate me for what happened at the mountain. I understand. Like I said before, you are welcome to leave whenever you feel. But you are also welcome to stay. You defeated the mountain. You ended a war. My people and I will show never ending gratitude for that."

I understand.

She said "I understand".

But did she really?

"Eat, Clarke, we wouldn't be here if it weren't for you."

Clarke could tell Lexa was being genuine.

"I thought you were dead, Clarke," Lexa could feel her own heart racing, "I'm glad you're not."

After her confession, Lexa quickly made her way to the other side of the table. Leaving Clarke at the head of the table with a seemingly endless amount of food in front of her, the words 'I understand' still ringing in her head.

Clarke couldn't tell if she was just hungry or if everything just looked good. A perfectly cooked chicken on a platter, large goblets filled with wine, bread- lots of bread- and brightly colored fruits and vegetables. A smile crept on Clarke's face when she realized this was the first time she would ever be excited over vegetables. Clarke was hardly able to take in the room itself. This place was beautiful, this place was majestic... This place was-

"You think this is nice?" Thomas' voice pulled Clarke from her thoughts, "wait 'til you see Polis."

Clarke almost scolded herself for letting herself become carried away in this place, but the smile from Thomas kept her from doing so.

"Here," Thomas slid a plate in front of Clarke, "I already made you something. Consider this a thank you, for-"

"Thanks," Clarke quickly said, not wanting to be reminded of why she was here. She quickly sat down with Thomas and grabbed the first thing on her plate.

The food most definitely wasn't looking good because she was hungry. The food was good. Really good. The meat was perfectly seasoned, the fruit- though Clarke had never seen the odd species- was fresh. The bread was fresh and soft. The vegetables were steamed?

"Where do you get this?"

"We grow it. Or kill it. We have hunters"

Oh, like the grounder she met in the woods.

"Who cooked this?"

"...Our cooks..." Thomas looked up at Clarke as if she was crazy, "Do your people not have those?"

Clarke let herself laugh, "No, we do. I'm sorry I just-"

"Thought we were savages?"

Clarke didn't answer and continued to eat.

"Sorry, I just..." guilt washed over Thomas' face, "You think it's good?"

Clarke nodded silently, her mouth too full to speak.

"I know a cook in Polis. If you think this is good, you should try his stuff."

The grin on Thomas' face made Clarke smile. A real smile. Haven't done that in a while. She hasn't seen any grounder open up like this before.

"So, are you the commander's second?"

Thomas nodded.

"I didn't know commanders could have seconds. She's never mentioned you before. I mean I've never met you."

"They usually don't. I... She took me in after the war, I guess,"

"Well how do you know her? What clan were you-"

"How did you win the war at the Mountain? You told me you killed everyone in that mountain. How did you take down Mount Weather?"

Clarke fell silent. Images of innocent bodies flashed in front of her wide eyes, "I..."

Thomas only nodded at her awkward response. In that moment, they both understood that there were secrets that were still haunting them. Secrets they didn't like to share.

After a long silence filled with the sounds of clinking glasses and other grounders' muttering, Thomas finally spoke, "I know you resent the commander," Thomas kept his eyes trained on his food, "I don't know why, but you do. Based on what I hear, I'm sure it has to do with Mount Weather."

Clarke completely avoided eye contact with Thomas, not knowing what to feel or say.

"I do know that my commander is a good one. She has to make tough decisions, and I'm sure you do, too- or, at least, you did. She has to be ruthless. She doesn't have a choice…"

Clarke's mind jumped back to the words she told her mother after radiating Level 5 in Mount Weather.

"…You have your reasons for resenting us. I have very good reasons for resenting your people-"

"What are you saying, Thomas?" Clarke demanded.

"You should stay in Polis. At least for a while. You should get to know us. The real us. Not the people you saw at war."

"How can you even feel real after war," Clarke was speaking through her teeth. The images still in her head.

"You're asking the wrong person," Thomas answered, nodding towards Lexa. Lexa sat at the other side of the table, casually listening in on two clan leaders' conversation but never actually speaking. Her eyes met Clarke's instantly, as if she could feel Clarke watching. Clarke immediately looked back to Thomas, trying to avoid the odd feeling in her stomach.

"You said you needed closure, didn't you?"

Clarke sighed. This kid is good.

"Clarke I don't even know why you're here in the first place…why you were in the woods. But I have a good feeling you don't know either. You're not planning on going back home-"

Home.

Clarke knew one thing, the Ark was most definitely not home. Not now.

"So where would you go? You need to rest your leg anyway. You can't just go out like that. Stay."

Nothing that came out of Thomas' mouth was a lie. It was true, she needed to figure herself out. She wanted to feel human again. There was no way she would feel any better at Camp Jaha, surrounded by people she's killed for-

"Clarke?"

"Okay, I'll stay." Clarke couldn't help but grin when she saw Thomas smile.

By the time the feast was over, Clarke had wolfed down at least three plates of food. After finishing the first one, many of the clan leaders insisted she have more, and she gladly accepted.

The leaders all approached Clarke at some point, thanking her before leaving. Clarke was still taken aback at how quick these people were to celebrate her 'victory'. Lexa stood near the last leader to approach Clarke, the same one who was the first to stand when Clarke first entered. After the woman left, Lexa moved to stand in front of Clarke, and for some reason, Clarke could sense that she was nervous again. Clarke was nervous too, after spending the day making sure Lexa knows Clarke hates her, she now will tell her she is going to stay in Polis.

Do you even actually hate her?

"Thomas informed me that you will stay," There was a sense of hope in her voice.

"Oh… yeah," Clarke really didn't know what to say, or feel about Lexa at the moment, "Thomas convinced me."

"I saw the two of you talking. I've never seen anyone talk more than him," Lexa glanced at the young boy, who was standing near the entrance just out of earshot, "There is a horse outside waiting. Mason doesn't want you walking on that leg." Lexa turned towards Thomas.

"Wait," Clarke called out, "Where are we going?"

"You're staying in Polis," Lexa looked over her shoulder, "So we are going to my home."