*Author's note: Dax is not the same character from the 100. I just liked the name.
Kayden swore as she tried to get onto her horse. Without boots on, and with the stupid mass of fabric in the way, she couldn't get a proper grip on the stirrup.
"Need a little help there, Princess?" The statement was followed by a laugh that Kayden knew well. She turned to a see young man in armor ride up on a white horse. Kayden gave him her classic I'm going to kill you later look and rolled her eyes sarcastically.
"What are you doing here, Dax," she responded. "I thought you were supposed to be part of the rear guard. You know, where the other useless soldiers are."
"Oh! Big talk coming from a girl in a gown."
When Kayden finally got on her horse, she turned to face him. Dax had always had a regal look about him, what with his chocolate colored skin, caramel cat eyes, and shaved head. He had mastered the relaxed yet alert look, always ready to pounce at the slightest provocation. Kayden trotted over to him.
"I can still kick your ass," she said daringly. The two stared at each other in silence. Then, Dax broke into a smile.
"Damn right you could," he laughed. Kayden began laughing as well and held out her fist to signal their signature handshake.
"Aw, I'm gonna miss you, Kid," Dax sighed. He didn't bother with pleasantries like Julie had. Dax was a warrior - he always got straight to the point. But he also didn't act as if forced marriage were that dreadful. Most mutants had seen their fair share of true tragedy.
Kayden was about to return the sentiment, but a horn blew in the distance signalling that the party was about to start moving. She offered a smile in Dax's direction, knowing he'd understand, and directed her horse to the Mid-guard where she had been instructed to ride.
A young man with sandy colored hair and stubble on his chiselled face rode up next to Kayden.
"What, no shoes?"
Kayden turned to see the man and scoffed. The corner of her mouth turned up in a half smile.
"My stylist thought it interfered with the look," she responded, letting go her reins and putting the last two words in air quotes.
"Some look," a woman said, riding up to Kayden's other side and signalling behind her. Kayden turned to see a female warrior with spiky blonde hair tied up in a red bandana.
"Hey Cleo," Kayden smiled. The woman raised an eyebrow and looked her up and down. Kayden couldn't help but blush a bit out of embarrassment. These were her friends, her partners. Warriors and soldiers she'd fought side by side with. And now they were guarding her, and she was wearing a stupid dress and no shoes. For the first time since all this had happened, Kayden felt the true gravity of her situation. She was going to lose everything that she had. They wouldn't let her fight in the Ark camps. She would be an outsider.
It isn't fair, she thought sadly. They're never going to see me again. Not how they used to, at least. Not as a fellow Warrior.
Kayden didn't know what else to say. The brief moments of amusement had ended when the procession had started moving. It wasn't just Kayden who had adopted an air of seriousness. Everyone was on edge.
She hung her head as the party rode towards the Ark camps in absolute silence.
"We're coming up on the camp," the rider said. He'd been one of the messengers to trot down the lineup spreading the news. "The Commander wants you at the front." He nodded in Kayden's direction. She nodded quietly to show that she understood. He eyed her suspiciously before continuing down the procession.
She broke the line and made her way to the Commander's formation. When one of Grimelda's guards saw Kayden approach, he alerted the Commander to her presence. The older woman turned to face Kayden, her long dark hair glimmering as she offered the girl a bright, wide smile. Kayden held no reservations from the Commander; she didn't even pretend to smile.
Grimelda gestured to Kayden to come join her at her side. The teenager reluctantly trotted up to fall in line beside the Commander's black steed.
"Well, how are you feeling?" Grimelda asked politely.
"Every muscle in my body is telling me that we're in enemy territory. To run or fight." She turned away from the Commander. "Or both..." Kayden added under her breath.
Grimelda gave her a look of frustration. "Well hopefully if this Alliance is successful it won't feel like enemy territory for long." Grimelda's features softened when she saw the tenacity in the young girl's eyes.
"They've prepared a celebration in your honor. You're representing all of us. You should smile."
Grimelda had meant it as a comfort but at this, Kayden looked at the Commander with such ferocity that her breath caught. She looked exactly like her mother, who'd died many years ago and had been a close friend of Grimelda's. It was the close connection that Grimelda had felt towards Kayden's mother that had caused her to feel responsible for the child after her parents' unfortunate passing.
"I am doing this for our people. For our future." She paused. "So I will be your pawn. Your princess. Your bride." Kayden flashed those intense green eyes at Grimelda. "But don't for a second think that I am going to smile about it. Not ever."
"Well I need to present them with a princess. So act like a princess. Our people depend on it."
Kayden and the Commander didn't speak for the next while, and the girl avoided looking at the older woman as well. She had too many emotions towards Grimelda now, and she needed to keep her head about her.
It wasn't until Kayden's horse bumped into the rider in front of her that she even realized the procession had stopped. She looked at Grimelda. The Commander's expression was unreadable. She'd been here before as an enemy, and now she was about to walk in as a guest. Grimelda held her chin up.
"We're here," she declared.
"They're here," the messenger stated, out of breath after having run from the gates.
The Chancellor got up from her seat and began walking towards the camp's only entrance. "Is everything ready?" she asked. Kane had fallen into step beside.
"Yes. Everything's prepared for their arrival," he answered.
"Even our... extra measures?" She looked at Kane sideways, her question clear. Kane swallowed.
"Yes. Even them. They're up in the trees. Ready to fire if this thing goes south."
"Good," Abby nodded her approval. A good Chancellor fought for peace, but had to always be ready for war. Jaha had told her that once.
"And Bellamy? He's the one marrying her after all, he should be here to greet them."
"I'm afraid he's... disappeared at the moment. But I'll see what I can do." At this, Kane spun on his heel and left Abby to go speak to his soldiers.
Abby sighed as she came up on the gates. When Clarke saw her mother she jogged up beside her.
"Ready?" Abby asked her daughter. The Chancellor turned to face the teenager. She looked so much like her father. Standing there, staring out into the distance. The wheels in her head turning, analyzing. It was hard for Abby to remember that Clarke was a leader now. Confident, strong, independent. If it hadn't been for the look Clarke gave her mom and the nerves that had plagued everyone at the camp since morning, Clarke's next words would have shocked Abby.
"This is either going to be a blast, or a blood bath," she said. The Chancellor didn't know how else to respond but to give the signal to the guards and look forward as the gate's creaked open.