An Injured Lion Still Wants to Roar chapter 2
Pairing: Clexa
Rating: Children Shouldn't Read Alone (T)
Note: Here's the next (and first official) chapter of this story. I got a really positive response for this so I hope you all like it as much as the prologue.
The Commander's arms ached as she swung her sword. The resulting clash of metal sent jarring tremors through her body, making her teeth rattle uncomfortably. Exhaustion had set in long ago, yet she fought on. Cutting down enemy after enemy, parrying strike after strike. This had been the norm, day after day, one battle after the other. The chaos of war such a constant, and the drain of its intensity, leaving no energy to even think. All the brunette could do was keep moving, keep fighting, and keep surviving. Cutting down her opponent, she had a moment of reprieve, letting her scan the battlefield with weary eyes.
The bodies of both Trikru and Azgeda warriors littered the ground, blood draining into the churned mud, creating a reddish paste that coated every surface. In hindsight, she should have known the Azgeda would take advantage of the Mountains defeat. With such a large enemy vanquished, everyone, every Clan, had let down their guard, giving the Ice Queen the perfect opportunity to attack. This, of course, had resulted in tens of battles, almost all she had been present for, and fought in.
The damp soil squelched under her boots as she turned. Pushing away the heaviness of her limbs and the pain of her injuries, old and new, she searched for another foe. The gaze of an Azgeda warrior met her own war painted eyes. As one, they moved towards each other, focus unwavering and adjusting grips on blood soaked weapons.
When she was a few feet from the warrior, there was a whistle and a hollow thunk. Then she was on her back, her lungs refusing to suck in precious oxygen, and her sword missing from her hand. The blue of the sky burned her eyes, the vibrant colour intense and unbroken by clouds. The shaft of the arrow buried in her shoulder guard was the only thing visible other than the vast expanse of blue. The arrow head scratched her skin harshly, having not pierced deep enough to seriously injure, but it still drew blood, the sticky substance pooling under her armour.
The Ice Nation warrior towered above her, blade glinting cruelly and dripping with red. She couldn't move as he looked down at her, smirking maliciously. How long had she been fighting? Minutes? No, the sun had moved. It must have been longer than that. All the battles had blurred together, leaving her thoughts swimming. Blinking tiredly, she looked past the warrior, taking in all the blue. It was such a beautiful colour. Without consent, memories of piercing blue eyes swam through her mind. A pang of sadness and guilt stung in her chest and closed her throat, making it even harder to breath.
Three months since Clarke's disappearance and the ache in her chest had barely faded. Despite knowing her decision had saved her people, it didn't stop the overwhelming guilt that consumed her behind closed doors, or the intense longing she felt to have the blonde by her side. Their time together had been short, but the feelings she had developed were strong, howling in her chest like a beast fighting to get out. Clarke had been her match, something she'd never dreamed of finding again after Costia, yet she'd appeared in a burst of flame, falling from the sky with a bang that could be heard around the world.
A harsh kick from the warrior above her brought her back to reality and its dangers. The sharp blow to her torso had her curling into herself as pain blossomed along her ribs, accompanied by a series of cracking sounds. That couldn't be good.
Her fingers searched for her sword, but her arms felt like lead, heavy and weighed down by layers of mud. All she could do was watch helplessly as the warrior moved to strike, the blade descending down to cleave into her flesh. There was a roaring in her ears that drowned out the screams and sounds of battle that surrounded them.
Then suddenly, the warrior was gone. Or rather, his head was.
The headless body swayed, jerking awkwardly as the body realized its brain was suddenly absent, before falling back and landing in the mud with a wet thud. It was eerily quiet, as though the world was holding its breath. Wearily, she tried to look for her saviour, cursing softly when her body refused to obey. Her face was half pressed into the mud, blinding one eye, but she still had a clear view of a section of the battle field.
Several yards down the field, one of her warriors, an older warrior, stood frozen, eyes wide in horror. Just beside her, an Azgeda warrior was in the same state. Their weapons were locked, as though they had been fighting only moments before. Their gazes were intense, staring in pure terror at something out of her sight.
Water seeped into her clothes as she attempted to move again, the chill harsh and painful. Something huffed behind her, deep and feral, making her freeze. Sound seemed to rush back into her awareness. The heavy breaths and steady footfalls behind her curled form. The absolute silence that had fallen over the rest of the field. She swallowed harshly as she felt a warm rush of air puff over her face, stinking of long dead meat.
A tremor shook her body, seizing her muscles in an iron grip, and it takes a moment for her to realize its cause. Fear. She was afraid. The fear only intensifies as a muzzle prods her, turning her over onto her back to stare into the face of her saviour, and quite possibly, killer.
Her gaze meets calm, intelligent yellow eyes. A huge paw came to rest on her chest lightly, breaking the arrow shaft still embedded in her shoulder guard, its width easily spanning her torso, but was quickly removed when she couldn't help the cough that escaped her lips. A spray of dark blood spotted the lions fur, a result of her split lip and bit cheek.
The feline seemed to recoil at this, muscles bunching and coiling as though in anger. It swung its head up, scanning the field, taking in the scattered bodies and frozen warriors. Adrenaline exploded through her veins in a rush. Flopping onto her stomach, she searched for her sword, squinting as mud slid mercilessly into her eyes. She didn't know what the lions purpose was. Even though it had saved her from the Pauna several months ago, the feelings of aggression and hostility that rolled off the beast in waves sent jolts of primal fear through her exhausted body.
Gritting her teeth, her fingers scrabbled in the mud, pulling her beaten body through filth, water and blood, and just as her fingers brushed the leather wraps on the hilt of her sword, a heavy paw descended onto her back, once again pinning her firmly. The paw pressed heavily on her, making her torso sink deeper into the mud. A choked whimper escaped her unbidden as her ribs creaked and groaned.
Heat radiated off the lion as it sat beside her, paw resting on her shoulder blades. Its claws remained sheathed as a rumble vibrated from its chest until it turned into a full blown roar, pulsating across the battlefield as though it were declaring its conquest. It sounded like a thunderclap, nature bellowing its victory.
When the roar tapered off, the paw lifted, letting her lunge forward again, but was quickly stopped when powerful jaws gripped the back of her jacket and lifted effortlessly. Another whimper keened in her throat as her fingers just barely brushed the hilt. Her last chance at possible survival withering and dying before her eyes.
She hung helplessly, held up by the straps of her jacket and sword sheath, like she was a kitten, powerless and weak. For all she knew, that's exactly what this creature thought of her, a defenseless and poor child that couldn't care for herself. She let out a light snort at the thought, ribs aching from the sound, as the lion turned from the battle field towards the tree line. The still standing warriors watched in shock, unsure whether to fight or run, as a beast bigger than a warhorse strolled away with their Commander. She couldn't exactly blame them. The sight must be impossible to comprehend.
Trees quickly enveloped them, the lion's long strides carrying them far in little time. Despite its size, the creature barely disturbed the underbrush, gliding through the flora as though it commanded nature itself. Its strides were powerful, yet graceful, making her sway gently in its grip rather than the harsh jolts she expected. The rocking was soothing, lulling her until her eyes drooped and her stiff muscles slacken. Her thoughts seemed to slow from their incomprehensible pace to a sluggish crawl, panic fading to be taken over by wary curiosity.
The beast had been acting against everything she knew about animals since its appearance. Saving humans, killing the Pauna, and going onto an active battlefield when any other animal would have fled. Purposefully attacking a warrior, then leaving her alive as though it were protecting her. Not to mention that it had essentially kidnapped her in front of two entire armies. The creature was more than odd. It was powerful and aggressive then switched to almost caring protectiveness in less than a moment. Its behaviour left her confused and worried, yet feeling strangely safe as it transported her with care.
The lion paid her no mind, focused on its task of travel, until it padded onto the bank of a roaring river, its water cutting a giant swath through the forest. Its movements were cautious, tightening its grip on her jacket and placing its paws lightly on the rocky bank. It scanned their surroundings vigilantly, huffing when it seemed to be satisfied that they were alone. Stepping quickly, it plunged into the river, lifting its head in what she assumed was a courteous attempt at keeping her dry.
However, the new angle had the straps of her jacket pressing into her ribs harshly, making her gasp and cough. Freezing water jumped up, leaving her soaked and breathless, although it did wash away a decent amount of mud. With trembling hands, she gripped at the straps across her chest, squeezing her eyes shut in pain. The lion seemed to hurry faster as it exited the rushing water, bounding across the bank and back into the trees with much less care than before.
After a few more agonizing moments of powerful, jerky leaps the lion slowed, its gentle pace returning as it lowered its head. She was set down lightly, but her body still hit the ground with more force than it was pleased with. Jolts of pain were sent up her legs, and the straps of her jacket and sheath pressed into her chest with bruising force. She barely felt the cool grass pressing against her cheek, or the heavy paw that turned her over; the pain being the only thing she could focus on. Only when small cool hands cradled her face did she manage to register the very human body kneeling next to her.
Gentle fingers wiped away the mud from around her eyes tenderly, letting her blink blearily up into the frowning face of one Clarke Griffin. Blue, conflicted eyes stared back, a war fighting within their depths. The brunette lifted a trembling hand, unsure if what she was seeing was real. Had the lion eaten her, and now she was in the afterlife with Clarke? Had she hit her head when she was fighting and this was all a hallucination? She could barely believe that it wasn't when her fingers brushed against the blonde's cheek, leaving a trail of mud on pristine skin.
"Clarke?"
Tears welled in her eyes as she croaked the other girls name. She was alive! Clarke was alive! The overwhelming rush of relief made her weak, forcing her arm to collapse back down. She could barely think or breathe, her relief and pain overwhelming every sense. Her chest felt heavy, compressed, and darkness danced at the edge of her vision. The sound of Clarke calling her name was quiet and tinny, echoing off in the distance. She vaguely felt hands scrabbling against her chest.
And suddenly she could breath.
The weight on her chest lessened, and air seeped back into her aching lungs. Glancing down with lidded eyes, she watched as Clarke's hands undid every strap across her chest. Her coat, her sword sheath, the straps of the dagger hidden against her chest, all undone with nimble fingers.
"Clarke?"
She croaked again, and the cool hands were back on her face.
"Lexa, can you hear me?"
She gave a jerky nod, swallowing the bile that rose in her throat. The darkness was slowly receding, bringing back her awareness. Her eyes turn to Clarke again, and went wide, finally registering that the girl kneeling beside her was very, very naked. Her golden hair tumbled down bare shoulders, and her body knelt coiled, relaxed yet ready to spring if need be. The brunette refused to let her eyes travel any further, clamping them tightly shut.
"Clarke… you are unclothed…"
The hands on her face shook ever so slightly as the sound of giggles reach her ears. A breathless 'One second' floated through the air, and the hands were gone, as was the presence of Clarke beside her. Several moments passed, long enough for her to brave opening one eye cautiously.
The clearing they'd stopped in was small, surrounded by tall beech and maple trees. A few shrubs and bushes grew around the bases of each trunk, effectively making a small wall surrounding the area. Craning her head, she searched for Clarke. The lion seemed to have vacated the area, although she couldn't quite understand how the giant beast had been replaced with Clarke. Scanning the clearings edges, a dark gap in the bushes caught her attention.
With a groan, she flopped onto her stomach, choking back a whimper as her ribs burned with pain. Pushing herself up with shaky arms, she stood, hunched over and trembling. Her clothes and armour were sodden, heavy with water and the remnants of mud, but she still managed to take a few wobbly steps forward. Slowly, dragging her feet through the thick grass, she made her way to the opening. Now closer, she could see the arching walls of a cave, made from naturally packed earth, supported by the roots that wove and twisted throughout. It looked as though a large tree had fallen, tearing out a large chunk of earth, creating a natural tunnel that burrowed into the ground.
"Clarke?"
She called down hesitantly, voice hoarse and tired. Leaning against the wall, she rested for a moment, clenching her teeth as each of her injuries ached with a vengeance. She couldn't really see through the darkness as she peered into the cave's depths, only flickering shadows that easily could have been the imaginings of her exhausted brain. Taking a deep, almost painful, breath, she began her descent, hand firmly against the wall to guide her.
The soil under her boots was packed down, evidence of the cave having had a long term resident. A few roots here and there had her stumbling awkwardly as her visibility slowly reduced. The only sound she could hear was her own, much too loud, breathing.
"Clarke?"
She called again, cursing the way her voice sounded timid and scared. The light from the opening of the tunnel had dimmed, leaving her in almost complete darkness. The tree must have grown atop a natural cave opening because the passage continued on, twisting this way and that until the air grew thick and damp, and the light from the entrance reduced to nothing.
Lexa swallowed thickly, a harsh shiver running through her body, irritating her injuries and shifting her damp clothes just enough to be irksome. The darkness seemed to press down on her senses, pushing against her eyes and resting against her skin. The feeling sent more shivers through her limbs, interrupting her steps until she was stumbling more than walking. Eventually, her legs couldn't support her. Collapsing against the wall with a whimper, she let out a deep groan. She'd been walking for what felt like hours, but was most likely only minutes. Was Clarke even in the cave, or had she never been there in the first place?
Her ribs twinged painfully as she slumped down, drawing a pitiful whine from her throat. Placing a shaking hand over her side, she just barely registered the groan that wasn't her own. It was deep, yet high pitched enough to almost be a whine. A warm breath of air blew over her face, smelling of meat and blood. Tilting her head towards the breath, she reached out a shaking hand into the darkness. She couldn't see a thing, but under her hand was soft fur, a rough nose, and rubbery lips covering large teeth.
So that's where the lion had gone.
Despite her vulnerable position, blind and injured, she held no fear. Exhaustion had taken it's toll on her, mentally and physically. She couldn't bring herself to feel afraid, even as the lion moved in the blackness, it's fur brushing softly against the walls, sending dirt skittering. A paw pressed into her side, scooping underneath and lifting her up. It was an odd sensation, being cradled in such a way. The lion was big enough that it's paw held her shoulders and back easily. Had the creature had any intention of fighting her forces as well as the Azgeda on the battlefield, it surely would have won considering it's size and strength.
Now holding her limp body, the lion shuffled down the tunnel, the darkness still all encompassing. With one less limb to support it, the feline's gait was awkward and stilted, but it moved swiftly. As moments passed, Lexa blinked tiredly, frowning slightly as a shadowy outline of the beast slowly emerged through the gloom. In time, the lions visage became clearer. It seemed calmer since it had taken her from the battlefield, and its fur was cleaned of any streaks of dirt or blood. It's pale, yellow eyes reflected the small amount of light filling the tunnel, flashing with the disturbing intelligence that she'd glimpsed before.
Soon the lions pace slowed, padding a few more steps into a small cavern. The stone ceiling held a large crack, allowing watery sunlight to stream in and illuminate the cave. The sound of rushing water echoed from above as it tumbled in through another crack nearer the back of the cave, telling her a river, most likely the river they'd crossed, was nearby. The walls of the cave were smooth, most likely carved out by water years ago. Craning her neck, she tried to see more, catching sight of markings near the base of the walls, and a nest of what appeared to be furs, before she collapsed back down in exhaustion. She could feel sleep tug at her eyelids as she fought to stay awake.
The lion deposited her, albeit a bit awkwardly, on the nest, her body rolling to rest face down. Her injuries ached at the movement but it quickly subsided as her body sank into the bed of softness. Her face pressed into the furs; they smelled a bit dusty, but they were dry and more comfortable than anything she'd slept on in well over a week. Breathing a deep sigh, she relaxed, her mind going quiet for the first time in a long time.
Just before sleep took her, a low voice whispered at her side and cool hands caressed the side of her face gently.
"Sleep Lex, you're safe here."
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