Another short one for you guys. I had planned to make more progress on the bigger fics (I have three in the works and wasn't that a stupid idea), but then I caught the flu and...yeah. I was a miserable mess for five days, which, incidentally, were the days I had the most time to write. Yay life. This is more fluff than anything. I'm going to try and get the bigger stuff worked on before I post more for this, but before more people ask, yes, this is complete. The first chapter is all I had planned and wanted to write. All these little things are just bonus and will be posted as I please, but they aren't necessary for the main story. Sorry~ But I have a direction I want to take Burden that will eat up a lot of my time once I get it started. Look forward to that!
It had been a long day. In between scouting reports on the movements of the Ice Nation near her borders, as well as reports on their movements in other lands, and the hassle surrounding the ceremony, she was sure that she had never been so busy outside of official wartime.
She enjoyed walking through the village, being greeted by nods and a respectful "Heda", by the adults, at least. The children were more likely to either grin widely at her or look away in embarrassment. Many had been sent to smaller villages for the duration of the war, and upon hearing of the defeat of the Mountain Men, her acclaim, and that of Clarke's, had grown.
Exponentially.
It was quite common for either of the two leaders to be watched or mimicked by the younglings, and it had been the cause of many a smile, and many an accident from overzealous "Mountain Mean vs Heda and Clarke" reenactments. With the current atmosphere in the village, all adults agreed that the biggest danger they faced now was trying to walk through camp without being run over by an over excited pack of children. Until the ceremony was finished, Lexa figured that she would have to endure the spontaneous crashes around the village, followed by an angry warrior yelling, and children shrieking.
She could not say that she disliked it, in all honesty. Death was a constant companion to her people, and so any moment that they were allowed to truly live was a precious one. For a long time after Costia, she hadn't allowed herself to relish those times, had not thought she even remembered how, but she was again learning to. And it was all thanks to a girl who fell from the sky.
A sky girl who had defied all odds, survived when most others would not have, who had the courage to challenge the Commander of the army that was at her gates and ready to destroy her people.
A sky girl who was...currently in her bed.
Complaining was the last thing she was going to do, because Clarke being in her bed was everything she could want. The Commander had half a mind to discard her armor right there and simply climb in next to her soon-to-be partner, mate, bonded. Whichever term the sky people preferred.
Now was not the time to indulge, however, and this situation was not completely without trouble. No, now she could only lean her weight back, rest one arm on her hip, and the other on the handle of her sword, and ponder.
"Clarke."
A mumble sounded from beneath the pillow.
"It is not yet dinner."
A shrug moved the furs slightly.
"Are you ill?"
A groan that was half exhaustion and half disgust was her answer.
"Do you wish for me to acquire food?"
A hum.
She smiled. "I will bring you some meat."
The faint "thanks" was barely heard as she exited the tent again.
Children shadowed her path as she made her way to the fires. Her guard rolled his eyes, but chose not to comment. One of those children was his own, after all.
At the fires, she spotted Indra and her second, the latter looking half mauled in a way that left her assuming the former had trained her hard, and headed for them. The children behind her dispersed in search of food, as did her guard when she dismissed him.
"Heda. Did you need something?"
"Your second."
Indra raised her eyebrows, and Octavia straightened.
"I need a report gathered from Vison, near where we have seen movement from the Ice Nation. Lincoln is familiar with the village. I am sending you with him."
Octavia's expression became questioning. "Only two?"
The girl was smart, but she already knew that. "Five in total. The village is small with few warriors, and have requested an escort for their travel to Tondc. A pack of new Pauna have been moving into their territory. If all goes well, it should only take three days in total."
If there was any way to peak the young warrior's interest, it was to mention the possibility of seeing new animals. It was a common attitude among the sky people, one her own did not fully comprehend. Clarke had once explained that there were no animals in space, and that to see them now, even mutated versions, was just another part of the joy they had in being on the ground.
It was understandable, she supposed, but her people had been fighting these constantly changing threats since the bombs fell. They changed with every generation, becoming faster, stronger, more of a danger. The animals were as quick to adapt as the humans were, and that left them eternally at odds with each other.
And then there was the unchanging situation of humanity being at war with itself. Political or outright, battle was a part of human nature that not even the destruction of their world and radiation could change.
Though some battles were far more harmless than others.
"So," Lexa said as she entered her tent for the second time, now laden with food, "what has Octavia done that was so torturous as to send you into hiding? A feat not even the Mountain Men could accomplish."
Clarke groaned loudly and threw her pillow at the intruder (that the sky girl was the real intruder was pointed out in the safety of her own mind only). The pillow missed by some three feet, but that was ignored when the blonde sat up, scowling terribly.
Lexa tried not to find it adorable, but really, who was she kidding? It was adorable.
"She's relentless! I thought my mother was overbearing after the battle, but!" Here Clarke stopped in silent rage, mouth opening but her emotions so overwhelmed she could not find the words to express herself. "I know she's excited, and is just waiting until she earns her marks for Lincoln to propose."
Propose? Is that how the sky people termed it? Interesting, that they would equate an alliance with a bonding.
"But she's driving me crazy! And worse, Indra is right there with her! If only so she can teach me all the rituals and history behind the ceremony and what every breath I take during it means!"
Ah, yes. Indra was bound and determined to ensure the sky girl did not embarrass her Commander with her lack of education and knowledge. And perhaps her general was simply taking advantage of the opportunity to harass the girl at the same time. It wouldn't surprise her.
"Octavia has been dragging me out before dawn to practice dancing."
Wait, since when were they having required dancing at their ceremony? That was very rare in any sort of gathering.
"And then she makes me practice my sword skills, so I can "prove my strength" by beating all challengers."
And there would be no challengers at their ceremony, for attacking a leader or the leader's bonded for any reason was treasonous.
"And why do I need three different outfits?!"
That, she had no explanation for either.
"I get the whole "figuring out how much food to provide" deal, since we're the host, but can't we have, I don't know, a hunting party for a day or two?"
That was actually a good idea, and would ease the hit to the village rations that would otherwise occur.
"Clarke."
Clarke stopped, hands freezing midair where they had been gesticulating wildly, then slowly dropping to her lap as Lexa approached.
The Commander put their food on a table then walked to the bed and seated herself behind the blonde, wrapping an arm around her waist. Clarke allowed herself to be pulled closer, relaxing into the hold. Lexa brought her mouth to her partner's ear.
"You don't need to dance for anyone but me."
She felt a shiver run down Clarke's spine.
"And not one of our people would dare raise a hand to my bonded."
There was no resistance when she pulled the other fully between her legs.
"Rest assured. I have sent Lincoln and Octavia out on a task for the next three days. You will have your peace."
The mood in the tent changed.
"You did that?" Clarke turned until she was on her knees, with her arms on Lexa's shoulders. "I don't have to dance? Or fight anyone? Are you sure?"
She laughed and shook her head. "No dancing. No fighting. I will go through the details with you, and tomorrow I shall tell Indra to leave you be. It is not complicated. Most will come purely for the feast afterwards."
Clarke sighed in relief, pushing Lexa back so that she could lay on top of her. "Good." she said, nuzzling the Commander's neck. "Wake me up at noon."
There was no denying that she enjoyed this position, and she indulged in it for several minutes. It was relaxing to just have Clarke in her arms, not worrying about impending war or the deadly wildlife.
But.
"Clarke. I would like to eat."
No answer.
"And change."
Still nothing. Checking, she realized that her partner had truly fallen asleep, most likely worn out from the long days of dancing, fighting, and being lectured. With a soft smile, she gently pushed Clarke off of her. Unfortunately, her attempt at escape was rejected by the slumbering blonde, and Lexa found herself pulled down and wrapped in strong arms.
"Clarke. Wake up."
The girl huffed, burying her face into her prisoner's chest. Lexa swallowed.
It looked like she was going to have to be creative about undressing.