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Abby was sitting on her bed reading one of the medical journals she'd found when there was a soft tap on her door. She looked up frowning, she wasn't expecting anyone.
Maybe it was Clarke she thought, come to talk while the Leaders were all talking. She flicked a glance at the clock, they still had an hour before they had to meet. Another soft tap brought her out of her thoughts.
"Come in" she called and waited as the door opened.
She should have been surprised she knew, to see Jayde standing there, face stoic as ever, eyes piercing.
"May I come in?" The woman requested and Abby nodded, placing her book aside and getting up off the bed to stand to greet her. Jayde stepped in and closed the door silently before stepping further into the room.
"What are you doing here?" Abby asked, not accusing, merely curious
"We finished our greetings. Everyone decided to freshen up for this evening. I did not want to wait alone." Jayde looked around the room. It was a reasonable size, a bathroom upon entering, cupboards, a writing desk, a small breakfast desk and an incredible view of the ocean. She tried hard not to look at the enormous bed that was way too tempting with the beautiful woman in front of her.
"Do you need to freshen up?" Abby asked, indicating the bathroom and Jayde, suddenly feeling like she needed to regain control nodded and disappeared inside.
Abby took a seat on the bed again, picking up her journal to keep reading. She could hear water running in the bathroom but tuned out as she got caught up in an article about infectious diseases of the old world, her doctors mind racing at the thought of these diseases not being able to be cured. Especially in old world times.
She was so engrossed in the article she didn't hear Jayde leave the bathroom and only looked up when Jayde sat down on the bed beside her. Abby offered a smile.
"What has caught your attention to have you reading so avidly?" Jayde asked trying to peak over at the book.
"Oh it's just an article on infectious diseases of the old world. Nothing too exciting" Abby shrugged. It sounded rather morbid actually when she spoke about it.
"You seemed riveted, tell me about it" Jayde offered "What have you learned?"
Abby looked unsure for a while before hesitantly starting. Jayde was an avid listener as she spoke of diseases that were so easy to spread and killed thousands in days. Jayde said they had bad diseases but nothing that sounded like that. Soon they were sitting shoulder to shoulder looking at pictures and studying each case. Jayde was adamant they had nothing like that which was just as well because Abby was sure it would wipe out 90% of the population before they got any semblance of control.
Before they knew it they had about 10 minutes before they had to meet the others and Abby hurried to the bathroom to freshen up. On returning to the main room she found Jayde standing patiently, hands behind her back and waiting.
"Thank you for sharing that Abby. It was most insightful and I can see why you enjoy being a healer" Jayde nodded.
"Thank you for listening to me rant" Abby blushed then remembered she had something else to thank the warrior for "Thank you for last night too, for putting up with the tears and looking after me once I was asleep. You should have woken me when you left and sent me up to bed though"
She looked at her friend and could see the nervous dart of her eyes and wondered what she had said.
"I did not 'put up with you' as you said. You were upset and I was comforting you" she paused before giving a heavy sigh "I did not leave. I too fell asleep. I did not wake until early morning."
Abby's jaw dropped in shock, she didnt know what to say to that. She thought she had slept alone all night on the couch. It had been a long time since she slept without nightmares, she had put it down to mental exhaustion but maybe it was just that Jayde had been there.
"I have not slept through the night in years. I am plagued by insomnia and nightmares. I never let a woman stay to see it. It shows weakness" Jayde informed her
"Me too, nightmares and Insomnia" Abby added "I slept the whole night through too"
They shared a deep look, both searching for a meaning for this. A reason. Jayde thought she knew but also knew Abby wasn't ready to hear it so she broke the gaze and looked at the clock.
"We should go before we are late" she offered her arm "shall we?"
Abby didnt hesitate, sliding her arm through Jaydes as they head out of the room.
Clarke and the others shared a look when they entered the receiving room where they were all waiting. Nothing was said though as they hit the streets for the last night of festival until after the wedding.
The night was filled with much fun and laughter. There was endless performances, food and beverages. They stayed until the festival shut down before continuing to have fun until the early hours of the morning at the Homestead.
People slowly started to make their way to their rooms, Rio and Garrett too. Luna and Raquel staggered out to a waiting coach to safely take them back to the inn.
Finally there was just Abby and Jayde left. Jayde made no comment as Abby rose and offered her hand, leading her to her bedroom. Both were a little surprised to find sleeping clothes for Jayde on the end of Abby's bed. Possibly left there by a member of the staff who presumed too much but Abby was glad they had. Jayde didn't need to sleep in her street clothes. She used the facilities first then climbed into bed.
She couldn't deny it was slightly awkward when the other woman came out wearing a soft t-shirt and thin pants, placing her clothes aside before crawling into bed beside her. The minute she rolled into Jaydes arms and let her arms and warmth surround her she felt at peace. She whispered her goodnight and Jaydes murmured reply was the last thing she remembered.
The following day was all wedding preparation. Clarke and Abby's dresses arrived, the others went to pick up theirs. Rio and Garrett were fitted for their uniforms. Lexa went to check on the Great Hall which looked amazing. The statues of the other Heda's had been removed and it had been decorated in colourful streamers.
Outside the Great Hall large tents had been set up to allow for overflow and for the public to enjoy the wedding and reception after. Many of the food tents from the past few days festival were setting up to provide food for the revellers who couldn't get inside.
She was promised the caterers were prepared, the musicians also. Everything was in order. She went with Luna to pick up the rings and told her friend if she lost them she would kill her. Luna gulped seeing the promise in her friend's and Heda's eyes and promised to keep them on her at all times.
They spent the afternoon and evening together, laughing, drinking and having a meal. Lexa was not fond of the Skaikru tradition where she couldn't spend the night with her wife because it was bad luck. Clarke helped her pack a bag for the next day, chastising her when she tried to get a peak at the dress.
She ushered her to the door where she gave her lover one final kiss.
"Do not get drunk tonight. You will pay the consequences if you turn up to out wedding hung over." She warned and Lexa nodded.
"I will go straight to bed" Lexa assured knowing she wouldn't get much sleep without Clarke by her side "Do not mistake sleep deprived for hung over"
"I know" Clarke nodded, indicating she too would be getting little sleep. They hugged tightly before Luna, Jayde, Rio and Garret managed to drag lexa off. Raquel was staying with the girls for the night.
Clarke soon retired to her own suite, asking her mother to stay with her. She was excited for the wedding but she would miss Lexa. As she lay side by side with her mother she sighed
"At night, before going to bed we have a ritual. Lexa stands still and lets me take care of her. Undress her, check her injuries if she has any. It's a show of trust, respect and love. I miss it"
"It sounds like a great ritual" Abby sighed
"One day I am sure you and Jayde will have the same" Clarke teased
"Clarke we are friends" Abby groaned, feeling her face flame.
"Octavia once wisely said to me, you don't need to tell her yet but don't lie to yourself" Clarke turned her head to look at her mother "Anything could happen at any time, you need to let yourself be happy. There might be a war, Jayde could fall off a horse, one of you could get sick. It would be a shame to waste time"
They lay there silently for long seconds before Clarke rolled over and turned out the light
"Goodnight mother"
"Goodnight Clarke" Abby whispered
They both lay awake long into the night without their bed partner there to hold them.
In a room in an Inn Lexa lay silent and alone, heart aching without her wife but determined to try and get some sleep before tomorrow. From tomorrow nothing could separate them. She lay there thoughts and dreams of the future racing through her head. She eventually fell into an exhausted sleep in the early hours of the morning.
Lexa was surprised she had slept at all and was surprised to see the time on the clock in her room. 7am. Four hours sleep was enough for her to feel refreshed enough, she had had less on the battle fields but had been getting a lot more recently with Clarke at her side.
Rising quickly she took time to wash in the ensuite bathroom adjoining her room before she dressed in her good suit. They would head to the military barracks after breakfast to be suited up then walk to the Great Hall so they could meet and greet the public that would line the streets. Once suited she brushed out her thick hair and braided it in the traditional Trikru style to inform all she was merged with another.
Heading downstairs she found it empty save a young man, no older than Clarke, who was dressed in Trigedakru finery. She did not know who he was but upon seeing her he hastily stood from his seat at a table and went on one knee before her. She raised a brow at this until he spoke in fluent Trigedasleng.
"Heda. I am Flynn of the Cave people. My father Sawyer sends his apologies as he is injured and was unable to make it" the young man stated.
Lexa looked him over more. He was about Bellamy's height with hair like Jaspers and also lean like Jasper, maybe even thinner. That brought a concerned frown, were all so lean in the cave clan? His skin was pale, with a red tinge from the sun, no doubts on his travel. His eyes were a pale blue and striking, his face lean and angular. She had no doubts the women in his clan enjoyed his looks. They were striking.
"Rise Flynn." she ordered "you are representing your clan. While I request you be respectful of me and my wife you do not need to kneel when you see us. A bow of the head will do"
"Sha Heda" he rose quickly and sat back at the table when she indicated he do so. She sat with him.
"What ails your father?" She asked him and saw him smirk
"He was showing off for mother who dared to call him old, he fell and broke his leg and hurt his back." The young man laughed "he was embarrassed more than in pain but the healers order he rest so he requested I come"
"And all is well in the caves?" She asked looking over his thin body again "forgive my forwardness but you seem thin. Are your people having difficulty with obtaining food?"
"All is well. I have been doing our warrior trials which differ from others. After passing my tests with weapons, tracking, stealth and hunting we have to prove our worth by living alone away from the caves for 3 cycles." He sighed and shrugged at the memory "we get to take the clothes on our back"
"No weapons?" Lexa asked unaware of this part of the Cave people's initiation for warriors.
"No weapons" he confirmed "I was aware of my upcoming trials and had been scouting places to go while out hunting. I survived in a small cave with a lean to to keep out the rain. I made a fire and lived off berries and a nearby creek until I was able to fashion a spear to catch fish" he smirked "I am only quarter of the man I was when I left but I don't mind the new slender look"
"I see. When did you finish the trial?"
"A week before father sent me here. I've actually put some conditioning on." He grinned
"A warrior needs muscle mass for strength and endurance" Lexa informed and he bowed his head in deference
"Never fear Heda. I plan to eat like a pig while here and train hard too" he teased and she couldn't help but smile just as Jayde and Luna stepped into the room, gaze immediately curious. Lexa made the introductions and they all greeted each other with respect before repeating it when Rio and Garrett came down.
They were served breakfast shortly after. A good feast of bacon, eggs, fresh bread, sausage and fresh fruit. They all ate with gusto and Lexa was happy to see Flynn eating heartily. As soon as the food was washed down with freshly squeezed juice they left the inn and headed for the military barracks.
The streets were abuzz with activity already and people called out well wishes as they walked. Lexa was relaxed, she was already married to her wife, and today was reaffirming that for the people and in Skaikru and Polis traditions. But she wasn't nervous. She was excited. Excited for the day, the revelry, the food and entertainment and what was to come later when she could return to her marriage bed.
Once at the barracks she apologised to Flynn that they had no time to outfit him and once he saw them dressed he just laughed and stated he preferred his own clothes anyway. No offence. Once she was fully kitted out in her finery the others looked at her, even the servants and all smiled.
"You will be retiring early tonight Heda" Luna chuckled and clapped her hand on her friends back and Lexa blushed.
"Shof op" she growled but there was no malice behind it.