You will have Prince Roan
She watches Clarke pause and blink a few short times at the acceptance of her demands. And maybe it's just a little humorous, just a little funny, if only because the light dances through the shades of Clarke's hair, if only by the way her lips worry and her eyes turn guarded as she contemplates the decisions they both make. And Lexa is sure Clarke juggles her words, juggles her expression and the way she moves through the tent and so she lets the moment linger between them, and she thinks it only a short few seconds, perhaps not even five, but still, she lets the time tick by slowly.
But Clarke finds her gaze once more, her eyes hardening in the candle light and the white of her warpaint reflecting against the furs across her shoulders. And maybe Lexa can be forgiven for noticing the dancing light that shimmers through the tent as it bends through Clarke's hair. And so Clarke nods once, her teeth worrying her lip for only a moment before she smiles tentatively.
"We have a deal, Lexa," and she takes a measured step forward, her hand coming out to hang between them both.
And so Lexa thinks her cheeks twitch for a moment as she flicks her gaze towards the outstretched limb before she meets it, her fingers curling around Clarke's forearm. And it's a quick shake, a firm grasp and then Clarke nods once more to herself before she turns and heads to the exit.
She watches Clarke move out the tent then, the blonde of her hair swaying with her movements as the light from a nearby candle shines against it. And as Lexa finds herself back in her throne, as she finds her fingers coming to twirl her knife between them she is perhaps just a moment surprised at the thoughts that linger. At the images that shift and turn and wend their way behind her eyes.
And so a small laugh escapes her lips as she realises Clarke has blackmailed her. A small mirth finds its way into her mind as she realises Clarke now plays the game of leaders and she finds her cheeks twitching a moment too much as she settles back in her throne, the blade between her fingers whistling as it sings through the cool of the night's air. But maybe she doesn't mind. Not so much anyway.
There's a roughness to the words she hears, but as they sink in Ontari stirs for only a moment before she too sits up quickly, a knife held in her hands as her eyes search for the man who intrudes. Entani wakes too, her body tensing as she feels the new presence in their tent but as her eyes adjust to the dark and as she realises that Clarke and Ontari remain still she pauses in her motions and lets her eyes find the intruder.
The man stands then, his body moving quietly through the tent until he comes to stand by the entrance, his hand coming to pull the tent flap aside as he turns back to the women on the bed.
"You may both leave us," he says as the moon's light falls across his face.
And Ontari's eyes widen when she sees the gentling of the moon as it shines upon his face and Clarke hears a gasp from Entani as her gaze falls onto the scars that begin on his forehead before curving towards his temple then coming to end across his cheeks.
"Prince Roan," Entani whispers, her head turning to Clarke and Ontari then back to Roan as he stands by the entrance, his eyes flicking between the women.
And it takes him a moment longer before his head inclines once, his eyes hardening as they fall to Ontari, eyes still wide in shock, and Entani who gapes at the man before them. He clears his throat then, a gravel to it that reaches their ears and breaks them from the shock that they must be feeling and then both women are scampering out of the bed, hands grasping at furs before tugging them on, worried glances cast to Clarke before they murmur words of assent as they duck out the entrance.
Roan lets the flap fall shut then, the light quickly cutting out before he moves to the table. And it only takes him a moment but Clarke hears the scraping before a flame is lit, a candle illuminating the tent's interior before Roan turns back to the chair. He settles into it with a quiet sigh, his fingers coming to grip the armrests lazily as he gazes at Clarke still seated on the bed.
"I have heard much about you," he says, his voice carrying over the distance between them carefully.
And it's an odd moment that Clarke finds herself in now as Roan lounges in the chair, the candle light burning gently besides him. And as her eyes ghost over him she isn't entirely sure what she had expected. But he looks healthy, healthier than she had imagined a person would be after being kept prisoner. Her eyes trail over the scars that slash across his temples and the beard that rests across his face and she turns her gaze back to his eyes. And he continues to hold her own gaze, his features sharp, angled and cunning and she thinks him eagle-eyed, strong, proud and careful in his movements.
"Prince Roan," she begins, perhaps now just a bit too uncertain in what she wishes to say.
And Roan inclines his head, his eyes hiding a mirth that she thinks flits across his face for a moment's pause.
"You did not expect me here so soon?" he questions as his fingers ghost over the armrests of the chair. "You did not expect this…" he trails off, a hand coming to wave across his body as his lips smirk quietly. "Did you expect a shell of a man? Someone broken? Tortured?" he pushes quietly.
But as Clarke looks at him, as she takes in his clothes she thinks that perhaps she hadn't really considered more than she had.
"No," she answers with a tentative shrug. "I didn't know what to expect," she finishes.
"Here I am," he says as he leans forward letting a shadow fall across his body. "What do you want?" and it comes out quiet with a roughness that wends its way through his words.
"I need your help," and as the words leave Clarke's mouth she thinks over the choices she is about to make, and she thinks over her actions that have led her to this moment, of the years she spent in service to Azgeda, to her people.
And so Roan lets the silence linger as he thinks over the words.
"And what is it that you think I can do for you?" he questions. "I am still a prisoner of the Commander despite being granted the honour of visiting you," he says, just a little hint of derision colouring his tone.
Clarke lets her thoughts settle then and she thinks she even feels Roan's eyes piercing her with his steady gaze. But maybe she thinks they want the same things. If only by his appearance, if only by his still lingering presence.
"I want the Mountain," she begins quietly.
And Roan's eyebrow raises in question, the candle light arcing over his brow.
"Not for Nia," she continues carefully, and she doesn't miss the way his eyes narrow for a fraction at the lack of her use of Kwin. "I want it for Azgeda," and she leans forward, swinging her legs over the side of the bed as she comes to sit on it's edge. "I want it for the Coalition," she finishes carefully.
"Why?" he questions.
"I don't trust Nia," Clarke answers. "She would use it to benefit Azgeda alone," she continues, her thoughts sifting through all she knows.
"Is that not best for our people," Roan counters.
"Yes," and Clarke trails off in thought. But as she holds his gaze she thinks Roan a pragmatic person, she thinks him careful in his actions and perhaps just a moment more open to change. "I don't like being used," Clarke says then. "Nia uses me to further her own goals. Lexa uses me to further her own goals too," and she pauses once more. "I'm done being a pawn."
"So you would use me?" Roan says, a small smile coming to lift the corner of his mouth.
"No," and Clarke lifts her chin. "I need you," she continues. "We can work together. Azgeda won't fall in line without someone powerful. I'm not that person," she says.
"But I am."
"Yes," Clarke answers. "You can control the Azgeda here. You can keep them in line and make sure Nia doesn't do what she wants with the Mountain," and Clarke lets a small moment's urgency creep into her tone. "You know what Nia would do if the Mountain fell into her hands. Maybe Azgeda would have the power to defeat all the other clans. Or any that didn't join with us. But it would kill thousands," Clarke says. "I don't want that, and I'm betting you don't either."
"And what makes you think I would be open to working with you? To helping the clans? To helping the Commander? Who imprisoned me?"
And so Clarke lets the words linger between them as she meets Roan's gaze. And maybe it's only a moment, maybe only a few short seconds but she lets her eyes take him in again.
He looks well. He looks certain in his actions, his fingers gently brushing against the armrest of the chair a careful motion that smoothes over the weathered wood. And she takes in the clothes he wears, the dark fabric, the carefully lined fur of his collar that is less than that usually worn by Azgeda forces and she takes in the simple knot that ties his hair back from his face.
"You'll work with me for one of two reasons," Clarke says as her gaze snaps back to his.
"And they are?" he asks as a lip curves up slightly, a small breath of mirth lingering in his voice.
"It's one of two reasons," she repeats. "The first? You'll work with me because Lexa treated you fairly. You'll work with me because you know that Lexa understands that the sins of your mother aren't your own sins. You will have seen the clans prosper. You would have seen them flourish under the Coalition. And yes, maybe the Coalition isn't fair, maybe some clans feel forced to work hard to help others. But you would have seen the peace that has lingered, you would see that there's the opportunity for things to get even better — given time," and Clarke eyes him carefully before she continues. "You can't tell me that Nia in control of the clans would do the same. So you'll work with me so that Nia can't destroy that by taking control of the Mountain, because Nia controlling the Mountain isn't what's best for Azgeda."
And so Roan inclines his head for a moment.
"Or," Clarke says once more. "Or Lexa has treated you poorly. She has had you starved, has had you tortured, beaten. And she's a cruel ruler, someone who dictates what others must do lest they fall victim to the Coalition and her might. Maybe you've seen Lexa be a brutal, violent ruler. And in that case? You'll work with me. You'll work with me to gain the power of the Mountain, to give Azgeda the chance to live without the shackles of the Coalition. You'll work with me because you'd want revenge and you'd know that the Coalition isn't what's best for Azgeda," Clarke finishes. "So which one is it?"
And so Roan leans back in the chair, and Clarke is sure he thinks over her words, she is sure he considers where her loyalties may lie. She even thinks he considers her.
"You're smart," he begins carefully. "Ambitious," he shrugs for a moment. "Tell me," he continues, "have you thought of killing my mother?"
And the question gives her pause, it halts her thoughts for a moment as she considers his words.
"I don't want to rule Azgeda," Clarke counters quietly, her eyes flicking to the tent entrance for just a moment.
"You didn't answer my question," Roan says.
"I don't want to be a pawn in someone else's game," and she lets the truth of her words live freely, her eyes still holding Roan's gaze.
And so he smirks for a moment, the light of the candle curving against his lip.
"You are smart not to answer that question, Clarke," Roan says. "I'll tell you why you won't want to kill Nia," he continues as he comes to stand, his feet carefully moving him forward. "If you kill her Azgeda will fall into chaos," he begins, and as he nears her she finds her own body coming to stand in front of him. "Azgeda would fall into civil war," Roan shrugs. "Many would disagree with your actions. Nia has ruled Azgeda well," and his chin jerks towards the entrance of the tent. "Your friends would think you a traitor, they would think you in bed with Lexa."
"I told you, I want what's best for Azgeda," Clarke says once more, her jaw clenching as her chin rises in challenge as he continues to near her. "Together we can be the change," Clarke whispers. "I can't do it alone. I need you."
"You do not seek the throne? You do not wish for me to kill my mother and to take it for myself?" and now Roan comes to stand mere moments before her, his eyes hardening as he stares down at her.
"No," Clarke answers.
And so Roan lets her answer linger between them. He lets the words settle within the small space between them and she thinks she even feels his chest rising and falling as his eyes study her and as his gaze probes her own.
"I will help you on one condition," he says then. "You do not move on the throne. You do not try and remove my mother. If you do I will kill you. Because I want what's best for Azgeda."
Roan holds his hand out then and so she reaches her own out, grips his forearm and squeezes firmly.
"I want what's best for my people too, Prince Roan," she finishes quietly.
And so he smiles grimly, just a small thing as his eyes flit across her scars.
"There are guards outside. I must return to Lexa," he says, a heaviness coming to rest atop his shoulders as the words leave his lips. "I am still a prisoner," he finishes with a shrugging of his shoulders
And so Clarke releases his arm, her eyes following his movements as he turns to the tent entrance but as he nears it a thought comes to her and so she furrows her brow in worry for only a short moment before calling out.
"Prince Roan?" and he pauses before looking over his shoulders. "Do you know someone called Echo?"
"Yes," he says. "She served me well before I was taken prisoner."
"She's here, Nia sent her," Clarke says, "Is she loyal to you?" she finishes.
And so Roan takes a moment to consider her words.
"Yes," he answers simply, and by the way he stills in his movements Clarke thinks that she broaches on a sore topic, something not for her to know yet.
And so she accepts his answer, her thoughts turning to one more question that lingers in the back of her mind.
"How'd you become prisoner?" and she sees his eyes darken for just a short moment as a memory comes to live in the forefront of his mind.
"I delivered Lexa unfortunate news," he shrugs before ducking out the tent.
The walk to Lexa's tent is a quiet affair and Clarke can feel Ontari's eyes drilling into her as they continue to pass the many tents that spread out through the war camp.
"How did you do it?" Ontari asks, her hand coming to grip Clarke by the elbow.
"it's complicated," Clarke replies as she comes to a stop, Torvun coming to rest by her side as Entani hangs back awkwardly.
"What have you done, Clarke?" Ontari says again as she eyes her carefully. "How is Prince Roan free?" she pushes.
Clarke worries her lip then, her eyes turning to Entani for a moment before coming to face Ontari once more.
"The Commander and I made a deal," she begins carefully and Ontari's eyebrow rises in question as her hands come to her hips.
"What deal?"
"Prince Roan will help with the Mountain," Clarke begins carefully, and perhaps she can be forgiven for not revealing too much, perhaps she feels the words of warning Roan had said whisper in the back of her mind quietly.
"Peace, Ontari," Torvun cuts in then, Ontari's eyes flicking to his for a moment.
"You knew?" she questions and Clarke can feel the small moment of anger that Ontari lets seep into her words. "You knew Prince Roan was free?" she finishes as she stares up at Torvun. "Why did you not tell anyone?" Ontari adds as she turns to Clarke.
"I didn't want to risk it," she answers quietly. "Not yet, anyway," and she pauses for a moment in thought. "What if I told Azgeda? What if I told you that Prince Roan was going to be freed, then it never happened?"
Ontari looks at her carefully then, her eyes narrowed for a moment as she thinks over Clarke's words.
"See," Clarke urges. "It would have caused chaos in the war camp, Ontari. You have to see that."
Clarke casts her eyes around to Entani then, and she finds her eyeing them carefully, her gaze a curious light that shifts between the both of them.
"I had to be sure," Clarke finishes as she turns back to Ontari.
"You made a deal?" Ontari questions, her eyes flicking between Clarke's and Entani's.
"Yes."
"What does the Commander get from this?" she asks.
And so Clarke thinks over how much to reveal. And maybe half truths are best, maybe revealing too much too soon would be a mistake.
"He will help destroy the Mountain," she says simply.
"What of Echo?" Ontari says again. "Is that why she was here?"
"I'm not sure," Clarke answers, and her thoughts turn to the assassin then. "I don't know," Clarke finishes.
"Prince Roan will lead the warriors who attack the Mountain's main entrance," Torvun cuts in, his eyes staring firmly at Ontari. "While we attack from the rear with whatever forces decide to join us," and he crosses his arms in front of him.
And his words must placate Ontari for now because she worries her lip for only a moment as her jaw clenches tightly.
"Ok," she says, but Clarke is sure she feels the tension in Ontari's words, she is sure she feels a frustration at the events that have occurred.
"Everything's going to be fine, Ontari," Clarke whispers to her with a smile as she begins walking towards Lexa's tent.
And so they continue walking in a tense silence, Ontari lost in her thoughts as they wind their way up the hill, the torches ever present and the heat ever annoying in its intensity. But as they take another bend Clarke turns to look at Entani who walks behind them casually, her head turning slowly as she takes in the Trikru warriors who linger close, the tents that spread out and the warriors that move about them.
"Why are you here?" Clarke asks then.
And Entani shrugs her shoulders broadly as her eyes meet Clarke's gaze.
"Things are happening, Clarke," Entani says. "I do not know how you freed Prince Roan but I will enjoy this war meeting I think," she finishes with a smile.
And so Clarke rolls her eyes briefly, but she turns from Entani as a small burning guilt rises in the back of her mind, the missile an ever present shadow that lingers behind her.
Nearing Lexa's tent is a bizarre thing, Clarke finds. As they approach she finds a small group of Trikru warriors standing guard, their hands on their weapons as they crowd by the entrance blocking Echo's way as she stands before them, her eyes glaring at those before her. It takes Clarke a few more paces to recognise the darker fabric and the light furs but she recognises Roan who stands amidst them too, his hands clasped behind his back as he stands, his eyes moving lazily skyward as he traces the clouds overhead for a moment before coming to rest on Echo who gestures angrily at the Trikru in her way.
"What is Echo doing here?" Ontari asks, her eyes darting from Clarke to the group before them.
"I don't know," Clarke answers carefully as she approaches.
Roan sees her then and he smirks for a moment as their eyes meet and Echo turns briefly as she feels them approach, her eyes finding Clarke's with a small smirk of her own before she turns her gaze to the others that approach.
And there's a small shifting in the posture of the Trikru guards as the new Azgeda forces come to stand besides Echo, their numbers now nearing an equal footing.
"She's with us," Clarke says simply as she stares down the nearest Trikru, her eyes hardening as she sees his fingers tighten around his sword.
"We do not know who she is, Clarke Kom Azgeda," the man says as he casts a gaze over the Azgeda in front of him before his eyes settle on Torvun.
"You will release Prince Roan now," Ontari hisses as she steps forward, her hand coming to rest against her knife. "Or I wi—"
"Enough." Clarke cuts in as she pushes forward, her arm coming to grip Ontari's wrist before urging her back. "We're here to work together," she says, her eyes darting from face to face before her eyes settle once more on the curious smile that lingers across Roan's lips.
"We have a war meeting to attend," she continues with a gesture towards Lexa's tent. "Everyone calm down," and she holds the Trikru's gaze as she takes a step forward again. "You will let us all through," she challenges.
And she sees his eyes darken, she sees his jaw clench and she feels the shifting in bodies as they tense for a long moment. She moves her fingers to the knife then, and it's slow, clear enough that the Trikru warrior can see her movements, can understand the threat that lingers in her motions.
And it's a long moment's silence that sits around them, the two sides glaring angrily at each other but Gustus emerges from the tent then, his eyes hardening as he sees the many warriors converged outside. He pushes through the Trikru, his eyes only briefly flicking to Roan before he comes to stand in front of Clarke.
"The Commander is waiting," he calls out casting one last look at the Azgeda before ducking back inside.
There's an audible shift that runs through the tent as the Azgeda enter the war tent, Roan entering first as Echo shadows his movements. And it takes Clarke only a moment for her eyes to adjust to the changing ambience but she finds a number of other clan's warriors eyeing the Azgeda group as they make their way to the war table, their eyes narrowing as they recognise Roan and the larger group of Azgeda present.
"What is he doing here?" Jomm calls out, his voice a rough bark that creeps through the press of bodies.
"Prince Roan is here because I wish it," Lexa answers sharply, her gaze snapping to Jomm's from where she stands at the head of the table. "You will do well to not question my actions further Jomm," she finishes with an inclining of her head.
Roan pushes through the throng of people then, Echo edging others too close away until a large space is cleared for the Azgeda to stand by the table.
"I am here," Roan says gruffly as he casts his eyes in a wide arc around the table, his gaze falling onto Kane, Bellamy and Finn for only a moment before settling back on the other warriors. "To show Azgeda commitment to this fight," he finishes.
"You question our commitment?" Jomm snarls out as he pushes forward, his fists coming to rest angrily against the table.
"I do no such thing," Roan says as he meets the angry Lake clan warrior's gaze. "I am here to fight because the Commander wishes it."
"So you are her pet?" Jomm laughs, "not even free to do as you wish even in battle?" and he looks around him as his eyes shine in the candle light. "We all know you are still prisoner, Prince Roan," he mocks.
"We are all here to work together," Lexa snaps out once more, her eyes hardening as she stares down Jomm from across the table. "Prince Roan will do as I command. As shall you, Jomm. Or do you wish to continue to question my orders," she finishes as her head tilts towards Gustus who stands by her side, his hand coming to rest firmly against the sword at his hip.
And so Jomm takes only a moment to glance between Roan and Lexa before he bows his head, a rough apology falling from his lips as he turns his gaze to the war table.
Lexa lets the silence linger for a moment longer before she turns to face Kane from where he stands near the Azgeda forces.
"I have a team of Trikru scouting the dam," she begins, "the map we received will provide as with the knowledge of how to enter the Mountain and attack from within."
"All we're waiting for is the acid fog to come down, then we can attack," Kane adds as he turns to the rest of the warriors present.
"And this will be soon?" another warrior asks, her clothing a dirty grey, dappled with a muddy yellow that shines dully.
"Our guy knows what he's looking for," Kane answers firmly, "so yes, it will be soon."
And Clarke eyes Jomm grounding his teeth and so she pins him with a sharp glare.
"We wait," she says to him and she holds his gaze as she leans forward. "We've already healed the reapers we captured and we will continue to do so," and she turns to Indra who stands near Lexa, "and we'll continue to care for the injured from the missile. We need everyone at their best."
"Clarke is right," Lexa adds. "We must be prepared to attack at a moment's notice, but to be ill prepared would be a waste of this opportunity. So we will continue to train. We will continue to plan and when the time comes we will be ready," she finishes.
The war meeting continues for most of the morning with details being drawn on which clans fighting styles would be most effective in an all out assault on the Mountain. And so it's a happy sigh that leaves her lips when Lexa calls an end to the meeting. The other clans begin moving out then, grumbles falling from a few who feel spited in the rebuttals of their proposals.
"I take it back, Clarke," Entani groans as she rolls her shoulders. "These war meetings are not interesting at all," and she begins moving to the exit.
"Azgeda remain," and Entani pauses halfway to the exit, her eyes widening as she turns to find Lexa already sitting in her throne.
Clarke takes one quick glance behind her as Entani moves back to the group before turning back to face Lexa. And as she feels the other's come to rest next to her she finds a large number of Trikru warriors still lingering nearby, Gustus and Indra carefully standing besides Lexa.
"I expect Anya to return from the scouting mission soon," Lexa begins as she looks to Roan and Clarke. "She will inform you of what she has found," Lexa continues as she shifts her gaze to Ontari briefly before turning back to Clarke.
"Prince Roan," Lexa continues, "will be leading the Azgeda forces that attack the Mountain with the rest of the armies," and Lexa looks to Roan for a moment before he bows his head briefly in acceptance. "Clarke, you will be leading the Azgeda that attack the Mountain from behind. Trikru will accompany you," Lexa finishes cooly as her eyes move to Echo's, her brow furrowing for a moment as she takes in the Azgeda assassin, her eyes moving across the scarless face.
Lexa's eyes move to Ontari and Entani then, both women shifting slightly as they glare at the Trikru guards that watch them carefully. Clarke hears the approaching feet from outside though, and she sees Lexa's eyes shift to the entrance for a moment as guards closest to the sound shift their posture too.
Clarke hears a guard from outside the tent call out before ducking her head through the entrance.
"Heda, Anya has returned."
"Send her in," Lexa answers with a lifting of a hand.
Clarke turns to the entrance to find Anya, scowl firmly in place stride through the entrance, blood smeared across the front of her clothing, Octavia and Lincoln close behind her, their own clothing still bloodied.
"We were attacked by reapers," Anya says simply at the eyebrow Lexa raises at the sight of the blood as she stalks past the Azgeda towards her. "The map is accurate," Anya finishes as she comes to a stop besides Lexa before she turns to face the Azgeda in front of them. "But the tunnels are infested with Reapers."
And she turns, her arms coming to cross over her chest as Lincoln and Octavia join the guards that stand by the edges of the tent. Anya casts her gaze over the Azgeda then, her lips turning into a smirk as she meets Ontari's gaze before shifting to Entani and Clarke, then to Torvun who stands behind Clarke, his body casting a heavy shadow across the furs on the floor. Anya eyes Roan for only a moment, before her gaze finally shifts to Echo.
And it's only a short moment that their gazes meet. But Clarke thinks it an age as she watches the expressions that flash across Anya's face.
She sees a confusion spread over her, she sees her eyes widen for just a moment before they narrow, her eyes dropping down to Echo's feet for a moment before sliding up her body as Anya takes in the woman before her. Clarke sees Anya's eyes snap back to Echo's face and she sees her mouth open slightly as her lips turn up in anger, her teeth baring into a furious snarl.
And it's only a few short seconds that follow but Clarke thinks she feels the air around her snap.
Anya's hands move quickly, they unfold from across her chest as her left hand drops to a knife on her hip, her other coming to grip her sword. Echo sees the movements and Clarke feels the assassin move quickly, her own hand coming to grip her knife as her body moves to stand in front of Roan. The Trikru guards sense the shifting in the air too, their bodies moving towards the Azgeda, those closest to Lexa already moving to stand between her and the threat they sense. Ontari's eyes flash to the guards closest to her as she moves closer to Clarke, her fingers already drawing her knife, Entani's own body coming to rest behind them as she turns to guard their back and Torvun moves in closer too, his knife already drawn as he moves to step in front of Clarke.
Clarke thinks she senses Roan's eyes flick from Echo to Anya for only a short moment before recognition dawns on his face, his lips parting in surprise.
And Anya lunges, her lips turning up furiously as she throws her knife at Echo, her sword already being drawn.
And as Echo slashes the knife from the air, and as Anya collides with her and as the Trikru guards move forward, the last thing Clarke hears before Trikru and Azgeda crash together is Anya's raged voice carrying over the noise of metal crashing against metal.
"I will kill you for what you did."