Rebuilding Ruin
Disclaimer: I don't own the 100 or its characters
Spoilers: All episodes of Season 1 and 2
Clarke stood in the healing tent working on a warrior who had cut his head open, the man deemed himself unimportant but she had stressed that all people were important in the camp. The sound of yelling was heard and it was Shadow that moved to the front of the tent alerting Clarke that something was wrong. She turned her head to see Ryder in the doorway of the tent with a look of sorrow in his eyes, he lowered his head as if to gather his thoughts before speaking.
"Kwin, you must come at once."
"Okay." She looked back at the warrior who was halfway stitched up. "Julia will finish your stitches." A single look had the medic from Camp Jaha walking over and taking Clarke's place.
They walked towards the field where sparing was ongoing, those healing or not fighting were always training. The difference that day was that all stood in a circle and it was Lexa who broke away to meet her a few feet away. Her wife put an arm around her and attempted to push her back from the circle, as if what was inside was not something she wanted her to see.
"Go back to our tent Clarke, it is not a sight you need to lay your hands on."
"What is it?" Clarke struggled against Lexa and attempted to see, her eyes widening when she saw two warriors part slightly. She recognized Ellia's boots, the stripes of blue on her boots that signified her status as Clarke's guard. "Ellia…"
"Go Clarke." Lexa attempted to push her back a third time and Clarke pushed past her.
Warrior parted as she made her way over and a hand went to her mouth at the sight of Ellia's body without a head. Shock seemed to run through her system as she crumpled to the ground, sobs echoing from her as her hand covered her screams. Lexa was beside her within seconds, pulling her from the ground and softly guiding her to their tent.
Orders were given in Trigedasleng but at that moment Clarke was unable to translate. She couldn't quite understand why her young guard and apprentice was laying on their battle grounds without her head. Ellia rarely strayed from the camp, rarely from her side as that was her assigned task in life. Clarke vaguely recalled having no water in the healing tent and Ellia stated she would get some. Instead of going to the stores, the girl had gone to the river instead and it had cost her life.
"This is my fault." Clarke stated as she felt herself sit down, Lexa's gentle coaxing the reason her body rested in the chair. "We ran out of water and she said she would get some, I should have sent Ryder instead."
Lexa sat beside her and cupped her chin, "this is not your fault Clarke, it is Dara's and this is her tactic to get you to respond. She cannot harm me so she harms your guard, those closest are always under threat."
The sound of rustling made them look to the entrance to see Indra, the woman moved in slightly at Lexa's nod. "Pardon my intrusion. I have come to tell Clarke that Octavia requires her healing immediately."
"Find another healer." Lexa rose to punctuate the command but Indra lowered her head.
"I would given the recent events however Clarke's mother is not present at this time and this requires Skaikru healing."
By nightfall Clarke lay curled up on the bed with her back to Lexa and Shadow lying beside her. Her hands combed through the silver and black fur continuously as she let her mind drift through everything that had happened. The bed dipped slightly so Clarke knew Lexa was moving and felt her wife's hand moments later.
"Octavia will recover Clarke, she is strong and has a spirit that none have been able to break no matter the events that surround her."
Clarke shook her head, "she lost a lot of blood, more than she should and I don't have the equipment for a blood transfusion. If she dies I don't think I can live with myself. They are my people and I have failed them all in this war."
"War is war, there is no failure or success until the final battle." Lexa kissed Clarke's shoulder and ran a hand under the sky leader's shirt, caressing soft skin. "Allow me to ease your mind."
Turning over the blond was met by green eyes, soft and gentle like she wanted to see every day of forever. Reaching up she cupped Lexa's cheek and brought her lips down. "Make me yours."
"Are you sure you are ready ai kwin?" She brushed her nose against Clarke's and pulled back slightly.
"Yes, make me yours."
The moon had reached full height when Clarke looked over to see Lexa sleeping soundly. Leaning in she kissed her wife's soft cheek and gazed down at her. "I love you, but please forgive me because I have to do this."
Clarke pulled her clothes from the floor and dressed, leaving the bed to pour some water. After taking a drink she looked down to see Shadow by her feet looking up at her as if knowing what she planned to do. Looking between the cup and the wolf, Clarke moved to the small box that lay on Lexa's small table to remove the smallest vial inside. She placed four drops into the water, three more than required and put the cup on the ground for Shadow.
"Drink up girl." The wolf lapped until the cup was empty and Clarke sat on the ground, allowing the wolf to curl up beside her. She ran her hands through the soft fur and watched as the wolf's body began to collapse against her. "I can't have you following me or alerting them I left. I'm sorry but I have to do this." After the wolf stilled, Clarke ran her hands through soft fur one last time before standing to collect her pack.
A knife to the side of the tent had Clarke out of the tent without alerting the warriors guarding the entrance that she had left. She eased her way to the stables and quietly pulled Stella from her post rope. It was only after she was at the edge of the forest, having quietly crept through the camp with an equally quiet horse walking beside her, did Clarke mount the animal. With one last look at the camp she turned the horse towards the forest and made her way inside. She'd save her people, all of them, if it was the last thing she did.
Lexa stood preparing herself when a throat cleared and she moved beyond the curtain to see Indra standing slightly inside the tent. The woman looked around as if expecting to see something else.
"A messenger from Azkru is here to speak with you."
"Go to the healing tent and retrieve Clarke while I speak with the messenger."
Indra nodded and made an observation, "Kwin rose early this morning."
"Her worry for Octavia is strong, I was aware she would most likely rise with the sun and tend to the young warrior."
Once Indra was gone to find her wife, Lexa sat on her throne and waited for the messenger to enter. Ryder escorted the girl in, she was probably only a young second who had yet to learn her fighting skills fully so she ran messages between camps.
"Heda." The girl bowed her head and Lexa nodded to her.
"What message does your queen have for me?"
The girl looked straight at her as if gathering courage. "She accepts the terms of your peace deal and is preparing to withdrawal from the lands immediately. No more shall be harmed as long as she draws breath."
"I made no deal with her, what do you speak of?"
"Your queen's surrender as the sun rose." The girl hesitated as Lexa stood, "you were not aware?"
Indra moved into the tent and Lexa looked at her. "She cannot be found anywhere and her horse is missing as is her wolf."
"Hold her." Lexa motioned to the girl and Indra took the girl's arm.
Making her way into their private area, Lexa bent down beside Shadow. She had assumed the wolf to be waiting on Clarke's return from the healing tent. Brushing her hand against the wolf's nose she felt the soft breath and then looked to see the glass on the floor under the table. Picking it up and examining it closely, the leader saw the white residue that remained from a sleeping aid.
"What have you done Clarke?"
Leaving the sleeping area she found Indra waiting and held out the cup. The warrior also saw the residue, "she gave you the sleeping aid?"
"No, her wolf received the sleeping aid. If I had I would not be awake at this moment." Lexa seized the messenger's chin. "When did she arrive in your camp?"
The girl swallowed forcefully, "as the sun rose and offered herself in exchange for ai kwin returning to our home. She stated you were aware and understood it was the only way to achieve peace."
"She lied." Indra spoke and glared at the girl. "What does your queen intend to do to her?"
"I do not know, I swear it on my life."
Lexa let her hand drop and turned to Indra, "have her detained and prepare my army, we ride for their camp before they can leave."
Clarke found herself tied to a pole with her back on fire as Dara personally whipped her. She refused to scream and that seemed to infuriate the woman more, making her continue the torture. A hand in her hair yanked her head back and Dara smirked down at her as if taking satisfaction that she was bleeding and pain showed in her eyes.
"You are once again weak, without your warriors or your beloved wife to protect you. I will not touch Skaikru but Lexa will meet her fate and I shall have her throne." She smirked as she moved closer to Clarke, "she will suffer when she receives your head, destroying herself and her people in return upon taking her blade to her belly. She will doom all the clans because she cannot be without her beloved queen."
Meeting sadistic eyes the sky leader spoke firmly. "Lexa will keep her spirit where it is, she will go on despite the pain."
"If you believe that then you do not know her well. I see the way she looks upon you, protecting you as if you are more important than her and you are."
"She will because she knows it is what I would ask of her, what I always ask of her before a battle even when it could mean my death. Our people are more important than our own happiness, that is why we forged our union." Clarke smiled slightly, "so if this occurred she could rally the armies against you and demand your death. Ai laik Kwin kom Trikru and you have harmed me, you have signed your own death warrant."
Dara dropped the whip and backed up, moving from the room without a word. Clarke leaned her head against the pole and groaned finally, the pain sinking it after being held off for so long. She longed to see Lexa, to feel her wife's arms around her telling her that all would be well. A part of her cried inside that they had finally sealed their union but she'd never see her wife again because she had to sacrifice herself for their people. Clarke only hoped that Lexa would do as she always asked and keep her spirit where it was, ignoring a blade in favor of leading their people.
"Protect her and help her protect our people." She whispered to gods she didn't believe in, hoping that if they were real that they'd protect Lexa. "Guide her, let her know I loved her until my last breath."
A/N: I know this was short but the next chapter will be longer.
Next: A kind hand leads to victory and defeat.
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