Chapter 9:

Wanheda.

Commander of Death.

A shiver ran through Clarke's body as the magnitude of her newly given title began to sink in. This was about the mountain, it had to be. She shook her head and looked to Lexa. The commander's eyes had no left her. Clarke saw her looking deep within her; she saw concern and worry etched on Lexa's delicate features. Clarke tried to quickly put her walls back up. She tried to steel herself from the shudder of fear that Lexa's words and look gave her.

"I don't understand." Clarke said quietly, lying through her teeth.

She knew. She knew grounder lore; she knew very well why she was in danger now. They want her 'power'. Clarke swallowed the bitter taste that filled her mouth. They think I'm powerful? They think because I committed genocide that I somehow control death? Disgust filled her body and mind as she digested the information. They envied her for mass murder…for the destruction and end of 300 more souls.

"Clarke," Lexa started breaking into Clarke's trance, "you're not safe." Clarke could hear her tone, she recognized the sound of desperation Lexa tried to hide.

Clarke shook her head breaking out of her thoughts. She felt the anger of the situation fill her instantly and didn't stop herself when she felt it come pouring out at Lexa.

"I'm not safe? Seriously?" Clarke rolled her eyes. "You didn't seem that concerned when you left me on the mountain! You didn't give a single fuck about betraying me at the time! You left my people to die! You left ME to die!" She screamed at the brunette.

Lexa remained calm but she couldn't hide the involuntary wince that came after Clarke's words. Good, Clarke thought, you felt that did you. And Clarke continued yelling.

"You think you're so high and mighty, you can make all the decisions – that you can decide who lives and who dies. You think you can play with people's lives like a God? You're wrong Lexa, you don't decide who lives and dies; people just end up getting in your way and the end result is death. It's not fate, it's not power - it's destruction and that's what you cause!" Tears angrily started rolling down Clarke's cheeks.

She could see Lexa try to mask what she was feeling, she watched as Lexa slowly disappeared and the commander's mask came back on. Clarke continued on her rant she wanted to attack Lexa not the commander, "you could have not taken his deal, you could have stuck to our plan – it was working. We could have won!"

"Clearly you didn't need my help." Lexa said coolly, blinking back the tears Clarke's words had caused. She refused to let them escape her eyes, Clarke could tell Lexa was fighting with her two selves; she was having an internal battle between Lexa and her alter-ego Heda.

"Clearly," Clarke spat back at her.

Lexa winced. She swallowed and took a moment before speaking, making sure Clarke had finished her yelling. "Tell me, if they had offered you the deal would you have chosen differently? Would you really have chosen differently? Would you have risked more of your peoples lives when you were given a golden opportunity to get them out without losing hundreds?"

"I would have found another way!"

"There was no other way, our plan was risky and endangered thousands. Their leaders proposition removed the risk." Lexa said calmly trying to make Clarke understand.

"Only at the expense of betraying me." Clarke spat back, venom in her words. Clarke didn't want to understand she wanted to be angry. She felt justified in this feeling.

Lexa nodded, before she quietly said "Yes…" Clarke looked upon her as she witnessed a tear finally escape Lexa's left eye and slowly make its way down her cheek streaking her black war paint. She saw pain on Lexa's features, the commander mask had dropped again.

Clarke tried hard not to smile at this. She felt vindicated in making Lexa feel vulnerable, for making her feel guilty…for making her feel anything!

Lexa didn't bother trying to wipe the few tears that fell now. She looked up at Clarke imploringly, "Please Clarke, I don't want to dwell on the past. You're in danger now."

"I'll be fine." Clarke said getting up and putting her dagger in her belt.

"Clarke, please listen to me." Lexa started again.

"No. I know what you said. I know what it means. Ice nation is looking for me, they think I am Wanheda. I got it."

Lexa slowly shook her head, "No Clarke, it's not just Azgeda." She swallowed before continuing as though it was painful to continue, "your legend has spread, you're being hunted Clarke. Everyone is now looking for you."

Clarke snorted, "we both know I am no commander of anything Lexa, your people will see that if they find me."

"Clarke you must understand," Lexa's panic coming through.

"I do. Your people want me dead. What else is new?" Clarke shot at her trying to ignore the concern in Lexa's voice. How dare she act like she gives a shit. And with that she stalked off into the brush leaving Lexa in her guilt, concern and fear – Clarke didn't need it.

When she was heading back to the camp she made no effort to be quiet. Clarke was stuck in her head trying to make sense of everything. She was trying to plan her next move. She had to figure out what the hell she was going to do. Suddenly she heard movement before being pushed backwards hard to the ground.

"Shhh. Quiet sky girl." It was Indra.

"Get off of me" Clarke said struggling to sit up and push Indra off.

"Where is the commander?" Indra asked purposely.

Clarke looked at her confused. She didn't know where Lexa was? What the fuck was Lexa doing out here without telling her advisors? "She's back that way, about a hundred and fifty yards." Clarke said pointing.

Indra helped Clarke to her feet and motioned for Clarke to lead the way. Clarke started off in the direction, giving Indra a side eye. She had her chance to kill her and she didn't. Indra didn't seek the power of Wanheda. Then it hit her, Clarke almost smacked her own forehead in the moment – Lexa had ordered Trikru not to participate in the bounty. Clarke knew as leader of Trikru Lexa held power of what they did. As commander of the coalition she could pass laws for peace between the clans but each clan had their own leaders and practices. Total control over the clans was never an option for Lexa or a goal. She couldn't control the bounty hunters. Clarke tried to escape her thoughts by turning to Indra.

"Have you…have you seen anyone else from the Ark?"

Indra kept walking but did look at Clarke. "Yes."

Clarke rolled her eyes, that was helpful she thought dryly before sighing and continuing on in silence.