Chapter 33:
After they all had breakfast Clarke and Octavia followed Lexa to the bottom floor of the tower. Lexa led them to the courtyard where she left them to chat before heading to the group of nightbloods waiting for her. Clarke listened to Octavia ramble about nothing in particular, as her eyes followed Lexa. She watched as the girl tenderly greeted the nightbloods and Clarke smiled as she saw Lexa tussle a blonde boys hair and laugh. After speaking with them for a few moments Clarke watched as they paired up to begin sparring. She watched as Lexa coached them, not unlike how she had coached Clarke with her sword. Clarke's goofy grin widened as she felt Octavia clip her in the arm.
"Hey are you even listening to me?"
Clarke looked away from Lexa to address Octavia, "No."
Octavia smiled and rolled her eyes. "Listen Griffin, we need to figure out what we are going to do about Arkadia. Raven said they have sent parties to the mountain to set up a second base."
Clarke nodded, "I know. It's…problematic…I'm not sure what to do."
"Well you better figure it out because Pike and Bellamy are screwing up everything."
Clarke looked away suddenly ashamed for how she had spent the morning staring and thinking about Lexa versus paying attention to their problem at hand. She felt Octavia's hand on her arm and she looked back to the girl.
"I'm sorry Clarke. That didn't come out right."
"It's okay. You're right. They are going to get people killed. We have to do something." Clarkes mind began to whirl thinking of solutions, trying to give them options. She hoped Lexa had been thinking of options as well. She needed her advice. She needed her guidance and wisdom. Clarke was currently at a loss. They were extremely fortunate to have an inside woman at Arkadia through Raven. She had told them that Kane and Abby were being held in lockup for being resistant to Pike's movement. Bellamy hadn't told Pike about Raven helping Clarke and Octavia escape. A piece of the boy she once knew still remained. She had to believe that much.
"What if we went to the mountain? Or what it we went to Arkadia, wherever Pike isn't. Maybe we can try to talk to everyone without the hard core ones that are loyal to Pike? They had to have sent the strongest believers in Pike to the mountain. He's not stupid he knows the grounders have eyes on it." Octavia blurted out trying to help.
"That's the problem. He is too smart. He would leave some behind that were loyal to him for sure, if what Raven is saying is true there are some in Arkadia that are on our side, he wouldn't leave it unguarded against another mutiny."
Octavia went silent again as the two of them watched Lexa and the nightbloods.
Clarke's breath caught in her throat as Lexa finished and began walking towards them. She watched as the light danced on her hair. She licked her lips slightly as she noticed small beads of sweat trickling down the brunette's neck. She felt Octavia's elbow ram into her ribs as she said, "look alive Griffin."
Clarke snapped out of her slow motion daydream of Lexa walking towards them. She smiled at her when Lexa smiled. It was contagious. As worried and as scared as Clarke felt about her people she couldn't ignore that she was in the presence of true love, she let it fill her up and give her courage. She could feel her train of thought clearing as Lexa closed the distance.
"So, have you thought of a way to save your people?" Lexa said knowingly.
Clarke shook her head, "not yet, but I am seeing things more clearly."
Lexa nodded and addressed Octavia, "how do you feel about going for a hunt?"
Octavia beamed, "Let's do it!"
Lexa turned to Clarke looking for confirmation she too wished to go, Clarke nodded and began walking to the stables. Lexa and Octavia followed.
They rode out of Polis and into the expanse beyond the city. They followed the shoreline of the sea before Lexa led them off the worn path. "This way." She told them.
The two girls followed.
They spent the afternoon hunting. Octavia had brought down a stag while Lexa mostly focused on teaching Clarke how to use a bow. She had gotten fairly good at it when Lexa told them they should make their way back now. Night was beginning to fall when they got back to the tower. The three girls ate together before bidding Octavia goodnight.
"I'll have a plan tomorrow. I'll think of something." Clarke told her wrapping the small girl in a quick hug before turning to catch up with Lexa.
Clarke reached out and grabbed Lexa's hand as they made the rest of the way to the top floor. Clarke followed as Lexa led them into her room once more. Clarke smiled, she didn't want to leave her. She just wanted to be beside her like that's where she was meant to be all along.
They got cleaned up from their trip outside the city and Clarke crawled up next to Lexa in the bed. She leaned her head against the girls shoulder as Lexa lowered her book. Clarke felt Lexa place a soft kiss on Clarke's forehead. Clarke sighed at the sweet moment. She brought her hand down to Lexa's and wove their fingers together.
Clarke took a deep breath. "I have to go back."
She felt Lexa go slightly rigid before separating herself slightly so she could look at Clarke questioningly, "it's not safe."
Clarke nodded, "No, but I still have to go. I have to try."
Lexa swallowed but before she could say anything Clarke spoke again, "You have done so much, so much for me, so much for my people. I owe it to you to try to stop this nonsense. I owe it to you to try and preserve your legacy, I have to get them to see reason. They have to know they don't stand a chance against you and the ice nation. If I can get them to stop following Pike, if I can get them on board to follow you…we could put an end to the Ice Nation together…once and for all. Our technology, our medical supplies and your people's war tact and knowledge of this world, we can bring peace to them all." She tried to ignore the fact that it would mean killing more people to achieve such peace.
Lexa shook her head, "Clarke, you already tried to get to Bellamy. It didn't work, what makes you think it'll work this time?"
Clarke sighed and leaned back into Lexa's shoulder clasping her hand tighter with Lexa's, "Hope," she said quietly.