Chapter 44:
At dawn Lexa felt the light enter the cave and hit her eyes. She groaned through her sleep protesting at the light. She felt hands on her back and arm give a tight squeeze. Lexa groggily sat up and looked at the blonde who had held her all night. Clarke flashed a radiant smile at her as Lexa adjusted to lean back against the rock.
"Did you sleep at all?" Lexa asked knowing the answer already.
Clarke shook her head still smiling, "No, I had slept enough. I kept watch."
Lexa smiled, "I had watches set Clarke."
"I know but still. I wanted to watch over you," she said with a cute shrug.
Lexa couldn't help but beam at the girl. She had never had someone care for her like that. She had never had anyone stay up and hold her through the night. She never thought anyone would love her like Clarke obviously did. Everything Lexa would do for Clarke she knew the blonde would do as well. They were so alike and so different. Lexa couldn't help but feel like the universe had meant for them to meet. Had meant for their paths to collide because they did again and again. Clarke was never supposed to come to earth in her lifetime. Lexa was never supposed to meet her. But here they were side-by-side and victorious in battle. Clarke was safe, Lexa was safe and they were together.
A shudder ran through her spine. How could she have forgotten? She brought a hand to her forehead in dismay. They were still at war.
"Hey what's up?" she heard Clarke whisper looking at her shrewdly.
Lexa pulled the fur off of her and stood before holding out a hand to help Clarke up. She watched as Clarke took it and stretched when she stood up trying to work out the kinks in her muscles. Lexa pulled her out of the cave. The two of them held hands as they walked towards the horses.
"We are still at war," Lexa said quietly.
She saw Clarke look at her but Lexa keot her eyes forward before continuing, "What we did last night stopped nothing. Azgeda will still march on Arkadia…especially now."
"Why especially now?"
"Blood must have blood," Lexa said flatly, "we killed their Queen yes, but they will retaliate – it is our way."
Clarke shook her head, "What about Roan?"
Lexa stopped and looked at her, "Roan took up arms against his own people. They may never accept him."
"But he's their rightful king? You created a King the other night."
Lexa nodded thinking of their options. Before she could respond she smiled as Clarke jumped on her thought process.
"The other clans, knowing Nia is dead at our hands, will some of them change their allegiance?"
"It is possible. Fear plays a big role in the hearts of men."
Clarke nodded, "What if you give them an ultimatum? Accept Roan as their King: those that won't and keep allegiances to Nia's motives can be declared enemies of the coalition, just like what they wanted to do with Skaikru."
Lexa paused looking at Clarke proudly. Lexa had never made such a bold move before; she had never declared any clan an enemy of the entire coalition in her time. Clarke made a good point. If they did have clans leave Azgeda's side at this declaration, if they could out number their enemy, strike fear into their minds with uncertain victory, then maybe they could end this with minimal bloodshed. Lexa doubted whether all of them would turn on Azgeda but there was a hope for a few. There would be some fighting for sure but doing so would help weed out the cancerous members of the coalition. Maybe this move would bring a lasting peace?
She looked at Clarke as she thought. She trusted Clarke; she trusted her motives and her instincts. She squeezed Clarke's hand. "I'm doing it. No vote, no council meeting, they will fold to our will or they will die."
The intensity of Lexa's word caught her by surprise. She felt the warrior speak when the words came out. Clarke was looking at her with wide eyes before they softened and she gave Lexa a small smile. With that they headed back to the others to get them up so they could leave.
Clarke was saddled and waiting for Lexa when they had everyone ready to go. Lexa smiled as she hopped up and took her place behind Clarke. They took off into the woods headed for Arkadia. Lexa held on to Clarke tight with her free hand, it felt natural and right where she was with the girl in front of her. She felt more at home with Clarke than she had ever felt in her life. She squeezed tighter as she nuzzled her head into the blonde hair on Clarke's neck. She heard Clarke let out a soft sigh at the touch and that brought a grin to Lexa's features as she galloped forward.
She was following Octavia, keeping right behind the girls caramel coloured steed. She watched fondly as Octavia would look around, count their members and keep her eyes peeled for potential threats. Lincoln had taught her well. She turned her attention to him and watched as he did the same and drifted his eyes often to Octavia making sure she was safe as well. Lexa smiled and kissed Clarke's head as it reminded her of them.