Chapter 46:
Clarke was slightly surprised when Lexa shifted and began guiding her to the Ark's front gates. Then Clarke remembered: Pike was dead, Kane and Abby were back in charge. She paused looking at the gates. "Hold your head up high Clarke," Lexa said quietly as they got closer. "You're a hero here too."
Clarke smiled slightly when she caught Lexa looking at her seriously. She adjusted her posture at Lexa's words and she held her head high as they continued on towards the gates.
"Open them up!" She heard a guard shout and the whirring sound of the gate being pulled open rang out.
Clarke nodded to people as they greeted her. She didn't fail to notice that some were coming to Lexa to shake her hand. It reminded her so much of the people she saw in Polis fawning over the young commander. Lexa smiled graciously and tried to pass all the compliments on to Clarke's doing. Clarke shook her head at the sight. Lexa didn't understand, Clarke's people were thanking Lexa for bringing Clarke home. Once again.
Not too many days ago they had tried to turn their backs on the commander who truly meant to help them. It was funny how things worked out.
They made there way along as Jasper ran out and gave Clarke a bug hug. Monty followed suit and they both shook Lexa's hand and thanked her for bringing Clarke home safe. They then greeted Octavia in big bear hugs before the group followed them into the Ark.
Clarke pulled on Lexa's arm to slow her pace, Lincoln and Octavia slowed and turned to look at her, "We'll catch up, I need to see Raven," Clarke explained.
Lexa didn't question her she let Clarke pull her by the arm leading her away from the group. Octavia nodded and went to catch up with Jasper and Monty. Clarke led Lexa left and right through the many twists and turns of the awkward layout before finally coming to the mechanics area. Clarke smiled as she heard the flicker of electricity and then forceful swear words erupt from the other side of the doors.
She walked in to find Raven still cursing and shaking her left hand rapidly. She looked up to see Clarke, "fucking piece of shit."
"That's a really nice thing to say to a kidnapping survivor," Clarke said jokingly, she knew Raven was referring to the baton she had been fiddling with that had just shocked her, but Clarke just wanted to see the girl smile. She didn't realize until now how much she missed it.
She wasn't disappointed. Raven smiled wide and winked she didn't miss a beat as she said, "Oh honey, I'm sure you'll recover," flashing knowing glances between Lexa and Clarke.
Lexa smiled at the joke and went to sit down, allowing Raven and Clarke to talk. They didn't talk about the battle, they didn't speak about the plans they spoke as friends. Clarke was checking in on how her friend was doing. She asked her about her leg, her pain and her recovery. Clarke knew the girl's leg would never work properly again, but she was incredibly impressed to find that it had not changed Raven. She was constant after all. She would always find the light, always find a reason for living.
Clarke asked her about Jasper and Monty checking in on how they were doing in all of this. Raven made her feel better with every word. They spent about an hour there. Lexa remained silent the entire time, trying to respect Clarke and Raven and not intrude in their private moment. It made Clarke happy that she understood they needed this, that Clarke needed this interaction. She was also extremely glad that Lexa didn't leave. Clarke wanted her there right where she could see her. Clarke couldn't help but notice she had found herself watching Lexa but speaking with Raven more than once.
Finally Clarke stood up from where she had sat down and began walking to the door as Lexa stood to join her. Raven got up and followed them. They were going to find the others.
Abby wrapped Clarke into her arms when she saw her. She held her so tight the air was pushed from Clarke's lungs. Clarke sucked in the air as soon as her mom released her. She smiled sheepishly, "I'm fine mom."
Abby stood back beaming at the sight of Clarke. When she was satisfied and she had finished examining Clarke's head wounds, even stitching the one in her hairline she turned back to stand beside Kane. Clarke didn't fail to notice that Abby seemed to be gravitating a lot toward Kane. It was eerily similar to how Clarke gravitated to Lexa and vice versa.
Clarke flashed a sheepish grin at Lexa as the commander addressed the room. "The Ice Queen has fallen. I will offer the clans that chose to fight alongside her one chance at defecting back to my coalition. The Ice Nation will accept Roan, Queen Nia's son, as rightful King of Azgeda or they and anyone supporting Nia's motives will be declared enemies of the coalition."
The room fell silent at the news. Some understanding while other's blinked nervously. Lexa looked at Clarke, "I propose that SkaiKru join the coalition as the thirteenth clan."
Clarke stared at her in disbelief. Lexa had already bowed to her in private and swore fealty. Clarke was at a loss for words now. Lexa was willing to stand and declare Clarke's people as her own now in public. It was risky, especially with all the chaos that had gone on in the last week. Clarke couldn't help but admire the girl's bravery and her determination to fulfil every promise she had ever made to Clarke.
Clarke felt tears well up in her eyes. She finally tore her eyes from Lexa's and looked to the ceiling trying hard to make them not fall.
Lexa turned to look at Kane for his thoughts. He told Lexa he agreed and that Skaikru would graciously accept. They then began discussing the details. The ceremony would have to happen tonight, it needed to be official before any battles began. They didn't have a lot of time.
"Who will be the Skaikru ambassador?" Clarke heard Lexa ask Kane.
Clarke spoke up and the room fell silent, "Kane is the chancellor," she turned to look at Lexa her eyes full of love and promise her voice becoming soft as she spoke again, "I am your ambassador." They would do this together. Lexa's eyes fluttered wide as the words escaped Clarke's lips. Both girls immediately blushing at how intimate Clarke's words came out. Lexa cleared her throat trying to disguise their little moment and nodded.
Later both Skaikru and Trikru members along with the ambassadors that had been with Lexa from the start were brought in to Arkadia's fences. The group formed together as one as Clarke walked out followed by Lexa, Kane and Abby. They stood up on the platform where Lexa spoke loud. "Tonight, Skaikru joins the coalition as the thirteenth clan. We mark the chosen ambassador to represent the clan in Polis when called upon," she held out her hand as she was handed a brand from out of the fire.
Clarke walked forward aware of what was about to happen. Lexa had warned her beforehand and apologized profusely before she had even touched the iron brand. Clarke knew it was because it was going to hurt like a bitch, but she didn't care. She would gladly wear the mark for Lexa and hold her head high as she did so. The girl she loved was risking it all for Clarke once again. Clarke could take a little pain for her. She'd take the pain of a thousand deaths for her.
She held her arm out for Lexa as Lexa tenderly grabbed her hand she looked into Clarke's eyes to prepare her and silently apologize for the pain that she was about to bring on her. Clarke set her jaw and nodded staring back into the green. She didn't flinch. She didn't look away as her flesh burned when the iron touched her. She smelt the burning of her flesh but she remained resolute mentally allowing the pain to be her atonement for the many months she spent away from Lexa. Here in this moment, tied by bonds that ran deeper than her new burn, she would be attached to Lexa forever.
Lexa removed the brand and kept holding Clarke's hand before raising it up high above them both. The camp erupted in cheers from all present. The two women lowered their hands and looked out amongst their people. The next second Clarke turned and found Lexa staring at her.
Lexa smiled before she turned back to the crowd and continued addressing them. She told them of the offer to the clans. She ordered a party to head to send word to the other clan's scouts of her message and proposition, "By dusk tomorrow they should know where their allegiance lies" she warned them all. "Tomorrow we honour our coalition: Those who stand against one of us stand against us all"