Chapter 52:

Clarke heard and angelic laugh that broke her out of her trance with the blades. She stopped moving to search for the source of the sound. She found Lexa emitting the beautiful noise. Clarke watched mesmerized by the sound. She never wanted it to end. She committed it to memory.

She had never heard Lexa laugh like that. The Commander was always more reserved in public. It was quiet moments when Lexa came out but here she, in public, and laughing. It stirred something deep within her. Suddenly Clarke felt a bit of anger boil in her veins. She gritted her teeth slightly. She felt…jealous that it wasn't her making this sound come from her partner. She was angry that the first time she heard the angelic music it had been caused by someone else.

She found herself glaring slightly at Octavia as she watched Octavia move and gesture to Lexa to join her. Anger bubbled again, they were going to spar. Clarke's mind flashed back to Lexa teaching Clarke how to use her new blade. She locked her jaw as she watched Lexa raise her hand to join her.

Then Lexa spoke, warmly and inviting. Caring. It only seemed to burn the jealousy growing within her higher until Clarke's mind actually registered the words. She had just addressed Octavia as Octavia Kom TriKru. Clarke smiled despite her jealousy; Lexa was openly accepting the young sky girl, who was obviously more grounder than sky girl. Even in the Ark she was a grounder, spending most of her life literally underground in the Ark's floors. Clarke had watched Octavia over their time on Earth and saw her flourish with each day spent there. Her bravery and determination proving to help Clarke lead their people to safety more than once. Her loyalty being a gravitational pull that Clarke could rely on. Octavia had never failed her. Clarke felt ashamed now of her jealousy.

One of Lexa's servants handed Clarke a cup of water and a rag to dry the beads of sweat from her forehead. She drank deep and continued to watch as Lexa and Octavia's blades met.

Both girls moved silently the only sounds made being steel on steel. Clarke felt her jealousy bubble again as she realized Lexa was moving at full speed. She wasn't taking it easy on Octavia as she had with Clarke. They were flying around each other at full speed. Landing fists here and there and grunting as their hits landed. She watched as Lexa ducked beneath a swing of Octavia's, in the same motion Lexa's fist flew out and collided with Octavia's stomach knocking the wind from her lungs. Octavia fell back with a gasp of air. As soon as she fell she had swung her legs around and tripped Lexa the commander falling hard to the ground. Lexa rolled when she landed swiftly getting back to her feet as Octavia did the same. Lexa jumped in the air launching an overhead strike at her as Octavia tucked and rolled in the air landing on her feet again. She swung a fist and caught Lexa in the jaw, Clarke watched as a bit of black blood went flying in the blow. She felt her feet move forward instinctively going to defend Lexa. She stopped when she heard a familiar purr of pride come from Lexa, "Good, Octavia."

That sound boiled Clarke blood over. She swung her sword and Dagger into their holders, rounded on the spot and grabbed her bow and freshly filled quiver. She stalked off, angry with herself, jealous of Octavia and miffed at Lexa although she couldn't admit it to herself. Her little voice remained silent as Clarke was consumed with her feelings. She stormed into the camp walking aimlessly lost in her thoughts. Finally she saw Ryder and she joined him where he was sharpening his blade.

He smiled at her as she plopped down. He tossed her stone and Clarke pulled out her blades to mimic him. The movement of the stone, the sound of it grinding on the steel sharpening it with each stroke was soothing Clarke. Only slightly, but it was helping. It allowed her to focus on what she was doing versus what she was feeling. She knew Ryder was a man of few words so she was happy to have his silent company.

When she was satisfied with the prick of her steel. Knowing it could draw blood easily Clarke placed her knife and her sword in their places and she relaxed against the log she was propped up on. Clarke looked around watching the camp stay in constant motion. Everyone had a job to do. Everyone had a task and a purpose here. She watched as the grounders moved around the tent. The moral was light for what lay ahead of them. The grounders were confident and Clarke thought she knew why. She saw Lexa in a distance weaving her way through her people searching for something amongst the crowd. It's because of her, she knows this, but her little voice couldn't help but add, it's also because of you. The Commander of the Blood and The Commander of Death on the same side of this war was a huge motivator. She could no longer deny what the two girls had accomplished in such a short amount of time.

They had each saved their people from the mountain: resulting in Clarke destroying their bloodline, their people destroying the mountain physically, and the two Commander's bringing death to the Ice Queen in a daring feat of love and sacrifice.

Clarke watched as Ryder got up and went through the people and landed at Lexa's side. They spoke and Clarke looked away when she saw Ryder gesture her way knowing he was letting Lexa know where Clarke was.

Then Lexa was in front of her, "Clarke?" she said questioningly.

Clarke didn't look at her she was now fiddling with a loose knot of twine on one of her arrows. When Clarke didn't respond she felt Lexa sit beside her but not close enough to touch; some unseen barrier keeping her from coming closer.

Clarke had a wall up. She knew it was her jealousy, seeing Lexa again had brought up her intense feelings. Her mind flashed back to Lexa and Octavia fighting before she replayed Lexa's laugh in her head. The reminder only fuelling the fire. She tugged a little too hard on the twine and the arrow slipped cutting her hand. She winced and drew her hand back in pain.

Instantly she felt Lexa's hand on her own softly pulling Clarke's hand so she could tend to it. Clarke pulled her hand back, "I'm fine." Lexa looked at her confused.

"Clarke I was only trying to help…" Lexa said slightly hurt at the girls harsh tone.

"I said I'm fine," she said without looking up. She knew she was being harsh but she couldn't help herself. She was feeling too many things right now. Her mind couldn't keep it all straight.

She heard a ripping noise before she found Lexa's hand reaching out offering her a piece of fabric to wrap around the cut. She didn't fail to notice that Lexa was careful not to impede the invisible barrier Clarke built up. Clarke chanced a glance at her face, she saw hurt, worry and confusion mixed with the same tender loving care she always had when she looked at Clarke.

Clarke pulled her glove off and saw thick blood seeping from the wound.

Clarke felt ashamed of her little outburst and hurting Lexa's feelings, it wasn't her fault Clarke was jealous of her and Octavia. Clarke reached out and murmured her thanks as she took the fabric. She awkwardly tried to wrap her hand, failing to get it to stay in the right spot. She glanced up at Lexa who had been patiently watching over Clarke, now with a slight knowing smile at the corner of her lips. Clarke bashfully realized she couldn't do this on her own and lifted her hand slightly as though she was handing it over to Lexa.

Lexa paused watching for any sign of another outburst and then gently took Clarke's hand. She popped a little vile out of her pocket and Clarke heard the clink of a few others as she did so. She watched as Lexa slowly dripped some liquid over the cut. It stung and Clarke flinched slightly. Lexa began to rub her thumb on the back of Clarke's hand attempting to soothe the sting as she placed a few more drops on the cut.

"What is that?" Clarke asked quietly.

The sting was fading and Clarke felt the cut stop hurting slowly all together. She looked at it in amazement before looking at Lexa. The girl stayed quiet, watching intently before speaking, "Sap," she explained, "A special tree in TriKru territory, the sap dulls the pain and counteracts the poison."

"Poison!?" Clarke choked out.

Lexa nodded, "Our arrows are dipped in poison before battles," she said slowly, "and so will our enemy's."

Clarke looked up at her. Lexa had just saved her life. She was being so nonchalant about it as well. The girl amazed Clarke. Lexa grew quiet again, her face turning back to confusion as she watched Clarke while she wrapped her hand to keep dirt out. When she was finished she gently placed her hand on top of Clarkes before letting Clarke's hand go. Clarke watched her touched by her tenderness.

Lexa stood up and looked down at Clarke, "Shall I leave you alone?" She asked, afraid to upset Clarke, clearly still confused as to why Clarke was being so distant.

Clarke didn't speak but she shook her head. She didn't want her to leave. That was the truth.

Instead, Clarke stood, "let's take a walk."