They walked for a few more minutes, heading toward the marketplace set up in the center of town. As soon as people saw them approaching there were shouts of "Heda!" and "Skaiprisa!" echoing around the bustling city.

Upon seeing them, shopkeepers began gesturing wildly, asking them to take gifts and to try their product. Clarke was shocked to see Lexa spend time at each stall, diligently taking each gift offered to her and providing praises and critiques where necessary.

"Heda," one vendor yelled, "come try the meat I have smoked specially for you."

"Heda come taste the wine my daughters have made, there is none like it," another called.

Cries for the Commander to test out their products rang through the air and Clarke glanced up at Lexa to see a smile radiating on her face. It was brilliant and something that Clarke never thought she would see, a rare sight indeed.

It was at that moment that the last vendor they had left to see pressed a finely crafted dagger into Clarke's palm. She looked at him in confusion before he scurried to grab a target from behind his counter. Once set up, the vendor looked at her expectantly.

Suddenly, Clarke felt her hand engulfed by a familiar and calming warmth as Lexa took the knife from her hand.

"Our skaiprisa has yet to learn the art of our weapons," she said, a smirk playing on her lips and a light dancing in her eyes.

She stepped back, weighing the knife in her hand before she threw it with such speed and force that Clarke stumbled backwards in surprise. With near perfect precision the knife found itself buried in the center of the target many yards away. Lexa spoke to the vendor about ways to improve the weapon while Clarke merely stared at her with wide eyes.

Clarke was reminded of the day that the Commander saved her life with that same knife throwing skill, impaling the hand of Quint, and consequently preventing him from his murdering her. The ease with which Lexa fought was admirable and impressive, her skills far surpassing any of the warriors that Clarke had seen on the ground.

But it was the smile that Lexa wore that truly captivated Clarke's attention. She seemed so at ease, so happy, here in Polis. Less like a warrior and more like a caretaker.

Lexa turned to Clarke, beckoning for her to follow as they continued to stroll through the streets of the city. It was hours later before they began their return home. Night was falling at this point, the sun beginning its daily rest.

Once back at the house, Lexa walked Clarke back to her room. She was diligent in showing her where to find everything. After that was done Lexa stood there in front of Clarke, observing her quietly.

"Rest well Clarke. May you have pleasant dreams."

" I enjoyed today Lexa," Clarke stated. "I see now that you are not savages. Here is a whole city full of life and happiness. So… normal."

"Polis will always welcome you Clarke. As long as I am heda, my people are yours." Lexa's lips moved faintly up in the ghost of yet another smile before she turned on her heel and left the room, closing the door behind her.

Clarke changed out of her clothes, pleased to see a fully stocked tub in the bathroom upon entering. As she let her body sink into the hot water, Clarke thought about everything that she was seeing here at Polis, everything that differed so greatly from the perceptions of her people.

These were not savages. The warriors fought to protect their families; they fought to protect this peace, this happiness that was centered here in Polis. And that was something that Clarke could understand.

After her relaxing bath, Clarke climbed into the bed, reveling in the feeling of being truly clean for the first time since the Ark and the warmth of the furs that covered her. Within moments of shutting her eyes, Clarke found herself swept away by sleep.

Many Hours Later

Lexa awoke abruptly, the sound of Clarke's scream making her blood run cold. She was immediately out of bed and crossing the hall to Clarke's room, her mind crazed with the thought of Clarke being taken or hurt.

Dagger drawn, Lexa entered the room. Shadows danced across the walls by the lit candles but Lexa could quickly see that there was no true danger there. Instead she saw a thrashing Clarke on the bed, whimpers and cries coming from her every so often.

In a few strides Lexa had crossed the room and she roused Clarke from her nightmare.

"Em bilaik nami Clarke," Lexa whispered. "It is okay."

Clarke's body soon settled, a light sheen of sweat causing her clothes to stick to her as she opened her eyes. Confusion filled her face as she looked up into Lexa's deep green eyes.

"Lexa?"

"You had a nightmare Clarke. I came as soon as I heard you scream. I thought… I thought you were in trouble." Lexa's voice faltered slightly and her eyes dropped briefly.

"I'm fine. I get them often. Ever since Mount Weather. I see them Lexa, all the children and the innocents I killed."

Lexa reached out and hesitantly let her hand rest on Clarke's thigh. "When the sun rises I will take you to see the people again. My people. The people you saved."

When Lexa went to remove her hand, Clarke grabbed it and placed her hand on top, forcing Lexa's hand to stay where it was.

"Will you stay with me? Until I fall asleep."

"Sha Clarke. Of course."

Lexa stood up from her position sitting on the edge of the bed and went to grab a chair from across the room. Soon after, Clarke was sound asleep again, slight tremors being the only indication that her nightmares weren't fully gone. Every time that Lexa felt Clarke begin to stir she would rub slow circles along her back, the soothing effect instantaneous.

As the first rays of sunlight filtered into the room, Clarke blinked her eyes open and moved to stretch. As she moved she felt something touching her back and looked over to see Lexa sound asleep in the chair beside her bed, her hand resting on the edge of the bed.

Clarke had never imagined that she would see the Commander like this, so vulnerable, so peaceful, so, well, beautiful. Not wanting to disturb her Clarke quietly escaped her bed, tiptoeing into the bathroom to get ready for the morning.

When Clarke returned to her room, Lexa was nowhere to be found and the bed was neatly made once again. There was a fresh set of clothing resting at the foot of the bed for her as well.

Clarke changed and made her way out of the room. Dax was standing guard outside the door when she emerged. With a gruff good morning and a slight quirk of the lips, Dax led her to another part of the house. He beckoned to a wide double door before standing guard once again.

Clarke reached out and grabbed the door handle before looking at Dax curiously who only winked at her before becoming the stoic guard once more. Once Clarke stepped inside she found the cause of Dax's playful attitude.

Lexa stood, dressed in a similar casual yet leader-like outfit as the day before, obviously waiting on Clarke to arrive at the far end of a grand banquet table.

"I thought you may enjoy a morning feast," she called out. "Please, sit wherever you would like."

Lexa motioned for Clarke to find a seat before taking the chair that she chose and pulling it out for her. Clarke's lips turned up in a smirk at this simple action. Lexa chose the seat directly across from her, ignoring the obvious head of the table seat that would be hers.

As soon as she sat, the room was filled with grounders of all ages bringing different aspects of the meal for Clarke to choose from. A young boy came bearing a pitcher of milk, a young girl a pitcher of some red juice, and yet another young boy a pitcher of fresh water. Clarke chose the milk, surprised that the grounders would have it, and unfamiliar with it's taste.

This cycle continued for every portion, from the meats to the cheeses to the breads and to the fruits. After Clarke picked out each part of her meal, Lexa followed suit and picked her own. They ate in amicable silence, simply enjoying the food and the presence of the other. Before long, the plates were clean and swept away by another influx of grounder helpers.

"They wanted to impress you today Clarke. News of the Commander dining with the Skai Heda spread and all of my workers contributed what food they could." Lexa's eyes shown with pride and mirth as she spoke.

"I didn't know that you had so much. Farming, raising animals for milk and cheese, even silverware," Clarke exclaimed.

"I am glad. Let us go down to the city and thank these villagers ourselves."

Clarke stared at her in amazement. Lexa was more than a warrior and a ruthless leader. She was kind and careful, compassionate and attentive. Clarke doubted that anyone could dislike her.

As they stood to leave, a young boy, the one that had brought in the water if Clarke could remember correctly, ran into the room screaming. His eyes were wide with fear and there was fresh blood splattered across his clothes and his face.

"Heda! They come to take Skai Heda," he cried.

As soon as the words left his mouth, there was a loud whistle as an arrow shot between Lexa and Clarke and embedded itself with a thud on the table. Both of them staggered back in surprise and looked toward the direction that the arrow came from. There was a loud bang as a small army of warriors rushed into the room.

One of the initial warriors moved quickly, darting behind Clarke and pressing a dagger to her neck and restraining her with his large body.

"She dies," he growled. His grip on Clarke tightened and her breathing became labored as the knife dug into her skin, causing a trickle of blood to run down her neck.

"Drop your weapons now," Lexa roared. "To touch Clarke is to touch me. You will pay with your life."

At this point Dax and the rest of Lexa's personal guard thundered into the room, weapons raised and faces full of anger. But nothing could match the fury on the Commander's face as she slipped a dagger from its sheath on her leg.

Her eyes were dark and fierce and her body commanded attention as she connected eyes with the one holding Clarke. Without any warning, the Commander let the dagger fly. It made a sickening thud as it connected with it's target, having buried itself between the man's eyes.

Clarke rushed to the side the second that the man's body fell lifeless to the ground behind her and made her way behind the advancing group of guards. They surrounded her and Dax let his hand rest on her shoulder in silent reassurance before they moved in front of her and continued their walk toward the remaining traitors in the room.

"She has killed too many of our people!" one of the men yelled. "Jus drein jus daun. Blood must have blood."

With a challenging cry the man hurled his dagger at Clarke much like Lexa had moments ago. As the dagger arched through the air and made its way straight for Clarke with incredible precision, Dax shoved her out of the way before falling to the floor. Blood began pooling around him as Clarke hurried to help him, the dagger embedded in his shoulder.

The room was eerily silent except for heavy breathing and Clarke's soft murmuring to Dax where he lay as Lexa raised her hand.

"You are right Hijeq. Jus drein jus daun." With that Lexa let loose another dagger with again landed with deadly precision on its target. "Any who attempt to harm Clarke will pay with their lives."

The remaining 3 guards stepped forward to restrain the 2 men left standing, roughly shoving them out of the room. Lexa followed soon after, Clarke hurrying behind her. Healers were already taking Dax away, his wound not fatal. Servants were also cleaning the blood that had amassed on the floor as well.

Four bodies were being dragged down to the city, Lexa riding with Clarke behind her on her large black horse and the guards left towing the traitors in a cart behind their horses.

As they rode into town Lexa called out "I demand a meeting at once. All Trikru are to meet at the pole now."

They rode further into town until they were at the infamous, bloody pole. The two dead bodies were thrown on either side of the it while the two living were bound to it.

People were beginning to gather. Hundreds Clarke realized, hundreds of people came to be standing around these dead and soon to be dead bodies. Most of them looked repulsed and terrified. But what Clarke found to be most surprising was the amount of people who looked ashamed to see their fellow warriors, villagers, and brethren in such a state.

"Ai laik Heda. Anyone who attacks oso skaiprisa attacks me. These men made their choice and they will pay their life for it. Let this be warning." Lexa's voice was loud and the entire audience was hanging onto her every word. Even a deaf man could have felt the promise in her words.

With this Lexa took her dagger and looked at Clarke. Her eyes told Clarke that this was her kill if she wanted it, but Lexa knew that Clarke wanted no more blood on her hands.

So with the same fierce and practiced movements, Lexa approached the pole and slit the throats of the men tied to it. The bodies were left for all to see as Lexa turned away. Clarke could see the conflict in her eyes, the regret for having to spill the blood of her own people.

"Yu gonplei ste odon," Lexa announced. The sentiment was echoed across the crowd in unison as the bodies were wrapped and placed on the pyre to be burned.

As they rode back to the house, Clarke wondered just how much Lexa cared for her. From their first kiss in Lexa's tent, to the continuous exchange of lingering glances, all the way to now, Clarke wondered just how long she could continue to ignore the feelings she had for the Commander.

Lexa had saved her life more than once, avenged her, kissed her, protected her, fallen asleep beside her just to make sure that her nightmares stayed away. In his last moments Clarke had told Finn that she loved him, but thinking about it now, Clarke had never felt more at home.

As green eyes connected with her own as they dismounted, Lexa rested her hand on the small of Clarke's back, the feeling causing her cheeks to warm. A tired smile turned Lexa's lips but her eyes were solemn. Clarke couldn't help but reach up and place her hand on Lexa's cheek, causing Lexa to look at her in surprise while subconsciously moving into her touch.

"Thank you Lexa," she whispered.

About twice as long as usual and done really quickly so there you go! Hope you guys enjoyed this chapter. Next chapter will explore Clarke possibly being ready for Lexa and how Lexa goes about trying to win her over with all the drama that is going on with them. Please review and follow! As always I will post the next chapter as soon as it is complete.