"We have come to avenge the betrayal of Mount Weather," Kane declared. The guards behind him grunted their approval, tightening their grips on their weapons.
Lexa was the image of power in that moment, anger rolling off of her in waves. Clarke sat rigid on her horse to Lexa's right, finding it hard to believe what she was seeing and hearing.
With an almost imperceptible nod of her head, Lexa signaled her warriors to aim at the intruders. The tops of the walls, which appeared to have only about 50 archers, were now filled with at least a couple hundred, all with their bows pointed straight at the sky army. There were murmurs of surprise and fear among the guards at this new development, all eyes now pointed to the walls.
"You dare come with battle on your lips to my home?" Lexa's voice was cold, calculating.
"I think we need to talk. There will be no war between us. Let us gather our leaders for a meeting. Kane, Abby, Bellamy, and 2 guards may come. Likewise, there will be 2 warriors of Lexa's choosing, myself, and Indra present." Clarke spoke with a commanding tone, leaving no room for rebuttal by the guards or leaders of the Skaikru.
"Your army must remain outside of these walls. If any shot is fired, it will be seen as an act of war. You are far outnumbered and outmatched. You were fools to even come here with such intentions. But because you are Clarke's people, no harm will come to you if you do not attack." At Lexa's nod, guards shifted forward and beckoned for the Skaikru leaders to get going before they drug the heavy door shut once more.
Clarke and Lexa turned their mounts around and rode back up to the house, Kane, Abby, Bellamy, and two of their best guards following behind. Upon reaching the house, Lexa led them all into the large war room. Clarke took the seat closest to her at the head of the table while the others awkwardly found seats further down the table. Indra was in the chair across from Clarke and the two Trikru warriors were standing guard at the door.
"You have committed an act of war by coming here. You are children if you think that I will spare your lives twice. The only reason that my archers did not take you out as you approached was because of her." Lexa glanced at Clarke.
Clarke gently placed her hand on top of Lexa's arm before speaking. "You have nothing to fear from my people. They are hurt and angry and they seek revenge for things they don't understand. But, they will not hurt your people."
Clarke's gaze moved from Lexa to her mother, to Bellamy, and then to Kane. The message in her eyes was clear. Lexa may care about her enough to pardon this one intrusion but another step out of bounds would force them to meet their deaths.
"Why the hell are you with them," Bellamy spat. "She betrayed us and left us for dead."
"Watch your tongue before I have it cut out," Lexa growled, her eyes flashing.
"Lexa saved me from certain death. Death I was actually wishing upon myself because of the guilt that I carried after Mount Weather." Clarke paused. "She took me in after finding me helpless and dying in the woods. I have learned more about these people in my time here than any of you could even dream of. They are not savages. You saw the shops, the city, the farms, and everything else on your way here. You see this house, the children running around, and the lack of weapons. The only people to carry weapons are the warriors and they do so only to protect the happiness found within these walls. Lexa did what she felt was best to save her people just as we have all done before."
There was an eerie silence around the table as Clarke's words sank into those around her. Indra, who had remained silent this whole time, glared at the foreigners across from her.
"I believe that, in this time of peace, we should join together once more." Lexa's tone was even and firm, her eyes giving careful attention to each person equally.
"You're proposing another alliance," Bellamy scoffed. "After the other one worked out so well. No way."
Lexa's body tensed and she stood up abruptly, fists clenched at her side. "I said watch your tongue little boy."
Clarke immediately went to calm Lexa down, Indra stood with her hand clenching a barely sheathed sword, the guards all shifted forward slightly, and Bellamy looked downright terrified. If looks could truly kill, Lexa's would have sent him straight to hell a thousand times over in the span of a few seconds.
"Let us calm down," Kane suggested, strain clearly evident in his voice. "Why should we consider another alliance with what happened before so recent?"
"I propose not another alliance," Lexa stated. Her eyes found Clarke's trying to ground herself with all the anger and emotion threatening to take over. "I propose a merger. Skaikru the 13th clan of the coalition. Your people would be under the protection and the laws of the coalition. You would be open to trade and travel among any clan safely."
"What would that take though? I'm sure that your people do not trust us – " Abby was interrupted by a grunt of agreement from Indra.
"A union. Marriage between a person from your clan and one of mine."
Clarke looked alarmed at this, her mind racing. She knew that Lexa was jealous of her past, but this? Claiming Clarke as her wife without even asking just so that no one else would be able to take her from Lexa?
"Who?" Abby asked, her eyes knowingly flitting to Clarke before settling on Lexa.
"Octavia and Lincoln. They are open about their love and this is what we need to merge our clans together." There was a small smirk on Lexa's lips as she watched Clarke try desperately to regain her composure and Abby relax a little into her chair. Clarke may be her chosen one and future wife, but that would come on their own time.
Three days later
The sky people were making themselves at home within the walls of Polis, those who wished to remain outside the walls living within a small camp set up at the edge of the forest. Lexa had made sure to have houses built and furnished for Abby and Kane, though Bellamy's house somehow kept getting forgotten. Clarke eventually had to order the construction of Bellamy's house herself, since it was obvious that Lexa was trying to force him to live as far away from Clarke as possible. Because Finn was no longer alive, Lexa was keeping a sharp, wary eye out for anyone she saw as a threat. Lexa could not quite understand that their relationship was more like a brother and sister; all she saw was how close they acted.
Even Kane soon wondered why the grounders respected Clarke so much, referred to her as the Skai Heda, and obeyed her every command as if it was from Lexa herself. Abby began to watch the subtle interactions between her daughter and Lexa, noticing the private smiles, touches, and glances that only a mother would. She saw how the Commander's demeanor changed when around Clarke, how Clarke was the only one that could interrupt or challenge her without facing punishment, and how Clarke's eyes shone with a familiar light when she looked at or talked about Lexa. It was the same light that Abby had once given off herself, all those years ago, when she looked at Jake.
Abby had been busy around town preparing for the union of Lincoln and Octavia that was to take place in the next week. She was slowly coming to realize what Clarke saw in these people, the humanity that survived within them, not just the savageness of the warriors. Over the past couple of days she had been holding meetings with the grounder healers, teaching them certain medicines and techniques that would help them. They regarded her highly, only Clarke besting her in their minds when it came to healing magic.
Kane took an interest in learning the weapons of the grounders and was even teaching some of the best grounder warriors different fighting tactics he knew. There was a mutual respect being formed from warrior to warrior, between ground and sky.
Bellamy was his usual self, fiercely loyal and protective with a good heart. But he was wary with Lexa's cold gaze on him every time that he made a move. It was only Clarke that could pull that hate filled glare away from him, only Clarke that could put a smile on the tough Commander's lips.
Clarke and Lexa continued to spend every night together, having moved from Clarke's bed into sleeping full time in Lexa's. The paintings that Clarke had done were scattered around the mansion, the more private ones hung up in Lexa's room for their eyes only. One of these paintings was of Lexa, her green eyes soft and her face accentuated by a breathtaking smile that showed white teeth, something that no one save Clarke got to see.
It was here now that Clarke and Lexa found themselves, bodies pressed together underneath the warm furs of their bed. Clarke drew lazy patterns across the smooth skin of Lexa's exposed stomach, as they lay content. Lexa looked down at her before capturing her lips in a kiss that quickly became more heated. Clarke rolled on top of her, straddling Lexa's hips as she broke the kiss and looked into Lexa's dilated eyes. Lexa leaned in to capture the lips she so loved once more and pulled Clarke harder against her. As Clarke's fingers trailed lightly down Lexa's jawline to her collarbone, Lexa shuddered.
"Are you cold?" Clarke asked as she broke their kiss to reach for another blanket.
Lexa let out a sound that closely resembled a growl, squeezing her eyes shut and shaking her head no in response. Clarke cocked her head to the side, trying to figure out what else would cause Lexa to shudder and her skin to rise like it did. If not cold then – oh… That.
Clarke smirked before letting her fingers trace the curves of Lexa's neck and collar before making their way down her side to the curve of her hips. Lexa's breathing hitched and she opened her eyes once again, almost black with desire. In one fluid motion she had flipped their position, now pinning Clarke beneath her.
"If you continue," Lexa whispered, her lips teasing the skin of Clarke's neck, "I won't be able to control myself much longer."
Clarke's breath stopped, her heart slamming painfully hard against her chest. It was Lexa's turn to smirk as she pulled back and looked into the darkened blue eyes of her girlfriend. Girlfriend…Though Lexa did not know much about Skaikru culture, she had heard of what the Sky People called those who were together: girlfriend, boyfriend, wife, or husband. Though they were soul mates as Clarke had called it, Lexa had never thought to ask Clarke to be hers. Never thought to court her. Well, that would have to change, she decided.
Later that day
Lexa approached Abby, intent on asking her about Clarke. The woman looked surprised to see Lexa approaching, especially with no guard given their past.
"I wish to speak with you Abby kom Skaikru, nomon kom Klark." Lexa looked at Abby expectantly, though there was a glint of uncertainty reflected in her eyes.
Abby led them into her home, gesturing for Lexa to take a seat at the table that some of the villagers had gladly made for her. As they sat, Lexa shifted in her seat and Abby had to bite back a smile at how awkward and well, normal, the Commander appeared right now. Only Clarke could bring that vulnerability out in the Commander, so for Abby to see it now, meant that Lexa certainly was about to trust her with something big.
"I want to ask your daughter to be mine, to make it official. I come to ask for your blessing when the time comes for me to make her my wife."
"If someone had told me that the great Commander, leader of the grounders we so feared, would one day be asking me for my blessing in marrying my daughter, I would have laughed at them. But through all we have been through, I realize that you love my daughter, perhaps even more than you will ever admit. You have ordered the death of my people, slaughtered them, tortured them, betrayed them, but Clarke still loves you. I will not attempt to pretend that I understand her, but Clarke is strong and no matter what I say or do I know that there will always be something between you. I do not trust you Lexa, not yet. But through everything, Clarke has proven that she knows more of what is best for our people than any leader on the Ark ever did. The ground does not allow for my people to live and rule as we wish. But perhaps this is not a bad thing." Abby gave Lexa a weak smile, the unannounced wish to be given time to learn and understand before her blessing was actually going to be given rung clear for Lexa. Her answer seemed to appease Lexa's nerves as she smiled, genuinely smiled, teeth and all, at Abby.
As Lexa left the tent she walked with purpose toward a large white tent set up among the houses. She walked in, announcing her presence to those inside, and taking in the sight of a shirtless Lincoln hastily trying to cover the bare body of his lover. Lexa merely smirked at the sight before turning her back to them. They got dressed quickly and Lexa returned to face them once more.
"You know to save yourselves for the night of your union. Not that the whole city hasn't been awoken by the pair of you countless times before," Lexa's smirk grew more triumphant as both faces went red at their Commander's words. "I have come to ask you a question Octavia. How does one perform the courting ritual of your people?"
Octavia looked bewildered before a knowing smile dawned on her face. "You're asking me how to win Clarke over?"
"No. I ask how to court her. I would court her according to the Heda's courting ritual but I do not know if she would understand."
"Perhaps you do both. A merger of rituals so to speak," Lincoln interjected.
"The ways of our people are simple. We date. Take her to a special place, set up a nice dinner for her, something along those lines and then ask her to be yours at the end of it. Everyone already knows she is yours but she will understand the gesture." Octavia smiled at Lexa bemused.
Lexa nodded. "Lincoln, set up the proceeds for the courting ritual of our people. Keep it quiet, I wish to surprise the people and Clarke."
As soon as Lexa left the tent, she could hear Lincoln and Octavia preparing to finish what she had interrupted and she laughed softly at them. She walked around the outskirts of the villages, and upon finding what she was looking for, she headed back to the house satisfied.
Lexa told the guards to prevent anyone from interfering with her plans for the night unless it was a dire emergency as she set up the grand banquet table. There were candles all around the room, the best glasses and plates set up across from one another, and vases filled with bright blue flowers that reminded Lexa of Clarke's eyes. The staff of her home were beyond excited for the occasion and were busy preparing a grand feast for the two of them on their "date" as Octavia had called it.
Clarke would be arriving soon, escorted by Dax who was instructed to tell her that Lexa had a surprise in store and that he was not to say anything more. She would be dressed in the beautiful gown that Lexa had laid out for her on their bed, with a note that said she would look beautiful in it.
Lexa was pacing nervously around the head of the table, wondering if this display was too much or if it was not enough. Meanwhile, Clarke was staring in awe at the silky dress laid out for her and the note written in the Lexa's long and elegant handwriting. The dress fit perfectly, as if it were tailored specifically for her, and as Clarke wondered how that could be true she remembered getting her measurements taken in preparation for the union of Lincoln and Octavia.
There was a knock at the door and Dax appeared, a smile so big it crinkled his eyes and caused his beard to sway, on his face. He held out his arm and winked at Clarke as they made their way down to the dining room. Clarke of course was insistently asking him questions as they walked, but he was unwavering in his loyalty to his orders to remain silent about the surprise. Huffing, Clarke pulled open the doors only to be met with a sight that made her dizzy in happiness.
Lexa looked up, a white smile gracing her features as she moved toward Clarke who was frozen in the entryway. Dax was nowhere to be seen as he disappeared to give the women their privacy. Clarke looked like she was in shock as she took in the flowers and candles placed around the room and the table set up for the two of them.
They took their seats after Clarke enveloped Lexa in a long hug and gave her a kiss that caused much of her brain to short circuit. The meal was delicious and Clarke was once again shocked at how much the people of Polis cared for their Heda. Then she was in turn amazed by how much Lexa seemed to care for her.
After everything was cleaned up and finished Lexa admired the way that the candlelight only seemed to accentuate Clarke's beauty and the power of her blue eyes. Taking a deep breath to calm her nerves, Lexa reached into her pocket for the intricately woven bracelet she was to give to Clarke.
The bracelet was made of the branch of a special tree that the Trikru culture believed to carry the soul of the first Commander. Only Trikru leaders were allowed to harvest this wood, and only for the purpose of crafting a union bracelet like the one that Lexa held now. The bracelet seemed to sparkle as it caught the light; it's very threads catching the light as if it were made of diamond.
Lexa presented the bracelet to Clarke, her eyes filled with worry at being rejected. "Klark kom Skaikru. Ai hod yu in. I love you Clarke." Lexa took in a deep breath. "Will you be mine?"
Clarke nodded, unable to form the words to say yes as Lexa smiled in relief and slipped the bracelet onto Clarke's left wrist.
"One day I will make you my wife Clarke. Until that day, this bracelet says that you are mine. Ai laik yun en yu laik ain. I am yours and you are mine. Until the day I die."