Hi people, this is just a short rambling kind of chapter about the journey back to polis, and I'm hoping on updating the next chapter in a couple of days just need to tweak it a bit now i've written this one beause originally chapter eight was going to start with them already back in the city but it didn't feel right and all these ideas flew into my head and blah blah blah. Anyway i'll shut up now hope you enjoy and happy reading! X
Realising her hands were now free Clarke tried to summon the energy to stand up, ignoring Lexa's outstreched hand she used the wall to slowly climb to her feet, pain throbbing through the whole of her body but especially her ribs and leg, taking a small step forward she nearly buckled and Lexa was by her side in an instant arm already wrapped firm around her causing the blonde to take in a sharp breath which only hurt more and she pushed gently against the brunette.
"No ... Don't touch me." Clarke said quietly.
Hurt flashed across the Commander's face at the words, she didn't expect Clarke to fall in to her arms and suddenly forgive her for everything but she thought this would be a turning point for them, hoped that she would at least be less hostile towards her. Stepping away Lexa cleared her throat to stop any emotion leaking in to her voice.
"I can ask someone else to come help you walk if you wish?"
"I don't want anyone to help."
"... Clarke."
The blond saw the look on the Commander's face and realised she thought she was saying it just to be difficult. "I didn't mean it like that ... I'm pretty sure she's broke my ribs so ... Pain happens when their touched." Clarke joked.
"I thought you was just being stubborn." Lexa admitted with a small smile
"I probably would but to be honest i really don't have the energy right now."
The sound of footsteps turned Lexa back towards the stairs as one of her guards appeared.
"Connor, bring the horses round and inform the Chancellor of what has happened she will want to check Clarke over before we leave."
He nodded his understanding. "And what of Nia and the girl?"
Lexa's face hardened at the name. "Take them back to Polis immediatly ... Lock them away securely, i will deal with them appropriately when it is time."
"Shall i mend the Ice Queen's knee?" he questioned.
"No." Lexa replied simply.
"She will not be able to walk with it dislocated Heda."
The brunette shrugged her shoulder. "Then drag her."
Ignoring the conversation Clarke had quietly limped her way over to the fire that was still burning and sat softly on the small wall near it in an attempt to warm herself up. She watched the flames flicker to try and occupy her mind ... She didn't want to think about what had happened but the thoughts wouldn't stop coming, she could of been killed by Nia easily and instead of being scared she had welcomed every blow, every ounce of pain that was forced upon her she had just accepted even goaded the Queen in to striking her again and again, she needed to feel that she was getting what she deserved for the role she played at Mount Weather ... Certain that death was the answer but instead she had been saved from that by the Commander, this is when it hit her death was not going to be her punishment ... Living was ... She was going to have to live with the burden of what she had done ... Death was the easy way out and she had not earned that. The thought of continuing this life did nothing but make her more tired the cold making her shiver harder and her teeth began to chatter, something warm being placed over her shoulders and gently wrapped around her body brought her away from these thoughts.
Lexa had removed her coat and placed it on Clarke in an attempt to warm the blonde up, she looked like she was experiencing the beginning of shock.
"Your mother will be here soon ... She can check on all your injuries before we return to Polis." Lexa explained just to fill the silence.
"I'm fine."
Lexa raised her eyebrow disbelievingly. "While i admit that you are brave i do not believe that you are fine Clarke ... Foolish maybe ... Stubborn and sarcastic definitely." she teased.
"Yeah well i think you talk too much." Clarke muttered closing her eyes.
"And i think you do not listen enough ... I did tell you to stay in my room Clarke ... You knew Nia was after the power of Wanheda why did you put yourself in such danger." Lexa questioned gently. She did not want to anger her or cause an argument but the question left her lips before she could stop it.
"I just wanted to help ... And i wanted to make sure Jade and Nathaniel wern't hurt. Are they okay?" she asked Lexa her eyes snapping open worridly.
Lexa swallowed down the jealousy when she heard Clarke's concern for Jade now was not the time or place to ask what was going on between the two. "They are both fine."
Clarke nodded and closed her eyes again. "Anyway it's not all my fault Nia had someone passing information to her about me and i'm guessing they helped get me out of the City without anyone seeing anything." she mumbled sleepily but Lexa's attention was fully focused on what she was saying.
"It was most likely Roan."
"Roan was locked up when the earthquake hit so he wouldn't of been able to let anyone know i was wondering about unprotected could he."
Lexa frowned at the comment Clarke was right ... Someone was betraying her ... Going against her orders amd she needed to find who it was and fast otherwise Clarke was still in danger. "Tell me what happened ... How was you taken?"
Clarke groaned. "Can we not do this now i'm kind of tired."
"You need to stay awake ... At least until your mother has been able to check for signs of concussion ... Tell me ... Please."
"... I was helping get everyone that was hurt to safety and then ... Then someone said their son was trapped." Clarke frowned trying to get the memories in the right order. "I followed them and then he said it was his daughter and i realised something was wrong ... I remember thinking i had to get back to where everyone else was ... And then someone hit me from behind and i woke up here ... Not much to tell really." The blonde finished with a shrug.
"You have no idea who hit you? ... You didn't see anyone else?"
"No like i said they hit from behind ... All i saw after that was the back of my own eyelids."
Lexa stayed silent lost in her own thoughts until Abby arrived running towards Clarke and pulling her into a strong hug.
"Oh my god! I thought i had lost you."
"Ow! Can you ease up a bit?"
Abby released her immediatly her eyes travelling everywhere taking in all the injuries she could see, gasping when Clarke shifted slightly and the fire illuminated her face, ignoring the sting in her eyes she went in to doctor mode taking off the bag with medical supplies and began to examine her daughters injuries.
Lexa moved to the side watching as Abby began cleaning the blood from Clarke's face, she noticed that the blonde stayed silent all the way through, she didnt even make a sound when the Chancellor had to stitch up her leg and lips with no pain relief. Abby asked question's here and there which Clarke answered short and to the point. It was only when Abby tried to examine Clarke stomach that she gave any reaction and that was only to push her mother's hand away. "It's just bruises mum ... No cuts." noticing the two women looking at her strangely she added defensively. "I dont want you to knock my ribs about any more ok? They hurt enough as it is."
In reality she didn't want them to see the word that Nia had burned in to her stomach, her mother said nothing and pulled out a small torch which she shone in Clarke's eyes, after what seemed like forever Abby stood up and indicated for Clarke to do the same. "From what you've said your ribs are most likely broken, we're going to have to keep an eye on the stab wound on your leg and the cuts on your face to make sure they don't get infected and your definitely going to have to take it easier for a while and i mean it Clarke." She said sternly.
"Yeah yeah ... Can i go to sleep now?"
"I would say yes as long as your woken every couple of hours but i doubt it's very safe falling asleep on a horse and i want to get you back to the city as soon as possible for some pain killers."
"She will be on my horse with me, she can sleep on the way i'll make sure she does not fall." Lexa stated.
Abby gazed at Lexa coldly. "Says the protector that said she would make sure my daughter didn't get taken."
Lexa knew she had failed on her last promise and could not think of a reply but she didn't need to, Clarke took a step forward and tutted at them. "Says the doctor who forgot to bring pain medication to a tortured patient."
Lexa laughed and hastily turned it in to a cough when Abby glared at her again. "I was distracted ... I thought you were ... I'm sorry i should of remembered."
Clarke waved away her apology. "We all make mistakes."
The blonde's words reignited the spark of hope in Lexa's chest, the hope that Clarke would forgive her mistakes.
Lexa picked up her coat which was removed during Abby's examination and place it back around the blonde's shoulders her hand accidentally brushing against the bare skin of her neck and as she did their gazes locked and Lexa's breath caught in her throat as the blue eyes stared back at her ... And for the first time in a long while she saw no hatred there. Her heart began to thud so hard against her chest she was surprised Clarke didn't hear it, the relief that Clarke was going to be okay flooded through her, she was so scared she would never see her alive again ... Never hear another witty remark or see her roll her eyes in annoyance ... Yet here she was less than a two feet away ... Lookin straight at her.
The spell was broken by Abby's voice echoing around them. "Are we leaving or not?"
Clarke looked surprised for a moment then just nodded taking a painful step forward, abby went to help but Lexa beat her too it, she placed her arm gently around Clarke's waist making sure she was nowhere near her ribs this time and held most of her weight against her. She half expected the blonde to refuse again but she didn't have the energy. With lexa's help they made it outside to the horses in a few minutes no one saying a word but the Chancellor was watching them both curiously.
The challenge of getting Clarke on to the horse without causing her any pain was solved by Lexa who suggested they just get Clarke on to the wall that was roughly the right height and had stairs leading up to it so she didnt even have to climb then Lexa could steer the horse next to her and Clarke would be able to slide on easily.
Abby watched from the horse she was sharing with Connor, fingers crossed that her daughter didn't fall and deal with more pain than she already was, a sigh of relief escaped her once Clarke was sat safely in front of Lexa pulling the coat more securely around her.
"Are you ready?" lexa's voice came from behind Clarke who was trying to get comfortable.
"I don't know this feels kind of weird. Like i could just get thrown off."
"You'll get used to it." Lexa smiled. "I won't let you fall ... I promise."
She half expected the blonde to give a snarky reply saying her promises meant nothing but instead she just got a nod and a question. "What am i supposed to hold on to? Those?" she asked curiously pointing at the reigns.
"Er ... No." Lexa chuckled. "That would give you control over the horse and i'm not sure that's a good idea ... Especially in your condition."
"Never heard my perfection referred to as a condition before but ok." Clarke shrugged making Lexa laugh. "So what am i supposed to do then? Just sit here."
"We won't be travelling very fast because of your injuries the horse will only be doing a slow walk, theres no chance you will fall off ... Ready now?"
When Clarke nodded Lexa urged the horse gently forward making Clarke sit up even straighter as the horse moved she began shaking her head. "I don't like this."
Lexa smiled to herself and did what she wanted to do since Clarke sat in front of her, removing one of her hands from the reigns she snaked it around Clarkes stomach pulling her back gently so she sat more securely against her and kept her hand there waiting for the blonde to object. Clarke thought about it but her muscles instantly relaxed when Lexa was pressed against her back, it did feel safer and more secure so she could let it go this once plus the tiredness returned in full force. Leaning her head against the Commander's shoulder and getting comfortable she noticed the horse had sped up a bit which wasn't helping.
"Can you slow it down a bit please?"
Lexa eased off her grip on the horses side she must of tensed her legs when Clarke leaned in to her, she mumbled her apologies glad that it was dark enough to hide her face from the others. "Sorry i didn't mean to cause you more pain."
"Don't know what pain your talking about." Clarke replied. "I just wanted you to slow down so i could enjoy the view."
Lexa grinned at Clarke's refusal to admit she was hurting. "... It's night ... There is no view."
"The stars." Clarke continued unashamedly.
Lexa leaned her head closer to Clarke's ear and whispered. "The trees are hiding the sky ... There are no stars to be seen."
The blonde opened her eyes at the feel of Lexa's breath so close it felt intimate and nice, she pushed the feelings away deep down with all the others and looked up realising Lexa was right she tutted. "... I like watching the shadows." sensing that another smart comment was about to leave the Commander's mouth she spoke first. "Just ... Be quiet will ya."
Lexa happily stayed silent, she was enjoying the feel of Clarke's body against hers and the banter they were throwing back and forth felt right like they had always done it. Sighing contently she realised she was truly happy something she hadn't felt in years and all because Clarke had made a couple of playful comments, after ten minutes or so Clarke spoke surprising Lexa who thought she had fallen to sleep.
"Thank you." Clarke mumbled sleepily.
"For being quiet?"
"That was a miracle i won't lie." Clarke teased. "... For coming to find me."
" ... You're very welcome." Lexa replied softly quite touched at the blonde's gratitude.
"... But if anyone asks i had already escaped by myself before you all got here."
Lexa chuckled again enjoying this new habit. "So you took down a small army and the Ice Queen all by yourself before me and my men even arrived?"
"Yep ... And i killed a bear."
"A bear? Really you think people will believe that?"
"... Your right i am pretty awesome ... I killed two bears ... And a lion."
"Anything else to add to this tale?" Lexa teased.
"I did it with my hands tied behind my back."
"That's just too far."
"Too awesome more like." Clarke yawned.
"Ok then ... So please tell me oh mighty warrior how did you defeat everybody, two bears and a lion without the use of your hands?"
"Listen i'm not being funny but i've just killed a small army ... Two great big fucking grizzly bears and a lion with my hands tied behind my back ... I haven't got the energy to answer all your questions. ...jeez."
Lexa couldn't stop the laughter bursting from her mouth causing everyone to stop and stare at them.
"What's so funny?" Abby called over.
Lexa ignored the question and signaled everyone to keep moving, every so often she let out a quiet chuckle.
"I've never heard you laugh before ... Hardly ever seen you smile actually ... Bet that's a shock to your system." Clarke grinned closing her eyes ready to sleep, it was weird how easily she could joke with Lexa now she had gotten past her hatred. ... How comfortable everything felt at this moment. A couple of hours ago she was being beaten and was sure she was going to be dead by morning and instead she was joking and falling asleep against the one person she vowed never to trust again, she wished her mother had bought some strong pain relief just so she could blame it on the drugs.