I am so sorry this has taken longer than i said to upload but i rewrote this chapter out five different ways (wasn't happy with the original) and none of it was working right, this copy is the best of the lot (which shows how bad the other drafts were lol) and i'm still not entirely happy with it. i wanted to set a few things up in this chapter to create a direction for the story in later chapters. Anyway hope you all enjoy let me know what you think happy reading! X
Her arrival back in Polis and the next week were pretty much a blur in Clarke's mind, she had vague memories of refusing any help with bathing which nearly caused an argument with her mother but she refused to back down. She remembered being hooked up to an I.V and being given some pain relief, ... Then it was just a floating feeling ...broken sleep and disturbing dreams. The more sleep she got the more her body seemed to crave, after the first twenty four hours she no longer needed to be woken every couple of hours and she was grateful when that part was over ... Then the dreams began, they started off pretty mild just a bit weird, they would wake her but not so anybody would notice ... She would listen to the voices that surrounded her and slowly drift off back to sleep. Her mother's voice was heard often letting her know she was being given more medicine to help with the pain she gathered this was what was making her more tired than usual and maybe had a contribution to the dreams she was experiencing. Again the voices around her started to fade away as she gave in to the urge to sleep again.
She stood at the edge of a large forest looking around uncertainly wondering how she got here when she noticed a small dark haired boy with bright blue eyes peeking around one of the trees beckoning her towards him ... She really didn't want to go in there ... Something didn't feel right ... He waved her over more urgently pressing a finger to his lips when she noisily made her way over ... Treading more carefully Clarke silently made her way to his side feeling less cautious when he offered her small smile.
"We have to be really quiet ... We can't wake them." He whispered timidly.
"Wake who?" Clarke replied quietly.
The young boy just shook his head.
"Is someone after you? ...Don't' be scared i won't let anything happen to you. Follow me and i'll get you out of here." She promised holding out her hand toward him.
He shook his head again and ignored her extended arm. "Not me ... They want you."
Fear squeezed at her heart and goosebumps broke out across her skin making her shudder. "Who's wants me?"
Licking his lips the boy eyed her nervously but spoke with all the certainty of a wise adult.. "Look it's really important you listen to me ... There's only two ways out of here ... Back the way you came ... Which means you will continue on the path you were taking before. You will get to your destination quicker but you may not get there whole."
Clarke stared at him confused. "What are you talking about?"
"Ssssshhhhh!"
Clarke looked around checking to see if her raised voice had bought out any unwanted visitors, when she looked back at the clearing she came from her heart began pounding hard against her chest. A large group of people stood there silently staring in her direction and it wasn't polite, it was like they could see her but made no movements as if waiting for her to run before making their move.
A small hand found its way in to hers and squeezed it reassuringly she acknowledged it with a squeeze of her own but refused to take her eyes off the people in front of her. "Who are they?" She asked barely in a whisper but as soon as the words left her mouth she knew who they were ... They were the people of mount weather ... The ones that had died by her hands ... Because of her decisions. Men, women and children gazed back at her as her breath got caught in her throat and her eyes filled with unshed tears ... There were so many.
"They block your way forward Clarke."
"So what do i do?" She asked.
"You make a decision ... Fight your way through them and risk dying ... Or maybe you will win and get through unscathed but know this ... If you make it through with your body intact the same might not be true for your sanity."
"What's my other option?"
He pointed deeper in to the woods where it only got darker. "Or you can take the second path ... It's longer ... More challenges to face ... But there will be people that are willing to help you ... If you let them."
"Will it get me to where i need to go?"
"... Eventually as long as you do not stray from the path ... And don't look back ... Only forward ... You must make your decision quickly Clarke the longer you stay here the less chance you have."
"Less chance of what?"
"Happiness ... And life." He replied simply.
"What if i don't deserve happiness? Or a life?"
The boy studied her carefully. "If you truly believed that you would of made your decision already ... Your hesitation shows there's hope inside of you ... No matter how small ... Think carefully Clarke ... Carefully and quickly."
Movement from the clearing drew her attention as Nia emerged from the crowd,unlike the others she looked alive but there was something different and Clarke couldn't work out exactly what it was. The Ice Queen tilted her head to the side as if considering the blonde and when she spoke her voice seemed louder and echoed against the quiet.
"Greetings Wanheda, so nice of you to appear before us ... How does it feel to stand before your victims?" She questioned throwing her arms wide. " ... I am soon to join them am i not? Another number to add to your ever growing body count."
The Ice Queen gazed at the people of Mount Weather before returning her attention to Clarke a small smile now in place. "They fear you ... Even in death you scare them ... Well you are the Commander of death aren't you? ... Of course you scare them ... But their fear will slowly fade in time and when they see you are no longer a threat to the dead ... You will join them.."
Clarke tried to take a step back but her feet had become rooted to the spot ... Her legs refused to work.
"However you will always be a threat to the living because you ... Dear Wanheda are a murderer ... A cold blooded killer ... A monster." She grinned and began to whisper to the man closest to her he wore a guard uniform, his blonde hair peeking out the edge of his hat, his eyes widened at her words.
The blonde swallowed her fear and tried to speak ... Tried to explain her actions.
The boy spoke urgently. "Clarke make your decision ... Clarke? ... You must decide now ... Quickly ... Clarke!"
The man from the group broke away rushing towards her with frightening speed and still her feet wouldn't move, he plowed into her with such force she felt herself fall backwards toward the ground braced for impact.
She jolted awake a gasp torn from her throat, hands placed on her shoulders caused her to hit out twisting her torso with the punch landing a blow to someones stomach causing them to grunt with pain. Her eyes darted around the room confusedly looking for a way to escape, ignoring the aches of her body she climbed quickly out of bed and ran towards the door only for another set of hands to grab her around the waist but these were gentler ... Softer. Before she could even think of fighting them off a voice was whispering in her ear. "Clarke it's me ... It's Lexa ... Calm down your safe I promise you ... It was just a dream."
The words were repeated until the Commander felt Clarke relax against her and her breathing began to calm, it was a dream ... Not real. She was in her room in Polis ... Safe. Taking a deep breath Clarke ran her hands down her face and composed herself.
"Right ...I just ... I'm fine." She insisted pulling away from the warmth of Lexa she silently made her way to the bathroom to sort herself out avoiding making eye contact, she found everything she needed for a wash already laid out for her and a clean set of clothes. The nightmare had really freaked her out it had felt so real, she had never experienced that before ... Lexa's voice in her ear had bought her back to reality ... Even though she would never admit it out loud it had comforted her almost immediately ... And it had felt nice being in her arms again ... God what was happening to her.
By the time she came out of the bathroom her mother and Lexa were talking quietly but stopped abruptly when they caught sight of her. "Three guesses what the topic of your conversation is." She said sarcastically.
"We weren't talking about-"
"Mum i couldn't care less to be honest ... How long have i been out of it anyway?" She questioned, she had noticed in the mirror her bruises were fading to the horrible looking yellow stage, the cut on her lip had scabbed over the scar appearing underneath already quite visible and her ribs didn't hurt nearly as much as they did before.
"Just over a week, i kept you pretty dosed up for a while. Your body needed the rest and you heal better when your resting ... How are you feeling?"
"Shattered." Clarke joked making Abby roll her eyes.
"Seriously Clarke I need to know."
"I feel fine mum."
"No dizziness? Sickness? Disorientated?"
"If i felt any of that why would i say i feel fine?" Clarke huffed, she hated being fussed over like she was some kind of a victim.
"Because your stubborn ...Well i need to check you over anyway." Abby insisted approaching her torch at the ready.
She moaned through most of the examination her eyes falling on a male guard standing to her right who was watching with a slight frown upon his face.
"What's your problem grumpy?"
"Me?"
"No the invisible guy right behind you ... Yeah you ... Why you looking at me like i just killed the family pet?"
"You punched me ... Hard."
Clarke did have a vague memory of hitting someone in her panic to get out but with all the poking and prodding from her mother she wasn't in the mood to apologise.
"Then you shouldn't of touched me." She shrugged.
"I was trying to help you actually." He said his voice rising higher at her rudeness.
"Alright calm down Mr Emotional don't want you getting all hysterical on me ... Your tampon might fall out."
"Clarke enough!" Abby interrupted sternly.
Lexa watched the interactions silently from the corner, she knew whatever the blonde had dreamed had bothered her and she was trying to pick a fight to distract herself, she was curious what it had been about ,Clarke had been mumbling in her sleep for a couple of minutes before waking in a panic. Luckily Connor was pretty laid back and wouldn't rise to the bait she even saw a smile at the corner of his lips at Clarkes words and she was sure if she wasn't there he would of laughed.
"Right i'm going to go for a wander then." Clarke said backing out the room once her mother had begun putting her equipment away. She needed to get out of this room and get some air to clear her head.
"Just a second ... We need to talk about a few things ... Sit." Abby said pointing back at the bed.
Knowing that she was about to be made to listen to a lecture she threw a sideways glance at the Commander silently asking for help, Lexa gave a slow nod before turning towards Abby. "Clarke has been cooped up for a long time perhaps this can wait until later?"
"Listen i'm grateful to you for saving my daughter ... But Clarke is my child and i will decide what is best for her ok?"
"Actually i'm an adult i can make my own decisions." Clarke interjected.
"Barely." Abby continued as though she wasn't interrupted. "Firstly wandering off when you were asked to stay inside was a stupid thing to do ... You do understand that you could of been killed?"
"Wow really? ... Because i thought Nia was on the verge of asking me out for a date." Clarke muttered.
"... You claim your an adult yet you can't act like one. Are you even going to apologise for putting me through this?"
Clarke looked at her mother and let out a laugh of disbelief. "I try to help ... Get hit over the head and taken against my will ... And i owe you an apology? It's not like i held a giant arrow over my head with the words 'potential kidnap victim' in flashing lights."
Connor stifled a laugh at Wanheda's words, he had been the one to hear some of what she said when she was held prisoner by Nia and standing in the same room as her now it became obvious that this was a permanent habit of the young blonde and he was looking forward to help guard her for the remainder of her stay.
Abby sighed tiredly and decided to just move on. "Secondly while you've been recovering a lot has been discussed ... The Commander has invited our people in to her coalition. ... We've become the thirteenth clan."
"What?" Clarke replied shocked, she glanced at Lexa who confirmed it with a nod.
Her mother continued. "And Nia will be held accountable for her crimes against us ... Against you ... And the people believe you have the right to decide her fate ... When you are up to it the clan leaders will meet and Nia will stand trial. The leaders have already agreed to mine and Marcus's plans to turn Mount Weather in to a hospital for everyone in the coalition and we leave tomorrow morning to put those plans in to action."
Clarke nodded her head while trying to take in all the changes. "I'll pack my things."
"No ... You need to stay here, it will be at least another two weeks until your ribs are fully healed it might even be another month depending on how easy you take it. We need you to stay behind to speak on behalf of our people at any upcoming meetings."
"Can't Marcus do that? He's better at all that stuff."
Abby glared at Lexa while she spoke. "The Commander insisted that it be you ... Your healing at a good rate Clarke ... Promise me you will take it easy at least for a couple of weeks and when your feeling one hundred percent ... Come home ok?"
Before Clarke could answer a knock interrupted and Marcus poked his head around the door. "Abby your needed at the medical tent."
She hugged Clarke gently before leaving the room. Lexa signaled Connor to do the same and he walked past the blonde shooting her a smile to show there were no hard feelings.
"Are you angry about being forced to stay again?" Lexa asked cautiously as soon as they were alone.
Clarke shrugged, now it was just them in the room the feeling of Lexa holding her reentered her mind causing her to blush she turned so the other woman couldn't see her face.
Lexa spoke again this time from right behind Clarke making her jump round and face her. "I thought it was better for it to be you who stayed behind ... Because when your not hating me i think we make a good team."
Swallowing nervously at the closeness between them she backed up a few steps before speaking softly. "... Don't betray me again and i won't have to hate you."
"I won't ... I swear it."
And when Clarke raised her eyes to meet the green ones in front of her they were filled with such sincerity it was impossible to not believe Lexa's words. "Ok ... So i officially don't hate you then."
Lexa smiled at the beautiful woman before her, part of her was worried that Clarke would be back to the cold short tempered person and it pleased her that the kinder Clarke was back. "I feel as if a celebration should be in order." Lexa teased.
"If you don't want the boring adults to find out about your party i've heard the Ice Queen knows about this little hideaway place where no one can hear you for miles -"
"Not funny Clarke." Lexa interjected sighing at the dark humour.
"Oh come on it was a little."
Lexa studied the blonde closely before replying. "I think you use your humour to make people believe you aren't affected by anything that's happened to you."
Clarke's smile slipped slightly before an even bigger one replaced it. "And i think your war paint makes you look like a racoon who needs a better type of waterproof mascara"
Lexa raised her eyebrows. "Your mocking my war paint?"
"You mocked my jokes."
"I've killed people for less." The Commander smirked enjoying the banter.
"And i've made fun of people for less ... Suck it up Heda. Now if you'll excuse me i'm going to find some food ... Being this hilarious makes me hungry." Clarke said sticking out her tongue childishly and walking out the room leaving behind an extremely amused Commander.
Making her way outside she intended to go straight to Jade's stall to see if she could scrounge some free food, she pushed the dream to the back of her mind like everything else that bothered her and was shocked to see the progress that was made with rebuilding everything, they had definitely been hard at work for the past week. Noticing Connor was following her at a distance Clarke turned to face him.
"Did you want something?"
"I'm to accompany you everywhere Wanheda." He answered indifferently.
Clarke stiffened at the name. "It's Clarke ... And i don't need a babysitter but thanks for the offer grumpy."
Connor smiled. "It's Connor and i'm afraid you don't have a choice. Heda's orders."
Clarke looked thoughtful for a minute. "I take it Nia isn't giving the name of the person who helped her take me?"
Connor's respect for the blonde rose slightly he confirmed her suspicions with a nod.
"Ok you can follow and watch but i'm warning you i'm about to eat and i chew with my mouth open." She joked as she walked off again his chuckle reaching her ears.
Nathaniel saw the blonde first and ran over excitedly stopping in his tracks when he saw her bruises clearly. "What happened to your face?" he asked shocked.
"I was born with it kid ... And my mum says i'm beautiful no matter what." She teased ruffling his hair.
"Your mother speaks the truth." another voice said from behind a cloud of steam, Jade smiled sympathetically at Clarke also eyeing the yellow marks on her skin. "I'm glad your safe ... Are you hungry?"
"Are you psychic?"
"Maybe." she joked handing over a large amount of food which Clarke accepted gratefully.
Clarke asked questions about the earthquake between mouthfuls, learning that Jade and Nathaniel had been outside with their father getting him some fresh air and watching the night sky when it happened and had done their best helping with the repairs. Jade admitted she knew of Clarkes disappearance. ... Everybody did ... Rumours had also spread of Clarke's bravery in the situation which the blonde shrugged off.
"Still playing football kid?" Clarke asked avoiding Jade's gaze and questions.
"Yeah i'm playing later if you want to come watch?"
"Sure."
"Are you helping with deliveries again today?" He asked excitedly.
"Afraid not, i'm not allowed to lift anything too heavy for a while ... Doctors orders."
His face fell slightly. "Oh ... What about when your better?"
"Well ... Once I'm better ... It will be time for me to go back home."
Jade's head snapped up at the information. "Your leaving?"
"I have to return to my people." Clarke replied softly.
"Right ... Of course you do ... They probably miss you."
Clarke tried to make light of the situation. "No probably about it ... You have met me right? ... I'm pretty amazing."
Jade smiled sadly. "... Yes you are ... I'll be sad to see you go."
"Me too." Nathaniel mumbled kicking at the dirt.
Clarke clapped him on the shoulder. "We can keep in touch ... I'll write to you and send the letters with the travelling traders deal?"
"There's no point." He replied grumpily. "I'm going for a walk."
Clare watched him leave with a frown. "Did i say something wrong?" She asked jade her eyes still on his retreating figure.
"... He has taken a liking to you ... He says you treat him like a friend instead of just a kid, he will miss you and ... He isn't a very strong reader so ..." Jade's voice trailed off but Clarke got the jist of what she was saying.
"I'm going to go talk to him ... We'll catch up more later?" Clarke suggested.
Jade nodded and watched Clarke a little longer than was necessary, she didn't notice the person who had appeared as if from nowhere until they cleared their throat.
"Sorry what can i get you?" She asked politelty.
Clarke started to walk back to her room just before dark, nathaniel had played brilliantly scoring two of the goals he was much happier than before and not just because of winning the game for his team, Clarke had promised to help with his reading and writing while she was still here and Jade would take over if he still needed help when it was time for her to leave so they would be able to keep in touch and she promised she would be a regular visitor too ... He made her promise it wouldn't be goodbye forever.
Another unnamed guard approached Connor as they entered the building, talking quietly in his ear and then leaving, Connor turned his attention back to Clarke. "Heda wishes to see you in her room."
"Lead the way grumpy."
"I've been friendly all day why do you call me grumpy?"
Clarke grinned he was actually a nice guy, he seemed to enjoy watching the game as much as she did and didn't pretend not to find her funny when she came out with a good joke. "I could come up with another nickname for you but i can't promise it won't be worse."
Connor considered his options. "You can't just call me Connor?"
"Doesn't suit you ... But your right neither does grumpy ... Definitely gonna have to come up with something new for ya girl scout."
"Great." he replied without enthusiasm.
The first thing Clarke noticed after being shown to Lexa's room was a waft of something delicious.
"I smell chocolate." She stated certainly.
Lexa chuckled at the seriousness in her voice. "The chef sent some cake up for me the chocolate was in with our delivery of supplies."
"You sent for me to test it for you right?"
"The chocolate is mine Clarke."
"Selfish."
Lexa laughed again. "I sent for you because i think its wise to make sure your prepared for how to act in front of the other members of the coalition. So from tomorrow i will begin to teach you how to think, act and respond like a leader."
"Seriously? ... Can't i just be me?"
"The things you say to me i tolerate ... Other members are more old fashioned, the details of your actions at Mount weather and your refusal to back down from the Ice Queen have certainly impressed them ... But they expect you to act a certain way ... Responsibly ... No jokes ... No rude comments. It could destroy a lot of things that have taken a lot of time to build." Lexa explained.
"I get it ... In front of them i have to act like you act because if i'm seen as if i'm not taking this seriously it could cause problems for my people ... And yours."
"Our people." Lexa corrected pleased that Clarke had grasped the seriousness of the situation quickly. "So tomorrow we begin?"
"Sure. Actually there was something i wanted to suggest to you. Why don't you build a school? Help the children to learn to read and write and stuff?"
"Children usually learn from the parents."
"What about the ones that dont have parents? And you can teach them other stuff not just that ... They could paint, draw, learn about whatever they find interesting." Clarke finished, trying to gage Lexa's reaction.
"I'll give it some thought. ... What did you enjoy learning about as a child?" She asked curiously.
"... The earth obviously ... but also the other planets in our solar system too. Anything to do with space really."
"And what interesting facts did you learn?" Lexa questioned as she sat comfortably in a chair pulling the cake towards her.
"I'll tell you some in exchange for the cake."Clarke grinned.
"This is the last piece ... And i already know many things about the universe. ... Your not the only one who found it interesting."
So her and Lexa shared some interests. "What if i can tell you something you never knew about then can i get the cake?"
Lexa grinned at the wager. "Three things ... And you get the cake." She countered confidently.
"Ok did you know that if you could put all the planets in a bath saturn is the only one that would float?" Clarke grinned and stepped closer to the cake as the Commander shook her head. "Something to do with the density of the planet." She explained. "And did you know the moon moves further away from the earth every year? "
Lexa shook her head again now looking more concerned. "3.8 centimeters every year ... Personally i think its trying to distance itself from my mother."
Clarke thought hard thinking of something not a lot of people knew. Smiling to herself she finally spoke. "When NASA was still around they found a planet where it rains glass sideways."
Lexa looked shocked at the information. "How do i know your not making these up?" She asked suspiciously.
"Ask Marcus he taught us it all and he still has the book." Clarke replied happily swiping the plate, picking up the spoon and taking a bite. "Mmmmmm." she groaned at the taste. "It always tastes so much better when you've earned it ... You know what i mean?"
Lexa shook her head at the blonde doing her best to ignore the sounds of enjoyment coming from her lips.
"Whats that smell?" Clarke mentioned suddenly.
"If its chocolate thats because you have inhaled most of it up your nose." Lexa teased.
"No its ... " Clarke sniffed the air again. "Oh don't worry it's just the aroma of victory ... But you wouldn't know about that right now would you."
"I did not want the cake anyway, i'm watching my figure." Lexa shrugged acting as though she didn't care which just made Clarke laugh harder.
"Oh really? For someone who didn't want it you sure did look pissed when i won it. So you don't even want a teeny tiny piece?" Clarke teased before quickly finishing it, letting out one more moan of enjoyment. "Delicious doesn't even come close to describing how good that was!"
Lexa's breathing quickened and all she could focus on was Clarke coming towards her with a huge grin on her face, chocolate still smeared across her bottom lip.
"Sorry it was too good to share ... But you can lick the spoon if you really want to see how amazing it was." She suggested holding out the silverware.
Without thinking of the consequences the Commander grabbed Clarkes extended wrist and stood at the same time pulling her forwards, green eyes lingering on the blondes lips.
"Actually i can think of a better way to sample a taste."