The night passed quickly and Clarke hardly slept, resorting to pacing the camp perimeter as the early light of dawn crept into the sky. Arkadia's inhabitants had been predictably concerned and anguished to learn of the young boys imprisonment but as of yet there was only speculation and rumour flooding the camp about his situation.
Clarke was standing resolutely before the chain link fence, staring thoughtfully at the distant fringe of trees, her mind lost to the swirl of thoughts that cascaded through her head. Despite her distraction she was alert enough to detect the trudge of footsteps that hesitantly travelled towards her position.
The Trikru guards staggered throughout the clearing made no attempt to stop the approaching individual which narrowed it down to only a handful of people and Clarke was fairly confident she knew who would be disturbing her at this time of morning.
"If you're here to lecture me then save your breath, you won't change my mind," she called out firmly, arms clasped behind her back as she noted the brief hesitation that broke the steady strides, refusing to turn and look at the offending individual.
"He's just a boy," her mother intoned, stepping up beside her daughter to follow her gaze out over the landscape. "How do you expect me to explain this to our people?"
"Tell them the truth, if you're capable. There have been worse political catastrophes than this," Clarke responded curtly, unable to summon the patience for this pointless interaction. "Peace and survival require hard decisions, you should understand that better than anyone."
To her credit, Abby remained calm at the pointed comment. She was no stranger to the complex ties of political decisions and wouldn't deny her involvement with past events. If anything, she was eager to see her daughter walk a better path than the one she had once carved.
"How can you expect our people to follow you, to look up to you when all you seem to do is march in here and and cause chaos?"
The light trill of birds fluttered into existence as the suns rays signalled the beginning of a new day and life began to stir. Clarke watched a handful of them weaving through the hazy morning cloud with detached curiosity.
"It's not their friendship that I need. Respect and loyalty must be governed above all else, anything more is impossible to predict."
Similar words had been expressed by Lexa in the past, but only now did the blonde leader truly understand their meaning.
As long as Clarke was acting in the best interests of her people then she had nothing to worry about. Her absence from camp made anything more than respect a near impossible reality, but the girl's actions, past and present, were highly spoken of throughout camp. She had earnt trust and loyalty time and time again, this would be no different.
A light breeze swept the Chancellors hair back from her face as she glanced across at her daughter solemnly. "Just consider what you're doing. There's always another way."
"You're in no position to lecture me," the blonde girl noted sharply, a cutting edge to her voice as she grew weary of her mother's repetitive demands. "If I recall correctly, we were no older than this boy you so fiercely protect when you launched us to an almost certain death."
Abby swallowed thickly and returned her gaze to the faint light of dawn creeping over the horizon. She didn't need reminding of that fateful day and had more than enough regrets to live with.
"Then learn from my mistakes and think carefully about what you're doing."
Clarke didn't even pause in her reply. "I have, so you can either support my decision or stand against me. The choice is yours."
"If you're set on returning to Polis with the boy then I'll come with you, the others will follow in a few days for the official ceremony," Abby finally conceded, not willing to waste more time arguing a lost cause. The least she could do was offer the boy a friendly face in these dire circumstances.
The ceremony was the last thing on Clarke's mind, a gathering of Skaikru and Trikru within Polis to celebrate their peace and prosperity. It had once been an exciting prospect that was now tinged from the dark events that had been unfolding. Despite the difficult situation, Clarke was intent on enjoying the occasion. It was important to focus on the good as well as the bad during these challenging times, but it would be easier said then done.
If her mother wished to arrive at Polis a few days before schedule then so be it. Clarke nodded her agreement, saved from any further argument when Bellamy jogged across the clearing towards them. The Trikru guards glanced to their leader for instruction but she subtly gestured for them to leave him be.
"What's the plan? Everyone's getting uneasy being left in the dark like this," Bellamy admitted, proceeding to listen intently as he was brought up to speed on the latest arrangements. He would be joining the Skaikru selection who would attend the ceremony in a few days, transporting them safely to the capitol.
"What do you need me to do?" he inquired, recognising that the inhabitants would need to be informed and consoled regarding the unrest that was spreading throughout the clans. Better they heard it from their own people than the traitors themselves.
Clarke was momentarily relieved to hear the question, pleased that someone was finally making themselves useful rather than providing opposition to her leadership. "Speak to the people, tell them what's happening and why it's necessary. I can't have this creating more tension between our clans."
Bellamy nodded his understanding, recognising that this was important for everyone's well being. It would do no good to have ill feelings between Trikru and Skaikru on the eve of the celebratory gathering.
"Marcus and I have got it covered here. Have a safe trip."
It was a relief to know that at least one thing was under control. The next step was to transport the prisoner back to Polis and contain him with the other traitors.
"Let's get moving then," Clarke instructed, hoping to back in Polis by the days end. The horses were well rested and fed so it was certainly a possibility. Her guards dispersed to their duties, some readying the animals whilst others went to collect the prisoner.
An idea dawned on Abby and she reached out to grasp her daughters wrist when the girl began to move forwards to oversee her warriors. She turned back to the woman with a questioning glance.
"If you want to get back to Polis quickly, why not use transport that doesn't tire?'
Clarke narrowed her eyes, already guessing where this was going. "Your point?"
"The Rover is ready to move out, if you're willing to take it?"
Travelling by horse could be quick, but travelling by vehicle would be considerably faster. At the very least it provided an easier option for securing the prisoner.
"Good idea, I'll ride up front if you take the prisoner in the back."
Abby was more than happy with that arrangement and in no time at all they were all bundled into the Rover, the six Trikru warriors trailing them on horseback. The Chancellor was sat opposite the young boy who had descended into a remorseful silence as the consequences of his actions became inescapable.
Unexpectedly she found herself accompanied by none other than Murphy who balanced his rucksack on the bench next to him. It had been a simple enough request to allow, for the troubled young man to join them on the road to Polis. He would only cause trouble within Arkadia if he grew bored so this worked out better for everyone involved.
Abby returned her gaze to the traitor who stared remorsefully at the floor as the vehicle bounced and shuddered around them. It would be a long journey back to Polis and he would have plenty of time to consider his actions. Soon he would have to explain them before the most powerful leaders in Polis, a terrifying prospect for anyone let alone a child.
He had never met the renowned coalition leader, but if she were as fearsome as they said then he would need all the courage he could muster.
Clarke was relieved when their convoy finally approached the outer territory of Polis, not only for an end to the tedious journey but also the blessed prospect of seeing Lexa again. It had only been a few days since her departure but the Commander had been greatly missed.
Their vehicle sparked a fierce reaction from the perimeter guards, sharp voices calling at excessive volume for the newcomers to declare their identity or risk violence. Aggressive stances transformed into respectful greetings when Wanheda leapt forth from the passenger seat and instructed them to leave the Rover untouched in their absence.
Abby leant forwards and peered through the glass to watch the exchange, still mildly taken aback by the authority that her daughter now commanded. The girl spoke decisively, issuing orders with natural ease as the warriors complied with her every word. It seemed only yesterday that Clarke had been a young girl clinging to her mothers arm, eyes wide and innocent to the world around her. A lot had changed since their arrival on Earth but Abby couldn't have been more proud.
They were soon past the perimeter, now on foot as the six Trikru warriors followed Wanheda, Murphy, Abby, and the two Ark guards that she had brought to accompany her. The prisoner was marched ominously along the streets toward the main tower, his eyes lowered to the cobbles in avoidance of any curious stares that the procession might draw.
The tower loomed ominously over them, seeming to reach further into the sky as they got closer. It marked the end of the journey for the prisoner and he was taken to the cells immediately under Clarke's instruction. Murphy wasted no time in continuing on to the tower, confidently following a waiting attendant who would show him to an available room.
"When will you question Mason?" the Chancellor inquired hastily as she watched the young boy being escorted away, appearing small and frail in the company of his towering guards. "I want to be there when you do. I know that-"
"Mom," Clarke cut in tiredly, lifting a hand to bring the onslaught of questions to an end. "It's been a long day. First I'm going to speak to the Commander and get some sleep, tomorrow we deal with Mason."
They stood virtually alone in the courtyard, joined by only the two Ark guards as the city dwellers began to pack away their stalls in the main streets of Polis. The dimming light would soon vanish into darkness and Clarke was in no mood to be dealing with prisoners until she was properly rested.
Abby bit her lip to hold back the prepared speech and merely nodded, sensing that her daughter was more than ready to retire for the night. They all needed some time to relax and sleep before matters were further escalated. A guest room was already waiting to be occupied, so there was no harm in delaying the interrogation for a time.
"Fine," the Chancellor agreed, glancing across at the Trikru attendant who had been waved forwards to show the woman to her room, but her eyes soon snapped back to her daughter with fierce intensity. "But you come and get me the second anything is decided about Mason. He is still Skaikru after all and I want to be involved in the process."
Clarke couldn't bring herself to reply and simply nodded, forcing a reassuring smile onto her face as the woman was escorted to the tower with her two guards, albeit somewhat reluctantly when she kept glancing over her shoulder repeatedly until the arching doorway swallowed her from sight.
An exasperated sigh whistled through Clarke's lips as she stood resolutely in the courtyard, wondering if her mother was going to be this difficult for the entirety of her stay within Polis. She certainly hoped not.
Despite the demanding situation that had led to their early return, Clarke found a sense of comfort at being back in Polis, a fresh warmth spreading in her chest to think of Lexa waiting inside for her. The thought spurred her across the courtyard with long strides and into the elevator, shifting impatiently as the ascent seemed to drag by with infuriating slowness.
She swept past handmaidens and warriors alike as she sought the solitude of her chambers, only feeling the weight of responsibility and tension gliding away from her once she had stepped into the large room and closed the door behind her, flipping the lock firmly into place.
It was only when the notable warmth spread over her body that she realised how cold she had become in the courtyard, enjoying the blissful heat that radiated over her chilled limbs. She turned away from the locked door and rested her back against the wooden structure as she took in the scene before her.
The room was lit with a soft glow as a multitude of candles adorned the overhanging metal frames, shelves, and rounded table at the foot of the bed. Flames flickered vulnerably as a breeze from the closing door stirred them into a frenzied dance, but they soon settled back into a steady flare of orange light.
Burning passionately in the corner was a small fire, a necessary luxury now that the colder days were drawing in to replace the long, summer evenings. Soft crackles were audible as the carefully placed logs were engulfed and vanquished in the red hot core.
In the centre of it all, Lexa was reclining on the couch with legs crossed at the ankle as she read one her many books, glancing up in surprise at the unannounced arrival.
It was a welcome sight, one that inspired comfort and felt like home.
A soft smile crept onto Clarke's lips even as Lexa surged to her feet with a slight frown to express her concern. "I wasn't expecting you back yet, is everything okay?"
The blonde girl nodded and moved forwards to close the fleeting distance between them and wrapped her arms firmly around the surprised brunette, breathing in the familiar scent of her lover as Lexa returned the embrace instinctively.
"Are you sure?" the Commander breathed against her neck, trailing one hand down her back comfortingly as she sensed the girls lingering unease.
Clarke pulled back after a long moment but let her arms slide down to the woman's waist to keep her close. "I'm fine, really, I just missed you."
A soft smile crept onto the Commander's face and she chuckled lightly at the confession. "Perhaps I should send you away more often?"
"Don't even think about it," her lover uttered with a gleam in her eye, leaning in for a kiss to relish the sensation of Lexa's lips on hers.
Eventually and with great reluctance, the Commander leant her forehead against the blonde's and admitted that she only had an hour to spare before her next meeting. It was the last thing they wanted to do, but a discussion of recent events was a priority.
"Sit with me," Lexa insisted, linking their hands together and guiding the blonde over to the couch where she carefully moved the old book out of the way. "The guards will inform me when the ambassador arrives."
Clarke rotated to the right and let herself fall back into the couch until her head rested securely on Lexa's lap, her feet comfortably tucked against the material arm. Gentle fingers began to caress a tender path through her hair, invigorating a deeper state of relaxation as she gave her lover a brief update of events in Arkadia.
"If the camp is now open to inhabitants coming and going as they please, then it would be simple enough for the enemy to intercept a potential target," Lexa mused, gazing down at the blonde's focused expression as she recalled the traitors capture.
Her blue eyes were staring sightlessly at the high ceiling as she expressed her concern over the recent turmoil of treacherous acts that were spreading throughout the clans. "What's stopping them from striking again? For all we know this is only scratching the surface of their operation."
Lexa tried to reassure her that they had done all they could. Successfully incapacitating several enemy traitors was nothing to be disheartened about. If anything, the threat appeared to be stemming from the north within the Ice Nation so it was vital that Roan upheld his role in quelling the treachery.
For now they could only gleam as much information from the prisoners as possible and ensure a strong defence system throughout Polis and the outlying villages to prevent any future attacks from taking place. If these traitors hoped to crush the alliance and all that it stood for, then they would be in for a fierce challenge.
"It would be easier if my mom wasn't constantly opposing my every move," Clarke mumbled in complaint, letting her eyes drift shut as she let herself become lost in the rhythmic patterns that were being traced through her hair.
The Commander hummed in amusement at the girl frustration, restraining herself from commenting that they were more alike than they cared to admit and made a mental note to address the woman privately the next morning. If it would release some of Clarke's stress then she would gladly put herself into Abby's line of fire. She had dealt with far worse characters than that of the Chancellor before and fancied her chances of succeeding in the face of the woman's displeasure.
"We'll interrogate the prisoners again tomorrow and reach a conclusion about the Skaikru boy," Lexa detailed, speaking the plan aloud as much for Clarke's sake as hers. "Then we have the ceremony to focus on. Your people will arrive soon for the celebration and we must prepare to receive them."
Clarke's brow furrowed at the concept of focusing on anything but the potential unrest in the north and was quick to voice her concern. "How are we meant to oppose these traitors successfully if we're tending to such trivial matters? Surely the ceremony is the least of our worries right now?"
The gentle motion against the blonde's head ceased and Lexa gently shifted her into an upright posture so that she could address the girl directly.
"The world doesn't stop turning because someone dares to challenge the alliance," Lexa explained, hoping to impart this vital reasoning upon the inexperienced leader. "We will always have enemies no matter how many traitors we capture, but we can only do our best and enjoy the moments in between."
Nia's death had marked a new beginning of sorts for the alliance, a hope that peace could reign for the foreseeable future, but there would always be another willing to step up and take her place. It was the reality of this new world and one that Clarke would have to come to terms with.
Everlasting peace and prosperity was a tantalising dream, but a fantasy all the same.
"Promise me one thing," Lexa continued, grasping her lovers hand in her own to fully capture her attention, leaning forward with intensity. "Don't let these terrible events taint your life, that's what the enemy want. We can fight them on the battle ground but we can also refuse to let them break us. We show them that their futile attempts won't detract from our happiness, that life continues despite their vengeful plots."
Clarke recognised the lesson that was being imparted upon her and nodded intently, her eyes shining as she recalled her own words from long ago. "We have to live, not just survive."
"Exactly, you taught me that and you were right," Lexa continued lightly, a half smile lifting her lips as she remembered the fond memory. "So promise me that."
It felt a little unnecessary but Clarke promised all the same, grateful to have someone so strong and supportive in her life. She had only returned to Polis an hour earlier but one conversation with Lexa had soothed weeks worth of relentless doubt and concern.
She found herself falling into the mesmerising green eyes and lent in to press eager lips against the Commanders, feeling the woman's body loosen and melt into her as the kiss deepened, lifting a gentle hand to brush her cheek. Nothing would ever compare to the shared content of being within each others presence, close enough to touch and hidden from the rest of the world. It was exquisite.
They held each other for a short time, savouring every second of the blissful contentment that accompanied their reunion, but all too soon it was time for Lexa to resume her duties when a low voice called to her through the door, announcing that her presence was required in the throne room.
The two woman reluctantly untangled from each others grip, sharing a final brief kiss before the Commander adopted her authoritative demeanour and glided out of the room to attend her meeting. Clarke watched her disappear with drooping eyes, stifling a broad yawn as her tiredness became apparent.
With a light sigh, the blonde girl rose from the couch and stretched contentedly before slipping into her nightwear. She had no plans to interact with anyone else that evening, least of all her mother, and was preoccupied with no thought other than that of the comfortable bed awaiting her.
She slipped beneath the furs with a satisfied groan as the soft materials caressed her skin and allowed her to sink into their comfort. Within minutes her limbs were heavy, eyelids drooping and mind vacant of any pressing concerns. Sleep overcame her with ease and the world beyond the peaceful room ceased to exist.
Hours later she was briefly drawn from her slumber when the door gently closed and announced Lexa's return from the meeting. Still enraptured within the hazy realms of sleep, it felt as if only moments had passed before the Commander joined her beneath the warm covers, snaking one arm across the blonde's waist and placing a gentle kiss against her neck.
Nothing quite compared to the comforting presence at the blonde's back as she sleepily grasped for her lovers hand. Clarke knew in her heart that this was what home felt like and her brief trip to Arkadia had only confirmed it. This was where she was meant to be and she had never felt more complete than when she was in Lexa's arms.
It didn't take long for Clarke to descend back into a peaceful slumber, this time nestled against her lovers body with a light smile gracing her face.
Thank you for reading, I hope you enjoyed the chapter!
Let me know what you thought! The next part will be up by within a week :)