Polis tower was a hub of activity with the Skaikru attendants due to arrive within only a few hours. The day of the celebratory gathering had finally arrived, with Skaikru and Trikru alike preparing for the reminder of all that had been accomplished since the fragile peace had first brought the two unlikely groups together.
After months of tension and unrest within the capitol, it was a welcome change to focus on more positive aspects of their lives rather than dwell on the dark events that had been unfolding.
Clarke found herself pleasantly excited for the festivities, eager to help with the preparation but instead found herself the source of her mothers unwavering conversation. As much as she enjoyed the Chancellors company, it was best enjoyed in small doses.
"I should really check if there's anything I can do to help," the young leader intoned for the second time when her mother finally paused for breath, not even standing from the couch before the woman reached out to grab her hands.
"They'll survive without you this once," Abby disagreed, puling the reluctant girl back down with pleading eyes. "This might be my last chance to spend time with you alone, do you really want to waste that?"
It wouldn't be the worst thing in the world but Clarke swallowed her frustration and forced a large smile instead, shaking her head as was expected. Under many circumstances she would be more than happy to spend time with her mother, but over a week had now passed in her company and they would soon run out of pointless conversation.
"Why don't you show me some of your drawings? The last piece you showed me was months ago!"
Clarke hesitated, often unwilling to share her art with other people but reluctantly retrieved the sketchbook from the table and offered it to her mother. It took only another second for her to remember the countless sketches of her lover that decorated the last few pages and hurriedly reclaimed the book before they could be unwittingly discovered.
She kept her thumb firmly over the last section as she flicked through the collection. Abby took her time to examine each one closely and ask unnecessary questions about the source of inspiration.
"Some things are just so beautiful that they should be captured forever," the girl explained with a light shrug, never having really thought about it in any other way. The process itself was relaxing and there was never a shortage of ideas that came to mind.
"What about this one? Is that what I think it is?" her mother added, tapping lightly on the page in question as she tilted her head to assess the whirl of intricate lines that merged into an elaborate creation.
"It's one of my favourites," Clarke admitted with a small smile to herself, peering over her mothers shoulder to glimpse the work.
Months earlier, when she had only recently moved to the city, Lexa had made a suggestion when inspiration had been lacking. A representation of both their clans that would symbolise the alliance and newfound harmony between their people.
If anything it had been a welcome change from the landscape sketches that had been appearing with more frequency, finding herself unable to ignore the beauty of her surroundings. An easy composition it certainly hadn't been but worth the effort when she had produced the completed product a few weeks later.
Lines overlapped and merged seamlessly to encompass both unique symbols of their respective clans, producing a unique yet familiar design that could express the unity between them.
She was drawn from the reminiscent thoughts as her eyes darted towards the opening door, relieved to see her lover appearing for the first time that morning. As her mother continued to pour over the artwork, Clarke bounced to her feet and met the Commander in the doorway before anyone could object.
"Where have you been?" she inquired with a hushed tone, not wanting to offend her mother with the desperation in her voice.
Lexa observed her with a glint of humour in deep green eyes. "Overseeing preparations. Everything is running to schedule and your friends should be arriving over the next few hours."
"Is there anything I can help with?"
"No, it's all in hand."
"You know what I mean," the blonde said urgently, risking a quick glance over her shoulder where the Chancellor remained engrossed with the sketches. "She spent an entire hour telling me about the upgrades that were made to the defensive ditches outside the camp walls."
To her credit, the Commander didn't let an amused smile slip into existence, sensing the girls underlying irritation and calmly pursed her lips instead. "A wise protective precaution after recent events."
Clarke leant closer and maintained a fierce expression. "Don't even get me started on the roof replacements and vehicle maintenance."
A slight smirk quirked Lexa's lips but she quickly covered it with a sympathetic nod when she addressed her lover. "Don't worry, I have an idea."
During this entire conversation, Abby had been flicking through the sketchbook pretending not to overhear the muted whispers as she privately wondered how the girl had not yet figured out what was going on. Running out of content, she was about to abandon her efforts when she caught the overturned corner of the last three pages between her fingers and revealed the pieces that her daughter had hoped would remain concealed.
The Commander's appearance was instantly recognisable, spread throughout dozens of small sketches that depicted her training, horse riding, even seated on the official throne. The final page featured much larger drawing of the woman in a more peaceful pose, resting on the couch with eyes closed.
She was reminded of the girls explanation of why she drew these pieces and smiled softly to herself, admiring the precise detail that had been documented in the sketches.
Abby glanced up at her daughter in a subtle motion, watching as the Commander reached out a hand to instinctively calm the girl, hardly noticing the motion herself as her lips moved soundlessly in response. There was no denying the affection that bled between them and she could not remember her daughter being so comfortable around another person.
She was taken by surprise when the conversation ended abruptly and was forced to snap the book shut when both woman turned towards her, suddenly gaining a keen interest in the worn material of the front cover as she carefully returned the book to the low table.
"The Commander was just informing me that our people will be arriving within a few hours," Clarke began steadily, speaking purposefully as her mother glanced up in feigned surprise. "Whilst we wait she thought it best that-"
"That we move to the dining hall for a meal," Lexa interrupted, ignoring the shocked glance that her lover sent with unrestrained dismay. "Everything is in place so we might as well relax for a few hours before the formalities begin."
Abby smiled graciously and rose to her feet. "That sounds wonderful Commander."
"Yes, wonderful," Clarke confirmed tightly, spinning on her heel to follow Lexa's exit with a heavy stare, unable to voice her objections at not being informed of this development before her mother was invited.
It was a simple meal by all standards, some bread and fruit constituting more of a light snack than anything. With a feast planned later that evening there was no point enduring a heavy lunch. Casual conversation flowed between the three individuals for almost an hour as Clarke reluctantly accepted the situation and sipped on her drink resolutely, marvelling at the unusual respect and well mannered courtesy that her mother presented.
"Arkadia would be honoured to welcome you at any time Commander, we have made some impressive advancements since your last visit," the Chancellor noted, smiling warmly at the two women in her company. She pointedly ignored her daughters sceptical expression and focused on her main audience instead.
"Clarke was telling me about your progress only a few days ago," the Commander recalled, pushing her plate aside after consuming only a few berries. "I will have to take a few days away from the capitol to observe your achievements for myself. Your technological advancements are of great interest to the coalition."
In a moment of considerable self restraint, Clarke narrowly avoided choking on her drink at the unexpected pleasantries, a far cry from the often tense interactions that normally occurred between the two women who scarcely found themselves agreeing on anything.
She settled for clearing her throat instead, carefully setting the empty glass down on the table as she avoided her mothers sudden attention and mentally grasped for a new topic of conversation. She was saved the trouble when a young attendant knocked politely on the wooden door before entering, all attention thankfully turning towards the girl who ducked her head briefly at the Commander and left without a word.
Clarke was still staring blankly at the vacant space left by the attendant when her mother scraped her chair back and politely excused herself, gesturing to the empty plate in front of her with a meaningful nod.
"Thank you for the meal Commander, but I must go and welcome our guests."
Clarkes blank stare followed her mothers hasty exit and her mouth fell open silently as her brain tried to piece together what exactly was happening. Something was going on, she just hadn't been informed about it.
Her suspicions were further raised when Lexa refused to respond to her questions about the odd behaviour and instead rose to her feet in one smooth motion with an uncharacteristically mysterious expression. "Come with me."
There was no chance to push for an immediate explanation when the Commander strode purposefully from the room, a questioning blue gaze following the woman's departing figure as Clarke hurried close behind, dodging attendants and handmaids in the corridor on the way back to their chambers. One young girl was stationed outside the large set of doors and the blonde leader paused to acknowledge the respectful bow before darting into the bedchamber.
"What is going-" she repeated, the words dying on her lips when she stepped inside the room and took in her surroundings. "Oh."
Soft candlelight illuminated the room, casting aside the dreary shadows of the midwinter afternoon and filled the air with a pleasant fragrance. Stunning flower arrangements decorated shelves and tables, a tapestry of bright colours that drew the eye in every direction.
Clarke gazed around the room in wonder, eyes wide as she took in every careful detail until finally coming to a rest on her lover. The woman was waiting patiently at the foot of the bed, hiding her anticipation behind an inscrutable expression.
"What is this?" the blonde girl finally uttered, stepping forwards until she was within reach of her lover. "It's beautiful."
"This is for you, for us."
Clarke was no closer to understanding and waited for her lover to continue.
"The ceremony taking place today is not quite what you have been led to believe," Lexa continued after a short pause, her words steady even as she grasped for the appropriate explanation. "It is still a celebration of our alliance but also so much more than that."
"What are you trying to say?" Clarke asked with a hint of a frown on her face, bewildered to glimpse what could have been the Commander biting her lip nervously before the aura of confidence returned and she stepped forward resolutely to grasp her lovers hands.
"Clarke, you mean more to me than words could ever express," Lexa confessed, unable to hold back the words that came pouring into existence, an unusual display of unrestrained affection from the often stoic leader as she pierced her lover with a passionate stare. "Will you do me the greatest honour of becoming my wife?"
Clarke's next breath, her next words were stolen in an instant of surprise, jaw almost falling open to hear the words announced with such emotion. Her thoughts tumbled between the the reality of what she was being asked and the knowledge that she was staring breathlessly at her lover, caught in a gaze so intense that the green eyes could almost read every thought that flitted into existence.
Political opposition, practical considerations and social opinions that would later become apparent, were all forgotten in the face of overwhelming adoration that Clarke felt for the Commander and there was doubt in her voice when she finally replied.
"Yes," she uttered breathlessly, unable to voice the explosion of emotion that swelled in her heart and filled her with a sense of certainty. Nothing had ever felt more right.
Lexa smiled broadly and used her grasp on the blonde's hands to pull her forwards for a passionate kiss. All of her preparations, considerations, and elaborate attention to detail had all paid off to hear the single syllable confirm their future.
"There will be time for us to celebrate later," the Commander insisted, drawing back reluctantly to gaze into the mesmerising blue depths. "Our guests are waiting."
Clarke absently maintained her grip on the Commander's hand and frowned thoughtfully. "This was planned all along?"
"Of course, this ceremony was always intended to be a celebration of our future" Lexa offered easily, gently guiding the girl towards the bed where a stunning dress had been laid out on the furs. "We should get dressed and join our people."
Clarke would have said more but attendants were streaming into the room a heartbeat later, intent on preparing the two women for their public celebration.
In truth, the blonde leader was still in a state of mild shock, processing the concept of her own wedding even as handmaids tugged her hair back into elegant braids and helped her into the beautiful dress. Her mind was racing as everything fell into place and she now understood the odd behaviour that she had witnessed recently, the lull in conversation when she had walked into a room, the unusual behaviour her mother had been displaying in recent days. It finally made sense.
Within twenty minutes she found herself placed in front of a tall mirror, admiring the expertly crafted material that swept over her body and around her shoulders. Her breath caught when Lexa floated into view next to her, boasting an exquisitely designed dress of her own. Their eyes met in the reflective surface and in a moment of clarity there was a rush of excitement for the days to come.
The ceremony that night was merely a private celebration between their respective clans in advance of the wedding which was to take place within the week. Guests would be waiting to drink in honour of the powerful couple and offer congratulations.
If this had all been put in place for the celebration then Clarke couldn't even imagine the spectacle their wedding would provide. Shaking her head in amazement, Clarke reached back to hold the Commander's hand, squeezing it gently as if to reassure herself that she wasn't dreaming.
This was really happening. She was going to marry the greatest love of her life.
Muted excitement lingered in the room as the leaders savoured the brief privacy before the festivities began. The handmaids had long since departed from the bed chamber and both leaders were content to enjoy the others company in this special moment.
Lexa stepped forwards until she was standing directly behind Clarke, head tilted slightly to place a soft kiss on the exposed skin of her lovers neck as a light hand settled on her waist.
"You look beautiful," she whispered, entwining their hands gently as they remained enraptured with each other in the mirror. "Are you ready?"
Clarke wasn't sure if she was ever ready to face life beyond their own private world, but nodded confidently and slowly turned in her lovers arms to place a gentle kiss on her lips.
"I love you," she murmured softly.
"I love you too."
A mesmerising trance had taken over the room, an aura of anticipation and adoration, neither women willing to tear her gaze away from the other. Eventually, it was Clarke who slipped her arm around the Commander's and made a silent promise to show her lover just how grateful she was once the celebrations were over. In the meantime, they couldn't be late for their own party.
Thank you for reading this chapter, I hope you enjoyed it! Leave a comment and let me know what you thought :)