Roan waited at the table when Murphy returned.
"Is it true?"
"Is what true?"
"What Clarke told you."
Murphy chewed the inside of his lip, weighing his options. "Yes."
"Is she going to accept?"
"She doesn't have a choice."
"Klark will not like that."
"Yeah. I'm pretty sure she bruised me because there wasn't anyone else around to hit." Murphy sighed and got up to bring a bottle and two mugs to the table. There was a pitcher of water there already, but Murphy wasn't sure that he would drink any of it tonight.
Murphy returned to the table and poured for both of them. "Guess I'm staying," he sighed.
"Is that what you want?"
"I'm not sure what I want is important right now."
"You and Klark are in the same shoes."
Murphy sighed again. "All I want is to go home and get my marks."
"You will have them before I leave," Roan promised. "And I will order Trea to stay if you wish."
"No. Clarke will get mad and boot me eventually."
"You may return to Azgeda whenever the opportunity arises," Roan smirked. "Unless you wish to replace Klark as bandrona."
"I think if I get back there, I'm not leaving." Murphy didn't share what he thought about being ambassador.
Roan nodded. Depending on what happened, he might permit it. Azgeda was big and empty, and Murphy could conveniently disappear when he didn't want to be found. "So now we wait."
"Sha," Murphy agreed.
"Probably tomorrow morning," Roan mused. "The Natblida must be involved somehow, and the Conclave is traditionally held at the arena." He emptied his mug and held it out for a refill. After Murphy complied, Roan took a drink. "We will go there early."
"I do not want to watch Clarke beat those kids."
"Lexa will not allow that, especially so soon after Ontari's Conclave."
"OK, so Lexa has a plan for the Conclave. And after? Will you kneel to Clarke?"
"Sha." Roan was matter of fact. Clarke was one of the most capable women he knew. He had no doubt she would be heda as long as she wished, and would do it well.
"And the rest of them?"
Roan started counting on his fingers. "Azgeda, Skaikru, Trikru, Floudonkru, Podakru, Ingranrona, certainly. The rest, probably, especially when they are reminded of all Wanheda is capable of."
"What if they don't?"
"More war."
"Do they not understand how bad an idea pissing Clarke off is? Do they think she'll let those assholes ride away scot free?"
"If they are at all smart, they will exile themselves but they will not. They barely have a brain between them, and they all find themselves more important than they are."
"So," Murphy said slowly, "say Clarke and Lexa work all this out. What then?"
"I have no idea what they will come up with," Roan answered honestly.
"Great choices. Sunshine and lollipops in a pool of blood or civil war and more blood. Clarke's gonna lose her shit again."
"She cannot."
"I don't think you understand Clarke. She has a breaking point. It's a lot lower than you think."
"It doesn't matter."
"Oh, it matters. The last time Clarke got angry, she flipped a switch and murdered everyone in the Mountain, and nobody saw her for months. Then Lexa died and the only reason I didn't say she was fucking crazy was because I was terrified of you."
"Your point?"
"When Clarke breaks, it isn't pretty. If it happens again…" Murphy drifted off. "I can't even imagine how big and horrible it will be."
"We have survived many bad hedas."
"But here's the thing. Clarke won't be a bad heda. She'll be Wanheda because that's what people know and respect. She'll take care of the people. She'll work herself to death for them as long as they obey. If they don't, it's gonna be a bloodbath. She'll kick people off the balcony like it's a sport, and Lexa won't be able to do a damn thing."
Roan just stared while Murphy emptied and refilled his mug. Murphy had never said so much at once in his presence.
"And," Murphy continued, "shit is gonna hit the fan when Raven finally wakes up. She was cruising on that tea for days. Only thing she said was that she's gonna kill Lander with her bare hands. All flat and monotone like she can't generate anything but hate and rage. Lander can't run far enough from the two of them, and it's gonna be a long ugly trip back from wherever they catch him. If he turns himself in, Clarke will make his death quick, no matter what Raven wants. She'll let Raven have a go at him, but Clarke will kill him quickly if he mans up and comes in on his own. If she drags him back here from wherever he's hiding, that, my friend, will be ugly."
Roan blinked and refilled his mug. "So Lander suffers for the trouble he's caused," he said with a shrug. "There is a long tradition of heda killing whoever displeases them. Jus drein jus draun."
"Fuck." Murphy emptied his mug again, but refilled it with water this time.
Roan waited to hear what else Murphy had to say, but Murphy was finished. He would take care of Raven when she woke up, and suggest they find out where Ontari's ashes are. Maybe if they left on the pretext of returning Ontari's ashes to her home, they could just not come back. Murphy was positive Clarke's crazy would show up at the worst moment, which was undoubtedly to come, and he didn't want to see it again.
At the same time, he knew he couldn't leave her here with nobody but Lexa on her side. Clarke was not going to be happy with Lexa for a long time, leaving her essentially alone. Miller could manage Skaikru as he had for months. Marcus could be ambassador again, and he could follow Clarke like a puppy on a leash. A well trained puppy with advanced fetch capabilities. Murphy sighed and went to get some food.
100 – 100 – 100
"I am afraid you won't love me after," Lexa whispered.
"Me too. I'm already so fucking mad."
"I know."
"As Heda, I demand a new fucking bed, one nobody has died in or been dead on or almost died on or"
Lexa covered Clarke's mouth. "You will have this bed."
Clarke kissed her palm and Lexa removed her hand. "Thank you."
"You should try to rest. Tomorrow is a long day."
"Only if you do, too."
Lexa kissed her gently and lowered her head to Clarke's shoulder. Eventually, before Clarke, she fell asleep. Clarke looked at her, wondering why what felt like destiny was so fucked up. Every time things were good, it seemed like the universe conspired to separate them. Clarke didn't need Lexa to tell her there would be no feast. She hoped there would be time to speak with Roan to fill him in, and Kemp, to ask him to come with her. Clarke thought she would leave Murphy here for Raven. Their friendship was no more odd or surprising than her own with Murphy, and Murphy would keep away anyone Raven didn't want to see.
Then she started a list in her head. First was Lander and his partners in crime. She was undecided to do about their lands. She could put someone in charge, if she could find someone she trusted, or break up and parcel out their lands. She didn't want to cause that much disruption.
Clarke had no idea beyond that, even after helping Ontari administer the Coalition. She supposed that experience would come in handy at some point. The other ambassadors knew her well enough to know they could trust whatever Clarke promised. She didn't get upset if they couldn't come to an agreement, and treated all of them the same. Except for the three who defected, the other kru leaders either liked Clarke or didn't want to anger her. It wasn't a great start, but it was better than Ontari's.
Clarke had no idea how Ontari died, except that she fell in battle. She didn't watch Lexa and Murphy remove the arrows from Ontari's chest. She was too busy with Raven, who alternated between sobs and silence. Clarke would never ask Raven, even though she was certain Raven witnessed it. It was the second time Clarke held Raven immediately after the death of someone she loved, and Clarke wondered whether Raven would even try again. Clarke was certain there would be no one for her other than Lexa.
She looked at the brunette sleeping in her arms. She didn't know how she would get over being angry about the situation and Lexa's part in it, but she loved Lexa and Lexa loved her and they would work it out, even if it that happened in the training ring. Clarke knew she could give Lexa a run for her money now, but she didn't think Lexa knew it.
Clarke stretched a little. She was tired but her brain wouldn't shut down. It ran like a rat in a maze, in and out of dead ends with no cheese in sight.
Consequently, when Lexa woke, Clarke was even more tired. She followed Lexa to their bath anyway and sleepily stripped while the tub filled. Lexa threw a handful of herbs on top before offering Clarke an arm.
"You getting in?"
"Not this time." Lexa kissed her quickly. "Please get in."
Clarke did, and sat while Lexa bathed her, whispering under her breath. Clarke thought it had to be some super secret Flamekeeper thing not covered in Bekka Pramheda's journal, but it was just Lexa's wishes for Clarke, for both of them. They could change the world again as long as they worked together, always for the better.
The braids were intricate and Lexa smacked Clarke's hands gently when she tried to examine them. "I will explain later," she promised.
Food was delivered while Lexa prepared, and when she was ready, she sat down with Clarke and forced herself to eat.
"Klark," she prompted gently.
"Hm? Oh, right, breakfast." Clarke was surprised that she was hungry and emptied the plate Lexa prepared for her. There was wine on the table, and Clarke had one serving while Lexa finished her food.
The next thing she knew, they were in the elevator, taking its slow trip down. Halfway down, Clarke took Lexa's hand. They both trembled a little, and it wasn't all due to the jerky ride. They walked to the arena, boxed in by guards.
Clarke wasn't surprised to see Roan and Murphy, both hungover, in the bleachers. Luna was there, too, in another section. A few ambassadors drifted in while they waited for the Natblida to arrive.
They did, as polished as they could be, marching in and forming three lines in front of Clarke. As one unit, they took a knee and recited their oaths. Aden moved them out of the way. He'd seen Roan and Murphy, too, and knew they would come down to kneel to Clarke. Luna followed them down.
They were the only ones. Clarke wondered why the others didn't come down, but didn't have long until Lexa was leading her away again, Roan, Murphy, and Luna on her heels. They got into the Tower and Clarke stopped and turned to the guys. "Please go stay with Raven. I'll be there as soon as I can."
"Sha, Heda," Roan answered, and Clarke shivered.
If he noticed, Roan pretended not to. Murphy gave her a questioning look, and Clarke shooed him away. She waited for them to leave before stepping closer to Lexa and putting her arms around her, ignoring Luna.
Lexa let them stay there longer than she should. "You are not Heda yet," she said softly.
"I really have to do this?" Clarke asked one more time.
Lexa kissed her cheek. "I will be with you."
"I will be your witness," Luna volunteered.
Clarke took an uneven breath before she let go. She didn't wait for the other women, knowing they would catch up
100 – 100 - 100
In the Fleimkepa's sanctuary, Clarke looked around. Luna stood near Lexa, watching. When she was ready, Lexa walked to Clarke and took her hand. Clarke gave her one last pleading look. Lexa squeezed her hand. "There is no one else," she repeated softly and led Clarke to the table.
"Normally," she began, "the Fleimkepa would tell the story of Bekka Pramheda and the first Natblida but you know all of that. We will worry about your tattoos later, Klark. Please lay down. It is disorienting at first."
"I remember."
Clarke took a deep breath and laid face down on the table, forehead to forearms. She felt Lexa place the chip, heard the words, felt it burrowing into place. She waited while her predecessors gathered. She hadn't had the time or inclination to to do anything the last time the chip was in place. All she wanted then was to see Lexa in the City of Light.
They stood, sizing her up, and when no more joined the throng, Clarke spoke.
"I am Klark kom Skaikru, Wanheda. I do not need your counsel at this time. You know what has happened, and what I must do. I will do my duty, and you will leave me alone unless I seek you out. Do you understand?"
The grumbling told her they did.
"Please continue to enjoy your afterlife," she said in dismissal, and they slowly left her, except for Lexa.
Clarke tried to ignore her but couldn't. "Just, not now, please?"
Lexa nodded but didn't move. Clarke watched her for a while, but didn't have time for a battle of wills. She returned to the present and sat up. Lexa watched Clarke slide to the floor. "What's next?"
"Whatever you wish, Heda."
"Don't. If it's just us, we aren't our duty."
"Your bed is being moved now."
"Thank you."
"You can do as you want, Klark, but I recommend getting ready to leave."
Clarke slowly closed, then opened her eyes. "I have to talk to Roan." She looked at Luna. "When I get back."
"I will be here."
"Roan will be our first stop."
Clarke started for the door, stopped there to wait for Lexa. "Kiss me," she demanded when Lexa arrived.
Lexa smiled slightly and did as her Heda ordered. Luna watched, happy for her friend, and followed them to the elevator before excusing herself.