It was dark outside. The moon had taken its place in the sky and the gentleness of the wind was a familiar companion as Clarke walked the streets of Ton DC. She didn't dare venture too close to the village's walls lest the Mountain's eyes catch glimpse of her. But she'd let herself walk the alleyways that webbed through the village.

She enjoyed walking amongst her people in Polis, in any of the other villages further from the Mountain and away from its ever present eyes. But for now she had a mission, one that she couldn't risk ruining now that the pieces of the puzzle had so fortunately fallen into place in front of her eyes.

She paused, hands clasped behind her back and she let the slight shadow of an awning swallow her whole as she peered out across the open space that spread out in front of her. Ton DC had many such spaces, their purpose whatever its inhabitants desired at a moment's notice. For now though the space she gazed upon was set up as a small training ground. Hay figures, tied with strips of weathered leather were set up in various poses and a handful of young seconds moved about, swung weapon and attacked and defended as their firsts looked on with ever watchful gazes.

Clarke had become good at standing still in the shadows, she had become good at going unnoticed should she desire. Perhaps it was because her flesh seemed to absorb any light that touched it, perhaps it was a curse. Or perhaps a blessing, one that let her look upon the people of her clans without disrupting their lives, at least until she was noticed.

A second, a young boy, ducked a swing of another's sword before spinning, turning to prepare to attack. But half way through he must have caught glimpse of her because he faulted, paused, eyes widened and then his feet were kicked out from under him as his attacker pounced, knife raised before driving it forward in a motion that would have slit his throat open at any other time.

Clarke felt the corners of her lips twitch up into the slightest of smiles as she watched the victor, a girl, punch the air before rising from the boy's body as she prepared herself for another attack. A warrior, face weathered and scarred stepped forward , said something to the youth Clarke could only imagine before pulling him to his feet as he gestured for him to prepare for another bout.

It happened so quickly, the moment forgotten almost as soon as it had happened. Those moments were common, they happened throughout each and every village and clan, where child would train to fight to the death. And there was no other way, no other solution to their problem. For years Clarke's goal had been to destroy the Mountain, to bring it to its knees and she had strategised, planned, prepared her people to fight to the death.

The newcomers had thrown a boulder in her way, they had threatened to disrupt her plans for good. And yet Lexa had been the one to give light to the darkest shadows she couldn't see, to contingencies and plans barely hoped for. But death would still come for many, that, Clarke was sure.

And yet, despite the death, despite the coming conflict and sacrifices she knew would be made, she was sure there would be light at the end of the tunnel, something vibrant, full of cheer and things she hadn't dared dream of for years. All because of a woman who had—

"Heda."

Costia's voice broke her thoughts and Clarke turned to find her standing aside, head bowed politely and the slightest sheen of sweat on her forehead.

"Costia," Clarke said as she gestured for her to approach.

"Lexa and the others made contact with her allies," Costia said. "I was with them briefly before returning here first."

"It went well?" Clarke asked.

"Yes," a pause as Costia seemed to be sifting through thought. "Better than even I expected," Costia said. "This friend of Lexa's — Anya. She trusts her implicitly. Without reservation and with full conviction."

That piqued Clarke's attention even more.

"Why?" Clarke asked.

"They are close, Heda," Costia said with a shrug. "I am not sure how close, yet I am certain they share intimacy."

"I see," Clarke felt the corner of her lip twitch though she wasn't entirely sure if it was up or down. And yet that emotion, that quick spark of something gave her pause and made her consider the things that had happened in the days since she had first laid eyes on Lexa. "We will use that intimacy to our advantage," Clarke said. Perhaps to give herself something to say, perhaps to simply change the topic to another.

Costia nodded her understanding.

"Bellamy has a sister," Costia continue. "Her name is Octavia. She had been working with Anya to search for him since they arrived on the ground."

Clarke nodded her head. Things were becoming clearer to her now. She knew of Lexa's plan, she had outlined it well enough that Clarke thought it made sense yet gave them both enough room to manoeuvre together or apart, through any obstacles, good or bad, that came their way.

"Thank you, Costia," Clarke said as she gesture for her to take her leave.

And so Clarke watched as Costia bowed her head and began to retreat, perhaps to find a meal, perhaps to simply restock before heading back into the forests. Clarke need not order Costia to do one thing or another. She need not order most of her warriors. They all knew their responsibilities, they had proven themselves time and time again since her ascension to the throne.

But Clarke turned her mind to the information Costia had told her and she found her thoughts sifting through scenario after scenario as she began to walk through Ton DC once more.

Lexa and Anya were close. She had assumed that much if only because Lexa had seemingly put so much faith in this other woman. Bellamy and Octavia were siblings, and Clarke was sure they would die for each other given the chance. She had no qualms threatening people if needed. She had no issues with killing someone for revenge, for pleasure, for the simple fact that they had wronged her. She'd be dumb not to consider the fact that whatever Anya found in the Mountain swayed her more to their cause rather than hers, she would be a fool not to consider what could happen should Skaikru side with the Mountain. And she knew Lexa understood the unspoken threat that lingered over her head, and the heads of every single one of her people who should find themselves aboveground should she decide to kill them all.

And yet?

And yet Clarke found herself trying to find a way to avoid causing Lexa harm, worry.

Since meeting Lexa Clarke and taken the time to understand the woman. She had had her fun with her, that much was obvious. And not for the first time she found the woman intriguing in some odd way. She had expected Lexa to be far more difficult to convince of the truth, far more stubborn in her beliefs. But she hadn't been either of those things. In fact Clarke had been surprised just how quickly Lexa had seen reason.

That had made Clarke cautious, more on guard. More suspicious of what Lexa truly believed. And that was where their shared bath had played a pivotal role in stripping away all defences, all means of hiding from the truth and it gave her a moment to peer into Lexa's eyes without guard and armour. And truthfully, it was a little fun.

And so Clarke sighed, as she came to a stop outside a locked door. A guard stood aside, bowed his head and began to unlock the door before she stepped into the dimly lit room. Lexa would have to wait for the time being.

Bellamy sat in a chair, a table in front of him and a simple meal of roasted vegetables and meats. Clarke stood at the threshold of the room as the door closed behind her. She took a moment to let her eyes adjust to the light and she nodded at Maya who had been sitting in her own chair, a plate cleared of food pushed aside.

Clarke trusted Maya as much as she could. Truthfully she needed her just as much as Maya did herself. But she would keep the woman close, as much for her protection as it was so that she could keep an eye on her.

"How was the meal?" Clarke asked as she looked between both of them, whatever conversations they had shared she would come to learn from one of her spies who she knew to be hiding in the walls.

"Good, Heda," Maya answered as she rose from the chair, her gaze stern as she clearly and silently urged Bellamy to do the same.

"That is good," Clarke said as she leant against the door frame, her arms crossing over her chest as she looked from person to person in front of them. "Lexa's plan was successful," she continued and she let her gaze settle on Bellamy who seemed unsure of exactly what was going to transpire in the next few moments.

"It was a good plan," Maya said as she returned to her seat.

"Yes," Clarke nodded in agreement, her gaze never wavering from Bellamy's. "There are more allies working with Lexa's friend who will come to our aid," she continued. "One of them is called Octavia."

That broke whatever uncertainties had clearly taken hold of his mind for Bellamy sighed and nodded his head to himself before he seemingly stopped himself from jumping forward in search of more questions.

"She is your sister," Clarke continued. "Correct?"

Bellamy swallowed before nodding his head.

"Yeah, she is," and she watched his gaze flick to Maya's before back to her. "Is she ok?"

"Yes," Clarke said, though she didn't actually know this woman's current state she knew Costia would have told her of anything should it have been important. "They will be taken to the Mountain," Clarke said.

Bellamy seemed to understand the unspoken things that statement would entail. Clarke was thankful that he, just as much as Lexa, seemed smart enough to read between the lines and understand the things that were at stake. She thought it better to convince those that were smart, those that at least could think somewhat for themselves rather than blindly follow others. And yet that seemed at odds with who Bellamy was.

She thought him resourceful, she thought him hot headed, stubborn, foolish and at times reckless. All those attributes had lead to him being confined with Ton DC with no means of escape. And yet he seemed more cautious, smart enough to understand that there was a greater game at play than he could understand.

And perhaps he was the way he was in that very moment because she had kept him and Lexa away from each other as much as she could without it seeming obvious. She knew Bellamy prone to look to someone for leadership, to follow. And if she cut that off from him she had wondered how he would react, if he would come into his own or if he would wither away and wilt.

And that, she thought, was the crux of who this man was. If she gave him something to latch onto, if she gave him clear goals, something easy to understand and comprehend she thought him capable of much. But with that single-mindedness she knew came risks, that if his inspiration was foul, rotted, poisonous she knew it would lead to nothing but death and destruction.

Clarke took in a deep breath, she need not hide that she was thinking, that she was clearly analysing things. In fact she wanted Bellamy to know her mind turned over scenario and plan.

"You have surprised me, Bellamy of the sky people," Clarke began as she leant forward just enough that she knew shadows would make her face look hollow, sunken, skull-like and gruesome in the cold light of the room.

She watched in silence as his eyes took in her appearance, she watched as he swallowed and looked to Maya for help, answers, something to tell him how to act in the moment before his gaze moved back to her.

Clarke had laid the bait, the trap and the truth open for him to take. She wouldn't lie, she needn't lie. Not when she held all the cards, not when she held all the power in the dynamic.

And so Clarke smiled something vicious as she let her voice reach out to a man she knew afraid for everything and everyone save himself.

"You have my word that should your people help mine, that I will do everything in my power to ensure you, your sister, your friends and your family will thrive."

Lexa was hungry. Walking through the forests as much as she had in the last day had fatigued her body and made her more than willing to eat almost anything those around her would have offered her.

She thought part of it was the simple fact that she had been stressed about finding Anya, about getting her a message, about convincing her of the things she had seen. But Anya had believed her almost more easily than she would have expected. Lexa wouldn't complain at all though.

Now all she had to do was wait for Anya to drop a radio somewhere and make contact. From there Lexa would take the blows as they came, she even made a note to try to work with Clarke more closely now that things were beginning to pick up their pace. She knew she needed to be involved in any strategies and plans that were put in place lest her people be used as pawns. But mostly she wanted to have a say in what happened simply because she didn't want Anya's life to be used as anything close to a pawn.

Lexa didn't know why, but she thought Clarke more than willing to humour her request. It was obvious she had taken a liking to her. But Lexa didn't know if it was simply a mind game for Clarke or something more she couldn't quite figure ou—

Lexa cursed as a branch swung and hit her squarely in the face. She stumbled back and she found herself crashing into Ontari who had been following so very close behind her the entire time.

Ontari grunted out something Lexa was sure was a curse as the woman's arms closed around them both as they stumbled together before Ontari could break their fall. Despite the unexpected stumble Ontari caught them both without much trouble, her hands tight as they found purchase somewhere amongst Lexa's leathers and furs.

"Sorry," Lexa whispered as Ontari's hand closed around her upper arm and pulled her closer to her in what she assumed was an attempt to now guide her through the forest without leaving a trail behind for them to be followed.

Ontari ignored her though as she continued to walk amongst the small group of warriors that accompanied them. But as the moments ticked by, and as the embarrassment of being babied subsided Lexa found herself taking in the slightest hints of scents that tickled her nose and seemed somewhat pleasant. It took her a moment to realise what it was but she soon realised that what she was smelling was something close to floral and fresh perfume, or whatever the present day equivalent of it had become.

Lexa wouldn't dare bring it up, she was almost certain Ontari would stab her should she do so. But she fought the slight smile that threatened to creep upon her lips as she found herself realising even warriors so eager and willing to kill any that stood in their path were partial to the luxuries of old.

Lexa lost track of how long they had walked through the forests, but by the time they reached Ton DC the moon had taken its rightful place in the sky and she had found herself already beginning to long for a pillow and a place to rest.

Warriors seemed to blend into the surrounding foliage as the gates of Ton DC cracked open and Lexa was under no false misconceptions that they had probably been under watch long before they had even caught glimpse of the village. That truth was yet another thing she filed away where she was thankful violence hadn't broken out between both their people more than it had.

As they passed through the gates Lexa felt Ontari's hand let go of her arm, the firm grip having long since numbed much of any feeling she had had. Lexa tried not to let the relief show too freely on her face as she stretched out her arm as subtly as she could, her fingers clenching and unclenching as pins and needles fluttered through her nerve endings. But a man stepped forward, a face she only somewhat she recognised from earlier.

"Heda has prepared a meal for you," he said as he gestured for her to follow. "Both of you," and he nodded his head at Ontari.

Lexa was surprised by that, not because it was unexpected, though it was, but simply because she didn't really know what to think or to make of every single thing Clarke did that surprised her. She fell into step behind the man. Ontari also shadowed their steps but Lexa thought this time the woman's motions a little unsure and cautious, as if she were a lion pacing around prey it hadn't quite wounded enough before going in for the kill.

Lexa took it all in her stride though, if Clarke was going to play games with her and keep her on her toes she'd be as willing a participant as she could. She actually thought it smart. She was sure Clarke tried to throw her off in an attempt to get her to reveal her true intentions. Lexa half expected it by now.

Though the thing that made her think just a little more than usual was the fact that she didn't entirely find it annoying. Lexa was sure in any other circumstance she would feel frustrated that games were being played with her life, and yet no frustration seemed to exist. Instead she was almost eager to meet these games and challenges head on.

And so Lexa squared her shoulders as the man stepped aside to reveal yet another small building tucked away in the depths of Ton DC. Lexa assumed she'd find Clarke sitting at a small table, foods and drink layered atop it and an expectant expression on her face.

But as the door opened Lexa found none of that.

Though there was a small table set in the middle of the room, there was only two beakers of drink and two plates modestly covered in food. Lexa looked from one side of the room to the other in an attempt to find wherever it was that she assumed Clarke had hidden herself yet she saw no sign of the other woman.

"Heda is not joining us?" Ontari's voice sounded out behind her and she turned to look at the man in time to see him shake his head.

"No, Ontari."

And with that he bowed his head and turned leaving both women somewhat confused as to the turn of events.

"So…" Lexa trailed off as she stepped inside and eyes the two chairs that sat facing each other.

Ontari brushed past her and closed the door before she took a seat in one of the chairs.

"Eat," Ontari said as she pointed to the chair. "Heda commands it."

Lexa looked at the closed door and she half expected it to open to reveal Clarke standing there with that ever present glint in her eyes that seemed half full of mirth and jest, half full of danger and volatility that she could never quite place. But closed the door remained.

"Does she do this often?" Lexa asked as she took a seat in the chair opposite Ontari. "Make meals for people?"

Lexa didn't really know why she asked Ontari questions, she didn't expect the woman to answer her more than she had to. And yet it was awkward, whatever it was and Lexa needed something to fill the silence, and break the tension around them.

Ontari took a moment to chew through the mouthful of food before she looked up from her plate and pinned her with a severe stare that seemed between annoyance and her own uncertainty.

"No. Heda does not," Ontari's voice was just a little more quiet and reserved and if Lexa was a betting woman she would wager that Ontari was genuinely uncertain of whatever it was that was happening.

Lexa let the silence spread out between them both as she turned her attention to the food. She was truthfully thankful for the meal though, and as she ate she found herself enjoying whatever special treatment she had found herself afforded. Though there was a hint of guilt in the back of her mind for she was certain Bellamy had not been given even a fraction of the comforts she had been afforded. Another game, another ploy of Clarke's she was sure.

"That man, the one who showed us here," Lexa said eventually and she winced as Ontari's eyes snapped up at her. "He's from the same village you're from, right?" and Lexa gestured across her face. "He had similar scars as you," she needn't mention the fact that their clothes were similar, too.

Ontari seemed to take longer to analyse her question than was needed, and for a too long moment Lexa was sure the woman was going to ignore her completely before she let out a breath that bordered on the exasperated.

"We are both Azgeda," Ontari said. "He comes from a village further North than I do."

"Oh," Lexa felt a little silly saying that simple word. But she didn't really know what else to say or add to the conversation. "How far north?" maybe prodding for more information would at least break the awkwardness between them.

"Far," Ontari said carefully. "Very far."

"I'm guessing it's cold in Azgeda," Lexa tried not to let the name sound too foreign on her tongue but she knew she didn't succeed as Ontari's lip curled with a hint of disgust at her poor attempt at pronouncing it.

But despite that Ontari seemed content to answer, "it is very cold in Azgeda," and she leant back and crossed her arms over her chest, her head cocking to the side.

"Ah, I see," Lexa again found it hard to figure out what to say next, but she didn't think herself to blame for it when Ontari seemed less than willing to ask and reciprocate any kind of conversation between them. "Is there a lot of snow in Azgeda?" more questions couldn't hurt. At least Lexa was sure Ontari had orders not to kill her. She was mostly sure, at least.

"Yes," Ontari said, and this time Lexa distinctly felt Ontari's gaze move across her body and she knew the woman taking in the leathers and furs she was now wearing. "And frozen seas and lakes. Rivers and rapids and great beasts that roam and kill."

"Ah," Lexa made sure not to look away from Ontari's gaze. Part of it was stubbornness, part of it was simply because she didn't really have anything else to look at in that moment.

As the silence lingered she could tell Ontari was perfectly content let it sit between them. Maybe it was the slightest of smug expressions on the woman's face but Lexa was sure Ontari thought herself in control of whatever situation Clarke had put them both in. Truthfully Lexa thought Ontari actually in control for the simple fact that she had the weapons on her, the ability to dictate any conversation and that she hadn't been the one to break the silence. Maybe it was competitiveness, maybe it was childish and maybe it was simply because Lexa knew she would probably be spending a lot of time with Ontari shadowing her. Whatever the reason Lexa found herself realising she needed to get the woman on side lest the rest of her life be spent in awkward silence with a woman who seemed content to make her suffer in silence.

And so Lexa threw caution to the wind and hoped she'd come out of this without a broken nose.

"I liked your perfume," it was so simple and unexpected and Lexa knew she had won whatever game it was that was playing between them.

Ontari's eyes widened a fraction and she choked on whatever she had been chewing on before she looked away, her eyes narrowed and her face distinctly a shade darker than it was before.

Lexa knew she had the advantage and that she needed to push ahead.

"I don't blame you, half the time all I smell are sweaty people, not that that's a problem," she added quickly as she held up a hand. "It's to be expected given what's happening," Lexa paused for long enough that she was sure Ontari had regained just a little composure. Sure, she was ahead now, but still Lexa wanted to at least keep Ontari on side in some way. "You wouldn't happen to know how I could get some, would you?"

Lexa couldn't remember the last time she had had such a pedestrian conversation, no less with someone more than capable of killing another person without a second thought.

But as those thoughts coalesced in her mind she saw Ontari realise her game for the woman's gaze turned from shocked bashfulness to wicked excitement.

Ontari rose from her chair, the motion predatory, elegant and coiled. Lexa was sure if the woman weren't wearing the leathers and furs she was, that her body would ripple with serpentine muscles that drew the eye across flesh and curve. Ontari slowly walked around the small table, one finger careful as it dragged against the wood until she came to stand over her, her eyes half lidded. Ontari's finger slowly came to a stop in its travels against the wrist of the hand Lexa currently used to hold her fork. She couldn't help but to shiver as Ontari's finger slowly trailed against her skin until her nail danced ever so gently against the raised path of one of the veins in Lexa's hand.

And she shivered, Lexa couldn't help it and at any other time she thought the intimacy of the moment would have been nice. But for now here was no warmth as Ontari's nail dug a little more sharply against the back of her hand before it trailed up her arm ever so slowly.

"What do you want from me?" Ontari's voice was gentle, but there was no warmth in her words. "Hmm?" she tutted as her hand continued to slowly dance up Lexa's arm until it came to rest on her shoulder for the briefest of moments.

And then—

"I asked you a question," Ontari's voice was ice as her hand snatched up, gripped her by the jaw and pulled her face up so it looked at her at an angle that made Lexa unable to look away no matter how hard she try.

Lexa winced as Ontari's fingers dug into her jaw, as the strength she possessed turned from finesse to hate and Lexa felt the strain in her neck as Ontari leant forward, invaded her space even more than she already had.

"You think we are friends?" Ontari asked, her voice lilted upon a venom Lexa couldn't place. "You think because I shadow you that I am to speak with you as equals?" Ontari's thumb brushed against her lower lip ever so slightly that Lexa didn't know if the woman did it on purpose of not.

"I—" Lexa didn't know how to finish the thoughts that flit through her mind. But for one infuriatingly childish second she couldn't help but to register yet again that charming scent that had sent her down a path she wished she hadn't begun. "I—"

"Ontari."

Lexa had never been so relieved to hear Clarke's voice before. And yet Ontari didn't seem to react as Lexa had hoped she would.

Though Lexa couldn't see the door, though she couldn't see where Clarke stood, she knew the woman had appeared seemingly out of nowhere. She could sense the woman standing somewhere on the other side of the table, perhaps near where Ontari had just moments ago been seated. But still her face was pulled up, still Ontari invaded her space and she couldn't look away no matter how hard she tried.

And then Ontari seemed to relax just a little. Her fingers loosened just a fraction around her jaw and Ontari leant back enough that Lexa could see Clarke standing over Ontari's shoulder, the woman's eyes curious as she clearly analysed and took in the scene before her.

Lexa dare not ask Ontari to let her go though. There was an electricity in the air that she couldn't place. Maybe it was something about the way Ontari continued to hold her jaw, her thumb ever so slightly running against her bottom lip, or maybe it was the way Clarke looked from Ontari and then to her with something full of curiosity that made Lexa's heart beat for all the wrong reasons.

Whatever the reason for any number of things Lexa truly found herself thinking she had well and truly overstepped and miscalculated the situation she found herself in when Clarke's hand reached out and placed itself over Ontari's that still held her jaw.

"She is delicate, Ontari," Clarke's voice was soft as she leant into Ontari's space, into the crook of her neck and seemed to breathe in the very scent Lexa had first taken note of. "You must be kind to her," Clarke whispered and Lexa's eyes widened as Clarke seemed to nuzzle at Ontari's jaw for the briefest of moments before she placed a slow kiss just below her ear.

This time the thumb that danced across Lexa's lip was purposeful, was cold, was pale and grey.

And so, just before Lexa's jaw would have dropped had it been able to, just before her eyes widened even further than they already did, she had one singular thought come crashing into her mind.

What the fuck had she got herself into.