Unexpected love triangle. Clarke vs Orita. Jealous Clarke, desperate Lexa.
"I challenge you Clarke of the Sky people!" Orita proclaims holding a defying posture; aiming her sword in Clarke's direction.
Clarke stares at the girl in the distance with a brow lifted; dumbstruck.
Lexa, a couple of meters behind Orita, almost falls down flat on her face as she came to an abrupt stop. She's frozen in place; mouth agape, eyes wide, not believing what she just heard.
"What a stupid girl!" Octavia mutters under her breath, rolling her eyes. She takes one step forward, reaches for the sword strapped on her back ready to punish the teen's insolence to her commander but Clarke's hand on her midsection stops her advances.
"Didn't you hear what she said?" Clarke remarks with a hint of sarcasm "she challenged Clarke of the Sky people, not Wanheda."
At that, Octavia gives an annoying grunt and returns to her previous position; waiting for Clarke's next move on how she will deal with this absurd situation.
By now, some of the villagers have already gathered around having been alerted by Orita's shouting.
Clarke takes a few strides forward, never taking her eyes off the girl. Close enough to actually look her directly in the eyes, Clarke stops to think carefully for a moment before making her decision. Leaving aside the mystery she finally speaks, "I accept your challenge."
Loud gasps and murmurs erupt from the crowd.
Octavia jerks her head toward Clarke, incredulous.
Hearing Orita challenging Clarke had Lexa in a mental spiral, witnessing Clarke accepting the challenge has her almost on the verge of passing out.
Having heard the words clearly, Orita lowers her sword, standing at attention.
When Octavia fails to say anything, Clarke looks at her expectantly.
Octavia sends her an "are you fucking kidding me" glare, hoping for a signal to avoid what follows, but her friend seems obstinately determined so she sighs exasperated before issuing the edict.
"Alright then." Octavia announces loud enough for everyone to hear. "Single combat, warrior against warrior; to the death."
Lexa shakes her head, speechless; refusing to accept what she is witnessing.
The crowd observes confusingly the whole exchange; having no idea what provoked such an outrageous –and careless- reaction from the girl.
"Clarke of the Sky people," Octavia declares "since you were the one challenged it's up to you to set the time and place."
Clarke doesn't have to think too long to come up with a reply, "here two hours from now."
"Fuck!" Lexa's hands fly up to her mouth, 'it's happening, it's really happening.'
"Sentinel." Octavia calls out focusing now on the blonde teen, "do you agree to these terms?"
Orita nods her head firmly, never tearing her eyes away from Clarke's; who has been glowering at her the whole time.
"Very well," Octavia obliges, facing now the villagers "you have all been witnesses to this arrangement; the duel will be held right here, in two hours sharp." Then, because she has no other choice but to do this declaration, she makes a conscious effort not to roll her eyes as she finalizes, "may the best contender win."
There's a brief moment of silence, where Clarke and Orita seem to be engrossed in a staring contest; one that ultimately is broken by Clarke herself who turns around and walks away with Octavia by her side.
Letting out a long shaky exhale, Orita takes a moment to gather herself before going to the training field in the village. When she spins around she finds Lexa not far behind.
At first Lexa doesn't react; she stays rooted in her spot watching as Orita looks away from her and dashes off. 'What do I do, what do I do?' Lexa switches glances between Clarke and Orita's retreating figures, she doesn't know who she should go after first. At the last minute she opts to follow Orita and try to convince her to drop this ludicrous idea.
…
"Are you fucking nuts?!" Octavia yells freely in the privacy of the tent. "What the hell were you thinking Clarke! A challenge? Seriously?!"
Clarke doesn't respond, instead she removes her jacket and goes to her makeshift bed in search of her knapsack. When she retrieves what she was looking for, she glances at Octavia, silently asking her to help with her vest.
"Ugh." Octavia reluctantly walks toward Clarke and immediately immerses herself in the task of unfastening the vest buckles. "She's just an insolent, impulsive, and hormonal teenager Clarke, I doubt she can even hold a sword properly; you are far beyond her capabilities, you're gonna fucking mop the floor up with her in five seconds!"
At that Clarke chuckles "you're one to talk."
Octavia pauses momentarily sending her friend a nasty look but refrains from refuting out of pure guilt. Unfastening the last buckle, she advices in a more friendly tone "look Clarke, all I'm saying is that you're the commander OK? It's your responsibility to make the wise choice and think before acting; you shouldn't let your emotions get the best of you."
Throwing the vest on the chair, Clarke faces the brunette with irritation. "You know Octavia? you should seriously consider following your own advice once in awhile" she lets out sarcastically.
"Jesus," Octavia throws her head back in a huff, raising her hands in surrender. "Fine!" But that doesn't stop her from commenting. "I still think this is a mistake; there was no need to accept this ridiculous challenge and give that girl so much importance; but it's up to you."
"Thank you for your concern Octavia." Clarke tries not to sound mocking, seeing as her friend is just worried about her; either way she is not particularly feeling nice at the moment. "Now could you please leave me alone so I can concentrate?"
Octavia almost laughs at the last word 'as if you need it' she wants to say but the words never leave her mouth not wanting to upset Clarke even more. With a long sigh of defeat she nods and grudgingly leaves the tent.
Clarke looks up at the ceiling for a few seconds before closing her eyes, letting out a prolong exhale; her muscles tensing with every passing second. She is consciously aware that accepting the challenge wasn't exactly one of the smartest things she has ever done but something intrinsically raw awoke deep inside of her the moment she saw the girl's face. 'God, who the fuck does that little bitch think she is?' She clenches her jaw, her mind flashing images of Orita hugging Lexa, smiling at Lexa - her Lexa. 'If she wants to defy me then that's exactly what she's gonna get, defiance.' It might be the jealousy talking but Clarke is adamant to ensure no one else dares disrespect her that way ever again.
…
"Orita!" Lexa calls out catching up with her friend. When the girl doesn't acknowledge her, Lexa reaches for her arm and spins her around. "Orita wait."
"What!" Orita spats, yanking her arm forcefully from Lexa's grasp.
There is a lot of things Lexa wants to ask, lots of things to say, but watching the pained expression on the young blonde and also her resolve makes her come up with only one question. "Why?"
Orita averts her eyes with shame, gathering some courage before facing Lexa again. "I think you already know why."
Even though they never really talked about the subject specifically, it was painfully obvious they were both aware of Orita's feelings.
All Lexa does is lower her head, as she is not even sure anymore if she had led Orita on at some point or not, thinking that maybe everything is her fault. She bites her lip impotent and regretful. "You don't have to do this" she tries with a soft voice. "This is dangerous Orita you could…" Lexa can't bring herself to finish the sentence.
"I know." Orita rasps, swallowing an unwelcomed knot in her throat. As she looks up, her eyes betray her seudo bravado; making it evident that her decision was a rushed one, never taking the consequences into account.
Lexa notices and panics; her mind coming up with possible solutions to the predicament. "You are the challenger Orita perhaps you can go to Cla- the commander and call it off, I'm sure she…"
"I can't do that!" Orita counteracts seemingly offended by the mere suggestion. "I'm Trikru Lexa, we are not cowards, we never give up" she stubbornly states with pride.
And Lexa gets it; as the former heda she is, of course understands. Orita won't quit that much is clear; but Lexa can't just stand there and do nothing, so she tries again "Orita please…"
"Lexa just leave me alone! I need to concentrate so just… leave me alone," Orita finally demands scared that if she allows the brunette to continue, she may actually convince her not to go through with it.
With nothing else to do Lexa doesn't insist anymore; searching immediately for another option. 'If she won't cave maybe Clarke will, I have to talk to her; it might not be too late.' Confident she can reason with Clarke, Lexa connects her eyes with the young blonde for a second or two in a silent apology and then leaves to meet with the other woman.
…
Clarke is stretching when Lexa makes her way inside the tent. She immediately pauses glancing in her direction, but she quickly resumes her activities.
Lexa steps closer to Clarke and without preamble she begins speaking. "Please stop this nonsense."
"She challenged me publicly Lexa; there's nothing I can do," Clarke responds without even looking at her.
"Yes you can, you are the commander! You can do whatever you want!" Lexa argues, "you can say she is just a disrespectful girl or whatever and call it off; nobody is going to question your decisions."
That much is true. During those sixteen years, Clarke has gained her people's trust; so much so that even if she made the wrong choice at some point it would only suffice an excuse on her part for them to accept it without question.
"Perhaps," Clarke concedes "but I'm not gonna disregard anyone's sacrifice; let alone publicly. If she's gonna be defeated, better to be on the battlefield with honor, so her sacrifice won't be in vain."
Lexa lets out a frustrated grunt. "Clarke this is ridiculous!" She wants so badly to recriminate Clarke about her childish attitude and her unjustified jealousy but she is aware it would only enrage her girlfriend more and that wouldn't help her case.
At Lexa's exasperation, Clarke ceases from exercising and focuses solely on the brunette. "You care about her I see, you care a lot."
"Of course I care! She's my best friend!" Lexa all but yells, losing her temper.
"I don't know Lexa," Clarke invades her personal space, searching her face for something, "it doesn't seem like it's only concern for a friend to me."
That makes Lexa reconsider internally. 'It's only friendship what motivates me to protect her so passionately, right?' She doubts herself a bit 'maybe I …' she shakes her head knowing she can't do that right now; she has to stick with what she knows, of what she is certain of. "There is nothing going on with her Clarke, I've already told you that, I'm not in love with Orita, I love you!"
Clarke only stares at her, scrutinizing.
Lexa gulps, feeling as if Clarke could actually see her soul. And what she utters next almost confirms her theory.
"But you like her… you want her." There is no question in Clarke's words, it's a statement.
"I...uh…" Lexa takes a step back intimidated, trapped. Nevertheless she refuses to admit something she is not even sure herself. "Maybe, I-I don't know" she relents but when Clarke's expression morphs into one of pure anger she adds, "but I'm with you Clarke! This is unnecessary; you're letting your jealousy cloud your judgment."
"My jealousy?!" Clarke chuckles bitterly avoiding Lexa's eyes. "I'm simply answering the challenge that your little friend issued Lexa, in front of everybody; it's not my fault if she didn't really think the consequences through." Clarke shrugs adding with superiority "besides I'm the commander, I can't back down."
"But that's the thing Clarke!" Lexa rebuts "you don't have to prove anything to anyone, not to her, not to your people. They have already seen your power, your strength; you have taken so many lives but you have forgiven just as many." She then hastens to Clarke's side. "You can do the same now too; please Clarke I'm begging you, don't do this! Show them how grand you can be, show them mercy; you're more than just a ruthless commander … just… please."
Clarke gives her back to Lexa, lost in thought. So many things roaming her mind, so many emotions pulsating deep within her.
Lexa remains quietly in place; anxious and expectant.
Finally among the jumbled sensations and doubts, Clarke comes to a conclusion. She slowly turns around; facing Lexa.
She is sporting a demeanor Lexa has never seen before, and it's quite unnerving.
Then with a piercing gaze and the iciest tone Clarke has ever used in her life, she enunciates "We are what we are."
Lexa only has enough time to feel a cold shiver down her spine before someone irrupts into the tent.
"Lexa!" Octavia calls tightly. "You have to go, Clarke needs to focus."
After that everything becomes a blurred mess of recollections in Lexa's brain. She has images of Octavia ushering her out, with Clarke not even bothering to spare her a glance. Lexa also remembers standing a few meters away from the tent, watching helplessly as Orita's parents arrived at the entrance demanding to speak to the commander, only to be stopped by the guards. Octavia was the one who dealt with them. "She challenged Wanheda publicly, there is nothing you or anyone can do to change it; it's done." A moment later the chief of the village also made his appearance, appalled by the occurrence. Some more discussion and begging on the part of Orita's parents and Octavia later re-emerging from Clarke's tent with an announcement for the couple. "The commander forbids you to witness the duel; go to your daughter before she confronts her destiny, don't waste your time here." she dismissed them. Lexa witnesses the encounter feeling powerless when Orita's mother cried in her husband's arms as they both walked away to meet with their daughter.
Lexa is only brought back into the present when, not even knowing how, she is standing in the area chosen as the battlefield. As expected lots of her fellow villagers are already there but unlike any other situation like this, nobody is cheering or chanting for their favorite; they are just murmuring to themselves with concern. She lifts her gaze in time to see Orita approaching in full combat armor, fresh war paint on her eyes; escorted by two guards. With a short involuntary intake of air, Lexa follows with her eyes as Orita takes her tacit established position to wait for the other combatant. For an instant, Lexa contemplates Orita in awe; she has never seen her friend in such an ensemble before, in such a stance; her usual bright and smiley face replaced by a sullen expression of resignation for what is to come. And it tugs at Lexa's heart; it makes her question if she still could have done more to prevent this, if she is gonna be able to tolerate if…
At that moment Clarke makes her appearance flanked by Octavia and two of her personal guards. Unlike Orita, Clarke is free of any combat armor, wearing instead her casual sky clothes - no war paint. Taking her position across from Orita, Clarke looks around at the people that have surrounded them until her eyes land on a young man. "Hey you!" She beckons him to come to her.
Nervously the guy obeys trotting toward her. "Wanheda" he bows when he is near.
"Give me your sword" she orders, with a hand extended.
He hastily does as he is told removing his sword from the sheath and handing it to her.
Clarke gives it a few swings to determine its efficiency. Once she is satisfied with the results she makes a slight gesture with her head; one the young man understands and instantly disappears from the scene. She then locks eyes with Octavia, who moves to the center of the arena raising her hands to gather the people's attention.
When the crowd falls silent Octavia shouts "In single combat, there is but one rule…" she makes a pregnant pause glancing from Clarke to Orita "… someone must die today." Then, moving a hand up and lowering it sharply like cutting into the air she announces "You may begin."
Lexa clutches at her chest, her heart beating fast with uncertainty and anguish.
Both blondes stride forward, meeting halfway in the middle and facing each other. They move around each other, swords up, studying their movements.
The first one to launch is Orita who swings straight at Clarke's face.
'Octavia was wrong; she definitely knows how to handle a sword,' Clarke muses in her head. Orita's strikes are precise and with purpose, Clarke has to give her that. 'But of course, I'm sure she trained with Lexa' she concludes somewhat annoyed. She has to admit she's impressed by the girl's unexpected ability and that is probably what invites her to let the girl vent for a little while to get rid of the tension running through her veins, limiting herself to deflecting the blows. She can't help though, a smirk from gracing her lips; mocking, daunting as she ducks and blocks the strikes.
"Fuck" Lexa grunts. 'Clarke what are you doing?!' It's a rhetorical question, she knows exactly what her girlfriend is doing and she doesn't like it at all.
It infuriates Orita to see this woman-not the commander, but the woman who stole what she thought would be hers one day- openly ridiculing her in her own village. 'And what were you expecting? You challenged one of the best warriors on the planet you branwoda' she laments for a second but that doesn't deter her from fighting with all her might. 'If your fight is over today, do it like a warrior standing up for what you believe in and who you love.'
Clarke feels the girl giving her all in this duel but everyone who has eyes can see the teen is no competition whatsoever. She is starting to pity her; briefly considering changing her previous plans regarding this combat but just then, Orita's sleeve slides up her arm, leaving her knitted bracelet in plain sight. 'That bracelet' Clarke squints, her mind evoking a memory.
…
With Lexa in the bathroom, Clarke searches for the pills Lexa is supposed to take before they go on their customary walk. She opens Lexa's nightstand drawer and rummages around, her hand landing on a weird texture that peaks her curiosity. Clarke cranes her neck a bit to inspect the object: a knitted bracelet. She hums finding it cute that Lexa is into that kind of ornament; but other than that she doesn't concern herself with the discovery. She leaves the object in its place and continues her search for Lexa's medication.
…
The sudden realization sends a strong surge of rage to Clarke's chest, one that makes her blood boil. 'They have matching bracelets, how fucking adorable' with that bitter thought Clarke forgets all about pity and wisdom; the only feeling taking over now being jealousy.
"Oh no..." Lexa's eyes grow bigger noticing the switch in Clarke's mood. 'No, no please don't.' Her stomach twists just imagining what is about to ensue.
Cracking her neck in preparation, Clarke sends a sudden blow of her sword directly into Orita's chest; one the girl barely has time to deflect.
Orita wasn't so lucky the next time since the subsequent strikes end up swooshing near her head or landing on her sides covering her with scratches. Her opponent is unrelenting in her attack, forcing Orita backwards.
With five more swipes of her sword Clarke sends Orita's weapon flying out of her hands and onto the floor.
Lexa holds her breath, she is paralyzed with fear.
Not wanting to end the duel just yet, Clarke shoves her own sword into the ground to level the playing field.
Out of pure instinct Orita raises her hands up in a defensive position. And a good thing she did because that reaction protected her from Clarke's fists. The blows come one after another repeatedly, overwhelming and exhausting her to the point of not being able to avoid some punches from crashing onto her face.
Only when Orita begins to bleed is when Clarke feels satisfied 'now' she says to herself while punching the girl hard in the stomach with her right hand and slamming the back of her left hand straight onto the young blonde's cheek, sending her flying onto her back to the ground with a loud thud.
Dead silence engulfs the arena as everyone watches expectantly the inevitable conclusion of the confrontation.
Clarke takes a step back, quickly picks up her sword from where she left it. She contemplates quietly as Orita twists in pain on the floor. Then without any warning whatsoever she strides toward the girl, jumping on top of her with the sword in the air aiming at Orita's head.
Laying there, petrified; the last thing Orita sees before closing her eyes is Clarke's blade slowly coming toward her face.
Lexa buries her face in her hands, not brave enough to watch the outcome of Clarke's onslaught; one name ghosting her lips in a desperate gush of breath "Orita."