SURPRISE! I bet you didn't expect to see a new chapter so soon huh? lol but don't get used to it this is a special chapter for a special occasion: AND WE MEET AGAIN IS ONE YEAR OLD! Omg I can't believe I've been writing this fic for a year! It's my longest fic to date, it's a huge deal for me as a fic writer and of course I wanted to celebrate it with you! Mind you this chapter is not really a continuation of the story, it's basically flashbacks that fill certain gaps regarding what happened in the past; it may not be perfect or exactly what you expected but I really wanted to share this with all of you. You can either accept it as AWMA canon or simply as a fun loose chapter; it's completely up to you but there's only one thing certain here; this is a present.
Anyways this chapter is my thank you for accompanying me all this year and making me feel I'm doing something good (especially you Roxy50 for making this fic understandable; without you this wouldn't be possible.)
Hope you all like and enjoy my gift. (Next chapter we continue with the story.) Don't forget to let me know what ya think!
15 years ago
They really don't know how it all began.
After Clarke stopped the bombs from exploding, effectively saving the world; ended the war that ensued because of the flame and then persuaded Roan and other hesitant clan leaders to join her cause, she gained the respect -and fear- of the grounders. From there it wasn't that hard to convince them to change their former way of choosing a commander and adopting a more democratic attitude. As expected they unanimously designated Clarke as their next commander and of course she accepted the honor.
Unfortunately, a large number of Ice Nation people didn't like the idea of someone from the sky clan -a filthy foreigner- taking power and most importantly changing their traditions.
Unofficially for several months Clarke had taken control but in order to respect Lexa's legacy she agreed to perform an ascension ceremony.
And precisely that was the day the rebels chose to start their revolution, irrupting into the ceremony, with only one as their intended target.
"They are after Clarke" Octavia yells, removing her sword from the sheath and running to protect her friend.
Bellamy -rifle in hand- follows right behind her.
"You have to come with us," Octavia warns Clarke.
Clarke looks around the chaos for a possible way out, "there!" She points toward a relatively free passage.
The three of them successfully scurry from the now messy and crowded throne room.
"Stop!" Octavia guides them behind a wall. "They are blocking the stairs, we need back up!" And just as if she had summoned the help, Indra appears from the other side, followed by warriors who also are protecting Abby and Kane.
"Clarke!" Abby holds her daughter's face with both her hands.
"Mom!" Clarke takes her mother's hand and gives it a kiss. "If I stay here I will only put everyone in danger; they are after me… I need to go."
"Yes, you must and you have to do it fast while we still can hold them back," Indra advices.
"We are going with her; you stay here and try to distract them." Octavia indicates.
Indra nods firmly staring at her apprentice.
Silent "take care", "good luck", "I'm so proud of you" are communicated in both warriors' sights.
At the eminent separation Abby, envelopes Clarke in a tight hug containing her tears.
"May we meet again," Clarke pulls away and with a final glance at her mother, Indra and Kane; she prepares for the escape.
Indra gives her warriors the signal to get ready. "Now!"
They charge against the Ice Nation warriors by the stairs, giving Clarke, Octavia and Bellamy enough space and time to get out.
…
Jahnisce watches with a huge grin on her face how beautiful eleven-month-old Lexa takes her first clumsy steps. "You're doing great my little one," she encourages her child's efforts.
Lexa extends her tiny arms and reaches for her mother's legs, screeching triumphantly at the achievement and holding onto them tightly.
"Very good my baby." Jahnisce beams, caressing her daughter's hair. That is until she hears the flap of the tent slap open.
A very perturbed Malku breathes heavily, standing at the entrance.
"Malku, what's going on?" Jahnisce asks concerned.
"The rebels, they attacked the city… they almost killed Wanheda."
Jahnisce gasps, her hands flying to her mouth in shock.
At that same instant, Lexa's tiny lips form a pout and begin to tremble; her little heart constricting with feelings she doesn't understand. Confused and overwhelmed she erupts into loud wails.
"Hey," Jahnisce takes Lexa in her arms and holds her tight against her chest.
"This is going to get ugly Jahnisce," Malku ventures with fear. "I can't keep ignoring the spirits, they are warning me about the dangers of the rebellion;" he swallows making a hard decision. "We have to find a safe place, we have to leave now."
"OK, yes lets go." Still with baby Lexa crying in her arms, Jahnisce helps her husband in gathering the necessary articles they will need for their journey.
They part in a hurry, no more than fifteen minutes later to an unknown destination.
…
A week later
"I'll check the area you two wait here," Bellamy instructs as he goes deeper into the woods.
Clarke and Octavia sit under a tree, trying to get some rest after long hours of walking. It hasn't been easy for the three of them to find secure places to hide while being pursued. They never seemed to catch a break as the rebels were coming out of nowhere in the most unexpected moments. Today of course wasn't any different; their short break was interrupted by the sound of a sword in the distance. Both Octavia and Clarke dash toward the source of the sounds.
…
Bellamy didn't see it coming. One second he was stepping carefully among the trees and the next his rifle was unexpectedly snatched from his hands. He spins around reaching for his gun but his belt has been cut off and has fallen onto the ground. "Fuck," he attempts to reach it again, but a hard slap on his face disorients him, forcing him backwards.
"What is a Sky man doing fighting for the rebels?" A woman with war paint on her face, arms covered in tattoos, questions with disdain.
"I'm not- ugh," Bellamy's reply is cut off by the woman's sword scratching him on the arm.
"Hush traitor Sky man," the woman spats, striking again.
Bellamy barely avoids the blows coming in his direction, the sword whooshing toward his face more times that he can count, occasionally slamming against the trees or scratching his skin. Desperate and taking an opportunity, he manages to punch the woman in the face.
…Bad idea.
Infuriated and with her nose dripping blood the woman holds Bellamy by his hair and slams his head against a tree trunk.
The impact is so strong that Bellamy bounces against the trunk and falls on his back onto the ground. From then on, he only feels the woman kicking him in the stomach, face and arms when he weakly attempts to protect himself.
Bellamy is at the verge of losing consciousness when the woman lifts her sword, aims it at his chest and pronounces solemnly in trigedasleng "Yu gonplei ste odon."
"STOP!" Octavia yells before the woman has a chance to sink the sword down into Bellamy.
The woman jerks her head in Octavia's direction, annoyed by the interruption, but all the attitude she may have had drops at the vision of the girl a few meters away, "Skairipa!"
"Oh my God!" Clarke exclaims behind Octavia, when she spots Bellamy's form on the ground. "What did you do!" She sprints toward her friend to check on his condition.
"Wanheda!" The woman takes a few steps back, confused and shocked by the presence of the two women. "Do you know him?" She questions Octavia.
"He's my brother," Comes Octavia's reply through gritted teeth.
"Presh keryon!" The woman exclaims, her blood running cold. "I had no idea…." she looks at Octavia with genuine regret. "Wanheda…" she falls to her knees in front of Clarke. "I apologize for my wrong doing, I didn't know…"
Clarke glares at her briefly before continuing to check on Bellamy.
"What's your name?" Octavia asks as she approaches the woman.
"I'm Myrreh," the woman supplies. "I'm in charge of protecting this area from the rebels and keeping them away from my village."
"He is severely wounded," Clarke informs Octavia with dread. "He needs immediate attention; he won't be able to continue."
"I can take him to my village," Myrreh offers as a solution. "We have a healer there."
"OK," Octavia nods and then turns to Clarke, "we can stay there for a few days and…"
"No," Clarke declines. "I can't risk these people's lives; the rebels may burn the village down if they find out I'm there."
"Then what do we do?" Octavia inquires not sure what Clarke is suggesting.
After quick consideration Clarke declares "you're going to take care of him and I…" she gulps with resignation "I will carry on alone."
"No fucking way," Octavia argues. "I'm not leaving you by yourself, it's too dangerous."
"I know but…"" Clarke chances a glance in Myrreh's direction and drags Octavia by the shoulder to get her to move away. With some distance created she whispers, "we can't leave him alone with them in this condition; he's not exactly a grounder's favorite."
"Ugh, Clarke," Octavia wants to refute but knows her friend is right.
"When he's better you two go back to Polis and help Indra fight the rebels." She puts a hand on Octavia's shoulder, "I'll find a way to let you know where I am."
"But…"
"Hey," Clarke gives Octavia a reassuring squeeze, "I'm gonna be fine."
There's nothing left to do and Octavia has no other choice than to accept it. She leans forward enveloping Clarke in her arms. "Take care," she murmurs softly before pulling away.
"I will," Clarke offers a sly smile, "you too." Her eyes lie then on Bellamy's form, sad expression on her features. "You better take good care of my friends, warrior," she suddenly redirects her attention to Myrreh and points at her menacingly. "Your life depends on their safety."
"Ye-yes Wanheda, as you wish" Myrreh, head down, promises with undeniable honesty.
With that assurance and determined to continue on her own, Clarke turns around and disappears into the woods.
…
Secured inside a cave, Jahnisce cuddles a strangely edgy Lexa. She had always been a well behaved baby so she doesn't understand this abrupt change.
"It's the charged atmosphere," Malku had told her earlier. "As soon as this is over and we settle down again in one place, she's gonna be back to normal, don't worry."
Jahnisce chooses to believe that is the only reason her little girl has been so restless. "My little one you have to sleep, OK?" She coos, giving Lexa a kiss on her forehead.
Lexa closes her eyes finding comfort in her mother's arms and relaxing a bit when she hears the soft voice of Jahnisce singing her a lullaby.
…
The desert; was the only place Clarke knew of for sure that could give her some advantage toward her enemies since it would be easier to notice them in the distance. The problem is her water supply ran out the day before and has no idea where or when she could get more.
Clarke drags her exhausted and thirsty body across the hot sand of the desert. She can't remain upright anymore; she lets her body fall near a dune, hoping it can conceal her for a while at least. 'I just need a few minutes; gather some strength, and then I can continue,' Clarke attempts to convince herself. Unfortunately for her, she is more tired than she originally thought and in a matter of seconds she falls into a deep sleep.
…
A splash of water on her face wakes Clarke up from her slumber.
"Wanheda." A woman calls out in a loud voice, "wake up! They are near and we need to get you out of here!"
Still unsettled Clarke looks around "what-what…" she stares at the woman in the face for a second but then her attention is drawn to the canteen in the woman's hands. "Water," she exclaims yanking the object from the woman's grasp and drinking the liquid for dear life.
"Hurry up my child, we have to leave soon."
Satisfied and more alert of the urgency of her situation Clarke sighs deeply and gives the woman back her canteen.
"This way, I have the perfect spot for you to hide; come!" The woman signals with her head wasting no time.
"Wait!" Clarke grabs the woman's arm to stop her. When the woman stares at her expectantly she asks, "What's your name?"
"I'm Roda" the middle aged woman replies.
Clarke nods in greeting "thank you, Roda" she adds earnestly.
"It is an honor, Wanheda" Roda bows her head respectfully.
With acknowledgments exchanged, both women stride to a more secluded place.
…
3 years later.
It seemed like yesterday for Clarke when she finally arrived back to Polis with a large group of nomads and a plan; that along with Octavia and Indra's tremendous advances they could finally defeat the rebellion… for a while. They had to fight for nearly three years the constant invasions of these –mostly – Ice Nation rebels, who refused to accept the already ascended Clarke. Those were terrible moments of uncertainty that delayed the progress Clarke had started to work on.
Finally, it was all over when Octavia and the Army in a well prepared strategy captured the heads of the movement. Octavia's victory was so categorical and impressive that it earned her the title of General of the Commander's Army; handed over by Indra herself.
Now, after the official ceremony Clarke observes with a smile on her face how the different clan leaders congratulate and pay respect to their brand new General; followed closely by Indra who looks like a very proud mother bragging about her kid.
Nonetheless, as the celebrations came to a close; Octavia fulfills her new duties by informing Clarke about the results of her severe interrogations.
"They finally caved in; I know what they are after."
"What do you mean you know? They wanna kill me," Clarke states like it was the most obvious thing in the world.
"Um yeah that and…" Octavia pauses to choose the right words but decides there is no other way to say it than just the way it is, "they want the Flame, Clarke."
The mention of the Flame is enough to put Clarke into a defensive mood. "Well then, we have to make sure it remains safe and hidden, as it has been for the past 4 years, right?" She tensely lets out.
Octavia opens and closes her mouth hesitating, not sure how to present the next subject.
Luckily for her, Indra makes a signal with her hand letting her know she will be the one to bring the news.
"Unfortunately, that doesn't seem to be enough anymore; with the Flame present as a symbol of power, the rebels will be coming back if not today maybe in later years; but the threat will be a constant during your term." Indra advances closer to Clarke and carries on. "We had the chance to talk about this subject with the clan leaders and we all came to the same conclusion regarding a final solution to this predicament."
Clarke's face twists with contained anger. "And what solution is that?" She grumbles, already guessing what the answer will be.
Indra makes brief eye contact with Octavia, gives a long exhale, and replies firmly, "we must destroy the Flame."
"NO!" Clarke rises from her throne at once. "We're not touching the Flame, don't you dare even mention it," she yells distressed.
"Clarke, listen to me; people's lives are at stake here; the rebels won't leave us alone, we won't have peace until the Flame is gone," Octavia tries to reason.
"Shut up!"
"We understand how important it is to you," Indra persuades, "we don't want to deprive you of what is the only thing you consider you have of Lexa." She steps right next to Clarke and takes her hand in hers, "don't you think Lexa would want to save her people? If she knew it was in her power, what do you think she would do?"
Clarke shakes her head, tears falling down her cheeks.
"Clarke," Octavia moves closer to her friend. "Don't be afraid, she's not going anywhere; her spirit is not only in that chip, she's here too," she presses on Clarke's heart. "Don't you wanna give Lexa the last opportunity she has to do something for her people? For us?" Octavia adds as a final convincing.
"No, no please no" Clarke begs in vain, as she knows what the right thing to do is. "I can't do it, don't ask me to do that please no."
Both Indra and Octavia embrace and console Clarke in what they know is the most difficult decision of her life.
…
Days later, before dawn, at the back of the tower and in the presence of the thirteen clan leaders, the destruction of the Flame takes place.
An evidently brokenhearted Clarke comes slowly to the center, holding onto for dear life a small metal box; one that carries the precious chip.
Indra allows some seconds to pass, then she gestures for Clarke to hand it over to the warrior in charge of destroying the Flame.
Ceremoniously and with the utmost care, Clarke opens the box and removes the chip. She stares at it with bloodshot eyes and in a moment of weakness she closes her hand, treasuring the object inside her closed palm.
Abby, Kane, Raven and Octavia observe the scene with sorrow.
Bellamy comes to her side, and nods at her sympathetically, letting her know it is time.
Reluctantly and with lips trembling, Clarke gives up the chip to the warrior.
…
Four year old Lexa sleeps peacefully in the comfort of her new home enveloped in warm furs. The previous day was an eventful one for her; she attended her first day at what could be called preschool, a new education system Sky people are trying to impose all over the nation. As expected Lexa felt shy at the beginning but at least she made a new friend, a cute blonde girl that she immediately got along with. In all it was a good experience and she couldn't wait for the next time.
…
The man takes the chip in his hand and places it cautiously on top of a cut trunk. He then grabs a sledge hammer and waits for the signal.
Clarke's body begins to tremble, her legs become weak; her eyes fill with unshed tears.
"It's OK, I got you." Bellamy puts his arms around Clarke to keep her upright.
In what seems an eternity, Indra finally pronounces, "Proceed."
Clarke presses Bellamy's arm forcefully, sinking her nails in, her teeth chattering.
The man nods, lifts the sledge hammer into the air and in one swift move he lets it fall directly onto the Flame.
The cracking sound, as it echoes throughout the area, seems to break something inside of Clarke too.
"NOOOOOO!"
….
With a loud gasp Lexa awakes from her deep sleep.
…
A second blow on the chip for good measure, makes Clarke fall to the ground, emitting a heart wrenching cry.
"Oh my god!" Abby turns her face away, tears in her eyes, unable to witness her daughter in so much pain.
Kane embraces her, feeling very moved himself.
…
Covered in sweat, Lexa remains still in her bed; images crossing her mind at a fast speed; images that had been popping in her thoughts from time to time but that didn't make any sense to her.
Until now.
…
"No baby please… please don't leave me," Clarke mumbles in a quiet whisper, lying on the ground.
The warrior and the clan leaders exit the scene one by one, giving their Commander privacy to mourn her lost.
…
Thoughts that Lexa had imagined were random begin to organize piece by piece in her brain, developing a story, becoming memories.
…
Clarke crawls until she reaches the trunk, extends her hand and grabs the pieces of the broken Flame and clutches them in her palm. "I'm sorry baby I'm sorry," she rasps among tears, the little parts of the chip cutting into her skin, drawing blood. "I love you" are her last coherent words before she succumbs to bawls of agony.
…
Lexa starts to recognize everything, to remember; but some things stand out more than others. "May we meet again," "Life is about more than just surviving," "I don't want the next Commander I want you," "I'll always be with you."
And it's the last phrase that brings Lexa back, and with her a name; a name that will give sense to Lexa's young life, will be the purpose of her coming back… a name on her lips that will certainly be her motivation and her future.
Lexa opens her eyes, seeing clearly now; whispering solemnly like it was a prayer that had been waiting years to be pronounced.
"Clarke…"