A/N: the question was once asked what was Clarke's role amongst the Trikru, here is the answer and how she got there!
"How does one become Heda?" Clarke asks Lexa one day while sitting on the riverbank. Clarke had insisted it was too beautiful a day not to take full advantage of. Lexa, who had a rare day without any meetings, had eagerly agreed. The two had enjoyed a light meal under a tall tree. They'd been quietly relishing each other's company sitting as close as possible, Clarke sketching the landscape as Lexa read one of her many books, when the question came up.
Clarke's been curious about Lexa's position as the Commander, ever since she found out the girl who'd spent so much time with her while she was recovering, was also the Commander of the Twelve Clans. She's had so many questions for so long, but didn't know how and when to ask them. Finally in the comfort of this shared moment she'd decided to start asking all the questions she's had in her head.
Lexa raises her eyes from the page of her book and turns to face Clarke's curious gaze. A soft smile takes over her face and she puts the book down beside her.
"You don't have to answer if you don't want to, I just thought that now that we are courting I could finally ask you all this stuff." Clarke starts to ramble and it causes a laugh to bubble out of Lexa's lips.
Lexa regains herself at Clarke's pout and she leans over to kiss her softly on the lips for a moment. "You can ask me anything, Clarke." she says once they pull back.
"So, how'd you become Commander?" She repeats her earlier question. "Is there a specific process or ceremony that has to happen?"
Lexa slides her arm over Clarke's shoulder and Clarke easily complies leaning into Lexa. "I was three years old when my Nomon discovered I was a nightblood and she told my Nontu, who was a high ranking General for the previous Commander."
Clarke nods her head against Lexa's shoulder. She's patched Lexa up enough times to know about her black blood. It was a shock the first time, but Lexa had explained to her that it's something all Commander's share. They hadn't gone into great detail about it at the time because Clarke was just happy Lexa had made it back from the skirmish against one of the unruly northern clans in one piece.
"I was taken to Polis and introduced to Heda,Titus and the other Fleimkapas. My training started a week later."
"At three years old?" Clarke asks pulling away slightly.
"Yes," Lexa confirms. "At that age it was more games to teach us how to move about silently. It was fun trying to outwit the guards."
Clarke laughs at the mental image of little Lexa running around Polis, being chased by guards and Titus. "I somehow can't imagine Titus playing with little kids."
"He's hardened in his old age, but he's always been an excellent teacher." Lexa says. "Once I was old enough, they paired me with Anya as my mentor and that's when the real training began. The point of which was to prepare me for my conclave. At the time the clans were still at war with each other so Heda didn't have the time to teach us, as I do now with the nightbloods. But whenever possible she would give us lessons."
"What's the conclave?" Clarke asks sensing Lexa's change in tone.
"After the Commander dies another must be chosen from amongst the nightbloods. The conclave is held a day after the Commander's spirit has been released."
"And the spirit chose you." Clarke concludes.
"Yes it did." Lexa answers planting a kiss atop Clarke's head.
"Definitely a wise choice."
Clarke asks more questions as their relationship continues to blossom. Lexa answers as many as she can. Enjoying the way Clarke will pull away from a kiss and randomly ask a question. The inner working of Clarke's mind fascinates her.
One day she asks an unexpected question, but one that's been at the forefront of Lexa's mind for a while now.
They are spending the night on the outskirts of one of the villages just outside of Tondc after a clan meeting. Clarke has become a regular fixture at the meetings now, as part of Heda's guard. The position allows the two women to spend time together without arousing suspicions from the other leaders. Lexa is still cautious though and always makes sure Anya or Gustus is on duty with Clarke.
The two are in the throne room of Lexa's tent. Titus has just stepped outside to speak with an old friend of his from the Floudenkru. "Does Titus have a replacement?"
The question catches Lexa, who'd been reviewing a map, off guard for a moment. "A replacement?"
"He's been around for four Commanders he's said and he's not getting any younger." Lexa laughs at Clarke's tone as she says that.
"No he isn't getting younger." Lexa agrees.
"He's the only Fleimkapa left. So what happens when he dies? Who takes over his position? Do the traditions of our people die with him?" Clarke continues on.
"I am not entirely sure on the process, there has always been more than one Fleimkapa, even prior to my conclave there were three of them." Lexa starts explaining. "Before my ascension there was a battle between Trikru and Azgeda, Titus was the only Fleimkapa that survived the assault."
"How?" Clarke asks curiously, never having seen the man fight.
"He was brought before Queen Morona, who spared his life since he was the last Fleimkapa ." Lexa starts to explain the events as she'd heard them. "The then Queen had hoped to gain his loyalty by sparing him. She thought that would ensure the next Heda would be chosen from Azgeda."
"No wonder she hates you, you ruined her grand plans." Clarke jokes.
Lexa's lips turn up into a smirk. "Heda's spirit chooses wisely."
Before any more discussion can be had on the topic, Titus returns to the tent and Clarke retakes her post outside with Anya after he requests a private audience with Lexa.
It's been two months since the attempted kidnapping when Lexa calls a meeting with her most trusted advisors.
Gustus and Anya take the seats usually reserved for the ambassadors as they await Titus' arrival. Although, Anya knows why they are there, Gustus isn't sure why Lexa called this meeting and she's not giving away any hints as she stands on the balcony overlooking the Polis market place.
Titus arrives and stops short when he sees Anya and Gustus already there waiting. "Heda, I was told you wished to see me?" he calls just as Lexa comes back into the room.
"Yes Titus, sit down please." the older man does as she's requested and takes his usual seat near the throne.
Lexa then takes her seat and casts her eyes to Titus.
"Absolutely not!" Titus protests, his voice an echoing boom through the room. He's outraged at the mere suggestion that he needs to be replaced and disgusted at the idea of who Lexa wants to replace him with.
"Titus, this wasn't a question." Lexa responds calmly. She'd expected his outburst, that's why she had invited Gustus and Anya.
"Why Heda?" Titus asks reeling his emotions back."Have I not served you to the best of my abilities?"
Lexa stands from her throne and puts her hand on Titus' shoulder. "I am doing this for you Titus, you do not need to carry the burden by yourself any more."
"Being your advisor and protector of the flame is not a burden to me Heda." Titus says.
"What is the basis of your rejection Titus?" Gustus asks.
"Fleimkapa is a sacred duty to our people, she is not one of us." Titus answers cutting a glare at Gustus.
Lexa turns her attention to him once again,her jaw tightening. "Clarke is one of us!"
"I apologise Heda, but she wasn't born amongst our people, she doesn't understand our ways."
"She may not have been born of our people, but she has adapted to our ways," Anya defends her second. "Clarke is an exceptional fighter and has a wealth of knowledge in the practice of healing. She is Trikru."
"Your judgement is biased." Titus challenges. "How well of a warrior can she be when she managed to be kidnapped?"
"She wouldn't be the first amongst us to be kidnapped," Gustus points out.
"We were are at war!" Titus argues. "Now we are in a time of peace, the situations are different."
"All of this is besides the point!" Lexa steps in to stave off the bickering.
"Then what is the point of this? Why her over anyone else?" Titus fires off his questions.
Lexa breathes in deeply taking a minute to calm herself. "Clarke is the best option as an additional Fleimkapa, as Anya has stated she's both skilled as a healer and a warrior. She's quick to learn new things and most importantly of all; she is my houmon."
"What does her status as your bed mate have to do with her being a Fleimkapa?" Titus questions, pushing his luck.
Lexa throws him a withering glare at his choice of words and the man has the decency to shrink back. "As my houmon she has the most reason to keep me alive and none to betray me for her own gains."
"Are you accusing me of something Heda?"
"Titus do not be foolish, you are one of the most loyal men I know." Lexa dismisses. "Clarke will train with you because she has what it takes to be a Fleimkapa or would you rather continue following me into every battle?"
Titus paces the space for a moment running through his options. "The nightbloods would benefit from my undivided attention." he murmurs and Lexa smiles.
"A great opportunity for them indeed." Lexa agrees as Anya tries to hold in her amusement.
"Her training starts at dawn tomorrow." Titus announces.
"Thank you Titus." Lexa replies. Now that Titus has agreed, Lexa faces the more difficult task of getting Clarke on board.
"Absolutely not!" Clarke repeats Titus' earlier protests. Lexa sighs knowing she's in for an uphill battle. "You want me to train with Titus, what exactly is he going to teach me? How to go bald and be surly."
"Clarke," stifling a laugh, Lexa tries to cut into her wife's ranting, but Clarke isn't having it and just throws her hand up and shoots her a look.
"Don't you think I know what you're doing?" she asks. "It's been two months Lexa and I practically had myself rescued before you guys even showed up."
Lexa watches on as Clarke paces the room hands thrown in the air.
"Now you think that sticking me with Titus and saying it's an honor to be a flamekeeper is going to blind me to this tactic?" Clarke huffs seemingly unstoppable in her ire. "If you aren't around me then it's either Anya or Gustus. Just when I thought we cleared this up,you were just waiting to set me up for this! I can't believe you."
Lexa's never seen Clarke in a rage. She's seen her annoyed, upset even angry but never enraged. She's red faced and breathing heavily as she paces their bedroom, usually calm blue eyes almost black with fire. Everything she's been holding back for the last two months finally erupting.
"I've been training harder, taking extra guard shifts and hunting trips to improve my awareness and it's not enough, is it?" Clarke continues to ask but doesn't wait for Lexa to answer. "Of course it isn't, otherwise you wouldn't be sticking me with him!."
"Clarke!" Lexa raises her voice snapping her wife out of her angry musings. She walks up to Clarke putting her hands on her shoulders and looking her in the eyes. "Listen to me for a moment please."
Clarke pulls away with a huff and plops herself in the nearest chair, arms crossed. "What are you going to tell me that I haven't heard a million times already Lexa?"
Lexa takes a deep breath and gets on her knees in front of Clarke. "This is not about punishment Clarke. I know you have been putting in extra efforts in your training, every morning I wake up and you're already out training. I return home and you have yet to come back and when you do you are too exhausted to do anything beyond eat and sleep."
Lexa takes Clarke's hands in hers giving them a squeeze. "You have nothing to prove to me Clarke, I know the timing may not be ideal, but this is something I have been thinking about for a long time."
Clarke chuckles dryly. "Yeah two months is a very long time Lexa." she pulls her hands back and crosses them over her chest again. Lexa deflates a bit, but doesn't lose her determination.
"You are the most logical choice as Fleimkapa Clarke. You are a strong warrior, a gifted Fisa and you love our people as if you were born amongst them. I chose you to be Titus' apprentice because I trust you will do what's right for our people Clarke." Lexa explains eyes fixed on Clarke.
"How long has this been on your mind." Clarke asks and Lexa is hopeful they're about to turn the corner in their conversation.
"Do you remember that spring day by the lake when you asked me how I became Heda?" Lexa asks cautiously and Clarke nods. "Nobody had ever asked that question before and the ones to follow especially about the Fleimkapa." Lexa pauses, she doesn't want to ruin this opportunity of calm. "Your genuine curiosity is what made me consider you, but I knew you'd never be accepted until our people saw you as one of ours."
"It's been a year since our union Lexa and this has only come up now, how am I supposed to believe that?." Clarke challenges.
"I was afraid!" Lexa admits. Her knees ache from her position but she's vowed to herself not to move. Titus would find himself in an early grave if he saw her, saw Heda, bowed down before someone else. Heda bows to no one, but Clarke isn't just anyone.
"What could the almighty Heda have to be afraid of?" Clarke spits. She knows she's being harsh to Lexa, but she's reached her boiling point and she wants answers.
"That your opinion of me will change when you learn the truth of what happens at the conclave." Lexa's voice hitches. "The things I had to do in order to be chosen." Lexa drops her head fighting back the painful memories. "I just wanted more time before that had to become a reality."
The room is silent for a moment after the revelation.
"You are my houmon, you came from the sky and you own my heart Clarke. You are right to assume that by assigning you Fleimkapa it is for your protection, but it is not my only motive." Lexa breaks the silence.
Clarke stands and pulls Lexa up with her, throwing her arms around her. "I need time to think about this, I love you." Clarke whispers in her ear before breaking their embrace and leaving their room. Lexa stands rooted to her spot watching her leave.
The sun is sitting low in the sky by the time Clarke reaches the stables. Ironically it's usually where she goes when she feels overwhelmed. She never thought she'd come to feel so comfortable around horses but a lot has changed in the time she's been on Earth. She goes to her horse, which walks right up to her, always accepting of her affection. Anya had told her she spoils the animals, but she paid her no mind.
Mindlessly she brushes her horse's mane as she processes the conversation she and Lexa had just had. She needed to get out of there, she knows she probably hurt Lexa, but she needs time to think and Lexa has always been understanding of that need.
Lexa's reasoning is sound and she knows her wife is pragmatic. It makes sense that she would want to ensure her safety with such a sacred appointment, it would practically make Clarke untouchable amongst their people. Clarke wants to learn as much as she can about the people who took her in, the history, the traditions and the ceremonies. If she can protect Lexa with this knowledge she wants to know it all. Clarke just wishes they'd talked about it before just having it sprung on her out of the blue.
At the sense of an additional presence Clarke primes herself for attack with her hand on the hilt of her knife.
"There is no need for that." Gustus says seeing Clarke's intent.
"Can't I even have a moment of peace? I'm sure the horses won't try to kidnap me." Clarke responds releasing the hold on her dagger.
"I can assure you I was not sent to guard you." Gustus tells her and Clarke doesn't quite believe him.
"Why are you here then?" Clarke asks.
"The horses have to eat and I like to feed them sometimes, it's calming." Gustus answers and Clarke finally turns away from her horse and sees him with the carts of food.
"Can I help?" she asks meekly.
Gustus smiles and hands her one of the buckets. "Of course, it's a vast improvement over your first meetings with them."
Clarke laughs as she places one bucket in the stable with Lexa's horse. She pats him a bit and he nuzzles her cheek. "In my defense I'd just fallen from the sky and I may not remember much of my time there, but I'm sure there weren't any horses in the sky."
Gustus laughs out wholeheartedly at that. "I would imagine that would be unpleasant for the animals."
"Oh I'm sure it would have been." Clarke laughs putting the other bucket in front of her own horse.
The two continue to work in silence making sure all the horses have been fed and their waters changed. Clarke appreciates Gustus' quiet and calming presence as they work.
"So what bothers you Skai Prisa?" Gustus asks once they're done feeding the horses.
"Lexa wants me to be Fleimkapa." Clarke answers.
"That is a great honor, do you not wish to be Fleimkapa?"
"Of course I do, it's just her timing couldn't have been worse." Clarke sighs.
"Because of the kidnapping." Gustus surmises.
"Yes, she says that it's something she's been considering for a long time, but I don't know if I believe her."
"Has she given you reason to be distrustful of her?" Gustus prods.
"No she hasn't. She even told me when she started thinking it through and why she didn't bring it forward sooner." Clarke tells him.
"Do you not believe her about why she hadn't brought it forward sooner?"
"She was afraid I wouldn't have been accepted because I wasn't born of your people or had any actual ties." Clarke answers. "Which I mean it makes sense, but I've been her houmon for a year now and she never brought it up."
"Did she give you a reason for the delay in this discussion?"
"She's worried my opinion of her will change once I learn more about the conclave. Why would my opinion change?" Clarke sighs. "We've been in battle together, I've seen her kill people and she's seen me do the same."
"Things done in war are easier to forgive." Gustus says in way of an answer.
"Do you think I'll be able to do this?" Clarke asks meekly.
"You survived a fall from the sky, your spirit is strong and exists for a higher purpose Clarke." Gustus encourages with a comforting hand on her shoulder.
"Thank you Gustus." Clarke says with a small smile. The big man just nods and follows her out of the stables.
"I should go look for her." Lexa worries as she continues pacing.
"She needs time Lexa this is not an easy decision to make. Clarke will come around." Anya tries to assure her friend.
"I should have discussed this with her sooner, I let my fear get in the way." Lexa continues on unfazed by Anya's words.
Both women look up as the door opens. "I said I didn't want to be bothered." Lexa bellows to the guard.
"He's just being polite." Clarke speaks up for the guard.
Anya stands and gives Lexa's shoulder a quick squeeze before moving towards the bedroom doors and nodding to Clarke before slipping out.
"Clarke." Lexa starts but is cut off by an unexpected kiss. She easily reciprocates and melts into Clarke's warm embrace.
"I love you and nothing will change that, not even having to train with Titus." Clarke murmurs against Lexa's lips before kissing her once more. "When do I start?"
"At dawn," Lexa answers between kisses. Ecstatic with Clarke's decision.
"Then you better make it up to me, before we go to sleep." Clarke says pulling an all too willing Lexa to the bed.
