Disclaimer: I do No own The 100
AN: Sorry for the wait. I struggled with this chapter. I'm not entirely sure I am happy with it, but it seems okay in my head. You guys be the judge of that. One person has figured out one of the main plot lines happening in the story. Can the rest of you?
Thank you to everybody who reviewed the last chapter. I love hearing what you guys think, and I take your words to heart. I draw inspiration from every review, and sometimes your reviews make me realize thing that I do want in the story and things that I don't want. So thank you.
Words in italics are being spoken in Trigedasleng
Chapter 8: The Ambassadors
Lexa strolled into her throne room with her head held high, in full Commander mode. After a week and a half of being able to relax and let the façade slip slightly, it was odd to be so stoic again. It made her want to complete her plan as quickly as possible.
The ambassadors were all kneeling in front of their chairs out of respect, as they always do as she entered a room. Commanding the attention of everybody in her presence was one thing that she enjoyed about being Heda. She rarely had to yell to get somebody to listen to her. Not when they were already avidly paying attention.
"Rise," she commanded, and watched as her Ambassadors rose and sat in their chair. Once they were seated she looked to Titus and asked in Trigedasleng, "How are preparations for the festival going?"
"Well Heda," he answered. "Everything is as you asked."
"Good," Lexa said, and then turned back to the Ambassadors. "How are preparations with your clan's leaders?"
Each ambassador announced when their leader was arriving. A few would be arriving before the start of the feast, while the rest were set to arrive during the week. Only one clan leader would not make it to the festival, but that was to be expected. Luna never came to Polis for reasons that only Lexa knew. In fact, only a handful of people outside of the Floukru knew who the clan's leader was. Once spring rolled into summer, Lexa would take a trip to see Luna, and get the woman's vows. She looked forward to seeing her old friend.
"Is there any business to discuss? Was all well in the capital while I was away?"
The ambassador for the Trikru, a strong black woman by the name of Panara, stood up from her chair and kneeled. "Heda, all was well in Polis during your time away. Titus and the nightbloods led well in your absence."
"I am pleased to hear that," Lexa said, and turned to give Titus a proud head nod.
"We want to congratulate you on a fine victory at the Mountain. Our people can rest easy knowing the Mountain has fallen."
"Rise Panara," Lexa said calmly. "I thank you for your praise, but the win is not mine to accept. I merely aided the Skaikru by giving the mountain men a false sense of victory. Clarke Kom Skaikru is the true hero of this war."
Rock, the Azgeda ambassador, stood with a sneer. "You give credit to those invaders."
"I give credit to an ally," Lexa said calmly, refusing to allow him to get a rise out of her today. Rock was an ever present thorn in her side. He disrespected her at every turn, and made sure that everybody knew that Azgeda didn't approve of Lexa's choices. She longed for the day when she could finally rid herself of him. "Skaikru has proven their worth. We have been unable to defeat the mountain men for generations because they hid themselves in the mountain. Skaikru found a way in. They understood their technology, and how to defeat it. They gave us what we needed to make the mountain men fearful of us. They gave us strength, where we had been weak."
"Skaikru have done nothing but cause trouble for my people," Rock snarled.
Lexa glared at Rock. "Your people? Your people are Azgeda, and I do not make decisions based on just one clan. I base all my decisions are what will be best for all the clans, as they are MY people. Besides, if anybody has any say in the decisions I make regarding Skaikru, it is Trikru. They are the ones who lost people in the village fire, and they were the clan who lost warriors that I sent to their ship." Lexa turned to Panara. "What say you?"
"It is true that Skaikru has taken much blood from Trikru, but Wanheda's actions at the mountain has given us much more. The blood of the ones they took was paid by the blood of the mountain men. My clan, as well as all of yours, can live their lives without the fear of our people being taken. Of being turned into monsters. I would gladly accept any offer of an alliance with them."
Lexa nodded her head, and then look at Rock. "I value the information you bring me, and I value the input you all share with matters of the clans. Remember that this is my Coalition, and I have final say."
Rock bowed in defeat, and took his seat.
"I will hear all of your concerns regarding the Skiakru, but today is not that day. We will have this discussion at the end of the festival. Tonight you will each personally meet with the Skaikru who help defeat the mountain, and over the next three weeks I encourage you all to talk with them."
Lexa gave the ambassadors a rare smile. "They like to talk, a lot, and at times they are like children. This world is all new to them. They have lived like caged animals, floating high in the sky. They had never breathed fresh air, swam in water, or even eaten meat. The sun, trees, water, fruits, sand, and the shear amount of space we have is all new for them. Talk with them. Share stories about your clans, and ask them any questions you wish. Just remember that they are my guests and to harm them, or disrespect them is to harm and disrespect me."
A round of "Sha Heda," sounded from each Ambassador.
"Are there any pressing matters that need to be taken care of today?" Lexa asked. The ambassador either shook their heads no, or remained silent. "Good. Then I officially declare the start of the peace time. The only things that are to be brought to my attention for the next three weeks are to be about the Harvest festival. Remember the sanctity of the Harvest and abide by the laws set forth. You are dismissed for now. We meet again just before sun down in the towers main lobby."
The ambassadors filed out of the room quietly. Lexa watched Rock closely as he exited the room. He turned just before exiting and gave Lexa a glare. The guards stationed outside the throne room, gently closed the double doors behind him.
Titus moved down the steps. "You are different, Heda," He said, and then turned to face Lexa.
"How so?"
"There are rumors that you have grown weak for Wanheda," Titus said. "That you allowed her to share your bed with her with in Ton DC."
"And now you believe me to be weak?" She question calmly. She didn't question how he came by the information. She knew that he had scouts that followed her discreetly, and they would have had plenty of time to report back to her mentor. His scouts were good. She never knew who they were, but Titus always knew exactly what Lexa was doing. She allowed it because she knew Titus worried about her, and to confront the man would do no good. She trusted Titus with her life, and until he proved unworthy of that trust, she allowed him free reign.
However, any topic of Clarke had to be broached very carefully when it came to Titus. His teachings left a weariness inside of her. She didn't think that he would ever do anything to Clarke, but he was very set in his teaching. Love is weakness. That was his motto. He had drilled it into her head since she was a child. She had allowed him to convince her that her love for Costia is what had gotten her killed. That she had grown weak, and because of that weakness, she refused to do anything about Nia. She refused to allow him to do that again. She knew in her heart that Clarke made her strong, and she was going to use that strength to not only keep Clarke alive, but to be about a lasting peace to her people.
"No," Titus adamantly stated, but she knew he was lying.
"My feeling for Clarke matter not to you. Only to me and her."
"So you admit that there are feeling of weakness."
"No. Nothing about Clarke is weak. My feelings for her only make me stronger. More determine to complete our goals."
"Love is weakness, Lexa," Titus said.
"I will not hear this Titus. Whatever feelings I have for Clarke are mine, and mine alone," she said dismissively.
She may allow Titus free reign, but Titus knew his place. He knew that Lexa wasn't going to accept his council on this matter. He wouldn't stop trying, but he knew when to draw back and fall in line.
In English she said, "I expect you to make sure no harm come to my guests while they are here, and I don't want to hear another word about Clarke making me weak."
"Sha Heda," Titus said, and then left the room.
Lexa slumped in her throne, and sighed heavily. Between Titus and Rock she was feeling particularly anxious about having the Skaikru, and more importantly Clarke, in Polis. Her plan's success was riding on the back of the next three weeks. If everything went smoothly, then welcoming Skaikru into the Coalition would be allowed with a lot less animosity.
The doors of her throne room opened, and Clarke strolled in. Lexa's breath hitched in her throat at the beautiful woman in front of her. Clarke was looking around the room in a childlike wonder, absorbing every detail into her mind. She was wearing black leather pants, a blue stained leather jacket with fur lining the inside. The fur lined the collar, and the bottom of the coat, and there were three large buckles running up the opening. She wore a worn pair of fur lined boots. Her hair was done exactly like Clarke always worn it, except that the strand of hair that usually held her hair back, were now braided.
Clarke's eyes finally landed on Lexa, and a big smile lit up her face. "This is amazing. I can't believe this tower survived the bombs and nearly a hundred years."
"I am glad that you like it," Lexa said as she rose to meet the blonde. "You look beautiful."
Clarke blushed and glanced over her clothing. "Thank you. They are very warm and comfortable."
"I am glad that you like them," Lexa said. "I hope that the rest of your people like them as well."
"I'm sure they will," Clarke said.
Lexa offered Clarke the crook of her arm. "I do believe that I promised you a tour."
"Yes you did," Clarke said.
Lexa led Clarke to the curtained off balcony to start the tour off. The view from Lexa's room had been amazing, but it was nothing compared to the view from the balcony. She could see further and had a wider view then Lexa's room.
"This is my favorite spot in Polis," Lexa said.
"I can see why," Clarke said. "This is amazing."
"Could you see the ground from your home in the sky?" Lexa asked intrigued.
"Yes. The earth's surface was thousands of miles away, so we couldn't see any landmarks or individual trees. We could see the water, and a lot of green, brown, and yellow. We could see the clouds, and the top of storms. If the Ark's mainframe survived, I will show you a picture of the view."
"I would like that," Lexa said.
They stood on the balcony for a while admiring the beautiful sight, and then moved on through the tower. Lexa took Clarke down to the Skaikru floors, so she could see her people. Clarke marveled at how much her people looked like the grounders. It gave her hope that one day there would be less of a separation, and more blending between the groups.
Lexa took Clarke down to the sublevels where they found Raven frantically ordering two keepers to move things that way, and to bring her this, to toss that into the useless pile. Clarke and Lexa both thought that they had never seen the woman happier.
Lexa bid Raven a farewell, with the promise of more helpers, while Clarke bid Raven a farewell with the warning not to blow anything up.
Raven yelled that she made no promises.
As they entered the stairway, Lexa turned to Clarke and asked, "She won't blow anything up, right?"
Clarke shrugged her shoulders, and said, "It's what Raven does."
A look of horror crossed Lexa's features, and she turned back around to return to Raven's level. Clarke laughed, and grabbed her arm.
"I'm just playing," Clarke chuckled. "Raven's good, but I doubt there is any rocket fuel down there."
Lexa visibly relaxed, and began walking up the stairs again. Their next stop was the room that held the old world books. Clarke's eyes widened as she entered the room, and saw the mounds of books piled up there. As they walked deeper into the room she found dozens of two sided book shelves filled with books.
Clarke turned to Lexa in shock. "I thought you said that very few books survived the apocalypse?"
"Very few did," Lexa said matter-of-factly, and then gave Clarke a confused look.
"There must be thousands of books in here," Clarke said. She looked around the room in awe.
"Sha, but it is my understanding that there were millions of books before the bombs," Lexa said. "There are tales passed from the elders about hundreds of libraries that housed millions of books. This is just a mere fraction of that. Some were housed here before the bombs, but most have been collected from the ruins."
"There were a large amount of books. This is amazing," Clarke said. "I love to read, but I haven't had much time to for years."
"Beja, pick one," Lexa said. "I will show you to your room next."
Clarke walked around the large room, looking at the spines of each book she passed. There were so many titles in different genres. She didn't know what to pick, so she pick a title at random. "She Said Yes," Clarke read the title out loud. She had never heard of it.
She looked up at Lexa who was patiently waiting for her to pick, and gave her a wide smile. "Thank you for showing me this."
"Pro," Lexa said. "Come. I will show you your room next."
Clarke's room turned out to be a floor below Lexa's. She wondered why she wasn't being housed with the rest of her people, but choose not to voice that question. She figured that Lexa just wanted her closer since they had been sharing a bed with each other for over a week. Clarke wasn't sure how she was going to get through the night without having Lexa in bed next to her.
The dream she had the morning after the feast had returned every night since. Each time the nightmare overtook her dreams, there was a new piece of the dream was revealed. The words that were being said became coherent, and the nightmare had been expanded to show Lexa's death. The nightmare both terrified and confused her.
She knew that her mind had to be playing with her after the dream from the previous night. At the end of the dream, the man who had shot at her and killed Lexa, had cut into Lexa's neck and out crawled an AI. She had woken that morning confused, and feeling even more discombobulated then she usually did.
Lexa made the dreams feel less real. Having her next to her when she woke from the nightmare, reminded her that it was just that, a nightmare.
Lexa opened the door to her room, and held it open for Clarke to enter. The room was large, bright, and inviting. There were heavy curtains ties to the sides of the glassless windows. Clarke gravitated to the window, eager to see what the view from her room was like.
The view was as spectacular as it had been from Lexa's room. More so, because of the slowly setting sun. A glow had been cast over the changing tree tops, making the already brightly colored leaves burst with even more color.
"I must go to the throne room to meet with Strike, and then we will head down to meet with the ambassadors," Lexa said. "Would you like to join me in meeting the babe, or would you prefer to explore your room?"
Clarke looked around her room, and then back to Lexa. "I'll go with you," she said. She was eager to see how Lexa interacted with children. It was a side she had not gotten to see yet.
They walked up the stairs to get to Lexa's floor, and entered the throne room. The sun was still shining brightly despite the lowering sun. Strike was standing in the center of the room with a small baby wrapped in furs safely tucked in her arms.
"Heya," Lexa said as she walked towards her head keeper. She stood in front of Strike for a moment to eye the baby, and then took a seat in her throne. Strike walked towards her at Lexa's command and kneeled.
"Heda. I'd like to present my son, Tobin," Strike said.
"Rise, and bring the babe to me," Lexa said formally.
Strike rose and gently place her newborn son in the arms of her commander with pride. Unshed tears welled in her eyes. Her son looked like his mother Sara, whose death was still very new, and unreal.
Clarke watched the scene from just inside the room with interest. At first the two woman were very formal, much like a leader and a leader's subject would be. That changed quickly as Lexa's face lit up in a smile as she held the baby.
"Is he eating well?" Lexa asked.
"Sha," Strike said. "My sister sits with him to feed."
"How are you doing?"
"I am doing what my son needs. I'm being strong for him," Strike said.
The baby in Lexa's arms yawned widely, and the fidgeted. He blinked his eyes several times, before focusing on the person who held him. His little eyebrows furrowed, and then let out a loud cry. Lexa smiled at him, and then gently bounced him. He seemed to like it, because the crying stopped, and he looked up at Lexa again.
Clarke watched in awe as Lexa held Tobin so gently, so happily. It was amazing for her to see, and she wished that the rest of her people could see Lexa like this. A happy young woman, and not the ruthless Commander. Lexa was many things, and Clarke was eager to learn every side of her. The good and the bad.
Clarke held Tobin for a few minutes, as she questions Strike about the birth. She wanted to know if the death could have been prevented with the medical knowledge of her people. Grounder medicine was not nearly as advanced as it had once been, and had Clarke been there at the time of the birth she could have save Strike's wife. Tobin had been breech and couldn't be turned. He had to be cut out of Sara, who then died from the blood loss.
She didn't tell Strike that she could have saved her wife. That would cause the woman more pain, and Clarke didn't want that. Instead she made a mental note to talk to Lexa and her mother about it. She did offer to look over the baby at a later date to see if he was healthy. After Lexa explained that Clarke had been a healer's apprentice on the Ark, Strike greatly accepted.
Clarke and Lexa exited the elevator a little while later on the bottom level. There were a great deal of people standing stiffly on one side of the room, while Bellamy, Octavia, Raven, and Monty stood (or sat in Raven's case) awkwardly off to the left. Each group of people seemed to be eyeing the other with caution and fear.
Lexa silently snorted at the two groups, and walking into the lobby further, with her head held high. "Thank you for coming," Lexa said to her ambassadors, and then turned to address the Skaikru. "Thank you for coming. Each of you had a key role in the take down of the mountain. Clarke could not have succeeded if it had not be for you. Tonight you will dine next to me and Clarke, as the heroes of the mountain."
She turned to her ambassadors. "It will be your duty to introduce yourselves to the Skaikru by the end of the night. Anyone who has not spoken to them, will be locked in the stockades for disobeying my order. From now until the Skaikru leave, English is to be used in their presence."
Each ambassador nodded their head, and said "Sha Heda."
Lexa introduced each of the Skaikru to the Ambassadors, and then informed them that the ambassadors would introduce themselves. She encouraged them to talk and ask questions. Get to know her people.
Indra led Clarke's people out of the tower and into town. Leaving Clarke and Lexa with the ambassadors. She turned to Clarke and gestured for her to stand next to her. "Ambassadors, this is Clarke kom Skaikru, and tonight she will officially be introduced to our people as Wanheda, Mountain Slayer."
Panara, the Trikru ambassador, stepped forward, and kneeled in front of Clarke. She briefly looked surprised at the kneeling woman, but quickly schooled her features. Strength, or the appearance of strength was something Lexa had been teaching her for the last week. Clarke is strong on her own, but she wavered at times. Her people would see that wavering easily, and view it as a weakness.
"Rise," Clarke said in a strong voice. Panara rose, and Clarke offered her arm. Panara accepted the offering, and gave Clarke's forearm a good squeeze.
"I am Panara. Ambassador to Trigedakru," Panara said proudly. "It is an honor to meet you, Wanheda."
"The honor is mine, Panara," Clarke said. She gave the woman's forearm a good squeeze, before breaking apart.
Each ambassador step forward and repeated the same process as Panara had, until finally there was only one ambassador left. Rock, the petulant Azgeda ambassador, stood to the back of the group watching his fellow ambassadors greet Clarke with a sneer on his face. When the Rock line ambassador stepped away from Clarke, Rock made no motion at moving forward. He knew very well that defying Heda's orders on any other day would have led to his death, but to kill him would go against the sanctity of the Harvest. He was safe for at least three weeks.
Lexa knew what Rock was doing. He did it every year. He used the sanctity of the Harvest festival to try and gain a rise out of her. On Queen Nia's orders no doubt. He always tried to get a rise out of her, trying to get her to retaliate and kill him. She never took the bait though. Killing Rock would give Nia a reason to declare war, and she couldn't have that. During peace time, he was downright defiant. He used to sanctity of the Harvest to his advantage, and goaded her at every turn. She ignored his petulance for now. As usual, she would find a way to punish him after the Harvest ended.
She guided Clarke through the bare streets, out of the city. They walked for ten minutes through the thick trees, guided by orange glow of the nearly set sun. They walked until they came to a large, well-lit clearing, filled with rows upon rows of tables, fires that lined the outside of the clearing every few yards, and thousands of people walking and sitting, all waiting for their Heda to arrive.
At the front of the long rows of tables there was a platform with three tables set up in a half octagon. At each table there were twelve seats. There were already a group of people sitting at the tables. He ambassadors left Clarke and Lexa's side and took their seats at the left side table in random order. Clarke could see her people sitting at the top table to the right of Lexa's throne, Octavia and Indra sat to the left of the throne along with a two people Clarke didn't recognize. There were two seats empty on either side of Lexa's throne. She assumed that the open seat next to Raven was for her, but didn't know who the seat next to Indra was for. She couldn't see who sat at the right side table, but she figured that they were kids, since most were too short to their heads over the back of the tall wire mesh chairs.
Lexa gently pulled Clarke towards the back of the platform to where a small group of people were waiting for them. As they approached the chatter between the group ceased, and they all turned to greet their Heda. Three men, and two woman stood tall as they approached. Clarke looked over each of them carefully, sizing them up. She noted that they were all carrying weapon, concealed, but easily noticeable. She was sure that they each had concealed weapons that were not as easily noticeable. Her eyes went down the line of people.
Her heart stopped for just a moment when her eyes fell on the last man, and then began to beat rapidly in her chest. So hard she feared it might explode. Standing in front of Lexa was the man from her dreams. The man she had been force to dream of every night for a week as her killed Lexa, over and over again. The world around her faded away, as the dream overtook her, the same as it had been, and yet different. It was less of a dream, and more as if she was living it.
The words that Titus was saying could be heard clearly now. She pleaded with him, telling him that she was leaving. She tried to reason with the sensible side of him, claiming that Lexa would know it was him. He just scoffed at her, and waved the gun at her. He shouted that maybe now Lexa would be angry enough to declare war.
She could feel the first bullet wiz past her, just barely missing her. She could feel her heart beating in her chest, and feel the strain of her muscles as she dodge the second bullet and ran for the door. She felt her heart freeze in her chest when Lexa stepped through her door, just as the third bullet was fired. She felt as though her heart was stuck in her throat as she dropped to Lexa's fallen form. She could feel the tears welling in her eyes as she said the travelers blessing. She watched in shock as Titus flipped Lexa's lifeless body, and cut into her neck, helplessly.
As suddenly as the dream overtook her, it relinquished her. She let out a loud breath, and stared up at Lexa, blinking her eyes rapidly. Lexa was staring at her with a worried look on her face. "Clarke, are you alright. What happened?"
Clarke's mind was fuzzy for a moment, unsure of why Lexa was asking if she was alright. She looked at the people gathered around her and saw equal looks of concern and intrigue. The concern on their faces confused her, but the intrigue she was growing used to. All of the Lexa's people looked at her with varying degrees of emotions, but intrigue was the one look that was always present.
She realized that she must have checked out when the dream overtook her mind. "I'm okay. Sorry. I just remembered something that might be important, and zoned out."
"Is it something I should know?" Lexa asked, slipping into full Commander mode again. She knew that it was more then what Clarke was letting on. That was clear because she had tried to gather Clarke's attention several times before she snapped out of whatever trance she was in. She was worried about Clarke, but recognized the look Clarke had given her. It was one that she had perfected over the years, and as just one of the many things Lexa had taught Clarke over the last week. Clarke was being strong despite whatever just happened.
"Perhaps. We can discuss it tomorrow if you'd like," Clarke said diplomatically.
"Sha," Lexa replied. She turned to the bald man and said, "Clarke, this is Titus, keeper of the flame, and my advisor."
Titus bowed slightly. "Hello Wanheda."
"Hello Titus," Clarke said strongly, despite the fear that had crept into her chest. The dream felt so real. Too real for her liking, and Titus was looking at her with a skeptical look. It was disconcerting.
Lexa introduced the other for people standing with them, two of whom (the taller redheaded man, and the shorter brunette woman) were there to guard Lexa and Clarke from any assassination attempts. Lexa was concerned by their presence because Lexa had already warned her that there was a small possibility that the peace of the Harvest might be broken due to the Skaikru's presence. Not all were as open and willing to accept Clarke's people as others. Lexa had assured her that she wasn't worried that it would happen, just overly cautious.
The remaining man, Po, and woman, Trish, were introduced as the keepers of the natblida, which were basically den parents to the children who were sitting at the side table. Clarke didn't know who the children were or why they were called natblida, but she figured Lexa would explain it to her.
The guards and keepers were very nice to her. As Lexa spoke privately to Titus, they asked her basic questions about her people and their home in the sky. They didn't ask their questions with distrust, but rather interest. There was a kindness that radiated from them that calmed Clarke's mind. She thought back to their march up the mountain. When Lexa had offered to take her to Polis. She had said that it would change the way she saw her people. Clarke wondered if this is what she had meant.
Lexa and Titus rejoined them after talking alone for a few minutes. The keepers went to join the children at their table, while the guards went to their posts at the corner of the stage. Titus, went to stand in front of the table, and then raised his arms to silence the crowd.
Clarke and Lexa waited behind the stage until Titus announced them. Clarke went first up first, and was surprised by the response she received from the crowd. The crowd of people chanted Wanheda as she took her seat, only quieting when Titus raised his arms again.
Lexa's name was chanted even louder as she walk along the back of the stage to take her seat in her throne. Dinner was loud and boisterous, filled with a mix of English and Trigedasleng. Lexa spoke to Titus through part of the meal about preparations for the festival, and then watched as her people enjoyed themselves.
Clarke spent most of the meal talking to Raven about some of the thing she had already discovered in the sublevels of the tower, and the rest of the time watching Lexa's people. The ambassador spoke quietly amongst themselves. It was the children that interested her the most. They were quiet, sat in their chairs stiffly, and watched the people around them carefully. They didn't look any older than early teens. Clarke was eager to ask Lexa about them. She wanted to know who they were and why they were so serious.
Once her people began drifting from the table towards the fires, Lexa stood again. She walked to the edge of the stage to address her people. The crowd quieted at once, and stood in attention. In Trigedasleng, she began her speech.
"Welcome to the start of this year's Harvest Festival. Tonight's feast is special this year, for this year we celebrate our victory at the Mountain. This year I welcome the heroes of our victory, Skaikru."
The redheaded guard Clarke had met before the start of the feast, had come to stand behind the Skaikru to translate. Each of the Skaikru were surprised by the cheer that came after Lexa's opening. Clarke looked down at her people in the crowd and noticed that they were also looking around at the cheering people in surprise. There were a few grounder warriors who had fought at the mountain that were translating for them.
She smiled softly as the words Lexa had said to her on the mountain filtered through her mind for the second time that night. Looking around at the crowd she realized that she was right. Polis was going to change the way she saw Lexa's people.
Clarke zoned in just as Lexa had finished introducing her people, and their role in the war.
"For too long have our people been killed to keep the mountain men alive. Been turned into reapers and forced to gather their own people and deliver them to the mountain. For too long our people have lived in fear of the mountain, and for too long we have been powerless to defeat them. This year we celebrate the harvest without the threat of the mountain, and when you return home you can do so knowing that your families are safe."
There was another loud cheer from the crowd.
"I welcome you all to Polis, as I do every year, with this warning. We are many clans combined as one. Respect each other and respect the laws of the Harvest. Let the Harvest Festival begin."
The crowd cheered loudly as Lexa walked back to her seat. A woman wearing a strapless blue dress stepped up onto the stage. The crowd quieted, though not as quickly as they had for Lexa and Titus. Clarke was amazed when the woman began singing beautifully. Her voice carried through the valley, echoing lightly against the surrounding mountains.
"That's Kara," Lexa said leaning closer to Clarke so her people could hear her as well. "She travels through the clans singing for villagers and clan leaders."
Raven turned to look at Lexa, and asked, "What is she singing?"
"She singing the song of the Coalition. Our anthem is the English word I believe," Lexa said. "I can ask Kara if she can sing it for you in English if you'd like."
"I'd like that," Monty said. He was enthralled by the woman's voice.
Lexa nodded her head. "Tomorrow I will ask if she is willing."
"Thank you Commander," Monty said politely.
"There is no need for thanks Monty kom Skaikru. I and my people owe you much. It is my pleasure."
Monty gave Lexa a strained smile, and then looked out over the crowd searching for his best friend. Miller had promised that her would look after Jasper during the feast, but was still worried about him. Jasper was not coping with Maya's death well. He was verbal with his blame on Monty and Clarke, and had spent most of the week drunk. The only reason Jasper was even on this trip was because of Clarke. She hadn't given Jasper a choice in the matter. Monty didn't understand why Clarke was so adamant about it, but was grateful to have him close.
As Kara left the stage, the beautiful sound of drums, flutes, guitars, violins filled the valley. Lexa's people began to move around the well light area into groups. Some were dancing, a few were having friendly sparring matches, and many were playing different games. There was one being play were round disks with hole in the center were tossed a few yards away to little poles in the ground. She vaguely recalled a similar game being played long before the bombs fell, but couldn't remember what it was called.
Clarke watched as her people sat at their table awkwardly, unsure of what to do. She leaned over and whispered in Lexa's ear, who then yelled in Trigedasleng at the children sitting at the side table. At once each of the children stood, and calmly walked of the stage towards the Skaikru. Clarke watched in amusement as the children coaxed her people away from their seats and towards the games being played.
"Who are the kids?" Raven asked, with amusement heavy in her voice.
"They are the Nightbloods. One of them will be the next Commander after I die," Lexa said casually.
Four heads whipped to the side to stare at Lexa in shock.
"But they're just kids," Bellamy stated.
"I was not much older the Aden when Heda's spirit chose me to lead our people. Just shy of my fourteenth year," Lexa said calmly.
"Is Aden the oldest of the children?" Monty asked.
"Yes. He is the one with the dark blonde hair," Lexa said, and pointed to the sparring pits. He was currently sparring with a warrior twice his size, and seemed to be winning. "Do not let their youth fool you. They are strong warriors, wise beyond their years, and one day one of them will be a great leader."
Before long Lexa's people began walking up to the table to bestow gifts upon the Lexa, Clarke, and their people. Most of the gifts were little hand carved wooden trinkets, but there were a few gifts that were truly magnificent. Like the beautiful chiseled rocks, in shapes of stars, and moons. There was one that was a smooth bluish green rock, chiseled into the shape of the drop ship.
Then there was the glass works that were being presented to them. Glass orbs filled with beautiful colors, pitchers, mugs, and even small sculptures. Lexa had been presented with a mini glass replica of her throne, which made Lexa smile.
As each person presented a gift, they announced their name, clan, and who they had lot to the mountain. By the end of the night, the only clan that didn't present anyone with a gift had been Azgeda. Clarke knew that there had been a bad history between Lexa and the Ice Queen, and wondered if that was the reason why. She had overheard Lexa specking with Indra the night after the feast in Ton DC, about the Azgeda. They had thought she was asleep, but she had woke from the voices. They were speaking in Trigedasleng, so she only understood a few words. Ice Nation and war were said several times. She had asked Lexa about it the following day, but she assured her that she had nothing to worry about. Clarke looked skeptical, and Lexa caught the look. She then assured her that if there ever was concern, she would inform Clarke. She didn't like not knowing, but she let the issue drop. Lexa did start teaching Clarke how to handle her people later that day though, which lead her to believe that Lexa hadn't been entirely truthful with her.
Once they were certain that all of Lexa's people were done presenting gifts. Everybody at Lexa's table stood and joined in the festivities. Only Clarke, Lexa, and Titus remained. Clarke spent most of the evening subtly glancing past Lexa at the bald man. The dream state she experienced just before the feast weighed heavily on her mind and on her chest. She couldn't shake the feelings it left inside of her.
She eyed him carefully each chance she got. There something about him that Clarke didn't like. Even without the dream's images playing on a loop in her mind, this man left feelings of unease inside of her. She didn't like how he was staring out at the crowd with a stern look on his face, as though the people were doing something that displeased him.
At first she thought it might have been because of her people, and the ambassadors that were each taking turns speaking with them. It wasn't until later on in the night that the reason revealed itself.
Lexa had been all too aware of the stern look Titus wore, and the reason behind it. She tried her best to ignore her mentors growing irritation, but his irritation only seemed to irritate her. Finally she calmly said, "They are fine Titus."
Without looking at Lexa, Titus replied, "It is late Heda. The nightbloods should be in bed, keeping to their schedules."
"It is good practice for when one of them is Heda. Will you force the new Commander to bed, just to keep to his or her schedule?"
"No," Titus said, seemingly unaffected by Lexa's logic.
"Then let them be," Lexa said, allowing a slight tone of annoyance in her voice. She turned to Clarke, who was watching them with interest. "Come Clarke. Let's go see if our people are enjoying themselves."
Clarke nodded her head, and then followed Lexa off the stage, and into the crowd. Lexa show Clarke how to play a few of their games, they joined in on conversations by the fires, and danced with anyone who made a request. Clarke was only one day into her stay in Polis, and she already knew that her life would never be the same again.