Chapter 10: Initiating Phase Two

Clarke's first week in Polis went remarkably fast. It was filled with hours spent in the library, naps with Lexa (which always lead to heated make-out sessions), at times in Raven's sublevels (as Lexa was now referring to the basement levels), and her afternoon and evening were spent with her people enjoying the festival, and preparing for the games.

She was finding Polis to be everything she imagined earth could be like. It was lively, loud, filled with people and their creations. She had found clothing, artwork, paints and colored charcoal, glass cups, plates, and pitchers. There were several blacksmiths selling everything from nails, hammers, and saws to axes (both for battle and for wood chopping), knives, and swords.

Then there was the food. She had never dreamed of food that tasted so amazing. She had eaten eggs prepared six different ways, bread with dozens of different jams spread on, and all the different kinds of meats. Chicken, beef, mutton, all prepared with spices that the Ark had only dreamed of growing. Then there were the fish and seafood. She had a particular liking to shrimp.

Her favorite part of being in Polis were the people. Since landing on Earth she had been at odds with the grounders. Nearly every grounder she met hated her and her people for crash landing on their territory. It was refreshing to be around so many people who were kind and friendly. Vendors were eager to have Clarke try every food they were preparing.

Two days before the start of the games, Wick arrived with two solar powered rovers and half a dozen more Skaikru. Kane being one of them. Raven nearly bounced out of her chair as Lexa rolled her through the frozen grass, and saw the Rovers waiting for her. She was bursting with excitement.

The Skaikru spent the next two days setting up cameras, mounting a dozen TV screens to polls, and stringing wires across the clearing. There were six high-grade camera's recovered from mount weather. There were four pointing to the main field where most of the games would take place. One was pointed at the stage where Lexa and the leaders of the clans would sit, and the last one was pointed at two writing boards.

The boards were the last thing Raven had added to the list. She figured that it would be good to introduce another way to keep track of the games. Both the boards were set up for the start of the games. Names of the people who wished to try out were on the board underneath the picture of their clan's symbol. Next to each name was a blank space where their wins will be tallied. At the end of the second day, the two men or women with the most tallies will move into the actual games to compete for their clan.

Along with each camera being hooked to two of the TVs, they were all hooked into two laptops where all the footage was being stored. This way if there was any suspected cheating, (which somebody was accused of doing at least once a day) they could easily see if the allegation was true or false. That and they would be able to see if anybody tried to tamper with the scoreboard.

Lexa was pleased with the work Raven was doing. She was worried about how her people were going to react to the technology being present, but she was also excited. Raven's idea was an excellent way to show her people that not all technology was bad.

She had spent a lot of time over the last week in the city, walking around to each booth and talking with her people. She enjoyed knowing what her people thought, and if there was anything that their village required. She often felt that some of the leaders were too stubborn and proud to ask for assistance when needed. Talking with the villagers gave her an insight to how much the ambassadors were leaving out at their meetings.

While she trusted her ambassadors, she was not nieve. She knew that what was best for each of their clans would always come before what was best for all the clans. The coalition may still be in its infancy, but the need for a commander was not. It had been the job as Commander for decades to oversee negation between the clans. Her job was more important now that the twelves clans ran as one. Lexa would sooner die then see the coalition fall apart, and see her people fall back into warring times.

It was a spectacular feat that she even managed to bring the twelve clans into peace. Before she became Heda, clans were inciting war with each other on a regular basis. Fighting over lands, food, water, goods, and partners. Villages were raided, homes were destroyed, and lives were taken. Lexa never wanted it to return to that.

So, while she knew that her ambassadors would always look out for their clan first, she refused to let that stop her from providing for her people. If she had the missing pieces to the puzzle she could act before things escalated. Like the fact that Sahara, the Rock Line clan's ambassador, had neglected to tell Lexa that they had been attacked several times over the last several months by Northerners.

That was a troubling fact. Azgeda had all lands to the north of them. There were many small villages in the Azgeda territory that didn't follow the rule of Nia or Lexa. They mostly kept to themselves, but if they were mobilizing attacks, then there could be trouble ahead of them. Especial with the treat that Nia could mobilize her own military. The thought that Nia was behind these attacks crossed her mind, but without substantial proof, she could do nothing about it.

Once the games were over, and the ambassadors reconvened again, she would address the issue. Until then, she continued to speak with her people. The more she learned about, the more she could help her people move into a better future. A future that Lexa was eager to see.

When Lexa wasn't talking to her people, or showing Clarke everything Polis had to offer, she was overseeing the Skaikru's training. Raven had been right about it being a funny sight. There wasn't a training session that passed without her trying very hard not to laugh at something one of them did.

So far they had chosen three people to represent them in the pre-games. Bellamy (who showed better hunting skills than anybody else, Clarke (who after a few private sessions with Lexa, was great at throwing things at targets), and an older man (who was adept at sparring.) They weren't going to win the games, but they were adept enough to show the clans that they were quick learners, and given time, had a lot to offer them.

The night before the start of the games, Clarke couldn't sleep. Which wasn't a new development, but the reason behind the sleepless night was. During her nap with Lexa earlier that day she had another nightmare. This one had been different than the one about Titus shooting Lexa, but it had been just as devastating.

In this dream, she was standing in a crowd of people in the town square, watching Lexa fight a large man with Azgeda scars on his face. The dream ended with Lexa lying on the ground, looking up at the man who was about to thrust a spear into her.

There was a part of her that knew these dreams were more than just dreams, but there was the rational side of her that refused to believe them to be true. Whether they were real visions or just her mind playing tricks on her, her need to be closer to Lexa mounted substantially.

That night she broke their agreement. She slipped from her room and snuck through the halls to Lexa's room. She knew what she was risking by entering Lexa's room after dark, but she didn't care. She was afraid to sleep. Afraid that her mind will play out yet another way for Lexa to get hurt or worse.

The room was still brightly lit with the dozens of candles. Lexa was sitting up in her bed with a book propped up in her lap. She looked up at Clarke in surprise to see her there but quickly shook it off. She tossed the book to the side and climbed off the bed.

"Clarke. Is everything alright? " Lexa asked as she made her way across the room.

"I…ah…" Clarke breathed heavily. "I know we agreed that it was best for me to sleep in my own room during the night, but I had to see you."

"I only suggested that to keep you safe," Lexa said.

"I know Lexa," Clarke said, and then looked into her eyes. "I just need to make sure you were okay."

"I am fine Clarke," Lexa assured her. "Come lay with me," she said as she gently pulled Clarke towards her bed. She moved the book she was reading to the table beside her bed and climbed in. She pulled Clarke close to her, momentarily forgetting the reasons why Clarke shouldn't be in her room. The main reason being Nia, who had arrived at the tower just an hour before.

"Is this about the dream you keep having?" Lexa guessed.

Clarke sighed. "Yes."

"Tell me about it," Lexa gently prompted.

Clarke sat up and turned to face Lexa. "Can we not talk about it? I will tell you about my dreams after the festival is over. I promise. Right now, I just want to lay with you."

Lexa smiled at Clarke and nodded her head. She would never turn down a chance to lay with Clarke.

Clarke laid back down and cuddled into Lexa's side. She closed her eyes and basked in the warmth the Lexa always seemed to radiate. She wondered offhandedly if that was because she really was radiating heat, or if it was a manifestation of her growing feeling?

Lexa placed a tender kiss on top of Clarke's head and then picked up her forgotten book. "How about I read to you?" she suggested.

"I would like that," Clarke said.

Lexa opened the book to the start and began translating the words written there into English. She read to Clarke until she was sure the blonde was asleep, and then placed the book back on the nightstand. She carefully slipped out from underneath the woman and moved around the room blowing out the remaining lit candles, leaving just the candle inside the lantern next to her bed lit.

She kneeled next to her bed and watched Clarke sleep. Lexa knew that having Clarke in her bed was a bad idea, but the peaceful look on Clarke's face made her reconsider. Maybe, she was over thinking the danger to Clarke's life. Perhaps there was no danger at all, and she was just letting Costia's death bring out her protective side.

Nia was just a few floors beneath her, and with her greatest enemy in her home, she had to be extra careful. There was no room to wonder if she was being paranoid or not. Not when Clarke's life could be lost if she wasn't being paranoid and her fears were true.

There was no need to send Clarke away, though. If her fears were founded, then the damage was already done. Lexa had known that it was only a matter of time before their relationship was discovered, and had taken several precautions for when that happened. After all, she could only explain the amount of time she sent with Clarke away forever. There were extra guards following Clarke everywhere she went, all from Trikru, loyal only to her and to Indra. Men and woman who would sooner kill themselves than betray their Clan leader or their Heda.

Clarke rolled over, breaking Lexa from her stupor. She sighed quietly, reminding herself that there was only so much she could control. She crawled back into the bed, blew out the remaining candle, and then rolled onto her side facing Clarke.

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The first two days of the games went off swimmingly, thanks impart to Raven's ideas for the live streaming the games, and her new score keeping boards. So far there had been three accusations of cheating, (one of which was proven to be true,) two fewer fights then there would have been last year and hundreds of people who were able to watch the games as though they were standing right next to the arenas.

Lexa was exceptionally pleased with how smoothly the first two days went. This was the first year that all the games had been completed before sundown. Most years, the games went well into the night, simply because of the fighting amongst the players.

She was also happy with how well her people were adjusting to having the Skaikru in their midst. There had been quite a few people who voiced their displeasure at allowing the Skaikru into the games, but once the games begin that displeasure died down. Mostly due to the Skaikru's appalling, yet funny performance.

Lexa was pleased with how well they stood up to their competition, but none of the Skaikru competitors was a match for their more experienced rivals. Clarke did exceptionally well for having only a week of practice, but even she fell short. Literally.

She did well with throwing the daggers, but when it came time to throw the ax, it didn't even make it to the target. There just wasn't enough strength in the throw. Lexa was positive that given more than a few days practice, Clarke would put all her competitors to shame. She looked forward to the next Harvest Festival to see how well she improved.

Towards the end of the second day, the remaining Skaikru competitors began putting on a show for their audience. Silly little things like playing dead while in the middle of the fight, then popping up at random and pretending to repeatedly trip as they attempted to catch a boar. They may not have the skills the grounders did, but at least they won over the crowd. In a way, that was a win for the Skaikru.

Outside of the games, the gaps between the Skaikru and the rest of the Coalition had closed considerably. Many of Lexa's people offered tips to the Skaikru of how to improve their performance, while others asked questions about their life in the sky. Curiosity overrode their fears about the strangers in their lands.

Overall, Lexa was pleased with how well she and Raven's plan was working. It was working out better than she expected. Her only hope was that the overall peace continued after the Festival. There was a part of her that was fearful that the peace found was just an act. After all, the very basis for the Festival was peace. It was a three-week break from all conflict. Even during times of war.

There was just one problem that was throwing a wrench into her enjoyable time, and that could be summed up with one simple word, (or in this case name.)

Nia.

She was the one thing that stood in the way of her gaining everything she ever dreamed of. Of a life, that until Clarke crash-landed in her orbit, she thought she would never have. A peaceful life, with somebody standing next to her to experience. It wasn't so much that Nia was doing anything to openly threaten that life, but the knowledge that she could do something in the future.

Since her arrival in Polis, Lexa could feel Nia watching her. Just like she did every time Nia was in her presence. This time, the feeling was amplified, because of the fear of losing Clarke. She could see in Nia's eyes that she knew about them. It was evident in the little smirk she wore each time Lexa caught Nia staring at her. She knew, and she was planning something.

Lexa had a smirk of her own when it came to Nia because she was ten steps ahead of the older woman. She had increased security throughout the city, both secretly and publicly. Nia couldn't go anywhere or talk to anyone without Lexa knowing it. Her plan with Raven was going swimmingly. After all the clan leaders renewed their loyalties to Lexa and the Coalition, she was going to offer Skaikru a formal alliance in front of the Council of Leaders. Once Skaikru accepted her offer, and terms were negotiated, then Nia wound not be able to touch them without inciting a war that she could not win.

The formal alliance would make offering Skaikru a place in her Coalition as the Thirteenth clan in a few months easier on her people to accept.

So Nia could plan whatever she wanted. She wasn't going to win this. She wasn't going to take what she had fought so valiantly for, and she most certainly wasn't going to take Clarke from her. Not like she had Costia. Lexa just wished she could shake the feeling of dread that had built up inside of her.

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For the rest of the week, when Clarke wasn't with Lexa, she spent most of her time with her friends watching the real competition, talking with the Ambassadors and Clan Leaders, or in her room drawing pictures of the nightmares that plagued her dreams.

She enjoyed speaking with the Clan Leaders. Sure they were just as guarded as the rest of their people, but they were still very interesting. Each clan had a different role to play in the Coalition, and the Clan leaders were eager to explain that role. It was very clear to Clarke that they were proud of their Clan and the work their Clan provided. Each Clan leader gave her a new piece of the world she'd fallen into.

There were only two Clan leader with whom she had not spoken with. The obvious being Queen Nia, who she could sense watching her but had yet made a move to come speak with her. Which Clarke was content with. The longer she waited to meet this woman, the longer she could pretend the woman was not a threat.

The second clan leader she had not meet was the leader of the Boat People. She had met several Floudonkru, but nobody could seem to point out their leader, nor give her the leader's name. It seemed incredibly odd to her. Why didn't they know their own leader's name?

Clarke's favorite part of the competition was spending it with Aden, Lexa's most promising natblida. Clarke had grown quite fond of the thirteen-year-old. He reminded her of Lexa in a lot of ways. He was quiet, calm, and incredibly wise for his age. On the flip side, he often became confused by something Clarke said to him, and would give her this look that Lexa's was always giving her. It was quite amusing to see, especially when they were together when they did it.

It was the night after the games ended when Nia made her first move. Clarke was sitting in her room with Aden. They were both sitting on the floor hunched over her coffee table drawing. The sun had long set, so there were lit candles all around them.

A knock came at the door. Before she gave her permission for the knocker to enter, the door swung open and Nia walked in. She strolled into the room confidently, as though it was hers to enter. It was clear to Clarke that she believed herself untouchable.

Aden jumped up just seconds after she entered the room, and moved in front of Clarke, and for a second Clarke thought that he did exactly wat Lexa would do. If the gap in their age wasn't so close together, she would have sworn that Aden was Lexa's son.

Clarke stood up and moved around to the front of the coffee table. She gently placed her hand on Aden's shoulder, and said, "It's alright Aden. Why don't you go join the rest of the natblida's? I believe they are reading with Lexa in her room."

Aden looked over his shoulder, and then after a moment nodded his head in understanding. He knew that the rest of the natblida's were with a few Raven in the sublevels, learning about a few of the old world devices she had discovered over the last week.

Aden slowly walked out of the room, purposely leaving the door open.

Clarke looked at Nia confidently. "Please sit," she said, and then gestured toward one of the two armchairs. "What brings you to my room, Queen Nia?"

Nia sat down in the chair. "I wanted to meet the woman who seems to have captured our Heda's heart. Quite a feat if I do say so myself. I never thought that Lexa would put another person's life at risk. Not after what happened to her precious Costia."

"You mean what you did to Costia," Clarke stated.

"What she believes I did to her beloved," Nia countered. "I was not the one who cut the life out of Costia."

"But it was done on your order?" Clarke questioned, though she knew the answer.

Nia smirked but didn't answer. She was too smart to openly admit that she was the one to order the death of Lexa's lover. Doing so would sign her death warrant. "I must admit that you are impressive, for a Sky girl. I can see why Lexa is enthralled with you. Costia was impressive as well, but she was weak. It was that weakness that led to her death. She believed the very best in people, and it was that quality that led to her death. I've watched you. You don't seem to share the same quality. You are very suspicious of everyone you talk to."

"You don't know anything about me."

"I know that you don't trust me," Nia smirked again. "I know that you sent young Aden to tell Lexa hat I am in your room. She should be arriving any moment. You are very predictable my dear. You are like a child. New to this world, and the ways of our people. Easy to cut down, should somebody wish to try."

"Is that what you wish to do? Cut me down, like you did Costia?"

Nia chortled. "Hardly. I merely wish to remind Lexa that weak people have a tendency to die around her. Especially when that person's death gives another the power he or she wishes to have."

"And what would somebody gain from my death?" Clarke asked.

Nia smirked and looked past Clarke to the open door. Lexa was standing in the doorway, with a glare of death on her face. "I suppose our time is up."

Clarke looked confused for a moment and then turned towards the door. She relaxed slightly.

Nia stood, and walked toward Clarke. She rubbed her hand over Clarke's cheek as she addressed Lexa, "I can see why you like this one Lexa. I'd be careful with her. You don't want her to end up like the last one."

She then strolled out of the room as though she hadn't just threatened the life of her Heda's beloved. Confident as always.

Clarke looked to Lexa. "I guess we can safely put Nia in the enemy category."

"Where are your guards?" Lexa asked calmly, but the anger that had built up inside of her was evident.

"I don't know? Aden and I have been in here drawing for a while. Abel and Roni were there when we came in."

Lexa turned and exited the room. Clarke could hear her growling orders at the guards. When Lexa returned there was a dark look on her face. Clarke wanted nothing more than to wrap her arms around her and calm the raging storm. She reframed from stepping forward and doing just that.

Lexa looked at Clarke for just a moment, before stepping forward and grasping Clarke in her arm. Her lips crashed into Clarke's. She kissed her deeply, pouring all of her love and affection into the kiss. When she pulled back there was a single tear running down her cheek.

"I won't let her hurt you. I will die before she has a chance," Lexa vowed.

Clarke's breath hitched at the words. She leaned forward and recaptured Lexa's lips, kissing her just as hungrily as Lexa had a moment before. Without breaking the kiss she turned them around and pushed Lexa toward the bed.

Lexa fell to the bed and the kiss broke. She looked up at Clarke with tears welling in her eyes, but smile for all that she felt was her love for the woman above her. She pulled Clarke on top of her and kissed her feverishly while tugging at her shirt.

Clarke broke the kiss and sat up. She smiled down at the woman she was straddling, and then slowly tugged her shirt off. Lexa moved her hands from Clarke's waist up her sides, gently brushing her fingers along the soft flesh.

Suddenly, Clarke was on her back, with Lexa resting between her legs. She smiled again as she pulled Lexa in for another kiss. She allowed herself to relax into Lexa's embrace and forget about what had just happened. To forget everything that had happened in the last year.

Being with Lexa was so different than when she had been with Finn. She thought that she loved him, but what they shared had only felt a fraction of what she felt with Lexa. The feel of her fingers on her bare skin was electrifying. It set off every nerve in her body. It made her feel alive. Lexa made her feel alive.

They stayed up half the night making love to each other without a care in the world. Just basking in the feel of each other.