Disclaimer: I do not own the 100 or the book that is quoted.
AN: I struggled with this chapter, unsure of how I wanted to play this out. I think I found a way to capture the show, but that's for you to judge. Beja, let me know what you think. It would really help my muse.
I apologize for any mistakes I may have missed. Feel free to point them out so I can fix them.
Chapter 11: Pride
Lexa woke as the first rays of sunlight broke through the boarded-up windows. Clarke was lying on her side facing her. A peaceful look adorned the blonde's face, making her look impossibly beautiful. She smiled softly as she brushed a strand of hair behind her ear.
She laid there for a few minutes watching her love sleep, before resigning herself to face reality. There was much to be done before she was due to meet with the Clan leaders. She slipped from the bed, and dressed as quickly as she could.
Before she left, she kneeled on the bed, and placed a loving kiss on top of Clarke's head. She hated leaving before Clarke woke, but there were pressing matters to attend to. A plan had formed in her mind while she slept, and she had very little time to prepare before the Council convened.
She stepped out of Clarke's room and ordered one of the guards to fetch Aden, Raven, and Titus, for her, and then headed to the throne room. She stopped at her room briefly to grab a package she was saving for Clarke.
Titus and Aden were already quietly waiting for her when she entered the throne room. They both stood tall and stoic, ready for whatever their Heda required.
"Aden," she addressed. "I have an important task for you."
Aden nodded his head, "Whatever you wish, Heda."
Lexa handed the package to Aden. "I wish for you to take this to Clarke. It's a present for her to wear to today's Council meeting. I want you to remain by her side today, but don't stray out of the tower."
"Sha Heda," Aden said, as he bowed slightly.
"Mochof," Lexa said with a soft smile. "Go to Clarke now, and be sure that she gives you permission to enter her room before doing so."
"Of course."
Lexa waited until Aden was gone before turning to look at Titus. His disapproval at sending Aden to protect Clarke was evident in his eyes, although he did a good job at keeping it hidden on his face.
"Were Abel and Roni found?" She demanded.
"Yes. They were in their quarters, packing up essentials," Titus replied.
"And did they tell you why they left their post?"
"They aren't talking."
"Very well. They will be an example of what happens when I am disobeyed."
"I'll have them taken to the trees," Titus stated, and then began walking out of the room.
"No," Lexa said, halting Titus's steps. She sat down on her throne. "This is an example for the Clan Leaders eyes only. I will not be disobeyed where Clarke is concerned, and I want them all to know what happens should somebody put her life at risk."
Titus faltered for a split second, before a cold look settle in his features. "You cannot reveal your relationship to the Clan Leaders. They will see it as a weakness, and revolt against you."
"The only Clan Leader who will fight this is Nia, and it is she who I am displaying my power for."
"Love is weakness Lexa, and Nia will exploit it, just like she did with Costia," Titus growled.
Lexa stood up aggressively and growled, "I will not hear this again Titus. Clarke does not make me weak. She makes me strong. Stronger and clearer than I have ever felt. I value your council Titus, but it is time that you remember that I am Heda."
Titus bowed. "Certainly Heda."
"Good. Please go down and prepare the prisoners for the meeting, and then go gather the natblida's please," Lexa ordered.
"Sha Heda," Titus said, and with a final bow he left.
Lexa sat on her throne and quietly waited for Raven to arrive. She suspected that the guards had to wake Raven, or possible go on a hunt for her. Lexa had found the woman sleeping in the sub-levels three times since she showed her them.
Sure enough, a few minutes later Raven rolled into the room wearing the same clothing she was in the night before, looking more than a little tired. Lexa smiled at her friends ruffled look. "Again, Raven?" she teased. "You know I can have the keepers put a bed down there for you."
"I'd still end up falling asleep where ever I am sitting," Raven smiled. "So why did you feel the need to wake me up this early?"
"Nia got past Clarke's guards last night and made a subtle threat on her life," Lexa explained.
"WHAT?! You said that she was safe. You said there was no way for the Queen bitch to get past your people."
"I underestimated Nia's pull in the city. I won't make that mistake again," Lexa promised.
"I'm guessing you have a plan?" Raven asked.
"Nia getting rid of the guards was a show of her power. She was making clear that she will always be able to get to Clarke, so I am going to show all the leaders what will happen if anything happens to Clarke."
"You're going to kill them?" Raven asked. "Like you would have me, with a thousand cuts?"
"I am," Lexa stated calmly. "Clarke presence will be required for today's meeting, since it is her life who was threatened. She is strong, but I fear that witnessing this will be too much for he."
Raven thought it over for a second. "What do you think will happen if Queen Bitch does kill Clarke?" She finally asked.
"War," Lexa answered gravely.
Raven nodded her head. She has expected that answer, which is why she asked that particular question. "Clarke will do anything to prevent another war. She will do whatever it takes to save our people. We've already lost so many."
"Sha. That is one of the many qualities that I love about Clarke."
"You worry too much," Raven observed.
"It is my job as Heda to foresee any possible conflict," defended Lexa. "Which reminds me. Are you nearly finished with the proposal?"
Raven eyes lit up. "I am. Kane, and I were up half the night working on it. Do you really think your people will agree to it?"
"I do. It will benefit many of our people. It was wise of Clarke to suggest it."
"Like I said, Clarke will do anything to keep our people safe," Raven replied. "Kane sent a messenger to Camp Jaha this morning to inform Abby about the proposal. He doesn't want to present the proposal to your leaders until she agrees to it."
"Understandable," Lexa stated. "We will wait until Abby returns word of her approval."
Lexa glanced over Raven's stiff form, as she did nearly every time she was in close proximity to the woman, to gage how much pain she was in. "How are you feeling today?"
"Stiff," Raven grunted as she shifted in her chair. "But over-all not bad. The cream you gave me works wonders."
"I'm glad," Lexa said, happy the she could help ease her friends pain. "I wish for you to join Clarke and I for dinner tonight."
"Sure. Dinner sounds good," Raven replied.
"I will send a guard for you when the time comes. I require the natblida's for today's council, but you may have them once we are completed, if you wish."
"I do. I found a few gaming systems. We're going to wire them up to the TV's and see if they work."
Lexa looked at Raven in confusion, but chose not to ask. Instead she filed it away for later. "Then I will send them to you once we are through."
"Awesome!"
Lexa laughed quietly as Raven rolled out of the room.
x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x
Clarke was standing beside Lexa's throne as the Clan leaders and their ambassadors filed into the room. She was nervous, but was doing her best to not show it to the leaders. She glanced up at the landing where the nightbloods were congregated. Her eyes connected with Aden, who gave her a comforting, but brief, smile.
Lexa waited for all her subjects to take their places before standing. She glanced around the room, before allowing her eyes to fall briefly on Nia. "I welcome you all."
Before she had a chance to continue, Nia interrupted her. "Why is the Skaikru scum here during our sacred meetings?"
As Nia expected, Lexa whipped around to face her. Lexa's next actions were not what she had expected. Lexa smiled at her.
"I am glad you asked, Queen Nia," Lexa said in English. She turned to gesture at Clarke, "I have asked Wanheda to join today's council to formally announce our union." Lexa reclaimed her seat, and gently took Clarke's hand in hers. Many of the leaders were looking to the pair in surprise, but the majority looked as though they had already guessed. "A threat for Wanheda's life was made last night." Several of her leaders looked to Nia in disgust.
"And what is it that you plan to do about this threat?" Nia asked cockily.
She gestured for the guards. "Bring in the prisoners."
A second later the doors opened and Clarke's favorite guards were brought through. Two holders were placed in the center of the room just in front of Lexa's throne. The men were strapped, both facing the leaders. Lexa stood again and moved to face the men. "Do you wish to explain?"
When both men remained silent, Lexa turned back to the leaders. "These men abandoned their post, allowing the person who threatened Wanheda to enter her private quarters. Their betrayal will be paid with their life." Lexa pulled her beloved dagger from it holster and then turned back to the men. She raised the knife to Abel's neck, and then looked to Clarke. "What say you Wanheda?"
This is what they had discussed before the meeting. Lexa would ask Clarke if she agreed and she would simple say yes. Lexa hadn't told her that since it had been her life threatened it was supposed to be her honor to begin the ceremony, but Clarke had been doing her research. Instead of answering Lexa's question, she stepped forward and held her hand out for the dagger.
Recognition flashed across Lexa's face. She didn't question Clarke's motives, or dare to ask if she was sure. She understood that Clarke was allowing Wanheda to show through. This was Clarke's way of showing her people her strength. Yes, she was worried for Clarke, but she was also incredibly proud. She gently placed the dagger in Clarke's palm, and reclaimed her throne.
Clarke raised the knife to Abel's neck, and looked in to his eyes looking for any remorse or fear, but all she saw was defiance. Abel had always been kind to her. She gently applied pressure to the dagger, allowing it to break the skin, and looked for any changes in his eyes. Not seeing any, she brought the dagger down across his neck, and watched as blood trickled from the wound. The cut would kill him slowly, giving anyone who wished to participate time to see his reaction.
Clarke repeated the process with Roni, and then stood back to look in to their eyes again. Neither man was showing any remorse for betraying her, and that hurt. She had thought that they could be trusted. She had been very wrong about that, and left a heavy feeling in the pit of her stomach. She looked up at Lexa, who was looking at her with a look of pride. She nodded her head slightly at Clarke, reassuring her that she had done a good job.
A hand appeared in front of her suddenly. She looked to her left to find that it was Aden who was requesting the dagger. He wore a look of sheer determination, that once again reminded her Lexa. She looked up to Lexa, who nodded her head slightly, and then gently hand him the dagger. She went to stand next to Lexa again, and silently watched as Aden place two cuts on each of the men. One for the woman who he saw as a mother, and the other for his mother's love and his friend.
When he was done, he passed the dagger to the next nightblood, and went to stand next to Titus. Clarke had a hard time watching as each of the children took turns placing their cuts on the men. From what Aden had told her, the nightbloods have never taken part in punishment before. She understood that this was Aden's way of showing that the nightbloods stood behind Lexa and Clarke, and by the looks of the clan leaders, they understood it as well.
Lexa watched Nia carefully as her children each took a turn cutting the men. Outwardly, Nia was calm, but Lexa could see the fire burning in her eyes. She knew Clarke would be safe for a little while, but Nia would come at them again. And this time, she would be ready for her.
Once the nightbloods finished taking their turns, and were standing in a row next to Titus, the ambassadors took their turns. Each showing their loyalty to their Commander. The true test was when it came time for the Clan leaders to take their turns. Standing and taking apart of the ceremony meant they were loyal to Lexa, and accepted Clarke as her lover. To sit and refuse, was a betrayal.
One by one, each Clan Leader rose and accepted the dagger that was being offered, until only Nia was left. Indra, stood proudly in front of the Queen, offering her the dagger with a look that dared her to deny it. It was the ultimate test. To refuse would create discord with the leaders who were loyal to Lexa, and to accept was her outwardly accepting the Lexa won this round. In the end, she accepted the dagger and the defeat that it represented. She would retreat… for the time being.
Lexa ended the ceremony by putting a sword through the traitors' hearts, and dismissed all the Clan Leaders and Ambassadors, while asking the nightbloods and Clarke to remain. The guards took the bodies and stands away, and four keepers came in and quickly cleaned up the spilled blood.
Once the keepers were finished, Lexa turned to the nightbloods. "Sit," she commanded gently, as she gestured to the empty chairs. She turned to Titus, "You are dismissed."
The man looked as though he wanted to argue, but bowed and exited the room. Lexa looked over each of her children's faces. "I am proud of you. Each one of you show true Heda spirit today."
"Mochof Heda," Aden said proudly.
"Take pride in your courage toady, but don't forget that to be Heda doesn't mean you have to be uncaring. Our greatest strength is the love we have for our people, and our willingness to do whatever it takes to keep them safe. Remember that if the sadness beings to consume you. Think not of the lives that we take, but the one that were saved because we had the strength to do what needed to be done."
"Sha Heda," the youngest boy, Cal said.
Lexa nodded her head at the young boy. "Raven is requesting your presence again. She said something about trying out a video game. You are dismissed."
She may not have understood what a video game was, but she did understand the excited looks on their faces, which brought a smile to her face. Once the nightblood had left, she gently pulled Clarke into her lap, wrapping her arms around the blonde's waist tightly.
"How are you?" Lexa asked softly.
Clarke looked at Lexa, and allowed herself to relax into her embrace. "I am better now."
"They respect you now," Lexa said.
"That was the plan," Clarke said.
"But?"
Clarke left out a puffy laugh. "But two people had to die for me to get it."
"They weren't innocent, Clarke. They were traitors," Lexa reminded.
"I was a labeled a traitor too. My father was floated for being a traitor," Clarke said.
"You both were falsely convicted," Lexa said. "They were guilty. They knowingly left their posts, and were attempting to flee Polis."
"I know," Clarke said.
"You were strong today. A true leader. I am proud to have you by my side, and proud to call you mine."
Clarke smiled and then leaned forward to capture Lexa's lips in a tender kiss. "I'm proud to call you mine as well."
"I've invited Raven to dine with us this evening. I thought that you could use a friend after today's meeting."
"You mean I could use a distraction," Clarke summed up.
"Sha," Lexa smiled. "I am looking forward to her explaining what a video game is. Everybody seems very excited over it."
Clarke laughed, and then leaned in for another kiss. She then stood up. "I have to go see Kane. He wants to talk to me about the Skaikru proposal."
"Sha," Lexa said as she stood. "I will walk you. I have something I wish to discuss with him."
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Aden joined them for dinner as well as Octavia, who they found guarding the hallway to Lexa's room.( No doubt on Indra's orders.) After speaking with Kane about positioning Skaikru guards with Clarke, Lexa had spoken with Indra about doing the same with Trikru. Lexa wanted to be sure that whomever was guarding her love could be trusted. Who better to watch over Clarke then her own people, and warriors who would die before siding with Azgeda.
While the dinner was pleasant, and Clarke enjoyed spending time with her friends, she could help but watch Aden. She was feeling unsettled by the events of the Harvest's first day of Council meetings, and she was afraid that he was feeling just as unsettled. She had spent a lot of time with the young man since arriving in Polis, allowing her to see a side of him that very few had the privilege to see.
While his demeanor was the same as always, there was a lack of enjoyment that usually filled his voice when he was with her. She could see that his smile didn't reach his eyes, and that worried Clarke. Though she understood that he was a commander in training, and that training meant that he could never have the chance to have a normal childhood, her heart ached for that reason. She wished that this boy didn't have to bare the burdens that he shouldered today. She wished that he hadn't taken part in killing two people. She wished that she could shield him from ever having that guilt placed upon him.
When Octavia stood to excuse herself, claiming that Indra would hang her upside down out a window if she found out she left her post, Raven decided to leave as well. She could feel the tension in the room, as she had all day with the rest of the nightbloods. Deciding that it would be best to leave the couple to sort out whatever was going on, while hoping they would fill her in later.
Lexa walked Raven out, hoping to speak with her for a moment. Raven paused, looking up at the woman from her chair.
"How were the natblida today?" Lexa asked somberly.
Raven sighed heavily. She had noticed that the children weren't as enthusiastic about getting the video game to work as she thought they would be. They were outwardly happy about it, but they weren't even as excited as they had been when she explained what the systems were. There was a sadness to them that only seemed to grow as the day wore on.
"Off," Raven stated, not entirely sure how to explain it to Lexa.
"Off?" Lexa asked confused. She did not understand how the children could be off. It is not like they were dead, which is the only way she knew how to shut 'off' a person.
"Yeah. They seemed different then they usually are," Raven explained. "They seemed like their happy usual selves, but it was like a muted version. Like their flames had been dimmed."
Recognition registered in Lexa's mind. "Oh. I see."
"What happened at that meeting, Lexa?" She asked worriedly. While Clarke had been spending so much time with Aden, she had spent the same amount with the younger nightbloods, and had grown fond of having them around.
"The natblida's showed their respect for Clarke," Lexa said proudly. Though not for the reasons that one may think. She was proud of them for having the courage to walk up to the podiums. She was proud of how well they handled themselves as they made their cuts. But most of all she was proud that they had taken the initiative to insert themselves into the ceremony. However, as proud as she was she still worried for the children she saw as her own.
Raven looked at Lexa numbly, suddenly feeling nauseous. "They… you…they… They're just kids Lexa," she fumbled through her words, flabbergasted at the idea of children taking part of the execution. Sure, she had known that they would be there, but it never occurred to her that they might partake.
Lexa's features hardened. "They are not just goufa, Raven. One of them will be the next commander," she reminded her, attempting to press the fact that they could never be just children. "I could die tonight, Raven, and then they will fight until only the new Commander remains. If that happens, the new Commander must be ready to take my place. They must be ready to do whatever it takes to keep our people safe, and to keep the coalition intact."
Raven looked as though she wanted to hurl. She was absolutely stunned by that revelation. "That's how you choose a new commander? A fight to the death?"
"With a Conclave, sha," Lexa said stoically, containing the little emotions she allowed herself to have. It wasn't as though she didn't understand why Raven suddenly had an angry look on her face. She understood the horrors of the conclave first hand. She remembered what it was like to plunge her knife into the heart of the youngest natblida, Wisp, a boy of only nine. She remembered the look on Luna's face as she stabbed her own brother, and watched as the life drained from his face. She remembered her conclave as though it had happened just yesterday, and she was sure she always would.
This was the worst part about being around the Skaikru. Watching their reactions to her people's cruelest customs. It made it hard to keep her own feeling on such subjects buried deep, a place that she needed them to be in order to do what needed to be done. She could not allow her feeling to rise and cloud her judgment. She could not allow them to make her weak.
"And I was just starting to think that your people were better then what we first thought. I guess I was wrong," Raven stated. She looked past Lexa to where Clarke and Aden were standing in the doorway. She didn't say another word, but shook her head as she turned her chair around.
Lexa watched Raven roll down the hallway, unsure of what she was supposed to do. Was she supposed to go after her, and try to make her understand? That in order to keep the peace that allowed her people safety and gave them a better chance at survival, sacrifices had to be made. That this was how her spirit would choose the new Commander, as it had always done.
Or did she stay there, like she always would? She was not used to people questioning her. Of people critiquing long established customs. She turned to Clarke and Aden, deciding that she would do what she always done.
"Aden," Clarke said quietly. "The book I was talking about is sitting just inside the library doors to the left. It's sitting on top of the table by itself. Will you please get it for me, and I will join you and the others in your common room."
"Sha Clarke," he said quietly, and then left quickly.
"Clarke…" Lexa began, but stopped when Clarke put her hand up.
"I know Lexa. It's how your people do things, but that doesn't change the fact that you send a bunch of kids to die to determine who the Commander will be. That's harsh information, and she needs time to process that."
"And you? Do you need time to process?" Lexa asked, slightly worried that This would cause a rift to form in their relationship.
"Yes," Clarke answered honestly. She would be lying if she said that she wasn't disturbed to learn that the young man she had grown fond of could be dead just days after she lost her love. That thought disturbed her immensely, but she also knew Lexa. She had seen how Lexa was when she was around the nightbloods. How she lit up whenever one of them was in the room. "I know you love them Lexa."
Lexa relaxed ever so slightly and allowed a smile to grace her lips. "Sha. I do."
"I won't pretend that I understand, when I don't. I have no idea how your people choose these kids, or why a fight to the death is how your spirit will choose them. I won't stand here and tell you that I agree with you or think it is alright, because I don't."
"I understand, Clarke," Lexa said diplomatically.
"I was proud of them too, Lexa. I trusted Abel and Roni. They were nice to me, treated me fairly, and I felt safe when they were guarding me. When Aden took that dagger, he was setting an example. He was claiming me as one of you, and showing the leaders that I will have a place, even if you die. I understand that, and for that I was proud. I may not have liked it, but it still made me proud to know they care."
"How do I make Raven understand?"
"You don't," Clarke signed. "I know it's hard for you to look at them and just see kids, but that's what we see. Children who have so much to learn, and have the rest of their lives to do so. You kind of squashed that vision for her. Now every time she sees them, all she will see is their death. Raven enjoys spending time with them, just as much as they do her. She like teaching them about what she knows, and learning with them as they discover something new. Give her time."
"They are my children, Clarke," Lexa admitted quietly. "It pains me to think of what will happen when my spirit chooses a new Commander."
Clarke stepped forward and wrapped her arms around Lexa's waist. "I know you love them," she said quietly, and gently kissed her. She pulled away gently, but kept her hand clasped around Lexa's bicep comfortingly. "I promised Aden I would read to him and the other nightbloods."
"Then you should go," Lexa said. "You'll come back?" She asked almost hesitantly.
"Sha," Clarke said, and then smirked. "You couldn't keep me away."
Lexa smiled gratefully and watched as her love walked down the hall. She looked around the hall, grateful that she had commanded her guards to remain at the entrances to her hallway, instead of outside her doors. She may be okay with Clarke seeing her softer side, but she couldn't afford to allow her people see her as anything but Heda. At least for the moment.
She entered her room, and as the doors closed, she took a moment to gather her emotions. Raven's fury at how her spirit chooses the new Commander reminded her of feelings she had long ago buried. She walked over to her bookshelf, and pulled off a leather-bound book. Taking a seat, she opened the book to a page she had not look at in nearly four years. Written on the page in sloppy scrawl was the starting of how to create a new and better conclave. A way for the next Commander to be chosen, without spilling the blood of the novitiates.
She had begun outlining the plan just days after taking the flame. It was just one of the many things she wished to accomplish during her reign as Heda. It was a child's fantasy, of this she was sure. A way for her to deal with the grief of losing the only family she had, many of whom died at her hands. Then again, many could have said the same about her plan to unite the clans in peace. A plan that she had begun outlining the day after she took the flame. A plan that was successful much sooner than even she could have predicted. So why not begin implementing this one as well?
That question was easily answered for Lexa. Her coalition was still fragile, especially at the moment; what with Nia lurking in the shadows, her plans to bring Skaikru into the alliance, and the announcement of her partnership with Clarke still fresh in the leader's minds. If she was going to implement a new way of choosing The Commander, then it would have to wait until things settled down a little more.
Lexa sighed as she closed the book, resigning herself to focus on more pressing issues. She didn't intend to allow her spirit to choose another for many moons.
-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-
Aden had every intention of retrieving the book Clarke sent him for, but as he saw Raven disappear behind the elevator doors, he decided to follow her instead. Which is how he found himself standing outside Raven's room, waiting the woman to allow him entrance.
"Go away Clarke," Raven yelled though the door.
"I am not Clarke," he said, and only had to wait a few seconds before Raven called for him to enter. He pushed open the door to find Raven looking at him with a sad expression on her face. He was still getting used to how easy it is to tell what the Skaikru were feeling just by the look on their faces. His people showed their emotion, but they were more guarded. For some you can only tell what a person is thinking or feeling by spending long amounts of time with them. To get to know them. As a natblida, the only people he spends much time with are the other natblida, Titus, and Heda.
"Did Lexa send you?" Raven asked in a clipped tone.
"No. They do not know that I am here. I am supposed to be fetching a book from the library for Clarke to read to my siblings and I."
A surprised look crossed Raven's features. "I didn't realize you were siblings."
"All natblida are linked by blood, regardless of who our nomon and nontu were," Aden told her.
"Why are you here Aden?"
Aden thought for a moment. He wasn't sure why he had felt the need to visit the woman. There had been something in the way she looked at him when she learned of his fate. Like he needed to help her understand that he was okay with his destiny.
Or perhaps it was to understand what she was thinking. Was there a part of him that agreed with her, even if he had never had such thoughts? Or maybe it's because he didn't like Raven thinking ill of his Heda.
Lexa doesn't like to talk about the conclave," he finally admitted. "Talking about her conclave saddens her, but when she speaks of the conclave that will happen when she dies, its different. Her voice changes, and you can see the pain in her eyes. She tries to hide it, but I've known Lexa since I was just little. I know a battle wages within her. I love Lexa. She is the only nomon I have ever known, and I know she loves us in return."
"If she loves you, then why doesn't she stop it?" Raven argued. "Instead she makes you to take part in murdering two people."
"Heda, didn't order us to partake," Aden declared. "She did not stop Clarke from handing the dagger to me, but it was I who stepped up to take part. The Ice Queen has already taken one of my Heda's loves, and I was with Clarke when Nia stepped in her bedroom to threaten to do the same. Those natrona left their post allowing this possible. Heda needed to make an example of them, and I wanted to help be that example. Now nobody will touch Wanheda, knowing she will be protected even after Lexa's death. I care for Clarke. She's teaching me how to write gonasleng and draw. She is waiting for me right now to bring her a book to read to us. Lexa is the only person who treats us like we are more than just natblidas, and now we have Clarke and you. I am proud that I could do this for her. I am proud that I could do my part to help protect her and her people."
Raven was unsure of what to say to that. She had never had a thirteen-year-old speaking to her with such conviction before. It was touching. Before she could decide what to say to him, Aden was speaking again.
"Our ways seem harsh, but it is how we survive," he said, unknowing mimicking words Lexa had spoken to Clarke weeks before. "It is how we keep peace amongst our people. It is how we stop chaos from taking over. The conclave, as harsh as it is, serves its own purpose. In its own way, it helps keep order among the clans." He glanced out the window at the dying light. "I must go," he said. "Clarke is surely waiting me."
He turned on his heel and reached for the door. He turned his head around and quietly said, "I have faith that Lexa will change the world. With Clarke by her side they can accomplish anything." And then he was gone, leaving Raven to stew in her thoughts.
Clarke was already sitting with his fellow nightbloods, avidly telling them the story about how she fell to earth. She looked up briefly when Aden entered the room, giving him a suspicious look, before returning to her attention the youngest nightbloods.
Aden laid the book on the coffee table in front of Clarke, and then took a seat on the love seat beside her. He listened as Clarke explained her first day on Earth. How she had trekked through the woods, through the glowing forest, on her way to Mount Weather. She told them about the giant snake that attacked Octavia, when she jumped into the creek. He listened as she spoke, grasping on to her every word like it was the greatest tale ever told.
Clarke ended her tale with Jasper swinging across the river to get to Mount Weather, much to the children's disappointment. She promised to pick up the tale at another time, and then reached for the book Aden had brought.
The book was one of her favorite books to read on the Arc, and had been thrilled to find the entire collection buried amongst the other old world books. She opened the book to the first page and began to read. There was a smile on her face, as the words floated smoothly from her lips. This was what she had imagined what Earth would be like. Mundane but peaceful.
"Mr. and Mrs. Dursley, of number four Privet Drive, were proud to say that they were perfectly normal, thank you very much…"
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Unseen by Clarke or the natblida, Titus watched them from the shadows. Having spent his whole life living in the tower gave him a better knowledge of all it hiding spots, and secret passages, allowing him to see almost everything that happened.
He had watched the visiting Skaikru with disgust at their disregard for his people's customs, but none more so then Clarke and Raven. He seethed at the thought of his children being corrupt by these invaders. Lexa should have heeded his warnings and decimated Skaikru when she had the chance. Instead, she offered them an alliance, and even invited them into their home. It churned his stomach.
He watched the nightblood's reaction as Clarke read a tale of an orphaned boy who lived under the stairs of his Aunt and Uncle house. He watched until he could no longer hold in his irritation. However, instead of stepping in to put a stopped to it, he turned around and slunk out of the room. As much as he wanted to stop all this nonsense, he couldn't.
At least not yet…