The First On The Ground

Ye Who Enter Here

(AUGUST POV)

It has been a week since Roan brought Clarke and me to Polis. I accepted Lexa's offer to become her second again since I want what is best for my people. Clarke has been ignoring both of us for the week we have been here. Lexa and I are on our way to see Clarke right now. Lexa walks into Clarke's room with me behind her like a second would be.
"What part of 'I won't see you' was unclear?" Clarke asks as she turns away from the window and towards us.

"I respected your wishes for a week, Clarke. We've got bigger concerns," Lexa answers her.
"'We' don't have any concerns at all," Clarke argues.
"Yes, we do. I'm hosting a summit with Skaikru at sundown. You'll be returned to your people," Lexa explains.
"You went to all that trouble to capture me just to let me go?" Clarke asks her.

"I went to all that trouble to save you," Lexa answers.
"You know when I could've used saving?" Clarke asks. "When you abandoned me at Mount Weather."
"Clearly, you didn't need my help," Lexa says.
"Clearly," Clarke says harshly.
"You're angry, Clarke, but I know you. What you've done haunts you, and it's easier to hate me than to hate yourself," Lexa tells her.
"Oh, I can do both," Clarke sneers at her.
"What would you have done if their leader had offered you the deal. Save your people at the price of mine? Would you really have chosen differently?" Lexa questions her.

"I don't betray my friends," Clarke answers and I can't help but snort.
"But you did. We had friends in Mount Weather," I tell her with a glare. "Or did you forget that?"
"Those deaths are on you, too," Clarke tells Lexa. "The only difference is, you have no honor, and I had no choice."

"No choice my ass," I say with a snarl.

"August," Lexa says sternly. "It helps no one to dwell on the past, and that's not why I'm here. You're right. I'm not just letting you go back to your people. I want something more. I want your people to become our people." Lexa points between herself and me. "I'm offering Skaikru the chance to join my coalition, become the 13th Clan. No one would dare to move against you because that would be moving against me."
"Just leave me alone. I'm done. Do you understand that? I left," Clarke says while rolling her eyes.
"You can't run away from who you are, Clarke. Join me. Bow before me with August and your people will be safe,"
"Bow before you?" Clarke asks with a sneer before she turns to me. "You actually agree to bow before her, after what she did?" I keep my face expressionless as I just stare at Clarke. I'll do it because it will keep my people safe. "You don't give a damn about my people. I know why you're here. I made you look weak at Mount Weather, and now the Ice Nation is exploiting that. Well, if you want the power of Wanheda, kill me. Take it. Otherwise, go float yourself because I will never bow to you." I can't help the slight smile that comes to my face when she says 'go float yourself.' Lexa gives me a look as if to say 'you try' before she leaves the room. "Are you really going to bow to her?"

"I'm just trying to do what I think is best for my people. We join the coalition, and we will be safe," I answer her.

"What happens when Lexa dies? You know the other clans will not accept us then. A war is coming from Ice Nation," Clarke says.

"Let Ice Nation come. They will fail," I tell her. "If Lexa does die, then our people will remain safe."

"How can you be so sure that our people will be safe?" Clarke asks.

"Because if Lexa dies, I become Heda," I say strongly as I stare at Clarke "I am her second and a nightblood." Clarke looks shocked. Titus then walks into the room.

"It's time," Titus says before he leaves the room.

"I'll see you later. I really hope that you think about what it could mean for our people if we did this," I tell her before I leave the room.