Winwolfa (A Roan x Female OC Fanfic)

Chapter 25

Murmurs spread like wildfire throughout the crowd. Even the Queen was too outraged to speak. Astrid remained still in front of the platform of ambassadors and leaders. A deadly stillness that emitted pure and undying conviction. Not Lexa, not Roan, not any of the council members dare challenge the woman in front of them.

"This... this is not allowed. She is not of royal blood!" The Queen finally muttered in disbelief.

"I am the Commander. I allow it." Lexa snapped back with an authoritative tone. "No champions. If it is a fight for the Azgeda throne, then only you two shall battle."

"What say you, Queen?"  Venom possessed the title as Astrid said it. A small smirk grew on her face. A challenge. Astrid knew well that she could die today. That her last breath could be drawn with the Queen's sword in her chest. But this was a fight she was willing to die for. To guide Azgeda to a better future. Not one filled with violence and vengeance. A life Astrid was all too familiar with. Now was a time for new beginnings.

Just as Tilda said: Death becomes easier when you know what you are fighting for.

The Queen shot up from her chair, shrugging off the unnecessary furs and stalked off the platform. She approached Lexa, staring down at her with the icy stare, "Fine. If Winwolfa wants a fight, a fight she will get."

While both women marched to either side of the dueling ring, Roan and Lexa fled to join the rest of the ambassadors on the stage. Over her shoulder, she could hear a whisper of a familiar voice.

"Astrid, what the hell are you doing?" Clarke whispered low enough for just the two of them to hear. Astrid didn't turn to her. Didn't even acknowledge her as she unlatched one of her sets of daggers along her thigh and let them drop to the ground with a plume of dust around them. With the second set of daggers in her hands, she finally turned to Clarke.

"I'm fighting for a better future."

For a moment, she felt the weight of them in her sweaty palms. The familiar feeling of the hilt. With a dagger in hand, she sliced the delicate skin above her right eyebrow and allowed the blade travel down her cheek. A mark of battle. She handed both daggers to Clarke, who stood still in her presence. Just holding those daggers, covered in the navy blood that rolled down Astrid's face. No words could convey the shock and fear in Clarke's body.

The entire balance of the Azgeda was dependent on this fight.

At last, Astrid shouldered off the cape and allowed it to pool to the ground, leaving her in the flowing white dress and combat boots. Warm wind caressed her bare shoulders. Her eyes narrowed on Nia on the other side of the arena, already twirling the sword in her hand. Both women- vicious, ruthless killers, fighting for their throne. One was fighting for their reputation, while the other was fighting for her future. But only one would make it out today.

Lexa spoke from her seat along the platform, one ankle lazily across another, "There is but one rule in solo gonplei- somebody must die."

Astrid and Nia stalked to the center of the arena. Dead silence surrounded them. Nobody dared to move, to breathe as the women approached one another. Only the flapping of Astrid's dress and their footsteps against the pavement dared to break the stillness. Tension grew heavy as the two finally stopped in front of one another.

"Your pleas for mercy will sing songs to my blade." A malicious smile formed on Astrid's face. Baring her teeth like the wolf she had become. Her blade sang as she unsheathed it with one hand, then brought it up to her cheek bone. Parallel to her eye level. Astrid pushed out her back leg, entering a wide stance in preparation for the fight.

"Not if you die first." The Queen taunted back as she struck first. Astrid quickly parried and the two quickly entered a fight of flying steel. Compared to the previous battle, this one was faster paced. Full of pent-up emotion. Betrayal, rage, disappointment. Hit after hit, swing after swing, they twirled their blades around one another. Metal on metal, echoing in the air. A lethal dance.