UnderStanding (Clexa)

Chapter Six

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TonDC - Silent Suffering

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Lexa sighs out a breath she didn't realize she was holding as she watches Echo make the final, quickest and cleanest cut to Clarke's right side. She swallows thickly as she watches the tender moment between the two, forcing back the thoughts that are going through her mind. Now isn't the time.

She stands up and takes a deep breath as she watches the two healers gently tend to Clarke. They won't let her die. They will give her the herbs to help fight infection and will bind her arms and sides as best they can, knowing they only have a couple hours before the next round would begin.

She clenches her jaw when Clarke cries out and sobs once her right arm is released and she is gently sat down on the ground with her back to one of the posts. You can almost see the relief in her shoulders to no longer be on her feet, but her head is very unsteady and looks ready to fall forward at any moment.

The healers are quick and efficient, cleaning up the blood and binding her wounds quickly, stopping any more of the blonde's precious blood from leaving her pale and weakened body.

A shake of the stand she is in alerts her to a presence below her, climbing up the ladder. She moves to the side and peers down in time to see Octavia climbing in with Lincoln right behind her. The girl's eyes are hard as they meet her own but soften instantly when she sees the pain in her Heda's eyes. Lexa knows Octavia hasn't completely forgiven her or Clarke, but she is here, and for now, that is enough.

Octavia's eyes dart down below, and she covers her mouth with her hand as she takes in Clarke's form being tended to and hearing her weak cries of pain, even though it is obvious Nyko and another are being as gentle as they can with her. "Clarke…" she whispers from behind her hand, sniffling slightly. "Is it over?" She turns, looking between Lexa and Lincoln hopefully.

Lexa only shakes her head in the negative as she turns back to focus on Clarke. "She's being treated for the 18 cuts, and then they will move on to the 16 brands." Her voice is low and even, nothing like how she is feeling inside.

"18 cuts, 16 brands…" Octavia mumbles to herself. "34." She leans back into Lincoln as it makes sense to her, taking comfort in his strong arms wrapping around her slight flame. "The village victims and the children in the mountain, right?"

Lexa clears her voice, the act giving away her emotions slightly. "Yes."

"Can I see her… after the brands?" Octavia asks hesitantly.

Lincoln shakes his head. "The brands aren't the final portion. One more remains." He pauses, glancing to his Heda, unsure if he should continue.

Lexa feels his gaze upon her and turns to face them. She pauses, taking in their comforting pose, with Octavia wrapped protectively in Lincoln's embrace, and for a moment, she lets herself envy them. "The final portion of the trial is the dream walk. It isn't physically painful but mentally. It's meant to be the final cleansing to unite mind and body."

Octavia takes it in, trying to understand exactly what is being explained to her. "What happens in this dream walk?" Sensing both of them hesitating, she stands tall, pulling away from Lincoln enough to face them both. "Speak true."

Lincoln takes this as his cue, glancing to Lexa for a moment before directing his answer to his love. "The healers will give her a tonic to drink that will cause Clarke to enter a trance-like state. It's like sleeping, although she will be awake but not conscious to what's around her. She'll be seeing… reliving, so to speak, the things that haunt her on the inside."