Lexa and I stay in her tent for as long as we can. This past week or so has been insane, and it was nice to be in her arms while it lasted. We check each other, making sure our armor isn't out of place. Even though we've only been cuddling, the people of TonDC don't know that for certain.
We walk hand in hand out the flaps of the tent. Artigas, who was standing guard right outside, follows a few steps behind us. We head towards the center of town, where the previous feasts I've been to have been set up.
When we get there, it feels like the whole town pauses for a moment to look at us. I loosen my grip on Lexa's hand in case she doesn't want them to know that we're dating. She tightens her hold instead and walks forward. People's heads dip in respect as we near them, but when I look around at some familiar faces, they wink at me. I guess they have noticed our entwined hands.
I take a seat next to the head of the table after Lexa sits. Everyone follows suit and begins eating once Lexa takes her first bite.
I remember when Anya was first telling me about eating etiquette when in the presence of a Heda or clan leader. It's not too different from what my mom taught me on the Ark and made sure I remembered it before any of her "highly esteemed friends" (political allies) came to our home.
The food is even more delicious than I remember, which is saying something. I eat until I feel like I'm going to burst.
Lexa stands once she notices most people have finished. All conversation stops immediately and all eyes turn to her. Her hand rests on the table and I place mine on top of hers so she remembers I'm here.
Lexa takes a breath and starts telling everyone what happened in the Mountain. She tells them what happened to me, how Maya helped us, leaving out almost nothing except for how weak she was when I found her. Lexa is an incredible storyteller, and even though I was there, I find myself leaning forward to listen intently.
She pauses for a moment when she finishes our story. "This is why we fight. Our people are trapped in cages and treated as though they are nothing. The Maunon think they will win this war but they are wrong. Hopefully, after tomorrow we will be allied with the hundred. Clarke and I are going there to speak with them. I know many of you are hesitant to trust people with technology like the Maunon, but hear me now." Lexa leans forward and I can hear the call of a far away wolf because it is so quiet. "Remember your fallen siblings, parents, friends, and loved ones. They have fought and died at the hands of the Maunon. This is our chance to take them down. Jus drein, jus daun (blood must have blood)."
Just like before, the chant picks up quickly and I join in too, making Lexa look at me with pride in her eyes. I squeeze her hand, still under mine and hope it will all go as smoothly as we hope. But I know it won't. It never does.
The chanting takes a long time to die down, longer than I would expect. Though Lexa is really good at riling people up. I mean, I'm tired but feel like I could fight a bear right now because I'm so pumped up.
Lexa and I retire for the night, leaving not long after the chanting stops. I'm pretty sure Lexa stayed during all of that to make sure nothing got out of hand.
We go to her tent with Artigas once again following us. Before we go in, I stop and turn around so I'm facing him.
"Artigas, go home and go to sleep." I say gently. He opens his mouth to protest, but a look from me stops him from saying anything. "We'll be fine; we have other guards. We have a big day tomorrow. I don't want you heading into an unknown situation like that while running on fumes." Artigas and Lexa look confused at my wording. "That means while you're exhausted. Get some sleep, please."
"Alright. Good night Clarke, Heda." He bows his head to us and leaves.
I can't hold back my yawn anymore. Lexa chuckles next to me. "Come on, hodnes (love). Lets get inside."
She leads me into the tent while I use my free hand to try to rub the exhaustion that's making my eyelids heavy. It doesn't work and I nearly fall asleep while standing up. I jolt awake and hear Lexa's soft laughter, which makes me grin sleepily at her.
She silently leads me to a carved wooden wardrobe and opens the doors. She takes out some clothes and hands half of the pile to me. I just blink at her until Lexa raises an eyebrow at me. Oh, right. Pajamas. I murmur out a thank you and head to the other side of the room to change. I hear a sharp intake of breath behind me. I wonder if she accidentally poked herself with her dagger while she was changing again or if she saw me changing.
I turn around and holy crap, she's wearing that black nightdress again. Lexa's back is to me and she's taking her hair out of her braids. She looks so stunningly beautiful I forget to breathe for a moment.
When Lexa turns to look at me, I'm already at her side. It's not the night to do anything, not when we're so exhausted and with tomorrow looming over our heads. But I can't resist leaning in and kissing her. I feels her smile against my lips and pull back so I can look at her.
Silently, we get into bed. I wrap an arm around her as she's in her side, resting her head on my shoulder and looking at me with those gorgeous eyes. I kiss her quickly one last time and then try to go to sleep. I fall asleep easily when I focus on Lexa's warmth instead of worrying about what could happen tomorrow.
Next chapter, they head out to meet the hundred!! Thank you all for reading and for your amazing comments! Stay awesome!
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The One Who's Fallen
FanfictionAfter Abby realizes that Jaha may use his executive powers to float Clarke before her 18th birthday, she and Raven scrape together a pod and send Clarke down to earth a bit before the 100 is sent down. This will mainly be in Clarke's point of view...