Our People (the Third Book of the Her Weakness series)

Chapter 132

Lexa's POV

"Do you have everything I wrote you about?" I ask.

"Sha, Heda (Yes, Commander)." Aron says, heading into the back room and leaving his partner with me.

"How have you and Aron been doing?" I ask Hal, genuinely curious. It cannot be easy for them to be so far from their daughter.

"It has been difficult," he admits. "Aron has it worse than I do, she has always been his little girl to him. Aly being so far away makes him worried and anxious, but we all know that Aly has to make her own way in the world."

"Hal!" Aron calls from the back room. "Come back here and help me carry everything! Some of this stuff is too heavy for me!"

Hal smiles and shakes his head affectionately before heading to where his partner is.

I am not surprised that Aron cannot manage to carry everything on his own. Some of the things I asked for is very heavy and Aron is not exactly the strongest person. He is muscular, like most men, but he is more lean. Hal on the other hand, has built up his strength over the years. It helps them with their traders' post, he can easily carry items his customers want to their wagons, no matter how heavy.

"That man looks like he could bench press a tree." Raven murmurs.

"He can," I respond. The Skaikru girls look at me with shock. "I have seen him do so. One of the trees outside was growing too close to the stable and where Aly, their daughter, played. So he cut it a little more than halfway and then picked it up."

"You're kidding." Octavia squints at my face. "You're not kidding."

"No I am not. I stayed around when they mentioned he was going to attempt it so I could see if he could do it. And he did."

"Dang," Raven whispers.

Hal and Aron come back out, carrying some supplies wrapped by cloth. I watch through the window when they take it outside. The ground shakes a little when Hal sets his thing down.

"Careful!" Aron chastises him. Hal gives him a sheepish grin.

"Moba (sorry)." He apologizes.

Hal and Aron walk back in, followed by the guards. They look around at the various things displayed on every surface of the room.

"Heda, would you like us to load your things onto the wagon?" Hal asks.

"Sha beja (yes please). Mochof (thank you)." I answer. "The new one."

The others give me an odd look, not understanding what I have said. Hal and Aron get it and go to grab the rest of our things from the back room.

"What new one?" Clarke asks.

"A new wagon, a small one." I explain. "The things we need for our journey in the desert is heavy and I do not want to overwhelm Lincoln's horse. Another horse can pull this one."

"Mine can pull it." Nix offers.

"You will have to ride in the back," I remind her in case that will change her mind.

Nix shrugs. "Ryder can be in front. He is well trained."

"Mochof (thank you), Nix." Ryder says, sounding pleasantly surprised at her praise.

"Pro (you're welcome)." Nix responds. She then changes the subject. "We will stay here tonight?"

"Sha (yes)," I answer. "We leave tomorrow morning. Early, so we can get more riding in. I will remind you all in the morning as well, but do not forget to wear shorts and thin clothes."

The others nod as Aron and Hal walk back in.

"Done, Heda." Aron says.

"Thank you again." I reach into my pocket and pull out a leather sack of money I had prepared earlier for them. "This is for you both. Plus a little extra to send to to your daughter if you would like to."

Hal automatically takes the sack when I hold it out for them to take, staring down at it in surprise. I may have added more than a little extra.

"Heda... Surely this is too much." Aron says slowly.

I shake my head. "It is the amount I meant to give you. There is enough there for you to buy another horse to visit Aly sometime and to keep this place afloat while you are gone."

Hal wraps me up in a tight hug that has my ribs creaking. I tough it out and hug him back, ignoring the fact that my feet are no longer on the ground. He sets me back down and wipes some tears from his eyes. He reaches over to hold Aron's hand.

"Mochof Heda (thank you Commander). It means a lot to us. Thank you," Hal says.

"You are welcome."

Aron lets go of his partner's hand to give me a quick hug too, but luckily nothing that threatens to crack my ribs.

"I will, uh." Aron clears his throat, evidently emotional. "I will go and make sure the rooms are ready. Who is sharing rooms here?"

"Clarke and I will share one. Raven and Octavia will share as well."

Aron nods and rushes off.

"Clarke, could you and Lincoln assist me in making dinner?" Hal asks.

I relax minutely. He remembered.

Clarke looks confused. "Why me? I'm not a good cook like Lincoln."

"I have heard you are good with a knife."

Clarke smiles, a hint of pride in her eyes. "I am. So what do you need help with?"

She follows Hal back to the kitchen with Lincoln trailing a few steps behind her. Their voices fade and I take a quiet, deep breath to steel my nerves.

"Octavia, Raven? Can I talk to you outside?" I ask.

"Sure," Raven responds, exchanging a worried look with her girlfriend.

I lead them outside, not answering their concerned questions until we get over by the stables. This is the spot where Aly told me no one can hear someone talking from the house.

"What's wrong?" Octavia asks.

"Oh my god, is Clarke pregnant?" Raven gasps.

I give her an odd look. "How would she be pregnant? I do not have the 'equipment' to do that."

"That's fair," Raven murmurs, glancing down at my crotch. Her gaze lingers for longer than is necessary.

"Rae," Octavia says in a warning tone.

"Oops. Sorry babe. So what's up Lexa?"

"I want to ask Clarke to become my wife."

Octavia and Raven's squeals can probably be heard from Polis.

Slightly longer chapter! And next chapter will also be from Lexa's POV and we get to see Octavia and Raven's response to learning about her plan... Thank you all for reading and for your lovely comments! Stay awesome!