LEXA:
"I swear fealty to you Clarke Kom Skaikru. I vow to treat your needs as my own and your people as my people."
The words I uttered on bended knee still played through my mind. She had offered me her hand in acceptance of my vow, allowing me to once again rise to meet her gaze. For a time we said nothing, just absorbed the reality of this pivotal moment. My intentions were honest, from the heart. I had so much damage to repair between us it was hard to know where to start. Asking Wanheda to bow before me was a bold request considering everything I had put Clarke and her people through. I owed her so much. In that moment I was not Heda kneeling before Wanheda, I was Lexa kneeling before Clarke. This was private, only for the two of us, my heart open asking for forgiveness.
Eventually, I held out my arm to Clarke. She grasped it tightly, the bond we once shared now on the road to healing. I humbled myself, "I know I don't deserve your forgiveness, but know I mean every word I say."
My voice quivered slightly as Clarke offered her reply, "Help me to bring Queen Nia to justice for the destruction at Mount Weather then we can speak of how we move forward you and I."
Clarkes voice was still stern, mistrust still lingered, which was to be expected. I knodded back, understanding her feelings. She released my arm and walked away from me out of the throne room.
I watched her leave, remembering just exactly why I fell in love with her to begin with. That strength and determination won over my heart, it was what I admired and respected about her.
They may now call her by the name Wanheda but to me she'll always be Clarke Griffin, the girl that fell from the sky.
CLARKE:
After bowing before Lexa, after the treachery of Azgeda had been made known, I had agreed to stay in Polis as Skaikru Ambassador. l'd shed my ceremonial clothes and braids, removed the blue paint from my eyes and waited to speak with Lexa alone.
What happened next in that throne room was unprecedented. I had warned Lexa against any further betrayal, that it would mean the end of everything. She knelt before me and vowed to protect me and my people. I was overwhelmed by so many mixed emotions. I wanted to hate her but my heart was full of conflict. The Commander bows before no one yet here she was kneeling before me, looking up at me, her eyes full of humility. I wanted to give in to my heart but my head wouldn't allow it, not yet. I'd accepted her vow but I'd also made it clear that for us to be able to heal would take time, I was a long way from forgiveness.
Walking out of that throne room, I'd left Lexa alone with her thoughts. I made my way back to the room she had provided me with in the grand Polis Tower. Candles were already lit and we're flickering in the breeze from the open window. Sitting upon the bed I took a moment to absorb the events of the day. I felt so overwhelmed as my lip began to quiver, tears welled in my eyes. Fighting to hold back my emotions, I tried so hard to not allow my heart to rule me but it was no use. I held my head in my hands as those same tears ran down my face. Months of repressed feelings flooded to the surface, completely relentless. I was treading this heartbreaking line between love and hate, not knowing which side I would eventually fall on. Part of me wanted to just disappear, run away, but no matter where I ran to I could never escape the cold, hard truth that however many times I told myself I hated her, I knew deep down inside I loved her so much more.
