Our Journey (the Fourth Book in the Her Weakness series)

Chapter 15

Lexa's POV

We arrive when I had prepared to, around the middle of the day after a couple of days riding. It was interesting to see how the desert gradually faded into a great, ancient forest with trees that seem to scrape the skies. But it is difficult to appreciate the beauty when I am so nervous. It may seem silly, because I know Clarke loves me. I am still noticeably nervous as the day approaches.

I know Clarke will want to see the actual glowing forest of the Trishanakru (Glowing Forest Clan) as soon as she can. So instead of giving us a night to settle in before I do this, I'm proposing tonight. And gods, I'm so nervous.

I can tell Clarke's even getting worried. After tonight, she'll know. And so will I, I'll have my answer to whether she will promise herself to me forever or not. Raven and Octavia keep telling me there is no way she will say no (and then they affectionately call me an idiot).

I nearly let out an anxiety-ridden yet excited noise when I see the curve of the branches over hanging the village. Trishanakru is made up of many small villages, this one being one of the largest. All villages have a marker, an indication that they are there. The most common, the one that this one is using, is the entwined branches of the trees overhead.

They curve upward like an arch, looking almost unnaturally beautiful but it is not human-made. When people first started settling here, they saw those branches of two trees curving around each other endlessly while still maintaining oneness. In a poetic way, they saw it is a symbol for family, for community. And so that is where people settled and flourished.

"That's beautiful," Clarke breathes out, staring at the giant trees and their intertwining limbs.

"Dang," Raven drawls, her voice full of awe. "How old are these things?"

"They have been here for as long as anyone can remember." I reply.

"Wow," Octavia says. "How big are the leaves?"

"Large enough to crush a full grown person in fall." I deadpan and the Skaikru girls give me horrified looks. "I am joking. They are much larger than normal, perhaps the length of the average person. But they are light, as are all leaves. If one fell on you, it would knock the wind out of you at worst."

"Can I draw one tonight? Are there any fallen ones?" Clarke asks hopefully.

"Not tonight, Clarke. We have plans." I remind her softly.

"Right!" Clarke gasps. "The surprise! That's tonight?" I nod, my nerves pushing my thundering heart in my throat. "I can't wait to see what you have planned! Any hints?"

Clarke flutters her eyes at me and I smile at her antics. "One hint. You will love it."

Clarke sighs. "Of course I'll love it, you planned it! Why won't you give me a hint?" Clarke gives me her deadly pout and it takes a lot of willpower not to melt at the sight.

"It would ruin the surprise, Clarke."

"You're just making me excited for tonight!" Clarke says, proving this by bouncing up and down on her horse, lightly so she doesn't jostle it.

Before I can respond, I see the leader of Trishana ahead of us. We are close enough to the entrance now that I slide off of my horse, my boots hitting the ground with a dull thud. I lead the others, who have followed suit and dismounted.

I grasp the older woman's forearm. "Aski. It is good to see you again. Thank you for being so understanding about moving our time here up."

"Of course!" She says, squeezing my arm with surprising strength. "It is wonderful to meet you all. I take it you are Clarke? And then Raven and Octavia? And the guards, Lincoln, Ryder, and Nix?" Aski points to everyone in turn, who all wave and nod when she gets each one correct. "Good. Now, I will lead you to the cabins you will be staying in. We have two available, one of which being smaller and with one bedroom. That can go to Clarke and Lexa."

Aski winks subtly at me before going back to showing us around the two cabins. After all, I did request for Clarke and I to have our own cabin. She leaves us to get settled, and the others are in their own cabin.

Clarke places her hands on my waist as the door slams shut. "All alone," she rasps. "What ever shall we do?" She asks in a fake old Southern accent that makes me smile.

We have not made love often since we started traveling to Trishanakru, and not at all since yesterday morning. To say the least, Clarke has been rather... Amorous. In her attempts to her me in bed. But she respects that I am not in the mood and perhaps even knows it is because I am so nervous.

"I have to make sure everything is ready for tonight." I murmur.

Perhaps after everything we can make love tonight, but not before I propose.

Clarke nods understandingly. "Goodbye kiss?"

"Goodbye kiss." I murmur in confirmation.

I draw her closer to me and kiss her deeply, letting out some of my worries and allowing my love for her seep into the kiss.

Clarke blinks, her expression dazed. She lets out a short breath. "That was some goodbye kiss, babe."

I smile and lean in to give her one last quick peck. "I will come to get you before dinner. There will be food involved, you will not go hungry."

"I'll see you soon, then." Clarke grins in return and kisses my hand before I turn and leave.

Once I'm out the door, my anxieties are back full force and I conceal them with practiced ease. I head to Lincoln in the others' cabin, helping directing him to some of Clarke and I's favorite foods.

I go around and check that everything's perfect, even the location Aski had a young man help me choose. By the time I am finished, it is time to get Clarke.

Fun fact! Aski is kind of named after one if my favorite teachers! She's not old though. And just today I sent her what my username is on Wattpad and Ao3. On one hand, awesome! Another person's willingly reading my stories! On the other hand! *screams* I don't know if she knows that I'm a lesbian but I'm confident she'll figure it out. Also, I make so many sex jokes. Lesbian sex jokes. 0.0 I hope I don't traumatize her or anything. I should stop telling people (adults) I know irl my usernames... Especially my family members. Anyway!! Next chapter, the proposal officially starts!!! Whoo! We get to see more of sappy Lexa! :D Thank you all for reading and for your amazing comments! Stay awesome!