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

Chapter 22

Clarke's POV

Lexa and I lean back on the sofa and sit in silence, allowing Octavia and Raven to talk excitedly. They talk so fast, my tired mind can't keep up so I don't even try. I rest my head on Lexa's shoulder and close my eyes when her fingers begin gently running through my hair. I hum contently and only refocus when Lexa's fingers tap my head to get my attention.

"Hmm?"

"Rae and I were talking about how you guys are the biggest cheese balls on the planet and got to wondering..." Octavia trails off for a second to make sure we're both paying attention. "When is your and Lexa's wedding? Like, we still have a bunch of traveling to do. So when and where?"

I exchange a look with Lexa. "We haven't really discussed that yet."

"Too busy to last night?" Raven asks, moving her eyebrows up and down.

"Do you want us to go and come back later so you can figure this out?" Octavia offers.

I look at Lexa again, who shrugs at my inquisitive gaze. "Nah, it's fine." I answer. "We can just figure it out here with you guys. You are going to be the... The." I squint, trying to think of the word before shrugging. "I can't think of the word, so you'll be the best women. Did you guys tell Lexa about that stuff?"

"Yes, they did." Lexa confirms. "It is not so different from our culture, where the closest friends of the person stands up on the stage alongside the new houmons (partners), and one that is the closest is given the highest honor at the wedding, to be nearest to the couple."

"Yeah, that's pretty much the same. I think. I'm not really an expert on weddings." I admit.

"Neither are we." Raven says and there's something in her voice that makes me look up again.

"Raven are you crying again?" I ask, surprised.

"I just have something in my eyes." Raven sniffles.

"She's just really emotional that you chose us to be your best women." Octavia says, wiping a tear of her own off of her face. I grin at our best friends. "So! Um. When and where?"

"I don't really want to get married in a random clan I've never been to before. And I think it would be best to get married in Polis." I say.

Lexa nods, looking relieved. "I hoped you would say that. It will be a huge celebration of all of the clans. Polis is neutral ground, and the home of the Commander, so it is perfect. This is a rare opportunity, Clarke. No Heda before me has ever gotten married. Few Natblidas (Night Bloods) ever find a partner. So this is unprecedented. It has never been done before. I do not know what to expect, Clarke. But this will be huge."

"Huge as in hundreds of people flooding to Polis to see their beloved Heda get married to Wanheda?" Raven questions.

"Huge as in thousands." Lexa says an I choke on nothing. "Everyone who is able to will want to come."

"Damn," Raven breathes out.

I poke Lexa's side to get her attention. "What is it, hodnes (love)? Is it too much? I can ask for a small one with just clan leaders and our friends if that is what you want." Lexa says worriedly.

"Not it's not that, babe." I attempt to reassure her. "I'm going to be nervous, but that's fine. It'll just be a giant party, like the one that was thrown when Skaikru became a clan."

"Bigger." Lexa says. "Then what is it?"

"I just don't get why I'm called Wanheda. The Commander of Death. It sounds kind of ominous."

"It is not a bad thing, Clarke." Lexa takes my hand in hers and then continues speaking. "You are known to be my partner throughout the clans. If you were not called Wanheda, you would likely be called Hedatu, or the second Heda in your language. You are called Wanheda because death itself cannot catch you. You have saved your people from the Mountain, kept them alive before that even against Tristan, one of my most fearsome generals."

"He was kind of a douche," Raven says, then her eyes widen. "Sorry for interrupting, Lexa."

"It is okay. He is, which is why he was sent to battle and strategize more than any other general. No one really could stand him."

"Wow. I can't say I blame you." Raven says. "Anyway, continue." She flicks her wrist and leans forward, interested in Lexa's words.

"Very well. When I was captured by Nia and held captive, you lead my army against her. And we won. You are stronger than you think you are, Clarke. Both mentally and physically. Our people recognize that strength. You have escaped death's grasp many times and come out relatively undamaged. So you are called Wanheda in honor of that, the Commander of Death. You command death, not the other way around like it is for almost everyone else."

"Okay. Thanks, I think I understand it now." I nod to myself.

There's a couple of moments of silence before Octavia speaks up again. "Sooo... Just. Like, at Polis, whenever we get there?"

"Pretty much," Lexa shrugs. "I do have the plans for the clans in my mind, how long we will stay in each. So I know the exact day we get there. We will probably need another week or so to prepare everything. I will send out notices soon to let the clans know when. It should be in roughly three and a half months, depending on our travel time. I will figure out the exact date and let you all know, after discussing everything with Clarke of course."

"Alright. So we have to go to like eight more clans or something in three months?" Raven inquires.

"Yes. We do not have long left. We will have to make the most of it."

Raven nods. "Alright." She places her hands on the arm rests, preparing to get up. "Tell you what, love nerds. I'll make lunch for you guys because just eating each other isn't really going to fill you up. You're welcome."

Lexa and I blush deeply while Raven's laughter carries in from where she's walking to the kitchen.

I couldn't resist making that joke... Alright, I have a quick question for you guys. Do you want me to take my time going through the clans, five or more chapters per clan or something? Or make it shorter? They'll still see the clans and I'll describe what it looks like, but it'll be like 3 or so chapters in each. Thank you all for reading and for your amazing comments! Stay awesome!