Of Queens And Commanders (DISCONTINUED)

5. Like A Bird

Lexa's P.O.V.
Brought to you by a trash panda

I smoothed my loose hair, trying to calm my nerves. It had been many days since the arrival of Arlin and she still had not given in, something most people would not dare do. But then again, she was not 'most people'. That definitely showed in her defiance of me and how it seemed that she had not even begun to reach her breaking point. I sighed, if she did not give in I had no idea what I would do. Who would win the war stood at a crossroads. Turn the way with her and we would make it through but turn the way without and we would be lost forever. The fate of our world, unfortunately, rested on her uncooperative shoulders, as if leading 12 clans wasn't hard enough... Indra's voice pulled me from my thoughts, "Heda, the girl is causing a problem and she's begun to ask for you." "Alright, I will be there in a moment." She nodded, walking off in the direction of the elevator and leaving me alone once more. I groaned and followed after her. I may as well get it over with.

Arlin's P.O.V.
Brought to you by a talking horse

"I just want to see my horse, is that too much to ask?" I yelled as I banged on the door again without answer. I hadn't been outside in over a week, meaning that I hadn't seen Artemis either. I could feel myself going insane as I was slowly suffocated by the concrete walls that caged me inhumanely like a bird. "If you're not going to talk to me then get me someone who will! Tell the bitch you call Commander that I'll talk!" I heard footsteps fading away and I stopped banging, knowing that at least I was being listened to to some extent. I slid down to the floor and rested against the heavy wooden door as I waited impatiently to be set free. Not even five minutes later the door was pushed open and I fell flat on my face. Way to make a good impression Arlin. After scrambling around like an idiot for a moment I got to my feet and the guard finally spoke. "The Commander will see you now." I mumbled an "It's about time," and held my hands out to be bound. After days I had gotten used to having my hands tied like the prisoner I was.

I was led back in the direction of where I had last met the woman in charge and once again tried to remember how I got there for when I made my great escape. This time I was taken to the throne room instead of where ever I had been last time. As expected, the Commander of assholes was already there when we arrived and though I hated her I couldn't help but admit that she looked good. Wait- what? I shook the thought out of my head, it was just my sunlight deprived brain talking...I think. I returned my focus to the lady of the hour who sat front and center, "Do not think that just because I have come to listen to you now that it means I will come at your every beck and call. Make no mistake, I am the one giving the orders." I nodded like I gave a fuck, which I in fact, did not. "Have you decided that you will go along with my plan? That you will help in the war against Azgeda?" "Yes, I will." Goddammit! Why did I say that?

"Excellent, it will take a while to get everything ready but we should be ready to start planning tomorrow." "Alright, that's nice and all but can I please go see Artemis?" She furrowed her brow, confused. "Who?" "My horse." "Oh. Yes, of course. I will accompany you." She stood up and nodded to her guard beside her, who I had learned through my days of screaming through a door, was named Indra. She then motioned for the guards holding me to let go and untie me, "Indra and I will be able to handle her. You are dismissed." She said this in English, once again thinking I could not under her. Regardless of language they did as they were told and left. Leaving me standing awkwardly, alone in the middle of the room, tenderly rubbing my raw and rope-chaffed wrists. I stood still waiting as she got up and walked over to me, motioning for me to follow. As she did I couldn't help but notice how her hands looked so delicate and beautiful but I knew they were strong. I followed, shaking my head to get run of the ridiculous thoughts, I really was going insane.

When we stepped outside it took everything in me not to start running away but I stuck to the Commander's side. As we walked I could feel people's eyes on me and it certainly did not make me happy. I wasn't used to this many people and the tents of Polis definitely counted as too crowded for me. I just looked at the ground and focused on where I was going but it didn't help the fact that I felt like prey being watched by a predator. When we reached what I assumed were the stables I broke into a sprint. I heard Heda shout something, she probably thought I was running away but I was just there to see my best friend. She must have smelled me because Artemis stuck her head out and called my name. "Arlin, you're here! You're safe!" I wrapped my arms around her neck and tangled my fingers in her mane as she placed her head on my back. "I've missed you so much," I whispered as I tried not to cry. "Ahem," Shit. I'd forgotten all about my chaperones. I turned to face her as the Commander spoke, "I've seen to it that she's been given the best care." For the first time in a while, I smiled. "Thank you, Artemis isn't just a horse to me. She's family." "I can see that. Well, I am glad that you are happy. It is nice to see you this way, you have a beautiful smile -er style." I nodded hesitantly, "Thanks," Why was she so interested in me?

》《 》《 》《 》《 》《 》《

Thank you so much for reading!

I love reading comments so please consider leaving one or a vote!

Until next time!

~ SpiderwebStories