wonderland // j.m [book three]

0.7; long live the king.

Freya pushed herself through the dense crowd, eyes trained on the thick, tattered mess of blonde hair at the front of the crowd. People sneered at her as she weaved by them, but she brushed off their stares. When she stopped beside Clarke, she shook off her red hood, drawing Clarke's attention to her. Freya turned to face her and they shared a nervous smile before Freya trained her attention on the sight before her. 

On a wooden stage were several ambassadors, including Queen Nia, and Titus. Freya's eyes narrowed at the Queen and the small girl with dark hair behind her throne, who stared at Lexa with a cunning smile. Across the large pavilion in which they would fight, Roan was unsheathing a long sword handed to him by one of the guards. Lexa was approaching the guard closest to Clarke and Freya. It was different to see her without her long cloak, but she still wore her terrifying warrior make up around her eyes. Her green eyes locked on Clarke's before they darted to her side and noticed Freya. She blinked in surprise at the sight of them. She hadn't been expecting for them to come. Lexa nodded with a fond smile and went to unsheath her sword but before she could, Freya stepped forward urgently and grabbed the Commander's arm. The guards lunged forward, but Lexa ceased their actions with a stare. 

"What are you doing?" Clarke hissed, stepping to their side. Freya ignored her and focused her gaze on Lexa. 

"How good is your aim?" Freya asked lowly, leaning into Lexa's ear to be heard over the cheering crowd around them. 

Lexa's eyebrows furrowed in confusion but she followed Freya's gaze, which darted to the guard beside them and the spear in his hand. Then, her eyes snapped to the Queen, who was watching them with icy eyes, on her throne above them. Lexa seemed shaken by the unspoken suggestion but nodded once in understanding. Freya released her tight grip on her arm and stepped back into the crowd. Clarke followed suit and they watched as Lexa unsheathed her own sword, earning an uproar from the crowd of grounders. 

It started quickly. Once Lexa's blade was uncovered, Roan sprinted toward her back. Lexa spun at the last minute and dodged his swing before slicing her blade across his back, cutting through his shirt and earning a grunt from the prince. He turned to face Lexa again and Freya caught a glimpse of his shredded shirt. It didn't look like the blade had reached the skin. With a cry, Lexa raised her sword in an arch and swung again but Roan quickly deflected it. They swung their blade in unison, the clang of metal almost inaudible amongst the deafening roar of the crowd. 

After a few swings and a series of intricate footwork that seemed like a dance, their blades collided and Roan began to push. Freya's heart leapt into her throat as Lexa's arm began to shake under the pressure. She wasn't as strong as him. With gritted teeth, she raised her palm to Roan's blade and pushed it back. It split open her skin and black blood poured from her skin onto the blade and dripped to the pavement. Freya smirked at the message, even though it wasn't intended. What they were fighting for was hers, by blood. 

With a growl, she finally gathered the strength to push away the blade, sending Roan stumbling over his feet for a few moments. He quickly regathered his balance though and swung at Lexa again. And she dodged it, again. Roan kicked at the back of her knee and she fell to one knee. Despite her position, she still fought and swung her blade. But it was quickly kicked out of her grip. Lexa sent a fist into Roan's kneecap and he crumbled to the ground. She kicked him square in the chest and he flew backwards, his sword clattering to his side. Lexa wasted no time in picking up both sword, swinging them in arches around her body. Freya's chest swelled with hope. She could win this thing, and everything would be okay.

But Freya's gaze darted to Nia, whose knuckles were turning white as she gripped the edge of her throne tightly. Her blue gaze was glaring at her own son. Even if Roan died and Lexa won, Nia wouldn't let this be over.