The Beginning of Lexa

9

As soon as the tip of the sun peeped into the world, the heavy door to Lexa's chambers swung open as if it weighed nothing. Lexa was already awake and dressed in her armour, her face covered in the warpaint that Anya had given her a few days ago although it feels like forever. She was sitting at the edge of her bed, staring at her hands. The brunette merely glanced up at the commotion and watched Titus and another man, big and bulky, walked towards her. 

Costia followed behind them closely, holding a set of clothings in her hand. Lexa's eyes were attracted to the chunk of metal that sat at the top of the pile of clothings. 

"Heda." Titus bowed slightly as he reached her and only rises when Lexa gives him a small nod. "Do change into this set of formal wear to address the people today. You are now dressed as a warrior. People needs to see you as Heda."

Costia stepped forward and placed the set of clothing in her hands on Lexa's bed. 

"I'll stay to help you get dressed if you'd like." Costia politely offered as the other two men left her room, their footsteps stopping outside her doors. 

Lexa shook her head, giving the girl a slight smile. "I will manage. Thank you Costia."

Costia gave her a smile and left the room, joining the two men outside her shut door. Lexa picked up the attire set out for her, her fingers skidding over the new, hard yet comfortable material. It was similar to her usual armour, just far more complex, with multiple laces and buckles to be done. Lexa stood up and made quick work of redressing. Her long fingers lacing up the threads with ease. 

She buckled the last strap of her garment, the shoulder guard in place and shrugged uncomfortably under the new weight on her shoulder. A knock echoed through the room as the men are clearly getting impatient.

"Enter!" Lexa commanded and the door swung open. 

"It is time, Heda." Titus gestured to the empty corridor, waiting for Lexa to step ahead and lead them to the circle where she would address her people for the first time ever. Lexa took a deep breath, and when she breaths out, she felt her body steel. Her face turned poker and showed no sign of emotion, confidence and determination vibrated through her entire being.

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"Hod op." Titus stopped Lexa before she could step out of the tower and into the circle where the entire population of Polis and numerous villagers from nearby villages had gathered.

Lexa turned to look at him, lifting an eyebrow questioningly.

The bald man retrieved a cloak from one of the guards and gestured for her to turn around. Lexa obliged and allowed the man to pin the black cloak across her shoulders. As soon as he was done, Lexa turned back around to the man holding a small piece of metal in his hand. It consists of 3 circles and bars extending neatly from the centre to outside of the circle. Titus stuck the brown headpiece onto the middle of her forehead and nodded. 

"Now, people will officially view you as Heda." Lexa nodded once and spun to meet her people. 

By then, the sun had risen halfway, engulfing the entire city in it's orange glow. Murmurs within the crowd stop as soon as they noticed her presence. Her people of all ages and genders. Warriors and healers. Hunters and mothers. Children and elders. They all gathered together to meet their new commander. Curiosity and fear were clear in their eyes. Uneasiness thick in the city.

Lexa lets her eyes sweep across the crowd, softening ever so slightly when she spots Anya. Her hands are clasped behind her back, spine stiff and straight. 

"People of Polis." Her clear, and commanding voice travelled easily through the crowd. People from miles away could hear her loud and clear. "Alek's death was unfortunate but it is clear that his fight is over. I, Lexa kom Trikru, has been chosen by his spirit to continue leading our people towards peace and prosperity. I, Lexa kom Trikru, swear that my life will be devoted to you." Her voice remained strong as she uttered each syllabus with will and promise. With every word, the crowd began to relax and nodded. Their confidence in their new commander was growing.

"With the wisdom of the past commanders, and the guidance of Titus, the flame keeper. I will lead until my fight is over. Then, my spirit will choose the next commander. But until that day comes, every command I make will be in the best interest of all of us. Until that day, I will lead every necessary ride into war. Until that day, I will ensure the peace and serenity that we all wish for." 

Lexa turned to look at the flame keeper who watched on with a slight frown on his features. 

"I, Lexa kom Trikru, Commander of the grounders, will unite the 12 clans. I will remove the need for wars, which has been the cause of pain and heartbreak after Preimfaya."

At her announcement, her people began murmuring amongst themselves again. This was a feat that has never been accomplished. Never been thought about. Everyone knew it was a waste of breath to try to unite the 12 clans when we were all at war with one another. 

"Tell me, how many of us have we lost a beloved family member to an unnecessary war? How many of us have FOUGHT in a war that rose out of mere spite. How many of us have longed for peace between the 12 clans?" Lexa's voice roared through the crowd, overpowering the whispers. "The previous commanders did not think about solving the problem at it's core. Jus drain Jus daun may be our belief and it still holds true. But tell me people of Polis, people of Trikru. Do you not believe that the once united clans will never be able to unite again? " When the crowd refused to meet her eyes, Lexa nodded once. " I will ride,  to every clan to speak to their leaders. To persuade them into joining their clan into our coalition. Enemies turned allies. I believe that their leaders would want peace for their people too. I believe that a coalition is the only way to do that. I believe that this coalition will end all unnecessary wars between the 12 clans. And we can finally live out our days in peace. I will ride in 3 days and in my absence, Titus will help me to rule here, in Polis, as he did on behalf of the many commanders he had served." Lexa turned and nodded towards the bald man who reciprocated her action.

The brunette turned back to face the crowd, ready to end her too long speech. "Visitors, may I welcome you to Polis. If you need a room to stay in, please." She gestured towards the tower behind her. "Feel free to ask any one of us for a spare room. And people of Polis..." Lexa let a small grin peek through her stoic pose. "Let us celebrate the start of a new era together tonight."

Cheers erupted through the crowd as Lexa stepped back into the tower. The people of Polis are lighthearted. While they may be serious and highly disciplined... they know when and how to party. As Lexa stepped into the darkness of the tower, she could already hear the excited chatter amongst her people, planning their celebration.