A/N: Sorry... Life kinda happened. And is still happening. Sorry if this chapter feels rushed, the app I had saved it in keeps crashing on me so it had to be re-written. Then I forgot to save while rewriting and some parts had to be written AGAIN on top of that, then edited here because my current app doesn't allow for italics. But it's here! At long last, it's here. The fantasy of fluff continues. :D

"Get down!"

Lexa ducked and rolled to the side, narrowly avoiding the purple tinted darts spat from a flower. She looked over at Costia from all fours, quirking an eyebrow.

"Sorry for that." Costia said, grimacing as she wound a slender rope around the petals of the struggling plant.

Lexa shook her head, climbing back to her feet. She gathered the darts, wrapping them with a length of cloth before adding the bundle to her satchel. She approached Costia, examining the deadly plant currently being prepped for transplant by her lover. "A Spitter?"

Costia finished tying the last knot, making it impossible for the bulb to open, and proceeded to wrap layers of cloth around its stem. "The darts are filled with venom, one drop and you'll eventually be dead. The leaves are the antidote. The stem fights fever, the seeds soothe the stomach, and the flower is useful for dyes and perfumes. It's a very useful plant!"

Lexa looked at the Spitter with extreme distaste. For all its usefulness, the plant was extremely ugly. The thorn covered stem and leaves were a ghastly blue, the flower itself the yellow of a sick mans snot, with red blotches that reminded Lexa of an infected wound. The plant fought like a wild animal, wriggling against its restraints as Costia continued making it safe for transport. She shook her head. "Is this garden going to have any plants that won't try to kill you?"

Costias lips quirked in a smile. "Probably not."

They walked through the gateway together, the gate itself having fallen from rusty hinges long ago. It had sunken into the ground, becoming almost level with the earth beneath their feet. Clarke paid it little mind, barely noticing through the feeling of childlike wonder that filled her, the long forgotten excitement of discovering something new. They passed through an archway of grey brick; alcoves had been built into either side, each just big enough for the ornate candleholders that had been left within them. Then they were there, and they stopped, each wanting a moment to take in the view.

They were standing at the edge of a large field. Walls, the same grey brick of the archway, lined the field to either side of them, extending out of their sight without turning. Shadowed outlines of trees were evenly spaced along the wall, turning the grey into eerie pieces of art in the dark. Structures rose against the darkness ahead, glowing vines lending vague hints of their shape. A cobblestone path glowed with the blues of twilight to their right, ending in a circle with the shadowed outline of benches surrounding an angel statue in its midst.

Clarke, wanting to take a closer look at the first intact statue she had seen since coming here, went to step onto the path only to be stopped by Lexa.

"Wait."

Clarke looked around, trying to see what had alerted Lexa to danger. Not seeing anything that looked even remotely menacing, she glanced at Lexa. "What is it?"

In response Lexa drew her sword. "Not everything is as it appears to be. Watch."

She knelt, keeping off the path as she lay the blade over top it.

The cobblestones moved, rising up to cover the blade completely in a wave of clicking bodies before sliding off of it, rearranging themselves to form a path once again.

Clarke blinked. "Oh."

Lexa rose, sheathing the sword. "The beetles may look harmless, but in a swarm they will kill you in minutes, and devour your remains in three days."

Close call. Sweat prickled along her skin, the realization of just how close she had come to death giving her chills. She rubbed her arms, trying to chase the chill away. "Thank you. I know you said this place was dangerous, but I didn't think... I'm sorry for being so careless."

"You didn't know." Lexa assured, looking at her with some concern. "Are you alright?"

"I'm fine, just... What is this place? Is there anything else I should look out for?"

Lexa looked over the field. "I'm not sure, but I think this place used to be a private zoo. My friend turned it into a secret garden. She was a healer as well as a warrior, so she used this place to cultivate some of the more dangerous plants that are useful for both weapons and medicine. Do not allow any of the plants here to touch you... And watch out for Spitters, large yellow flower with red blotches, they spit poison barbs. I had not planned on bringing you here, so I have no antidote should you be poisoned."

Clarke swallowed. "Anything else?"

Lexa thought for a moment, trying to remember all the dangers that resided in what had once been her favourite place. She frowned slightly, pointing to a spot on the ground. "Stay on the path. Some parts of the ground are unstable, and I have not been here to check the markers in some time. It's possible that they have been moved. Don't walk under or touch any vines, they are a simular breed to the rosebushes and will strangle any living thing they touch."

Clarke squinted at the dirt where Lexa had pointed. "There's a path there?" She said doubtfully.

"Of a sort. It used to be much more visible, but it hasn't been maintained in a long time. If you look closely you can see what's left of it... Look for the places the grass doesn't grow."

Clarke looked again. This time she could see the narrow trail, a path of darkness winding through the faintly glowing green.

Lexa offered her hand and wordlessly led her down the dark trail. Trusting to Lexa's lead, Clarke looked around. Twilight had given way to full darkness, the moon lighting their way from a bed of stars above. She had seen it before, both on the ground and during stolen moments in space, but here with Lexa it was different. Her spirit felt lighter. Free.

They reached a spot where the path broke off into three directions, two following a wall of faintly glowing bushes and one going through them, and continued walking straight. Lexa explained briefly that the other two paths were really one long one that circled the whole garden, and their destination was in the middle. The bushes looked harmless and for a moment Clarke felt the irrational urge to reach out and brush her fingers along the leaves. Then she remembered the bugs and thought better of it. Looks were deceiving in this place. Moments later she was glad not to have touched, seeing one of the darkly glowing red vines Lexa had warned her of growing along the branches.

The path opened into a clearing. Decorative boulders lay hidden amongst the tall grass, the path cutting a narrow trail through it. Bushes, heavily laden with berries glowing in toxic red and violet hues, grew in tastefully placed locations. A large oak tree, leaves glowing silver in the moonlight, stood in the distance. Lexa led her down the path, pulling Clarke along behind her. The grass brushed against Clarke's waist as she limped along, trying to keep up. They broke through the grass, the path widening only to end before them. Lexa stopped after a few feet and pulled her forward to stand next to her, though she continued to hold Clarke's hand.

They stood at the edge of a man made pond. Pink lilies glowed softly on the surface of the crystal clear waters. The depths were alight from within, the sand and rocks along the bottom seemingly glowing from their own steady light. Seaweed, black against the grey, grew from stone pots along the sand in the water. The oak tree grew at the waters edge, about twenty paces to their left.

"Lexa... This is.. This is beautiful." Clarke breathed. "Thank you."

"You could swim here, if you wanted. The water is safe, and the weeds keep the water pure enough to drink." Lexa said softly. "You'd need to stay away from the weeds if you did though. Tangleweeds are good for infection, pain relief, and fever, but they will wrap themselves around you and drown you if you get too close."

Clarke shuddered slightly. "Is there anything here that won't try to kill me?"

Lexa smirked. "Probably not. She didn't want to grow anything that would harm a child near our village, so she grew them here instead." She waved her arm across the surface, indicating the glowing plants grouped together at various points around the pond. "She used the old cages to house them, where they would be protected from predators."

Clarke sent her a skeptical glance. "Predators?"

"You'd be surprised." Lexa said dryly. "Would you like to see? The gardens are overgrown by now, though we should be safe enough by the water."

Truthfully Clarke found the offer as tempting as a dip in the mud, and her ankle was throbbing. But if Lexa was willing to teach her, the potential of the knowledge helping her people was huge. She bit at her lip, unconsciously lifting her injured foot as she debated.

Lexa noticed and instantly understood. She leaned close to Clarke, releasing her hand to wrap an arm around her waist instead. An idea came to mind and she reached into a pocket, pulling out a small pair of binoculars. "Here, use these. Look."

She pointed at the first glowing patch off to their right. Clarke lifted the binoculars and could see a multitude of mushrooms growing within the cage. There were a variety of sizes, from as small as a clenched fist, to big enough to be a chair. The largest grew in the middle and was the size of a table. At first, Clarke thought they glowed different colours because they were different types, but then she realized that the colours where changing, each one changing to a different colour than its neighbours in a random pattern. "Gloshrooms. They release a spore when hit that-depending on the age of the plant-will either paralyze you or kill you if inhaled. The small ones that don't glow are safe to eat, the ones that do glow but do not yet release spores work as a powerful laxative when made into a tea..."

They stood there like that, huddled together, for a good while. Lexa teaching, Clarke gazing, listening to her steady voice and gaining a new understanding for her world. Occasionally she would ask a question, but for the most part she listened, content to learn. New knowledge wrapped her mind like a memory of loving arms, seeping into the cracks and soaking in to every pore. I had forgotten this. She realized. Before the ground, before even solitary. I forgot how incredible it feels to learn. How could I have lost that?

Lexa continued around the circle describing each plant in turn. The Heartichokes that, if disturbed, would rapidly climb a victims body with grasping roots to inject venom directly in the heart. Yet as risky as it was to harvest, it also offered life with its seeds which were high in sugar, and when dried created a powder which thinned blood. She described plants that could cure disease in the hands of a skilled healer, or kill an army if used as an asassins tool.

Clarke listened as Lexa went into more depth on the Spitters, though she did not look at them for long. The plants were truly ugly, and the ghastly combination of colours made her feel queasy. The next plant, called Dragonsbreath, had the opposite effect. It was fascinating. Looking a bit like a cloud at first glance, the tangle of vines was constantly in motion, excreting a steady mist as it moved. It was like watching a dragon weaving its way through the clouds...

Lexa's arm tightened around her waist and she came back to herself with a gasp, realizing quickly that she had been moments away from stepping into the water. She looked at Lexa, confused.

"Dragonsbreath has a hypnotic effect if you look at it long enough. It also goes by the name of Sirenslure, as the wind creates a sweet, soft, song when it passes through it. It lures humans and animals close with its song and movement, then entangles them in its vines and eats them." Lexa explained. "Despite this, most villages will gladly trade their most highly valued supplies to possess one of them. They are a rare find, and few know how to harvest them safely. They are also worth it. The mist helps the sick to breathe, muscles to relax, calms the stomache, clears the sinuses, and eases pain."

"Do you know how to harvest them?" Clarke asked, impressed.

Lexa shook her head. "No. She died before she could teach me."

Clarke's expression softened. "I'm sorry. I can tell you were close."

Lexa didn't seem to hear her, her attention was focused on the path behind them. She whirled around, bringing Clarke with her.

"What is it?" Clarke asked, voice barely louder than a whisper.

Lexa looked at her, briefly raising a finger to her lips before focusing back on the path. Clarke concentrated with her. This time she heard it too, a rustling noise as something large walked through the bushes towards them. Lexa gestured towards the tree and Clarke nodded, following her lead. They pushed through the grass, Clarke bit back a curse as she found a rock with her knee, and Lexa stumbled when she tripped over what might once have been a swing as they reached the tree. Silver acorns littered the ground around the trunk, and glittered in the branches overhead. They ducked around the tree, keeping the thick trunk between them and the path. The rustling grew louder as whatever creature it was drew nearer, until it stopped, only to be replaced with what sounded a lot like the soft clopping of hoof beats.

Clarke gave Lexa a puzzled glance. "Is that Naveen?" She asked, silently mouthing the question.

Lexa shook her head negatively.

The hoof beats stopped at the water, followed soon after by the sound of an animal drinking. Lexa motioned for Clarke to remain where she was and moved to peek around the tree. She then turned and motioned for Clarke to join her. Her finger again signalled for silence, but her eyes gave away her excitement.

Curiosity peaked, Clarke stepped up beside her and leaned forward to peek around the tree. What... her eyes wide from shock, she forgot Lexa's warning for silence and immediately blurted the first thought that came out, her mind refusing to accept what she was seeing. "But that's..."

Lexa's hand around her mouth silenced her. She stepped back, Clarke's back against her front, and angled their bodies so they could see while still remaining hidden. She gave Clarke a warning look and slowly lowered her hand, ready to raise it again should the blonde speak too loud.

"That's impossible." Clarke whispered.

"Not all mutations are hideous Clarke." Lexa said softly.

The horse was a picture of legend. Its white coat gleamed under the moonlight. Moonbeams shone through its long tail and main as it drank its fill from the pond, not having noticed their presence. It pawed at the earth with a fore hoof, moonlight making the hoof appear silver in the dark. As beautiful as it was, it was not the beauty of the creature alone that had Clarke stunned. It was the long horn growing from the centre of its forehead that had the honour.

"Unicorn." She whispered, awed by the sight.

Lexa shook her head. "No. It's only a horse. A beautiful, mutated, horse. Don't claim a myth that is not. It does no good, and much harm."

"It's beautiful."

"Yes, it is."

They stood there together, close enough to be lovers yet not quite touching, watching the beautiful horse drink its fill. And as it finished and turned back down the path it came, they stood staring until it was long out of sight.

Clarke sighed, breaking the spell. "We should go back."

Lexa nodded.

Neither of them moved.

"We should really get back." Clarke started to pull away, and after a moments hesitation Lexa moved with her, supporting her weight with a casual grace, as though she was where she belonged. Clarke mused.

They walked back to the path along the waters edge in silence, each taking a moment to simply be and savour the time they had left together.

Clarke stopped at the edge of the path, giving the pond a thoughtful look. "It's really safe to drink?"

Lexa nodded.

Clarke knelt down, feeling Lexa release her waist as she did so. She washed her hands in the cool water and cupped them, bringing them to her lips to taste. Her eyes closed involuntarily as the sweet liquid soothed her throat. "Oh, that is good." She murmured appreciatively.

She dipped her hands in again, intending to drink some more, when something brushed her wrist. Strange, I don't remember seeing any fish... She turned to Lexa to ask if there were any, when that something brushed her wrist again, tightening around it and yanking her into the water.

The weeds had pulled her under. They were surrounding her, wrapping her arms and legs and squeezing her torso faster than she could react. She struggled, caught in the panic of not enough oxygen and not enough time. Dimly, she thought she could hear a splash as she saw Lexa's knife floating down to the sand beneath her, and had the bizarre notion that it was the knife that made the sound. The weeds tightened around her further and she grimaced, a large bubble of air leaving her lungs despite her efforts to keep it in.

She felt the water move as something rushed past her from above and she tilted her head up to see Lexa diving down to the bottom of the pool, retrieving her dagger. A strange feeling of euphoria began to seep into Clarke, a peaceful tiredness that was making her want to cease her struggle, to just let go and sleep. She fought it, recognizing it for what it was.

She watched as Lexa swam over to the potted plant and started hacking at the weeds. The knife was sharp and cut them cleanly, but there was a lot to cut through and Clarke hadn't had time for breath when she was dragged in. She continued to hold her breath, but her eyes wanted to close, and with each blink it became harder to keep them open. As Lexa cut through the last of the weeds, she gave up the fight, letting her eyes stay closed and the world fade away, concentrating only on holding her last breath.

Dimly, she felt the weeds release their grip and fall away and sensed that she was free, floating, but was too focused on holding her breath to care. She felt something grab her torso and vaguely thought it may be another weed, but she was too tired to fight. Instead, as she felt that something tighten its grip and sensed more than felt the water rushing past her, she let go, unable to hold her breath anymore.

The last of her air passed her lips moments before they broke the surface, the cool air rousing her. Ancient instincts forced her to breath, and through her gasping she realized that it was an arm that held her, not a weed, and she clung to it in desperation as she was pulled to shore.

She refused to let go as they scrambled back onto dry land, and even after, she continued to cling, curling into Lexa and continuing to hold her arm like a lifeline, gasping and panicking, caught in the overwhelming fear that she was still in the water, still dying and still helpless...

"Shh... It's alright. You're safe." Lexa soothed. "It's alright..."

They lay there for a long time. Clarke breathed heavily, almost calming down before a new wave of panic would rise, starting the cycle again. Lexa continued to chant, holding Clarke close enough that they could feel each others hearts beat. Gradually, Clarke's breathing eased, and as the gasping turned to shuddering, her heart stopped racing, and she sighed, easing her death grip on Lexa and relaxing against her instead.

"Thank you." Clarke said softly.

"I told you I wouldn't let death be your release." Lexa's lips quirked fondly as she glanced down at Clarke. "Though I do wish you'd stop courting it."

Clarke chuckled, glancing up at Lexa. "I never would have pegged you as the jealous type."

Lexa's expression softened. "For you? Always."

Butterflies swirled in Clarke's body and spread out over her skin in a warm flush at receiving that look. Not fair. She thought, fighting a pout as she looked away. Her gaze fell upon the oak tree across the pond. It's so beautiful... She froze. "Shit."

Lexa turned her head to see where Clarke was looking. "What is it?"

"The oak tree."

"Yes it's... Oh." Lexa's tone changed as she recognized the danger they were in.

"Do you know where we are? Are we safe here?" Clarke asked urgentVly, pushing off of Lexa and standing so Lexa could gain her bearings.

Lexa rose, looking around, and tried to calculate where they were from the angle of the tree. "I think..."

They both froze as they heard a slight rustling noise nearby.

"Dragonsbreath?" Clarke guessed.

Lexa shook her head minutely. "No, we're not far enough over. We should swim back..."

Her sentence trailed off as Clarke shook her head. "No lakes in space remember? I really can't swim. And dodging killer weeds while hiding from who knows what in the dark is a bad time to learn."

"Sounds to me like the perfect time to learn." Lexa smirked.

"Lexa, no... Watch out!" Clarke warned, only now seeing the sickly yellow flowers opening in the cage behind her. She grabbed Lexa's hand and ran, away from the pond as the Spitters opened fire.

"Watch out for their vines! If they're close enough to hit us, they're close enough to grab us!" Lexa warned, jumping over one of the writhing shadows as they ran.

They reached a wall of bushes and froze, red vines twisting in the branches before them.

"Not this way." Clarke gasped.

"Agreed."

They heard a series of soft thuds behind them, and turned in time to see one of the writhing shadow vines straining to reach them, inches from their toes.

"It appears that we are out of range." Lexa said.

"So what do we do now?"

Lexa looked around, and grimaced. "We go back, and you learn how to swim."

Clarke gave her an incredulous look. "You can't be serious."

"Look around Clarke. It's a dead end. Either we take our chances with the strangle vines, or we go back."

Clarke cursed, looking around. "So our choices are, strangulation, or poison and drowning by strangulation. No thanks. Let's look around, maybe we can find a path."

"This is a bad idea Clarke." Lexa warned as she followed her. "The paths have not been maintained in years, the markers are gone, and this area is known for its caves..."

"Don't be silly... Who would build a private zoo over a cave?"

In hindsight, she should have known better. Never challenge the powers of worse. She took Lexa's hand and stepped forward under the shadow of the overgrowth, fully expecting there to be nothing but solid ground beneath her. Finding nothing but air she fell, taking Lexa down with her, crying out as they left the grass and stars and fell into the darkness below.