So here it is - the end! Thank you so much for the follows, favourites and reviews that have kept me writing this - I really have loved knowing that people are enjoying it. I hope you like how it ends!

I love to know what you think - especially when it's the final chapter of a fic, it's so, so nice to know if people liked how you wrapped it up, so please let me know:-) if you're going to review any chapter this is the one! Thanks to the regular people;-)

Tabxx

Chapter Sixteen

'You know I'm suddenly a little nervous about this plan,' Clarke whispered under her breath, staring at the seated clan leaders as she and Lexa stood side by side in the fighting ring which was surrounded on all sides by the people of Polis. A rack of weapons was right in front of them and it was disconcerting to say the least.

'What?' Lexa's head flicked to hers with such speed Clarke was surprised she didn't pull something.

'Way to act chilled,' Clarke rolled her eyes.

'My only priority is to protect you.'

'Ditto.'

'Clarke I speak two languages and sometimes I understand nothing you say,' Lexa huffed.

'It means the same. I have the same priority - to protect you.'

'Then why did you not just say...'

'I did,' Clarke knew the bickering was down to stress. It was one thing to form a plan when lying naked in her lovers arms, it was another thing entirely to be faced with hollering Grounders and the sullen faces of the thirteen clan leaders. The new Azgeda leader was pretty, young and calm looking. Clarke was pretty certain Lexa genuinely hadn't noticed quite how pretty she was. Bellamy was sat in the Sky People chair as her in situ representative, his face reflecting the seriousness of the situation. Indra filled the Trikru chair for Lexa and as was typical her face held fury.

It seemed Jona was to lead the proceedings, as she stood to take her place at some sort of pulpit. If Clarke was uncomfortable with the way Jona stared at her, and she was staring at her intently, there was no mistaking how furious it made Lexa, who barely concealed how she seethed. As Jona stood Clarke slowly and very deliberately rolled up her sleeves, the action catching Lexa's attention. This wasn't something they'd planned and so it took the Commander a second to catch on, but after a second she discarded her armour piece by piece under the curious stares of the coalition and the noisy crowd filling the stands. When at last she was stood in a belted tunic and pants, sword at her side but armour scattered around her, she too rolled up her sleeves. It took a while for people to notice what was on their wrists but when they did the hollering died down and hushed whispers took over. Clarke could sense the staring, the pointing and the rise in volume that questions created. After several moments of standing surrounded by tech volatile crowd, she slipped her left hand into Lexa's right making their tattoos even more visible, and their meaning all the more obvious.

There was a collective gasp, or whatever you call it when a group of onlookers express astonishment at an unexpected turn of events, and the noise, the gasp progressed into something Clarke didn't recognize. There was something that might have been a chant, or a determined scream of some kind and it steadily increased in volume as she and Lexa stood hand in hand. The clan leaders stared at them, expressions on their faces that ranged from furious to amused. Whatever the expressions and whatever that noise was that was still garnering fuel, Clarke focussed on Lexa, on the feel of her palm against hers, on the slight sting that still came from the tattoo that marked her as Lexa's. The noise continued to build and Clarke saw the slightest, minuscule flinch in Jona's expression and so she turned to Lexa, pulled her close and kissed her. It hadn't actually been their plan, despite what she'd said to her friends to lighten the mood, but with the supportive noise of the crowd and the faces of those that would have her fight her wife, it didn't seem like such a bad idea.

Lexa may not have understood why Clarke was behaving as she was but she returned the kiss enthusiastically, lovingly, and with exquisite tenderness. Everything faded but the feeling of Lexa's lips on hers, of one hand gripping hers and the other wrapping around the back of her neck, of Lexa's body stepping closer. Clarke slowed the kiss, her own hand cupping Lexa's beautiful strong jaw. It was hard to think over the noise of the people, to think of what was next, because Lexa was stood there - stripped of armour, vulnerable and exposed in front of all those she led, and all for Clarke. Clarke had intended to turn to the coalition leaders, to say something but the noise from others was too loud and so she kissed Lexa again, a harder, headier kiss than the first, one that elicited a moan from her wife's throat. There were too many people around to keep kissing in that way and so Clarke pulled back, turned back to face the coalition leaders, caught Bellamy's eyes and gave the tiniest, most defiant shrug she could manage at his barely concealed amusement.

Clarke watched Jona try to speak, to be heard over the bellowing from the assembled people but they didn't stop and she couldn't be heard. Without a word, or even looking away from Clarke, Lexa raised left hand and within seconds the crowd was silent. Clarke felt the corner of her mouth twitch as Jona's expression hardened just slightly.

'There has been a challenge made,' Jona yelled and it occurred to Clarke that Mantu and his bellowing might be more effective. 'Against Lexa kom Trikru, Commander and leader of the coalition.'

Clarke smirked at the chanting of "Heda" that began amongst the assembled masses. Many more people than Lexa had indicated still supported their commander. Clarke wasn't surprised that Lexa may have quirked that fact, because the one thing Clarke knew for sure was that Lexa loved her. Teeth clamping on her bottom lip for a second as she bit back a smile, Lexa held up her hand again and the crowd fell silent.

'Your position as Commander has been challenged and you must fight for the right to retain it. Many believe that Klark kom Skaikru is stronger than you,' Clarke bit back her surprise at the chanting of Skaiprisa, softer than Lexa's support, but there none the less, and persistent even after several long moments. Jona scowled in irritation before continuing over the chanting Lexa didn't attempt to stop. 'People believe Klark has powers stronger than the spirits in you Commander. That she is a spirit,' the chanting became so loud Lexa was forced to raise her hand so Jona could continue, 'Klark kom Skaikru will fight you to be the rightful Commander and leader of the coalition, to prove that she is Ogedauf. Do you have anything to say before battle commences?' Jona waited expectantly and without any prompting the crowd fell silent.

'I do,' Clarke strode forward, releasing Lexa's hand reluctantly, her complete disregard for the proceedings obvious. 'I have a question actually. Why do you believe I am Ogedauf?' She kept her voice loud and clear, her head held high.

'You fell from the sky?' Jona asked, her awe and total belief palpable in the air.

'Yes...'

'You killed three hundred of the Commanders warriors?'

'Yes...'

'In a ring of fire?'

'Yes...'

'You escaped Mount Weather?'

'I did...'

'You turned a reaper back?'

'Yes.'

'You formed an alliance?'

'Yes...'

'You then took Mount Weather alone, killing all the Maunon?'

'Yes...'

'You then declared war on your own people to save us, all of us from annihilation?'

'Yes...'

'You exposed treachery in the clans?'

'And proved the Commander's integrity.'

'You are the person we believe to be Ogedauf. Look at all you have done,' Jona stared at her.

'Is it just the coalition leaders who believe this?' Clarke asked and Jona turned to the crowd,

'Klark kom Skaikru asks if it is just the coalition leaders who believe she is a spirit, that she is Ogedauf,' Jona managed a bellow to rival Mantu's and the crowd responded with a chant of Ogedauf that even though it did not roll off the tongue as well as Heda, was louder, overpowering even.

'Well there are two possible truths,' Clarke yelled and when she spoke the crowd fell silent.

'First, let's argue you're all wrong - because I fell from the sky, but I fell with one hundred other kids. And it may have been my idea to fight the warriors coming to kill us with a ring of fire but it wasn't me who made it happen, and I didn't do it alone. I may have escaped Mount Weather but I did so with Anya kom Trikru who trained Lexa. I may have formed an alliance, but Lexa formed an alliance with me and we planned that attack on Mount Weather together. Yes, she left after she freed her people from that mountain, but maybe I didn't get in there because I was Ogedauf - my best friend Bellamy opened the door,' Clarke pointed at Bellamy, 'that guy there. Maybe I told him to go inside the mountain but getting in there was all him. My other friend, he made it so pulling a lever irradiated the mountain, not me. And Bellamy and I pulled that lever together. Maybe I did declare war on my people, but I did so with over a hundred of my people. We strategized together, particularly Bellamy and I, talking with Lexa, then Miller, Octavia and Raven, Monty too. So even though it may have all been me maybe it wasn't. Maybe winning the war wasn't all me. Maybe I just stepped it up a notch at the end, after Lexa discovered Nia's plan to control the clans. Maybe I just helped out.'

'So you are disputing your power?' Jona frowned, everyone silent. 'You are saying we are wrong and you are nothing more than a girl?

'I'm saying it's a possibility. But it's just one possibility. There is another,' Clarke's expression darkened along with her tone. There was complete silence.

'Then tell it,' Jona ordered.

'I fell from the sky after a year in total isolation. I led my people. I avoided death repeatedly and saved others. I turned reapers back into the men they once were. I planned and executed a ring of fire to kill those who would kill me and my people. It was me that escaped from Mount Weather and I brought Anya with me for Lexa. Then, despite Anya's death I made Lexa listen, made them all believe we could save our people and we did. Not many died. In a battle against the Mountain, all the Maunon died and very few of our people. I planned how my best friend would enter the mountain, how he would communicate and what he would achieve. It was my decision to irradiate the mountain and I executed the plan. I pulled the lever. It was me. I killed them all. I killed the president. I bring death to those who would kill for no reason. And yes, when people plan something despicable I end them. My mother would kill you all and she is dead. Nia who sought to kill thousands, she is dead. I tested the Commander and she was proven worthy. Those that were not worthy are dead. I have been on earth for less than a year and I have killed hundreds, but their hearts were not true. Their spirits were bad. Their decisions caused damage.'

'So you are Ogedauf?' Jona looked thrilled, vindicated.

'It is not for me to make claims,' Clarke said with a shrug and a widening of her eyes, just the hint of insinuation that Jona was indeed correct.

'Who believes she is Ogedauf? Jona turned to the crowd and the chanting came louder than ever. 'You will fight to be the true Commander,' Jona yelled above the crowd.

'I will not fight,' Clarke held her head high, the crowd once again falling silent as she spoke,

'Are you surrendering?' Jona asked in surprise and several of the clan leaders turned to stare at Jona, then flicked their gazes to Clarke.

'No, but I'm not fighting either. Lexa is my houmon. I love her. We have been through a lot and we are stronger together.'

'We will see if your houmon feels the same,' Jona looked at Lexa, who merely stepped forward and took Clarke's hand.

'I am Lexa kom Trikru, Commander and leader of the coalition,' Lexa stated, and she didn't raise her voice but it carried none the less. 'I am Clarke's houmon and she is mine. You expect me to kill her?' she arched a perfect brow.

'The challenge was made before you were joined,' Jona spoke firmly. 'Therefore the challenge stands. You are the Commander and as you have witnessed we believe she is Ogedauf. You have also confided that you believe this to be true.'

'And who made the challenge?' Lexa asked calmly, unperturbed.

'The coalition,' Jona rolled her eyes, as derisive with Lexa as she had been in awe of Clarke. 'As you know.'

'The same coalition who joined Clarke and I together?'

'Again, as you know,' Jona did not hide her frustration with Lexa.

'So you joined me to the girl you now expect me to kill, or to kill me?'

'This challenge stands irregardless of your joining.'

'Maybe, but my wife has not hurt me. She has not betrayed me. She has not been with another. We have not even argued. We love each other. We have sacrificed for our people and we have sacrificed for each other. I am the Commander and she is the Skaiprisa. We have led our people individually and we have begun to lead them together.'

'That is not relevant.'

'Tell me how the Commander is chosen?' Lexa asked and Jona frowned. At length Luna stood beside Jona,

'The spirits of the past Commander finds the person who is worthy to be the next.'

'Spirits chose me, sha?' Lexa asked and Luna bowed her head just slightly as she nodded. Even Jona nodded her agreement.

'You seek to release my spirit in the belief it will find Clarke, sha?'

'Yes.'

'My question for you is this: If I was chosen by the spirits and Clarke is a spirit, is Ogedauf, and she has also chosen me,' Lexa raised their joined hands to display their tattoos, 'how can your argument for a fight hold any validity?' Lexa spoke the line beautifully. It was Clarke's creation but she had begged Lexa to deliver it.

'I am Ogedauf and my houmon is correct,' Clarke threaded her fingers through Lexa's, even though their joined hands were still in the air. 'I am Ogedauf, the spirit you call a god, and I choose the girl the spirits have already chosen. Why would you expect me to slay her? I will not bow down before her, but she will not bow down before me. So answer me this. Would you ask Ogedauf to kill the girl she and all the spirits choose? We chose her. Or would you want that girl to kill me, a spirit sent from the sky to lead,not give you strength? To kill an all powerful spirit who has chosen to join with her? Or do you merely ask the Commander to kill her houmon? And what then? What of your beliefs in joinings? What about her duty to seek vengeance on those that forced her hand? Who will she slay then?' Clarke gestured towards the assembled coalition.

There was silence, only Bellamy and Indra bit back pride, the others seemed taken aback, stunned and some even appeared convinced, Luna, amongst others, nodding,

'So what do you propose if you believe a fight to be wrong?' she asked.

'We rule together,' Lexa stated. 'We are stronger together. Better able to defeat our enemies - as we have proven. We have saved our people, we have gotten rid of threats endured for nearly one hundred years. My people respect Clarke. They trust her and her judgement.'

'My people follow Lexa. My people are Lexa's people.'

'I was chosen by the spirits to lead you. My houmon is a spirit and she also chose me. We are powerful but that power is for our people. We would die for you, bleed for you, we will bear the hard decisions for you. But we will not fight each other for you. There is no sense to this.'

'To kill each other would only bring weakness to our people, to the coalition.'

'If you were to kill your houmon Commander, you would have her strength, you would command all the power that she does,' Jona stated and Lexa practically roared stepping in front of Clarke and pulling her sword out and holding it defensively.

'My wife will not die here today. Not by my hand and not by the hand of another. She is a gift and she shall be appreciated. We do not need to kill to appreciate the strength, the power, the person gifted to us. Clarke is different. We kill her and we risk losing all she has to offer forever.'

'You want a solution and we've given it to you,' Clarke stepped forward. 'I am Ogedauf, and to kill me would condemn you all. My spirit has chosen Lexa. All spirits choose Lexa, to kill her would bring nothing but death and terror. Let us lead together. Let us protect you. Let us make you all stronger,' at the last Clarke whirled round, her back to Lexa's and spoke to the people of Polis who roared their support. Clarke turned back after several moments and slid her arms around Lexa, pressing her front against the Commanders back. They had nothing further. There was nothing further. The coalition could put weapons in their hands and tell them to fight and they'd stand there and kiss, they could try and kill them but Clarke didn't think they'd do that because that would defy tradition and it would most certainly anger the people. Clarke squeezed Lexa tighter, face pressed to her back as the people roared ever louder. Clarke couldn't see but she felt Lexa dig her sword into the earth in front of her, heard the crowds approval and then she felt her wife's hands ghost over hers. After a good couple of minutes of such loud noise Clarke honestly feared for her ear drums, Lexa raised a hand and the people fell silent.

'We await your decision, but know that there will be no fight between Clarke and I. If we die, it will be a death by your hands and I do not imagine the people will be pleased. I suggest you decide quickly,' Lexa arched her brows theatrically before tugging Clarke from behind her and to her side, so the sword stood in the ground before them both. Lexa didn't take her hand, but placed her arm around her, holding her into her side, physically showing that she would not allow her wife to be harmed.

'I love you Lex,' Clarke told her softly and Lexa gave her a look, just the hint of a quirk around her lips.

'Ai hod yu in ai Prisa,' she stated with just the slightest widening of her eyes, something that caused Clarke's stomach to flop over with a desperation - a desperation to hold Lexa close, to have this situation be over, to have the rest of their lives to spend mornings and nights lying in bed together, days talking. Clarke knew she loved Lexa, knew it in her bones no matter how slowly the realization had crept up on her, it was real and like a living tangible thing. She loved her.

Jona stood at the podium again but this time she didn't stare at Clarke, her eyes were lowered respectfully.

'The challenge is withdrawn,' she announced. 'The coalition leaders approve your leadership Commander, and provided our safety and strength remain in tact we wish to benefit from the protection of Ogedauf, your houmon.'

'That is acceptable,' Lexa replied, a little haughtily in Clarke's opinion, but that was part of Lexa, and part of how she demanded respect. Accordingly thirteen heads bowed in respect, and as one the heads of every man, woman and child in the crowd also lowered. 'My houmon, she objects to our word choice. She prefers Skaiheda.'

'Heda, Skaiheda,' Jona nodded, head remaining bowed submissively.

'Thanks,' Clarke bit back a smile, loving the feel of Lexa's hand slotting into hers before she raised them both up and the crowd erupted. Clarke couldn't hold back a smile because it was finally over and she might actually get the life time she was so desperate for. Bellamy caught her eye and winked, then Indra gave her a rare smile, before Lexa grabbed her sword and placed it back at her waist, and tugged Clarke towards the people.

'Let them meet you,' she said. 'Let me show them the girl I love.'

'Sha,' she squeezed the hand in hers and followed Lexa into the throng of people.

'Lexa,' Clarke combed her hand through the dark hair that was half covering her breast. Lexa was lying in her favourite position, face pressed up against the soft skin of Clarke's left breast, hand resting on the right. Now that her arm was better Clarke tended to curl onto her side a little more, curl around her wife.

'Mmm,' Lexa seemed unwilling to relinquish her pillow and merely nuzzled closer.

'I want to talk,' Clarke urged trailing a finger over Lexa's back tattoo, following swirls and marvelling at the beauty.

'Then you shouldn't have exhausted me so much,' Lexa mumbled, soft skin against her mouth.

'I exhausted you? I did all the work at least twice,' Clarke defended with a smile, wriggling down the bed so her face was next to Lexa's, ignoring the huff.

'As did I,' Lexa smiled into a kiss she placed on Clarke's lips.

'And it was great,' Clarke rolled on top of her wife and smiled down at her amid a shower of blond hair.

'Hmm, it was,' Lexa's hands trailed down Clarke's spine and over the curve of her ass, clearly anticipating more love coming her way.

'I want to talk about living here,' Clarke smirked at Lexa's pout.

'What about it. You live here with me. You are my houmon and you should be in my home and in my bed...in me.'

'Lexa,' Clarke rolled her eyes and rolled off of the Commander. Lexa's pout grew,

'Come back,' she trailed a hand down Clarke's side, fingers trailing over her breast which she squeezed needily. 'Beja.'

'I want to talk,' Clarke protested.

'No, you want to love me,' Lexa encouraged, hands tugging Clarke.

'Lexa,' Clarke laughed softly as she allowed herself to be tugged and maneuvered until she was lying between Lexa's thighs. 'I need to see my people Lexa. I've been living here for six months, with you, in your house, in you and I love Polis. I adore it but I miss my people. Bellamy, Raven and Octavia last visited three months ago. I haven't seen Monty or Miller in six months. I even miss TonDC.'

'You want to go?' Lexa's brow furrowed.

'I want us to go. I want to go see them, but I want to go visit the other clans to.'

'There are no problems that need our attention,' Lexa shrugged wrapping her legs around Clarke.

'No, not in the clans anyway,' Clarke couldn't help but smirk at the way Lexa used her feet to rock her. 'I'm pretty sure you have a problem you think needs my attention,' she teased and Lexa smiled,

'But you still wish to visit? TonDC and the clans?'

'I am a leader with you. I need to see where people live, know the different clans and their leaders better than I do.'

'Yes, you do,' Lexa agreed, unsubtly rocking her again.

'And I miss my people.'

'So you keep saying,' her lips found Clarke's neck and she bit the skin softly.

'I do,' Clarke sighed and tilted her head, rocking on her own volition.

'We will go see our people Clarke,' Lexa promised, 'we will see them all. We will spend time in TonDC. As much time as you need. You can go hunt with Bellamy, train with Octavia, make things explode with Raven, meet Miller's boyfriend, talk with Monty. We will do all of that.'

'When?' Clarke smoothed her hands over Lexa's cheeks and rocked against her because her wife's eyes were dark and she was lifting her hips just slightly, and it felt really, really good.

'As soon as we can,' Lexa let out a soft moan, teeth biting into her plump lower lip as Clarke moved with more intent.

'Tomorrow,' Clarke moved again, mouth ghosting across Lexa's cheeks.

'You're manipulating me,' Lexa complained with a gasp of pleasure that entirely underminded her complaint.

'Is it working?' Clarke gave her a brief but heated kiss.

'Hmmm, yes,' Lexa threw back her head as Clarke moved her body, letting one strong thigh slide between her legs as her hand slipped between Lexa's, dipping into warmth and wetness.

'Hey,' Clarke dropped to the log beside Lexa, resting her head against her strong shoulder.

'Was your hunt successful?'

'Yes,' Clarke smiled softly. 'We caught three rabbits which is more than enough until we get to TonDC.'

'We left with more than enough,' Lexa smiled.

'Yes, but Ryder likes to hunt and Peyo has not been training as much as he should since being in Polis. He enjoys the bars.'

'You enjoy the bars with him,' Lexa snorted.

'You like me tipsy.'

'No, you like me when you're tipsy,' Lexa chuckled - still one of Clarke's favourite sounds on all of earth.

'I love you when I'm tipsy - very enthusiastically,' she joked and Lexa's chuckle became a laugh.

'I am quite happy for you to drink with Peyo every night,' she teased with a faint blush.

'Then I'd miss you too much,' Clarke said simply.

'Today we will pass nearby the village where I grew up. It would delay us by a day or two, but would you like to visit it with me?'

'Yes,' Clarke burst out, 'I'd love to,' she took Lexa's hand, removed the knife Lexa was sharpening from it, and threaded their fingers together.

'Clarke, I was shappening that,' Lexa protested weakly.

'There is peace Lexa. We've brought peace to the people. It's not tenuous but strong and getting stronger. We can speak to the clans, we can make sure all is good. You don't need to sharpen your knife.'

'It is my hunting knife,' Lexa pointed out with a roll of her eyes.

'Your wife hunts for you.'

'Does she?'

'Hmm, one rabbit has Heda carved in its side.'

'Poor bunny,' Lexa bit back a smile.

'Poor hungry Heda,' Clarke slide her free hand inside Lexa's open coat.

'You are ridiculous Clarke. I had no idea you would be so silly when we were joined,' Lexa chided but it was clear she approved entirely from the way she turned to her wife, from the softness in her eyes and the tightening of her hold on Clarke's hand.

'I'm only silly for you. When I'm Skaiheda I'm regal and powerful. And you,' Clarke pressed her lips to Lexa's cheek, 'can be just as silly as me.'

'I am never silly,' Lexa stated with true regal haughtiness.

'Hmmm, yeah you are.'

'Name one time,' Lexa challenged and Clarke smiled at that,

'When you do a striptease for me.'

'That is sexy not silly.'

'When you ask to do my hair and make it look crazy.'

'It is not my fault that you cannot appreciate Trikru hair styles.'

'When you talk to my body parts.'

'They're part of you!'

'When you blow raspberries on my belly.'

'It makes you laugh.'

'When you hide, only to jump out and scare the crap out of me.'

'That teaches you caution, to use your senses and to stay safe.'

'When you play games with the children.'

'You play those games to,' Lexa defended.

'And I'm decidedly silly when doing so.'

'If I am silly it is only because you have given me the freedom to be so,' Lexa admitted.

'I love that you're silly,' Clarke released Lexa's hands and moved behind her wrapping her arms around her. 'I am glad that the world is calm so we can breath each other in, so we can play and be silly. I'm glad I can make you laugh.'

'I was unable to laugh for many years,' Lexa admitted, 'it is still not easy.'

'Who is in the village?'

'I have a brother. My mother and father are dead.'

'What is your brothers name? Is he older or younger?'

'Kit is fifteen years old. He asks to fight every time I see him. Now when he asks I can tell him there is no reason to fight,' Lexa smiled, clearly fond of her brother.

'Will you let him train as a warrior?'

'Kit cannot see. He trains to defend himself but he cannot fight.'

'Maybe I can help him.'

'And you still deny that your are Ogedauf,' Lexa teased. 'You think you can give sight to a boy who has never seen and yet tell me you are just a girl who fell from the sky.'

'I'm not just a girl any more.'

'No?'

'I'm your houmon. That makes me someone special. I am the Skaihead. I am the leader of the Sky People. I'm happy.'

'Were you not happy before?'

'The Ark wasn't really a happy place. I had a nice childhood. My parents,' Clarke's throat closed up for a moment, 'they loved me. But it's hard to really remember a time before solitary. What was your childhood like?'

'Violent. Full of fear. The clans were at war and the Azgeda came in the night. They killed my mother and father but I slay them to save my brother. No matter how many came, I defeated them. Not long after I was called to lead.'

'How old were you?'

'Twelve. I was Anya's second. She trained me, but at twelve I became the leader. We fought wars and for the first time signed treaties for peace. Agreed to trade and extended protection. It all grew out of that night.'

'So the Azgeda - they took your family and Costia?'

'Yes,' Lexa answered simply

'Would you tell me about Costia?'

'Yes.'

'Now?' Clarke asked when Lexa remained silent for a minute,

'Costia - she was nothing like you. Not in looks or personality.'

'Ok,' Clarke was surprised at the seed of jealousy.

'I was but a girl Clarke,' Lexa seemed to hear the insecurity and brought Clarke to sit beside her again, 'I met Costia when I was fifteen. She was in a village I visited as Commander, they sheltered us after a squirmish with the sand people. I was sheltered by Costia's family. She was a quiet girl. Dark in appearance, quite beautiful,' Lexa had a faraway look in her eye and Clarke nodded, swallowing the jealousy she wasn't expecting to feel. 'I could not stop staring at her over dinner though she did not meet my eye. That night though, she crept into my bed and it was...wonderful.'

'I'm sure it was,' Clarke said bluntly and Lexa looked at her knowingly.

'Not as wonderful as with you ai Prisa,' she reassured, 'I have never felt for anyone what I feel for you. Do not be jealous. Costia was what I needed then. She was kind and gentle in a world of war. She offered to come with me and I accepted. She soothed away the pain.'

'I want to soothe away your pain,' Clarke felt terrible. She had urged Lexa to talk and now all she could do was compare herself to a dead girl.

'You do. Do not forget that after Costia I told myself love was weakness. The pain of her loss was awful. I thought I would never recover but I did, and I held myself at a distance from everyone until you. The first time I saw you my heart stilled and then beat so hard and fast I thought I might die. My stomach turned, and then turned again. I wanted to be with you always, to have your eyes on me. You didn't make me feel weak even though I was weak for you. I have loved before Clarke, as have you. But I love you in a way I've never loved another. You still make my heart race, and my stomach jump and you are mine. You are mine forever.'

'What about if war comes again?'

'We have proven our strength when we fight together. There may be more battles, more pain, more fear, but you and I will face everything together.'

'Do you want children?'

'Children?' Lexa seemed surprised by the question.

'Yes. Do you want a family with me one day? Do you want to live a quiet life ever? Will you be commander forever?'

'I will be the Commander until I die. You will alsombe the Skaiheda. Yes I would love a quiet life and we can have something that resembles that. We must find the quiet amongst the chaos. Life on earth isn't quiet. There is no rhythm anymore, not since the bombs fell. But when we lie together at night, that is our quiet, that is our peace.'

'It's my favourite time.'

'Sha, for me also,' for several minutes they were silent. 'I dream of a child for us sometimes. It feels unattainable at times, but I imagine a small girl with hair like the sun and eyes like the sky.'

'She would not be like you?'

'No, she would be all her mother,' Lexa smiled shyly.

'You would also be her mother.'

'Yes, but she would be like you. As special as you are, as wonderful.'

'Lex, you do know...it wasn't true what I said to the coalition. I am the first girl I described.'

'What I heard...well you described the same girl both times - you are both of them. It is how we look at things and you will never convince me that my heart was wrong when it pounded for you the first second I saw you.'

'I can accept that. But you have to accept how I see you. As amazing. As beautiful. As strong but soft.'

'I am only soft when it comes to you ai Prisa.'

'That's because you love me.'

'Sha.'

'Earth is better with you.'

'It is better with you. And you are not of this earth. Imagine my relief, my utter luck to have you fall from the sky and into my arms?'

'Well I didn't really fall into your arms but yeah ok,' Clarke teased.

'Come, let's tell the others we go to my village. We can make it there by nightfall and you and I can sleep in a warm bed together.'

'Well that sounds amazing.'

'Hmm, it does,' Lexa slid her hand into Clarke's and together they walked to the others.

'My brother liked you.'

'You think everyone likes me.'

'They do. They all desire you. It is part of your power I am sure,' Lexa stated seriously, face pressed into the soft skin of Clarke's left breast.

'There - there's a perfect example of you being silly!' Clarke crowed triumphantly.

'Because I think the world desires my wife?' Lexa looked up at her with wounded eyes.

'Lexa, I love that you find me as attractive as you do, but I assure you - not everyone does.'

'Nia, she looked at you with hungry eyes. Jona didn't try to hide it. Finn. I have heard my warriors talk. I have heard your warriors talk. My ears are trained for the mention of your name.'

'That's a handful. Just as many desire you.'

'Bellamy, Octavia, Raven...'

'Lexa now I know you're making stuff up.'

'No, I speak the truth,' Lexa nuzzled obstinately closer.

'They look at me with love because we are friends, because they care. It is not desire. This,' she gestured to Lexa clinging to her naked body, 'this is desire.'

'Hmmm, yes I desire you.'

'I'm glad you think your brother likes me,' Clarke brought the conversation full circle because Lexa was clearly not planning to be convinced.

'Can you really fix his eyes?'

'He has cataracts. My mom could have. We'll ask Jackson. If I assisted he might be able to. I mean I think I could...if I had the necessary equipment but Jackson has done it before. Kit is willing to come with us to TonDC so we can try.'

'That would be a huge gift. Can you imagine sight after so long without it? He could know my face and the face of my houmon. My goddess.'

'Lexa,' Clarke warned, but she felt Lexa smile against her breast,

'My beautiful, amazing, clever goddess.'

'Thin ice Commander.'

'You know I like it when you call me that in bed,' Lexa rolled onto her and smiled down amidst her loose hair.

'I say your name in bed and you're turned on,' Clarke rolled her eyes.

'That's because you're my sex goddess,' Lexa smirked and Clarke marvelled at the fact that she got to see Lexa this way, that she helped the stoic Commander loosen up and have fun, even if it was only ever in the privacy of their bedroom. Lexa trailed kisses down Clarke's throat, then lower, sucking a nipple into her mouth and moaning.

'Lexa we need sleep,' Clarke protested because she had already been thoroughly loved, and thoroughly loved her wife in return.

'But I wish to love you,' Lexa explained, nipping and causing Clarke's body to arc off the bed and scream at her mouth to shut up.

'Well if you wish to,' she conceded and placed a hand on Lexa's dark hair encouraging her journey south. The small hum of contentment from Lexa made her smile and her stomach flop over. She loved Lexa. Loved her.

'Bellamy,' Clarke yelled, slipping from her horse and running into his arms.

'Clarke,' he was grinning so widely she thought his face might split. 'Fuck but it's good to see you.'

'And you.'

'Share the love,' Raven grumbled, and Clarke released Bellamy, only to pull Raven into her arms. Then Miller, Monty, Octavia, endless people. Even Jasper stared from where he sat around the campfire.

'How come you're all here?' Clarke stared at them all around the fire.

'Your wife may have sent someone ahead to tell us when you'd arrive,' Bellamy shrugged and Clarke looked over her shoulder at Lexa who was speaking with Indra. She sent her a small smile, thrilled when Lexa returned it.

'Tell me everything, and I mean everything.'

'Bell has a girlfriend,' Octavia sassed.

'I'm sure she's not good enough,' Clarke stated at the same time as Raven said, 'she's too good for him,' and they all laughed.

'Ok, sit and eat. We have food, we have music and we have some of Monty's moonshine,' Bellamy linked his arm through hers and tugged her to a log around the fire. Clarke watched Lexa walk off with Indra and focussed on her friends.

'Lexa,' Clarke attempted to tip toe into her tent though she wasn't sure exactly why she was bothering when she fully intended to wake the Commander. 'Lexa,' she repeated her name, remembering all the times she'd walked into the Commanders tent before. In the early days she'd never been drunk, not ever and everything had been so loaded, both before Mount Weather and after. Of course she'd stumbled into their room in Polis with liquor in her blood many times. She spied her wife, body curled around her pillow as if it were a body. Clarke dropped all her clothes to the floor carelessly, and snuck under the furs, hands immediately seeking warm skin.

'Clarke, I'm sleeping.'

'I wish to love you Lexa,' she practically sang in her inebriation.

'I'm sleeping,' Lexa protested.

'You always let me love you when I'm drunk,' Clarke pouted unreasonably offended.

'You and Peyo do not drink until it is nearly dawn.'

'I haven't seen them in six months.'

'Bellamy, Octavia and Raven were in Polis not three months ago.'

'But I haven't been home in so long.'

'And TonDC is home?' Lexa kept her eyes shut despite Clarke's wondering hands.

'You're home Lexa,' Clarke answered affectionately.

'You just said you haven't been home in so long?' Lexa huffed in frustration.

'That's why I wish to love you,' Clarke responded proudly. 'Because you're home and I haven't been home in sooo long.'

'You're ridiculous,' Lexa's eyes fluttered open and took in her beautiful wife.

'You're wearing too many clothes. I can't see my home properly,' she pulled at material.

'You had fun with your friends, then?' Lexa asked as Clarke pushed at her tank, clumsily tugging it from her body before shimmying under the furs and pulling down her sleep bottoms.

'Yes, I had fun,' Clarke murmured from somewhere near the bottom of the bed. 'I like being in TonDC. We're going to the Ark tomorrow.'

'Are we?'

'Yes,' Clarke was kissing her thighs, up one and down the other, then up and down.

'You're teasing me,' Lexa huffed.

'You haven't consented to my drunken advances,' Clarke pointed out, warm breath fanning Lexa between her legs.

'I allowed you to strip me,' Lexa fed her fingers into blond locks.

'You said you were sleeping,' Clarke edged closer to her goal.

'Clearly I am now awake.'

'And you wish to be loved?' Clarke asked and Lexa moved her hand from blond hair and grabbed Clarke's hand from where it was on her thigh before she pushed it into the wet warmth between her legs.

'Yes,' she groaned out the word and Clarke's whole body thrummed with the neediness in her voice. Lexa's fingers slid from hers, pushing their way back into her hair as Clarke kept her fingers inside of her wife, pumping them slowly, steadily, in deep and with an expert curl to them, her hot breath dancing over Lexa's clit, where her thumb rubbed circles. Lexa groaned because Clarke was relentless, she always was when she was drunk, doing everything that pulled the sexy noises she loved from the Commander, doing everything that turned her from strength to mush, everything that made her melt into their bed in pleasure - from the angle of her hand, to using her warm breath, her tongue, three fingers, curling them. Clarke did it all when she was drunk and with so much enthusiasm Lexa never stood a chance, coming once, and then twice in minutes, Clarke only stopping when her wife begged, tugging her up and into heated kisses, before sliding down her body in return.

'Thank you for coming here,' Clarke mused after, when Lexa had found her favourite position, this time a leg thrown across the Skaiprisa.

'We will be away from Polis for several weeks if you wish to visit every clan.'

'I want to see them all, meet all the people and the leaders again.'

'I know,' Lexa held her tight. 'We will do our visits and then return here again for another visit if you want?'

'We said we'd stay here for two weeks before we go anywhere else?' Clarke mumbled, half asleep.

'We will,' Lexa reassured, 'but we will also return on our way home.'

'Good.'

'I thought we could take your friends back with us for a visit. I think Monty and Miller should come?'

'Yeah?' Clarke looked at her with a bright smile, opening her sleepy eyes.

'Yes,' Lexa nodded.

'Hmmm, you know I love you?'

'You've told me so once or twice,' Lexa wrinkled her nose and Clarke smiled,

'Seriously, I don't think I'd like earth if you weren't on it.'

'Lucky you found me then,' Lexa said.

'Maybe I did fall from the sky just for you?'

'At last you admit it,' Lexa nestled closer, as Clarke giggled. 'Now sleep. Your head will hurt in the morning.'

'Hmm, ok,' she turned ever so slightly into her wife, not enough to dislodge her from her favourite pillow, but enough to drape an arm around her slim waist. 'Love you.'

'Ditto,' Lexa stated and Clarke felt her smile against her breast.