Author's Note: Well, we made it! Here is the final installment of a story that I have really come to love. It started from a place of grief and attempting to fill a void left by our beloved Heda, and now this story finally has come to its conclusion. I will be finishing my Nightblood fic next, which I hope is a fun read with a bit of a different feel from this one, so jump on over there if you enjoy my writing and haven't checked that one out yet. After that I'll finally wrap up my first Clexa story, Alliance, which I haven't updated since season 3 started, so it will be fun to jump back into that since it will take an AU turn now that my ideas will officially take a different path from the canon story. I really love the Lexa and Costia backstory in that one, which I will be adding to and wrapping up hopefully within the next month.

I have some ideas brewing for a new Clexa fic, but it likely won't be up here for a while, so stay tuned! Now, without further ado, here is the final chapter that I hope ties everything up in a satisfactory way for you. I would love to hear what you think now that the whole story has come full circle. Enjoy! :)

Clarke kissed the infinity tattoo on the back of Lexa's neck as she finished tying her shirt.

"Thank you," Lexa whispered as she turned to give her lover one more kiss on the lips.

Clarke smiled as she rested her forehead against Lexa's. "Ready?"

"Yes. Let's go change history."

The girls exited the room and Lexa startled as she turned to close her door. "Strand?" she asked in surprise to the guard on her right.

The guard looked from Lexa to his fellow guard and back to his Commander. "I am Strandor, Heda, but I am honored for you to recognize me at all. Today is my first day at this post."

Lexa was puzzled, but smiled. "Ah, yes. Strandor. I won't forget that now. Thank you for your service." She gave a quick nod of acknowledgement to both guards and turned back to join Clarke.

Clarke quirked an eyebrow. "What was that all about?" she whispered.

"My guard, Clarke. He is the spitting image of Strand, the man I told you about who was..." Lexa looked around cautiously and lowered her voice. "...Alicia's rich friend with the yacht and the plane."

Clarke stopped short. "You're kidding?"

"No, I swear it! But there was no similar recognition from him." Lexa's brows furrowed. "What could this mean?"

"I don't know." Clarke shook her head though her mind was reeling. "But let's talk about that later. We have other pressing matters to attend to right now."

Lexa chuckled. "Yes, let's go prevent the attempt on your life and the end of mine, shall we?"

Clarke rolled her eyes with a smirk. "Just a day in the life, right?"

"Exactly. If I remember correctly, I was already nearly assassinated once this this morning, correct?"

"That's right. Semet." Clarke cringed as she recalled the man who had captured Octavia and sought vengeance against Skaikru for killing the army of 300 and then attacking his village. Though that all had felt like a lifetime ago - and quite literally was - it had only been that morning back on this timeline. Clarke froze when she saw her door down the hall.

"Hey, it's okay." Lexa brought up a hand to cradle Clarke's cheek.

"Lexa. Heda." Clarke warned quietly as she glanced around.

"I don't care if anyone sees us, Clarke," she stated resolutely. "Do you honestly think I'm going to be coy and secretive about us after all we've been through?" Lexa shook her head. "We won't be separated again, Clarke kom Skaikru. Well, unless circumstance necessitates it from time to time, of course. And since you've become quite the accomplished fighter thanks to the walkers, I won't be as worried about you being able to take care of yourself now that anyone who would want to hurt me will see you as a target as well."

Clarke chuckled. "That's right. I can certainly hold my own now!" Her face fell. "But I'm nervous, Lex. What if we can't change things?"

"Then what would have been the point of all this?" Lexa touched the back of her neck, feeling the scar that was there once again. "The Flame would not have brought us back if we couldn't make life better." She winked. "I'll go first this time."

They approached the room and Clarke saw the stony Commander gaze return to Lexa's eyes as she threw open the doors.

"Heda?" Titus was clearly taken aback at the sight of her.

"Titus." Lexa acknowledged him curtly. She looked over at Murphy in the corner. "Why do you have a member of Skaikru gagged and tied in Clarke's room? Are you the one who beat him up?"

Titus looked between Lexa, Clarke, and Murphy, speechless.

"Speak true, Titus," the Commander continued. "You know I will not tolerate anything less."

"Yes, it was me," he muttered.

"And?" Lexa queried impatiently. "Why have you done this?"

"I... The boy had information of value that he was reluctant to give." Titus was beginning to look desperate. "He had an object with the sacred symbol and refused to tell me truthfully how he acquired it. And he is one of the bandits who has been stealing from your people on your roads!"

"And how do these man's crimes justify you keeping a gun up your sleeve - a weapon we are forbidden to possess?"

Titus's jaw dropped. "Heda, I..."

"Drop the gun, Titus," she spat. "Drop it now and never touch one again."

The weapon fell from his sleeve and clattered to the ground.

"And did you or did you not intend to use that gun to murder Clarke? Because you wrongly believe that my feelings for her will render me incapable of executing my duty as Commander?"

The Flame Keeper was mortified.

"Just nou drein jus daun," Lexa snarled. "Which is an edict you should be grateful for right now. Guards!" Two burly men entered the room. "Take the Fleimkepa and lock him up. I'll figure out what to do with him later."

"Lexa," Titus protested. "I never meant any harm!"

"Yes, you did," she responded bluntly. "And you will never again attempt to harm Clarke. Swear it."

The guards held Titus in front of his Commander. "I swear it," he grunted as he side-eyed Clarke.

"Don't even look at her the wrong way." Lexa drew his gaze again. "Attack her and you attack me, and if it happens again, blood will have blood."

Titus pursed his lips. "How did you know?"

"Know what?"

"That I had the gun."

"The spirit of the Commander revealed it to me, Titus. I had a vision of you trying to kill Clarke."

Titus' eyes looked like they were going to bulge out of his head. "A Commander has never been able to see into the future before. They've felt warning or premonitions, but never something like this."

"I know, but you were about to do something that would have altered the future in a way that was not permissible. Together Clarke and I elevate each other, Titus. Love is not weakness, and that mantra will never be taught again - not as long as I rule." Lexa turned to Clarke and gave a small smile. "Love is the strongest weapon. I know that now, and we have no need to fear it." She looked to the guards. "Take him." They nodded and whisked the Flame Keeper away.

Clarke rushed to Murphy's side and pulled out the gag. He gulped in breaths of air and rubbed his sore wrists once they were free.

"Thanks," he mumbled. "You sure look different. How is it that you always manage to work your way to the top," he glanced to Lexa, "while I'm the one constantly beat up and tied up?"

Clarke chuckled. "More like, how is it that you're able to survive every situation when any other person likely would have already been dead ten times over?"

Murphy shrugged. "We all have our special talents."

"You will be safe here now," Lexa insisted as she crossed the room to join them.

"Yeah, I'll believe that when I see it," Murphy scoffed.

"Murphy..." Clarke warned.

"It's fine, Clarke." Lexa smiled. "Someone like your friend survives by trusting only himself." She turned to Murphy. "You are more than welcome to stay here or you are free to leave whenever you like. You have safe passage here in Polis."

Murphy gave a half-bow from the chair he still sat in. "Thank you, your Highness," he responded, not entirely sure how to address the Commander, and not entirely capable of eliminating the sarcasm from his voice.

Clarke shot him a pointed look and Murphy threw up his hands in submission. "I'm sorry, okay? I haven't exactly had much positive human interaction lately. Forgive me for being a bit cynical." He paused thoughtfully, then looked to Lexa. "If you don't mind, though, I do need to talk to Clarke. And afterward I wouldn't say no to some food and a bath."

Lexa grinned. "That will be no problem. I'll leave you two and arrange for your accommodations, Mr. Murphy." She looked to Clarke. "And I'll go find Octavia before she leaves and inform her of the plan for Arkadia."

Clarke nodded and they exchanged a knowing glance before the brunette left the room. Clarke was already fully aware of everything Murphy was wanting to tell her about the AI that ended the world, but now began the pretense of ignorance.

Clarke turned to her comrade. "Alright, Murphy, what have you got for me?"

*Two days later*

"Aden, you're late," Lexa huffed as she was sparring with another Nightblood. With Titus locked up she found herself taking over all the Nightblood training, and it was proving to be an exhausting task along with her regular duties. Lexa had already decided she would ask Indra to take over for Titus as the Nightblood instructor after things had been sorted out in Arkadia.

"I'm sorry, Heda," Aden called as he ran up to her. "But I was just with Ambassador Griffin and she sent me with a message for you."

Lexa stepped back to halt the practice and turned her attention to her young novitiate.

"What message?"

"She wanted me to tell you she has information about her friend Alicia that you need to know."

Lexa froze. "Alicia? You're sure she said that name?"

Aden nodded. "Yes, but I don't know who that is. Do you?"

"I just might. Did she say anything else?"

"She asked for you to meet her by the potter's stand in the market when you're free."

Lexa paused for a moment as she tried to decode what this might mean, and all her novitiates' eyes were locked on her.

Aden spoke up again. "If this is something important for you to attend to, Heda, I know the exercises and can lead us through them while you're gone."

An appreciative smile spread across Lexa's face as she nodded to her thoughtful protégé. "I will actually take you up on that offer, Aden. Thank you. You all know I wouldn't leave if this weren't important." Lexa looked up and made eye contact with each of her Natblidas. "Follow Aden's lead, train for an hour, and if I am not back by then, the guards will escort you back to your quarters."

"Yes, Heda," they answered in unison. Lexa turned to the four guards on duty and they nodded their acknowledgement of her command. She then left, and it took all of Lexa's willpower to not sprint to the market to see what Clarke had found.

Clarke's head snapped up from the pottery she was admiring when she heard her name. "Lexa? I wasn't expecting you so soon!"

The brunette's face fell as she approached. "Should I not have come now?"

Clarke gave a reassuring smile and squeezed her hand. "Now is perfect. I told Aden to have you come as soon as you were free - I just figured you would still be in training."

Lexa smiled at the ground sheepishly. "Aden could see how intrigued I was by your message and he offered to take over the training so I could meet you."

"Well, I'm glad you're here. I have a surprise for you."

"You used my other name - Alicia." Lexa's brow furrowed. "What did you mean?"

"If I told you everything, it wouldn't be a surprise now, would it?" Clarke started walking and motioned for Lexa to follow.

"Clarke!" Lexa groaned. "You can't just drop something like that and not elaborate!"

Clarke turned and walked backwards to face her. "Shhh. Nobody wants to hear a whiny Commander."

Lexa rolled her eyes and quickened her pace to catch up. "You're insufferable. You know that, right?"

Clarke shrugged with a smirk. "Why do I get the feeling you haven't been teased much in your life?"

Lexa laughed. "Maybe not in this one, but Nick certainly gave me plenty of experience. So what exactly are you-" Lexa stopped short when she noticed Clarke's expression. "What is it, Clarke? Are you okay?"

The blonde gave a faint smile. "Yeah, I am. Another wave of déjà vu just hit me."

"What? Like what we felt before?"

"Just standing here on the outskirts of the city reminds me of being here the first time around. By now you were already dead." She choked on the last words. "You were gone and Ontari had killed all the other Nightbloods and taken over. I was running for my life with the Flame and I took one last look over Polis - just like this - and I was devastated. My whole world had completely upended in hours."

Lexa wrapped her arms around Clarke. "But that's not our reality now. I'm here with you. This city and our people are thriving."

Clarke burrowed her face into Lexa's neck. "I know. But that was real at one time too. I'm just glad we're together now."

"Me too." Lexa kissed her forehead. "Now can you give me at least a hint about what we're doing?"

Clarke chuckled. "Keep walking, Commander. We're going to pay a visit to TriKru."

One hour later the girls had nearly reached their destination.

Lexa looked up at the tall trees surrounding them. "Honestly, I can't go through this forest without thinking of walkers!"

"I know, right? I thought I was going to have a heart attack this morning because I swore I heard one. Turns out it was just the blacksmith snoring in his chair."

Lexa chuckled. "That man can snore like no other!"

Clarke slowed their pace and looked to Lexa. "Okay, we're here." They stepped into a clearing where a village was located.

Lexa smiled. "I've always loved this village. I wish I could spend more time among the TriKru people."

"Your people."

Lexa nodded. "Yes, my people. I want to get to know them better."

"Well, I'm about to introduce you to a few right now."

Lexa arched an eyebrow. "That's why we're here?"

Clarke nodded. "Yes. I have a family here for you to meet." She started moving toward one of the homes.

"Wait, Clarke," Lexa called as she followed after her. "How do you know these people? And what's this all about?"

"Relax, Commander. You'll see." Clarke led the way around the back of the home where a woman was crouched down working in her garden. "Madlyn?"

The woman turned and pulled her blonde hair away from her eyes. "Hello again, Clarke-" She gasped when she noticed Lexa and froze for a moment before dropping to her knees. "Heda, it is an honor to have you at my home." She lifted her gaze from the ground up to her Commander. "How can we be of service to you?"

Lexa was speechless as she stared at the woman, then looked to Clarke who was beaming.

Madlyn looked back and forth between the two visitors, unsure how to respond to the silence. "I will have my son come out to greet you as well." She turned toward the house and called, "Nikoff, come outside!"

After a few seconds a young man with unruly brown hair came out the back door. "What is it, Mother?" he asked, then stopped short when he noticed the girls. He immediately dropped to his knees and bowed. "Welcome, Heda."

Lexa was absolutely flabbergasted now. "Nick?"

"Uh, Nikoff, yes," he responded with uncertainty as he shot a quick glance toward his mother. "But I will answer to either, Heda."

Lexa felt like a rug had been pulled out from under her. She would never have imagined this to be possible, but she was standing before her mother and brother from her other life. Madison and Nick Clark were here, bowing before her as their Commander. This was more than Lexa could comprehend. "Clarke?" she whispered, pleading for an explanation.

Clarke stepped up next to her and smiled. "Lexa, this is your family - the family you were taken from when you were two years old so you could train in Polis with other Nightblood children who were found."

Lexa's hand covered her mouth in shock as she looked back at the villagers.

Nikoff was just as stunned. "Lexa? Our Lexa?" he gasped as he stared at her. His focus quickly shifted back to his mother. "This can't be true. You and father told me my little sister had drowned."

Madlyn nodded. "It was the lie we had to tell you. Nightblood children cannot have ties to their former lives when they are taken to the capital to be trained."

Lexa looked back to Clarke. "You're sure?"

Clarke nodded, then whispered in Lexa's ear. "You recognize them, don't you?"

"Yes, but how did you find them?"

"Titus. I demanded he tell me where he found you, and he didn't dare tell me no. Once you told me you recognized that guard, I realized the rest of them could be here in this world as well. But I was amazed to find your relationships were the same!"

Lexa looked at Clarke in sheer awe, then turned back to the woman and young man - her mother and brother in two lifetimes.

Clarke looked to Madlyn. "Tell her what you told me."

Madlyn cleared her throat and stood up. "My little girl had a birthmark on her right hip that looked like a star."

Lexa's jaw dropped. "Nobody knows that." She shot Clarke a playful look that said, well, except for you. Lexa turned her gaze back to her mother - a woman she never really knew in this lifetime, and one she never thought she'd see again from the last. "Madlyn," she began hesitantly, "may I hug you?"

Tears rolled down the woman's cheeks as she nodded and welcomed her long-lost daughter into her open arms. Lexa held her tight for a long moment, then pulled back to look at her. "I'm so sorry you had to give me up."

"Oh, my dear, sweet girl." Madlyn brought a hand to her daughter's cheek. "I would have given anything to be able to raise you, but I am so proud of you and all you have accomplished. You are our Heda, and that is something I could not have given you on my own."

Lexa smiled and turned to Nikoff. "Hey, big brother."

He laughed and threw his arms around her. "I can't believe you're the same little Lexa I would torment when we were kids."

Lexa gasped in feigned offense. "You would dare torment your Commander?"

Nikoff hesitated for a split-second, but recognized the teasing tone. "I'd like to think I was just the first phase of your warrior training."

Lexa laughed. "I'm sure you were!" She was amazed at how similar her mother's and brother's personalities were to the ones she knew before. But then again, she and Clarke hadn't been that much different, so maybe she shouldn't be so surprised. Her heart suddenly leapt as a thought occurred to her. "And my father?"

Madlyn dropped her head. "Your father died many years ago in war."

"I'm so sorry." Lexa had hoped she might get to see the face of her father again.

"Don't be - we made peace with his passing long ago. He was a brave and skilled warrior."

Lexa smiled. "I believe it."

"I am with another man now, though. His name is Trav," Madlyn explained, "and I think you will like him. He and his son Krissik live here with us, but they are trading in another village for the day." Madlyn's eyes lit up. "You and Clarke of course can stay as long as you like and meet them tonight."

"I wish I could, Madlyn... Mother," Lexa added with a smile. "I didn't make arrangements to be gone from Polis long, so I'm afraid I'll have to return soon. Can I come back to see you all tomorrow?"

"Of course! Not that we would deny anything to our Heda," Madlyn said with a smile.

"You don't have to call me that here," Lexa said, shaking her head. "Here I am simply Lexa - your daughter."

Madlyn's smile stretched even further. "Nothing could make me happier than hearing that. Will you come as well, Clarke?" she asked, turning to face her. "I will be forever grateful to you for bringing my daughter back into my life. You are welcome in our home anytime."

Clarke grinned and looked to Lexa as she responded. "I would love to."

"Clarke is my guest in Polis." Lexa explained as she turned to look at the woman she loved. She didn't want to hide what they were anymore, especially not with her newfound family. "Well, truth is," Lexa added as she took Clarke's hand, "she is my partner and I love her."

Madlyn was absolutely beaming now and Nikoff chimed in. "Well, I certainly didn't wake up today thinking Heda and Wanheda were going to suddenly become part of the family."

They all laughed and exchanged hugs as the girls prepared to leave.

"I look forward to seeing you both tomorrow," Lexa commented, "and to meeting Trav and Krissik."

Madlyn gave her daughter's hand one last squeeze before letting it drop. "Come hungry because we will have a feast in celebration."

"We certainly will!" Lexa replied with a grin. She held out her hand to Clarke. "Shall we?"

Clarke brought Lexa's outstretched hand to her lips and gave it a soft kiss. "Let's go."

The girls were only a mile outside of Polis when Clarke abruptly pulled Lexa off the main road and behind a tree.

"What is it?" Lexa asked in a rushed whisper. Her eyes darted around and she placed a hand on the hilt of her sword.

"No, nothing like that." Clarke chuckled. "I just had an idea. Follow me - it won't take long."

Lexa couldn't help the smile that rose to her lips as she let herself get dragged away. She stared at Clarke when they came to a stop a minute later at the base of a tall tree. "What is this?"

Clarke shot her a playful grin. "We're going up."

"Up?"

"Yes!" the blonde exclaimed as she scanned the tree. "Ah, here we go." Clarke found a solid foothold and quickly ascended the first twenty feet.

Lexa shook her head in amusement and followed after her. "And exactly how far are we going?" she asked as the forest floor fell further and further behind them.

"Right... here," Clarke announced as she came to a stop about fifty feet up and sat on a sturdy branch with her back to the tree. She patted the spot right in front of her and Lexa dropped down to it.

"Clarke..." Lexa began as she fought back a smile. "What's this all about?"

"Just a little spur-of-the-moment fun," the blonde replied with a wink. "For memory's sake."

Lexa laughed. "Memories of frantically climbing the trees in this forest to avoid ravenous zombies that wanted to eat our brains?"

"Exactly!" Clarke inched closer to Lexa. "And memories of our second first kiss."

"Hmm. I might need you to help jog my memory..." The almost-smile tugged even more at Lexa's lips. "It was a long time ago, after all. Or a long time from now?"

Clarke laughed. "Please just stop talking." She placed her hands on Lexa's hips and drew her close until their lips met.

Lexa laced her fingers through Clarke's hair and smiled into the kiss. "Thank you," she whispered when she finally took a breath.

Clarke smiled curiously. "For what?"

"For being you. For loving me. For saving me."

"Saving you?"

"Yes. By opening my eyes." Lexa smiled as she tucked a stray strand of blonde hair behind her lover's ear. "You know, I've learned a lot from living in two different apocalyptic worlds, but I have to say the most important thing I've learned has come from you, Clarke."

Clarke tilted her head in surprise and smiled. "And what is that?"

"Life is about more than just surviving, and there's no one I'd rather spend the rest of mine with."

Clarke grinned and leaned forward. "And maybe even the next life too?"

Lexa pulled her close and Clarke shivered when she felt the whisper against her ear. "I think it's obvious by now that not even death can stop us. We will spend every lifetime together, Clarke Griffin. I love you."

Clarke pressed one long kiss to Lexa's lips, then pulled back just enough to look into her eyes. "And I love you. Forever."