The Wanheda's Out of the Bag

[Lexa]

War is brewing, Clarke

The agreement, however petulant, was all Lexa required as she left. The guards were left to oversee Clarke's return to her room. The Commander returned to her bed, but found it difficult to sleep. Thoughts of future consequences plagued her. She needed Clarke if the coalition, and her power were to last. Otherwise, she would live long enough to see the Ice Queen take her place. The thought burned in the pit of her stomach, and simmered through the night.

She didn't rush the next day to send out a messenger to Arkadia, but she did do as promised. The rest of the day resumed with the usual routine, with minor variations--as did the next day, and the next. There was no word from Clarke, Arkadia or her messenger. She sent out another to ascertain the situation. Foul play was suspected, of course, with a marching army. There had been some harsh words said to the Azgeda ambassador, who was on thin ice with his attitude. A certain transgression had him thrown out of the tower quite violently. A new ambassador for the power-hungry nation would be needed, but it did shut up the rest of them.

The Commander was informed that messengers between Polis and Arkadia were being intercepted by rogue grounders. An escort would be needed. It seemed, through no will on her end, that Clarke had no choice but to remain. Lexa did not have anyone inform the woman of this, and certainly didn't go to the room. If Wanheda wanted to participate in the world, then she needed to leave the room of her own accord.

In the meantime, Lexa got to enjoy time with the young nightbloods. It was one of her only duties as of late that gave her any joy. She was so proud of them, as they gathered around her with their young faces pointed toward her. Lexa sat on her throne and regaled them with a story of one of the earliest challenges she faced as a Commander, and how through wisdom and strength she tackled it. Every story was a lesson. Lessons she hoped to continue teaching for a long time, until her children were allowed to return to their villages and put them to practice.

WORDS: 377 || TAGGED: Clarke Griffin

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[Clarke Griffin]

You wanted the 

Commander of Death?

YOU GOT HER !

She'd stayed, silent and sulking, in the room that had become her prison for the better part of the week. The knowledge that her people were coming to save her made the Griffin girl less restless. She spent a few days sleeping, feeling safer within the confines of four sturdy walls than she had since she'd been on the Ark, but she found little comfort within her own head. Nightmares plagued her leaving her eyes looking only slightly less shadowed than they had been when she first arrived.

It was one of the nightmares that drew her from her self-imposed solitude. One where she had decimated this tower in the same way she had Mt. Weather. Clarke opened the door slowly, poking her head outside to glance around like she was about to be caught, before she slipped through and closed it quietly behind her. The first guard she nearly walked into startled her, but she heaved a soft sigh of relief at that first sign of life.

As she wandered along with a slowly growing trail of shadows, like that worm game they'd liked to play on the Ark as children, until she heard a familiar voice. Lexa was talking. The blonde could make out some of the words as she followed the sound of the Nightblood's story. She stopped short of the open doorway and peered curiously through it.

Lexa was surrounded by a group of children. The look of confusion on the little spacer's face was probably hilarious until that blank mask she'd been trying to build back up slipped over her features again. Clarke moved into the room and shuffled quietly over to stand by Titus who was watching them all like the happiest grandpa in the entire world.

"What is this?" the girl whispered to the frowning bald man. Clarke didn't care that Titus didn't like her. She was far more interested in finding out why Lexa ran an army and apparently a daycare. Her voice interrupted the hush that had fallen over the children, and a few peeked back to look at her, before turning to their Commander again.

Lexa

[Lexa]

War is brewing, Clarke

The Commander glanced up as the doors opened. No one was supposed to interrupt the lessons unless there was good reason, but of course for Clarke she would make an exception. Lexa was seated on the edge of the throne, leaning in to engage the children, but she drew her back tall and proud when looking down the room. "Speaking of challenges," she said, with a wry glance down to the Natblidas. One who caught her eye giggled, and looked back curiously to the enigmatic woman. "Clarke," Lexa greeted.

"These are my Nightbloods: the children worthy of taking my place as Commander," she introduced the to the woman undoubtedly curious about them. They were still so young, as they had a young Commander. Some would say, too young to have the burdens of leadership on their shoulders so soon. "In times like these I find it important to invest in their learning, so you'll forgive me if I don't dismiss them immediately at your presence."

WORDS: || TAGGED: Clarke Griffin

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[Clarke Griffin]

You wanted the 

Commander of Death?

YOU GOT HER !

Clarke wasn't sure what to think about a small army of mini-Lexas. The girl stared back at the children before he pale gaze slipped up to Lexa and her brows pinched in something of a frown. She wondered why these children had been unlucky enough to be chosen for such a thing. Maybe it was kind of like officer training on the Ark. Rich, privileged kids had the opportunity to be anything they wanted.

"Don't mind me," the Griffin girl said with a shake of her dirty blonde hair. "I want to see what they're learning." And she genuinely did. Children's lessons, often broken down into easily understandable things, would help her later when she tried to explain what she had learned of Grounder culture to her people. Clarke had never expected the Grounders of Polis to be so...refined.

Lexa

[Lexa]

War is brewing, Clarke

The Commander tilted her head in gratitude, with her eyes locked on Clarke with the usual intensity of her green gaze. It turned down to the children, and she leaned in closer. "Did I ever tell you how I encountered Pauna?" she asked, with a knowing quirk of her brow. Bright eyes around her widened, and heads shook to confirm that she hadn't told them about the legendary beast.

"She came after us, Clarke and I," she said and glanced over to the woman mentioned. "In the middle of the forest.." she began to recount the tale as it happened. Lexa made allowances in her tone for her Natblidas that she didn't addressing her subjects. It may be a lesson, but she indulged them as though it were story time. She allowed them to live it vicariously as they listened.

"...there were times I wanted to stand and fight, but even the Commander should listen when an ally offers a better way," she explained. "We ended up trapping it in a room. It's not a permanent solution. Pauna may have since escaped, but it allowed us to escape intact, and alive." The tale had ended, and she straightened once more, falling back to her persona of authority. As fun as it was for the children to hear of the giant Pauna, it could never just be storytime.

"It's not always as easy to make the decision to retreat, or to take a stand against a more powerful enemy. It's up to you to decide whether it is better to live with the consequences of inaction, or to risk death to try to avoid them."

That concluded her lesson. She gave the gesture them to rise, and followed suit from her throne. They still hung around, but could freely move about the room, leave, or ask her questions. Most, however, remained out of curiosity for what Wanheda wanted.

WORDS: || TAGGED: Clarke Griffin

The first version of this post disappeared, so this one is less inspired--sorry.

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[Clarke Griffin]

You wanted the 

Commander of Death?

YOU GOT HER !

Lexa was a surprisingly skilled story teller. Even as terrifying as it was to relive their encounter with the giant gorilla. Clarke was embarrassed at first that she'd chosen to tell a story about the two of them, but at least it didn't seem like she was counseling the children that they should betray Skaikru given any opportunity. She tried not to shift listlessly at the curious glances sent her way by the children gathered at their Commander's feet that only became more obvious as they were dismissed.

Wanheda waited until the children had moved enough that she had a relatively clear path to Lexa. She moved forward stiffly, very aware of the curious gazes, and stopped by the Commander with a frown. "Nice lesson," she commented in a tone caught between sincerity and the desire to be flippant. Flippancy won. "How's that consequence of inaction thing working out for you?" the blonde asked with a glare that made it very clear that Lexa was still not forgiven.

But she hadn't just wandered out of her room to harass the Commander. Even though it was an added bonus. "Have you heard anything from Arkadia?" she inquired, her brows furrowing. She was pretty sure they she be here by now.

Lexa

[Lexa]

War is brewing, Clarke

They stood before each other with an adorable audience surrounding them. Lexa was not intimidated by Clarke's approach, nor how clear it was that all was not forgiven. "You're still alive," she replied, with the implication in her tone and expression that because of that fact, it was not all bad. There was still plenty of bad to go around, regardless, and the Commander let out a soft sigh of exhaspration as Arkadia was mentioned.

"They are delayed by bounty hunters and Azgeda's army," Lexa so informed. "I have made arrangements to send some of my own as escorts, but Polis must remain protected." It went without saying that Clarke's return to Skaikru was also delayed. She anticipated this would not make the discontent woman very pleased. Lexa steeled herself for the response.

WORDS: || TAGGED: Clarke Griffin

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[Clarke Griffin]

You wanted the 

Commander of Death?

YOU GOT HER !

Clarke blew air out her nose in exasperation at Lexa's comment that her not being dead was worth all the trouble. She wasn't so sure she agreed, but there was no point in arguing that. Plus, exposing the children to her self-loathing and somewhat suicidal state of mind wasn't something she wanted to do. Which, probably, meant she wasn't all gone yet.

Her lips thinned when Lexa explained that there were delays. Bounty hunters weren't much of an issue, Clarke had spent months running away from the idiots, so she was far more worried about the idea of there being another army attacking her people. "Azgeda has reached Arkadia?" she asked in a hushed tone, leaning forward slightly, with her pale eyes fixed on Lexa. Even though there wasn't much point to it she still wanted to shield the children watching them from war if she could.

"I need to go there," the girl decided, straightening and squaring her jaw. "They need me." Not that, really, there was anything Clarke could do about an invading army from the north.

Lexa

[Lexa]

War is brewing, Clarke

The way she leaned in made it difficult not to spare a glance down to her lips. "Clarke," she began, not bothering to lower her volume for the children, but said the name with a measure of patience. "I know you're not happy here, but think about it--" she implored, wanting Wanheda to start seeing sense again. "If Azgeda wants you, going back to Arkadia means you'll be giving them a reason to engage in conflict. They can make demands of your people that they couldn't here," she tried to explain. It wouldn't be dissimilar to the time she wanted someone for her people.

"What your people need is protection. Azgeda is too large for them to stand up against, but not greater than my combined forces," she pressed, the gentleness fading ever so subtly into the urgency of the matter. She spared a glance at the children, not wanting them to see the disagreement, but knowing as Natblidas who would one day take her place, it was a good learning experience for facing challenges. "Staying here and convincing your people to become my people is in your best interest."

WORDS: || TAGGED: Clarke Griffin

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[Clarke Griffin]

You wanted the 

Commander of Death?

YOU GOT HER !

Clarke's challenging gaze lowered from Lexa's at the Commander's words. She pursed her lips into a line, not liking the idea of Azgeda going after her people just because she was there, and gave a slight nod to indicate that she understood. If it avoided unnecessary conflict she would stay here, even if she didn't like it, because that was what was best for her people. Unfortunately, though, Lexa and Clarke seemed to have differing views on what was best.

Convince her people to become Lexa's people? Clarke flinched back at the statement and stared at the woman in front of her as if she'd just suggested her people could sprout wings and fly away from Azgeda's invading army. The Griffin girl, and the rest of Skaikru, had absolutely no reason to believe that the Grounders would help them. Clarke wasn't about to annihilate another of Lexa's enemies for her...if she even could take on the entire Ice Nation. Which was doubtful. The fact that they had a tiny audience was completely forgotten as the blonde's face heated with rage. "Become your people?" she echoed. "So you can abandon us again? Like on Mt. Weather? Not a chance!"

Lexa

[Lexa]

War is brewing, Clarke

"No," the Commander replied firmly, voice rising in authority at Clarke's anger. "It's so that I will never abandon them again."

Her green eyes were steely, and unwavering. "I did betray you, but you and your people came out of that alive even without me. That's your strength, and I respect that," she said, sincerely.

"Your people are alive, and your fight is not over. Swear your fealty to me, and you will not fight alone. You felled the Mountain on your own, but Azgeda cannot be defeated by one person, not even Wanheda."

She held up her hand, asking for patience, and letting Clarke know there was one more thing she wanted to say before a flood of refusal could come her way and drown it out. "I do not expect you to have an answer now. I don't expect you to have faith in my promise, either. Just think about it, while you're here."

WORDS: || TAGGED: Clarke Griffin

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[Clarke Griffin]

You wanted the 

Commander of Death?

YOU GOT HER !

Lexa had to be insane if she thought Clarke or any of her people would just be okay with this. The blonde still looked miffed at the suggestion, though the rage that tinged her cheeks a ruddy color had subsided a little. It was replaced by something slightly more calculating, but no less angry. "There's nothing to think about," the Griffin girl informed the Commander flatly. "I'd rather have an enemy that announces themselves with an army at our doorstep than one who pretends to be an ally and then stabs me in the back."

Her gaze slid from Lexa to the children. "What lesson did you teach with that story?" she asked perhaps a bit too harshly.

Lexa

[Lexa]

War is brewing, Clarke

Lexa didn't mask her disappointment, or vexation, when Clarke responded once more with such a disregard for her people. Ultimately, the decision fell to her. If she would prefer to deal with Azgeda and her army then so be it. This time, Clarke couldn't say she abandoned her. Lexa had provided an alternative, and a chance at unity.

When Clarke insultingly addressed the topic of the children, Lexa kept her gaze forward, and answered unflinchingly, "To be careful not to lose their way in the face of impossible choices."

The Commander's face and body-language was tense. "I left your people to die, but you had allies in the Mountain too. If that's your decision, then I suppose its fate that we will meet them soon, and blood will have blood."

She motioned to the children that they were dismissed, for the lesson was over, and the look she shot Clarke was that she was free to leave as well. Then, Lexa could be alone to contemplate what could be the end of her reign and consequently, her life.

WORDS: || TAGGED: Clarke Griffin

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[Clarke Griffin]

You wanted the 

Commander of Death?

YOU GOT HER !

A look of contempt burned on the blonde's face at Lexa's response that the lecture that went with that story was one of impossible choices. She didn't see how taking the easy way out as opposed to the right way (in her fabulously biased mind) constituted an impossible decision. Lexa had broken their alliance, the alliance she'd killed Finn for, the alliance they'd let people die to protect.

Clarke didn't listen when she was dismissed with the children. She moved closer to the Commander still scowling but she waited until the little ones had left before speaking. "Jus drein, jus draun is complete and utter bullshit," the blonde said in a snarl, her lips curling back from her teeth. It was probably amusing coming from the Commander of Death, the girl who gave back tenfold for every one of her own people lost, even if she never wanted to kill anyone.

"You're a coward. You were afraid of the Mountain Men, and you're afraid of the Ice Queen," the Griffin girl accused harshly.

Lexa

[Lexa]

War is brewing, Clarke

Lexa rolled her eyes in mild agitation when Clarke did not take the invitation to leave, but decided to stay and share her opinion. She didn't shy away from the criticsm, but remained standing, her expression still remaining as tense as it was before. It wasn't her who lost her way. She would stay steady in the face of this situation. It was the unhinged woman in front of her who would not listen, and would not be placated.

Then, she laughed, in a scornfull way when Clarke suggested that she was afraid. "You think it's fear that motivated me? I left you because I was afraid of the Mountain?" Her face fell back into its feirceness with her next statement. "No. You can try to spin it another way, but it's always the same answer: what I do, I do for my people."

Her gaze swept Clarke up and down. "You stand there, trying to accuse me of selfish motivation, but what's motivating your decision now, Clarke? Your hate of me? Your anger? I don't fear that either," she said. "I am letting you make a decision that will cost me my life, without coercion. You think, if I was afraid to die I would give you that power?"

WORDS: || TAGGED: Clarke Griffin

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