You Ask My Name (And All I do is Listen) epilogue

Pairing: Clexa

Rating: A-okay for kiddies (K)

Notes: You all will hate me after this, but do read the endnotes. They're rather important this time around.

The first warm breezes of spring danced across the skin of Clarke's bare arms. Mud squelched from under her boots as she traversed the dirt road leading to Polis. She had discarded her heavy furs as chinooks had warmed the land and prompted new growth, and urging her to change her wardrobe to something more fitting. Fitting, not just for the weather, but to show how she herself had changed. Now she was clad in a pair of black pants and boots, as well as a vest that left her arms exposed to the beating sun. She had even changed her hair, leaving it dyed but had pulled it up into a low pony tail. It was a gentle mix of Clarke and Oyen, a balance of her emotions and state of mind. With this new balance, she felt ready to return, to stand in front of Lexa as an equal in both mind and body. She felt at peace.

With the return of Lexa, the war had been quickly suppressed. The newly returned Commander reaffirming her prowess in combat as Coalition forces quickly drove back the Ice Nation warriors with new found strength. Now only boarder skirmishes seemed to be taking place, leaving the roads clear for travel, allowing civilian life to return to some semblance of normalcy.

As she approached the gates of Polis, she felt her stomach clench with nerves. She might believe herself to be ready, but that didn't make her any less anxious. Trying to distract herself, she examined the capital. During her travels, she had avoided this place, avoided Lexa, so the sheer size of it was astonishing to her. She had seen the Commanders tower, its fire burning brightly, from miles down the road. At first she had thought it was an incredibly large signal fire on the side of one of the surrounding mountains, but no, it had been on the top of the largest building she had ever seen on the ground. The buildings sprawled beneath it stretched for miles, creating a maze of houses, shops, abandoned buildings and a number of other things that Clarke couldn't even think to name. In all, Polis was glorious. It made her want to break out a sketch book and capture its beauty on countless pages. However, she had a job to do first, and a very distinct lack of a sketchbook.

Passing under the arches of the open gates, she adjusted her new mask, flowing with the crowds entering and exiting the city. She had carved a second mask, similar to her old one, as an almost security blanket. The anonymity had served her well in dodging people she didn't want to see just yet, and it wasn't uncommon for people to cover their faces, whether they were civilian or warrior so there was no risk of looking suspicious. The guards didn't even glance her way as she shuffled along. A face amongst the crowd.

Making her way through the main street, she continued toward the tower. Even though the city was big, the gates far from the towers main entrance, there was a main road that stretched for almost a mile all the way to the main court yard of the tower. Lined with shops and merchant stalls, the road had become a trading hub, filled to the brim with wares from all the clans. Despite the unique sights, sounds and smells, Clarke continued on, determined to not run away any longer. She had been angry for so long, she knew it was time to let things go, to put her conflicts to rest.

Nearing the court yard, she swallowed, butterflies raging even more fiercely within the depths of her stomach. With what she hoped were steady, even strides, she approached the main door. Adjusting her bag over her shoulder, she watched as the guards flanking the entrance called for her to halt.

"What is your business here?"

One guard demanded. His tone was wary but not outright hostile. Licking her dry lips under her mask, she responded in shaky Trigedasleng, voice croaking from months of disuse.

"Please tell the Commander that the one known as Oyen wishes to see her."

Endnotes: So, I'm thinking of making a oneshot sequel for this to give a bit more closure than I actually did. If you have an opinion on this please comment. If you want to talk fanficiton with me, feel free to find me on my tumblr under GillyTweed.