Author's Note: Bonsoir Clexakru! How did you all enjoy the little introduction to our version of the Mountain Men in the last chapter? Rest assured, more of those are coming in the future so that we can have two paralel storylines developing before their confrontation ahead. As an apology for the long wait in between regular updates, please enjoy this extra long chapter!

Chapter 10 - Friends and Foes

It was amazing how it felt to rest her head on Lexa's shoulder. Clarke couldn't carry it any longer as it seemed, but then there was Lexa. Her shoulder offered Clarke support and comfort, so whether or not the Heda realized it, this meant a lot to the blonde girl. Clarke had closed her eyes while listening to those whispered words. "Of course, I remember all the things you've told me. I'm glad you still see things that way. I'd be happy to stay here for a little longer, at least until I can finally take more than just a couple of steps without breaking into perspiration. But.. I can't risk to have you or any of your people get hurt because of me. When I leave this camp to confront those who want to get rid of me.. I will have to do this on my own.. somehow. I'd rather go out there and be killed by them than letting any of those harm you.. or one of your people. I couldn't live with that. I'm sure you agree that this is the best choice to make. That way, your people won't turn against you and hopefully it will not affect the treaty. But I have to admit.." Clarke took a break to take a few breaths before finishing her sentence. "... I'd hate not to see you again, Heda. So, I better find a way through this and survive."

This was certainly not the kind of conversation Lexa would be very comfortable with, Clarke thought to herself. It was perhaps for the best to stop it right there. "Oh.." She gasped and lifted her head from Lexa's shoulder. "I almost forgot.. Rhiannon is probably still waiting outside. We were heading to Nyko's tent to get my medicine." Clarke sipped from her cup once more before she turned and reached up to grab the table and pull herself up to her feet. It took a lot of strength and willpower, especially to command her legs to carry that weight again.

While glad that she had been able to provide the blonde with some semblance of strength to carry her through recent events and those yet to come, Lexa was not wholly satisfied at the way Clarke spoke of martyring herself for their treaty. The girl was bound to take risks now that she felt that there were no longer ties holding her to her the Skaikru, to her friends and her now dead lover. The words had left the brunette's heart thumping, aching with pain for the girl's plight and the undeniable need to simply wrap her arms around the younger woman and hold her, protect her from the world outside the tent. However, she could not.

Ultimately, the Heda closed the gap between them, standing nearly toe-to-toe with the blonde while she held her gaze, full lips pursing to find the words. "I would hate not seeing you again, too, Klarke." It was all that Lexa could say, would be allowed to say. Her first duty was to her people, but that would surely include Clark now, would it not? And yet, her own needs and wishes came second. Had to come second, always. The brunette could not say more but hoped her words had convinced the slightly shorter woman.

When Clarke had left her tent, Lexa began to make her plans. Safety for her people, the possibility of backlash against her coalition and the treaty when the blonde would confront her assailants, the chance of her death. The last spiked a crushing jolt through the Heda's heart, the realisation that the girl had no idea how to defend herself in this world. She would find Clarke a tutor, do anything that she could reasonably and secretly do to protect this new and welcome member of her clan.

Clarke had told Lexa nothing but the truth. She didn't want anyone to get hurt because of her, so the blonde would never ask for help to confront those responsible for her current condition. She was determined to do it on her own, but that didn't mean Clarke wasn't scared. There was at least three of them against her and she still had to find a way to solve this without putting their treaty on the line. But for now, she had to focus on getting to Nyko's tent to get her medicine. Clarke didn't say a word to Rhiannon, but her thoughts were mostly about Lexa. Just moments ago, Clarke was that close to the Heda and she had to admit that it had been very nice. It was difficult to describe, but being close to Lexa made her feel different.

While the two went to Nyko's tent, someone from the Sky People made her way to the Grounders. But unlike Kane and Abby, she didn't take the immediate way to the camp. It was Octavia who slowly moved through the bushes and trees around the camp, but of course, it wouldn't take long until she was discovered. The girl was alone and unarmed as she was taken to Lexa to decide what should be done with her. After a heated discussion with her brother, Octavia had made the decision to go there and have a talk with Clarke. She knew they wouldn't just let her through, which was why she had tried to sneak into the camp.

The Skaikru girl had been escorted to the Heda's tent, not in chains but in bindings of an unspoken threat that might there be any tricks from the girl, she would be slain within the next heartbeat. Passing through the flap of the command tent flanked by two towering warriors, Octavia was given a tap on the backside of both her knees, forced to kneel in front of the impassive glare of Lexa's jade-green gaze. The Heda idly toyed with her dagger, twirling the blade between nimble and practised fingers as she held the girl's gaze with her own. No words were spoken, rather a non-verbal dialogue took place between the two women. Each recognizing the other for what they were; warriors, willing to do whatever it took to further their own agenda. Lexa had not forgotten the girl's outburst and insults not ten days prior. Neither had Indra, who wore a murderous glare upon her dark face as she stood beside the Heda's throne.

Finally, Lexa deemed it the time to speak, voice laced with ice of the coming Winter's Breath. "Octavia kom Skaikru, why did you attempt to enter my camp unnoticed? Have you perhaps come for your unfinished… Shall we say, business?"

The Sky girl would know then in that instant, that Lexa knew exactly what had transpired in the forest the day they had left Clarke to die from exposure. While her posture feigned nonchalance and disinterest, the blazing emerald fire of her eyes betrayed the underlying emotions. She was absolutely furious and had been able to restrain herself with the knowledge that should she harm the kneeling girl, it would have consequences upon not only her coalition, but her political agenda as well. "Speak, and speak swiftly."

Octavia kept glaring at everyone as she was taken to Lexa's tent and forced to kneel. She did not show any fear despite the hostility and the fact that if they had to, the Grounders would have little trouble killing her right there. But Octavia knew they wouldn't, not if they wanted to protect the peace between the two clans. Still, it made things a bit more difficult to be caught and forced to speak with the Heda before she'd get the chance to talk to Clarke. So she listened to Lexa's accusation while knowing she had to choose her words very carefully, which was incredibly difficult since Octavia was already fuming inside.

"If I had come to hurt anyone, I'd be carrying a weapon. Did your people find any weapons on me? No. The reason why I tried to come here unnoticed is because I know you wouldn't just welcome me and let me do what I intend to do. That is to speak to Clarke, in private. If you decline my wish, I shall return to Skaikru and nothing will happen. So it's up to you, Heda." She said with a slight smirk without telling the Heda too much about her concern. Octavia was quite confident, but it was hard to tell how much of that confidence was real and how much of it was simply made up.

At those words, Lexa raised a single eyebrow and slammed the dagger into the wooden armrest of her throne, the blade glinting wickedly in the light of the candles in the tent. She leaned backwards then, folding one leg over the other and opening her palms to the girl in a welcoming gesture. "And yet, if your reasons to come to my camp are peaceful, you would have simply used the path your people take normally, would you not? It would have been the most normal thing to talk to Clarke then. Instead, you chose to hide in shadows and attempted to enter my camp unnoticed. You must understand that the safety of my people is always my prime concern. An ally making herself appear to be an intruder is a most curious thing."

While not accusatory the Heda's words did serve the purpose of a verbal war game. Bait the enemy into giving glimpse in their strategy, their motivations. While she had spoken of her duty to protect the people in her camp, Lexa could not help but imagine azure eyes and unruly golden locks. From illusive adversary to emotional and vengeful girl all the way to a budding trust between two women, Clarke had swiftly become important to the brunette. Not that she would openly admit it, but she felt an obligation to protect the girl, even more so than simply because she was an ally bound by a treaty.

"Clarke is currently unavailable, but when she is, I will relay your wish to speak to her, Octavia kom Skaikru. For now, I extend to you my hospitality as your ally. Truly, I insist." The Heda's gaze had born the full commanding glare of a leader, one that demanded to be obeyed or there would be dire consequences. A practised gaze, but a useful one. "Guards, give her a tent as well as food and drink. Assign two warriors to escort her. We would not wish our Skaikru ally to lose her way around camp, after all."

Bellamy did not know that his sister had decided to go there and talk to Clarke. So she had come on her own, though without a real plan. Octavia was not like her brother who did a lot of thinking before he spoke or acted. So Octavia was often described as a time bomb, ready to explode any minute. So in this case, she had to be very careful because another outburst would definitely not be helpful. Perhaps Lexa was right, maybe sneaking into the camp like that had not been a good idea. But at least, none of her friends had been able to watch Octavia taking the path to Lexa's camp.

At least Lexa seemed open to let it happen. She did not send Octavia back to the Sky People. Instead, she was allowed to stay until Clarke would be 'available'. Still, Octavia had to take a deep breath and tell herself to remain calm. "I am sure you will not regret this decision, Heda. It's for the best, especially for Clarke. Trust me. "

Meanwhile, Clarke had returned to her tent with Rhiannon after getting her medicine from Nyko. The blonde was glad to finally lay down again. After that outburst during Lexa's conversation with Kane and Abby, she felt quite exhausted. Her body needed the break as her legs would not have carried her weight for much longer. So despite the exhaustion, Clarke could not close her eyes and sleep. She simply stared at the ceiling of her tent while everything that had happened in Lexa's tent earlier kept her mind busy. Of course, including the intimate moment she shared with Lexa afterwards. If only she could spend more time with the Heda, without risking any trouble with the Grounders.

Lexa herself had sent for Nyko, the healer updating his Heda upon the condition of his Skaikru patient. While the girl's body would need plenty of time to recover from the exposure to the elements, her mind, as he described it, would need to receive the most healing. Clarke's time in the forest and the events that had lead up to that point had no doubt left scars not visible by the physical eye. It was his opinion that she needed rest not purely for the physical, but to allow herself to put her thoughts in order and reflect upon the events as of late to begin processing them.

The brunette had simply nodded at her healer's words. While she had no doubt that the man was an expert in his profession, she had been hoping that Clarke would be physically stronger sooner. She had arranged for a warrior to begin tutoring the young woman in basic fighting skills as soon as she would be able to stand properly. From her reasoning, Lexa thought that it would be good to busy the blonde's mind and show her she was not and would not be defenceless. That she had strength, both outside and within.

She dismissed Nyko, pacing the length of her tent until the sun began to drop behind the horizon, leaving a miasma of colour to dye the clouds in a brilliant spectrum of light while a light breeze brought in the fragrant scent of pine from the forest beside them. It were evenings like these that the Heda enjoyed. Listening to the rustling leaves from between her furs, the warm crackling of the fire beside her and simply let her mind drift. It always reminded her of home. Her true home. A simple tent on the outskirts of the forest, laying in between her parents as they sung to her until she would slip into her dream world. And while Lexa reminisced, a constant image of blonde locks and lavender scent drifted to the forefront time and time again. She had to see Clarke. Had to hear her voice, had to see her smile, comfort her. Dare she think, hold her? Oh she had allowed herself that small indulgence, of thinking about how it would be to intertwine herself with the girl as they nestled themselves between the furs, listening to a steady heartbeat until her eyes would fall shut.

She kept her face a practiced mask of neutrality, of strength and command as she walked through her camp that evening. Nodding at her warriors, smiling at the children that begged their parents to allow them a few more moments to play. She was interrupted of her thoughts as her feet had unconsciously brought her before the blonde's tent, the warriors standing guard lowering their heads in respect, while she inclined hers a fraction before entering. "Clarke, may I come in?"

Her conversation with Nyko had been a good one, Clarke thought to herself. He had asked her a couple of questions and Clarke answered them as much as she could. She was unaware of Nyko's ability to check her mental condition this way. So despite the fact that Clarke had told him that she was doing alright and that she was able to handle the situation, the healer was able to tell that she wasn't doing that well. Perhaps Clarke somehow realized it herself when she was alone in her tent again, alone with her thoughts and feelings. She could tell that it was all affecting her one way or another, no matter how hard she tried to look strong. The blonde knew that she had to be strong, given her position in this new found coalition. She could just not tell if she was trying hard enough or maybe even too hard? The couple of days of isolation within that cell along with the disturbing walk through the forest had left her with some scars which weren't so clearly visible.

The blonde was turning from left to right and from right to left in her bed, as she was seemingly restless and unable to get any sleep at this point. When she heard the soft female voice though, she turned and looked up at Lexa. With a weak smile and a slight nod she'd respond. "H-Heda.. of course you may." At least, Clarke was now able to sit up straight without help, but it still took some effort for such a rather simply movement. Her hands were rubbing up and down at her legs, which would certainly be noticed by Lexa. "Just need to keep the blood circulation running. I'd walk some more but I don't want to keep your people too busy watching me when I do." She explained and even chuckled softly, as she tried to assure the Heda that she was doing alright.. which was true.. for the most part.

"It is good to see you finding your strength, Clarke. Undoubtedly your knowledge of healing will aid you in this." The brunette began, sweeping her long, dark coat behind her before sitting down on the wooden chair beside the fur and fire. The warmth of the flames darkened the bronze of her skin even further, highlighting the war paint around forest green eyes. Were she not gazing at the blonde with a soft expression, she might be considered a visage that struck terror in the hearts of men. Armoured, armed and thoroughly used to combat. The truth of the matter was, seeing the blonde's lips curve in a slight smile had warmed Lexa's heart. She was uncertain then, if she should tell Clarke of Octavia's arrival and subsequently 'detaining' her under guard. The blonde would undoubtedly be angry to hear the news. Potentially more so because of the implications of detaining the girl for their treaty. And yet, Lexa had acted in the best interests of her people. Octavia might have been or still be a threat to her encampment and clans. Clarke included. She would always do what was best for her people, but seeing that slight smile? She would like to believe that that had been just for her. Something secret shared between the two women.

Lexa was threading in dangerous waters with her growing affection for the blonde. She had realised it, yes. The heart of the matter was simply that Clarke was an irresistible force of nature. Like the sun, it brought life to the Heda's cold and shielded heart, constantly circling her, warming her with her presence. The brunette had to be careful she would not lose her way around the younger woman, to appear weak to others, to be weak. For now, she would allow herself these precious moments. After all, trying to repair her broken composure could wait until tomorrow, could it not?

"Would you like to have a purpose while you recover, Clarke? Nyko told me he would appreciate your help in the healing tent. Your observations today did not go unnoticed, of potential treatments for my people."

All the bad thoughts and feelings were suddenly wiped off the moment Lexa entered the tent. It was funny how that woman made her feel like. It was a feeling that Clarke hadn't had in a long time. However, she still had to explain that feeling to herself. Did it mean she felt something like attraction for the Heda? It would be the first time for Clarke to have such feelings towards a person of the same sex. Not that she considered herself to be straight as an arrow, it would just be a new experience for her. But at the same time, Clarke was aware that such feelings would most likely lead to nowhere. Even if Lexa somehow felt the same for her, this would never work, right? Her people would never accept their Heda having such feelings for someone who wasn't like them. It was a bit frustrating to think about it, but Clarke told herself to get over it.

Listening to Lexa's words made Clarke keeping that smile. "Well, I can't let you guys to all the work for me. Of course, I need to work hard to get back on my feet myself. Well and sure, I'd be happy to aid Nyko as much as I can. It's the least thing I can do for you guys after taking that good care of me. Especially Rhiannon really did a great job today. I thought you should know that. I haven't felt that relaxed in a long time." Clarke did her best to only point out the positive part of that day without mentioning her outburst.

She took a deep breath and never lost that smile as she continued to speak. "I can tell that this isn't the only reason why you came here. There is something else you need to tell me, but you're trying to hide it because you think it wouldn't support my recovery. I appreciate that, Heda, but I can handle it, no matter what it is." Clarke was really just giving it a shot there. She couldn't tell for sure if Lexa was hiding something or not. She just got a feeling from the way Lexa spoke to her.

In that very moment hearing those words made the unruly maelstrom of thoughts inside the brunette's head utterly still and clear. Clarke had seen through the so carefully crafted expression, known that her visit had not been to see her recovery progression first hand alone. That there had been more, something that Lexa had indeed not yet mentioned because of the thought it might hamper the younger woman's recovery. Clarke could see her, she thought. Her. Not the Heda's mask, but Lexa herself. She gave a slight smile at the realisation, allowing the corners of her full lips to curve as forest-green orbs twinkled with unspoken praise. "You have a guest, Clarke. I have extended my hospitality to Octavia kom Skaikru, whom asked for my permission to speak with you."

While not voicing that the Heda had known of the brunette girl's involvement in Clarke's captivity, the implication was clear. Lexa knew exactly who was responsible. The only thing reeling in and chaining the fury of a thousand horses that would be her retaliation was the blonde herself. Her expressed wish to settle the matter herself, without anyone's assistance. "When you are ready, you may speak with her at your leisure. She has been given a tent at the other side of camp, beside the cooking area."

Clarke didn't know how Lexa would react to the blonde's words. If it was true that the Heda was hiding something, pointing it out could be considered some kind of insult to her integrity. But that little smile told Clarke immediately that Lexa didn't feel that way at all. It was a relief for Clarke since she knew that addressing the elephant in the room like that could have resulted in Lexa just leaving the tent. So of course, Clarke was very glad to watch that reaction.

Her smile soon disappeared though when Lexa told her about Octavia's presence in the camp. The blonde looked away while being able to feel her heart beating a little faster again. Why had Octavia come? What did she want to talk about? Well, Clarke could take a guess why she had come to see the blonde, she was just not prepared for it to happen. There had to be a reason why Octavia wanted to talk even while Clarke was still protected by Lexa. It sounded like Octavia was on her own, as well, so neither Bellamy nor Raven had come with her. So either the brunette wanted to have a word without them knowing or it was some kind of trick.

Clarke really had no idea what to think of this. She couldn't forget about the way Octavia was looking at her the night Clarke killed their friend Finn. So the blonde remained silent for quite a while until she sighed and looked back at Lexa. "I shall speak to her in the morning then." There wasn't much strength in her voice when she said those words, what suggested that Clarke was nervous. "Thank you for telling me, Heda. I guess it's about time I face my demons."

The Heda had watched the other woman ponder her words and their implication. It was clear that Clarke's resolve to face Octavia could shatter as easily as a cup slipped from grasp. She knew that she could not keep the brunette Skaikru girl as her 'guest' for more than a day before either Kane or Abby would come to ask questions, which in turn could implicate a political nightmare. Sky people were too soft for their own good at times. For now though, she could only support the girl before her. Lexa had felt alike to Clarke in many ways. Forced to become leaders when they were both not ready to do so. While she had had Anya and Gustus to tutor her in the roles she would have to fulfil, Clarke did not have anyone to help her carry the weight of her people. Perhaps the Heda had become soft for wishing to protect the blonde from such a fate, twistedly believed that she could give Clarke the opportunity to shed the mantle of leadership if she had chosen so and instead hoist it upon her own shoulders.

"When I told you this morning that you are part of my people, Clarke, I meant it. As Heda I will protect my people, give them what they need to survive in this world. If you so choose, I will arrange for you to start practicing self-defence with a tutor." She had chosen the tutor well. The same warrior that had stalked the three delinquents through the forest as they had left Clarke to the elements to perish of exposure. When Lexa had told him to teach the girl, he had appeared to be pleased at the command to do so. She could understand why, of course. Many of her warriors had families and children. His daughter had been the striking resemblance of Clarke were she a redhead. It must've tugged at the otherwise stoic and silent man's heartstrings to see the girl treated so poorly.

"If you accept, Thane will begin teaching you as soon as your work in the healer's tents is finished. Your mornings will be spent with Nyko, your afternoons practicing with Thane."

There was that smile on Clarke's face again when she heard the words about being part of Lexa's people. The Heda had probably no idea how much these words meant to her and how much they helped Clarke to battle her hidden fears and sorrows. So of course, she would have that conversation with Octavia in the morning. She could only wait for the results of it, but something told Clarke that it wasn't going to be as bad as she thought at first. She knew that Lexa would be nearby if something went wrong and certainly, Octavia wasn't that stupid to try anything silly while being surrounded by Grounders. The young brunette still tried to be more like them, after all. Her looks indicated that Octavia was attempting to copy their looks, while in fact, she really wanted to be one of them.

"Thanks, Heda. I will gladly accept the training and the work with Nyko. I'm sure that both will help me recover and become a stronger person at the same time." Clarke said with a smile and a nod. After a few moments of silence, she'd continue to speak. "I'm sure you have no idea how much I appreciate your help, Lexa. I know, you consider me to be part of your people, but still I wouldn't take what you do for granted. If only I could express how you make me feel when I'm around you. You're supporting me more than anyone else ever did, including my mother." Clarke was looking deep into the Heda's eyes while she spoke, smiling a bit more than before. "All the things you keep doing for me.. it's not just what an ally would do.. it's what a friend would do. Thank you." The smile remained on her face as Clarke extended her hand towards Lexa.

The brunette's heart fluttered in a brilliant staccato as her title was forgotten and she was simply Lexa to Clarke. While they might wear their titles outside this tent, doomed to be forever cast into the roles they had to play, as decided by others, at that moment in time they were simply Clarke and Lexa. She reached out her own hand, slender fingers, skin roughened by years of rigorous training, carefully intertwined themselves with the delicate touch of the blonde, squeezing her reassuringly while she returned the smile. It felt liberating to let the masks she wore slip and simply show her true colours, true feelings to someone who would not judge. Forest green eyes locked themselves into pools of stormy blue, swallowing her deeper into unexplored depths that were all Clarke. The girl who felt strongly about protecting others, that wanted to become a healer, enjoyed the taste of sweet fruit and scented bath oils.

"Do not thank me, Klarke. This is what a friend does, is it not?" Lexa's voice held a softness to it, laced with amusement and warmth. She reached her other hand into the depths of her coat and produced a small, leather-bound book before holding it for Clarke's other hand to grasp. Not a book, but a journal. Empty as of yet. To be filled with whatever the younger woman would wish to write and draw. "This is for you, Klarke. I have been told you are quite good at drawing art. While not the most luxurious and refined, I have brought you charcoal as well. Consider it a gift from a friend." The brunette smiled softly, carefully and her eyes betrayed a certain hint of vulnerability. This was Lexa caring, taking care of someone. Little gestures, reassurance and support.

Clarke would gently shake Lexa's hand, but it seemed more than just a simple handshake. The blonde enjoyed the softness and the warmth of Lexa's hand and tried to make it last for as long as the Heda allowed it. Lexa would even feel Clarke's thumb as it brushed over her skin. There were some more things that Clarke could say in this moment, but she found herself distracted by the gift that Lexa offered to her. Clarke allowed her hand to withdraw from Lexa's so she could hold that book in both of her hands. She looked down at it and smiled, one of her hands slowly brushing over the leather. "That is.. so kind of you, Lexa. I used to have one of these when I was a child. My father handed it to me, before he died." She took a deep breath and looked back up at Lexa.

The blonde felt the urge to stand up and kiss Lexa's cheek to show her how much she appreciated the gift. But she knew her legs wouldn't allow that and well, it would most likely be considered inappropriate. Clarke still didn't know too much about the Grounders and their traditions, but she was pretty sure that kissing the Heda's cheek would not really be appreciated. "You may tell Octavia to come and see me at sunrise. I want to be done with this before I start my training."

If Lexa had taken any offence to the blonde's 'request' of her Heda, she did not show it. Concern had slipped into her eyes as she watched Clarke brush the leather of the journal and spoke of her father's death. That deep intake of breath signified the younger woman's sadness and the brunette wished that she could say anything to make it a less bearable memory. When she had regained her senses, Lexa simply nodded at Clarke's decision to see Octavia in the morning. While concerned for the safety of the blonde, it would not be beneficial to have the Sky girls confront one another in the command tent with prying ears and eyes. Lexa could understand that the blonde wanted to resolve this matter quietly and with her own strength, rather than being forced to depend on someone else to do it for her.

"I will make the arrangements for your training to begin after your conversation with Octavia then. Rigorous practice and exercise always help to empty one's mind of things that they do not wish to be inside of them." Lexa was stalling, she did not wish to leave yet, wanting to bask longer in the sunlight that was Clarke, to once again feel that delicate brush of the younger woman's thumb exploring her bronze skin. She had inhaled softly, sharply, at that moment, forest-green orbs widening to deep pools and full lips parted to allow the oxygen to enter her body. In that moment, the blonde had stolen her breath away, the symphony of fluttering inside her belly reaching a deafening crescendo that she prayed was not audible.

Clarke had noticed the slight change of Lexa's behavior. Could it be a result of the way Clarke had been holding her hand? Whatever it was, it didn't seem to be a negative reaction at all. Of course, Clarke could point it out and say something, but she didn't. She simply smiled at Lexa, hoping that this way the Heda wouldn't feel all too uncomfortable with this situation. There was definitely something developing between them, something strong, but neither of them had the guts to mention it. They rather remained silent and waited for the moment of awkwardness to pass. So it was Clarke who broke the silence. "Thank you, Heda. I'm sure the training will help me physically and mentally. If only to distract me from whatever happens during that conversation with Octavia in the morning." Clarke shrugged with a smile, as she tried to convince Lexa of her rediscovered strength. It was about time for Clarke to drop that image of a nervous and frightened little girl.

"Oh and tell Nyko I'm looking forward to working with him. I'm sure we can learn a lot from each other." Clarke even grinned now and her voice almost sounded rather cheerfully.

Lexa returned the grin with a soft, warm smile, betraying a slight hint of pride at the blonde's rediscovered cheerfulness. "I will tell him, Clarke. For now, you must rest and regain your strength after the day's exertions. Believe me, you will need all of that for tomorrow's training." She stood then, carefully adjusting her coat and tugging leather gloves onto her hands. The stark contrast of leather to soft, delicate skin was maddening, but the brunette had to take her distance, for the fluttering inside her belly had become too great to ignore. It was frustratingly unclear as to why and how it had happened, but she suspected it was simply because Clarke was the way she was.

"Reshop, Klarke. May your dreams be peaceful and bring you rest." The Heda concluded, sharing a final smile before she ducked her head and lifted the tent flap to step back into the cool air outside. It was as if water had been splashed into her face, so stark was the contrast of comfortable warmth to the now chilly breeze outside and Lexa walked a brisk pace to her own tent.