Talking In Your Sleep

I'll protect you, Clarke

The day has just turned into a night, bright stars twinkling on the sky. Clarke inhaled the fresh air and exhaled slowly, watching her breath come out as fog. It has been a couple of days since the mountain fell and Clarke was now helping Grounders rebuild TonDC. Which meant she was staying in their camp. Not alone of course. Octavia was there with Lincoln and because of Octavia came Bellamy, followed by Miller, Raven and Kane while the rest of Clarke's people stayed in Camp Jaha, recovering after the brutal war. The win was not easy. Clarke had to radiate the entire mountain, killing many of innocent people. Too many. Since it was just barely dark Clarke thought Lexa was not asleep yet. She noticed that the commander's skin was bruised under her eyes and she has never seen her sleep before. Even if Clarke was up right after dawn she always noticed Lexa, giving orders or helping others. 

There was only one warrior in front of Lexa's tent and he didn't even blink when Clarke pushed past the flaps and into the warm tent. Lexa was laying on the middle of her furry bed, her face peaceful and relaxed. It seemed like she wasn't planning on falling asleep because her boots were still on, her feet hanging off the bed and her armor was still attached. Clarke turned around, just a few steps away from the exit when she heard Lexa's voice.

"I'll protect you, Clarke," Lexa spoke. And even in her dreams her voice was strong and confident.

Clarke raised her eyebrows in confusion. Did the commander talk in her sleep? And was she dreaming about her? She couldn't deny the slight shiver that went through her body as even in her sleep Lexa said her name like nobody else could.

Lexa sighed and murmured something in Trigedasleng. Even though Clarke was getting better at their language she still couldn't comprehend it all. "No harm will come to you, skai prisa," Lexa said.

Clarke understood that. It's been a really long time since anyone called her princess. But the way Lexa said her name made her forget about Finn. And she thought of their kiss. Lexa has not made a move since Clarke told her she wasn't ready. And Clarke wasn't sure if she was actually ready. Once again she was about to leave, when Lexa's voice came out sounding frightened and panicky.

"Clarke? Clarke?" Lexa asked a few times, her hands crossing over her chest as she shivered by the cold. 

Clarke walked as quietly as she mustered towards the bed and gently draped the furs on the floor over Lexa's body, hoping that it would warm her up.

Lexa turned on her side, her body getting tangled in the fur. 

It seemed like Lexa was alright and she stopped talking as well and Clarke decided to blow out the candles in her tent. There was only one left, illuminating soft light over Lexa's sleeping body. Lexa's mouth were still moving but no sound was coming from them. "Lexa?" Clarke whispered, wondering if Lexa could hear her. 

"Clarke," Lexa murmured. She tried to turn around but was held still by the furs she tangled herself in. "Run Clarke," Lexa said sharply. "Leave me behind." 

It sounded like an order and Clarke snickered because even in her sleep, Lexa was bossy.

"Don't let them catch you," Lexa cried, kicking and trying to untangle her limbs but it wasn't working which only made her panickier in her dreams. "I will come after you Clarke. I will protect you!"

Clarke's eyes widened when she realized Lexa was dreaming that someone took her away. Driblets of sweat started to form on Lexa's forehead as she fought off who she thought were her attackers but it was really just the furs. Clarke tried to help her and when she gently pushed Lexa to roll over her green eyes snapped open making Clarke take a quick step back.

"What are you doing here?" Lexa asked harshly, her chest heaving and her voice shaking.

Clarke nervously licked her lips. "I heard you screaming. I thought you were in danger." Lexa didn't have to know the truth. Clarke knew it would embarrass her and make her build her walls back up and Clarke only just now managed to knock some of them down.

"Oh," Lexa breathed out. "I hope I did not wake you. You should return back to your tent. Your people will get worried."

Clarke nodded even though she knew no one was going to search for her at night. "I can help you," she blurted out. 

Lexa cocked her head to the side. "Help me with what, Clarke?"

"You talk in your sleep," Clarke said. "There might not be a way to completely stop it but I know a few ways that might make it easier."

"I have talked in my sleep since I was a child. It is not an illness and I thought nothing can help it," Lexa admitted. "Costia used to braid my hair. It would help me sleep. But after she was taken not even that helped."

"Sleep talking usually happens because of stress or certain drinks and medications you take," Clarke spoke, this time as someone who was familiar with disorders. "The war is over. And you don't drink coffee."

Lexa released a breath and stood up. She took off her boots and unclasped her armor. "And what is your solution, Clarke?"

"There's more than one," Clarke said. "I can make you a chamomile tea. It soothes and it should help with dreams. There is also medication that causes dreamless sleep but I'm not sure if we have it."

"Nyko has chamomile," Lexa stated. "But we do not use it to make tea. We use it for skin disorders and infections. Sometimes we prepare a chamomile bath, but rarely. Some chew on chamomile when their stomach is upset but I have never seen anyone make tea."

Clarke nodded, before smiling. "Wait here. I'll bring it to you in a few minutes." She jogged towards Nyko's tent and hoped he wasn't sleeping. She entered the tent and he was sitting on a log, brewing something in a pot. "Do you think you could make chamomile tea?" Nyko looked at her strangely. "It's for heda," Clarke cleared up.

"If it's for heda," Nyko agreed but was still skeptical. "I have never made this kind of tea before."

"Just boil the water," Clarke instructed. "In the meanwhile, I need a jug and chamomile flower." She received both quickly. Clarke used her fingers to mash the plant into tiny bits and into the metal jug. When water reached boiling point she poured it over the chamomile. "Thank you. You can use the tea for anyone with an upset stomach and it's also good for throat infections."

Nyko nodded gratefully, happy to have learned something new. "Thank you."

Clarke carried the jug to Lexa's tent and poured it into her metal cup. She blew in it for a few minutes to cool it off. "You probably won't like the taste but it's going to help."

Lexa accepted her cup but with some hesitation. She couldn't help but remember the last time she almost drank something that a Sky person offered. Clarke knew why she was hesitating and took a sip herself. "I apologize," Lexa said, ashamed.

"I understand," Clarke said instead. "Drink it while it's hot."

Lexa placed her cup against her lips and took a small sip. It was bitter. And strange. She couldn't help but cringe. But Clarke was staring at her, not ready to back out until Lexa drank at all. After her cup was empty Lexa felt warm inside out and took off her commander's outfit. She laid in bed in nothing but her torn and stretched tank top and her skin tight trousers. She covered herself with furs and sighed. "This is not working."

Clarke laughed. "Give it some time."

"How long?" Lexa asked impatiently.

"Not much," Clarke said. She watched Lexa blink at the ceiling of her tent, her eyes slowly drooping. "Good night Lexa," she whispered and sneaked outside once commander was asleep.

It seemed like her plan worked because Clarke slept in the next morning and when she woke up, Lexa was still inside her tent. She made sure no one bothered her because she was sure commander needed her sleep. Instead she helped Raven with her plans on building TonDC on even stronger foundation and houses that would replace tents. 

A/N: There will be more updates to this story. It's not just a one-shot. :D