When Ground Met Sky

Arkadia

Lexa's POV

"One piece landed in Azgeda, another in Trikru, someone thought they say one lan-"

"Shof op" I groaned.

"Heda this is important" Gustus glanced between me and the guard, "let him speak."

"I don't care where the pieces landed" I sighed. "It makes no difference to me. Send men on horses to scout the wreckage."

The man turned to leave.

I called to him just before he closed the tent flap behind him. "Send word that anyone found among the wreckage is subject to the alliance agreement."

"Heda we don't know anything about these people. Where they came from, or what their intentions are!" The rage in his voice shook my confidence.

"Gustus, they are Skikru. The people from the Ark are joining their people on the ground." I smiled arrogantly.

"How do you-"

"I guess the prisoner was useful after all" I cocked my head and awaited a response.

"Sha Heda" he turned to leave.

"Where is Clarke?" I couldn't help but hide the concern that laced my tone.

He turned to me his brows pinched together on his forehead.

"The prisoner" I averted my gaze as realization creeped into his features.

"Clarke." He scoffed and threw the tent flap aside.

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"Lexa"

I turned quickly to see Clarke waving at me from across the camp. Two guards on either side of her. They exchanged glances and looked at me confused.

"Take the prisoner to her tent!" I commanded them.

The look on Clarke's face caused my chest to tighten. I had no choice but to be cruel. My people can't suspect any private intentions. The alliance was best for my people. That's the only reason I agreed to it.

I found her sitting on the floor when I entered her tent. I dismissed the guards and walked back inside. Her back was against her bed. Her head was in her hands and her figure was that of discomfort.

"Clar-"

"Prisoner you mean" her voice was curt. Her eyes glazed. Jaw clinched.

"Clarke, you know I had to say that. You can't call me Lexa in front of my people" I sat on the bed. "No one calls me Lexa."

"Sha Commander" she made a weird gesture with her hand from her forehead.

"We need to talk" I stood from the bed and walked over to the table.

"Oh do we?" She glared at me. "Commander"

"Clarke, your people are killing the guards I sent to protect them. They don't know of the alliance. I'm trying to protect them but if they keep killing my men I will have no choice!" I was getting frustrated. I'm trying to help her! This is for her....

"Let me go" she stood up and walked towards the table. "I will tell them of the alliance" she stood next to me her arm brushing mine. "We can have peace" she turned to face me. 

"I can't let you do that" I didn't face her.

"Why, because I'm a prisoner right?" She turned to walk away.

I grabbed her arm and pulled her back to the table. Her eyes met mine.

"You are a prisoner Clarke, but that's not why you're here" I tried to smile. "I'll let you go the Ark but I'm coming with you"

"To negotiate peace" her eyes seemed to question me.

"Sha" I turned away from the table. "Prepare horses!" I yelled for the guards outside the tent.

"Do I get my own horse?" She looked at me and her eyes pleaded with mine.

"What will my people think if I allow the prisoner to ride her own horse freely?" I searched her eyes hoping I hadn't offended her.

"Well can I at least ride with you?" She smiled widely, "I don't want to be on a horse with one of your guards."

I thought it over. That would look suspicious. The commander with a prisoner on her horse? If I played it right-

"Just say yes" she leaned back against the table.

"Fine, you will ride with me" I shook my head. This is a horrible idea.

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I watched the crowd as Clarke mounted my horse. The commanders horse. They shared suspicious glances. One even leaned over to whisper something in another's ear. They caught my glare and put theirs heads down.

My guards mounted their horses. I decided to only bring five guards, that way we didn't look threatening to the people of the Ark.

I mounted my horse behind Clarke. She leaned into me slightly, which surprised me.  I shifted my weight and in doing so I brought us closer together in the saddle. I turned to see all of the guards waiting for me to take the lead, I blushed slightly. They had all witnesses what just happened.

I took to the front of the group remembering the scouts directions. He had told me a giant piece had landed in Trikru territory and Skikru has made it their camp.

Each time my horse took a step I could feel Clarke against me. I wondered if she was uncomfortable. If she was regretting riding with me.

Clarke leaned back and looked up at me, "What are you thinking about?"

I'm thinking about how this trail is really uneven I thought to myself. "Just...how I'm going to convince you to come back with me."

She didn't respond, instead she pressed against me and closed her eyes.

My hands had awkwardly been hovering at her sides with the reins. I decided I needed to give my arms a break so I dropped my hands to her thighs. My arms around her waist. She put her arms on top of mine.

We rode like this until the sun was barely above the horizon. My back was beginning to ache from the constant jostling of the horse.

A scout called out, "There, just a few hundred feet."

Clarke stirred and I felt her breathing become less steady. She had been sleeping for the last part of the journey.

"We are here" I whispered gently.

A sign hung on a metal gate. As we got nearer I could make out the letters.

Arkadia