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Chapter Text

They were all sitting and enjoying the fire. Clarke was sipping on the tea that Echo had made. It was warm and soothing.

"So, why do you feel that you need to tell us this story?" Luna asked.

Clarke looked up at her and smiled. Her wild auburn hair was very windblown from their ride earlier. Her eyes were dancing with mirth. Clarke could tell that, while Luna like to seem aloof, she really wasn't. She wanted to know more about her niron Onya. For Luna, it was a natural curiosity. She wasn't going to fault either of them for having a relationship in one of Clarke's former lives. She couldn't. It was obvious that she was there for either of them, so the face that they might have found solace with each other made her happy. Clarke knew that Luna meant well, too. She wasn't trying to stir up anything between them. This was just another way for them to learn more about Clarke and what she'd been through as Wanheda to get where they were now. Clarke chuckled slightly and smiled bigger.

"What?" Raven questioned.

"Sometimes you are so predictable, Rae," Clarke answered. "But, don't worry. I still love you. I always will...as a sister and friend, confidant and the best damn mechanic in the world. You, Raven, are the Commander of Boom. That will never change in any lifetime. Trust me on that."

They all laughed. Clarke moved a little closer to Lexa. She wasn't sure if it was because she needed the comfort or if she just needed to feel her against her body somehow. Clarke was really touchy-feely with Lexa when they were alone, and this was no exception. No one seemed to mind it, especially Lexa. Heda just moved her arms to allow Clarke a better angle for her snuggles.

"I don't know where to really start with this one. It starts off bad, gets worse, and then takes a quick and surprising turn. Looking back on this life now, it is amazing that I didn't see what was happening sooner. But, then again, we'd just escaped the Mountain together. You'll just have to forgive us for being a little traumatized, run down, and honestly, acting out of pocket. In my defense, it was also...my third life. I was still learning...a lot," Clarke told them.

"Start from where you feel comfortable, Clarke. Don't force it. We're here for you," Echo told her.

"I know, but that wasn't always the case," Clarke replied.

"What happened?" Luna questioned, the worry in her eyes very evident.

"In most of my lives, except this one, the Hundred were seen as a threat and nuisance. In hindsight, we were acting like children, so that thought wasn't far off. Like this life, the Hundred were sent down to pave the way for the others. The biggest difference was that we were all criminal children and we were expendable," Clarke started.

"That cannot be good for your adults," Anya stated.

"It became a point of contention between the Hundred and the Arkers when they got down here. Most of the time, it wasn't seen as good by Trikru either, but that is a completely different story," Clarke answered. "As usual, Lexa sent Anya to watch us. Lincoln was taking numbers and sketches. He fell for Octavia, and tried to help us a little through her. Didn't work. Things happened and I asked Lincoln to meet with the leader that was attacking us. Lincoln secured a meeting with Anya. It was always the first time that we would meet, but it was already too late."

"Why is that?" Anya asked.

"Because you'd already made up your mind about it. You saw us a goufa, but you didn't see any redemption in us. You wanted to tell Lexa to kill us all. We were trespassers. I understood it, later, when I thought about it. We had come down from the stars and acted like we owned the world. We didn't. But, we honestly didn't know, well, mostly didn't know that there were people that had survived. A lot of the adults that sent us down thought we would die. Some of us did, but that was because we were woefully unprepared to survive here. Space is not like the Earth," Clarke answered.

"And, you were outsiders," Lexa added.

"Yes, we were the enemy. It didn't matter that we were untrained children. We were scaring off game, playing too close to the Mountain, and we'd sort of tortured Lincoln. We hadn't made a great impression, so I understood Anya's ire. With all of that though, she managed to agree to a meeting," Clarke told them. "Needless to say that it didn't go well. One of our more..."

"Just say that he was immature, Clarke. It's okay. He is," Octavia said as she came in, grabbed a mug of tea and sat in the chair beside Echo.

"Well, it started a war between the two. Anya did everything that she could to wipe us out, but it wasn't fast enough. Lexa was furious, so she sent Tristan to finish the job and he took over. Anya was pissed now on two levels and she saw me as a thorn in her side, something that she needed to either kill or drag to back to Lexa in penance. This thought didn't change for a few weeks," Clarke added. "That sounds like something that Lexa would do," Anya replied. "But, it would depend on the severity of the offenses."

"I'm not saying that is was justified. It was for somethings, but not all of us were guilty. I wanted to find a way for us to live together, but no one would listen to me. Unfortunately, Bellamy thought he knew better and armed everyone. Tristan attacked before we could flee with Lincoln to Floukru."

"He was going to bring you to me?" Luna questioned.

"He thought that you might give us sanctuary and help us learn to be better. You've seen us, Luna. Besides Raven, Aurora and Bellamy, we are all under eighteen years, children to our society. Most of us were still in school and trying to decide what we were going to do on the Ark for our job. I'd been studying and working with Mom in the med bay for so long that is was generally just assumed that I would take over when it was time. I was also the youngest protégé that she'd ever had. She said I had promising hands to be a surgeon and deal with trauma. I didn't know how right she was at the time," Clarke told them. "But, I'm glad that she has Jackson."

"Me too," Octavia said, but gave no reason, even when Clarke looked to her for one.

"We retreated into the dropship. Raven was hurt but she knew that we still had enough fuel for a sustained control burn. It wouldn't lift us off the ground, but it would kill anyone within a certain radius of the dropship when it was fired. She told me what to do and what wires to fix to make it happen. As soon as it was completed, I gave the order to fire the engine," Clarke lamented.

"The infamous Ring of Fire," Echo said.

"Yes, it was. I was the reason that 300 of Lexa's warriors were burnt to ash. Anya survived, because she jumped into the dropship as we were closing the door to hide. When we decided that enough time had passed, we opened the door and started to exit," Clarke paused to sip her tea. "Unfortunately, the Mountain Men were waiting with trucks and their red gas that put us to sleep. We were all gathered up. Anya was taken with me. Tristan survived the Ring of Fire and captured a few. Lincoln and some of the Arkers, who just landed, managed to kill him and save those that hadn't been in the dropship with us. They found Raven only because the Mountain Men deemed her injuries too severe for them to even bother taking her. She would be a waste of their resources, even though they could have used her blood. I was glad to know that she wasn't captured."

"What happened next?" Anya questioned, now fully invested in the story.

"I awoke in the Mountain. Quickly, I realized that they couldn't be trusted, but my people, now numbered somewhere around 50, had told them that I was our leader. So, Dante, their leader, was trying to court me after a fashion in hopes that we would just donate our blood to help them. He never got the chance, though. I realized that being in the Mount Weather was not where I needed to be. Plus the man just couldn't stop lying to me about simple stuff," Clarke explained.

"Like what?" Raven asked.

"He told me that Anya was dead. That he'd freed us from worrying about her. I was worried about her, though. As much as she hated me, I knew that she was honorable. She would listen to me and take me to her leaders if she'd captured me. She was strong woman, so I couldn't believe that she'd died from their smoke. It just didn't make sense. And, then I started to notice things."

"Is this when everyone turned on you?" Octavia inquired.

"Yeah, but I understood it. I sounded like a crazy person. Plus, as Jasper liked to remind me, they had chocolate cake and Maya. He was happy, safe, and not being hunted. I couldn't fault them for it, once I realized things from their point-of-view. It was hard, though. I knew that I had to find proof. So, I injured myself to get back into medical so I could look around and find some," Clarke explained. "Took about fifteen stitches in my arm to get the information that I needed and wanted, though."

"Then what happened after they stitched you up?" Echo asked her.

"They told those left of the 100 that I was being held on a psyche hold," Clarke replied and then realized that they didn't understand what she'd said, so she explained further. "It means that they held me in medical to keep me safe from myself and others. I think that they could tell that the wound was self-inflicted and wanted to make sure that I didn't convince more people to rise up against them. He needed them to remain docile and happy so they could use their blood as a cure for their inability to process radiation like we all can."

"So, what did you find?" Lexa questioned.

"I found Anya," Clarke answered. "She was in a cage, cramped, and wrapped in basically nothing more than medical rags. My heart broke. I couldn't believe that someone like Anya would be reduced to such measures. I knew then that I had to get out of the Mountain, and I had to find a way to get her out as well. I wouldn't leave her behind. I couldn't. It wasn't right. I knew that there was a risk in helping her, but I figured that she would take me to her leader to talk. I was still hoping to make peace with the Grounders, and I saw her as an avenue. I knew that she was still stronger than me and would more than likely overpower me when we were free, but I knew that with your manpower and our tech we could bring down the Mountain."

"That sounds like a good plan," Lexa stated. "But, I can tell that something changed in this life. What was it?"

"It did," Clarke answered.

She sat back, against Lexa more. She sipped her tea. She looked over at Echo, who was up and out of her chair and across the room. She came back and refilled Clarke's cup. Echo replaced the teapot and returned to her chair. Clarke sipped some more.

"I guess that is where our story should really start. I knew that I had to get Anya out no matter what happened to me, I needed her to get back to Lexa, even though I wasn't supposed to know who Lexa was. I knew how much Anya meant to you, and I knew that she would help you see reason. I could only hope that I survived the escape and you didn't kill me. I also didn't want to have to give you Anya's braid again. I couldn't do that, especially if I could save her."

"Clarke?" Echo interrupted her.

"Hmm?"

"Did you ever see me again? In the cages, when you broke in? Did you see me there?" Echo asked her.

"No, I didn't. You must have been further down or in another row. There were just so many. But, you have to trust that if I had, I would have rescued you as well. It would have taken me longer to convince you, especially then, because I hadn't tainted your blood with my own, and you were still very much supportive of Azgeda and Nia," Clarke told her, but she reached across the expanse and took her hand. "I know what happened to you, and I'm sorry that you still remember. We're going to get them out, Echo. I swear it."

"We will. We are going to save them, Echo. And, I will let you lead the charge, if you wish. I know that you have suffered under them, even if it was not in this life. They have injured you and you are owed blood for it," Lexa stated and they all knew it was true. "I will allow you to make the final cuts on one of the three leaders we take. Anya will get another, and I will take the last."

"Will you not allow Clarke her vengeance?" Octavia questioned.

"I don't want it. Lexa knows that. They haven't wronged me in this life, O. But, you are right, out of any of us, I have suffered the most. The people need to see their vengeance enacted by their people and not ours. I will give them that, but I also need everyone to see our mercy for those who are as innocent as they can be because of their leaders. Would you have me kill Maya just because she is a Mountain Man?" Clarke asked her.

"No, because she always helps. She was part of the resistance inside, too. She has always been on our side. She fed the caged Grounders and tried to help them heal as best as she could in between bleedings. So, no, I wouldn't punish her," Octavia answered.

"Neither would I," Clarke added. "They have not taken our people and bled them for our blood. We will have suffered only in entertaining them in this life. Do you think that they people will understand why they are all being put to death? Do you think they will care or understand? No, they won't. Even now, we will have to play it carefully."

"I know," Octavia replied. "I'm sorry. I just hate politics."

"That is why you are a warrior, O and not me," Clarke teased her. "You remind me of Anya sometimes with your hot head and destroy them all attitude. It is useful, trust me, but it isn't always necessary."

"I know."

"I still love you, though, O."

"I love you, too, Clarke," Octavia said.

"So, you broke Anya out?" Luna asked, trying to get them back on topic.

Clarke gave her a silent nod of thanks. She was grateful that Luna hated bloodshed as much as she did. Luna hated war because she was good at it. She'd been groomed since birth to be the ultimate warrior. Clarke hated it because she was a medical person. Her motto, thanks to Galen and others, was harm none. It was another reason that she was Wanheda. She was glad to have Luna on her side. They were both somewhat pacifists when it came to punishment, but they also both understood that capital punishment was necessary.

"So, that is where I guess I story should really begin. Anya had been caught. I knew I wouldn't leave her behind. I couldn't. But, while I was in that room with all the cages, developing a plan to find Lexa and let her know what was going on, I finally realized what they were doing to the Grounders in the cages. I was alone in the medical wing. I broke back into the room and tried to find a way out. It was hard because they were bleeding someone when I got back in there," Clarke started. "Anya wanted to fight me on leaving. She thought that I was just going to get her out to kill her. It took a few too many minutes, but she finally realized that I was going to get us both out of there. I wanted her to take me to Lexa. I was dehydrated, tired, in pain, and completely shocked at the scenes before me. I couldn't let that stop us."

"So, what did you do?" Echo questioned.

"I found a bar. Just a really long, thin piece of heavy metal. It must have broken off of something, but it didn't matter. What mattered was that it fit between the lock, so I could pry it open. So, I did. I helped Anya out of the cage. She's hurting, in pain, and her muscles had to be on fire. She'd been cramped in there probably since we were taken with no clue how long we'd been inside the Mountain. She had to guess that Lexa had already been told that she was dead along with all of Tristan's people. That didn't matter to me, we had to go and we had to go now.

"I was getting Anya to stand and look over the wounds that she had when a guard came in. She fought him long enough for me to get his gun and shoot him. How the sound didn't make more come, I'm not sure, but it gave us the motivation to get the hell out of there. We moved along the room and found the trash chute. Unfortunately that dumped us into the feeding area of the Reapers. Thankfully they were mostly out of the caves and tunnels at that time. We found some old clothing and put it on. Before we could get completely out of the Mountain, an alarm went off. They knew we were missing," Clarke told them.

"They were hunting you through the tunnels, right?" Octavia inquired.

"Yeah, they were. I had the gun, but I knew that Anya wouldn't take it. She ran off, though, leaving me behind. Can't say that I really blame her. She was determined to get out of the Mountain now that she was free from her cage. I wasn't part of her plan yet. I wasn't necessary. Her wounds and tales might be enough to persuade Lexa. I knew this. I accepted it. But, then I was cornered in a tunnel that ran out the Philpot Dam spillway. There was little water in it, but the spill way dumped into a lake-sized pool below. I couldn't swim. We didn't have water on the Ark.

"But, I realized at that moment that I had a choice. I could either die in that tunnel and be fed to the Reapers, or I could take my chance in the water. Thankfully, Anya decided to take that moment to come back. She killed the men that were trapping me. But, by that time, more had followed. Now, we were both standing at the edge of the spillway with only the lake as a route to our salvation. Anya didn't even think twice. She jumped.

"I watched her go, my heart sinking as she got closer and closer to the water. I saw the splash, but I never saw her get out. The guards had taken back my attention. They were slowly coming at me, like one does to a caged or wounded animal," Clarke explained and watched as Luna, Octavia, and Echo all nodded. "I was near enough the edge that I could jump, but my mind was telling me to wait, find another way.

"Finally, they were too close. I either had to jump or become a blood bag. I knew that Dante couldn't afford to let me get back with my people. I would turn them against the Mountain and they would lose their new cure. As they kept coming, I prayed. I didn't really believe in any higher powers, but I didn't know if Anya was going to wait for me like she had in the other lives. I couldn't wait anymore, though. I summoned all my strength and daring. I ran straight at the guards and then turned before they could grab me and ran right out of the edge of the tunnel, jumping at the very last second out of the spillway.

"It was the closest I've ever been to a spacewalk," Clarke said with a smile, as Raven chuckled. "It felt like I was falling forever. And, then I hit the water hard. It hurt. That is something that they never told us the in the movies. Yeah, water will break your fall, but it'll still hurt hitting it."

"What happened after that?"

"I drowned."

Chapter Text

She could remember falling. She could remember the blue of the sky and the green of the trees in the distance as the water got closer and closer. She could feel the anxiety and fear creeping up on her as she fell. When she hit the water, she was immediately cold. She had forgotten to not breathe as she started sinking.

She didn't know how to swim. She'd seen enough movies to know the mechanics, but she definitely hadn't been on Earth long enough to try. Octavia had, and the giant river snake monster almost killed her. She was sinking. She was cold. She knew that she shouldn't strip out of her clothes. She needed to get out of the water, but she was struggling. She needed air, she needed to live, so she kept fighting against the water.

Her world started going dark. She knew that she was failing. She kept trying though. She wasn't going to die in the water. She'd survived too much for this to be the way she died. But, the darkness kept creeping in and she felt the world slipping away.

The darkness completely covered her. She sank into it. Embracing it, she heard her father calling for her. She wanted to cry. She felt peace coming over her. As she finally surrendered to the inevitable, she just let everything just wash over her. The dark covered her pulling her into the abyss. This was going to be one of the shortest lives she had, but she was okay with it. Death sucked, but at least this one was peaceful. And, then everything was just black.

Suddenly the peace was pulled from her. She felt something gritty under her fingers. And, there was a pounding on her back. She coughed, hard. Sputtering, she flipped onto her back and realized that she was on the bank of the river that flowed from the lake. Turning her head slightly to the left, she saw Anya. The warrior had saved her.

"Anya?" she weezed.

"Get up. We can't stay here. Keep coughing, but quietly."

Clarke just looked at her. They both looked like a mess. Clarke was sure that had drowned and it showed. Anya was still only dressed in the pants, medical banding, and a leather jackets. Clarke wasn't much better, but she understood that they needed to get as far away from the Mountain as they could. Their march would get them warm.

"Get up. We can't rest yet. They are looking for us," Anya demanded.

Clarke rolled up onto her right and tilted her head. She could hear the calls and shouts from the Mount Weather security guards. They were combing the woods looking for them. She didn't want to go back inside, and she knew that Anya would die first.

She pushed off the sandy shore and stood up. She wobbled but righted herself quickly. Before she was completely ready, Anya grabbed her arm and pulled her into the bush along the tree line.

It was just in time as four guards came out of the woods not too far away and started looking around the lake. Anya watched them for a little bit before she grabbed Clarke and motioned for her to follow. Clarke narrowed her eyes at the warrior, but she nodded and followed. As they move deeper into the trees, Clarke realized that Anya was marching away from where she thought the Ark fell and the dropship. She was still not thinking completely clearly from having practically drowned, so she wasn't too happy to being led straight to the enemy.

"Where are we going?" she asked.

"Quiet," Anya hissed. "Do you want them to hear you and find us? I will kill you. Don't forget that. So, let's go. Quietly."

Clarke gave her a sharp nod and started moving. Not knowing where they were completely kept Clarke a little disoriented, but that didn't mean that she wasn't learning the terrain. She moved as Anya moved, or as close as she could to it. For being injured, malnurished, and severely dehydrated Anya was moving like a machine through the forest. But, Clarke understood it. She was a Tirkru warrior and she was trained for this. Clarke wasn't.

It was sometime later, but Clarke wasn't sure how long they had been free of the Mountain. She could barely see the sun and where it was on the horizon due to the thickness of the forest. She decided that it had to have been at least an hour, but the could still hear the security detail following them.

It didn't seem to matter how quiet they were being. They were just there. She knew that Anya had taken what she assumed were evasive actions, but it didn't seem to matter. They were always just there, just behind them, still following and talking loudly like they didn't care if they were heard. It didn't make any sense.

Clarke racked her brain about it as Anya pulled them up the side of a hill with some outcroppings that they could hide behind. As they crouched down to hide, it finally came together for Clarke. They were tracking them. She didn't doubt that Dr. Tsing and the others would tag some of the Grounders and release them in order to "harvest" more and possibly wipe out an entire village. But, they weren't looking for more blood. They were looking for runaways. And, it was possible that it happened before, but those runners had never made it back to a village to let others know of the dangers inside the Mountain.

"They are tracking us," Clarke told her in little more than a whisper.

Anya looked at her. Clarke realized that she didn't understand. So, Clarke wondered if she was the one tagged. Anya was just a Grounder and while her blood was a stop gap, Clarke was sure that her blood was the final cure. She patted down her own body. She was feeling for something under her skin. She knew that it would have to be somewhere that was detectable and easily accessed for Dr. Tsing. The crazy doctor wouldn't hide it. She had no need.

"Feel your body. They put something small and most likely metallic inside us. They are tracking that to find us. We are their cure, Anya. They can't let us get away to let more people know. They can't risk it," Clarke told her as she kept running her hands over her body. "It should be just under your skin."

Anya looked at her and realized that Clarke had to be right. Clarke knew tek and the Mountain Men were notorious for theirs, and their fayogon. Clarke watched her as she checked her own body. It was obvious that Clarke didn't have this tek in her.

"This better not be some trick. I told you that I can't go back without a prize. And, you are my prize, Skaigada," Anya hissed back at her.

"It isn't. Just look. You should feel it."

Anya ripped her sleeve and pulled it down. They both saw it. A small bump on her skin, Clarke immediately moved forward.

"It's you," Clarke stated. "I can take it out. I just need something sharp...and sterile."

Anya couldn't wait. She leaned over and bit the tracker out of her arm. Spitting it to the ground, she looked Clarke dead in the eyes and said, "I will not go back there."

Clarke just cocked an eyebrow. What could she say to that? She understood. She was just surprised at Anya's fortitude to do something that drastic, but the medical side of her brain was thinking about how she needed to care for the wound soon before it got infected.

Anya grabbed a bit of sleeve and wrapped it around it. Clarke tried not to be upset, but she knew that the wound was going to need more than that. Anya however wasn't waiting. Without the tracker, the Mountain Men would get lost in the woods and they needed to not be there. She grabbed Clarke's arm and turned deeper into the woods.

Clarke knew that they weren't free of the Mountain Men. They were still in their territory. They had cameras and could track them that way. They needed to move and move fast...away. The drop ship would be an ideal place to start, get a few supplies before they turned towards whatever village Anya wanted to take them. She wasn't sure that Anya would go for her plan.

"We need to head to the dropship for some supplies."

"No, we go. Now. We will find what we need in the forest," Anya told her.

She didn't want to fight with Anya. They had done that before a few lives ago. It wasn't pleasant then, and it wouldn't be pleasant now. Clarke realized then that she could remember everything. She knew that going back to the Ark without a large contingency was tantamount to suicide. Anya would be killed and Lexa would want blood if she ever found out. Clarke couldn't have that. She also knew that she shouldn't pursue Lexa. She needed to make sure that she kept her meetings with her brief and only professional. It didn't matter how much she loved her. Clarke was the reason that she was dead. She didn't want that on her conscience, again.

"Okay, so we head to your village," Clarke offered.

"That is too far from here," Anya replied.

"Well, we need to go somewhere. So, where do you suggest? Is there a village near here that the Mountain Men fear?"

"No, but there is a village close enough. From there, I can send word to our leader about you, Skaigada. She will want to meet you," Anya told her.

"Will she kill me?"

"I doubt it. She'll want to learn from you," Anya replied. "You are like the Maunmon."

"We aren't Maunmon, Onya."

"We will see," Anya mumbled and they continued walking.

Hours must have past and Clarke was just starting to recognize the area. They were getting close to TonDC. And, gauging the sunlight, they wouldn't make it until dark. Anya stopped and looked up. She looked worried.

"What is it?" Clarke asked her.

"I don't know, but the animals are quiet. They've all retreated into their dens like when the fog comes," Anya answered just as horns blew. "It's the fog. We must find a place to hide. Quickly or it will eat our flesh."

"I know you have no reason to trust me, Anya, but I know where we are. I know where we can hide, but you have to trust me. We need to work together in order to save both of our peoples. I don't want to hurt you. I want to help," Clarke told her.

"Show me," Anya demanded. "And, hurry. We don't have much time."

Clarke nodded and started through the trees. She was running. Anya was hot on her heels. Clarke was both amazed at Anya's speed given her condition and the fact that she wasn't tripping over roots and branches herself. As she looked around at where they were at, rain started pouring down. It was heavy and pelting. Clarke turned to look at Anya, as she mentally tried to calculate how long they were missing in this life.

"A storm? From where? There was no storm this day," Clarke said.

There had been no storm that Clarke could remember. She tried to remember if the guards from the Mountain had ever come back in wet. She moved faster this time, but she thought she would have remembered a storm or signs of it. Then again, she was just as clueless as Anya was about the amount of time that they were prisoners of the Mountain. Looking to Anya, she waited to see what she would say.

"Skaikrasha," Anya stated.

"Is that bad or good?" Clarke asked her.

"Storm. Bad. We get inside now."

"Okay, let's go," Clarke replied as she pulled Anya further into the woods.

When she reached the area of the hidden bunker, Finn's "Art Supply Store," she stomped around the area until she found the hatch. She bent down to open it.

She urged Anya down the ladder. She knew that she had to be in pain and the rain wasn't making things anything better. Now they were cold and wet. They were both injured, Anya more so, but they were also hungry. They had been going for hours with only a few sips of water. She was tired and wanted to sleep, but she knew that she had to take care of Anya first. She watched as Anya fell down towards the end of the ladder. She didn't wait anymore. Clarke rushed down the ladder, pulling the bunker door close and locking it into place.

"We'll be safe here for a while," Clarke told her.

"The rain will be toxic because of the fog. When it mixes, we stay inside for at least two days. We will have to wait," Anya replied.

"Two days?" Clarke asked making sure that she heard Anya right.

"Sha," Anya answered.

"What does that mean?"

"We will wait here. It is a good place. Safe and dry, but does it have light? Can we have a fire?"

"No, no fire, but there are lanterns. Stay there, I can sorta make you out. I'll get them," Clarke told her as she moved around Anya to find an old oil lamp.

She dug around until she found the lamp and a small pack of matches. She struck the match and lit the lamp. Slowly, light started to fill the bunker.

Clarke turned and looked over at Anya. She was shivering. The blood on her arm had dried, but Clarke was itching to look at it and treat it.

Thinning her lips, Clarke decided that they needed to dry off and change. She reached out for Anya and pulled her towards the bed on the left side of the bunker. She didn't want to check her over on the right one. It still had a pile of blankets and pillows on it. She would check over Anya and then put her to bed. She needed the rest more than she did.

"Sit, please," Clarke said to her as she moved deeper into the bunker.

She rummaged around in the back of the bunker. She came back with some clothes and blankets. She had some clean rags that would have to do to as towels. She handed a few to Anya as she dried herself.

Clarke turned her back to Anya and began to strip and dry herself. At this point, she didn't care about propriety. She dried quickly and changed into the dry clothes. When she turned around, Anya was barely dressed. Clarke almost turned around to let her dress, but she realized that she needed to treat her wounds. So, she reached over to the cabinet on the wall and grabbed the med kit. It wasn't the great, but it would suffice for now.

"I want to look at your wounds. I just want to treat them. I've trained as a healer. Will you let me?"

Anya's light, almost golden-brown eyes watched her. She grunted in ascension. With a cocked eyebrow, Clarke moved closer and started to pulling off the medical wrappings that the Mountain had used. With each unwinding, Clarke found bruises and marks.

"I would not let them touch me easily," Anya told her as she studied one of the bruises more than the rest.

"As you should have as a warrior," Clarke replied and swore that she saw Anya preen at the praise.

Clarke wanted to shake her head. She knew that the phrase would be considered high praise for the warrior woman. She dug around in the med kit until she got some salves. Gently, she rubbed the salve on the bruises. She put it up and grabbed the ointment. She dabbed it on softly and blew on few of the cuts and other wounds that Anya had suffered. When she looked at her arm, Clarke knew that she would have to open it, clean it and stitch it.

"Will you let me do what I need to for that?" Clarke asked as she pointed to Anya arm.

Anya just lifted her arm out in front of her. It was all the confirmation that she need. Clarke sighed as she moved back to the storage areas in the back. She moved many things around until she found some of Monty's hooch. She also found a small knife and a candle. Digging deeper, she found some old thread and a needle. It wasn't perfect, but it would work. She didn't want to burn it shut, because it might seal infection inside. Stitching her shut would allow Clarke to monitor it more and make sure that it was clear of infection.

Clarke set her items down on the bed beside her. Tossing the wet and dirty rags away from Anya, Clarke moved closer. She realized that she would need a chair, so that she would be more steady. Moving over the desk, she grabbed the chair and sat in it, in front of Anya. She looked up into her eyes again. There was no pain, but she knew what she was about to do to Anya would.

"This is going to hurt," Clarke told her as she picked up her left arm and pulled it in her lap.

She lit the candle and had Anya hold it in her hand. Anya looked at her, in wonder, but let Clarke keep working. She grabbed the small bottle of hooch and and took a swig. She tipped it to Anya's lips. The warrior took a small sip.

"It might help with the pain a little," Clarke said.

Pulling the bottle back, she poured it over the knife and then over her arm. Grabbing some gauze from the pile, she wiped at Anya's bite. When it was dry, she ran the knife through the flame. Using the blade, she scrapped the wound back open. She dabbed it quickly with hooch soaked gauze. Grabbing the ointment, she squeezed some into the wound. She then grabbed the needle and thread. Anya didn't even flinch as she sewed her wound shut. When it was done, she grabbed some salve and smoothed it over the stitched wound. She finished it off with clean gauze and tied it off.

"You need to keep that as clean as you can for a week," Clarke told her as she started cleaning up the mess from treating Anya. "I'll check them and take them out. I need to check it again later to make sure that it isn't infected. Hopefully the alcohol and ointment will take care of anything that could have been in the wound. I don't want you to lose your arm because of this."

Anya eyed her, skeptically, but nodded. Clarke moved to the back and dropped the mess in a corner. She dug around in the storage container and grabbed some panther jerky and nuts. It wasn't a lot, but it was a start. She knew that the protein was needed to help Anya heal faster, too.

"Here, eat some of this," Clarke stated as she handed her a couple pieces of jerky and some nuts.

"Mochof," Anya replied. "Thank you."

"You're going to have to teach me your language," Clarke muttered. "When you're doing eating, move to the other bed and get some rest. I'll stay up and take first watch. We talk more about our union later."

"I should take first watch," Anya insisted.

"Look, I get that you are a proud warrior. I'm sure that you've fought in many wars and dealt with less than ideal conditions. You're safe here for now. We'll find our way to that village when the storm passes," Clarke told her. "We're safe here for the moment. There's water and some rations. We're warm enough and there are beds. We can't stay her forever, that's true, but we will be comfortable enough until we can leave. And to be honest, I know that you're in pain. You need the rest, Anya. It's okay. I won't tell anyone that you rested before me. You are still a badass warrior. I promise. But, please, just rest for now. You can be all badass and alpha warrior when we leave. Okay?"

"I have no idea what you said, but I will rest. Wake me in a few hours. You need rest, too. Heal yourself, Clarke. I am not the only one that was injured by those nomanjokas," Anya stated.

"Deal," Clarke replied. "Now, get in the other bed. It sleeps better."

"You know this?"

"I might have stayed a few times before you attacked. We were also storing things here in case we had to hide from you and your warriors," Clarke explained as she moved to help Anya up from the bed. "I'll tuck you in."

"I am not a child."

"Trust me, I know," Clarke said as she eased Anya into the bed.

"Clarke?"

"Yeah, Anya?"

"Did you mean what you said about a union with me?"

"Yeah, I need a union with you to take to your leader. I figured if we were together, they would listen to what I had to say. I would have your backing and you would have mine with my people. We need this union in order to save our people from the Mountain. But, don't worry about it now, Anya. We've got time to work it out. Sleep and rest for now. You're safe here. I'll watch over you and make sure that we are taken again."

"Sha, skaiprisa, sha," Anya murmured as she settled into the old mattress and felt her body surrendering to the comfort. "You aren't what I expected. You care more than let on, and the spirits have touched you. That much is obvious. A union with you would be something that not even Leksa could deny."

"What?"

"Could you know our traditions? Do you know what you are asking of me? Do you know what you've already done towards a union with me, Skaigada?"

"I don't understand what you are saying, Anya. Rest. We can talk later, promise," Clarke replied.

To emphasize her point, Clarke leaned down and kissed her on the forehead. She knew that Anya might not understand that it was a sign of care, but she hoped that it would give Anya some measure of peace so she could sleep deeply. She needed it. Clarke grabbed the chair and moved closer to the bed. She wondered if Anya needed her companionship. Was the trauma of the Mountain so great that the warrior couldn't sleep without proof that she was safe? Could Clarke being close enough to her give her that peace? She reached out and held Anya's hand.

"Sleep. I'll still be here when you wake," Clarke said and slipped repeating words that Lexa had told her a few lives ago. "Ai swega klin." (I swear.)

Chapter Text

Clarke sat by her side and held Anya's hand for a long time. When she knew that Anya was finally in REM sleep, she placed Anya's hand under the covers and made sure that she was tucked in, snuggly. With Anya asleep, she knew that she needed to take stock of what was in the bunker. With the storm blowing outside, they would be there for a few days. She hoped that the rain didn't bring the acid fog down on them and taint the ground in such a way that they got burnt when they were climbing out.

It was this with this thought that she looked around to see what she could use to counteract the acid. She found some cleaners with ammonia and a really old box of sodium bicarbonate. She was lucky she even found that. The box was so faded that she could barely read the label of baking soda on it. She didn't really know what it was for, but she knew it would help. She only had the one box, so she would have to use it sparingly if it was needed.

She moved back to the little desk. The oil lamp was still bright. There were hours left of oil in it. She didn't need to look around. She knew what was in there.

She went to the back to the area where she could relieve herself and did. Thankfully, there was a fan of sorts that pulled the smell up and out of the main chambers of the bunker. After taking care of business, Clarke went to where the items for the children that were supposed to have survived there during the bombs. She pulled out some crayons and colored pencils. She found some paper and then went back to the desk.

She was amazed at the color that they produced and happy to have them. Never having anything like this on the Ark, she knew that it was common place for the children before the bombs. She was amazed that their parents or the adults in charge managed to save them so many sets for them to use. She didn't know if they were high quality or not, but she knew that they would get the job done for her now.

She was steadily sketching and coloring while Anya slept. It didn't just help her relax. It helped her think and plan. She could gather her thoughts. She felt like there wasn't any pressure. She could just think about it while her hands were busy drawing. Yeah, it passed the time, but it always her remember what she was fighting for. It never failed that she always drew her father. He was the one that always pushed her and made her focus on the bigger picture, especially when she was fighting with her mom. Other people showed, too. She couldn't help drawing Madi. She'd spent so much time with her on the ground and then...She didn't want to think about that. She also didn't know how she was going to explain Madi to Anya. She doubted that she'd understand. There were pictures of Octavia, Raven, and her mother. Some of Bellamy, Miller, Jasper and Monty.

She hadn't really heard Anya stirring. She knew that she should have, but she was just too lost in her sketching. It was her whimpering moan that finally got Clarke's attention. She turned around to face the other woman. She could see the pain etched on her face. Clarke was up and out of the chair immediately. She got to Anya's side, hoping that she could soothe her back to sleep if she did wake.

Anya was sweating just a little. Clarke wondered if she had a fever, so she reached out to feel her forehead. It was a little clammy, but she didn't have a fever. She was just warm under all the blankets. Clarke went to move a blanket when Anya caught her arm.

"Going to kill me in my sleep, Skaigada?" she quipped. "So much about your union."

"No, I wasn't going to kill you. I don't want to kill you. I'm not a warrior, Anya. I'm a healer. I want to help people not hurt them," Clarke told her. "You're hot. I thought you might have a fever, but you don't. I was just going to remove a blanket so you would be more comfortable."

Anya watched her. Clarke did as she said. She reached down and pulled one of the blankets off the bed. She folded it and placed it on the other bed, so it was still close if needed. Looking back over at Anya, she realized that the warrior needed more water.

"You need to drink," Clarke said as she handed her a canteen of water.

Anya took it, but she didn't stop staring. Clarke couldn't figure out what her issue was, but she decided that now wasn't the time to worry about it. They were stuck together in the bunker for a few days, according to Anya's prediction with the storm and the fog. There would be time for them to hash out their issues.

Clarke knew that it should unnerve her with the way that Anya had started watching her. It was different. There wasn't this overwhelming need to hide and hope that the warrior woman didn't kill her. Now, it was different. It was reverent and and full of admiration. It was like a switch or something was clicked inside Anya's head while she slept. She was still wary of Clarke, but she wasn't as cold to her. Honestly, it reminded her of her mother on some points, but on others, it was Lexa. It was like Anya was always studying, learning, and assessing. Clarke understood that she was that way because she was a warrior, but it just surprised her at how much Anya was doing it towards her, now.

"How do you feel?"

"Tired, sore, free," Anya replied.

"I get all that."

"You should rest, now," Anya told her as she moved to sit up.

"No, I'm fine. Rest some more, Anya. You had it worse than I did in there. I can wait a few more hours," Clarke stated as she gently pushed Anya back down in the bed. "Besides, I want you to be at all most full strength when we leave. We've got a few days of being stuck in here, remember? A few hours more of sleep isn't going to hurt either of us. Rest. I'll try to make something a little more palatable out of the stores."

Anya looked at her harder. Clarke had to know about their rituals. Anya didn't know how she'd learned about them so quickly. And, then she stopped and thought about it. Linkon, she mused. He must have told the one he liked called Okteivia about their customs. He was trying to woo the girl. Even Anya could admit that she would be a good match for him and for the Trikru. It had only been a few weeks and Clarke had only met her a few times. Watching her as she moved around the bunker, Anya began to wonder. Did Clarke think that bonding with her through a union was the best thing for both of their people? She had to have her reasons, right? And, was Anya the best candidate for her to union with? She found it all strange. She decided that she wouldn't worry about it now. Clarke was right. They had time. They were alone in the bunker and Clarke wanted to plan their union out.

Did she not already know that she was almost half way there? It made Anya feel weak, again. Clarke, a relative goufa, was courting her easily. Anya shook her head. Clarke didn't just have the spirit of the leader and a healer. She had the spirit of a leader. She knew that it was rare. Lexa had it, and it was obvious that Clarke did as well. She was thinking beyond the feud between their people and to their futures, together, as one. And, now she was proposing a union between them. Anya was just a little surprised that she had been so adamant about it that she'd completed two of three requirements for a union between them. Anya knew that she would have to think about it some more. She sunk down in the bed and stared at the ceiling. Her thoughts racing.

Clarke was beautiful, Anya couldn't deny that. She was sure that if Lexa ever met her, she'd swoon over the blonde. While women could be soft in a strong sense, Clarke wasn't completely soft. She was more woman than child. She had needs and wants like any other adult, and it seemed that Clarke had set her sights on Anya. She preened a little at the thought, but she knew for Clarke it was more of a means to an end. They needed each other in order to attack the Mountain, and being unioned with Anya would make things hard for Lexa to deny the rest of Skaikru and an alliance.

Clarke had already fulfilled two of the four things to make a union between two souls. Clarke had used those words. She specifically said a union. She didn't ask for an alliance or a trade agreement. Clarke spoke of a union between the two of them, and she wanted it completed before Anya took her to Lexa. Clarke was playing the long game. She'd picked Anya. She selected Anya out of all those in the cages and rescued her. Clarke chose her and then she started the ritual. She knew then that Clarke must believe that they would be good together. The thought made her proud. Clarke was claiming her for her own. Anya smiled at the thought. And, then she realized that Clarke might not have realized that she was the one that was proving how well of a houmon she would be for Anya. It wasn't grand and overt gestures. They were were more meaningful and intimate. They were more Clarke.

Anya thought about the four offerings that a potential suitor would provide. Clarke had unwittingly given her freedom. Anya wasn't sure if she meant it as part of her offering of protection, but Anya would count it. And, it was just the beginning of Clarke's protection. She'd freed Anya, gave her shelter from the storm and the fog, and she helped protect her from the Mountain Men that were chasing them by telling her about the tek in her arm. And, then to top it all off, she healed her, protecting her body. She watched over her while she slept and promised to check her arm, protecting it like was the most precious thing in the world to her. She promised to hide the fact that Anya was weak from her people. Clarke was giving her protection in abundance, and all Anya had done was let her. But, that hadn't stopped Clarke from continuing. Next, she gave her nourishment. Sure, it wasn't a lot, but the jerky and nuts were more than she'd had in days. Anya hadn't failed to notice that Clarke gave her more than she took for herself. And, now, Clarke was looking to make something for them to eat when she woke again. Once again, Clarke was providing and she wasn't. If Clarke somehow managed to give her an offering of creation... Anya stopped. She knew that the blonde would. She wouldn't stop the courtship now. Clarke would just find a way. If she did, then all they would have to do was share her body with Anya and the ritual would be complete.

Again, Clarke must have thought this through as she saved her from the Mountain. Maybe that is why she was looking for her. It was clear that Clarke thought enough about her to risk her own life to rescue her, and all Anya did was leave her alone and then threaten to kill Clarke herself. She hadn't acted appropriately. She would have to change that. Clarke was more than worthy of her, and she would prove it.

Clarke's ability to adapt and think ahead made her a brilliant tactician. Anya appreciated that. Clarke stood out, even among her people, with her sunray golden hair and eyes like a summer sky. She was passionate to a fault, but her confidence could be deceiving, arresting, and just plain appealing. Anya realized that she had to do something. She had to answer Clarke's passion with her own. She knew if she didn't, Lexa wouldn't be the only one that didn't let her live it down. Anya was a strong and proud warrior. She was a provider. She wasn't selfish. She would answer Clarke's call with her own.

She looked back at Clarke, what little she could see of her from her position on the bed. Resolute in her steadfastness, Anya rolled back and let the comfort of the bed take over again. She would see what she could do to bolster her spirit and provide her offerings to Clarke when she woke again. She would allow Clarke this day to protect her complete in order to heal, but tomorrow, she would prove how strong she was and give Clarke her union.

Clarke looked back into the other room. She'd heard Anya thinking hard as she restlessly moved around in the bed. She knew that the proud warrior wasn't used to be down for so long. She'd seen in Lexa and Octavia. Anya would be no different. Finally, however, she heard Anya settle with a sigh.

She'd stayed in the back longer than needed because she didn't want Anya to think that she was crowding her. She knew that if she thought Clarke was babying her, Anya would rise from the bed and demand to march onwards to TonDC or wherever. She needed the rest, so Clarke was giving her room to maintain her pride. She also knew that Anya had to be stiff. The bed was better than the forest floor and a cage, but it rivaled the ones in the Mountain.

Clarke shivered. She didn't want to think of the Mountain. She hated that place. It was nothing but trauma, in ever lifetime...at least so far. And, Anya always broke her heart when she found her. They shared the trauma of that room and what the Mountain Men were doing to the Grounders. And, it was a trauma that Clarke was determined to stop. Having a union or alliance with Anya would make things easier when they spoke with Lexa. She knew how the Commander felt about Anya, so giving her back was a big boon in her book. Shaking off the thoughts of the Mountain, Clarke grabbed the dried meats, so roots Octavia said were good, and a small stash of berries. It wasn't much, but it would make a find dinner before Clarke changed places with Anya and slept

In a small pot, she added water and the jerky. She figured rehydrating it for a while would make it better and easier to chew. She let that sit. She found a small camp stove and used the one of the lantern cans of oil to light it. She hadn't lit it yet, though. She wanted to wait on the meat. She wanted to test it before she cooked it with the roots and stuff. She kept the berries on the side for something sweet, like a dessert. Clarke wasn't even sure what she was going to make was going to be good. She hoped that it was and that it would be better than just the dried meats, nuts, and berries.

After a while, she pulled out a piece of meat and chewed it. It was better, but it would be even better hot. She lit the stove and placed the roots in first to make them more tender. She was glad that she watched Murphy, learned from Octavia, gather with herbs with Monty, and listened to the cooks in the Tower in Polis. She wasn't a ranzi, but she could make something out of this. She went back for some spoons, hoping a soup would be good enough for Anya to eat when she woke. She tested the roots and they were soft enough for her to add the meat back. She used some of the herbs and other things to give it more flavor. She stirred it a few times before tasting it.

"Not half bad," Clarke said, proud of herself for being able to cobble something together out of what they had.

She heard Anya stirring in the bed again. She was just about to go wake her for dinner, when the taller blond shot up in the bed. Clarke moved quickly to calm her. She didn't want Anya to hurt herself anymore than she already was.

"Whoa, there, Anya," Clarke stated, softly. "You're safe. We're safe. We're not in the Mountain anymore."

Anya's eyes were wild, but they calmed at Clarke's words. Her golden eyes turned and locked onto Clarke's azure gaze. They held, and slowly, Anya remembered where they were and what had happened. She sniffled, but covered it with her hand, and realized that she didn't smell the mountain. She smelled soup or stew, a road camp classic. Turning she faced Clarke and cocked her head in both speculation and wonder.

"You made soup?"

"I did. It's probably shit, but it's better than jerky, right?" Clarke replied. "Do you want some?"

"Of course," Anya said carefully. "It would be my honor to accept your gift of nourishment."

Clarke cocked an eyebrow at her wording, but she didn't say anything. Instead, she brought over one of the small bowls and spoons. She handed the meal to Anya and waited for her to taste it.

"This is good," Anya told her. "You've done well. Are you secretly a ranzi?"

"I don't know what that it," Clarke lied. "Should I be impressed?"

"Ranzis are heda's cooks. They are the best in all of the kongeda. So, yes, you should be impressed."

Clarke smiled and nodded. She took the praise for it was. She'd impressed Anya, and she knew how hard that was to do.

"Good. Eat up. When we're done, I'm going to look you over and check your arm. Then, I'm going to loosen up your muscles some before I go to sleep."

"Loosen up my muscles?" Anya asked. "I don't understand."

"I'm going to use my healer's touch to make sure that you aren't cramping and can still move fully. It won't take long and it shouldn't hurt. But, we'll worry about that later. Eat for now," Clarke explained. "I also have some berries."

Anya smiled. Yes, Clarke would make a great houmon. Anya would give her the union, but first she would get her offerings together for Clarke.

Chapter Text

Clarke smiled as Anya ate the impromptu stew. She had to admit even to herself that it was good. She was amazed but happy that it was filling.

She sat back in the chair and stretched. Her back was unhappy with her, and she knew that she needed sleep. She needed to take care of Anya, first, though. She'd promised. She knew that a good massage would help them both, but she didn't know if Anya knew how to rub out muscles like she did.

After they finished eating, Anya insisted on cleaning up. She used a little bit of the water to wash out the bowls and pot. She knew just like Clarke that they had to ration what was there for now. They still had another day or two inside before it would be safe to go.

When Anya came back into the main part of the room, she looked at Clarke. She could see how tired she was, and Clarke was looking longingly at the bed. Smiling tightly, Anya moved up to her. She got closer than she normally would, but she wanted to see how Clarke would react to her being so close. She knew that Clarke wanted to take care of her, but would Clarke let her take care of her? It was a question that had plagued Anya the entire that she ate. Clarke had been doing everything to keep them safe and cared for since she pulled her out of the water below the Mountain. Anya knew that she had to repay the kindness, even if she didn't really know how.

"You said that you needed to check me again," Anya stated and waited to see what Clarke would do.

She startled but covered it quickly. She turned to find Anya directly behind her. Clarke flicked her eyes up to meet Anya's. There was that strange fire in Anya's eyes again. Clarke couldn't define it, or if she could, she didn't understand it. Since Anya woke the second time, she seemed more docile. But, even Clarke knew that wasn't the right word. Anya was never docile. She was cold and calculating, so Clarke could only wonder what her angle was now about their union. Did Anya think that it was a good idea, too? Clarke wondered. But, her thoughts quickly turned to the taller woman before her. Clarke wouldn't think that a few inches was enough to intimidate her, but this was Anya, warrior extraordinaire. She could feel the warmth of Anya's body so close, and part of her wanted to surrender to it. Clarke felt needy and she hated it. She just wanted to be held, but she wouldn't dare ask Anya to do it. She was sure that the other woman would just slit her throat in her sleep and be done with it. Well, she had before now. Now, she wasn't so sure what Anya would do. She was surprising Clarke just as much as she was sure she was surprising Anya.

"Yeah, I want to look at your arm and change the bandage."

"Is that wise?"

"Yes, it is," Clarke replied as she took a step back, closer to the bed that Anya had been sleeping in, and raised her hand expectantly.

"Do you have enough supplies for it?" Anya questioned. "I can wait until we get to the village and have it checked there. We do not need to waste your bandages."

"Anya," Clarke said exasperatedly.

"Clarke," Anya replied, coolly.

"Please just let me look at it and make sure that my suturing wasn't in vain," Clarke practically begged, still holding her hand out waiting for Anya's arm.

Anya's mouth crooked a little at Clarke's plea and command in one. Yes, she will make a fine houmon for me, Anya thought as she lifted her arm for Clarke to inspect. Clarke carefully untied and then unwound the gauze she'd used earlier, making sure to keep it in the same order. She knew Anya was right. She'd reuse it this one time and discard it again in the morning. They did have limited supplies, but Anya still needed to keep her arm. Holding the gauze in her right hand, Clarke carefully inspected Anya's stitches. She pushed around the wound looking for fever and abnormal swelling. There wasn't any and Clarke couldn't help the smile that crossed her face.

"So?"

"You'll live," Clarke teased.

"I would hope so," Anya quipped back.

"It looks good. There is no inflammation or fever. Looks like we got it all cleaned out and taken care of before anything could happen. You'll keep your arm," Clarke stated.

"Then, I am glad that you did whatever you though necessary."

Clarke scrunched her eyes in question, but she didn't ask anything. She was just trying to analyze Anya's change in behavior. She could have blamed in on a concussion, but Anya didn't show any signs. She seemed perfectly find considering everything that she'd suffered in the Mountain. Now, she was be obnoxiously...kind. Anya wasn't kind. She was cold, aloof, and distant, but ever since she woke, she was closer to Clarke. She shook the thoughts from her head. Anya must have missed being cared for and around people that weren't warriors. And, maybe she was different outside of war, but Clarke had never seen it to know. She didn't have a point of reference for this side of Anya.

"Did you heal yourself?" Anya asked her.

"I cleaned my wounds, yes," Clarke answered.

"Should they be checked as well?"

"They're fine," Clarke replied quickly.

"Prove it," Anya pushed.

Clarke cocked an eyebrow at her. This was a step that Clarke wasn't prepared for. Anya was now commanding her. She knew that she was fine, but she knew that might have nightmares. There was no cure for those except time and possibly someone to talk to. Clarke didn't think that Anya would volunteer for that job, so it was out of the question. She looked at Anya harder, wondering where this care was just hours before.

"You are tired. You need rest," Anya told her. "But, you need to heal yourself, too. You have to be well for our union to take place. If you need me to help, just ask. I might not be a healer, but I have done my fair share of healing on the battlefield."

"You have?"

"Yes," Anya replied. "I am grateful to know that hooch can help clean wounds even though it burns like a nomajoka. I will remember that for my next battle and make sure that my people carry a small flask to help themselves heal. You are truly a good healer. You say you saved my arm and I believe you, but now, we need to treat your wounds, Clarke. You cannot just simply go on without treating yourself. What could would that do for our people? They wouldn't want you to suffer unnecessarily, would they?"

"Low blow, Anya, low blow," Clarke muttered as she pulled off her shirt.

She hadn't wanted to admit that her ribs were bruised. She knew they weren't broken, but she'd landed harder than she wanted in the tunnels. The cold of water from the pool and the adrenaline coursing through her veins staved off the pain long enough that she'd forgotten about it. She knew it wasn't a bad bruise, but it would be sufficient enough to be marked. She felt the slight pull in side and just worked with it and not against the pain.

"When did that happen," Anya said as she ran for the med kit and the salve inside.

"When we fell from the trash chute in the Mountain," Clarke told her looking into Anya's eyes and seeing fear, but it was fear for Clarke's wellbeing. "When we dropped through the floor and into the reaper tunnels. I hit harder than I thought. I'll be fine in a few days. It smarts, but I'll be okay."

"You need rest."

"You do, too," Clarke countered.

"I have slept enough. It is time for me to take watch. It is your turn to sleep, Clarke. You need your sleep, and we'll talk about the union later. I promise, I will hear you out."

Anya didn't wait for an answer. She reached into the jar of salve and gathered two fingers worth. She smeared it quickly on Clarke's side and her bruised ribs. Clarke smarted and hissed. She looked dead into Anya's eyes and saw her worry start to falter. Clarke took the jar of salve and sealed before setting on the bedside table.

"I don't doubt that, but you need to stretch your muscles or you'll get tighter. Being cramped in that cage wasn't good for your mobility," Clarke stated. "Lay down on your stomach and let me give you a massage. After that, I'll sleep. I promise."

"And, what does this massage do?"

"I'll rub your muscles and loosen them up. It will feel good and keep you moving. It will make sure that you don't get tight and possibly injuring yourself because you moved wrong and your muscles weren't ready for it," Clarke explained.

"And, this is medicine?"

"Yes, at least where I come from it is. It is especially helpful after an injury. We learn how to do these things to help people heal better. Sometimes splinting an injured arm can weaking the muscles while healing the bone, so we have to heal the muscles after. It is something like that, does that make sense?" Clarke asked her.

"Yes, it does," Anya answered and laid down. "I will take this massage. I will this type of your medicine."

Clarke smiled and waited for Anya to get settled. When she was settled, Clarke climbed on top of the bed and straddled Anya's lower back. She right the shirt that she was wearing to make sure that there was some sort of barrier between Anya and Clarke's skin. Normally, Clarke would have a lotion or salve or something to rub Anya with, but supplies were limited and she didn't. Anya's shirt was going to have act as a barrier for now. When she was done with the shirt, she watched as Anya turned her head and laid it upon her hands. She was facing the other bed and the desk. Clarke just reached up and pulled her hair out the way and set up off to the side. Anya cocked an eyebrow but said nothing as Clarke got to work with her hands.

Anya had to bite back a moan as Clarke worked the muscles in her back. She'd had similar treatments to her legs after long rides, but this was downright sinful. Clarke couldn't know what she was doing to Anya. Sure, Anya had been single for a few years. She'd not had a real relationship since her former lover had been killed in the battles with Azgeda. She knew that her body was responding to Clarke's touch in more than a medicinal manner. She was partially ashamed by it betraying her in such a way, but then again, she wondered if she was responding to Clarke's touch that way because of the proposed union. They would have unite their souls and become like one. It was usually done under the stars, in the forests, but Anya couldn't be choosy now. Clarke had already started the proposal, and she meant to finish it. Her body sang from Clarke's touch and she couldn't wait to feel it for real as they completed their bond.

Anya was brought out of her thoughts by Clarke's gentle touch against her cheek. She hadn't remembered closing her eyes, so they flew open at the touch. She turned her head searching Clarke's eyes for something and finding it, even if she couldn't put words to it.

"How does that feel?"

"Good," Anya said simply.

"Good. Now, get up. It's my turn to sleep."

Clarke disembarked off the bed, and Anya immediately sat up. She got up and helped Clarke get into the bed. She could see how tired the blond was. She felt selfish again for allowing Clarke to indulge her when Clarke needed the rest more. She was self-sacrificing. Anya would have to help her overcome that, to a degree. She couldn't have her houmon going on and getting herself killed just because she wanted to help. It would serve no purpose and it would probably destroy Anya completely.

"By the way, there is extra oil for the lamp on the desk, if you need it," Clarke mumbled as she climbed into the bed.

She thought about Lexa after Costia. She could already feel herself being pulled to Clarke. She knew that it would destroy her if Clarke was hurt. She knew that she had to do something in order to protect the blonde even from herself. She was almost as bad as Lexa, but it was because she felt too damn deeply. But, unlike Lexa, Clarke didn't hide it. She was out and open with it. Anya was going to have to teach her to rein it in, or Clarke would get used by the other leaders in the Kongeda.

As soon as Clarke was set, Anya mounted her like Clarke had. She rubbed her hands down Clarke's back. She tried to remember the movements that she felt and mimic them. She must have been doing it right because Clarke moaned. She smiled. She knew that she wasn't just helping her future houmon heal, she was making her feel good. Anya smiled and continued to rub. Eventually she felt Clarke's breathing change as she fell asleep. Happy that she'd relaxed her houmon, Anya worked herself off Clarke and then bed without waking her. She quickly gathered the blankets and covered her up. Now, that Clarke was asleep, Anya had to plan.

She had to come up with her own offerings for Clarke. She was too prideful to let Clarke be the only one to declare her want for the union. She knew that Clarke didn't mean it as a slight, but she also knew that she had to thank the fools, Linkon en Okteivia, for telling Clarke what to do. Anya wasn't so prideful that she worried about status, but she knew that being bonded to the leader of Skaikru would carry a lot of weight, especially with Lexa. And, Clarke was going to need her weight behind the union to convince most of Trikru to not kill her on sight. She knew that Lexa would forgive her for the 300 warriors. She would have to because it had been war, but as soon as their union took place the clans would be united, for the most part. Lexa would make it happen, and would announce that Skaikru was now part of Trikru or she would make them the thirteenth clan, cementing them into the Kongeda by their union alone until someone from Skaikru proper could take the brand. She would demand that Clarke represent them in Capitol, for two reasons. One to keep Anya close, so she didn't lose her mentor again, and two, because she would to learn from Clarke about their ways. That was one thing that she made Lexa learn over and over again. Never stop learning and learn from everyone around you. It will save your life one day, Anya told her many times. But, to get all that she had to find something for Clarke.

She sat at the desk. Leafing through the drawings and sketches of various colors, Anya was amazed. Clarke was talented with her capture of people. She recognized some of them as others that were in Clarke's group. The injured girl before her injury. Octavia. Two young boys laughing with cups in their hands. There was a small girl, probably the youngest among them. Her eyes were haunted. Anya recognized the demons staring back at her. She could feel how Clarke wanted to help them all, but all she had were memories. The drawings were so real. She stumbled upon one picture that she assumed was Clarke's family.

It was a blond man like her and a small brunette woman. She favored them both. They were all smiling and standing in front of what looked like window. She didn't recognize the landscape though. It just looked like a sea of stars with a bright blue marble behind them. Everything else in the picture was grey. Anya couldn't help if that was a memory from her Ark in the stars. Is that what the sky looked like above? Anya could only wonder.

Three more pictures down and she stopped cold. There was a sheet that just bore multiple versions of Tris. In some she was smiling. In another, she was crouched low like she was hunting. There was one of her laughing in front of campfire. Anya was taken aback by the artwork. Clarke had never seen Tris like this. They had only met on the bridge before it was blown and then when Anya forced her to try to cure the girl. She knew that Clarke had done everything that she could, but Tris didn't survive. It was the same night that Linkon betrayed their people and rescued Clarke. The night that Tris died was the night that she'd lost her friend in banishment. Anya closed her eyes, trying to blink back the tears. Clarke had captured Tris perfectly. She might not know why Clarke chose to draw her former sekkon, but it was a creation that Anya would cherish.

And, then Anya gasped. Were those drawings of Tris and others a gift to Anya for the offerings of creation? If they were, then Clarke had completed the cycle. They would only have to join for the union to be complete. She knew that Lexa might find the gifts lacking for Anya's worth, but she didn't and that was what mattered. If Anya accepted the offerings, regardless of worth, and accept Clarke as her houmon, not even Lexa could break their bond. Only they could or death.

She looked over at the blond. She went to the back of the bunker and found a piece of metal and a rock. It wasn't sharp, yet, but Anya could and would make it into a decent knife. She knew what she had to do, so she sat at the desk and started working the metal to a point. Clarke had fulfilled the three offerings before they bonded their bodies and soul. Anya would not bond without reciprocating. She looked to the bunker door. She could hear the storm still raging as Clarke slept.

A plan formed in her mind. She would have to be quick and sure. She kept working the metal. By the time that Clarke awoke, she would have her offerings. She would make Clarke proud to be her houmon.

Chapter Text

Anya kept working that metal until she had a semblance of a decent knife. She would use it to hunt and then make it into a knife for Clarke. She would count it as part of her offering of creation. If they were in the villages, she would get weapons made for Clarke. She doubted that Clarke would use them though. And, the more she thought about it, the knife would be perfect. Clarke could learn to defend herself with it and use it for medicine as needed. Everyone needed a good knife. This one wasn't ready yet, but it would be. Anya guaranteed it. She kept working it until it was deadly sharp. She went back to the storage area and found some of the old cloth. She used that, some old wire, and a broken piece of some machine to fashion a handle. It was crude but it would serve.

Anya would look for better materials while she was out of the bunker. She knew that she couldn't leave Clarke alone, not now. Especially since Clarke had not only proposed the union but had fulfilled her obligations in the proposal and courtship. She would come back and make Clarke proud of what she had accomplished for their union.

She moved closer to Clarke. She made sure that the blonde was tucked in and warm. She moved a canteen of water, and not hooch (she sipped it to make sure), by the bed. She leaned over and kissed her forehead. She didn't know if that was a sign of comfort or endearment for the Skaikru, but it felt right for her to return the gesture. When she was sure that Clarke would be safe while she was gone, she headed up the ladder and out of the bunker.

She unlocked the door and waited for a lull in the storm. As soon as she heard it, she was up and out of the bunker, softly closing the door as to not wake Clarke. She quickly marked a tree and covered the hatch. She didn't want anyone else to find Clarke's little sanctuary.

In the storm, the world was still. She could feel the fog still linger in the storm, but it wasn't as strong as it could be. Anya took this to be a good sign. It meant that she wouldn't have to worry too much about her flesh.

She ran through the trees. She knew basically where they were, but she hadn't been in these woods since she was a child. She just needed to find the river. Once she did that, she would be able to find the cave that her fos had shown her. She knew that the knife wasn't going to be enough in the hunt. She just hoped that the cave was still stocked with gear like most Trikru caves. It was a measure of survival for the whole clan. Everyone stocked the caves because everyone in the clan used them.

She was in luck. She'd found the river and the cave. Inside, she found some cloth to dry off with and some heavier clothes to protect her while she hunted. There was also a spear. She knew that she needed it. Grabbing it, she headed back out into the fray of the storm. The rain wasn't so heavy as to hurt, but the drops were large and thick. She could only hope that the storm broke soon.

Working her way back into the trees, she knew that she would need to go up in them to get a better vantage point. She didn't know what game would be out in the storm, but she knew that something would. The fog had passed and the animals knew that it was safe to be out again. The acid hadn't lingered. The storm had washed most of it away, and what had run into the rivers and creeks was being carried away by the storm further down river. The people were safe, so Anya didn't have to worry. She needed to find something to eat though.

She decided to work her way back towards the bunker. She would feel safer hunting closer. Plus, she'd seen a bush of berries and some apples. Smiling, she kept going. She would be back for the fruit. She needed meat, fresh meat, first.

She didn't have to wait long. There was an old, large, white-grey wolf stalking around. She watched it from her perch. The thing was huge. She wasn't sure that she could take it down with just the spear, but she hoped that she could. This wasn't just a test of strength for Anya. This was a test of devotion to Clarke. She knew that she could make many things from the wolf. As the thoughts about what she could give Clarke from the wolf, it raised its big head a sniffed.

Anya would swear later that the damn thing huffed at her. He didn't seem to care that she was there. In fact, he looked up in the tree at her, huffed, and then continued on his way. Usually, she would just let the wolf go, but he was the only thing big enough for what she needed, and she didn't have a lot of time. The wolf was perfect and it seemed like the spirits had sent him to Anya for this cause. Maybe he was an old wolf out for his last hunt. She didn't know, but she knew better than to question the spirits when they provided. So, she moved around the tree and gripped the spear tighter.

As the wolf passed by under her, she steadied her heartbeat. She knew that it would do for a warrior like her to be nervous now. She was a seasoned veteran, just like this wolf. She wrapped her fingers around the shaft of the spear as she readied herself to pounce out of the tree. She held the little knife in her left, ready to use it, even though she knew that she would be gripping the spear with two hands as she dropped out of the tree. The wolf moved again. He turned and circled under the tree. She didn't know if he was taunting her or begging her to end his life, either way, she timed her drop. When he circled back again, she launched.

A battle cry flew from her lips as she descended down upon him. The spear missed its mark as she landed just behind the wolf. While he was old and grizzled, it didn't mean that he wasn't going to go down without a fight. Anya blew out as she watched the wolf turn on her. It was at this moment that she knew if the wolf didn't kill her, Clarke would. The wolf was larger than she originally thought. He was almost as tall as her, and now, he looked mad that she'd disturbed his trek through the forest. He raised his head at her and sniffed the air. Anya realized that it was blind, but his size would still be an issue. The wolf sniffed again, raising its head high, and exposing his chest. Anya knew that she could wait. She lunged and buried the spear center mass and hoped to miss the ribs and find his heart.

The initial strike missed and pissed the wolf off. He took a measured swipe and caught with Anya's front leg. Oh, yeah, Clarke was going to kill her now. Hobbling, Anya backed up to the tree and waited. The wolf followed only so far before it started sniffing again. Raising its head, one last time, Anya waited until she could try again. As soon as she found her mark, a dark gray spot just to the left on his chest, she aimed for it and struck with all her weight behind it. She felt the spear sink into the wolf's body and then stop. When she looked up, she was standing under the head. The wolf let out a small, whiny howl and then collapsed to her left. She was still holding the spear and breathing hard. She laughed as she remembered Lexa attacking a bear by herself to protect Costia just before the Conclave. Titus had been pissed and Lexa was regulated to the Natjus barracks for weeks. Clarke was going to be just as bad. So, Anya decided that she needed to make her offerings the best that she could from this old wolf.

Kneeling beside the wolf, Anya laid her hand on it and said, "Yu gonplei ste odon."

She slit it's throat to end the pain and drain some blood. Looking around she knew that she wouldn't be able to just pick it up. Gathering some large branches, Anya quickly fashioned a sled and put it the wolf on it. She dragged it back to the cave to begin butchering it.

After she'd butchered it, she decapitated it before skinning it. She grabbed a big pot and boiled the meat off the head. She would use the skull to make Clarke a pauldron. She took the skin and fur and stretched it. She would come back for it and take it to the village tanner. It would make an awesome cloak for Clarke to war. It would symbolize not only her worth as a warrior but as a leader. Together with the pauldron, she would be a sight. It made Anya smile.

She cleaned the spear and put it back while she waiting on the head. Looking out the mouth of the cave, she realized that she'd been gone for hours. She ate some of the stores and checked the head. It was almost ready. She pulled it out and cleaned what she could off it before putting it back in the boiling water. While she was waiting again, she cut strips of meat and cooked them. She left some tender and smoked the rest for jerky. Wolf wasn't exactly her favorite, but it would do on the road. It was also fresh, so she knew that the meat was good. She found a storage pouch to place it in.

Looking around the cave, she found an old piece of antler. It was small and almost handle shaped. She knew that it wouldn't take long to fashion the knife for Clarke. She sat down by the fire with some of the random tools left in the cave and began working on the knife while she waited on the head. Every so often, she'd pull the head and scrape it clean before dunking it back in. Another session or so and it would be ready. Until then, she decorated the handle of the knife. She carved a set of stars into the handle. She hoped that Clarke would understand their meaning.

In the meantime, the storm had lessened from a downright pour to a constant stream. It wasn't thick and heavy anymore. She knew that she needed to get going back. More than likely, Clarke had awoken and she wasn't there. And, depending on how angry Clarke was with her, it would be all for naught.

She stood up to secure her bounty in a pack when her leg gave out. She'd forgotten the wound the wolf gave her. She found some medicine and cleaned it up. Hopefully, it would be enough to placate the fiery blonde back in the bunker. Anya knew it wouldn't, but she had to try. With the berries, apples, nuts, and random vegetables she'd found, Anya grabbed the pouch of meat and tossed it into the pack. She fixed up the knife transferring the blade into the antler. She used the wire and cloth to make a sort of sheath with a small bit of leather that she found. Happy with her creation, Anya added it to the bag. She knew that the skin would have to wait. She was leaving it for the time being. All that was left was the head.

She finished packed and patching up her leg. As soon as she was done, she sat by the fire and started working on the skull. First she removed the lower jaw. Then, she hollowed it out, so that Clarke's shoulder would fit inside. The teeth would cover Clarke's shoulder. It was perfect. She held it back and into the light from the mouth of the cave. It was a good bit of armor. It would serve Clarke well and mark her as a leader. Wolves were respected and feared, just like Clarke should be. She was cunning, tenacious, and surprising with her attacks, but she was calculating and merciful when needed, too. Clarke was her little wolf. The thought of Clarke wearing her armor and being her houmon filled Anya with pride. Yes, Clarke was going to turn heads, but she would prove herself quickly to the Trikru.

Finally finished, Anya grabbed the skull and the bag. Wrapping up in some of the furs, she head back out into the rain. Trekking back to the bunker took almost no time. She'd found her mark and then the bunker hatch. Before she descended though, she created a brush blanket to slide over the hatch. She didn't want anyone to find them because the metal of the hatch was exposed. The storm would probably break in the night. This meant that hunters would be out in the morning. She and Clarke needed to talk. They needed to consummate their union before they left the bunker, and Anya didn't want to be interrupted by an errant hunter or scout looking for those who might have gotten caught in the fog or storm. When she was happy that it would serve, she opened the hatch and slipped inside.

She dropped the bag down before her. It hit with a splat. She dropped the furs next. The made a noise, but Anya couldn't explain it. It was more like a wet thud. When it was all inside, she started down the ladder, pulling the hatch closed and making sure that the blanket covered over it. When she was down far enough, she locked the hatch. Continuing down, she made it to the bottom.

Turning around, she was met with sunshine and cold, blue fire. Anya normally wouldn't back down from anyone or anything, gulped at the sight of an angry Clarke. She knew what angry Clarke was capable of. She stood there, dripping, soaking wet, and waited for the verbal tongue lashing that was to come.

Clarke's eyes flitted all over her body. Thankfully, she was still wearing some of the fur from the cave and it was hiding the wound on her leg. Clarke's eyes landed on her face and waited for an explanation. After a few seconds, she cocked that perfectly sculpted eyebrow. It was a silent demand, command, and question all in one. Anya wanted to break, but she knew that she couldn't. She was a warrior for spirit's sake. The mere sight of Clarke angry should break her and make her want to apologize.

"And, just where the fuck have you been?" Clarke hissed at her.

Well, jok, don't hate her, Leksa, she is a good woman.

"I need some things."

Clarke just shook her head and looked at her incredulously. "You needed some things? In the storm, you needed something? Like what?"

"Things that would bolster my spirit for our union, niron," Anya said, hoping that the term of endearment would help her. It didn't.

"So jumping off the dam into the pool of unknown depth to escape the Mountain didn't do it? Hmm? What about biting open you own arm to remove the tracker? That didn't do it for you, either? What the fuck was so important that you had to go out there, risking life and limb, for what was it, again, 'Something'?" Clarke demanded.

Skrish, I love her fire, Anya thought and looked deeper into her eyes. The truth was the only thing that Anya could and would give her. "You."

"I'm sorry, what? Did you just say me? Because, Anya, I was asleep. I wasn't out there, so you want to try that again."

"Sha, niron, ai ste no kwelen. Ai ste yuj. Yu gaf ain. Ai gaf yuj, den ai laik yun," Anya told her as she stared deeply and emotionally into Clarke's eyes. (Yes, lover, I'm not weak. I am strong. You want me. I need strength, then I'll be yours.)

She could only hope that Clarke saw that she meant every word she spoke.

"I have no idea what that means, Anya, and you know it. I don't speak your language. I only know a few words."

Anya took a step slowly forward. She reached down for the pack and opened it. She took another step and handed the pack to Clarke.

"I needed to bolster my spirit."

"I'll bolster your spirit, you idiot. We're you trying to get killed out there?" Clarke asked as she started to deflate reaching into the bag and pulling out an apple. "You went out there for food. You risked dying for food?"

"No," Anya stated as she stook another step forward so that she was in Clarke's space. "I did it for our union."

"What is it about this union that has you so up in arms? Damn it, Anya. I need you alive. What part of that don't you understand. ALIVE. I can't go to your leader with you dead. They wouldn't believe me. I'd be dead on the spot and we both know it. As it is now, I'm living on borrowed time. So, do me the curtesy of taking me to my death and not leaving me to find it on my own at the end of one your people's swords or something," Clarke told her.

"You will not be killed now, Clarke. We will finish our union and then we will be joined. No one would dare touch you after that. It would mean death," Anya stated.

Clarke looked at her. Shaking her head, she moved back towards the desk. She was cleaning up the sketches while Anya just stood there. Finally Anya knew what she had to do. She had to give Clarke her offerings, and then offer herself up to the younger blonde. Clarke might have initiated their union, but Anya would cement it and close it. She began to take off the furs and find a place for them to drip dry in the bunker.

She forgotten about her leg again. It was an honest thing for her. She'd been trained to ignore pain and drive on with the battle, mission, or hunt. Pain let her know that she was still alive, but it could also be a distraction in battle. Anya was in pain. It hurt, but she'd learned not to show it. Wounds would be dealt with after the battle in the safety of the healers' hut. But, Anya hadn't been in a true battle, Clarke was a healer, and there wasn't a hut for miles. She stumbled when she moved to get closer to Clarke. The younger woman heard it and turned to see blood seeping through Anya's pants.

"What happened?" Clarke asked as she immediately moved to support Anya back over to the desk.

She put Anya on the desk so that she could look at the wounds. Clarke studied the four parallel lines that started at four different points on Anya's leg. Bending over, she knew that some animal had taken a defensive swipe at Anya. The animal may be dead, but Anya was about to be hurting worse.

"What happened?" Clarke hissed.

"Pakstoka," Anya answered. (Wolf)

"What?"

"Wolf," Anya replied.

"You were attacked by a wolf?!" Clarke screamed.

Anya knew that Clarke wanted to lash out but her healer mind was winning. She watched as the blond went to get the medical supplies again. She grabbed the candle, too. Clarke came back to the desk with rags and started drying Anya off. Huffing, she looked at the wound again. It was too late to stitch it. She would do better by burning them shut, but she didn't have anything big enough to it. Anya was in pain and Clarke was angry with her. She knew that she couldn't help her like this. So, Clarke backed up and put her finger in Anya's face.

"Don't move. I have to find something to close those," Clarke ordered as she turned to go back into the storage area, mumbling under her breath. "Of all the insane, idiotic..."

Chapter Text

Anya didn't move. Clarke paced in the back storage area. She was trying to calm herself down. She'd almost slapped Anya. She wasn't violent, mostly, but when she woke up and Anya was missing, Clarke got worried. And, now, she found out that Anya had gone out into the storm for some idiotic sense of honor or something. Clarke wanted to ring her neck, cut her braid, and march to Lexa with a proclamation of peace. It would never work and she knew it.

Clarke was irrationally angry. She knew it. Anya knew it, but was smart enough to say nothing. Clarke knew why, too. She was still trying to process the trauma of the Mountain. She didn't want to admit how much it affected her, but it did. And, Anya shared that with her. But, then Anya was just gone and Clarke was alone. Clarke didn't do well when she was alone. It gave her too much time to think, to remember, to be haunted by the ghosts of people she'd killed in lives she can barely remember.

And, that was the crux of the problem. Clarke cared. She cared because she knew who Anya was to Lexa. It might not be the total or correct motivation for Clarke to want to keep Anya alive, but it was working. They'd escaped together. They hadn't really fought. Hell, she'd even agreed to go back to Lexa as Anya's prisoner. But, Anya had to prove herself and went hunting in the storm. And, Clarke definitely wasn't feeling like she was Anya's prisoner anymore.

"Of all the alpha male shit," Clarke mumbled. "I expected better of you, Anya. Bellamy, I could see doing this. He's an idiot that thinks he knows what's best, but you...you're a fucking general. You...no, I didn't expect it, because you're smarter than that. Guess I was wrong."

"I needed to repay you," Anya replied.

Clarke came flying out of the storage area with a thin strip of metal. Anya looked at it and realized that was the other half of whatever she'd used to "forge" the knife she had for Clarke. Looking at the metal and then back at Clarke, Anya could only wonder what it was for.

"You don't have to repay me, Anya. We saved each other. I just want the killing to stop, and the only way I see that happening is with a union between our people. You agreed with me, but then you went out there and did this. I just don't understand."

"The spirits demanded it."

"Oh, the spirits huh? What did they demand of you, Anya? To die in the rain?"

"No, to fulfill the offerings of a union with you. I have nothing to give you here, but you have already given me so much. I had to repay it. My honor demanded it. I am general and the fos to our heda. I have a high rank among my people. To not repay you would be seen as..."

"Poor etiquette?"

"I do not know this world, niron. You will have to teach it to me, and I will teach you our language of Trigedasleng," Anya told her. "No, my honor would be tarnished if I didn't repay you after I accepted your offerings. It would make the dealings between our people worse. I couldn't allow that to happen. Your offerings have been different but they fulfilled all the requires for the bonding of our union. And with our union, you will have a better chance to speak with Heda and get terms for your people."

Clarke huffed and deflated. She looked deeply into Anya's gold-brown eyes and saw all the emotions swirling there. Clarke wanted to laugh because it was always in their eyes. They could hide the pain in their bodies, but their eyes always betrayed them. Closing her eyes, Clarke took another second to center herself. Opening her eyes, she found that Anya was reaching for her hands.

"Would you deny me help now, niron, when we are so close to finishing the union?"

Clarke looked at her. She knew that even though they both spoke English, they didn't. Nuances, slang, and phrasing were different. Clarke was still speaking a modified and evolved version of English from pre-bomb Earth. Anya spoke a bastardized version that was more formal and bookish than dialect. She knew that this was through teaching since Trig had become the master language of the survivors. English was taught to the warriors because of the Mountain. So, Clarke knew that worlds had meaning, but she wasn't sure that she and Anya proscribed the same weights and meanings to their words.

Holding her hands, Anya looked into her eyes. Clarke shook her head and pulled her hands free. She reached down and ripped the pants leg open further. The gashes were deep, but too jagged and spread for stitches. She wanted to scream at her and call her an idiot, but Clarke held her tongue as she assessed each wound. Shaking her head again, she grabbed the oil lamp and placed the thin metal in its flame. She would have to wait for the metal to get red hot. While she waited, she cleaned the wounds and Anya's leg as best as she could. Cloth after cloth was tossed in the corner covered in blood, muck, and rainwater as Clarke cleaned Anya up. She muttered under her breath the entire time and it made Anya smile. Clarke was doting on her like a houmon would after a warrior returned from battle.

"It didn't hurt much," Anya told her.

Clarke looked up into her eyes. Cocking an eyebrow at the expression, Clarke looked at her incredulously. When she looked deeper into Anya's eyes, she could see the mirth.

"You are an ass," Clarke told her as she sat down in the desk chair to get closer to the wound. "You aren't getting any hooch this time, and I hope it hurts. You big idiot."

Anya just laughed at her distress. Clarke shook her head but got to work. She started by make sure that there was no debris in the wounds. When she was done, she checked the edges of the wounds and realized that while it was a jagged cut, it was clean. Letting out a breath, Clarke reached for the ointment. She was going to seal it inside and hope for the best. It wasn't the greatest, but Anya had already proven to have a strong immune system with her arm. She could only hope that it carried over into her leg as well. After smearing the ointment on the wound, she looked at the sliver of metal. It was ready. She grabbed a small piece of cloth and wrapped it around the end that was on the desk as she gingerly lifted the metal from the flame.

Looking Anya in her eyes, she told her that it was going to hurt. Anya just nodded and pointed to her leg. Clarke understood the gesture for what it was and proceeded to burn the marks shut. She hated the smell of burnt flesh, but she knew that it was the best way to make sure that Anya didn't get an infection. It would scar, but Clarke knew how proud warriors were of their scars. It reminded them that they survived when others didn't. It was so stupid and such an alpha mentality that Clarke wanted to scream.

When she'd finished burning them all shut, she lathered on more ointment. She wanted it sit for a few minutes before she rubbed on the salve. She wanted as much treatment on the wounds as possible. She stood up and moved to start cleaning. Anya didn't move. She stayed seated on the desk and watched Clarke move. She was still muttering as she went. Rounding quickly from the storage area, Clarke stared her down. The healer realized that she needed to check Anya completely because the warrior woman might be hiding some other wound just out of bravado.

"Take off your shirt," Clarke demanded as she started back into the room.

Anya did as she asked, keeping her eyes on Clarke. She felt a little off. Clarke was angry, but she was still pushing forward with the union. She took a deep breath and reached out for Clarke again. Holding her hands, she could feel the other woman trembling.

"You do not need to be afraid, Clarke. I am a good warrior and hunter. It will take more than a big wolf to end my fight," Anya said trying to reassure her.

"Well forgive me for wanting you to be healthy and whole. I like your spirit where it is, Anya. I need you for this union. We need this union to save our people and you..."

"Got the offerings required to fulfill the union, Clarke. I am sorry to have worried you, niron, but my spirit would not rest until I had offerings for you."

Clarke looked up and met her eyes. She heard the seriousness and something more in Anya's words. And, she was calling her something besides "skygirl," and she didn't know what the new nickname meant or was. It didn't sound bad. It sounded almost loving, but Clarke shook off the notion.

"Do you want to know what they are?" Anya asked her.

"The offerings?"

"Yes, niron. Do you want to know what I've gotten for you to close our union together? They are in the bag," Anya told told her and looked down at the pack she'd brought back from the cave.

Clarke stood and looked at the bag. She didn't move to grab it, so Anya did. Pulling it closer to her side, she flipped it open and pull the flaps apart so Clarke could look inside. After a few seconds of Clarke just standing there, Anya leaned forward and pulled Clarke between her legs. Meeting her eyes, she could see the worry still. Anya knew that she had to make it better. Holding Clarke by the waist between her legs with her left hand, she reached into the pack and pulled out some of the apples and other fruits that she gathered and taken from the cave.

"I saw how much you liked the berries last night. I thought you would like more fruits to try. I found these while I was out. They've been washed so there is nothing on them to hurt. I made sure," Anya said as she handed a small red apple. "This is my offering of nourishment."

Clarke looked at her puzzled. She didn't know why Anya was offering her food for their union, but she'd only had an apple once and liked it. She took the apple and took a bite. She had to hold in the happy moan that wanted to escape, but her eyes didn't hide the emotions from Anya. The warrior smiled at the healer as she took another bite.

While she was chewing, Clarke thought about the alliance that she'd had with Lexa. The Commander had never gone to such lengths for her or for the alliance. Clarke racked her brain and couldn't remember once where Lexa had provided her food as an offering to cement their alliance except at the ill-fated feast they were to share that ended with Gustus' death, Raven being scarred, and Clarke drinking hundred year old vodka to prove a point. This was different, but the more that Clarke thought about it, the more she was confused. Anya wasn't talking about an alliance, she said union. It was the same words that Clarke used, but it seemed more intimate. She trusted that Anya knew what she was doing, because she needed her to go to Lexa. They needed to both convince Lexa to mount up against the Mountain.

"Okay, it was good, but you didn't need to get me fruit."

"I did," Anya insisted.

"To appease your spirit for the union?"

"Sha," Anya replied and dug around in the pack again. This time she pulled out the wolf skull and handed it to Clarke. The blonde took it slowly and turned it over and over. Anya realized that it took her a minute to realize what it was.

"Is this the...?"

"Sha, I killed it. The skin is drying in a cave not far from here. We'll have to get it. It will make a nice cloak for you. I want you to stay warm in the winter, but it will also mark your rank among your people with that," Anya explained, pointing at the wolf skull.

"And, how would that show my rank?" Clarke asked as she flipped the skull over to see the teeth hanging down.

"It is a pauldron. You wear it on your shoulder. This lets all the people around you know that you are important. Heda has one that bears the sash of her station. I will make sure that the wolf pelt hooks into it for you. This will show everyone that you are the leader of Skaikru and they will give you the respect that you deserve, niron."

"Well, it will certainly say something, but I'm not the leader of my people, Anya."

"You are. Heda will accept no other. She's been told about the girl with the yellow hair that commands the sky warriors. Our people already know of your feats."

"Great," Clarke lamented as she sat the wolf's skull back down.

Anya reached over and picked it up. She turned it over and then pulled Clarke closer so that her right shoulder was in front. Placing the skull on her shoulder, Anya smiled.

"I hollowed it out so that it would fit your weak side. You fight from the South and not the North like most warriors. I will stand to your North and guard you when we meet Heda. With the pauldron on your shoulder, she will see that you have rank and that I put you in a place of honor," Anya stated as she made sure that it fit. "I will make you a strap from when you don't have the cloak. It looks well on you."

"That's great, Anya. Thanks for that," Clarke said as she pulled Anya's hand and the skull back down. "It is something that I always wanted."

"Mockery is not the product of a strong mind, Clarke," Anya quipped back at her, but let Clarke move her hand anyway.

Clarke smarted at the words and looked deeply into Anya's eyes. She lost herself in memories, but in them all, she knew that Anya had trained Lexa. It would make sense that she learned the phrase from the older woman. This made Clarke question Anya's age. She trained Lexa and Lexa was only a few years older than Clarke. Anya couldn't be too much older. Clarke wasn't that worried about it, but it nagged her enough to ask.

"Anya?"

"Yes, Clarke?"

"How old are you?"

"I am twenty-eight winters old," Anya told her.

Clarke quickly did the math. That only made her ten years older than herself. It also made her wonder how old she was when she took Lexa on as a sekkon. Lexa was just twenty years old. She knew that sekkons were taken on young and in most cases around eight. Tris had been around twelve, and she was probably Anya's second sekkon. Shaking her head to clear her thoughts, she looked back up at Anya. The older woman was still a mystery to Clarke in so many ways.

"Does that matter to you, niron?" Anya quickly asked when she saw Clarke thinking.

"No, no, it doesn't. I was just thinking is all," Clarke answered. "You are young to be a general, though, right?"

"Not so young, no," Anya answered.

"Okay," Clarke replied and hoped to drop it.

"The pauldron is my offering of protection," Anya said, as she tried to capture Clarke's attention more fully again.

Clarke turned from Anya's eyes back down the skull. She thought about what Anya was telling. She'd given her offerings of nourishment and protection. She thought about what Anya had said about their union. There were offerings to be made before the bonding could be complete. Had she unknowingly been giving Anya offerings of her own. And, if so, when did she start and what were they? Anya said nothing, though. She just kept Clarke between her legs as she sat on the table. She held her gently there, but Clarke knew that if she wanted or needed to move she could.

"How many offerings are there in total, Anya?" Clarke finally asked.

"Four," Anya replied.

"So, you've giving me the offerings of nourishment and protection."

"Sha, niron," Anya said.

"And, that is was in repayment of my offerings?"

"Sha," Anya answered.

"So, I am guessing that you accepting mine offerings then, for our union?" Clarke questioned as she was trying to reason out what was really going on between them now.

"Yes, I did. That is why I had to bolster my spirit. You gave them freely, and while in most cases of a union only one gives the offerings, my honor would not let me accept without giving you offerings as well. I want this to be a strong union between us and to accomplish that, my spirit has to be strong like yours," Anya told her.

"So, can I ask why you agreed to accept my offerings?" Clarke inquired, hoping that Anya would tell her what the offerings were, too.

"You asked me to trust you. I know that you are a strong warrior and leader. You suggested the union to bring our people together. It made sense once you explained your reasonings and I know that having a union with you, being bonded to you, would raise your status with my people. You were right in the fact that it would make talking to Heda easier as well. You offered it freely after saving me from the Mountain, and then you agreed to be my prisoner to help me with Heda. You showed your strength, so I decided to trust you. Then, you showed me the bunker and sheltered me from the storm and fog. It was an offering of protection. You also cared for my arm when you didn't have to do more than basic treatment. You did more, cementing the offering, by helping me keep my arm."

"So, that was it?"

"Sha, I knew that you understood how unions worked when you shared the food stores with me," Anya added.

"The offering of nourishment," Clarke replied in understanding.

"You had already given me shelter from the storm and now, you were feeding me. You had no need to share, but you did. I was grateful for the nourishment that you provided. You also explained that I needed to eat in order to feel better and not be so weak. You provided for me. I had to repay the offering to show that I could provide for you as well. I would be seen as weak among my people if I didn't answer your offerings with my own. So, I knew that I had to go out in the storm and find food."

"You mentioned a cave?"

"Sha, there is a cave close to here that would have sheltered us from the storm but not the fog. The bunker was a good choice. Inside I found some nuts and other vegetables to make a thicker and more hearty stew for us to east. The wolf's meat can be chewy, but it is fresh. We should keep the rest of your jerky for our hike to the village after. There is also wolf jerky," Anya explained as she held Clarke closer. "I had hoped that you would like the apples and what I brought for us to eat. Do you?"

Clarke smiled up at her and nodded. "I do."

"Then my honor has been answered."

"And, what is the third offering?"

Anya turned, letting Clarke go. She looked down at the table until she saw the drawings and picked up the ones of Tris. Anya gave a sad smile at the paper as she handed them to Clarke. She waited until Clarke looked up and met her eyes.

"I wasn't sure if this was your offering of creation or not, but I believed that it was," Anya started. "You captured her so well for never having really known her. Tris was a good warrior, young, but she was learning. She was my sekkon, but I know you knew that. Having that will let me mourn her and not forget her smile. It is a beautiful creation."

"Oh, I wasn't...that was just so I could..." Clarke stumbled over her words and then looked deeply into Anya's eyes, before lowering them, again. "I'm glad you like it."

Anya smiled and sat the pages down all together. She reached out and tipped Clarke's chin up to make look up again. Blindly, she reached in the bag until she pulled out the knife. She turned it around in her hands and reached for Clarke's left hand. She placed the knife there and waited for Clarke's reaction.

"A knife?" Clarke questioned.

"It is my offering of creation to you, Skaiprisa," Anya told her and reached for it. "I honed it myself from some metal. The handle is carved deer antler that I found in the cave. If you look closely, I marked the stars of the Phoenix one side and the Boshonta on the other. They are the stars of the night you came to us."

"The Phoenix?" Clarke inquired softly as she examined the detail.

Clarke realized that it was a mixture of stars she knew. First there was Orion, which she assumed was the "Great Hunter" that Anya was referring to. Then there was a mix of Pieces and the Big Dipper. She knew then that the namings of the constellations had changed and would be different. They all had the same stars, but different stories to why they were there and what they were. This was part of the Trikru culture and she'd couldn't correct it. For them, it was truth.

"It's beautiful," Clarke replied. "But, why a knife, Anya? I'm a healer."

"Does a healer not need a knife, Clarke? It is small, sha, but it will serve if needed. I also made a sheath for it. You can carry it on a belt, hide it, or carry it on a leather string around your neck. I made it to work for you," Anya explained. "I will also make sure that you know how to use it to defend yourself."

"So, that makes the three of the four offerings for us both, shah?" Clarke reasoned aloud.

"Sha, Klark, sha, tri," Anya replied.

Clarke looked at her, swallowing hard. Her brain was running so fast, and the way that Anya was looking at her now wasn't that of an enemy but more of a lover. Clarke's eyes widened. She realized what Anya was proposing, and by accident she had stumbled into with her. Anya's union was more a less a marriage. It wasn't that she was opposed to it. Anya was a beautiful and strong woman, but when she suggested the union to unite her people, she hadn't meant a political marriage.

Float me, Mom is going to kill me, she thought. She was too deep now, though. She knew if she'd refused Anya, it would hurt her honor. The woman was strong, but she didn't know if she would live through this if word ever got to Lexa. The Commander might just kill her outright for failing to bring the Sky people to heel. At least with a marriage to Clarke, they would have some weight behind the negotiations on both sides. It wasn't an ideal match, but Clarke could think of many worse.

Swallowing again, Clarke, afraid to actually know the answer, knew she had to ask, "So, what is the fourth offering?"

"Our bodies to each other, then our souls will bond, and our union will be complete," Anya told her.

Clarke's mind reeled. This was happening. She couldn't stop it. The more she thought about it, the more she realized that she didn't want to stop it. She wanted to see how this would change things. She hoped that this would bring about peace between her people sooner rather than later, and they could change the outcome of the Mountain.

Clarke looked deeply into Anya's golden-brown eyes and smiled. She'd made her bed, so she'd lie in it, with Anya, and become her...wife. She could do this. She could.

"My mother is going to kill me," Clarke mumbled. "And, Raven and Octavia are never going to let me live this down."

To stop, Clarke's rant, Anya leaned forward and kissed her.

Chapter Text

Anya tipped her head to the side at her houmon's words. She didn't know what Clarke was really saying, and she didn't honestly care. Clarke had accepted her offerings, and she'd accepted Clarke's. Anya would move at Clarke's pace. She hadn't meant to startle the girl in front of her, but she could see the questions and fear in her wild eyes after Anya had kissed her. She hadn't meant to spook Clarke. She just wanted her to stop mumbling.

"I thought you wanted to check me over, Clarke," Anya stated and Clarke's eyes flew back to Anya's eyes.

Healing Anya was something that would calm her racing heart. All Clarke could think about was that she had accidently on purpose married Anya. Raven is going to have a field day with this one. Looking at Anya, she knew that the older woman would be patient and not rush her. That was important to Clarke, especially with the speed in which they were union-ed, her non-relationship with Finn in this life, and they were both healing from the trauma of the Mountain. They both had a lot to deal with.

The slow down that Anya gave her was calming. She knew she could focus on that. She needed to focus on that. But, she couldn't.

Anya was still sitting there in front of her, shirtless, looking like Xena coming home to Gabrielle after a fight, and she was supposed to feel nothing. Yeah, well, that wasn't working. Clarke was feeling many things and treating Anya wasn't high on the list.

She took a deep breath and tried to center herself. She realized that this was practically her wedding night. And, Anya was sitting there looking like a warrior goddess, being patient, waiting for Clarke to make the first move, and all Clarke could do was breathe. She closed her eyes and berated herself. Her mother had taught her better. She knew that she couldn't let a pretty face...muscular body...and tantalizing woman...stop her from doing her duties. She'd been trained to look past all that and heal the wounds, aid the sick, and treat the person. She could deal with her emotions later...a lot later...when they were out of the bunker and Clarke felt like she could breathe fully, deeply, again. The sad thing was that Clarke knew that she was working herself into a panic attack. She needed her mother to talk her down like she had when she was treating Finn. She could do this. She just needed to tap into that part of her brain where an avatar of Abby lived and use it. Letting the breath out slowly, she didn't raise her eyes to Anya's as she picked up a small cloth and proceeded to check over the wounds on her torso.

She was centered, but she knew it wasn't enough. She could hear her mother telling her signs and symptoms of things as Clarke continued to work over Anya's body. She felt the hardness of Anya's muscles beneath her fingers, the softness of her flesh, and the warmth of her body. She channeled it all as she wiped away the salve in some areas to check the bruising. It might have only been a day, but Clarke would swear that the salve was doing great. The bruises were all healing well.

One of the big ones caught her eye. Clarke couldn't stop herself from reaching out and gingerly touching, testing it. When she did, she looked up into Anya's eyes.

They were softer than she'd ever seen them. The adoration that Anya was showing her was breathtaking and frightening at the same time. Anya wasn't teasing her. She was being careful. It was like she understood how fragile their union still was. She didn't want to rush things, but she knew that before they left the bunker they will have cemented their "bonding."

"Anya," Clarke started.

"Sha, niron?"

"After we are bonded, will I be Trikru?"

"Sha, yu laik Klark kom Trikru. Ai laik Onya kom skaikru. Yu laik ain houmon en ai laik yun houmon," Anya replied.

"Hoe-mon? What does that mean? Is that like partner or something?"

"I think you call it spouse, husband or wife. We have no differential for sex in Trig. You are just my houmon."

"I see," Clarke stated as she kept focused on the large bruise.

Anya realized then that Clarke wasn't frightened. She was unsure of what to do. Anya tilted her head and looked her houmon. She was shy.

Reaching out, Anya tipped her head back and looked into her eyes. Clarke met her stare and gave her a weak smile. Anya just wanted to hold her. They had all evening and night to bond their souls. If Clarke needed more time, she'd give it to her.

"You need to think, niron. Stay here with your pictures," Anya stated as she stood up, moving Clarke slightly to her side. Clarke went to protest her movements as Anya put full weight on her leg, but she stopped her. "It is fine. I've had worse. I'll make us some dinner. Eat some of the fruit and nuts if you are hungry."

Clarke just watched as she left some berries, another apple and a handful of nuts for her on the desk. Anya made her way into the storage area and started to prepare a thick stew in the pot that Clarke had found. As she did that, Clarke just stared at her. She at the berries, but her eyes never left Anya's body...person, it was her person. It didn't take long for Anya to assemble something tasty.

Remembering that they couldn't have a fire, Anya cobbled together a trivet for the pot to hang from over the lamp. She sat it on the far end of the desk away from Clarke's artwork. Turning up the wick, the flame got brighter. Looking at the amount of fuel, Anya estimated how long they had until the stew was ready. Happy with everything, she went to Clarke's side.

"Come," Anya said quietly.

Clarke looked at her. She didn't know where they were going to go, but she stood anyway. Anya pulled her across the expanse towards the bed they had both slept in. Anya sat down first after thrust the covers back and away from the mattress. Clarke questioned the movement until Anya pulled her down as she lay back. Clarke couldn't help but move with her. As she landed, she made sure to avoid all of the troubled spots that Anya had on her body. With Clarke by her side in the bed, she grabbed the covers and draped them over them. Clarke was still trembling and Anya wondered if she was cold.

"Are you cold, niron?"

"No," Clarke answered.

"Rest if you need," Anya told her. "I'll hold you and protect you. I'll wake you when it is time to eat again. You are safe with me."

"I know," Clarke stated.

Something shifted though, inside Clarke. She knew that she was safe with Anya. She knew that Anya would never demand anything from her, at least not in bed. Clarke wasn't sure how she knew that, but it was instinctual. She knew that she was completely safe with Anya. And, this was why her body betrayed her.

Clarke's head nestled its way onto Anya's shoulder. Anya took her weight easily. She wrapped Clarke in her arms and allowed the younger woman to snuggle against her. They both needed the contact. Anya knew it was because of the Mountain. She might not want to admit it, but she realized that Clarke didn't care about her being strong all the time. It was refreshing. She knew then that she could break in front of Clarke, and it wouldn't be held against her. Clarke would let her break and then make her even stronger. She only hoped that she could return the feeling to the younger blonde.

Clarke molded herself to Anya's body. Her warmth and subtle strength were comforting. She felt like they actually had a chance to bring down the Mountain. Anya wouldn't betray her at the Mountain. She knew that, because Anya's honor wouldn't allow it. Clarke knew that she shouldn't be thinking such things, but she couldn't help herself. She knew that every day that she was outside of the Mountain without a plan of attack was another day closer to those in the Mountain being taken for their blood instead. She wanted the reaping to end. She needed to fell the Mountain, but she needed manpower, lots and lots of manpower.

Anya leaned her head down and kissed the top of Clarke's head. She burrowed further into the warrior. Closing her eyes, Clarke felt herself starting to drift. She let the power and warmth of Anya's body comfort her. She allowed herself to be selfish and indulge in it. But, there was still the thought of being with Anya. She knew that they had to consummate their union for it to work. And, it wasn't like she was afraid of being with a woman. She'd slept with Lexa. Anya was being patient and kind. She wasn't rushing her. She was treating her as an equal or better. She was giving Clarke time to be okay with it.

Clarke lifted her hand and placed it between Anya's breasts over her heart. It was beating hard. It faltered for a minute, but then it went back to its steady and strong beat. Anya didn't have much on, so her warm skin was tingling Clarke's palm. She raised up her hand and let her fingers dance upon the smooth, soft skin beneath them.

"Anya?"

"Sha, niron?"

"I need to make a confession," Clarke told her.

"A confession?"

"Sha, niron," Clarke mimic.

"And, what is your confession, Klark kom Trikru?"

"I've never been with anyone."

"You're with me now," Anya replied.

"No, not like that, Anya," Clarke said. "I've never bonded with anyone."

"No?"

"No."

"I'll be your first?"

"Sha, niron," Clarke answered, happy that whatever the nickname was, it was a nice one.

"You honor me even more, niron."

Anya shifted until she was up on her side. She let Clarke move with her, keeping her arm out for Clarke to remain on. Looking deeply into Clarke's azure eyes, she leaned forward and down just enough to kiss her. Anya wasn't being oppressive. She was letting Clarke lead it. She initiated it to see if Clarke would run, but when she didn't, she leaned more into it. She felt Clarke melt into her a little more.

Anya broke the kiss and looked into her eyes again. Clarke was staring at her, but she was smiling. Anya reached up and brushed the hair out of Clarke's face.

"In the Trikru, we usually celebrate a bonding under the stars. Sometimes, niron will run off in the night and not be found until morning. We have festivals four times a year and all the new couples are presented to the leaders. It is usually at these events that the next couples are found. The courtship begins and offerings are planned. A lot start bonding before the offerings are complete, but their union isn't recognized until the offerings have been accepted and deemed worthy enough."

"And, what are some of those offerings?" Clarke asked, genuinely intrigued.

"For some warriors, they will spend the Summertime learning to farm with someone in their village. Then, they will take their bounties to their choice as an offering to prove that they can provide. Some will build houses for them to live in once the rituals are complete. I saw once where a big hunter gave his giant warrior two bear pelts and a set of antlers from buck. The warrior took the antlers and made a set of knives for the hunter. They are still bonded and happy."

"If we had more time, what would you have given me?" Clarke questioned.

"I'm not sure, niron, but armor would have been part of it. I don't know if...Sha, ai laik...the armor would have been a gift of creation for you. It might have doubled for protection, but I would have made it all myself in the smithy and tanners. For protection, I would have shown you a house that I build many years ago in Mana. If that isn't where you wanted to live because you wanted to be closer to your people, I would build you a house. This would be my offering of protection. It would be our shared shelter and I would allow you to decorate it anyway you see fit," Anya told her. "I would have a little garden though. I would grow fruits and vegetables. I would teach you how to cook and bake things, especially sweet things. I know how you must like them."

"Sorry, we didn't have anything like that on the Ark. All we had was paste, tasteless paste and ration bars. They survived their purpose for survival but there was no joy in it," Clarke stated. "I can't wait to taste your stew. It has to be ten times better than my soup from yesterday. But, fruit is like an explosion of taste. Thank you for the apples."

"You do not have to thank me for providing for you, now us, niron. It is our job to provide for ourselves. You've honored me by accepting my offerings. I will provide for you until I cannot anymore. That is my way of thanking you," Anya explained. "But, for nourishment, my little garden wouldn't do. I know that you would tend it while I was away, but I would also make sure that you had medicinal plants growing too. I would introduce you to the village healer. Thesda would love to have you working with her. She would teach you our medicine and she want to learn from you."

"That sounds peaceful and quaint," Clarke replied.

"It would be. We would stay there in between whatever needed to be dealt with in Polis and between your people. I would be with you, all the time, unless we were at war."

"Then, I'll be with you. I'm not going to let you go off and die. I'm going to find you on the battlefield and patch you up," Clarke stated as if it were a promise. "I've offered to protect you by healing you. Do you think that stops as soon as we leave here?"

"No, niron, I don't."

"Good," Clarke replied. "Continue."

"Well, you'd have your house, a garden, and armor. I would go out with the hunters and bring back meat for you. I would make sure that it was butchered and brought to you daily for you to enjoy. If it was my kill, I would have the skins turned into things to keep you warm in the winter, to decorate our house, and to cover our bed."

"Is that why you brought back those furs?" Clarke questioned.

"Sha, they are warmer and more comfortable to sleep under."

"Prove it," Clarke said daringly.

She didn't expect Anya to jump out the bed so quickly, but she did. She crossed the room and touched the furs. They were dry. Smiling, Anya grabbed two and headed back for the bed. She placed them on the end and then reached for Clarke's hand. The younger woman reached back and Anya quickly hauled her from the bed. She pulled off the old Army surplus blankets and tossed them on the other bed. She grabbed a big, brown bear skin and draped it over the bed. Turning around, she grabbed Clarke and set her back in the bed. Grabbing the other fur, she turned it so that the fur was against their skin and got back into the bed.

With her back facing the desk wall, Anya was upon her side looking down at Clarke. The younger blonde seemed more relaxed now. Their talking and contact had calmed her. Anya was happy that she could do this for her houmon.

"These are soft," Clarke mused.

"You are softer," Anya quipped back.

"But, you like it," Clarke responded.

"Sha, niron, ai laik."

Clarke smiled and Anya felt like she had to kiss her again. So, she leaned over Clarke and kissed her. This time, Clarke kissed her back hard. Moving her arms around to Anya's back, she pulled the taller woman more onto her body and felt them mold together. Clarke moaned at the feeling. Her body was singing out to Anya. She wanted Anya to touch her, but she was also afraid to ask.

Anya felt her trembling again, but this time, she knew it wasn't nerves. The warrior felt better under the fears, but she would prefer to have Clarke under the stars in a clearing where she could shout her pleasure to all the spirits and they would know that Anya was the one that made her feel such pleasure. She knew that Clarke deserved such a night, away and without responsibility. It would have to wait, however, until they dealt with the Mountain. It felt good, though, knowing that the woman underneath her wanted her, her touch, her pleasure, her desire. Anya wanted to give it to her, as well, but she had to make sure that Clarke was ready.

While Anya was no stranger to pleasure, with man or woman, Clarke was. She didn't want to hurt her because she gave over to her desire. She wanted Clarke to feel cherished, because she was and she should be. Anya, now completely bolstered, wanted to worship Clarke. She wanted to take her time, and she knew she had it.

Clarke might have had other plans. She reached up and pulled Anya's mouth down to hers. For having never bonded, Clarke was listening to her body. She knew how Anya's few kisses made her feel, so she wanted to turn the tables and kiss her back. She wanted Anya to feel all tingly down to her toes. She might not have slept with Finn in this life, or Lexa, but Clarke wasn't a stranger to her own body. She knew what she liked, so she decided to try something to see how Anya would react.

Kissing her way from Anya's lips to her ear, Clarke whispered as clearly as she could, "Ai laik yuj, Onya. Meik ai yun. Beja." (I'm strong, Anya. Make me yours. Please.)

Chapter Text

Anya growled. Her blood was on fire. She held herself up over Clarke. She felt every bit of Clarke below her.

She wanted to go slow. She wanted bring Clarke into their shared lives. She tilted her head. She could smell Clarke and it was divine. All she could think about was consuming her, marking her, and ravishing her completely so that no one else would even dare try. Anya wasn't the jealous type; she didn't share well, though. It was everything that she could do now that Clarke admitted to wanting her not to pin the younger blonde to the bed and fuck her until they had to leave the bunker. Anya didn't want to just fuck her. She wanted Clarke to understand what it meant to be loved by another. She wanted her touch to feel like a brand. She wanted to be Clarke's everything now. The animosity was gone and only desire, warm and wet, remained. And, Anya's honor told her that she had to be respectful and doting to Clarke. She had to go slow, for now.

Clarke was feeling more confident, but she realized that the more that Anya stared at her, the more she seemed to be worshiping her. It made Clarke feel good. She reached up and threaded her fingers through Anya's hair, enjoying the way it felt. Anya didn't move. It was like she was too afraid to break the spell between them.

Part of Clarke's brain was screaming at her at this was wrong. The other part, which was way louder, was telling her to go through with it. She'd already promised and accepted Anya as her "wife," so sleeping with her was a no-brainer. It was also that part that was telling her this was actually for the good of her people. Solidifying the union that she had with Anya would only prove to be advantageous for them both later. It was that same part that was telling her to indulge and be selfish because she deserved it. Lying with Anya and being together wasn't going to hurt anyone. They still had to convince Lexa to join forces and then attack the Mountain. It would take days, weeks even, for that to happen. One night of pleasure with Anya wasn't going to stop that.

And, she was just so damn touched starved, too. She'd been alone in her cell in the Skybox. She'd spurned Finn, for obvious reasons, in this life. She wasn't going to go through that again with Raven. She couldn't. And, she managed to keep Octavia from trying with him, too. And, besides Finn, no one wanted in the camp but maybe Bellamy, but Clarke had standards and wasn't just going to become another notch in his bedpost. It didn't matter how her helped her and that when he finally grew up in a year or five that he might actually stand a chance. (As long as Lexa lived, he never would, and well, Bell always found a way to screw things up, so...) She might think about it. But, now, she was with Anya. Being separated in the Mountain had reminded her of the Skybox. Then they were running for their lives. It wasn't like she picked the bunker as place to have some big rendezvous. She picked the bunker because of the storm and fog. They'd needed shelter. And, Anya was just laying there.

Her body was reacting to Anya's warmth. Her core was reacting to Anya's closeness. Her mind was lost to the power that Anya, still wounded and weakened (never weak) conveyed with each touch. She was calling out for Anya's spirit and Anya's spirit was answering in kind. Clarke had to admit that she'd never felt anything like this, except with Lexa. It was consuming, and she didn't know what it was about the two, but she craved it.

Part of it was selfishly because she wanted Lexa to live. And, if staying away from Lexa meant that she had a relationship with Anya, then she would suffer greatly. This life was so different than the last few. And, maybe that is why she was so drawn to Anya. Maybe it has always been meant to be Anya. Her spirit and power were similiar to Lexa's. After all, Anya was her teacher. It made sense, but Clarke realized too late that she was losing herself in her head.

Anya decided to fix that for her. Noticing that Clarke was drifting, she leaned down to Clarke's ear. Growling, slightly, she felt Clarke shiver as she said one word: "Ain." (Mine)

"Sha, yun," Clarke replied.

Anya shifted slightly to her left side. This put her back to the table again, but it gave her full use of her right arm and a gorgeous view of Clarke in the bed. She reached up and brushed the hair out of Clarke's face. She smiled down at her. She let her right hand wander until down Clarke's unclothed left side. She could feel her skin react to her touch. Flicking her eyes up, she met wide pupils surrounded by a darkening blue. Smiling at her again, Anya leaned down and kissed her.

Clarke smiled into the kiss. It was soft, but she could feel Anya's desire and power behind. Knowing that she would have to push Anya, because she was just being too sweet, Clarke reached up and buried her hands in Anya's hair. Holding her against her mouth, she deepened the kiss. Anya moaned against her lips.

Understand that Clarke wanted her just as bad, Anya moved the kiss from her lips to her jaw. She followed the line of Clarke's jaw down to her right ear and nibbled a bit on the lobe. Clarke moaned softly. Anya was not deterred by her sounds. It just spurred her on. Coming down the side of her throat, she landed on Clarke's shoulder.

Leaning up more, she looked down at Clarke, again and smiled. She ran her hand up Clarke's left side then across her torso. She lightly moved her fingertips up Clarke's sternum. She rested the palm of her hand between Clarke's breasts for a few moments. She could feel the rapid heartbeat below, and she knew that she was the cause. Looking up into Clarke's eyes again, checking in to make sure that younger woman was still comfortable, she shifted until her weight was on her hips and elbows. Snuggling her hips between Clarke's legs, she leaned down and kissed her again. Needing the contact and rush before she went further.

When she broke the kiss this time, she was just inches from Clarke's face. Her eyes darted back and forth with both of Clarke's. Her hands however moved to Clarke's shoulders. She toyed with the straps of her bra. With a slight nod, Anya brought them down over the curve of her shoulder. She looked down and watched as the material moved, exposing a little more of Clarke's breasts to her. Without breaking her gaze, she reached over and raised Clarke's head. Pulling some blankets and the pillows under her neck, Anya made sure that she could see what she was about to do.

Kissing her again, thoroughly, she allowed Clarke to deepen the kiss again. When she thrust her tongue in Anya's mouth, the older woman didn't question it. She just went with it and lightly sucked on Clarke's tongue. Anya wasn't a fool. She knew that Clarke was old enough to have to kissed, even if she hadn't coming fully into her second life yet. Clarke amazed her. The desire that she gave off was addicting to Anya. The older woman knew that she could lose herself in Clarke if she allowed it, and for now, she was going to allow it. She wanted to know everything about the younger blonde and how she sounded when she came. Spurred on by this thought, she shifted until she could worship and lave the top of Clarke's breasts. Running her tongue across the creamy, unmarred skin, made Anya drunk.

Clarke's hands would scratch at scalp and pull at her hair. Anya quickly realized that scratches meant it felt good, but pulling meant it felt too good. Pulling was also usually accompanied by a breathy moan. A moan that Anya was quickly realizing made her dizzy with lust and wantonness. Carefully, one hand at a time, she reached up and pulled down the cups to Clarke's bra. She didn't bother to remove from Clarke's person. She just got it out of the way. Now with her nipples exposed, Clarke gasped when Anya took one in her mouth. Suckling hard on the flesh, they both moaned.

One of Clarke's hands moved from her head and down her back as far as it could. Anya felt the slight tug on her breast wrap. Flicking her eyes up to meet Clarke's, she saw her want reflected back at her. She knew what Clarke needed. She shifted her weight, but never removed her mouth from Clarke's breast. She pulled and tugged until the wrapping came loose enough that she could lay back down and throw it to the floor. When her breasts were free, she laid back against Clarke and loved the feeling of skin on skin. She sighed as she went back to loving on Clarke's chest. Realizing that Clarke's bra was still in her way, she raised up and grabbed the two cups and just pulled until the cloth gave. She couldn't be bother to let Clarke undo it and remove it on her own.

"That was my best bra," Clarke lamented.

"It is silly. I will teach you how to wrap your breasts. More efficient and comfortable that flimsy piece of cloth. Besides, it was in my way," Anya told her as leaned down and kissed her again.

Getting lost in the kiss, Clarke forgot about her bra and let herself feel. She couldn't believe how nice it felt to have Anya on top of her. She wrapped her arms around Anya and placed her hands on her back. She rubbed them up and down and felt all the scars, especially the kill marks that Anya had. There were enough to prove Anya's prowess on the battlefield. She knew enough to not ask, especially while they were kissing. She could ask later when they weren't together, in bed, doing things of a passionate nature. She mentally shook head and let herself enjoy Anya's ministrations.

Anya wasn't going to let her worry about anything else. She moved down her throat again, over her shoulders and down to her breasts. Anya couldn't help but smiled when she took Clarke's nipple in her mouth again. The soft sighs and moans that Clarke gave her just made her stay there, suckling, laving, and nibbling on Clarke's abundant breasts. After a while, one of Clarke's hands moved from Anya's back up into her hair again.

"Come here," Clarke demanded with a small tug of her hair.

Anya moved back up her body. Kissing her over and over again, Anya moved them a little to their sides. As they moved Anya ran her hands down Clarke's torso. She was enjoying the way that Clarke felt and reacted to her touch. Clarke sighed again. Not to be out done, Clarke reached up and held Anya's cheek as they continued to kiss. The kiss wavered from deep to light, passionate to sweet, hard and raw to soft and tentative. They both smiled in theiber kisses.

Soft and slow, Anya ran her hand down Clarke's body until she was on her hip. The pants she wore were now an offending barrier between them. Anya worked her hand back up and then slightly under the waistline to get at the skin there. She was stopped not too far under it. Her fingertips only just brushing at the extremely soft skin hidden below. The tightness of her pants was keeping Anya from getting anything.

Giggling a little, Clarke reached down and grabbed Anya's hand. She pulled it back up to her breast and gave it a squeeze. Anya broke their kiss and looked into her eyes. There were questions there, but Clarke's actions became her answers. Giving Anya's hand another squeeze, she reached down her own body and undid the fly. When she opened her pants wide enough, she grabbed Anya's hand again and dragged it down her body. Slowly, she eased Anya's hand into her pants and to her core.

Anya gasped at Clarke's brazenness, but she didn't stop her. She moaned as she felt the heat coming from Clarke's core. Kissing her to the point where she was sucking on her tongue, Anya toyed with the almost scalding flesh of her mound. She didn't let her fingers dip inside. She was teasing Clarke, pleasing her, and waiting to see how long she was going to let Anya play. Softening her kiss, again, Anya tasted Clarke's mouth.

"Touch me," Clarke demanded.

Anya smiled against her and pushed her hand down. She cupped Clarke, just holding her mound in her hand. Her fingers spread so that they were touching the apex of her thighs. Just holding her, she started kissing her way down. While her lips searched for places that made Clarke moan out, Anya would flutter her fingers. She could feel the growing wetness between Clarke's legs. Kissing her deeper, she let one finger slip and touch the wet warmth. Moaning into Clarke's mouth, Anya shuttered against her.

"Klark, by the spirits, my beautiful houmon," Anya sighed against her.

She buried her head in the junction of Clarke's shoulder and neck, nipping slightly at the soft skin there. Clarke whimpered at the feeling, basically begging for more. Anya didn't hold back anymore. She dipped her fingers in between Clarke's lips and ran them up and down. She felt the warmth moving with her fingers, lubing up her entire core.

As Anya's fingers started to dance against her core, Clarke needed more of a connection with her. Reaching down, she took Anya's free hand and brought it up between her breasts. Holding it there, she allowed Anya to feel her heartbeat again. She kept it there and felt Anya shift her weight to get more comfortable. Now, Clarke had Anya feeling her heartbeat in two place, and she was completely connected to her new lover. With one hand on her heart and the other at her core, Clarke moaned, long and loud for her.

Anya's fingers began to move. The entire time that she had been mapping Clarke's body, her fingertips dreamed of mapping her core. Now there, Anya didn't want to leave. She wanted to feel everything that Clarke had to offer. She wanted to sneak down and taste her, but she knew that she would have to wait. It was like she knew that Clarke had to have this connection for their first time. She wanted Clarke to see who was taken her and bringing her into their second lives together. Anya hadn't felt this turned on and needy in years. She wasn't especially wanton when it came to being with a lover, but Clarke broke every rule. They beauty that she was exuding wrapped Anya in a blanket and held her tight. She didn't want Clarke to let her go. She didn't realize how much she needed this, needed Clarke, needed this type of want and dare say love in her life. She'd become so used to war and fucking that the softness of Clarke's touch had become her undoing. And, she didn't care. She craved it and wanted more.

Slowly, Anya's fingers traced around Clarke's clit, never giving it direct stimulation. Clarke ran her fingers around Anya's neck. If Anya was going to tease her, Clarke was going to touch her. Seemingly accidently Clarke found a sensitive spot on Anya's neck. She worried with her fingers, drawing moans from the older woman. Anya looked up and kissed her. Clarke buried both her hands in Anya's hair.

Tugging Anya's braids, she told her, "Fuck me, Anya. Meik ai yun. Beja."

In her need, Anya didn't ask where she'd learned to say please. She was only to happy to give Clarke what she wanted. Clarke saying please in her language instead of Gonasleng was more like a boon. She knew that Clarke was a quick study, and she was learning her body just by touch. A few words between them meant nothing, it was the kisses, touches, and need growing between them that meant everything. Anya pushed two fingers inside Clarke, knowing she was ready now, by her need and moans.

"Yu laik ain," Anya told her as she kissed her. "Our spirits will be one. Our union will be complete soon."

Clarke had no idea what she was saying. She didn't care. She needed Anya to take her. She wanted to Anya to make her cum. She needed Anya to push her over the edge.

"Onya, beja," she begged as Anya moved her fingers.

Anya knew what she needed. She shifted her hand so that she could reach deeper inside Clarke's bounty. It was everything that she could do to keep her eyes from rolling back. Clarke was so warm and inviting. She was getting drunker and drunker on her moans. The saltiness of her skin and Clarke's smell was driving her crazy. She could feel their bodies sliding against each other. The heat between them building to a fever pitch, Anya found the spot inside that would push Clarke completely over the edge and into oblivion. Clarke's body bucked up off the bed and Anya had to shift her weight, without hurting Clarke, back down onto the bed, to the furs.

Anya watched her as she started to fall. Wishing for nothing more to share this act with Clarke beneath the stars, she began to plan a place to take her once they were in Polis. She would take her there and then take her there. First, she had to make Clarke scream out.

"Let me hear you," Anya stated as she sped up her fingers.

Brushing against that spot, over and over again, Anya pushed her over. Clarke scratched down her back, but Anya didn't care. She was so far gone in her passion for Clarke, that nothing else mattered but her lover.

Clarke's eyes went wide as Anya kept playing against her spot. Each stroke was deeper than the last, each tap a little harder, and then Anya's thumb grazed over her clit sending her soaring.

"Sha, Onya, sha, beja...please, please don't stop," Clarke begged of her.

Anya didn't stop. She kept going. She wanted to make Clarke see the stars again.

She wasn't disappointed. As she continued to worry that spot and brush her thumb against Clarke's clit, her blue eyes went wild. Her body bucked and Anya had to use her own to keep her on the bed. When Clarke finally fell over the edge, she throat strained but no words came out. Her fingertips dug into Anya's body, pulling it down on top of her, grounding her and keeping her in that bed of furs with her.

Anya didn't stop her movements. She slowed them down as she watched Clarke's face. She knew that the younger woman had just come into their second life together and she wanted to make sure that she was sated completely. Their union was now complete, their spirits had bonded. And, Anya wanted to welcome her to it.

"Heya, ain meizen Klark, monin hou, ain houmon," Anya told her. (Hello my beautiful Clarke, welcome {back}, my wife.)

Clarke was still trying to catch her breath. But, she looked up at Anya. She'd called her that word again, and even though Clarke couldn't think very well having been thoroughly loved, she wanted to know what it meant. Kissing Anya and pulling her to lay against her side, almost spooning, but facing each other, Clarke finally asked her what it meant.

"Anya?"

"Hmm?"

"What does 'hoe-man' mean?"

"Wife," Anya told her.

Clarke hummed and then smiled. Oh, yeah, Octavia and Raven are so never going to let me live it down. Honestly, now, I don't care as long as she keeps loving on me like that, I'll deal with all the ribbing.

"I like the sound of that," Clarke replied. "Onya kom Skaikru, ain houmon."

"Sha, Klark, sha," Anya bade her. "Reshop."

"What about you?"

"We have time, Clarke. Reshop. Tomorrow is another day...together."

Chapter Text

Clarke fell asleep in her arms. She was warm and sated. She snuggled hard into Anya's body, enjoying the warmth and juxtaposition that the warrior woman offered.

When she woke, she was aware of two things. One, Anya was sleeping with her back to the desk, holding Clarke tight against her. Two, she was hungry. Her hunger was two-fold though. She wanted food, but she wanted Anya, too. She didn't think that it was fair that the warrior had gotten to claim her completely hours before.

Oh, she enjoyed it. She was delighted with the patience and the softness that Anya displayed as she ravished her. It wasn't a grandiose fucking. It was loving and thoughtful. She knew that Anya didn't pressure her to return the favor because she knew that she was still a virgin in this life. She didn't want Clarke to feel like she had to pleasure her if she wasn't ready. But, Clarke didn't want to their activities together to be one-sided. They were supposed to be in a partnership. They were union-ed now. But, she didn't think that they were completely union-ed. She needed to please Anya, first. And, she wanted to. She was hungry to feel the power that she would have knowing that she was the one that was making Anya feel pleasure and love. She knew how drunk she could get on that feeling.

Stirring just a little, she pushed her butt back into Anya's body and realized that she still had on pants. This just wouldn't do. Turning in Anya's arms, she rolled over to face her. As soon as she did, she couldn't resist looking at her.

Clarke took in the softness of her as she slept. She knew that it was deceiving. Anya was anything but soft when she was fighting or dealing with political issues. Clarke knew from first-hand experience. The delicate arch of her brow, the sharpness of her small nose, and the high rise of her cheeks made her exotically beautiful. She knew how hard and how soft Anya's golden-brown eyes were. She had to admit that she liked them better when they were soft and full of passionate desire than when they were hard and angry. Clarke made it a resolution, since they were now wed, to make sure that Anya never looked at her like that again.

"Niron, you're staring."

"You're beautiful," Clarke told her.

"Meizen," Anya said.

"What?"

"Meizen is beautiful."

"Oh," Clarke replied. "Yu laik meizen, Onya."

"Ai laik yuj en gona."

"Yes, you are a warrior. And, you're strong. I would never deny that," Clarke replied.

"Is there something that you need, ain houmon?" Anya teased her.

"Sha," Clarke answered.

"Chit?"

"I'm going to assume that means 'what' and say that you, my wife," Clarke told her. "I want to bring you into our second life. My spirit demands it for our union to be complete. I know that you let me rest because it was my first time, but that doesn't mean that I don't need to bring you the same pleasure."

"Very well then, niron," Anya replied with a smile.

"Will you take off your pants?"

"Sha, niron."

Anya got up. Clarke ran her hand down her legs. She was still wet, a little sore, but she wanted Anya. She watched her though, feeling her body respond as Anya finished disrobing. Keeping her hands to herself, Clarke barely remembered her removing her pants after she undid them for Anya, but she knew she had. She lay back on the bed, furs pulled back, all on display, as Anya dropped trow in front of her. She had to keep herself in the bed, but she wanted to reach out for her.

Anya turned back and looked at her. She could see the want and desire in Clarke's eyes. She knew that it was faked. Clarke wanted her as she was. She didn't want to make Anya soft. She cared for the warrior, understanding her need for honor, and want to be strong for Clarke, in any way she could. Clarke would do the same for her. She knew that now. Their union would be a good one. It would last because they would both fight for it. And, she knew that Clarke was hungry. She was as well. She knew that if Clarke touched her right, she wouldn't take long to fall over. She was still keyed up from the night before, or what she assumed was the night before.

"I need to add oil to the lamp and start something for us to eat," Anya told her.

"I want to eat you," Clarke replied with a teasing look in her eyes.

"Eat me?" Anya asked as she moved to the desk to add oil to the lamp.

"Go down on you," Clarke stated.

"I don't understand."

"I want to taste you," Clarke said.

"You've tasted me, Clarke, with your kiss," Anya replied.

"I want to taste you elsewhere with my kiss," Clarke explained as she flicked her eyes down towards the apex of Anya's legs.

Anya finally got the idea. She cocked an eyebrow and smiled at the younger woman. She gathered some of the food that was left on the table to make a stew. She quickly filled the pot with some of the wolf's meat and water. Adding just a few vegetables and spices, Anya set it to cook high above the lamps flame. She knew that low and slow would produce a thicker and better stew. She also wanted to give herself enough time to be with Clarke, maybe even tasting her, too.

She moved back to the bed. Clarke welcomed her. As soon as she was in the bed, Clarke made sure to put her on her back as she pulled the top fur over them. Smiling down at her warrior wife, Clarke leaned closer. She kept her lips hovering just over Anya's, teasing her, waiting to see how long Anya could be patient now that they were both nude. She didn't have to wait long. Anya reached up, wrapped her fingers around the back of Clarke's neck, and pulled her the rest of the way down to her lips. She quickly deepened the kiss to show Clarke how much she wanted her. They moaned to each other.

Clarke let her control it for a minute. She was still building herself up. She couldn't believe, still, that Anya wanted her. It just seemed so out of character, but she knew that Anya wanted her just by her touch. Giving in to her own desire was the only that she was going to prove to herself that she could handle this. So, she did.

She moved her way down Anya's face to her chin. She lightly nipped at it, causing the older woman to giggle. Enjoying the sounds that Anya made, Clarke moved up her jaw to her ear. She found the spot just behind Anya's ear that made her moan, softly, and grab at Clarke's person. She worked her way from that spot down Anya's throat. Nipping and sucking, Clarke wanted to mark her, but she knew now wasn't the time. She would do it later and make it big and dark. She would lay claim for all to see. Trying to not get lost in her thoughts, Clarke kept moving. She drug her lips across Anya's collar until she made to her shoulders. Then, she worked her way back again, all lips and teeth.

Anya just smiled as her little houmon worshiped her body. Anya didn't care that she was taking her time. She enjoyed because she knew it was another way for Clarke to show her how much she actually care. She knew that the younger blonde wasn't as experienced, so she would let her play for now. If it got to be too much, she'd just flip her over and have her way with her again as she rode Clarke's leg to completion. She wouldn't mind if it came to that, but she hoped that it wouldn't. She wanted the little fiery blonde to actually have her way with her. So, Anya shifted a little bit in the bed and got comfortable. She knew that she was in for a long and enjoyable ride. Which was another reason that she was glad she set the stew so high to cook. Clarke was proving to be a very thorough and tenacious lover.

As she worked her way down Anya's body, she couldn't help but touch her. She was baffled and intrigued by the softness that Anya retained as a woman and the hardness that she gained as a warrior. Her skin was soft and highly touchable, but it was littered with battle scars and tattoos telling of victories, defeats, sorrows, kills, and hard life. Clarke popped up for a second to look into her honey gold eyes. Smiling, she leaned down and captured one of Anya's harden nipples between her lips. She sucked on it, softly. This must have been one of Anya's "sweet" spots because she reached down and held Clarke by her ass. Cupping it, she pulled up on it, forcing Clarke to bite down to keep her position and her prize. Anya's moan turned from an almost begging whimper into a deep, throaty growl. It made Clarke swoon as she, herself, moaned against Anya's breast. Anya's hands were back on her backside with a playful tap. Clarke turned her head just enough to cock an eyebrow at the warrior. When she got no response, or more formal direction in what she wanted, Clarke start moving from one breast to the other.

And, as much as she enjoyed Anya's moaning growls, she wasn't going to be kept from her prize. Anya had already had her turn, and now Clarke wanted, no, needed her own. She somewhat understood Anya's plight when it came to "bolstering her spririt;" she felt it now. She wanted them to be equals. She wanted to ravish Anya's body as much she wanted Anya to ravish her, again and again...and again.

Clarke shifted. This meant that Anya had to let go of her luscious butt, which she voiced. Clarke smiled around her nipple and gave it a particularly hard bite. Anya was enjoying this playful side of Clarke, but she was starting to get to the point were it wasn't enjoyable, so much as it was torture. She'd failed to realize how turned on she actually was. While Clarke was moving on top of her, she spread her legs further apart. Clarke made herself at home in between her legs, shifting her weight until her body had slid down a little. This made it hard for Anya to reach her ass, but it put Clarke perfectly aligned with Anya's bosom. She went back to work worshiping her breasts.

"Klark, beja," Anya whined.

Clarke couldn't help the smile that crossed her face. Her own hips were moving in between Anya's legs and she finally felt Anya's wantonness painted against her stomach. She couldn't hold back the moan that escaped her throat. With each movement, more and more of Anya's slick was coated against her. Clarke's eyes rolled back and she released Anya's breasts from her hands and the worried nipple from her mouth.

She gazed over Anya's flesh, admiring the slight color that it had. She knew it was from working out in the sun. Her own skin would start tanning soon. But, she was always amazed at the coloring of the Grounders. With everyone on the Ark, it had been genetics really that determined everything. On the ground, that was just the beginning. The sun, work, and other environmental factors went into how everyone's skin and hair changed. Clarke could tell that her hair got lighter over the many months on Earth, which made her hair stand out more for its lighter shade of blond. She enjoyed the slight contrast between her own pale skin and Anya's sun-kissed skin. She watched as her hands moved around Anya's skin, mapping it, learning it, committing it to memory.

She let her lips and tongue surveyed every inch that they could from the base of Anya's breasts down her torso until they reached the divot of her bellybutton. Clarke's hands were still connected, and not letting go anytime soon, to Anya's breasts. The scent of Anya flooded her nose and brain. She could still feel the smear of it against her own body. She was so close now, she wasn't going to stop.

One of Anya's hand moved to rake through her hair. As much as Anya wanted to push her down, she didn't. She wanted to see what her lover would do. She swayed her hips a little to give Clarke a hint, a hint that she ignored. Her hips rose and fell, but Clarke wouldn't stop her silent exploration. To Anya, it felt like Clarke was waging war against her hips and abs, mapping them with her tongue, battling with her teeth, and finally claimed with her lips. The onslaught continued until Clarke found a very, very sensitive piece of flesh on the outer edge of Anya's hip.

This time, she wouldn't be denied the pleasure of marking her. Clarke bit down and sucked. She knew that this place would be hers and hers alone. No one should see it, even with the low rise pants that Anya seemed to favor. This was going to be her spot.

"Klark," Anya hissed as she continued to suck and bite at the skin.

Looking up, she realized that she needed to move lower. She could feel the wetness dripping and could smell Anya. She smiled at her, letting her blue eye dance. When she saw Anya meet her gaze, she kissed her stomach. Smiling, Clarke started to work her way down. Using her hands to hold Anya's hips still, Clarke moved until she she could part Anya's lips with her nose. She brushed her nose against Anya's clit. Flicking her tongue out, Clarke tasted Anya for the first time.

She moaned into her core. Lapping at her, Clarke started softly. Her hands kept gripping and holding Anya as she bucked and moaned. She wanted to draw it out. She wanted to give Anya so much pleasure that she couldn't see straight after she came. Anya reached down and buried a hand in Clarke's hair. She tugged and pulled as Clarke continued to enjoy her. Clarke learned quickly that moaning against her did something very pleasurable for her. So, as she kept lapping and licking at Anya, she moaned, long and deep.

"Klark, beja," Anya sighed out.

Smiling, Clarke squeezed her right hip hard. It was a silent command. Anya moved her free hand down to tangle it with Clarke's. She gave Clarke's hand a hard squeeze in return and then started pushing it down towards her core. Clarke got the hint and let her go, moving further on her own. Pushing two fingers into Anya, she started going in and out. She didn't give Anya a steady pace. She kept changing it up. She wanted to keep her guessing. She knew that doing this would keep her on edge.

"Klark, ain niron, beja," Anya begged.

Clarke smiled and sucked harder. She turned her fingers around and pistoned them a little harder. She was purposefully making sure not to hit that spot inside that would send Anya over. After a few minutes, she turned her hand again. In this turn, she brushed against that spot and Anya lit up. Smiling bigger, Clarke returned to tasting and sucking. Wrapping her lips around her clit again, Clarke kept her fingers against her spot. As she sucked and lightly bit, she moaned again. Fingers tapping against her, Clarke didn't let up. She kept going until Anya started begging her to stop.

"Klark!" Anya cried out.

Clarke didn't stop. Anya was bucking under her tongue and touch. Clarke was doing her best to hold her down and in place with only one hand. Anya couldn't care about that, she just wanted to find oblivion, and she knew that it would happen soon at the end of Clarke's tongue and fingers. She was chasing it down, hard, and Clarke just kept going.

Finally, Anya broke. She called out to the heavens and stars above as she fell of the edge. Clarke reveled in her delight and desire. She kept going and going. She wanted to make Anya cum again. And, she did before Anya had fully come down from the first. As she was trying for a third, Anya's hand flew to her head.

"Beja, Klark...beja...hod op...beja...Klark, beja, niron, ain houmon, hod op...beja...beja...beja...Klark!" Anya yelled.

Clarke popped up over her and rested her chin on her hands, folded, over Anya's heart and stared at her lover. Anya's eyes were blown as they finally rolled down to meet the mirth in Clarke's azure. They were both smiling.

"Do you feel better now, ain niron?"

"I do," Clarke answered.

"What is it, niron?"

"What does that mean?"

"Niron?" Anya questioned and Clarke slightly nodded. "It means 'lover.' It is a sweeter way to say 'houmon,' I believe."

Clarke smiled. She leaned up and kissed Anya on the lips. Tasting herself on Clarke's lips made her smiled, but then she remembered the stew cooking. Breaking the kiss, Anya turned and looked at the pot. This didn't seem to stop Clarke, though. She kept kissing Anya's neck as Anya tried to gauge if the stew was ready for them to eat.

"Clarke, I need to check the stew," Anya said as she wrapped her arms around the younger woman.

Clarke didn't let up. She kept going. She protested as Anya rolled just enough, hugging Clarke and pushing her into the wall, so she could escape the bed and check on the stew. Clarke lay there on her side admiring Anya's naked form and just couldn't help the smile on her face.

Anya checked the stew and pulled it off the tripod. Setting it on the desk to cool, she finally saw the spot that Clarke had sucked onto her hip. Laughing a little, she turned back to face Clarke more fully. Pointing down to the spot, she cocked an eyebrow.

"Sorry," Clarke told her, not meaning it at all.

"Just wait until I get to mark you, niron. It will never come off," Anya teased her. "For now, though, the stew needs to cool."

"Good. Come back to bed and cuddle me. We can kiss and make out until it's cool enough to eat."

"Make out?" Anya asked.

"Come here and I'll show you," Clarke answered holding up the bear fur and smiling at her freshly loved houmon.

Chapter Text

Anya woke up the next morning. She was deliciously sore. She should have known that Clarke was going to want more as the night wore on for them both. She was still young and their bonding was new. It was to be expected. She couldn't help the small smile that graced her face.

Unfortunately though, Anya knew that it wouldn't last. The storm was abating. They would have to head to TonDC soon. She needed to get word to Lexa. Happiness would have to wait. They had to get Heda to agree to an alliance with Skaikru and attack the Mountain. And, she needed to prepare Clarke not only for Lexa but for Indra and the others in TonDC that might not take to kindly to her being there, let alone her being Anya's newest houmon.

Huffing, she got. Finding some small clothes, she put them on. She didn't fully dressed. She crossed the room and turned the wick up on the light. She was amazed at how long it lasted, but for the sake of the bunker, she was going to leave it.

She grabbed the bag of the desk and started packing. First thing that she grabbed was the pouch that she'd filled with nuts and berries. She made sure that it was full and closed it. She dropped it on the desk by the bag. Then checked on the fruits and vegetables that were packed still to make sure that they hadn't started to rot and were still good to eat. She knew that they would need something when they got to the village. She grabbed a few of the clear containers that she found in the bunker and placed the wolf jerky in one and the cooked jerky in the other. She was glad to find the containers. She knew how much they could hold and how useful they were. She could also trade them to get more things to help Clarke settle in more with the Trikru.

"Onya?" Clarke asked softly as she rolled over to find her lover gone.

"Sha, niron?"

"Come back to bed. It's early. We've got time."

"It might be early, but we need to leave as soon as we can."

"Is it safe?" Clarke questioned as she sat up, groggily in the bed, rubbing her eyes.

"We should be fine. We have a lot of land to cover," Anya stated as she continued packing. "We've indulged enough, ain houmon. I need to get word back to Lexa."

"Yes, you do. I want to meet with her and tell her our plan. Do you think that she'll be mad about the warriors?"

"She will, but she'll forgive you."

"Why?" Clarke asked.

"It was war. The war will be over and all will be forgiven. The people will understand that you were just defending your people."

"Anya, it isn't that easy. It never is," Clarke started. "You didn't even want to give me the time of day. I'm still not sure why you even came to the bridge that day to see me when asked for peace between us. There are those that even with your protection or even Lexa's that will defy you both and come for me."

"And, they will die," Anya asserted as she turned to look at Clarke.

"I know that, but I just wish that there was someway to make them understand," Clarke lamented. "It isn't like I asked to come to Earth. I was forced to by the leader of my people. It was a 'hail Mary' that didn't end up working like he hoped. Things weren't great up there before we came down her. I'm sorry for any issues that we may have caused. We didn't know that anyone was still alive down here. In the stars, we were taught that no one would survive the bombs and the fallout. We were told that it we would have to wait another 100 years before we could come back, but our home was dying."

"You will talk to Lexa. She is reasonable. She will listen and make her decisions."

"And, if she doesn't kill me, what then?" Clarke questioned.

"It is not you that she will kill for everything, Clarke. You are my houmon now. She cannot hurt you because you are Trikru. You are her people."

Clarke got out of the bed. Because of her union with Anya, she was now one of Lexa's people. She was someone that Lexa had sworn to protect as being part of the Kongeda. Inside Clarke was already planning what she was going to say, but outside, she was trying to be stoic and pensive. She knew that this meeting with Lexa was going to be different than any other that she'd ever had. She hoped that having Anya with her would make things a little easier, but she doubted it. Anya being there might ease Lexa's fears a little, but it wouldn't really change the station of Skaikru as a whole. Clarke would be forgiven, but her people might not. She was still going to have to ask for help and try to forge an alliance.

Looking over at Anya as she turned back to finish packing, Clarke noticed the tattoos on Anya that she hadn't really paid attention last night or seen before. She had to smile as she admired the mark that she'd made against Anya's hip, though. It was dark and purple. She made a mental note to make sure that it stayed that way, too.

"Anya?"

"Sha, niron?"

"What does the tattoo across your left hip mean? Does it have a meaning? Or, well, did you get it because you liked the design?" Clarke asked her as she finished getting dressed in a mix of stored Ark and bunker clothing.

She hadn't meant to ask so soon. She knew that Anya and she had a lot to discuss and learn about each other now that they were essentially married. Sure, it had been accidental on Clarke's part, but she wasn't going to Anya question her loyalty or her willingness to make this work. There maybe a few years and a lot of culture that was between them, but she knew that they could make it work if they wanted to. She wasn't just going to be some sort of trophy wife for Anya.

"It was a tattoo that I shared with my first houmon," Anya answered with sadness in her voice.

Clarke stopped what she was doing and turned to face Anya more fully. The taller woman was gripping the desk hard. Her whole body was screaming with emotion and Clarke felt like an ass because she'd caused it. She hadn't meant to hurt her Anya with the memories, but she didn't know, either. And, this is what Clarke was worried about now. They didn't know enough about each other. They needed to learn each other. They needed to be bonded by more than just words and sex, even if the sex was good. Feeling bad about what her words had caused, Clarke moved behind her when Anya wouldn't look up at her. She wrapped her arms around Anya's waist and held her. Laying her head on Anya's back, she was just trying to comfort her.

Anya reached up and grabbed ahold of Clarke's hands. She was grateful for the other woman's comfort. She hadn't meant to be sad, but she knew that Clarke would allow her that, especially when she told her the stories of her life before now. Clarke was owed that. She was her houmon now, so she needed to know.

"I'm sorry. I didn't know," Clarke immediately apologized. "Anya..."

"Don't. He was a good man, a warrior. He died in the wars against Azgeda. He died trying to bring peace to our lands," Anya told her. "You remind me of him sometimes with your fierceness, Clarke. It was a long time ago, though."

"Doesn't mean that it still doesn't hurt," Clarke replied. "I know it isn't the same, but I miss my father. He was killed before I was sent down. Almost a year to the day..."

"The dead are gone and the living are hungry," Anya stated. "It is not wrong that we mourn those that we've lost, but we need to be more worried about those that are still alive. It was something that my father taught me as a young warrior."

Clarke just nodded. She knew that phrase. She'd heard it before and she was sure that if she lived this life again, she would again, if not from Lexa, it would be Anya.

She knew that they needed to go. Time was getting away from them and Clarke knew they needed Lexa's help. Convincing Lexa was going to be the easy part of this, and Clarke knew that it was going to be easy. The hardest part of all this was going to be getting her mother and the Arkers to agree to follow Lexa. But, then again, this wasn't Clarke's first rodeo. It was however her first marriage, and that was going to take a little getting used to. Smiling, she reached out for Anya's hand.

"Hey, we'll figure everything out," Clarke told her. "We'll get them out, Anya. We're going to save our people."

Anya gave her a quirk of smile. Clarke knew that it was the best that she was going to get at the moment and she understood. They would have to take care of each other. They were the only ones that knew the horrors of the Mountain and survived it. Newly married, old enemies, new allies and lovers, they knew what they had to do, but the world outside the bunker was large, vast, and full of danger. They would face it together.

"Together we will save our people," Anya replied.

"Well, we can't do that here. So, let's blow this popsicle stand and get a move on, yeah?" Clarke quipped. "You're gonna have to lead the way, though."

Anya just shook her head. She had no idea what her houmon had just said, but she could guess. Grabbing their bags, they headed for the ladder. Anya couldn't remember exactly in the forest where they were. She knew that she was going to have to reacclimatize herself once they were out. She hoped that they weren't too far from TonDC. It was probably closer than Polis, and she could talk to Indra first. It was a solid plan. Shifting the bag on her shoulder, she made her way out of the bunker up the ladder and back in the forests of Trikru.

Once they were out of the bunker, Anya realized how close they were. She realize that the cave wasn't that far off, either. She wanted to take Clarke there and pick up the wolf pelt. They would need some of the stores, too. It was going to take them the better part of the day to get to TonDC. She wanted to make sure that they were protected and cared for until they got to the village. This was another way that she could prove to Clarke that she could care for her and was a good houmon for her. She knew that she didn't need to do that now that they had cemented their relationship, but she felt like she should because she wanted to as well. She cared for the blonde more than she thought she would now that they were joined.

She led them through the forest to the cave. She made sure to stop at the small river to refill their bottles. Following the river up to the cave, she led Clarke to the little place that she'd found refuge during the storm while she was bolstering her spirit. She pulled Clarke inside.

The blonde looked around the little cave. It was stocked with random items. She was grateful to know that little hunting caves were stashed all around Trikru lands. She knew that if she was reborn again, she would use this information to help her. She looked around and saw the bow with arrows, spears, and some small knives. She wasn't surprised to not see any swords. She knew how each warrior selected their weapons. Bows and spears were universal to hunting and that is what this cave was for. It was place to stop and stash while hunting for a long time. She could the smoking racks, small fishing gear for the river nearby, and and the stores of nuts and sundried berries that would last awhile. She was grateful for all this. She was also thankful for the pelt that was stretched out on a rack for her. She knew that Anya risked herself for that, but it was to show Clarke how worthy she was. She would take that knowledge with her and praise Anya for it, later.

Anya pulled her over and had her sit down. She started a small fire and made a quick lunch for them there out of their stores and the ones from the cave. Clarke just watched her. She knew that Anya was doing all of this because she felt like she had to. Clarke decided that she would let her, for a little while, too. She also knew that it was because she was in Trikru territory. Anya was the better one to be leading them for now. When it was time for them to go to Arkadia, she would have to step up. For now, she would let things go as they were because it was safer for them both.

"TonDC is near. We should make it by sundown," Anya told her. "Are you ready to go?"

"If you think it is time, then yes. I'll follow where you lead, Anya. Yu aik ain houmon nau," Clarke stated.

"Sha, ain," Anya replied and pulled her close for a kiss.

Clarke smiled into the kiss. She was still trying to get acquainted with this affectionate version of Anya. She liked it, but she was also going to need the stoic warrior. Especially when they got to Lexa, and she hoped that it was soon. The longer they were out, the more people could get hurt in the Mountain. As much as she was starting to care for Anya, their people in the Mountain had to be their priority.

Anya packed some things in their bags and grabbed the pelt. She shouldered the bag, grabbed a spear, bow and quiver, and then handed Clarke her own packed pack. As soon as they were situated, Anya led them out of the cave and followed the river back upstream into the forest.

The sun was high enough as they marched through the forest. The undergrowth and trees covered them from its harshness but too much from the heat. It didn't matter, though. Clarke kept marching on and following her new wife through the woods. She didn't even really bother to try to remember how they were getting there. She was actually watching how Anya moved through the trees and the wolf pelt that was slung over her shoulder.

She knew that she shouldn't be that impressed, but she was. The pelt was huge. Clarke knew that the radiation had effected the fauna of Earth. She'd seen it, fought it, and hunted it. This wolf was a beautiful grey and white. It was unusual for this far south but it wasn't unusual for the Grounders to see one that big. She knew that it would be seen a hunting trophy for Anya, a way to show her prowess as a provider for her houmon, and great cloak to protect Clarke as she takes on a more Grounder-esque persona. The sheer size of it would impress the Arkers. Grounders would think and know that Anya was a skilled hunter and warrior. It would also prove that she was good for her wife. Clarke knew that she would have be worthy of such a sign, especially when Anya presented her to Lexa. She needed to find a way to make a larger gesture for Anya. She needed to be able to impress Anya, and by extension, everyone else around her.

"Anya?"

"Sha, Niron?"

"Is there something that I can do to show I am worthy of you to the Trikru?"

"You are a Prisa, sha? They will see it as an honor for me. You have an elevated status among your people. Your knowledge of the body and how to heal will help my people, sha?" Anya stated. "They know that you are not a hunter, but you are strong. They will have heard tales about your bravery and how you outsmarted two of Lexa's best generals and survived. You don't need to give me things to show the people that you are great. They will see it in you, Prisa. They will know it in your words. Our joining will be seen a great boon for Lexa and the joining of our people."

"Yeah, about that," Clarke started.

"What about it?" Anya asked as she stopped and turned to face Clarke more fully.

"I don't know if my people will take to kindly to our union," Clarke told her.

"They should see it as a good thing, Niron. If they do not, then they are fools. But, we will do what you think is best in order to make sure that they understand that it was a willing union, that you chose it, and that this is best thing for our people. We have both suffered losses, but our people will view our union as a way for us to have peace. You've even said so yourself. None of that matters now, though," Anya told her as she turned and pointed.

"Yeah, and why is that?" Clarke asked her.

"Because over that hill is TonDC," Anya told her.

Clarke smiled and they resumed their march. She moved closer to Anya as they neared the wall. She knew that the Grounders could be cagy at the best of times, but she wasn't sure if her suddenly being married to Anya was going to keep her alive. She hoped that Anya would. Time would tell, and their little bubble was about to be fully popped. She knew that it was only a matter of time. Letting out a breath, she knew now she was fully in Anya's hands.

"Halt, who goes there?" a guard called down to them.

Clarke couldn't see them. She knew she wouldn't even if she looked. She knew how skilled the Trikru were in camouflage. This was their area. She was still learning, and she hoped to learn everything that she could while she lived this life. She knew that she would have no better teacher than Anya.

"Ai liak Onya kom Trikru, womana kom Heda," she called back to them.

"NO, Wormana Onya is dead," the guard called back.

"Ai laik Onya kom Trikru!" she shouted and moved closer to the gates.

Clarke moved up behind her. Staying with Anya, she looked around. She knew that they were drawing down on Anya and herself. She knew that they had right to be worried about who they were.

"Onya?" a familiar voice called from atop the wall.

Clarke and Anya's eyes flew to the person. They both smiled. Hopefully now, they would be able to get somewhere and save their people.

"Open the Gates!"

Chapter Text

The gates opened, but they didn't move. Clarke was a little frozen to the spot. She wasn't sure how she would be received if she moved. She knew that being Anya's wife would be seen as a prestigious thing, but there was also all the death that she caused to get to this point. She closed her eyes and waited. She wouldn't move until Anya did.

Anya was stock still. It was like she was in disbelief. She couldn't believe the voice she'd heard. But, she knew that hearing her voice mean that word had gotten to back to Polis about the Ring of Fire, the Mountain Men, and her supposed death. Honestly, she wasn't even sure how long they were in the Mountain before Clarke got them out. They'd weathered the storm only to come back to a slightly disheveled TonDC. She was expecting Indra, a good hazing for dying and coming back to life, and the want to start a plan to attack the Mountain and Skaikru together. What she was getting was Lexa, sad and confused, standing there in wonder at Anya's mere presence.

As soon as their eyes locked, green and golden brown. Anya knew that her sekkon had been in mourning. Her presence was a shock and now, Anya hoped to use that to their advantage. Daring to glance around, she saw that Lexa was gearing up for a war, but she didn't know who against. Sighing, she hoped that she would be able to talk to Lexa alone, with Clarke, and explain what they knew and their positions. She hoped that it would calm Lexa's need for blood and battle, at least for a little while.

"Fos?" Lexa questioned, sounding so much like the little girl that she'd been when Anya started training her.

Clarke could see it in her eyes. Anya had always been one of the ones that Lexa loved, completely and without reservation. Her death hurt Lexa to the core, even if she couldn't show it. She knew that Lexa had felt it sharply, and Clarke was glad that this time, she wasn't giving her Anya's braid. She'd returned her home to her people, alive, very much alive and angry. When Lexa turned to face her, she had to catch her breath. She saw the anger and the hatred that had been directed at her people so many times directed right at her. Life was definitely a cruel mistress to Clarke, but she knew what she had to work with and she knew that they could conquer the Mountain. Lexa was their only true obstacle at the moment. Clarke held her eyes, and her stomach turned. She finally bowed in deference to Lexa, making Anya believe that she automatically realized who she was. Clarke didn't move. She waited until Anya pulled her closer.

"Lexa, we need to talk," Anya said quietly and she watched as Lexa's eyes moved from Clarke back to Anya and back again.

She nodded and turned away from them. Anya reached back for Clarke, and they both know that it wasn't unseen by those in the village. No one said anything though as they followed Lexa into some hut to speak. Clarke didn't bother to care which hut it was. She wasn't even sure that Lexa would even look at her, much less listen to anything she had to say. She knew that Lexa had no reason to believe anything that she had to say. She just hoped that having Anya with her would help.

They move around the hut, but Anya didn't seem that upset by Lexa's stoic behavior. They both knew that it was because she was trying to reign in her emotions. She was heda, and heda wasn't allowed to be emotional. Anya pointed to a seat at a table for Clarke to sit and she does. She moves around the hut and finds some watered down wine and three cups. She pours them and hands one to Lexa first. The second goes to Clarke and she keeps the third for herself.

She sits down slowly. She can tell that Lexa has something to say, but she is looking for the words. Anya knew that Clarke being with her would be a surprise, but she could never have imagined the state that she's found her sekkon in. Clarke fidgets beside her. They are both uncomfortable, and part of her knows why.

"Leksa," Anya started.

"How?"

"How what, sekkon?"

"How did you survive?"

"Survive what? The Ring of Fire from Skaikru? The Mountain Men? Or, the Mountain?" Anya asked her in reply.

"You were in the Mountain?"

"We both were. She saved me. I saved her."

"Why is she with you?"

"I was going to bring her to you as a prize. She is a prisa to her people. She is worth something to them besides being the leader of the goufa they sent here."

"And, now?" Lexa pushed as she turned to face Anya more fully, her eyes harder than Anya has seen them in quite some time.

"Em laik ain houmon nau," Anya answered.

"She's your what?"

"We've bonded," Anya replied.

Lexa was across the room and jerking Clarke up. She grabbed for the blonde and pulled up her shirt to expose her hip. There was nothing there, and Lexa glared at Anya harder. She spun Clarke around and practically threw her back in the chair she'd been sitting in.

"Watch yourself, Leksa. I can still best you. She is my wife. Do not think that means that I won't defend her, even from you."

"How can you care for her?"

"Because she's proven herself to me," Anya answered.

"You've been missing for weeks, presumed dead, and you come back with a houmon. I don't understand, Onya. How? How did this happen, Fos? What spell has she put you under? Is this the work of the Maun? Did they do something to you?" Lexa questioned as she backed up, seeing the fire in Anya's eyes, knowing she meant what she'd said.

Lexa moved around the table and paced a few times. Clarke had seen this look before. It was what Lexa did when she was thinking, hashing out plans in her head. When she stopped to turn and look at them, Lexa brough her hand up. She rested one hand across her breast and the elbow of the other on her hand. The raised hand was by her face. She looked a mixture of pissed, puzzled, thankful, stoic, and ready to burst. Clarke cocked an eyebrow at her, waiting to see which version of Lexa she was about to get. She didn't have to wait long as Lexa moved back to the table and unceremoniously plopped down into a chair.

Clarke could tell that even Anya was surprised by the gesture, but she was wise enough to say nothing about it. Lexa might have been her sekkon at one time, but she was now heda. And, while Anya would tease her when they were alone about being her fos, she would never do it in a formal setting. Even Anya had her limits, and Clarke understood. Lexa was heda first and Anya's sekkon last. She knew that Anya would give her more leeway and vice versa just because of their previous statuses to each other, but they knew what it meant when others were around.

"She's cast a spell over you somehow, Fos."

"She isn't a witch, Leksa. She's a healer and a good one," Anya told her. "She is a prisa to her people. She holds weight amongst them."

"She is from the Maun. Listen to her words. She lies," Lexa pushed. "If you hadn't dressed her up like us, she would still look like them. She is the enemy."

"Not anymore," Anya countered.

"I just don't understand, Onya. How? How did this happen?" Lexa pouted and stared hard at Clarke.

Clarke didn't care. She knew that Lexa didn't like her in the beginning in any life. She was the enemy. She was like the Mountain Men. She used tech and other things to survive. She wasn't a warrior. She didn't know how to fight, but she still managed to kill over three hundred of Lexa's best warriors. She was a paradox that Lexa didn't know what to do with and now, Anya was forcing her hand because she bonded with Clarke.

"I know that this is confusing, Leksa, but this is good for us. I know that she isn't of the clans or one of our people. She's trying though. She's asked to learn our words. Her own friend is with Linkon. She is trying to learn our customs."

"She doesn't bare the marks, Onya. No one will believe you," Lexa argued. "And, what will Skaikru do when they learn we have her. They'll attack."

"They won't. She'll talk to them, but we have to show that we aren't a threat to them anymore. She didn't want to fight us, Leksa. She was defending herself from the unknown," Anya explained. "Her people are like goufa. They don't know the ways of Earth anymore, because the Earth their ancestors knew no longer exists. We can win them over. We need them to help attack the Maun. Her people are in there, too."

"What does that even mean? Our people are alive in there? Onya, what are they doing to our people?" Lexa demanded.

"Klark would be better to answer that," Anya replied.

"You said she is a healer?" Lexa questioned. "Does that have something to do with our people inside the mountain? Is that why she's important to you/"

"Leksa, no, and yes. She saved me from the Maun-de and Maunmon. She understands why our people are becoming Ripa. Let her explain, please, Sekkon. She doesn't understand all our words and customs, yet. She's trying though. Speak to her as you would me, Leksa, but use Gonasleng," Anya told her.

"She is not your equal, Onya," Lexa protested.

"No, she's yours, but she is also my houmon. Give her some respect. She'll return it."

"She cannot be your houmon. She's doesn't bear the marks. Until then, she is my enemy and I will treat her as such," Lexa spat out.

"Then so am I," Anya replied evenly.

She stood, not waiting for Lexa to dismiss them. Anya was tired and aggravated that her former Sekkon wouldn't see reason. She reached for Clarke's hand and took it. Clarke stood and Anya pulled her into her space.

"I'm not going to sit here and let you insult her without reason," Anya stated, holding Clarke close. Clarke may not know what they were saying, but she could tell that they were both upset with each other. "I'm going to my hut. When you've calmed and want to speak respectfully, I will listen. Until then, I'm going to my my bonded to our home and welcome her properly into Trikru."

Anya started for the door. She knew the move was petty, but she also knew that Lexa could totally order her to stay. She wouldn't, but she could. Lexa would think about the little that Anya had given her. She'd brood over it and then calmly demand to talk to Anya again. She knew that even Lexa knew they wouldn't get anywhere if all they were going to do was argue about Clarke. Clarke followed her to the door and stopped.

Whispering to Anya, "Let me say something and I'll meet you outside. I'll follow you to wherever you're going. Besides, I need to look at your wounds again." Clarke waited a beat for Anya's nod of approval. Anya stepped out and Clarke turned to face Lexa. She sucked in a breath. Face to face with her again, and now as Anya's wife, Clarke wasn't sure what she was going to say, but she knew that she needed to say something. She couldn't have Lexa and Anya fighting, especially about her. She wanted peace for their peoples, and it looked like she was going to have to start with Anya and Lexa.

Shrugging, Clarke turned a little more to face Lexa. She knew this wasn't her Lexa. She took a few steps towards her. She could see both a mixture of fear and anger in Lexa's green eyes. She locked onto that as she took another stop.

"I don't want war between our people, Lexa. I never have. Both sides have done things in the name of survival and war. I know that it doesn't excuse it all, but we need to come up with something before we go to my people."

"And, why would I need your people?"

"Because we have and use tech," Clarke answered.

"We don't need tek," Lexa hissed.

"And, how has that worked out for you?" Clarke retorted. "You need us and we need you. Don't believe me. Ask Becca Pramheda and let me know. Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to go take care of my houmon's wounds."

Clarke knew it was a subtle dig at Lexa. She couldn't help herself though. Lexa did always know how to rile her up and this Lexa was still angry with her, now more so it seems. At least Anya was alive. She knew that dropping Becca's name would also make Lexa want to talk to her alone. She knew that Anya didn't know a lot about the Fleim. And, Lexa was highly protective of the knowledge.

Before Clarke could get out of the hut, Lexa asked, "You know of Becca Pramheda?"

"Of course, she was Skaikru," Clarke answered and then left Lexa alone.

Not waiting anymore, Clarke stepped outside. Anya, thankfully, didn't ask her any questions about what she said. Instead, the taller blond just gave her a weak smile and lead her away from the hut. They crossed through the village with little fanfare until they came upon a hut mostly away from the rest of the housing huts in the village. Clarke could see a small garden that wrapped around three sides of the hut. Everything was dead, and Clarke realized that it was because Anya was hardly ever there.

Anya just walked inside. There was very little but it seemed like someone had been inside while they were with Lexa to air it out. It might have been even before that. Clarke saw the chimney and the lit fire. There was a little kitchen area nearby and a table with four mis-matched chairs. There was a door that led to the back, where the bed was she assumed.

Anya went to the fire, first. She stoked it and knelt in front of it. Clarke could tell that she was upset, and she knew why. She knew she should let Anya pout for a while and get it out of her system, but she really wanted to check her wounds.

"Anya?"

"Sha, niron?"

"Will you please come sit at the table and let me check you over?"

"You aren't going to be happy until you do, sha?" Anya asked her in return.

Clarke smiled and nodded. As she started to undress a little to a more comfortable "Home" edition, Anya crossed the room again. She took off her coat and shirt, dropping them on the table, before sitting down in a chair. Clarke turned from her bag of supplies to find her wife waiting, in just her breast band and pants.

"Thank you," Clarke told her as she moved closer with a smile. "Chof."

"Os," Anya replied quickly. "Pro."

"Pro? Does that mean 'you're welcome'?" Clarke questioned as she looked at Anya's forearm before meeting her eyes. At the nod, she stated, "Os means good?"

"Sha, niron. You are learning quickly. Os. You will sound like one of us soon enough."

"I don't have the same aptitude for that as Octavia has with Lincoln, but I can tell her that I have the same reasoning, now."

"Sha, niron, and what is that?" Anya asked her as she pulled Clarke into her lap.

"You, houmon, you," Clarke answered as she wrapped her arms around Anya's neck and began to kiss her thoroughly.

"That is good motivation, sha?" Anya replied and kissed her again, Lexa forgotten for the moment.

Smiling into the kiss, Clarke told her, "Sha, houmon, sha."

They continued to make out sitting at the table. Clarke finally broke away with a smile. Anya tried to pull her back in, but Clarke resisted.

"Don't pout. I really do need to check your wounds. We travelled a ways and you might have opened something. I don't want it to get infected or something."

"Clarke, you've used your healer's touch on me. It will not be infected. The wound are fine."

"Anya," Clarke said with a warning.

"You really don't trust me about this do you?"

"Have you ever met a warrior that didn't down play their pain and suffering?"

"No."

"Then, you have my answer already," Clarke told her. "I know that you are some big badass general or something for Lexa. I would never doubt your prowess on the battlefield. I've seen it. I've been hit by it, but I'm a healer first and a fighter second. Some of your wounds are bad. I could have made you wait longer, but I knew that we needed to get back to our people. And, I need you to help me convince them all. So, either you let me check your wounds now, or you're sleeping out here, by yourself."

"You would not dare to kick me out of my own bed, Clarke," Anya huffed.

"It is our bed, and try me," Clarke stated and cocked her eyebrow at her to prove her point.

Anya deflated a little bit. She knew better than to Clarke. She knew what Clarke was capable of, so she let her go.

"Do your inspection then," Anya replied.

Clarke smiled and gave her another kiss. Standing, she put some salve on Anya's arm. She gave Anya a pointed look as she moved from her face to her leg. Sighing, Anya stood and let her pants down far enough for Clarke to inspect the wound on her leg. She quickly changed the bandage and backed up for Anya to return her pants to their rightful position. While Anya was redressing, Clarke moved over the fire to burn some of the bandages and such. As she came back over to the table, she wondered what Lexa was looking for when she grabbed her earlier that had upset Anya so much.

"Houmon?"

"Sha, niron?"

"What was it that Lexa was looking for on me that upset you so much?"

"Bonding marks."

Clarke's head snapped back in realization. She wasn't tattooed as Anya's, not Anya as hers. In Lexa's mind, they weren't truly married yet.

"How soon will I need those?"

The door to the hut opened and Lexa walked in.

"If you want anyone to believe that she is your houmon en niron, quickly," Lexa added as she moved across the hut and sat down.

Chapter Text

Anya looked at her sekkon. She was still holding Clarke as they sat on the couch facing the fire. She could only wonder what was going through her mind. She loved Lexa like a sister, always had as far as she knew. There had been a few stories from Echo that made her worry, but she knew that she'd never crossed the line with her in this life. She knew how Lexa looked up to her as both a friend and mentor. She watched the way that Lexa held Clarke close, keeping her protected but loved. She made sure that Clarke was able to move if needed but her right side was fully protected. She kept her eyes on Lexa, though. She knew nothing really of the story, but she could only think about how she would have reacted to Lexa's outburst. She knew that Lexa wouldn't have been happy with her not just capitulating to her rule and leaving instead. She knew how hot headed that Lexa could be, especially when things were not going the way that she wanted them to be. Coming back to TonDC with a new houmon and an enemy at that was going to be a big issue, but Anya knew that it was something that Lexa would get over it once Anya and Clarke explained everything.

"Lexa was upset with you both?" Octavia asked as she moved by the fire.

"She wasn't exactly happy about our arrangement, no. She was still worried about me, but it was more aggressive than her worry about Anya. Lexa was openly hostile towards me. I understood it. I hadn't really had time to talk to her alone and explain things," Clarke started to tell them. "Indra and Gustus hadn't tried to kill me, yet, but I'm sure that given the chance they would have been more than happy to do it. Part of Lexa's aggression towards me was more about anger and fear. Technically, we were still at war or something. There was no treaty between our people and Anya just came back after being reported as missing and presumed dead, either by my hand or the Mountains. The scouts couldn't have been sure because no one was left at the drop ship to explain. And, on top of all that, she was married to me. I'm sure that it was a lot to take in, especially since it was Anya, her head general and her former mentor. I got all that, but I'm sure that there was more to it. I know that me telling her that Beka Pramheda was Skaikru didn't help matters. It was actually kinda a low blow, but I needed her to know that I knew, if that makes sense."

"What did I do?" Lexa asked.

"You were a little miffed about me knowing about the Flame and the history of the hedas. You didn't want to discuss it with Anya though. I got that much quickly."

"Can I ask you something?" Luna questioned.

Clarke looked over to the fiery, red head, who was sitting by her best friend, on the other couch with Anya, Raven being between them. Raven looked from Clarke to Luna and back again. Clarke nodded. She knew that there would be questions, lots of questions. She had them herself. This life was so different in most respects to the others. It was one of the reasons that she remembered it so vividly. There were just things about that life that she didn't want to forget, ever.

"Ask away," Clarke told her.

"You mentioned once that you bore the scars of all your deaths," Luna started. "Your own mother studied the falou swirls on your legs. Did you have them then?"

"No, I didn't. Which was weird, because I remember dying from Praimfaya. That has happened more than once, and no, it didn't get any easier. But, I think I hadn't been reborn or recycled so many times this life. It was possibly my third or fourth life. It was definitely before Echo took me to Azgeda and taught me how to fight. I had only a few scars to bear, and most of them were the ones that I had earned as soon as I landed on Earth. There wasn't really anything major at that point. Why?"

"I was just thinking about it," Luna stated, and it was obvious that there was more to it.

"Why?" Clarke pushed and Luna didn't immediately answer.

She knew that Luna, while gruff and straight forward was polite. It was something that must have been pushed upon them as natblida because Aden and Lexa did it as well. They would be polite but they were blunt. She also knew that Luna didn't ask questions for no reason. Luna was always thinking and plotting. Clarke knew that it was just part of her nature, especially in all the lives where she had run from the conclave and hid in Floudonkru. Clarke knew that she would have to appeal to Luna a different way, so knew that she would have to open it up for everyone and just see where the questions took them that night.

"It is okay to ask. I'm not going to get mad about anything, but I will reserve the right to gloss over anything I want and possibly tell you alone at a later date. That is why we are here. We are trying to learn from my past lives. We are all friends here. Besides, I think I've slept with all of you," Clarke stated.

"Even me?" Raven questioned, perking up at the possibility, remembering how Clarke denied it so many times before that night.

"Once or twice, yeah, Raven, we've been together, but it was never anything permanent," Clarke answered as she looked deeply into Raven's brown eyes. "Like I've said before, you ended up being my step-mother once or twice, which is weird in and of itself, but you've always been like a sister to me, Rae. The few times that we've hooked up, we were drunk and alone. It was more of an expulsion of feeling than anything loving. There was no true romantic passion between us, even though we still love each other platonically and familially. Honestly, it's better that way, too."

"I could see that," Raven stated. "But, still bet I blew your socks off."

"You did, Rae. You always do," Clarke replied to humor her. "But, tell me what you are thinking Luna. I'm curious to know what you are thinking about this so far."

"You said that Lexa pulled you out of the chair and tore down your pants to check your side," Luna started.

"She did."

"She was looking for a Trikru style bonding tattoo, right?"

"Yes," Clarke replied.

"And, you didn't have it?"

"Not at that time, no, I didn't."

"But, you eventually got one," Luna stated.

"I did."

"It wasn't there when we burned you last life," Lexa added, hoping that she was on the same page as her natblidasis.

"It wouldn't have been," Clarke replied. "Tattoos, while wounds and basically, medically, colored scars after a fashion, don't always carry over. All of yours would have because you would have gotten them all in each life. Trust me, I've looked. I've had some wild ones."

"She has," Octavia and Echo both stated with large grins and nodding at each other in agreement.

"But, the cuts on our palms that mark us as the Twel and that we bear your blood," Luna started to ask.

"I don't know why those carry over, Luna. I really don't. Only keyron could explain why anything carries over from life to life. And, I'm not Keyron. Ai laik Wanheda."

"That you are," Echo said quietly, reverently.

"Anyway, Lexa wanted proof of our bonding and besides our word, we didn't have it. Anya had warned me about this. I knew that I would have to get the tattoo. I knew that it would be on my right hip, but I was also worried about Anya," Clarke told them.

"Why?" Lexa asked.

"She was now my wife, but she was also a widow. She'd survived her first love's death, and not many people knew about him. I was and wasn't a replacement for her. That isn't to say that she didn't love me, I know that she did. She showed me every day that we were together, but at the same time, I could understand her grief. She'd lost her love in the battles against Azgeda," Clarke explained. "And, it wasn't until a few lives later that I realized that this was something that I couldn't stop. It always happened before we landed. But, that didn't stop the pain that it caused or the want that I had to give him back to her. Honestly, I don't believe that I ever used this information against her in any of the lives we shared since except to prove that I was Wanheda. It was the one thing that I knew that I could tell her and she would instantly believe me."

"Because it was information that only Death would know," Raven said quietly as she turned to look at the emotion in Anya's eyes and knew that they were solely trained on Clarke as she continued to speak about their life together.

Clarke watched as Raven reached over for her lover's hand and took it. It was a way that she could silently comfort her, but the look in both Raven and Luna's eyes told Clarke that they didn't even have the full story about Rok and Anya. She knew that it was a lot to deal with. She'd felt Anya's pain. She understood it. She'd held Lexa too many times and watch the light leave her eyes. She could only imagine the severity of the pain that Anya felt not only losing her lover but her unborn child because of the war. She'd held Anya plenty of nights, after battles, and comforted her. Clarke never spoke of those nights aloud to anyone but Anya. She knew how private Anya was. And, Clarke respected her enough to not say anything without her permission.

Clarke's eyes slowly raked across the floor of the hut. She stared at the fire, losing herself in the flames for a few moments, before she turned to look deeply into Anya's golden-brown eyes. They held. She could see the worry in Anya's eyes. She knew that the tough, warrior woman was feeling exposed. There were things that Clarke knew that no one else in that hut did. There were things that Clarke could tell her that Anya hadn't told a soul, in any lifetime save for Clarke. Anya could tell that there was a way about Clarke that made people want to help her, tell her things, and protect her. She could see that, especially in the way that Lexa was almost folded around her.

"Clarke?"

"Yes, Anya?"

Their eyes met. She knew that Luna and Raven might be the only other two that understood what they were saying, but no one said anything about it. Clarke wasn't going to betray Anya's trust. She wouldn't. Anya could tell that. She would gloss over things just enough to get her point across without telling them everything.

Clarke pushed up and out of Lexa's arms. She cocked her head as she looked over at Anya. Luna had to know what the tattoo on her hip meant. She had to have asked questions and only gotten part of the story. Lexa never brought it up and never pushed about it, either. She couldn't help herself. Clarke got up and moved across the small expanse, taking Anya's hands in her own and held them. Their eyes focused on each other, so they didn't see the wonder in everyone else's.

"You can tell them."

"If you don't want..."

"I'll tell Raven later more. I promise. Anyone who is Trikru and sees my hip will know what it means. It isn't like it is something that I can hide. I don't want to hide it anymore, either. You've proven that, even through your many lifetimes, Love is not weakness. Thank you for that. Seriously. It has done a lot of things for Lexa and I over these past years," Anya told her. "But, you were right. Talking about it helps ease the pain of what I've lost."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes, I want them to know about Rok," Anya answered. "I don't want to hide it anymore. He was my houmon, and I owe him to speak his name. I do not want him forgotten. He was a brave warrior."

"He was indeed for bonding with you," Clarke teased her, getting a subtle smile, and then she continued. "If you get uncomfortable with any of it, let me know and I'll stop. Okay? This is your story, not theirs. They only need to know what you want them to know, Anya."

"Okay," Anya replied.

Clarke stood enough to lean forward and put her forehead against Anya's. She held her gently behind the head. It was intimate, and Anya didn't pull away. Once again, cementing the fact that Clarke had a way with them all and she truly was the fabled Wanheda. They could all feel the love that Clarke was giving them, and they loved her for it, too. Seeing her like this with Anya didn't make any of them jealous, because she was like this with them all. This was just how Clarke was. It was just how Wanheda was.

Clarke pulled back and looked deeply into her eyes, again. She wanted Anya to be absolutely sure. Anya had kept the pain of her loss to herself for many years and many lives. Another nod was all she received. She leaned back and kissed Anya lightly on the forehead. She knew that Raven and Octavia might be the only ones that understood what that meant, but she didn't care.

Slowly she worked her way back across to where Lexa was and reinserted herself into Lexa's lap. When she was comfortable, she pulled Lexa's arms around her. Looking into the fire for a few minutes, Clarke looked back to Anya, who nodded again, and then she didn't really focus on anyone. She looked around at those with her that night for this story. Giving a slight smile, she resumed her story.

"I knew that I would have to get a tattoo, but I was worried about Anya. I didn't want her to lose what she'd had with Rok. He was her lover first. I didn't want her to cover it. I never wanted to replace him. I just wanted to be there for her, love her, and be her wife. Yeah, I kind of fell into the marriage with her. But, we were making a go of it. We'd learned to like each other and we were prepared to show it. I knew I needed the tattoo, but Anya would need one for me as well."

"So, you came up with something for them both?" Raven questioned.

"I did."

"What?" Luna asked her.

"Well, you already know what Anya's tattoo looks like with the trees and the biohazard symbol, right?" Clarke replied in question.

"Biohazard symbol?" Lexa inquired.

"Sorry," Clarke quickly apologized. "The symbol that Trikru uses was used by those before the bombs in the medical field. The fisas used it to label things that were of biological, bodily, origin that could be dangerous. They called it biohazard. Things were labeled with that symbol as a warning. Usually they were taken to a secured location and burned, as it was the best option in order to dispose of the material and no one would get sick from it. Burning kills most illnesses."

"So, Trikru are medically hazardous by symbolism?" Echo teased.

"Ash," Clarke warned but let out a subtle laugh. "Yes, it would appear so. But, I knew that I could use that for my own. I had to find a way to work some of the Skaikru symbology into Anya's tattoo. Adding stars would be easy, but I wanted to add the triquetra as well. It is our symbol, and it represents so much more. The artist in me saw it as a way to blend our traditions. I also thought that it was fitting considering my continual rebirths. I would be the only one that knew what it meant, but it would actually mark Anya as mine and me as hers."

"You drew them out, didn't you?" Octavia questioned.

"I did. I'd kept some of the paper and crayons from the bunker. So, I decided to draw them out. I knew how big mine needed to be. So, it was several pieces," Clarke started. "Anya actually helped me with some of it, too. She really liked the tree motif that I used as the base of it. I worked both symbols into mine. It was really artistic and not very tribal. I knew that it might be a problem for the tattooist to do, but Anya assured me that it would be fine."

"I asked that Laila and Felya did them for us, didn't I?"

"You did. They were great. Amazing even. I couldn't believe how easily that they could take my drawing and put it to my skin," Clarke answered. "And, that brings us back to the story. Lexa had come to the hut to talk to us. It was later that evening, but she knew that we had to get the tattoos quickly."

Chapter Text

Anya held Clarke in her lap. She knew that Lexa was eventually going to come. She had to. She would need to know what was going on in the Mountain, and now, Lexa knew that Anya and Clarke had been inside. If for no other reason, that would bring Lexa to her hut there in TonDC.

But, Lexa surprised Anya. She'd come in while Clarke was checking her wounds. She was half dressed, not something that would offend or upset Lexa, and Clarke was on her lap. They were talking about the tattoo on Anya's hip and Clarke's lack thereof. Anya didn't seem to mind her presence, but Clarke was a little wary of her. She had right to be, but Anya didn't let her go.

"If you want anyone to believe that she is your houmon en niron, quickly," Lexa added as she moved across the hut and sat down.

Anya just looked at her. Honey-brown staring down vivid green. Clarke moved to get up, but Anya just moved her onto her lap. Clarke cocked an eyebrow at Anya as she turned her around to face Lexa more fully, and to get her off the wounded thigh. She held Clarke, loosely, around her waist. It was as much for show to Lexa as it was to help Clarke feel better about their relationship. Anya wasn't going to back down now that they were bonded. She was proving it to both Clarke and Lexa with her determined movements.

"I was planning on calling for Laila and Felya to come visit tomorrow."

Lexa just nodded. She was still wary of Clarke. They all knew that Lexa didn't trust the younger blonde, but she was there. She was trying. Anya wanted to applaud her for that, but she would wait. She needed to know what Lexa was thinking.

Anya watched her. Clarke didn't move. She knew she could, but she remembered that this wasn't her Lexa. It didn't matter how much she wanted her to be, she wasn't and couldn't. The longer they sat there, staring at each other, the more Clarke wondered if this could change things between them. She knew that Anya wasn't going to give her up, and now that she was bonded with Anya, she wasn't going to go willingly. She had her own pride, damn it, and Anya was more than worthy. Clarke cared enough about Anya in the past that she knew she could and would be happy with her. Clarke knew this could work and maybe, just maybe, Lexa wouldn't pay the price this time.

"Do I need to make it public?" Anya asked.

Clarke knew it was to push her, but it was more than that. She was testing the waters between them while also trying to figure out how much she would need to protect Clarke in the village. Ever the strategist, Anya needed to know. And, Clarke didn't want to be the reason there was bad blood between them. There was already enough between Trikru and Skaikru.

"It would be a good idea, but I know how private you can be," Lexa answered.

"And, what does my Heda command?" Anya pushed.

Lexa sat up a little straighter in her seat. Clarke patted Anya's arm and stood up. She moved around and started unpacking what little they'd brought back with them. She found some cups and filled them with water. Placing a cup in front of Anya with a look that told her to drink it, Clarke handed Lexa her own cup before rejoining them.

"I don't know how to tell the people about your union, Anya. Many won't understand. Her people have hurt ours," Lexa stated.

"It wasn't my people. It was just me. I did it," Clarke replied and kept her head up. She wasn't going to show Lexa any weakness. "If you want to punish someone, punish me. But, you have to understand that I was just defending my people from your people. I didn't want to hurt anyone. I didn't want a war, but I tried for peace. Anya didn't want to talk."

"And, yet you still bonded with her," Lexa quipped. d

"I still need peace for our people. I knew the adults were coming. They already knew of the difficulties between our peoples. Unfortunately, for us all, the Maun attacked after the Ring of Fire. My people and Anya were taken. I fought to find her because she wasn't kept with us," Clarke told her.

"What does that mean?"

"When we were taken in, they separated us. I went one way with my people, and Anya was taken to where they keep your people. I didn't find out until later what they were doing to your people. I'm just glad that she wasn't sent to become Ripa."

"They keep our people?" Lexa inquired.

"Yes, they do. They are kept alive to keep their people alive. You're people are used as medicine. They need your blood to survive," Clarke answered.

"I don't understand," Lexa replied.

Clarke looked at her. She knew what to do, but she didn't want Anya to be in there while she explained things. She stood up and went to her pack. She pulled out a drawing that she'd made in the cave. She'd drawn it for her own tattoo. Grabbing the drawing, she moved back to the table.

"Anya, ain niron, will you take this to the tattooists? I want to make sure that they can do this design for mine," Clarke told her. "We can do it in the morning if they are willing. Publicly, if needed."

"Clarke," Anya stated in question and worry as her eyes flicked to Lexa.

"I'm safe here. You've made sure of it. Please."

"Why?"

"I don't want you to relive the memories, my love," Clarke whispered in her ear.

Anya nodded. Smiling, she took the drawing. Standing, she kissed Clarke very thoroughly. It was more than just a claiming. It was a warning to Lexa.

"I'll be back soon, niron," Anya told her more for Lexa's sake than Clarke's.

As soon as Anya was gone, Clarke looked at Lexa. She could see the questions and the confusion in her eyes. Clarke had to hold herself back. She couldn't have Lexa in this life. She was Anya's now, and she would remain faithful.

"I'm going to tell you things that only Becca might understand. I'll tell you everything, but I know that you're gonna wanna talk to her to see if it could be the truth. I also know that you'll check Anya for the wounds I'll describe," Clarke explained. "But, I need you to promise me that you will not harm her and go at her pace. They hurt her badly, Lexa. And to be honest, they hurt me as well. Nowhere near as badly, but it haunts her. I will care for her. I love her. I'll defend her with my life. She's my wife, now. I know it's hard for you to understand, but we share that. Can you be soft with her where it concerns what happened in the Mountain?"

Lexa stared at the blond woman before her. Clarke could tell that Lexa had so many questions for her, but she knew that Lexa would wait to ask. She knew that Lexa was still worried about Skaikru and Anya. Whatever answers Clarke could give her would be filed away for later use. Lexa never forgot anything she'd been told, but she knew when to use information for her gain.

"You want me to be soft with Anya?" Lexa finally questioned.

"Not exactly soft, no. I know that you can't as Heda, but you need to give her time. She went through a lot while we were in the Mountain. I did as well, but it was different. The Mountain Men didn't care about Anya like I would have or would have liked. They knew that she wasn't one of my people. She was separated from us and taken away. I asked about her. I knew she was important to your people, to you. I didn't know at the time what they were doing to your people," Clarke started.

"What did they you, the Maunmon?" Lexa demanded.

"They told me that she was dead and that I was now safe from the savages. I knew they meant you," Clarke told her. "And, to be honest, at the time, I believed them. I'm ashamed to say it took me a few days to realize how evil the Mountain Men were. But, then I realized that my own people were being lied to. My people didn't want to believe me though. It was safe and cushy with the Mountain people. They are like us, but they can't survive outside the Mountain. My people are now in danger too, because we can."

"And, this is why you saved Anya?" Lexa questioned.

"No, I know that I needed proof. I had to be able to show that the Mountain was bad. So, I injured myself to get back into their healers' area. I knew that something was happening there, but I didn't know what," Clarke explained. "As soon as I was in there, I broke into another area. This is where I found Anya and the rest of your people. They are kept in cages, but there was more. I was so disgusted. I wanted to free them, but I knew I had to wait until I knew I could get them all out."

"So you escaped?"

"I realized what they were doing with your people. When I found out, I found the cage that Anya was in. I knew that she was important to you. I figured if I got her out and we escaped, I could meet with you and get an alliance."

"So how did you end up bonded to my general?" Lexa demanded.

"A lot happened between me breaking her out of the cage and getting here, Lexa. I got her out and knew that we had to tell you that not all your people were lost in the Mountain," Clarke answered. "They turn your people into Ripa, but those that aren't, they keep for their blood."

"Their blood?" Lexa hissed.

"Yes, they are drained for their blood. The Mountain uses their blood as medicine, to heal their people."

"I don't understand," Lexa admitted.

"Becca could explain it to you," Clarke told her and then continued. "But their people went into the Mountain while your people stayed above ground. You're people learned to adapt to the outside would, those in the Mountain didn't. Their skin burns in the air. It is toxic, umm, poisonous to them. They have to wear suits to protect them. They use those suits and the Ripa to get more of you to bleed."

"How long are people held?" Lexa asked.

"They have a lot of your people...so many cages," Clarke lamented.

Lexa looked at her. She heard the stories of the fiery blonde in front of her, but she could tell they were only half true. She wasn't just a healer or a leader. She was more. She cared about lives that didn't even belong to her. Lexa could only wonder what she was capable of and how she would attack the Mountain to save their peoples.

"How long?" Lexa questioned, again, quieter."

"Two to three bleedings. They aren't fed. They are weak. They want to fight, but those that fight the most are drained first, so they don't become a problem. I don't know exactly how many times Anya was bled, but given how long I think we were in there, I would say at least twice. This will haunt her for a long time. She wants her vengeance and is owed it. I will not deny that, Lexa, but she needs time. I don't know what she went through exactly, but it was enough that she is willing to end her own life so that she doesn't have to go back. I understand that. She is your general, but the Mountain is..."

"I understand," Lexa replied. "I will treat her accordingly. I owe her much."

"Thank you," Clarke stated.

"You actually care for her?"

"I do."

"And, you've bonded with her?"

"I have."

"You know our traditions?"

"I do."

"And, you did this freely?"

"I did."

"Why?"

"It was a way I could prove to her that she could trust me. I wanted to head towards my people, but I knew that I needed you and your warriors if we were going to take the Mountain. My people have tech to help, but we don't have the numbers. Together we can fell the Mountain."

"And, how can you help?" Lexa inquired.

"We have guns to fight theirs. We can make bombs, like those that took out the bridge. We understand how to stop their weapons, the fog and the missiles. I also want to turn the Ripa back into men. We can do that."

"No one can do that.'

"My people can," Clarke insisted. "Well Skaikru can, and I'm Trikru now."

"You are Trikru because of Anya and nothing more. Without the tattoos and a leader's blessing, it will mean nothing," Lexa said and watched Clarke's reaction. "I want to see the truth of you together. Prove your worth to her and I'll think about your alliance for the Skaikru."

"And, how do I do that?"

"You will get the tattoos tomorrow. I'll get Indra to give you her blessing and hold the ceremony for all the village tomorrow night. Stay with us, learn from us, let me learn more about you and your people, and then I'll go with you to the Skaikru to make an alliance," Lexa explained to her.

"I know our people are still fighting. I need to go back to my former people soon. I need to let them know I'm okay. I know that you want proof, and I need to give them something," Clarke explained. "If we go without some sort of peace agreement, things will be worse than they already are. I'm with Anya now, and she's with me. She's your general, Heda. I'm a prisa for my people. You know that this is a good political match. I also know that you aren't happy about it. My mother won't like it either. She'll believe I was forced."

"Were you?"

"No. Anya would never," Clarke defended her accidental wife quickly. "I know that you think I did something to Anya, Lexa. I get it. I understand your worry and fear. My mother will have similar thoughts. We need to go there in peace."

"Why?"

"They don't know about the Mountain, Lexa. The last thing that they knew about us was that we were basically at war with you. I know they've landed. My mother would have gone to the dropship, my first home here," Clarke said.

"And, she would have found..."

"Ash, bones, destroyed tents, blood...all the signs of battle and only one of us left behind. Unfortunately, they don't know that any of us are alive. If we can't find a way to have peace between us, Lexa, our people in the Mountain will all die. And if that happens, the Mountain men will walk the Earth again."

"Then we will kill them all," Lexa replied.

"They will cut you down with their bullets, fog, missiles," Clarke told her before asking. "Have you ever heard the phrase: the enemy of my enemy is my friend? Lexa, it is better to fight one enemy and not two. Help me, help you. We want the same things. Or, is war all you want your legacy to be?"

Lexa was quiet as she thought over Clarke's words. It was at this time that Anya came back in the house. She had some plates of food and a smile on her face. Clarke noticed the lack of picture in her hands. Anya set the plates down in front of them before she took a seat by Clarke again. She looked around the table and waited to see who was going to crack first.

"What did they say?" Lexa asked her.

"They are ready for us as soon as you are ready, niron," Anya said to Clarke.

"I believe that Laila should start on Clarke's in the morning, first," Lexa said.

They both looked at her, for Clarke, it was wonder. For Anya, it was bewilderment. It seemed that Lexa was supporting them.

"You'll take care of Indra for us?" Anya questioned.

"I will. I'll talk to her before I retire this evening," Lexa stated. "I expect you both for breakfast though."

"Why?" Anya asked, and Clarke reached out to calm her.

Lexa smiled at her before answering, "Fos, she is worthy. She's explained herself, and I think you are both correct in that we need Skaikru to help us. I will send for Linkon. I will talk with him and make our wishes known. I will also speak with Beka and the others. We will find a way to make them understand, Prisa. Until then, you are our guest. I will not tell them of your bonding. That is for you and Anya to handle."

"Thank you, Heda," Clarke replied. "We'll see you for breakfast. And, then I'll get my tattoo."

"We'll have your ceremony to celebrate your bonding and escape from the Maun-de. This will give the people hope. Anya, we'll train after breakfast and finish planning your ceremony together, Fos. Tomorrow, your bonding becomes official and then we'll reach out to Skaikru," Lexa told them. "Once the alliance is finalized. We'll attack the Mountain. We will save our people together."

"I need to send word to my people soon."

"I will send for Lincoln," Lexa stated. "He is getting us information on the rest of your people. He is still worried about the girl, thought."

"Octavia," Clarke replied. "She is his niron, or they want to be."

"We will see how relations go before anymore join Trikru."

"She is a warrior, Heda. She may not look like much, but she just needs support and training. She'll be a good and trusted asset," Clarke said.

"I'll talk with Lincoln. We will see, Skaiprisa. You offer hope for us all. We will see if you are truly worth the trust you seem to inspire."

"Speak with them. Talk to Becca," Clarke said. "We'll talk more in the morning. I'll prepare a statement for my mother. She'll want to see me before we go to the camp. It would be better to send word back with Lincoln."

"You're afraid of how your people will react, Niron?" Anya questioned.

"Yes," Clarke answered truthfully.

She closed her eyes. She willed memories away, but it didn't work. Lexa and Anya saw the pain on her face. Anya reached out to her to comfort her, not realizing that she was the reason for her pain. Clarke opened her eyes and realized that they were watching her. She gave Lexa a weak smile as she grabbed Anya's hand.

It wasn't the first time that she'd zoned out with her memories. It wasn't something that she was sure she'd ever be able to explain. It didn't matter that Lexa might gain some understanding with her because of the Flame, Clarke couldn't and wouldn't let herself get close to Lexa like that in this life. They couldn't afford it. She knew that their, all of their collective lives, depended on Lexa staying alive. Anya was going to be an added bonus. She wasn't willing to sacrifice either of them. The memories of Anya's death plagued Clarke. She could only hope that the changes that she'd already made would keep Anya alive.

Holding Anya's hand tighter, she leaned over and kissed her.

"Why?" Lexa asked, surprised by Clarke's reaction to Anya's question.

"The truth is...I know they're scared,' Clarke answered. "I'm sure you're watching them like you did us. I'm not faulting you for that. I expect it. I'm sure that they do, too. Because of what happened between us, the Trikru and the 100, our families and the rest of the Ark that has fallen are worried about what you will do to them. I hate to say it, but they will probably shoot first and ask questions later. I don't want anyone else to get hurt."

"But you aren't worried about Linkon?" Anya asked.

"No, not really."

"Why not?" Lexa pushed.

"If I tell you, you'll punish him."

"Does this have anything to do with your friend, Octavia?"

"Yes."

"Lexa..." Anya warned as she squeezed Clarke's hand tighter. "Listen before judging."

"I will, but we both know that he is Indra's top scout. She'll not be pleased with him already because of the girl. As Heda I will have to respect Indra's choice of punishment for him. If he hasn't betrayed the Kongeda, it should be minor. So tell me, Skaiprisa, what did my scout do?"

"He told us to go to the sea. To go to Luna, but we couldn't. We tried, but we were too weak..." Clarke started.

"Because of the bleeding sickness?" Anya inquired.

"Yes, we tried to go while he tried to hold off Tristen. It didn't work. Tristen wanted us all dead. He wouldn't even try to meet with us like Anya had. I know you sent him to kill us, but we were just sent here to live. We didn't mean to cause harm. We had no idea that your people had survived. He was the first among you that we had real contact with and it wasn't good. I know that, but he forgave us and tried to help," Clarke started. "God knows that we didn't deserve it, but he tried. He saw something in us. He sees the warrior in Octavia. He knows what the 100 is capable of and that we wanted peace. My people lost contact with us, so they only know what we've said to them about you. Lincoln wants to bridge that gap. I've found a way within your kru by becoming Anya's houmon. Our people will do well together, Lexa. But, Linkon will defect for Octavia. I don't want this, nor do I want you to banish him."

"You've told me nothing to protect him," Lexa stated.

"I know. I understand that. But, call him to you. Let me speak with him. I know that I'll be able to start bridging the gap between our people, again," Clarke told her. "Start the peace on your end. You want blood for our crimes, take mine. I'll gladly give it."

"No, Klark!" Anya yelled. "You will not pay for their crimes."

Lexa looked between them. It was the second time since she'd calmed from Anya's surprise salvation that Clarke offered her blood up in penance. She was starting to wonder if the girl had a death wish. Knowing that she would have to say something soon or Anya might have another outburst, Lexa raised her hand. Clarke and Anya both calmed slightly as they waited for her to speak again.

"We will talk to Linkon, first, Skaiprisa."

"And the payment for our crimes?" Clarke pushed.

"Like Anya said it was war, but you've returned my Fos to me and joined her. I cannot punish you for that. I can blame the Maun for some of it to absolve your people of blame. How much will depend on your people and what Linkon tells me. For now, worry about your houmon and the bonding ceremony tomorrow. We will deal with the politics later," Lexa explained. "The people will want to celebrate."

"I know," Clarke replied. "But, some will also want to kill me."

"That may be true, but I'll issue a decree. I'll call off the kill orders for your people. We will talk more later. Tend to your Houmon en niron, Skaiprisa. It is a boon for us all that you are bonding."

"Seriously, Lexa?" Clarke asked incredulously.

"You weren't wrong. Anya is a high general. She has more than regained her status with me. And, you are a Prisa to your people, the leader to your 100 and a great healer. You're joining Trikru will make up for some of the harm your people have committed. For now, rest. Enjoy each other. After tomorrow, we will see to your peace and people. I only hope that they agree to your terms."

"I'll make them."

"Spoken like a true leader," Lexa responded. "Take care of her, Anya. She is special. The spirits have seen fit to bring you together, to bring our peoples together, so we will start our peace with your union."

"Thank you," Clarke said. "Mochof."

"I'll send for Linkon. It might take a few days for him to come to us. In that time, enjoy each other and help Nyko in the healer's hut. Anya will talk with Indra and I about the Maun. We will be safe," Lexa told them and stood up. She walked towards the hut's door and stopped. "Reshop Fos, Skaiprisa."

"Reshop, Heda," they both replied and Lexa left.

Clarke let out a breath. She was still worried. There were things that she wanted to stop from happening. She hoped that with Lexa calling for Lincoln it would save him from becoming a Ripa. She also hoped that with his help it would keep Finn from killing eighteen innocent lives. She didn't want to have to sacrifice him, but she knew she would. It would be hard, but she'd learned all to well that the good of the many outweighed the good of the few.

Anya reached over and plucked her from the chair she was sitting in. Pulling her down into her lap, Anya kissed her thoroughly. Staring into her, she decided to ask Clarke, "Why is my life worth more than yours?"