Familiar Faces

Lexa sat comfortably in my lap with her head laid against my chest as one of her hands idly stroked the bare skin of my abdomen. Holding her tightly, I thought back to how we had just made love on her throne in the middle of the throne room. I am honestly surprised that no one had caught us. Now that I think about it, John probably had something to do with it.

I will definitely need to have a spar with him soon and reevaluate where his current skills lie. It's been a while since I got the chance to throw him around the training grounds. I let out a low chuckle at the thought.

"What has you so amused, my Shield…" Lexa practically purrs, placing gentle kisses on my chest. 

Looking down at her, I am barely able to hold in a moan. The sight of Lexa naked, curled up in my lap, placing gentle kisses on my chest while her hand is stroking my lower abdomen nearly causes me to take her on her throne once more. 

I Shake the wanton thoughts from my mind and kiss her brow. "I was just thinking about kicking John's ass." 

A cute laugh suddenly erupts from her and I can't help but join her. I really needed this time with her. I haven't had a moment of relaxation since before I left Polis to lay siege on Skaikru's dropship. Battle, being taken prisoner, torture, more battles, directly killing hundreds of innocent people… It all takes its toll on you. 

"I am sure Ontari would love that." Lexa finally vocalizes, slightly out of breath due to the amount of laughter. 

"Who's Ontari?" I inquire, unfamiliar with the name.

"Oh!" she exclaims, forgetting that I wasn't present when she arrived. "She is the newest nightblood. Queen Naia sent her here as a sign of good faith." 

I raise an eyebrow in surprise. "Really? Good for him. What are your thoughts on her?" 

"I approve of his choice. She is a strong warrior and a strong person. I believe she will keep him in line. She has been a good influence on him. She even got him out of a self destructive spiral." 

"A destructive spiral? What happened?" I questioned, concern imbuing my voice. 

She let out a quiet sigh before speaking. "After you were taken, he didn't know if you were alive… I didn't know if you were alive…" Lexa paused in her words to gather herself. 

I kissed her brow once more and rubbed my hand down her arm comfortingly, waiting patiently for her to continue.

"Like I said, we didn't know whether you were dead or alive. Neither one of us were in a very good place in your absence, John especially so. He was training himself to death, trying to be the perfect warrior and the perfect guard. You'd be proud of how seriously he took his role." She chuckles lightly. 

"Every night he would train himself half to death, and he would train until he physically couldn't lift his sword anymore. I'm not sure how it happened, but Ontari somehow talked him out of this destructive state he was in. Slowly but surely, he started to return to his former self… similarly to how you helped me after Costia's death." Lexa finishes quietly. 

I knew that John looked up to me, but hearing how he was impacted so greatly, quickly made me realize just how much. I also couldn't help but think about how similar our paths are. We are both orphans that participated in a science experiment that was orchestrated by the council, sent to the ground, found a place that we belonged, and then fell in love with a nightblood. 

After Lexa and I discuss what happened after my capture, I plan to speak to John about the refugees integration into Trikru. I will also make sure that Octavia is helping. As Bellamy's sister, I'm sure that she is familiar with most, if not all, of the ones that I rescued from the Mountain Men. 

"We never did stop believing that you were alive, you know... " She says quietly, rousing me gently from my thoughts. 

I gaze into her gray eyes softly. "Do you remember when I beat you in a spar for the first time?" Her eyes do not leave mine as she nods slowly with a small smile.

"And do you remember what I said to you that night when I showed you my spear?" Again she nods, her smile wider than before. 

"You said that now that you are the strongest, you will always be there to help me grow in strength to fight off any enemy." 

"And I meant it, Lexa. You are my best friend, and my lover. I will not be leaving you any time soon." Her gaze increases in intensity and captures my lips in a passionate kiss in reply. 

"I love you." She says quietly after a while, staring deeply into my eyes as her hand laid gently against my chest. Her hand was warm to the touch and felt like fire against my skin.

"I love you, too." 

***

After Lexa and I finished our business in the throne room, I led her and John towards one of Polis' stay houses. A stay house is similar to how Pre-Praimfaya hotels and b&bs were described. The main difference however, was that a stay house is only for the rich and influential. The only way you'd ever be able to spend the night here, was if your name meant something. Sometimes, though, they would host political members that didn't want to stay in the tower. 

The particular stay house that we are heading to, is where I stashed the Skaikru Refugees. I made sure to situate them on the highest floor, which they have all to themselves, and to make sure that there were plenty of guards situated around to make sure that they weren't able to leave until Lexa said so. Other than the constant guards and the inability to leave, they were treated as VIP guests that were served the best. 

I'll admit that I tried to butter them up with the luxury, but it's also for them to understand that we are not the savages that they were led to believe. I informed Lexa of the refugees that I brought back with me, but I didn't tell her yet exactly what went on in the mountain. I figured that the integration of Skaikru placed precedence. Once She makes a decision on how she wants to proceed with them, I will explain everything. It's easier to deal with one thing at a time. 

Along the way to the stay house, Lexa and John would consistently ask me questions pertaining to the refugees. I filled them in as best as I could. I didn't know all their names, but I remembered the important ones. There were only a handful that really stood out enough for me to want to know. A few were even introduced by Monty. Such as Nathan Miller, Harper McIntyre, Jasper Jordan, and Raven Reyes. 

Apparently, Jasper and Raven are very intelligent and crafty. I had a little conversation with Jasper and discovered that he is very knowledgeable when it comes to chemistry. He bragged quite a bit about being able to create the best moonshine on The Ark. While I don't doubt that he could and most likely would create a successful alcohol business in Polis, I plan to use him in more beneficial endeavors. I would have loved to talk chemistry with him a little longer, but he seemed completely devastated over the death of someone and couldn't focus on our conversation. Just another death on my conscience…

Raven on the other hand, was nearly the exact opposite to Jasper. While Jasper was a heartbroken and distraught mess, Raven was a seemingly wound up ball of energy. However, I could tell that she was putting up a false front. Her eyes were dulled and her smiles didn't seem to reach her eyes. Her eyes and her intelligence were the only similarities that she shared with Jasper. I didn't ask, nor did I inquire about it, but I could tell that she lost someone too. 

Whereas Jasper's knowledge consisted of chemistry, Raven was a fantastic mechanical engineer. She also held a deep understanding of electrical engineering, both skills undoubtedly important on the Ark. When I asked her who was responsible for the explosives that were used during the battle, she didn't even try to hide it. She admitted it proudly with a smirk on her face. When she told me that she was responsible, I just laughed and patted her shoulder. Raven looked at me with a confused expression in response, expecting that I'd be angry with her. 

I told her it was war, and she was just doing her job as a warrior. She gave me a small smile in reply and we continued to bounce questions off of one another. Other than Monty, Raven was probably my favorite refugee. 

Monty's, Jasper's, and Raven's minds will be excellent additions to Polis. It's not very often I meet people that are able to hold conversations with me that consist of science. Technologies that Mount Weather, Camp Jaha, and The Hundred's dropship contain are very rare, and the people that are knowledgeable of these technologies are even rarer. It is a shame that Clarke was one of the few that will be held accountable for the crimes against Trikru. 

"I'm sure the owners of this stay house were quite unhappy with their new guests." Lexa spoke with an amused lilt, motioning towards the large building in front of us. 

Her comment made me recall the conversation I had with the owner of the establishment. When I had first shown up with all of the refugees demanding that they stay here, the old woman that runs the place nearly threw me out. Granted, I didn't have my signature attire on and I was covered with blood… but still; I had a pretty recognizable face in the city. 

The old woman was less than pleased with my request for them to stay here, so I had to resort to ordering it using my title as The Shield Gon Hedas. In the end, the old woman agreed to let them stay, but I was responsible for anything that they did. 

I shook my head at the memory. "They were…" I paused to find the right word "agreeable." Turning towards my companions I see that they both have amused smiles, not believing my words. 

"Suuure they were…" John said lightly, his thoughts running wild imagining how I managed to let the refugees stay. I rolled my eyes at their behavior and a flash of amusement briefly showed on my face before I schooled my features. 

"Ever the serious one." 

"It's called discipline. A guard of Heda must always show discipline." I throw John a mock glare. "I thought I had taught you discipline. It seems that we will have to… review your lessons to correct your behavior." 

John's face quickly paled and his stride faltered, nearly causing him to stumble. 

Lexa let out an amused chuckle at John's predicament, no doubt already scheming to invite Ontari to watch John get his ass handed to him once again. Luckily for John however, his fate shall be delayed until everything regarding the refugees, war prisoners, and the mountain's fate are dealt with.

Arriving at the stay house, we were greeted by a rather exasperated old woman, but she quickly fixed her attitude when she saw Lexa's narrowed eyes. While the Skaikru refugees didn't cause any trouble, the woman felt as though she was missing out on business. But with a promise of reimbursement from the Heda, the old woman quickly changed her tune with a smile on her face. 

Before entering the room with the refugees, I needed a quick word with John about what's going to happen. Standing in front of a mildly luxurious set of oak doors, I turn to him. 

"So here's the plan: when we go in, you are going to show me how serious you take your position as my second." I pause, letting the weight of my words settle before continuing. "You are going to be my example of how someone from Skaikru can adjust and thrive in their situation. After recognition sets in, you are going to be honest with them about your experience and how you feel about it. Understood?"

"Understood, Shield." John replies professionally, nodding once in confirmation.

With that out of the way, I turn to Lexa and see her small but proud smile. "Once we enter, I will give a little speech of introduction as Heda and what is to be expected of them as I try to win them over with words. Once that is finished, John, I will have you remove your mask and you shall begin your part." 

Looking at John and I, she asks if we are ready. Nodding our heads, she turns to the door and puts on her Heda face before pushing it open. Flanked on either side of her, we follow Lexa into the large room. 

A room wouldn't be doing the place justice. The 'room' was large, taking up most of the upper floor of the stay house with quite a few separate bedrooms connected. As soon as we entered, I immediately went into my Shield Gon Heda mode, evaluating the room and gauging whether the few occupants sitting on a couple of couches were a threat.

Obviously they were all searched for weapons and other dangerous items before being allowed to stay in the stay house, but you can never be too cautious. Constant Vigilance!

Upon noticing our arrival, the three refugees that were present stood up hastily and looked at us with worried faces. When John, Lexa, and I were together, we made quite the intimidating sight. It was too bad that I didn't have my trusty cloak with me or the spear that was a gift from Matthew, those items would totally add to the intimidation factor. Until my famous cloak and trusty spear were hopefully found, they had to be replaced for the moment.

Armed with a somewhat average looking spear and no cloak, I felt strangely naked. 

Lexa looked over the small group that were in the room with an analytical gaze. She hasn't met many Skaikru, only a handful, really. The last one she spoke to was Kane. When I returned from the mountain, she had told me about their prisoner, and I was feeling conflicted.

I told her that I'd deal with Kane and the other prisoners after we settled the issue with the refugees first. Lexa could tell the reason I put it off was to work through some issues, but she didn't push me on it. That wasn't the only issue she had noticed that I was dealing with, either. More than once, she caught the haunted look in my eye.

Again, I told her we'd deal with that after we get done with the refugees. I didn't want to burden her with all my problems all at once. One step at a time. She was worried, though. I could tell.

Speaking to the nearest former Skaikru member, she told him to gather the rest of the refugees. With little hesitation, the young man ran off to inform the rest of his people to meet in the main area. 

We didn't have to wait long before around 30 teenagers were looking at us with trepidation marring their youthful features. None of them dared speak.

Sweeping her authoritative gaze over the assembled group, she seemed to scan each of their faces as if looking for something before speaking. "Welcome to Polis. I am Heda, the commander of the twelve clans." Lexa said smoothly, loud enough for her voice to reach each corner of the room. 

Following her introduction, whispers soon broke out amongst the refugees. They'd only heard stories of her, just as they had with me. 

Waiting for the whispers to die down before continuing, I noticed that a handful of members from the large group actually had looks of respect on their faces. That surprised me, considering they lost a battle with the grounders only a couple of weeks ago. 

"I hope you all have enjoyed your stay here, and I hope you all have put aside those silly and insulting thoughts of us being savages." She continued, watching as more than a few of the teens in front of her actually looked down in embarrassment and shame. "My Shield," she said, gesturing towards me, "has told me of the promise that he made to you back when you were all trapped within the mountain.

"He has been very persuasive in regards to what I should do with you. My Shield has been convincing, and has promised me that you all wouldn't be a problem moving forward. He suggested that we take you in, to integrate you within our society." She paused once more, waiting for her words to settle in before speaking again. 

"This is an opportunity for a new start. No longer are you prisoners within The Ark, no longer are you prisoners within the mountain, nor are you prisoners within my home, Polis. I do not blame any of you for the atrocities committed by your leaders, you were scared and just following orders.

"You had no other choice but to participate in a war with us, and for that, I harbor no ill will. In fact, I respect the bravery each of you has shown in battle. You have chosen to fight for what you believed in, as well as fight for your lives—that is admirable."

Towards the middle of the group, I spotted Raven sporting a smile on her face. She had probably the single most impactful part to play out of any of her companions. I informed Lexa about her and she was rather impressed with the young girl's ingenuity. Though I can't exactly call her too young, she wasn't much younger than I or Lexa. 

"Each of you will either be seconds, apprentices," Lexa added at the confused looks she was getting, "or if you have valued skills that we don't have experts on, you may be getting a unique position within my army, here at Polis, or amongst the clans. Each of you will be a valuable addition to my people, and each of you has something important to contribute to our society: knowledge.

"If you doubt my words, your friend, Octavia, would be happy to share her experience with you the next time she visits Polis." At the mention of Octavia, the whispers started up again along with looks of shock. Most of them believed her to be dead, so it was surprising to know that she was alive. 

There were still some looks of skepticism amongst them, though. Until they actually saw her, they would just have to take Lexa's word for it.

"Not only is she the second to one of the most respected generals in my coalition, but she has become a very accomplished warrior in her own regard. Even more, she has found love amongst my people. She has started a new life, a life that she was never going to get on The Ark. 

"Now, I stand before you and offer you that same chance, a chance of a new and better life. And if my words alone aren't enough to sway you, perhaps my Shield's second's words will." She finishes, gesturing towards John on her left with a barely noticeable smile upon her face. 

Taking a deep breath and seemingly standing straighter than he was before, John slowly and methodically raised his hand up to his face to remove his bone mask.