Chapter Text
The duel had no lasted long, Clark just managing to land the final blow as the sun reached its highest peak. Majority of the day laborers out on the fields working through a few had gathered to watch the duel between the women. It was mostly Monty and Jasper, who offered words of encouragement to both sides every strike or swing. As Clarke wiped away the beads of sweat from her brow she swore she say the Barbarians watching from a distance. All three standing stoically, arms crossed and signature scowls.
She blinked only once and the three were gone, as if they faded into the edge of the woods behind them,
“Clarke, you are hopeless.”
Turning her attention back towards Raven who had sheathed her sword and was already preparing to leave to her living quarters.
“I am not.”
“No, you are. Do you know what I do during my free times now?”
“What?”
“I talk with them, Anya teaches me about their histories. She has even been more than willing to discuss other topics not involved in the past. You do know that Lexa pines after you.”
Clarke had swallowed harshly, coughing lowly to try and hide just how she was caught off guard.
“....I did not know that.”
“She pines just as you pine. You two are hopeless. Neither of you will talk with one another and when you do it’s about how well of a purchase they were. Clarke, if you want to not come off as a spoiled Southerner to them, more so Lexa, then actually spend the time learning about them.”
“What are you suggesting?”
“Sneak out tonight with me and Octavia, come down to the laborer quarters and join us for their nightly drinks.”
Raven didn’t wait nor did she need to hear the reply. The woman walking off, hand resting on the pommel of her sheath, pride beaming from her every step. Clark sighed heavily, her mind swirling with ideas and thoughts. The very idea of Lexa pining after her, that this woman shared the same possible feelings was almost too much. Where these people more open to women together, would she have had more experience….
Shaking her head clearing away the images of Lexa and how experienced a lover she might be. Her hands still gripping her sword tightly, her hands shaking with the exertion. Quickly sheathing it she all but ran towards the main castle to avoid her mother’s judgemental gaze and to change from her dueling clothing into something more relaxed for the excursion later in the evening.
Dinner came and went, her mother, of course, commenting on her way of dress, saying that a lady of a noble home is not fit to wear tunics and trousers fitting of a laborer. As always her father was by her side ready to defend her if common clothing is how she felt comfortable then, by all means, common clothing was allowed. Normally Clarke would focus more on the conversations held at the table than her food, it allowed her to learn just what was going on in her father’s meetings with the king and the inner dealings of the kingdoms but not tonight. Tonight her mind was already with the common folk and her closest friends and the small tavern on the land. Where the personal guards drank to forget their boredom, families laughed together and the barbarians….of course, they would be there. Standing solemnly in the darkest corner. Watching everything with piercing green eyes.
Strong arms crossed only to find themselves wrapped around Clarke as she swoons from too much ale. A soft voice in her ear,
“Klark..”
“Clark?”
Eyes snapping up immediately,
“Yes, mother?”
“You are awfully quiet this evening, do you have nothing to add to the discussion of peace among the kingdoms. Especially since your new Northern friends have proposed this plan.”
“They did?”
“Yes, they approached your father today, with a very complex plan already laid out for the King. Apparently, they too share a common enemy with us. The mountain Lords’ pose as much a threat to them as the enemies in their own lands.”
“I did not know they had such a drive to help us.”
“Do you not spend time with them, you are the one after all who has vouched for them with your purchase.”
“.....”
“That is what I thought. Clarke, you must be committed to your word. You gave us it by saying you would help to spread peace with them. So far the only ones upholding Your word are people who did not give it.”
“I am sorry mother. I will work harder to uphold my word.”
“Good, you may be dismissed if dinner is not appealing to you. I know your friends are the workers and commoners. Tonight you may have my approval to join them, only to save us the embarrassment of you sneaking out of our own castle on our own lands.”
Clarke needed no further words of encouragement from her mother if one was to call the small talking to encouragement. The night air was crisp and sent a slight chill down her spine, in the distant past the armory and living areas she could see the faint orange glow of lanterns. Distant music filling the silence, a smile formed on her face.
Using all of her willpower to walk, briskly, but still a walk, she headed towards the lights and music. Outside the small tavern were groups of people. It seemed as if everyone on her families lands was there tonight. The word that the strange newcomers actually joining them for drinks must have drawn everyone in. Curiosity being their main drive. Inside Clarke found Raven and Octavia quite easily. They had cups of ale in their hands as they danced with Monty and Jasper. The music fast paced, mostly done by Lyres and what seemed to be a fiddle.
Just as she had imagined it; Lexa, Anya, and Lincoln were standing in a corner of the tavern closer towards the makeshift dance floor than she thought, but all three stood slowly drinking from tankards doing nothing more than observing the scenes before them.
Lexa seemed to be the first to notice her arrival, green eyes lighting up and instantly looking away when she caught Clarke’s gaze.