Chapter Text
Clarke stares at herself in the mirror, letting her hands feel the texture of her beautiful white wedding dress. Her make-up is flawless, the bouquet she'll be carrying matches her dress perfectly. She looks gorgeous.
Then it hits her.
She's actually getting married, today.
Her face immediately falls, a tear runs down her cheek. She's relieved that her best friends Raven and Octavia, who are helping her get ready, don't say anything about it.
It wasn't supposed to be like this. This is not how Clarke imagined her wedding day would be. It was supposed to be a joyous day. She should be marrying the love of her life. Instead, she's marrying the woman she's disliked the most since she was a child.
The annoyingly arrogant Empress Lexa of the Tree Clan.
Why did it have to be her? Clarke doesn't know. She has considered every possibility but always comes to the same conclusion. To save the Sky People, she must marry Lexa. Clarke has been nothing but strong, telling herself it's for the good of her people, but now that she's faced with the horrible reality, she's crumbling.
Abby, Clarke's mother, suddenly makes her way into the room where Clarke has been changing.
Noticing her mother's presence, Clarke immediately wipes any trace of tears from her eyes.
"We'll be outside," Octavia announces as she and Raven leave the room to give mother and daughter some privacy.
Abby takes a few steps inside, silently watching Clarke with a heavy heart. She hesitates, but when she sees the unhappiness in her daughter's face, she finally speaks. "If you want, we can call off the wedding, Clarke. You don't have to do this."
Clarke chuckles bitterly. "Sure. I bet the Tree Clan will take the rejection of their kind well." Then she looks at the woman and adds. "That's without counting the repercussions of humiliating the Empress."
Abby wants to argue but chooses to remain silent, knowing that Clarke is speaking the truth. She lowers her head for a second before making eye contact with Clarke again. "Thank you, darling. Thank you for doing this for us." She approaches Clarke. "I wish there was another way, I promise we would..."
"Shh." Clarke interrupts. "You don't need to thank me. This will bring us peace, it will save our lives, and that is worth every sacrifice." She speaks with conviction.
Abby is touched by Clarke's sense of responsibility and determination in the face of her own misery. Her lips tremble as she approaches the girl and says with a wavering voice. "I'm sorry," she finishes, holding out her arms.
Clarke's facade of strength crumbles as she allows herself to fall into the woman's arms. There, in the safety of her mother's embrace, Clarke finally releases everything she's been holding inside and cries her heart out. Dreading what would surely be one of the unhappiest days of her life.
...
Lexa stares at herself in the mirror as she finishes attaching the final rank insignia to her ceremonial uniform.
"There you go, Your Majesty, your hat," Anya says with a smile.
Lexa takes the hat and carefully places it on her head. When she's satisfied with the result, she turns to the girl. "Thanks for your help, Anya." She offers sincerely.
"Of course, Your Majesty. I'm at your service." Anya bows to the Empress.
Lexa glares at her silently for a second or two, then remarks. "Okay, cut the crap, you idiot."
Anya laughs.
Lexa chuckles at the silliness of her best friend. She's known Anya since they were children; she grew up and trained with her. Now that she is the Empress, Anya has become her personal guard, not only because of their friendship but because she is one of the best warriors in the Empire. Lexa feels very lucky to have her working with her and keeping her company, she doesn't know where she would be without her support and help, especially now.
But as much as she enjoys her time with her, she needs some privacy right now.
"If you don't mind, I could use some time alone," Lexa announces, signaling the door with her head.
"Right, of course," Anya replies, already on her way out. "Don't take long." She warns.
Lexa nods.
But before she actually leaves the room, Anya calls from the door.
"And don't spend all your energy here alone. You'll need it on your wedding night." Anya teases with a wink.
"Ugh, just go!" Lexa admonishes with a grin.
She waits until her friend is really gone before she heads for the balcony. She opens the sliding doors, walks to the railing and rests her hands on it. She looks out over the city; the view from the highest room in the castle is magnificent.
Lexa breathes in the fresh air; and then breathes it out, releasing the tension and nervousness she has been hiding from everyone.
Only now does it finally hit her.
She's going to marry Clarke Griffin today.
An involuntary smile graces her features.
How many years she had fantasized about this moment, how long she had held this love in her heart. The responsibilities of her duty have forced her to prolong this fantasy, but as if fate had laid a hand on her, Lexa didn't have to lift a finger to make it happen. Now that it's a reality, she's going to allow herself this moment to freak out, to be vulnerable. Lexa shakes her head, wondering what Clarke looks like, she can't wait to see her. She sighs, unable to wipe the grin from her face, but she has to, soon. She allows herself just a few more minutes to enjoy this feeling in her heart before she switches to her commanding role to face her people on what will surely be one of the happiest days of her life.