the sun was sinking, casting long shadows through the dense trees as lexa moved silently along the forest path. Her guards flanked her, every step soundless and precise, alert to any sign of disturbance. They had been patrolling these borders for hours, and despite the faint sounds of the wilderness, all had been still.

suddenly, a rustling pierced the quiet, rapid and frantic, accompanied by heavy, erratic breathing. lexa raised her hand, signaling her guards to stop. She motioned for them to stay back, a calculated glint in her eyes as she waited, every muscle ready.

from the depths of the trees, you emerged, staggering. Your wrists and ankles were red, raw from the ropes that had only recently been cut loose. Your blonde hair was matted, your face streaked with grime and sweat. You still bore the remnants of a gag tied around your neck, and your gaze was wild, panicked. You didn’t notice lexa and her guards until you practically stumbled into them, gasping.

lexa took a step forward, cold and unflinching, her gaze sharp as ice.

“Stop,”

she commanded, voice hard and unyielding.

you froze, your eyes wide with fear and defiance, looking lexa over with a mix of desperation and suspicion.

“Please, I— someone kidnapped me!”

you stammered, your voice was rough, barely more than a whisper.

lexa’s expression remained neutral, even skeptical, as she observed the disheveled stranger before her. She didn’t seem impressed by your ragged appearance or your obvious distress. Instead, her eyes narrowed

“Who are you?”

lexa asked, her tone a quiet, lethal demand.

“And why are you on my land?”

you swallowed, fighting for breath.

“my- name is clarke griffin, I’m the leader of the sky people and I was taken,”

you managed to say, your voice trembling.

“I escaped. They—”

you broke off, your hands shaking as you attempted to explain, but your words failed you.

lexa’s stare was unwavering, unfazed by your plea. she crossed her arms, her posture rigid.