Chapter Text
It was their last day in Azgeda territory. They were about to head south on their trip. Clarke was excited to see more of the ground but she was also sad that she was leaving the Ice Nation. There was so much beauty in the ice and snow.
In an effort to help her emotional state, Lexa had promised to bring her back sometime.
In an effort to move the convoy along Anya pushed her and Clarke fell onto a patch of ice. She stumbled back onto her feet and rubbed her ass while she stared daggers at a very smug Anya.
Anya was too focused on smirking at Clarke she didn't see the snow bomb that was headed her way until it hit her in the face and exploded into tiny flecks of snow.
Clarke's laughter rang in her ears. It was a beautiful sound. Many of the people on the ground had been fighting for so long that laughing was almost a foreign concept go them. Whenever they heard Clarke burst into laughter it brought smiles to those around her. She was new to the world. She was in essence still pure and innocent, perhaps not in all aspects of her life but she still held a joy for life. She wasn't worried about when her fight would end. She was enjoying her life on the ground as much as she could.
The people of Azgeda had been under Queen Nia's rule for such a long time, but watching The Commander and Clarke together during their visit they realized that life was filled with happiness. King Roan was not perfect but he also isn't his mother. He is trying to change the way Azgeda works. Maybe someday they too can enjoy the snow the way that Clarke does.
Their convoy was gathered just outside the gates. They were about to depart. All the horses had been loaded and everything was ready.
Lexa was saying her goodbyes to Roan and thanking him for taking care of her people and for hosting them during their visit.
Lexa walked up to Clarke and took off her coat. Clarke could see the other in their group do the same. It was very cold and it would be for several days until they left Ice Nation lands so she didn't understand why they were taking their coats off.
Before she could ask what was going on she saw them all move to the sides of the gates and drop onto the ground on their backs. They'd then move their arms and legs and with them they moved the snow. When they got up they left impressions on the packed snow.
Clarke had her mouth open. It looked like a field of butterflies on the ground. She noticed that everyone was looking at her even as they wiped the snow off themselves.
"It is customary to make one as you leave Azgeda. It shows the people that they have left an impression on you and you on them and when the sun goes down, the ground will glow blue and light your impression."
Clarke was still speechless. Lexa took her silence and inaction as a reluctance to participate in the Ice Nation custom.
"If you do not wish to do so you do not have to."
When Clarke's brain and mouth finally caught up she explained to Lexa "It's beautiful. Both the impressions and what they symbolize. It would be an honor to leave my impression alongside yours."
The last part she said while turning to look at their group. She took off her coat and handed it to Anya, then moved to the side and dropped down. She moved her arms and legs as she had seen the other do and when she was satisfied that her impression was done she stood. After shaking off the snow and putting her coat back on she turned to look.
"They look like butterflies. Snow butterflies. This is amazing."
Lexa mounted her horse and motioned for the group to start moving. Anya and Clarke stayed with her towards the end of the group. With one last look at the impressions, Clarke turned to look at Lexa and then proclaimed, "I made a snow butterfly with my butt!"
Then she started laughing. Loudly. Anya was worried that she'd fall off her horse. Lexa looked on amused. The people of Azgeda could hear her laughter coming from the forest. Many of them with smiles on their faces.