Chapter Text
Clarke stared out the window wistfully, watching the scene below. It was around midday and the marketplace was full of people. Vendors shouting, doing their best to be heard over the commotion of villagers bustling about, and Clarke couldn’t help but wish she was with them. Her mind drifted elsewhere as she thought of what she would be doing at this time tomorrow. She would be stuck in a stuffy church with a tight white dress, marrying a man she wasn’t sure she lived. They had only met a handful of times, she barely knew him.
Finn Collins was a prince in the neighbouring kingdom. Her father was set on their union and her mother, practically powerless, just stood to the side and tried to keep the peace. Clarke argued with her father for hours over marrying Finn but he barely budged. She was told to suck it up and deal with it, you’ll amount to nothing on your own. Remember that.
Brought back to the present, she sighed and got up. Might as well have some fun considering it was her last day of so-called freedom. She changed into an outfit that would help her blend in more and rushed out of the castle and toward the crowds of people. Slowly, she made her way to the town square where a set of intricate, woven braids caught her eye. She followed the mysterious figure until they turned around and noticed Clarke staring right at them.
It was a woman. Her eyes were surrounded with black warpaint and she wore a white blouse with the top few buttons unbuttoned. Her hand was placed on her side where a dagger was strapped and she stared at Clarke with a mixture of suspicion and curiosity.
“Who are you? What do you want?”
“Hm? Oh, me?” Clarke flushed. She hadn’t realized she’d been staring. “Sorry. I’m… I’m no one. And is it really such a crime to find a woman pretty?”
The woman’s eyes widened for a fraction of a second before her face returned to its blank expression. “As much as I appreciate the flattery, it is, in fact, a crime for you to gaze upon a pretty woman. Lucky for you I don’t care for such rules.”
“What is your name?”
“My name is Alexandria. My friends call me Lexa. But you, you can call me Commander.”
“Well. It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Commander.” Clarke’s eyes widened as realization dawned on her. “Wait… you’re that pirate, right? Ruthless. We call you the queen of the seas. There have been so many myths and legends surrounding you and your crew. What brings you here, of all places?”
“My crew and I came to trade for supplies. This is a pretty major trading centre after all. We’re just getting ready for our next voyage.”
“When are you leaving?”
“Sometime around sunset. We just have to get the last of our supplies and we will be on our way. By the way, you still haven’t told me your name. If you’re no one important, then it shouldn’t matter.”
Clarke met her eyes and, after a brief moment of hesitation, she blurted out, “Roma Bragg.”
Lexa let out a laugh. “You’re lying, I can tell. So who are you really, huh? Are you a thief? An assassin?”
“No. I’m... my name is Clarke Griffin,” she sighed.
Lexa pursed her lips in amusement.
“Clarke Griffin. As in, the princess, Clarke Griffin? Daughter of Jake and Abby Griffin?”
The blonde ducked her head in embarrassment.
“The one and only.”
“Hmm. So, princess, what brings you down here with us common folk? Is there something wrong in your perfect pink world full of sunshine and rainbows?”
Her tone was mocking and there was a slight bite in her words but Clarke chose to ignore it.
“Actually, yes, Commander, something is wrong. You see, my father decided it would be a good idea to arrange a marriage with Finn Collins of the neighbouring kingdom. He was convinced it will be good for me, but I disagree. I’m getting married tomorrow and I thought I would enjoy some semblance of freedom while it lasted. Now, do you have a problem with me being down here?”
“Oh, not at all. I just feel you don’t belong, is all.”
“Oh yeah? How do you feel about putting that to the test?” Clarke turned to one of the merchants. He was selling swords. She bought two and threw one at Lexa who caught it with ease. She smiled at the brunette before saying:
“How good are you at sword fighting?”