so pure, so rare

sarcana Contestar:

You’re right, there’s definitely a lot more to it, so I’m gonna try to break down what I personally feel are the two most prominent elements.

1) her knowledge that Clarke won’t actually kill her. 

While I don’t necessarily believe Lexa thinks Clarke’s feelings for her would prevent it, there’s no doubt in my mind that Lexa sees and recognizes Clarke’s feelings for herself in that moment and the moments leading up to it. In context, this scene is occurring shortly after a confrontation between them in which Clarke explicitly states “I’m done”. In the previous months, Clarke’s worked quite actively to distance herself from her leadership position, and the choices (and killing) that position demanded. She doesn’t want it anymore. She doesn’t want the title, the reputation, or the responsibility. The blood on her hands is what drove her from her people, as she’s fully aware that protecting them and leading them would continually put her in circumstances through which she’d have to take lives to save lives. Clarke wants to be done with death, especially death that would be ultimately unnecessary like killing Lexa out of vengeance would have been. Lexa obviously asserts that Clarke “can’t run away from who she is”, (“who she is” being a leader, no matter the consequences), but still she knows Clarke doesn’t want to kill anyone.

I also want to point out here that Lexa’s seen Clarke’s attempts to kill for vengeance before. In season 2, after TonDC, Clarke shoots the spotter responsible for the attack. When Lexa asks her if that made her feel better, Clarke says, tears in her eyes “No.” Lexa knows Clarke no longer sees the point in killing for vengeance, and she knows Clarke isn’t a killer. Clarke is a leader. Lexa knew her life was never in danger.

So then, what was the point of letting Clarke hold her in that position for so long? I’ll give you a hint: it ties to the fealty scene

2) Lexa’s submission of power

I don’t know if I’ve mentioned this before, but it’s something I’ve been ruminating over for quite a while. Many were surprised by Lexa’s vow, and that makes sense, the gesture being quite grand and Iconic and heartwarming. But looking back, 3x03 showcases a few moments in which Lexa either directly or indirectly submits varying degrees of power to Clarke. 

The first? When Lexa redirects Titus’s credit “everything you do elevates her”, and places it instead entirely in Clarke’s hands, “she elevates herself”. Lexa takes none of the offered recognition, an act absolutely odd for someone in her position (the ruler of thousands and a borderline religious figure), and this is made even more significant by the fact that Clarke isn’t even there to hear this. Lexa’s willingly acknowledging the power of an opposing political leader in front of her most trusted adviser. 

The second? The knife scene. Lexa is quite literally giving Clarke the opportunity to kill her. Her life is in Clarke’s hands. While she knows Clarke won’t end up doing it, the mere possibility that she could and in this moment Lexa seems to be willing to let that happen is huge. Lexa’s fully capable of disarming Clarke, but she doesn’t. She doesn’t even look tempted. Hell, she looks resigned to whatever Clarke decides. 

This is not the face of someone that has any inclination to resist. Mouth agape, eyes surprised and then sad and then accepting. Lips pressed together. Expression without challenge.

Teeth bared, jaw locked, eyes hardened. 

See the difference? In the confrontation with Jaha, Lexa’s demonstrating her power. She’s asserting her dominance, making it obvious that she is in charge in front of people that are perceived as enemies. 

There’s a marked difference in Lexa’s expressions with Clarke. She’s submitting. She’s giving Clarke the power to kill her. She’s pledging her life away, before she ever gets down on her knees.

Lexa’s been risking her life and her position for Clarke ever since she began her attempts to spare Wanheda’s life. Lexa’s known for a long time that Clarke’s decisions will directly influence her own survival, it’s only fitting that this moment embody Clarke’s power over her. Love is weakness, after all.

In sum, Lexa’s well aware that Clarke’s own personal relationship with killing and her disdain for doing it, especially with vengeance as the motivating factor, means she’s never in real danger. But Lexa’s willingness to let Clarke press the knife to her throat serves a symbolic purpose, very similar and in my opinion foreshadowing the fealty scene, both cases demonstrating Lexa’s willingness to live her life in service to Clarke’s needs.