Author's Note: Written in colaboration with my wonderful co-writer, who'd like to be referred to as 'Wanheda', this story hopes to give you insight into life on the Ground as well as motivations of the characters for their decisions. While we follow the canon storyline to an extent, expect a lot of AU and more drama! Not to mention budding romance and a few OC's thrown into the mix. Enjoy!

Chapter 1 - "You are the one."
Lexa remembered it well, the moment one of her scouts had come before her throne and reported the devastation that had befallen her warriors. Three-hundred had perished in the violent roar of fire from the Skaikru's machinations, a loss that had even the otherwise stoic and impassive Heda's fingers clench pale around the wooden armrests of her throne and the jade green orbs of her eyes flutter in silent prayer. This had been quite unexpected. Never before had she lost so many of her people within the blink of an eye. Not when uniting the twelve clans under her banner, not in her war against the Ice Nation or in the aftermath of her vendetta with their queen, Nia. No, this was a dangerous new foe to be conquered. Blood must have blood, the sacred words that Lexa clung to in this time of silent despair. She had to act, not only to avenge the aftermath of the attack on the Skaikru, but the massacre in one of her villages as well. Innocent lives had been lost, snuffed out, never to brighten the woods again. It made the young woman grit her teeth while a swift fury bubbled in her dark blood as the order to capture the ones responsible was given.

The army would march, show their united strength against these invaders upon her lands. Yes, Heda would show no mercy. Blood must have blood, she inwardly chanted. The one responsible for the massacre had been caught, awaiting her justice in the form of a death by a thousand cuts. Lexa had to show her strength, not to her own people, but to the enemy as well. She had discussed her options close to a hundred times that night, standing stoically in front of her map table, taking in the wooden figurines and devising her battle plans.

Dawn broke only all too swiftly, leaving the young woman more than a little tired yet not one bit less adamant about her course of action. The fissa of the Skaikru, the one they called Klarke, had requested a barter for the murderer's life. She would hear it, of course. She was Heda and she would show the intruders the face behind their imminent destruction. So she sat, face portraying a careful mask of impassive stoicism while her long, slender fingers idly toyed with her dagger. The worn wooden grip and gleaming steel blade gave her the chance to occupy her mind with idle nothings, a practised twirling of the weapon that would undoubtedly look intimidating to any onlooker. Her own people even thought twice about disrupting their Heda when she wore this mask of neutrality while idly trimming her nails. Armour-clad, war-paint adorned and utterly powerful. Yes, Lexa was ready to finally meet her adversary face to face.

The wood of her throne was a reassuring presence behind her while the fluttering of the tent in the wind about her reminded of past campaigns. Everything had come full circle. Twelve warring clans united, only for a new one to intrude upon her coalition and challenge her authority. This would not, could not stand.

They had never started this. The Grounders were those who attacked first and who forced Clarke and her friends to defend themselves. Ever since the day it had become clear there would be no peace, Clarke and her friends prepared themselves for the ultimate battle. They knew the Grounders would come strong and brutal. They knew that some would lose their lives in that battle, but running away was no longer an option. Clarke was aware that she was putting it all on the line, but it seemed to be the only opportunity to survive. So the group known as Skaikru used the little that they had and what the Grounders wouldn't be prepared for. Technology. So their ship became their ultimate weapon as it was set up as a trap for those warriors and it worked out, even better than expected. Not that it felt good to kill so many people, but what other option did they have?

Clarke had no doubt that this was only the beginning. The Grounders easily outnumbered the Sky People, so it was only a matter of time until they'd strike again. They needed a new plan, needed to find a way to keep defending themselves and survive against whatever the Grounders would throw at them. Clarke never wanted to be in that position. She never wanted to tell others what to do, but she felt that without her, there would be no hope. So she did her best and since they had begun following her lead, Clarke had no other choice but to guide them, to prepare them. It wasn't always easy, because there always some seemingly unhappy with the decisions she made. But after all, Clarke had become stronger because of them. She had to be, even if it meant to become a different person.

Though even the 'new' Clarke couldn't keep herself from having feelings for them, strong ones, especially for Finn and Bellamy. So when Finn was captured and chosen to be sacrificed, Clarke knew what she had to do. She couldn't let them have Finn, despite the horrible things he had done in that village. There would be justice, but not like that. Death didn't mean justice, which was something the Grounders obviously didn't understand. Clarke also knew that if they'd kill Finn, it would be impossible for her to make her friends keep following her lead. So what was she supposed to do? After some thinking about it, it was clear. She had to face their leader and negotiate a barter. Bellamy and her mother tried their best to keep Clarke from doing such a stupid thing, but the blonde wouldn't listen. The decision was made.

So Clarke requested to meet Heda, all by herself, while her people kept hiding behind their walls. For now they seemed safe, but they all knew it wouldn't last for long. That was why Clarke stepped through the gate and let the Grounders grab and drag her to their Heda. It wasn't long before she was pushed inside, with a hard landing on the ground before the wooden throne. Her simple grey top already covered in dirt and blood, just like her pants and boots, as she pushed herself off the ground to finally look Lexa in the eyes from a close distance.

It was a surprise, really. To finally lay eyes upon her enemy from a sword's distance as she sat upon her throne and gazed down with impassive, forest green eyes glinting with just the faintest shimmer of fervour at azure counterparts. The blonde, the one they called Klarke, was naught more than a wisp of a girl. And yet, those azure depths shone with an inner strength that did not come as a surprise to Lexa, for only a true leader could have made the choices she had. To deliver oneself at the tent of her enemy took courage and strength, which Lexa could appreciate. Still, it was not the time to marvel at the motivations of her foe, but rather to intimidate. With long legs neatly folded over one another and idly twirling the wicked dagger between nimble fingers, Heda looked down with a gaze as hard as steel. "So, you are the one that burned three hundred of my warriors alive?"

The tension in the tent was palpable. Behind her, Indra, her trusted general, could barely restrain the snarl from forming upon her dark lips as she regarded the Skaikru girl. She would answer for their crimes, for intruding upon coalition lands, for slaughtering a village of innocents. Yes, the warriors in the Heda's tent were prepared to strike down the blonde on a single flick of their Commander's fingers. One they were eager to receive. Yet, as always, Lexa was the perfect mask of impassive and yet frightening calm.

It was obvious that words were the only weapon Clarke could use in that tent. An attempt to attack Heda or any of the warriors around would only result in Clarke getting killed instantly. Of course, she was still afraid of what would happen to her, but even more what could happen to Finn and all the others. Sacrificing herself sounded acceptable, but leaving Finn and the others to death by the hands of Lexa and her people didn't. She couldn't let that happen. So despite all those mixed feelings, Clarke barely showed any emotions. Her expression was rather blank, when she looked at Indra and back to Lexa. Never before Clarke get to feel such an amount of hostility. They all wanted to see her dead, along with every single member of Skaikru.

"Yes." Her response to Lexa's question was plain and simple. It escaped from her mouth in a rather cold tone, which didn't exactly reflect what Clarke was feeling in that moment. "But.. it's not like you left me any other choice." There was still no 'we' when Clarke continued to speak. She was ready to take all the blame if it helped to spare the lives of her friends and her mother. "Your people attacked first. " She explained and even dared to take one step closer to the throne, a move that alarmed those who were meant to protect Lexa. But Clarke simply ignored them and didn't bother to even look at Indra as she kept her focus on Heda. "I had to protect my people, something I'm sure you understand."

The wisp of a girl had courage, Lexa had to give her that. To speak such bold words impassively and matter-of-factly in a tent full of armed warriors that would like nothing better than to see the Skaikru atone for their sins? Yes, Lexa had been pleasantly surprised in her adversary. Especially the reference of 'I', instead of 'we'. The Skaikru prissa was formidable indeed. "Skaikru invaded our lands, poached in our woods, killed our people. The obvious choice would be for you to surrender to justice, Clarke kom Skaikru."

Indra stirred behind her, a hand on the pommel of her sword and was only stopped by the lack of command from her Heda. A tense situation indeed. " Now you have come before me to barter for the life of the one you call Finn. Tell me, why would I consider any offer you make?" Lexa was interested to hear the blonde's reply. The young woman had certainly not placed herself in harm's way without the means of an exit, she thought. Forest-green orbs swept along the blonde's form, noting a plethora of scrapes, worn clothes and more than a few drops of blood, while Heda herself sat dressed for war. Leather armour as dark as her night blood, knee-high boots and a crudely-crafted metal shoulder piece adorning her left shoulder. There could not be a starker contrast between the two women. One a stranger to the land, wholly out of her element, while the other was born into conflict and had learned to set it to her own hand.

Clarke could not foresee the outcome of this conversation. She could not be sure to convince Lexa to do anything, so the blonde had to be prepared for the ultimate sacrifice. It was nothing she wanted to do, but something she'd accept if Lexa wouldn't agree to anything Clarke was going to offer her. "I didn't know this land belonged to anyone when I first got here. I couldn't know that there were humans living here. And again, your people attacked first. I had to defend myself in order to survive since you turned down the first offer to live side by side peacefully. And yet, I'm standing here before you, Heda, unarmed while surrounded by your warriors. I never wanted this war! I never wanted all those people to die!" All of a sudden, Clarke's voice was now filled with emotion when she mentioned the victims of their war. "I'm not a warrior. I'm not like you. I wasn't born to battle in wars and to lead a large group of people. Unlike you. I want this killing to come to an end."

Clarke swallowed hard and took a deep breath, calming herself before she continued. "But if there is one thing we have in common, Heda.. It's the fact that we are responsible for what our people do. Believe me, I do not approve of what Finn did to your people in that village, but torture and death do not equal justice. I will punish him for what he did. Finn will have to answer for his actions, but not this way. But if you feel like you have to punish someone for the three hundred plus people who died on my behalf, you should take me instead of Finn. I AM responsible for what he did and for what the others did. They followed my lead and made your people suffer just like they made my people to suffer. You prove nothing if you kill just one of 'them'. I am not saying that my life is more worth than his, because it's not, but if you have to prove yourself to your people.. do it right!"

Lexa was taken aback by the sheer determination and raw emotion placed in the blonde's conviction, the strength of her words and their plea to her own moral compass. For the briefest of moments, her careful mask of neutrality and impassiveness slipped, betrayed by the blinking of forest green orbs and the barely audible, sharp inhale of breath. There was undoubtedly truth in the words of this outsider, for she knew her own people well. Long had it been the ways of the clans to fight and defend, rather than ask questions or demand explanation. A memory surfaced, a split second Heda was reminded of her own past; of a young girl in too big armour, wielding a too big sword and dripping with the blood of both her enemies and herself as she stood victorious over the battlefield and had declared her coalition to the world. Founded on peace, prosperity and a union of different cultures and clans. Those ideals were still true to her heart, even though she could not always proclaim them proudly as a moral banner.

The last words of Clarke's plea rang through her ears, of those of her warriors. The challenge to Heda's authority was clear, not laced with subtlety but rather out for the world. She would undoubtedly be forced to respond, to show her strength to her own people. Not only for those lost in the war already, but for those that would. To prove she was still their Heda, strong, determined and fit to lead. This could not stand. Lexa's green-orbs flashed with the looming of threat, the wicked dagger slammed tip-first into the wood of her throne as she rose in a flourish of dark robes and a red sash to stand tall before not only the Skaikru girl, but her own people as well. All strength, no weakness. "It is obvious you care for your people, Clarke kom Skaikru, and while I applaud you for that, you must know that in our lands justice comes from the death of the one that is culpable. Finn shall die. Blood must have blood. And that will be the last of this. I demand his death and his alone. While you are certainly responsible for the death of my warriors, they were killed in battle. In war. Therefore they knew the risks involved."

It was all of the mercy and compromise Lexa could make, allow herself to make. Already she heard the unsheathing of a sword beside her, of Indra's staccato heartbeat as she prepared to protest her Heda's commands. A bronze-skinned hand rose swiftly, halting the warriors from any further action. "Your Heda has spoken, Indra. Do not defy me, or you will pay the price."

She walked then, descending the three steps to place herself before the blonde Skaikru girl. The thumping of heavy, armoured boots ringing in both their ears. "Do you have more to plea, Clarke? If not, I suggest you return to your people." While her forest green orbs were hard as stone, the thumping of her heartbeat echoed throughout her ears. War with the Skaikru was not in the best interest for her people. Had they razed three hundred men to death in the manner of seconds, what other magic would they possess? No, Lexa had hoped, prayed that this would be the end of it. Terms had to be set, but that could wait until after the execution.

Clarke didn't move at all when Lexa made her move to stand up. That woman was rather intimidating, Clarke had to give her that, but just giving in to what the Grounders wanted wouldn't help Finn and all the other people Clarke had to take care of. So she simply stared right into Lexa's eyes as she stood before her. The blonde had to come up with something quick or the whole conversation would turn out to be nothing but a waste of time. It was obvious that Lexa couldn't make a decision without wondering what her people would think of it. They'd most likely kill their own Heda if they felt it was necessary. Of course, that was nothing Clarke wanted to happen either. So she had to find a solution that would satisfy them both, even though that seemed rather impossible.

After a few seconds, Clarke lifted her right hand a bit, which once again alarmed Lexa's warriors. But instead of trying to attack the Heda, Clarke rather seemed to be waiting for Lexa to hand her something. "I cannot let him die by your hand, Lexa. But if there is really no other way.. at least let me do it. You thought that my sentence for his actions wouldn't be enough and you want your blood? Let me do this. Finn will pay for his actions and you get your blood. But if you're looking for someone to torture in front of your people, take me instead. No more war, no more killing. You get what you want and I get what I want. "

The Skaikru prisa was impressive, Lexa thought. To quickly think of a solution that would undoubtedly settle this conflict to satisfaction of either party was a valuable skill to any leader. Yes, while the one called Kane might be commander of the Skaikru, this blonde girl was where their true leadership emanated from.

"Heda, you certainly won't consider this girl's words? She seeks to disrupt your justice!", Indra spat from her position beside the throne, accompanied by the muttered agreement of the warriors around them. Insolence, really, but understandable. Lexa flashed a single gaze downward to Clarke, impassive and solemn, before sitting back in her throne. She retrieved the dagger and twirled it in her fingers, slowly and deliberately while glancing about her tent. The brunette's entire posture conveyed that her word was law, that the others were to adhere to their Heda's command without room for doubt. Lexa would rectify this situation, appease her people without more bloodshed than strictly necessary.

"Silence, all of you. The killer of the innocent will die, slain by the hand of the one he holds dearest. Clarke of the Sky People will have to live with her actions until she draws her last breath; doomed to forever remember the moment she plunged her blade into the heart of her subject, snuffing out his very being. The Skaikru will then know that Heda's word is law, the coalition is powerful and just. The life of a killer for those of the innocent. Blood will have blood, but we will not spill that of the innocent, not like the Sky People do so carelessly."

Lexa's gaze held no room for dissidence, cold and strong as steel. She had made up her mind. None would question her authority, would think her weak, while she did give justice to her people for what had been done to them. "Clarke kom Skaikru, you will remain in my camp as a guest until the execution this evening. After that, you will be free to return to your people. Now go. Indra will show you to a tent where you may wait."

It was the very last option that Clarke had left. She had tried to save Finn's life, but at some point, the blonde had to realize that nothing could keep those people from doing what they thought was right. Finn was sentenced to suffer and slowly bleed to death. Clarke had to prevent that, even if that meant to cover her hands in his blood. She would make it fast and as painless as possible, at least for him. Instead, she'd be the one suffering from that pain, emotionally. Lexa already seemed to know that Clarke had strong feelings for Finn, which obviously helped the Heda to make that decision. Lexa and her people would forget about Finn one day, but Clarke never would. She would never forget what she did and she was going to live with it for the rest of her life and of course, her friends would never forget either.

For a moment, Clarke considered to say something to Indra about justice, but then decided to remain silent. She didn't say another word and just lowered her head a little, waiting for Indra to take her to that tent.