Dawn of A New Era

Spoilers: All Episodes

Disclaimer: I own nothing!

Clarke stood watching as Raven explained to Alanna, Luna and Lexa the complexities of her grenades and bombs in simple terms. The girl could take long strings of science and engineering and turn it into 'throw this, press that and boom' so the Grounder leaders could understand. Lexa seemed to look on in interest as did Alanna but Luna was clearly appalled by the objects. After an hour Raven seemed content with her presentation and waited for any questions or comments.

"Your people teach you to create these weapons?" Luna looked at the mechanic, "they expect this of you?"

Raven just looked down at the unarmed grenade. "Actually I just got bored and created it, figured after creating nine of them that the war could use them. It's not like we have a need for them at the camp."

"Boredom lead to these creations?" Alanna chuckled and looked at Clarke. "Skai Heda, if boredom in your clan leads to such creations I wait to see what hard work can create."

"Hard work caused us to survive weeks on the ground with no survival skills beyond theory learned as children." Clarke smiled at her, "without hard work we wouldn't be standing here talking."

Lexa turned to look at Raven, "would you be able to explain these weapons to the generals and how to properly handle them?"

"I have no problem explaining and how to handle them but I'll have to be in the field to set them."

"You will not set foot onto the battlefield." Lexa nodded to Raven's leg, "I will not have you dying senselessly when another can produce the desired result. You are a great warrior but you need not set foot on the battlefield to prove so, these weapons alone are your proof of greatness."

"I don't take my orders from you, no offense Commander."

Clarke fixed her friend with a stare. "But you do take orders from me and you're not setting foot on the battlefield. Wick can do it, you trust him and he's familiar with your work."

"Clarke…" Raven started but Clarke put her hand up.

"Enough, it's not up for discussion."

Luna looked between all the women, "perhaps breaking for the midday meal would be beneficial for us all."

"That's a good idea." Clarke stated and nodded to Raven, knowing the woman would understand that they could talk further away from the Grounder leaders.

Raven followed Clarke as she swept out of the central meeting tent, pulling her cloak's hood over her head as the rain beat down on the camp. "I'll be fine in the field."

"I know that but I've seen the wounded that have come back and even with a dozen men protecting only you the changes of you coming back uninjured are impossibly low. Every time warriors go out they come back with some type of injury." Clarke paused and looked at Raven, the rain beating down on them both except Raven stood without a jacket or hood covering her head so she was soaking wet. "You can't run as fast as the rest and you'd be perfect prey for Ella's warriors, it's more about safety than capability. Trust me on this please."

"Fine, I'll talk to Wick." She turned to the side. "Why aren't you out there, you can hold your own."

"Because I'm a liability." Clarke looked at Raven with a serious look that meant nothing but business. "As Lexa's favorite, whatever you want to call it, I know secrets that could damage not only her but also both of our people. The last person close to her was beheaded because they wanted secrets and that person knew nothing damaging…"

"But you do. So she keeps you locked up like a princess in a tower."

Clarke chuckled, "no, I keep myself here to protect her and to keep my hands clean. After Mount Weather I'd prefer not having blood on my hands. The only time I've bloodied my hands since Mount Weather was when I had to execute someone for attempting to assassinate Lexa. She was severely injured and unable to do it herself so I was forced to."

"How do you justify it?"

"He committed treason, killed four guards who were my friends and attempted to kill Lexa." Clarke's eyes darkened. "I don't justify it, I accept that he attempted to harm the person I love and he paid for it."

Raven smirked, "so you're in love with her? Here I thought it was a physical thing."

"Where did you get that idea?"

"Why else would you be with her if it wasn't just sex?" Raven waved her friend off. "They always say the silent and serious types are the most wild in bed." A smirk crossed the mechanic's face. "So, am I right? Is she?"

"I wouldn't know." Clarke stated and turned to walk towards her tent.

"Hold on, what do you mean you wouldn't know?" Raven caught up with her, hobbling as she did. "Wait, are you saying you two haven't…seriously?"

Turning as they neared the tent, Clarke stared down at her friend. "Grounders have strict codes and one of them is that there are two worlds. One is private and the other is public, what happens in the tent isn't discussed outside of its walls. That means no one has the right to know my personal life so stop asking, please."

The mechanic threw her hands up, "I get it, I won't ask about your sex life."

Once inside the tent Clarke pulled off her cloak and laid it across a post to dry, allowing herself time to analyze the map on the table. It seemed to be a constant holding pattern, Ella wasn't sending any more men and the warriors in the forest didn't dare venture out onto the flat land yet they were barely surviving in the forest. So for close to a week no battles had occurred and it allowed Kane to return to the Ark to govern while Bellamy and Abby stayed behind to help with the war.

Kane had told Clarke that she would always be born an Arker but her blood was Grounder. He stated with a smile that she'd been born to the right parents but in the wrong world, she should have been born on the ground. Anyone else would have seen it as an insult but knowing Kane and his poor ability to comfort verbally, she knew he was just telling her he accepted who she was and where she chose to place herself. His last comment before departing on the borrowed horse was that any weddings needed to wait till they could be celebrated by both peoples.

"Does your friend understand why she is not permitted to set foot on the battlefield?" Lexa's voice was soft as she moved to stand behind Clarke.

Clarke found herself taken aback she hadn't heard Lexa enter the tent but her thoughts were elsewhere. Feeling the leader's hands gently pull her till her back rested against Lexa's front, Clarke let out a sigh. Gripping Lexa's arm as the Grounder wrapped one arm around her, she leaned her head back. "I explained how dangerous it was for warriors who were fast and prepared, she understands she'd be a target with her leg. She'll explain it to Wick so he can set the grenades to go off. She questioned why I stay at camp when I can obviously fight."

"What did you tell her?"

"That I didn't want blood on my hands and that by staying I protect you and our people." She felt Lexa's nose in her hair and lips on the shell of her ear. "I confessed the last person you were close to was taken for secrets that had no value while I know secrets that could harm everyone. I didn't mention who Costia was or what she was to you, she probably assumes it's one of your generals."

The leader's hand drifted down Clarke's arm before reaching her side and fingers splayed against Clarke's abdomen. She turned to find Lexa looking at her with heated eyes, she felt Lexa's hand moving down her back till it rested against her bottom. Moving closer the sky leader gently cupped Lexa's elbow and leaned in to kiss her. She found it was like drowning in happiness, drowning in soft lips and tender touches.

Lexa pulled away and whispered softly in the intimate space they created. "You are my consort and I won't lose you as I did my lover. While Costia meant much to me, I survived her death and forged peace. If you were to lay before me without your wild spirit and healing touch, there would be war and I would allow death to claim me just to reunite with you." Her fingers traced Clarke's collar bone. "My love for you is my greatest weakness but it is also my greatest strength, I fight to return to you so I may see you each time the sun wakes and sleeps."

"Consort?" Clarke smiled at her playfully, "is that how you see me?"

"You are mine as I am yours. Our union will unite our two clans and we will become one people. We will lead it together and strengthen it."

The seriousness of such a statement brought Clarke to attention. She pulled back slightly and looked at Lexa. "You're proposing marriage? We've only been together a few months, how can you think of marriage?"

"Because there is no other, just as I know you feel the same." Lexa met her eyes and squeezed her hand. "However I know now is not the time for such events. The day will come after the war is over and peace is maintained, when our connection to one another is deepened. That is the time for a union, not now."

Clarke nodded knowing that Lexa understood the significance of such a proposal. The understanding that neither of them were ready for such commitment when they knew so little about each other with so much more to learn. However, Lexa's words and eyes conveyed that she meant each word and that her heart ruled the decision equally with her head.

"Okay." Clarke smiled at her and leaned in to kiss her again. "Just for the record, I love you too."

"After such a declaration I should take you to my bed and demand you show me the truth behind your words." Lexa smirked and edged closer to Clark, her hand back where it had been minutes before resting on her bottom. "However that will have to wait until we set your Skaikru weapons in the ground and defeat the remaining Graunkru warriors in the forest."

Allowing her fingers to trace over the designs on Lexa's shoulder armor, Clarke met her eyes to see green pools starring in affection and adoration. "I think we should wait until the rain stops. We don't know what rain could do to the bombs and grenades, it could set them off accidently or render them useless."

"Then we wait. I have ordered a feast as Lincoln declared his intent of uniting with Octavia. At the feast he will present her with a fur and request she share his tent and furs till her death. She will say yes, there is no other answer for her since her heart lies with him."

Clarke let her hand slip to Lexa's side and rubbed circles into it softly, "is a feast in the middle of the war a good idea?"

"The Graunkru warriors do not move and Ella has not sent any reinforcements in over a moon since her spy was caught. I suspect soon she will send a rider with a request to end the war and live in peace. She has madness but she is aware that if we seize her capital, we will show no mercy and she wants to keep her life."

"What can I do to help with the feast?"

Lexa smiled and pulled away from Clarke, walking to the small table that held a pitcher of water and cups. She poured herself one and turned back to the woman who shared her tent. "There is nothing to be done. Indra has taken it upon herself to organize the feast after I ordered it. She found disappointment in Octavia as a second but the girl became Indra's favorite due to her strength. She considers it an honor to prepare the feast and assist Lincoln in binding himself to Octavia so that she becomes Okteivia kom Trikru, houmon kom Linkon."

"I'm sure Octavia will adore being called 'wife of Lincoln' as part of her name. It's doesn't exactly scream warrior when she's being called someone's wife."

After a few minutes Lexa nodded, "perhaps not but it is who she will be. So you agree to a union in the future when war is finished and we know each other deeply?"

"In the future but I can't guarantee that you won't piss me off between now and then, making me leave to go back to the Camp Jaha." Clarke's fingers ran circles into Lexa's sides. "You and I always seemed to find something to disagree over."

"I suspect we always shall." She smiled and moved around Clarke to the planning table. "Now, I must give you Lexa and allow Heda to return. Alanna and Luna wish to discuss a plan of attack so I must review the current situation."

Clarke leaned over and kissed Lexa's cheek. "I'm going to go check in with Indra to find out if she needs anything. Lexa is safe with me for now, be Heda as long as necessary."

The plan to strike at the warriors in the forest was formulated as night fell. They would attack after sunset two days later in rain or dryness and when the warriors were least expecting it. Lexa would be going back into battle with her group and Wick and Bellamy assisting with several grenades to cause confusion. Clarke caught Lexa's arm as she started to leave the tent.

"I will return to you Clarke." Lexa cupped her face and kissed her hard, pulling back to look at blue eyes. "It will be a simple battle, one they will not see coming. Don't worry about me, everything shall be fine."

"Let me come with you."

Lexa's softness disappeared and she held agitation in her eyes. "No, you'll remain here and oversee the camp. I told you, I will not lose you, I cannot allow you to risk your life. Your death would destroy our people when it destroys me."

"Drax and Erik will protect me and I'll be beside you. This battle could end the war, my spirit is demanding I go." Clarke grabbed Lexa's hand, "trust me."

"I do trust you but I won't risk your life, even if this causes hate between us I would accept that as long as you are alive."

Clarke squeezed her hand, "Lexa have you ever felt your spirit telling you that you have to do something? Not your head or your heart but your spirit telling you that you must go into battle, you must do something."

"Yes but…"

"No, I need to go. You can have as many warriors surrounding me as you deem necessary but I'm going."

A nod was all she received before Lexa moved to the secondary trunk that held her battle gear. She withdrew the coat Clarke had worn before and abandoned at the dropship along with a spare sword. "You will wear these and you will change into clothing suited for battle." A quirk of her lips had Clarke wondering what she was thinking. "I never wish to see your dresses and cloak damaged. They suit you and I have come to prefer you wearing them to your Skaikru clothing."

"I do actually like to wear them, they make me feel more like a girl. More like what I used to feel like when I got a choice about what to wear when I was on the Ark."

"Then when the war is complete I shall send word to the Southern Clan, they make clothing as soft as flowers. You can have as many dresses as you wish and I shall make sure you have an additional cloak to match."

The tent flaps moved signally someone was coming in and moments later Indra entered the tent with a look on her face. "The warriors are ready as well as the Skaikru."

"Once Clarke has donned appropriate clothing we will ride."

"Skai Heda, you are coming with us?"

Clarke nodded to the hardened warrior. "My spirit demands I do so, I can do no other than obey."

The forest was quiet as Clarke crouched down by Lexa and four men that surrounded them, none of the men for Lexa but solely there to protect Clarke if necessary. They watched the Graunkru warriors huddled around the fire, they looked close to death with their think bodies and pale faces. It was hard to imagine paleness in the dark but it was clear to see the bones in their face in the light of the fire.

"They are sick." Bellamy stated from his position on the other side of the men. "Disease or just inability to survive in the forest?"

Lexa looked over at him, "disease is unlikely or our camp would be infected due to the short distance. They have been in the forest for weeks and Plains warriors do not know how to survive in the forest. There are few forests where they live and the rain does not assist."

The sounds of screams made everyone become alert, they watched as a man emerged from a small enclosure with bloodied rags. The feminine screams came from inside the tent, clearly a woman was being harmed.

"Your spirit called to help the woman." Lexa spoke to Clarke before turning to look at the group of warriors she brought with her. It wasn't an army but just big enough to overwhelm the thirty men in the camp. "Attack, do not harm the innocents if they are present."

"Sha Heda." All the warriors spoke and Lexa withdrew her sword, watching as Bellamy readied his rifle and Wick did the same, a grenade in his hand.

"No, not today." Lexa nodded to Wick's hand and the man understood. "It could harm the woman in need of help."

The sound of battle cries were heard as Clarke marched with them into the camp, four men practically surrounding her in order to protect her instead of Lexa. Apparently her life mattered more than that of their Heda, something she'd come to find out was next to impossible because their Heda was the most important person to a clan.

The men in the camp didn't know what to do but they scrambled to get their weapons, being cut down as they did so. It was like putting down deer, very little fight due to weakness. Clarke allowed herself to slip into the tent where the screams were coming from to find a woman on a bed in the middle of childbirth and no one with her.

"I won't harm you." Clarke put up her hands. "I'm a healer, I can help."

The woman looked weak and she clearly was in pain. "The child does not come." She panted and tried to sit up before laying back down. "Something is wrong, save my child. They say Skaikru healers are from the gods. I know I am your enemy but save my child, I beg you. I have lost the father, I cannot lose the child."

Clarke neared her and allowed herself to look down between the woman's legs. Without bothering with privacy she looked up at her. "I need to check you, I need to see where the baby is inside you. I'm going to have to put my hand inside your body." The woman merely nodded and Clarke tried to remember everything she'd read from the medical textbooks she had on the Ark as well as the training she'd had with her mother, she'd seen two births and helped with a third. Her hand realized the problem immediately as she felt the baby in the birth canal but it wasn't normal. "Your baby is being born with the feet first, his head should be first. One foot coming out but the rest still lays in your womb. I have to remove the baby from your belly, if I don't it'll die."

"Just save the child. If I am to die so it lives, then I shall die."

Clarke looked around the tent and found a bottle of liquor and a knife, a fire burned in the corner. She quickly heated the knife and poured the liquor on her hands as well as on the woman's abdomen before finding cloth nearby. "Here, bite this." She put it to the woman's mouth and the woman did as she asked.

It seemed like forever, cutting into the woman carefully and hoping she didn't harm the baby. The fighting outside seemed to continue but Clarke focused on the task at hand. Just as she cut completely into the woman she noticed the woman's moans stopped and she looked up to see the woman's chest slowing. Blood was to be expected but it seemed to flow without stopping as Clarke continued. There was no stopping it and she knew the woman would die whether or not the baby survived.

Delicately she cut into the woman's enlarged uterus and took a breath before peeling the walls back. The surgery had been crude and the woman was fading but as Clarke pulled the baby from it's home, careful to extract the small foot from the birth canal, she found the woman smiling.

"It's a girl." Clarke placed the baby on the woman's chest, the child seemed to be starting to whimper before crying. "You have a daughter."

The woman was weak as she looked at Clarke. "Take her from our lands, take her to be with Skaikru where she is safe. Tell he…" the words died away as the woman's last breath was breathed.

Clarke pulled a string from her jacket and tied it around the umbilical cord before cutting it. She gathered the baby in a nearby fur and looked down at her. The baby was beautiful, it made her realize that even surrounded by war there was life. The baby had lost her mother but had gained her life. Clarke realized why her spirit demanded she come. The healers wouldn't have been able to help the woman, her medical training had saved a baby's life despite the loss of her mother. The hemorrhaging couldn't be stopped, not without more hands to help and equipment to assist in replenishing blood.

The tent flap was pushed aside and Lexa stepped in with Drax. Clarke looked up at Lexa, "the baby was going to be born feet first, I had to cut her from her mother. The woman demanded I save her daughter, she knew our healing techniques are advanced and knew I could save her daughter."

"And did you, save the child?" Lexa neared her and Clarke shifted the baby so Lexa could see it.

"Her mother died giving her life but her last words were begging me to take her daughter to my people where she could be safe."

Lexa moved to the bed and looked at the woman. "I know this woman. She is the sister of Ella's lover, he is just as ruthless as she is. There is little doubt she knew her child wouldn't be safe around them. It is possible she came in hopes surrender would come and then we would give her safety." She looked at Drax, "have a pyre build for this woman, the rest burn without."

"And the child Heda?" Drax nodded to the baby in Clarke's arms. "Shall I find a woman in the camp to care for the child?"

"No, I have her for now." Clarke stated and Drax merely nodded his head before exiting the tent.

"War is no place for a child Clarke." Lexa watched as Clarke stared at the baby. "She would be safer in Tomac."

"She's why my spirit was screaming to come." Clarke looked up at her. "I have to protect her Lexa."

Lexa let her finger touch the newborn's cheek, a smile finding its way to her face as the baby gripped her finger with a small hand. "She is strong for one so small." She turned her head to look at Clarke. "We shall protect her."

"We?" Clarke gave her a look of disbelief.

"Yes, we!" Lexa ignored her and took the baby in her arms. "Clean yourself and wrap the child's mother so her spirit can be released. I shall look after the child until you are finished." She sat down on the second bed a few feet away and stared down at the child. "I am Leksa kom Trikru, Heda of my people and my beloved saved your life. You shall live among our people, the Trikru and Skaikru and be safe from those who wish you harm."

A/N: So I know I said this chapter would deal with establishing dominance over the Plains warriors but this chapter sets the basis for all that in the next one.

Next: Ella arrives with her men and is forced to make decisions to keep her life but lays her clan before Lexa and Clarke.

Please read and review...