Just a short chapter here to move over from the depressing moments of the battle.

But there is a cute bit at the end so please enjoy, also I know Clarke rides a horse but I'm going to act as though she hasn't, enjoy!

Disclaimer: Don't own jack

Clarke didn't know what to expect. Lexa had explained the ceremony to her and how the bodies would be piled together with the wood and both of them would be expected to set fire to their people. The level 5 massacre victims had been burnt separately a few days previously, Lexa had burnt them for her, Clarke couldn't stomach seeing those ashes quite yet.

She lay in bed for a while just staring up at the canopy above her. She stayed like that until light started to spill in through the small gaps and she could no longer deny the day. Standing up she walked over to her table and picked up her clothes. She was putting on her shoulder guard when the flap opened behind her and she didn't need to turn to know who it was.

"Clarke"

Lexa made her way over and finished placing the guard so Clarke could strap it on. She then spun Clarke so they were facing each other. Lexa was dressed fully in her armour and had repainted her war paint.

"How do I do this?" she gasped letting her emotions slip just a little.

Lexa watched her for a moment before pulling her in for a hug. Clarke was shocked at first but accepted the hug. She buried her face in the shoulder that didn't have the guard. Lexa's hand went up and held the back of her head. She didn't cry, she had done too much of that already, she just stayed there and enjoyed the closeness of them.

"We shall do this Clarke because they deserve it… Their fight is over"

"Sacrifice the few to save the many"

Suddenly she respected Jaha just a little bit more as a leader.

XoXoXoX

Clarke stood on a raised platform in front of the first pile of wood whilst Lexa stood in front of the second. Octavia held the fire for Lexa and Bellamy held Clarke's. The grounders turned to face Clarke and the sky people, they were going first.

Clarke took the fire from Bellamy and was reminded of the last time she did this for Finn. The thought made her want to run.

Lexa seemed to realise what she was thinking because put her hand out and held Clarke's on the fire. It jolted her because it was the same position she had been in before with Finn. No not the same. Finn had been dead and figment of her guilty mind. Lexa was here, here and alive.

Taking a deep breath she spoke, "In peace may you leave this shore. In love may you find the next, safe passage on your travels until our final journey to the ground" She paused, "May we meet again"

Lexa steadied her arm as she ignited the bodies of her people. Her hand stayed locked with Clarke's as they watched the flames rise into the sky and Clarke felt the last weight lift from her shoulders.

Clarke looked to her right and found Lexa watching her. She gave her a reassuring smile and Clarke returned it.

"We'll be okay" Lexa repeated her words from a few days ago and Clarke nodded.

"I know we will"

Once the fire was full Lexa stepped forward to ignite her people. Taking the fire from Octavia she turned to the pile and took a deep breath. Clarke stepped forward to take her hand as she had done for her. Lexa had twitched for a second but that was enough for Clarke to notice the slip in her mask.

She gave Clarke a thankful glance as she raised her voice, "Blood has answered blood and now in fire, we cleanse the pain of the past"

With that she pushed the fire down and moments later the wood pile went up burning the last few remnants of the battle. Everyone gradually left until it was just Clarke and Lexa standing together hand in hand in front of the ash.

"We bear it, so they don't have to"

Lexa looked to her and smiled.

XoXoXoX

Octavia walked in the ark to find the mechanic quietly sitting at her work station. She wasn't doing anything though.

"Is this what peace looks like for you?"

She looked up but didn't smile, "Turns out I'm not much use to anyone without an Ark to fix or people to blow up"

Octavia frowned and walked over to her, "That's not true"

"Really?" Raven spun round on her chair, "Clarke is a leader but she's a good doctor as well, Bellamy can fight, You've found your place and even Monty is wanted by the grounders for his plant knowledge… What am I? A mechanic in a world with no need for technology"

Octavia held her arms and looked her in the eyes, "We may not need technology but that doesn't mean we don't need you Raven"

Raven sighed and closed her eyes, "I don't know Octavia. My leg just stops me being any use to anyone"

Octavia watched her and suddenly an idea formed in her head, "Wait here"

"Not like I'm going anywhere" She grumbled.

XoXoXoX

It was early the next morning when Clarke woke Raven up. At first she attempted to kick the girl but then she stopped when Clarke said Octavia had something for her.

"What?"

Clarke grinned, "It's a surprise. Come on"

Raven got dressed and followed Clarke out of the Ark. She surprised when she led her out of the gates of camp Jaha but her eyebrows rose further when they walked further than the grounders camp.

"Clarke, where are we going?"

The girl just smiled over at her and winked, "Just shut up and trust me"

She threw her head back and sighed. Clarke led her to the edge of the woods where Octavia, Abbey, Wick, Bellamy, Lexa and Echo stood.

"What's this?"

Octavia stepped forward with a huge grin across her face, "Just trust me"

Clarke coughed and drew her attention, "I want you to be part of my guard"

"What?" Raven stared at her confused, "But I can hardly walk?"

Wick stepped forward now, "I might be able to solve that problem"

He pulled from behind a new brace and held it out to her, "It's better than yours. For someone that insists on blowing themselves up all the time needs one that can withstand the blast"

Raven took the brace and looked back to Clarke, "But I still won't be fit enough for your guard? Not like before"

"There is a procedure I would like to try"

She looked to Abbey now who explained further, "I can't heal your damaged nerves but there might be something I can do able the muscles in your leg. It would take a while and could be painful, I don't know if you would regain feeling but it can make walking easier"

"Have you done it before?" Raven didn't want to believe it, not yet.

"Once" Abbey smiled, "It wasn't often someone was shot in the back on the ark but I've done it"

"Come to Polis as my guard. Then when we get back my mum will start the procedure… It also gives you time to think it over"

Raven nodded but she wasn't really listening. Her leg… could it possibly work?

Lexa coughed and Raven looked over, "I would like to offer you a gift Raven of the sky people"

"A gift?" She looked to Octavia and Clarke who nodded encouragingly.

Lexa moved to the side as Echo stepped forward pulling a dark brown horse behind her. Raven's eyes widened and she opened her mouth in protest but Lexa raised a hand.

"They are transport. Everyone is expected to ride, including Clarke and Octavia… you can learn together"

She looked to Octavia and Clarke. Octavia was grinning whereas Clarke looked less than thrilled by the prospect of learning how to ride. Raven laughed and nodded her head. To be honest she just wanted to watch Clarke fall on her arse.

Raven moved forward to the horse which lowered its head as she approached. Her hand lifted up and she attentively stroked down its face. Its eyes closed slightly and allowed her to continue this.

Octavia smiled at the others as she watched Raven. Bellamy watched his sister with admiration and Echo gave him a slight smile when he caught her eye.

Clarke sidled over next to Lexa and leaned against her, "Thank you commander"

"You're welcome Clarke" She whispered back.

XoXoXoX

As it turned out, Lexa and Echo were not above laughing at all three of them and after an hour Clarke began to suspect that they were only giving them half-hearted advice.

Neither were Bellamy and Abbey who were watching from the side.

Clarke was using Lexa's horse as she had insisted the stallion was patient and calm. Clarke scoffed as the horse moved a few inches forward again as she attempted to mount it. Raven was the only one on her horse and Echo was holding the mount still as they waited for Clarke and Octavia. She and Lexa were dressed in loose fitting training black leather and Lexa was attempting to help Clarke mount her horse.

"Just put your foot up where I showed you"

Clarke huffed as she tried to pull herself up again. This time Lexa was there ready pull her over as she hoisted her leg over the other side. She pulled herself over in time to see the smile on Lexa's face.

"Alright stop laughing at me"

"I'm not" She lied as another grin split across her face.

Awww well I hope this tides you over a little until the next chapter :)

Ten chapters hmm could haul so far

Please review and let me know what you think - Hope you're all still enjoying it!