A/N: Sorry for the long delay between chapters! Life has gotten busy and I just hadn't had time to sit down and really give Roses some time. I should be at a bit more of a regular schedule now, so expect a chapter early next week. Hope you enjoy, and don't be afraid to ask questions! I'm an open book, so long as it won't spoil anything.

Nervous chatter filled the air in the mess hall as everyone filed in. Earlier that day Pike made an announcement that there would be a meeting to discuss the future of Arkadia. Raven gingerly limped past a couple of people whispering amongst themselves. Many had spent the day worrying about exactly what Pike was thinking, and Raven found herself doing the same. Whatever their Chancellor had in store, she knew it would be big.

Ever since the attack in Mount Weather, something about Pike had seemed off to her. She hadn't been able to place it and Pike had done a good job of hiding it. Part of her wanted to attribute it to his time in Azgeda territory, fighting for his life, but her gut screamed at her differently. She knew Pike on the Ark. The man was educated, calm, and able to do what needed to be done. Let's just see what he thinks.

Chairs were placed out for everyone to sit, with most of them already occupied. Raven caught glimpse of a few chairs open in a far corner and made her way over. Walking still felt painful to her, but Abby assured her that was to be expected. All I have to do is rehab, she thought to herself. She picked the farthest chair from the center and eased herself down into it, letting out a small groan and rubbing her bandaged hip in the process. Just as she relaxed into her chair, the crowd hushed as Pike walked by. The man looked cold, calm, and collected as he marched to the podium setup at the front of the room. The whispers died out and everyone took their seats.

"Thank you all for joining me," Pike began. "Since you elected me Chancellor, all my focus has been to keep our people safe." Raven watched him scan over the crowd, briefly locking eyes with him before he continued. "Recent events have shown me that I have failed in that regard." He clasped his hands behind his back and stepped forward in front of the podium. "As you may or may not know, several days ago Mount Weather was attacked by Grounder forces. Eight people were killed. Abby Griffin and Raven Reyes would have been on that list too, had they not been quick enough to lock themselves in the infirmary."

The crowd looked around and found Abby, but most missed Raven. She was thankful for that fact, wanting to forget about that whole ordeal. I still jump a little anytime I hear someone banging on metal. A couple people noticed her and gave some sympathetic nods in her direction. Raven simply smiled and returned her focus to Pike.

"Three days ago, Octavia and Lincoln were attacked outside of the camp on a picnic," he continued after everyone returned their focus to him. "They lived, but Octavia was severely injured." Pike lowered his head and let out a long sigh. "Only a few of you know this and I appreciate your silence on the matter, but after the attack on Mount Weather I was informed that Clarke Griffin is being held captive in Polis."

The crowd stirred at that statement, hollering and chattering amongst themselves. Shouts of anger erupted sporadically. Raven herself already knew this information, but it still stung. Clarke had helped most of those here, and some owed more than others. She had been the one to push so hard to get all the kids trapped by the Mountain Men out.

"Alright, I know. I know," Pike said, raising his hands to quiet the crowd. It took several minutes, but finally the cries died down and order returned. "Many of you owe your lives or those of your families to her. The kids she helped save were my students back on the Ark, and for that I am eternally grateful." There was a quick pause and Raven saw a drastic change on Pike's face, his features becoming stone like. "She is a brave girl and we will not stop until we get her back. Which brings me to why we are gathered here."

Pike stepped down from the miniature stage he stood on and walked into the middle of the room, everyone turning to look at him. "For too long, all we have focused on was survival. Getting through the next day." His voice boomed and Raven straightened up in her seat. There was an emotion in his voice that she did not expect. He sounds pained when he talks, she thought. "Months ago the Council told me the Ark was failing and to buy time we would send down one hundred of our kids who had been arrested. We had no idea if they would live or die, but the Exodus Charter mandated we do everything possible to survive." Pike sucked in a quick breath and looked out over the crowd. "As it turns out, they lived. The ground was survivable, and there was hope."

Pike took a long pause, staring at the ground. Raven swore she saw a couple of tears on his face, but from her view it was hard to tell. He took a couple of quick breaths and composed himself again. "That was until the Grounders came and started to kill those kids. Our kids." Pike's voice had a heat to it, an ember catching flame in the grass. "It seemed like every day another attack happened. It has only gotten worse from there. We have been attacked without provocation several times, and we still have tried to work with them! No more!" He yelled at the top of his lungs, a growl taking over his usual calm tone.

Much of the crowd nodded their heads in approval, a couple yelling out with Pike. Raven had every reason to cheer with them. The Grounders had executed Finn, even if it had been Clarke who dealt the killing blow. She had to kill three hundred warriors with hydrazine and rocket fuel just for landing on the ground. However, part of her felt reserved. She didn't want to demonize the Grounders. When we came down, they had no way of knowing who we were. Their only experience with outsiders were the Mountain Men, who kidnapped and tortured their people for years. She couldn't condemn them all for the actions of others. It wasn't who she was.

"Fuck the Grounders!" Someone shouted from the other side of the room. Others echoed and the phrase infected the air. "We've suffered long enough! Let's wipe them out like they tried to do to us!"

Pike spun and faced the direction the last shout came from.. "No," he replied curtly. "We will not think like that. We are better than that, better than them. However, we are all in agreement that we've suffered long enough. It's time for a change." Pike walked back to the front of the room, taking his place by the podium. "I've sent word demanding a meeting with the Grounder Commander. We will be expanding Arkadia territory. Food is one of our biggest concerns and our scouts have identified some plots of land perfect for agriculture. We will be taking those, with or without their consent."

Raven shot a glance over to Abby, and saw the doctor looking back at her with the same worried expression. Most in the room were nodding their heads in approval and sitting on the edge of their seats. Pike has them at the palm of his hand, Raven thought. She knew the idea was good, and the Ark did need more food. However, the method he suggested had dangers attached to it. "What if they don't agree?" Raven spoke up, figuring nobody else would.

Pike turned to face her and smiled. "Excellent question, Raven," Pike replied. "I'm told the Grounders have a code that they live by: blood must have blood. They've spilled a lot of ours recently." The smile faded from Pike's face and he turned his attention back to the masses. "The options for the Grounders are simple. Cooperate and they have nothing to fear from us. We are capable of existing in peace. Resist, and they will be greeted with death! The suffering of our people ends today!"

Pike raised his fist and the rest of the crowd roared in approval, storming to their feet shouting his name. Raven looked at the madness around her and slowly rose from her chair. Quietly, she exited the mess hall as fast as she could. This is not okay, she thought. We've been at war since we landed, we don't need more of it. Sadly, she knew that there was nothing she could do to stop it from happening.

Raven crossed the empty courtyard, making her way back to her work area. The surgery had kept her away from work for too long. She could still hear the shouts from her desk, cluttered with various parts and gadgets. Sitting down in her swivel chair, Raven let out a sigh and grabbed a few items to inspect them. A hand grabbed her shoulder and she let out a yell, nearly falling out of her chair. "What the hell?!" she yelled out. The mysterious figure helped her keep balance, and when she finally settled she looked behind her. "Kane?" she asked, in shock.

"Raven, sorry to scare you," Kane replied, moving to the entrance of her workspace. "Something isn't right, and I'm not sure who I can trust. You're the first person I went to, and I'm hoping it isn't a mistake. I've been playing this close to the chest since Mount Weather was attacked."

Raven let her heart calm down and steadied herself on the chair. She felt honored that Kane trusted her, but the way he was acting worried her. "Kane, you can trust me. What's going on?"

Kane shook his head. "I'm still not entirely sure," he said. "Something isn't right about Charles. I can't figure it out, but I don't trust him." Raven could see the rest of Arkadia filing out of the mess hall, and Kane walked over to her. "We'll talk more later, just don't trust him."

Before she could get another word in, Kane turned heel and walked out of the room, leaving Raven baffled. She looked back to the mess hall just in time to catch Pike walking out. So it isn't just me. She stared at the Chancellor until he was out of sight, then turned back to her workbench. If Kane needs help finding answers, perhaps I can build something. Inspired, Raven grabbed several parts and assembled them near her, diving into her work. His secrets can't hide from me forever.

Lexa sat solemnly against a rock at the top of a hill, overlooking a grassy plain below. She could make out the figures of all the nightbloods training with Titus in the clearing. Usually she took a hands on approach with the young ones, but today was for Titus and his teachings. Still, she always watched over them on these days. She cared for each and every one of them, regardless if their very existence proved a constant reminder of her mortality.

She did her best to give equal attention to all of them, though recently only one had been catching her eye. Ontari had assimilated into the group as much as she could, though the girl had at least four years on the oldest. Ever since the strange girl had been brought to her by Nia, Lexa watched her like a hawk. Day and night, she did everything in her power to monitor the newest nightblood. Nia is up to something with her, she thought. I don't trust for one instant she was found in some remote village. Does Nia think I am that stupid?

For all her efforts, Lexa had yet to find anything suspicious about Ontari. The girl kept to herself mostly, did as she was told, and listened intently during lessons. She'd be the perfect student, if she wasn't part of Nia's plan somehow. From the initial combat lessons, Lexa could tell Ontari was much more skilled than she let on. Is that your plan? Wait until I let my guard down around her, then she'll kill me?

Lexa picked up a handful of pebbles and flung them in the nearest direction, then lowered her head into her hands. No matter what she did, she felt the world crashing down on her. It was her duty to lead her people, to help them thrive. Since the day she killed the last member of her Conclave, Lexa did everything in her power to move toward that goal. And Nia would see that all crumble to my feet while she cuts my throat.

Every day Lexa saw the simplest solution to her problems, and every day it became harder to ignore. Commanders of the past would not have cared about the politics of situations or what the people would think. If they saw a threat, they eliminated it. She aspired to be a revolutionary, as Clarke had once described it, to change the way things were done. Titus encouraged that in her from a young age. He neglected to tell me the price I would pay for it. Instead of just whipping the Azgeda back into submission, she had to maneuver around plots that didn't make sense until they were happening. Not to mention I have to deal with Skaikru as well. "Why, Spirits? Why did you choose me?"

Below, the students dispersed as the lesson ended and Lexa rose up from her resting place. The evening sun shone brightly over the lands. The nightbloods had all left the field, save for Ontari. The girl, from the best that Lexa could tell, was knelt down on the ground. From this distance, it looked like the girl was in prayer, but she couldn't be sure. Before she could get a closer look, Ontari rose and took off jogging to catch up with the others. What do you have to pray for?

Lexa shook her head as she headed back to her tower. I need to draw out what Nia has planned for this girl, Lexa decided. The suspense and guessing game slowly had been draining energy from her the past few days. The girl has more combat skills than she lets on. I'll train her myself tomorrow. While her plan might not work on Nia, this girl was much younger and not as disciplined. If Lexa feigned a weakness, Ontari might try to take advantage. It would give her the excuse she needed to rid herself of Ontari.

She stopped mid stride and stared down at her hands, clenching them. What has Nia made me? Have I fallen so far that I am plotting to kill a girl who is no older than me when I became Heda, whose very purpose may be just to intimidate me? Yet again, the stresses of being a revolutionary weighed heavily on her. It has to be done, she reasoned with herself. I have to know. Lexa unclenched her fists and took up walking again, much faster than before. Her entire mood was ruined by the time she reached the tower.

Exhausted by the time she reached her tower, Lexa closed the doors to her private room before her guards had the chance. Kicking off her shoes, she padded over to the window and plopped down on a chair facing the open landscape. Though the sun had yet to set, exhaustion drifted over her. She did not fall asleep for quite some time, however, as she stared out over her city. The prospects of what tomorrow would bring kept her up a little while longer. Eventually her body gave out and Lexa drifted off to sleep, slumping in her chair and dreading the rise of the sun.

Vinam pulled back on the reins of his horse, bringing it to a stop. Ahead, Skaikru's home loomed monstrously big. He heard talk of its size, but nothing in his mind compared to what he saw. It looks bigger than the tower in Polis, he thought. A horse pulled up to his side and he looked over to his companion. "Let's be quick about this, Tho," he said, tightening his grip on the reins. "Let's find out what the Skaikru want so we can be out of here." He didn't like the strange metallic structure. It brought up memories of the Mountain Men and their technology, even though Skaikru helped defeat them.

"After you," Tho replied, extending a hand.

Vinam rolled his eyes and gave a slight kick to his horse. The gates weren't that far and that's as far as he wanted to go. Heda said find out what they want, I'll do that. The trust of Skaikru just wasn't there for him. All of his people had seen what technology is capable of. Few among them believed that Skaikru wouldn't turn against them eventually. As they closed the distance to the gate he hardened his face.

Just before reaching the outer wall a few Skaikru walked out through the gates. At their front he assumed was their leader. "Good," he muttered to Tho. "We don't have to go inside."

"We still have to use their tongue," Tho replied bitterly.

Vinam only laughed. He knew Tho hated to use English. Ever since they learned when they were both children playing in a village, his friend hated speaking the language. He took a moment to shake his head and focus himself, then dismounted from his horse. Tho followed his lead and the two walked towards the group of Skaikru. He took mental note of the Skaikru holding guns and shot a glance at Tho. Tho saw the same and returned the glance. Be ready for a fight, is what that meant. Vinam flexed his sword hand slightly before speaking up. "Skaikru! We are here on behalf of our Heda," he called out. "Who among you is the leader of your clan?"

A tall, dark man stepped forward, raising his hand slightly. "That would be me," the guy called out. He doesn't look like much of a warrior, he thought to himself. None of them do. "Where is your Commander? She's not here?" More Skaikru walked out of the gate to stand behind him, and more popped up at the top of their wall.

"The Heda is not summoned," Tho shot back quickly. "She decides if she wants to see you or not."

He patted Tho's shoulder to calm him down and stepped in front of his hot-headed friend. "What my friend meant to say is that the Heda cannot leave Polis currently. You can deliver your message through us, or come see her personally." He watched a couple Skaikru in the background whispering among themselves. They look... nervous? He couldn't place it. We have no weapons drawn, what are they scared of?

Skaikru's commander stepped to the side to look at the horses. "Those are some fine animals," he commented. "May I?" he asked, extending a hand to Tho's horse. Tho reluctantly nodded and the man ran his hands over the horse.

"May I ask what your decision is?" Vinam asked, wanting to leave this place. Something felt off to him. The Skaikru felt too nervous and the hairs on his neck were standing up ever so slightly.

The Skaikru commander ran his hands up and down the horse's neck a few more times before looking back at them. "You'll do just fine."

Finally, he thought. Just have to get the message and be gone. "As you wish. What is your message for the Heda?"

The man took a few more steps away and looked back at his camp. "No, I don't think you understand," he said, raising his hand. "You are the message."

Vinam turned to Tho as the Skaikru commander dropped his hand. Several sharp bangs rang out in the air. He turned to Tho, only to see a spray of red erupting from his head. Turning back to face the Skaikru, filled with rage, he let out a war cry. They will pay for that. He reached for his sword and drew it out of his sheath. The last thing he heard was a loud crack retorting through the air before all went black.