Lexa and I marched in front of our army. Warriors lined the border of their camp, our banners high. In our tent, Lexa sat on her throne, while i remained at her side, silent until the moment demanded otherwise.

"Clarke of the sky people requests an audience" a guard announced
Lexas eyes narrowed
"Bring her in" she nods

Clarke entered, chin high, but I see her hesitation when Lexa spoke first.

"You're the one who burned 300 of my warriors alive." Lexa says evenly

"You're the one who sent them there to kill us" Clarke shot back

I stepped forward, voice sharp.
"Do you have an answer for us, Clarke kom Skaikru?" I ask

"I've come to make you an offer" she said, eyes flickering between us

"This is not a negotiation" Lexa cut in
"Let me kill her and get this over with" Indra snarled

Lexa raised her hand.
"Speak" she nods at Clarke

"I can help you beat the mountain men" she says, her voice almost calm.
"Go on" Lexa nods again

"Hundreds of your people are trapped inside mount weather. Kept in cages. Their blood is used as medicine." Clarkes voiced tumbled out.

"How do you know this?" I demand

"Because I saw them. My people are prisoners there too. I was one of them." She answered

"Lies. No one escapes the mountain" Indra snapped
"I did. With Anya. We fought are way out together." She answered then the room went silent. 
"Another lie. Anya died in the fire. You killed her." Indra snaps again, but Clarke pulls out a strand of hair.

Lexas face flickered for a moment.
But only I saw.

"She told me you were her second. I'm sure she'd want you to have this." Clarke says softly, stepping forward and giving it to Lexa.

"We don't know it's hers" Indra tells us
"Quiet Indra" Lexa reply was quiet yet harsh

"Anya was my mentor. Before I was called to lead my people. Did she die well?" Lexa addled quietly

"Yes, by my side. Trying to get a message to you" she replied
"What message?" I asked, cutting in.

"The only way to save both our people is if we join together." She answered

"Those who are about to die will say anything" Indra spits

"Indra let her speak. We're still waiting for an offer Clarke" I said firmly

"The mountain men are turning your people into reapers. I can turn them back." She replied

"Impossible. Commander Queen I beg you let me kill her" Indra spits again
"I've done it. With Lincoln" Clarke said, and my chest split in two. Lincoln.

Alive.

"That traitor is the reason my village was slaughtered by your people" Indra snaps, but part of me knew she was just as happy.

"Enough!" I yell silencing her with a ingle word

Lexa steps forward.

"You say you can turn reapers back into men?" She asked

"Yes" Clarke nods, her face even.

"Then prove it. Show me Lincoln" Lexa demands

When Clarke led us to the dropship, I smelled ash and bones- reminders of the dead we carried. Then I saw him.

Lincoln. Motionless. Octavia sobbing over him.

For a heartbeat, my world tilted. But then lexas nod steeled me. If he was dead, then blood would be answered.

"I'll kill them all" Indra spits, drawing her sword.

Weapons lifted from both sides. Clarke begged, desperate.
"Please. You don't have to do this." She says

"You lied. And youre out of time." Lexa said coldly
"Hit him again" Clarke demands quickly before anyone could move

The shook baton cracked- Lincoln gasped back to life.

My sword slid back into its sheath 
"Stand down" my voice was low but final

He lived. That was enough. For now.

Later, outside their gates, our people chanted- blood must have blood. We demanded Finn. When they refused, I waited. Because I knew his guilt would eat him alive.

And I was right.

Finn surrendered himself.

Night fell. The ceremony of a hundred cuts began. Lexa and I strode forward as Clarke begged for an audience.

"You bleed for nothing. You cannot stop this" Lexa told her
"No. Only you can." Clarkes voiced cracked

The guards dragged out Finn, tied and ready.
"Show my people how powerful you both are. Show them you can be merciful. Show them you're not a savage." She begged

"We are what we are" Lexas voice was steel

"Then I'm a killer. I burned 300 of your people. I slit a man's throat and watched him die. I'm soaked in grounder blood. Take me." She broke desperate
"But Finn is guilty." I answer

"No. He did it for me. He did it for me." Tears stream down her face.

I titled my head, voice as sharp as a blade.
"Then he dies for you" I replied

She asked to say goodbye. We allowed it.

When she pulled away, blood already stained her hands. She had speared him the cuts.

Warriors surged forward in fury until lexas voice cut them off. 

"It is done!" Her voice rang

And so it was.