More Women than Warriors

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Fanfiction
Title: More Women than Warriors
Author(s): steklir (SilentStars)
Date(s): Published April 2, 2016 – July 21, 2017
Length: 172,128 words; 26 chapters
Genre: Modern AU, Boarding School AU, femslash
Fandom: The 100
External Links: AO3 link

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More Women than Warriors by steklir (SilentStars) is a very popular Clexa fanfiction hosted on Archive of Our Own. It is a modern boarding school AU and was published in 26 chapters from April 2, 2016 to July 21, 2017.

The fic won Best Modern Fanfiction at the 2017 Clexa Fanfiction Awards. As of January 2021, it has in excess of 180k hits, 10k kudos, 3.5k comments, and 1.7k bookmarks on AO3.

The summary from AO3:

'Before you,' he said, 'you can see more women than warriors. Cowardly, unarmed, they will give up the moment they see the weapons and bravery of their conquerors who have given them such a drubbing so many times before.' (Tacitus, Annals XIV.36)

The first time Clarke sees the Head Girl she’s sitting on a throne, presiding over her dominion with a piercing stare and a crown of braids in her hair. Her warriors are spread at her feet, a multitude of them, all long-haired and wild and clad in identical brown regalia. There’s something of the sacred about her, like the crimson cloak draped across her shoulders and her divinity are one and the same.

Or at least it feels that way.

British girls' boarding school AU. Obviously.

Additional Ficlets

steklir wrote additional short stories set in the More Women than Warriors universe. These snippets were posted on their Tumblr blog under the mwtw ficlets tag.

Reactions and Reviews

THIS WAS BEYOND MARVELOUS AND I LOVED EVERY. SINGLE. WORD.

my goodness what a world you've created. I am just struck dumb by your prose and word choice and songs and just EVERYTHING. I'm having trouble putting into words how wonderful this whole story was beginning to end. just wow. thank you for this monstrosity of female empowerment. and to come full circle with lucy? freaking fantastic stuff.

such a badass ending. I feel like I could fight a war now. Girls are strong, your writing is magical, clarke and lexa live happily ever after, the end (but not really the end bc I am so looking forward to your epilogue)[1]

WOW, this was an absolutely amazing story. It's been a pleasure to read this since the first chapter. I love how you managed to make the history of Polis so deep and complex in such a short work. The show of comradery and strength at the very end gave me chills. Also, Lexa and Clarke comparing British vs American culture and slowly falling in love was adorable. Your overall message of female empowerment and the wonderful setting of a school governed by the students was wonderful. Thank you for writing! I hope you continue to put more awesome ideas down on paper/the internet <3[2]

I absolutely wanted to write a comment on this story. But it's hard because I won't do it justice.
At first I was wondering "why a British boarding school?". But wow, the way you integrated Brit history to this story... everything has a purpose and resonnate brilliantly with the plot. Same thing with the way you took the most important parts of canon Clexa and reflected them in your story. It felt absolutely organic and so true to them.
And then female empowerment. I felt it in my bones and heart.
So thank you.
And I agree with some comments I saw, this could be a book but it could be THE movie that young girls need, and for generations. So there.
Thank you again.[3]

i cant find words that work to convey how i feel about this story. im totally immersed in this universe, it feels like i know these girls and i can fee their power in my chest along with their love. so thank you.

this is my first good clexa fic that ive ever read besides random ficlets and like university aus and stuff, the first one with real plot that im invested in. the first one that feels like its about more than just two characters getting together and staying together and thats where it ends, this is a whole world built for this school and these girls. im tbqh just awestruck that it was this good, seriously top three fics ive ever read. i also fucking loved all the religious imagery; im not a religious person but i often use halos and angelic figures when im painting because of how powerful and beautiful they can be. honest to god this was so good! i feel like clarke when she cant find the words to describe how she feels about lexa because this fic was just too good! it doesnt even do it justice to call it a fic, its more like a saga or an epic!

well done.[4]

I just raced through this whole fic over about two days.

Wow.

Just...wow.

This is a breathtaking piece of literature and I got chills reading this final chapter, but honestly the feeling of this fic has had me breathless throughout. I am in awe.

I have never been so moved by a fanfic, never by such beautiful words in any form. Never.

The unity of the girls, the community built around the history they share and the future they create is empowering in each chapter. I love the history of the school, the use of Trigedaslang in the everday life of these girls, the small things that show how everyone cares about the legacy of their school and their Heda. Everyone going all in on their party costumes, the Foudners Day presentations, the assembling of the Old Girls at the end (I cried a little at each new group- current, old, families, little'uns- Imagining them, imagining Lexa seeing her people, well a person can only hold onto their emotions for so long)

The journey of Clarke from a newcomer, the American, to Wanheda is brilliant, how it all reflects canon but does it uniquely, the influence of the show shaping around the world of Polis and not the reverse. Things like the cloaks, the pin, Dr Peters giving Lexa his 'old' laptop, the Housemistresses overlooking Clarke's attempts at sneaking in and out. Lexa's whole story was so in tune to the character we saw on the show and the character you made your own.

I am in awe of your ability with words. If anyone ever asks me to recommend a book to them, I would point them here, even if they weren't familiar with Clexa, because this is a work of art that should be enjoyed by everyone.

Thank you, for writing this. It is incredible.[5]

This fix was amazing (and that's probably an understatement). The plot was phenomenal, the characterizations were excellent and the subtle nodes to canon phrases were a nice touch. I really enjoyed this fic and your writing style. I binged it in about two days and it held my attention the entire time. Thanks for sharing![6]

I've had this on my 'to read' list for the longest time, and when I say it was worth it? That's an understatement. I couldn't craft a comment worthy of how amazing this story was. The relationship between Clarke and Lexa? The way Clarke finds her way past Heda's defences and proves again and again that she will always have her back. It was so beautifully woven together.
And the final chapter, Clarke refusing to let Lexa become the enemy, refusing to let her take the burden alone, standing side by side and protecting the protector. The rising crescendo you build as Lexa’s army comes to her aid, one group after another, standing strong for the one who always stood strong for them? Perfection. I had to pause reading it to try and find the right soundtrack to back such a momentous scene.

(Also, Raven's instant thirst for Anya got me so good. Breaking up all the emotional heaviness from prior with that was *chef's kiss* excellent.)

Thank you for creating such an incredible AU and giving the girls the ending they always deserved.
If ever you decide to pick up the metaphorical pen and continue with this, or any venture, you've a loyal reader here.
Many Kudos my friend.[7]

OMG I THINK I JUST SPENT LIKE 6 HOURS READING THIS WITHOUT STOPPING; It's 2 am in the morning now, but I don't regret a-ny-thing.

THAT WAS AMAZING!

Thank you so much for this masterpiece. The last chapter got me crying, got me happy, excited and incredibly overwhelmed.

Long live Heda and Wanheda
Amen.[8]

Fanworks

Fanart

Edits

Fanvids

Fannish Links

References

  1. ^ Review by thecheshirekat on AO3. July 24, 2017. Archived version.
  2. ^ Review by Jay57 on AO3. July 24, 2017. Archived version.
  3. ^ Review by LeTiPoulPe on AO3. July 26, 2017. Archived version.
  4. ^ Review by lameass on AO3. February 22, 2018. Archived version.
  5. ^ Review by allforconniebonacieux on AO3. April 5, 2018. Archived version.
  6. ^ Review by Citywriter12 on AO3. May 4, 2020. Archived version.
  7. ^ Review by Gr8_Kayt on AO3. July 15, 2020. Archived version.
  8. ^ Review by HedaMarina on AO3. December 18, 2020. Archived version.
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