AN: Hello beautiful readers!
So I don't necessarily ship this, I can just see it happening. This is written for a friend, *cough Au Pair cough* who I now know really hates my stories and was lying in her reviews the whole time to make me feel good.
Anyway, I hope at least some of you enjoy this. There might be a few small chappies for it, but we'll see.
Happy reading!
Ursa pulled her rust-colored cloak closer to her body with a shiver. It was late in the day, and the sun was just beginning to set, the sky dimming as a deep violet color consumed the light blue sky of daytime. The wind caused multicolored leaves to drift in the air above her, and nipped at her pale skin on her nose. Ursa was not accustomed to the cold nor did she pack clothes that would protect her from it. All she wore was a thin, silken frock and her cloak that barely blocked the wind at all.
As the last glimpse of sun sunk beneath the horizon, the small ferry docked the shores of Whale Tale Island. It was quite a small island, with few villages and frigid climates. Ursa wasn't sure why anyone would want to live in such a cold, isolated place, yet small children roamed the snow covered streets and fishermen hauled in the last catches of the day, and they didn't seem to mind it at all.
"Here we are Ma'am," said the captain of the miniature sized boat, offering a hand to help Ursa onto the dock. "Whale Tale Island. Ain't nobody gonna know of you here."
Ursa gratefully accepted the man's large, calloused hand and stepped down onto the dock. "I suppose not." She agreed while fixing the hood of her cloak over her head.
"Anything else I can do for ya Ma'am?"
Ursa shook her head. "No, that's all, thank you."
The captain stoked his long, tangled grey beard. "Can't think of a reason a pretty miss like you would be banished to a place like this." The man had a confused look on his face. "Ya did something real bad?"
Ursa shrugged and lowered her eyes to the ground. "I'm not sure yet."
"Good luck Ma'am," The captain shrugged and hopped back up onto the ferry. "You're gonna need it." He muttered, not knowing that Ursa heard him.
She wondered the snowy streets in search of an Inn until the stars scattered about the dark sky and villagers locked their doors for the night. She had asked a few friendly looking people earlier if they would let her stay for the night, but each had gently turned her down saying they had no room to spare. When she was sure she would have to sleep in the snow for the night, Ursa spotted something that caught her golden eyes.
Docked at the other end of the small village was a large Water Tribe ship. Ursa suspected that the warriors from the Southern Tribe must have left their own village to fight in the war, and this is where they would be camping for the night. Recalling stories from her childhood about how brave, loyal, and caring to all the warriors from the Water Tribes were, Ursa hoped that they would give her a warm place to stay for the night.
Desperately hoping that the warriors were like the ones from her childhood tales, Ursa made her way to the closest ship she saw. When she was close enough, she could see two men carrying something heavy looking on deck.
"Hello?" She called up to them, her hands cupped around her mouth in order to cause her voice to sound louder. "Hello up there!"
Both men stopped in their tracks and directed their gazes down to where Ursa was standing. Both where dressed in traditional Water Tribe clothing, tan skin covered in thick animal skins and furs, and long parkas in a many different shades of blues. They wore matching smiles.
"Why hello miss!" One of the men called out. "Can we help you?"
Ursa nodded and was about to speak out again, but instead the warriors put down whatever they were carrying and one began to make his way down the hull.
"Hello Miss," he said warmly when he was on the ground. "You shouldn't be out here in the cold without being more bundled up."
"I'm looking for a place to spend the night." Ursa explained. "I was looking for an Inn but I don't think this village has-,"
The tall Water Tribe man held up a hand to stop her. "Your right, there isn't an Inn here. But if you'd like, I'm sure we can find an extra cot below deck you can sleep in. They're not very comfortable, but I suppose it's better than sleeping out here in the snow."
Ursa smiled gratefully and nodded. "Yes! That would be wonderful, thank you."
Nodding, the man climbed back onto the hull, reaching a hand down to help Ursa up too.
He led her across deck, completely forgetting the heavy object he was bringing in earlier, and down some steps to a small wooden door.
"This cabin is kind of small, but its only meant for one person." He told her while opening the door, causing it to creak. "But I don't suppose you'd want a cot next to the other warriors." He explained and added with a crooked smile. "They snore."
Ursa chuckled softly at that, also feeling grateful that the warrior was respecting her personal privacy.
"This is perfect." She said appreciatively. "Thank you."
"Of course." He said with a simple nod.
Ursa was about to step into the cabin when a thought occurred to her.
"Does this cabin belong to someone?"
The man shook his head. "It's usually the Chief's cabin, but he prefers to sleep out under the stars."
"But its freezing!" Ursa exclaimed, shocked by the idea of someone sleeping in such an icy temperature. "And I couldn't take the Chief's room."
The Water Tribe warrior chuckled. "Don't worry, it's perfectly fine." He gently pushed her a step into the cabin. "Make yourself at home."
Ursa unsurely took another step inside the dim lit room and sat on the cot. Looking around the room, she noticed that besides the cot, there was a small desk in the very corner with an old looking chair sitting besides it. A candle flickered atop the desk.
Ursa smiled weakly. "Thank you." She said to the man who was standing outside the narrow doorway. "For your kindness."
He gave a nod. "Of course." He said while giving a traditional bow. "If you need anything, just ask for me, Chief Hakoda."
Ursa's eyes widened briefly but she bowed back also. "Thank you."
"Have a good night sleep-," He pause so she could fill the gap with her name.
"Ursa."
"Ursa." He said with a smile and made his way up the stairs.
AN: I usually don't like flames and don't want them for reviews to my stories, but this deserves it. Flame on.
I'm sorry Au Pair.