The Other Half

Part One - The Woman

The candles on the wall flickered with a soft glow as the Princess walked down the dimly lit hall.

After giving birth to a son, her first born child, the festivities began throughout the nation and had continued to this day four weeks later. She was glad that the son she found such delight in was also bringing joy to the hearts of the people, but there was a tiny bit of her that wished she could just enjoy her little prince's presence without all of the attentive eyes on them. She sighed as she reminded herself that there was only one more day of festivities. All the attention would be over soon.

"Princess Ursa?" She stopped walking and gently turned her head to see a palace servant approach her. "Yes?" "I am sorry for the interruption your highness, but I was hoping that you would allow me a moment of your time."

By this time, the servant was about arm's length from Ursa, slightly bent in the respectful style which Ursa had become more used to. Ursa guessed that the woman was just a little younger than her and was most likely the same height. Her chestnut brown hair was tied back in a bun which, along with her uniform, identified her as one of the kitchen staff. "Of course you may speak with me. What is this regarding? Is there any problems with tomorrows banquet menu?"

As the woman raised her head, Ursa could have sworn that just for a moment the woman had bright blue eyes but it quickly dissipated. Her eyes were a warm amber. Ursa decided that her fatigue was starting to affect her mind's ability to function properly.

"Oh no your highness. Nothing like that. I am actually here on my own accord." She reached into the pocket on her stained apron and retrieved the most beautiful, white marble box.

"Princess, I know that it isn't the most lavish of the gifts that you son has been given, but I ask that you take this and allow it to guide him down the path created for him."She extended her hands in which the polished white box sat. "May it help him find peace and love."

Ursa was not sure what to say. This gift, whatever it is, was quite likely the most precious thing this woman owned. She was touched at the gesture but she couldn't take it. "Thank you but I couldn't…"

"Please." The woman cut her sentence short. She gently took one of the princess' hands and placed the white box in it. "This gift will be worth so much to your son. More than you think."

Ursa couldn't understand what the woman meant but upon seeing her kind smile, she figured the least she could do was open it.

Ursa turned her attention to the box that she held in her hand. She gently clasped the top and carefully opened it. The inside of the marble box was lined with beautiful red satin and placed in the center was a beautiful pendent. The golden pendent was in the shape of a diamond which glowed from the candle light. And right in the middle of the polished ornament was a large glistening ruby. It was cut in such a complex but appealing way it was hard not to get lost in it.

"Thank you. It's beauti-"

As Ursa raised her head to thank the woman she found herself alone. Puzzled, she looked down both directions of the corridor but there was no trace of her. No shape hiding in the shadows, no sound of footsteps, no movement whatsoever aside from her own and that of the flames of the candles. Slowly the princess continued walking towards the bedchambers. The fatigue started to take over once more as she continued walking but this strange incident still remained in the back of her mind.

Another gust of frigid wind scraped her face as she held the bundle in her arms closer to her body. Once the chill of the gust subsided she raised her head to see two familiar faces at the entrance of the igloo.

"Home Mommy!" the little boy screamed with a wide grin across his face. The man who stood beside him chuckled as he playfully picked up the boy causing him to release playful screeches. "Be careful with him." She reminded as she passed the two and entered their home.

"Oh Kya, I'm not going to drop him." Hakoda ducked into the house with his son now on his shoulders. "And even if I had, the snow would have cushioned his fall." Kya stopped taking off her coat just long enough to give him a stern look. "Okay, okay. Don't worry, I was only joking."

Sokka screamed and ran to hug his mother's leg as soon as his father set him down. Kya giggled as she moved her attention to unwrapping the newest family member still cradled in her arms.

"Me see. Me see." Kya smiled as she knelt down so that the boy could see his sister. His eyes moved from the tired little girl to his mother and back again. "Baby?" "Yes, it's your baby sister, Sokka. Do you remember her name?"

The little boy pursed his lips and narrowed his eyes showing the energy he was putting into remembering the name. Finally his eyes lit up as a smile formed. "Atawa." Hakoda chuckled as he joined his wife and children. "That's right Sokka. Katara." "Atawa." Both parents laughed. "Now you're her big brother so you are going to take care and protect her, right?" "Mmhmm." Sokka nodded with a proud expression on his face. "Good stuff little guy." Hakoda said as he ruffled his son's hair.

The happy family moment was then interrupted by a sudden knock at the door.

Hakoda stood up and made his way to the door of the home. He opened it to see a woman wrapped in a thin and tattered cloak. The wind and cold of the night were even more aggressive as the snow and frigid air hit Hakoda's face. The woman's dark chestnut hair that spilled out from the cloak's hood was long past her shoulders and was being thrown about in the storm.

"I am so sorry to bother you but may I come in to warm myself for a little while?" Hakoda ushered her in as quick as he could and shut the door to keep them all separated from the cold.

Kya finished placing her daughter in the cradle and made her way to see who was coming to her home at such a late time. Upon seeing this thin, freezing woman being seated by her husband, she quickened her pace. "My dear! Are you alright?" She asked as she took the seat beside her and placed her hands softly on the freezing hands of the woman.

The woman looked up to see who was comforting her and what Kya saw was strange to say the least. The first moment she met the stranger's eyes they glowed the colour of golden honey but quickly turned into a dull grey colour. Kya was perplexed by what she thought she had saw but she redirected her thoughts back to why this woman was here.

"Yes I'm alright." The woman answered with a soft voice. "I only ask for a few moments out of the cold." "Of course darling." Kya squeezed her hand gently then turned her attention to her husband. "Hakoda, please bring this woman one of our polar bear dog furs while I pour her a bowl of the five-flavor soup that we have on the fire." Kya began to rise up when the woman gently tugged her hand. "Oh no, that isn't necessary. I only need a few more moments and I will be on my way." Kya looked at her and gently smiled. "I am at least going to give you a warm meal and a warm coat before you leave."

The mysterious woman finished her bowl of five-flavor soup and looked happily at Kya. "Thank you for the wonderful meal and hospitality but I must be on my way." she said as she stood up from the table and folded the fur she had been wearing for the past few minutes. She looked at Kya with a warm smile and turned to make her way to the door. p"Wait." As she was about to open the door Kya came up to her and offered her the polar bear dog fur that she had just folded up. "Please take this with you. To keep you warm." The woman looked at the fur then back up to Kya's glistening grin. A small smile crept onto her face as she gently took the fur and wrapped it around her shoulders.

"Thank you for your kindness." She said as she searched her small bag for something. She pulled out a black marble box. "I would like to give this to you in return." She offered the box on her out stretched palms.

Kya looked from the woman to the box and back again wondering why she felt the need to give her something in return. But before she was able to ask the woman spoke again. "I saw that you have a beautiful baby girl and I would like for her to have this." Kya turned and looked over her shoulder to see Katara asleep in the cradle. She turned back and gently took the polished box to look at the strange gift. As she reached for the lid she heard the woman explain "This gift that I give to you is to help your daughter understand her path in life."

As the lid of the box opened it revealed a stunning royal blue satin lining and sitting in the centre was a shining silver pendent. And in the center of this diamond shaped pendent was a gleaming sapphire. The breathtaking gift was so elaborate. "It's beautiful but I'm sorry, I can't-" Kya lifted her head to find that the woman was no longer standing before her.

Confused, Kya opened the door and looked into the cold night to catch sight of this mysterious woman but she was surprised to see nothing but the endless landscape of snow.

Hakoda reentered the main room. "Kya, is something wrong?" She closed the box and gently tucked it into her pocket as she reentered her house. "No, I'm alright...Everything's fine."