Author's Note: This seven part fic was originally scripted as part of the 2012 Tokka Week celebration and draws its inspiration from a medieval AU created by a Tumblr artist whom I greatly admire. This work is in no way intended to represent the canon of that universe; the medieval setting merely provided me with a backdrop to write a story that fit the seven prompts (which is why the chapters are rather oddly titled). The world is a weird mashup of the Asian/POC culture of ATLA and traditional interpretations of medieval Europe. The story itself covers roughly a 20 year period in Toph and Sokka's relationship, and all the ups and downs therein. I hope you enjoy, and please leave a review or two - I can't improve my writing if I don't know what (if anything) I'm doing wrong.
Disclaimer: Characters belong to Bryke and Nickelodeon unless otherwise indicated.
A request is granted. The initial meeting of Toph (14) and Sokka (17).
As commanding general of the armies of King Kuei, Iroh Iyagato was no longer required to sit in on the monthly recruitment sessions of the King's Knights. A good general, however, is always cognizant of the quality of the men under his command. It had been many years since Iroh was engaged in active combat, but he knew that the time would come again when the nation required defenders, and he wanted to be sure that the best and brightest were being trained to fulfill that purpose – to protect their king, their country and their fellow citizens.
As the midday sun blazed overhead, Iroh watched as a scruffy-looking girl emerged from the bustling crowds to approach the recruitment station. Her hair was short and scraggly except for long strands in the front that covered her eyes; her feet were bare, her clothes ragged and her body was covered in a healthy layer of dirt.
She stopped in front of the general's table.
"Is this the recruitment table for the King's Knights?" she said roughly.
The two officers sitting next to Iroh looked at each other, looked back at the girl, and then burst out laughing.
"Really?" snorted the one to the left. "You wish to join the King's Knights?"
"Preposterious," began the other. "Child, go back to-"
"Gentlemen," said Iroh, sternly. The flanking officers were immediately silent. "Thank you," he added curtly. He gave the girl a smile. "Welcome young one. Have you the wish to become a member of the King's Knights."
"Yeah," she said dismissively.
"And why would one such as you wish to dedicate yourself to our order?"
The girl shifted from one foot to the other. "My father was a bastard and my mother was a courtesan. They were never much good to me in life and they aren't doing me any favors now that they're dead. I learned how to survive on my own without the charity of others. The powers of survival, of endurance, of freedom – these are the things that the King's Knights can give me. And I can give those gifts to others as well."
"Independence, self-reliance…these are things that we value in our recruits…but can you work within a team? Be willing to throw down your life for another person? We are not always lone wolves, young one."
"I'm sure I can pick up the necessary sentiment," quipped the girl.
The officers next to Iroh both frowned, but the general burst out in laughter. "It seems this knight has a serpent's tongue! But that is not a bad thing. Wit can be a valuable tool in the warrior's arsenal…if used wisely. What of your combat skills?"
"I've had my share of scraps."
"Have you ever held a blade in your life, girl?" barked the lieutenant dismissively.
"Yeah, and I bet I could kick your poncey ass up and down the city, tough guy," she replied coolly.
The lieutenant's face turned purple, but Iroh merely laid a hand on his shoulder and gave him a stern look. His face slowly regained its normal color.
"What is your name, young warrior?" asked the general.
"Fang," replied the girl.
"Come with me, young Fang," said Iroh. The other officers stared gobsmacked as Iroh stood up from the table and walked towards the palace gate; the girl followed close behind him.
(***)
They were almost to the training yard when Iroh made a turn into a deserted corridor.
"Sir, I think we're going the wrong way," she began.
"There are some lovely gardens back this way," replied Iroh. "Your training will leave little time for diversions, so I thought you should see them before your studies begin."
Iroh glanced back at Fang, who seemed uncomfortable at the suggestion. "Sir, with all due, respect, I'm not interested in-"
"You are quite a ways away from home, Lady Beifong," he interrupted with a smile.
The girl froze out of shock and fear. "How did you-"
"You look too well-fed for an orphan, even for those who enjoy the king's charity at the city's orphanages. You are dirty, but you do not have the smell of the streets upon you. Your skin is of the softer flesh common to the nobility. And though you do have a loner look about you, I never forget the face of a Beifong. It's the eyes, mostly – you did well to keep the hair in front long. It dulls the color of your pupils." He studied her face intently. "Fortunately you favor your mother. Your father is…well, I suppose he's handsome enough, at least for Lady Poppy…"
"…I…sir, I-" stammered the girl.
"The gardens, Lady Beifong. When last you visited the city my nephew took you to see them, and he told me you were quite fond of them. And no one will be able to hear us talk, you can be assured of that."
He held out his hand.
"Shall we?"
(***)
The two wandered around the King's exotic flower collection until they came upon an elaborate stone bench. Once they were seated, a frowning Iroh began to speak.
"You place me in a difficult position, Lady Toph…may I call you by your given name?"
"…it's fine. Sir," she replied bewilderedly.
"Ah, that is wonderful! Now my lady, I would be more than happy to accept you as a trainee in the King's Knights. But the rules stipulate that one must have permission from one's parents or guardians, unless they are otherwise deceased or unknown." Iroh smiled. "And we both know that your parents are neither dead nor unknown." He raised an eyebrow. "And while it was clever to give yourself low-born parentage as a means to disguise yourself, I am curious as to why you'd call your father a bastard and your mother a courtesan."
"Because my father is a bastard and my mother is no better than a glorified courtesan," she growled in response.
Iroh happened to share this opinion, but he merely raised his other eyebrow in supposéd shock. "I am also curious as to what actions would prompt such disrespect from a daughter towards her elders."
Toph held her head in her hands and let out a groan of frustration. "You wouldn't understand."
"Give me time and opportunity, and I will do my best," said Iroh, laying a hand on Toph's shoulder.
Toph turned to look at him. "Alright," she said softly. "You know my father is a cousin of the king, correct?"
"But of course. He's never been afraid to mention it, if given the opportunity."
"Yeah, tell me about it," she snorted. "It's made him rich as hell too, maybe richer than the king himself."
"His Majesty has the wealth of the realm behind him," said Iroh.
"Yeah, but we both know that's the realm. I mean, Kuei's personal fortune-"
"King Kuei's fortune," corrected Iroh.
"Kuei's personal fortune," replied Toph, feigning ignorance, "while impressive, is still dwarfed by my father's own holdings. So anyone who is friends with my father has the potential to wield some serious power and influence. What better way to ensure the aid and goodwill of the Beifongs than to marry their precious daughter?" She snorted. "Selling off my womb, more like it. Now that I've had my moon's blood they've been dropping hints – pretending to be subtle about it, like I'm too stupid to understand what's going on, and that I'm supposed to be happy when they finally order me off to be some stranger's seed receptacle."
Iroh, who was unused to such language from noblewoman, could only blink and cough in response.
"In all fairness, if I was going to barter me away, I'd pick your nephew. Father has big trading partners in the western regions who could use Ozai's patronage, the shifty bugger." (Iroh also agreed with this assessment but remained silent). "The king needs a good reason to keep Ozai on his leash, and even though your brother hates your nephew's guts he won't risk insulting Father by alienating Zuko. After all, if he shuns my lord husband I'll be expected to stand by him," added Toph, and she made a face.
"You have an exceptionally good grasp of politics," said Iroh in admiration.
"For a woman?" said Toph suspiciously.
"For anyone," said Iroh with a smile.
Toph smile was sad. "But my parents don't care about that. They don't care that I've read the histories of every ruler from Xiawyi the Mighty to Queen Adias of the Pale Lands. They don't care that I snuck out of lessons to watch the guardsmen drill and then secretly practiced combat forms by candlelight and bribing the newer recruits to spar with me. They don't care that I've worshiped Sir Kyoshi of Fairglenn ever since I read the story of her fight with Chin the Barbarian and wanted nothing more than to be her. Marriage, and the marriage bed, and the birthing bed are all anyone's ever expected of me. I don't want that to be my life. I can't do that. I just can't." She took a deep breath. "When the monthly trader caravan from the Icereach stopped by on their way to the capital, I packed some minor provisions, disguised myself and came here hoping to join the Knights. So there it is."
For a moment, the only sound was the rustling of the leaves and grass.
"It is an honorable thing to be a wife and mother, to take care of house and home, of a spouse, of children," began Iroh kindly. "It is a duty that we must fulfill in order to ensure the growth of a new generation, one who will continue to protect the world that we have built for ourselves. Would it be such a bad fate? I would be overjoyed to have someone who is as intelligent, capable and resourceful as you are for a mother – someone who rises to meet the challenges presented to her, someone with drive and passion and dedication. Duty is a hard mistress," he conceded, "but it often yields its own rewards." He paused. "And you would not be the first to face the choice between dreams and duty. I myself had to sacrifice the former for the latter."
"…you?" said Toph in surprise.
"Me," said Iroh, seriously. "In my youth, I showed an exceptionally gifted talent for making tea; for picking quality tea leaves; for having excellent timing in heating and brewing; for blending various leaves, adding herbs and spices to complement or accentuate different flavors. When guests came to see my father, Azulon, I was given the task of preparing the tea served during audiences, meetings and all meals. By the time I reached manhood, I was firmly set on opening my own tea shop."
"So what happened?"
"I made the mistake of telling my father, and he outright forbade it. He said that it was my duty to join the King's Knights, to train with them and then defend the realm if necessary. I would focus on my studies and learn how to shoulder the burdens of ruling. 'You are going to be the Lord of the Scorched Plains one day, not some lowly merchant peddling hot water,' he snapped. If I wished to continue this 'fool's folly' as he called it, it would be done without the family's name or money. I would have left that very night were it not for one small thing."
"What was that?" asked Toph.
"My brother," said Iroh grimly. "I could not in good conscience renounce my family and leave Ozai as heir to the Scorched Plains and all the people therein. So with a bitter heart I buried my dream and a week later I set off for Ba Sing Se." He gave a far-off look. "The irony, of course, is that Ozai gained the Scorched Plains anyways and though I would challenge him for lordship of the domain, after all this time I feel honor-bound to remain with the King's Knights until I am unable to serve or am otherwise incapacitated, though there is no obligation that prevents me from leaving the order."
"I…I didn't know," stammered Toph.
"It is not a story I have shared with many people," said Iroh matter-of-factly. "Though it is well-known that I argued with my father before I left home, the subject of the conversation has remained a secret. But do not take my remorse for dissatisfaction with my life as a King's Knight – it has been a wondrous journey, and one that I would gladly take again. I certainly hope that you will discover this for yourself.
"You mean…" began Toph, her eyes widening, "…you'll let me join the Knights?"
"I cannot."
Toph's face fell.
"Not without testing you first."
Toph's heart rose.
"If I am to bend the rules and admit you without the knowledge of your parents – very powerful parents who could make life quite difficult for the Knights – I must make sure that you are worth the trouble. Not that I think you aren't capable," said Iroh deferentially after Toph gave him a dirty look. "But even an old soldier like me must play the politician every now and then. Surely you understand."
To his surprise, Toph smiled. "Yeah. I do. So," she said, rising from the bench, "what do I have to do?"
(***)
The training yard was filled with the clacking of wood, the thuds of stuffed dummies and the ringing of steel.
As Iroh walked Toph through the group of recruits and knights, many of them stopped their work to greet the general, who called each of them by name; he would ask the recruits about their progress and any injuries they received; the knights he would clasp on the shoulder and ask them about their families and loved ones. Toph and Iroh finally stopped in front of a shirtless young man with dark brown skin (he was about three years older than her by Toph's reckoning), who was currently thrusting at a dummy equipped with a large iron shield.
"Sokka, there's someone I'd like you to meet," said Iroh.
The boy named Sokka turned to face the two visitors. Toph was surprised at how brilliant his eyes were – bright blue, like the sky – but there was such sadness in them as well – it was the subtle kind, but Toph recognized it instantly.
It was a look she'd seen countless times in the mirror.
"This is Fang," began Iroh. "She wishes to join the King's Knights, but I require a demonstration of her abilities before I can make a judgment as to whether she has the ability to 'go the distance,' as it were. You are our best recruit, and I sense that she is one who requires a challenge in order to fully tap into her potential. Would you…?"
"Of course – anything for you General Iroh," said Sokka, wiping the sweat from his brow. "Will we be fighting with live steel or…?"
"I think training blades will suffice. I wouldn't want you to get hurt," said Iroh with a chuckle.
To Toph's surprise, Sokka laughed as well. "I promise you I'm not as clumsy as I used to be. Unless it involves tea. Then I'm just a total disaster."
"Tea?" said Toph quizzically.
"Broke three of the general's favorite teapots. I don't know, it's something about me and heated objects – even lukewarm ones – we just don't get along."
"I suppose that makes bathing difficult, what with using hot water and all...certainly smells like it," said Toph, making a point of audibly sniffing the air.
"It's an ongoing process," said Sokka knowingly. "Of course, that's on the occasions when we have hot water. It's mostly cold here. Yup! Cold water! Builds character. More like 'build tiny icicles all over my body.'"
Toph giggled. This guy is funny.
"Well, I suppose we should fight now," said Sokka abruptly. "Hey Haru!" he yelled. "Toss me a training blade, would ya?"
A boy in green pants grabbed a wooden blade from a nearby weapons rack and threw it in the air; Sokka caught it gracefully with one arm. He then extended it hilt first to Toph. "Good habit to get into, grabbing swords by the hilt. Assuming you get to handle live steel, that is."
"I already have, thanks," retorted Toph as she accepted the blade.
"Stolen?" quipped Sokka as he cut circles in the air with his own sword.
"In a manner of speaking," she replied, thinking about her night lessons with random guardsmen.
"Take your preferred stances," warned Iroh. "You will begin on my mark."
Sokka gripped the hilt with both hands and held the blade straight up against his chest.
Toph crouched low and with a two-handed grip leveled the blade at Sokka's midriff.
"Get ready…" said Iroh.
He has the height and weight advantage, but you'll be able to move faster than him.
His muscles are relaxed, but so are his eyes, so that tells me he's expecting a quick, easy fight.
Play defense, thrust when you have an opening.
Kick him in the balls.
"Begin!" yelled Iroh.
Toph rushed at Sokka, feinted right, then slid over to his left. The warrior was caught off-guard and had to move quickly to place Toph back in his line-of-site.
She's fast, he told himself.
He brought his blade down but missed Toph by a foot or more; her blade came whizzing at his leg and he just managed to bring it over to counter. Toph rolled over and scrambled back to her feet as Sokka advanced on her. She brought her blade up as he brought his down, and soon there was a regular clacking of wood as the duelists danced around and with each other.
Most of the other people in the yard had expected the fight to be over in the first ten seconds, so when the three minute mark came it was no surprise that everyone had abandoned their work in order to watch the two foes in action.
By this time Sokka had given up any pretense of apathy or sailing through, and had begun to press his physical advantages – namely arm strength and leg stride – in order to undermine Toph. Occasionally he would charge her – she was still too quick for him to actually make contact – but he was fairly fast himself and Toph was expending a good amount of energy to avoid being hit.
Sokka's strategy was starting to work.
Just keep playing defense, thought Toph as she parried each blow from her opponent (with increasing difficulty). Lure him in. Waver a little bit.
Toph's sword arm wobbled as Sokka's next blow came down – or at least, she allowed her sword arm to wobble.
"Need a break?" said Sokka, taking a little too long to raise his sword for another blow.
THERE.
Toph surged forward and before the boy could side-step she had elbowed Sokka in the stomach. He leaned forward, stunned, and Toph could hear the whoosh of air leaving his lungs.
I almost feel sorry for doing this, she said to herself as she brought her knee up to his groin.
Sokka's eyes bulged and he tilted forward even more.
There was a mass hiss of sympathy from the crowd.
Toph dropped to her knees and grabbed Sokka around the leg. She pushed forwards and upwards, and was delighted when an unbalanced Sokka fell and tumbled onto his back. She then retrieved Sokka's sword (as both parties had dropped their blades in the process), placed one foot on his chest and poked at his neck with the wooden tip.
"That's not a bad idea, actually," said Toph, answering Sokka's question.
There was an enthusiastic applause from the audience (and a few wolf-whistles, which Toph ignored). She held out her hand to her fallen foe. Sokka took it and stood up, wincing all the while. Toph suddenly blushed in embarrassment. "Sorry about…"
"It's fine," replied Sokka, his voice higher than before. "Totally legal combat move. It's happened to me before. Still just as painful as the other times."
"It seems I have nothing to be concerned about," said Iroh happily. "Fang, I welcome you to the King's Knights – may you serve with honor and distinction. I will deal with the paperwork-" He gave her a knowing look. "-in the meantime, get to know your fellow trainees. The spirits willing, they will be your brothers and sisters-in-arms for many years to come." And with that, Iroh left the training yard.
"So, you're called Fang, eh?" said Sokka, his voice a little closer to normal. "Weird name for a girl. Not that you're weird. Well, you are weird. Not that that's…I'm sorry, I sound like a real jerk, don't I?"
Something instinctively told Toph that she could trust him. "My real name is Toph Beifong," she whispered in his ear. Sokka opened his mouth in surprise and recognition but Toph shook her head and he closed his mouth again. "Call me Fang when we're in public," she added.
Sokka held out his hand. "Well though my body and pride are screaming at me to hate you," he said bemusedly, "I for one am glad to have you here. You'll do well, I think."
Toph took the offered hand and shook it.
"I'm glad to be here too."