Standing patiently while Malina fussed with the massive fur collar, Katara blew at some strands tickling her face. The cloak was a heavy thing, woven from dense arctic sheep wool, with long, deep sleeves and a plush white collar of polar ermine fur. A large twisted band of silver made a simple clasp, but the cloak was cut in such a way that it held closed on its own.
It was woven with South Pole motifs but had the same style and look as the clothing worn by Arnook and his family. To put it simply, she was dressed like one of the royals.
Looking at her father and brother, wearing simple Southern style clothes, Katara fought down a grimace. It was an honor, of course, to be recognized for her status within the Tribal community but she did not relish the pomp.
"I can't believe we're going to be meeting with the Fire Nation ambassador." Malina huffed nervously.
"He's an emissary. There's no official embassy office set up yet." Hakoda interjected. Malina clicked her tongue and made one final smoothing pass over the collar.
"You look lovely Katara." Malina said and smiled at her. Katara attempted to smile back, but she felt it came off as more of a wince.
"Is your boyfriend coming to pick you up?" Sokka asked. Katara turned, annoyed, and glared at her brother.
"He's not my," Katara gave up and let out an exasperated sigh.
"I think it's wonderful you've hit it off with the prince so well." Malina added and Katara closed her eyes for a moment.
"He's very easy to get along with." She replied neutrally.
"We should head over to the palace. The air balloon should be landing any minute." Hakoda prompted. Katara braced herself before pushing out into the public sphere.
The whole of the North Pole tribe existed within the palace, but was segregated into "aprons;" areas that skirted the actual palace and radiated outward. Closer in to the imperial buildings and royal quarters was the Ice village where many of the Masters lived; further out was the Snow village, the largest area and home to most of the inhabitants of the North Pole; finally, the outskirts that nestled up against the docks was the Slush village.
With his position, Hakoda could have easily lived in the Ice village, if not within the Royal apartments itself. Instead, he took up a few rooms in the Snow village, where Malina lived. So as the family walked out into the canal streets, many of the people already out and about stopped and stared.
It did not help matters that Katara was dressed so lavishly.
Taking a deep breath, Katara tried to focus on something other than the murmuring crowd. She thought about walking these streets when it was truly night, when everyone was home and trying to sleep in the ever present darkness, and Katara was alone.
But not always alone.
Over the past month, Amaq had made a point of walking back with her when she left the palace or the Ice village late. He carried a lantern and insisted he was keeping her from accidentally falling into a canal. Waterbenders kept them flowing all year round, which meant that the canals were extraordinarily cold during the dark months.
In reality, Katara had guessed that he was taking an opportunity to speak with her frankly, as they were both often in need of unburdened friendship.
Earlier, Amaq often talked about his plans for the tribe. He had eagerly outlined the development of his two special squads. No nation was permitted to have a standing army per the Treaty of Ba Sing Se, but Amaq had been able to pull together a group of guardsmen that was held in defense of the tribe. Non Waterbenders were made foot soldiers of a sort and Amaq had cobbled together a sort of treatise of urban warfare that utilized the canal streets and bridges.
Katara remembered when the Fire Nation had invaded, how oddly unprepared the fighters had been when they lost their bending at the lunar eclipse.
That was the day Amaq's birth mother had died, a healer who had been killed while attending to a fallen soldier.
Finding her thoughts inexorably drawn the melancholy, Katara frowned. She could not seem to escape these somber moments.
Feeling a tug on her sleeve, Katara looked down. Sokka had begun to lightly hold onto her and she glanced over at him. He smiled quickly at her, a small closed grin more like a wink. Katara relaxed, felt herself smile back, and faced forward.
He held her the whole way to the palace; the dock line to her oar less kayak.
When they arrived at the palace, they were informed that the Fire Nation air balloon had landed and the royal family had gathered in the main courtyard. Katara felt her pulse quicken as they rushed to meet Arnook, terrified of seeing a Fire Nation official again.
There had only been a few at the palace, meeting quickly with Zuko in the mornings or early afternoon. They spoke quietly, barely bowing to her with sharp focused eyes in unfriendly faces as they passed her in the halls.
"Katara." Amaq stepped over to greet her, holding her by the arms as he kissed her lightly in greeting. Embraces of any sort were fraught with innuendo when conducted by people outside of a kin group. To kiss, publicly, was a statement. Each time it happened, Katara felt a mix of panic and thrill, knowing they were being watched and examined.
It was something, after all, to be unofficially courted by the prince.
Unthinkingly, Katara looked over and found Aang watching her, watching Amaq greet her in such a manner. He had never been good at keeping his face neutral, and Katara saw, with no small amount of perverse pleasure, as he glowered.
It had been his fault that she was in this position in the first place.
"When are they getting here?" Katara asked as she linked her arm with Amaq's and they walked over to the rest of the receiving party.
"Any minute. Father sent out the sleds when he saw the balloon begin its descent." He answered. When they approached, Amaq's mother hugged Katara and everyone said their hellos. Arnook gestured for Sokka to approach, and the two men began to confer.
While Katara had been in the dark, apparently her brother's close friendship with the Fire Lord was common knowledge in the North Pole. When Sokka had refused to be appointed Hakoda's heir, Arnook had quickly offered to make him a foreign minister, seeking to leverage Sokka's experience and friendship in foreign affairs. The Poles had been thrust onto the global stage and Arnook found a severe lack in offices suited to the position.
There was also some lingering sentiment Arnook held for the boy who had loved his daughter so fiercely.
"You look great in that coat by the way." Amaq said as they stood waiting. Katara shrugged, feeling the heavy pull of the fabric on her shoulders.
"It's certainly warm." She remarked.
"You're so thin, I think mother assumed you'd need it." Katara startled at the comment. All over the world, Katara had seen bodies come in every shape and size but no where was she considered thin. In the Fire Nation, Katara had felt the sting of watching the lithe young women that looked and moved so elegantly.
Katara glanced at Amaq and saw nothing in his face. It was neither an attempt to flatter or gently mock. It was a simple statement of fact. She was, in comparison to healthy tribal women, thin.
Amaq, for comparison, was massive. Standing comfortably past six feet tall, he was broad chested, thick limb, and built with a similar musculature as other Waterbenders. Bending increased one's metabolism and there were few among them who were not considered lean.
He was also dark skinned, with the familiar long, wavy brown hair.
A very vivid, very brief vision of her dark hand against creamy skin, the curve of a bare pelvis, flashed through Katara's mind and she felt herself warm.
Amaq, in almost every possible sense, was an opposite to Zuko.
"I see them." Malina whispered sharply from behind her. Katara started and looked out over the courtyard. Black dots moved over the horizon and Katara shifted her weight on her feet. In minutes, the polar bear dogs would pull in, depositing their sleds.
Luggage would come, and more gifts, Katara was certain.
But would there be letters?
"Nervous?" Amaq asked suddenly and Katara felt afraid.
"What?" She shot back, her mind sputtering. Was she so obvious?
"Your first official political meeting as Master Katara for the South Pole." Amaq clarified and Katara sighed.
"Oh, yeah. I'm sure it'll be fine. I'm just not used to being on this side of the exchange." She replied. Travelling with Aang, Katara had often gone to the homes of officials, from royalty to village mayor. Sometimes she was even recognized for her own merits.
"I just hope they're prepared for the cold." Amaq said.
"I don't think anyone can prepare enough for the cold." Katara said wryly and Amaq chuckled.
The loud barks preceded the actual arrival, but very soon came the rush of fur and snow. The sleds were halted and slowly the riders were untethered from their seats. There were two soldiers, the airship crew, and two other figures. The taller of the two rose first and there came a sudden glinting as torchlight caught something.
"Is he seriously wearing metal?" Hakoda questioned. "It's below freezing!"
"He's most definitely a Firebender dad." Sokka replied. Hakoda muttered to himself about the lunacy of the Fire Nation.
The tall man was wearing a mask of gold. His hooded robe was long but Katara could tell it was still much thinner than it needed to be. He had to be a Firebender, or else he wouldn't have survived the trip from his ship.
The other figure, on the other hand, was bundled tip to toe. A large hat and scarf covered his face and he seemed to be wearing at least three coats, with a blanket wrapped around his shoulders. Being covered thusly, the man had an awkward time getting up from the sled and the two soldiers grasped his arms firmly, yanking him upright.
The group – Fire Nation envoy and sled drivers – walked over to the waiting party.
Arnook greeted them, speaking directly to the bundled man. Katara felt the side of her face tingle and she turned, finding the masked man staring at her.
The mask was simply wrought, with a thin mesh of gold behind the eyeholes. The face had been sculpted in a neutral expression, but the frozen features unnerved her. In fact, she couldn't tell if the man was really staring at her, as she could see nothing of his real eyes.
"Come inside and we will try to get you warm." Arnook said and the ambassador's muffled reply was almost incoherent.
Katara, taking Amaq's arm again, resisted the urge to watch the masked man.
"I guess the ambassador is not a Firebender." Amaq commented and Katara forced herself to examine the walking pile of coats.
Katara wondered what in the freezing dark depths the man had done to get such an awful appointment.
Inside the palace, Arnook gathered them into a large Earth Kingdom styled room. There was stone and wood, with heavy furs and carpets adorning the walls and floor. In the center was a large, circular fire pit, already blazing. The ambassador quickly made his way to the fire, falling down into a large chair. The masked man approached the fire pit directly, pulling the flames higher and making them brighter, for just a moment. He then walked over the ambassador, putting his hands over the man's covered body.
By the time they were all seated, the ambassador had begun to shed some of his layers.
And Katara gasped as Sokka barked out a sharp laugh.
"RIN?!" Katara balked. The young woman's sweaty face emerged from under the hat and scarf, and she looked positively livid.
"Is being Zuko's assistant so bad you chose to come to the North Pole?" Sokka asked at the same time. Rin grimaced as she yanked off her thick mittens and rummaged through a coat pocket.
"The Fire Lord promised me a promotion to Minister of Interior Affairs if I came." She said as she pulled out her glasses and put them on. The frames were made of bone and leather to resist freezing. "So I'm here."
"So who's the silent guy?" Sokka questioned.
"He's a priest of a new order. Guards of the Cave or something. It's another sun cult." Rin explained quickly, obviously dismissive of the whole thing. "Really, he's just here to make sure I don't freeze."
"Well, welcome to you Minister, and your priest." Arnook spoke up and Katara looked down, sheepish.
"My apologies Chief Arnook. I have been previously acquainted with Sokka and Master Katara, and I'm afraid I have grown familiar with them." Rin said.
"They have that effect." Arnook said, with a hint of humor. "But how are you acquainted with the Fire Lord?"
"I am his cousin by common law. Until recently, I was his personal assistant. I am, however, from Ba Sing Se and an Earthbender." Rin made a gesture as she spoke and one of the members from the airship crew handed her a closed folder. "I do have my credentials and references, and you will see I am completely qualified and authorized to work on the Fire Lord's behalf." She stood, still wearing two of her three coats, and walked to Arnook. She handed him the folder and bowed when he took it.
"I'm sure as his assistant, you are acutely aware of how the Fire Lord makes his decisions." He stated as he opened the folder. Rin returned to her seat and the priest put a hand on her shoulder. There were subtleties to bending elements, and only a skilled Bender could manipulate the heat and state of their element. There were only technical differences to how Katara could melt ice, boil water, and make steam versus a Firebender. She could heat the water, while a Firebender would have to apply heat.
"So what does the Fire Lord intend to accomplish with this visit?" Arnook asked as he flipped through the pages of the folder.
"Only to create a dialogue. The Fire Lord understands that the discussions slated for the next council meeting will be, complex." Rin answered.
"The issue of reparations you mean." Arnook said.
"The conversation of mutual healing, for both of our peoples." Rin countered.
"You consider yourself a person of the Fire Nation?" Amaq inquired. Rin turned to him, but did not answer right away. Her father had died in the war, but her mother had found love again with the Great Dragon of the West. Rin's feelings on the matter were, complex.
"I am a Fire Nation citizen as is required to hold my position as Minister." Rin answered evenly. "I am, above all, loyal to the Fire Lord both as sovereign and kin."
"Aw, Rin, does Zuko know you feel that way about him?" Sokka cooed and Rin whirled toward him, glaring. He laughed and she made not attempt to reply. He knew Rin better than Katara did, but the brief times she had seen Zuko interact with his near cousin, Rin had not been warm.
Katara wondered, again, what warranted Rin's presence here.
Glancing up, she found the masked priest staring at her again. Still unable to tell where exactly he was looking, Katara shifted uneasily in her seat. She moved closer to Amaq, putting her hand on his arm. He met her eyes and, somehow reading her as easily as a book, he turned his face up to the priest.
"Does the priest not speak?" Amaq asked, still watching the masked man. Rin turned in her seat to look up at him as well.
"Hmm? Oh, no. They all have taken a vow of silence. Something to do with not wanting to bother a spirit in the cave. Amar, Amera, Ameratsu or something." She answered and turned back again.
"Amaterasu. She's the sun spirit." Aang interjected. Katara had almost forgotten he was there, which was a surprise in and of itself.
"The Fire Nation reveres a female sun spirit?" Sokka asked, bewildered.
"It apparently faded in popularity in Sozin's time. Obviously, with the Fire Lord being likened to a god, they quickly abandoned any such faith. The Guards of the Cave are emerging after almost two hundred years." Rin added.
"I had only ever heard of the Guards of the Sun Cave before," Aang paused awkwardly. "When I was younger." He paused again before continuing. "Good to see you Rin."
"A pleasure, Avatar."
"I see now that a proper reception was never going to work." Arnook commented stiffly. "I underestimated the Fire Lord's guile in making such appointments."
"Again, I ask for your forgiveness. The Fire Lord is not one for cunning plans. I assure you that his only desire for this visit was make amends and bring peace between two people." Rin replied. Arnook looked at her with open surprise.
"Make amends? He seems to be asking a lot of you during such a short visit."
"The Fire Lord often asks much of me." Rin said dryly.
"Well then, while I certainly appreciate the Fire Lord's intentions, this is a conversation that cannot happen all at once." Arnook pushed himself out of the chair, holding up his hand as Rin began to rise. "Please stay. Warm yourself. I will send in some refreshments for you and your men. When you are ready to retire there will be a servant to show you to your rooms."
As the other officials shifted to let Arnook and his wife to the door first, Katara felt the energy shift toward the exit. She rose halfway, awkwardly.
"Chief Arnook?" The older man hesitated and turned to look at her over his shoulder. "Would you mind if I stayed with Rin for a little?" It was a unanticipated question, one that did not necessarily need to be asked. But there was propriety to consider, now at least.
Arnook turn partially to address her.
"You have no appointments to keep with me. And I'm sure that Master Kupun would appreciate the break." Arnook paused to look pointedly at Amaq. "Is my son staying with you?"
"I." As Amaq went to answer, Katara discreetly put her hand on his arm. "Yes," he continued smoothly. "We did leave the day open to greet the ambassador. And I would love to learn more about Katara's time in the Fire Nation." Arnook smiled indulgently and nodded.
"Then, Ambassador, it seems I leave you in the capable hands of youth. Enjoy your time." He said. Rin inclined her head.
"Thank you for your hospitality Chief Arnook, Chief Hakoda." She said. Hakoda, in spite of himself, laughed.
"Hold your thanks till you see the mean accommodations of the South Pole, Ambassador." As the officials filed out, Rin dismissed her staff and crew to secure their rooms and unload the luggage.
When the smaller group was left alone, Katara was disappointed - but not surprised - to find the priest still standing next to Rin's chair.
"How are things back at the palace?" Sokka asked as soon as the door to the room was closed. Rin settled back into her seat, pulling the blanket loosely around her. The Priest stepped aside and pulled heat from the fire into his hands again, returning and placing one on Rin's shoulder.
"Quiet." Rin finally said. "Much of the elite class returned for the funeral. There's been a bit of unrest as the city has started churning out rumours that Zuko murdered Azula. Zuko's closed the palace."
"Has there-" Katara snipped off the rest of her question. Taking a breath, she began again. "Is Zuko safe?"
"Safe enough. He's publicly secluded himself so he doesn't go out at all. He says he's still in morning and is investigating what occured in Hira'a." Rin spoke succinctly. Often, Katara wondered if the woman was as callous as she sounded.
"What's he really doing?" Sokka asked.
"He's attending to personal matters." Rin answered.
Mai. Katara thought suddenly. Mai would have returned for Azula's funeral. She would have gone to see the grieving brother. Unknowingly, Katara's hands curled into tight fists.
"He has sent a team to Hira'a, but his focus was on, accommodations." Rin continued. Amaq leaned over toward Katara.
"Should I be here for this?" Amaq whispered to her. Katara, noticing now how tense she was, forced herself to relax.
"I'll explain later." She whispered back, and went on. "And it's fine, I need you here." Amaq straightened in his seat and held out his hand. Katara took it, interlacing her fingers with his. The pads of his fingers were calloused, but she felt secure holding his hand.
"What is Riku's status?" Aang questioned. Katara's hand squeezed and Amaq returned a light pressure.
"Noren and his daughters have been moved into the city. Riku is being seen by a doctor from the Matsu Institute who is aware of her condition." Rin answered.
"What about Noriko?" Sokka asked.
"She remained in Hira'a to wait for more information." Rin replied. Katara wondered if the other woman was speaking so obtusely because of Amaq or the priest. Looking up, Katara saw the impassive gleam of the gold mask, and shuddered.
"Good to see that Riku is safe and happy." Katara said, with more bitterness than she anticipated.
"I'm sure Chang would be glad to hear that Katara." Rin said evenly. Katara recoiled and Amaq squeezed her hand again.
"So what's the plan here Tinny Rinny? I thought Iroh was handling the foreign stuff since he knew so many people through the White Lotus." Sokka interrupted.
"That is still the plan." Rin shrugged. "This venture is purely an ill conceived ploy for personal reasons."
"So he wants to make nice with our family?" Sokka offered.
"Something like that." Rin sounded tired. She seemed to have little patience in dealing with Zuko.
"Think you're going to be placed here permanently?" Sokka inquired. Rin's face contorted in disgust.
"I should think not." Katara almost laughed at how offended Rin sounded. "I do have a life back at the palace you know."
"True." Sokka nodded and rubbed his chin. "I was surprised to see Kria wasn't with you."
"Who's Kria?" Katara asked.
"My wife." Rin answered and Katara balked.
"Your married?!" Sokka chuckled while Rin looked blandly back at her.
"Regardless of the Fire Lord's intentions for it," Amaq interjected and Katara slumped back into her chair. "I am glad that he sent a representative."
"I'm sure the Fire Lord will be interested in meeting you in person, Prince Amaqjuaq." Rin said.
"I assume he will be able to make it to the council meeting in the summer?"
"He wouldn't miss it."
Sokka stood and stretched his arms over his head, groaning as various joints popped loudly. Everyone turned to him as he looked about, scratching his shoulder.
"What?" He asked and Katara rolled her eyes. They were further interrupted as a quick knocking at the door sounded seconds before it opened. Two servants walked in wordlessly with trays laden with carafes, cups, and covered dishes. They all took a moment to take some refreshments and rearrange the furniture so they were all sitting closer to one another, and the fire.
Katara finally unlatched her cloak and stood to pull it away from her body. Amaq took it, allowing her to step out of the heavy material, and he draped it over the back of her chair before sitting.
"I should mention that I have brought along correspondence for you all." Rin said when they had settled again.
"Anything from Suki?" Sokka asked eagerly.
"I think that should be obvious." Rin replied.
"We will have to have you over for dinner soon Rin." Katara offered.
"How well heated is your apartment?" While still a question, it served more as a reminder than a request for information. Katara nodded once as she thought about it.
"We should meet you in the palace for dinner soon Rin." Sokka corrected.
"That would be nice." Rin took a hesitant sip of the liquid in her cup. She sniffed and then continued to drink. "So what have you been up to?"
"Katara is dating the prince." Sokka blurted.
"SOKKA." Katara squawked and Amaq started laughing.
A/N: For a look as to what Zuko was up to at the end of How Dragons Fall in Love, check out a mini series I posted on Tumblr: post/171331624175/meanwhile-part-1-love-and-respect