After two hours of searching and thinking Bolin came to the final conclusion that there was no way out of the room. He had tried everything he could think of including trying to open the window but he'd quickly found the entire window to be imbedded into the ice. So after exhausting his options he'd fallen back onto the bed and starred at the ceiling as he waited for something to happen.
"Alright so I'm trapped in a strange room with a woman who terrifies me and who wants me to marry her. Really wish I was a firebender right now." he said starring at the Icey walls for the seventh time.
He wasn't sure how long it was untill the door opend and a maid came in with some fresh clothes for him. He jumped up in excitement thinking that she was here to free him but she only bowed and placed the clothes on the bed.
"As soon as you are dressed you are to follow me to the main dinning hall for supper."
He wanted to protest but his stomach started grumbling.
I guess it wouldn't hurt to stay for dinner at least. Not that I'd make it far on a empty stomach. He looked down at the clothes and found to his surprise that they were his which made him smile.
As soon as he was dressed he followed th maid down the winding frozen halls. As they walked Bolin starred at the mulptile portraits on the walls. Each one held a different person.
"Are those the royal families?"
"Yes these painitings show the past rulers of the northern watertribe."
As they reached the main hall he stopped when he saw Unulaq and his terrifying smile. Next to his was Eska and Desna standing side by side in their normal emotionless state.
He was led into the massive dinning hall where at the end of the massive food covered table where Eska and Desna.
"That will be all Elana." Eska said before motioning for Bolin to come over. As Elana moved to close the door she whispered just faintly for Bolin to hear. "Good look"
Once the door closed Bolin nervously moved over to the table and took a seat next to Desna
"Bolin, it's good to see you continue your existence."
"Yeah well I try." Spirits if your listening please help me! He pleaded knowing this was going to be extremely award.
"So how have you two been?"
"We remain alive and in control of the North."
"Well that's good."
"Yes we are surprised that our people haven't plotted against us. Although the elders have been open about their complaints."
"But soon they will have nothing more to complain about."
"Yes sister, I'm sure Bolin will fulfill his role quite well."
"Yeah about that... I've been meaning to say something about this entire situation."
They turned their attention to him instantly freaking him out. "And what might that be?"
"You mean other then the fact you abducted me out of the blue and are keeping me prisoner here?"
"You are no prisoner Bolin. We keep the prisoners in the dungeons. You are my honored guest and future husband. That is why you are staying in the guest Bedroom. But rest assured soon enough you and I will be sharing a room." She said faintly smiling which made Bolin's heart beat faster with fear.
"Look you can't force me to do something I don't want to do. Now I demand you sent me back to Republic City so I and my team can fulfill a years worth of training and victory and become the champion team." He'd mustered what courage he had and starred at the two of them. Desna then turned to Eska and said. "He seems to have become more defiant since last we met. Are you sure you still want to marry him?"
"Yes brother, Although I liked him timid and fearful I also like this new side of him. I look foward to seeing if it lasts."
Bolin sank down into his seat his hunger mixing with his disbelief. Unable to think of anything else he began eating whatever he could get his hands on. The moment the food hit his tongue he yelled with pure delight.
"This is awesome! What is it?"
"It is a simple meat stew our chefs prepared. I'm surprised you find it aggregable."
"Are you kidding me, I'm a man who loves to eat."
As he wolfed down his food Eska stared at him an idea slowly forming in her mind.
When he was finally stuffed he leaned back in his chair patting his stomach.
"Thanks for the food."
Desna looked at the remains of his food before standing up. "I no longer have an apatite. I will be in my chambers should I be needed." He quietly walked out of the room leaving a stuffed Bolin alone with Eska.
"I'm curious Bolin, does your girlfriend not fix you adequate substance to sustain you?"
"Opal is talented in many regards but she's not the best cook. Usually I wind up cooking for both of us when were both there."
"So your saying that you haven't had anyone to cook especially for you in quite some time. I will be sure to remedy that in the near future. "Look Eska for the last time I'm not going to marry you." He tried to get up but found the ice floor had covered his arms and legs trapping him. With one motion he was raised into the air. She was next to him a moment later on a platform of ice. Being trapped in ice with her looking down at him brought old memories up to the surface. Mainly of the past times she did this, although as he remembered the last time she had him trapped they ended up kissing.
"You know you are truly special."
"... And whys that?"
"For only you have ever have had my undivided attention. When the elders first decided that I would have to marry I thought nothing of their rules and traditions. Do you know what changed my mind?"
Please don't be something creepy, please for the love of anything don't be something creepy!
"What?"
"It was a young family I saw as my brother and I were taking a trip down the canal. At first I thought nothing of it, that is until I saw how... happy and content the mother was while giving her daughter a stuffed toy. The father then smiled and hugged them both claiming they were his treasures. That scene haunted my mind for some time as I tried to comprehend it."
"Uhhhh" was all he could say as Eska sat on top of his frozen body. "That scene kept playing out as I went about the weeks. And every time I felt as though I was missing something. Do you know what that feels like."
He didn't say anything but he knew that feeling. After the death of his parents he and Mako had spent many nights watching the other families from the streets as they tried to survive.
"I want what they had. And so you will help me achieve my goals."
She lowered her hands and let him fall to the ground. "But I understand that we have been apart for years and you will need time to come to your senses so starting tomorrow we will be spending more time together."
He quickly got to his feet. "Eska for the last time I can't stay here I got responsibilities back in Republic city."
"Yes which is why I took the liberty of calling the national bending league and striking a deal with them."
Already knowing this would end badly he decided to ask. "You did what now?"
"I made an offer to host the final rounds of the tournament here in the north. He took very little convincing before he agreed. And as such the match has of course been rescheduled for one month from now. Of course I will send for your team when they are needed, So for now you and I will have plenty of time for each other."
He stood there speechless. A part of him wanted to scream at the league owner as he had all but assured Bolin be trapped here.
"Look Eska I just can't stay here..." he wanted to finish but for the first time as he looked at her he saw a genuine emotion in here eyes. He couldn't quite place it but staring into her blue eyes made him want to comfort her even though he knew it was a bad idea.
"...For to long at least." he said looking away.
Why did I just say that!?
She looked shocked at his statement but nodded. "Good then let me show you back to your room. Tomorrow we start to rebuild our icy bliss."
