My Family

Mo'at

This old Tshahik 's time was coming to an end.

I balanced myself upon the highest branch of our new Hometree, watching the young Na'vi family sleeping below me. My daughter, Neytiri and her mate, Jakesully had their arms wrapped protectively around their young children who slept peacefully in between them. I would miss them. But I have been without my mate for too long. And I wouldn't be far away; all they would have to do is connect with Eywa to connect with me. My eyes rested on my grandchildren, Thomas and Sylwanin, and I grinned thinking of all I could tell my Eytukan of them.

The breeze blew softly, making my hair beads rattle. A floating delicate seed of the Sacred Tree landed in my hand. I smiled, thinking of my family, and blew it towards the starry night sky. Eywa's way was mysterious and wonderful indeed, my family was proof of that. Only Eywa could See such an unlikely pair as a dreamwalker and a Na'vi Tshahik heir. The rest of us had been Blinded by fear and distrust. All of that had changed when Eywa had brought Jakesully to us.

I remember questioning him then, quickly taking a sample of his blood and carefully tasting it for answers. What it had said surprised me. His blood sang the tune of a proud warrior, worn down by a great sadness. Through it, his recklessly brave yet naïve spirit cried. My eyes widened as I gazed upon him. This was like no dreamwalker we had encountered before. This dreamwalker could be of great aid to the People – or a grave danger. I had circled him, studying his unnatural body carefully, flipping his braid, brushing his tail, counting five fingers upon each hand. There was nothing different about him from the past dreamwalkers that I could tell physically.

"What are you called?" I demanded.

"Jake Sully."

"What are you?"

"I am a marine… a warrior of the… Jarhead clan."

I had nodded. His blood was that of a warrior's indeed, but the sky people had never sent a warrior dreamwalker to us before…

"Why have you come to us?"

The dreamwalker called Jakesully hesitated then replied, "I've come to learn."

I was bemused. The People had tried to teach these sky people, but it was hard to fill a cup that was already full. And I told him exactly that. Jakesully gave a humorless laugh.

"Trust me; my cup is empty… Just ask Dr. Augustine… I'm no scientist."

All in which he said had been the truth – perhaps not the full length of it – but the truth nevertheless. His blood that still rested on my tongue told me that much. Turning to Neytiri, I gave her the task of teaching Jakesully of the Na'vi way. My stubborn child was not pleased.

But she did her duty. And she reported to me on Jakesully's progress daily. At first, she was scathing and complaining on what a Skxawng he was. I had simply commanded her to be patient. Later on in his training though, Neytiri sung praises, telling me of Jakesully's child like wonder and willingness to follow her instructions. She actually confessed that he was fun to be around; a good sense of humor, she had said.

When Jakesully bonded with his ikran though, I sensed yet another change. Neytiri and Jakesully spent more and more time together, roaming the skies. I rarely saw one young Na'vi without the other. And I began to grow uneasy. A seed was beginning to grow. It was a seed that could never bloom. I told myself that Neytiri knew her duty; she knew her place. And her place was with Tsu'tey and the clan. And no dreamwalker, even one with such a strong heart as Jakesully's, could turn her away from it. So he was officially welcomed into the clan as one of the People. And I was uneasy. For the look in my daughter's amber eyes held far more for the Na'vi dreamwalker than that of a mentoring friend's pride. But I let them go off on their own – and prayed that Eywa gave them the wisdom to see the dangerous path on which they were heading.

When Neytiri confirmed Tsu'tey's charges the next day that she and Jakesully had mated before Eywa, I was in anguish. She could never be Tshahik, her whole life would be wasted! I told her this and asked if this was indeed her final decision. In English, just to let the point sink, she told me it was her final decision. I closed my eyes, only barely taking in the brawl that Tsu'tey had challenged Jakesully to. My daughter. My stubborn, foolish daughter had made her choice.

So when Jakesully admitted to knowing that the sky people would come and destroy our beloved Hometree, the pain inside me only intensified. How could this be? He was chosen for Eywa for something… he would never have been allowed in the clan otherwise! And Neytiri… the betrayal in her pained amber eyes made me want to go to her and embrace her like a little child again. But a mother's comfort couldn't heal this. She had given her heart to this dreamwalker… and she couldn't take it back. I knew she wouldn't even if she could. I watched as Tsu'tey ordered Jakesully to be tied up and I watched as my daughter distracts herself by preparing to defend our home.

I rushed our People out to safety as a rain of gas and fire fell upon us. I heard Jakesully's cries of regret and fear, trying to tell us to move. And through his blood that I had taken just three months ago, I knew the truth… Jakesully loved the People; he loved Neytiri. Just as he had tried to tell my daughter, everything had changed for him. Making my own choice, I took out my knife and walked towards the tied up dreamwalker. I watched as his eyes met mine and took in the weapon in my hand and his eyes widened in fear… he had thought I'd come to kill him. And perhaps the thought crossed my own mind for a moment, but I could never have done the deed. He was Eywa's choice; he still had to find his purpose in the balance. But most importantly, he was Neytiri's choice; he was her mate. Staring him in the eyes, my voice cracking from held back tears I told him, "If you are one of us, then help us…" and released him from his bonds.

What happened next was all a blur. I felt as my mate, Eytukan, died. I couldn't see him or hear him, but I felt part of me die. The pain… I had nothing left… but my daughter and the clan were in danger..

Jakesully became separated from the People as he wondered off in search of Neytiri. Neytiri came to the clan once more, grief stricken and I knew that she felt the loss of her father... and I knew by her expression that Jakesully had been forced back to join the sky people once more. She glances back, as if still hopeful that Jakesully would be running up to her and join us, but I told her to come. We had to protect the People. No matter the pain. I pulled my daughter close to me as we led the clan to the Tree of Souls, feeling her shaking body against my own. We had both lost our mates, our lives. But we had to go on anyway – for it was our duty to the clan.

We sang the song of sorrow, lifting our voices to Eywa. I kept a calm façade for my People but inside I demanded much from our Mother. How could she have let this happened? How could we have been so mistaken about Jakesully? How could she have allowed both mother and daughter suffer the loss of Sylwanin, of Hometree, of their mates? And yet I sang on.

When a dark looming shadow of a toruk appeared over us, I cried in fear and dismay. That was too much, too much! Yet I watched as Neytiri's fearful gaze became one of awe and love. And inside me I felt his blood sing out in hope and fury… Jakesully had returned as Toruk Makto. People everywhere began to whisper excitably… some cried, "toruk Makto!" But Neytiri's cries were the strongest of all.

"Toruk Makto!" I could silently hear her add in her heart, My Jake.

Jakesully and Neytiri only had their eyes on each other as they weaved their way through the People. At last they met and held each other, taking in the precious moment of reunion. I turned to Eywa, tears in my eyes. Thank you, Mother. I said through the connection. Thank you for giving us toruk makto. Thank you for giving us hope. Thank you, Mother, for giving Neytiri back her Jake. And I am sorry, for I have doubted you.

I looked back upon my daughter and her mate. I watched them go up to Tsu'tey and I watched as Tsu'tey accepted the Na'vi dreamwalker back to the clan. This was my family, this was my hope.

I returned to the present, still gazing upon the sleeping forms of Jakesully, Neytiri and their children. They were ready… they have been ready. It was their time to lead the clan.

For this old Tshahik 's time was coming to an end.

Thank you Jakesully, for my People, my family. Thank you Neytiri, for being stubborn; for knowing you duty and your heart. Thank you Thomas and Sylwanin for lighting my world.

Jakesully had led the clans through battle, through death, and now he would lead them through life, with Neytiri at his side. Thomas and Sylwanin would grow and live in Eywa's balance and learn the way of the People. I couldn't have asked Eywa anymore for my family…

Except I want to See my mate… I have lived to long without my Eytukan.

I walked to the Tree of Souls and connected with Eywa. A chorus of voices filled my being and tears raced down my face. I am ready Mother…

Because this Tshahik's time is at her end.