I left Sokka and Yue standing on the bridge. I was mad to stay the least, the snow crunch under my feet as I went to go find Dad. I need to sort out everything with him. I hated secrets more then anything and this was not going to end well for me. I went back to the palace and towards the council room. As I walked down the halls I thought about what was happening. If Hahn and Dad came to an agreement about our marriage I would have no choice but to marry him. Also why hadn't Dad told me about the mission I could handle it I needed to be able to understand politics and how to guide my people. Sokka was going to become Chief of the Northern tribe and that left the south to me and I wanted only the best for my people.
When I came to the council I could hear voices inside. I stood to the side and moved the curtain that covered the door just enough to see what was going on inside and hopefully not be noticed. I could see Dad and Arnook talking to each other it seemed to be rather heated.
"What are you talking about Arnook?" Dad said pacing back and forth. Arnook was standing behind him with his arms crossed.
"Hahn saw the betrothal necklace, who is Katara engaged to?" He asked rather forcefully. Dad turned and looked at him thankfully his back was to be.
"Katara isn't engaged to anyone. The entire point of bringing Hahn down here was to strengthen the brotherhood between the tribes like we did when Yue and Sokka married." Arnook threw his hands down and stormed past Dad.
"I know that Hakoda. We need to be stronger then we ever have before this mission to the Fire Nation could end very badly and you know that." Dad fallowed after Arnook and placed a hand on his shoulder.
"Arnook you have been my friend for many years. You know that I wanted to find out the truth about the Raiders more then anyone else." My eyes grew wide at this. So that was what the mission was about the Southern Raiders. "If we can make another alliance between Katara and Hahn the strength of the tribes will be greater. She is not engaged they need time to get to know each other. I have no doubt that it will work like it did for Sokka and Yue." Arnook faced Dad.
"Yes it will." They gripped arms and turned to leave. I quickly walked past the door and down the hall making it look like I was just passing by. I heard them come out of the room and hoped that they won't notice me.
"Katara." Dad said. I stopped and turned to face him. He walked over to me and placed a hand on my shoulder. "I need to talk to you." He led me down the hallway to one of the balconies that looked out over our city. I couldn't help but smile at the sight all white and blue. There was nowhere else I would rather be. I turned and faced Dad he looked at me with his soft blue eyes.
"What did you want to talk about?" I asked softly even though I was very sure it was about Hahn. He looked out over the city again. He seemed so far away like he was back in another time.
"You know I only want what's the best for you right." I nodded my head not taking my eyes off him. He looked at me again. "You have probably figured out by know why Hahn is here." I nodded and cringed slightly at the very idea of an arranged marriage.
"It's not a surprise you're not very thrilled about the idea but it would be good for you. Hahn is a strong warrior, he can protect you and give you a good life." I leaned on the rail. Shaking my head slightly, Dad placed a hand on my back. "Katara get to know him, you could find out he is the one for you like Yue and Sokka." I stood up and looked at him with a slightly hard look on my face.
"Well what if I don't want to marry some jerk from the Northern Tribe. What if I want to lead my own life find the person I love like you and Mom did." I watched sadness flood his eyes at the mention of Mom. They had met when they where very little and had grown up together.
"Katara give him a chance. I'll make you a deal. Try and get to know Hahn while we are gone and if you feel that it won't work by the time we return I won't agree to the marriage." I nodded that I would agree but I was not going to make things easy on Hahn. I looked down at my feet and Dad put a hand under my chin making me look at him.
"I have one more question for you. If it would mean the protection of our people would you marry Hahn even if you didn't love him?" I bit my lip and thought.
"I will do what ever it takes to protect my family." I answered he smiled and kissed my forehead. I turned and walked back into the hall. I let out a deep sigh and went to go find Hahn. I knew that Dad was preparing for war if the mission failed or something worse happened. My feet trudged on as I went to look for my potential husband. The very thought made me cringe.
I went outside and down to the training grounds. He would probably be trying to show off to our warriors or something to that extent. When I came to the grounds I saw him standing there with another guy training. I stood off to the side and watched it seemed like he was good but I wanted to see for my own eyes. They moved back and forth, attack and block. Nothing to exciting when his eyes caught mine. A cocky smile spread across his face and he instantly kicked up the pace of his attack. The other guy was on his back in the matter of moments.
I clapped sarcastically as he walked over leaving the guy sprawled on the ground. He came with in arms length of me and raised an eyebrow.
"And you think you can do better." He asked with an arrogant smile on his face. I wanted nothing more then to slap it off. My hands flew to my hips and I raised an eyebrow.
"Well I don't know seeing how you want to curry favor with me and my father I would say that you wouldn't want to fight me." He laughed and shook his head.
"That is the last thing on my mind."
"Fine you're on." I pulled my parka off and took a stance in front of him. He took the club he had been using out of his pack and stood firm waiting for me to attack.
"Ladies first." He said with a cocky smile. My blood boiled and I whipped water at him. Soon we became trapped in a dance. I threw ice disks at him and water whips. He blocked them and attacked me in return. He may have had strength on me but I was faster. I rolled out of the way dodging his blow.
When I stood up his was already next to me swinging away I bent water onto his arm covering his elbow and froze it. He was stunned by this for a moment and I jumped and kicked him in the chest knocking him to the ground. He grunted when he hit the ground. With his arm froze it was hard for him to attack or do much of anything with his arm. I knelled down by him and pressed a hand to his chest looking directly into his eyes.
"Never under estimate me." I said hard pushing into his chest before standing up. I melted the water off his arm and bent the water back into my water skin for later use. Something caught my foot and I face planted into the snow. I rolled over to see him standing over me.
"We aren't finished till I say we are." I pushed myself up and he stepped back. I got right up in his face.
"We are finished here." I turned and walked away. He grabbed my arm and pulled me back to him. There was nothing but arrogance and anger in his eyes.
"You will learn to show respect to me one way or another." I pulled away and walked away. Hahn may have been born a nobleman but there was a beast that lurked beneath the surface of his flawless appearance.
