Hey all here's the last chapter that was revised and reposted. Everything after this will be new material. And to the anon review from someone named john; no to my knowledge this hasn't been reposted anywhere else online (at least not with my okay) and this is the original story that I've decided to revamp and repost. Hope that answered your question.


When Sokka woke the next morning it was by a servant boy shaking him. He was about ten, named Kesuk. He was an original member of the Southern Tribe and Sokka had taken a certain fondness to him. He squeaked out,

"Prince Sokka, your bath has been drawn and your father wishes for your presence in the Eastern Ballroom as soon as you finish, sir." Sokka smiled and said,

"Kesuk. How long have we known each other? Please just call me Sokka." The young boy smiled and bowed quickly, walking from the room. Sokka threw himself out of bed and into the washroom, stripping quickly. As he washed his body he thought about what was happening that day. Tomorrow he and Azula would be getting married. If someone had told him four years ago that he would marry the princess of the Fire Nation he would've told them that they were completely crazy. Now he was just confused by the whole thing.

He walked out of the bathroom, just a towel wrapped around his waist. Today Aang and Katara's engagement would be announced and they would be getting married along with he and Azula the following night. He grew queasy at the thought of the wedding.

Walking out of his room he went straight to the Eastern ballroom. Zuko, his father and Aang were all sitting on cushions in front of a table, eating and talking. Sokka sat next to Aang, who was playing with Momo, and helped himself to some tea as his father said,

"Ah, Sokka you've finally decided to join us. Please, have some breakfast." A servant brought over a tray laden with fruits and pastries. Sokka took a danish and took a bite. Talking around the food he said,

"Where are the girls?" Aang looked away from Momo saying,

"Mai and Toph are still sleeping, and Katara is out getting fitted for her dress with Azula. We can't see them until the wedding you know, tradition." Sokka nodded and Hakoda said,

"Sokka you need a set of formal armor for the ceremony. Go down to the market. Nilak will take care of you. He's one of the finest craftsmen in the tribe." Sokka nodded and scowled to himself, letting himself be led out of the palace with Zuko and Aang as they walked to the market.

As they meandered through the city Zuko looked all around them as he asked,

"Why don't you have any guards? I'd never leave the palace without them." Rolling his eyes Sokka laughed and explained,

"Because the Water Tribes aren't like the Fire Nation. We don't really have crime. Living down here in this environment we all need each other to survive. Even though I'm technically a prince I don't think I'm any better than the other people who live here." As they walked into the shop the older man, Nilak, stopped what he was doing to bow to the three younger men before saying,

"How can I help you my prince?" Sokka sighed and said,

"Please Nilak, you know that isn't necessary. I'm sure you've heard by now that I'm engaged to the Fire Nation princess and that we're getting married tomorrow night. Well I need a set of ceremonial armor for it." The craftsmen nodded and gestured to a raised platform in the middle of the floor saying,

"If you would just step up here sir I'll take some measurements and then get straight to work." Sokka nodded and stepped up, holding out his arms and legs when needed. As Nilak made notes of the numbers in his book he said,

"I'll have someone send the armor to your rooms as soon as it is finished." Sokka nodded and laid a handful of gold coins on the counter for him as the trio left the shop.

They meandered back to the palace, stopping to chat to other people and buying odds and ends from the market. Zuko saw a set of silver and blue throwing knives that he bought for Mai. As he was having them wrapped Sokka raised an eyebrow and inquired,

"You let Mai throw knives when she's pregnant?" Zuko laughed and took the package from the seller and said,

"I don't let Mai do anything. She's my wife, not my pet. If I ever tried telling her what she was and wasn't allowed to do she'd probably geld me. I like knowing that she can protect herself and our child if I'm not there to. I encourage her to practice with her knives and other weapons when she isn't doing political stuff." Sokka shrugged and walked alongside the two as they walked back into the palace.

Toph and Mai were sitting in one of the living rooms, chatting quietly with one another as the men walked in. Zuko went over to his wife and handed her the package, watching as her eyes lit up in delight at the new weapons he presented her.

She picked one knife up out of the plush velvet and twirled it around her finger experimentally for a moment before launching it across the room where it buried itself at least two inches deep in the ice wall. Smiling she got up and touched Zuko's cheek lightly before going to retrieve the weapon.

Sokka watched their exchange with jealousy. Before this engagement he hoped he could have a wife with whom he communicated with so easily, not even needing words to express their emotions. With Azula he knew every conversation they had would be like pulling teeth. Sighing he ran a hand through the bottom of his hair and said,

"Yeah, so I'm just gonna go to my room. I'll see everyone later." Zuko and Mai were in their own little world, as was Aang but Toph brought her feet off the table and said,

"Hey wait up Snoozles. I need someone to help me to my room. My feet can't see anything through these shoes." He rolled his eyes but wound an arm through hers and walked with her down the corridor.

As they shuffled along she said quietly,

"You got really quiet back in there. C'mon Sokka you can talk to me." He sighed and walked them to a bench where he plopped down and started angrily,

"It just makes me so mad! Everyone else in our little group got their happy ending. Zuko and Mai, my sister and Aang, even you! You love being able to travel the world and do whatever you want! How is it that I got stuck with the guilt trippy 'do it for the good of the tribe' thing when everyone else gets to go off and do what makes them happy!? It isn't fair and I hate it. But at that time I know I can't say no. I'd be letting everyone down. And I can't do that." Toph sighed and her gray eyes looked at him blankly as she started,

"Look Sokka. At the end of the day yes, you are getting a deal from the bad end of an ostrich horse. But there's nothing you can do about it. You've just got to buck up and deal with what you've been given to work with. That's what I'm doing." Looking at her with a confused face he asked,

"What are you talking about Toph? What do you have to 'buck up and deal with'?" Blinking slowly she looked down and said quietly,

"My parents are making an arranged marriage for me once I turn seventeen. And there's nothing I can do to stop them. They threatened to have my chi blocked if I resist or try running away again." Looking astonished at her confession Sokka exclaimed,

"They can't do that! They would try to take your bending away!? That's so awful! Why don't you just leave in the middle of the night or something like last time?" Toph shrugged and picked her fingernails as she replied,

"I have a guard with me at all times of the day and night when I'm home. If I'm not home by a certain day when I leave on a trip like this they'll stop shipping to wherever I am. And there aren't many trade companies who'll ship to the South Pole on the schedule that we do. You guys would suffer and I can't let that happen. It's my duty to go through with the marriage when it comes time, just like it's your duty now. I'm the girl here, so stop being such a crybaby and man up." Sokka sighed and said quietly,

"Spirits our lives suck. Why did we get the short end of the stick?" She shrugged and they sat still for a moment before she punched him in the arm threatening,

"If you ever tell anyone what I just said I'll make you regret it." He winced and rubbed his arm before standing and helping her up as well. They walked the rest of the way in silence until they reached her room.

After they said goodnight Sokka went to his own suite to get ready for bed. He fell on his couch, laying on his side as he stared into the flickering flames. The sun was dipping below the horizon and he vaguely heard and felt his stomach growl but didn't acknowledge it.

He heard a timid knock on the door and watched listlessly as it opened to reveal Katara with a try of food in the doorway. Sighing at his appearance she walked in and placed her tray on the table and sat next to him on the couch.

Looking him over she joked,

"Guess you're not ready for tomorrow?" He sat up and glared at her before grabbing the cup of tea. Taking off the cover and smelling it he smiled and said,

"General Iroh is here, isn't he? No one makes tea like him." Katara smiled and nodded saying,

"Of course he's here. Zuko doesn't go anywhere without him, you know that." Sokka observed his sister as he drank and ate. Her eyes seemed brighter than usual and she kept touching the stone of her new necklace like she was afraid it would disappear. Slurping some rice he said,

"How about you? Are you ready to finally marry Aang?" She smiled widely and nodded replying quietly,

"Yes. I have been for a long time. I'm really happy Sokka." He looked at the complete joy on his sister's face and found that his sour mood was diminishing in the presence of her radiating happiness. He slung an arm around her shoulders and kissed her temple lovingly before whispering,

"Good night Katara. I'll you tomorrow." Nodding she stood and said quietly,

"Try and get some sleep. It's gonna be a big day for all of us." She left and Sokka finished his food quickly, barely tasting it. After it was done he walked out onto his balcony, staring at the moon for most of the night until it was low in the sky and dawn was breaking over the arctic horizon.

Finally, as the first rays of sunshine pierced his windows, he managed to find a fitful sleep.