Tenzin crossed his arms firmly across his chest and leaned over the wooden railing. His eyes traced the outline of the frozen horizon that stretched before him. He did not hear Pema approach him. He did not move as her arms timidly wrapped around his middle. Nor did he respond as she whispered in his ear.

"I'm fine…Tenzin. I'm fine."

Tenzin remained motionless; his eyes remained fixed on the distant slopes of snow. Pema's warm breath tickled his flushed cheeks and her hair brushed against his numbing skin. She nestled closer to him, but he did not open himself to her. He spoke not to her but to the mountains cloaked in the shadowy distance.

"It is my fault that Lin is hurt."

A sharp cry erupted from inside Katara's hut and broke Pema and Tenzin apart.

"TENZIN!"