There were very few merchants ships that visited the Northern Water Tribe, but Iroh was able to find one that was willing to take them. As they sailed north, Chiara stood on the deck amazed at how blue the water looked as the giant icebergs gleamed around them. As they approached the land of the Northern Tribe, both she and Iroh were stunned by the large ice fortress that rose above the horizon beyond the ice wall that protected it. Sailing towards the wall, barges surrounded their ship, and once the merchant ship was identified, cargo was unloaded onto the Tribe's boats. Iroh and Chiara also stepped aboard one of the smaller boats with the merchant with whom they were traveling. Waterbenders created a tunnel in the wall of ice through which their barge sailed, and once inside, other waterbenders dropped another wall as they raised the water to allow them to enter the canals. Both of them were in awe as they sailed through the canal taking in the breathtaking design of the city with its ice bridges and flowing water. Chiara had gotten used to the different dress and styles and of the Earth Kingdom, but the Water Tribe styles seemed completely new to her as she did not remember her own village very well. Though Iroh had no intention of hiding their identities, he decided that they would wear the colors of the Earth Kingdom so as not to be immediately judged by appearance. But even in their neutral colors, they stuck out among the blue of the tribe.

After docking, they stepped off the barge and were eventually led to the palace as Iroh had asked to speak to the tribal chief.

"What is your purpose here?" he was asked by an entrance guard at the palace.

"I wish to speak to Chief Arnook," he said pleasantly.

"And your business with him?"

"I have a request to make of him."

"Who may I tell him is making the request?"

"I am General Iroh of the Fire Nation," he said, again in a pleasant voice.

The man stepped back, and with a simple, but quick gesture, several warriors surrounded Iroh and Chiara pointing spears at them. Again, to Iroh's surprise, Chiara stood protectively in front of him between him and one of the spears just as she did in Omashu.

"Please don't attack him," she said.

He placed his hands on her shoulders, but she refused to move.

"And what request could the Dragon of the West be making of the Northern Water Tribe?" asked the entrance guard deeply.

"It is a simple one," said Iroh. "One I would prefer to discuss with Chief Arnook. But I can assure you it is merely personal and unrelated to the war."

After discussing the matter with his advisers Chief Arnook agreed to meet with Iroh, and surrounded by many warriors, he and Chiara were led to the throne room of the Royal Palace where they stood before the chief.

"Chief Arnook," said Iroh as he bowed, Chiara imitating him. "We are honored that you have accepted us in your presence."

"I must say I'm surprised to see the famed General of the Fire Nation standing before me," said Arnook. "Is it normal for the Fire Nation to send the former Crown Prince with a child on a diplomatic mission?"

"My mission is not a diplomatic one, but a personal one," he said. "This is Lady Chiara."

She bowed again. "It's an honor to meet you, Chief Arnook."

"She is a child of the Water Tribe who's been in my care for over six years," said Iroh.

The chief, as well as several others in the room, leaned forward as they looked closer.

"And how did a Water Tribe child fall under your care?" he asked.

"Years ago, a Water Tribe village in the northwestern Earth Kingdom was attacked by a Fire Nation company," said Iroh feeling that it would be best to be honest. "Chiara was the only survivor, so I took her into my home."

There was murmuring among the advisers.

"And you lead this attack?"

"I did not. I was on a ship off shore when I saw the smoke from the village."

"Why was the village attacked?"

"The captain did not follow his orders," answered Iroh.

"And what were his orders?"

"Only to travel to another site. He didn't expect to come across the village, and he made the wrong decision to attack it."

"And was he punished?"

"I reprimanded him and filed a formal complaint, but it was not for me to punish him."

"So this captain got away with slaughtering an entire tribe!" said one of the advisers who stood up.

"I understand your anger at the injustice," said Iroh. "And I cannot adequately express my sorrow and regret over the incident. However, it is not why I have come here."

"So your purpose here now is to return our sister to us after all these years," said the chief.

Chiara looked up worriedly at Iroh.

"Not exactly," he said. "My purpose here is to find her a waterbending master."

"If she's a waterbender, she will be trained, but as we are her extended family, she will remain here."

"It's not my intention to leave her here; however, that is a decision Chiara is free to make herself. If she so chooses to remain, then I will not dispute it."

"She's just a child," said one of the other warriors. "She should not be forced to return to the Fire Nation."

"Again," said Iroh, "I will not force her to return with me. I believe she should be free to decide."

"How interesting," said another. "A Water Tribe child raised in the Fire Nation, and you want her trained in waterbending. Is it your intention to have her fight against her own Tribe when the Fire Nation decides to attack the North Pole? Or study our waterbending techniques which might aid you in a siege against the north?"

"As I'm sure you've heard, I abandoned the Siege at Ba Sing Se. Just like many others in all the Nations, this war has cost me dearly. I have chosen to follow a different path. I'm not interested in spying or fighting, but only knowledge. As a child of the Water Tribe, I believe it's Chiara's right to study where she comes from and develop her skills regardless of where she chooses to live."

One of the advisers stood up. "And you have proof that she is of this...obliterated Water Tribe?"

Iroh looked at Chiara and nodded, so she removed the chain diadem from her neck and held it out. One of the warriors took it from her and handed it to the man who had asked the question. After studying it, he looked at the chief and nodded. Everyone was stunned, and even offended to hear of the attack and to learn that the survivor was raised in the Fire Nation.

After inspecting the diadem, another adviser stood up. "Chief Arnook, it was the tribe of Chief Kolos. They were the ones whose remains we discovered years ago after losing contact with them."

There was a low gasp among some of the men. Another warrior walked over and took the diadem and began inspecting it.

"Was this among your spoils?" he asked Iroh deeply and angrily.

Chiara was feeling nervous for Iroh.

"It belonged to Chiara's mother," he answered. "It has not been out of her possession."

"Then she's the missing daughter of Chief Kolos," he said as he looked at the chief. "This belonged to his wife Chiana." He turned to Iroh. "You not only murdered our people, but you took the chief's daughter as a slave?!" he asked angrily.

Chiara struggled to keep from yelling out.

"I assure you, Chiara is not a slave," said Iroh calmly. "I raised her as if she were my own child."

"But she's not your own!" yelled the man. "She was my cousin's daughter. You had no right to take her back to your murderous nation!"

Both Iroh and Chiara were stunned.

"Surak," said Arnook. "Enough." The chief looked at Iroh. "Were you not the Crown Prince of the Fire Nation? Are we to believe that you raised a Water Nation child in the capital of the Fire Nation?"

"Lady Chiara was raised in Royal Caldera City. No one in the Fire Nation knows where she's from. My own father, Fire Lord Azulon, did not even know her true origin. This is, of course, information I expect to remain confidential if she decides to return to the Fire Nation," he added as a warning.

"She is the descendant of my murdered cousin!" said Surak. "She is to remain here with her family."

Chiara now regretted visiting the Northern Water Tribe, and she took a small step back.

"I believe that's a decision that should be left to her," said Iroh calmly.

"She's just a child," said Surak. "She doesn't know what's best for her."

"I believe you will find Chiara wiser than most her age."

There was more murmuring among the group.

"This is something we will have to discuss," said the chief.

"Then if it will help in favor of her training, I would like to add that I'm willing to be held here as a prisoner of the Northern Water Tribe in whatever way you feel is necessary."

Chiara placed her hand on his left arm as she looked up at him with worry again, but before she could say anything, he raised his right hand to keep her silent.

Arnook nodded. "We will let you know our decision."

They were taken to a guarded room where they sat and waited.

"So you have a cousin here," said Iroh.

"Not all family is by blood," she said softly to his surprise.

His heart melted as he appreciated her devotion to him.

"And training isn't worth it if you're imprisoned," she said.

Iroh laughed. "I will be okay. I believe it'll be much better than a Fire Nation prison," he added softly.

After a short time, a man stepped into the room.

"They would like to speak to the child alone," he said.

Chiara looked at Iroh who nodded, so she got up and followed the man, and she stood again before Chief Arnook.

"What do you remember of your village before it was destroyed by the Fire Nation?" he asked her.

"I only remember my mother, sir, her face and the diadem on her head."

"Do you have any memories of the attack?" asked Surak.

"No, sir," she answered.

"Tell me," said the chief, "how was your life in the Fire Nation? And I want you to be honest with me. No one from the Fire Nation can hurt you now."

"I felt at home there. The General treated me well."

"Your home is here with your own people," said Surak. "Do you not want to live among your own Nation, your own family?"

"I want to live wherever the General does. I consider him my family."

"He's Fire Nation," said Surak disgustedly. "He's responsible for the death of your real family."

"The General didn't murder my family, and if it wasn't for him my death would've been certain. He saved my life."

"He is the general of the Fire Nation Army! And for how many deaths is he responsible?!"

Chiara kept calm despite Surak's anger. "I can't answer that, but I can say that his path is no longer of war," she answered.

Surak looked frustrated.

Another man stood up and spoke, "Having grown up in the Fire Nation capital, is there anything you can tell us about their naval operations?"

"Sir, I never made it my business to follow military operations, but even if I had, I'm not a spy, neither for the Water Nation nor Fire Nation."

"Do you agree with the war then?" he asked her.

"I do not," she answered honestly. "Too many people have lost their lives, including in the Fire Nation. I myself lost someone recently who was very dear to me."

There was silence. Chief Arnook looked around but no one else spoke up.

"You may go," he said to her.

"May I add something?" she asked.

He nodded.

"I don't wish to train if it means the General will be imprisoned," she said. "He's been a father to me, and it's not worth him being punished."

She bowed and then returned to the room with Iroh.

Some time later they were both called back in to stand before Chief Arnook. He looked at them.

"It is our decision that Chiara may remain here to be trained, but only at the discretion of Master Pakku. I only ask that you both try to assimilate to our culture."

Iroh bowed. "And as to her leaving here with me?"

"That will be left up to her."

"Thank you, Chief Arnook," said Iroh.

"Thank you," said Chiara.

They returned her diadem.

"Provide them with quarters and clothing before they see Pakku," said the chief to one of his men. He looked at Iroh. "Any incoming or outgoing correspondence will be read by us, and there will be two...escorts that will remain with you at all times. I hope you understand our caution."

"I understand," said Iroh. "We are just thankful for the opportunity and hospitality you are providing."

He and Chiara both bowed, and then they were taken to their quarters.

"Tomorrow you will meet with Master Pakku," said the tribesman. "There's food and clothing in your room."

"Thank you," said Chiara.

They went inside where they first changed into Water Tribe clothing. When Iroh walked out of his room in the Water Tribe blue, Chiara smiled at him.

"The blue really brings out your amber eyes," she said.

"Who would've known I look good as Water Tribe? But I think it makes me look bigger," he said as he squirmed a bit in the clothing.

She laughed. "That's because you are bigger." She adjusted his belt for him. "I told you not to indulge so much in those Earth Kingdom pastries."

"But they were so good."

They sat down to eat together, and they remained in their quarters for the evening.

Two waterbending warriors were posted outside their room and were to escort them wherever they went.