In a cold metal cell, deep below ground. A frail woman was sitting. Long strings of white hair falling down her wrinkled face and skinny arms.
Each breath was deep and even. This time the fire nation had wised up, and kept the old womans hands chained above her at all time.
Hama hadn't objected, not even fought back. She had resigned herself to her fate.
She was old, she was weak and frail. She wouldn't have much time left in this world either way. At least though. Hama had managed to leave behind a legacy. Her story would live on, in one young girl.
It was all she could have asked for at this point in her life really… It was over. Her life… her story. And she was resigned to her fate.
Just then, the heavy metal door opened and two fire nation soldiers stood in the opening, their long shadows casting over Hama and she lifted her head just as the two burly men walked inside and removed her hands from the wall. Only to chain them up behind her back.
Oh… She was being moved? How very curious.
Perhaps somehow the fire lord had decided to just forego this entire farse. Have mercy and just end her life now.
With mild amusement did Hama consider what kind of execution they would use. A good old decapitation would be nice. Just one fell swoop and get it over with.
Hanging sounded a lot less pleasant. Just hanging there while being choked to death… but then again it would be a lot like drowning. And if Hama could choose for herself, drowning would be nice. It would be like being returned to her element. Perhaps her spirit could flee with the waters and become the ocean itself? That would be nice.
Hama hoped to dear god they wouldn't burn her alive. That just sounded like an insult. The element of fire had taken everything from her already. And she would fight if they insisted that fire should be the thing to take her life as well.
Harshly Hama was pushed up the stairs and soon was in what looked like an official office, a magistrate sitting behind her big desk.
The middle aged woman with gray strains in her black her looked up at Hama. "Hama of the Southern water tribe?"
Hama frowned.
"I need you to confirm your identity." The magistrate informed.
Hama rolled her eyes. Fire nation and all their bureaucracy. Couldn't they just get it over with. "I am Hama of the southern water tribe." she confirmed.
The Magistrate gave a small hum as she nodded. "By orders directly from the fire lord." she said pulling up a piece a paper.
Hama frowned deeply. The fire lord? Well this should be interested.
"Your previous life sentence has now been altered." The magistrate informed. "You are now to be exiled to the southern water tribe where you will spend the rest of your life helping rebuild the south pole."
Hama froze. Just froze… She tried to take in the words but they made no sense to her. This was supposed to be her punishment?
Maybe she was sleeping. Only in her dreams had Hama been allowed to see the beautiful clean ice and snow of her childhood and youth.
The Magistrate didn't seem to catch unto Hamas confusion at all though, as she looked outright bored looking at her papers. "You will be transported to the south pole on one of our vessels. It will head out tonight." she said. "On this trip you will stay in the ridge. You will be chained at all times and only released as you set foot upon the south pole. Ones you are on the South pole you are not allowed to leave. Any sightings of you outside of the south pole will lead to immediate arrest and your life sentence in prison will be re-instated. Have you understood all of this?" she looked up at Hama.
Hama frowned. "You intend to put me on a ship. Tonight. And transport me to the south pole. And then just… Let me go?" she asked.
"You will be delivered to the southern water tribe. What they intend to do with you is outside of our jurisdiction." The magistrate informed.
"You think that will make up for it?" Hama asked. "For what you people did to me!"
The Magistrate frowned as she looked up. "Look. My job is just to make sure that Hama of the southern water tribe will be on that ship by sun down. So I don't really know or care. Just sign here." she turned the paper around and pushed it towards Hama.
Hama snorted. But then finally reached out her hands, picked up the pen and quickly scribbled her name.
"Thank you. Take her to the ship. NEXT!" The magistrate shouted and Hama was pushed outside again as she hissed.
There wasn't much fighting against the restraints though. As Hama was pushed into a carriage pulled by khomodo rhinos and soon they were on their way.
At first Hama was sitting still. Glaring at her capturs right in front of her. Keeping a constant eyes on her. Glaring with their amber eyes.
But then…. Hama felt it. She felt it in her bones. The constant push and pulls. In a ever flowing motion…. Could it really be? …. The ocean.
And Hama turned her head only to gasp as she saw it. The endless blue. Stretching out in front of her, like it was going on forever.
Ones she had seen it. Hama could not stop looking…. To waves. Continuesly roling across the ocean and slamming against the land. She felt the yearning in her chest. There was nothing Hama wanted more than to run outside and jump into the ocean. Allowing the endless blues to take her.
But there was no way the guards would allow that to happen…
Mercifully though. They kept coming closer and closer, towards the waters. Towards her beloved ocean. Then she saw them. Tall ugly metal ships. Towering above them. Polluting her precious waters and Hama hissed.
Then though the carriage stopped and one of the guards opened the door. Hama narrowed her eyes, but there was no choice as the guard grabbed Hamas arm and pulled her outside of the carriage only for Hama to halt.
There it was…. The endless ocean. Right in front of her. And Hamas eyes filled with tears as she swallowed. But barely did she get to take it in before a young woman stepped in front of her.
A young woman with dark tanned skin. Dark brown hair and piercing blue eyes. Wearing the traditional blues of the water tribe and a simple betrothal necklace around her neck.
Hama raised up to a height as high as she could muster to meet the young girl. She hadn't actually expecting to ever see her again. But there she was. The only one she could call her heir. "Young Katara." Hama spoke. "What a pleasure it is to see you again."
Katara huffed. "I wish I could say I was happy to see you." she said. "Sadly though I can't." she glanced down then she looked up to meet Hamas eyes. "I am here to make sure you will be transported safely to the southern water tribe." she informed. "You wont be hurting one single crew member on this ship. I will make sure of it."
Hama shrugged. "If that's what you wish to do."
"Don't play games with me." Katara demanded. "You're lucky that Zuko has such a kind soul! He insisted that you should be allowed a passage home."
"Zuko?" Hama asked, honestly a little surprised. "So… He managed to make it fire lord." she concluded.
"Yes." Katara informed. "Zuko is now fire lord." she said. "Not only is he fire lord. He's my friend. My brother. And if you ever as much as try to hurt him again. I will end you." she informed in a cold voice. "Do you hear what I am saying? If you conspire against Fire Lord Zuko you will be conspiring against the man I call brother and I will never forgive you."
Hama frowned as she stood tall in front of Katara. "The man who leads the nation who laid waste to our home." she said.
"Zuko wasn't even born when you were taken." Katara replied coldly. "He never raised a hand to hurt you. On the contrary he felt sorry for you. And wanted to give you the opportunity to return home."
"This will not give back the years taken from from me." Hama reminded Katara.
"I'm sorry." Katara replied. "Those years can't be given back. You know that already. The people who hurt you. They are either dead or being punished by the Fire Lord. There is nothing more that can do be done."
Hama lowered her head.
"Really… I'm sorry." Katara whispered. "But at least. You can come home. Don't you want that."
Hama was quiet for a while as she stood with a bowed head. "More than anything." she finally admitted. "I would like to see the pure whites of the south pole snow. I would like to see the polar lights. Shining open the skies. And feel the water beneath the ice… Deep under my feet. Then… I might be able to die in peace."
Katara was quiet then she swallowed. "I'm afraid… It's all we can give you. But. We want you to have that at least. Zuko is a part of that we."
Hama turned to Katara. "And where is the young Avatar?" She asked.
"At Zukos side." Katara said. "Making sure he doesn't get overwhelmed. They are trying to restore balance to the world after all. It's a lot of work."
Hama frowned deeply.
"Just get on the ship." Katara sighed deeply. "We only have a few weeks."
"A few weeks before what?" Hama asked.
"The wedding." Katara smiled. "Gran Gran Kanna is getting married to Pakku." she said. "Sokka and Aang are going to be there to. They'll ride on Appa though so it'll be quicker."
At that Hama halted. "Kanna?" she asked. "You're… Kannas gran child?"
Katara halted and then she looked up. "Yes." she said.
Hama was to stunned for word
"Is… Something wrong?" Katara asked confused.
"How couldn't I have known?" Hama asked. "You look so much like her."
"You… You know Gran Gran?" Katara asked stunned.
"She… We were friends." Hama looked down. "We would spend many evenings sewing clothes and gossiping about potential boyfriends. Kanna though seemed to have her mind set of this young man called Hisida."
"That's my grandfather." Katara informed. "I never met him though. He went away to fight the fire nation long before I was born."
Hama lifted her head to look at Katara.
"Now my Grangran is marrying her old love. Master Pakku of the northern tribe." Katara swallowed. "I think… Grangran would be happy to have you there. Please." she offered a hand to Hama. "Nobody can give you back the years you lost but at least…. We can spend the years we have left doing something good. And enjoying the peace."
Hama swallowed and then at last. She reached out and accepted Kataras hands.
"I want to see the south pole again." Hama whispered. "Even if it's only one last time… I want to see the snow. The carpet of stars. How bright the moon shines only at the poles. And those aurora lights in the sky… Just the ones. Until it's finally time for my spirit to leave this old body."
Tears welled up in Kataras eyes. "That at least I can give you." she informed as she pulled Hama with her towards the ship. "Come on then. Let's go to the south pole." she said. "Let's go home."