Chapter 71: Beginning Anew

The three days following the leaders' hastened arrival were hectic given the coronation arrangements. As a matter of security, Sokka and Yue were forbidden from interacting with the public, especially with Arnook and Ahnah being adamant about enforcing pre-coronation rules and regulations; the Northern chief and chieftain were not taking any more chances exposing their daughter and son-in-law to unknown or untrustworthy persons, for they were still reeling back from the horrors that took place in the South. The only exception to these regulations was the Agna Qel'a orphanage, where the young leaders frequently found themselves in their eagerness to spend time with the children there.

They also spent a considerable amount of time away from exclusive political circles. The only instances when they met with agents of political importance was during the arrivals of their international friends, the White Lotus sentries, and the Black Lotus authorities from around the globe as well as the banquet they had arranged for the local chiefly authorities who had supported Yue's reign. But it was understandable that the young leaders sought to get away from spheres of political discussions following such a drastic (yet positive) direction the Leadership Committee took for the determination of successors, i.e., authorizing adoptees to take the throne. The pressure on Arnook's conservative Loyalists to yield to a rule that "undermines the sacredness of blood in the determination of chiefly leadership" was substantial. Waves of resignation letters by more members of the board were forms of silent protests whereas a select few were more open in their dissatisfaction. A moderate conservative view held that had Yue been their only offspring, even if adopted, she probably would have been entitled to her position, but Chieftess Ahnah was due to deliver twins in the coming months; why elevate the status of an adopted child, who did not share the exact blood of the leaders and whose status was threatened by more worthy successors who were coming into being?

It was tiring enough coming down from their adrenaline rush following the events in the South, and excessive involvement in these conversations would be of no help. And the impact the Southern incident had on them was substantial, to say the least. Despite the chaos of preparations that had the potential to distract him, Sokka continued to harbor fresh wounds. Any and all attempts at pacifying him failed at certain moments, and Amaruq and Ki'ma had taken it upon themselves to watch for any and all signs of his…for lack of better words, "Spirit-stress." With the arrival of Aang, Katara, and Kohana, all anxiety regarding the situation flared at the forefront, eliciting difficult conversations and rekindling his guilt of being unable to prevent it all from happening.

Everyone knew that the isumataq's animosity was not going away and was only deepening with time, embittering any and all thoughts he had about the Southern royals, but it was true that with Yue's consistent company, he found reassurance and peace. A new chance was granted to him by the universe or whatever force was at work, and it cultivated his drive of being more alert. With great vehemence, he continued to push for injunctions prohibiting the entry of certain Southern royals onto Northern premises, pleased upon confirmation that prosecution proceedings were taking place in the South upon immediate orders. It cannot be denied that respect for him grew infinitely following this, especially among those who doubted him and his intentions behind taking the princess's hand. There was also a degree of terror; if the prince did not back out gruesome retribution against his own grandfather and did not hesitate to distance himself and break away from his family for what was right, certainly he wasn't going to spare anyone else in that context. Talks of his famed birth chart and the prophecies of him being the face of La now became much more believable.

It was not long before the fourth day— Coronation Day— finally bore fruit to their patience. The haze of success, hope, and new beginnings acted as a soothing balm over their bruised hearts, and the promise of new, loving families softened their bitterness, commencing with the adoption ceremony in the Moon Temple just before moonset. Aang, Katara, and Kohana found themselves waiting deep within the Moon Temple's ritual chambers, accompanied by Kiguk and Chen. Arnook and Ahnah took their seats on one side of the first ritual fire, and Amaruq and Ki'ma took their seats by the second fire, both couples staring at the entrance. And after what felt like an eternity, Osha entered the ritual chamber, bringing with her Sokka and Yue. They were accompanied by Kheera and Akluviq, who were to stand as witnesses for the purposes of legal procedure.

Kohana welcomed the young leaders first, his small arms and tiny frame trying to encapsulate both the isumataq and dronningi's legs, his efforts welcomed by the smiling leaders who simultaneously picked him up. Katara and Aang were next, hugging both of them and wishing them the best, followed by Kiguk and Chen, who led them to the ceremonial fires.

The Northern chieftain and chieftess were overcome by expected desperation and an unexplained nervousness. Shimmering before their eyes was the memory of the fair-complexioned infant for whom they had waited their whole lives, whom they had swaddled in white silks long ago; here she was, standing before them as a beautiful woman adorned in white silks fit for a High Priestess, ready to bring their suffering to an end. And standing beside Osha's successor was Sokka, the treasure of Ki'ma and Amaraq's eyes, the long-awaited joy of the South who had refused to lose touch with them following the tensions that ripped them away from the homeland. The boy had filled their lives with joy with every visit he made over the years, having occupied a place in their hearts as their own; today, he had grown into a man worthy of love and honor.

The couples held onto their children with great desperation as they sat next to them by the fires. Immediately they were approached by Akluviq and Kheera.

"We wish not to interrupt the ceremony at any point," Kheera said, handing Amaruq and Ki'ma a few scrolls as Akluviq handed the same copies to Arnook and Ahnah, "We just need your signatures, and the legal part of this will be over."

With shaking hands, the parents marked their signatures, completing the process. Immediately, one angakkuq tended to Arnook and Ahnah's ceremony while another tended to Amaruq and Ki'ma.

"Oh great Aninnialuk, our merciful Ellam Yua," Osha began, her arms raised in an invocation to the Spirits, "These sacred fires are witnesses to the pure desire of those you have created apart. Bring together the lives before you. Let their fates intertwine. Let your grace and compassion heal old wounds and join them as one family."

Two pieces of rope, crimsoned with an abundance of vermillion pigment, lay on a platter beside Osha. The shamaness nodded in the direction of an angakkuq, who reached for them, handing one to Ahnah and the other to Ki'ma.

"The birth cord is invaluable and sacred in the scope of existence," Osha said. "It is infused with the Spirits of Life and Strength. It is the lifeline through which the child obtains nourishment, and it binds the mother and the child in an inextricable union. Dear mothers gathered here today, let this rope serve as the cord that bonds you to your child for life. In the presence of the sacred fire, tie it around your child's waist."

Ahnah froze when she saw that her smiling daughter's irises were glimmering white. Ki'ma similarly halted in place as she caught sight of her son's eyes turning black; they were not of a wrathful nature though given the peaceful smile on his face. Both mothers, recognizing an element of the supernatural in their children, were nevertheless overwhelmed to have been chosen by the Spirits. They were barely able to keep themselves together as waves of love crashed over them, and they fumbled to accomplish the task in their desperation. Ahnah brought Yue into her arms with fierce longing. Ki'ma dried her eyes, kissing her son's forehead.

"Fathers, your task is to draw yours and your wife's marital markings on your child's forehead," Osha instructed, offering them small containers of sanctified red pigment. "The marking you received from your spouse, and the marking you bestowed upon your spouse are testaments to your loyalty to each other and the bringing together of your families. The Water Tribe honors this loyalty and cements your child not only as the face of your united bloodlines but also as the fruit of your united hearts. Welcome your child into your bloodline. Make your marks and seal your bonds."

Although they were lost in the glows of their children's eyes, Arnook and Amaruq completed the tasks, oozing infinite pride and love. The last rays of moonlight receded, leaving behind palettes of yellow, orange, and pink.

"The Ellam Yua has heard your cries and blessed this ceremony. May you now welcome the new dawn as one family. I proclaim you, Princess Yuesanga Aninnialuk, as the lawful daughter of Chieftain Arnook and Chieftess Ahnah and as a rightful member of the Kharsaq bloodline—"

To which Ahnah and Arnook broke into sobs and nearly crushed their daughter with their hugs, bathing her face with kisses and earning the applause of those around them.

"How long had we been waiting for this moment… oh, Spirits, finally you show us mercy…" Arnook shook.

Yue didn't stop her own emotions, soaking her parents tunics with joyful tears.

Osha smiled, "And I proclaim you, Prince Sokka Aninnialuk, as the lawful son of Mr. Amaruq and Lady Ki'ma and as a member of the Munquq bloodline—"

To which Ki'ma brought her son into her arms and cried against his chest. Amaruq, who had always been obsessed with being the "cool" uncle that Sokka looked up to, felt the inhibition flowing away in the form of tears. He took Sokka into his arms, letting his fatherly emotions spew forth. "Inniga…" My son.

"May Tui and La bless these new families," Osha finished amid the celebrations erupting in the ritual chambers.

Amaruq cleared his throat, holding Sokka by the shoulder and smiling as the prince fumbled to gather himself together. "Alright, inniga, your mother and I have a job to do." He took Sokka's hand and turning to Ki'ma. She nodded, joining her husband as he brought their son forward. Ahnah took Yue's hand and, followed by Arnook, brought their daughter forward as well.

"We are giving our boy over to you, ukuagek," Amaruq told Yue, joining Sokka's hands with hers, reveling in the sparks that lit up the young couple's eyes. "He's in your hands now. There is no one more capable of looking out for him. All we ask for is for both of you to be happy."

It had to be done, Amaruq and Ki'ma knew. The wound left by the South was substantial and traumatizing despite the effects of spiritual healing, but as Sokka's parents, they were aware that this was the first step they needed to take.

Ki'ma placed her hand on her daughter-in-law's shoulder, casting a proud beam, "Take care of each other. May the Aninnialuk bless your union and your posterity."

"But we also recognize that it's not enough to just give our blessings," Amaruq smiled, turning to Arnook and Ahnah, "We need to celebrate! That's why Ki'ma and I have decided to sponsor the wedding reception tonight after the coronation. It's about time."

"Well count us in, too!" Arnook beamed and Ahnah laughed with joy, "This will be the grandest reception yet!"

The chieftess-to-be took a look at herself in the mirror, straightening the black moonflowers in her hair. Her husband had exercised his creativity out of a need to make the flowers stand out against her white hair, especially with her appearance now officially going public. He had taken the pains to dye the original white flowers, having soaked them in inked water over the past two nights to coax a black pattern that ran along the smooth white petals.

"You look divine, naasoga."

Even before she could turn around, she felt his arms wrapping around her from behind, his cheek pressed against hers. "As a goddess should."

She flushed, "You do, too."

Breathing in the scent of the flowers, "Pfft."

"What? Men can't look divine?" She turned to gaze at his regal attire, then cast her look at his wolf tail, which was held in place by the hairpiece she had crafted for him. The cerulean gemstone, though no match for the deep ocean-blue of his eyes, nevertheless shone beneath the moonlight, casting on him a sheen of bluish-silver that perfectly complemented his brand new tunic that she had personally picked out. Underneath the official chieftain robes he sported, the silks of his indigo tunic brought out his broad frame. Her hand ran along his smooth tunic, "It suits you," before moving up to brush a stray strand of hair away form his face, tucking it into the hairpiece. "Fit for a chieftain."

"I love them."

"I love them on you, too," she smiled, "I can't believe I have such exquisite taste."

Wiggling his eyebrows, "You mean the accessories or the guy wearing them?"

Chuckling, "Both."

His hand reached for hers as he eyed the sole bangle she had at her left wrist. The struggle down South resulted in the destruction of five of the eight total bangles he had made for her. She had chosen to wear two bangles on one wrist and the remaining one on the other. He had tried to convince her to abandon them if they were capable of causing such injury, but she argued in the contrary, citing to the past several months she'd worn them without any issues. Pakku's cruelty was not something anyone would've imagined.

Even so, Sokka felt leaps of discomfort within him and sought to remedy the situation somehow. He tugged at the sole bangle.

"I told you, I want to keep it on—"

"You can, you can," he assured, putting the third bangle on her other wrist with the other two. From the pocket of his robes, he then pulled out what appeared to be a woven bracelet that would go on her dominant hand.

"Are we going to exchange favors and gifts all day?"

"That's the plan," he winked, "You didn't know?"

"No one kept me in the loop."

"Well, it's not like the solstice is important to us or anything."

"Definitely not," she laughed, her eyes softening as he tied the bracelet around her empty wrist. It was of a purple hue, woven with unique silk ribbons with tiny, soft white beads embedded into them every now and then.

"You really went all out on this one. I can see your weaving prowess."

He shrugged, smiling, "It's nothing too fancy."

"No, it's beautiful, sweetie."

"I've still seen better," looking up at her, "But at least it'll be soft on your skin. Easier to manage, too, honestly, and…"

She could see through to his distress, "Sokka…"

"I didn't think a gift could cause a lot of pain," he said, feeling a jolt in his heart, "I just wasn't thinking when I made them—"

"No one would think that far ahead, love. Don't let it get to you. Please."

He sighed, nodding.

"Your Majesties!" came Ivaneq's excited cry from outside. The man was barely able to contain his joy, which was manifest in his eager knocks, "It's time, it's time!"

Screeches of their name reverberated throughout and beyond as they beamed at each other, their hands tightening their hold. He sank into the warmth of her kiss, both lovers pouring forth their passion beneath the full moon.

"Angayoga." My chieftain.

His smile played on her lips, "Ataniga." My chieftess.

By moonrise, the North had prepared for the installment of its new leaders with great pride and eagerness, evidenced by the vibrant beating of the kilautiit, the ritual drums. Warriors in wolf paint surrounded the palace premises and stood at attention, wielding spears, and among them were the proud female warriors chosen to guard the new chieftess.

Nearly the entire tribe was gathered for the event; peeking from the crowds were several of Yue's and Sokka's friends — the servants and maids who found life in spilling teas over the prince and princess's love life, the Revivalists who looked up to Kuunnguaq their entire lives, their loyalty rewarded with the benefits to come following her ascent to the throne. Accompanying them, of course, were thousands of tribefolk who had received aid from the princess in any and all of her personas, fans and admirers of Prince Sokka and his valor. The fact that the two leaders lived among them, lived with them as normal people like them, wandered the North and broke their backs, only added onto the craze they had. The fervor pleased the leaders' parents, who had taken their places at the citadel, commencing the preliminary announcements.

The desperation of all present was soon answered. Clad in their exquisite royal silks, complete with traditional headdresses and corresponding pins announcing their positions of authority, Yue and Sokka approached the citadel steps with dozens of guards surrounding them. Their hands were fiercely intertwined, their pulses touching each other's wrists, ebbing together as if they were one being. They made their way up the steps, which rattled from the roar of the tribefolk from several yards away despite security personnel's efforts to keep them from toppling over into the blocked areas of the palace premises. The leaders' parents beamed with tear-filled eyes and infinite pride, all of their hands flying to their chests as the Water Tribe National Hymn was played.

Omali akuni taimanngat, Imakup Nunatsiavut.

Ijaujauvut Saujauk Maujarmi. Imatsukup sinnatomavut.

Najuqtavut, Ungagijaavut,

Silatsuak allajuq illigiit atsanirmi!

Ellam Yua tujuilauqjaatit

Omajuut Amigaittut

Kuuitjjuattsiavaat

Ammattauq Taqqiq Killitak…

Everything was a blur. All Sokka and Yue could really feel in those moments was the exhilaration of standing atop the citadel, the future that awaited them, the journey they took over the course of the past six months, the faces they have seen before and were seeing now: the Revivalist men from the South and their budding families; the children who spent their days playing with their angaju Yue; Tanara and her eunuch husband; young Nuni who had almost fallen prey to Kinji, warranting Yue to take to imprisonment for a day; little Kur'i'tui and his family; the senior maids at the palace; the angakkuit who left no stone unturned in looking out for their Tuiup paninga; Mr. Ijkun, the hopeless romantic who had experienced the lovers' shenanigans up close; Ikunna, now healed and with the constant company of her loving sons; the sisters rescued from Khasiq's brothels; Iska and Qaasan, happy as ever; Qirahn and Chumali, liberated from the toxicity that sought to tear them apart; Ilannak and Mitena, who were overwhelmed by the realization that their close friend and sister-figure was the tribe's matriarch-to-be.

All of them who were looking at them anew despite having forged lasting friendships and gratitudes.

It was not long before Arnook and Ahnah along with Amaruq and Ki'ma delivered their passing of the torch speeches. The Northern chief and chieftess approached their daughter with infinite love and pride, handing her a torch to signify the era she and her chieftain were to bring with the lighting of the Royal Cauldron. With their hands still intertwined, Sokka and Yue reached for the torch, both of them securing it in their entangled grip.

"I, Yuesanga Aninnialuk!" Yue began.

"And I, Sokka Aninnialuk!" Sokka followed.

"Solemnly swear to dedicate our lives to the well-being of the Northern Water Tribe!"

"In the fight against injustice, we promise to stand at the front line—"

"And preserve the honor and dignity of our community!"

"May our last breaths be dedicated to the Northern cause—"

"To the endeavor to end pain and suffering—"

"And to the promotion of peace and prosperity!"

"This is our promise to you," both of them raised their torch, "as your nunaatip angajukkaat!"

And once the cauldron was lit, the North erupted in ardor. Bursts of color struck across the sky in a blooming aurora— a sign that the vast majority took to be highly auspicious. With their immediate responsibilities finally having been fulfilled, Arnook and Ahnah wept in relief, lingering beside their daughter as Amaruq and Ki'ma gazed at their oldest, both couples achieving infinite peace.

"VICTORY TO CHIEFTESS YUE AND CHIEFTAIN SOKKA!" Ivaneq roared in his zeal, "We leave the North in your capable hands! Victory to our nunaatip angajukkaat!"

"VICTORY TO OUR NUNAATIP ANGAJUKKAAT! VICTORY TO OUR NUNAATIP ANGAJUKKAAT!"

The bustle of the tribefolk did not cease even after the coronation considering the impending arrival of the solstice. The Moon Temple was filled to the brim, and it was not recommended that the chieftess, in spite of her status as a High Priestess, be the center of attention, especially given the newness of her position and the post-coronation regulations that Arnook and Ahnah kept harping over. What was left for the newly coronated leaders to do was engage in mindless smiles and small talk and thank-you's in the presence of politicians supporting the new chieftain and chieftess. Never had they been congratulated for anything so much in their entire lives, and though it was with reason, it was nevertheless monotonous.

Hence, Sokka took it upon himself to break the chain of tediousness; he whisked the chieftess into an abandoned storage room. They laughed as they caught their breath, the young chieftain casting her a wide grin in the sphere of their limited privacy, "Wanna do an activity with me, ataniga?"

She felt a flutter in her stomach, "Right now?"

"The night's still young."

"In front of an entire chaotic tribe that fully knows who we are now?"

"You know me. I make things happen."

"Even when we're essentially forbidden from leaving the palace? Our reception's in a few hours, too."

"We'll be back, and we'll remain unseen. Just like old times. I've got a plan."

Amused, "What did you do now?"

"I'll show you, but we gotta sneak out to get there."

With a grin, "People will be looking for us."

"Ingan sema, Chieftess, ingan sema."

Nostalgia burst in their steps as they fumbled to throw on the servant cloaks in the corner and traversed through the icy walls. They tumbled out into the cold with ease given the population of the entire North was pretty much concentrated in places of worship. To Yue's surprise, though, Sokka pulled her along towards the stables.

"Where are we going?"

"You'll see!"

Eventually, Appa came into view; the Avatar's bison was out of his stable, finishing up on a giant kelp dish. The bison groaned as he saw Sokka and Yue's familiar forms.

"I asked Aang if I could borrow him for a minute!" Sokka said.

"Sokka, I told you—"

"Oh come on, a sky bison ride is romantic and perfect—gah!" Sokka nearly toppled over, caught in his wife's arms but nevertheless covered from head to toe by bison saliva. "Good to see you, too, buddy," he gagged.

Yue laughed, bending him dry as she pat Appa's head, spared of a severe lick. "Good boy, Appa, good boy."

"We'll be out of everybody's reach," Sokka told her. "I know you'll enjoy it, just give it a chance! Come on, buddy, tell her."

Appa groaned at her, his nose nuzzling against her hand. The chieftess smoothed the bison's coat, "I'm not going to give Appa a hard time."

"He's a ten-ton bison, you weigh nothing to him. You weigh nothing to me!" Nudging her arm, "It'll be fun, nalligima, trust me."

Sighing, Yue turned back to the bison, "And you're okay with this, sweet boy?"

Appa responded with another lick.

"Then it's settled!"

Minutes later, they were seated at the front with Sokka grabbing the reins. He beamed at his wife, "You hanging on tight?"

"Mhm."

"Yip…yip!"

She yelped, grasping his arm tightly as Appa took off into the sky with a jerky start, but following an exhilarated gasp that only grew louder the higher they flew, she began to laugh and clap, "Oh my goodness, oh my goodness! We're flying!"

"You haven't seen anything yet!"

Appa soared with majesty and grace, gliding through the sky with vigor, battling the wind currents that sent Yue's hair billowing behind her like streaks of lightning.

"I can't believe it!" Yue giggled, looking down at the tribe below, her hands around Sokka's arm tightening, "I've never seen the tribe like this… I've never been up this high before!"

"How does it feel?"

"Exhilarating!" she breathed, running her hand through a passing cloud. She found out quickly that the experience was rather cold, too, the higher they flew. She wrapped an arm around herself, shuddering against his shoulder.

Sokka unclipped his wide, thick cloak, attempting to pry it off while holding onto the reins, but Yue opted to share it instead, scooting closer to him and disappearing beneath it, managing to clip it around both of them. She huddled against his frame, her arms wrapped around him, baby blue eyes blinking up at him. Beneath the rich moonlight, her face shone, colored in the hues of the aurora that spilled upon them. Sokka felt his chest flooding with adoration and wonder.

"You flew all the way to Ba Sing Se in the cold like this?" came her frown. "You could've gotten sick."

He huddled back against her, smiling, "If only I'd known how warm it is with you."

The line between the physical world and Tui's paradise had blurred for the past several minutes. With every stroke of her hand, every wisp of her hot breath, he became a goner. Her touch was soft, light, yet deliciously firm— the way her hands danced over his shoulders, trailing down, working away at the knots in his bare back and torso. Waves of heat splashed over him with the occasional warmth of the spirit water coating her arms, soothing his tense muscles.

But there was a point when his senses taunted him, when her touch became something so much more than glides and caresses. In the haze of his heat rose a crescendo of pleasure, a tiny sliver of drowsiness shooting through. In the seas of his dreams, the goddess would meet him there. Taunting, teasing with her ethereal sheen and white gaze.

"You might be a god, but you're not a saint, nalligima."

He could feel her hand smoothing down his chest, teetering at his lower abdomen, brushing the skin of his torso, the line between dreams and reality also blurred with the sensation of her lips brushing against his sweaty skin, her occasional kisses to his back and bicep definitely not helping things…

He pulled back from those dreams, sighing into the ground, "I think I'm good now, baby…ohh…" he groaned at a soft squeeze of his back.

"You sure?"

"Yeah…mmmnn," he moaned, burying his face in the grass, "Yes, yes…"

She let go, and he slowly sat up, trying to fight his blush off of his face, "Alright, your turn."

"Actually, I'm good for now," and she laid back against the grass. He reached for his shirt, earning a tiny smile of amusement, "It's just us here."

"You're okay with…?"

"I've seen you shirtless plenty of times."

"Yeah…I just…I don't want you to feel uncomfortable…"

"Why would I be?"

He sighed, shrugging as he waded into the water, disappointed with how warm it was when he was looking for something cold. Something to jar him out of these weird feelings.

"You feel relaxed?"

"Yeah…

She opted to join him in the water, her arms wrapping around his chest from behind, a soft kiss to his cheek that stirred his dormant interest again. He smiled, his heart brimmed to the fullest. "Can we stay here a bit longer?"

"Of course." A kiss to his shoulder, "You still seem a bit anxious…Did I make it worse somehow…?"

"No, no," he turned to face her, lost in her eyes, taking in her drenched form beneath the moon's full glory. Her damp hair clung to his arm as he brought his palm up to her jaw, thumbing a water droplet away from her bottom lip. "You're perfect…" A slow, languid kiss, lingering in his whisper, "You're absolutely perfect…"

She studied his uncertain yet amorous look for a moment before pressing her lips against his. He closed his eyes and relaxed into the contact, a warm flush taking over him. She broke from him only to pepper kisses on his face, slowly descending past his jaw. Her arms snaked around his frame. He shuddered, his arms flying around her waist as he sank into her neck. Before long, she was lying back on top of the grass, his lips tracing the edge of her jawline, drinking the drops of water clinging to her skin. A soft heat generated in the pit of his stomach, and the crescendo only grew when her soft giggles transitioned into gasps, eventually blooming into little moans that sent a fire through his veins. With a groan, he pulled her against him, seating her in his lap, an adventurous hand settled on top of her thigh. Their hips involuntarily sought a rhythm, rolling as if in practiced unison, coaxing low moans out of them…

Wait.

Sokka pulled back all of a sudden, taking note of her equally crimsoned face, her heaving chest and the soft breaths parting her lips. Sparks of desire melted into blips of awareness, jolted further by the jarring events of the South. A spark of pure fear flickered before ebbing away; while it did not appear that she was in pain — quite the contrary, actually, given her own eagerness to bring their lips back together— he paused his gestures. "I'm sorry, nalligima, I…"

"For what?"

"I kind of…lost track of time…" Kissing her forehead, "I guess we need to start heading back, huh?"

"Didn't you want to stay a little longer?"

"I do…"

"Then?"

"I just feel a bit weird, you know? It's hot in here, and… I could use a shower before the reception…"

But there was a knowing look in her flushed gaze, a bolt of understanding as she saw him fumble with his shirt, stealing longing gazes at her reflection in the pond.

"May I have this dance, isumataq?"

There was a jolt of absolute bliss that ran up his spine at the word. Too much was packed into it for him to disregard it. His entire being stood at attention, his gaze settling on his wife. With the sway of the music came the subtle sway of her hips as she made her way towards him, dressed in soft purple robes that matched the new bracelet hugging her wrist. He beamed, standing tall, his chest puffed up…only for him to gawk at the chieftess as she knelt to grasp Kohana's little hand. The boy, who had been standing beside his brother, jumped up and down, stepping on Sokka's foot in the process, "Let's dance, ukuaq! I wanna dance!"

"Hey!" the chieftain pouted at his wife.

"But you're not the isumataq anymore, nalligima," she winked, giggling at his deadpanned spasms. She led the little boy up front, clapping as he mostly freestyled to the music, earning chuckles and cheers from those around them. Chen eventually picked the boy up, carrying him over to the feasting table to get him to eat, leaving the young chieftess in the grasp of her husband's arms as he swooped her away from the crowds. Hundreds of amused looks zeroed in on them, prompting the duo to glide into the shadows, unseen.

"You did that on purpose."

"Me?" she bat her eyelids, her arms flying around his neck, "Did what?"

"You know what you did. You got the tone right and everything," he insisted. "I'm always gonna be your isumataq, and you're always my dronningi. There's no change in this."

"So the coronation means nothing to you?" she asked, amused.

"That's not what I'm saying."

"It's the circle of life, angayoga. If you want more isumataat and dronningiit, you'll have to make your own. We're not going back in time."

He flushed, his skin heating up. "That's a different matter. In my mind, you're always gonna be my dronningi."

"I can always call you naalaganera. That's a general term for male leaders."

"Yeah, but it's not the same. You always call me isumataq."

"Everyone else called you isumataq, too—"

"Not like you!" he insisted. "Not with that tone."

Smiling, "Well if it pleases you that much, isumataq."

"Spirits," he laughed breathlessly, drawing her in for a kiss only for the moment to be interrupted by footsteps. Yue tugged at his robes, whispering, "Ukuagek" before withdrawing, both of their flushed forms greeting an amused Ki'ma.

"I'm going to have to borrow your wife for a moment," she told her oldest while grasping Yue's hand. "Is that okay, Sokka?"

"Y-Yeah, Mom, of course," he flushed, rubbing the back of his neck as Ki'ma chuckled at the flustered duo.

"Mom?"

Ki'ma, Chen, and Ahnah looked up at the young chief. "What is it, sweetie?" Ki'ma asked.

"Is Yue," looking around the room, "still with you guys?"

"No, ningauk, we weren't talking for very long," Ahnah said.

"Yeah, we didn't want to keep you waiting too long," Chen teased. "So we sent her on her way a long time ago. She's probably looking for you as we speak."

"She should be somewhere in the leisure chamber," Lady Ahnah said. "It's packed after all."

"Oh…okay…"

"Hey, Sokka," Amaruq placed his hand on the chief's shoulder, "Yue's over there looking for you!"

"See?" Ahnah chuckled, "They can't spend a few minutes away from each other."

The women laughed as Sokka followed Amaruq out of the corridor. Amaruq, however, did not look so cheery, a worried look in his eyes.

"So where's Yue?"

"Eastern meeting chamber. Go. And try not to let your in-laws know."

Feeling his stomach drop, "What's wrong?"

"Just a hassle with a bitter minister. Ivaneq's with her, though, she's not alone. Again, your in-laws don't have to know about this."

"That will not be necessary," Yue clutched the pelted armrest of her chair, bitterness shooting through, "I highly recommend you mind your own business."

"Are you serious? We can't let this go that easily, Chieftess," a minister insisted, oozing false care, "Your father is out there somewhere. We can't just ignore that!"

"My father is right here in the palace—"

"You mean your 'contract' father? Please, he's not even your own, and no amount of rituals can ever make him superior to your birth father—"

"That's enough, Khuro," Ivaneq raised his voice, "If Chief Sokka finds out about this, he will tear you apart—"

"I'm only trying to help Her Majesty find her loved ones and claim her Nomadic rights, respected Ivaneq, what is the big deal about this?" The man took out the famed Air Nomad beads at issue, which he had obtained with great difficulty. He held them out in front of her, letting them dangle before her eyes, "Come on, Chieftess. Are you not even curious? Who knows, you might look exactly like him. You clearly have his skin."

Yue's glare did not change.

"I understand you might be worried about how a transition from the palace to a monastery will go about. Well I assure you that you won't be left in the streets. Talk has it that he's a high-ranking monk. It's not like you'll be going from a higher position to a lower one. Not technically anyway. Someone with as much influence as him is bound to be privileged among the Air Nomads; even if he does not have a throne or currency per se, he's still no less than a…well, a minister if Nomadic theocracy had such positions. Trust me when I say the Loyalists and I will do everything in our power to make sure you get the portions you deserve. We will fight for your Nomadic rights."

"So I can give up my tribal rights?"

Losing his patience, "What Water Tribe rights do you even speak of? The ones you earned with your pity throne? How long do you think that will even last you? You think that will ever top your roots—?"

"Khuro!" Ivaneq raged, "For the last time, you are overstepping your boundaries!"

"No matter what anyone says, they can't overturn the truth, can they?!" Shaking the beads in her face as he pointed at her, "This woman has a biological father with whom she should stay! She has no authority to mooch on Lord Arnook and Lady Ahnah—!"

In a bout of rage, Yue grabbed the beads from the minister and threw them into the nearby fire, watching them disintegrate immediately in the flames.

"What have you done?!" Khuro shrieked, "That's the only way to find your—!"

"He is not my father!" Yue shot up vehemently from her seat.

"Not your father? If it wasn't for his seed, you wouldn't be standing here right now!"

"I can't go around showing mercy to every man who impregnates a woman and leaves her in the streets! Even if he's regrettably the reason for my existence! Being a woman should not have to come with the obligation that she forgive everyone who has wronged her and let go of criminals with their crimes unaccounted for!"

"Your Majesty," Ivaneq began worriedly.

"You don't have to live with him if you don't want to!" Khuro argued.

"Accepting him will be against my conscience," she hissed. "It is a blow to my self-respect and dignity—"

"Some power-licking dignity you have—"

"Khuro!"

"If it wasn't for the throne, you would've yielded," Khuro went on, shoving Ivaneq out of his way, "You might have enjoyed your ride to chiefdom, and you might get rid of every clue leading up to your father to keep the throne, but this isn't the end, Chieftess. Don't forget that Lord Arnook has biological children on the way, and these are twins by his lawfully wedded wife. Even more impressive, they're twin boys." Throwing a scroll at the table in front of her, "Read the clinical report for yourself. Healer Yugoda was able to determine the gender of the twins. This had been news ever since you left for the South. Since you've been through your own shit down there, we were forced to keep our mouths shut about this."

Yue's heart softened as she reached for the scroll and skimmed its contents. It was true that she was going to have brothers. She looked to Ivaneq, who gulped, unable to provide a clear answer, "Lord Arnook…he…you were…"

But he did not have to explain for her to understand. "Did ataata really think I'd feel threatened by those innocent lives?"

"No, no, Chieftess," Ivaneq melted, shaking his head, "It's not like that, it's just…they didn't want people to talk or ruin the decision—"

"You're a woman! You can never match up to those boys! They might be younger than you, but they're of pure blood! They have a traceable lineage, and this is the truth!" Khuro yelled. "Even if your adopted parents granted you the status of a rightful successor, why would they retain your status in the future with such worthy children of their own?! An adoptee and a daughter? There is no way! This whole 'adoptees can be successors' theory was unnecessary in the first place! Unless if you plan on getting rid of those children for your own needs—!"

"ENOUGH!" she bellowed, making him stumble backward. The chieftess shook with rage, her eyes turning a stark crimson. She pointed to the exit, "Get out of my palace! NOW!"

"I'm getting the chief—!"

But Yue stopped Ivaneq before he could leave, shaking her head. I'll handle this.

"I don't understand why you're holding so tightly onto such a fragile position even after all of this," Khuro taunted. "Everything you have today can be taken away from you tomorrow. You do realize that, don't you? What's even here for you? Your life is hanging onto threads of legal contracts— your adoption and your marriage. What do you have apart from these? Do you have anyone in this world you can truly call your own? You're just a fool loving those who will never return the sentiment. Hating the one person who would actually care for you."

"I don't suppose this monk you speak of personally came up to you and told you he cares?" she demanded.

"You're his flesh and blood. If there's any relationship you should cultivate, it's that. 'Cause no one here really gives a rat's ass about you. You think you're loved by the tribe? That's not love, Chieftess, that's necessity. Any mindless idiot would support someone who gives him stimulus payments on a whim every few months. Any thick-headed local chief will stand by someone whose rule confers benefits on him and his little tribe. And these parents you speak of…You think your parents will still love you the same way after having their own children? Once those children are born, they'll be their entire world, and you'll be an inconvenient burden. I wouldn't be surprised if they themselves have you hunted down and mangled—"

"Alright, that's it!" Ivaneq screeched, "I'm getting the chief, Your Majesty—!"

"I said I will handle this!" she told Ivaneq. "I'm not about to let the chief get involved with this on Coronation Day and tarnish his reputation."

To which Ivaneq found that he couldn't move.

"Oh how marvelous, how loving," the minister clapped mockingly. "Come on, Chieftess, wake up and smell the smoke. Where's the guarantee that this man you married won't go running back to his parents and community? You feel so proud of your husband who left everything for you, don't you? Well guess what? He'll go running back to everything he left behind, everyone he left behind once he loses the throne here. He'll beg to be taken back, even if it means demoting you to his mistress and taking on a worthier woman. And no matter what, his folks will take him back. That's the power of blood."

Yue turned away, her fists clenched. She caught the sight of a La tapestry that had been flaring behind her, gazing at the image of a dark-robed man, towering above the waves that he waded in. A sliver of Tui pulsed at his heart.

"And guess what? The same goes for you and that monk. Once you're tired and exhausted from all this girl's play, you'll shamelessly go running back to daddy monk, to wherever he is in the world, whether he takes you in as his own or not."

Her eyes closed, and he instantly appeared. The projection of her dreams, the bruised fairytale that still lurked in the depths of her skeptic subconscious with his wide smile and blue-black eyes and all. "I'm not just sitting around behind closed sanctums. Whether you believe it or not, I'm always watching. I'm always fighting. I'm always with you."

"You're sitting on a shaky throne, Chieftess. And the day you topple down, there will be no one there to catch you. You'll be the laughing stock of the very tribe you swore to protect."

"Well if you're so confident that that's the way it'll work out, then wait for it to happen instead of causing a scene every five seconds." Turning around, eyeing the leering minister unwaveringly, "I would rather die a gruesome death on the path of justice than ever see that monk. I would much rather have vulture-flies eating away at my rotting corpse than ever live a single moment of my life as his daughter." Swallowing the lump in her throat, "And I can tell you with utmost certainty that no matter who stays with me and who doesn't, La is always going to be with me. And that's more than enough for me."

"You think someone of your pedigree earns the all-encompassing nurture of La just like that? It's not as easy as whoring yourself out to the prince of the sister tribe for power—AAAAAHHHHH!"

Yue widened her eyes at the raging form of her husband bursting through the door, his hand slamming against the man's face and knocking him down.

"Sokka, stop!"

A fierce yell echoed, rattling the chambers. Sokka pitted his foot against the bleeding minister's chest, ignoring his screams for mercy, but before he could deliver another blow, a sharp, "Sokka!" and Yue's firm grip stopped him. She tugged him away, holding him back as Ivaneq scrambled to rush the wailing minister out of the room.

His arms flew around her, his daggered glare still following the minister's direction.

"What happened to kicking him out? What happened to telling him to shut up? You're a powerful bender, nalligima, you shouldn't hesitate to smack people like him with a water whip or two!"

The full moon's glimmering light rained down on the disconcerted chieftain through the windows, lighting up his conch necklace.

"'Wait for it to happen.' Hmph," he muttered.

Yue sighed, "Look, I know it doesn't sound—"

"That's not the response you should give if you want someone to stop predicting the worst shit imaginable. Unless if you really think it'll happen." Looking at her, a shake in his voice, "Do you really think all those things will happen?"

"I didn't mean it like that. I meant if he was gonna be that confident, then he shouldn't make a scene about it repeatedly. I know all of you would never be able to hurt me—"

"You should've told him that instead of telling him to wait and see," he insisted, his heart breaking openly, "You were supposed to say I would never do that to you. That I'd never leave your side! You should be confident in saying you have a husband who loves you and won't even imagine running off like a heartless piece of shit…Unless if you're eternally gonna feel uncomfortable around me and my maleness… and you can't imagine ever saying it…which I wouldn't blame you for."

Yue softened her eyes, "I thought we've been over this."

"All I know is that you could've said I have your back. Do you really think I'll go back one day—?"

"No, Sokka, no. Look, I didn't want him to give you any trouble. He had the idea that I was influencing you and that you were innocent deep down. He wouldn't think about giving you a hard time if he operated on this assumption. He wouldn't think about hurting you. Besides, just because he says all those things doesn't mean you're going to do them.

"If he wants to target me, then he'll target me, I don't care. I'm not having anyone think I'll break your heart." Looking up at her, "I never want that crossing your mind, either, in any circumstance."

Taking a deep breath, "I'm a woman, Sokka. I'm going to be savagely picky about mate choice and all of that. It's pure science. If I doubted you, i wouldn't have ever come this far with you."

He twiddled with his fingers, attempting to calm himself despite his fears.

"As you probably already know, Chieftess Kya basically told me to 'get pregnant and get lost.' If I wanted to hold onto a part of you and still let you keep the Southern throne. And I told her that you would never agree to that sort of thing because if La had to be a human being, he would probably be you." Looking at him, "I meant it the same way back there when I said I'll always have La by my side."

His glare melting, "La?"

"You're a Wolf-Moonite, aren't you? For all I know, you could've been the spirit here all along. Maybe you're the one looking to drag bad guys away into your spirit prison. Acting like you don't care about Spirits so people won't figure your secret out, activating your ocean powers when it's truly necessary." A spark of amusement, "Don't worry. If that's the case, your secrets are safe with me."

"There are no secrets," he frowned. "I'm being serious."

"I am, too. If an atheist like you is convinced I'm Tui, why can't a believer like me speculate that you're La?"

She did have a good point, he realized. "So… do you believe the prophecies and stuff?"

"I honestly don't know. I can't say I do, and I can't say I don't. And at the same time…when I say La, I don't necessarily mean a god or deity. I mean certain values. Values that need to be deified to reach a community like ours."

She admitted that the image given to La was something she was attracted to since childhood. Just as he had been drawn to the image of Tui since his childhood.

"That being said, we can't say we're just chasing childhood dreams, can we? Or is it possible to do that while genuinely loving someone? I don't know… But what I do know is that La is loyalty. La is love. La is life and nurture…And when I look at you, I see all those things. And I feel at peace. You broke away from your position in the South and everyone you know and love just so you wouldn't break my heart. I'm never going to forget that. No one is going to forget that despite all the yakshit they blabber. And even if they do forget…I like to think we have a whole lifetime to prove them wrong."

He stood up, his heart squeezed in all possible ways.

"I'm not going to hide it. I did go through an intense phase where I genuinely believed I could never trust any man. Because growing up in the North… I was very aware of my womanness. For obvious reasons and in an obviously negative way."

But upon meeting him, it was strange. On one hand, she felt like a regular human being. She never had to worry about him behaving inappropriately with her. He was funny and gentle, and in his presence, she never felt threatened as a woman, so there was no need for her to be overly cautious or hyperaware of her womanhood.

"On the other hand, I'd be lying if I said I never felt like a woman around you…but it's a good kind of feeling, I can promise you that."

Feeling a wave of warmth come over him, "W-What does that mean?"

"It means you bring out the woman in me in a positive way…" she couldn't stop a shade of crimson from shooting through, "And that's not wrong by any means."

"I don't think I understand…"

Eyeing him, "I think you do. You just don't want to offend me."

"No, I…I really don't…"

"Hm…" she folded her arms, granting him an electrifying look, feeling a jolt of boldness within her, "Did you lock the door?"

He blinked, shaking his head.

"Might as well do it now."