Wandering Firebender

Fifty One: The Right Thing

Elio knew that he would eventually be spotted, but he didn't expect it to happen so swiftly.

As Elio rowed his way towards the North Pole, he could feel his body wanting to tense up because of the frigid cold temperatures. The water was very still all around him, only moving in response to him pulling the oars to gently guide his little boat forward.

Then all of a sudden, the water began to shake with agitation. Elio stood up with widened eyes as ice began to charge towards him like an animal. It surrounded his boat and lifted it into the air, nearly throwing him into the water.

Elio yelped in shock and grabbed onto his seat to keep himself from falling. He steadied his feet and stood up, looking around to see that two small boats full of waterbenders were now coming in close and maneuvering around him. He recognized where they were from by the patterns of their blue parkas.

"I finally made it!" Elio thought to himself with a grin before standing up and waving to them. "Hello! I was beginning to think I wasn't going the right way!"

"State your business! What are you doing in our waters?" One of them called back to him, demanding an answer. Elio took in a breath before answering.

"I need to speak to whoever's in charge of your tribe! The Fire Nation is planning another attack!" He informed them.

He couldn't see their expressions, but surely they must have been shocked, for it took them a little while to respond. Finally, they assisted Elio into one of their ships and brought him back to the Northern Water Tribe.

"How far have you traveled to deliver this message?" One of the leaders asked him.

"I've made my way through the Earth Kingdom, and that's not including sailing out this far," Elio answered. "But Master Pakku sent me. He made it clear that I needed to speak to the people in charge about this attack." He repeated.

"Master Pakku sent you?"

"Yeah." Elio answered with a nod.

"I see...then we'll get you before the chief right away."

After that, the waterbenders started to rush more in bringing Elio to the Northern Water Tribe. The entire time, Elio was looking around, wondering when Cindra's home would actually come into view. It took him a while to realize that the ice wall they were sailing towards displayed a large carving of the Water Tribe's symbol.

Elio looked up and watched as waterbenders standing on top of the ice wall opened up a set of gates for them. Finally, he was inside the city. His eyes widened in amazement as he looked up at the central structure that he could only describe as a palace made of ice.

In fact, all of the structures around him were made of ice: the houses, the walkways, the bridges above them. The streets themselves were waterways, so the waterbenders bringing him in continued to guide the boat towards the palace.

"The chief and his officials gather there. We will bring you nearby and call the chief. Once he has summoned the other members of the counsel, you will be allowed to speak. You will have to answer many questions so they can ensure that your word can be trusted." The leader explained to him.

"I understand." Elio nodded, still looking around and taking everything in.

"Although, I hope that what you're saying isn't true." He added.

"Yeah, I wish it wasn't." Elio said honestly...

Finally, the ship went as far as it could take them. The leader stepped off first and guided Elio towards the chief's palace. The snow beneath their feet crunched quietly with every step they took. Elio swallowed nervously to himself.

He could only hope they would listen to him. He didn't want to find out what would happen if they didn't believe him.

Now they made their way up to an open training area in front of the palace. A small handful of boys and girls were hanging around and talking while sitting on the steps leading up to the palace. They all seemed to be around Elio's age; maybe a year or two younger.

"These are our training grounds, where qualified masters teach the young men and women how to fight." The leader told him. Elio's eyes lifted with immediate interest as he realized that this was likely where Cindra had trained.

As they passed by the other students, their eyes all fixated curiously on Elio. He looked nothing like them, so of course he stood out. In particular, there was one boy sitting close to the steps that was looking at him keenly, as if studying him.

It actually made Elio uncomfortable.

"It's time for all of you to go home, kids." The leader said to the students as he and Elio started making their way up the steps. Elio could hear some of them idly murmuring behind him. He could only imagine what they were saying.

Finally Elio and the leader reached the top of the steps. They now stood at the foot of the palace. Elio looked up in awe at its size and structure. He was about to continue walking forward, but the leader held his arm out to stop him.

"Please wait here while I inform the chief of your arrival. I would get comfortable. This might take some time." He said before entering.

Elio sat down at the base of the steps, sighing to himself as he stared out over the Northern Water Tribe. He shook his head again in amazement at its beauty; the way everything shined in the sunlight. More impressive still, there was absolutely no sign of the Fire Nation.

It was as if they'd never been here at all.

Looking back at the palace, Elio realized something else: now that he was here, he'd now had the privilege of seeing the three royal palaces of the world. First the Fire Nation royal palace, then the Earth Kingdom's palace, and now the Water Tribe chief's palace.

"I guess all that's left are the Air Temples." Elio thought to himself with a little chuckle...

Meanwhile, somewhere in the market, Cindra was bringing groceries back home. She went inside and brought everything to her mother and began to help her prepare for dinner. For her, life had long since already returned to normal, other than her new skills in combat of course.

"How was your day today, Cindra?" Her mother asked.

"It was fine. They were out of dad's favorite fish in the market today. I'll try again tomorrow. Hopefully we can get some soon." She said.

"If not, I have a backup plan ready. No need to worry." Her mother replied with a smile. Her parents' anniversary was coming up, and Cindra was secretly helping her mother gather the needed ingredients for her father's favorite meal.

"How long will you two have been married now?" She asked.

"Once our anniversary comes up, it will have been 17 years." She answered. Cindra's eyes widened.

"Wow. Are you excited?"

"For the occasion? Of course! But it's just a number, dear. It's the hard work your father and I put in every single day that has made the milestone possible." She said. This made Cindra smile to herself.

She wondered if one day she would experience love like that. There was a part of her that hoped so.

Just then, the front door opened up. Cindra's brother, Ansel, came inside. "I'm home." He said as he shut the door behind him.

"Welcome home, honey." Their mother greeted him, giving him a quick, welcoming smile before returning to her task of cooking dinner.

"Cindra, may I speak with you for a moment?" Ansel requested, gesturing for her to follow him into another room. Cindra noticed this and nodded.

"Sure. You got it from here, mom?"

"Yeah. You go ahead." She answered with a nod.

Cindra quickly excused herself from the kitchen and followed Ansel. He led her into her own room so they could speak privately.

"I saw someone strange passing through the training grounds today. He was being escorted to the palace, I assume to see the chief." Ansel began.

"Really?" Cindra's eyebrows lowered curiously, "Strange how?" She asked as she crossed her arms in front of her.

"He was definitely foreign, from another nation." Ansel said.

"Someone from the outside? Here? Do you know why?"

"I'm afraid not. But I couldn't help but notice something...what was the name of that firebender that you were traveling with in the Earth Kingdom?" He asked.

"Elio?"

"Yes, Elio. The man I saw today bore a striking resemblance to how you described him." Ansel explained.

"Really?! No, that can't be right...describe him to me." She requested.

"Okay. He was...about my height, so a little taller than you." Ansel started.

"Didn't need to throw that in there but go on."

"He had lighter skin, brown eyes, and an Earth Kingdom parka." Ansel continued. As he was describing these features, Cindra was acknowledging that all these things could theoretically describe Elio...

Still, it wasn't enough.

"I don't know, Ansel. It sounds like it could just be any traveler from the Earth Kingdom." She shook her head.

"Okay...oh! He also had this strange haircut. It was like a warrior's wolf-tail; very short on the sides, but then a lot hair on top. And it was brushed backwards like this." Ansel described, brushing his hands backwards through his hair.

"No way..." Cindra's eyes widened. She immediately felt a stir in her chest, "Ansel...I gotta go!" She said, grabbing her parka in a rush and hurrying towards the door.

"What're you doing running in the house, young lady?" Her mother quickly called her out.

"I have to go, mom! I'll be back later!" She said before rushing out the front door, leaving it swinging open behind her.

"And where do you think you're going?! Hey!" She shouted to her daughter, but she was already gone. Ansel walked to the front door and closed it.

"I apologize, mother, that may have been my fault. I think that one of her friends may have just entered our city." He said...

"The chief is ready to see you now." The leader said to Elio as the sun was starting to come down. Elio nodded and stood up slowly, stretching his arms and legs.

"Well you weren't kidding about it taking a long time." He said with a small chuckle. The leader nodded wordlessly and led him into the palace finally.

As they walked inside the open entrance of the palace, Elio looked around curiously. The entire palace was not made out of ice inside. Now there was actual flooring and decorations mixed with all of the structures that were carved out of ice.

"It's beautiful here." Elio commented.

"Yes it is. You should feel honored. Not many outsiders get to see inside our walls."

"Really? Then why was I allowed in so easily?" Elio asked curiously.

"Because, after the Fire Nation's siege, we take all threats and reports of threats very seriously." The leader answered.

The conversation went silent as Elio was finally allowed to approach the counsel. Elio looked up and saw 6 men sitting on two elevated rows of seats, 3 men per row. One of them was supposed to be the chief, but Elio couldn't really tell which man was the leader.

"This is the young man who we found sailing in our waters. He claims to have information about another Fire Nation attack." The leader introduced Elio. Elio knelt down to the floor and sat on his knees to show respect.

"Thank you. You may leave us." One of the men spoke, giving the leader permission to leave. The leader nodded respectfully and glanced at Elio one more time before taking his leave.

"What is your name?" One of the older men on the counsel asked him.

"My name is Elio Chinen, sir." He answered.

"Where have you come from?" Another man asked. Elio swallowed nervously.

"I...I am from the Fire Nation." He stated carefully.

"What?!" There was collective shock from the counsel. Elio continued.

"I have it on good authority that the Fire Nation is planning a second invasion here on the day of the summer solstice, not long from now. I was sent here by Master Pakku to deliver this information and offer my assistance in making sure you're prepared." Elio explained, keeping his head down so he wouldn't pose any threat.

"When you say you are from the Fire Nation, are you...?" One of the men asked slowly, his voice indicating hesitation and anxiety. Elio lifted his eyes up and nodded.

"I am a firebender, yes." He revealed honestly.

"How dare you enter into our land after the gross atrocities you committed last time! Guards! Seize this boy now before he attacks!" The anxious man quickly stood up and started yelling.

"Wait! Wait! I'm only here to help! Don't be hasty!" Elio protested. As palace guards started to enter into the room, Elio got to his feet.

"Whatever game you are playing, we won't fall for it!" The counsel-man shouted at him.

"Let's consider this carefully, please," The older member of the counsel spoke up with more calmness. "Even if this boy means no harm, how can we trust his word?"

"He mentioned Master Pakku by name," One of the men sitting to the far right on the bottom row brought up. "We can't just overlook that fact."

"It's probably just information that the Fire Nation gathered during the first siege, or after Master Pakku left for the Earth Kingdom!" The counsel-man calling for Elio to be detained argued with the others.

"And how would they have gotten this information? Or known to use it?" The one sitting to the far right pointed out once again.

As things were starting to spiral out of control, suddenly another voice broke through the air, "Elio!" Cindra called out as she ran towards him. She must've sneaked nearby somehow. It was impossible to say how long she'd been there, but the shock of her sudden entrance was enough to halt everything.

"Huh? Cindra?! Cindra!" Elio exclaimed happily when he realized it was her. He extended his arms out to her as she ran to him, and the two shared a tight hug.

"It's you! I can't believe you're back! What are you doing here?!" Cindra asked, laughing in disbelief.

"I...what are you doing here?! How did you get here?! How'd you even know I was here?!" Elio had his own questions in return.

"Ahem!" The counsel got their attention again, interrupting the joyful reunion. Elio and Cindra let each other go and turned back towards the men. Elio felt like he had a better chance of being heard now that he had Cindra by his side.

"What is the meaning of this?" One of the counsel members questioned, "I thought you had learned not to behave this way, Cindra." He scolded her.

"Elio here is my best friend, sir. If he's here, he must have a good reason," Cindra stated before leaning towards him. "You do have a good reason for being here, right?" She asked him quietly.

"Yeah, a really important one too. There's an attack coming." That was all Elio had time to say before he was interrupted again.

"Cindra. You know him?" The man sitting to the far right on the bottom row asked Cindra, his demeanor still calm yet serious.

"Yes, I do. Very well." She answered with a nod.

"And you are aware that he is a firebender?" He asked next.

"I am," Cindra answered with a nod. "Elio is a good person, chief. He's saved my life more times than I can count. Whatever he has to say, you should listen to him." She advised.

"We've entertained this for far too long!" The counsel-man protested once more.

"That is enough!" The chief held up his hand, "I think that it is time for us to be silent and let him speak." He said, inviting Elio to state his case again. Elio swallowed and nodded, looking at Cindra thankfully before addressing the counsel again.

"The Fire Nation is going to try and take over your tribe again on the day of the summer solstice, so about 10 days from now. With the power of Sozin's Comet, every firebender will be ten times more powerful than normal.

"And it isn't just your tribe they're attacking. They're attacking the entire Earth Kingdom too. Fire Lord Ozai has made it clear that he intends to end the war on that day. That is why I came here. To make sure that all of your warriors are ready." Elio explained.

"The Fire Nation came very close to defeating us last time," The chief admitted. "With their strength increased and without the Avatar here to fight with us, we are at even more of a disadvantage than last time." He realized.

"I want to do all I can to help, if you'll let me," Elio offered. "I...want to fight alongside you."

"Elio." Cindra's eyes widened and she looked up at him. She couldn't believe what she was hearing.

"Tell me, Elio," The chief said his name slowly. "Why have you come here? What is it that inspired you to go against your own nation like this?" He asked curiously.

"Because...it's the right thing to do." Elio answered. The chief nodded and smiled a little, seemingly pleased with this answer. He let out a sigh before speaking again.

"Alright, Elio. Here is what I will do. I will have you placed in my guest lodge on the palace grounds where you will be monitored closely. I will make sure that all of our warriors know what is to come soon. Those who fought well in the first siege will take the lead in preparing for this second invasion.

"My main concern are the students in training. They will have to be brought up to speed too. We'll need all available hands if we are to stand the best chance." The chief said.

"What do you propose?" One of the other counsel members asked.

"I will direct the majority of Elio's attention to preparing Master Hazo's students. Other soldiers and warriors will rotate through the different classes, so everyone can hear firsthand from a firebender what to expect in the battle." The chief decided.

"I do not like this." The counsel-man who had been protesting the whole time shook his head.

"None of us do, but we must be prepared. This could be our best chance...maybe our only chance. Are we all in agreement?" The chief asked. The other members of the counsel nodded in agreement.

"Elio, thank you for coming to help," Cindra said, giving him another tight hug. "I'm glad you're here." She said. Elio smiled and returned the hug.

"Me too." He said softly in response.

"We'll have to have you over for a meal," She said with a smile, letting go of him and looking up at him. "You'll have to meet my family."

"That sounds nice. But for now, I have to go. See you soon." Elio said to her as he was led away by the palace guards.

"See you soon." Cindra waved to him before rushing back home...

Under the supervision of the guards, the chief of the Northern Water tribe, Chief Arnook, led Elio to the lodge where he would be staying. He walked inside with Elio and briefly showed him around the little home.

"I'm sure these living conditions are very different than what you are used to." Chief Arnook surmised.

"Yeah," Elio nodded in agreement, looking around at the ice walls. "But thank you for your hospitality. I greatly appreciate it." He expressed his gratitude with a Fire Nation bow. The chief eyed him strangely, not used to this, but he returned the gesture with his own customary bow.

"I hope that what you have to offer proves useful." The chief said.

"I won't let you down." Elio replied as the chief and his guards left Elio alone in the little lodge.

Elio sighed to himself and made his way to a little window by the wall. From there, he was able to look out over the Northern Water Tribe. It was just as pretty at night as it was during the day, and much colder too. Even inside, Elio still needed to wear his parka just for adequate warmth.

Elio sat down in a chair and closed his eyes, remembering the breathing exercises that Iroh had taught him in prison. He soon felt his body warming up, and he was able to relax. He stood up and began unpacking his things. Afterwards, he went right to bed so he could get as much rest as he could manage.

More trials were to come tomorrow...