"Tomorrow we will leave for the Earth Kingdom, buddy!" Aang said as he patted Appa on his head, "You can finally stretch your legs again!"

The skybison growled and revealed his enormous teeth, which were the size of small iceblocks. Elyrie chuckled when the gigantic animal laid back down with a loud thump. For such a ferocious looking animal, he was so gentle. She caressed his furry head and he growled softly at her.

"Where is the base?" Elyrie asked as she fed Appa a new cabbage, "Near Omashu?" Appa crushed the cabbage with ease between his massive teeth, the sound of the crackling vegetables echoing off the icy walls of his temporary stable.

"Yeah!" Aang nodded while playing with his wooden staff, "It is just on the west coast of the Earth Kingdom." The swift motions of his staff ignited a small wind, which blew some of Elyrie's curls out of the long braid that hung over her back. She looked up and saw Aang twirling small whiffs of air around him. His fidgeting - almost nervously - made her realise that he was eager to leave the North Pole.

"Can I brush him?" Elyrie asked as she pointed to the brush in bag Aang brought with him. She was not a natural when it came to handling animals, but for some reason she had a soft spot for the giant mountain of fur that yawned contently.

"But isn't that base halfway around the world?" Elyrie asked when she carefully brushed the fur on Appa's back, "How will you get there?"

"Appa!" Aang said while patting his furry friend, "He can fly us there in less than four days if everything goes according to plan."

"That is amazing!" Elyrie exclaimed. She had never realised how fast a flying bison could to travel. How wonderful it must be to travel like that, not hindered by the tides or rocky roads, she mused as she continued to brush Appa. If he had to make such a long journey, he deserved some pampering.

"Of course we have to stop a few times to rest," Aang said while he fed Appa large cabbages, "Appa is not made of stone, are you, boy?" He grinned when Appa licked his friend with his enormous tongue. Aang was lifted off his feet by the force, but landed just as gently.

Elyrie giggled at the sight and patted Appa herself. His fur felt like soft grass and she furred through his manes. Appa seemed to like it and gave her a nudge. She braced herself for the impact, like on the Fire Nation ship, but it was much softer this time.

"He likes you." Aang said as he bended the liquid traces of Appa's affections off his clothing.

"I am glad, because I like him too!" Elyrie confessed with a smile as she handed the brush back to Aang, "You know, I am not very good with animals."

"Really?" Aang asked as he took the brush from her, "How come?"

"No idea," she answered while playing with the end of her braid, "Some people have that special connection with animals, but I seem to lack that gift. I can never quite understand what they are thinking and I think that scares me a little bit."

"You know," Aang said as he used his bending to lift the fresh water into Appa's open mouth, "Animals can tell you a lot about the character of a person. If Appa likes someone, I know I can trust that person."

"I have heard something like that before," Elyrie answered while twirling the end of her braid around her finger, "Their instinct is very strong, right?"

"Exactly," Aang nodded, "So just remember this: look at how an animal approaches you. You can tell a lot from that, which makes it easier to judge their intentions."

Elyrie looked into the big brown eyes of the skybison, who looked back with affection at her. His eyes were gently, she could see it. Aang is right, she mused, Animals could never feign love or trust like people could. Quite ironic, that she was more comfortable confronting and defying Zhao than she was patting a regular polarbear-dog. Even the more dangerous animals, like the poisonous spider-serpent that lived in the Fire Nation, would only attack when they would feel threatened. Involuntarily, her mind wandered off to Azula, who was just as deadly as a spider-serpent. But her poison was far more dangerous. She could lie and manipulate like no one could. Elyrie quickly shook her head and repressed a shudder. Instead, she turned to the young Avatar.

"Thank you," she said to Aang with a smile, "I'll remember that."

She looked over her shoulder and saw that the sun was setting over the ocean. "We need to head back," she said as she picked up her robe and swung it over her shoulder, "You can't miss your own goodbye party!"

Back in the palace, Elyrie walked cheerfully to her room. She pushed aside the woollen fabric which shielded her room from the icy corridor. Her room was large but surprisingly comfy. The icy floor was covered in white furs, which made it a delight to walk barefoot. It was like the softest grass, especially in this place where grass was extremely rare. On the left wall, a large bed with fluffy pillows and large blankets took up almost one side of the room. It was the most comfortable bed she had ever slept in.

A closet for her new clothes was placed on the other end of the room, next to a wooden dresser with a mirror and a chair in front of it. A bookcase, stuffed with volumes about traditions and the history of the Northern Water Tribe, took up the last wall.

But the most comfortable spot was the soft rug before the build-in fireplace, placed next to her bed. The heater, made from left over steel, was her personal heater in this cold place and she lit it herself every time she entered. The freezing temperatures were so extreme that the heating did not even melt the icy walls, but was just enough to keep her warm. Her Nana had told her that her blood ran warm, so she would adjust to the colder climate soon enough. Elyrie chuckled, since she doubted it very much. She was the only firebender with permanent cold hands, so it seemed like her blood was not as hot as was expected.

She knew she had some time before her grandmother would come and help her get ready for the feast that evening. In honour of Aang, Katara, Kun and Sokka, as well as the departing waterbenders who went to the Southern Tribe to help rebuild their sister tribe. With food, music and songs, it was a celebration everybody needed after such a troubled time.

Loosening her braid, she combed her fingers through her auburn curls and shook out her hair. After a warm bath, provided by herself, she took place behind her dresser. No doubt today her hair needed to be pinned up, like Jin used to do.

She felt a sting go through her heart when she taught of her friend. She had sent the jewels and the apology to the address of Jin's family, but there was no way to know for certain that it had arrived. She only hoped it did. Maybe some day I know for certain, she thought as she reached for her comb.

Then, she saw a small scroll lying in front of her mirror. That had not been there before, she was certain of it. Her name was written on it in a beautiful handwriting. She broke the red wax and rolled out the parchment.

Dearest Elyrie,

I hope you are enjoying your time with your family at the Northern Water Tribe. Zuko and I are currently residing at a wonderful village resort on the Su Oku River. Don't you worry, we are doing well. This resort has offered us a comfortable room with all the luxury we can dream of!

Zuko seemed down since our return from the North Pole. You know it has been almost five years in a few days. If you can (and want, of course) would you like to visit us? I know it would cheer him up immensely to see you again.

Now, I have another tea brewing session planned so I will end the letter. I hope to hear from you soon!

Love,

Uncle Iroh

Elyrie let out a sigh of relief as she reread the letter again. Uncle and Zuko were safe! She pressed the parchment against her chest, as if to feel their presence though the piece of paper.

She did not just miss the Fire Nation. She missed two friends in particular. She stood up and picked an atlas from her bookcase. Placing the atlas on her dresser, she scanned the map for the resort Uncle had described in his letter.

She leaned back and let out a defeated sigh when she saw where it was located. It would take weeks to get there, especially on a boat through hostile territory. There was no way she could get there in time.

Unless…

She sat back up. She could accompany Aang and the rest to their first stop, which was undoubtedly near the colonies. It would take less than two days to get there. She could make it.

"Calm down, Lily." she reprimanded herself while massaging her temples with her two fingers. What had happened in less than a month was more than she had bargained for, but she had to accept the situation and live on as best as she could. Sitting in front of the mirror, she thought about what Sokka had said. She had to honour Yue's memory and her request to help the Water Tribe as best she could. And she would do that. There was no time for a small vacation now.

But she missed the Fire Nation. She missed her home country. She chuckled humourlessly. The country everyone here despises, yet I yearn for it.

She let her chin rest on her palm when she looked in the mirror. That is because they never went there, she mused while playing with a loose curl. Without realizing it, she began to sing to relieve her homesickness.

How can I desert you?
How to tell you why
Stay, I pray you

Let me have a moment
Let me say goodbye
To bridge and river, forest and waterfall
Orchard, sea and sky

She smiled at the old song, written in honour of the Fire Nation country. It was an old folksong about a traveller who was eager to see the world, only to yearn for his own country. She did not miss the irony at the moment.

Harsh, and sweet, and bitter to leave it all
I'll bless my homeland till I die

Her high voice echoed off the icy walls, creating a wonderful acoustic effect.

How to break the tie?
We have shared our tears
And shared our sorrows
Though the scars remain
Tears will never dry
I'll bless my homeland till I die

The second verse hit her hard when she continued the song. She felt the longing the traveller must have felt when he had abandoned his home.

Never to return
Now I'm breaking free
But you are all I know
You have raised me
How to turn away?
How to close the door?
How to go where I've never been before

Let me have a moment
Let me say goodbye
Harsh, and sweet, and bitter to leave it all
I'll bless my homeland till I die

Tears pricked behind her eyes but she refused to allow them to spoil the last evening with Aang, Katara, Sokka and Kun. She smiled as she shook out her damp curls.

"Elyrie?" she heard the voice of her grandmother outside the room call her. Elyrie put on a brave smile, "Please, enter!" she said in a cheerful voice.

The woollen fabric was pushed aside and the smiling face of her grandmother appeared. Despite her advantaged age, she seemed years younger than she was. In her youth she must have been a rare beauty, Elyrie thought as she respectfully bowed her head to the older woman. Her olive skin had very few wrinkles and even though her once dark-brown hair had gotten grey, it suited her very well. It gave her an elegant appearance. Her figure was still slender and she was unusually tall for a woman, taller than Elyrie was. Elyrie chuckled, because now she knew where her genes came from. She was by no means extraordinary tall, but with her 5"7, she was above average in the Fire Nation.

"So dear," her Nana began as she looked at the damp hair of her granddaughter, "Are you excited about tonight?" She motioned for Elyrie to sit down and picked up the comb to brush the auburn-coloured curls.

"I saw the great hall on my way here," Elyrie said as she watched her grandmother in the mirror, "It looked beautiful with all the lights and decorations!"

"Yes, it does," her Nana chuckled as she pulled up the curls into a fashionable braided updo, "I am glad we have a celebration after the hardships of the past weeks."

"As do I," Elyrie nodded as she watched her own reflection. Her eye fell on the letter and felt a small sting again. Uncle would have loved this, she mused before she shook her head and turned around. Her Nana hold up a beautiful sapphire-coloured dress with white fur-trimmings on the edges of the skirt and sleeves. "Would you try it on?" she asked with a motherly smile as she handed it to the girl.

"You look absolutely beautiful" she exclaimed when Elyrie turned around in the dress. "Thanks to you" Elyrie answered as her grandmother took her small hands into hers, "Thank you for everything you have done for me."

Her grandmother pushed a strand of hair out of the pale face of her granddaughter as he gave her a small nudge on her chin. "Come, it is time for a party!" she said as she took the arm of the girl.

The wall of flames revealed nothing about the dark silhouette sitting behind them. A young girl with raven-black hair knelt before the flames, feeling the heat on her face as she bowed her head. Her yellow eyes glittered with enjoyment as she waited for the orders she was about to receive.

"Iroh is a traitor and your brother Zuko is a failure", the deep voice of the silhouette said. The girl looked up, her yellow eyes gleaming as her lips formed into a small smirk. This is what she had been waiting for.

"I have a task for you."

Across the sea, a young woman sat at the large table for a banket. Unlike the spicy dishes served in the Fire Nation, the Water Tribe used more sea fruits and fishes. She loved most of it, but the sea prunes were not exactly her favourite. Pushing the prunes around on her plate, she saw that Aang was feeding pieces to Momo when he thought no one was looking. She grinned when his guilty grey eyes met hers. She winked at him and tossed Momo a piece from her plate under the table. The lemur flew on it as if it had not have been fed for days.

She chuckled before the man next to her cleared his throat to get her attention. Elyrie repressed a sigh of annoyance. Next to her sat Hahn, the former fiancé of Princess Yue. What she had heard from Yue, she did not particularly care for him. She did not say this out loud though. The last thing she wanted to be was impolite in front of her newfound family, who had given her so much.

But the young man had appeared almost everywhere she was. When she was taking a stroll, there he was. When there was an official dinner, he sat in the seat next to hers. When she was watching the waterbending training, there he was 'working out'.

She came to a very quick conclusion: she found him handsome, rude and conceited. Everything about him made her skin crawl. His arrogant manner, his pompous use of words and his obvious vanity and obsession with his looks. Just now, he had told her about his heroic actions during the Siege of the North. For the tenth time. She had trailed off, because one can only feign so much interest.

"And there I was," Hahn said with his chest puffed out, "Facing at least thirty soldiers alone when I climbed aboard of the main ship."

Elyrie took a sip of her mulled wine to hide her smile. Every time he told that story, the number of soldiers seemed to increase. How convenient, she chuckled to herself, an infinite growing number of soldiers. He better not tell anyone his secret otherwise that army would have been unstoppable.

"You must be proud to sit next to one of the heroes of the Siege." He said as continued to flick his hair around.

"Delighted." Elyrie pressed her lips together but the sarcastic tone was unable to hide. Her eyes met Sokka's, who was sitting on the other side of the table. His mouth stuffed, he tried to prevent himself from laughing out loud. Elyrie shook her head with an amused smile.

"Admiral Chow was surprised by my attack." Hahn continued, "After I had defeated the fifty soldiers on the ship."

"Zhao." Elyrie mumbled behind her cup. She felt her grip tighten until she was sure she could break the cup with just her hand. "Didn't he throw you in the ocean?" she asked innocently to lift up her spirits. Hahn was getting on her nerves and she enjoyed the look of shame that crossed his face.

He was silent for a few minutes, which she used to talk with Kun who was sitting on her other side. He was excited to go back to his home, but Elyrie saw him more than once exchange glances with the pretty Water Tribe girl on the other side of the table. She knew her name was Lyana and she saw a faint blush on her olive skin whenever Kun looked in her direction. Elyrie took a sip of her wine to hide her smile when she saw the blush that stained Kun's pale cheeks.

"You must be hearing rumours about us." Hahn suddenly said while flicking his hair away from his face, undoubtedly an attempt to woo her. She almost spit out the mulled wine.

"Beg pardon?" she coughed in an attempt to win some time to make sure she had heard him correctly. Us? she thought as she tried to wipe the stains from the table with her napkin, when was there an 'us'?.

"I was promised Yue's hand in marriage." Hahn answered with his eyes on her profile, "But that didn't work out." He watched the newest member of the Royal Family clean the table with her napkin. She had a pretty profile and the classic blue eyes of the Water Tribe. Like Yue, her appearance was not like any other in the Northern Water Tribe. He liked that, especially because she came with the most benefits now that Yue was gone.

"And what has this exactly to do with me?" Elyrie asked in a calm voice and looked him into his eyes, crumpling up the napkin.

"Since her departure," the young man said while flipping his hair out of his face again, "I have no longer a betrothal."

"Neither have I," Elyrie replied, her sapphire eyes gleaming with irritation because she knew which way this conversation was heading, "And I am quite content that way."

"You must know that the people are expecting us to marry." Hahn countered as he started tapping impatiently on the table.

"I am done with complying to other people's wishes." Elyrie replied as she picked up her cup of wine. She did not drink from it, however. She felt her fingers tighten around the cup, ready to throw it if he dared to insult her again.

"That is not how a proper woman behaves," Hahn said in a condescending tone, "A true woman is obedient and dutiful. She must support her husband and is to be seen and –"

"Better seen and not heard?" she interrupted with a sneer, the wine in her cup now boiling from the heat she was igniting, "I have heard that before."

"But-," he began before she cut him off by raising her other hand. "No." she said decisively.

"You might not get another proposal" he said in a tone which implied that it was all she could hope for.

"I'll take that chance." she answered while uncrossing her legs to stand up. When he grabbed her wrist, her body reacted before she did. She didn't hesitate and poured all the hot wine she had over his head. It was not hot enough to burn him, but just enough to thicken and make a sticky mess of his proud hair.

A wave of shocked murmurs went through the hall. Everyone stared at her when she placed the empty cup over Hahn's ponytail, so it could stand upside down. She knew it was petty, but she didn't care.

"Please, excuse me." She said in a polite tone before making a curtsy and walked out of the great hall without looking at anyone.

As soon as she was out of sight, she began to run. She ran all the way back to her room. She felt herself slightly shaking. She was not used to acting out like that. She ever did something before thinking, but even the mention of another betrothal made her blood boil and her skin crawl. Especially to such a figure as Hahn.

She sighed as she pushed aside the woollen fabric, wondering if she would be reprimanded for speaking out against such an important family of the Northern Water Tribe. Or humiliating such an important family, she thought as she picked up a pillow and gave it a few punches. She wanted to scream into the pillow, just scream to let out the frustrations.

But she didn't. She threw her pillow on her bed and began to pace back and forth.

"I've been here for barely a month!" she yelled to no one in particular. She knew about the customs. The patriarchy. If I thought the Fire Nation nobility had few opportunities for women, I was sorely mistaken. Marriages for convenience were common, but the woman always had a say in the matter. Women were free to educate themselves and serve in the army. Here even the female benders were excluded from battle and forced to stick to healing. Katara might study waterbending here, but she was an exception.

Elyrie let herself fall down on her bed. She felt everything inside her turn when she though of another engagement. She inhaled a shaky breath, feeling her skin heat up as if her body physically rejected the idea. "Not again, never again" she mumbled as she wringed her hands together, "Not another prison."

In her anger and frustration, she pulled the pins from her hair until her curls were all down her back. Igniting her fists, she wanted to burn something to the ground. This was unlike her, she never lost her temper. So this is what Zuko feels like every day, she mused as she extinguished the flames from her hands. She chuckled as she felt her anger and frustration cool down. There had to be a first for everything, she mused as he lit up her fingers and watched as the flames danced over her fingertips. It was a soothing sight and she felt the calmness come over her again.

After what felt like hours, she heard Kun call her name. "Elyrie?" the familiar voice said from the other side of the fabric. Elyrie sighed and sat back up. There was no need to postpone the inevitable any longer.

"Come in." she said as she straightened her dress and tucked her loose strands of hair behind her ears.

Kun entered with a serious look on his face. "Chief Arnook requests your presence in the sitting room." he said as he extended his arm to the young woman. Elyrie took it without protesting.

"I'm sorry I created such a scene during your party." Elyrie said as they walked through the icy corridors of the Royal Palace. To her surprise, Kun chuckled. "No problem at all," he grinned, "you created quite a stir. Especially Sokka seemed to enjoy your little stunt."

Elyrie pressed her lips together to prevent herself from giggling. Then a shadow crossed her face when she thought of the reprimanding that was about to come. About the arranged marriage that was planned for her. Her nostrils flared and her skin heated up again, as if her body prepared itself for an Agni Kai.

Kun noticed it and placed his large hand over her small hand, which rested on his arm. "Maybe it will turn out all right." he said in a comforting tone just as they reached the wooden door which let to the private quarters of the Chief. The room where she had first spoken to her family, to warn them about Zhao's plans.

"I hope so," she sighed as she let go of his arm, "Thank you for accompanying me." Kun smiled and bowed before he walked away.

Elyrie took a deep breath and knocked on the door. The sound echoed throughout the corridors. "Come in." the deep voice of the Chief said. Inhaling sharply, Elyrie pushed open the door.

Chief Arnook, Panuk and her grandmother were all sitting down and looked at her when she entered the room. Even Aang was present, sitting in the corner of the room. I need to beg forgiveness from a lot of people so it seems, Elyrie thought as she clenched her fists, at least Hahn is not here.

"Elyrie," the older woman began as she looked at her granddaughter, "You know what we want to talk about."

It did not sound like a question, so Elyrie didn't answer. Neither did she sit down. She started to turn her mother's ring around her finger and avoided the blue eyes of her grandmother.

"Hahn's family is very important here," her Chief Arnook continued, "We don't want to create tension without our borders. We need to keep the Tribe together, especially now."

"When was this discussed?" Elyrie asked as dug her nails into her palms, "I have never heard of an engagement until this evening."

"Hahn's betrothal was ended after the Siege," Chief Arnook said stiffly, "So he and his father have been demanding a new bride."

"But I am very happy to never marry. You don't need me to carry on the Royal bloodline." Elyrie said quickly as she lifted her head. She knew she was not to be the next in line. The lineage was male, so Panuk would be the next Chief. And after that, his son when he came of age.

"You have to understand, dear," the older woman said in a soft voice, "That there are rules in place which dictate how we live."

"You break every rule when it matters enough, Nana," Elyrie answered with a calm voice, "I am the evidence. My mother did not agree with the rules, that is why she left."

That hits the target, because she saw the eyes of the old woman soften.

"Nana, I want to belong here," Elyrie continued as she lifted her chin and straightened her back, "You have no idea how much, but I won't be forced into this. I was someone's fiancée once against my better judgement and I will never make that mistake again." She felt her heartbeat increase. "I will not be forced into marriage, not now, not ever. I have been engaged to a man whom I did not love and I still carry the consequences of that decision."

"I don't want to create a rift," she continued as she looked from person to person, "But you have to understand how troubling this is for me. I was not raised with your customs, nor is arranged marriage something that is very common in the Fire Nation. You can't expect me to completely adjust to a new culture in less than a month?"

Three pair of blue eyes looked at her, unreadable. Chief Arnook looked at the girl in front of him. She had stood there when he first saw her. On her own, to warn the Water Tribe for the upcoming danger. All on her own, with no idea how the warning was to be received. He could have thrown her in the dungeon just as easily, but that hadn't stopped her from taking the risk of coming to the Water Tribe as a Fire Nation citizen.

She had been so polite, so patient. But he immediately saw that her gentleness and polite manners were not to be mistaken for weakness. He saw it again as she stood in front of him now: with her chin lifted and her back straight, she looked as if she was ready to fight until the end.

He remained silent as his thoughts wandered off to his own daughter. She had accepted the arranged marriage without question and obliged to the expectations of her people. Had she been hesitant as well? He would never know now. She seemed content with the arrangements, as was customary in their Tribe. He himself was married out of duty. He came to love his Kiana with all his heart, but that was not the way it always happened. Thyra had proven it.

"You truly are your mother's daughter." Chief Arnook finally said while stroking his chin, "Thyra had the same opinion about arranged marriages. And if it is any consolation: we never agreed on a match between you and Hahn. It was something he tried to arrange himself, but we all saw how it was received."

Panuk chuckled and Elyrie looked down, slightly embarrassed. "I do apologize for creating such a scene during the banket." she said as she twisted her little finger.

"Don't be sorry," Panuk said with a smile, "It was about time someone put him in his place."

Elyrie exchanged looks with her younger uncle, who gave her a wink. Her Nana, however, remained serious and looked at her granddaughter. "And we know you are homesick." she said with a motherly look, "That is what we wanted to discuss with you. But it is very much to your credit that you apoligised to us for your behaviour."

"You knew I was homesick?" Elyrie asked as she looked up in alarm.

"Yes, dear" her Nana answered with a gentle smile, "Words travel fast over an icy surface. Especially if they are sung in such a sad song by such a talented singer."

"Elyrie, we apologize if you feel forced or restrained by us and our customs," Panuk said with a kind smile to his niece. He had grown very fond of the spirited young girl. "If your mother taught us anything, it was that rules were meant to be broken once in a while."

"We want so much for you to feel at home here, but we understand that it cannot happen overnight," her grandmother continued as she stood up and took the hands of her granddaughter, "We know you received an invitation from old friends, so you are welcome to accompany the Avatar and his friends on the way there."

Elyrie was so surprised that she did not even ask how they knew about the invitation. She looked at Aang, who nodded at her enthusiastically. "We'll travel together until we reach the colonies, and from there you and Kun could take a boat to your desired destination. Do you want to come?"

"Can I?" she asked as her voice started to tremble with excitement, "Oh, can I really?"

"Of course!" Aang smiled at her, "We would love to have you come with us!"

Touched by so much kindness and understanding, Elyrie embraced her grandmother warmly. "Thank you, Nana." she whispered.

Her grandmother patted her on the back. "You are a good girl and you deserve to be happy. I owe it to my darling Thyra to help her daughter in any way I can."

"Know that you always have a home to return to," The Chief said as he placed his hand on her small shoulders in a fatherly manner, "Because you are our family and that will never change."

"I am in no mood for surprises, Uncle." Zuko groaned with his back turned to the door. He laid on his bed in the small cabin he and his Uncle occupied during their stay in the resort. The sun was going down, but it was almost completely dark in the small room. He had closed the shutters and did not bother to light a candle.

Tomorrow would be the anniversary of his banishment. Five long years of yearning and dreaming of redemption, but he was still not a step closer to restoring his honour. No surprise could make him feel better.

"Not even for an old friend?" A soft laugh like a clattering waterfall followed.

Zuko immediately sat up straight and looked at the smaller silhouette which stepped from behind his Uncle's.

A few golden rays of sunshine had slipped through the shutters, just enough to illuminate the face which belonged to the small silhouette. His golden eyes met the glittering blue eyes and he saw a smile that he would recognize anywhere.

"Hi Zuko."