Four years later.

A lot has changed in Lin's life.

What happens when she comes across familiar faces?

A/N: This chapter came to me shortly after posting last weeks. It was not in the lineup, but I couldn't get it out of my mind, and its a bit of a rollercoaster for emotions, so be ready. We at least start with some fluff.

And a reminder I have made an Instagram account and will be posting art there. There is a drawing for this chapter on there.

Autumn 140AG

Lin sighed in relief as she finally was able to sit down for the first time since breakfast that morning, and it was just past lunch now. She lifted her cup of tea to her lips and took a sip of the soothingly warm tea. This was usually the only time during the day that she had around an hour to herself to put her feet up and relax.

She felt a light kick in her belly, which caused her to smile. So she wasn't completely alone. She rubbed her belly soothingly, a soft smile staying on her face. After another sip of her tea, she pulled over her sewing box and pulled out her current project.

She grabbed her needle made of bone and began sewing the wolf pelt to the arctic sealskin kamiks she had made for her daughter. Thankfully they were almost finished as winter would be here soon and her 3-year-old had just about grown out of her current pair. She hummed a song she could remember her Aunt Katara humming when she sewed, and it was common if Lin was by herself or just with her children that she would do the same as she did her chores. Lin paused every once in a while to sip her tea, and massage a spot the baby kicked to soothe the ache.

She had just finished the last stitch on the second boot, when a rustling from the hallway had Lin looking up. She saw her daughter rubbing her eyes as she walked into the room, her doll dragging on the floor from her other hand.

"Did you have a good nap, pebble?" Lin asked with a smile to her first born, as she set aside the newly completed kamiks to the side.

Nuna instantly beelined it to her mother and Lin helped her climb up onto the couch. The toddler instantly curled up into her mothers side.

Lin ran her hand over the inky dark hair that was coming out of its braids. "Still sleepy?" Her toddler just nodded and cuddled up closer. Lin wrapped her arms around the small girl and moved them so that she was reclining against the arm of the couch, with Nuna cuddled up close to her chest. She let a small smile grace her face when she felt the girl's breath even out again.

It was well known that Nuna would wake from her nap and then come out to continue napping on her mother, even Tulok if he was home; but she was partial to her mama. Lin embraced these moments of just the two of them, as she knew it wouldn't last forever. Especially with the new baby that would be here in a few months.

Lin didn't realize when she had nodded off too, but she awoke sometime later by the sound of the front door closing. She panicked for a moment, thinking she had slept too long, and wasn't finished with dinner before Tulok arrived home, but upon looking at the clock she surmised it couldn't have been longer than 20 minutes. She didn't have time to wonder why he was home so early. She glanced down and Nuna was still fast asleep, essentially trapping her from getting up to greet him.

She bit her lip nervously and waited for him to enter the living room. Soon enough he appeared and looked at the two of them over the back of the couch.

"She woke up from her nap again?" He asked, quietly, as he rubbed a hand down the toddlers back.

"Yes. Though she should be up again soon." Lin replied softly, glancing at the clock again.

"Good. Istas and the boys will be over in a couple hours to watch the kids for us." He said standing fully again and that is when Lin noticed he had a clothing bag in his other hand. She frowned a little. Tulok noticed this and gave her a small smile. "We have to attend a dinner tonight. Chief Mikom has requested that all spouses attend as well." He held up the garment bag. "I picked you up a new dress."

Lin felt her anxiety spike. She hated attending dinners at the palace. Making small talk with people, while never being able to tell them the truth. She gave him a hesitant smile in return.

"When Istas gets here, I expect you to make yourself presentable. Remember that you are a reflection of me when you are in public, especially in front of the Chief." He said, lifting her chin with his finger. He didn't need to do anything further for Lin to get the underlying message that there would be consequences if she did not do as he asked.

"Yes, Tulok." Lin replied.

Nuna must have heard them talking as she yawned and rubbed her eyes. Lin's focus instantly went to her, and a true smile graced her face upon seeing her daughter eyeing her sleepily.

"Hello again." She said softly, and Nuna smiled back at her as she nuzzled her face further into her mama's chest.

"Hi sleepy girl." Tulok said, and Lin held back her grimace at him ruining the moment between mother and daughter.

Nuna instantly sat up at hearing the voice. "Daddy!" She exclaimed with a bright smile. She raised her hands up, wanting him to pick her up.

He set the garment bag over the back of the couch, and then quickly picked their daughter up.

Lin grunted slightly as she sat up, her belly in the way. She allowed a hidden smile at the sound of her daughters tinkling giggles from behind her as her father tickled her. She then managed to get herself off the couch and made her way to her son's room. Upon peering inside, she found him awake and sitting in the middle of his crib.

"Hi, my little wolf." She said softly as she made her way to him. He instantly smiled toothily at her and raised his hands just like his sister had. Lin picked him up and kissed his cheeks, still flushed from his nap. "Let's get you changed and have a snack, hm?"

She changed his diaper and redressed him for the afternoon, before carrying him into the living room. Tulok had sat in his armchair, with Nuna on his lap as she babbled about her morning to him, her doll clutched under her arm.

"Ah there's my boy. Here, Amaruq, come sit with us while your Mama gets your snacks."

Lin bit her tongue to stop herself from refusing what he said. She had wanted to keep him with her a little longer, enjoying his sleepy cuddle as he woke up. But, Lin instead listened to what her husband said and handed their son to him as well.

"I'll be right back, little wolf." She said softly when she noticed his little pout. He was a mama's boy through and through, despite Tulok's best efforts. Regardless of the control he exudes over herself, he was a committed and devoted father. This oftentimes left her conflicted in her feelings towards him.

"Would you like tea?" She asked him softly.

"Yes. Make sure to make yourself a fresh cup too, and a snack." He said.

She nodded and went to the kitchen. She set about getting an afternoon snack for the four of them and stirred the stew she had planned for dinner that had been simmering since that morning. She supposed Istas and the boys would be happy with it for dinner instead of her and Tulok.

A couple hours passed as Lin cared for their two children and Tulok went to their bedroom to do some work for what she assumed was the Red Lotus. Lin was thankful that Xai Bao had died the previous year; as anytime they hosted him, he always stared at her in a leering manner. Tulok was many things, and he was very possessive of her, which had worked in her favour when the leader would come for a visit. He would make sure Lin was never alone with the older man and was not seated beside him.

A knock sounded at the door, and Lin got up to answer it.

"Auntie!" Was the only warning she got, before being almost bowled over by an excitable Tarrlok.

"Hello, koalaotter. How are you today?" She patted his head, while ushering his mother and brother inside. She helped him with his coat and boots, while Istas did the same for Noatak despite him being 10 now and grumbling that he could do it by himself. Lin listened to Tarrlok's excited recount of his day, before sending him off to sit with his cousins in the living room. Noatak followed after his brother, giving her a soft kiss to the cheek in greeting as he passed.

"How are you feeling, Meriwa?" Istas asked as Lin received her coat she had shrugged off, a knowing smile on her lips.

"Not too bad. This one seems to know that I have two toddlers running around, and is not giving me too much of a hard time." Lin smiled genuinely at Istas. She had learned very quickly that Istas did not know who her husband truly was. Which was both a blessing and a curse. It meant that Lin didn't feel like she was being monitored while in her presence, but she couldn't talk to her about what was really going on. Istas truly believed the cover story that was given to Lin over four years ago now. "Thank you for coming to watch Nuna and Amaruq. I already have a seaweed stew with giant sea crab on the stove for dinner."

"Wonderful! Now, go and get cleaned up and ready for your fancy night out. Let me know if you want help with your hair." Istas said, as she nudged Lin towards her bedroom.

Lin squeezed the older woman's arm, before casting a quick glance to her children. Tarrlok and Nuna were doing a puzzle together, while Noatak had Amaruq on his lap and was reading him a story. The two mothers shared a fond look, before Lin disappeared down the hallway.

She showered and dressed in the new formal gown Tulok had brought. The fabric was a soft crushed velvet, deep violet in colour. Polar bear dog fur was trimmed along the collar, cuffs of the sleeve, and bottom hem of the dress. It hugged her bust, before draping nicely over her growing bump. She braided her hair loopies and pinned them at the back of her head, leaving the rest of her hair to flow down her back. She had adopted the loopies as a way to feel closer to her family, her auntie.

As she sat before the small vanity, putting on her minimal amount of makeup, Tulok approached behind her and placed his hands on her shoulders. He was already dressed in his formal tunic, with his long hair tied back into four blue leather bands, with smaller bands decorating the length of the braids.

She shivered as he leant down and placed a kiss just below her ear. "If you are a good girl tonight, you will be rewarded." She gulped and felt her pulse quicken. Unless she did something wrong or he was angry at something else, he had been a fair, if not kind lover. Especially after getting pregnant with Nuna.

It was also around that time when she had accepted that no one was coming to save her. Tulok was kind to her, if not almost loving even in his controlling ways. The hard lines of hatred she had for him in the beginning had begun to blur in the last few years.

Which brought her to her current state. A light flush bloomed over her chest and up to her face. She swallowed, but nodded to him. "Yes, Tulok. I promise to be good."

"Then you will enjoy my plans for later." He moved her hair and placed a kiss on the back of her neck, where her betrothal necklace sat against her skin. He pulled back and stood, meeting her eyes in the mirror. "Now that I have your promise, I was advised on certain guests attending tonight. Chief Mikom is hosting Chief Hakoda and his wife this evening. I know that you know them, but remember what will happen if you try anything."

Lin felt her anxiety peak within her, now that she knew what was really at stake tonight. What if they recognized her? She had only met Katara and Sokka's father and step-mother a couple handful of times, but she had stayed in his home a couple times when she had gone with them to the Glacier Spirits Festivals.

"I-I won't do anything." She promised. "But… But what if they recognize me anyway?" She asked, her body tensing.

"You just better hope they don't." Was all he said, as his hands tightened on her shoulders. "You will stay at my side all night like at any function we've been to. Just deny if they ask anything."

Lin nodded, and went to stand now that she had finished her makeup. As soon as she had stood, he turned her and grabbed her chin. He pulled her into a heated, possessive kiss. "You are mine. Don't forget that."

"Yes, Tulok."

The hall at the palace was filled with every important person in the Northern Water Tribe, all chatting away as they awaited the arrival of their Chief. Lin was seated at their table between Tulok and a wife of another one of Chief Mikom's advisors, for the life of her, she could not remember the woman's name. She was more concerned with trying to control her anxious feelings of being in a room full of people, by doing breathing exercises her Uncle Aang had once taught her.

The doors of the hall opened, and Chief Mikom and his wife Niimi were introduced. Everyone stood, the hall falling silent as everyone bowed their heads in respect. Afterwards, they were bid to sit back down.

"Welcome everyone. I thank you all for coming out tonight." Chief Mikom said. "Tonight, we welcome our brother, Chief Hakoda of the Southern Tribe, and his daughter, Master Katara." Chief Mikom said, as he motioned towards where Chief Hakoda and Katara entered the room. They both offered smiles, and Hakoda clasped forearms in greeting with Mikom.

Lin felt her body freeze, unable to focus on the rest of the speeches. There, right there, was her Aunt Katara. A face she thought she would never see again. Tulok immediately placed a hand on her thigh, squeezing tightly. It was obvious he did not know about Katara being here until now. His face was relaxed, but Lin could feel in the way his fingers dug into her leg that he was anything but.

Lin was tense through dinner, she politely spoke with the woman beside her, but it took a lot to focus on the conversation and not direct her gaze to the head table.

Once dinner was finished, the music picked up and Chief Mikom guided his wife onto the dance floor. Usually this was one of Lin's favourite parts of these dinners. Firstly, because everyone was expected to pay attention to their opening dance, so she didn't have to speak with anyone. Secondly, Chieftess Niimi was a beautiful dancer, and seemed to move like the water she bent - graceful and flowing. But tonight, Lin was lost in her thoughts.

Her heart wanted to go up to Katara, and beg her to take her and her babies away. To show that she was still alive, and that she had been held captive for four years…

But her brain was more realistic. Tulok was a bloodbender; and while Katara was one too, she could only do it under a full moon. Then there were her children and Suyin; she had to protect them first and foremost. If she said anything, she knew that they would make good on their promise of taking Su. And Lin didn't know how far the Red Lotus' reach went. Obviously it was enough to get her abducted in the first place.

Lin was brought from her thoughts as applause rang through the air. She joined in quickly so as not to bring attention to her lack of attentiveness. The floor was then opened up for the rest of the attendants. Lin was guided onto the dance floor by Tulok, who waltzed her around the room. They wouldn't be able to do this much longer, as they already had to adjust to accommodate her growing bump. He had insisted four years back that Istas give her dancing lessons, and when he realized she already knew how to dance, it was the first time near the beginning that he was pleased with her. Not that it had changed much then.

"I don't think I need to reiterate what we discussed earlier." He whispered threateningly in her ear. Lin swallowed down the shiver of fear that crept down her spine as he once again spun them elegantly across the dance floor.

"No, Tulok." She responded, quietly.

Once the current set was finished Tulok guided her off the dance floor.

"We need to go greet the Chief." He told her as he guided her along, a possessive hand on her back. Lin just nodded and let him lead her away. They only had to wait a few minutes before they were bowing to the Chief and Chieftess. "Chief Mikom, Chieftess Niimi, thank you for having us for such a lovely evening." Tulok said, a charming smile on his face.

Lin nodded and smiled lightly at them both. "Thank you for having us." She said softly.

"We are glad you were able to come, Tulok." Mikom said. He then turned and nodded to Lin. "And Meriwa, you are looking beautiful this evening."

"Thank you, Sir." Lin replied softly, a small blush blooming on her cheeks at the attention she wasn't used to.

"You are simply glowing, my dear." Niimi said. Lin blushed further, thanking the Chieftess for her kind words.

The four spoke for a little while longer, before they were interrupted.

"Ah Hakoda, I want you to meet one of my most trusted advisors. This is Tulok and his lovely wife Meriwa." Chief Mikom said, beckoning the Southern Chief to join them.

"It is an honour to meet you both. My wife sends her apologies that she was unable to accompany me on this trip. May I introduce my daughter, Master Katara, who was kind enough to join this old man here." The older Chief said.

"Please, call me Katara." Lin purposefully kept her eyes averted from the older woman.

Lin listened to the conversation around her, but zoned out slightly in trying not to bring a lot of attention to herself. She was pulled from her thoughts though, when she noticed Katara lean in towards her.

"Your betrothal necklace is quite unique. I don't think I have ever seen one that wasn't made from a blue stone." Katara said.

Lin's hand instantly went to her ivory pendant, and she glanced subtly up at Tulok beside her. He gave a sharp little nod that she could respond. But she could feel his fingers digging into her hip.

"It is made of ivory. It's a family tradition of mine that Tulok honoured." Lin responded softly, her eyes flicked up to meet the waterbender's. Lin bit her tongue to stop herself from reacting to the lack of recognition in those blue eyes she had known just as well as her mother's clouded green eyes. It was devastating, and it was all Lin could do not to cry or speak up.

"Well it is beautiful, you are very lucky to have a caring husband." Katara patted her arm, before turning to speak further with Niimi.

Tulok excused them not long after. "Thank you for having us this evening, but I should get Meriwa home." They bid goodnight, bowed to the four, and made their way out of the hall.

Lin couldn't recall how they made it home. She put on a happy mask as they thanked Istas, and said goodnight as she left with the boys.

"You did good tonight." Tulok whispered into her ear, as he hugged her from behind when she came to their bedroom after checking on the children. "Neither Chief Hakoda or Master Katara recognised you." He spat out Katara's title like it was dirty.

Lin swallowed, just wanting to be alone and lick her wounded soul, but she knew she couldn't do that. Tulok was expecting more from her tonight, and she would have to deliver, or she would be taken anyways - and not kindly. So she nodded to him and allowed him to kiss her, guiding her to their bed.

It was after he fell asleep that she allowed tears to fall. Her hand brushed the spot where Katara had patted her arm, and squeezed, trying to feel her touch still. She felt her heart fracture a little more as she fell into a fitful sleep; the only thing she could see were her Aunt Katara's eyes meeting hers with no recognition in them.

A/N: So we already have two sweet babies, and a third on the way. Next chapter will jump again to around the same time frame of the 2nd Chapter - so we will be caught up in the timeline then.

And we got a look into Lin's complicated feelings towards Tulok. Being sheltered with just him and the children most days has blurred the lines on her thoughts towards him. I can say she will never fully have Stockholm Syndrome, but borderline.

kamik - handcrafted boots worn by the Inuit people

Names in order of appearance (Let me know if the origins are wrong, this is just what I found while researching):

Nuna - land, earth (alaskan inuit) Lin calls her pebble

Amaruq - grey wolf (Inuit)

Mikom - ice (Ojibwe)

Niimi - she is dancing (Ojibwe)

(Mikom and Niimi are Tonraq and Unalaq's parents.)