Disclaimer: Avatar: The Last Airbender belongs to Viacom.

A/N: Takes place at the beginning of Book 2.

Edited from its original version

The Last Earthbender

09. Death

The boat was small and sleek, riding low on the slick surface of the water and painted with bright swirling patterns of white and blue. There were no oars, no engines, and no sails, but none were needed.

Princess Yue of the Northern Water Tribe was there on the docks to greet the passengers and crew, who bowed respectfully as they disembarked. But when the last of the passengers stepped out onto the hardpacked snow, Yue bowed back. Or rather, she bowed back as well as she could, considering her swollen belly.

"High Shaman Hama. Welcome to our city."

The old Southern woman smiled as she rose. "Princess Yue. It's such an honor to finally meet you."

Yue didn't ask how the High Shaman knew who she was. The princess' identity was as plain as snow. "Likewise. I've heard so much about you! I hope your journey wasn't too difficult?"

"Oh, you have no idea," said the southerner, and she laughed.

"Please," said Yue, "Come in. We have warm soup to share. My father will be along in a little while."

"Thank you, Princess," said Hama.

The two of them turned to the gondola that would take them back to the palace. "I had heard Shaman Katara was coming," said Yue, glancing at the others who had accompanied Hama. "Is she here?"

Hama shook her gray head. "No, she isn't. And speaking of which, I will need to speak with Sokka. Where is he?"

"I think he's in his workshop. But I'm sure he'd be happy to hear news from home." She paused. "Well, so long as it's good news."

The autumn days were steadily shrinking, and the sun had already set by the time Hama and Yue's gondola arrived at the palace. There, they sat for a while, and talked of family, of life in the South and the places Hama had been on the journey north.

"Is it true," said Yue after a while, emboldened by the southern shaman's friendly manner. "That women fight, in the South?"

"Of course," replied Hama, and took a sip of soup. "We have many of women warriors, and my own training includes combat."

"Amazing!" said Yue. "And… the men don't object?"

"Maybe only when their wives prove better waterbenders than them!" Both Water Tribe women shared a chuckle at that.

"I can't imagine…" Yue trailed off, and glanced briefly down at herself, placing a hand on her stomach. Hama followed her gaze.

"Kicking?" Hama asked, and Yue nodded, smiling thinly.

"She flips like a little fish."

There was a pause, and then; "I wanted to wait for Chief Arnook to arrive," said Hama. "To discuss our agreement."

"I understand," replied Yue, the moon reflecting big in her eyes and shining soft light on her white hair.

"But in our last letters, we were discussing perhaps the next winter solstice, when we are closest to the spirit world."

"Of course," said Yue, without meeting the old Shaman's eyes. "That sounds reasonable."

Hama looked at Yue a moment, then leaned forward. "Princess Yue, if I may…" Hama touched Yue's hand with long, callused, bony fingers.

"I can't even begin to imagine what you have been going through. It must be difficult. But I assure you, this is for the good of the Tribe. For the good of everyone. You are a heroine, Princess Yue. And in the coming weeks, I will be here for you. Please, feel free to confide in me as you would a dear friend."

Yue looked into the storm-grey eyes of the High Shaman, then glanced away. The old woman seemed sincere.

"Thank you, High Shaman Hama. I will keep that in mind."

Then, Chief Arnook walked in, and Hama bowed deeply before leaving to speak with him about the preparations that needed to be made. The princess was left with the remnants of the cooling soup.

Yue looked out the window, and brushed away a strand of hair that had fallen across her face. Outside, the moon shone down on the snow, a bright orb, pale and cold as bones.