The dinner lasted for awhile. Zhao was gone by the time Zuko made it back to his seat, but no one else seemed inclined to leave. Katara was talking animatedly with the other women around her, while Zuri looked frustrated. Whatever they had hoped to accomplish by sitting with Katara, it hadn't worked.
Sokka was more reserved,looking uncomfortable around all the other men. A few tried to engage them both in conversation that was relevant to their age; mostly it involved asking if they were betrothed.
That did give Zuko momentary pause, as he really didn't know. No one had spoken of it, and apparently his romance with Mai here had been ended, so he assumed not.
Ursa was the next to leave, and Zuko watched her walk by the head table. She bowed to Arnook and then to Iroh, moving her hand to her mouth as Iroh said something to make her laugh. Then she continued on, not bothering to look back at Zuko at all.
Only a few hours later did Arnook and Iroh get up, retiring to speak privately. Lu Ten toasted his father before falling back into some sort of drinking game with the other young, unmarried men of the tribe. He seemed to be doing fairly well and it brightened Zuko's spirits a bit.
Zuri, looking incredibly uncomfortable, still didn't make a move. Finally, Sokka put his hand on Zuko's shoulder.
"I'm beat. Ready to head to the room?" He asked.
"Together?" Zuko questioned.
"Well it's not like someone's told us otherwise. Besides, it's kind of how things are done here. It gets a bit cold if you hadn't noticed." Sokka paused and leaned back, looking Zuko up and down. "Actually, can you even keep your bending on while you're asleep?"
Feeling sheepish, Zuko looked down at his plate. "No."
Sokka laughed and shoved his shoulder, making Zuko smile.
"We all bunk together to stay warm. Families stick with families of course, but this time I'll probably be going with the other men since it'd just be Katara and me." He said.
"Are you talking about our sleeping arrangements?"
Both Sokka and Zuko jumped at the sudden voice next to them. Zuko turned, bracing himself against the table to look at his cousin.
"Yes. I was thinking it's time to rest." Zuko stopped and glanced upward. "Not that you can tell."
"The Northern King has set up rooms for us that are heated. But if you'd like, you are welcome to stay with your friend." Lu Ten paused before the last word, giving Sokka a bemused smile.
"Okay." Zuko said, sharing a look with Sokka.
"But," Lu Ten leaned in closer, putting his elbow on Zuko's shoulder. "Do you think you'd be welcome?"
Zuko lowered his face.
"He's with me. He'll be fine." Sokka stated. Zuko felt the weight lift from his shoulder but kept his face down.
"Ah of course. But make sure you take very good care of our prince." Lu Ten said. He then ruffled Zuko's hair, making him toss up his hands.
"Good night then!" Lu Ten added before walking toward the center of the hall.
"What is his deal?" Sokka murmured.
Smoothing down his hair, and grumbling over his topknot, Zuko watched as Zuri met Lu Ten and started talking. Zuko didn't answer, but just watched the two. When he did look around, he saw that Katara was gone.
"Let's just go." He said and stood from the table.
With the feast winding down, the halls were more active than when Zuko had met Yue. It made them different, with voices echoing off the smooth ice walls. The glacial walls flickered with refracted torchlight. Zuko touched one as they passed, seeing the flame embedded in the ice and giving it depth. It was like there was another room just on the other side.
"Do you know where we're going?" Zuko questioned. Sokka snorted and waved a hand.
"It's the same as back home. All we have to do is find a loud group of guys and it's either a hunting party or sleep." Sokka put his hands behind his head and looked around. "And we don't typically go hunting in the middle of the dark season."
"Does it not bother you to be here?"
Sokka gave him an odd look. "Should it?"
"It's a totally different place. I mean, I'm freaking out a bit."
"Well, I mean, these are my people. And any intimidation I feel is kinda overshadowed by the fact that they knew the South Pole was vulnerable and just, left us alone."
"That's pretty practical."
"Zuko, I live in a place where the sun doesn't shine for three months out of the year and if I don't plan appropriately, I could freeze to death."
"Fair point."
They followed the voices till sure enough, they entered a room where a group of young men stood talking loudly. Most of them were older than Zuko, but there were a few youngsters that were new to the room. Those were the ones who spotted them first, moving into the corner of the room to watch them.
"Hey, little brother is here!" A man's voice called out.
The ones closest to them turned and Zuko saw Sokka tense under the attention. They were swarmed and pulled into the room with the tide of bodies. Zuko couldn't figure out when he sat down, but he very suddenly found himself seated on a bed roll while men peppered Sokka with questions. The most important seemed to be the eligibility of any women in the South Pole.
From listening to the conversation, Zuko found out that most of the engagements and marriages happened in the dark season, mostly due to the lack of anything else going on.
After marriage came questions about Sokka's own abilities, something involving ice dodging. A few of the questions made Sokka uncomfortable, but the men moved quickly between topics. They also bolstered him with compliments, discussing the strength in protecting one's village with few resources. That made Sokka preen and Zuko laughed, finally able to see this Sokka happy.
"So what about you prince?" One man asked.
Zuko startled to attention, looking around.
"What about me?" He questioned in reply.
"Why are you here and not in one of the heated rooms?" The man asked. Others chuckled around him and Zuko turned about for a second.
"Well." He stumbled and felt his face warm as he glanced at Sokka. "It's…"
He looked painfully at Sokka, who sighed and shook his head before putting his arm around Zuko's shoulders.
"He's in love with my sister and wants to learn more about the tribe." Sokka said, causing Zuko to blush furiously. He burned so hot, Zuko feared for a moment that he would melt the ice floor beneath him.
The men hooting around him made it worse.
"I told you she was wearing a betrothal necklace!" Someone in the room said.
Sokka laughed, shaking Zuko as he did. Zuko only gripped his fist. He could feel the thick weave of Katara's necklace in his hand.
He hadn't hurt her here. He could do better.
He would protect her this time.