"Can you please remind me why we're making this pit stop at the Southern Air Temple, again?" Lin inquired a little icily. Winter was in full effect this far south and Lin sat on Oogi's back wrapped in several layers of furs Katara had lent them for their journey south.
"Dad asked me to drop these scrolls off so they can be filed in the big library they're adding to the grounds of the temple," Tenzin replied without turning around.
"Well, do we have to stay long? It's freezing up here and I'd much rather get to our final destination sooner rather than later," Lin barked at Tenzin.
Tenzin, getting a little angry at his wife's tone turned to her and asked, "Is there something wrong? You're not exactly treating me well."
"Oh forgive me, Master Airhead. I'm just a little pregnant with your child, and I'm sitting on the back of this giant ball of fur, freezing to death. Oh and to top it all off, we have to make a pit stop where I'm sure we'll be asked incessant questions about the child I'm carrying!" she spat at him.
Mustering all the patience years of meditation had given him, Tenzin drew a deep breath before he began, "I'm sorry we are stopping at the temple. We don't have to stay the weekend. I'm sure Oogi can continue to Kya's place immediately after the scrolls are dropped off."
Oogi groaned in response. He didn't sound too happy about continuing in the darkening, cold winter sky.
Lin acquiesced, "No, I don't want to tire Oogi out and make him freeze up here. We can stay the two days. I'm sorry for my attitude. Pregnancy is really taking its toll on me."
Tenzin climbed back to where Lin was and placed a chaste kiss on her lips.
"It's alright love. I'm sure this cold isn't helping any. We should be landing soon. In the meantime, is there any room for me under those furs?"
Lin pondered for a moment, then replied, "Hmm, I don't know. That would require me opening the furs up to let you in. Not to mention, you're probably freezing and going to make it cold in here."
Tenzin didn't wait for permission. He wrenched the furs open and slid in next to his wife. He wrapped his arms around her from behind and placed his ice cold hands on her protruding stomach. Lin shivered at his touch. He quickly wrapped them back up in the furs and they snuggled to keep each other warm while Oogi completed the well-traveled route to the Southern Air Temple.
…
Tenzin gently nudged Lin under the furs. He whispered, "Wake up, beautiful. We've arrived." Lin stirred and blinked open. The sun was setting and the air was growing colder by the second.
"Thank the Spirits!" she exclaimed, "Let's get inside in front of a nice warm fire. Maybe I'll be able to feel my toes after a few minutes in front of the flames." She bent a pillar for herself to use to descend from Oogi's back.
Tenzin chuckled, "Of course, dear. As you wish!" He followed her, a bundle of scrolls and their overnight sack in hand. By the time he landed softly on the ground, an entourage of Air Acolytes had made their way to the courtyard where they landed. The group reached Tenzin & Lin and bowed in unison to them.
One of them stepped forward, head still bowed, and said, "Master Tenzin, Ms. Lin, my name is Devadas and it is my honor to serve you both during your stay here."
Tenzin glanced at Lin and noticed the scowl, he quickly intervened, "It is a pleasure to meet you, Devadas. Thank you for your warm welcome."
Devadas rose, but kept his eyes downcast, "Please, allow us to take your things to your rooms. Some of us can also escort Oogi to the bison stables so he has some shelter for the evening-"
"We're fine carrying our own things," Lin snapped, "Can you please just show us to our rooms?"
Devadas glanced towards Lin, then looked to Tenzin to see if he was also angry, he began, "Forgive me, please. I did not mean to offend anyone."
"You didn't offend us. We're more than capable of carrying our own bags since we won't be here that long," Tenzin intervened before Lin could reply.
"Please, it is our honor to help, and we were hoping you'd consider staying here longer.."
"No, we'll be here for the weekend and be on our way once Oogi is rested," Lin interrupted, "Please show us to our room and Oogi to the stables." She felt Tenzin's hand on the small of her back and added a quick, "please," to try and make up for her tone.
"As you wish," Devadas acquiesced, "follow me." Devadas motioned for the couple to go one way while the other acolytes led Oogi to the stables.
As the trio were walking towards the dormitories, Tenzin began, "Thank you again for your hospitality, Devadas. Lin and I really appreciate it."
"It is an honor to have you both here. We are here to help in any way we can," Devadas assured them.
"We'll let you know if we need anything while we're here for the weekend," Tenzin assured him.
The trio arrived at the dormitory building. Devadas motioned to the left and explained, "Men's rooms are that way, and women's are the other. We share a washroom in the center of the building. I personally made sure there was a vacant bed for each of you in your respective parts of the rooms."
"We're not allowed to stay together," Lin asked while rolling her eyes.
"It's just for the weekend," Tenzin whispered to her while rubbing her back.
"Whatever," she retorted and stomped off away from the men.
Tenzin turned to their host and smiled sheepishly, "Sorry about that, the journey here was not the most pleasant we've ever had. I'm sure she'll be fine once she warms up and gets a good night's sleep."
"Of course, Master Tenzin. Now if you'll follow me, I saved a spot next to my bunk specially for you," Devadas eagerly explained as he led Tenzin towards the men's wing.
Oh spirits, Tenzin thought to himself, this is going to be one long weekend.
…
Tenzin awoke, but did not feel well rested. Devadas had kept the two of them up late talking about all the plans they had for the new library. He'd be lying if he said he didn't wish he and his wife had continued to the South Pole last night to avoid all that.
"Good morning, Master Tenzin!" Devadas greeted cheerfully.
Tenzin drew in a deep breath, remembering that this was just for the weekend and he would survive. "Good morning, Devadas," he responded, mustering as much cheer as possible.
"Will you be meditating with us this morning," the air acolyte inquired.
Tenzin took a deep breath and replied, "Of course. I think I'm just going to check on Lin quickly, first."
"I don't think that is necessary. I left one of my best acolytes with specific instructions to ensure Ms. Beifong has everything she could ever need or want," Devadas assured him.
"I'm very grateful for that, but I still would like to check on my wife," Tenzin declared.
"Please, Master Tenzin, we would absolutely love it if you lead us in this morning's mediation. I promise, Lin is better than fine. She is fantastic," Devadas said while ushering Tenzin out of the dormitory and towards the East-facing plaza where they normally conducted morning meditations.
But before the pair could completely exit the dormitory, Tenzin got his wish as he saw Lin being ushered out by a group of female air acolytes. She appeared disgruntled, as if a good night's sleep had escaped her and had only worsened her mood from the previous night.
"Tenzin!" she shouted, "Thank the Spirits you're here too!" She quickened her pace to catch up with him, escaping from her wranglers.
"Lin!" he exclaimed, wrapping his arms around her as she flung herself at him. She tried burying her face in his chest, but he grabbed her chin and lifted her face so he could try to read her. Her brow was furrowed and her jaw was tense. She was clearly disgruntled by whatever had happened during the night or when she awoke this morning. Tenzin planted a kiss on her forehead to try to offer some comfort.
He cleared his throat and addressed the crowd of air acolytes that were waiting for him, "Please, proceed to the plaza. I will be there shortly for meditation." The air acolytes bowed in unison and followed his command, quietly.
"What happened," he inquired once they were the only ones left in the dormitory.
Lin huffed, "I was sound asleep because I was planning on resting for a while longer today after traveling last night, when I was prodded awake by those insufferable acolytes."
Tenzin couldn't help a smile from appearing on his lips, "Is that so?"
Lin rolled her eyes, "Yes! They were trying to wake me gently, but it felt like they were just trying to be the first to rub my belly and feel the baby kick, and all to get me to come meditate with them!"
"Ah, well, I can see why your mood hasn't improved much since last night then."
"No, it hasn't. In fact, it may be a little worse even. They all started blabbering about how I needed to get up to meditate because it's good for my health and in turn is good for the baby. One of them also mentioned something about -"
Her story was interrupted by Tenzin's mouth covering hers. He knew she was upset, but that she wouldn't be forever, especially if he could try to make her feel other strong, passionate emotions. Lin tilted her head up more, granting him full access to her mouth. Tenzin took the opportunity to slip his tongue inside her mouth. He pulled her as close to him as possible and let one of his hands slide down slightly, cupping the curve of her backside. After a gentle squeeze, he pulled back and let her go while they caught their breath.
"Well, hopefully that calmed you a bit. Now, go back to bed and get some more rest. I'll come get you when meditation is over," Tenzin explained.
Lin blinked at him for a moment, collecting her thoughts, then chided, "I know what you did just now, and that was plain cruel, especially since we won't be alone till we leave the temple."
Tenzin smiled at her and smoothly replied, "I have no idea what you're getting at. I'm late for meditation. I'll see you soon." He left her standing in the hallway as he sauntered out of the building to see to his duties.
…
"And here we plan on holding scrolls devoted to the Avatar and his past lives. We already have quite a collection of tales about Master Aang, and we're hoping to get more about him and his past lives soon," Devadas rambled on and on as he was showing Tenzin the refurbished library the acolytes were working on restoring. He hadn't noticed Tenzin had stopped listening to most of what he was saying a while ago, and continued on with the tour. Tenzin was preoccupied with thoughts of Lin. He hadn't been able to see her since breakfast, where her mood had improved slightly. He prayed to the spirits that she was doing well, for the sake of all those around her, as well as their unborn child. Devadas had finished the tour and was guiding the two men back to the cafeteria for lunch when another acolyte came running towards the two.
"Excuse me, Master Tenzin" the acolyte started, huffing and puffing trying to catch his breath, "but we need your assistance urgently. It's your wife…"
"Lin!" Tenzin interrupted, "What's the matter? Take me to her!"
"Right away," the acolyte responded and took off the way he came from.
As the trio got further away from the library, they started to hear and feel the faint rumble of the ground shifting around them. Tenzin knew they had to be getting close to Lin. His idea confirmed, as they now heard Lin yelling as the ground continued to shift and split.
"Here we are," the acolyte proclaimed, stopping at the edge of a clearing on the side of the mountain, not daring to get closer to Lin.
Tenzin immediately dropped into a defensive stance and started to assess the situation, ready to protect his wife if the need arose. He scanned the scene. He saw Lin facing off against two air acolytes, her frame clearly tense and rigid. The acolytes, both female, were trembling as they continued to plea with Lin, "Please, Ms. Beifong! This isn't healthy."
Lin stomped and kicked up a huge boulder from the ground. She shifted her weight and punched towards the boulder, sending it flying off the side of the mountain so it could crash into an adjacent one.
"I'm perfectly capable of practicing my forms, you ninnies!" Lin yelled back at them. She continued to move through different bending stances, kicking up more rocks and rock clusters, sending them flying around. The acolytes continued to tremble and plea with her to stop.
Tenzin stood up straight, realizing there was no danger, and inquired, "What is going on here?"
Lin swung around to face him with a rock in mid-air, ready to send it at the newcomers, and shouted, "Oh, don't you start on me too, Master Arrowhead!" Tenzin gave her a quizzical look, unsure of why he was being admonished.
Tenzin turned towards the acolyte that had run to him and Devadas and interrogated, "Why did you come get us? Lin isn't in any danger…" Tenzin glanced over at his wife again. She was still standing in the same pose with the rock ready to be flung if she were challenged by anyone. He noticed she was a little sweaty, despite the cool autumn air, and there were a few streaks of dirt here and there on her body and clothes. Tenzin also noticed the small swell of her belly and started grinning. His wife was perfectly fine, and so was his unborn child. Nothing was wrong, his heart rate can start decreasing now.
"Allow me to try to shed some light on the situation, Master Tenzin," Devadas stated. He waved his hand, beckoning the two female acolytes to come towards him. The two women shuffled towards the men, not taking their eyes off of Lin for fear she might strike at any time.
Once they were close enough, Devadas inquired, "Ladies, what is going on here?" Lin had decided to fling the rock away and approach the group, her face in a scowl.
"I'll tell you what's going on here," she spat, "These two turtle-ducks were trying to interrupt my exercise!"
Devadas nodded, "Yes of course, as they should." Tenzin whipped his head at the acolyte and had a look of pure shock on his face.
Lin stared daggers at him and spat, "Excuse me?"
Devadas explained, "They should stop you. I put Masami and Lawan in charge of caring for you and the baby while you were here. I had hoped they would be able to convince you to stay for the remainder of your pregnancy so they could be your doulas when your time came to bring the next airbender into the world."
"Precisely," Masami or Lawan, Tenzin wasn't sure who was who, piped up, "We both have experience with bringing new life into the world. We have worked with expectant mothers for many years now and we know that this kind of exertion is not good for the baby."
"They sent me to get you, Master Tenzin, to try to talk some sense into your wife," the male acolyte chimed in.
"Sense? Why would he need to talk sense into me?" Lin continued to argue, "There is nothing wrong with me practicing a bit of earthbending!"
"But in your condition, -" one of the doulas started to argue back, but was quickly cut off by Lin again.
"My condition? What? Am I dying now? I didn't realize growing another human inside of me suddenly turned me into some fragile piece of pottery that needs to be wrapped up and stored in a room for 9 months until the baby finally comes."
"You aren't pottery," Devadas tried explaining, "But the next airbender you are carrying should be treated as such. His or her life is very important and sacred."
"Oh, stop that!" Lin was seething now and the ground beneath them started trembling. "No one even knows if the baby will be a bender of anything!" Her fists clenched, causing cracks to form in the ground around them.
"Lin," Tenzin spoke softly, reaching out to grab his wife's hand in an attempt to calm her, "Please, take a deep breath." He took a step closer to her, reaching an arm around her waist. Lin spun to face him. He stared into her pale green eyes and wanted nothing more than to make her pain disappear.
Tenzin placed a kiss on her forehead, then turned to address the acolytes, "Thank you for your concern for Lin and the baby."
"What?" Lin exclaimed "You can't possibly be taking their side in this!"
"I-I wasn't," Tenzin stammered.
"You just thanked them for what they did!"
"You didn't let me finish what I wanted to say."
"Oh, please! You won't put these airheads in their places. You never want to step on anyone else's toes!"
"Lin, please."
"No. I'm done. I'm tired of being treated like this and I'm tired of everyone assuming my future child's identity!"
"I know, but-"
"No, Tenzin. Don't argue with me. You know how I feel about that."
"I do, and I'm on your side, always."
"Now, I hardly think that wise," Devadas interrupted the couple, "You have no training in these matters, Master Tenzin. Masami and Lawan know what they're talking about. We should all trust and follow their advice."
"If those two are going to continue to give unsolicited advice on your orders, then I'm outta here," Lin declared and started heading towards the dormitories.
"I'll be at the bison stables in 20 minutes. I'll take Oogi with or without you, husband," she called back.
"Look, I'm sorry for my wife's behavior and I do really appreciate your concern for Lin," Tenzin reassured the acolytes, "However, no one knows Lin better than herself, so I'm sure she is more than capable of exercising while pregnant. She loves the baby more than anybody does and I know she'd do everything to protect him or her. Please trust my wife's judgement." And with that, Tenzin bowed his head to the four air acolytes then took off after his wife, knowing full well she would leave him stranded without his staff or Oogi.
Notes: Another update! I definitely got some Katara calming Aang out of the Avatar State at the end of this chapter. I figured pregnancy hormones in Lin would draw some pretty powerful emotions/bending out of her, so hopefully this all makes sense. I'm hoping to update again soon as this pandemic continues. Comments and Kudos are always welcome!