Well, at least I know what that boy's name is now. Aang… What an interesting name, I thought. I wonder what's going to happen after the meeting. Will I finally be able meet my husband? Who is my husband?

Chapter 5: Beloved?

I sat cross-legged on the mat, waiting patiently for all the Elders to assemble. One by one, they came in, the last being Monk Gyatso. All four of them took their seats on their designated mats with Monk Pasang. I examined each of them as they walked in. They all looked similar: bald heads, master Airbender tattoos, orange robes, and…they were old. I'm not trying to disrespect my elders! It's just something that is clearly noticeable, or at least for me it is. Once they all sat down, I could feel their curious stares. Monk Pasang motioned at me, and I just looked at him. What is it he wants me to do? I don't understand…OH! I thought, as I realized I was to introduce myself to the rest of the Council.

I stood up, ducked my head and pulled the hood of my cloak down, my hair flowing out of its captivity. I then looked up and faced the Council, my eyes meeting each and every one of theirs. I bowed in respect, and then started my introduction, ignoring the shocked gasps of a couple monks (I'm guessing they thought it was improper for me to be there, being a girl and all).

"My name is Lilyanne, and I'm from the Eastern Air Temple. We were attacked a couple of days ago by the Fire Nation. They…" I took a deep breath before continuing, "They killed almost everyone there. I am one of the only survivors. The other survivors are with my Sky Bison, who I, even now, do not know the location of. Sister Iio sent me here to find my husband."

"And where is Sister Iio?" one of the Monks asked disapprovingly. He looked like he had a permanent glare sketched onto his face.

"She died, protecting me and the other survivors. None of the Nuns survived, or at least, not that I know of." I replied in a sad tone. It still hurt to think about Sister Haun and Sister Iio, making their last stands to help us all escape. The Council clearly shocked, except for Monk Pasang, mumbled to each other, debating over what I said. I stood there, waiting for a reply to what I wanted to hear the whole time: my husband.

"Um…I'm sorry to interrupt, but I wanted to know who my husband was? I'm supposed to help him." Whatever that means,I mentally added. They all stopped talking and stared at me. I watched them slowly turn to Monk Pasang, wondering what to do, except for one of them: the Monk with the permanent glare.

"You are not fit to meet him, nor know who he is yet. You are supposed to have mastered Airbending before coming, but look at you, girl! Your forehead has not even been shaved in preparation for your arrows! What were those Nuns teaching you!" The Monk exclaimed glaring at me even harder, if that was even possible. I gawked at him.

"Tashi!" Monk Pasang angrily warned. So, this Monk's name is Tashi?

"Well, Tashi, how about I help inform you a little bit?" I said smiling sweetly, getting angrier at each passing second. How dare he say that to me! The Nuns trained me my whole life, and sacrificed their own, so I could find and meet my husband!

"First, my name is Lily, not 'girl,' Tashi," I clarified, seeing him going red with anger. Oh just you wait, I thought, I'm just getting started.

"Second, you insensitive jerk, if you were listening, you would have heard me say the Eastern Air Temple was attacked, as in the day I was to show everyone my new move and earn my arrows, EVERYONE DIED!"

I was about to explode when Monk Pasang interrupted my rampage.

"Lily, that's enough! As for you, Tashi, I'm disappointed in you. Not only have you disrespected our guest, but you have also disrespected those who have passed."

"But—"

"No excuse! You very well know that you have behaved badly, so I'm going to ask you to leave this meeting." Monk Pasang ordered. I watched Monk Tashi, get up and leave, but not before throwing another glare at me. In reply, I stuck my tongue out at him. He turned an ultimate new shade of red. Oops. Oh well, thank goodness he's gone.I looked back at Monk Pasang, who sighed.

"Was that tongue really necessary?" He asked me.

"Uh… Haha… You saw that?" I asked, guilty as charged. I'm embarrassed at how immature I can be.

"I'll pretend I didn't," he replied amused. "So, Lily, you were supposed to get your arrows?"

Glad for the change of subject, "Yes, I had just created my new Airbending move, but when I came back, the Temple was already under attack." The Monks exchanged those worried glances, wondering what the Fire Nation was doing.

"Ahem, well, would you like to show us, and we will instead acknowledge your mastery of Airbending?"

"Okay! I call it the Air Rings," I said excitedly to the Council. Breathe in deep and in sync with the movements, Lily. Don't rush it, just think fluidity, I reminded myself. I took a deep breath, and started to execute the Air Rings. Only planning on creating one ring, I swung my arms around into one, single arc. I kept my body loose and agile as I directed the ring with my hands, spinning around to make it bigger. I encircled myself, and spun the ring tighter and looser, showing control over the ring of air. Then, doing something new, I flicked my wrist outwards, and the ring exploded out, creating an air gust out and around. The quick thinking Elders, blocked the gust with their own air shields. They gazed at me with newfound respect.

"Lily, I think you have just proven to us that you deserve to be called a Master Airbender! Welcome to the Southern Air Temple, Sister Lilyanne," Monk Pasang said, congratulating me. The other members of the Council all bowed to me, acknowledging my mastery. I returned the bow, honored to be a Sister, but I wasn't as happy as I thought I would be. Sister Lilyanne… If only Luca could see me now, he'd be so proud, I cried in my head. Oh, how I wish the Nuns could have seen me accomplish this.

"Am I permitted to see my husband now?" I asked, trying to change the course of where my thoughts were going. Monk Pasang looked at me, with an unreadable expression.

"Not yet," He replied, but before I could ask why he said, "But, I will tell you this: He is the Avatar." That statement shut me up. The Avatar, huh… I'm ENGAGED TO THE AVATAR? I tried searching Monk Pasang's eyes, to see if it was a joke, but they bore full-hearted honesty.

"Uh… Um, M-may I ask h-how this c-came to be?" I stuttered, not understanding why.

"To answer it simply, you are the Avatar's Beloved," Monk Gyatso replied calmly. "We don't know much about the Beloved, you, or how you came to be. What we do know is that you are born into the same element as the Avatar; in this case, Air. A tell-tale trait is that you always have purple eyes, being the only one in the world with purple eyes such as yours."

"You can bend two elements: the one you are born into and the opposite element. You, Sister Lilyanne, are able to bend Air, so you should be able to bend Earth as well, if we are correct." One of the other Elders continued. Whoa, I should be able to bend Earth? I thought, amazed.

"The Beloved and the Avatar are fated to be together; however, in past lives, you have rarely found each other." Monk Pasang stated.

"Why?" I asked him, confused.

"Well, you two would be reincarnated at different times, making it difficult for you two to be together. One would die before the other had the chance to seek them out." Monk Pasang answered. "Luckily, you two have been born around the same time."

"So, my husband, or the Avatar, is the same age as me?" I asked, my hope rising.

"Yes, he's a couple months older, but he is also twelve." Monk Gyatso replied with a smile, seeing me exhale with relief. I knew he wouldn't be an old man! I felt triumphant to finally put rest to my doubts. But still, this is huge. I don't understand this whole "Beloved" thing. I don't even remember being anyone else but who I am today: Lily. I mean, I do match the whole "same element and purple eyes" requirement, but this is just too much! I've never even heard of a being called the Beloved!

"Lily, I understand this is hard for you to comprehend, but it's true," Monk Pasang said, as if reading my thoughts. The only thing for me to do, I thought, is to just accept it; just like how I did the day I found out I was already engaged.

"Yes, I accept the whole 'Beloved' concept. What I don't understand is why I'm not allowed to meet my husband," I said, a little suspicious.

"Well…You see…We haven't revealed to the boy that he is the Avatar, yet," Monk Pasang told me. "It's tradition to tell them when they turn sixteen, you see, so…"

I understood: he knows nothing of being the Avatar. Does he know he is engaged?

"Wait, does this Avatar know anything of being engaged to me?" I asked, knowing I just found out a month ago.

"No…We decided to tell him when we revealed his destiny as the Avatar," Monk Pasang said, bowing his head down. I looked at the other Elders, to see them avoid eye contact with me. The only one who looked back was Monk Gyatso, who held a sympathetic gaze.

"Then, why was I told?" I asked them, close to tears. Why did Sister Iio tell me?

"We were informed, about a couple months ago, that a Nun from the Western Air Temple had a vision. Her visions were always pretty accurate, so we listened to what she had to say. Sister Haun told us all, all four Councils, of what was in the vision. She saw an Air Nomad from the Eastern Air Temple being tortured in a Fire Nation room. She was asked many questions about the Avatar, but she revealed the only thing she knew of: the Avatar's Beloved. You, Lily." Monk Pasang told me. I was confused at first, but then realized what he was saying. The reason behind them attacking the Eastern Temple first was because of me. The Fire Nation wanted to kill me. I stopped crying as I was filled with horror: all those people died because of who I was.

"Sadly, we didn't believe her. No, it's more like we just didn't want to. It was our mistakes for not taking heed to that Sister Haun's warning, but there is nothing we can do to change what has happened," Monk Pasang admitted, regretfully. I looked at him, trying not to cry.

"It seems the she was right then," one of the Elders said. He was the biggest one. "That means the Fire Nation is looking for the Avatar! And with what just happened at the Eastern Air Temple, they must be planning to attack us all!"

"Yes!" The other Elder wailed. "Monk Dewei is right! We must tell the Avatar of his status!"

"No! He is still so young, don't deprive him of his childhood," Monk Gyatso argued.

"We are in a time of distress, Gyatso," Monk Pasang said. "We need to tell him soon, who knows when the Fire Nation will attack again." Monk Gyatso stayed silent at this. He knew that Monk Pasang was right. They continued talking about what to do, but I ignored them. I felt cold inside.

So, Sister Iio told me, just in case… She suspected something may happen. All those people died… because of me. And yet, Sister Iio, believing the vision, didn't do anything except tell me about my husband and where to find him… Almost like she knew I might not have been back in time that day she sent me off to create a new move. Wait… he said that the Nun's name that had the visions name was Sister Haun…Sister Haun was that Nun from the Western Air Temple! She had started staying at our temple about a month ago, too! She must have told Sister Iio that the Fire Nation would be attacking that day! That's why they sent me off! They knew! I realized, as the pieces fit together, how Sister Iio had gotten that group of girls together so fast with Sister Haun, everything made sense! They willingly sacrificed both of their lives, knowing they had to do something, if everyone else was going to act ignorant. I will not let them down! I thought.

"Who is the Avatar?" I demanded, interrupting the Council's argument. All four Monks looked at me.

Monk Gyatso closed his eyes, and said, "I don't believe it is right to tell him he's the Avatar, but since I have been outvoted, I have no choice." I looked at him, all I asked was who. Monk Gyatso stood, and kicked out a Mini-Tornado, aiming it at a window on the ceiling. It hit something in the window; I looked up but was blinded by the midday sun. All I could see was a big black shadow falling right at me. I stepped to my right and dodged as Monk Gyatso created an Air Barrier around the figure before it hit the ground, saving it from some painful bruises.

"This is the Avatar," Monk Gyatso introduced. I looked at him as he got up, released from the Air Barrier, dusting himself off. I could see he wore an orange shawl over a long-sleeved yellow shirt, an orange sash, and double-layered pants: the Air Nomad clothing. His back was toward me, so I was unable to see his face, but then he spoke.

"Ouch, that really hurt, Gyatso. Why'd you do that?" He complained, and just from the voice, I realized it was that boy from earlier… What was his name?

Monk Gyatso sighed, "Aang, it's not good to eavesdrop."

"You?" I asked incredulously. The boy turned around to face me, a sheepish grin on his face.

"Sorry, I was really curious," Aang admitted. He bowed, "I'm Aang, and your name is Lilyanne, right?"

"Yeah, I go by Lily," I replied, bowing, a little dazed at the current events.

"So, Gyatso, who's the Avatar?" Aang asked, innocently excited. I could hear a couple of the Elders smack their heads in frustration. Didn't he hear Monk Gyatso just introduce him as the Avatar? I wondered.

"Aang, you ARE the Avatar," Monk Pasang explained. Aang's face quickly changed from excitement to confusion.

"What? How?" He asked. I felt a little bad for him; he really wasn't ready for it. I heard them explain how he had chosen all the four toys that the previous Avatars chose, and why he was being told now. I faintly listened because I was mainly examining him. Aang was about my height, had his arrows and big gray eyes, and the expression on his face made me want to hug him. He looked like a lost puppy.

"And I'm already engaged?" Aang said.

"Yes, to the girl standing right next to you," Monk Gyatso replied. All eyes turned to me, and I could feel Aang staring at me. I turned and looked him in the eye and I could see how much this was for him. He looked angry. He turned away and looked at the Council.

"No," he said. "I'm not going to get married!"

"Aang!" Monk Pasang exclaimed.

I admit, I was hurt by his statement because I did like him. Tears formed in my eyes, even though I tried fighting them back. After everything that has happened, I came here under the sacrifices of Sister Iio and Sister Haun, only to get rejected? I started crying. No, scratch that, not crying, but sobbing hysterically. I couldn't stop it! Everything I was holding in me since that day I finally was letting all out: my heartbreak over separating from Luca, me being the cause of everyone's death, the sacrifices that were made to help me escape, and to now be rejected. Everyone stopped talking and looked at me.

"I-I didn't mean it that way!" I could hear Aang say, as he tried patting my back for comfort. It only made me cry harder.

"Aang, what did you do?" Monk Gyatso demanded. The Council started to approach me, warily.

"I don't know! Look, Lily, I'm really sorry! I really didn't mean it! So please stop crying!" Aang pleaded.

I sniffled, then looked up at the surrounding faces, thinking my tears had stopped. I could feel my lip quiver, and I knew it wasn't over. I turned around and ran for it. The warm sunlight hit my face as I got outside.

"LILY, WAIT!"

"SISTER LILYANNE! WHERE ARE YOU GOING?"

"I DIDN"T MEAN IT! I'M SORRY!"

I could hear them all yelling at me, but I just needed to get outside of the Southern Air Temple to get some air. Everything was too much, I felt like I was drowning.

I snapped out my glider and airbended out of there as fast as I could. My tears blinded my vision as I flew over the Patola Mountain Range. I need to land somewhere, I thought to myself, trying to calm myself down. I wiped the tears off with the back of my hand, looking around, and then spotted an opening to a cave in one of the mountains up ahead. I glided straight there, and into the cave.

I glanced around the inside of the cave, it seemed safe enough. I pulled out the pomple from where it was hidden in my dress, eating it as I cried out all my frustrations. I just couldn't stop. So, this is what I get for holding everything in. More hot tears ran down my cheeks as I took the cloak off and laid it on the ground. I lied down on it, missing Luca's warm soft coat.

"Luca… I wish you were here…" I said as I cried myself to sleep.

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End of Chapter 5!
Soo sorry it took me so long to write this chapter!
At first, I had writer's block, and then I wrote something that involved Lily yelling at Monk Tashi (boy, do I hate Monk Tashi) and it all seemed very wrong. Haha, but then I got into it. Personally, I thought Lily was bottling too much up, so it was about time she let everything out!

I hope you all like this chapter :) I'm going to try and update as quick as I can, so the next chapter may come out in a two days or so (I'm getting busy with school starting up and sports taking over my life :/ ) BUT, I'm going to try as hard as I can! Your reviews are seriously what keep me motivated, no joke.

Also, let me know what you guys think about the whole 'Beloved' thing! Please and Thank youuu!