Chapter Two: Acceptance and surprises
Quan put his arm around me and held me close as we walked back to the palace. Feng was waiting outside the door for me I assumed as he grinned when he saw me. I bowed before him as did Quan since he saw the tattoos.
"Are you feeling better?" He asked and I nodded. "Then we have pressing matters to attend to." He said as he opened the door and walked in; all I wanted to do was to celebrate my birthday but this was not going to be the case as it appeared. Kun, Huojin, Hanku and Arlen were all sitting around the table still as Feng and I walked in, Quan slightly behind me. Feng held out his arm to stop Quan from entering.
"Sorry you can not enter this is a private meeting." Feng said as I looked at Quan who was about to say something; I put my hand on his shoulder and looked into his eyes. I kissed him on the lips lightly and he blushed as he was surprised by this gesture.
"Go and join my family; I will be along shortly I promise." I said to him and he nodded and left; Feng closed the door behind him as he led me to his seat. "Look I am still having trouble accepting that I am the Avatar so I ask this of you; please allow me to celebrate my birthday and give me a few days to think things through and accept this. I promise with the rise of the next full moon we can talk." I said as Hanku and Arlen looked at the other delegates.
"Okay Chailyn we accept this deal. We will meet again in three days time; the day of the full moon." Hanku said and I bowed in respect to them all as I left the room and went into the hall to join in the celebrations. I saw my mom and my dad talking to Quan as well as his parents as I put on a smile and joined them.
"How are things going then?" My mother asked me.
"Well you know same old same old." I said and she looked at me "what?" I asked her.
"We know of your destiny and of who you are going to be when you chose those toys." My father said and my face fell. I let out a loud moan as I put my head on the table and heard the horns playing; meaning that important people had entered the room. I looked up and saw the two tribe chiefs and the princes as well as the Air Nomad. Everyone stood up and bowed and I stayed in my seat; yes it was disrespectful and yes I was being a kid but I didn't care.
"May we present the new Avatar; Avatar Chailyn." Hanku said as I looked at him and everyone who began to clap… okay now I was mad.
"So much for me getting used to the idea, this is going to spread like pentapox." I said as I stood and bowed before everyone. Once the commotion was over I began to pick at the food on my plate that my mother had put in front of me.
"Something tells me you are not happy about the news." My father said and I nodded. "May I ask why?" He asked.
"I just don't see myself being this all powerful bender… I mean the Avatar really!" I said as I drunk some watermelon juice that came from the Fire Nation. I put the cup down on the table and looked at everyone. After a pause I left the hall; the need to be alone and to think was great.
I walked out into the quad area in the middle of the palace and sat next to the fountain as I thought back on my life… I had always wondered why I was the only female Waterbender allowed to train with the men. A smile formed on my face as I remembered my first day at Waterbending School nine years ago:
Flashback
I looked at the vastness of the doors as my father kissed me on the head and wished me luck. I knew I could waterbend for about a year now but still going in there by myself. Papa always said I was a big brave girl and now I had to prove it regardless of how much I was shaking inside. I gulped as I opened the door and walked in; noticing the vast training area and huge pots of water that were the same size of me! I reached into my pocket and took hold of the small clay turtle I kept there; it made me feel safer as a boy came up to me.
"No girls allowed." He said and I looked down at the ice.
"Why are girls not allowed?" I asked him as he looked at me and smiled.
"They are only good for healing; fighting is a man's job!" He said as he puffed out his chest… okay I may be little but I was mad as I let go of the turtle and began doing some graceful movements with my arms. The water from the pots began to come out and I threw it over the boy and then freezing him, causing him to be stuck on the spot.
"Nice job Chailyn." The older man said to me; I could see from his necklace that he was a waterbending master and I bowed down to him. He smiled at me as he pushed his hand down to the ground and released the student. "Quan; Chailyn is here since our chief sees something special in her; now as you can see she is already three years younger than you but Waterbending comes to her with great ease. For this reason she is to train with us." He said as the rest of the students gathered around him. "Now Quan you owe Chailyn an apology and you can begin by teaching her the water whip." He said as he walked away and the one I had captured came up to me and rubbed the back of his neck.
"I am sorry for what I said." He said as he held out his hand and I smiled at him. "My name is Quan." He said as I shook it.
"My name is Chailyn; I am sorry for freezing you… sometimes I get mad and I forget I can waterbend." I said as I blushed and he laughed.
End flashback
From that day on Quan and I became great friends; regardless of how often I would beat him in a waterbending duel he always laughed it off and treated me with respect and our feelings grew for each other; I mean sure he was a waterbending master and had many female admirers however he seemed to ignore all of them and just spent time with me; this earned me many jealous looks from the admirers, backtalk about him only liking me because I was a Waterbender like him began but those rumors were squashed by him somehow… I never asked him what he did… it wasn't really my business. I stood up and went into the fountain getting my dress wet but I didn't care as I began to stream the water and play with it. I closed my eyes and concentrated on several new moves I was working on only to hear someone coughed behind me. I opened my eyes and stopped bending as I turned to see Feng. I bowed down to him and stepped out of the water.
"When you waterbend you do it just like my mother." He said and I blushed.
"I wish that I could have met her." I said as I stepped out of the fountain and removed the water from my clothes. He walked up to me as I sat down on the fountain edge.
"My mother and father as you know were heroes from the great Fire Nation war. Once there was peace and balance between the Four Nations they both settled down at the South Pole and also the Southern Air Temple. Sokka and Suki settled down also at the South Pole but also on Kyoshi Island. Soon they were married and mom was soon pregnant. She had me and my sister at the South Pole and then she had my brother a few years later at the Southern Air temple. My sister and I are both Airbenders and technically the last of our kind. My brother is a Waterbender and is currently traveling with Sokka's younger child. My father taught me and my sister how to airbend and gave us our tattoos once we had become masters. He had also trained me in the importance of being a teacher and gave me advice to pass on to the next Avatar. My mother and father fell sick rather quickly at the same time. My father told me that he felt the Four Nations were becoming imbalanced and feared that there was nothing that he could do for the world since he was so ill. I made a vow then that I would not only make sure the Air Nomads would not die out; but that I would also come and train the new Avatar. When I got the invite to your birthday party I knew then that you had come of age." He said as he looked up at the sky. "I know that it is hard to accept that you are destined to be this one person who is to keep the nations in check; it scared my father so much that he ran away but what you need to realize is that all of the past Avatars are inside you; you are part of the Four Nations and they need you." He said as he put his hand on my shoulder. I looked up at him and tried to smile but I couldn't; I shook his hand off my shoulder and stood up. "You can not run away from your destiny." He said as I began to walk away.
"You are right I can't however I can delay it for some time." I said as I went back through the hall and out of the palace.
Once I left the palace I began to hyperventilate and I fell down onto my knees on the stairs in front of the palace and finally let my feelings out as I cried once again. I felt arms go around me and knew who it was as I fell into Quan's chest for a second time today.
"It is your birthday and you are supposed to be happy. How can I give you my present if you are upset?" He said as he held me closer as my sobbing began to subside. I looked up at him my eyes grew huge.
"Present?" I asked him and he smiled at me and nodded as he wiped away my tears; this time with waterbending and I laughed at his gesture as he picked me up and I giggled. Putting me back on the floor he held his hand out to me and I took it as he led me away from the palace and to the wall at the front of the city and then took me to the cliffs where we were at last night.
"Umm Quan; what are we going to do about my parents and the party?" I asked him and he smiled.
"Don't worry I said I would take you away for an hour and anyway the way those princes and the tribe chiefs were looking at you I am sure that you needed to get out." He said as he sat down on the edge of the cliff and I joined him. I shivered; even though I was used to the cold there was a strong wind on the cliff and I forgot my jacket. Quan opened his up and I got closer to him as he wrapped it around us both; I was rather skinny for my age I guess; I mean I had muscles of course from all of the waterbending but I wasn't fat or anything like that. Quan snuggled lower into his jacket and lifted my face to his as he brought his lips down to mine. I closed my eyes as my body began to rush with heat like the first time as he kissed me. I had never felt so much energy and electricity from anyone in my life as I kissed him back; it was a short and sweet kiss but it left me wanting more. He pulled away and smiled at me as I blushed. "Chailyn as you know we didn't exactly get off to a good start nine years ago." He said and I laughed; I had been thinking about that day a while ago. "After you gave me a good lesson on how to not judge people based on their roles in the tribe we became friends but there was feelings that grew inside me and I hid them; knowing that I didn't want to scare you or make you run away or worse our friendship being destroyed. However the last few months has shown me that you do hide something and I wanted to show you that I am ready to take the next step." He said as he reached into his pocket and took out a box. He opened it and I gasped as inside was a betrothal necklace; it was amazing, the stone was round and flat with the symbol for the water and the moon; kinda like our tribes insignia: it was connected with a piece of gold on a sea green choker. My stomach began to do flip flops as I felt sick… was this really happening? The person I have had a crush on for the past two years was asking me to marry him? "Chailyn regardless of you being the Avatar I have known for a year that I love you and still do. Will you make me the happiest man and accept my necklace?" He asked me as I looked at him still in shock.
"What about all of your admirers; they will want to kill me if they find out." I said in a low voice, he laughed.
"You are the most powerful person in the Four Nations and even before today you were one of the most powerful Waterbenders in our tribe; do you really think that they would try anything to you?" He asked me and I blushed. "However that is still not an answer to my question. Chailyn, will you accept my necklace?" He asked me again and I nodded, not trusting myself further with words. He smiled as he took it out of the box and put it around my neck; it fitted perfectly. I blushed as he took my hand in his and kissed me lightly on the lips, I savored the moment knowing that as soon as it was over I would have to face reality; face my destiny.
Resting inside Quan's jacket made me feel like I could do anything, including escaping from the rest of the world. He looked down at me as I let out a sigh and smiled.
"Time to get back to the party before you get sick; where is your jacket? No matter how much I love having you this close." He said and again I blushed.
"I left it on my chair after talking to Feng." I said as he took off his jacket and wrapped it over my shoulders. Pulling me close to him we began the walk to the palace; all the time I was fingering the necklace that now sat around my neck with my waterbending master insignia… wait a second I am a waterbending master! I turned to Quan as I let out a laugh and began to run along the wall; dangerously close to the edge.
"Chailyn be careful!" He said as I balanced myself on the edge.
"I am a waterbending master Quan; I haven't been able to let that sink in with all of the news!" I said as he came up to me and picked me up, twirling me in the air. I let out a scream and then laughed as he put me down and then kissed me on the cheek.
"You have been a master for three years; it just took you a little longer to recognize what we all already saw then." He said as he took my hand he began to lead me back to the party. Once we were back in the hall there were some Firebenders putting on a show: I gasped in amazement as I had never seen any type of bending except Waterbending. Quan led me to my seat and took his jacket as I continued to watch in awe; it was amazing; although the palace was made of ice it was somehow not melting… I guess our master had something to do with that. The grand finale was a dragon flying across the room and then it turned back into an egg before vanishing. I stood up and clapped as the Firebender bowed before us all.
"And now a show from the masters of the Earth Kingdom in order to celebrate the Avatar's birthday." The announcer said as the Firebender went and Earthbenders stood in the area in front of my table. I wondered where they would get the earth from but I saw a few large jars coming in the room so my curiosity was quenched. One of them came up to me and bowed down. He then called on some of the earth in the jar and took it in his hand and then opened it to revel a beautiful flower.
"A small gift for the Avatar on her sixteenth birthday." The person said as he looked at me; his eyes were white… he was blind.
"Thank you; may I ask for your name young Earthbender?" I said as I reached over and took the flower.
"My name is Enki; Avatar." He said as he bowed down once more and then joined the other Earthbenders. They all raised their hands in perfect synchronization as they began to use the earth to make various sculptures and also a fake battle scene. It was amazing but something was pulling me towards the boy who gave me the flower… I wondered if he would be one of the masters I could chose from.
Once the Earthbending show was over Feng took the floor.
"I wish to show a simple display of Airbending so that the future Avatar has seen all of the master disciplines." He said as he bowed before us and then began to move fast and agile. He was amazing as his moves flowed with grace and precision into one another. My mouth must have hit the table since my mom reached over and closed it.
"It is rude to gape Chailyn." She whispered.
"How can I not mother?" I asked her, not once taking my eyes off the Airbender. Once his show was finished everyone stood up and applauded him; I assume not may people had seen an airbending demonstration before. Once the shows were over and everything died down as the band began to play music again; many people began to come up to me and congratulate me for my birthday as I saw my mom and dad talking to Quan who had a huge smile on his face. Chief Hanku came up to me and sat beside me.
"You made a good choice on your betrothal." He said as he looked down at my necklace. "Today is full of surprises for you young Chailyn." He said and I nodded. "I am sorry that we told you today of all days but as you know it is tradition for the next Avatar to find out on their sixteenth birthday. The only exception was young Avatar Aang." He said and again I nodded; I had learnt all about this in my history classes and also the extra tutoring I was receiving… now I knew why.
"The only reason I was allowed to Waterbend was because I was going to be the next Avatar… if I wasn't then I would not have been allowed to go to school am I right?" I asked the chief.
"Yes you are right young Avatar." He said as he hung his head in shame.
"Although it is tradition it is a tradition I do not like." I said as I turned and looked at him.
"It is a tradition that the tribe will not change." He said and I nodded… even though I did not like it didn't mean that I would change tradition. I looked at him as the chief from our sister tribe sat down next to him. "Avatar Chailyn allow me to present the chief from the South Pole Arlen. He is the son of Sokka who I am sure that you have read a lot about." He said as I reached over and shook his hand.
"It is an honor to meet you." I said and he smiled at me.
"Trust me young Avatar the honor is all mine. I am happy that a member of the North Pole is the next Avatar. I am sorry for the loss of my brother in law but we have to talk about that when you are ready." He said as I looked at him puzzled.
"Are you saying that something happened to Avatar Aang and Katara to cause them to die?" I said in a hushed voice.
"We do not know; we were hoping that you may be able to help us." He said and I laughed.
"There is no way I am going to enter the Spirit World… I don't even know how!" I said as he smiled at me.
"Do not worry about it; I am sure it will come into place when the time comes; now if you excuse me I must talk with Feng about some matter concerning family." He said as he bowed and left us; I looked back at my chief who smiled at me.
"Three days Chailyn and then we will meet again to discuss the Four Nations." He said as he stood up to leave; I bowed before him and then sat back down and let out a loud moan as I closed my eyes.
The party finished and I was exhausted with all of the royal people coming up and talking to me like I was some kind of important person. Once I had finished talking to Huojin I had finally had enough. I told my mom I was tired and Quan offered to walk me home. He picked up my jacket and put it over me and took my hand as we left the hall and the palace.
"Oh man was today exhausting." I said as I put my head on Quan's shoulder; a group of girls walked past us and began to giggle as one of them came up to Quan and took hold of his other arm.
"Quan why don't you join us tonight, we are having a party at Hua's house while her parents are out ice fishing for the night." One of them said, I let out a sigh as I let go of Quan's arm and began to take a few steps away from the group.
"I am sorry Li Mei but I have to walk Chailyn home." He said as he grabbed hold of my arm before I was able to walk on.
"She is grown up enough to walk home herself." Li Mei said with venom in her voice. I looked up at her; she was beautiful and there were a lot of boys who wanted to be with her but she had set her eyes on Quan and he resisting made it even more of a challenge for her. Her perfect brown hair was tied in a style I could never imagine doing and her clothes were of high quality; she looked at me with her deep blue eyes and I could feel the hate radiating from her; she was one of the admirers who loved to take a dig at me any chance she got.
"It's okay Quan I can take myself home; after all you know what happened today in the palace." I said as I smiled at him and she laughed.
"Yes, please tell us why the chief would host a party for you at the palace?" She said as to which I smiled.
"Well let me see…. Today I got my waterbending master insignia and I also got told I was to be the next Avatar so all in all an eventful day for everyone." I said as her face fell in shock as did the rest of the girls with her.
"You have got to be kidding me, you the Avatar? Please don't make me laugh." She said as she looked at me. "Prove it; do some bending other than water." She said as she let go of Quan and folder her arms across her chest; I hung my head; I couldn't do any other bending since I had not learnt any.
"I can't." I said in a low voice and she laughed.
"Nice joke Chailyn; so we will borrow Quan if you don't mind." She said as she began to pull Quan away but she didn't get far when he froze his feet to the ground. "Quan what gives? I mean why are you wasting time with that little excuse for a girl when you could be with us?" She asked.
"That excuse for a girl is my fiancée and I as I said I am walking her home." He said and now she gasped.
"That is a funny joke Quan; almost as funny as her being the Avatar." She said as he shook his head and bended me over to them and pulled down the collar of my jacket and showed her the betrothal necklace that he had given me; now it was their time to gasp again. I pushed my hand to the ground as I un-froze his feet and he took me in his arm and pulled me close.
"And for your information she is the Avatar and it would do you good to spread the word around." He said as she looked down at me.
"I have proof that she is your fiancée but not that she is the Avatar and until I see that I will not be doing anything." She said as she flung her hair back and went to the group. "Oh and Quan you are the one missing out." She said as she winked at him and Quan glared at her.
I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding as Quan began to guide me back to my home.
"Out of all of the admirers I have had she is the worse." I heard him say as we came to my house. Letting ourselves in I went up into my room and looked at myself in the mirror. My hair hung limp down my back no matter how much I tried to make it look good; the necklace Quan had given me sat proudly on my neck and I smiled as I reached out and touched the smooth surface. I then looked down further to see my waterbending master insignia sitting proudly near my chest and again I smiled. I knew I would not be able to wear this all the time but it was going to be something that I would always keep close to me since it was of extreme importance to me. I heard a knock on my door and opened it to see that Quan had made me some tea.
"I thought you would like some calming tea to help you sleep." He said and I nodded. I went into my cupboard and took out the hanger for my dress. I reached over and undid it and let it fall to the ground. Quan had seen me in my undergarments before since I had done some of my waterbending in them when we were together. I took off my insignia and put it on my table as I went over to my bed and opened my sleeping pouch and snuggled in for the night. Quan came over and gave me the cup of tea and I began to drink as he sat down beside me.
"You okay?" He asked me and I nodded as I finished the tea and began to close my eyes. He kissed me on the forehead and then taking the cup I heard the door close before I knew nothing but darkness.