"Between the black isles it floated, softly parting the dark tide."
The flame above the small basin of whale oil flickered, casting long shadows on the ice walls. There was little oil in the basin and the flame was not the roaring fire Sokka wanted it to be. After all, whale oil was rare because the cost to obtain was too often too high, and, of course, the room was made of ice and could only be heated so much. As it was, Zuko could hardly enter the room without causing the temperature to rise above freezing and causing the walls to drip. Katara was, therefore, kept warm by the finest furs the tribe had to offer. Sokka watched her sleep with a heavy heart. Her fever had finally receded, but Yugoda was concerned that Katara's recovery seemed to have stopped. She had yet to awaken and this worried Sokka more than anything. Yugoda had spoken plainly with the young chief, voicing fears that the fever would return. And then she suggested what Sokka was still considering.
"It is possible her recovery would be easier in a warmer climate."
The suggestion had caused a painful rift between Sokka's mind and heart. His mind told him that he should be willing to do anything, anything, for his sister, but his heart… Somewhere warmer meant Katara would not be in the South Pole and Sokka could not accompany her. He would have to stay behind, for his tribe, and leave Katara in someone else's hands. And if she didn't wake up before she left, then he wouldn't be there when she did. Sokka's heart told him this was too much to ask of him. In his sister's hour of greatest need, to be separated by thousands of miles? His father had never warned him that the title of chieftain would cost so much. And yet, as his mind mercilessly reminded him, shouldn't he take any measure, make any sacrifice he could to preserve Katara's life? His decision was made. He would have Aang go with Katara instead of him, along with some of the best warriors of the tribe.
Sokka rubbed his eyes with the back of his hands. A slight rustle from Katara had him glance up, but she had only shifted a little. Sokka continued watching her tensely. When she did not move again, Sokka sat back, the flow of hope within him stemmed. That was just it. Katara's sleep was never fitful, as though she wanted to remain asleep. This was the worst part. He did not want to believe she had given up, after everything they had been through.
Could he really not go with her? He considered. That trip to the Fire Nation had been meant for the two of them, before she had refused to go… But now, somehow, it felt different. He admitted that he did not know how long Katara's recovery would take. Could he be gone for months? No, he did not want to leave the tribe so vulnerable. Besides that, he knew the villagers' reactions would be severe. To be deprived of their Master Bender as well as their Chief? Because Katara belonged to them as much as he did, maybe more, because she was Katara. No, he could not leave them alone at a time like this. He tried to quell any remaining doubts because he wanted to believe he was making the right decision even as his heart warned that though she had fought it the last time, if she sensed she was alone she might let go of everything this time.
He put his head in his hands again. Katara did not stir for the rest of the night.