Chapter 2:

Lairiel's POV

I walk confidently into the village, ignoring the leers and catcalls from churlish looking men who seem to be leaning against every available wall, stall and door. Heading for the market stalls, I spot the threesome in conversation further up the street. I watch as the Avatar passes two coins to the girl. Wrapping the shawl more tightly around my shoulders, I pretend to be interested in some dodgy looking cabbages on a stall to my left.

I wouldn't waste my money on any of the merchandise in this village. Past experiences had taught me that most of the trinkets and curios were stolen or on the black market. The last thing I needed was a group of half-witted, albeit, bloodthirsty pirates on my trail. That would draw far to much attention and that was something that I had worked hard to avoid over the years.

As the group begin to move towards the dock, I follow tentatively, my ears straining to catch their conversation. Unfortunately, the Avatar seems to be naively allowing a crooked looking man to draw him aboard a vessel, closely followed by the siblings. I roll my eyes. Great. Just walk straight onto a pirate ship. If this is how traveling with the Avatar was going to be, I could tell I would need to keep my wits about me. But I enjoy working with others and the toll of living alone in the wild for too long was a heavy one. I look down at my once flawless hands, now calloused and sinewy.

I knew I was a slightly intimidating figure to behold. Taller then most women, I am easily approaching six foot. Coupled with my athletic figure and shrouded head, I must look strange. I chuckled to myself; most boys my age are terrified of me. Good thing too, most are stupid and easily led. Just look at that water tribe boy, probably aboard that ship drooling over treasures.

Again, I found my self-longing for the security of the colony and the feeling of belonging. All of my friends were also fighting with the resistance, most scattered around the Earth Kingdom. I missed their companionship and understanding.

I am snapped out of my reverie, by the return of the group. Noticing their fast pace, I quickly stand and make to follow, when I notice more men emerging from the ship, all armed and looking like angry gargoyles. Shouts of "THIEF!" and "GET THEM!" have me bounding towards them at my fastest pace. Just as the group are turning around and reacting with horror at the approaching flock of brutes, I am in front of them crouching in a fighting stance.

"If you want them you'll have to go through me first" I cry as I draw water from the bay to my left into a water whip around my head,

"A waterbender!" the Avatar and the girl exclaim with surprise simultaneously.

I smile at their amazement and make short work of the pirate scum in front of me. Sending shoots of icy water, I freeze many of them to the ground.

I turn and yell "Run!" as I summon a huge wave to hopefully wash away the rest. Without waiting, I quickly spin around and follow the group back into town.

When we finally come to the front gate, I stop as they catch their breath. I on the other hand, stand and make sure we are not being followed. I am disrupted by a loud cry from the girl.

"That was incredible!" her eyes shining, "I've never met another waterbender before."

"Wait, you're a waterbender too?" I ask. I hadn't been informed of this. What a great discovery! I hadn't sparred with another waterbender for months.

"I am, but not a very good one," she admits sheepishly. I'm about to offer lessons, when her brother interrupts me.

"Yeah, yeah great another bender! What I want to know is who you are and why you helped us."

"Sokka, she just saved us, I'm sure she's not Fire Nation" the girl says impatiently.

"Katara, I'm the man of the family and I say we find out her purpose before we invite her to dinner" Sokka says pompously.

I struggle not to laugh. "Guys, I'm not Fire Nation. I'm part of the resistance; I spotted your flying bison on my way to buy supplies. Thought I'd see if the rumors about the Avatar's return are true. I guess they are."

"Whoa, whoa, whoa" says Sokka, "How do you know Aang is the Avatar."

For the first time, the boy speaks. "Sokka, I'm sure she's safe, but maybe we should go somewhere more private before we discuss Avatar stuff."

Grumbling, Sokka nods and turns to make his way back into the forest. I look at Aang and smile, "Hi, my name's Lairiel, it's an honour to meet you"

"Hi, Lairiel, I'm Aang and this is Katara" pointing to his right. I nod at her too, noticing her staring at me with curiosity and awe.

"I can't believe you're a waterbender! This is so great! Are you water tribe?"

I shake my head as we begin to follow Sokka. Pulling off my shawl and the scarf off my head.

"I don't exactly have your looks," I say, slightly self-conscious, as my long hair tumbles down my back and my eyes finding hers, conscious of their strange purple colour.

Her sapphire eyes widen in surprise. "Wow" she says. "I've never seen that colour before, no one in the South Pole has purple eyes". Seeing my expression, she quickly adds "But they're beautiful, Lairiel, you must get a lot of attention".

I roll my eyes "They're more trouble then they're worth, believe me. Especially when your aim is make yourself as unmemorable as possible". My mind wanders back to several incidents when I was forced to fight my way out of uncomfortable situations with drunken men.

"But I guess you're used to drawing attention" my eyes focusing back on Katara, "A water tribe duo and a Air bending monk, must a hard thing to keep on the down low".

"Yeah, it is" her eyes looking sad "I wish we didn't live in a world where we have to hide our heritage."

I grimace with understanding, "People like us who have seen more then most, always wish things were different. Unfortunately, that's not for us to decide, all we can do is play our part in this war."

Aaang looks increasingly anxious as our conversation continues, giving a few comments here and there. Sokka remains steadfast at the front of the group, leading the way. I internally laugh at male pride. As we approach a forested area, that looks like camp for the night, Aang turns to me and asks "Lairiel, do you think you could give me and Katara some tips on waterbending? You're wave was pretty impressive!"

"I would be happy to Aang, anything to help" I say warmly.

I can sense Katara awkwardly fidgeting in the corner. As I turn to look at her, I can sense waves of guilt coming off her.

"Katara, are you ok?

Looking imploringly at me, she explodes "I don't think I should be part of this little training session, I don't exactly deserve it."

"What crazy girl talk are you saying now" Sokka mumbles.

"What? Of course you do Katara, you need to master waterbending too" Aang adds enthusiastically.

"No, I don't think I should." She says nearly in tears now. She looks down and pulls a scroll out of her robe. "I took this off the ship. That's why those men were chasing us. I'm a thief" looking despairing now, she covers her face.

I walk over to her and say "Let me see that" holding out my hand. Opening the scroll, I jolt with surprise and pleasure. "This is a genuine waterbending scroll!"

"I know!" Katara replies miserably.

"No, Katara, don't be sorry. Those men were all thieves. They probably stole this from a waterbender. You deserve this much more then some collector."

"You know what? Your absolutely right, it does belong to my people!" she says, looking brighter now.

"Well, what's done is done" says Aang sagely.

"Wait, Katara steals a highly valuable bending scroll and gets away with it and I can't even buy a nice bag when I see one?" Sokka cries.

"Sokka, our money is not for accessories, it's for supplies and anyway this will help Aang master waterbending" Katara replies, amused.

"It wasn't an accessory Katara. It was a satchel that men use to carry manly things"

"Whatever Sokka, can we find some food now, I'm starved" Aang groans.

I smile. I can do that.

Zuko POV

He'd been forced to get involved with pirates and he wasn't happy. Turning to look at the captain of the group, he feels slightly worried. But reassures himself that he can handle anything these lowlifes can dish out. He is the fire nation prince after all. Well, he was. He shrugs away from this disturbing thought and turns to the captain.

"When we find them, you can have the scroll, but the girl and her group of thieves are mine. Do you understand?"

"Don't worry, you can have your own fun with the wench. All I care about is the my money she's wandered away with" the man growls.

"Don't be absurd, I want nothing to do with that peasant. It's her friend I'm interested in" he said shortly.

"Each to their own"

Zuko returned his gaze to the river bank. They must be on the river, he thought. She stole a waterbending scroll, therefore she must be trying to use it. Stupid girl. It was almost too perfect. If he got to the girl, all he needed to do was get her to lead him back to avatar, using whatever force necessary. His stomach turned slightly at the thought of hurting a girl. It was not honorable, but then again he was no good judge of honour, obviously.

"Is it the other girl you want? the captain asks curiously.

"What other girl? Zuko said in genuine surprise.

"The one who practically sent my men into another ice age and then washed away most of our new cargo. I would very much like to acquaint myself with her, little bitch". The captain smiles knowingly at Zuko.

Revolted, Zuko replies, "There will be no acquainting. We had a deal"

"Deals go wrong"

"If it does, I will not hesitate to burn your precious ship to the ground and the rest of your "precious" cargo with it" Zuko spits. "Do not forget who you are talking to."

Biting back a reply, the man turns back to the river. "Well, we won't have much longer to wait for the outcome, I see the waterbender now".

Snapping to attention Zuko quickly locates a shadowy figure on the shore, moving through poses. He smiled. Perfect. It really was all too easy for once.

"That's the girl? He asked, "That's the only one I've ever seen."

"No there is another one, a tall, terrifying woman." The captain shudders.

Zuko Laughs, "Really Captain, I though you had a stouter heart then to get scared by a mere women."

"Wait until you meet her, then you won't be laughing".

Lairiel's POV

It felt good to be around people again. Snuggled in her sleeping bag, she watches the dying embers of the fire. Fascinated by the beautiful colours in its heart, she wondered what it would be like to wield fire. Terrifying and exhilarating she decides. As her natural opposite, she couldn't imagine that type heat within her body.

Thinking back her homeland, she remembered only a handful of fire benders. Water and Earth were the most common. As a community that sees nature as sacred, they were more aligned to soil and the rivers. However, they recognized the need for fire. It keep the balance, between life and death. There were those however, who would use it for destruction. That was why she was here now, laying on the ground with the Avatar and his friends.

Thinking of the evening they had shared, she smiles. They were a lighthearted bunch who were quick to laugh. Joking with Katara, she enjoyed teasing Sokka and helping Aang move through a few simple waterbending poses. As the night wore on she told them everything of her unique heritage, deeming it right, as this was the Avatar. As for Katara and Sokka, she knew they were loyal and trustworthy.

It was hard finding the words, as she had never spoken them to an outsider before. Her story was one of mystery and intrigue. She told them of the colony or as it was rightfully called 'The Spirit Nation'. She told them of their split from the rest of the world and severing their ties with the Fire and Earth kingdoms. She told them of how her people were graceful and strong, how they fought with courage and determination. She told them of the mountains and lakes. She revealed how they had slipped in rebels to help with the war. Most importantly however, she told them of her family. Her long lost family, whom she had not seen for five years.

She was not only a rebel. She was the daughter of a chief, like Katara. A princess in her land. Her father had not deemed in right for a girl of her rank to leave home and become a warrior. However, she had encouraged him to accept that she needed to do her part in this war.

Thinking back to the expression on his face when she left was near heartbreaking. His hand on her face and his wise voice "Don't get lost in the woods now Lairiel. Your people need you and so do I".

Well, five years was barely anything to them. But it felt like an eternity for her. Always fighting for survival, constantly moving up and down the borders.

Pulling herself out of her trance, she scolded herself "thinking of the past was no way to look ahead". She stood and stretched her limbs.

Where is Katara? She thinks in sudden shock. Panic jolts her stomach. There she was reminiscing about her home and her new friend is missing. How long had she been gone? How did she not sense her slip away?

Shaking with anger, she pulls herself upright and walks into the woods, following a trail only she can make out in the forest floor.

Zuko's POV

"I'll save you from the pirates." Her whispers in Katara's ear as her grabs a hold of her wrists in an iron grip.

Dragging her to a tree, he beckons to the gaggle of pirates, of which a couple spring forward, armed with rope to secure Katara.

Fighting with all her strength, she scratches at Zuko's face, drawing blood. Ignoring her struggles, he roughly forces her bank against the trunk. As the pirates wind the rope around her Katara stares Zuko down with daggers and tries to hold her head high, as he draws nearer.

Lairiel's POV

I pick my way through the forest trailing my hands along tree trunks and smelling the leaves on the moisture laden floor.

She defiantly came this way. Quickly, as well, but not fast enough so that she was running. I wasn't worried anymore; Katara probably left to go and try out that scroll. I smiled at her secrecy. I knew that she took that scroll for herself and not really for Aang at all.

Suddenly, I hear a high pitch scream come flying across the forest. My head snaps to the left and I automatically begin running. Summoning the dew clinging to almost every leafy object in the area, I ready myself to help Katara with whatever mess she is in. Realizing she was in fact, on the waterfront, made me drop my load and ready my hands to pull a wave into the land.

Bursting through the trees, I quickly throw myself onto my stomach and pull myself along the ground until I am lying in a small ditch. Raising my head slightly, I recoil at the sight that meets my eyes.

Katara is bound tightly against the trunk of tree, looking terrified and angry at the same time. Around her stands a very familiar array of pirate scum holding all manners of weaponry. My chest tightens with horror as I catch sight of someone else I hoped that I would never have to meet.

Well, there he was. The infamous Prince Zuko of the Fire Nation, up to his usual lovely tricks of destruction and stupidity. Aang, Katara and Sokka, had been quick to warn me of the Prince's constant aggressive hunt for the Avatar. He'd caused them no end of trouble and sleepless nights. I also knew Katara had a particular hatred of this man. He was after all prince of the nation that had taken her mother away from her and there she was. Trapped just like her mother.

I didn't know much about Zuko. He wasn't exactly high on the Colony's radar; His state of exile shadowed the fact he was Ozai's heir. Obviously, we had been wrong and he was indeed a very big threat. His tracking was obviously good, as he had been able to locate Aang too many times for my liking.

Ever loyal to the helping spread the strength of the Fire Nation, I thought sarcastically. Luckily, I had remembered to pick up my quiver and bow before I had entered the forest and I now reach for my weapons. I don't particularly want to make a show of my water bending again. I am nocking my bow and arrow, drawing it back and readying my aim, when I see Zuko dangling some sort of necklace in Katara's face and hear a vague cry and the word 'mother' in Katara's response.

Seeing red, I release my arrow and smile as it pins Zuko's sleeve to the tree. I then launch myself into the air and run with all my might towards the pirates, readying another arrow.