Disclaimer: I don't own LOK.


...return soon to become queen... arranged marriage...within one month. She read the words over and over again.

Eska didn't notice Korra walk in and kneel next to her. "Is it because your dad is gone?"

"No." Eska stated coldly. "Here." She pushed the letter toward Korra then used the strength she had to get up and lay on her bed and continued to sob.

"Oh." Korra stated sympathetically. Then she became angry. She'd worked too hard for this. They were too happy. "Why you? Why not Desna? He's the male."

"They do...it by age...in the north." She choked out between sobs. "I was b-...born ten min-...minutes before him. It is...law."

"Why an arranged marriage? I'm sure Bolin would go to live in the north if he could stay with you."

"He needs to be water tribe so the line can continue through me." She calmed down enough to talk.

"I'm so sorry." was all Korra could say, and she said it many times.

What Eska wanted was for Bolin to be comforting her right now. And she would have woken him up, but that would only make it worse.


Eska didn't have the strength to leave her room that day. She had come to love her new life so much, it hurt to think about leaving it.

On the other side of the door, Bolin kep questioning Korra why he couldn't talk to Eska.

"Please just let me go talk to her. She would want me to come comfort her."

"Sorry, but she told me to not let you it."

"Please, Korra. Its killing me."

"No. I can't. I'm sorry."

"Then can you tell me why?"

Korra sighed then looked at Eska's door. She wasn't sure Eska would want her to tell, but she couldn't stand the look in Bolin's eyes. He was so concerned and scared for her.

"Okay, but don't tell everyone. I don't think she would want you to know." Korra said. "She has to go back to the northern tribe."

"What?"

"Wait, there's more." Korra felt weird saying this. Usually, when someone says this, it's good news. This, however, was anything but good. "She is going to be queen because she was born a couple minutes before Desna and age takes priority over gender in the north.

"But the worst part is...she is getting set up in an arranged marriage."

Up until now, Bolin's face had been indifferent, but once he heard "arranged marriage" his face dropped. "Oh. Now I see why she doesn't want to talk to me." He walked to the gym without explanation.

Korra knew him too well. He walked to the gym to get his frustration out, but would break own in sobs within twenty minutes. He was a sensitive guy, and Korra knew they were in love. It hurt her too knowing she'd set them up, just so they could be broken apart. She felt somehow guilty.

Mako had a week off before he started his new position as detective. Korra was indulging in this, while guarding Eska's doorway as well. But mostly spending time with Mako.

"Hey, I want to make Eska some tea. Can you teach me? I've never made it before, and I don't want to ruin it. She's already not feeling hot."

Mako didn't know, and he didn't pry. It wasn't his business. He only knew Eska was upset. "You've never made tea before?"

"No, never had to. I don't care for it."

"Okay, well then let me show you." He smiled at Korra. "First, take that pot and fill it with water."

"Okay." She picked up the pot, and Mako put his hands on top of hers guiding her as she filled it with water. "Mako, I can fill it with water myself."

"Hey, I'm just help you make tea. Next, hold it with one hand, then put a hot flame under it with fire-bending until it boils. It's faster that way." He helped her hold the pot full of water as it heated up. "Then, grab a tea bag," he reached over and grabbed one sitting on the counter, "and set it down. On the stove to keep it warm," handed Korra the tea bag, "and put that in the tea, but hold the string so you can take it out later."

"Now what?"

"Now, we wait."

"For how long? I thought you said it was faster." Korra complained.

"And it was. But you have to wait for the tea to distribute itself throughout the water."

"Ugh, why is everything so slow?"

"It won't take long, just wait a couple more minutes."


"Is it ready yet?"

"Actually yeah." He got up and stirred it a little then poured four cups. One for each. Bolin had been staying in his room as well. "We have to try it first though."

"I thought I told you I don't like tea." She said confused as he handed her a cup.

"Just try it."

"Fine." She sipped and was pleasantly surprised. "What did you do to this? It tastes amazing!" She took a huge gulp.

"I didn't do anything. Its probably a different tea from the one you had before."

"There are different types of tea?" Korra asked in surprised.

Mako didn't say anything. He just laughed. "Take Eska her tea."

"I was serious though." She carefully walked in. "Eska, I brought you some tea."

Eska was laying on her bed in the fetal position. Okay, now this is just sad. Korra walked closer. Seeing as she wasn't getting a response from Eska she said, "Okay, I'll just set this here." She put it on her nightstand.

Mako had given Bolin his tea, and came back to talk to Korra.

"I think Eska rubbed off on him."

"No, you don't know. What happened...well its what I would expect." Korra explained to him.

Mako could tell whatever happened had taken its toll on Korra as well. She was less...vibrant and energetic. "I'm sorry. I don't know what happened, but I know you feel bad too. Come here." He held his arms out.

She fell into his arms. She felt so bad. She had no idea what to do. She felt bad knowing Eska would never have someone she could just hug and let go of everything because she felt so right.

"No." she whispered. She let Mako go and said, "I'm not going to let this happen."

"That sounds more like my Korra." Mako smiled.


AN: So, some hope for that. A lot of drama, right? Yep. Don't worry. There is much more to come. I will keep writing until people don't care if I continue.

THAT DOESN'T MEAN YOU CAN SKIP REVIEWING THOUGH