Sokka
Two weeks pass, and we all help where we can to rebuild the tribe. It goes much easier here than back home, with hundreds of Water Benders to help.
The first thing we do is the sea burials for all the warriors and healers lost in the battle. A fraction of what the Fire Nation lost, but still too many.
Next we focus on rebuilding the Ice Wall, the Watch towers, and everything damaged inside the city until it's good as new. It almost feels too easy, being from the South where we have to do everything by hand. But I'm grateful the North doesn't have to suffer from attacks like we did.
Finally, we have a victory celebration as well as a send off party for our group. Katara teases me for staring at Yue the whole time, unable to tear myself away from her ocean eyes. I thought she was beautiful before, but now I can't not look at her. It would be like choosing not to breathe.
After the celebrations end, Everyone heads home. Chief Arnook pulls me aside before I can join Aang and Katara, though.
"Sokka, a word?" He asks.
"Of course." I say and follow him into a meeting room.
"Tell me son, are you sixteen? I'm surprised I haven't asked before."
"Seventeen." I tell him, thinking of how my birthday passed last month. We were so busy running from Zuko that Katara and I both forgot until days later. I let her beat herself up a bit before telling her I didn't remember it either.
"Good. Here, have a drink with me." He says and pours something yellowish brown. I look at it questioningly, and he smiles. "It's called whiskey. It's incredibly rare in the Poles since it's made from a plant only found in the Earth Kingdom and Fire Nation. Trade stopped 85 years ago thanks to the Fire Nation blockades, but it's something that gets better with age. My father passed this bottle to me, said only to drink it after great victories. I assume in the South, you've never had any?"
"No Sir."
"I've only had it once, when Yue survived her sickness as an infant. I figured that counted as a victory." He chuckles. "I think this is an appropriate second occasion."
"I'd agree." I say, and accept the cup.
"Be careful not to spit it up. It tastes like seal piss."
"Oh. Thanks?"
"Take a seat." He says, and I sit on the walrus's leather couch with him in the chair in front of me. "Don't think I haven't noticed the way you and my daughter look at each other." He says, cutting straight to the chase. I almost choke on my seal-piss flavored drink.
"Sir, I-" I start, but he holds his hand up.
"You're not in trouble, Sokka. I'm sure you know that Han was one of the men who fell in the battle. He was a good warrior, in training at least, and he came from a powerful noble family. His engagement with my daughter was arranged when they were toddlers, even though not announced until her birthday. Not to speak ill of the dead, but I never intended for him to grow up to be such a Wolf-Horse's Ass. I can't say I'm pleased with any of my tribesmen's deaths, but selfishly I am relieved that Yue doesn't have to go through with the marriage. It would have been a political disaster to break it off. His family is very powerful. Yue knew this, and didn't want to cause a scandal in the tribe. She assured me it was an honor to do her duty, and she would find happiness in her life."
"Your daughter is Brave, Selfless, and Dutiful." I tell him, thinking about how ready she was to give her life to the moon spirit. Why is he talking to me about this, though? I don't dare to hope it's what I think it is, but why else would he?
"She is. And she deserves someone who is brave, kind, and brilliant, who can make her laugh, and share her life with. Not to mention one of the best military strategists I've ever met, even at such a young age."
My heart stops at his words.
"Chief-"
"Many the benders in my tribe have decided it's long past time to provide aid to the Southern Water Tribe. And I agree with them. I think we need to form an alliance with our sister tribe and secure it for future generations. Sokka, normally I'd talk to your father about this, but I understand that with him fighting the war there isn't a way to reach him. So I'm talking to you, man to man. You're the heir to the chiefdom of your tribe. I know the South is impoverished compared to here, but I also know Yue will be happy to go with you and live a life there, especially helping it grow and rebuild. If you accept, I will appoint a regent here to rule in Yue's place after I'm gone or you have a son old enough to ascend to the Northern throne. I have not come to this decision rashly. Will you Marry my daughter?" He asks.
I sit there in stunned silence for a second, my heart soaring. I can't believe this. I want to jump and shout and do a happy dance, but I manage to maintain my composure to clear my throat and smile at him, extending my arm. He clasps it.
"It would be my greatest honor, Chief." He smiles back at me.
"Good. Then you'd better carve a necklace fast before you leave tomorrow."