Avatar The Last Airbender: Water and Fire [ON HOLD]

Chapter 25 - The Great Migration

The Great Migration

Journey from South to North

I lay on my thick blanket, with pieces of paper scattered all around me. I continued to stare at the ceiling. I heard some voices, and then Katara entered my room, brushing the thick buffalo-yak’s skin to one side. “Come on out, Mi Li. We’re having lunch now,” she called. I looked up to her, “Coming,” I called back. She acknowledged, and left. I sat up sluggishly, and ambled out. In the dining room, Hakoda, Katara, Sokka, Aang and Momo, were all sitting at the table. The food was set out and everyone seemed ready to eat.

I briskly took my seat next to Katara, so as to keep them all from waiting. Hakoda gestured for us to begin eating, but my appetite was lost in a swamp of thoughts. Katara must have noticed my uneasiness, because she gave me worried glances. I tried to reassure her with a smile, but she wasn’t convinced. Soon, even Hakoda noticed my unrest. An uncomfortable silence filled the room, with the only noise being Sokka’s rapid munching.

The only person who didn’t seem surprised was Aang – I figured that he already knew about everything I had discovered in the letters. When I gazed at him, he nodded with understanding. But I could tell that everyone else in the room was eager to hear into our silent conversation. I sighed, “I received a bunch of letters from friends. One letter was from the Northern Water Tribe – it was from Chief Arnook,” I said quietly. Everyone listened intently, and exchange interested glances. “He needs a new successor, because his daughter died. And apparently, I’m of royal blood,” I stated expressionlessly.

I heard Katara gasp; even Sokka stopped gobbling and became silent. “They’ve checked all the records, and I am the last descendent that is eligible for the throne. He’s offered me the chance to succeed his position, as leader of the Northern Water Tribe, and advises me to consider the option carefully. If I choose not to accept his offer, it’ll just mean that his eldest nephew-in-law will have to be prepared for the role. But he needs me to inform him of my decision as soon as I can, because he’ll need to prepare the future leader, even though he’ll be in power for years more to come,” I said, expressing my dilemma.

The room was silent. “I don’t know what to do. It’s surprising enough to learn that I’m royalty, when all these years I’ve barely even believed myself to be nobility. But now, I have to make a choice, of whether I want to lead a nation. I just don’t know if I’m ready for this much responsibility. Yet, I cannot imagine turning down the offer – it seems too important to ignore. I feel it is my duty to take up that leadership. But I don’t know how to begin,” I said disappointedly.

Another silence engulfed the room. “Mi Li, all of us including you, did not expect that you would be royalty. I know it is hard to believe, but what you’ve just learned about yourself is true. Chief Arnook has proposed a challenge that can change the course of your life. As he has expressed, he will continue to be Chief for many more years to come, and that the urgency for your decision is only so that he can prepare you or whoever it is that will succeed him. I understand you are not sure of your decision, but I think there is a way to satisfy both parties,” Hakoda said encouragingly, with a gentle smile.

I listened hopefully, glad that he was trying to help me resolve the issue. “Since your training for waterbending is complete, I suppose it is fine for you to travel freely again. How about going to the Northern Water Tribe and living the life of a royal for a short while? I’m not suggesting you accept the position as the future leader – I am simply suggesting that you go there and experience what it’s like to be a royal. It will give you time to decide because he will get the opportunity to train you, while at the same time, you can experience what it’s like in his shoes,” he said thoughtfully.