𝑨𝒍𝒘𝒂𝒚𝒔 𝒎𝒆𝒆𝒕

𝑹𝒐𝒚𝒂𝒍 𝒗𝒊𝒔𝒊𝒕

Chapter Forty Seven
Sokka
Two years later

Sweat trickled down the back of my neck and across my chest, my breaths coming in heavy and my heart pounding fiercely as I re-entered the southern pole palace.

Referring to it as a palace might be an overstatement compared to the grand structures of the Earth Kingdom and Fire Nation, but it was larger than most homes in the South Pole. It was spacious enough to accommodate the chief, his family, the council of elders, and their assistants.

The South Pole was no longer a small, desolate place. After nearly two years of reconstruction, it looked better than it had in a long time.

"Good morning, sir," the guards at the entrance greeted me as I returned from early morning training with our warriors.

This time, thank goodness, the warriors were not children.

"Good morning," I replied with a smile, wiping sweat from my forehead. The place was buzzing with activity, everyone scrambling and rushing around in preparation for the arrival of very important guests.

The Fire Lord and his consigliere.

Zuko and Inara.

You'd think someone of real importance was coming, given the frantic pace of preparations.

They didn't make nearly this much fuss when I returned after ending a war with the Avatar, but whatever.

I heard my footsteps echo on the floor as I turned right towards my wing—or our wing, I should say. Two guards stood at attention there as well, both nodding at me respectfully as I passed by and made my way to our room.

Opening the door, I found my girl still deep in sleep. A smile spread across my face as I took in the sight: her hair was a wild tangle, her mouth slightly open, and one arm draped over her eyes. She hated sleeping with any light reaching her eyes, which is why she usually nestled her face into my neck. But at the moment, I wasn't there for her to do that.

My poor, pretty girl.

I quietly kicked off my shoes making my way towards her and gently reached for a strand of her hair.

"Bouncy," I whispered with a grin, before crouching to place a feather-light kiss on her forehead, careful not to wake her.

But then I realized I probably should wake her up. If I didn't, Mansi would definitely be on her way to do so. Just as that thought crossed my mind, three loud knocks echoed through the door, confirming my suspicions.

My girl jolted awake, her face morphing from peaceful sleep to sheer terror before she turned to me, eyes wide and pleading for help.

I couldn't help but snicker before deciding to betray her.

"Sokka, wait, no!" she whisper-yelled, her voice full of desperation, but it was too late. I was already opening the door.

"Avatar Elora!" The scolding began the moment the door creaked open.

Mansi marched inside, ignoring my presence entirely, shaking her head in disappointed disapproval.

"I brought your outfit an hour ago and prepared your bath. I can't believe you went back to sleep!" Mansi's voice was stern as she set her sights on Lora, who glared daggers at me. But I didn't regret my decision. If I got in Mansi's way, she'd direct that fearsome energy at me too. Despite how much I liked Mansi, both Elora and I were more than a little scared of her.

You'd think the Avatar and the head of the Southern Water Tribe warriors wouldn't be afraid of a short lady in her mid-fifties, but sadly, that wasn't the case. We were absolutely terrified of her.