Entwined

Chapter 1

The Princess of the Southern Water Tribe was born on the coldest night of the year.

It was also the clearest night that the South Pole had ever seen. On this night, the stars twinkled faintly and the clouds disappeared. The whole sky seemed to be waiting eagerly for something amazing to happen.

And amazing it was. At first, it was only small flecks of color spread through the sky. A little green here, some purple there. As moments passed, more colors were added. Blue,pink, and red sheets floated above, leaving every living creature below mesmerized. The members of the Water Tribe pointed in awe while the animals, big and small, all stopped to stare.

Amidst all of the excited murmurs and whispers, a baby cried for the first time.

The Chieftain and Chieftess of the Southern Tribe were overjoyed. The daughter Katara was a beautiful and healthy baby. Awhile later, they also found out that she was a waterbender.

Everyday for a week after the princess was born the southern lights would light up the sky brighter than anyone had seen before. Every night, the Chief, his wife, and their son would bring their newest family member outside. And when the princess opened her eyes, she saw only the lights as they glowed above.

For a short time, everything was peaceful. Perfect. News of the baby girl spread all over the world. It had been a long time since the Southern Tribe birthed a waterbender. Everyone knew she would be special.

However, there was one person who believed this more than anyone. An outsider named Hama, who had left the tribe when she was young. She believed the princess had the power to be extraordinary. And so, two weeks after the birth of the baby, Hama sneaked into Chief's home and stole the princess.

The tribe was distraught when they learned of the kidnapping of their beloved princess. The royal family grieved over their loss. They searched and searched, but never found a trace of the girl. The only thing that gave them hope was the sky. Whenever the night became clear, the looked up at the lights, hoping that one day, their lost princess would return.

...

17 years later

"Again, Katara. And this time, do it better."

Katara gritted her teeth, pausing only for a second to wipe the sweat that ran down her forehead. Her arms hurt. Her legs hurt even more. But she wouldn't stop. She wasn't allowed to.

Training was always intense. That was how Hama intended it to be. She wanted to push Katara to the limit. Once, when she was younger, she had fainted in the middle of a hard set. She woke up to freezing cold water being thrown on her face.

Katara always forgave Hama when she reprimanded her a bit too strongly, though. She knew that Hama only wanted her to be the best she could be. In Hama's eyes, Katara should be grateful that Hama was teaching her the ways of a master.

I am grateful, Katara thought as she widened her stance. She focused on the wooden log that sat vertical to the ceiling about ten feet away. She guided the water from the small basin at her feet into her hands. Letting out a breath, she concentrated on the feel of the water, molding it to her liking.

A second later her arms shot out, sending a sharp jet of water towards the wood. The liquid hit the object dead center, so sharp that it forced a hole through one side and out the other. Katara's lips turned up; it was a clean cut. She looked to Hama, trying not seem eager as she awaited the older woman's assessment.

"That was almost adequate."

Katara often compared Hama's voice to ice. Hard, and cold, with the ability to make her feel numb. Her mouth straightened into a line as she stepped forward to get a closer look at what she did.