The Sea of Ice (Sun and Moon Book 2)

Chapter 18 - Peace

Aang sat in the pavilion, eyes closed, breathing steady. He focused, not on the cold air or the sounds of the world around him, but on himself. He concentrated on his spiritual energies, on the flow of his chakras.

He breathed in.

He breathed out.

He was at peace, and calm, and connected, and apart.

'Aang!'

Aang jumped at the sound of Twila's voice in his head, and his gray eyes flew open. He looked around, taking in the white rock of the domed building he sat in, and the sight of Twila running toward him across the sandy ground. Her white hair flew behind her and her eyes were bright.

Aang stood. "What's going on?"

"It's the Elders! They'll see you now!" She beamed, coming to a skidding halt a few feet away from him. Aang returned her smile, but inside, he was worried. He'd been here for nearly two weeks, with no word from the famous Elders. And now all of a sudden, it was time?

Aang had no idea what to expect. This was the reason he'd come, yet now that it was within the realm of possibility, all he could think was that if he met with the Elders, he'd have no reason to stay in Araden anymore.

And despite the fact that he missed his friends, the young Avatar wanted nothing more than to stay tucked away beneath the sea of ice. Araden was everything he'd imagined when he'd first arrived, and so much more. The spiritual atmosphere and quiet happiness of those that lived there reminded Aang of the years spent in the Air Temples. The people of Araden were much like his people, who he would never see again.

Though he knew they WEREN'T his people, leaving them would feel like leaving the Air Temple all over again, and he couldn't help but be afraid that something similar would happen this time.

"Aang?" Twila frowned at him, and Aang shook off his thoughts. He had to meet with the Elders first. Who knew, maybe they'd want him to stay.

With a faint smile, Aang followed Twila out of the pavilion and through the sloping streets of Araden.

**__**

Zuko and Sokka danced around each other, their swords mere points of flickering light as the blades reflected the setting sun. Despite the advantage Zuko had, fighting with two swords instead of one, Sokka held his own.

They fought in silence, their eyes flicking from place to place, watching each other, watching their surroundings, watching their blades. And all the while, both of them were smiling, huge grins threatening to overtake their faces. It had been so long since they'd practiced together, so long since they'd just been together as friends.

Sokka had missed this. He'd been furious with Zuko for so long, but now he realized how wrong he'd been. And now that he knew the truth, Zuko was so much more than just his friend. Zuko was his brother, in truth, and that was something Sokka had always wanted, somewhere inside him.

Katara had always been more of a mother than a sister, and Sokka had often wondered what it would be like to have an actual 'sibling' relationship with someone. He slid his sword down one of Zuko's, laughing as it glanced off. He spun and aimed an overhead slice at Zuko, but the Firelord parried it easily, his eyes focused and his smile wide.

Finally Zuko's advantage won out, with his two swords tangling with Sokka's one, sending the Water Tribe Prince's blade spinning into the gathering darkness. They were both panting and laughing, and Zuko sheathed his blades with a tired grin. They clapped each other on the back and walked together back into the palace, talking of mundane things of little importance.

The words weren't what mattered--it was the time spent together.

And as they laughed together, Sokka smiled at his brother. And as Sokka smiled, Zuko sighed a happy sigh. Because he knew in his heart that he was finally free, finally at peace. The worry and fear and grief had dissipated, gone as if they'd never been. He pictured Katara's face, and felt nothing but a deep sadness--one he could throw off easily in the presence of his friends.

He had let her go, and finally, Zuko felt himself again. He was centered, in control, and happy to be on vacation in the Southern Water Tribe, waiting for Aang to return from Araden.

Feeling the boys' approach, Toph felt the steady beat of Zuko's heart and the easy way he breathed. She recognized the difference in him, and she, too, smiled. She didn't know what had been wrong with her friend, but she was glad to have him back. She walked toward them, heard them joking.

With light steps she joined them, and the three friends walked toward the dining room, where dinner was soon to be served.

And all the while, the woman watched through her mirror, from a world both far and near from the South Pole, and she smiled as the scenes played out across the pane. 'soon', she thought. 'Soon I will be with you again.'

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