Southern Water Tribe princess Katara is arranged to be married to Hahn, the arrogant Prince of the Northern Water Tribe, but after negotiations break down over women's rights to become waterbenders the marriage contract is broken. Angry over the loss of the financial gain Hahn's father, Chief Pakku, orders the Northern Water Tribe's Navy to cut off the Southern Water Tribe's main trade routes. Over the years Pakku's tactics take their toll on the Southern Water Tribe leaving them desolate without enough food or medicine to sustain the village. In a desperate bid to save his people Chief Hakoda negotiates an uneasy marriage alliance with their one time enemies, the Fire Nation.