Avatar The Last Airbender Fan Fiction ❯ Duty Versus Love ❯ The Message ( Chapter 18 )

Chapter XIIX: The Message

 

It had been several weeks since Aang had left for the Winter Solstice meeting alone, and Katara missed him desperately. Her only comfort was her newborn son, Anil. When she looked into her baby's grey eyes, she saw Aang.

Over the past few weeks, she had gotten used to being a mother. She had mentally recovered and her body was well on the way to recovery.

She sat in the Cloisters of the Air Temple, feeding Anil, her son carefully bundled against the winter cold. From the Cloisters, she could watch the sky for her husband's return. Barring unforeseen complications, he would probably be coming home soon.

“Katara?” The Waterbender glanced around in time to see Sokka walk through the doorway. He froze in the doorway. Katara was properly covered up, but it was still obvious that she was breast-feeding. “Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't mean…”

“It's all right, Sokka. I'm almost done.” Katara said as Anil finished. She fixed her dress and uncovered herself.

Sokka wasn't shocked to see that she was wearing Air Nomad clothing. She had taken to wearing Air Nomad clothing much more often, especially since Aang left. Sokka had to admit that the flowing orange and yellow dress draped gracefully over her body complimented her.

“Yes, Sokka, what is it?” Katara asked.

“There's a messenger from the Earth Kingdom.” Sokka said.

Katara sighed heavily. She didn't have very good memories of the last message they had received from the Earth Kingdom. “Very well.” She followed Sokka down to the courtyard.

“He's gotten bigger, hasn't he?” Sokka observed, glancing at the infant in Katara's arms.

“He has.” Katara gazed fondly at her son. “He's nearly two months old now. My precious Anil…” She kissed the infant's forehead. “I wish Aang were back.”

“Katara, Aang's gonna be back.” Sokka assured her. “We haven't heard anything to suggest otherwise.”

Their conversation came to a halt when they walked into the courtyard and met the Earth Kingdom messenger. Predictably, the man bowed. Katara could tell right away from his uniform that he was not from the Earth King, but from Omashu. “Oh no.” Katara gasped quietly.

“Lady Katara, I have an urgent message for your husband. Is the Avatar available?”

“My husband has not yet returned from the Winter Solstice meeting at the North Pole.” Katara answered. “But, as his wife, I'll receive the message and pass it onto him. It's about King Bumi, isn't it?” The messenger nodded. “Is it good news or bad news?”

“I'm afraid, My Lady, that it is bad news.” The messenger said. “His Majesty, King Bumi's health continues to fail. He probably won't survive the month.”

“Oh no… Aang is going to be devastated when he hears this…” Katara whispered. “Thank you.” She spoke to the messenger. “I'll make sure Aang receives the message when he returns.”

“Lady Katara, if I may add on a personal note: congratulations on the birth of yours and the Avatar's firstborn son.” The messenger's eyes found the newborn wrapped in Katara's arms. “All of Omashu celebrated when we received the news. This is truly a great event for the entire world. But you and Avatar Aang must be so much more excited.”

“Thank you.” Katara said gratefully. “We are very excited.”

The messenger bowed and left. Katara held her child tighter to herself. “Oh, Aang…” She knew that he would be terribly devastated when he found out about King Bumi's condition.

Sokka walked back into the room, and immediately saw the distressed look on Katara's face. “Katara, what is it?”

“It's King Bumi. He's dying.” Katara said, beginning to walk away. Sokka followed her. “Aang and I will have to leave as soon as he returns.”

Sokka froze on the spot for a few seconds, and then he continued to follow after Katara. “Katara, but what about Anil? He can't be old enough to travel.”

“Anil will be fine.” Katara said shortly. “And I don't appreciate you implying that I would purposefully endanger my son!”

“I didn't mean…” Sokka trailed off. “Okay, then what about Suki? She's eight months pregnant, and you can bet you'll be in Omashu for more than a month. How will you help Suki with childbirth if you're in Omashu when she goes into labor?”

“She can still travel on Appa. She can come with us. Aang's mansion in Omashu is big enough for all of us.” Katara said. “We can stay in Omashu for as long as necessary.”

Sokka sighed. “We'll have to talk with Suki and Aang when he returns.”

~~~~~~~~~~

Thankfully, Aang came back home to very next day.

Katara, from her usual vantage point, was the first to spot Appa's massive form. “Aang!” She breathed excitedly, and hurried down to Appa's landing platform as quickly as she could while holding a newborn baby.

Within minutes, she arrived and saw that Aang had all ready dismounted and was giving Appa a scratch to thank the Sky Bison.

“Aang!” Katara called out, rushing up to him.

Aang turned around, a broad grin on his face. “Katara!” Though he longed to pull her into a tight embrace, he didn't because Katara was holding Anil. So he gave her a loose embrace and a passionate kiss. “Katara, I missed you so much.” He whispered against her lips.

“I missed you too. Welcome home.” Katara whispered in return.

Aang pulled away from her slightly, taking their son in his arms. “And how's my little man doing?”

“He's gotten bigger.” Katara said fondly. “And he's sleeping better.”

“Really? Is he sleeping through the night now?” Aang asked, sounding amazed.

“Not quite.” Katara answered with a laugh. “But he's sleeping a little now.”

“Oh well… an improvement is an improvement.” Aang said with a small shrug, pressing a kiss to his son's forehead.

“Aang, I, uh… have some news… from Omashu.” Katara began hesitantly.

Aang froze, and then looked at Katara. “How is Bumi?”

“Aang, he's…” Katara paused, knowing how devastated Aang was going to be when he heard the news. “He's getting worse. The messengers said he probably wouldn't survive the month.”

Aang closed his eyes and released a shaky breath. Katara knew he was trying to calm his emotions. He passed Anil back to Katara. “I have to go to Omashu.” He said.

“I know.” Katara said. “But this time, you'll have company.”

“It's safe for Anil to travel now?” Aang asked.

“He'll be fine as long as we don't fly too high up.” Katara said. “Sokka and Suki are coming too.”

“Why? Wouldn't they rather stay here at the Temple?”

“Probably. But Suki's eight months pregnant now and we'll probably be in Omashu for longer than a month. She needs to be where I am, and I need to be where you are.”

“Oh well, there's plenty of room at my house in Omashu.” Aang said. “But what about Toph?”

“I'm staying here, Twinkletoes.” Aang looked around and saw Toph standing in one of the doorways leading off the balcony.

“Are you sure you're going to be all right…?” Aang began, but Toph cut him off.

“If you know what's good for you, you won't finish that sentence.” Toph said. “Yes, I'll be fine by myself. I can take care of myself. Besides, I don't want to be around any more women giving birth. So I'll make myself useful by protecting the Temple while you're gone.”

“Thanks, Toph.” Aang said with a smile.

“So what are you waiting for?” Toph asked. “I'll get Sokka and Suki so you can get out of here.” She left.

Aang turned to Appa. “Sorry, boy. I know we just got back home, but we have to leave again… to Omashu.”

 

LES: Does anyone remember the character Sarah from “The Land Before Time”? (The first one. The bazillion sequels don't exist, as far as I'm concerned.) Toph kind of reminds me of her. Except with Toph, she actually can take care of herself and it's not just boasting for boasting's sake.