"I'm going with you!" Katara said instantly, stepping closer to him.
"No. You stay here and hide with the others," Sokka ordered, locking eyes with her before running off toward the village entrance.
Katara stared at her brother's back as he moved away, frustration and fear written across her face. She turned to Gran-Gran, seeking guidance, but the elder just shrugged. "I'm sure it's not as serious as your brother thinks. Let's see who these visitors are."
***
Outside the icy walls that surrounded the village, Sokka crouched behind a snow mound, his body tense as he watched the small boat come to a stop at the edge of the ice. Only one person disembarked. It was a boy, maybe a few years older than him, with black hair and light clothes that were completely inappropriate for the cold of the South Pole. Two daggers were strapped to his waist, and he carried a shoulder bag hanging at his side.
'He doesn't look like a Fire Nation soldier, but the fact that he's not cold...' Sokka frowned, his heart beating faster as he assessed the stranger. He watched the boy stretch his back, then his legs and arms, moving with a relaxed ease. Then, the stranger started walking toward the village.
Sokka took a deep breath and counted to three. '1... 2... 3—Now!' He jumped out from behind the snowbank, planting himself in the stranger's path with his spear pointed straight at them. "Hey, you! State your intentions for entering my territory—now!"
The boy stopped, his dark eyes studying Sokka with a disconcerting calm before he broke into a friendly smile and raised his hands in surrender. "Easy, easy, I come in peace," he said with a light tone.
Sokka narrowed his eyes, spear still aimed. "That's exactly what a bandit would say!"
"Oh.... you're right," the boy scratched the back of his neck, a bit awkward, though his smile didn't fade. "Well, you must be Sokka, right?... or is this the wrong village?" he finished in a mutter, wondering how likely it was that he'd ended up on the other side of the continent after getting lost. The possibility was pretty high.
"How... how do you know my name?!" Sokka asked, startled, his spear lowering slightly.
"So it really is you!" the boy exclaimed, relieved that he wouldn't have to go back to the boat right away. "As for how I know—your father talks a lot about you and your sister—"
"You met Dad?!" Interrupting their conversation, Katara stopped beside her brother, breathless from running to them.
"Katara! What are you doing here?!" Sokka turned to her, annoyed, only to notice that the whole village—even the children—had come out from the ice walls, completely ignoring his order to stay hidden. "What are all of you—"
"Be quiet!" Katara shoved Sokka's head back, catching him off guard. He stumbled and fell onto his back in the snow with an indignant grunt.
"Katara!"
Katara ignored her brother and focused on the stranger, who was watching the interaction with an amused smile. "You really met our dad? Is he okay?"
The boy nodded. "Yeah. Actually, I've got letters here for all of you." He patted the bag slung over his shoulder, making everyone's eyes light up.
***
Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters, images or songs featured in this fic. Additionally, I do not claim ownership of any products or properties mentioned in this novel. This work is entirely fanfic.