"I'm going with you!" Katara exclaimed immediately, stepping toward him. If her brother was going to fight, she would be there to help him.
"No. You stay here and hide with the others," Sokka ordered, fixing her with one last look before running toward the shore.
Katara watched her brother's back as he disappeared into the distance, fear and dread taking hold of her. She turned to Gran-Gran with a lump in her throat, seeking guidance, but the elder simply shrugged. "I'm sure it's not as serious as your brother thinks. Let's see who these visitors are."
***
Outside the ice walls that surrounded the village, Sokka crouched behind a mound of snow, his body tense as he watched the small boat 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 unsuited for the South Pole's cold. 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 isn't cold…' Sokka frowned, his heart beating faster as he assessed the stranger. For some reason, every hair on his body was standing on end, and it wasn't because of the icy wind. He watched the boy stretch his back, then his legs and arms, moving with ease. Then, the stranger began walking toward the village.
There was no more time for analysis.
Sokka took a deep breath and counted to three. '1… 2… 3—Now!' He jumped out from behind the snow mound, placing himself in the stranger's path with his spear pointed directly at his face. "Hey, you! State your intentions for entering my territory—Now!"
The boy stopped, his dark eyes studying Sokka with a disconcerting calm before offering a friendly smile and raising his hands in surrender. "Easy, easy, I come in peace," he said with a light tone.
Sokka narrowed his eyes, the spear still aimed at him. "That's exactly what a bandit would say!"
"Oh… you're right." The boy scratched the back of his neck, a bit awkwardly, though his smile didn't fade. "Well, you must be Sokka, right?… or am I in the wrong place?" he finished in a murmur, silently wondering how likely it was that he had ended up on the other side of the continent after getting lost.
…It was actually pretty high.
"H-how do you know my name?!" Sokka asked, alarmed, lowering the spear slightly.
"So it really is you!" the boy exclaimed happily and with relief at not having to go back to the boat immediately. "As for how I know, your father talks a lot about you and your sister—"
"You met Dad?!" Katara interrupted, stopping beside her brother, breathless from having run all the way to them.
"Katara! What are you doing here?!" Sokka turned to her, annoyed, only to notice that the entire village — even the children — had left the ice walls, completely ignoring his order to stay protected. "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 watched the interaction with an amused smile. "You really met our father? Is he okay?"
The boy nodded. "Yes. Actually, I have letters here for all of you." He tapped 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.