She's Gone (TAR)
Sokka frowned, the disdain obvious on his face as he and Eboshi made their way through the inside of the ice palace. Apparently, the king’s daughter, Selene, was turning 16 tonight, and the whole kingdom was invited. And since Eboshi and Sokka were visiting family at the time, they were invited too. Sokka, however, wasn’t looking forward to it. Knowing his luck, he would probably be stuck with his mom all night long, listening to her prattle on to his aunt about a new spell she had learned. Or maybe she would talk to his uncle about the miracle of him not managing to get into trouble for a whole week. Or perhaps she would tease his twelve-year-old cousins, telling them embarrassing stories of what he used to do at their age.
“Sokka, do try to look enthusiastic,” said Eboshi. “This is a pretty big party after all. Every witch and wizard in the North Pole will be here.”
“Mom, only witch and wizards live up here in the first place,” said Sokka, crossing his arms over his chest. “No human can survive up here for long without magic. That’s the only reason everyone’s been able to live up here.” That much was true. Witches and wizards thrived up here, using their magic to make buildings out of ice and snow. Most of them were professionals when it came to dealing water and snow spells.
Eboshi sighed. “Look, this is a big opportunity for you. Who knows, you might meet a high-up official who would be interested in the spells you’ve learned.”
“But I’m only fifteen,” Sokka protested. “I’ve only learned how to make lightning. I’ve only just started to learn how to enchant objects.”
“But you’ve been learning about lightning ever since you were born,” said Eboshi. “Most wizards your age are pretty proficient in their special area of magic by the time they’re your age. Now, no more arguing. We’re coming up to the ballroom.”
Sokka sighed, but didn’t say anything more. He could hear his cousins chattering excitedly behind him, and his aunt and uncle conversing quietly. A pair of guards pulled open the double doors, made of polished wood. Sokka tugged at his coat, but he knew he probably wouldn’t be able to take it off. The palace was made of ice after all. Inside the ballroom was a conglomerate of people, varying from old seniors to little kids who chased each other around.
“Eboshi, you must meet a friend of mine,” said Sokka’s aunt, tugging on Eboshi’s arm. “She designs the most wonderful dresses, and she said she might be willing to give you a coupon.”
“Oooo, sounds delightful,” said Eboshi.
Sokka rolled his eyes. He definitely didn’t want to hear about this kind of stuff. Being as sneaky as he could, he crept away from his family and towards the punch bowl. He almost got ran over by some five-year-olds, but managed to stop in time from getting his toes squished. He reached out for the silver ladle inside the punch bowl, but as he did, another hand reached out the same time and lightly bumped against his.
At the same time, he and the stranger said “Oh, I’m sorry-“
They stopped, but different reasons. The stranger, who happened to be a young girl, seemed to blush from embarrassment. Sokka, however, stopped because he was struck by the girl’s beauty. She was dressed in long, elegant purple robes and her eyes were a bright, shining blue. Her hair was a snow-white and was pulled up in an elegant style on top of her head. Sokka blinked for a second, not sure what to say. He couldn’t even remember how to speak for a moment.
“Are you new around here?” the girl asked, her voice light like a feather. “I don’t think I’ve seen you before.”
“Um, my mom and I are just visiting family,” said Sokka, finally finding his voice again. “We come up here every so often.”
“Oh, where are my manners? I forgot to introduce myself,” said the girl. She curtsied elegantly. “My name is Selene. It’s very nice to meet you."
“Wait, wait,” said Sokka, the name ringing a bell in his mind. “Hold on, you’re…the princess?”
The girl, Selene, laughed. “Yes.”
Sokka swallowed, having no idea that he had been in front of royalty. He got nervous for a second, but told himself to relax. Selene was just like every other girl, royalty or not. He had nothing to be worried about. “I’m Sokka. Nice to meet you too.”
Selene smiled. It was at that point when the orchestra started to play a soft waltz, something comforting that anybody could listen to. Selene smiled again at Sokka and held out her hand.
“Care to dance?” she asked.
“Oh, of course,” said Sokka. He slipped her hand into hers and pulled her onto the dance floor. As usual, everybody turned to whisper at each other behind their hands, wondering who was this strange boy that Selene was dancing with. Eboshi noticed and wasn’t sure if she should be proud or anxious. Sokka was a bit nervous. After all, this was the princess. But he couldn’t help but feel at ease around Selene. She just smiled at him like they were two ordinary people. He twirled her around in a circle, watching her white hair spin around her like a halo. It seemed to shimmer in the moonlight. When the last note was played, Selene leaned forward and gave Sokka a small kiss on the cheek. He blushed in surprise, making her laugh.
“I want to see you again,” she said. “Meet me tomorrow night, on the bridge in the middle of the city. It has a polar bear carved on it.”
Sokka nodded, trying to remember all that. “Tomorrow, bridge, polar bear. Got it.” He smiled. “See ya then.”
Selene smiled at him one more time before going over to join her father, who looked like he was about to make a toast of some sort. But Sokka barely paid attention to anything he said. All he noticed was how beautiful Selene looked, how her blue eyes shimmered and sparkled like two precious jewels, how her laugh sounded like wind chimes. He didn’t get to speak to Selene again for the rest of the night, but he didn’t mind, even when a young man went up to her and took her outside to a balcony. After all, he would see her again tomorrow. And that was all that mattered.
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The next night, Sokka went out with a big grin on his face. His mother wasn’t aware of where he was going, who he was meeting. He had kept that a secret. Plus, she was busy entertaining herself with the other relatives. Sure enough, when Sokka found the bridge with the polar bear carved on the side, he saw Selene already there. She was leaning over the edge, looking at the water below. Sokka smiled as he walked over to her.
“Hello Selene,” he said. “It’s good to see you again.”
“Sokka, I…I have something to tell you,” said Selene.
Sokka looked at her with concern. Something wasn’t right. Selene sounded upset. Her voice cracked in some places, like she was trying not to cry. And she wouldn’t look at him.
“Selene?” He gently turned her so he could see her face. “Selene, what’s the matter? Is something wrong?”
Selene didn’t answer for a moment. Tears started to fall down her face. Then, she pulled down the collar of her coat. Sokka gasped. On her neck was a betrothal necklace, made of shining blue stone. That was the custom with these people. When they got engaged, they got necklaces instead of rings. And it looked like someone had proposed to Selene.
“But…who…when…how?” Sokka could barely form sentences. He was still overcome with surprise. Selene was about his age. How could she marry when she was so young?
“Last night, after the party was over,” said Selene, wiping her face. “His name is Hahn. He proposed to me as soon as everyone left, didn’t want a scene. My father approved and a date’s been set. Here, the princess can marry as soon as she turns sixteen.” Her eyes filled with tears again and she buried her face in Sokka’s chest as she started to sob.
“Sokka, I don’t want it. I don’t want any of this. I…I like you, but now I’m marrying somebody else. We can’t be together.”
“No, no, don’t say that,” said Sokka, tilting Selene’s chin up. “Screw tradition. Screw them. You should be allowed to love who you want to love.” He sighed. “Selene, I want to be with you, regardless of who you’re marrying. I’ll figure out some way where we can be together. I promise.”
Selene actually smiled through her tears. “Oh Sokka…nobody’s ever done something like that for me.” Her hands gently cupped Sokka’s cheeks as she pulled him in for a kiss. Sokka’s eyes widened in surprise for a moment, but they soon closed as he kissed Selene back, wrapping his arms around her. He could taste the sweetness of her lips, but also the bitterness of her tears. But despite that, it was still the most wonderful thing he had ever tasted in his life. He wanted Selene with him always, no matter what. After all, in the stories, love always won, no matter what. Shouldn’t the same be for them?
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Sokka and Selene continued their affair for about two weeks, meeting secretly whenever they could. Under bridges, in alleyways, sometimes even in her bedroom, which required some sneaking around on Sokka’s part. But he was willing to do it if it meant spending time with Selene. The two shared everything about themselves with each other, hiding nothing. Sokka talked about the death of his father, and how much it had hurt his mother, hence why the two had a rocky relationship. Selene told him about her powers, how she specialized in magic dealing with light. Sokka loved seeing her hands glow. They always felt so warm to him. She also told him about how the moon spirit had blessed her when she was born, hence why her hair was white and how she was bit more powerful than other people her age. In public, they barely acknowledged each other. It was only in private they shared their intimacy, squeezing every bit of passion they had in the time they were together. Nobody really suspected something was up, except Hahn. He had noticed that Selene was hesitant about showing love to him, but she always said that she was just jittery over the wedding. That seemed to appease him, although he seemed to give her and Sokka dirty looks whenever he saw them. Sokka was intent on keeping his promise that one day, he and Selene would be together, but he could never come up with a solution. If anybody found out about their relationship, it would definitely mean bad things for both him and Selene. He kept telling himself that an answer would come to him eventually; he just had to be patient. But, Sokka would never get that far, because after two weeks, his and Selene’s affair came to an end.
Sokka happened to be in Selene’s bedroom that night. The two were wrapped in each other’s arms on Selene’s bed, the moon giving just enough light so they could see each other. The moon always reminded Sokka of Selene now, both because of her being blessed by the moon spirit, and that it was always under the moon that the two met each other.
“Sokka, wait, I need to…tell you something,” said Selene. “It’s important.”
Sokka looked up from where he had been kissing Selene’s neck, his blue eyes looking at hers. “Yes? What is it?” He smoothed her white hair against her head.
Selene took Sokka’s face in her hands, showing that this was serious. “I love you, more than anyone I’ve ever met. And…I think I’m ready to take our relationship further.”
Sokka realized what she was implying. He smiled. “Funny. I was thinking of the same thing.”
Selene smiled back, then pulled Sokka in so their lips met. Sokka kissed her back, mouth moving with hers, more passionately than before. His hands slipped down to her shoulders and started to pull down her nightgown. But right then, Selene’s bedroom door was kicked down by none other than Hahn. And he had at least seven soldiers with him.
“I knew it!” he yelled, pointing an accusing finger at Selene and Sokka. “I knew you were having an affair!”
Selene gasped, covering herself up with the covers. Sokka could only stare in shock. No, no, this wasn’t happening. It couldn’t be happening.
“Seize him!” Hahn yelled.
The soldiers obeyed him instantly, storming inside the room. Sokka immediately fought back, shooting out lightning like crazy. But the soldiers still managed to overpower him and they dragged him out the room with his hands behind his back. Selene pleaded with Hahn to stop, to let Sokka go, but all he did was yell at her and roughly drag her out the room. Justice would be served tonight.
Of course, the king was called, the royal council was set up. Eboshi was called as well. She barely looked at Sokka as her son stood to be judged as a criminal. Selene silently cried as she sat beside Hahn. Her tears just couldn’t be stopped. But she never made a sound.
“Sokka, you are found guilty of committing treason against the royal family,” said the king, his voice booming with authority. “Do you have anything to say?”
Sokka sighed. “All I have to say, is that you’re going to have a heartbroken princess on your hands if you do this,” he said calmly. “Your Majesty, can’t you see that we love each other? In other parts of the world, people are allowed to marry whoever they want. Why can’t you get with the times?”
“We honor the traditions here,” snapped the king. “We will not let them die.”
“I say we kill him,” said Hahn. “Lop off his head and put it out there as a warning for future criminals.”
Sokka’s eyes widened. Selene let out a half-strangled cry that sounded more like a sob. The king sighed.
“No, Hahn. That’s barbaric.” He looked at Sokka. “Sokka, as punishment for your crimes, you are hereby banished from the North Pole forever. You have until morning to leave the city.”
Sokka’s heart broke at those words. Banished, forever, never to see Selene again? He looked at her, sadness in his eyes. All she could do was bury her face in her hands and sob. Sokka’s eyes filled with tears, but he refused to cry as his mother walked over to him and gently led him out of the room. The whole time, she didn’t say a word to him. She only spoke to him once they reached his uncle’s house, where they were staying, and even then, it was just to tell him to pack his things.
He moved almost like a zombie, putting his things into his bag with a dead expression. He couldn’t believe it. He had failed. After everything he and Selene had shared together, he would never be able to see her again and she would be married to Hahn. How could this have happened? Wasn’t love supposed to conquer all? But, as he had that thought, something seemed to click in his mind.
No…it’s not over. I’m giving up too easily. He turned to look out the window, where he could see the palace. I’m not letting them beat me this easily. I’m gonna sneak back over there, get Selene, and ask her to run away with me. We can do it. I know we can. We’ll find somewhere peaceful to live, where nobody will bother us. And I’ll take care of her and we’ll start a family…yes, that’s what I have to do. I’ll do it.
As ludicrous as the idea sounded, Sokka was desperate enough to go through with it. He was willing to try anything at this point. So, without another thought, he snuck out of the house and headed over to the palace.
Of course, security was tight now after their little scandal. But Sokka managed to get there like he did so many times before. He went over to the ice tower where Selene’s bedroom was and started to climb. It was dangerous, but there were always enough nicks and cracks for Sokka to get enough handholds so he could make his way up.
Hang in there, Selene, he thought. I’m coming for you. I’m gonna keep my promise. I’m gonna make everything right. I promise.
Inch by inch, he made his way up, until finally, he reached her window. Smiling, he pulled himself up onto her sill. Luckily, the window was still unlocked. He quietly opened it and stepped inside. Selene was standing off to the side, her back to him.
“Selene!” he exclaimed with a big smile on his face. “I’m not going to let them keep me away from you. We’re gonna run away together, start a life of our own! What do you say?”
Selene didn’t answer him. In fact, she would never speak again. Suddenly, she started to fall, her knees buckling from under her. Sokka gasped as he ran over and to catch her.
“Selene!” he cried. “Selene, what’s wrong?”
He placed a hand on her cheek. It was ice-cold. Sokka’s heart shuddered. Was she…could she…
That was when something fell from Selene’s hand. Sokka’s expression turned to one of horror when he saw what it was. It was an empty bottle, and it was marked poison. Selene had killed herself, wanting to be dead rather than live without Sokka.
“No…” Sokka’s eyes filled with tears as he now realized that the girl he now held in his arms was dead. “No…Selene…” That was all he said before he started to sob, clutching Selene tightly to his chest. He would stay that way for a long time, until some servants heard him and notified the guards. He would hold Selene until he was dragged away. His sobs would echo those of the king, who had lost his only child. The entire city would find out in a matter of hours and would mourn for the loss of their beloved princess, and would wonder who this “Sokka” boy was that she had killed herself over. But they would never find out, for Sokka and Eboshi would leave the city at dawn, never to return.