I'm getting to that, Katara. But yes, the wise old woman was at home.

[He smiles quietly]

So the girl climbed the glacier to the mouth of the cave, and then slowly, carefully made her way down to the woman. It felt like entering another world to her, like one of spirits. As she descended, she was met not with darkness, but patches of glowing phosphorescent light from surrounding plankton and shadows of giant fish and other creatures as they moved in the waters below. [Because of course there are giant fish and Sea Kings in these waters - it wouldn't be One Piece without them.]

And there she was, by the pool and her loom, wrapped in her furs. There were no oil lamps in her cave, but it was bright enough to see. The light was coming from the threads and the unfinished tapestry behind her. It was like someone had captured starlight, and moonbeams, and the lights that danced in the polar sky, and set them in cloth. A beautiful, awe inspiring, and terrifying light all at once.

And the old wise woman herself? She was as ancient as they said, white hair plaited with shell beads, and pearls, and bits of sea glass. She looked incredibly frail, wrapped in her pelts, until you looked in her eyes. And in her eyes, Katara? Was the knowledge of the ages, tempered by wisdom and the grief and tears of decisions past, and the strength to persevere. The girl felt if she made a single gesture, the ocean would stand aside for her.

And the old woman was watching her quietly. Finally she spoke to the girl.

"Why have you come all this way to find me?"