Hello dearest reader,
what to say about this monstrous creation, this is most definitely an AU!fic set in a world where Sozin was a huge softie and Ozai wound up being the Firelord, regardless. Also, an excuse to unleash my creative zutara demons, yes, an arranged marriage fic, here we go again? I guess the politics and devices of this Universe will be made much clearer as the chapters roll out. Do stick around, if you can, I will feed you cookies and would love you forever. So without further ado~
PROLOGUE
Katara has never really been an admirer of the Crown Prince of the Fire Nation.
Though it is true as they say, he is fiercely handsome; striking jaw line, jet black hair, speckled golden eyes, a lean taut figure, a tangible symbol for the future of his nation. That is all Katara knows, and that is all Katara sees when she first meets him. This is precisely what unnerves her. What makes her feel uneasy and nauseous, because he is too perfect, because in a matter of weeks, they are to be married, and they haven't so much as shared a greeting of hello to each other. Though her parents were kind enough to give her an illusion she has to consent, but she was not stupid. The deal had been brokered. The arrangements had been made.
They both sit across each other, and in presence of the elders. The Fire Lord opposite Chief Hakoda, Lady Ursa opposite Lady Kya, and their respective siblings, Prince Sokka opposite Princess Azula. High ranked fire sages and elders of the Tribe form the rest of the line. The room is long and narrow, decorated with expensive silks in fire nation red and gold, however Lady Ursa made sure to make her guests feel welcome, and adorned the walls with portraits and ornaments traditional to the Southern Water Tribe, in a gesture of good faith.
Katara was not accustomed to this in the Southern Water tribe. She knelt on the floor and folding her legs beneath her thighs, trying balancing her entire weight gracefully. Grace was second nature to the young water bender, just like the nature of her element. Though she was struggling to remain composed now.
The elders are speaking, tea is served, stories exchanged, and laughter ensues at the thought of their offspring's first born being a water bender, a water bending Fire Lord, now that's a scandal worthy of attention. Though they laugh, it is the first time in Fire Nation's history, a non-fire nation noble is wedding the Crown Prince. A water bending first born would be a smudge on the lineage.
Katara had assumed this position for the past half an hour, she was fairly sure her circulation had been cut off, and most importantly, she was starving. She wondered whether the rest of her life would be spent in silence and tea ceremonies, shut away from her family, her waters, her ocean kumquats, her otterpenguins, her ice, her home. Katara's thoughts drifted off to the iridescent night skies of the South Pole, devoid of pollution. To the cold nights when Gran-gran would, mostly, fill her brains with ancient stories of terrifying spirits and legends, followed closely by a screaming Sokka, followed even closer by her parents laughing at Sokka. Her thoughts meander to the present as easily as they took her away, and she was in front of the prince, who was staring directly at her for the first time, golden eyes searching, almost yearning. The sudden eye contact takes her by surprise, and she contains a gasp, her legs were ready to give way any moment, she straightens her back again, and squeezes her toes which are jammed between her buttocks and the floor.
The anxiety grew robust in her chest, she felt constricted, the Prince maintained eye contact, she was too intimidated to look away. Why is he staring? She slowly pivoted her head to notice everyone else was also gazing at her, as though expecting her to speak. Lady Ursa smiled warmly, eyes brimming with curiosity and compassion.
"Speak up dear, do you have any qualms with receiving my child as your husband?"
The illusion, again. This is her last chance. The anxiety, which grew robust in her chest had laid eggs, they slowly found its way to the pit of her stomach, and began to disperse throughout her body. She felt them settling into her bones and organs, in every nook and crevice. Her hands felt clammy, and her heart thudded fiercely against her rib cage. She felt heavy and anchored. She wanted to get up and run to the nearest dock, and jump on the first ship home.
"I…" words dried up at the back of her throat, and she began to feel her embarrassment well up on her cheeks, 'Yes… I mean no, I mean yes I will receive Prince Zuko as my …' she was on the brink of bursting into tears, when the bell rang.
"Food is served in the Royal dining room!"
A palace servant strolled in and belted, as though this precise sentence was the defining moment of his life, and the only thing that mattered. He took an exaggerated ninety degree bow and walked out, not realizing what he had walked into. Ozai looked livid.
'Finally, I'm starving,' Sokka looked alive for the first time. The Fire Princess erupted into a nervous high-pitched laugh, her face looked puzzled, as though her eyes were in disbelief with the actions of her vocal chords.
"I apologize, Fire Lord, for my son's outburst," Chief Hakoda bowed his head and side eyed his child, Sokka shrank into himself. Ozai gave a measured smile.
"Dear Hakoda, we are family now, please call me Ozai," the Chief's posture stiffened and gave a weak smile. Family, at his daughter's expense.
"Prince Sokka does make a valid point, I'm quite hungry myself dear," chimed Lady Ursa, "Aren't you hungry Kya?"
Kya looked at Katara with a concerned smile, "I think we can all do some good with food and rest."
"Now that the formalities are in order, and no one disputes this engagement, I call to order…"
The present world was slipping away, she watched the Fire Sage with concentration, his voice had become muffled and fuzzy, she squeezed her eyes open and shut, she wanted to vomit but nothing came, she felt her eyes rolling to the back of her head, she felt hot, so hot she was sweating. She faintly remembers falling forward into someone's arms.
So there you have it folks, thanks for making it to the end, please review, give me some feedback, throw some flames etc, and maybe give me some love, if you'd like to see this story take life? This has been my first attempt, the idea was itching at the back of my head for so long, I just had to get it out.
-Winter