Fire Weds Earth Chapter One
A/N: Hey gang, sorry it's been quite a while since I've posted anything, but here it is at long last! A few fluffy extra chapters that take place after the events of A Great Team. I do not own ATLA, it is the property of Bryke and Nickelodeon. Thanks for your patience and support, my lovely readers! I look forward to writing for you again!
"Toph?" Katara was knocking on her chamber door. "Do you need help getting into your dress?"
Toph sighed, casting her bending sight towards the closet where her wedding gown hung. It was huge and she knew it would be heavy and oppressively hot to wear in the late spring weather.
It had taken more than three months for the Ministers of International Relations to sort out the politics of a marriage between Firelord and Earth Kingdom noble and a full year more for the ceremony itself to be planned and executed, but finally the day was at hand.
Toph had grudgingly agreed that wearing a dress on this occasion was necessary but had tried her best to make sure that it wasn't going to be too ornate and heavy. Zuko privately agreed that a simple ceremony would be more their style, but the couple had been overruled by tradition.
She hadn't had much time to spend with Zuko recently; he had been busy with his Ministers for Public Interest and International Relations composing statements, reassuring the Water Tribes that he would not be playing favorites despite his wife's nation, and planning excursions into the countryside so the people could meet their new Fire Lady, not to mention trying to run the Fire Nation.
Iroh helped however he could, and Zuko had asked him to act as father of the groom. Aang normally would have been asked to act as best man but since he was to perform the ceremony (a compromise between nations), Sokka happily stepped in. Toph had taken him aside and informed him that under no circumstances was cactus juice to be allowed at the bachelor party. She smiled at the memory of his blustering claims of innocence.
Katara knocked again. "Toph? Are you in there?"
Jerked out of her reverie, Toph called: "Come in!"
Katara, in her role as matron of honor had handled a lot of the negotiations about the wedding gown and finally managed to get Madam Wang (the Bird Lady tailor) to agree to craft the gown out of the same lightweight material that Toph had worn to Zuko's eighteenth birthday. Now she bustled into the room, followed by Rema and an army of maids and ladies.
Toph submitted to their ministrations with a sigh. The wedding gown (she had taken to calling it 'The Gift Wrapping') was in kimono style and had twelve underlayers. She would need help to get into the ornate garment. The outer layer (she was told) was white embroidered with red and gold and the inner layers were in the colors of the elements. Her obi took three ladies to tie it properly and her headdress must have weighed 20 lbs, despite Katara's best efforts.
All in all, Toph felt sluggish and heavy in it and thought longingly of getting married in her sparring clothes. She rustled when she walked and she could feel the weight of it dragging. The only upside to the outfit in her opinion was the fact that her sandals-traditionally made of wood- were instead made of stone so she could see, and also use her bending to help her carry the weight of the dress.
After what felt like a million years of fussing, tweaking, pulling, straightening and adorning she was pronounced ready and she began the procession to the royal palanquin. Katara walked half a pace behind her in her own far too heavy kimono and joked with her quietly, describing the ridiculously over the top decorations and outfits they passed.
It was a strangely surreal feeling to be getting married at last after all the time and planning, especially surrounded as she was by rigid ceremony. It didn't feel like herself at all.
The palanquin ride was slow and stuffy, but Katara was there commiserating, so it wasn't too bad. When they arrived outside the Fire Temple, they were greeted by roaring crowds and Toph found herself a bit disoriented by all the noise and bodies.
Katara's gentle nudge on her elbow helped steer and reorient her and she entered the Fire Temple to begin the long walk down the aisle towards where Aang, Zuko and Sokka were waiting.
They passed through the hordes of dignitaries on each side to the sound of a biwa and drums. Toph could make out Zuko now and in a rush she remembered why she was there. This was the man she wanted to spend her life with. She could feel his excitement and nerves that mirrored hers. His heart pounded and he held himself stiff and still. She smiled at him, knowing he was watching her approach.
She climbed the steps up to the altar and took Zuko's offered hand. Aang gave a soft "Hey Toph, you look great." Too quietly for the guests to hear. She smiled.
"Hey guys, ready to do this wedding thing?" Her voice was just as soft and Zuko squeezed her hand.
"Ready if you are."
She nodded and Aang began the ceremony. "Honoured guests, today we celebrate the union of not only a Firelord and Lady, but two great nations. Let this day be remembered as a day of peace and unity." He gestured to Zuko, "This man is Fire." Then he swept his arm towards Toph, "and this woman is Earth. Step forward Fire and Earth and make your vows."
Toph and Zuko stepped towards him, still holding hands and turned to each other. Zuko spoke first, reciting their practiced vows.
"I am Fire, emotion, life. I swear to be warmth, passion and life to you. I will warm our house, be true to you and Father your children. From this day forward." His clear vice carried throughout the assembly but there was a soft undertone and Toph knew he was looking at her. She smiled at him before speaking up herself.
"I am Earth, fortitude, life. I swear to be strength, longevity and life to you. I will build our house, be true to you and bear your children. From this day forward." A joyful tear leaked out of her eye and Zuko brushed it away gently before Aang raised both his arms.
"The house will be built, the hearth kindled." He nodded at them. There on the altar was a pile of stones which Toph bent into a hearth of sorts and then Zuko bent a flame into it. Aang handed them each a small cup. "Lilies grow from the Earth and are nurtured by the sun's Fire. Drink of them to seal your union."
As Toph raised the cup of Fire Lily Wine to her lips, she thought back to the dance at Zuko's birthday, two years ago now, 'Two Lilies Meet in a Field.' 'It's funny,' she thought. 'If it weren't for that dance, we might not be here now.' She drank the firey wine, letting it burn her throat, feeling Zuko do the same and then she handed her cup back to Aang who spread his arms wide.
"Fire, Earth, today you are One. Lord Zuko, you may kiss your bride." Cheers erupted around them as Zuko took her other hand and kissed her.
Then the Fire Sages stepped forwards and crowned her Fire Lady, but Toph was in another world, kneeling and reciting her lines automatically as she thought about her marriage. They had done it. They were husband and wife now.
She barely heard the cheers as she stood again and Zuko took her hand once more to lead her out of the temple. She smiled and leaned to whisper in his ear. "I love you Mr. Melon Lord."
He chuckled, "I love you too Mrs. Sparky."
After the ceremony and feast, Toph had gone back to her chamber separately to prepare for the wedding night. Rema was helping her let down her hair and change into a robe, before she was to go to the wedding bed and Zuko. Toph's stomach churned with nerves and excitement.
Her mother had taken her aside one day and awkwardly explained everything about the wedding night, warning her that it would likely hurt, but assuring her that the pain was temporary and would be quickly replaced with pleasure. Her mother had also told her of remedies to prevent unwanted pregnancy and advised her on various ways of pleasing both herself and her new husband. Toph had thought that she would die of embarrassment at the time, but now she was secretly glad for her mother's words in her mind.
Rema finished removing the hairpins and began gently brushing out her long dark hair. Toph's mouth was dry and she took a sip of wine. Seeming to sense her unease, Rema squeezed her shoulder in encouragement. "He will be gentle My Lady." Rema's voice was soft, comforting.
Toph swallowed hard. "I know he will. It's just a bit…" She trailed off.
"Scary, isn't it?" Rema finished for her. "I was afraid my first time too, but I promise you'll be all right. The intimacy shared with a lover or spouse is deeper than you could ever imagine and the pleasure and joy you feel at his touch will make the pain seem insignificant."
Toph nodded silently, her smile faint, before another thought struck her. "…I am not ready for children yet Rema. My mother spoke of some herbs…"
"Of course My Lady. I prepared a draught for you just in case." Rema's hands left her hair and Toph heard her move across the room, then return, placing a goblet on the vanity. "They are bitter My Lady, so I have mixed them with honeyed wine. You can drink them now, they will last."
Toph nodded again, seizing the goblet and downing its contents.
A few minutes later, she was padding through the private corridor leading to Zuko's room, Rema a pace behind her. Approaching the door she hesitated for a second, then pushed open the door.
Zuko was standing shirtless by the window, but even from this distance, she could feel his heart pounding. At least he was as nervous as she. Feeling one last shoulder squeeze and blessing for luck from Rema, she stepped into the room. Zuko turned but waited for her to approach him.
"Feels a little odd doesn't it?" He asked with a quiet chuckle. "You look lovely by the way."
"Thanks." She smiled at him and shyly took his hand. They stood quietly for a moment, hearts pounding, thoughts racing. Finally, she stepped close and stood on her tiptoes to kiss him. Hesitant at first, his arms soon circled her waist, pulling her against his bare chest as she wrapped her arms around his neck.
The kiss was sweet but deepened in intensity until Zuko pulled back and carried her over to the bed.
A/N: Heeheehee, warm fuzzies! ^^ Look forward to another chapter soon! Love you all!