Hey guys so I've been trying to gather my bearings together and at the minute, I'm absolutely obsessed with Harry Potter and Avatar so I have an other story on the go right now, but I won't be distracted in updating any. I promise to have regular instalments :)
So lately I've been reading a fair few fics about Toph and Zuko being forced into marriage and I quite liked the idea so I thought I'd give it a shot.
I do have a nice twist up my sleeve though so it isn't boring or repetitive.
Reviews are always welcome and if you write Harry Potter or Avatar stories, please, leave me the name and I'm always willing to have a read and review. I do love fanfiction :).
On a final note... Avatar: The Legend of Korra next year! YES!
Enjoy :D
CHAPTER ONE
The sun was setting, casting an orange fiery glow over the Fire Nation palace. Inside, in a large ornate room, sat the Fire Lord. He stared down at a piece of parchment still trying to absorb the words and come to a decision. He stared at the broken green wax embossed with the Earth Kingdom symbol. He sighed once more and looked up as a quiet tap on the door announced a guest.
"Come in" He said.
The large scarlet and golden door creaked open as a round, friendly-faced aged man entered.
"My nephew, I have come to see how you are feeling." He said.
"Oh, uncle Iroh, I'm fine" Zuko sighed.
Iroh sat down on the plush bed beside his nephew.
"You seem rather down. Are you still thinking of Mai?" He asked kindly.
Zuko shrugged. "I guess. I can't believe she turned down my proposal."
Iroh made a noise in his throat. "Bah! She was never good for you anyway, you would be better suited to someone with fire inside of them."
"You mean a fire bender?" Zuko asked raising an eyebrow.
"No my nephew, I mean life. Mai was always like ashes, I'm not even sure if I ever saw her smile" Iroh said, putting a hand on Zuko's shoulder and rubbing soothing circles.
"I never thought she'd throw away 3 years like that" Zuko said, his eyes slipping back to the parchment.
"Maybe… Maybe you should take up the Earth King's offer" Iroh suggested, gently pulling at his beard whilst pondering.
"No way Uncle." Zuko said, screwing up the parchment and throwing it behind him on the bed.
"Why ever not?" Iroh said, standing up.
"You've met King Kuei, he's crazy. I wouldn't be surprised if he sent his stupid pet bear to marry me." Zuko said.
Iroh chuckled. "I am sure Bosco would make a lovely bride." Zuko glared at him.
"You know you must marry soon, or I fear that the Fire Sages will question your right to rule." Iroh said sadly. "So perhaps marrying an Earth Kingdom girl is not such a bad idea. Besides, she might be just the perfect girl for you."
"I don't exactly like the idea of some poor girl being taken from her home to marry a stranger… but I really don't like the idea of Azula being Fire Lord" Zuko said, frowning, thinking of his sister chained up in one of the secure cells at the Boiling Rock.
"Then it is settled?" Iroh asked, grinning.
"I guess I don't have a choice" Zuko sighed, turning around to pick up the crumpled up letter. He took it over to the ornate mahogany desk and pulled up a spare piece of parchment. He wrote a reply and rolled the paper into a scroll, melting wax to seal it shut. Finally, Zuko picked up a stamp and embossed the Fire Emblem in the wax and passed it to his uncle.
"I shall send this by messenger hawk right now!" He said excitedly. "Get some sleep my nephew!"
Iroh patted Zuko on the shoulder once more and exited, leaving Zuko to his thoughts as he pulled off his satin robe and climbed into the large bed.
I guess I could get lucky, Zuko thought. But then again, I've never been lucky.
He sighed and rolled over, waiting for sleep to embrace him.
Toph rolled over in bed, wondering what time it was. Outside she could hear a carriage and men talking. One sounded like her father. The air felt warm as she kicked off the blankets and sat up. As she touched her feet to the floor she could feel the footsteps of her mother approaching the door. "Come in" she said before Poppy could knock. The large beige door was pushed open as Toph's mother stepped in.
"Good morning dear" she said, walking to sit beside her blind daughter. "I need to talk to you."
"Before you say anything mom, you remember my terms for coming back here. Don't tell me what to do or treat me like a baby" Toph grumbled, stretching out her arms and yawning.
"Darling please, listen to me, it's serious." Poppy said.
"What is it?"
"Well… The Earth King is looking for a way to strengthen the ties between the Earth Kingdom and Fire Nation. He's taking advantage of the Fire Lords needs for a Fire Lady and is offering a Noble women for marriage."
"What?… You have to marry Zuko!" Toph shouted. "You're old enough to be his mom!"
"Toph please, listen!" Poppy said, standing up. "The summons isn't for me, it's for you."
"W-what!" Toph bellowed, stamping her feet into the ornate stone floor. "I hope you don't mean me! I'M NOT MARRYING ZUKO!"
"Darling calm down! You should be honoured!" Poppy said, placing her warm hands on Toph's shoulders.
"Calm down? You're suggesting that I marry one of my friends!"
"Toph… it's not a suggestion… it's an order by King Kuei himself. Ever since he and Bosco returned from travelling, he's always feared being over thrown again by the Fire Lord. He needs a tie, and he's chosen you. To deny him would be treason."
"Zuko wouldn't do that!" Toph argued, throwing her mothers arms away from her. "Dad won't stand for this."
"Honey… He's already packing. He thinks it's wonderful you'll be Fire Lady." Poppy said. "Think about it Toph, you'll be bestowed with everything you've always deserved and the love of a man"
"I AM NOT GOING ANYWHERE WITH YOU!" Toph bellowed. "YOU MAKE IT SOUND LIKE ZUKO IS IN LOVE WITH ME AND THAT HE'S THE ONLY ONE THAT WILL LOVE ME!"
"You know I didn't mean that." Poppy gasped, falling back onto the bed. "But this is your destiny Toph. If you do not obey, then I fear King Kuei will have us arrested by the Dai Li. He has become more rash since his return."
"Why can't he send some pretty little flower from the upper ring of Ba Sing Se who has perfect vision." Toph grumbled.
"Because he needs someone genuine and noble. Since you're victory along side the avatar, you have given the Bei Fong name even more credit than before."
"yay…" Toph said sarcastically.
Poppy stood up once more and placed a hand on her daughter's cheek. "I really am sorry, Toph."
"There's really no way out of it?" Toph said, her unseeing eyes on the floor.
"No" Poppy squeaked, holding back tears.
Toph sighed in defeat. "Well… I guess Mrs Sparky is just a title. At least I'll have some freedom" She said, walking over to the chair where he robes were draped.
"Yeah… that's all it is… just a title." Poppy whispered to herself, unable to tell her daughter otherwise.
