Some years have passed since the Equalist rebellion.

Korra still sees Amon in her dreams, though they aren't always nightmares anymore. Half of the time he appears as Noatak, the man she saw without the mask. Then sometimes she sees him as a child or a teenager—the way she imagines he was while growing up in the Northern Water Tribe.

She dreams about Tarrlok, too. Sometimes he appears as her enemy, other times as an ally; and sometimes they're even happy to see each other.

Whenever Korra dreams about one or both of them, she wakes up, and though she feels reassured, she also feels a slight sadness. She feels sorrow for their sake, especially for Tarrlok, who helped her in the end and apologized for the wrongs he did.

When she starts dating Mako, Korra starts dreaming about their wedding. She dreams of some havoc occurring in the midst of preparations, or some calamity striking during the wedding. She dreams about the ceremony, and the reception, and the following night.

In one dream, she sees Tarrlok and Noatak standing among the guests as she walks up the aisle. Like everyone else, they smile at her. Korra remembers that she saw Tarrlok smile in life, but it was rarely (if ever) sincere. But now there is no malice or cunning in his eyes, just happiness for her sake. She smiles back, trying to show gratitude even through her immense joy. Korra feels no fear when she passes Noatak; though in the back of her mind she knows he can take her bending, she believes she's safe with the man she's approaching. Mako stands waiting for her at the end of her walk, and welcomes her with open arms and a quick kiss.

In another dream, Tarrlok is the one who officiates the ceremony (which isn't too far gone since Tenzin, another councilman, will be the one to do it in reality). She can hear his voice clearly say the prescribed lines, and the way he says it is sincere and even pleasant. He asks if anyone objects to the marriage, and no one protests—not Bolin, not Asami, not even Amon. Everyone wants the Avatar to be with the one she loves. After they make their vows, Tarrlok puts his hands on either side of Korra and Mako's joined hands, and pronounces them husband and wife. Korra beams at him before she and Mako seal their union with a kiss. In the crowd, Noatak is one of the first people to applaud; he is still clapping as the newly wed couple comes down the aisle together.

During the day, she wonders if either Noatak or Tarrlok ever attended a wedding, or felt happy because of another person's happiness. She wonders if they would understand or envy the kind of love she has found in her life.

When she wakes up, she almost misses them, even though they aren't hers to miss.


Author's Note: This soliloquy (not exactly a story) was inspired by the final scene of Titanic (especially the fact that Mr. Thomas Andrews was in the crowd that Rose walked through to meet Jack). The beautiful song played at the end is "My Heart Will Go On" by Celine Dion. It's not just a love song; it's about coming to terms with a death/separation, and carrying the memory of a person throughout your life. I imagine Korra would always remember the brothers and their story, especially the fact that Tarrlok helped her at the end.

If you liked this, check out SilverThowra's similar-themed DeviantArt piece, "Only the Avatar Remembers …" Also look at my own Korra/Tarrlok/Amon collage, entitled "The Enemy of My Enemy."