Balance

by Kiley S. Snape

"Kailyn, you are so beautiful."

I smiled at my aunt's reflection in the mirror, but did not give a reply. Su had been the one to say that phrase several dozen times today, but my mother had yet to say anything really. I knew she loved me, and she respected Iroh- but I did not know if she was happy with my decision. She remained where she had first been when I began to get ready- leaned against the wall, scowling, with her arms folded across her chest. Despite the seemingly endless elation I felt about today, I could see my melancholy growing in my eyes.

It broke my heart that my mother was not as happy as I was on my wedding day.

"I'm going to take my seat," Su announced softly, brushing a kiss against my temple.

My mother's eyes followed her out, and I believed she wanted the chance to leave as well. Her attention returned to me, watching me fidget under her half-lidded gaze. I fastened a pair of pearl earrings and regarded my mother through the mirror. She pinched the bridge of her nose and sighed, which caused my heart to sink lower into my chest.

"Are you disappointed in me?" I finally mumbled.

The intensity of my mother's gaze could have shattered platinum as if it were cheap iron. She walked up to me to kneel at my side; her strong hands grasped mine, her eyes briefly drifting to the flickering fire opal on my ring finger. "Never," she began, "Just realizing that you're finally going to be married…and that means you will be leaving Republic City." Her hand reached up to cup the side of my face tenderly, taking care not to smudge my make-up. "Kailyn, you're braver than I will ever be," she confessed faintly.

"Do you regret it…not marrying Tenzin?" I wondered, knowing my mother never spoke to me much of her past relationship with the airbending master.

"At times, yes. But when I take one look at you- I realise I may never gotten you."

My arms clumsily looped around her neck and drew her to me. I let out a tremulous laugh as she tensed before folding her arms about my waist. "I love you, and I'm glad you're here with me, Mum," I whispered into her hair.

"Don't mess up your make-up, or you'll never leave this room."

"Just need one more thing," I assured her, and returned my attention to the mirror in front of me. I slowly plucked the hairpin-cum-knife that had ultimately saved my life, and fastened it into the coiled tendrils holding my veil in place. I rose to my feet, and asked nervously, "Well?"

"You look beautiful, Kailyn."

No music played as my mother walked me down the aisle; no frivolous pomp and circumstance was needed. This wasn't about anyone else, save Iroh and me; this was the next defining chapter of that something wonderful we found in one another. My heart threatened to surge out of my chest in a tide of joy at the sight of Iroh waiting for me at the altar.

We shared breathless smiles, and suddenly I found myself before him. My cheeks flushed pink as my mother extended my hand to slide from hers into Iroh's. "Rubble- remember that," she warned, and gave him a smirk.

"Mum," I chided in a faint laugh, and smiled reassuringly at my future husband.

Iroh and I turned to face one another, and the man acting as my father began to preside. Tenzin smiled proudly as he regarded the two of us. My heart tattooed against my ribs; it would soon burst, surely. "Today marks a glorious beginning," the airbender announced, "And it is with great pride that I am a part of this ceremony. Iroh, you may state your vows."

The aforementioned looked at me with such gratitude and devotion that my eyes began to water. It was profound in its simplicity, pure in its faith. "Kailyn, I cannot put into words how happy you have made me, even when you are frustrated with me, and so I will not begin to try. I cannot promise we will never quarrel, we have done that already, or that your mother will not turn me into rubble if you don't first…but I can promise you this… I will strive to love you more each day, and that you will always have a home with me. I will cherish you- honour you as you deserve. I vow to be your protector and partner until the end of me," he spoke, his voice carrying through the silent audience.

"Kailyn, your vows," Tenzin urged when several moments had gone by without my beginning.

I began to withdraw my hand with the intent to wipe away the tears that pooled in the corners of my eyes, but Iroh beat me to it. A blinding smile curved my lips as he tenderly brushed away the offending drops. I cleared my tight throat, and gave his hands a squeeze. "I thank whatever strands of fate that granted me your love, Iroh. You have been one of my greatest friends, and been mine faithfully before I even knew it. I vow to be your equal- to guide you as you do the same for me. I promise to love you and the children we will bring into the world. I swear to protect you, even if it means from my own mother. I am yours, and you are mine, throughout time and all eternity," I finished proudly, and took in a deep breath.

"I proclaim you husband and wife," Tenzin said, and we slid our wedding bands onto our fingers.

"As Fire Lord, I now crown you, Kailyn of House Hsiao and Beifong, Crown Princess of the Fire Nation," Izumi announced, and fastened the royal sigil into my hair. "Iroh, kiss your bride," she mused warmly.

My hands threaded together at the nape of his neck as he cupped my waist. I playfully rolled my eyes when he dipped me low, and he beamed crookedly down at me.

"I only get a first kiss from my bride once," Iroh teased.

"Redundant," I chided before my lips met his.

Applause erupted around us, and Iroh pulled me to my feet. I demurely looked out at our friends and family that had joined us today. I tried my best to meet everyone's eye, but my eyes kept darting to look at my mother. She looked as she always did, to everyone else, but I saw the warmth in her peridot eyes even from my place upon the dais. Iroh and I walked through the crowd, shaking hands and embracing as was custom, and when we reached the end of the well-wishers he pulled me into another kiss.

"How does it feel to be bride and crowned a princess in the same day?" my husband teased.

"Careful, she may put you in the dungeons. You do have those there, right?" Wei laughed.

"I was thinking the stocks- much more entertaining," I quipped as I threaded my arm through Iroh's.

"Go dance," Tenzin urged, and gave me a nudge with a gentle jet of air to further his point.

A murmur rippled through the crowd as Iroh guided me onto the dance floor. My cheeks burned from smiling, but it would not diminish- not today. This was the next chapter of our life; we had faced so much in our lives, so much to reach this moment that it left me feeling so surreal. One of his hands rested on my hip and its mate took hold of mine. The orchestra had a belated start, but that did not cause our feet to falter. I laughed faintly, breaking my gaze away from my husband's to smile breathlessly. He led me about the floor, and after a time other couples joined us. First, came Pema and Tenzin- followed by Su and Bataar Sr.- and then Bolin and Opal. I watched all the couples dancing, and saw my mother tucked away in the corner.

A wave of melancholy dropped upon me, and I urged Iroh, "Go dance with your mother." I slipped away to take my seat at the head table, and smoothed out the skirts of my dress to keep my buzzing mind occupied. My mother came to sit next to me; I reached out to take hold of her hand. I looked up to watch Iroh and Izumi dance, and smile sadly. The ache of my father not being here on my wedding day pressed upon me, and a tear welled to fruition in the corner of my eye. I felt my mother's intense gaze as I took my bottom lip between my teeth. "He should be here," I whimpered.

"On your feet."

I blinked owlishly to clear my vision and I mumbled, "Pardon?"

"Get up. I won't have you like this today," my mother explained, and rose from her chair.

A tremulous smile settled on my face, and I let out a watery laugh. My mother trudged beside me onto the dance floor, and I saw Tenzin eye the two of us incredulously. My mother stiffly began to dance with me, and I felt like I could conquer the world.

"Mum, thank you," I murmured when the song finished, and I pulled her into a fierce embrace.

"If you mention this ever again- princess or not- you'll be gravel," my mother warned.

"Ready to go?" Iroh asked when I came out of the dressing room.

"Almost," I assured him, "One more round of good byes to the family."

His arm wrapped around my hip as we walked out of Su's house. Our family and friends were down in the courtyard where Su and my mother had their tumultuous reconciliation. I smiled wryly at the memory, and marveled at how changed the world was already from how things were when we had first arrived in Zaofu.

"To the lovebirds, the General and Lil Beifong!" Bumi cheered, "May there be many little fire and earthbenders in your future!" The man laughed at his quip, but Su and my mother cuffed him about the ears.

"We all wish you happiness," Su amended wryly, and pulled me into a final hug.

One by one, we said our good byes one last time- until my mother remained. She was uncomfortable having so many eyes on her in what she deemed a sentimental moment. Iroh and I walked up to her, and she latently squared her shoulders at the impending obstacle.

"You take care of her, Gener- Iroh," my mother warned, and I smiled when she called him by name.

"You have my word."

"Mum?" I spoke softly, and her eyes snapped over to meet mine, "Can you do something for me…please?"

"Kailyn?"

I unwound my father's cravat from my neck, and held it out for her to take. "Look after this for me?" I finished, and smiled. My mother's eyes widened and she looked to be at a loss for words. I took my father's cravat in both hands and threaded it around her neck when she still did not move. "I want you to know that I will always be around, and that I love you so much, Mum," I concluded tenderly, and brushed my lips against her cheek.

My mother's arms held me fast, and she hid her face in my thick curtain of hair. "I love you more, Kailyn, I know I don't say it enough- but I do," she whispered before she schooled her features.