At the Southern Water Tribe
Katara sits in her room quietly. As she looks out her window, her father, Hakoda, walks in.
"Katara" He says. "I need to talk to you about something."
Katara turns in her chair, hearing the urgency in her fathers words. "What is it, dad? Is something wrong? Is Sokka hurt?" She stands as she begins to fear for the worst. She sits back down as her father shakes his head.
"Nothing like that. It's something that I've arranged with a friend of mine. Something, I fear you won't approve of."
Katara looks at him with confusion then smiles. "What could you possibly make me do that I won't approve of?" As she watches his expression her smile leaves her face. "Dad? What have you done?"
He sighs and shakes his head, sitting beside her. "You have to understand that I'm doing this as to benefit our people."
She nods. "Of course. You always do, but what are you planning to do with me?"
He looks into her eyes. "You're to be wed to Firelord Zuko in a month. His Uncle Iroh and I made the arrangements while you both were vacationing with your friends at Ember Island. We'll be leaving for the Fire Nation in a weeks time."
Katara's jaw dropped as her father finished his sentence. "Zuko?! Why?! Did I do something wrong? What did I do to deserve this?"
Hakoda just sighed. "We must keep the peace between our nations, Katara. Peace is the only thing that will prevent another hundred year war. The first was disastrous and another would end up destroying all nations. This has to be done. The Earth Kingdom and the Air Nomads are already joined, now it's our turn."
Katara stood and walked over to the sill of her window, tears appearing in her eyes. "You should have spoken to me about this first, father. I would have understood better if you had included me in your plans, but I will do what I must to protect my people." She turns away from her father and doesn't say another word.
Hakoda leaves the room slowly and before he shuts the door, he says. "I love you, Katara. Just remember that. And you'll always belong here." And shuts the door.
Katara grits her teeth as she whispers to herself. "Then why are you sending me away?" Her tears stream down her face as she cries to herself.
At the Fire Nation
Zuko was furious. A fireball was swiftly sent at his uncle as Iroh revealed the news. Probably wasn't best for him to tell the new firelord during their daily training session. "How could you do that uncle?! And to Katara?! How can you expect me to marry her after all we've been through?"
Iroh just chuckled. "And that is why I chose her. You two have been through much together. You found her mother's killer, you defeated Azula together. What more could start a relationship that could bloom into something precious?" He quickly recoiled after the fireball, sending another at Zuko.
Zuko quickly dodged it, recoiling swiftly with a few jabs to the chest and a kick to the legs. "But we barely know each other, uncle. We spent a few months together, defeated Azula, and parted ways. I haven't even seen her since Toph's and Aang's marriage and we barely spoke then!"
Iroh dodged his nephew's futile attempts to make him falter. "Which is why you need to get to know her before the wedding. She'll be here within the next week. Then, you will spend as much time as possible with her."
"But uncle, I'm firelord. I can't just drop my duties and go be with a girl that I haven't seen in months and that I'm about to wed. I have duties to my nation and myself." He stops attacking and takes a deep breath, calming himself. "You can't expect me to go through with this, uncle. It won't end well. And I don't even know if she's forgiven me for 1) Chasing her and her companions around the world for at least a good year, 2) Sending an assassin after them to try and kill the avatar, and 3) For kidnapping her and holding her hostage to bring the avatar to me."
Iroh shakes his head. "You'll have to solve that yourself. All the preparations are already made, and it cannot be undone. You'll be wed to the Princess of the Southern Water Tribe, Katara, in a months time. You must show your people that you are ready to make a commitment to a woman that will help you guide your nation into a new dynasty."
Zuko nods, "Very well, uncle. Very well."
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