Disclaimer: This has been made purely for entertainment purposes, and is not meant for commercial gain. Avatar: The Last Airbender and all characters, places and concepts are copyright of Nickelodeon, Michael Dante DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko.
Author's Note: Just something I did when I was bored. It's short and fluffy, but I like it.
Oh, and if you're wondering why there's mention of the Freedom Fighters, it's because this was originally a chapter of a long fic I wrote centering around them. I cut this scene out, but thought I could post it separately anyway.
Katara's POV
"You ready Dad?"
My father, Chief Hakoda of the Southern Water Tribe, turned and smiled gently at me, tears forming in his deep blue eyes. Behind the white veil, I could feel my own tears ready to fall and ruin my makeup.
"I don't think I ever will be, honey." He murmured in his rough, soothing voice. I tightened my arm around his.
"Promise me you won't cry. Because if you do then you know I will and then the whole day will be ruined."
He faced the grand door in front of us that led to the grand room holding the three hundred wedding guests from all over the world. "I can't promise anything, sweetie, it's not every day I give away my baby girl."
I gasped slightly, trying to suck in my tears. He turned back to look at me. "You look so much like your mother."
"Really?" I whispered, my voice a note higher, failing to keep from crying. He nodded.
"She would be proud. You've grown into such an amazing woman, Katara."
I hugged his arm, swallowing the lump in my throat.
"I love you Dad."
"I love you too, Katara."
The door opened, revealing the lavishly decorated ballroom and the hundreds of guests on their feet, watching us as we took our first steps down the aisle.
White lotus blossoms, their sweet scent wafting over the crowded room, decorating the benches and walls like the arctic winter snow.
My eyes met Toph's as she stood beaming next to Sokka, dressed in a green silk kimono. I didn't have to look to know that she wasn't wearing any shoes.
My eyes traveled to my brother's tear-filled blue ones. He didn't know it, but I had heard him sobbing in the bathroom an hour earlier. Still, he smiled back at me, as all older brothers do.
And then there was Aang, a few benches up, wearing the long orange monk robes similar to the ones he had worn on Zuko's coronation day. He grinned, gray eyes dry but full of happiness.
As we neared the alter, I found them, Longshot, Smellerbee, and Jet, all looking very different in their formal clothes. Jet smirked in his overly confident way, though his eyes were misty. Bee and Longshot were holding hands, Bee's free hand resting lightly on her rounding abdomen. Six months and going strong.
The band music slowed and gracefully died as my dad released me and gently kissed my cheek before moving to his seat. I stepped alone and up to the altar, taking Zuko's extended hand. We kneeled together, my hand clasped tight in his warm, calloused one. My heart was pounding, and I could feel his rapid pulse through his hand. We exchanged a swift glance, my eyes meeting his liquid-gold ones.
The elderly Fire Sage took a breath and began.
The words were said.
The vows were exchanged.
And finally, the golden crown of flame was slipped through my dark hair.
"Fire Lord Zuko, you may kiss your bride."
He pulled me close to him, the warmth and scent of his body surrounding me. Pressing his soft lips to mine, we held each other for a long time, oblivious to the cheers and applause of our guests.
Fire and water.
United as one.