zutara week 2012 | day two | momentous
The turtleducks scatter as Katara's blue silk train brushes past them. She glides through the grass, ducking under cherry blossom branches where they grow too low.
Fire Lord Zuko looks up as she emerges from the trees. Katara's blue dress stands in stark contrast to the sea of red surrounding her; a lone water drop in a volcano. The sunlight glints off of the band holding her topknot and her choker glows.
The crowd stands as Katara joins Zuko on the gazebo. They turn toward the High Fire Sage and fall silent when he begins to speak.
"On this historic day, the Fire Nation and the Water Tribe are joined in the union of Fire Lord Zuko and Lady Katara. So soon after the end of the Hundred Year War, peace is reiterated today." He offers up a roll of parchment and a calligraphy brush. Zuko scrawls his name into the contract first; the lines are straight and sharp, drawn in quick movements. Katara dips the brush into an inkwell before signing her name to the right of his, her characters smoother and more rounded. Zuko steps away as Katara kneels at the top of the steps looking out over the gardens.
"By decree of Fire Lord Zuko, I now declare you Fire Lady Katara." The heavy golden hairpiece is pressed into her topknot and she stands. Zuko joins her and they are surrounded by applause.
"I told you we would be momentous," he whispers.