Anniversary

Part 4

The wedding was held in the same spot that the party was held a month ago. The lanterns were hanging again, but now cherry blossom branches and fire lilies were weaved into them, giving the whole place a garden like feeling. There were red and gold banners hanging from the pillars, marked with the Fire Nation insignia.

On the terrace the sages stood, ready for the ceremony. On the left there was a blue and white banner with the Water tribe insignia on it, indicating where Katara would stand. A few feet from that on the right, was a red and gold banner with the Fire nation emblem on it, indicating were Zuko would stand.

A sage stood in between them. In front of him was an alter like table. In the middle was a cherry blossom tree log, and in a bowl on the left was water and in a bowl on the right there was fire. There were many rows of people, most of them Fire nation.

The first few rows were occupied by Katara and Zuko's closest friends. Gran-Gran, who had come with Hakoda, sat in the front row holding baby Yue. In between the rows in the aisle lay a red rug with gold dragons weaving there way up it. The band was playing soft music, which changed up into the Fire nation wedding march song when the gates opened and the bridesmaids and the best men walked down the aisle.

First came Suki, who was escorted by Sokka. Next was Toph, accompanied by Aang. They stepped into place. Then Zuko came, side by side with Iroh. They made there way to the terrace, girls drooling over Zuko, some crying because they would never become Fire lady. "You are breaking every young girls heart in this nation, Zuko." Iroh chuckled. Zuko smiled. "The only heart I care about is Katara's. All of the other girls will just have to suffer."

They reached the top and Uncle slid into place as best man, as Zuko moved to stand under his banner. Someone started to play a pretty melody on the tsungi horn as the gates opened to revile Katara, escorted by chief Hakoda.

Everyone stood and marveled at Katara. She smiled but did not take her eyes off of Zuko. He looked magnificent in his black and silver robes, and the dragons were a nice touch. She liked that one was red and one was blue, it reminded her of her and Zuko.

Zuko smiled down at his soon to be bride. He had seen many beautiful things in the world, but Katara surpassed them all. He recognized his mothers dress from the portraits he had seen. In his opinion, Katara looked better in it.

Katara and Hakoda reached the top of the terrace. Hakoda took Katara's hand and kissed it. "I love you my beautiful daughter." He turned to Zuko and placed his hand on his shoulder. "Take care of my baby girl son. I'm trusting that she is in good hands now." Zuko bowed low as did Hakoda. They rose and Zuko gripped Hakoda's forearm.

"Chief Hakoda, I give you my word that I will take care of and protect her with my life." Hakoda squeezed Zuko's forearm and pat him on the back. "Thank you. That's what I want to hear son. Oh, and I'll you to that promise." Zuko nodded his head as Hakoda put Katara in her place under the blue banner.

"Ladies and gentlemen, we are gathered here today to join two people from completely different backgrounds, who managed to find love in each other." The sage said gestured to the audience. He then gestured to Katara. "Princess Katara, from the Southern Water Tribe," He turned and gestured to Zuko. "And Fire lord Zuko from the Fire nation. It is with great honor that I join these two in marriage." The audience clapped." The couple has decided to right there own vows, so I will let them proceed. Lady Katara, will you please begin?"

Katara turned to Zuko and took his hands in hers. "Zuko, my darling," She touched his scarred cheek with her cool hand and he shuddered. "I haven't always loved you. There were times that I hated you, but that was only because I didn't understand you. You were a dark image in my eyes. But now I see that you are the light in my world, like the sun.

"I draw strength from you, like you draw strength from sun. You complete me and I couldn't imagine living by another's side. I will love you till my dieing breath." The sage smiled at her then looked at Zuko.

"My lord, you may proceed." Zuko caressed Katara's cheek. "Katara, my beautiful water bender. I remember when I used to think of you as a lowly Water Tribe peasant. I let my arrogance alter my image of you. Now I see you for the beautiful and powerful princess that you are.

"You are everything I wish I was. Calm, patient, peaceful and you love unconditionally. You keep me on the right path. I love you so much and I know that you will be the best Fire Lady we have had in a long time."

A tear had found its way out of Katara's eye and Zuko carefully wiped it away. He smiled at her, he never thought one person could be full of so much love for another person. The fire sage turned to the audience.

"If anyone objects to the union of this couple, speak now or forever hold your peace." not a single person in the audience spoke out, the only sound was the quiet sobs from the Fire lords admirers. "So be it."

The sage turned to Zuko and Katara. " Please bend your element in a circle around your partner. This is to ensure that you trust each other." They did as the sage asked. Katara was a little fearful of the fire circling around her waist but she trusted Zuko.

"Spirits, please bless these children with a fulfilling marriage. Now, my lord, please set the log on fire." Zuko did as he was asked, bending the fire from Katara's waist, he set the log into flames. "The burning of the log represents forgetting the past, the smoke represents the bad memories, drifting away." Everyone watched the flames dance.

"Now, Lady Katara, will you please put the fire out?" Katara bent the water from Zuko's waist. She let the cool water caress his scarred cheek. The cool water calmed his fraying nerves. How he wished he could do that for her! Katara made the water rain down over the burning log.

"The dousing of the flames represents new life and replenishment." The sage dipped his pointer finger into the ash. He drew a sun on Katara's forehead and a crescent moon on Zuko's. "These markings represent the part of you that is in the other.

"My lord, you may now kiss your bride." Zuko smiled and took Katara's face in both of his hands and kissed her fiercely. The audience clapped and whistled. They broke apart and smiled down at their people.

"Ladies and gentle men, Fire lord Zuko and Fire lady Katara!" Everyone cheered. Katara and Zuko walked down the aisle, Zuko's arm around her shoulders and hers around his waist. They walked through a shower of cherry blossom petals.

They moved to the reception. Everything was beautiful. Zuko spared no expense when it came to the decorations that Katara wanted. The sun was setting and it cast a golden glow on everything. Zuko and Katara sat at a deep red table with golden dragons carved into it.

There was a fire bending show, where the finest benders from the academy performed for the newly weds. It was a beautiful show, but the best part was when Toph jumped in and bent a sculpture of Katara and Zuko holding hands, in amazing detail. Everyone clapped.

"That's my wedding present to you, Mr. and Mrs. Sparky." The crowd chuckled. "Thank you Toph." Zuko said with a smile. "Yes. It is so beautiful, it will go perfect in the gardens." Katara said happily. Zuko stood and raised his glass.

"Thank you, friends and family," He took Katara's hand. "For joining us on this very special day. We are blessed to have such amazing people close to us." Katara stood. "We love all of you dearly! Now, lets dance!"

The band played a happy tune and everyone began to dance. The party was fun. Katara and Zuko were quietly dancing amongst the crowd. "You look beautiful tonight," Zuko whispered into Katara's ear, his warm breath tickling her ear causing her to shiver. She looked at her husband. "Well you aren't to bad on the eyes yourself hansom." He smiled and kissed her. They danced into the night, completely consumed by bliss.