Disclaimer: I do not own Avatar: the Last Airbender, it's owned by its creators Michael Dante DiMartino & Bryan Konietzko and Nickelodeon.
The next day, Katara joined Zuko and Iroh for breakfast.
"How was your date?" Iroh asked after Katara sat down.
Zuko coughed with tea in his mouth.
"Zuko, are you okay?" Katara asked.
Zuko wiped up some of the tea and said, "I'm fine."
Iroh looked at his nephew.
Zuko and Katara exchanged looks.
"It was different," said Katara.
Iroh poured the tea into a cup for Katara.
"What do you two have planned for the day?" Iroh asked.
"Well, I thought I'd introduce Katara to the council and the tutor," said Zuko.
"That sounds wonderful," said Katara, who seemed semi excited.
After breakfast, Zuko and Katara went to the throne room.
"It looks a lot different than I imagined," said Katara.
"I had some renovations done," said Zuko.
After a while, other people filed including General Mak, and the High Sage that crowned Zuko.
"Thank you for meeting with me today," said Zuko.
They looked at Zuko wondering why their Fire Lord called them to a meeting. Things have been peaceful recently.
"As you know, the Fire Sages told me the Fire Lord is expected to be married by the time he is crowned. If he is not, he must be engaged by the time he turns twenty-one. Katara has come here as my fiancee," said Zuko.
About half of Zuko's council was shocked, while the other half was not surprised and remained neutral.
"Fire Lord Zuko, with all due respect, are sure that is a wise decision?"
Katara furrowed her brows and narrowed her eyes at the speaker, but she waited to hear what Zuko had to say before she spoke.
"The Sages said I could pick anyone, but if I was not engaged by twentieth birthday they would pick for me. I chose Katara, and she agreed to marry me," said Zuko with finality in his voice.
"I meant no disrespect, but won't the Earth Kingdom and the Northern Water Tribe see this as an alliance? Won't the Southern Water Tribe view this as a way of taking over?"
"The Earth Kingdom and the Northern Water Tribe will not view it that way if the Fire Nation agrees to some type of alliance. I've already met with Chief Arnook, and we've come to a peace agreement. I'm planning on meeting with the Earth King. As for the Southern Water Tribe, I've already gotten Chief Hakoda's permission to marry Katara," said Zuko.
"Zuko proved to my father that he is worthy and he became an honorary member of the tribe," Katara added.
The council took in what Zuko and Katara said.
"When and where will the wedding take place?" The High Sage asked.
"We have not yet announced our engagement to the world. We wish to wait until after the Avatar has married. We don't want to take away from his celebration," Zuko replied.
"Zuko thought it would be a good idea for me to learn more about the Fire Nation," said Katara.
"Who will teach her?" The High Sage asked.
"I have someone in mind," said Zuko.
"Fire Lord Zuko, it would be an honor," said Fire Sage Shyu.
"Shyu," said Katara.
"On that note, I'd like to call this meeting to an end," said Zuko.
Everyone left.
"Shyu, it's good to see you," said Katara. "Zuko didn't tell me you were going to be teaching me."
"I wanted it to be a surprise," said Zuko.
"Well, I'm definitely surprised," said Katara as she smiled.
"I'll let you two catch up. I've got some paperwork to attend to," said Zuko, and he left for his study.
"How have you been? I haven't seen you since that winter solstice," said Katara.
"Before Fire Lord Zuko's coronation, he freed us from prison," said Shyu.
"What have you been doing since?" Katara asked.
"Fire Lord Zuko had ordered the Fire Temple be rebuilt. He had the Fire Sages and architects and builders work together to rebuild it," said Shyu.
"Is it finished?" Katara asked curiously.
"Yes," said Shyu. "How have you been?"
"I've been busy," said Katara, as she looked down. "How much has Zuko told you?"
"He told me that he was engaged and he hoped the Fire Sages would accept her. He didn't say who it was until this morning before the meeting," said Shyu.
"He certainly is full of surprises. So, I get to learn about the Fire Nation," said Katara.
"What do you want to learn about first?" Shyu asked.
"How about..."
Stay tuned...