Fire and Ice

Chapter 25

Zuko nodded respectfully and walked to Katara. He entwined his arm around her possessively and held her close.

Katara inclined her head and walked with Zuko; following the deranged fire lord Ozai.

She would get her revenge. This man was the reason she was here in the first place. How could he act so . . . so serene? As if nothing else mattered in the world; other than his own needs, of course.

Katara shuffled her feet forward; she did not want to be in the same room as the fire lord. The only reason she should ever be within the same vicinity as him, was if Aang was fulfilling his destiny, or . . . or if Zuko was with her.

She unconsciously moved into Zuko, seeking his familiar warmth, his protection. She disliked thinking about herself as 'feeble' or the 'damsel in distress' in a situation as this.

But as long as she was in the fire nation palace, she forever was.

She grumbled softly and Zuko held her tighter against him. She sighed, they would have to do this sooner or later, and as of now; this definitely was 'sooner.'

They entered the throne room, awaiting permission. The fire lord ascended to his pedestal, and sat a stern expression upon is face. The red fire flared up violently, and then softened.

They walked stiffly in front of the vibrant fire and knelt in a bow.

The fire lord acknowledged them with a brief inclination of his head. His voice echoed throughout the vast cavern of a room.

"A letter was sent to the Chief of the northern water tribe, a response was immediate." As if rehearsed a dozen times over, a servant walked in with a maroon pillow, with golden fringe. On that pillow was a weather-beaten and stained scroll.

Katara gasped and stood from her knelt position, her eyes wide.

The fire lord smirked profoundly and took the scroll from the personnel.

Katara clinched her fists as he looked it over, and said "Your father states that he and I have the same state of mind. He wishes himself present at your arranged marriage"

Katara fell to her knees her hand slapped over her mouth. One, she didn't believe him for one second that her father would do this.

Two, his use of the word 'arranged' indicated that this wasn't a matter to be disputed over.

He handed the scroll to the servant and gestured in her direction. He walked to her and handed her the scroll. She snatched it out of his hands angrily, opening it to reveal what she had most feared.

Everything the fire lord had said was true, but as she read over the elegant script of her father she felt multi textured indents beneath the words.

She closed the scroll, and held it close to her bosom; willing it not to be true, willing herself not to cry or lose her temper.

Zuko stared at Katara. She was shaking in rage, the room cooling down dramatically. How could this be true? He would not do this to me? He must be planning something. Unless, unless he's planning to get us out of his hair in one easy step . . . Zuko slumped his shoulders, there was no getting out of this.

Katara said boldly "Fire Lord Ozai, may I keep this scroll as a reminder of this glorious day. I realize that I am young and I don't know what is best for Me." the fire lord smiled.

Katara was bristling with rage inside, but she knew well enough to hold it in with the fire lord around. Besides, she wanted to see what that double- texturing on the parchment was.

Katara knelt back next to Zuko; she tried to hide her scowl as she thought of him as her soon to be husband.

But as she thought more about it her scowl softened, he wouldn't treat her without kindness, he had his honor back, and he would protect her just as he had been doing so in the past week, he would take care of her and as he was to be the next fire lord, she would be the fire lady.

Stuck indoors, expected to bear his heirs. Now, at that she cringed.

The fire lord boomed "Oh, and Prince Zuko? I have invited an old friend to become your best man, as he is a man of utmost respect, and dignity. In fact, he is here now" the fire lord gestured to his servants and they opened his large double doors to reveal a stranger shrouded in shadows.

The man stepped into the light and bowed deeply, rising with a smirk on his face. Zuko gasped as the fire lord stated "Zuko please welcome Admiral Zhao."

WELL THAT SURE TOOK A FEW DAYS TO GET UP . . . SORRY GUYS. AND HE HAS A ROLE TO PLAY SO NOW SEEMED LIKE THE PERFECT TIME TO ADD HIM. SMILE!

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