SOJOURN IN SOLITUDE
DISCLAIMER: I do not own Avatar. That is that.
AN: The final chapter at last. Please read after the credits (haha), I mean the last words, for my thank you message.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
Shouts of joy filled the air as the portal materialized, a shimmering distortion of air and space, the doorway to the home they had been pining to return to for so long.
Katara was grinning from ear to ear, unable to suppress the tears of joy that were flowing down her cheeks. Zuko smiled and put a hand on her shoulder. She turned to him with a look in her eyes of absolute contentment and joy. Once again, she threw her arms around him and they embraced each other tightly, full of the triumphant moment, the glory of hope and home after so many months of toils and struggles.
They held each other close, glad to finally be at the threshold of their destinies, and even gladder that they at last achieved that clarity of emotions that had eluded them during the turbulent period of their training. And the happiness that filled them both was only reinforced by each other's presence, the warmth of the embrace of one person dearest to you. Every moment wasted in hesitation, doubt, and uncertainty was now excessively compensated by their refusal to break apart. Everything up to now had been so difficult for them, and yet, now, the moment they immersed themselves in was something wrought of pure sweet, glorious, delirious joy.
On another part of the boat, Melisande stood transfixed, her eyes wide, and an expression of complete shock on her usually knowing face. For a few moments she was unable to react to the presence of the barrier, trying to take it all in, and hoping that it was all not another insane vision or hope-inducing dream. When she had ascertained that the portal was indeed before her, and the moment she had been waiting for for what seemed so much longer than eight years had finally arrived, she raised her hands to her mouth and choked back a sob.
Hot tears of joy began flowing down her pale cheeks, and she was shaking with utter happiness. From his perch on a railing near Melisande, Sicca turned his small, scaly head towards his mistress and hissed slightly.
The lady exile hastily wiped her tears away and laughed more heartily than she had ever laughed in her entire life. Looking as curiously as a serpent can possibly glance at a human, Sicca hissed at Melisande again.
"I've been dreaming of this moment for so long," Melisande said, between her soft sobs, "visualizing every detail, imagining this very scene unfold, preparing myself to face it with complete assurance and serenity, just like Ursa. And yet, nothing has turned out the way I imagined it, everything's better."
She smiled weakly, remembering her late night conversation with Katara and the confession she witnessed through the spyglass. In the end, for all her planning and preparing, nothing turned out as expected. The former duchess wiped her tear-streaked face, feeling rather pathetic by her own standards.
"And I promised myself that I wouldn't cry."
--
A proud smile lit up Melisande's face as she watched Zuko and Katara hugging each other tightly. There was such a sense of perfection in the scene that she felt most reluctant to interrupt it. So she didn't, and instead watched and waited for them to notice her presence.
Seeing those two finally at ease with one another and with their powerful feelings, Melisande realized that what Zuko and Katara shared was something greater than she had ever imagined it to be. It wasn't any ordinary love, built on flighty impressions, transient attractions, and momentary surges of passion. Theirs was something based on something far deeper, far more profound, and far more beautiful.
The politician side of Melisande couldn't help but mention that this union would be quite a beneficial one for both races, a significant alliance between key figures of the Fire Nation and the Water Tribe. Without even having set foot again on the Four Nations, Zuko and Katara were already unconsciously taking decisive steps to rebuild the world ripped apart by the century-long war.
Melisande shook her head. This was not an economic agreement or an arranged marriage as was the custom during her time; this was a genuine alliance of love.
She also marveled at how Zuko and Katara's association had progressed from being bitter enemies, on extreme opposite sides of the war, to two people so deeply in love. All this had been facilitated by complete honesty to one's self, and complete release from the pressures imposed by exterior forces
And although she was loathe to admit it, Melisande could not deny, that deep inside her heart, she felt the slightest stirrings of a pang of envy. What she saw before her had been cruelly denied to her, and even to her most beloved sister. Neither of them had enjoyed a love as precious as this. All the relationships in their lives had been tainted with politics, greed, ambition, and the manipulation of people lusting for power.
"In my case," Melisande thought to herself, "I suppose, it's all really my fault. It was my ambition and arrogance that led to my eventual ruin. It was my mistaken pride in my abilities and my overconfidence that got me in this whole banishment mess in the first place."
On the other hand, she believed that Ursa was completely free of any blame whatsoever. All of Ursa's actions had been out of her own, beautifully selfless nature. And yet, life had been unkind to her sister, as well. Melisande sighed.
But looking at Zuko and Katara now, two young individuals who had endured their fair share of struggles and trials, Melisande finally realized what Ursa had probably known for far longer. All paths they had taken had led to this road, all pains, hardships, and sufferings were not in vain. The Avatar's return after a hundred years was already the most important step to the improvement of the future. And his own journey, and all the people he had affected along the way including Zuko and Katara, was paving the road to peace.
He must be more impressive than I imagined him to be, Melisande thought of the Avatar. And she believed that she would be much honored indeed to finally meet him.
After all, Melisande thought as she looked at Zuko and Katara, he may not know it, but the Avatar was partly responsible for bringing those two together.
--
Much to their credit, Zuko and Katara were not one of those couples who were so constantly absorbed in themselves that they were completely oblivious to everyone and everything else. They were both just too selfless and too generous of spirit to act so insensitively.
Even in the midst of their joy, they remembered that there was one other person on that ship who had been desiring this homecoming for far longer and far more than they could even imagine.
"Aunt Melisande?" they both said simultaneously, as if reading each other's minds. They released each other and turned to look for her.
Just then, they both saw Sicca soar swiftly into the air, his feathery wings moving so fast that they were a blur. They all watched as the serpent rose and flew straight into the barrier, and then through it, causing ripples of light to move across the shining portal before the distortions settled once more.
"Maybe we should follow his lead," Katara said, gazing after the winged serpent.
"Not yet," Melisande said, finally seeing her cue to enter the scene. She walked towards the surprised couple. "He's just flying ahead to tell my sister that we are ready. When Sicca returns and gives the signal, which will come very, very soon, all of us must prepare to do the key bending sequence one last time, to fully open the portal for us to enter."
Katara ran forward to hug the older lady and Melisande, taken aback by such a gesture, widened her eyes. And then, she smiled and returned the embrace.
"We're finally going home," Katara whispered, "you're going to be free."
Zuko walked towards Melisande and Katara, smiling at his aunt.
"Eight years," Zuko told his aunt, "you've been waiting for this moment for so long."
"More than you know," Melisande answered, "and none of this would have been possible without your help. Please believe me when I say that I am truly grateful for everything you've done for me."
"On the contrary," Zuko replied, moved by his aunt's uncharacteristic emotion, "it is you who have imparted so many lessons to us, who have helped us, survive through some of the worst trials we've ever faced."
"We owe you our lives," Katara said sincerely, "and I believe, our current happiness is your doing."
Melisande raised her hands in defense and shook her head with a bright smile.
"You owe me nothing," she replied, "I merely shared my knowledge with you, because such knowledge, when kept to one's self can be quite a burden. And as for the happiness which I am now marveling at, you owe it to your own hearts more than to any of my prodding and meddling. Seeing you now makes me very glad indeed. I am truly happy for both of you."
She gave Katara another hug and pulled Zuko into it as well. And although they were all minutes away from finally returning to the home they loved, they were also savoring the last moments they would have together in complete solitude and intimacy. Because when they went back, many things would have to change and some memories would have to be set aside for the more important tasks at hand.
Melisande hugged Zuko and Katara tightly and affectionately, so glad to have spent the hardest part of her exile with two people who had become so dear to her. They didn't know yet that despite her seeming invulnerability, it was their presence that comforted and helped her most of all drive away the sorrow of her exile. But although happiness and completion awaited them beyond the barrier, she still had some hard roads to travel on before she would arrive at the same point of bliss.
"You're both finally going to be together with everyone you love," she whispered to them.
The two younger benders were surprised by the sudden seriousness of her tone. Katara broke slightly away from the embrace and looked curiously at Melisande.
"You must mean 'we' are finally going to be reunited with those we love," Katara told Melisande, although there was a hint of doubt in her voice. Zuko looked suspiciously at his aunt's expression but once again, Melisande's face did not betray her feelings.
"You are coming with us, aren't you?" he asked with hesitation, almost afraid of hearing the answer.
"Of course," Melisande replied after a moment's pause, "I don't want to stay here any more than you do."
But something in her manner made Zuko suspect that his aunt, as was her habit, was not telling the complete truth.
--
The two firebenders and the waterbender stood at their starting positions, waiting eagerly and anxiously for the signal to arrive. They were determined not to waste a moment in reacting to Sicca's arrival and they wanted the portal opened as soon as it was possible. They had waited for this for far too long.
All eyes were narrowed focused on the glimmering portal. After several moments, ripples of light spread through the barrier and every muscle in their bodies tensed.
Melisande raised her hand to stop them from starting.
"We have to wait until Sicca emerges completely," she instructed. Zuko and Katara turned to her and nodded.
Little by little, the slender serpent's body was appearing from beyond the gate. And in a few minutes, Sicca emerged completely and soared into the air, emitting a melodious note unlike any sound that they had ever heard.
Without any explanation, they all knew at once that this was the signal they had been waiting for, so they began their movements.
Zuko and Katara had already mastered their dance and they knew well enough to focus on complete and utter harmony with each other and each other's elements. Following their training, they blocked every other thought from their minds, even those of home. They needed to keep their attention on every movement. More than ever, they could not afford any mistakes now.
From her side of the deck, Melisande was performing her techniques with her usual grace and yet with all the energy that she could muster. In her mind's eye, she could see her twin sister Ursa mirroring her movements and she tried as hard as she could to do everything in complete conjunction with her sister. The incomprehensible connection they both shared was getting stronger and stronger as time passed and she knew that she would have to keep striving towards achieving complete harmony with her sister who was bending somewhere beyond the barrier of their worlds. They were two halves of the same whole, today destined to be reunited.
Somewhere on the other side of the barrier, three other benders were hard at work. On one side there was Ursa, her eyes closed in complete concentration as she kept the connection with her sister as strong as she could. She performed the movements of the dance with the same grace and power as Melisande because their connection allowed her to share in some of her sister's firebending prowess while her sister was also able to sometimes share in Ursa's gift of foresight. They moved and flowed together as one, fortifying the connection and slowly opening the barrier.
On one hand, Sokka and Iroh were watching in awe at the amazing display of airbending and earthbending Aang and Toph were performing. The two benders exhibited their extreme knowledge of their elements and worked very well in conjunction with one another. Unlike the other two benders who were currently doing the movements on the other side of the barrier, Aang and Toph did not have the same difficulties and roadblocks. These two did not have the same emotional turmoil as their friends and they had already worked out their differences in character when Toph had first taught Aang earthbending. As a result, it had not been particularly difficult for them to master the motions of the barrier-opening sequence.
However, it had taken some time for them both to learn her parts because of her blindness. Her condition, of course, did not hinder her earthbending in any way but it didn't help that the instructions were on a scroll. Strangely enough, when Ursa presented the instructions to them, the movements for the earthbender had been on a separate sheet. In fact, Toph's part had not been on paper of any kind. Instead, the forms had been etched on a thin slate tablet.
When Sokka and the others had questioned Ursa about this circumstance, she had simply shaken her head. There were many complex explanations involved, she had said, and they simply did have the luxury of time for these explanations. Toph had not minded and got to feeling the etchings of the tablet and practicing her bending as soon as possible.
And although this seems rather hard to believe, it was also quite challenging for the Avatar to learn the airbending moves. To his complete surprise, when he saw the scroll, he saw very unfamiliar airbending techniques that even the greatest airbender of his time, Monk Gyatso, had not been able to show him. So even the airbending prodigy had to struggle slightly to be able to learn the moves. Being open to new experiences, he warmly welcomed the challenge, especially since it meant that he would be able to bring Katara back home.
But the difficulties both Aang and Toph encountered were mostly technical and physical and therefore easily breached. And now, they were executing every move masterfully and almost effortlessly, and unbeknownst to them, every move they were performing was in perfect harmony with the moves of Zuko and Katara from beyond the barrier.
"I've seen Aang and Toph train with each other before," Sokka commented to Iroh as he watched the two benders in action, "and I thought I'd seen it all and that I wouldn't be impressed by anything else they showed me. Apparently, I was wrong."
"You must remember," Iroh told him, the old man's eyes still on his sister-in-law, the Avatar, and the charming blind earthbender, "that life constantly applies the element of surprise."
With a deep breath, both Melisande and Ursa moved their arms in a complicated and intricate set that was a combination of hand movements, fire manipulation, and traditional dance. Their footwork followed fluidly and gracefully. Finally, they made one emphatic stamp on the ground, establishing a firm stance, and they extended their right arms, fire shooting from their fingers in slender, straight streams that went straight through the barrier.
At the same time, Zuko and Katara executed the last section of their set and simultaneously reaching the final form, they extend their arms quickly and fluidly, a stream of water following Katara's arm and jets of flame following Zuko's. From the other side of the barrier, Aang and Toph had reached the same position and earth and air were following parallel paths into the barrier.
All four elements penetrated the shimmering gateway, causing numerous circular ripples of light to spread simultaneously across the surface of the portal. The topmost link was that of the unique flames that linked the twin sisters Ursa and Melisande. And with this fiery link of two halves, the portal slowly began to open.
Little by little, Zuko and Katara felt the ship move forward, towards the portal. Still in their stances, they looked at each other with wide and excited eyes. But they did not change position, and maintained the flow of their elements which were somehow penetrating the shield of the barrier. They knew that they had to maintain the link through the elements no matter what may happened. They didn't even dare glance at Melisande whose brow was knotted in extreme concentration as she summoned all her powers to strengthen the connection between her and Ursa.
From where they were on the other side of the portal, Sokka and Iroh noticed the disturbances along the surface of the barrier and noticed that something seemed to be coming towards them. The rendez-vous point where they all stood at the moment was once again on the shores of Lake Laogai and from beyond the barrier, a large, looming shadow seemed to be approaching them.
"What is that thing?" Sokka asked, looking curiously at the shadow. Iroh narrowed his eyes and tried to make out the figure.
"It looks like a ship of some kind," the old man observed to his companion.
Slowly but surely, the house ship built by Ta Zho was becoming clearer and more visible as it moved towards the shore. And soon, the front part of the vessel had penetrated the shield and not long after, the rest of the ship followed.
By then, Aang's eyes widened at the sight but he did not break the link. Toph, who could not feel the coming of the ship, was not distracted for a moment. Ursa's brow was lined with sweat as she continued concentrating on maintaining the link.
Soon, the harmonious links between the four elements became visible, Katara's water connecting with Aang's air while Zuko's fire was connected to Toph's earth. The benders were also able to see the thick fiery cord that was the link of the twin sisters.
And then, it was over. The entire ship had passed through the barrier and the glimmering distortion of light, and space began to disintegrate until it dissolved into the sky and vanished completely.
It was now possible for the elemental links to be broken and all six benders released their elements slowly before collapsing to the ground from exhaustion. But their succumbing to fatigue was only momentary because they were all too excited and they did not want to waste a single moment on their physical limitations.
Zuko and Katara quickly ran to the edge of the deck, waving and shouting excitedly to their friends on the shore. They recognized the place where they had emerged as the shore of Lake Laogai, where Katara had descended to a hidden city, and where Zuko had dropped his Blue Spirit mask and his secret identity forever.
Aang, Sokka, and Iroh wore wide grins and yelled and waved back. The airbender and the Water Tribe Warrior even began to wade along the water in their eagerness to see Katara again. Toph pouted, still not able to feel Katara's presence on the ground and patiently waited on shore for the waterbender to come.
"See, little sister!" Sokka yelled at Katara, "I'm wading through the worst of Earth Kingdom lake muck just to see you!"
"I missed you too, Sokka!" Katara shouted back with a laugh, "but you should wait until we get on shore."
That event didn't take too long as the ship floated quickly on the shore, and Zuko dropped the anchor (which he had only recently discovered). He and Katara ran quickly to the lower level of the house and opened what had once been the front door which now led them straight to the shore.
Katara had hardly set foot on the sandy beach when she was overwhelmed by arms coming around her from both Sokka and Aang. She laughed and returned the hug and listened to the simultaneous talking of her dear friend and favorite brother. Somewhere on the shore Toph had finally sensed Katara's presence and consequently earthbended the two boys out of the way as the blind girl ran to hug Katara by herself.
Zuko had just emerged from the ship when he was engulfed in a warm embrace by Uncle Iroh, so strong that it temporarily knocked the wind out of him. After he recovered his breath, he smiled and returned the hug, which only became tighter than ever.
The last one to emerge from the ship was a shaken and stunned Melisande who, when she at last set foot on land, looked around her as if in a trance. She had been to Ba Sing Se, and Lake Laogai, before and it really hadn't changed in eight years, but just the realization of eight years of dreaming and hoping seemed too much to bear. Happiness was choking her.
And then, she felt familiar arms wrap around her and she turned to enthusiastically return the embrace of her twin sister, two halves finally restored to each other, a living whole.
What followed can only be described as a flood of joyful tears.
Joyful tears streamed down every face of the people present on that lake's shore as they embraced the people they loved and had missed for so long. Tears readily flowed down the faces of the exiles who had worked so hard to be able to come back home, to all the people they had held dear.
Not even Sokka had the time to crack any jokes, so busy was he in welcoming his beloved little sister and making sure that she was safe. Everyone ignored their muscles groaning and the toll the stress of the past few months had taken on them, so full were they of the absolute ecstasy of the reunion.
Laughter filled the air and the lively conversation of people who knew each other well. Katara was bombarded with questions about her stay on the island and even about her unexpected arrival on a strange looking ship, all questions she could not answer in a short while.
Uncle Iroh inquired about Zuko as well and the younger firebender found that he rather missed his elderly uncle's loquaciousness although it became a little tedious to relate all the details of his sojourn.
He found a way to somehow throw a sideward glance at Katara who was glancing at him as well and they smiled to each other in complicity. The stories they would have to tell to their friends and family might take days to relate and yet there was so much they had to tell.
On one side of the shore, the two sisters shared a tearful and bittersweet reunion, and they refused to let each other go. Despite their mysterious and unique connection to each other which kept communications between them for the past eight years, neither Ursa nor Melisande had any physical contact with her sister for that duration and the concreteness of their presence was a great comfort to each of the firebending sisters. Unlike Zuko and Katara, Melisande and Ursa did not need to ask each other questions about what the other went through during her banishment, and therefore, their reunion was a bit of a time-saver. But it was not less emotional than the others.
Melisande apologized profusely to her sister for a million little faults she had against Ursa which the latter quickly forgave and even shrugged off. They had long since reconciled over certain traumatic issues in the past but Melisande had not stopped feeling guilty about her actions during her exile and seeing her sister once again had reawakened all her remorse and guilt. Ursa smiled gently at her sister and comforted her.
Melisande recollected herself and asked after her sister's health and happiness. Ursa replied that she was quite well and now that the family was complete again, and that things were well under way for the ending of the century long war and the restoration of peace to the land, nothing could possibly be better.
"You may find," Melisande told Ursa with a knowing look, "that our family now has some lovely additions."
Ursa smiled back at her sister, understanding the implication and together the twins glanced at both Zuko and Katara, who were still being interrogated by their friends and family.
"She is an excellent match for him, I daresay," Melisande commented, "so similar and yet so different at the same time. I am sure you already like her though you have known less of her than I have. After all, you sent her to me and you made it possible for them to come together, you sly girl."
Ursa laughed heartily. "I confess," she said, "that despite all my other good intentions for them and for you, I had hoped, deep in my heart, that they would indeed come together. I've always wanted Zuko to have someone to truly love and somehow I had sensed that she would be the one to change him for the better."
"And I am sure," Melisande whispered, her hands on Ursa's shoulders, "that you will find more cause at present to be proud of your son. I daresay he has grown up to be a very great man indeed, and he is bound to keep growing as these significant events shall unfold. I congratulate you on such an offspring."
Ursa laughed at her sister's comment and replied, "Much of his growth in the past few months I owe to your care and teaching, dear sister. And I know that both of you benefited from the exchange."
"Me more than he did, I can assure you," Melisande replied, "although he doesn't seem to realize that he taught me some things as well. And I really do apologize for what happened during the verbal standoff after the Agni Kai."
"I've told you numerous times that all is forgiven. And I am well aware that under those circumstances, it could not be helped. You did all you could and no one could have expected you to do any more than that."
"Thank you, sister. And I despair that this reunion is to be brief."
Ursa sighed and nodded. "I know that as well. That is the burden of having this gift of foresight. I know in advance when I am to be saddened."
Melisande hugged her sister tightly once more.
"But let's not talk of parting just yet," she told Ursa, "this moment is about coming together again and it must not be spoiled, especially not by me."
The two sisters walked towards Iroh and Zuko. The old man, seeing their approach, smiled and turned to them.
"I am sorry," Iroh told Ursa, "I have been monopolizing your son. I believe that it is high time that I return him to his mother."
At this, Zuko's eyes widened and he turned slowly to face the woman he had not seen for six years. At first, mother and son stood quite still, taking the moment in, trying to convince themselves that this was no dream and that they had at last reached the reunion they had longed for for so long.
Melisande had to give her sister a gentle nudge before Ursa recovered herself and ran forward to hug her son. Zuko, more tears of joy streaming down his face, returned his mother's embrace and they stood together in wordless bliss, just savoring the moment of that sweet reunion.
Both Melisande and Iroh watched two of the dearest members of their family with tear-filled smiles.
"Although I may not know exactly how that feels, having never been a mother," Melisande whispered, "I can say that it is unspeakably beautiful."
Iroh smiled gently at her and laid a hand on her shoulder.
"You don't necessarily have to be a mother to understand some part of the depth of her love for her child," he told her in his sagely fashion, "you simply have to be able to understand love."
"As wise and profound as ever," Melisande replied on a slightly lighter tone, "I see you still haven't changed."
Iroh grinned at her. "Some things in life remain constant," he said.
By now, even the Avatar's group had turned their attention to the reunion of the Fire Prince and the Fire Lady. They were all acquainted with the details of the long separation of the mother and the son so they all understood just how great and important this moment was for the two.
Aang was teary-eyed as he watched Zuko and his mother embrace and now, more than ever was he ready to welcome Zuko as his friend. He saw that the firebender had had a very hard life and yet he still had a great heart.
"We can be friends, after all," Aang thought, remembering the incident with the Blue Spirit, and feeling glad that he had lost enemies and gained friends.
Toph, sensing the happenings with her feet, also felt somewhat happy for Zuko and his mother, although she knew him least. As was the earthbender's habit, she could sense that he was an honest and good person and would prove to be a great addition to their group.
Even Sokka had to let go of his sarcasm when he saw Zuko and Ursa. He realized that Zuko was still also a son who had lost his mother for six years and was now being reunited with her. Sokka knew what it was like to lose a mother so he felt glad for Zuko and even admitted that he may have been wrong about the firebender.
And as for Katara, she simply couldn't stop the tears of joy from flowing down her cheeks. Her smile grew wider and wider as she witnessed this reunion, especially since she was very well acquainted with all the details about it. She felt heartily happy for Zuko and she simply couldn't describe the beauty of that moment.
A hand was laid on her shoulder and she turned to see Sokka with a very heartfelt smile on his face.
"You just don't know how perfect your timing is," he told her mysteriously.
The waterbender gave a puzzled look at her brother when he stepped aside and revealed that there was another person in their party who was most eager to see her again.
Katara's blue eyes widened and she put her hands to her mouth in surprise.
"Dad!"
Hakoda smiled gently at his daughter and nodded. And in a moment Katara's arms were around her father's neck and soon even Sokka was pulled into the embrace. Hakoda had only just arrived with the rest of his men to meet Aang and others to discuss the imminent invasion. They weren't expected for another three days and so the unexpected arrival was all the more precious. The Water Tribe family reveled in their reunion and all was well.
"It seems like today is full of family reunions," Toph observed. Beside her, Aang agreed as he smiled at the two families which were being completed at that very moment. But soon, he noticed that someone was walking towards him. The Avatar turned and found out that Melisande was slowly approaching him.
Her face wore an expression of complete reverence and awe as she stood before him, although she was much taller. He looked up at her and smiled in his sincere fashion. She gazed at him earnestly for a few moments before going on her knees, and to Aang's complete shock, bowing before him.
Months before, during a quiet time on the ship, Melisande had asked Katara what the Avatar was like in person. Melisande knew enough about his abilities but she had been curious and slightly skeptical then as to whether a child, gifted though he may be, was truly destined to restore balance to a war-torn world.
Katara had thought for a few moments, choosing her words carefully before she answered. And then, the waterbender had said, "Aang is the kindest and most selfless person I know. And when you see him, despite his youth and innocence, you can't help but have faith in him."
Seeing the Avatar at last, Melisande realized just how apt a description Katara had given her. It was true that the boy still had an innocent look about him that reflected his youth and relative inexperience. But he also had the aura of all those who came before him, one of wisdom, fairness, and conviction. Seeing him thus, one would never doubt that he would indeed be the savior of the world.
Aang, of course, was very much taken aback by such a reaction, so he simply took Melisande's hand and smiled at her.
"It's an honor to meet you too, Lady Melisande," he said cheerfully, "I've heard so much about you."
"Now that we've finally met, master Avatar," Melisande told him with her usual gravity, "you can depend on my staunch support in your campaign against the Fire Lord."
This really need not have been said but Melisande felt keenly obliged to say it if only to assure the young boy that he had gained yet another ally in his fight. He thanked her profusely and told her that formalities were not necessary between friends. They shook hands warmly and both were quite pleased with one another.
Meanwhile, when everyone had somewhat recovered from their family reunions, Katara tentatively broke away from her family and ran to Zuko. He likewise let go of his mother who gave him a knowing glance before releasing him to go to Katara. Both of them knew that it was high time for them to let their families and friends know of a certain development.
They stood together, hands clasped, and all of a sudden, there was no doubt about their relationship to each other. It didn't need to be announced anymore. Of course, such a revelation caused mixed reactions, although mostly positive from the couple's parents, and slightly negative from the waterbender's brother. But all this was to be expected.
Toph had been the first to realize the relationship, because her keen senses had felt the beating of the two hearts long before either of the two had even stood beside each other. When she found out, she couldn't help but grin mischievously.
"This is going to be really interesting," she thought to herself, rubbing her hands together. And she was eager to see Sokka's reaction to this development.
The next to notice was Aang and when he saw the two together, he smiled and did not feel any pang of pain or jealousy as he anticipated. Instead, surprisingly, he felt very happy for them and glad that their being together was not going to cause him any distress at all. It was the first time he had seen either of them look truly and completely happy and so he knew he heartily approved.
Hakoda had been surprised at first and then, he simply smiled. Two years ago, he would have frowned upon such a union, between his beloved only daughter and the prince of the nation that had been terrorizing the world for a hundred years. But he knew quite well, that many things had changed in the course of two years and that in this world, nothing was ever as it seems.
It did seem difficult, however, to accept that his two children were finally growing up and leading lives he never would have imagined them leading, following greater paths and fulfilling greater destinies. This father had never been this proud of his children, and yet he was slightly saddened knowing that one day, they would completely make their own ways in the world.
But for now, his heart was filled because his family was complete, and he was even slightly thrilled that he would have additions to the family rather soon.
Sokka had just been stupefied. His eyes widened and his jaw dropped ("all the way to the Crystal Catacombs," Toph had commented wryly) and he said not a word for several minutes. His right eyebrow twitched and he started pointing at Zuko and Katara and babbling incoherent words. Toph slapped her forehead and laughed at him. Aang shook his head and Katara rolled her eyes. The Fire Nation citizens present all raised their eyebrows at this reaction and wondered if the Water Tribe Warrior was quite all right.
"Sokka," Hakoda told his son gently, laying a hand on the boy's shoulder, "what's wrong, son? Aren't you happy for your sister?"
Sokka merely looked wide-eyed at his father and then back at his sister and back at his father before simply fainting from the shock. Hakoda sighed and shook his head as the others tried to revive the stunned boy.
The necessary introductions were made and soon, a very strange exchange was happening between the former General of the Fire Nation, the banished Fire Lady and her sister, and the chief of the Southern Water Tribe. Despite their former status as enemies, Hakoda could not help but revere and respect Iroh (as well as be amused by his quips) as well as be charmed by the two sisters. Hakoda was not one to be prejudiced but having fought in the war for quite some time, he had acquired a slight bias against firebenders. But meeting some of them now quite changed his overall perception.
Later on, Melisande walked towards her two former protégés and gave them a warm embrace. Despite all her preparations for this eventual moment, the older firebender felt that she dreaded the parting all the same. Those two had become very dear to her and the closest to her own children that she would ever have.
"This has been a great journey," she told Zuko and Katara, "and I will be eternally grateful that I spent it with both of you."
The two benders returned the gesture warmly and expressed similar sentiments. They had been through a lot together, and that was an understatement.
"And now," Melisande said with a hint of sadness in her voice, "I fear I must leave you once again."
"What?" Zuko and Katara cried incredulously, Zuko finally feeling his previous suspicions coming to fruition. They both frowned at her but Melisande nodded sadly at them.
"I fear," Melisande replied, "that I still have some unfinished business that I have to attend to before I join in your campaign against the Fire Lord. There is one last test which I must pass, with the first Firebending Masters. I must prove my worth to them first before I will be able to rejoin your group. This is a path that even you, Zuko, and the Avatar will need to pursue. But all in good time. We will see each other again, I can promise you that."
Zuko and Katara were shocked but then they gave Melisande one last embrace, knowing that she would always keep her word. The bond the three had shared during their long sojourn in solitude had kept growing through every hardship they endured and they knew that it was something that none of them would ever forget. The three of them would cherish all those memories forever. Every trial they had overcome had only served to strengthen them and bring them closer together. And having shared the same roof for so long, it was particularly hard on them to part, even for a while. But they all knew that such separation was necessary and that at least, there was the prospect of another reunion to look forward to, whenever it will be.
They then exchanged bittersweet good-byes and Zuko and Katara turned to explain the circumstances to their friends and family who were sad to learn that after only a brief acquaintance, Melisande had to leave.
But when they turned to face Melisande again, she was gone.
-fin-
--
The die is cast.
Thank you so much from the very core of my being to everyone who supported this story. It has been an honor to deliver this piece for your entertainment. I never expected the story to be this popular or successful among fan fiction readers and I am indeed flattered by all your generous and unyielding support and feedback.
This has been one heck of a journey for me and I thank you all for going on it with me. This marks the longest fan fiction story I've ever written and only the second Avatar multi-chapter story that I've ever completed. Thank you all for sticking it through with me.
Regarding a sequel, I do have some lingering ideas for an overall plot that would include some of the unresolved issues that were left at the end of the story but there are certain difficulties that I foresee. First of all, the story of the island is clearly concluded but as you may have read, they still have the campaign against the Fire Lord and his eventual downfall to worry about so those are probably some things to expect in the sequel. One problem is that I won't have enough time to finish the sequel before the actual Avatar Season Finale in July and I feel quite certain that whatever plot I come up with cannot match the canon version of the ending. And also, if the story doesn't finish before the finale, I don't know if any of you will still be interested in it, and I won't blame you. I don't know if I will still have the heart to write it once Avatar is over. But I simply cannot come up with a sequel really, really fast, fast enough to finish before the finale because school has started and I will have less time to write and also because one quickly-written will have a tendency to be mediocre or substandard and that would be an insult to all of you. I also promised to update some of my other stories (which I left on hiatus when I devoted my entire time to this one) and to write some one-shots whose ideas simply won't get out of my brain. So those are my misgivings about writing a sequel although I feel slightly inclined to do so.
Anyway, if you guys are really keen on having a sequel, despite the aforementioned circumstances, and are interested enough in waiting for a bit (not too long, I assure you), kindly let me know and I will surely oblige you. I will try not to make it a "Disney" scenario, as Pepipanda said, where the sequel does not match up to the original. Anyway, the sequel is bound to be just a continuation of events rather than a rehashed, corny, random plot like some sequels have turned out to be so I daresay it might still turn up rather well. But I'm rambling. Please just let me know if you're willing or interested to read a sequel and I will get right to work on it. And thank you very much in advance.
To the anonymous reviewer 0, please just know that I bear you no ill-will for your criticism, and in fact, I greatly welcomed it. I do admit that I got carried away with Melisande from time to time and that there are some things need to be improved. Although I do not agree with all of your points, I am not angry with you and would gladly discuss the matter with you in the proper venue should you choose it. Thank you for your feedback.
To Akriloth Warrior, Alaksandra, AlexMontgomery, Avatar2233, Fayari, Jimmy Bonez, JizoBosatsu01, Lady Padfoot21, LordRevanGrandMasteroftheJedi, Midnight Hikari, MilkMustache, Mr. Average, Rayshia, Requiem of Solance, Saucebender, UzumakiGurl455, ZutaraFan4, afina.kedavra, angstar54, asakage, babu'sbff, devil.sid, ju97ju97, lakesofcanada, musiclover9419, pfnelly, spinners0end, vast-cerulean : thanks for adding this story to your favorites. I hope that you didn't lose interest as the story progressed.
To Akriloth Warrior, Anzu Maki, Booklover16, Bound By Sound, CelestialWonder, E. Roses, EndlessBlack, Fayari, Guardian of Balance, Khajmer, Koori Youkai Hime, Lady Padfoot21, Logrus Mage, LordRevanGrandMasteroftheJedi, Luiz4200, LunaticCow, Marquise of Pembroke, Midnight Hikari, Mr. Average, MyUnchainedMelody, Neptune-Saturn, NorthernLights25, Phenominal22, Pouncing Padfoot 146, Requiem of Solance, Rinle, Saucebender, Storm Black, The Zutara Critic, Timeless Traveler, Vullinia, WickedAce, YourAngelStandingBy, ZutaraFan4, afina.kedavra, angstar54, babu'sbff, dark shadow clone, goaligirl12, hellbutterfly421, kayke, ktsvillefan, lizabeth87, musiclover9419, peanut26, pfnelly, pink princess 16, slayerstoryguy, sokkantylee, solarecilpse, spinners0end, superkawaiifoxy, triquetraperson, zflames4me : thank you so much for adding this to your alerts so far. You won't need to wait for an update any longer, at least.
To Mr. Average, Guardian of Balance, AvatarAiris, sokkantylee, sara, pink princess16, Akriloth Warrior, little blueness, Luiz4200, Avatar2233, peanut26, Kirai-Ninja, MilkMustache, superkawaiifoxy, AlinaAlone#1, babu'sbff, ju97ju97, princess25, spinners0end, NorthernLights25, pfnelly, Manola3, khajmer, Logrus Mage, Requiem of Solance, afina.kedavra, Koori Youkai Hime, ZutaraFan4, ktsvillefan, lw, EndlessBlack, LadyPadfoot21, musiclover9419, angstar54, Rayshia, solarecilpse, zflames4me, Bonnie, YourAngelStandingBy, alaksandra, saucebender, CelestialWonder, hellbutterfly421, Pepipanda, 0, ME, and the others who left anonymous reviews whom I cannot acknowledge properly, please know that I truly appreciated every single comment and criticism that you have given me. I am always grateful when people appreciate my work and more so when they alert me to faults that I may not have noticed. Thank you exceedingly for all your support.
I never expected to receive this many reviews for this story (I was only going for 100) but you guys totally exceeded my expectations and made me happier and more encouraged to write more fan fiction. I've never even received this many reviews for any of my other stories despite how long I've been writing and posting stuff here so your reactions are really such a great big reward and encouragement for me. Thank you over and over again.
I hope that you all enjoyed reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it and I will forever remain in your debt for your constant support and encouragement.
To all those who will read this even after this chapter is posted, please do leave reviews. I will still greatly appreciate them. And thank you very much in advance.
This feels strangely like giving an Oscars acceptance speech, so sorry about the length. I think I hear the orchestra giving me the signal to stop now.
Thank you for everything! I love you all!