Disclaimer: I do not own the world of Avatar the Last Airbender.

A/N: Here it is, the epilogue. Gosh, it has been such an adventure writing this story. Did you know Luli started as a servant aboard Zuko's ship? But that voice wasn't speaking to me and then Princess Luli appeared and goodness, has she grown into someone I wasn't even expecting. Thank you again for reading and S/O (for the final time) to the readers who favorite/alerted this story: NinjaOfSilence, chloejayne123, littlerose568, Blerd Song, snowheart89 and snowheart89! Thank you all so much! Warning: there will be spoilers in here that hint at the ending of The Search (which is a great comic and I suggest you read it).

Two Years Later

I couldn't sleep.

Taking a deep breath, I tossed aside my covers and swung my legs out of bed. The sun was still kissing the horizon. In other words, it was way too early for me to be awake. My feet touched the polish floor and I shivered. As much as I had hated visiting the Northern Water Tribe for Aang and Katara's wedding (which had been lovely of course and I enjoyed every minute of that), I didn't mind the early morning chill of Autumn. That's what I loved about Ba Sing Se. While the Water Tribes were freezing, the Air Temples windy, and the Fire Nation was always warm, we experienced a variety of weather. Autumn was my favorite though. It should probably be Spring, when the earth was blossoming and growing, but there was something just so soothing about Autumn.

I stretched as I got out of bed, wrapping my arms around myself as I moved to my closet and pulled out a long sleeve tunic, leggings, and light boots. Cinching the belt around my waist, I headed for the door before I paused. A slight smile came to my face as I backtracked to the balcony doors. I opened it, letting the cool air rush over me. Before I could talk myself out of it, I swung my legs over the balcony and climbed down the wall. I'd have to add this to the list of things I would miss.

My feet hit the ground and I brushed myself off, walking towards the front of the palace. There were streamers hung between the buildings connecting, reds, pinks, and whites blending with yellows, greens and browns, flowers threaded into the streamers. It was an interesting combination but it worked. I suppose people were excited. There were guards standing the gates that led to the Middle Ring and I knew that beyond that there would be guards at the gates that led to the Lower Ring, ready to swing open the doors, but other than that, the city was quiet and sleeping.

I walked up the familiar stairs to the Jasmine Dragon, taking a seat on the top step. From here, I could see the entire Upper Ring, what used to be my home. It was weird; I had already said goodbye to Yu Dao but it had been easier than this. I was happy for why I was leaving, but that didn't make it any easier.

Behind me, the door opened. A slight smile came to my face but I didn't turn around. "I thought I'd be the only one up this early."

Zuko sat down next to me, sighing as he shivered. "It's cold out here."

I nudged his arm with my shoulder. "You always say that."

"Because it's always cold." He breathed into his hands and I watched the smoke rise.

"You're such a big ol' softy." Still I scooted closer, wrapping my arm around his waist, while he slung in arm around my shoulders. We sat like that in silence for a moment, Zuko's head resting on top of mine. "What are you doing up this early?"

Zuko shrugged. "I couldn't sleep any longer. You?"

"The same. Can you believe this all started because I walked down the wrong alley way?"

Zuko shook his head. "It feels like it was ages ago."

"Nearly six years." I took a deep breath. "That is a long time. . . . But look at this city. Katara and Fen went all out. I'm going to miss this place."

"We can always come to visit."

"I know . . . it's just, I don't know. . . . It seems very final. This has always been my home, even when I was living in Yu Dao, I could come home any time I wanted. This will be different."

Zuko sat up straight, turning slightly to look at me. "Luli –"

"That's not what I mean!" I amended quickly. I smiled at him. "Zuko, I'm happy. I am so very happy. This is just another adventure."

"A life changing adventure." Zuko turned and smiled back at me. "Are we up for it?"

"Oh, definitely. We've faced armies remember? We're more than ready for this." I leaned toward Zuko.

"There you are!" A shrill voice rang across the area, surely waking up anyone who had been asleep in the Upper Ring and causing Zuko and I to jump apart. We turned to face Fen as she stormed towards us. She pointed a finger at Zuko. "Close your eyes immediately, Your Highness!"

Zuko held up his hands defensively, shutting his eyes quickly. Fen marched up the stairs, grabbing my hand and pulling me to my feet. "You had me so worried! I was looking all over the castle for you."

"I was only gone for maybe 20 minutes!"

"Very crucial, that 20 minutes! Do you realize how long your hair is going to take? Let's go!" I rolled my eyes as Fen dragged me down the stairs away from the Jasmine Dragon. Turning, I saw Zuko with his eyes open, smiling softly at me. I smiled back.

I'd see him in a few anyway.

"Is this too tight?"

"I can still breathe so probably not."

Fen smiled, tying off my sash and turning to Katara, who was standing holding my hair band in her hands. "Why don't you do her makeup and I'll put this in her hair."

Fen sat me down sideways on the plush chair and I closed my eyes while she set on my hair and Katara on my makeup. On my bed, Toph groaned. "How long is this actually supposed to take?"

"We're almost done," Fen responded. "Toph please sit up, I spent a really long time getting your hair in order. You're dress is going to get wrinkled."

Toph groaned but she must have followed instructions because I heard the bed creak. I peeked out one eye, smiling at Toph. Fen really had done a great job on her hair, braiding it up in a large twisted braid on the back of her head, bangs falling down from underneath the pretty green head band on her head. "You look very nice Toph."

The Earthbender scoffed. "You're lucky I like you."

"Cheer up, Toph," Katara responded. "It's not every day that we get to play dress up."

"You make it sound as this is something that I always want to do."

"Toph, Katara, you two don't get to be argue today," Suki told them. "This is going to be a good day."

"How are you feeling, Luli?" Fen asked, clearly trying to change the subject.

"Excited," I said, smiling. I bit the inside of my cheek. "Nervous. Sort of like I should laugh and throw up all at the same time."

"I'm sure that'd be pretty," Toph said, snickering.

"Everything's going to be perfect," Katara responded.

"You had two of the best organizers in the world here for you, after all," Fen agreed.

"Two of the bossiest, you mean," Toph muttered, though we could all hear her.

I let myself smile again. "It is going to be perfect."

I winced as Fen shoved about a thousand pins into my hair, patting me gently on the shoulder when she was finished. "At least we know it won't fall."

"And try not to cry so you're makeup won't run," Katara said.

I opened my eyes and Fen walked around in front of me. She nodded. "Very nice."

Katara grinned. "You too."

"You should have never introduced the two of them," Toph responded.

"You look amazing Luli," Suki said, smiling at me.

Fen took my hands and pulled me to my feet, turning me to face the mirror. The dress was a lovely shade of forest green with a slightly lighter green sash, cinched tight. Red swirls were sewn into the green, etched up the long trailing sleeves and flowing all the way down to the long train. Katara had done a really great subtle job on my makeup, considering I had never really like to wear a lot. She had added a bit of color to my lips and cheeks, using kohl to draw a dark line across my eyelids near my eyelashes. Fen had pin six flowers, one big light pink, one big light green, and the others tiny and white, on either side of my hair, which had been twisted high up, braided into a giant bun.

To my shame, my eyes begin to water a bit. I turned to face my girls. "I – can't begin to thank you. You girls have been the most important people to me and I –"

"Don't you start," Katara said, her eyes getting teary as well. "You'll ruin your makeup."

I giggled, shaking my head, holding out my arms. "Come here."

Katara, Fen, and Suki surged forward into my arms. I looked over their shoulders, sending a rueful grin to the girl background. "You two, Toph. It'll be over before you know it."

Rolling her eyes, Toph walked forward and Suki and Fen opened their arms to let her in. We stood there for a moment, trying not to cry. After a moment, we let go and I looked at them, my girls, my best friends. "I'm ready now."

I stood outside the doors to the Throne room, my hands in my sleeves. I could feel myself shaking and I took a couple of deep breaths to calm myself down. This was supposed to be exciting like everyone kept telling me. I shouldn't be this jittery.

"Get a hold of yourself, Luli," I muttered under my breath.

"Talking to yourself is never a good sign." Grinning, I turned to my right as Iroh walked towards me in his Fire Nation Dress robes, his hair up in a top knot. "Especially for one so young."

He held open his arms and I let myself be drawn into his embrace. "Sometimes you need your own pep talk," I replied laughing.

Iroh held me back, hands on my shoulders. "You look gorgeous."

I couldn't help but blush, looking down at my hands again. "I'm – I'm really very nervous."

"Don't be. I'll be right here beside you." Iroh held out his arm and I placed my hand in the crook of his elbow.

"Please tell me he's as nervous as I am," I begged as the instruments started playing on the opposite side of the door.

Iroh laughed as the doors started to creak outward. "Trust me, you are handling yourself with much more composure than he was."

The doors opened fully and the guests turned as Iroh maneuvered me towards the steps leading up to the throne. Behind us, the guards opened the front doors of the palace and I could hear the crowd swarming in, citizens from the Lower and Middle ring, mingling into the hallway. Kuei stood at the top in front of his throne in his royal robes, smiling broadly. Aang stood next to him in his Airbender attire, looking just as happy. Katara, Suki, Fen, Toph, and Sokka all stood in the front, down by the steps.

Everyone was staring at me. I knew that's what they were supposed to do but it didn't make it any easier. My heart was roaring in my ears and I swear that if it weren't for Iroh's steady hand on top of mine I might have stopped moving all together.

Up in front, a woman turned to look at me, giving me a sympathetic smile. She had such a reassuring face that I could feel the roaring in my ears die down a bit. I tried to return to the smile and Ursa nodded her head before looking back up towards the bottom of the stairs.

That had been an adventure, finding Zuko's mother with the help of Azula. It had been scary, sitting next to her, watching over her to make sure she didn't do anything, well, expected. Thankfully, Sokka, Aang, and Katara were there with us so it was all handled well. Finding Ursa and Zuko's new stepfather and sister made it all worth it in the end. Unfortunately, it also gave Azula her means of escape. She was still in the wind, nearly a year later. I don't know where she was or what she was up to now. Maybe she was figuring her life out, figuring out who she was without the pressure of her father. I hope it worked out for her, I really did.

And as for Zuko, well. . . .

I followed Ursa's gaze. The man standing with his back to me on the bottom step finally turned to face me.

Zuko's eyes met mine and the roaring in my ears faded all together. He looked so wonderful in his regal robes, his royal crown resting on his top knot. He smiled and I released a breath I hadn't realized I had been holding and I smiled back. We reached him and Iroh patted my hand before giving my hand to Zuko's. Turning, we walked halfway up the stairs, looking towards Kuei.

Kuei held open his arms, addressing the crowd.

"Welcome! Welcome citizens of the Earth Kingdom, citizens of The Fire Nation, citizens of the Water Tribe, and citizens of the Air Nomads. We have gathered together today to celebrate a joyous occasion." He smiled down at Zuko and me as we shared a quick glance. "Today, we celebrate the union of my dear cousin, Princess Luli of the Earth Kingdom and Fire Lord Zuko. Just a few years ago, we would have never even anticipated a day like this. With the end of the war, we broke down walls and barriers and here we are today. Like any couple, they have had their trials and tribulations but destiny has brought them together. Fire Lord Zuko, if you will."

Zuko turned to face me, taking both my hands. He took a deep breath. "I, Fire Lord Zuko, take you, Princess Luli, to be my wife, to become Fire Lady of the Fire Nation, to rule beside me."

I nodded. "I, Princess Luli, take you, Fire Lord Zuko, to be my husband, to become a Fire Nation citizen, t o become Fire Lady of the Fire Nation, to rule beside you."

Kuei, held out his hand to me. "Princess."

Lifting up the bottom of my skirt, I walked up the stairs, meeting my cousin at the top. There was a pillow already waiting for me and I kneeled, folding my hands in my lap. Aang walked forward, withdrawing the flame shape head piece from his sleeves. It was smaller than Zuko's but still held such a significant weight.

"With this crown," Aang said, holding it up and over my head so that the crowd could see, "you renounce your title as Earth Kingdom Princess and accept the title of Fire Lady. Do you acknowledge this?"

I smiled up at Aang. "I do."

Lowering my head, Aang was able to place the hair piece on my head, clipping it in just in front of my bun. He offered me his hands, pulling me to my feet. Zuko came the rest of the way up the stairs and took my hand again as we turned to face the crowd.

"I present to you," Kuei said, beaming, "Fire Lord Zuko and Fire Lady Luli."

"Fire Lord Zuko and Fire Lady Luli!" The crowd echoed.

Almost like the ripples of the water, everyone fell to their knees, bowing. I looked up at Zuko, finding his gaze already on me. I returned his smile.

Everything had been perfect.

I watched the sunset from the high up in the air, the wind blowing my hair around my face. Two hands came around my waist, grabbing on the basket next to mine. I placed my hands on top of those hands, leaning back against the chest behind me. "Wasn't so bad, was it?"

"If you call schmoozing up to nation leaders for two hours not so bad, than sure," Zuko mumbled. "You looked beautiful, by the way."

I turned in his arms, leaning back against the rim of the basket, placing my hands on his chest. "And you looked very handsome. And now, it's just the two of us."

Zuko gave me another smile. "Just the two of us. One big adventure."

"One life changing adventure," I agreed. "Just the way it should be."

I slid my hands to the pack of his neck and he leaned down to meet me, pressing his lips against mine.

Yes.

We were exactly where we should be.

A/N: Thank you again so much for sticking with me! You all are fantastic!