Disclaimer: So I was watching the movie "Ever After" with Drew Barrymore and that's where I got some of the lines in this drabble from. I do own the movie but I don't own the movie. And I don't own Avatar: The Last Airbender either. *Sigh*...I wish I did though.
The thunder cackled angrily outside, mirroring the atmosphere within the palace.
"Uncle, I will not marry her. Surely there is a better match somewhere in the kingdom," the Fire Prince roared.
The old man shook his head. "There is no other lady as highly ranked as Lady Mai within our borders. The nobles won't approve of anyone else."
"I refuse to marry her, Uncle. I will make her as happy as a poor farmer would," Zuko said as lightning flashed and lit up the Fire Lord's office. "And she could never make me happy."
"Prince Zuko. You were born into this life and therefore must accept the baggage that it comes with. We cannot afford to think of ourselves for in this kind of work our only concerns are that of our subjects. Now, I believe Lady Mai will be the best Fire Lady for this county, don't you?"
Zuko turned his back to his uncle and pounded his fist against the wall, making the pictures jump. The fire blazed brighter, sending a sudden flash of heat through the room. A clap of thunder echoed in the night as he turned back to his uncle and the fire restored to its normal size. "No," the prince snarled through clenched teeth.
A soft knock on the door broke the tension between the two men. "May I come in?" the voice questioned from the hall. The door opened without an answer from either man. Lightning flashed, revealing the tiny Waterbender in the door frame.
With her sudden entry the entire atmosphere of the room changed. Zuko held himself a little higher, threw his shoulders back just a bit, and smiled as she opened the door.
"What a lovely surprise, Miss Katara!" Iroh exclaimed, hiding the tension in his voice.
"I'm sorry it is so late. I heard shouting, is everything alright?"
"Of course," Iroh said.
Zuko's eyes never left the young woman's face, beautiful even in the darkness of the night. "Everything is fine," he assured her, almost trance-like.
"Alright then," she said, meeting his gaze with one of her own. "I'll see you both at breakfast. Sleep well, Zuko. Good-night, Uncle Iroh." She closed the door behind her and lightning lit up the room once more, announcing her exit.
Iroh studied his nephew for a moment.
"I believe I had better destroy the marriage papers, then," Iroh said, walking towards the fire, papers in hand.
Zuko tore his gaze away from the door and looked at his uncle. He didn't know whether to be happy or suspicious. "Why?" he asked.
The thunder rolled once again as Iroh met his nephew's face.
"The name is incorrect, as I now realize. It should not say Mai, but Katara."
Zuko smiled and his gaze drifted back to the door. "Indeed it should."
A/N: I just noticed that I watch a lot of movies and steal a lot of lines from all of them and make them Zutara...huh. Aw well...Good artists borrow, Great artists steal...so I guess the same is true for writers...
Anyway. If anyone has a challenge, please review...I know I'm not the most speedy...but I will get it done. REVIEW!
