EPILOGUE PART 1 of 2

The wind over the bay blew into the capital city like a blessing. It pushed away the foggy morning and invited the sun to join. The shop keepers opened their bamboo shutters as the set out their wares to be sold. Today was a special day, one of the busiest commercial days of the year. Paper lanterns had been set up at every door. Strings of lanterns were set between houses and around the city. Street sweepers ran out to clean every square inch of ground, just in case the royal family came to their sector, they did not want to be dishonored.

Jai Lyn cleaned out the fountain in the square, as was her duty. She ran from fixture to fixture, scrubbing down the stone. This was her family's responsibility. She would not be the one to cause their dishonor.

This fountain was not her first. As she had been through the entire east side of the island before she met her father in the middle of the city.

"Father!" she yelled across the already bustling city. "Father!"

Out of the Northwest street came her father, plodding along. He was quite old and quite skinny. His skin dark from all the time under the sun's rays.

"Jai," he said tiredly, "there you are. Did you finish? Where is your brother?"

"He's always slower than me." She laughed, wiping off her hands. "He probably won't arrive for another half hour..."

Just as she said that, Kin walked up. "Actually, Jai there are more fountains on the Southern side, and since they are closer to the sea there is more debris on the stone."

"Sure. You always say that." Jai laughed. "But I seem to remember the last time we switched, I still made it back before you."

"Stop it you two. We have more important things to attend to. As a matter of fact, the manager of household affairs at the Inner City has noticed our efforts and invited us to polish the fountains in the Fire Lord's house."

"WHAT?" Kin screamed.

Jai laughed, "What an honor."

Kin continued, "There is so much riding on this. WHAT IF THEY EXECUTE US FOR NOT DOING A WELL ENOUGH JOB."

Jai asked, "What?"

"They won't do that. But we must get going. Dawn is past us. We are already late."

Zuko stared at his glowing wife as her eyelids fluttered from her dreams. The sun had just barely begun to peak through the window and onto their bed, illuminating the gold-embroidered sheets like molten stone. Katara's vibrant skin shined under the morning light. He longed dearly to stroke her face, kiss her neck, caress her swelling stomach, but he did not wish to wake her.

So he took his black mane up into a top knot. He slipped out of bed and went to the looking glass. He took water from the basin and washed his face. He took off his undergarments and walked through the halls to his bathing room. The water was already hot from the furnace, but he heated it significantly until it was scalding hot. And he sat in it. Meditating on the previous weeks. He let the water envelop him.

A stream of water soaked his head and face, another one sprayed him in the face.

"Hey!" He exclaimed, wiping off his face and opening his eyes.

There in front of him, Katara, wife to Fire Lord Zuko and mother of Kya and Iroh stood with a grin on her face. She took her hair down and began to unwrap her undergarments. She awkwardly set them down on the ground, having to maneuver around her belly. She held it up as though it would fall if she didn't cradle it carefully. Her smile only grew when she locked eyes with the love of her life, the Fire Lord, a reality she would have never imagined even in her wildest dreams. But she loved her life.

She climbed into the bath with him, "You should know better Fire Lord, than to be at rest with a waterbender around."

Zuko laughed. "Well how stressful my life would be with you and Kya around if I can't ever relax..."

She lowered into the bath and crawled over to him, gently straddling him.

"Well good morning," Zuko said suggestively as he pulled her face to his, kissing her passionately.

"Little Kiani is kicking," She winced on top of him.

Zuko deftly moved her off and sitting down as he put his face against her stomach, kissing it. "Now you stop hurting your mother, or I am going to have to come in there."

"Zuko!" Katara flushed red, and not from the heat.

"And since when is it a boy?"

"Kiani doesn't have to be a boy's name, but I think he is. I can feel it." With her hand, she bent a little water and began to place it against her stomach and began to feel the spirit with her bending. She closed her eyes, "yes a boy. A bender. I can feel it."

Zuko laughed, "Well, I'd particularly like another girl. Iroh is a lot to handle."

"He has different energy from Iroh. I like him already." She smiled.

"You like all our children." Zuko kissed her hand.

"But who says I won't be impartial to this one?" Katara said playfully.

"Because I know you," Zuko smiled.

Jai never imagined in her life that she would be walking into the palace with her brother and her father by her side. But there they were. They had their supplies on their backs walking through the giant gates.

Her father spoke with the head of housekeeping about the fountains as she looked around, not moving her feet. She felt like a little girl again. The royal family was every child's idol. She saw the ornate flags. Every servant was clothed handsomely. She saw the beautiful fountains, severely underkept. They were so large and would take a large amount of time to clean. They were taken through the most intimate parts of the palace.

As they walked, Jai began to notice she had attracted a shadow. A little girl dressed in red had begun following them around the palace. A little boy, probably two or three trailed behind her. They peeked around pillars and crawled around on all fours following them around.

Jai went to begin the cleaning of the fountain on the east side, as she was accustomed. She had to bring solvents to break down the grime covering the stone. As she began to scrub, she saw out of the corner of her eye, the two little shadows come up.

"Hello." She said without looking away from what she was doing. "I see you."

"She saw us!" The little boy exclaimed. His gold eyes glimmering with tears. "I'm sowy!"

"Don't apologize! We didn't do anything wrong." The little girl said. "What's your name?"

Jai chuckled. "My name is Jai." She turned to look at them. Though she had not seen them before, she knew these were the faces of the prince and princess. She got down from her fountain and bowed. "Princess Kya, Prince Iroh."

Kya blew a raspberry at her, "You didn't let me introduce myself."

"My apologies, your highness. Who might you be?" She asked as she went back to cleaning.

Kya perked up, "My name is Kya, crowned Princess to the Fire Nation, and heir to the throne."

"Pleased to meet you," Jai said with a smile. "And your companion?"

Her little brother popped out from behind her and stood at attention. But he did not say a word. Kya whispered into his ear and he introduced himself. He adjusted his black top knot and spoke "My name is Iwoh. I'm named afterw da Dragon of da West, my Gweat Uncle!"

"Well very good to meet you too Iroh."

"What are you doing here? We know everyone who comes in the palace and we've never seen you!" Kya said loudly.

Jai laughed. "Well, your staff hasn't been taking care of your fountains. Me and my family is here to clean them."

Kya looked her up and down and said, "You know. I really like our fountains. So don't muck them up!"

"You'll like them better when I'm done, I promise." Jai said, "Cross my heart."

Iroh exclaimed, "That's a big pwomise!"

Jai laughed, "Yes, yes it is."

Katara was at the point in her pregnancy where her balance was getting worse and worse. She was trying to slip on her shoes. The full-length Fire Nation formal gown had begun to swallow her alive, especially since it had been altered for maternity wear.

"I don't know Zuko, I think walking around in this gown might force me into labor." Katara said, in high spirits.

"Sit down my love, I'll help you." He kneeled down, putting on her shoes for her. "If you want, we don't have to go, the people will understand."

Katara laughed, "I would love to go into labor, so no, I will not miss this for the world."

Zuko smiled, "Of course love. Ready to go round up our brood?"

"I hate it when you call them that!" Katara laughed.

"I think its better than the Royal Family. But that kind of has a nice ring to it too." Zuko smiled.

"I'm sure the nurses have them out playing. It's such a nice day." She smiled.

"I have a hard time relaxing with all the talk of leaders rising up to challenge Aang and the council at Republic City." Zuko said softly.

Katara brushed her forefinger over his scar, "From what Aang said in his last letter, Yakone had fled to the outskirts to regroup. Once Kiana comes out and I've recovered, I'm going to go see what I can do."

Zuko sighed, "Always working. Even when you probably shouldn't," He poked her stomach. "But what else would I expect from the representative of the Fire Nation to the council."

"And I miss my friends. And my brother. It has been too long." Katara looked down at her tummy. Having children was a joy, but it surely kept her away from the adventures she had grown to love. "You should come with me. The whole family should go. I don't think Sokka has seen Kya since she was born. They should see what the world outside of these walls is like."

"You forget, my love, they have." Zuko said softly.

Katara rolled her eyes, "Ember Island does not count."

Zuko smiled, "I always thought it did."

"I know it is your way to keep the children out of harm, but as the princess of the Southern Water Tribe, I was never coddled." Katara said with pride.

"Coddled? You say. So I was coddled?" Zuko said with playful offense.

"Did you have to hunt for your own food?" Katara asked.

"But the Southern Water Tribe was in no position to coddle you," Zuko added, "You all were hanging on by a thread."

Katara's eyes glowed, "Yes but even in times of number and glory the chief's family were the greatest contributors. That is my way." She touched the engagement necklace Zuko had given her with fondness. He had carved it himself and attached it to red cloth, water and fire working as one.

Zuko laughed, "Alright. As soon as Kiani is born, we will give him some time to adjust to the world before heading off to Republic City. I can leave Iroh in charge here for a little while."

Katara smiled and kissed his forehead. "I knew you would see it my way."

Zuko grinned. "I have no choice."

He offered her a hand as she fumbled her way to her feet. As they exited through the hallway, they could hear the exclamation of their children in the courtyard.

"WOW, IT'S SO SHINY!" Kya screamed.

"What are they up to now?" Katara mused.

Turning the corner, they saw the fountain in the courtyard gleaming in the sun, the marble restored to its glory. Kya was shooting water works into the air as Iroh was attempting to do the same with just his hands.

"PEW! PEW PEW! PEW!" He said running around, throwing his hands into the air.

"Up to no good are we?" Zuko said, raising his voice so he noticed them.

"DADDY!" They yelled together as they ran up to hug them. Iroh ran into Katara so hard she stumbled, Zuko steadying her with his hand. "Be careful Iroh, your mother is a little off balance right now, hug her too hard and she could fall and get hurt."

Iroh stared up at him with eyes wide. He unwrapped his arms from her, then gently patted her tummy. "Okay. Mommy, don't fall."

Katara smiled. "Thank you Iroh. Are you two ready to walk through the city? We will get to meet all our friends in the streets."

Kya pulled on her mom's hand. "You have to meet Jai, our new friend! She cleaned the fountains!"

Jai was hiding on the other side of the fountain, cleaning up her supplies as quickly as she could. Once she saw the royal family standing in front of her, she bowed low and said, "Thank you for allowing me to work in your beautiful home. It is such an honor for my family to be cleaning these fountains."

Katara inclined her head and said, "Any friend of my daughter is a friend of mine. Why don't you join us for a late breakfast?"

Kya and Iroh looked at Jai and said, "Please! Please!"

Jai stood up, "I couldn't possibly..."

Zuko put up a hand, "Refuse. You couldn't possibly refuse my wife's invitation. You'd break my children's hearts."

Jai smiled and bowed. "Of course."

Katara met her smile. "Also I appreciate you honoring our position, but in our home as our friend, but no need to bow."

"Oh I'm sorry." Jai nearly bowed, but she stopped herself.

"No apologies needed." Katara took her by the hand. "Come with us."

They walked together through the halls to the dining hall. The grandeur was nearly unnecessary in Katara's mind but Jai was enchanted by the tall halls and ornate paintings. They sat together, Jai in between the children as they ate a simple breakfast of rice and fish with a few different kinds of fruit that were in season. Tea was also provided for them. They talked and laughed as they ate together, spending nearly an hour at the table until the governor came in a flurry.

"Fire Lord Zuko!" He bowed. "It is nearly time for you and your family to walk through the gates. We have multiple security details throughout the city as well as one following you personally. We don't expect any mishaps today."

"Yes of course. We have just been enjoying each other's company, we nearly forgot about the festival." Zuko winked at his children.

"We didn't forget!" Kya exclaimed.

The governor's eyes flashed with disdain before being glazed over with false admiration. "Of course dear one."

Katara saw his eyes and shame rose up in her heart. Zuko noticed her change in demeanor. "Governor take the little ones with our friend Jai to the nurses to make sure they are presentable. We will catch up."

The governor bowed and motioned for the children to follow him. Katara smiled at Zuko, "Well, are you ready?"

Zuko stayed seated, "What is it?"

Katara's eyes flashed with surprise. "What do you mean?"

"Your countenance fell."

"It's the same thing Zuko, it just hurt my heart for a moment."

"Because why?"

"Because of our children. Because of our union. The royal bloodline is forever ruined in their eyes. They look at our children like they're an abomination."

Zuko felt rage rise up through his bones. "It's not ruined. Our children are beautiful. Kya with her mother's eyes and her father's fine hair. And Iroh, the spitting image of me. There is nothing to be ashamed of, and anyone who says otherwise will regret those words left their mouths."

Katara pressed her face into his shirt as tears rolled down her face. "Pregnancy makes me emotional."

Zuko laughed. "It's not just the pregnancy darling."

He kissed the top of her head softly. "Let's go love."

They walked hand in hand to the double doors at the head of the palace leading down the grand staircase to the entrance to the city. Outside those doors on the marble steps stood hundreds of people gathered to see the Royal family.

"I can't help but think that this day was not meant to be so filled with excitement." Katara laughed to herself. "It seems like more of a way of the Royal family normalizing themselves with the public."

"Yes my dear, but the Fire Lord has not kept this tradition for over a hundred years. With the reign of Sozin, Fire Lord's became more distant from the people. Establishing a strong bloodline and inner-circle became more important than a friendly relationship with their people." Zuko smiled and waved as they traversed down the stairs. "But since I was the banished prince turned Fire Lord, I feel I owe the kingdom a glance into the life that I lead, the family that I have been growing. So they know this is their nation to steward as much as it is mine to rule."

"You're not the same angsty Fire Nation Prince I once hated." Katara nestled her face in his neck for a moment.

"Well, you are still the fiery Water Tribe girl with whom I fell in love." Zuko smiled. "You have a fire in your heart that made me realize we're not so different after all."

"Mama! Mama!" Kya came running up to grab her hand. "There are sooooo maaaany people!"

Zuko picked up Iroh and put him on his shoulders. The crowd cheered.

Jai watched as the Royal family walked away. A soft smile spread over her lips. She never had imagined she would be at the head of the palace, playing with the Prince and Princess. She turned around to return to the fountains. Laughing at the day she'd had.

She saw her father walking up from the corner of her eye. "Father."

Her father had a somber look in his eyes as he approached his daughter. "Jai. It's time to go."

"You finished the fountains?" Jai asked.

"Yes." He said quietly.

"I'm sorry I didn't help more, Kya and Iroh..."

"No. It's alright. We must go."

"Father. Are you alright?"

"Yes." Her father sighed. "I've just remembered a wrong from a long time ago."

Jai looked at her father with a distance she had never known. "What do you mean?"

"We can't discuss it here. Once we get home, I will tell you this, but you will not repeat this to anyone else."

"Yes Father."

"Your brother will meet us there."

They waded through the crowds to their humble home near the center hub of the city. When they walked inside, dinner had been prepared, tea was made, and her brother and mother were waiting for them patiently.

"Come on sis, I'm starving!"

"Kin," Her father said sternly. "I have something I must tell you. Our family honor must be restored. Years ago I followed a zealot who wanted to take the colonies from the Fire Lord. His name was Wu Shang. His way of coercion was kidnapping, the now Lady, Katara. I watched as she underwent physical and emotional torture. I helped Wu Shang hurt her."