Hey guys! I've decided to try this new thing where I upload chapters in batches. It honestly gives me a sense of euphoria to complete so many chapters at once, and upload them so you guys have more to read than just one chapter. Anyway, let me know what you're thinking. I promise, this story does have a point. Let me know if you guys have any requests or if you'd like to see me do something differently. As always, thank you!
Disclaimer: I lay no claim to ALTA or any of it's characters.
Chapter Eight: Katara
I sighed as Aang's door clicked shut behind me. I leaned gently back against the heavy wood, and closed my eyes. Overwhelmed, I sucked in a deep breath. The stress of the last few weeks was starting to get to me, and I wanted nothing more than to draw myself a hot bath, and unwind. Before I could even imagine how nice it would be to just have a few hours to myself, I heard heavy footsteps approaching.
My eyelids flickered open, and one of the Fire Sages was standing in front of me. "Lady Katara." He said, bowing respectfully. "Are you lost?"
"No," I said feeling slightly embarrassed. "I just needed a moment to myself."
"Outside the Avatar's room?" He asked, keeping his respectful demeanor despite the shift in his voice. It sounded like he was accusing me of having a secret romantic tryst with Aang despite being engaged to Zuko. "That is hardly appropriate for our future Fire Lady."
I felt the heat rise to my cheeks, and I realized in his eyes that is exactly what it looked like I was doing. "I apologize." I said, swallowing the anger that rose in my chest. "Do you know where I could find Zuko?"
"Firelord Zuko is in his chambers." He said, his voice short.
I bowed to him, and excused myself. I approached the large doors of the royal chambers and slowly tapped my knuckles to the heavy oakwood.
"Zuko?" I asked, not hearing anything on the other side."It's Katara. Can I come in for a minute?" I saw the flicker of a candle under the door, confirming that he was inside. I knocked again, this time a little harder, just in case he hadn't heard me. I heard him stir, and I could hear the floorboards creak uneasily under the weight of his footsteps.
The door cracked open. "Katara?" He said his voice soft; he sounded groggy as though he had been resting. He opened the door wider, and rubbed his eyes as though they were still adjusting to the light of the hallway. "What are you doing here?"
"We need to talk Zuko," I said, hating how cryptic it sounded. I repeated my question, "Can I come in?"
He opened the door all the way, and stepped aside to invite me into his chambers. I realized that it was the first time since I'd been staying in the palace that I'd seen where he slept. I studied the room curiously. He had redwood furniture, adorned in gold and dark red leather. I noted the large, hand painted portrait of Firelord Ozai hanging above the fireplace on the far wall.
"Nice- uh, picture." I said motioning to the portrait.
"Oh, uh, yeah." He said, following my gaze. "I haven't had the chance to sit for a portrait, so I haven't really taken that one down yet." He laughed once awkwardly. "I should probably get on that."
"Yeah, You have been Firelord for weeks now, Zuko." I said, feeling a smile flirt with the corners of my lips.
"Anyway," he said, quickly changing the subject. "What did you want to talk about Katara?"
I sucked in a deep breath. "I want to talk to you about what the Elders told me in the South Pole. They have certain expectations."
The small fire in the center of the council building flickered steadily back and forth. The flames danced beautifully toward the ceiling. The warm radiating from the small flame made me miss the warmth of the Fire Nation.
"Katara."The deep voice startled me and drew my attention away from the fire. My gaze settled on the panel of Elders. I bowed respectfully and sat down across from them. "You are here to listen to our expectations for rebuilding the Southern Tribe, which you will oversee. We also would like to discuss our expectations of you when You travel to the Northern Water Tribe to begin teaching the Southern style of bending."
I nodded along, already knowing why I was here. I knew what to expect from them when I had decided to travel home with my brother. "We would also like to discuss your upcoming nuptials and what your marriage will mean for both Water Tribes as well as the Fire Nation," another chimed in before I could say anything.
"Sokka is meant to oversee the rebuilding of the Tribe." I pitched in before they could begin on their seemingly never-ending to-do list for me. They had told him several days ago, right after Zuko and I had announced our engagement, that they were going to give him a seat on the High Council.
"Sokka will handle things after you have gone up to the Northern Tribe."
"I'm sorry," I interrupted. "I don't need to micromanage my brother. He is fully capable of leading the Tribe in rebuilding efforts. I'm here to help the community. I'm going to help hunt, fish, and help my Gran-Gran ensure that the Tribe is prepared for the colder months. I'm going to help by removing the Fire Nation Ship that has plagued our shores for generations. With all due respect, I already have my hands full with everything else that needs to be done. Sokka can handle this."
It wasn't the first time I'd stood up to the Elders, but still my heart hammered painfully in my chest and my stomach did flips. I had to force my next words out, "As for your plan for my time in the North Pole, I'm happy to hear you out. However, I'd like to hear your expectations for my upcoming marriage."
"Very well. We have discussed what we expect going forward with this unprecedented bond with the Fire Nation. We would like the Water Tribe to always have a voice amongst the Fire Nation parliamentary proceedings. This means, we expect you and the Fire Lord to have a child."
"Katara?" His palm landed gently on my shoulder and the warmth of his touch and the concern in his voice brought me back out of my thoughts. "Are you alright?"
I met his gaze, slightly confused. "I'm sorry, what was I saying?"
"You were talking about the expectations the Water Tribe Elders shared with you on your visit." Instantly, I felt my palms grow sweaty. The nerves bunched in my stomach, and I couldn't find the right words.
"They-They uh." I stuttered. I felt the blush rise to my cheeks as I stumbled over my words. "They expect you and I to have a child, Zuko." I finally managed to get out. I could see the panic in his eyes, and I knew exactly how he was feeling. When the Elders had told me of their plans, I felt like I had been punched in the stomach, and Zuko looked like he was feeling the same way. "Not right away," I tossed out, hoping to relieve some of his panic. "But eventually, they want to see the crown go to someone that has ties to both the Fire Nation and the Water Tribe."
"They expect what?" He asked with a little more anger in his voice than I anticipated. The range of emotions that crossed his face were the same ones I had felt when The Elders had relayed the news to me; anger, confusion, embarrassment. "They can't honestly expect that of us can they? We don't feel that way about each other," he said tossing up his hands into the air.
His words stung, more than I expected them to.I swallowed the hurt, like a big gulp of water that aches as it goes down. "I mean it's not totally unrealistic, I guess." I said my voice barely audible. He looked at me with wide eyes as though I was insane to even think such a thing was an acceptable request.
"What?" I asked now slightly offended that he was looking at me in such a way. "I've had weeks to think about this. I don't think it's unreasonable anymore because I can see their fear and concern. They are worried that just one generation isn't going to be enough to solidify bonds between our two worlds." I felt the blush rise to my cheeks, as the next words fell from my lips.
"Also,over the last couple of weeks I've been thinking about something else too." HIs head snapped up, and he looked at me with wide, unblinking eyes.
"Wait," he said, his voice wavering ever so slightly. "You're not backing out of our deal now, are you? We'll- uh, we'll talk to the Elders, we'll get them to retract some of their expectations." He stumbled over his words.
"Calm down,"I said feeling a small smile flirt with the corner of my mouth. "I know how important this is to the world. You see the thing I've been thinking about is actually the day of the comet. More specifically this." I leaned forward, and pressed my lips gently to his.
My eyelids fluttered closed, as I leaned into his body slightly. He didn't flinch or pull away, but I felt his body stiffen and I could tell that he was just as confused as I was. I pulled gently away and opened my eyes to gauge his reaction.
"Uhh-" He said, as though he was unable to come up with any actual words.
I felt the heat of my blush on my cheeks again. "You don't have to say anything, Zuko. At least not right now. I just had to let you know what I was feeling. I know our marriage is the equivalent of a business arrangement, and it's not what you would have picked for yourself. But in spite of that, I do care about you…" I trailed off, my voice getting softer with each word that fell from my lips. I averted my eyes away from his down toward the floorboards.
I felt his hands wrap gently around my arms, and he pulled me closer to him. More gently than I had expected, he lifted my head to look into my eyes. "It is not a business arrangement to me, Katara." He leaned down and kissed me again, this time drawing my body closer to his. I sank into the kiss, as nerves bounced through my stomach.
He pulled away only when there was a knock on the door to his chambers.
"Firelord Zuko." The voice came through clear as day, even through the heavy wood of the door. I jumped back from him, feeling the rush of heat burn across my cheeks, as he made his way to allow the visitor entry to his chambers. One of the Fire Sages stepped across the threshold. "We have urgent matters to discuss before the ceremony this evening. The other Fire Sages are in the War Room, please follow me."
Zuko looked back at me and shrugged, "I will see you later, Katara." He bowed respectfully and turned to exit the room.
Before the Fire Sage followed him out, he turned to me. "Lady Katara. You'd best be moving along to your fitting. The seamstresses want to have plenty of time to make alterations to your gown."
"Wait a second. The wedding wasn't supposed to be until tomorrow before the solstice."
"The plan has changed. You will wed this evening and then tomorrow you will be crowned as our new Fire Lady. Now please, move along to your fitting." He bowed and made his way out into the hall.
I know, I know. I hate ending it this way, I really do. But I need some content for the next chapter so you will get WEDDING coming up next!