Chapter 21
A/N As far as Iroh knows Zuko is still traveling with Katara.
When Iroh first received the messenger hawk with a note and the notice of Zuko's alleged death from King Bumi a week ago he had immediately dismissed it as subterfuge. That his brother believed that his son was dead he had no doubt, but he refused. The idea that his nephew and miss Katara, both masters of their elements, would be caught up in a forest fire by a gang of mercenaries was preposterous. Still, his confidence in this did nothing to alleviate the anxiety he'd felt since the pair had flown off on the great bison to face Azula.
He estimated it would likely have taken two weeks for this "Jiang" to get to the capital of the Fire Nation from Omashu if he sailed directly. His brother no doubt would have wasted no time in spreading this news all over his territories. Iroh guessed that Zuko and Katara had been near the other Earth Kingdom principality nearly a month ago and therefore should be in Ba Sing Se any day. It was not surprising then, when word finally came that miss Toph and several members of the water tribe had arrived and were asking for him.
Iroh met the new arrivals at the gates of the upper ring. Chief Hakoda and the small group of his people looked travel worn but relieved to have finally arrived. He searched their faces for Zuko but found only a frowning Katara instead. Dread pooled in his gut as he realized his nephew was not among them.
"Miss Katara, where is my nephew? I thought you traveled together."
The dread wound tighter when she squeezed her eyes shut before seeming to steel herself to answer.
"I don't know General Iroh." She gave him a tremulous smile. It was her father though that spoke next.
"Prince Zuko and my son Sokka parted ways with us in Omashu and we have not heard from them since." The suddenly weary looking chief looked down at his daughter before continuing. "There is much to say General, perhaps once my people are settled we could have a more private meeting?" Seeing his own worry reflected in the other man's eyes, Iroh nodded and led them in towards the palace.
"I received word from King Bumi of your coming and expect there will be more of your people arriving soon? He gave me the number of family groups you gave him and we have found lodgings for everyone throughout the city. We tried to keep them as close together as we could without drawing suspicion. This way you will assimilate into the city with the rest of the refugees rendering you invisible to anyone trying to find you."
"That sounds most generous, thank you. The rest of my people will be arriving throughout the next week or two."
"For now though I have asked the palace staff to prepare a meal for everyone. Perhaps we can have tea in my private rooms to discuss these important matters you mentioned?"
Chief Hakoda nodded and they as they made their way into the palace. An attendant came forward and ushered the tribe to a grand dining hall while Iroh bid Toph, Katara, and Hakoda follow him to another room. The door had hardly shut behind them before Iroh turned to Katara and again demanded to know where Zuko was.
"I assume you've seen the notice the Fire Lord has sent out?" At his nod she continued. "I only saw it this morning. We've been skirting towns as much as possible to avoid drawing attention to ourselves so we missed any major news until we reached the ferry." She took a deep breath and lifted her chin. "I want you to know that I don't believe it. Zuko and Sokka are alive." Toph interjected next, sharing her doubts about the story as she had with Katara that morning.
Iroh digested this information and stood to order tea. Why did Zuko and Sokka go off on their own? Out of the corner of his eye he noticed Katara run a hand over her stomach and his breath caught just as the servant knocked at the door. Turning away from them as he accepted the tea service he thought quickly. Of course, she must be pregnant. Zuko knew that out of everyone he had the highest price on his head. If he thought it would give his family, his new family, a better chance to reach Ba Sing Se safely…
"He meant to draw out all of the mercenaries he knew would be after you by going off on his own and revealing himself. This alleged death could have been an intentional move on his part. If he fooled the mercenaries into believing they had been successful he would be free to come to Ba Sing Se without fear of bringing his father's wrath with him."
Some of anxiety now eased, he poured out the tea and looked to Hakoda.
"You implied there was more news chief Hakoda?"
A sad smile lifted the corners of his mouth as the water tribe man looked at his daughter.
"Before we left Omashu, your nephew asked me for my daughter's hand. They wished to marry once he and my son arrived here in Ba Sing Se. I gave him my blessing."
He had noticed, in the brief time he had seen them together, that they seemed quite close but until he had seen Katara's brief subconscious gesture he would not have thought of this. The shock must have shown on his face because when he looked at the young lady in question, her chin was raised in defiance and her arms folded over her chest.
"Ah.. do forgive an old man his surprise miss Katara, I meant no offense. I did not realize the two of you were so close. This seems an odd time to discuss marriage." A smile split Toph's face and beside her, Katara closed her eyes as a blush crept up her face. Hakoda laughed softly and spoke up then.
"I asked your nephew the same thing when he spoke to me. It seems I will have the honor of becoming a grandfather in the spring." His proud grin told Iroh how he felt about this turn of events. Personally he was unsure how to feel. In the Fire nation such a thing would have been a disgrace. The mothers reputation ruined if the father did not marry her. Again, his face must have betrayed his uncertainty.
"I wonder what you know of our southern customs, General Iroh? I know we treat relationships very differently than you do in the fire nation. It is not considered dishonorable to take a lover once one becomes an adult at 16. Pregnancy usually results in a marriage but not always. Zuko assured me it was his intention to ask for my permission to marry Katara when we made it here before he found out he would be a father. He did not want me to doubt his honor when he decided to part with us and so asked before he left. I must tell you Iroh, I am very impressed with Zuko. My son must be as well for him to volunteer to join him. I will be happy to see my daughter marry him when they return to us."
Iroh relaxed knowing Hakoda did not harbor any ill will towards Zuko for impregnating his daughter. Well if he was happy with the situation then he would be too. If nothing else it would be a good distraction until they knew for certain that Zuko and Sokka were alive. Smiling too now, he turned to Katara to offer his congratulations but stopped when he saw the pained look on her face.
"There's more actually." She looked up and met his gaze. "I know Zuko trusts you completely Iroh so I will too. Dad, what I'm about to say can't leave this room." The dread he'd felt earlier returned in full. "Ever since we left the Fire nation capital I have been experiencing...well my bending has been out of control. Too strong. I didn't think it was normal and then there was the timing…" She flushed an even deeper shade of red but Iroh had an inkling where this was going. "Toph was worried so we went to see Salaqqi. Our shaman, spirit woman. Apparently she'd been expecting me." Her hands fidgeted in her lap as she got through her story. "Anyway Silaqqi can communicate with the spirit world. Not like Aang could but, well she did some ritual and suddenly I wasn't in my body anymore. There were so many voices all trying to talk to me at once and then suddenly it was quiet and there was Aang. We had a chat and well long story short our baby is the next Avatar."
Katara had said the last bit in one big rush. Even though he'd suspected as her tale progressed, hearing her say it still rocked him to his core. Zuko's son or daughter would be the next Avatar? For a moment, all Iroh could think of was how poetic it was. Ozai had told him his whole life how weak and useless he was, how he was lucky to even have been born. As a man though he had proven himself and now his firstborn would be the Avatar. If he hadn't immediately felt the weight of this knowledge he would have laughed out loud at the irony.
Chief Hakoda recovered first and and did in fact laugh out loud, something that seemed to annoy his daughter.
"I knew it! I told King Bumi that the next Avatar would come from the southern tribe! The last water tribe avatar was from the north. I figured with all of the couples that had been separated for the last five years we'd see many new babies but this is wonderful."
"Dad!" At his daughter's stunned and horrified expression he calmed himself before continuing.
"We are already in the safest place we could be, and there are masters of the elements here too. Certainly we will not share this information but I see no reason why you should look so gloomy about this."
Iroh thought about this and surmised the other man was correct. They had already planned to try and locate the next avatar as soon as possible and protect them here. He shared this observation.
"Do not worry Katara. We will speak of this to no one. Your child will be safe here. It is my hope that we will be able to end the threat to our lives soon so that the next Avatar can grow up in an era of peace."
She looked at him thoughtfully for a moment before smiling. "I was thinking that now that everyone thinks they're dead Zuko and Sokka would come straight here. We could see them in a week or two. Have you had any thoughts as to what our next move will be? Against your brother I mean?"
Iroh reflected on all his recent conversations with the White Lotus and the intelligence they'd gathered. Without the Avatar, many of their allies had scattered to the wind in fear of the Fire Lord. They had thought perhaps about another eclipse invasion but dismissed it immediately. Already having tried it once and failed, Ozai would likely expect it. Either way they were nowhere closer to a feasible plan.
"As you can see, currently our options are limited. I fear that it is only a matter of time before my brother defeats the Earth Kingdom naval blockade I sent to protect the North Pole. The Fire Nation's navy is the best in the world and there is little for an earthbender at sea. I sent Master Pakku to try and convince his chief to bring his people here before it is too late. He was not optimistic. Now with my nephew's location uncertain we do not have a legitimate claim to the Fire Nation crown. Well, my own but this is a last resort as we have decided not to believe this, propaganda nonsense. For now I think it would be wisest to wait until Zuko and your own brother join us here."
Katara and her father both nodded their agreement but it was Toph that spoke next.
"Great plan and all but now that we have everything cleared up, I'm starving and I am sure the Avatar's mommy over here is too. How about we join everyone else for some food and head home. I'm assuming the swanky place we were staying at before is still available?"
"Of course miss Toph. I hope you do not mind Miss Katara but, you know that I think of Zuko as my own son and well… I would feel much better if you and my grandchild lived here in the upper ring. While I would like to think that all of this city is safe, there is an extra wall here between you and any would be bounty hunters."
Katara warmly smiled at him as she stood to leave with Toph.
"Of course general Iroh."
"Please call me Uncle."
"Uncle then. I was planning to stay with Toph until Zuko gets here."
"After that you're on your own sweetness. I'm not sharing with you two loved up turtle ducks anymore. Ember Island was enough for me. Now you'll be married! Yuck!" The young earthbender led the way out of the room with an exceedingly red Katara trailing after her