CHAPTER 19

Zuko had not slept in two and a half days. As he flew Druk over the expanse of the great divide his mind wondered helplessly to dark places. He could not get the sight of Lo and Li's grotesque deaths out of his head. And try as he may it was impossible to stop thinking of Katara and the baby. His Uncle had warned him that if he didn't sleep he would have no energy left to fight. He had to use his anger as fuel, not allow it to become an explosion that had the potential to destroy him. He knew these things. But he was breaking down all the same.

Sokka was no better. He could hear his brother in law at night when they stopped for sleep, begging the moon to save his wife.

It just didn't seem fair. After everything he had done to remove the power his father had once held over his life, the man still managed to worm his way into the things that mattered to Zuko most. His family…his lineage…his legacy… rested in Ozai's hands now.

The sun was setting and he knew he would have to start looking for somewhere safe to land for the night. Luckily there was nothing but empty canyon below them, no signs of civilization anywhere. As the source of his fire sank into the horizon Zuko commanded Druk to land.

They had stumbled upon a cave of sorts, packed with dry reddened Earth and sand dollars, evidence that this canyon had once been a carve out of the sea. The three of them settled there for the night, nothing to do but sit by the fire and imagine all the cruel things that could be happening to their loved ones. Iroh stared at his nephew from across the flames, studying him in concern. The old man cleared his throat before speaking.

"We must plan our course of action Prince Zuko. We are three days from Ba Sing Se and we have had no communication with the Earth King."

Sokka nodded his head absently in agreement as he chewed a piece of dried meat.

Zuko's mind had not had the capacity to drum up strategies of war. These past three days had been hell and all he wanted was to find his wife, war be damned.

"They will not welcome Druk. Nobody knows he exists and they may think he came from the Fire Nation. No one has seen a real dragon in nearly a half century" the Prince said finally.

"Not if we ride side by side" they heard an airy voice call from across the cave. Zuko squinted in the dark to find none other than the Avatar walking towards the cave mouth to stand before them. Sokka's jaw dropped.

"H-how did you get here?"

"I flew Appa of course" he smiled as the enormous furry bison came into view floating behind him over the cliff "he's afraid of your dragon so he won't land" Aang said sheepishly.

Zuko stood abruptly, his fists balling at his sides. He could barely contain himself from burning the young monk to cinders where he stood.

"Where the hell have you been?" Zuko spat tightly, barely restrained fury lacing his tone.

"In the spirit world-"

"Frolicking about while your best friend and my fucking wife fell into my father's clutches. While your so called friends put their lives on the line for a cause YOU were supposed to be leading before you disappeared without a fucking trace. And now you just show up in the eleventh hour?" Zuko's raspy voice was barely above a whisper but his words and accusations traveled through the space loudly "They could already be dead by now Avatar…but finally here you are…"

Aang stared back wide eyed, his pale face turning a deep shade of red. Zuko turned away in dismissal brushing past Sokka to walk out of the cave. He walked toward a lounging Druk, quickly hoping on his neck as the dragon stood up from his laying position.

Fly me away from here…I need space to think he thought to him. He lifted off into the starry night not caring where the wind took him.

KATARAS POV

Katara stared at herself blank faced in the vanity mirror as one of Azula's hand maidens brushed her curly locks down her back. She had been scrubbed clean against her will, subjected to the not so gentle fingers of the maidens that surrounded her. Now she sat, dressed to the nines, her swollen belly protruding through the velvet burgundy robe she wore. A golden hairpin, in the shape of a fire lily was placed on the left side of her hair, the rest left to flow down her back in ringlets. She looked every bit the part of a regal Fire Lady…for the wrong Lord.

She shooed the attendants away as they attempted to help her up from the chair. They all backed away from her, finally giving her some space to breath. She could not believe the effort they were putting forth just for her appearance. I mean…wasn't this just dinner? One would think they were getting her ready for her wedding or something.

Katara's eyes darted upwards when she saw a maiden step forward, her sharp features were contrasted by wide doe-like brown eyes. In her hands she held a scroll, the fire nation insignia embossed in the leather pouch it was held in. Katara took it, sliding it out of its sleeve, and unravelling it quickly. Her eyes scanned over the Fire Script, her mind only being able to process a few words that Zuko had taught her. It wasn't making sense. She saw her own name…and 'Fire Lady' beside it. She looked to the maiden in confusion and worry.

"What does this say?" she asked cautiously as she held the scroll up.

"You are to be coronated as the new Fire Lady tonight Lady Katara. Lord Ozai wishes you be married at once, lest the child be considered illegitimate-"

"WHAT"

Katara was fuming. She could not believe the audacity and gall this man had. Was he really serious about doing this or was it a scare tactic to get her to break and reveal Zuko's plans? Either way she felt as if she was living a nightmare.

"Lady Katara you must calm down…the baby…" said an older maiden stepping forward to sit her down. Katara smacked the woman's hands away from her and backed away.

"You people are sick!" she screamed, tears flooding her eyes. The girl in front of her looked down.

"Do you all even know who's child lies in my womb?" she whispered looking at each maiden's face in question.

"It is Lord Ozai's your Grace" said the one in front of her "he is doing the honorable thing in marrying you…"

Katara fought the urge to smack the girl across her face.

"No you naïve fools! I carry Prince Zuko's baby not Ozai's" she seethed "he seeks to steal from his own son what he knows is not rightfully his."

There was dead silence in the room. Katara could tell that they were shocked, but not one of them dared say anything. Katara sucked in a breath, allowing herself just a glimmer of hope.

"Please help me" she whispered pleadingly "certainly as women you can understand how horrible this situation is. Please don't be complicit in this madness…"

She tried to capture the gaze of at least one of the girls, but they all looked down at the ground avoiding eye contact.

More silence followed before the older attendant stepped forward grabbing Katara's hands.

"Lady Katara I know you must be nervous for your wedding…your anxiety has caused you to make up all kinds of scenarios but….this…this is not becoming of a Queen dear. We mustn't let our minds take over lest something terrible happen to us for it" her last remark emphasized with an ominous expression. As if the woman had broken a spell in the room all the maidens snapped out of their silence at once, bustling about the room to complete various tasks. Katara could not control the tears that streamed down her cheeks as she felt her hope slip away, and the direness of her situation sink in. Nobody here was going to help her. Her gaze slid back to the old maiden in front of her. She was already staring at her with a smile.

"Lord Ozai owns everything the fire land touches Lady Katara. The sooner you understand that, I think the better off you'll be" she said softly. She was handed a handkerchief that she used to dry her tears before being led out the door.

The water bender squared her shoulders as she walked down the narrow hallway towards the Fire Lord's quarters. Two armored guards led the way while the six hand maidens formed a line flanking her on both sides. Katara was surprised when they continued walking past Ozai's room and towards the deck.

Ozai had forced her to dine with him every night since she had been brought up from her cell. This was her third dinner with him and the first two times had been in his quarters. On both occasions she had remained silent the entire time, not eating a morsel of food to Ozai's increasing frustration. She would not engage in conversation with him, only speaking to inquire about Yue's wellbeing.

"Where are we going?" she asked.

"Lord Ozai wishes to dine on the deck tonight my Lady" replied one of the guards.

They reached the small deck quickly, and there he was dressed in black, his onyx hair flowing down his back. He stood from his chair gracefully and walked slowly towards her, his golden gaze locked on her. Katara surveyed the deck as he approached. In the middle stood a small table dressed in black linen with a bouquet of fire lilies in the center. The table was set for two with fine china. Candles were strewn around the floor creating a warm atmosphere. But Katara felt anything but warm. She glared up at him as he stood in front of her. His form towered over hers and his gaze was penetrating. She shivered under the weight of it.

"My Lady" he said holding out his hand. His head was slightly bowed in a façade of respectable formality. She knew underneath this pompous ruse he held no respect for her at all. She was simply a means to an end for him. As the silence wore on he cleared his throat impatiently. She looked around and found only the guards staring ahead, careful not to look their King in the eyes. She took his hand reluctantly, surprised that such a cold man could be so warm in temperature. His large fist engulfed hers as he led her to the table. He pulled out her chair for her and watched intently as she sat. She placed a hand over her belly as she scooted closer to the table. Ozai sat down across from her, his eyes never leaving hers.

"Where is Princess Yue?" Katara demanded, cutting straight to the chase. She had no patience for these games he was playing. Did he honestly think she would sit down and enjoy dinner and conversation with him? Had he not learned from the previous dinners where she had only graced him with silent glares?

"Do not fret my dear, you will see her soon" he grinned. Her stomach turned. She was quickly learning that Ozai's smile never meant anything good.

Soon drinks were brought out by a maid servant, tea for Katara and wine for him. She didn't dare drink it. She only ate meals alone in her room.

"You might as well eat and drink your fill now. Coronation ceremonies are known to be long and quite tedious" he said as he sipped from his golden goblet.

Katara's eyes darted over the deck.

She could sense and smell the sea's water over the edge. Her fingers were tensed and at the ready underneath the table at her sides. It would take her seconds to bend the wine from his cup and put an ice dagger in his throat. But what would happen to her afterwards? Surely the guards would detain her and Azula would eventually kill her. But maybe anything would be better than the reality she was being forced to live right now. The thought of marrying her husband's father made her physically ill. With the way he leered at her she could see in his eyes how attracted he was to her. Despite her being younger than his own daughter Katara knew this was more than just a means to get back at his son…he was enjoying this on some level.

"You look especially radiant tonight" he said silkily. He reached across the table to place a stray curl behind her ear. She felt her hackles rise at the intimate contact and she recoiled. He frowned deeply returning his hand to his side. Before he could comment the first course was brought out, a small cucumber salad and Komodo chicken soup. Although the food looked and smelled delicious Katara could do nothing but glare at the Fire Lord from across the table. He rose from his chair, making his way over to the door. He locked it slowly, securing it with a second pad lock. Katara swallowed a lump in her throat as he sat down again.

"Since you will not eat we may as well skip straight to the ceremony" he suggested as he brought a spoon of soup to his lips. Without even thinking Katara bent the hot soup from his bowl and into his face. He cried out in pain, standing from his chair quickly. Flames ignited from his fists, but not before Katara had bent a large stream of sea water over the deck's rails engulfing Ozai rapidly. The element of surprise had been on her side, as she watched him sputter and struggle to stand under her onslaught. She froze him over capturing him in a coffin of ice all within seconds. She had no time to come up with a game plan as the two guards that had been stationed at the door began banging on the locked door. She didn't even look back as she raced to the deck's edge. Stripping quickly from her robes so they wouldn't weigh her down she began to climb the 6 foot rail. If she could jump over the edge maybe she could swim far enough to find land. Surely her bending could help speed her along. If she got too tired she could make an ice raft to rest on.

Suddenly she felt something yank her backwards by her hair. She crashed to the ground on her back, seeing stars in her vision.

Ozai stood over her, his face a mask of rage.

"You fucking bitch…" he seethed angrily as he reached down to pull her up by her hair. She cowered away from him, regretting the fact that she had stripped from her clothes and now lay bare in only her wrappings before him. He held her tightly up against him while he pinned her hands together with his large one.

"Ple-"

"Shut the hell up!" he screamed in her face making her heart thud in her chest. A deep seeded fear took over her body and she froze in shock. There was nowhere for her to run, no one to call on for help.

"I should have you tied to a post and whipped for this insolence. One hundred lashes should do you just fine" he contemplated, the heat in his gaze overbearing. Katara's lip trembled as she shook her head vigorously.

"Please no! The baby!" she cried.

"You weren't thinking about the baby when you decided to jump over the edge of the ship were you?"

She whimpered in response.

"WERE YOU?" he yelled in her face. She shook her head.

"No my Lord…please forgive me I-"

"Go retrieve your robes" he ordered pushing her head away. She stumbled forward but obeyed quickly redressing herself. When she was done he grabbed her by her hair again, yanking her over to the door and unlocking it. The two guards rushed in at once.

"Your Grace, is everything alright?" one of them asked hastily.

"Just fine, Lady Katara just got a little….excited" he said looking down at her while maintaining a tight grip on the nape of her neck.

"We are docking within the hour your Grace" the other guard said. Ozai's sinister smile returned with full force.

"Excellent."

ZUKOS POV

Zuko squinted against the wind that was whipping across his face. He flew Druk over the lands of Ba Sing Se trailed by the Avatar and his sky bison. Sokka and his Uncle had preferred to ride Appa, therefore he finally had the opportunity to fly his dragon solo after serval days of dealing with Sokka's screaming every time they took a sharp turn. Zuko flew far ahead of them, wanting to keep a nice distance between himself and the overly cheerful monk.

'Why is it you show so much resentment towards the Avatar?' Druk asked him as they flew over the great city's wall.

'It's not resentment' Zuko replied 'more like… intense frustration…'

'But why? He has returned to help us defeat your father'

'He came too late' Zuko returned pointedly 'Katara and Yue have already been captured. Had he been here maybe that wouldn't have happened'

'It is better to come late than to not have come at all…' Druk reasoned.

Zuko sighed in frustration.

'I thought you were my twin spirit…why do you take his side?'

'To be fair, I've known the Avatar longer than I've known you. My parents have always held close contact with his spirit, no matter what body he has inhabited over the years. But Aang in particular helped me find you…and I will always be grateful to him for that.'

Zuko pondered this for a moment. Zuko's anger and frustration toward Aang had definitely dwindled as the days wore on. He was still upset with him, but the overarching feeling now was relief. He had to admit that he was happy the Avatar had finally returned to them. They would need all the help they could get when they faced his father's army. He just hoped that Aang had gained the strength and clarity he was searching for. In truth he had kept his distance from Aang over the past three days, much to his Uncle's disappointment. It wasn't that he couldn't forgive him for abandoning them, it was mostly because he couldn't get his mind off of his wife. His brain wanted desperately to place blame on anyone that fit the bill. He wanted so badly to blame Aang for everything that was happening now, but Zuko knew it wasn't productive so he kept his distance. Out of the corner of his eye he spotted Appa flying closer to Druk's side. He looked over to find the Avatar giving him the signal to land. He let Appa take the lead, knowing the sky bison would be a signal of peace to the Earth kingdom so that Druk wouldn't be seen as a threat.

They landed at the steps of the Earth palace, King Bumi already at the top of the steps to greet them as if he'd been expecting them. Aang jumped from his bison quickly running to his friend and bowing before him. The King engulfed the Avatar in an embrace as Zuko dismounted his dragon. Sokka and his Uncle walked behind him as he ascended the grand marbled steps. The three of them knelt before him once they reached the top.

"Please rise my fellow leaders" King Bumi announced. They obeyed rising before him.

Sokka was the first to speak up.

"My King, we have little time to discuss but we are here to aide you. I know you have received our intel about Fire Lord Ozai's plans of attacking your city walls"

"Yes Chief Sokka, we have welcomed the soldiers you sent us. I am eternally grateful to you for sending your warriors to me. They are currently housed with the Earth soldiers and have spent the past month integrating themselves amongst our ranks" Bumi offered. Sokka nodded his head in solidarity.

"I see Prince Zuko that you have obtained a…dragon. It's likeness we have not seen in decades" the King spoke after a pause. Zuko nodded his head in affirmation.

"The legends of twin spirits are not just fantasy my King, he was sent to me by the Avatar himself from the spirit world" he explained.

"How remarkable…" the old King marveled as he took in Druk's massive form.

"Do not fear your Grace, he will not harm you nor any of your subjects. Druk is here to help us gain advantage over the enemy. He needs only a place to rest and a designated radius where he can hunt"

"Very well then" Bumi smiled as he called upon the stable boy to lead Appa and Druk to a large paster they could rest in. The young boy looked scared beyond his wits, but followed the King's directive without question. Once they were squared away Bumi turned to them clapping his hands twice.

"Now let us get down to business. There is much to discuss and so little time. Come, join me in the council room" he said gesturing for them to follow.

"Indeed, I heard war is best considered over tea" Iroh pitched in as they followed him into the palace.

END CHAPTER 19