Chapter 12: And We All Fall Down
Zuko stood on deck and watched Katara lean against the railing. A light breeze blew over the ship, ruffling both of their hair. She looked genuinely happy, breathing in the fresh air and raising her face to the wind. She looked happy. And, really, if she was happy, he was happy.
Officer Sakai walked across the deck towards Zuko. The Prince noticed that the Officer never looked directly at Katara anymore, not since their little fall out. It was amusing that his previously pompous and self-righteous Officer was afraid of Katara. Katara, on the other hand, turned around and glared openly at the Officer. Sakai didn't look at her, and continued to hurry towards Zuko.
It never occurred to Zuko that Sakai might be afraid of Katara because of the influence she had over the Prince.
Sakai saluted respectfully and reported to Zuko, "The prisoners have been fed, your Majesty."
Zuko resisted the sudden violent urge to physically slap a hand over Sakai's mouth. Why did the man have to be so goddamn loud? "Thank you, Officer." Zuko replied stiffly.
Sakai saluted again and turned around to walk away. As soon as he left, Katara glided over cheerfully and looked up at him. "What did he want?" She asked. To her, Sakai was a mere annoyance now. She didn't care about the obnoxious officer anymore. Katara only asked out of curiosity.
Silently thanking all the gods above that she hadn't heard what Sakai had said, Zuko placed a reassuring hand on her back and shook his head slowly. "Nothing. Just ship business."
She smiled up at him. That simple act left Zuko feeling like life really couldn't get any better. He couldn't remember the last time he'd felt so… content. They stood there silently together, looking out at the blue ocean, his hand still resting around her waist. Casual contact was no stranger to them now. Anyone casually observing the couple would think that Zuko and Katara were just another pair of sweethearts enjoying each other's company.
A hand descended on Zuko's shoulder, and Iroh's grinning face greeted Katara and Zuko. "Wonderful weather today, yes?" He asked, not really expecting an answer.
"Good morning, Iroh." Katara replied. Iroh nodded back at her.
"Uncle." Zuko's tone was a bit more serious now. "We enter Fire Nation territory this afternoon."
Iroh turned to him slowly. Both of them had become extremely solemn. Katara watched the exchange silently, knowing that something bigger than a happy little family reunion was at stake.
"What are you expecting?" Iroh asked Zuko quietly.
"I'm not sure." It seemed a bit difficult for Zuko to get the words out. "I've thought about it quite a bit. We'll definitely be met with Fire ships and escorted in under guard."
"Do you think they'll even let you into the harbor?"
"They'll have to." Zuko said determinedly. "My father will be curious enough about the situation to let me in."
"You'll be arrested first, of course." Iroh reminded him gently. "Your return will be considered breaking the law."
"Arrest will be a mere formality." Zuko said, waving the notion aside. "The entire kingdom, including the King and his court, will want to know why I'm back."
Iroh nodded slowly, still thinking about it.
Katara kept silent, still absorbing this information slowly. She knew that Zuko wasn't on great terms with his father, but why would Ozai arrest his own son?
Soon after their conversation, Iroh left to inspect other business. All the ships were preparing for their return to the Fire Nation. They would enter Fire Nation waters this afternoon, and probably reach Kotzut Harbor by evening. Kotzut was the Fire Nation's capital city and possessed a large, protected bay that was ideal for ship building and the site for most of the Fire Nation's navy fleet.
Katara spent the rest of the morning wandering the ship by herself, thinking on everything. Zuko was busy with other matters, and she could talk to him about her questions later, when they met up for lunch.
The thing that most concerned her was the fact that she was soon going to be in enemy territory. The Fire Nation was probably the one place that Katara never wanted to travel to in her life. It was the kingdom that had been waging war forever on the other elements, and she'd heard nightmarish stories on the Fire people's brutality and hostility. Most of the stories she knew were untrue now, having spent almost three weeks on a ship with Fire people.
But what was her place in all this? Was Zuko going to introduce her as a respected guest, or a chained prisoner? Would she be meeting Lord Ozai and the Fire Nation court? Would she be walking alongside Zuko when they arrived, or would she be shoved into some hay-covered cart, kept out of sight until everything important was done with?
Zuko hadn't said a word about the situation to her, and she was determined to ask him. Well, whether she did or didn't ask him wasn't very important. She'd find out anyways tonight.
At noon, Zuko and Katara sat down to eat in a private dining room on the ship.
"Why would your father arrest you?" Katara asked curiously, spearing a piece of lettuce with her fork.
Zuko grimaced inwardly. Not even a How was your day, darling? It was so like her to be incredibly blunt. It really saved them a lot of time in conversations, but made it awkward as well.
"Bad history." He replied simply.
"What, did you accidentally sink your dad's favorite ship when you were younger?" She asked jokingly, trying to make light of the situation.
Zuko smiled back, but he knew it looked forced. Katara knew it too, and immediately stopped grinning. She poked at a tomato on her plate.
"Not exactly. We just don't love each other very much." He said, setting down his knife and leaning back in his chair, keeping his eyes averted from her face. He wondered how she'd take this information, the fact that he and his father had no love for each other. Zuko wasn't entirely sure about Katara's childhood or family life. What was her relationship with her own father?
"Oh." Katara said quietly. She scraped disinterestedly at the same tomato. "I haven't seen my father since I was nine." She finally looked up to meet his eyes.
Katara seemed so innocent, loving, and caring. Zuko had assumed she'd had a wonderful childhood and family life in order to make her that way. Apparently not. She'd seen many things in her short life as well.
"Why did he leave?" Zuko asked. He assumed that maybe the relationship between her mother and father had deteriorated. A divorce, maybe?
"He left five years ago to fight the Fire Nation in the war." She continued to gaze unabashedly at him. "Most likely he's dead by now."
This information hit Zuko like a punch in his gut. He kept his horror and shame inside. A fucking divorce? Compared to her father's probable death, divorce seemed like a happy event.
Zuko kept his face neutral, concentrating on cutting his chicken. He could feel Katara's eyes on him, but he refused to meet her gaze. What was he supposed to fucking say? It's not my fault! He wanted to scream. It's not my fault! He tried to remember every single man he'd ever met on a battlefield, every single man he'd ever killed cold-heartedly. Did any of them look like Katara's father? Did any of them have the same blue-gray eyes, the same olive skin, the same face structure, the same hair texture?
And every single dead man Zuko thought of looked exactly like his idea of Katara's father.
He wondered how she felt. She was living with the man who had indirectly (or maybe even directly) caused her father's death. Did she think of it that way? Did Katara still relate Zuko to the enemy that had taken everything away from her? Did she still think of him as a murderer, a killer, a man destined for hell?
Did Katara think that maybe she'd already slept with her father's killer?
Zuko put down his knife gently, and rose from the table, pushing back his chair. Katara followed him with her eyes as he opened a small cabinet and took out several small packages, laying them on the table.
Reaching for the doorknob, he turned his back to her before opening the door. "The packages contain things you might need. When we arrive at the Fire Nation, you will be treated as my respected guest and must look accordingly."
Then he left.
Katara stared at the bundles on the table, her lunch left mostly untouched. Standing up, she walked over to the largest package and untied it slowly with shaking fingers. The brown paper fell away to reveal the shine of expensive cloth. Lifting the dress up to the lamplight, Katara inspected the beautiful gown.
Satin, silk, and velvet rippled through her fingers. The dress was red and gold, like her previous one, but incredibly styled and ornate. It was floor length with swishy folds in the skirt and a curving bodice that would show off her assets. Billowy sleeves of red-gold silk concealed the wearer's bare shoulders and arms. Intricate gold embroidery decorated the red material, and Katara knew it would fit her perfectly. A dress fit for an important guest.
A dress fit for a queen.
Katara couldn't even dream of the money involved in purchasing clothing like this. The other smaller packages probably contained jewelry and other expensive accessories.
She collapsed in her chair, the dress floating down to rest in her lap. Katara was surrounded by gold and flame, indescribable riches, more than she had ever hoped for.
And all she could think of was how she'd never felt so lonely in her life.
Zuko strode into the darkness of the wine hold in his ship, lighting several lamps in the room with a flick of his fingers. Inspecting the rows upon rows of wrapped dusty bottles, he randomly chose one from the shelf closest to him. Not even bothering to read the label, he popped off the cork and poured himself a small drink in a glass. Not enough to get him drunk, but enough to help him relax and forget. He'd need his wits about him this afternoon when he would finally return to his homeland.
Sitting in the dim light of the wine room, he stared into dark corners. Slight ghosts and quiet whispers filled the places where light didn't touch. Ghosts of men he'd killed when he was fourteen, ghosts of women he'd killed when he was fifteen, ghosts of children he'd killed when he was sixteen.
And the ghost of Katara swirled closest to him, whispered loudest to him. She kept repeating something over and over again. Where is my father? Where is my father? She asked desperately, brushing across his face.
Where is mine? He wondered as well. Where is my father?
He's here, the ghosts whispered He's here in the blistering flames blasting your face, he's here in your mother's scream, and he's here in Katara's father's dead body.
Iroh watched the horizon intently. Two Fire Nation ships had been sighted a half hour earlier, obviously envoys and messengers sent by the navy in Kotzut. It would take them maybe ten more minutes to reach them.
Then things would get complicated.
Zuko finally arrived, having rinsed his head in cold water and downed another whole cup of cold water and chewed mint to erase the traces of alcohol from his breath.
But Iroh knew something had happened. He was the one who knew Zuko best, even better than Lord Ozai.
"Are you alright?" Iroh asked quietly.
"Fine." Zuko said, tight-lipped. "Just fine."
Iroh decided not to press, not now when things were getting serious. "The ships from Kotzut were sighted about thirty minutes ago."
Zuko inspected the escort ships gliding quickly over the water towards his own fleet. "Two ships? I expected more for an arrest."
"They obviously don't see us as a threat."
"Of course not." Zuko said. "Again, this arrest is just a formality. They are the ones who want to know why I am back. They are the ones who are interested in me."
The old man and the young man watched silently as their fellow countrymen drew closer on their two ships.
Finally, the first envoy drew up next to the flagship, and two messengers dressed in Fire Army uniform stepped across the gangplank and saluted to Iroh and Zuko. The entire crew of the flagship was silent, watching it all unfold on deck.
The first messenger unrolled a long piece of parchment and proceeded to read in a clear, ringing voice:
"By the order of Fire Lord Zhao, the banished Prince Zuko is under arrest for returning under exile. Retired General Iroh and all the crew under Prince Zuko's command are to be detained for further questioning, and if necessary, punishment."
The messenger droned on and on, listing further reasons why Zuko sucked and shouldn't be allowed back in the Fire Nation. But only one thing concerned Zuko at the moment.
Zuko bent to whisper in Iroh's ear, "Fire Lord Zhao? Am I missing something?"
Iroh frowned a bit. "I wonder about it as well. Last I heard, Zhao was still a Commander in the Fire Army. Maybe he's been promoted?"
"My father wouldn't let anyone have the title of Fire Lord for anyone but himself. Not even Zhao." The title of Fire Lord was the equivalent of Emperor or King in the Fire Nation. And Ozai wasn't known as a man who liked to share his things, including his titles.
Iroh shrugged. "We'll most likely find out about it later."
As soon as all the formalities were done with, the messenger rolled up his declaration and proceeded to inform Zuko that his fleet had to docilely follow the small envoy ships back to Kotzut harbor. A single wrong move would be taken as an act of war and dealt with accordingly. Never mind the fact that Zuko had more than a dozen ships at his disposal, including three warships, and that the messengers were on two tiny little vessels.
As they neared Kotzut harbor, evening fell and Zuko grew tenser and tenser. The effects of the wine from earlier had completely fallen away.
"You look like you have a pole shoved up your ass." Soft footsteps from behind him made Zuko turn around. He blinked repeatedly, confused. Who was it?
The weakening light from the setting sun threw a soft glow around the figure standing behind him, partly because of the light reflecting off all the gold finery adorning her. The sight of her was unearthly.
And then Zuko finally realized. Underneath all the riches he'd given her, he could see it was still the same forgiving Katara.
He wondered why she was still talking to him. Why didn't she hate him by now?
"If I do, it's because you shoved it up there." He finally replied, for lack of anything better to say.
She stood next to him, her hands gripping the railing. Several gold bracelets slipped down her wrist.
Zuko winced inside. It was now or never. "About your father-"
"Don't. You don't need to." She cut him off, her eyes locked on the calm ocean.
Zuko felt a little frustrated. Here he was, trying to apologize for something he felt utterly horrible about, and she didn't want to talk about it? If they kept running away from things in their past, they would never get anywhere. Anywhere? A voice whispered to him. Don't fool yourself. There is no anywhere for you two. There is no future.
"Katara-" He started again.
"No, really, Zuko." She turned to look at him, a gentle smile on her face. "I don't think my father's dead. I don't think you killed him. I believe I'll find him again someday."
And they both knew she was lying.
She was making up a perfect world for herself, a world where she and him weren't enemies, a world where nobody killed anyone, and a world where they did have a future. It was a world that did not and would not ever exist.
And he let it slide, because he wanted to be part of that world too.
As they slowly drew into the impressive Kotzut harbor, Zuko stood steadily at the prow of his flagship, dressed in princely attire and looking for all the world like he wasn't under arrest by his own country.
Katara stood quietly next to him, hands folded demurely and eyes grazing the ground. The perfect picture of a docile woman.
She felt anything but. Inside, she was more nervous than she had ever been in her life. Her mind kept bringing up her father again. The words Zuko, killed, war, and father kept swimming before her eyes, but she dealt with it by ignoring all those thoughts and pushing it to the back of her consciousness. Katara knew she was in denial, but that was the only way she could deal with trauma. If she didn't think about it, then she wouldn't have to worry about it. Then everything would be just perfect.
Finally raising her eyes to look around her, Katara wasn't disappointed by the sight of the Fire Nation capital harbor. All the stories about Kotzut's magnificence and glory weren't untrue. Hundreds and thousands of ships were docked and anchored in the bay, all sorts of vessels from gigantic flagships like the Golden Flame to modest fishing boats. The Fire Nation's gigantic navy was stationed here also, hundreds of warships undergoing repairs and dozens more in the process of being built. Katara could see the small figures of soldiers and officers drilling and training in thousands of neat rows further up on land. It was an impressive sight. No wonder they're winning the war.
Her breath caught in her chest when they drew close enough to see the sunlight reflecting off the tops of the buildings. The capital was a city of sheer mighty walls, shining gold roofs, and rounded domes painted in crimson colors. Many spires and turrets crowned Kotzut, each one taller than the next. The dominant Fire Nation colors, crimson and gold, were all over the city and when the light hit it just right, Kotzut looked like it was brilliantly on fire. Outside the city walls, dozens of sprawling elegant wooden buildings housed the army and training facilities.
The Fire Palace was the gem in the crown of the city. Located further inland, majority of it's giant bulk was concealed by the city in front of it. But the golden towers and domes rose up above the rest of the buildings and threw long dark shadows over the Fire Nation's capital city. Flags of red and gold flew from the tops of the turrets and spires. It's glittering magnificence made everything else under the sun seem liked dulled old metal.
Katara felt a chill run down her back as she took in the sight. It's a prison, a voice whispered to her. It's a beautiful golden cage.
Nonsense. It was just a palace. All royal families had one. It was meant to proclaim the ruler's glory and power. It was meant to strike fear and awe in the hearts of anybody who tried to oppose the Fire Nation. Katara was feeling both fear and awe. Nothing at home in her simple Water Tribe could ever compare with the Fire Nation's luxury and majesty. She sighed a bit.
Zuko heard her and laced his fingers through her left hand gently, as a sign of comfort. She leaned wearily into the contact, wishing that they were somewhere else in the quiet of peace. Not out here, where all eyes were fixed upon their two important figures on the flagship. People on land were finally realizing that something was going on. Gossip and rumors had obviously spread like fire throughout the city and the wharves and docks. City folk crowded the harbor, clamoring and wondering what the great procession of ships was for. Had their Prince finally returned? And did he have the famed Avatar with him? Was that who the woman was?
"It's beautiful, yes?" Zuko said, contentment and pride in his voice. He'd interpreted her sigh as a sound of awe. She merely nodded, and continued to let him think she wasn't worried about anything.
No matter how nervous he was about meeting his father again, Zuko was definitely glad to return to his homeland after almost four years of exile. Banishment certainly hadn't been boring- there'd been enough happening to last him awhile –but home was home.
Gesturing to one of the officers waiting nearby, Zuko beckoned him over. The officer quickly leaned in, and Zuko whispered, "All the necessary arrangements are ready?"
The officer gave a quick bow, saying "Yes, your Majesty. But would you like me to check once more?"
Zuko nodded and thanked the officer. The officer scurried off discreetly to check on the aforementioned arrangements.
Katara stood where she had been before, continuously brooding as the harbor drew close and closer. She didn't pay much attention to all the little details that went on between Zuko and his crew. The Prince was in command of a large fleet, so officers were always coming to update Zuko on the latest information. It was nothing out of the ordinary.
The flagship finally bumped against a large dock, and a cheer went up from the sailors and crew on deck. They hadn't seen home in a long time as well, and many were eager to meet family and friends once again.
Stiff and trembling, Katara tucked her hand in Zuko's arm and was led down the plank, off the ship, and onto dry land for the first time in weeks. It was all a great ceremony, with soldiers standing on each side of the dock. All the people crowded around the wharves cheered and clapped, finally recognizing their prince who had returned from exile. The original messenger who had met them at sea flitted constantly around Zuko, as if to remind them that they were, indeed, under arrest.
However, the Fire people didn't know what to make of Katara. Whispers traveled through the crowd, and Katara held her head high with as much dignity as she could muster. The curious, interested, and sometimes suspicious eyes followed her all the way through the crowd. Finally, they came to the end of the walk and were met by an ornate carriage with the markings of the Royal House on it's doors. Four agitated black horses pranced in front, held barely under control by the driver.
Katara sighed with relief as Zuko helped her into the cool darkness of the carriage. She relaxed back onto the soft cushions. Being royal certainly had it's perks.
Zuko let go of her hand but kept his head bent next to hers in the carriage. "I can't stay with you. I have to ride at the head of the procession to the palace. It's a tradition thing, sorry." He seemed genuinely regretful, understanding how she must have felt.
Katara simply nodded. She was a bit disappointed, but not altogether surprised. Of course his people would want to see their Prince returned. Iroh would probably ride at the head with him, the uncle being a decorated retired general of the army and all.
"I'll be fine here." She said confidently. At least I can hide from all the stares.
"Okay." He said, pressing a soft kiss to her temple before retreating back out into the world.
As soon as he closed the door, Katara quickly drew the thin red silk curtain over the window, where a multitude of curious faces were pressing. Publicity was one thing she didn't need right now. A slightly warm breeze blew in from the curtained windows. It wasn't unpleasantly hot, because the temperatures had gone down when the harsh sun set. But once the sun came up again, the city would probably be stifling hot. Such was the climate of the Fire Nation. The people of Kotzut were probably used to the heat, but not Katara. She much preferred the cool, icy, biting climate of the territories of the Water Tribes.
As the carriage slowly rolled up the main street of Kotzut, Katara leaned back against the pillows and settled in for the ride. Obviously they weren't going to move anywhere fast. Their ride through the streets up to the castle was heralded by cheering crowds of flag-waving people. This wasn't an arrest- it was a freaking parade. No matter how much she liked the privacy of her little carriage, she still wished she could see Zuko. What was he doing? Waving like a gallant Prince returning from war? Or was he putting on his solemn face?
Solemn Face was what Zuko was going for as he rode at the head of the procession. However, Iroh, who was riding next to him, didn't seem to have the same inhibitions. His crazy uncle was waving and smiling at everyone, encouraging the cheers and praise they were receiving from the crowd. And the people were responding well. Iroh was, after all, a decorated and famous retired General. Basically a hero of the nation, for all the battles he'd fought and won. Strange that the man could be so cheerful and humorous after a lifetime of war and death.
But Zuko was one of the only people in the world who knew that Iroh's happy demeanor was merely a mask majority of the time. A means to escape from the horrible memories that crowded the gentle old man's mind.
As they rode closer and closer to the palace, Zuko began to notice something strange. Black-clad soldiers wearing the uniform of the Palace Guard were shoving through the crowds and slowly pushing people back towards their previous businesses. Apparently, these guards didn't want a crowd gathering for the Prince. It wasn't disturbing, for no one was hurt, but still strange.
By the time they reached the high stone wall surrounding the palace, more than half the crowd had been dispersed by the black-uniformed guards.
Zuko frowned a bit but didn't let it get to him. He was technically an arrested convict after all. Breakers of the law generally weren't allowed to have large crowds cheering for them, even if they were royalty.
They passed through the ornate gate doors and a slow pounding began in Zuko's chest. This was it. What he had been waiting for. After three long years he was back in the familiar surroundings of his home. To say he was nervous was an understatement. How was he to be received? Would he get a Prince's royal reception, or be immediately slammed into a jail cell? And his father. He was going to see his father again. Zuko hadn't seen or heard from Ozai since that ugly day all the blood and the fire and the pain and the only person who followed me was Iroh…
The procession stopped in front of the large, towering stone steps that led up, up, up to the grand entry way into the palace. The throne room was directly behind that, and that was the place Zuko would most likely meet his fate. Horses carrying guards and other important officers snorted and stomped the ground where they stood. The carriage creaked to a stop, and Zuko quickly dismounted, hurrying over to the black door. The driver quickly stepped out of the way as Zuko approached.
Katara almost cried in relief when it was Zuko who opened the door and led her out into the dimming sunlight, not a strange face who would take her away and keep her locked up somewhere where she couldn't make trouble. Taking his offered hand, she stepped shakily down from the carriage, and turned to face the imposing stone front of the palace.
"Ready?" Zuko asked her as they began the long climb up the steps to the grand hall.
"Are you?" She countered, making sure to hold up her skirt with the hand that wasn't tucked in his arm.
He had no answer to that.
Iroh followed a few steps behind them, and the rest of the officers and guards trailed behind. Every few steps, granite-faced guards were posted. None of them showed any emotion at all with the appearance of their exiled prince. They stared stonily ahead, doing their job and looking pretty threatening as they guarded the way up to the entrance of the Fire Palace.
As Katara climbed up each step, her resolve hardened. No more of this weak, shaky female act. She had never been one of those girls who fainted at the first sight of anything sharp, pointy, or scary. Once she stepped into that throne room, and they all learned who she was, she would become the representative of everything that was the Water Tribe. She would prove to these pompous Fire Nation people that the Water people weren't part of a deprived culture. The Water Tribe was just as civilized as the Fire nation, even though they didn't have fabulous palaces or glorious cities.
She looked discreetly to her side, where Zuko was fixed his steady eyes on the nearing towers of the entry. What could happen with Zuko by her side? She had the protection of the Royal Prince himself.
He looked over at her, and gave her a reassuring smile. Katara tightened her hand slightly on his arm. Really, what could go wrong? She trusted him. She trusted him with her life now.
Finally, they reached the top and continued through the enormous, ornately carved doors and down a red-carpeted hallway with statues and portraits of important kings and officials from the Fire Nation's history. Katara could feel the stares of the statues of every past Fire Lord boring down on her. You don't belong was what they said. You don't belong here. You don't belong with him.
A million thoughts flew through Zuko's mind as they neared the throne room doors guarded the Palace Guards. Katara will be alright I hope… the Avatar will secure my position… When my father sees me…will he be happy?
Nervousness and anticipation built up as Zuko walked closer and closer to everything he had been waiting for for three years.
And then the doors opened. Every single thought flew from Zuko's mind.
Zhao sat on the Fire Lord's great golden throne.
Ozai wasn't there.
The shock destroyed every other screaming realization from his head. Then, slowly Zuko began to think again. Zhao was on the royal seat? Commander Zhao? That throne was reserved only for those born of royal blood, not just any old bastard who needed to rest his legs! This was… this was blasphemy!
What the fuck was Zhao doing on the Fire Lord's throne?
Slowly, anger and rage began to crowd out his disbelief. Zuko opened his mouth to say anything, anything at all to denounce Zhao for taking Zuko's birthright away from him.
But, as always, Zhao beat him to it.
"Welcome home, dear Prince." Zuko's enemy sneered from his royal seat. "I trust your arrest was to your liking?"
Katara gaped at Zhao and Zuko. She wasn't exactly an expert on Fire Nation diplomacy, but even she knew there was something wrong here. She turned to look at Zuko worriedly. How was he going to deal with this?
"Where is my father?" Was all Zuko could bite out.
"Oh, does the homesick little Prince miss his wonderful Daddy?" Zhao smirked. It wasn't very mature of him, but oh how long he'd waited to rub this in that ugly little Prince's face. Zuko didn't even deserve to be Fire Lord. He was much too soft.
Zuko could think of nothing to say. The enormous throne room was silent. He also noticed it was full of people dressed in ceremonial robes of court. Probably nobles and other peoples of influence that Zhao had invited in order to see Zuko shot down. Zhao had always loved to do things in front of an audience.
"Get off the throne." Zuko hissed, red filling his sight. "That's reserved for the royal family. Not commoners who happened to bribe their way into the influence of the court."
"Oh, but I am the royal family, now, Zuko." Zhao looked down his nose at the Prince. "Or haven't you heard?"
Zuko definitely hadn't heard.
"I'm so sorry to be the one to tell you this," Zhao's expression was anything but sorry, "But your father passed away a month ago. Of burn injuries."
Everything made sense now. Why it was Fire Lord Zhao, instead of Commander Zhao. Why the guards outside had tried to discourage the crowds from cheering for the Prince's procession. Why Zhao was sitting on the royal throne. And why Zuko was under arrest, not because he was breaking his exile, but because he was a threat to the new Fire Lord Zhao.
Katara's mind quickly ran through cause-and-effect scenarios. If Ozai was dead… that meant Zuko should have been the rightful Fire Lord.
It hit her. Prince Zuko was no longer Prince Zuko. He was Fire Lord Zuko. Zuko was the Fire Lord now. He was the king of the Fire Nation.
Except for one obstacle: Zhao.
"My father's death deeply sorrows me." Zuko said impassively. He'd have time to think about this later. Right now, diplomacy and manipulation were on his mind. "But that doesn't explain why you have taken over the ruling of what is rightfully now my nation."
"You're going to argue inheritance with me?" Zhao looked like he couldn't decide whether he was angry or wanted to laugh. "Not take time off to mourn your poor dead father?"
I would like time to just sit down and try to hold everything in me together, Zuko thought silently, But I'd like my kingdom more.
"I am the rightful heir, Zhao, and I have returned from exile." Zuko said calmly. He pushed away all his emotions. They'd only get in the way now. Katara's hand tightened on his arm, and he was eternally grateful for her support.
Zhao had finally decided to laugh. "Return from exile? You have just broken the law, Prince Zuko." He said the title as if it were an insult. "Or don't you remember the decree your father laid down?" Zhao didn't wait for an answer. "Let me refresh your memory." He leaned forward, as if eager to shoot Zuko down as soon as possible.
"Your father, the late Ozai, decreed that if his son, the crown Prince Zuko, had not fulfilled the terms of his exile by the time that his Majesty passed away, then I, Commander Zhao, his most trusted and loyal advisor," Zhao paused to laugh. "Would become the next Fire Lord of the Nation."
"And what would the terms of my exile be?" Zuko inquired, in a tone as if he were asking what the weather was like. Zhao thought he was in control and held all the cards. Well, that pompous throne-stealing bastard didn't know the cards Zuko held.
"Only one: To bring back the Avatar." Zhao finished, leaning back in what he thought was his hard-earned throne. "And as far as I can see, Zuko, you don't have him with you. Unless that woman standing next to you is the Avatar." Zhao sounded highly doubtful, and maybe even a little scared.
"That's where your wonderful plan goes wrong, Commander Zhao." Zuko said, eyes clear and reasonable. "I've returned with the Avatar."
Katara turned to Zuko, confusion in her eyes. Did he mean to lie and pass her off as the Avatar? That would never work, for she only knew water bending and Zhao would surely ask for proof. Of course she would have helped him get his birthright back but, really, the man could warn her first if he wanted her to lie and pretend to be something she wasn't.
Zuko turned his attention to a disturbance and several soldiers coming through the crowd of officials and guards standing behind them. Katara turned as well, her eyes widened-
And time stopped.
She didn't hear the cry of outrage from Zhao. She didn't see the look of triumph in Zuko's eyes. She didn't hear the gasps of awe and amazement from the court.
All she saw were the silent shouting mouths of Aang and Sokka as they were dragged through the crowd by several Royal Guards and thrown to the floor at Zuko and Katara's feet. All she saw was the hurt and betrayal in Sokka's face, his mouth opening and closing "How could you? How could you?". And Aang, oh the poor boy, he was utterly confused and scared, collapsed on the ground with his hands tied behind him. He was blinking at her too, not saying anything, but it was all in his eyes What's happening, Katara, what's happening?
And all she could do was gape in shock, her mind wiped blank. She stared at the two boys on the floor in front of her. Two soldiers had to hold Sokka down in order to prevent him from leaping at either Zuko or Katara, she couldn't tell which. It was worse with Aang. He just sat there on the ground, head tilted slightly to one side, as confused to see her here as she was to see him. He'd expected her to be a prisoner, bound and humiliated like him, not dressed in royal finery and standing next to Zuko as if she were his equal.
Slowly, her senses returned to her. She could hear the murmurings and shouting of the court. Zhao, in a fit of rage, had risen from his throne, waving his sword wildly in the air and screaming at the guards to apprehend and arrest Zuko. Zuko, on the other hand, was yelling for the guards to apprehend and arrest Zhao. The poor soldiers were clearly confused, unsure of which Fire Lord they were supposed to follow.
Unwilling to believe anything that had just happened, Katara turned to the shouting Zuko, placing one hand timidly on his arm. He looked down at her, blinking confusedly, as if surprised to see she was there. Then realization dawned on him, and he put on his stony, diplomat face.
She didn't have to say anything. The expression on Katara's face asked a million questions.
"It had to be done." Zuko said calmly, removing her hand from his arm and placing it gently at her side again. She didn't move. "This was the best way."
The best way for who? She wanted to scream. But it seemed that all her senses had dulled again. She refused to believe it. Not Zuko. Not after everything they'd done and everything he'd told her and all the time they'd spent together. It just wasn't possible.
She turned back to look blankly at Sokka and Aang at her feet. Sokka was still screaming, and Aang was still looking confused. Slowly, she dropped to her knees in front of them.
Sokka lunged at her, but the soldiers held him back with a bit of effort. "HOW COULD YOU DO THIS? YOU BETRAYED US! YOU BETRAYED AANG! YOU'VE BETRAYED THE WHOLE WORLD!" He fell limp to the ground again, panting at staring at her, horror all over his face. "I'm your brother, Katara." He said hopelessly, as if trying to remind her of something.
She reached one hand out to him, trying to speak. "I didn't… this wasn't supposed to…" But something choked her throat.
And Aang… she couldn't even look at him.
The three figures sat silently on the ground, each wondering what they'd done to end up in this predicament. Wondering what had happened to their trio. Wondering what the other two people were thinking. They were the only silent people in a room full of shouting and screaming and confused Fire Nation citizens.
A hand descended on her upper arm, pulling Katara up firmly but gently. She knew just from the hostile glare Sokka threw behind her shoulder that it was Zuko. Katara stood upright, averting her eyes from Sokka and Aang on the floor, and walked as Zuko directed her. Docile as a trained animal, she felt Zuko's firm hand on her shoulder, leading her through decorated hallways and enormous rooms to some unknown destination. Along the way, he was continually giving out orders to his new staff, now that he was Fire Lord.
As they passed through another hall, Katara glanced up with glazed-over eyes and dimly saw all of the royal portraits on the walls. These were the paintings where kings posed with their wives and families. Somewhere in her shock-filled brain, she thought None of them look happy at all. None of them are smiling, not even the children.
Finally, Zuko brushed off all the hangers-on clamoring at him, and he opened a door that led into a grand bedroom. And I thought the one on the ship was fancy, Katara mused distantly.
Zuko pushed her down to sit on a velvet-upholstered couch. She stared empty-eyed up at him. He lied to me. She finally realized, as if awakening from a long, slow dream. He betrayed me.
And she didn't do anything. She sat there, hands folded in her lap, head tilted slightly to the side, waiting for him to speak. She waited for him to justify himself, to giver her some sort of flimsy excuse, to try to convince her that he was in the right.
He did all of those things and none of those things.
"This was the best way." He said, face blank and neutral. "It was the best way."
The best for who? She thought, for the second time today. But of course she said nothing. Her mouth was sealed shut by something she couldn't name.
Zuko left, shutting the door quietly behind him and locking it.
He didn't come back for the whole night. It was the first night in several weeks that Katara had slept alone. It was the first time since she was captured that they did not sleep together.
She lay in bed, wondering why she missed him. She wasn't supposed to.
A/N: Definitely one of the harder chapters to write. Obviously, many things happened in this chapter that will change the whole Z/K relationship. Tsk tsk tsk. Men can be bastards, yes? I'm sorry you never got to meet Ozai. I've planned from the beginning to kill him off. He would have been an unbelievably hard character to write, you know? The show gives me no information at all about him. It would have been like inventing a whole new character, which I really don't want to go into at this point. Plus, Zuko's Fire Lord now!
The whole deal with Katara's father was explain here as well. I read on an Avatar site somewhere that her father left to fight the Fire Nation and Katara and Sokka haven't seen him since. I mean, her father went to fight the FIRE NATION, and here Katara is, living with the FIRE NATION PRINCE. There's gotta be some kind of drama and angst involved here...
Many people voted for the happy ending no sequel, and many people voted for bittersweet ending and sequel. Most people just want Z and K to end up together. Guess what? I do too. So I think I'll keep my own counsel on this subject. I didn't really count votes, but it was REALLY nice to get feedback and opinions on this.
It really amazes me how some of you take the time off of your busy lives to review my story. Especially several reviewers who give me huge, loooooong-ass reviews that completely blow me away. Really, guys, I totally appreciate it. This chapter is for all you reviewers! (like all the other chapters have been... lol) Till Chapter 13!
