Here it is, the chapter you all have been waiting for...the wedding! It's kinda short, I know, but there will be more in the next chapter, promise. Now, on with the show...

Katara was woken up with a shake the next morning. She opened her eyes, but then closed them at seeing the room so bright. Covering them with her arm, she groaned. "Nira, what are you doing?" she asked, trying to hide her head.

"Sorry princess," her servant replied. "But it was not my choice to wake you this early. It is tradition for the bride to wake early so she can get prepared for the ceremony tonight."

She sighed. "Alright," she replied, managing to get up a little. She blinked when she noticed the others there. "Oh, hello."

There were three other servants there. There was an older woman, that didn't look too old, but enough to look maternal. She had the way of a mother about her, with kindness in her eyes and a nice smile. The other two looked younger than Nira, but almost the same. The taller one had shorter hair, that was kept down and the younger one had long hair that reached her waist, even pulled back.

They each bowed politely. "These are my sisters, Dona and Fia, and my mother, Yuki, princess," Nira clarified as they did so. "They're here to help you get ready."

Katara blinked and removed the covers that she had on. "Oh," she said. "Okay. What does that involve?"

"Oh, nothing too bad," she replied, taking her shoulders. "Come. First you must bathe in special oils."

Even though the wedding wasn't until later that night, Katara was still up all day getting ready for it. First she had a bath that wasn't even water, but of hot oils that were supposed to make her skin softer and smoother. The hair on her legs, under and on her arms was removed, along with everywhere else that it wasn't her head, eyebrows or near her privates.

Her hair was washed several times, so that every hair was smooth. It was combed out repeatedly until she thought all the yanking would rip it all out. When it was dried, it was put up loosely and she was taken to be dressed.

The gown was indeed gorgeous, with every layer of white silk and every stitch carefully hand done. After she adorned her underclothes, she put on several other layers. There were two for the top of her body and the bottom, both in the thinnest of materials. Then another skirt was put on, that was thick and had a long, dragging trail. Then an outer robe was placed on.

The last one was thicker than the others. The detailing was more intricate and there was silver threading in the embroidery. The sleeves were long and wide towards her hands, giving it a royal look. Her neckline was odd though, seeing as it was lower than usual. But then, it covered her, so it didn't matter.

Her hair was put up so intricately, that it took three of them to get it up. It was wrapped around a headdress that stood on her head, made of silver and diamonds. When they were done, Yuki came over and sat down in front of her, taking a few cosmetics out.

She painted her lips red and highlighted her eyelids with blue. She put black on her eyelashes to make them look longer and thicker, and then powdered her cheekbones with a little bit of red. When she was done, she was handed a mirror to look at herself.

Katara had to admit that she didn't think she looked that bad. Actually, she looked pretty good. It actually made her smile.

When Nira fastened the veil that was to go on her headdress, she held still. They four took it and laid it out four times before they got it to look just right. As she finished, she slipped on silk white shoes that at jewels on them as well.

As soon as everything was done, she knew it was late. "What time is it?" she asked.

"A few hours past midday, your highness," Fia replied with a small bow.

She smiled at her. "It should be starting soon," Nira said. "We must get you to the main hall. Guests are already taking their seats."

Nira led her through the hallways as her mother followed somewhat behind. Suddenly, the fact that she was getting married hit Katara. She looked around nervously. "How many people are here?"

"Oh, not too many," her servant replied. "About maybe three hundred."

She laughed. "Oh, yes, that's not many at all."

"Well, almost everyone in high class society is here," she replied, as they got to the entrance.

All that stood between the ceremony and her was the two doors. She looked at them with a little fear, even though it couldn't be seen with the veil covering her eyes. "Yes, all will be fine."

Nira had even dress formally for the occasion. Her dress was without an apron and was longer. It was she who was leading the other servant girls, who were to scatter flower petals that she would walk on. There were even two boys that were going to hold her train. Yuki handed her a bouquet of roses as the servant girls approached; they all carried baskets of flowers.

"It's almost time," Nira whispered to her. "The doors will open, and we'll go through. When the music starts, go ahead. Walk slowly and keep your face forward and head up. Whatever you do, do not look anyone in the eye."

Katara nodded silently as the doors opened slowly. The girls gathered in a single file, Nira leading them, as they walked in slowly. She stayed in the shadows with Yuki, waiting for the right time when she was supposed to head in.

The music started and she didn't move. Yuki put a hand on her arm. "You can do this," she whispered. "Just take a deep breath and don't look back."

She nodded and took a step forward, then another, then another. Finally, she found herself turning to face the light of the room. She'd never been inside it before, but she didn't take the time to look around.

Right in front of her was the altar. Standing next to it was Zuko. She couldn't read his expression, but she knew he was watching her with something he hadn't before. Still, she kept her pace, with buckled knees and continued walking ever so slowly. She knew all eyes were on her, but she swallowed it all and kept her head up.

She would not mess this up. She had a duty, to her friends, her family and her nation. All she had to do was stay strong. She could do this; she could do this.

Finally, she made it to the altar. There, Zuko held out his arm that she accepted. Nira took her bouquet and she walked up to the priest with her fiancé, keeping her gaze forward the entire time. This was it. There was no turning back.