This one is kinda long. Just a little fyi on the song: it's an old Irish melody, so even though I didn't make up the words, I didn't steal them either. For any of you that may know the song, I used a few different words so it would fit this story.
Music Night started out as usual. There were the same men that sang every other night, Iroh played some songs. But there was one thing different. There was a lady on board. Katara could tell that the men hadn't been near a woman in a while. The first few songs they just sat and listened. But when this one soldier who had a beautiful voice stood up to sing again, Zuko walked to Katara's side.
"I do believe you agreed to one dance."
She nodded. Why did I agree? You are an IDIOT Katara!
Zuko turned around to the soldier. "Cian, sing something with a lively tempo." He took Katara's hand and lead her out to the middle of the deck. When Cian started to sing, they danced.
Katara wasn't familiar with the steps. She was used to the sad, slower beats from home. Cian was singing a song in a language she didn't understand. I must look ridiculous.
"Don't fight me so much."
Pulled out of her thoughts, Katara didn't know what Zuko was talking about.
"Fight you?"
"With the steps. It's easier if you are closer to me." He pulled her closer. She found that he was right, it is easier to follow him when she was closer. But she also found something else. She liked being this close to him.
"What language is this?" she asked, trying to break the uncomfortable silence between them. The men weren't paying much attention; they were talking and enjoying the break from work. Ronan and Bree were sitting on the side eating some cake the cook had made for them.
"It's an ancient highland dialect. Not many of the Fire Nation speak it anymore. He's singing about a girl who would play with men's hearts to get her own benefits."
"So you speak the dialect?"
Zuko smiled. "Yes. I am fluent in many dialects. A future king has to be."
Cian ended his song. Katara stopped dancing. For a moment she had forgotten who Zuko was, but that last comment brought her back to reality. He's the enemy. Remember that. She looked at Zuko. He was gazing at her with a soft look in his eyes. Apparently he had forgotten who they were as well.
"Thank you for the dance, sir. It is getting late. I should do my assigned job and get the children to bed." The way they were standing was scaring her. She had to back off.
Zuko's look changed. He had come back to reality with a crash, and the scowl he usually wore came back.
"Very well." And he walked away.
He's mad. So what. No, not so what…it bothers me. Why? She went over to Bree and Ronan.
"C'mon. It's time for bed."
"Aww…but it's a PARTY! We should get to stay up later. Look at all the cake we haven't eaten yet! I don't even have a sugar high yet!" Ronan protested. He had frosting all over his mouth.
"That's what I'm worried about. All we need right now is you bouncing around. Then you'll get sick. I'm not mopping up your vomit."
Bree cut another piece of cake for herself. "Just 10 more minutes, please. Besides, you haven't performed yet."
"What?"
"Aren't you going to sing anything?"
Katara laughed. "Why would I sing? They don't want me to sing."
"A song from you would be lovely."
Katara spun around. Iroh was standing behind her.
"B-but I don't know any up beat songs. All I know are the songs of my village. And the men wouldn't want to hear Water Bending songs."
Iroh shrugged his shoulders. "It would be something different. I think the prince would enjoy it."
"I didn't say anything about-"
"But that was who you were thinking about." Iroh smiled. "Come, Katara, sing us a tale from the water tribes." He turned around. "Men, we have a special treat tonight. This beautiful young lady is going to grace us with her voice." He turned back to her. "It's all yours, my dear."
Katara swallowed. No songs were coming to her head. She looked at the faces, trying to find inspiration. When she got to Zuko's face, it came to her. There was this one song her mother taught her when she was young. It was about the hardships of living, a family trying to get free and start a new life, and the price they paid. It was exactly the kind of pain she wanted the Fire Nation to see, the pain she wanted Zuko to feel. She took a breath, and sang.
Oh, please, ne'er forget me, the waves now lie o'er me,
I was once young and pretty and my spirit ran free.
My destiny tore me from country and loved ones,
And from the new land I was ne'er to see.
A poor immigrants daughter, too frightened to know,
I was leaving forever the land of my soul.
Amidst struggle and fear, my parents did pray,
To place courage to leave o'er the longing to stay.
They spoke of a new land far away 'cross the sea,
And of peace and good fortune for my brothers and me.
So we plighted from Townland, with much wailing and pain,
Kissed the loved ones and friends we would ne'er see again.
The vessel was crowed with desperate folk,
Escape from this hardship, sustaining their hope.
But as the last glimpse of the homeland faded into the mist,
Each one fought back tears and felt strangely alone.
The seas roared in anger, making desperate our plight,
And the fever came o'er me, and worsened next night.
Then delirium possessed me and clouded my mind,
And I, for a moment, saw that land left behind.
I could hear in the distance my dear ma's wailing,
And the prayers of three brothers that I'd see no more.
And I felt father's tears as he begged for forgiveness,
For seeking a new life on a still distant shore.
When she was done, she could feel the tears in her eyes. I miss mother. I have to get out of here. Zuko can't see me cry. She looked at the soldiers. They were all quiet. She looked at Zuko. He was quiet. It was Bree who broke the silence.
"Katara," she said softly. "That was a beautiful song." Katara realized that the meaning of the song was a little too deep for a girl of Bree's age. Bree didn't understand what the family in the song was fleeing from, or that the daughter had died because of the fleeing.
"It's time for bed. You heard me sing." Ronan and Bree got up obediently and followed Katara down to their quarters. As Katara walked away, she could feel all the men of the ship starring at her. She knew she had done something wrong. But she didn't care. If she died because of this, at least they had a little insight of the horror they have brought to the world with the war.
Katara turned to let the kids go down the stairs first. She couldn't help but look at Zuko. His back was turned and he was looking at the sea.