The dance had been going so well at first. Zuko and Katara had been swaying gently together and she had even seemed to be enjoying the experience. The way she had smiled at him was stunning and she hadn't pulled away when he brought her close, closer even then dancing normally required. Happiness looked good on her. Zuko was on cloud nine, all of his worry had melted away. Then the music changed. It went from the calm mellow beats of the unscripted music he had specifically requested for the evening to the harsh percussive notes of the Dragon's Waltz, a traditional Fire Nation Dance. He saw the panic on Katara's face and decided in the moment to just try and guide her through the dance. He knew as soon as he started this had been the wrong choice. She grew increasingly confused and distressed and he found himself getting annoyed at her and himself. He knew they were the centre of attention in a negative way and he fumed silently at the band. How dare they disrespect him. They would face his wrath once all the guests had left.

As soon as the music ended Katara was looking anywhere but him. While Zuko only had eyes for Katara he knew the rest of the guests would be watching her like prey to see how she reacted and wished he could whisk her away to a private place and explain but he was unable to do so. He dropped his hands to give Katara enough space to calm down. When she finally did look at him she was angry and on the verge of tears and the only thing she said was thank you in that tone of voice that clearly said she hated him. Zuko didn't blame her, it had gone far worse than even he had imagined. As Katara turned and stormed off the dancefloor the only sound in the deafening silence was her skirts moving as she walked away from him.

Zuko was frozen in place. He watched Katara's retreating form in a daze. He went to follow her but was immediately surrounded by royal advisors and nobility all talking at him at once. It was all white noise as Zuko tried to keep his eyes on Katara but she was lost in the sea of people. The only person he could make out was Azula striding past the band and towards the small South-West balcony. He asked the spirits that he would be able to find Katara before his sister did.

"Prince Zuko it is high time you spoke with Lord Seonbi, he wishes to discuss…"

"That was quite a disaster, did the girl do no preparation for this evening?" Zuko tried to see which of the people swarming him had said that but couldn't be certain with every face surrounding him in a state of displeasure and disdain.

"She cannot merely play dress up in Fire Nation clothing she must act the part as well." Zuko turned back again to confront the person speaking but all the people around him we're talking at him at it was difficult to place exactly who said what.

"And Lord and Lady Sato would like an audience with you this evening before they depart"

"Well I'm sure she tried, it must be very overwhelming…" Zuko tried to defend Katara but the group was having none of it drowning his voice out with their own conversation.

"She was very undignified."

"Yes Lady Hina, and quite rude walking off when we all came tonight to meet her"

"Yes, quite rude Lady Jae-in. Her first appearance at court and she's already run off unable to handle it"

"If she can't handle this Lord Aito then how can she be our princess let alone the Fire Lady." Zuko's head was whirling, how had things got so out of control so fast? He was angry at the way these people were speaking about Katara but he didn't know what to do. His hands were hot and he knew he was close to letting his fire loose but that was a very bad choice so he bit down hard on his inner cheek in order to control his temper and said in his coldest tone of voice

"Would you all excuse me?" he edged his way out of the group and didn't look back despite their many protests. He needed to find Katara.

Pushing his way through the crowd Zuko grew more and more irate. Where could she have gone!. He was blind to anything else going on around him that he didn't notice the hand shooting out to pull him into a secluded corner. Before he could blink let alone think of fighting back he was wedged into a corner with an angry looking Chief Hakoda blocking the only escape. Zuko gulped, he was in for it. "Where is my daughter Prince Zuko?" he asked in a low voice.

"I don't know, Hakoda!" Zuko said sharpley. In the months since their last meeting Zuko had forgotten what an intimidating man Chief Hakoda of the Southern Water Tribe could be. Now, in an enclosed space with the man's anger barely contained and focused solely at him he remembered. A raised eyebrow was enough for Zuko to reconsider the casual address and tone of voice. "Sir" he added hoping politeness might save him some pain.

"Well Prince Zuko, I left her in your care not ten minutes ago. And now a mere one dance later she's ran out crying. Could you explain that to me."

"I swear Sir. I have no idea what happened." A large part of Zuko needed Hakoda to know it was the truth, not only to save the peace between their nations but also because he found himself respecting the man despite himself and wanting his good opinion.

"Well your highness it looks an awful lot like you lured my daughter all the way here to trick and humiliate her."

"No!" Zuko almost shouted and drew a few curious glances including an advisor clearly seeking him out to herd off to some unimportant task or three. Incredibly Zuko would rather be facing Hakoda's rath than that so he quickly quieted his voice. "I swear I had no intentions of hurting your daughter." Hakoda's face remained hard and disbelieving. Zuko started to sweat and the terrible silence just stretched on and on so he started babbling unconsciously needing to fill the void. "I had specifically requested the band to avoid any songs that had choreographed dances for this exact reason. But out of the blue the music just changed."

"So it was sabotage?" Hakoda murmured more to himself. Yes that must be it Zuko realised. Why else would the band have just disregarded his request? And who had the power to make such a change and was seen near the band shortly after the incident? Zuko's frantic panic and hot anger hardened into a cold rage. He should have known his sister would try something. Before he could stalk off to find and confront Azula he had to deal with the very angry chieftain in front of him.

"Do you have any inclination of who could be responsible for such an act?" Zuko was conflicted on what to tell the man in front of him. Intrinsically he trusted Hakoda as a good man but the years of Ozai instilling the idea to trust nobody was a hard lesson to break. He hesitated and saw the look of mutual mistrust on the older man's face. Zuko sighed. He knew that if Azula really was the culprit he doubted she'd stop with simply pulling some cruel pranks, she must be up to something much bigger and an international ally would help. If he wanted to prove he and the Fire Nation had changed and could be trusted then he needed to show real proof when it mattered most. Telling the truth and keeping Hakoda in the fold could help to convince him of Zuko's true intentions and win a strong ally. So Zuko told him the truth.

"It was my sister." Hakoda's face was hard to read and once again he remained silent. Zuko again couldn't stop himself from filling the silence. "It's exactly the kind of thing she'd do. Not only is Katara embarrassed but it gives the nobles here a reason to be dismissive of her."

"And Princess Azula would have acted on this plan on her own?" Zuko heard the implication in the question loud and clear. The thought genuinely made him sick. Zuko had never enjoyed the casual cruelty and manipulation Azula had always indulged in. He could never act in such a way and he needed, and wanted, Hakoda to believe him to be a better man. Squaring his shoulders and looking the older man dead in the eyes he said in his most serious voice

"I promise, on my honour, Chief Hakoda that I played no role in the cruelty shown to your daughter tonight." The only acknowledgement he received was a small nod but the tension between them dropped. It was enough to let him breathe deeply. "If I'm being honest I actually appreciated seeing Katara begin to enjoy herself" Agni why couldn't he just shut up! Hakoda let out a short laugh,

"I did too however brief it was. She has been so uptight about this whole arrangement it was a nice change to see her smile." Zuko physically bit down on his tongue to stop from saying something stupid like seeing Katara smile made him want to kiss her. Instead he asked

"So what should we do now?" Zuko's first instinct was to go find and confront his sister. But he doubted Chief Hakoda would approve or be willing to be excluded from dealing with this issue. Hakoda's small grin disappeared.

"Now I must ask you Prince Zuko if you are still committed to this marriage? If you are still committed to the peace you promised?" Zuko didn't hesitate

"I am"

"Katara also is fully committed. I have offered her many chances to back out but she insists on fulfilling her promise." Zuko had a hard time keeping his face serious. She had stayed, even when her own father had offered her a way out multiple times she chose to remain. "So if both of you are determined to make this work then we will need to nip this problem in the bud and quickly." Zuko agreed but had no idea how to go about doing this. There was one person they should go to for advice.

"I think it is about time to talk with my uncle."

Fire Lord Iroh was in the middle of the ball room surrounded by high ranking nobles. Even with the seriousness of the situation going on Zuko rolled his eyes at the nobility's constant posturing. Some of the lesser nobles even physically shoving each other out of the way to try and move closer to the Fire Lord. From a distance Uncle Iroh looked as if he was his usual self, talking easily with those around him but Zuko knew him better than that. He could tell the old man was tense from his posture and the way his eyes never stood still scanning the large room over and over. His laugh was also not his genuine belly laugh but a forced imitation that didn't reach his face. Zuko and Hakoda needed to get him alone.

Zuko led Hakoda to a small side-room. It was used really as more of a storage closet but it had a small desk and a few chairs and was clean. It would be good enough for now so Zuko produced a small fire to light the candles. Out of the corner of his eyes he saw the chief instinctively step back from the flame. "Wait here, I'll bring Uncle back here so we can talk"

"Why should I wait? I'll just come with you to save time." Zuko tried not to roll his eyes. He knew the man was a capable leader but he had no head for the intricate court politics he was now surrounded with..

"Chief Hakoda. If we were seen together having private talks with my uncle the Fire Lord it would be seen as very suspicious and then rumours would start of collusion and favouritism and disloyalty and we'd be in an even deeper mess than we are now. So just please wait here I won't be long." Hakoda huffed but offered no more resistance so Zuko slipped back out of the door and into the throngs of people.

He had to duck and weave through the crowd of people while also keeping a wary eye out for stray advisors and nosy nobility who may try and stop him. He was almost at Uncle when somebody grabbed his arm. Agni he could not catch a break today! Turning to give a good verbal lashing to whoever was holding him up he stopped dead in his tracks when he saw it was Mai who had grasped him.

"Mai? I, uh hi."

"Eloquent as ever Zuko." He flushed, Mai had alaways had a way of making him feel stupid. Even when they had been in a relationship. He didn't have time for this right now.

"Look I uh have to go. Can we talk later?" Mai's expression never changed but Zuko thought she looked more annoyed than usual.

"Your fiancée really bombed out there." Zuko's control on his temper was paper thin and he couldn't help snapping.

"Yes maybe because my sister deliberately sabotaged her! Did you help her Mai? Did you stand by and laugh as the one genuine person in this whole damn rattle-viper nest was humiliated when all she did was make a genuine effort?" By the end of his little tirade Zuko's face was hot and he was breathing deeply as if he was preparing for a fight. Mai said nothing for a while and just looked at him. Eventually she sighed her signature deep exasperated sigh and said

"Then you better fix this mess and quickly. There's gossip spreading about her already." Zuko sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose

"I'm trying." Mai just shook her long fringe out of her eyes and walked away. Zuko was confused but didn't have time to puzzle out the meaning of the interaction. He needed to find Uncle.

Uncle Iroh had not been surprised when Zuko had discretely tapped him on the shoulder and asked him to come with him. They managed to move through the crowd without further drama and arrived back at the side room to a nervously pacing Chief Hakoda.

"Chief Hakoda, I am sorry for the way this evening has turned out. This is not the welcome myself or Prince Zuko had planned." Iroh bowed to the other man clearly genuinely distressed at the turn of events now out of view of the courtiers.

"Fire Lord Iroh," Hakoda's voice was tight with worry. Zuko worried maybe he had taken too long to return and the fragile trust he had built with the man was gone. Uncle raised his hand and smiled his full genuine smile.

"Please just Iroh is fine. I would like to think of us as on equal footing and perhaps one day even friends." Hakoda smiled as well. It was obviously not his full expression but it was the most genuine version Zuko had seen yet.

"Iroh then. Prince Zuko here tells me his sister Princess Azula may have been the culprit behind this personal attack on my daughter."

"Azula?" Iroh's eyebrows rose but he showed no other signs of shock or disbelief.

"Yes uncle. I saw her near the band just after the Dragon's Waltz ended and this is exactly the type of thing she would do." Iroh nodded but didn't seem fully convinced. "Think about it Uncle Iroh, with one move she has discredited Katara and embarrassed us"as Zuko spoke Iroh silently sat in one of the chairs and began to tap his fingers together as he thought through the evidence.

"It does sound like Azula," he said slowly. "I am disappointed. I had hoped she had changed, she has not shown such manipulative behaviour in many months. I suppose the removal of Ozai from her life has not been enough."

"Ozai would have encouraged such actions?" Hakoda seemed surprised. Zuko had to remind himself how insular the Fire Nation had been during the long war and how little the other nations had truly known about the men in charge of their destruction.

"Zuko and Azula's father was a cruel man, he saw that cruelty in Azula as well." Iroh explained. "He fed it and allowed it to grow until that's all she was."It was hard to see uncle so despondent but Zuko found it much harder to have sympathy for his sister; especially when they were in the middle of cleaning up the mess she caused.

"Azula has made her own bad choices, uncle. Tonight was one of them." Besides, they had more urgent problems to deal with. "I haven't seen Katara since the dance and immediately the nobles around me were very disagreeable towards her already suggesting she is unsuitable. Mai said she heard gossip spreading as well." Hakoda began pacing again, concern etched deeply on his face.

"Yes, I have heard negative talk about that delightful young lady as well. But Prince Zuko have you noticed which faction of the nobility this instant dismissal is coming from?"

"No uncle. Does it really matter who is saying it? That facts it's being said is bad enough." Damn his uncle for always overthinking everything. They needed a plan for how to counteract this problem not to sit and analyse who said what to whom.

"But my nephew, if you would just slow down a bit and look at the larger picture." Iroh stood and began pacing himself. "I was watching the two of you dance and I saw who it was that ambushed you to prevent your following Katara. Lord Aito was a general on your father's war council. Lady Hina's husband owns many of the factories that produced weapons for the war effort. Lady Jae-in's husband was given much of the land first colonised in the Earth Kingdom."

"So they all lost significant status and money when you took over the throne and ended the war?" Hakoda said with a shocked look on his face. Zuko's stomach sank, Uncle was right. He should have seen the connection himself. But Iroh wasn't finished.

"Yes, similarly Lady Mai's father was named governor of Omashu, a title he obviously had to give up with the end of the war. I'm sure his close friends are similar beneficiaries of the war. As were the group I was with when you asked me here."

"So they all still support my father," Zuko said in a monotone. He had known there were those who had not been happy when Iroh had taken the throne and announced the end to the war. But three years on to have so many still opposed to the peace? Hakoda was voicing his own versions of such thoughts.

"Three years on and there are still so many who are still opposed to the end of the war. When peace has brought so much good to everyone?" Iroh nodded sadly.

"It is a tragedy but the war tainted the Fire Nation most of all. We were taught to hate and revile and dismiss the other nations. We were superior in all ways." Zuko nodded along. "And as you pointed out Chief Hakoda many Fire Nation nobles lost money and land and titles. These things are not so easy to relinquish as they are to gain."

"The Fire Nation comes first above all things." It was a lesson drilled into Zuko from his first formal lesson until the day he was banished. Hakoda sank onto a nearby chair.

"Fire Lord Iroh. I must ask, am I making a mistake in allowing my daughter to marry into this court?"

"Chief Hakoda. I cannot promise that this will be an easy marriage or an easy rule. But I sincerely believe that together Katara and Zuko can make great changes to the Fire Nation for the better." Hakoda looked no less worried but Iroh continued. "For all our talk just now of remaining support for Ozai and the war it is only a very small fraction of the nobility and if we are strong and act quickly we can contain the threat."

"And how do we do that?"

"Yes uncle, how do we do that." Iroh smiled mischievously and his eyes glinted.

"I believe it is high time you taught us a Southern Water Tribe dance".

Zuko paced nervously. Personally he had still wanted to go throw hands with Azula and the nobles talking rubbish and lies, but Uncle Iroh had concocted a more indirect and unique plan. When Zuko had originally gone to his uncle for help he had expected Iroh to suggest making a grand and formal speech on the benefits of unity. Instead here they were about to perform a Water Tribe Dance in the middle of the Fire Nation royal palace.

Hakoda, while surprised at the idea, had been more than happy to teach Zuko and Iroh a Water Tribe dance. It had looked complicated at first with many quick changes and fluid arm movements but once they had begun Zuko quickly realised the moves were very rhythmic and repeated often with only minor variations so it was easier to pick up than he had thought. When both he and Iroh had felt comfortable enough they would not make complete fools of themselves the three men split to put their plan into action. Hakoda went to rally the other tribesmen and women and inform them of their scheme. Zuko went to speak with the musicians and convince them to allow their instruments to be borrowed for the performance. Iroh was tasked with gently pressuring some of the Fire Nation nobles to join in on the dance.

Zuko with his part quickly accomplished did his best not to cringe or fidget with nerves too openly. He knew he was about to make a fool of himself in front of everyone important. That was precisely the point he reminded himself. The whole purpose of this demonstration was to illustrate that the Fire Nation could also be embarrassed, inferior at a task and willing to give it a try anyway. He repeated this thought to himself over and over waiting for Uncle and Hakoda to tell him they were ready.

As Uncle Iroh came towards him looking calm and even a little excited Zuko, not for the first time, envied his ability to not let things phase him. "Prince Zuko, are you ready for our little demonstration?"

"Uncle if this goes badly please just kill me here." Iroh laughed but Zuko was only half kidding.

"Prince Zuko, Iroh! Are we ready?" Hakoda bounded through the crowd. He looked much happier with a plan of action in full swing.

"I believe we are, let me make the announcement." Iroh climbed onto the small stage which had previously seated the band and raised his arms to call for silence. When the large crowd had finally fallen quiet he announced

"Lords and Ladies. We meet here tonight in celebration of the uniting of our two cultures through the marriage of my nephew Prince Zuko and Katara of the Southern Water Tribe." The crowd didn't react, Iroh either oblivious or choosing to ignore the lack of response pushed on. "We have already had a marvellous demonstration of Fire Nation tradition with the Dragon's Waltz so now our honoured guests" a slight pause and a pointed look around the room "the tribes men and women of the Southern Water Tribe have organized to perform a traditional dance of their own which I am told is titled High and Low Tides." That got a reaction from the crowd with light chattering breaking out and curious looks thrown at the foreigners. What really got the crowd excited was the next announcement, "And as a show of respect following Katara's gracious participation in our waltz several members of the Fire Nobility have agreed to attempt the dance with them!" Shocked gasps could be heard all throughout the ballroom and Zuko could see several angry nobles. Obviously these were the people Iroh had convinced to perform without disclosing exactly what they would be dancing. As the tribesmen charged with playing the music made their way to their positions Zuko looked around the large hall. Seeing Lord Aito closest to him Zuko plastered his falsest smile on his face and made his way over.

"Why Lord Aito, how generous of you to agree to such a demonstration of friendship." Lord Aito's face was as red as his robes and Zuko had trouble maintaining his composure. "We are all honoured by your humility and willingness to participate" bowing his head Zuko smirked as he walked to the dance floor knowing Lord Aito would be unable to refuse to join the dance now. In a similar vein he watched as Uncle Iroh cajoled and peer pressured other lords and ladies onto the floor. Once everyone was ready the impromptu musicians began the song. Zuko assumed it was not quite right as they had no practice and were forced to use Fire Nation instruments but still the music was beautiful. It was a strange mix between harsh percussion and smooth melody. Hakoda had tried to explain about how it depicted the importance of dualities and opposites and balance but Zuko hadn't really got it. Performing the dance now Zuko thought he was beginning to understand. That was until he got distracted watching the members of the court botch their way through. None of them were even close in their movements. Constantly facing the wrong way and never in time with the dramatic turns their frustration and embarrassment was palpable and Zuko smiled.

With a final flourish the dance was over and Zuko had enjoyed every moment. Uncle was laughing and chatting easily with the tribesmen around him and even introduced them to some of the less obnoxious nobility nearby. Zuko turned to see Hakoda beaming at him and the force of the older man's genuine approval was nearly overwhelming.

"Prince Zuko! excellent job there. I think our plan went exactly as we'd hoped."

"I think it did exactly what we hoped it would," he said with a large grin of his own. Hakoda clapped him on the shoulder and it was such a familial gesture, one usually only his uncle used, that suddenly Zuko's eyes were misty. As Hakoda went to walk away he blurted out

"You can just call me Zuko"

"Huh?" Hako turned back and Zuko flushed. Agni why was he such an awkward turtle-duck?

"Uh, I meant. You can call me Zuko. No need for formal titles anymore I think. Especially if you call my uncle just Iroh" He coughed to cover the awkwardness he felt.

"Right you are then Zuko" Hakoda let out a deep belly laugh. "I'll make sure my daughter hears exactly how hard you worked to protect her and the peace between nations tonight." Luckily he didn't wait around for a response because Zuko was speechless.

Nothing could top that so Zuko made his way out of the ballroom and up to his bedroom. He slept well for the first time in months. In fact he slept so soundly he hardly remembered the dreams he had of dancing all night with Katara while her father smiled on approvingly.