Epilogue

Time had a funny way of slipping away.

Katara mused on this thought as the carriage she rode in rocked gently with the ruts in the road. Ten years had passed since Moria left their little group, and the events that followed whipped past like a whirlwind. Zuko and Aang worked tirelessly together to bring their dream of Republic City into reality. Katara and Zuko were married shortly after, and in between overseeing the building of hospitals, working side-by-side with Sokka as Water Tribe representatives, and teaching healing courses, she had had two beautiful daughters: Kya and Izumi. Toph and Aang had married shortly after she and Zuko had their wedding, and they currently had a daughter, Lin, and a son, Tenzin. Sokka and Suki had married as well, and although they had no children yet, they assured everyone that they would very soon. All the while, Team Avatar continued to oversee the rise of the great city they worked so hard to build together.

Now Katara was on her way back to Republic City after spending a few weeks with her family in the Southern Water Tribe. Zuko wanted to go with her, he didn't often get to visit his in-laws, but pressing work kept him in Republic City. In the end, Katara ended up travelling with the girls so they could spend some time in their mother's hometown.

Kya, at six years old, was restless and didn't enjoy long carriage rides. Aang had offered to let Katara take Appa for a quicker journey, but Izumi, at three, was terrified of flying. Katara had packed all kinds of books and toys to keep Kya entertained on the trip, but after several days of travel, she was having none of it.

"Are we almost there?" Kya whined, practically hanging out of the carriage in an attempt to search the horizon for the city.

Katara sighed and gently pulled her daughter back to safety. "I told you, we'll be there by sunset. Be patient. Try sitting down and reading a nice book like Izumi."

Izumi was a quiet, serious, and fiercely intelligent child. She enjoyed looking at books even though she had not yet fully grasped the ability to read. She worked to understand the sound each character made rather than reading the actual words. Kya was much more playful, and she preferred running around the courtyard of their home with her friends over doing any of the quiet activities her parents so gently encouraged.

"I don't want to read!" Kya pouted and stamped her foot. "I want to see daddy."

Izumi looked up from her book and frowned. "Shh!"

Katara couldn't hide her smile. "We will see daddy very soon. I promise. Then you can show him all the toys grandpa and great gram-gram gave you."

Kya huffed impatiently and looked out the window again. She paused and Katara watched lovingly as the little girl cocked her head to the side. Something had caught her attention.

"Mama, mama, there's a festival! I hear music! Can we go check it out? Please? Please?"

"I don't hear any-." Katara froze. There was a lilting melody floating breezily in the air, but it was not a festival like Kya thought. She leaned forward and called to the driver. "Stop the carriage."

The driver halted the two ostrich horses pulling the carriage and turned back to Katara. "Is something wrong?"

Katara's heart was pounding loudly in her ears. That melody was just so familiar. "Oh, no, just…watch the girls for just a moment. I'll be right back."

"But I want to go to the festival!" Kya called as Katara climbed out of the carriage.

"Me too!" Izumi quipped.

"Hold on just a moment, girls. I'll be right back. Stay in the carriage."

Katara turned and left the girls protesting in the carriage. She stepped through the trees lining the road and immediately found herself in a lush clearing filled with wildflowers and tall grass. The music grew louder and there, on the other side, was a familiar person. Tears instantly welled up in Katara's eyes and, at a complete loss for words, she placed a hand over her heart.

Moria hadn't changed much over the years. Her thick, black waves fell over her shoulders and danced in the wind. Her hair was partially pulled back with a cockle shell clip, but the one around her neck was unchanged. The familiar silks wrapped around her body formed a flowing halter dress that fell almost to her feet. Her strappy sandals had clearly been repaired a few times, but they still fit snugly around her feet.

The soundbender was strumming her intricately carved lute and singing to a small crowd of children, who danced happily around her. The children were all different ages and heights, but one child in particular stuck out to Katara with his deep copper skin and thick black hair. He looked to be about five, wore silk pants, and clung to Moria's skirt as she played.

Moria stopped playing and looked up. Her eyes met Katara's and her whole face lit up in recognition. She nearly dropped the lute that was so precious to her and broke off running across the clearing, the children whooping and hollering joyously behind her. She didn't even give Katara a chance to react as she slammed into her old friend and squeezed her in a tight hug.

"Katara, what on earth are you doing here?"

Katara laughed loudly, tears streaming down her cheeks and hugged Moria back just as tightly. "I was just passing by on my way to Republic City and I heard your music!" She pulled back to look at Moria closely and laughed again. "Who are all these children?"

Moria looked to the children surrounding them and laughed airily. "Oh, I sometimes keep the village children entertained while their parents work." She placed a hand on the black-haired boy's head. "This one is mine, though. This is Takaya."

The little boy peeked at Katara from behind his mother's skirt. Shyly, he offered a quiet hello.

Katara started to smile but paused as the weight of the child's name hit her. She met Moria's eye and, without having to ask, Moria gave a gentle nod.

"Do you live here now?" Katara could see the village through the thinning trees across from her. It looked small, likely nameless, and peaceful. It seemed perfect for Moria.

"I do. My husband and I settled here shortly before Takaya was born. I met him up north in the Earth Kingdom not long after I left you all." She looked up and smiled as a tall man with a baby tied to his back with silks came into the forest. He carried a tray of pastries and the children immediately lost interest in Moria's friend and ran towards the man. "That's him. Yoosung and our daughter, Song. He's a baker and the children just adore that he gives them treats."

Katara observed the man with a light smile. He was fair skinned with a mop of chocolate brown hair falling into his brown eyes. The baby tied to his back looked around, alert and babbling into her father's ear. "He looks wonderful."

"He is," Moria agreed with a faraway smile. "We must catch up. Do you have time?"

"Oh," Katara glanced over her shoulder. "My girls are in the carriage. They're very eager to see their father."

"Zuko?" Moria raised a knowing brow.

Katara smirked. "Yes, Zuko." She brightened as an idea struck her. "Come to Republic City with me. You and your family. We can all catch up."

Moria blinked. "Now?"

"If you could."

Yoosung approached with one remaining pastry on the tray. He stopped in his tracks when he realized who his wife was talking to.

Moria smiled. "Yoosung, this is-."

"Fire Lady Katara. Or, Water Tribe Ambassador Katara?" Yoosung interrupted, nearly gushing. "I never really know what to call you."

"Nobody does. Just Katara is fine," she said with a laugh. "I'm sure Moria has told you about our adventures."

"In great detail." Yoosung broke into a grin. "And even in song form."

Moria rolled her eyes. "Katara was just inviting us to come back with her to Republic City for a visit. What do you think?"

"Well," Yoosung tapped his chin. "I suppose I could close the bakery for a few days. And it is about time to return these children to their rightful owners. We'll need to pack a bag."

Katara beamed and pointed through the trees. "I'll wait for you in the carriage. It's just over there."

Yoosung looked down at the lone pastry on his tray. "Please accept this as a sign of our thanks."

With a laugh, Katara took the pastry. "I'll share it with the girls. They'll be ecstatic."

"We won't be long!" Moria promised.

Katara watched them disappear into the village with all of the children in tow. She couldn't believe her luck. If Kya's sharp ears hadn't picked up on Moria's music, who knew when she would have ever had the chance to see her old friend. With excitement bubbling in her chest, she returned to the carriage and waited eagerly for her dear friend to join her.

Once Moria, her husband, and children were settled within the carriage, they began moving once more towards Republic City. Katara was grateful for the distraction Takaya provided for Kya and the two became fast friends as they discussed their favorite games.

"I can't believe all this time, you've only been a day's journey away," Katara said. She didn't want to sound accusatory, but Moria was the one who had gone off to wander. She knew where her friends were.

"I know, and I'm sorry." Moria lowered her head. "Isn't it funny how time can slip away? We settled here five years ago and yet it feels like only yesterday."

"I understand." Katara reached across the carriage to give her friend's arm a squeeze. "Believe me, life has been a whirlwind. But I promise the others will be so happy to see you." She turned her attention to Yoosung and offered him a warm smile. "And to meet you and the kids."

Yoosung returned her smile. "I'm looking forward to meeting my wife's adventure companions. And it's not every day that someone of such high stature invites you to spend time with them."

"It's hard to believe how much you've accomplished in such little time," Moria mused. "You've built a whole city from the ground up."

"You've accomplished a lot too." A coy smile played at Katara's lips. "The children in the city have picked up a very popular song they overheard from some travelling nomads. The Tale of the Soundbender. The adventure it tells is quite the story. Have you heard it?"

"I may have in passing," Moria snickered. "I certainly did manage to get the word out about my people. And while some people have been hesitant, most were curious of my abilities and ashamed of the past. I have received a tremendous number of apologies over the years, although I've worked hard to make sure people understand I hold no ill-will towards them."

Katara nodded and glanced from Takaya playing with Kya to young Song resting peacefully with half-lidded eyes against her mother's chest. "What about the children? Are they…?"

"We don't know yet." Moria gently stroked Song's hair. "It would be wonderful if they could bend sound, but I'm perfectly happy if my children are non-benders as well. No matter what, I plan to teach them everything I know. Somewhere down the line, there will be soundbenders again, and I want them to be prepared."

They arrived in Republic City a few hours later. Excited, Kya spilled out of the carriage at the foot of the Fire Lord's quarters and tugged a confused Takaya along with her. He looked back over his shoulder at his mother, who only laughed.

"It's okay, you can go play," Moria assured him.

Katara watched the two children run off and shook her head with a laugh. "I'm sorry, she's nothing but a ball of energy."

Moria laughed and helped her husband remove their hastily packed bags from the carriage. "Oh, don't worry, Takaya is too once he gets a little more familiar with the person."

"Well, I hope you're hungry," Katara glanced over her shoulder. "I know for a fact that Zuko will have a feast prepared for my return with the kids. It'll turn into a celebration with you here."

"Katara!" A deep voice called from the gardens and a moment later, Zuko emerged holding Kya's hand with Takaya trailing behind him. "Who is this child?" He paused when he caught sight of Moria, freezing in place and jaw dropping.

Katara smiled and whispered to Moria, "So much for surprising everyone at once." She turned to Zuko and called out, "I picked up a friend on the way home!"

Yoosung leaned down and whispered in his wife's ear. "Have I ever mentioned how cool it is that you're friends with the Fire Lord?"

Moria snickered. "Brace yourself, you're about to be, too. And with the avatar, the great Toph Beifong, Water Tribe Ambassador Sokka, and Suki, the head of the Kyoshi warriors."

Yoosung swallowed. "I'm not worthy."

"Oh, hush." Moria nudged her husband and waited for Zuko to finish greeting Katara before giving him a smile. "It's wonderful to see you, old friend."

"You as well." Zuko gave her a quick hug and, after being introduced to Yoosung and the children, nodded towards the building. "Everyone is inside. They'll be thrilled to see you."

"I'm ready."

The feast that Zuko had planned did, indeed, turn into a celebration for the soundbender. Moria was greeted with ecstatic cries and tight hugs. Her children were cooed over. Stories of their adventures together were shared with her husband. She showed off the cockle shell she wore in her hair, decorated with a colorful mosaic of flowers from Yoosung. Team Avatar was back together in completion, and it felt as though the past ten years were nothing but a blur.

After the children were nestled into bed, the gang retreated to the gardens where a wonderful, warm bonfire had been set up. The settled on the log benches and passed around hot cider.

"It feels like the old days," Moria commented, staring at the flames.

"We've really missed you all these years, you know," Suki said gently.

Sokka smiled widely and threw his arm around his wife. "I've got an idea. How about you and your family just move here? I can get you an amazing deal on some prime real estate."

Moria glanced at Yoosung with a furrowed brow. "But the bakery…"

"Can be moved anywhere!" Yoosung finished. He leaned forward excitedly, giving Moria's hand a squeeze. "Plus, it would do much better here in a big city. Your friends are here, the kids have already made some new friends, and it's not like we couldn't go back to visit our little village from time to time."

Moria blinked in surprise. "That was a quick decision."

"I've actually been thinking about it since the second we stepped out of that carriage," Yoosung admitted sheepishly.

Moria laughed and looked around at the encouraging faces of all of her friends. "I suppose we're moving, then."

A cheer erupted, echoing up to the stars.

"You could start a music school here, Moria," Aang suggested.

"And I'll make sure Yoosung's pastries are the talk of the town," Sokka added.

"I can get a permit started for you right away," Toph put in helpfully.

Moria grinned and leaned into her husband's side. "I've missed you all so much, my friends. You truly saved me back then. I just want you to know how grateful I am to all of you."

Katara exchanged a look with Zuko and smiled. "We couldn't have done what we did without you, Moria."

"This calls for a toast," Sokka called out, raising his glass to the sky. "To Team Avatar!"

"To Team Avatar!" Everyone echoed, breaking into laughter.

"How about a little music?" Zuko asked.

Moria broke into a wide grin. "I just so happened to pack my lute."

And so, the soundbender played into the night, sending lively melodies up to the sky, adding in whatever lyrics came to mind here and there. Team Avatar danced to the music, and Sokka even tried throwing in a few words of his own. To everyone there, it felt as though things had finally fallen perfectly into place. And for the first time since leaving her island so long ago, Moria truly felt at home.

/It feels good to complete this piece. It's been a very long time since I've done a multi-chapter work. And I must say, trying to finish this up while working on another NaNoWriMo project was...a challenge. But I did it! For those of you that stuck around to the end, I sincerely thank you. It warms my heart to know people are out there enjoying my work.

A few little fun facts for you:

Going off Avatar-world pronunciation rules, Moria's name is pronounced like Mariah.

The melodies for Moria's songs were inspired heavily by religious hymns, and the works of Mississippi John and Hurt and Elizabeth Cotten. The lyrics are my own. I am no lyricist, so please don't judge them too harshly.

I have truly enjoyed putting this little fantasy of mine to the page, and while I suffered the typical ups and downs of writers block, I'm very happy with the way this turned out. Again, thank you for reading. It means so much to me.