"The Enchanted Solstice"
Now she watched him with a tender sympathy, a reflectiveness that seemed deep and fond and generous enough to contain all the magical counterspells to his current run of woe, although I knew, of course, as I went back to my book, that it was only a passing affection, one of those kindnesses no one understands. ~ Don DeLillo, White Noise
Zuko slowly got to his feet, and then helped Katara up. "Are you all right?" he asked, not knowing what else to say at the moment.
Katara smoothed the front of her dress, which was smudged with ash and wet from snow. "I'm all right," she answered.
"You saved us," Zuko said, sounding awed.
Katara smiled a little. "Then we're even." After all, he had saved her from drowning and freezing earlier that very night.
The animated objects came in cautiously from the adjoining room. "Did we win?" Aang asked.
Katara laughed. "Yes, we did. Is everyone okay?"
"No one broke," Meng reported. Zuko turned and saw the table which held the fire lily. Katara thought she heard him breathe a sigh of relief.
"The rest of the staff is not going to be happy about this," Aunt Wu said, observing the dust and debris left in Azula's wake.
Katara felt Zuko move away from her. She turned and saw him kneeling down next to the toppled pipe organ. He picked up a large shard of ivory, turning it over in his gloved hand.
His servants watched him warily, not knowing what he was going to do. It was Katara who quietly went over and stood next to him.
"I'm sorry about your sister," she said quietly. She wasn't sure if she was really offering her condolences or apologizing for helping to destroy Azula.
Zuko shook his head. "It's all right. I mourn her because she was my sister, and for no other reason."
"Really? You never felt a – kinship with her?"
Zuko's wavering did not go unnoticed. "She was always here, in my suite, so I talked to her more … for a while."
"You won't miss that?"
Zuko turned his masked face to look at her. "No. Because now she's not the only one I can confide in."
Katara looked at him, surprised, and touched.
Before either of them could say anything more, they heard a whistle, loud but not quite as high-pitched. They turned and saw Ty Lee standing on the table, next to the fire lily. "Um, I have something to say." She wrung her brass hands nervously. "I guess … I owe everyone an apology. I always did whatever Azula told me to do … even if it meant lying and spying on everyone." She looked around, sad and uncharacteristically shy. "Can you forgive me?"
"Of course we can," Yue said graciously.
"It's not too late." Everyone turned to Meng in surprise. She went on, "If we work quickly, we can have this place up and running, and even redecorate in time for the night of the Solstice."
Aang looked impressed and happy. "You think so?"
Meng just smiled at him.
Zuko insisted that Katara stay in her room the next day, for two reasons: she was still recovering from her frozen plunge, and the others wanted to surprise her when they were ready. Even Suki left the suite to see how she could help.
As dusk fell on the night of the Winter Solstice, all the staff and guests gathered in the great hall.
Iroh eyed the doorway, as though half-expecting Hama (or some other old woman selling flowers) to appear. "Does this feel familiar to anyone?" he whispered.
"Oh, hush," Aunt Wu said, unwilling to let tainted memories ruin the holiday again.
"This is much better," Yue said. "It's so beautiful."
"And you said it couldn't be done," Aang teased as Meng walked by.
"No," Meng corrected, holding her head up high, "I said it couldn't be done without me."
"Shh, here they come!" Suki said excitedly.
Two Kyoshi Warrior utensils pushed open the door, allowing Zuko and Katara to enter the hall. Zuko led the guest of honor by the hand, with an air of graciousness fit for a prince. Katara was smiling, looking shy but happy, wearing a royal blue winter dress. Everyone cheered when the two entered the hall.
Katara gasped, awed and delighted. "It's beautiful!"
Water Tribe decorations adorned the walls in between the windows. The table had been relaid with red cloth, animated utensils, and plenty of food – all of the favorites that Arnook, Yue, and Katara had listed.
The chandelier was magnificent: its glass beads hung like strings of ice, while the lit candles let light reflect off and shine through them. Fire and ice joined to bring light and beauty.
Zuko took Katara's arm and led her to the hearth at the end of the room. Lying there was the log from the tree that Katara had felled the day before. Katara's eyes widened. "How …" she started to say, and then shook her head. So many wonderful things in this castle seemed unexplainable. By now she had learned to go along and enjoy it.
One by one, each person went up to the fireplace, laid a hand (or some other appendage) on the log, and paused in contemplation. They were making their wishes for the New Year. Each of them had to think about what they wanted, even if it seemed obvious.
Everyone watched, enraptured and almost on edge, as Zuko finally walked up and laid a hand on the log. He paused, bowing his head as though in prayer. Then he brought a flame to his fingers, setting a blaze on the log.
The fire burned all throughout the night. There was good food, for the two humans at least. Iroh and Arnook tried to outdo each other in making toasts, to the guests, to the New Year, to happiness, to love, and to life. Ty Lee took requests for music, giving the hall a lively feeling. A small few exchanged gifts.
On the long dining table, Yue approached Katara. "I have something for you," she said.
"Oh, Yue, you shouldn't have," Katara said automatically.
"It's just something I've been saving. I think you'll make better use of it than I will. Meng?"
The porcelain doll, who unlike Yue had arms and hands, came to the edge of the table, holding up a chain with a pendant.
"This is water from the Spirit Oasis at the North Pole," Yue explained. "The water has special properties. Since you're a healer, I thought you could make good use of it."
Katara accepted the necklace and held it up. For a moment the amulet glistened in the firelight. Katara smiled at her friend. "Thank you, Yue."
"You are welcome. Happy New Year." Yue left, hearing her father call her over. Katara sat down on a bench and put the chain around her neck. The Blue Spirit came over and sat down next to her.
"Enjoying yourself?" he asked.
"Yes! I can't believe how everything turned out," Katara marveled.
"Do you really like it?" Zuko sounded pleased.
She smiled widely. "It's the best Winter Solstice I've ever had." She couldn't begin to explain how wonderful it was, to be able to have friendship and fun at the most unexpected time and place. For a minute they both sat there, listening to the dull roar of the party.
"Did you make a wish?" Katara asked, struggling for conversation.
"I did."
There was a pause. "What did you wish for?" Zuko asked finally.
She smiled, a bit coyly. "You're not supposed to tell; you might jinx it."
Zuko tried to hush the questions bubbling in his mind. Had she wished for her freedom? Was he holding her back from what she really wanted? But she seemed happy, right now.
"I still feel bad – I don't have a gift for you." His voice turned bitter, in a humorous way. "I asked Azula to compose a song for you – but that wasn't what I had in mind."
Katara fought back the urge to laugh, as a more serious thought occurred to her. She looked up at the Blue Spirit. "I can think of something," she said.
"Name it."
"I … are we ever going to actually meet?" She faltered under the emotionless gaze of the mask. "You're very mysterious. If you don't want to talk about your past, I respect that. But I've been living with you for over a month, and I've never once seen your face. And if I'm never going to know another person in my whole life … can I at least know you?"
Zuko was silent. Katara shifted uncomfortably, afraid that she had just made him retreat back into himself. "I'm sorry. Forget I —"
"Wait." Zuko stood and turned so that his back was facing her. Katara watched, unsure whether she should stand. He removed his leather gloves, dropping them onto the polished floor. Slowly he untied the back of his mask and lowered it from his face. Then he pulled down the hood of his bodysuit, letting loose an untidy crop of black hair. Finally he slowly turned around so she could see his face.
His deathly pale skin was covered with black tattoos and red scars, like an asymmetrical spiderweb across his face. The markings were on his hands, too, suggesting that they covered his whole body. Without the mask, Katara could finally see his eyes, which were amber in color, and full of melancholy. He looked at her, watching her reaction.
To her credit, Katara did not gasp or flinch. She looked at him steadily, taking him in for what he was.
Finally Zuko spoke. "Pretty gruesome, huh?"
To his surprise, Katara smiled faintly, a brave, kind smile. "I've seen worse," she said.
The corners of Zuko's mouth twitched. "I kind of doubt that."
She tilted her head slightly, studying him. "Actually, you have nice eyes." She had never seen gold eyes before.
He looked at her curiously. "You don't think I'm ugly?"
Katara hesitated. "If you don't mind me saying so … yes. But—I know you have a kind heart, and that's so much more important than how you look."
Zuko looked at her. "Do you mean that, about me?" He sounded almost afraid to hope.
Katara nodded, still smiling.
Zuko resumed his seat next to her on the bench, placing the mask next to him. "My father put me here so no one would see me." Zuko grimaced. "He's ashamed of me … and I guess I can't blame him."
"So, have you always worn that mask?" Katara asked, her voice level but still curious.
"No … just since you and your brother came." He shrugged. "I didn't want to scare you."
Katara couldn't stop herself from laughing. "Yeah, because the mask didn't scare us. I'm pretty sure Sokka thought you were a real spirit." She paused. Zuko felt apprehensive, bordering on the topic of her brother. "May I ask you another question?"
"Go ahead."
"Okay … Why did you want someone to stay here?"
It was a new experience, being able to see Zuko's face change with emotions. He avoided her searching eyes, and tried to find a legitimate answer. "I … don't appreciate trespassers," he said lamely.
"I think," Katara said, with a look in her eye that was both sly and sweet, "you were lonely."
Zuko didn't concede, but he didn't deny it either. Then he looked back up at her. "Here's a question for you. What made you choose to stay here with me?"
Katara looked at him thoughtfully, and then shrugged. "Heroism. Sacrifice. You know, I've always wanted an opportunity to – to show what I can do. To see the world, to be a hero. So when I came here, I thought that was my chance. I always wanted to be brave. I figured, if I did the brave thing … bravery would follow."
"And is it everything you hoped?"
Katara hesitated. "Well, uh … I did want to see the world. That part didn't really work out," she admitted. "But, uh … I did free my brother. I guess … he had more to live for, out in the world, than I did. I didn't have many friends, but Sokka wanted a career as an inventor. He had a whole future ahead of him. I didn't have as much to lose."
Zuko looked at her with something that might have been wonder. "You were lonely, too."
Katara blushed a little, but she was smiling. "When I came here, I kept thinking about how I had always wanted to be a hero and have adventures. That has definitely worked out, and in retrospect, I'm glad for it. Starting from that day, my life has been more and more like a story."
Zuko raised his eyebrows at her. "Does that mean I could marry you?"
For a moment Katara stared at him. Zuko's skin lost its pallid background and turned red, almost matching his scars. "I mean—in stories, a protagonist usually falls in love …"
"Saves the girl and wins her heart?" Katara said; Zuko couldn't assess her emotions.
"I didn't mean to suggest anything—not that I'd be against it, but …"
Katara was silently looking away from him. She didn't look embarrassed, exactly, but troubled, almost conflicted.
Zuko hesitated, as a new, almost sickening thought occurred to him for the first time. When he spoke, he sounded pained. "Is there … someone else?"
"No!" Katara exclaimed, too forcefully. Zuko looked at her, disbelieving and a little fearful. She sighed. "No one I care about. But … well, there was someone who tried to propose to me. I turned him down," she added quickly. "I didn't love him, and I doubt that he really loved me. We just didn't know each other well enough. You know, to me, love is … love is layered. Love is a … a mystery to be uncovered." She shook her head. "Yeah, I could never really give my heart to someone as selfish as him. It's just … well, afterwards I felt like I wanted to just be by myself. I didn't want anyone to decide my fate but me. Can you understand that?"
"… Yes."
"You know something strange?" Katara tilted her head to look at him. "I like you, Zuko—a lot more than I ever expected to."
"Thanks … I think." That was something. He appreciated that she was being honest with him, even if some of it hurt—hurt more than it should have.
"Zuko?"
"Yes?"
Katara hesitated, choosing her words carefully. "I can't make any promises," she said finally. "See, last time, I think it may have been partly my fault. I let him think we had more than we really did. I don't want to end up doing that again. But I will tell you this: I wouldn't be against a courtship. And I will be your friend," she promised. She took his hand in hers, tracing her thumb over the black scars.
Zuko was silent for a moment. He looked down at their joined hands. Then he glanced at her. "Thank you."
Katara blinked. "For what?"
"For being my friend." He had never had a real friend before, only relatives, servants, and visiting acquaintances. Katara was his best and only friend.
They sat in companionable silence for a few minutes. The log cracked in the middle but continued to burn, even as the enthusiasm of the party died down. Apparently even enchanted objects needed to rest.
"I should probably try to get some sleep," Katara said finally.
"Yeah." They rose as one, still holding hands, and looked at each other. Zuko brought her hand to his lips and kissed it. Then he lowered it and looked Katara in the eye. "Good night."
Katara nodded. "Good night, Zuko. Happy New Year." She grasped some of the fabric of her skirt and went back through the grand entrance.
Zuko stayed in the hall for a few minutes. He stared up at the ceiling, feeling both confused and lighthearted.
He'd never spoken so openly with anyone before. He'd never expected to have such a level of trust between himself and Katara.
He hadn't planned to take off his mask, though he'd known in the back of his mind that he would have to at some point. It was only natural, if they were going to try a … courtship, as she put it. He liked the sound of that; something stronger than friendship, but still hesitant, like Katara and himself.
She wasn't disgusted by him. She was no longer afraid of him. She liked him. Zuko couldn't suppress a grin, remembering what she had said. She valued him and accepted him for who he was.
If she learned to love him like this, then would she still love him if he became handsome? It was a strange, ironic thought.
Iroh came over to him, standing on the table. "Well done, nephew!" He hadn't eavesdropped, but he had watched from a distance as Zuko removed his mask, had what seemed to be an intimate conversation, held the girl's hand, and gave it a kiss.
Zuko barely heard his uncle's words about he enchantment and the deadline. It took Iroh a moment to realize that Zuko wasn't listening. His mind wasn't on the curse; it was on the girl. And not because she could be the one to break it.
Katara's thoughts were as troubled as the wind that whispered outside her bedroom window. They weren't very strong or loud, but they were persistent, constant.
She doffed the fancy dress that Suki had provided for her, and put Yue's amulet necklace in the drawer of her bedside table. She looked at the water with renewed interest, wondering for a moment if it would be possible for her to heal Zuko's scars.
He knew she had healing abilities; she had healed him after he saved her from the catgators in the Foggy Swamp. If he wanted her to heal him, he would have asked. Besides, she suspected his deformity covered most of his body … that could be awkward, especially after the conversation they had just had.
Katara got under the covers but did not sleep right away.
Does that mean I could marry you? He had asked it as a hypothetical. As though it were a possibility.
Was it?
Could he love her? Could she love him?
Katara hugged the blanket to her chest. She was a caring person. She was more than capable of loving. And Zuko … he was dear to her, she knew now.
Yes, she could love him.
Suppose she did fall in love with Zuko. Would she be willing to marry him? How would that work? What would change?
Katara supposed she would no longer have her own room. She would share one with Zuko. They wouldn't just be coexisting neighbors; the two would be a single entity.
He had already taken so much from her. If she married him, she would have to give him what little she had left. Would she be willing?
At least she had voiced her uncertainty this time. Maybe it was good that she'd almost had Jet before, because now she knew how to avoid certain mistakes.
With Jet, it had been all about the rush of emotions. He was passionate, and full of desire.
With Zuko, it was more of a slow romance, two people trying to figure each other out, and realizing that they shared a bond. It was about finding the good in a person. Not that there wasn't goodness in Jet …
Katara felt almost guilty, comparing the two men. Both of them had saved her at one point. She grimaced, remembering how Jet had stalked her and saved her from the pirates when she stole the waterbending scroll. He had chosen that moment to kiss her.
Zuko had saved her multiple times; the first time was before either of them even liked each other. And he hadn't done it for bravado; he had put his own life at risk to save hers. She was happy to have been rescued by him.
Katara shook her head. She didn't want these anxious thoughts, not now. She wanted to bask in the joy of the night. She was confused, but more than anything, she felt happy. She had good friends, and she had had a good time tonight. She went to sleep with a warmth in her chest and a smile on her face.
Author's Note: In the fairy tale, the Beast asks Beauty to marry her, but she refuses, though she agrees to be his friend. I wanted to sort of play with that idea. Now, we've come to the end of the Enchanted Christmas story arc and return to that of the original movie.
Disclaimer: I took some of the dialogue, such as "If I'm never going to get to know another person in my whole life, can I at least know you?" and "I always wanted to be brave", from the Once Upon a Time episode "Skin Deep," based on the story of Beauty and the Beast. I also used a couple lines from the movie Beastly, when the "beast" removes his mask.