Chapter 10: Earth Kingdom Marriage

"A wife must be charming, kind and gentle." Toph tells Iroh. "She must be patient but can be firm when she wants to. She must have a kind heart, but also be independent enough to stand up to anyone who insults her. And the wife is... whoever you choose to be."

"I'm honored, Lady Toph." Iroh replies. He tells Toph he'd pick one of Ty Lee's sisters except that none of them seems to fit on either 'firm' or 'independent'. Then he chooses a Lady from the Earth Kingdom.

Toph's sisters are quite upset over Iroh's decision. 'How can the Dragon of the West pick some Earth Kingdom woman over us?' They think.

"What can we do?" The eldest one asks.

"I think we can do nothing." The second eldest one answers and the others nod in agreement, proving Iroh right about them not being firm or independent.

"Maybe we could sabotage the wedding." The third one suggests.

"No." The fourth one quickly replies. "Fire Lord Zuko said we might face treason charges."

"We were better off with Fire Lord Ozai." The fifth one comments.

"Quiet." The sixth one replies. "The Earth King's Royal advisor might hear it and tell the Fire Lord on us." The other five are scared now.

"Iroh was right for not picking any of them." Toph mutters to herself as she was overhearing their conversation.

One week later, the Earth Kingdom palace is full of guests, including Fire Lord Zuko, Chief Arnook of the Northern Water Tribe, Chief Hakoda of the Southern Water Tribe, King Bumi of Omashu and several others.

Iroh was walking around when one of Ty Lee's sisters approaches him. "May I help you, Milady?"

"With the due respect, General Iroh, why didn't you pick me or one of my sisters?" She humbly asks.

"You all lack essential factors, except for Lady Ty Lee but she didn't show up." Iroh explains. "What happened to her?"

"She decided to remain a Kyoshi Warrior instead of returning for this chance of becoming the Earth Queen." She explains. "Can you believe that, General?"

Iroh then smiles. "Yes, indeed."

"And, to make it more humiliating, she and her circus friends were called to perform at the wedding party." She adds.

"Really?" Iroh asks. "I'd like to watch."

Later on, during the wedding ceremony, Toph is hardly resisting the urge to say 'Come on, just say 'I do' and let's get to the eating part'. Sokka is thinking the same.

Later on, Toph and Sokka are happily enjoying the 'eating part' when she feels two people approaching. "Mom. Dad."

"How did you know we were here?" Lord Bei Fong asks.

"I might be blind but my other senses make up for that." Toph replies. "How many times do I have to tell you that?"

"Toph, no matter how strong you become or how much you grow up, we're your parents." Lady Bei Fong replies. "We'll always care about you. It's hard for us but we accept you no longer need our protection. We just hope we still can be part of your life."

"Can you stop the mushy talk?" Sokka asks. "I'm trying to eat."

"Sokka, please be more polite." Katara scolds her brother.

"Actually, I agree with him, Sugar Queen." Toph replies.

"Katara, let's see Ty Lee's performance?" Aang asks.

The performance is a success. After it, Ty Lee meets her sisters, hoping they'd compliment her but instead they scold him.

"Ty Lee, how could you embarrass our family like that?" The eldest one asks.

"And to think you were the only of us General Iroh would approve as the Earth King's wife." The second one adds.

"Did he say that?" Ty Lee happily asks. "I'm so happy." She then sommersaults in search for her friends. "Hi, Mai."

"Hi." Mai replies.

"Mai?" Ty Lee scaredily asks. "Were you smiling?"

"Maybe."

"Oh, Mai. I knew love would do good for you." Ty Lee comments.

Please review. Thanks to dppokegirl23 for the suggestion on what Toph should tell Iroh (see the beginning of this chapter).