Chapter Four
Katara wasn't at all surprised to find Iroh there but she was surprised to see a little girl with thick chestnut hair holding on to his hand and a little boy in his arms. The girl stared up at Katara with familiar amber gold eyes and an even more familiar sour expression but the boy was more concerned with playing with Iroh's beard than the stranger in front of him.
"Katara, I'd like you to meet two of my favorite people," Iroh said. "This is Princess Maiko. Princess, this is Katara. Your father told you she was coming, remember?"
"Hello, Princess...OW."
Katara doubled over and put a hand over her now throbbing shin. She glared up at Iroh who was staring amusedly after the princess who was running down the corridor as fast as her little legs could take her.
"Well, I wonder what my nephew said to her," he said, thoughtfully stroking his beard.
"She's got a good kick for a three year old," Katara grumbled. "Azula told me that Princess Maiko was excited to meet me..."
"Ah, that makes more sense then."
Iroh walked past her without invitation and settled himself down on an armchair.
"And this is Prince Lu Zuo," he finished as the one year old crawled off his lap and began to investigate his surroundings.
Despite herself, Katara could feel herself getting charmed by the prince as he stared at her, his big eyes unblinking. He had a shock of inky black hair that stuck up in every direction and she had to fight the urge to run her hand through it to try to smooth it down. She crouched down in front of him and smiled.
"Hi, Lu Zuo," she said kindly and held out a hand.
He looked from her face to her hand, considering. Then, with a big smile, he bypassed her hand altogether and climbed into her lap. Standing, Katara hugged him close, touched by the unquestioning trust in the Fire Lord's son.
"Well, now," Iroh said, his eyebrows winging up. "That's something I haven't seen. He's usually very shy."
"He must like the color blue."
Katara spun around too quickly and nearly fell over if not for the Fire Lord's steadying hand. She flinched at his touch without meaning to but he didn't seem to notice. Zuko merely looked down at her, his expression neutral when his gaze fell on her necklace. Katara wanted to look away from that penetrating gaze but she couldn't seem to make herself do that. If he was intimidating on his throne, he was even more so now and for the life of her, she didn't know why.
He wasn't much different from the eighteen year old boy she'd known, except perhaps some of his edges had become sharper and the scar that covered half his face was less prominent now that he wore his hair long. Underneath his loose fitting robes, she could make out the broad shoulders of a powerful build that was befitting a Firebending master. Katara noticed that there was a shadow on his face that hinted at the trouble Iroh had spoken of but he stood tall before her, his chin tilted just enough to show confidence but not enough for arrogance. Perhaps, he had become a little bit wiser after all.
Lu Zuo held out his arms to be taken but Zuko only touched a finger to his cheek and left him in Katara's arms. The prince whimpered in disappointment but was quickly distracted by Katara's necklace. Katara barely noticed, her eyes tracking the boy's father.
"I don't suppose this looks anything like your home, but it's the best we could do," Zuko said as he went to stand in the middle of the room.
"It's...it's fine," Katara said, still reeling from the shock of seeing him. "What are you doing here?"
"My uncle told me I was too abrupt with you in the throne room and for once, we're in agreement," Zuko said coolly. "Please accept my apologies. I meant to greet you properly once we had some privacy."
Katara stared at him and the silence was long enough to make him uncomfortable. If her brain wasn't still frozen, she would be amused that his eyes had darted uncertainly to his uncle before going back to her. So much for confidence.
"Uh...welcome," he finished lamely. "I don't suppose we can thank you enough for doing this, but I assure you, the Water Tribe will flourish from this alliance. You've done a lot to make and maintain peace in this world, and history will remember you for all your sacrifices."
It would have been perfect if his tone wasn't so flat and Katara could clearly hear Iroh's influence in his words. That was enough to shake her from her stupor. Hitching Lu Zuo up on one hip, she jabbed a finger at the Fire Lord's—no, Zuko's—face.
"You can at least sound like you mean it," she accused.
Zuko seemed taken aback by her tone as if he wasn't used to being talked to that way. On the couch, Iroh covered his eyes.
"Excuse me?" Zuko sputtered.
"You heard what I said. I came all this way to be your wife. Your wife. Alliance or not, I picked up my life to help you out and the least you can do is sound like you mean it."
The fire in the fireplace began to blaze a little bit brighter. Zuko went to stand directly in front of her and he stared down his nose at her. His good eye narrowed into a dangerous slit that usually had people scurrying from the room but Katara merely tipped her chin up and mirrored his expression.
"I'm not any happier about this arrangement than you are, but I am at least showing you some respect," he said, his voice rising. "You're on my lands now and the least you can do is not talk to me like I'm one of your Water Tribe fishermen. I'm the Fire Lord!"
"Yes, I saw your very big wall of fire. It was very impressive. We have a really big wall of ice down in the South Pole, too."
Zuko's nostrils flared. Katara knew her bottom lip was poking out in a very childish expression of petulance, but she couldn't seem to stop her words from tumbling out or keep herself from being incredibly annoyed by him.
"I'm so happy that you've discovered the miracles of modern engineering," Zuko said acidly. "How is your brother doing these days? I hear he's halfway through inventing the wheel."
"He's doing a lot better than your sister. How many litters of babies has she dropped around the world..."
The fire snapped dangerously and water sloshed over the side of the vase sitting on the coffee table. Iroh stood up and squeezed himself in between them. Katara didn't realize how close they were standing to each other and she rearranged her hold on Lu Zuo to put another body between her and Zuko.
"Enough!" Iroh yelled. "You two are acting like children! No one would guess that you're the Fire Lord and you're a leader of the Water Tribe. What is happening here?"
Zuko turned away from them and Katara could see the steady rise and fall of his shoulders as he got himself together. For her part, she was finding comfort in the child in her arms and she held one of his chubby hands in her own, rubbing a thumb into his soft palm. He was drooling all over her gown but she didn't care.
When Zuko turned around, he had on what Katara now recognized as his Fire Lord face. He gave her a small bow.
"My apologies," he said. "We should leave you to dress for dinner. Were you able to meet Princess Maiko?"
"Briefly," Katara said dryly.
"Good. We'll see you in the dining room in an hour."
He swept past her, ignoring his son again, and left. Katara let out a breath and sank into the couch, weary from the encounter. Lu Zuo wiggled out of her grip and began to toddle around the room. She started to hold him back when he went towards the fire, but then she remembered who he was. True to form, he merely sat in front of it and watched the flames dance.
"That was nice," Iroh said, his tone slightly chiding.
"I know, I know, but what do you expect? I haven't seen the man in years and now I'm being forced to be his wife. There's bound to be some residual bitterness and anger there," Katara groused. "And he didn't do so great either, you know."
"You can be sure I'll have a talk with him about that later, but between the two of you, you're the more levelheaded one, Katara. I am counting on you to be civil, no matter the circumstances."
Katara sighed. "I know that too. I was just...surprised to see him and I wasn't prepared. I'll be prepared from now on, Iroh."
"You should probably start calling me 'Uncle'."
At that, Katara couldn't help smiling. Iroh stood and gave her shoulder a squeeze before picking up Lu Zuo.
"We should let you get dressed. I'll see you at dinner."
"So it'll be a family affair, will it?"
"Yes. The whole family."
Katara sighed again, imagining Zuko, Azula, Princess Maiko, Lu Zuo and Iroh at one end of the table and her in the other.
"Great."
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After the entrance way, the throne room, and the palace itself, Katara hoped she was done being surprised by just how far the Fire Nation would go to keep its Fire Lord looking better than any other leader in the world. She was annoyed with herself for acting like a Water Tribe peasant, gaping and gawking at ever shiny thing and hoped there was nothing incredible in the dining room that would have her staring at it like a baby seal...or Sokka.
She felt a bit naked as she walked down the corridors, following the guard who had come to fetch her. The robes Azula had left for her covered her up more than her regular clothes, but they were so light that she felt like there wasn't much between her and the cool night air. The satiny feel of the material was an entirely new feeling altogether and one she would have to get used to quickly considering it was also her bedding. Her skirt danced and swayed around her legs as she walked and she couldn't help resting her hands on her thighs to keep it still.
Two more guards opened the dining room doors for her and she found Iroh, Azula and the children already there. Lu Zuo was in his high chair while Maiko sat between Iroh and Azula. Iroh stood up as an attendant pulled out the empty seat next to Lu Zuo for her, across from Azula and to the left of what she assumed was Zuko's chair.
Comfortable.
Katara sat down and tried not to slide down the chair. Azula studied her over the lit candles between them.
"Red suits you," she said. "And the necklace my brother had made for you sits so nicely in that hollow in your neck. You'll make a fine Fire Lady, Katara."
"Thank you, Princess Azula. I'm happy you think so."
"Please. Call me Azula. We're going to be family very soon. Say hi to your new mommy, Maiko."
Next to Azula, the princess stared up at Katara with angry eyes that were like the heart of a fire, her new Water Tribe doll in her arms. Her chin just cleared the top of the table but she still managed to make Katara feel like an intruder. She remained resolutely silent as she glowered at their guest.
"She's really good at that," Azula said, patting Maiko's head.
"I keep telling her her face might freeze that way but she won't listen," Iroh said apologetically. "It doesn't help that Azula keeps giving her rewards for making that face at all."
Somewhere, a gong sounded and the doors closest to them opened. When Azula and Iroh stood, Katara followed suit. Zuko swept in, not looking at any of them, and sat down.
"Good evening," he said, shaking out his napkin and laying it on his lap.
Katara kept her eyes on her plate, but his face reflected off its golden surface. She was getting very tired of reflections. Fortunately, they were saved from conversation by the servers coming in from the same door he'd just entered, carrying trays. Katara sat silently, willing herself not to watch as they placed various dishes and cups in front of her and the others, not moving until they cleared out. It was enough time for her to get used to having Zuko so close and she was proud when she lifted her hand without the slightest bit of tremble. Zuko picked up his chopsticks and the others followed, even Maiko.
"Let us eat," he intoned.
Katara felt the ridiculous urge to burst out laughing and she had to bite her bottom lip to keep her silence. She picked up her chopsticks and wondered what would be safe to eat first. To her surprise, she saw many familiar Water Tribe dishes though they were on unfamiliar plates and she couldn't help smiling.
"This looks delicious," Iroh remarked. "Your brother was kind enough to tell us what your favorite foods were so that chef could prepare them."
"I didn't...I'm...thank you for being so thoughtful," Katara said.
Iroh glanced at Zuko. "Actually, it was the Fire Lord's idea."
Katara slid her glance over to him. Zuko looked back at her warily and for some reason, she had the urge to bend the tea out of his cup and into his face just to prove that he had something to be wary about. Even as the thought crossed her mind, she pasted a smile on her face, remembering Iroh's request that she be civil.
"Thank you," she said. "You've made my first day here very comfortable and I appreciate that."
"You're welcome."
They began to eat. Two nannies came out of nowhere to help Lu Zuo and Maiko eat, but they worked in eerie silence and Katara had the urge to take Lu Zuo out of his high chair and settle him in her lap. After a beat of tense silence, Iroh broke into a story about how he'd almost choked on a Jasmine candy that day and had to throw himself against a chair to dislodge it. As he demonstrated against the edge of the table, Maiko let out a giggle.
"Did it hurt?" she asked.
"Of course, but I didn't want to die from a piece of candy," Iroh said reasonably "Would you?"
"No."
"See? Imagine a guard walking in and finding the Dragon of the West lying on the rug, a harmless, but delicious candy, stuck in his throat. Not a very romantic way to die."
Katara was doubting the appropriateness of this conversation with a three year old, but Maiko laughed at Iroh's impression of his own death by candy. She had the urge to join them but wasn't so sure if Maiko would appreciate her doing that. She saw Zuko cover his face with one hand out of the corner of her eye.
"With each passing day, the conversation gets more and more cerebral at your dinner table, Fire Lord," Azula said mockingly.
"I'm sure it's difficult to beat the debates that occur at your dinners with the captains, Azula," Zuko returned. "Or maybe just one captain. It's hard for me to keep track."
In unison, they looked at Katara, as if remembering that she was there and she could see them mentally sheathing their swords.
"Is it very different here from your home, Katara?" Azula asked, changing the subject smoothly. "I've never had the honor of visiting Chief Hakoda's residence, but Uncle tells us that it's quite the sight. I can't imagine it was easy to build a house out of snow and ice."
"Our people have been doing it for centuries and it was only a matter of time before we enlarged the scale somewhat."
"This palace has been standing here for nearly eight hundred years," Azula said. "I suppose the good thing about wood is that it doesn't melt."
"It does rot," Zuko put in mildly.
Azula poked at something on her plate, her nose wrinkled with distaste. "This isn't fish," she observed.
"It's elephant-whale," Katara said between gritted teeth.
"How...interesting."
"My mother made the most delicious elephant-whale steak," Katara said even as her fist clenched underneath the table. "It's a delicacy in the South Pole."
"In the South Pole," Azula said and moved her chopsticks to the next dish.
Suddenly, something splattered on her cheek. Her fist came up from under the table, already covered with fire but Iroh put a hand on her arm even as he laughed. Katara's hand flew to her mouth but her own laugh sputtered out. Next to her, Lu Zuo let out a baby chortle as he waved his now empty spoon around.
"Put the fire away, Azula," Zuko said, his voice sounding choked up. "Before you cook something that should be eaten raw."
Katara looked at him. Zuko was watching his son, his mouth working as he went through some sort of inner struggle. Then, to Katara's everlasting shock...
...he laughed.