Chapter Six
Dressed in her fine robes and her hair done in the Fire Nation style, Katara knew she shouldn't have sought out the young prince, but there was an aching, gaping hole inside her that needed to be filled. She didn't want to talk to Iroh because as unfair as it was, she blamed him for all this. She missed her brother's sometimes ridiculous, sometimes practical advice. She missed her father's gentle wisdom. Most of all, she missed Aang...because he could get her out of this. Since none of them were readily available, she was going to heal herself with the baby's innocence. Fire Nation prince or not, she needed to hug his warmth to her if only for a little while.
In an hour, she was scheduled to go stand on a balcony with Zuko, wave her hand at her future subjects and smile...or not smile. The thought of it made her want to crawl into a hole but since there were no holes to be found, she went to the next source of comfort she had available to her.
The maids had directed her to the nursery and she'd found Lu Zuo there with his nurse. Katara wasn't sure if she could order the woman around but she scurried away without a word, leaving Katara with the baby and she was more than happy to have him in her charge. So now, Lu Zuo was sitting in her lap and was proceeding to try to climb his way to the top of her head. Laughing, Katara tried to keep him from his goal, but he was proving to be a squirmy, elusive foe.
He was dressed in a simple white shirt and short pants, clearly his sleeping attire and his hair was pressed down in one side. His golden eyes were shining up at her and Katara couldn't help falling in love with his earnest little face. She could see echoes of Zuko there, but she pushed that thought aside. She was holding Lu Zuo so that she could forget his father.
The nursery doors opened and instinctively, Katara placed the prince on the other side of her body so she was between him and the new arrival. The Fire Lord was dressed in his more formal robes topped with the shoulder armor that followed the spines of the golden flame in his hair. Katara had the slightly rude thought that he looked like an angry red pine tree.
"Good morning," Zuko said, his hands behind his back. "I didn't expect to find you here."
Katara opened her mouth to respond but instead she let out a cry when Lu Zuo yanked at her hair, using it as a rope for climbing. Her eyes tearing up, Katara scooped him up in her arms and started to stand but Zuko held out a hand for her take. They stared at each other. She wasn't going to apologize and she could see he wasn't either, but they had to start somewhere.
"Truce?" she said, lifting her hand so that it hovered over his.
"Truce," he said with a nod and clasped her hand in his.
His grip was warm and strong, and he pulled her to her feet. Lu Zuo started to reach for Zuko but when Katara started to hold him out, Zuko shook his head and she noticed then that a pair of amber eyes were watching her from over his shoulder. With visible reluctance, he got down on one knee so that Maiko could climb down from his back. She was dressed in the same way he was, though her reds were almost pink in their lightness, and she held on to the back of his robes as she looked up at Katara. Her eyes were still sleepy and she looked like she was ready to drop back into slumber at any moment.
"What do you say, Princess?" he prompted.
"Good morning, Lady Katara," Maiko lisped.
"What else?"
"I'm sorry I kicked you yesterday."
Katara bit her lip at Maiko's sulky tone. She got down on one knee and looked the little girl in the eye.
"It's alright," she said. "Can we be friends, Princess Maiko?"
"I dunno."
Zuko put a hand on his daughter's head. They exchanged a look that had Maiko letting go of her grip on his robe and standing on her own.
"Yes, Lady Katara," she said, more strength in her voice. "We'll be friends."
Katara was a little chilled by her flat tone, slightly terrified that she was looking at a mini version of Azula, but Zuko practically beamed with pride. Satisfied, he turned his attention to Katara.
"Have you eaten?" he asked.
"Yes, a little."
"I have to meet with my governors after the announcements so you'll be left to eat lunch with my uncle and the children as well as the governors' wives."
Katara tensed up. "No one told me about that."
"We'll assign a secretary to you soon," Zuko said with a nod.
"I should've already had..." Katara bit back her words when his expression hardened. "Thank you. I'm sure this isn't your job so thank you for telling me."
He arched an eyebrow at her. Katara lowered her eyes, shifting her grip on Lu Zuo whose squirming was getting out of control.
"You can put him down," Zuko told her. "He's safe to run around here."
"He doesn't do much running."
"You'd be surprised."
The second Lu Zuo's feet hit the ground, he rushed to his father. Zuko looked as if he was trying hard not to smile and Katara realized she was probably intruding on the rare moments when he could spend time with his children. Brushing at her skirts, she gave him a small bow.
"If you'll excuse me, Fire Lord, I'll take my leave."
A part of her wanted him to ask her to stay but he merely nodded. Katara went to the doors but before she shut them behind her, she glanced back. Zuko was down on his haunches, his fingers caught in Lu Zuo's grip. Katara could only see the left side of his face but she could see that he was smiling. Maiko hurled herself on his back and he helped her up with a hand. The princess glanced at Katara and it was enough to have her sliding the doors shut.
Brow furrowed and her fingers on her necklace, Katara gathered her skirts and rushed back to her rooms.
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It seemed to Katara that she was spending a lot of time walking down corridors. She could hear the rumbling of the gathered crowd outside the palace and she took deep, cleansing breaths to slow her racing heart. She silently promised herself a quiet afternoon alone, after the lunch with the governors' wives. She hadn't practiced her bending since her arrival and her body itched to do that.
Iroh and Azula were standing in the entrance way, though not near each other. The old general smiled at Katara but Azula only tipped her head in acknowledgment. She stood at ease, her hands clasped behind her back. Her face was tense and the soldiers flanked behind her picked up on her mood, standing at attention as if they were getting ready for battle.
Katara took the hand Iroh held out for her and let her tuck it into the crook of his arm. Slowly, he turned her to face the crowd waiting outside. They couldn't be seen since they were still in the shadows of the palace, but she could see them and her eyes widened. She could easily guess that there were more people waiting outside than there were in the South Pole and her knees threatened to buckle. Iroh patted her hand which had become cold.
"Just let Zuko do the talking. All you have to do is stand and look as fierce as possible."
"Fierce?" Katara squeaked.
"Pretend it's a sea of Zukos and you'll have no trouble."
She couldn't help chuckling at that.
The shuffle of weapons and armor told Katara that Zuko had arrived. Behind him, the nannies carried his children. He stopped next to Katara.
"Listen for my cue," he said.
She wanted to knock the fire right off his ponytail.
He walked past her and out onto the top step of the palace. There was a roaring cry which he received with absolutely no reaction at all. He raised a hand for silence and the din quieted almost immediately.
"Today I am happy and honored to bring you the news of our nation's alliance with the Water Tribes. The great Waterbender Master Katara has journeyed from her homeland to stand by my side as Fire Lady."
There was a shuddering gasp that made Katara's shoulders hunch up and she closed her eyes, awaiting the reaction. To her relief, there was a joyous cry, though it was noticeably smaller than the one that had greeted Zuko's appearance. She was jolted from her thoughts by Iroh passing her hand over to Zuko. His gaze lasered into her and the one look was enough to straighten her back. Her fingers tightened on his and in an unconscious imitation of his own posture, she lifted her chin and went outside to join him.
"Lady Katara represents her noble people and as Fire Lady, she will be the symbol of the Fire Nation's close ties with the Water Tribes. Our nuptials at the end of the summer will mark the beginning of a bright future for our peoples in which peace and unity shall prevail."
There was another cry and Katara felt Zuko squeeze her hand. Confused, she slid a gaze at him.
"Wave," he said between gritted teeth.
She squeeze his hand back but with more force and she had the satisfaction of seeing him wince. She lifted her other hand and waved. She wasn't sure how long she was supposed to wave, but he squeezed her hand again. He led her back into the palace and as soon as they were out of sight of the crowd, he let her hand go.
"That's it?" she inquired before she could stop herself.
"How long did you want to stay out there?" he retorted, shaking out the hand she'd crushed. "If you want to go wave some more, be my guest. Nice truce, by the way."
"Shut up."
Iroh cleared his throat and they realized they had an audience. Azula was openly grinning while the soldiers tried not to stare at them. Katara felt her face redden but the curious stares didn't seem to bother Zuko in the least.
"Get my war room ready for the governors," he ordered brusquely. "Uncle, if you'll take Katara to the dining room, I'm sure the wives are waiting for her. Azula, come with me."
And just like that, he was gone.
"How does he do that?" Katara muttered.
"Do what?" Iroh asked.
Katara waved her hand vaguely in the direction Zuko had disappeared to. "That. Come in and out like the owns the place..."
Iroh chuckled. "I believe he does own the place, my niece. Now, I think you have some people to meet."
"Do you have any advice?" Katara asked, warming at being called his niece.
"Try not to let them smell your fear," Iroh replied thoughtfully.
"Fear? How many women will be there?"
"Ten plus their daughters. The daughters they'd hoped to marry to the Fire Lord."
"Are you throwing me into a pit of snakes, Iroh...I mean, Uncle."
"Yes, I am."
Katara glanced behind her and spotted Lu Zuo. She plucked him out of the nanny's arms and ignored Iroh's amused glance. She looked down at Maiko and offered her hand, but the princess didn't take it. However, it gave Katara hope that the little girl fell into step next to her like a small soldier.
"I'm ready," Katara said, straightening her shoulders.
That was possibly one of the biggest lies that had slipped from Katara's lips since her arrival in the Fire Nation because when the dining room doors opened she found herself in the receiving end of at least two dozen icy stares. She swallowed hard and her grip tightened on Lu Zuo. They all curtsied in unison, but there was little respect in the motion. Katara returned it, making sure to keep her head above theirs.
"Lady Katara," an older woman said, gliding towards her. "I am Governor Chen's wife, Mei Li. It is an honor to finally meet you."
There was something predatory about the woman's expression that had Katara's defenses going up and she felt Maiko get a grip on her skirts. Mei Li glanced down at the princess and she offered her a chilly smile.
"Princess Maiko, you've grown quite a bit since I've last seen you."
Katara put a hand on Maiko's head, much like Zuko had done that morning. "She's going to be a strong Fire Lady one day," she said.
Maiko looked up at Katara with what looked like relief. Katara offered her a smile which she returned slowly.
"You've made quite an impression with the children in such a short time," Mei Li observed, making it sound like Katara had committed a crime.
"She's a very comforting presence," Iroh said, piping up. "If you'll excuse us, Lady Mei Li, I believe Lady Katara should meet her other guests."
"Of course, General Iroh, but first I'd like her to meet my daughter, Li Fei. Li Fei is considered one of the great beauties of the Fire Nation and I believe the Fire Lord had looked kindly upon her once or twice."
Mei Li waved over a slender young woman in stunning red robes, her black hair shining like ebony. She was quite beautiful but her golden eyes were dull and her mouth slack. She curtsied in front of Katara.
"It is my honor to meet the future Fire Lady," she said in a quiet voice.
"Thank you, Lady Li Fei," Katara said.
Mei Li and Li Fei glided off and Katara glanced at Iroh. He shrugged.
"You can see why Zuko didn't fall for that one," he whispered. "Now give me Lu Zuo and start your rounds. You look ridiculous curtsying with this bundle in your arms."
"But I need him," Katara hissed.
"You've picked a strange security blanket. We'll be standing right here. Look, they're coming to you so just smile, curtsy and move on to the next."
Katara did as he instructed and after the fifth wife, she felt an ache starting in the muscles of her thighs and couldn't remember any of their names. Finally, they were finished and the gong sounded for lunch. The women took their places around the table with an ease that told her it wasn't their first time in the Fire Palace. Katara started to turn around to look at Iroh but he put a hand on her shoulder to keep her from turning.
"You may not be Fire Lady yet, but these woman are already looking at you like you are. Show strength, Katara. I know you have it in you. This is your dining room, this is your palace. Start making your place."
Katara walked in carefully measured strides to the head of the table. She stood facing them, squared her shoulders and, even as she hated herself for it, mimicked Zuko's posture.
"Let us eat," she intoned.