Chapter 8
Katara locked the door immediately after closing it. Her mind was fraught with panic, and she couldn't think straight. I have to get out of here! She frantically searched for a way out, something. She couldn't see anything though, her eyes were full of tears.
After a few minutes, she calmed down a little. Not all the way, but enough to think halfway. I have got to heal these before they cause permanent damage.
She ran to the tub and ran some cold water. As the tub filled, Katara dabbed her wounds with a cloth and soap. It hurt like Hell. Ahhhee.
By the time she had carefully dabbed both wounds, the tub was full a few inches. She stop the water and shoved her hands under. The cool relief encased her wrists, and she healed them with little effort. When she pulled them out of the water, though, she could see a scar. An ivory bracelet around her wrist. Oh my….
There were a few wrinkles, not like an old lady's, but wrinkles in the scar, an untouchable pattern across her skin.
She sat down on the floor and leaned against the wall, her mind spinning. He husband was abusive. And she was stuck with him for life. Maybe, maybe he didn't mean it, maybe it was just a one time thing. Maybe he was not himself, maybe a demon…
She went with the second one, which even so, provided little comfort. As all this went on, Zuko pounded at the door furiously. She didn't hear him.
"Katara-!"
He pounded and pounded. No answer, not even a whimper. Now you've done it, you've really done it.
He sighed and sat back on the bed. He knew that this wasn't going to fade away as his yelling would. This was very, very, long standing. She'd never get over it. Not only that, he couldn't believe what he'd done, he'd never get over it either. He hurt her, really, really bad. He loved her, so much. He struggled through his mind to figure out how he could have done that. How could I have done this to someone I love?
He went over a second time and knocked softly.
"Katara?"
He heard her breathe.
"..what?"
"May I come in?"
"No."
Her response was cold and strong. Yet, he could still feel her confidence dwindle, and her voice crack
"Please...Katara. I am sorry, I didn't mean it. I want to help."
"Fine.."
He could hear her soft footsteps come over to the door and open the latch. He opened the door quickly. He ran to her and embraced her. He whispered in her ear..
"I am so sorry, forgive me."
She slowly turned around and looked into his eyes with a look that said 'Why?'
He down and tighter still held her, he didn't say a word.
He could hear her breathing slow and she closed her eyes
You can't forgive him for this Katara, look at what he did.
But, she let herself give in and she forgave him. It was just a one time thing, nothing more. Her soul was a soft one, forgiveness was in her nature. Her soft inner water soothed her and washed over her, making her forget it ever happened. Not fully, but enough to where it seemed decent enough to bear.
"I forgive you."
He looked down at her in the eyes. His eyes sparkled, not with passion, but with repentant sorrow. She looked back with a look of softness.
In that moment, she found what truly seemed impossible: true love in him.
She found in his eyes the true love she'd always dreamed of but never felt. She treasured it. She realized that you can only find this when someone is truly sorry for their actions, their wrongs, and in this way, he said sorry for all that he had caused, the deaths, the murders.
She somehow found the strength to get up on her tiptoes and lightly kiss him. He turned his face and kissed back. They kept on kissing, but never went towards the door, they stood there, making out like true lovers in their moment.
It stopped, and they stood there looking at each other. All seemed washed away. She felt complete in every way. She found her match, her Yang. All was now perfect.
She heard a horn toll and was shaken out of her vision. She realized they must have hit land. She ran over and looked out the bathroom window and saw it was dusk. They were in Kotzut's harbor.
She walked out back into the main room and saw that servants were already taking her stuff up to the higher decks. She looked back at Zuko who was watching the servants. He walked over to her and took her arm in his.
"Time to go." He half smiled, she could tell he wasn't happy to be home.
She was again, dragged along, but more lightly, as if she were made of fine china instead of rag. They walked up on deck slowly.
It, was a sight to behold. There were soldiers on deck, on their knees. There was a crowd off shore on the docks cheering and bowing. Her eyes popped as she saw all of the people here to see them. Zuko was smiling and had his head held high. She did the same and smiled and waved. They cheered uproariously.
As she got down to the docks, all the people there stared, bowing. They looked at their new queen, she realized she must look odd being a water tribe woman. In a couple hundred feet stood a royal bargo, with 6 soldiers in full armor on each side. The walls were made of shear, and gold embellished the wooden flames. She slightly gawked at their ride to the palace.
As they neared she looked around at her new home, amazed. The buildings were on average 2-3 stories high. In the town square was a roaring fire. She suddenly turned her attention to Zuko, who had stopped and was helping her into the bargo. She got in and rearranged her skirts and sat down. Zuko just climbed in.
"Geez, do we really need this much hype?"
"They are excited over their new Queen, give them a break." He smiled widely.
She smiled a little and continued looking around. The world shifted as the soldiers lifted the royal ride. She put a hand down to keep herself up.
Zuko turned to her.
"What do you think?"
"I like it. It's homey."
He smiled, she could tell he was really happy she like it. As they proceeded, the crowd followed them, slowly. They didn't close in on the soldiers very much. They went along at a moderate speed. I'll have to come see it when it's in full light.
After about 30 minutes of sitting, they finally got to the palace, the crowd was gone.
Yet, a new crowd was there waiting, it was the courtiers looking and waving. The soldiers put the ride down, and Katara was helped out by Zuko. She could feel the eyes around her inspecting her, trying to look into her.
The crowd smiled and clapped. She smiled back and waved. Zuko took her arm and walked down the palace walkway and through the door. Servants opened the doors for them. They took one last look at the crowd and waved. Then, Zuko pulled her in and motioned for the doors to be closed. The minute they were closed, Zuko let go and clapped.
"How did they like me?"
"They were…indifferent." He looked at her. "I've actually never seen that look before, its strange."
In seconds, two women appeared.
"These, are your lady's maids Katara."
"Lady's maids..?"
"Personal servants."
She looked at him as if to say 'Why do I need them?' He just motioned for them to come forward. The two women were of medium height, and pale skin. Their hair was done up in a bun, and their eyes were golden. They both wore a floor length, solid red dress with long sleeves. On top of it lay a white apron. They both bowed.
"Hello, your majesty. I am Lin."
"Hello your majesty, I am Min."
She smiled at them. So nice.
"Pleased to meet you."
As this was going on, Zuko turned and walked down a hall.
"I'll see you at coronation!"
She wished she could go with him, she didn't know anyone here. Wait.. Iroh! She Was excited, she had always liked Iroh.
"Do you know where General Iroh is?"
They nodded and proceeded to walk and turned. She followed and looked at the walls as they walked by. Hundreds of paintings hung on the walls, all of the Firelords and their families. She imagined herself in a painting with Zuko and smiled.
They quickly got to the end of the hall and they knocked on the door. An old voice called form inside.
"A guest, sir."
"Let them in."
Lin opened the door and Min introduced her. Introductions? Ugh, how tiring.
"Katara?"
His voiced sounded happy. She walked in and smiled.
"Iroh, how are you doing?"
"Fine, just fine, you?"
"Well."
He got up from his desk and hugged her.
"I hope you had a lovely trip."
"We did, thank you."
"I am sorry to rush you, but your coronation is in an hour. You need to go."
"Its, okay, and what? In an hour?"
"They're excited, it happens."
She laughed and nodded.
"Thank you, goodbye general."
"Please, just call me Iroh, you're a part of the family now."
"Okay, bye Iroh."
He bowed and went back to his desk. She turned and found the Lin and Min motioning to go. She briskly walked out into the hall and followed them. Lin led them, and Min followed on the tail. They went down several halls, all painted a rich red with mahogany pillars on the sides. They must have spent all the country's riches on this one palace.
They opened a door and stood on the sides. She looked at them oddly and walked through the door.
Its was the shower/powder room. In the middle stood a chair, and behind it a small pool. Brushes and combs were on the sides. Over to the right was a mirror with different perfumes and makeup. It was all lavishly furnished. Above them was a large skylight.
"Your highness!"
A woman walked through a corridor that was to the right behind the shower station. She had brown hair and grey eyes.
"I am your Servant in regards to beauty, you can call me Lee."
A woman named Lee whose a girl? Wow, her parents must have picked out the name before she was born.
"Nice to meet you."
"As with you your majesty."
She clapped, and two little girls came forward, no older than 10.
"These are my daughters, they will also be attending you."
She didn't introduce them, but she really didn't mind.
"Now, come, come, we need to get your hair ready."
She walked over and sat down in the shower chair.
The two girls undid her hair carefully, and they smiled at how lovely it was. They began combing and washing it with gel. What?
She didn't ask questions though.
They thoroughly washed and rinsed her hair. They then proceeded to rub a sweet smelling lotion into her hair. Katara felt soothed by it. Aromatherapy? Wonderful.
After that, they dried her hair using fire bending. First, they heated their hands up, and then touched the hair and used their fingers as combs. The hair dried silky and shiny within minutes.
Katara almost stood up, but they shook their heads.
"Your majesty, we haven't done your hair yet."
Katara looked bewildered but just followed along, she'd have to learn how things were done around here. The two girls fingered her hair and put it up in several ways Katara couldn't see, she wondered what she must look like. Finally, after what seemed like forever, they let go and nodded to her smiling.
She stood up and turned toward the mirror. She gasped in surprise as she didn't recognize herself. The children looked sad.
"Oh, no, please don't be sad, I am just trying to recognize myself, that's all."
They lightened up a little and smiled.
"You girls did a beautiful job, thank you."
The girls walked out of the room smiling, giggling, and skipping. Katara kept inspecting herself, she seemed so foreign.
Her hair was tied up in the classic fire nation royal style. On top of her head, a brace kept her hair intact. She looked almost exactly like the fire nation queens in all the paintings. She felt around her hair as she watched it lay so flat. It wasn't its usually poofy self. Her hair was more radiant now than before, and although it was foreign, she was quite pleased with her appearance.
"Your highness, please sit at that chair over there, I'll be just a minute, I need to grab some powders for your skin."
She watched as she hurriedly slid out of the room. Katara sat there for a few moments still trying to get a hold of her new hair, and in a few mintues, a new face.
The woman ran back in the room and set down the items in her arms.
"Now, your highness, I am going to do your makeup. Have you ever used it before?"
"No, actually I haven't."
"Okay, then, here's your crash course."
For ten minutes, Lee carefully massaged in lotion that was supposed to lighten her skin and keep it clear of blemishes. She then grabbed some powder and started rubbing it on her face. It was the same color as her skin. After that, she added some blush and eye makeup. After she was done, she turned Katara around, and Katara nearly fainted.
"I-I I am a whole different person."
That she was. The makeup enhanced every part of her face, especially her eyes which sparkled oddly as if with gold. Her cheeks now seemed higher, and her lips redder. She smiled and found herself wondering who she was.
"Its wonderful, thank you."
"Your welcome your highness. I need to leave now, but the tailor will be here in moments to dress you."
Tailor?
She shrugged and looked again. She felt tempted to call herself 'your highness'. She laughed
"Ah, Lady Katara, welcome to Kotzut."
She turned to find a man in a solid red suit holding a long dress. He was a bit old, 40-50 maybe. He smiled warmly and his eyes sparkled with youth his body no longer possessed.
"I am glad to be here, thank you."
"My name is Shoji, I am the palace tailor."
"Nice to meet you."
"Now, I got your measurements from the traveling tailor a few months ago. I've got your coronation dress all ready. She's quite the beauty, my best work in a long time."
He gave the dress to Lin, who walked motioned for Katara to walk behind the wooden screen.
They carefully unhooked her current dress and took it off her. They hung it over the top of the screen. What she didn't expect was them putting on a corset. She could breathe, just not as deeply as she liked. They tied it semi-tight. They then slipped the dress over her head and buttoned it. She slowly walked out and looked in the mirror. She actually fainted a little this time. Min caught her. She woke in a few seconds.
It, was stunning.
The top consisted of a neck line that went up to the base of her head, with flames as the edges. The sleeves were long. They hugged her skin up to her elbow and then flowed. A gold silk design was at the bottom. At her waist, the dress flowed. The underskirt was red silk, on the top lay a red overlay mesh embroidered in intricate designs of gold silk. She looked royal now.
"It turned out even more marvelous than I expected."
"Its amazing, your handiwork is so beautiful."
"Thank you."
Lin motioned for her to follow. Min, as usual was the tail.
"Now, at the coronation, as your walking up, hold your hands like this. You also must walk this way all the time." Lin instructed. She put both arms on top of each other under her sleeves.
"Hold your head high, you're the queen." Min said softly
"Now, as the doors open at the end of this hall, the coronation will be beginning."
They walked slowly forward. Katara felt butterflies build in her stomach. Its like I am being presented on a platter. The doors opened slowly. The lady's maids went directly to the sides and motioned forward. She walked forward and down the steps. No one bowed now. They gave her a discerning look, trying to figure her out. The courtiers were at the very sides of the line, and the towns people behind them. No music played.
The sun was setting, and the sky still was alight with fire. Zuko stood at the end smiling. It reminded her of her wedding.
As she ascended the stairs, Zuko put his arm out and nodded for her to take it. She grabbed it.
"Your doing well." He whispered.
She smiled.
An old fire sage stood holding a book and the royal artifact.
Zuko motioned for her to kneel. She did so and bowed her head.
"Do you swear to lead the people of the fire nation honorably and to rule justly all the days of your reign? Do you swear to raise your heir in the fire nation ways, and follow the old traditions?"
"I do" she said aloud.
"Then," He put the royal artifact in place inside the hair holder. "people of the fire nation, I present to you your new Fire Lady!"
The crowd cheered. She smiled and Zuko motioned for her to stand up. He took her arm and they walked. At the base of the steps, one of the fire sages handed them a scepter with fire inside. They both held it. It in Katara's right, and in Zuko's left. They walked down the path to the base of the palace. When they turned around, the crowd cheered once more and fire works went off. She smiled.
"Now, its time for celebration."
The crowd cleared and area and tables were set up. Musicians played in the background. She may be the queen, but she was 16, she still liked to party.
At first, the new Fire Lord and Lady were allowed a private dance. They danced for ten minutes in each others arms. Katara was so happy. Just her and him dancing. When they were done, they bowed to each other and went off the stage to their private table at the front.
Then, the real celebration began. Courtiers and townspeople alike filled the area. They feasted and danced. She could see many young couples and smiled at their happiness.
Zuko was fulfilled. As he looked at the celebration, he could see many happy years ahead for the nation, and for the both of them. He smiled widely and laughed as he hadn't done in so many years. He looked over at his wife who smiled and laughed. Her beauty lit up the area, and her laugh alone could make the fire bend. He put his arm around her shoulder and she took his hand. They leaned into each other and watched the merriment.
For hours it was like this, the smiles, the music, the food. He just kept on relaxing.
At about 10 o'clock, Katara noticed the poorer citizens come up to the table. She noticed they got less and she scowled. One little girls who came up in rags was pushed over and the server pointed her to the exit she cried. Katara got furious and stood up. People looked over and she walked off her platform. Zuko looked confused.
She walked briskly over to the serving table.
"Sir, what were you doing?"
"Your highness, she begged for more."
"And why shouldn't she get more?"
"She already had her share."
"Well, how hypocritical is that? This small child can't get more yet the courtiers eat till their hearts content and they still can feast at home!" She yelled strongly. "I order you to give this girl all she wants, and all the food that anyone of her family asks for. Our wonderful cooked has prepared this, and should be eaten with joy!"
She picked up the small girl.
"Now, what would you like?"
"Oh! Youw Highness! Anwthwing!"
She smiled and dished out a plate with only the finest on it. "Here you go."
The girl ran off laughing. "Thank wou!"
She laughed. "Let us continue!" She clapped twice and returned to her seat.
She walked up and sat down again, but Zuko wasn't smiling anymore.
"What?" She smiled happily.
"What was that?" He said sharply.
"I was doing what I am supposed to do as Fire Lady-serve the people."
"Yea, but not them."
"Them? You act as if they are disease."
"They are in a way." He said with his eyes squinting.
She scowled. Ah, so this is what he must have thought of me, and maybe still does.
"Whatever you say Mr. Firelord."
He looked over. His eyes burned with slight agitation. She just smiled and drank her wine. He turned back and put his arm around her, seemingly trying to be happy.
The night overall went well, it was peaceful and full of food and joy. The peasants took a liking to her because of the fact that she defended the girl, and she was proud of herself that she defended her.
Zuko looked out on the party, and he knew he wasn't supposed to be thinking if anything he had to do in the morning. I don't want to get up!
As the party wound down, the last to go were the courtiers, who shook bowed and smiled politely and left, their faces not betraying the new gossip they may have learned. The peasants had gone earlier, they had to get up in the morning for various reasons.
The party was over and the food was put away. Zuko escorted his wife back to their chambers. As he walked, he felt eyes staring, and felt more protective over Katara. He felt possessive, as if anyone could possibly take her now.
Katara's nearly dropped. She had seen a lot of things on her travels with Aang, but this took the biggest slice of cake. Their suite was as large as 2 igloos in the South Pole. In the middle, a bed covered in rich silks dominated. It was a platform, and was decorated with gold, mahogany, and red. It was about the size of a carriage. Throughout the room, the red paint made the room wonderfully romantic. The low, flickering candles making the mood slip into a subtle love. She saw a sitting area, dressers, closets, and even a changing area, but all she could think of right now was Zuko.
She turned and looked up at him. He looked down and smiled. He whispered.
"How do you like it?"
She smiled, and blushed. "Its beyond what I would have thought."
"Then, let this night be your trip to the stars."
He gently started kissing her. She loved it so, it was tender and not needing of anything else but their obvious love of each other. That light kissing turned into hardcore making out. It seemed as if they ate each others faces. They made their way over to the bed and got under the covers, no, it was too hot.
They felt each other heating up, especially Zuko who was raging with inner fire. He almost glowed. She didn't glow, but was just as excited.
They just kept on doing this, and then they started taking each others clothes off. It got down to serious business.
As all this was going on, Katara couldn't help but think of her future as Queen, and she froze. She didn't want to come to terms with the fact that soon, she would have to produce an heir. She didn't know her fertility, and quite frankly, this was only the second or third time she'd tried, so she didn't know. She'd just have to wait a couple of weeks, and see what the future had in store. Only thing was, she had never thought about raising her child in the fire nation. And wasn't too comfortable with it. On top of that: She didn't feel old enough to be a mother.
A/N:
You like, yes?
This was a fluffy chapter, and as I wrote it I was happy :]
I haven't gotten to the actual meat of the plot yet, and I am still putting in and taking out.
But, comment, rate, point out, whatever.
I WANNNTTTT REVVVEEEIIIIWWWWSSS
So, do as I say and go write something. ;]
So sorry it took so long, school started, and it sucks.