Force of Iron

Chapter 9

Flashbacks followed by 'This Just In'

She found it rather ironic that she had a mission to fulfill and accomplish yet there was absolutely nothing she could do without arousing suspicion. So most of the time she spent on the ship was spent with her in her cabin, on the bed, fully clothed, brain adrift and mind wandering in past memories. She didn't know why but she kept on flashing back to the night when had Zuko asked her to be his bride. She figured it was because it made her feel happy and warm inside, plus it was a time before the chaos and confusion set in.

She missed Zuko's love and the nights they spent together, she would give anything to have him with her right now. She was tired of being alone.

But, the chance of Ozaian easing up and letting her spend some private time with Zuko was impossible. Elsa had visited her a few times since their briefing, mostly to deliver meals and clothes, and every time she did Elsa had warned her to stay away from Ozaian, because you never know what a man would do when he is on the brink of losing it and his lust arises when a woman passes by. Elsa had also informed her that Ozaian had developed sort of a drinking habit. So for the sake of her womanhood and reputation, she stayed in her room only to leave to go visit Zuko in the brig, but every single time she was alone she felt scared and vulnerable.

Her fingers wandered to the necklace around her neck. It wasn't her mother's necklace but it gave her the same comfort that her mother's necklace did. She remembering the night it had been given to her, the night she became the next Fire Lady of the Fire Nation.

Flashback

It was a warm night in the Fire Nation, with a crisp cool breeze that would make anyone feel relaxed and welcomed. Welcoming was the theme that the palace decorators were trying to accomplish for the party that was held that night. It was the annual Peace Celebration Ball. People from all nations gathered for a day of festivities and a night of partying. Each nation, besides the air temples, took turns hosting the grand celebration.

It was the Fire Nation's turn for this year, and the young Fire Lord had been anticipating the day for several reasons. One. He would get a break from all his duties as Fire Lord. Two. He would finally be able to see Katara, the girl he had been courting for the past several years. The distances between both of their nations had made it difficult for them, but every single smile, hug, or kiss that passed between the two of them made the long journeys, absences, and rare meetings worth it. And finally the third and final reason was that he was going to ask her to marry him.

He was nervous yet anxious about it. What would he say to her when he saw her? When should he pop the question? During the festival? Or during the formal ball at the palace? He figured at the ball because it was more formal then the festival. Plus for some un-known reason she didn't show up at the festival.

He spent hours going over his strategy in his head. It was only that morning when he realized that he should plan out how he was going to do it, or where it should be, etc, etc.

When he finally saw her at the ball she looked as stunning as ever. Draped in a silken dark blue dress, that brought out the sapphire blue of her eyes. Her hair was done so the curls of her long brown hair were accented perfectly, and hung elegantly past her shoulders.

Some young men who had noticed her beauty, and who were unaware of her courtship with the Fire Lord took the time to flirt with her, and asked her to dance with them, not wanting to be rude she accepted some invitations. After the first five minutes of it she had grown tired of the unnecessary attention and wanted to spend time with Zuko, having missed him these past few weeks. Finally Zuko came to her rescue. Just when another man was about to ask her to dance with him Zuko cut in and asked if he would have the privilege. Katara eagerly accepted because the man who Zuko saved her from was nearly half her age.

She breathed a sigh of relief as Zuko lead her to the dance floor. "Thanks for saving me. I was wondering when you were going to spend some time with me," she said almost cheerfully with a beautiful smile on her face.

"Well I was hoping to see you at the festival, but you weren't there. Now why is that?" he asked as he wrapped his arm around her waist and began the slow dance that the musicians played.

"The boat was late. By the time we arrived the festival was almost over. Why, did I miss anything?" she said looking deep into his eyes as he led her around the dance floor.

"Well actually it was rather boring, though they were giving out all kinds of free food, and I know that Sokka would have enjoyed that." She giggled knowing how true that was. "You're right he would've. Just don't tell him that he missed it, he'd get disappointed," said Katara as Zuko twirled her, then twirled her back towards him.

They seemed to be lost in their own world as they danced. No words needed to be spoken between the two to express the feelings they shared for one-another. It seemed almost magical, what they were feeling at that moment.

Somewhere in the middle of it all Zuko felt the engagement necklace that rested in his pocket grow heavy. It made him realize that he would have to pop the question soon, before more men took an interest in Katara and occupied her time for the rest of the night. As the song ended and they were pulled back into reality, Zuko quietly asked her if she would meet him out in the garden when the fireworks started.

She nodded eagerly, curious about what he was planning. She knew Zuko well enough to know when he was planning something, especially when he needed to ask something of someone. Not to mention that when the fireworks started everyone would be asked to head to the viewing platform in the front of the palace. If he wanted her to meet him in the garden, whatever he wanted to ask her he wanted to ask her when they were alone. She tried not to get her hopes up knowing that he could merely be asking her to accompany him on a political trip to the Earth Kingdom or one of the Water Tribes.

When they broke apart they preceded on with the night, dancing with family, friends, or even with complete strangers. Zuko took the opportunity to ask Hakoda for his daughter's hand in marriage. Hakoda agreed, having developed a healthy relationship with the young Fire Lord since the Boiling Rock, and was well aware of his daughter's feelings for him and the couple's courtship.

But the few moments that they had spent together dancing had left an invisible mark on one another. As if they had imprinted on one another or an unbreakable bond was formed between the young couple. Fate found it rather ironic at how this had occurred, because tonight was going to be the night when they became fully devoted to one-another in more ways then one.

Katara found herself giddy with excitement when the fireworks began. The crowd of ball-goers rushed to the grand front entrance to observe the colorful spectacle. While Katara had to somewhat fight the crowd in order to get to the hallway that led to the garden.

Once she was free from the rush of the crowd she paced herself as she walked down the hallway. She didn't want to seem too eager, knowing that she could be setting herself up for disappointment, nor matter how romantic or dreamy it seemed to hitch up your ball gown and run quickly in to the arms of the one you love. After the thought passed she wanted nothing more then Zuko's arms around her in a soothing and warm embrace.

When she finally arrived at the garden Zuko was waiting for her under the tree by the pond. He had a look of worry on his face as if he was nervous about something as he stared in the calm waters of the pond. She approached him still pacing herself, though she found her feet and heart wanting to move faster towards him.

"Hey," she said nervousness and anticipation pounding in her ears. He looked up at her from the pond, as if he was being broken out from his thoughts. He smiled when he saw her, but it did little to hide the nervousness that was etched across his handsome face.

A loud crackle was heard a distance away. They turned their heads toward the sky and saw sparkle flowers dance across the sky in a vivid explosion. As embers from one died away another one followed suite, except this time sporting different colors and usually the colors of the four nations. They sat down on the bench that wasn't far from the tree and watched the firework show echo across the night sky.

Katara rested her head on his shoulder as he pulled her close with his arm around her. She found herself in love with the way she could snuggle up against him, and the way he would pull her close to him.

While Katara was distracted with the fireworks, Zuko was fingering with the engagement necklace in his pocket, trying to muster the courage to ask her. Finally after what seemed like forever he took a deep breath and said, "Katara…"

He wasn't quite sure why he paused, but Katara looked up at him, and he could tell by the expression on her face that she had a hunch for what he was about to ask her. There was no backing down now. "Could you close your eyes for a few seconds?" he asked after what seemed like hours, but was merely a few seconds.

"Okay," she said questioningly, while fighting back the joy and excitement that was brimming in her mind. She closed her eyes placing a hand over her eyes letting him know that she wasn't peeking.

He swiftly and quickly undid the knot that held her mothers necklace in place and replaced it with his engagement necklace. A firecracker exploded in the background signifying the accomplishment of the first part of his proposal. The fireworks were slowing down, which could only mean that the finale was near. "Okay," he said, "Open your eyes."

She removed her hand and her eyes immediately fell on the new necklace around her neck, with the finely polished black stone and silky red ribbon. She was speechless and even though she saw it coming she was still as surprised as ever.

Zuko got down on one knee in front of her and said the four traditional words known as "will you marry me?" followed suite by some other sentimental words of love and endearment. Katara was so happy she felt that she would cry as the tears tugged at her eyes. She nodded her head before finally finding her voice and saying 'yes' almost a hundred times. But by that time Zuko had already scooped her up in his arms, twirling her around, and kissing her passionately on her lips, for he was just as happy as she was, seeing that they were beginning a whole new chapter of their lives together. In the background the finale was being set off, lighting the sky on fire.

After the fireworks most people left the palace and returned home, and those that were staying in the palace retired to their bedchambers for the night. As for the Fire Lord and future Fire Lady, they were not seen for the rest of the night. It wasn't until the next morning that they were seen again and officially announced their engagement which was meant with many congratulations.

It wasn't until a few days later that the rest of Katara's family left, and it was hard for Katara to say goodbye knowing that she would miss her family. But yet she was also happy, because this time she didn't have to say goodbye to Zuko, which she had to do in their past visits. It was literally a whole new adventure for her.

End Flashback

She felt a few tears brimming behind her eyes as the sweet memories flooded her mind, only to be washed out by a tidal wave of reality. She just wanted things to get back to normal, she didn't want another war, no one did. She grew up with the fear of the century-old war, and after it had ended it was a major relief for her and many. And like everyone else did, she wanted to live her life, and experience new things that one couldn't experience during times of war.

A few moments later she found herself tired of soaking in her own misery and decided to do something about it. She was not going to let a crazy jealous step-brother and a bunch of snooty rouges ruin her life.

She got up from her bed and proceeded over to the small desk in her cabin. She pulled out a few pieces of loose paper and a pen and began to write letters to Sokka and Aang warning them of what they should have known months ago. She just hoped that by the time the letters reached them it wasn't too late.

Elsa stifled a yawn as she made her way through the hallways of the ship. She couldn't sleep the other night, because she feared what she was going to discover in the chest. She prayed it was nothing that her old fragile state couldn't handle, having seen a lot in her years as a palace servant, having to hold a lot of secrets from past Fire Lords. She continuously wondered if she was still held to the secrets that Ozai had her keep. Ozai was now dead, should Zuko finally know what truly happened to his mother. But sometimes the truth was better left unsaid, fearing that Katara would suffer the same except from Ozaian, who was more like his father than most people realize because he shows mercy on some.

She continued her path down the hallway until she reached Ozaian's room. He was currently at a meeting with some people who held a somewhat important status; at least they thought they were important since they arrived on the ship by air balloon.

She entered the room, set down her bucket of cleaning supplies and laid some of them out, so if someone was coming she could pick something up and act like she was busy cleaning something.

She glanced in the corner of the room where she found the chest last, it was no longer there. She felt her stomach drop, thinking that she had missed her one and only chance. She let out a rather large sigh of relief as she saw it sitting on the desk. She rushed over it and attempted to open it, but found it locked. Her stomach dropped once more.

She analyzed the lock carefully, and realized that she would be able to pick it, having been an adventurous, wild child in her youth, and having her own good share of locks successfully picked. She pulled one of the many bobby pins out of her bun, inserted it into the lock, and tweaked it for a few moments, before the lock popped open easily.

She smiled triumphantly as she opened the small chest. She carefully lifted the pieces of paper and read each one of them thoroughly, making sure that they remained in the same order that she found them in. Her mind absorbed all the information that they contained. The more she read the more she realized that this was exactly what she needed. What they needed to stop this war from starting, to stop Ozaian in his tracks.

Ozaian's plan was brilliant yet it was also very cruel. It reminded her of when Ozai wanted to burn down the Earth Kingdom and start it anew. Except this time they wouldn't be attacking another nation. They would be attacking the Fire Nation itself.

There was a port town that sat on the northern shores of the Fire Nation mainland. It was a rather large port town, known for its large city and population. By far the biggest city in the Fire nation, second largest was the capital. It was also known for its cultural diversity, being the largest trading center in the country, many merchants came through or even lived there. Buying, selling, and exchanging goods from all around the world.

If Ozaian had his rouges successfully attack the city. Once people from all around the country heard the news they would all be screaming for war and vengeance, and if Ozaian had taken Zuko's place as Fire Lord with Katara by his side to prove his identity, he would more then happily oblige to the people's demands, and continue the war that had so recently ended.

She was still confused about how they were going to pull it off, without realizing that the rouges were merely renegade Fire Nation citizens. The question was soon answered when she found a receipt for the purchase of a couple thousand Earth Kingdom army uniforms. He's going to blame it on the earth kingdom.

She continued reading, the gears in her mind turning rapidly as all the pieces of the puzzle fell into place.

He had joined forces with several other rebellions, so he would have a large enough force to actually mount the attack. He had made contracts with major business leaders that would support him by supplying bombs, ships, and weaponry and he would repay them by supporting their companies through government laws, and giving them financial aid through hard times. Ozaian was literally twisting the government into a corporate and military loving machine, which would do nothing for the common people at all except extract money from their pockets.

Elsa wasn't a political genius nor was she properly educated in it, but she knew that what Ozaian was doing was dead wrong.

The last question that needed to be answered was when the attack would be made. After going through a couple more papers she found a letter from a man named Lucin. Saying that everything is ready, they are awaiting his orders, and that the attack will commence early morning the day Ozaian returns to the capital with Katara.

What the letter said frightened Elsa greatly. The ship was due to arrive in the capital within a week, maybe even less time then that if the weather was good. Oh spirits help us.

She placed all the papers back into the chest as she found them, closed the chest and with the use of the same bobby pin locked it back up; making it look like no one had even touched it.

She hastily cleaned the room and left, walking briskly down the hall towards Katara's cabin. She opened the door to Katara's room without knocking and saw Katara jump in the seat at her desk. "Oh Elsa thank goodness it's you… you scared me there for a second," said Katara still slightly jumpy from the fright Elsa gave her.

Elsa glanced at Katara's desk and saw that she was writing something; by the formality of it she could tell that it was a letter. Elsa closed the door behind her and locked it with a simple flick of her fingers.

"Elsa what's wrong you look like you've seen a ghost?" asked Katara her composure regained and pen poised on the paper.

"I'm afraid that I've seen something much worse then a ghost Katara, or something that will happen that is unspeakably cruel," said Elsa as she sat down on the bed next to where Katara sat.

Katara was now scared about what Elsa had discovered. As Elsa prepared to share her news, Katara kept on worrying that it would be something that they couldn't stop. Then again she and the gang stopped Ozai from destroying the Earth kingdom when they were young, they could probably stop this as well if they managed to get the gang back together, or at least part of it.

Elsa took a deep breath and began, speaking in whisper so if someone put their ear to their door, they would just hear small murmurs. She shared what she had learned, intently watching Katara's face for a reaction.

Katara was speechless; she stared back at Elsa in shock, while listening to Ozaian's plans of domination.

After Elsa finished, a few moments of silence ensued. Katara looked down at the letter she was writing, she had unconsciously made an ink splotch on the side of her paper, away from the words inscribed on the page. She lifted her pen away and sat in down on the desk beside the paper. The ink splotch turned into a puddle as the source of the ink was removed; even though it had no reason too it spilled out onto the wooden desk staining it. Katara couldn't help but get an eerie feeling as she saw it turn red as it seeped into the grains of the. Blood, a bad omen. It looked a lot like spilled blood. Katara felt herself shiver even though it was rather warm in her cabin.

"Katara are you alright?" she heard Elsa ask. A nod was her only response.

Her hands shaking she picked up the pen and wrote, "come as quickly as you can, it will happen most likely before the week is out," at the bottom of each letter, for she had already finished writing both of them.

Elsa sat silently as she watched Katara roll them up, and seal them with a wax stamp. Then hand them over to Elsa and say, "could you send these out for me, please."

"What are these for?" she asked taking the scrolls from her dark hands.

"They're our way out of this mess." Elsa nodded and left the room, heading up to the helm to send them out by messenger hawk. Her whole journey she felt like she was being followed, but she would turn her head to see what was behind her and saw no one and nothing except the interior of the ship.

She arrived in the helm and sent off the letters, making sure they were secure on the hawk's back, before they took off. Spirits let them fly fast.

A small man hid amongst the shadows of the helm, watching the old maid intently as she sent off the hawks. He had seen her carry the messages from the Fire Mistress's room, and had a vague idea of what the letters contained. Considering her and her fiancé's situation they would most likely be letters asking for help and by seeing the distressed yet hopeful look on the old woman's face he knew he was correct. Following his master's orders he left the helm to report back and informs him of Lady Katara's treachery.

Before he snuck out of the helm he thought about what Ozaian would say if he hadn't done anything about it. He feared his master greatly and didn't want to experience his wrath, again. His family's temper is after all said to be legendary. So instead he waited until the old maid left the helm.

He snatched a feather from the floor that was left behind by one of the hawks that was recently sent. Cautiously he opened up a cage that held a vulture that was used for retrieving and intercepting messages that hawks carried. He tossed the feather toward the vulture that caught it in its razor sharp beak. The vulture took a deep breath, inhaling the scent of the feather. Then swiftly spit it out.

The man held out his arm that the vulture hopped onto, led it too the window and released it into the open sky, in hot pursuit of the hawk.

Hopefully for this deed his master would be pleased.

A/N: well there you have it chp 9. this chapter was alot of fun for me to write because i like that political corruption theme and i like mushy gushy zutaraness. So i hope you enjoyed this chapter, and i will try to get chp 10 up soon. like within the week or so, because i have written out the outlines for the next couple of chapters i just have to type them and put in some dialogue. This is also my longest chapter yet (i think, correct me if I am wrong), plus the story is heating up so you can expect long chapters from now on. unless i get lazy and poop out on the chapter's material content.

If you like the way Zuko proposed i might add something similar to that to my priceless moments story, which i am still working on. Let me know. :)

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