Chapter 4
Getting approval

"Sokka? Sokka can we talk?"
"Whats up sis?" Sokka said while sharpening his space sword. They were sitting on benches in the royal gardens which Zuko had restored in honour of his mother. The fire lilies had started to bloom and the garden was filled with its sweet sent. Turtle ducks played under the brook, Katara would sometimes sit on a rock and feed them and watch them play.

"The water nation has been hit hard by this war. Our people are dying, we have no money and no means of transporting our biggest export, the fish because all our boats were destroyed during the war. The water nation is getting restless and many are revolting, now the Avatar is gone there is peace." Katara sighed everything was a mess.
"I know. I was thinking about brokering a peace treaty with King Boomy for resources, but the Earth kingdom is in a mess of its own. This situation seems impossible" Sokka looked utterly defeated.
"It seems so. But I was talking to Zuko and there seems to be a way to restore peace without Aang. A peace treaty-" Sokka sat up and turned to look directly at his younger sister, if there was a chance at peace he was all for it, these were desperate times. "A lasting bond between the water and fire nations… a blood bond. If I married Zuko the water nation maybe able to build itself into a great nation again." Sokka's eyes widened in realisation of what is sister was proposing.
"Katra I- you can't just give yourself to Zuko! But he's- you ew"
"Sokka calm down! You said it yourself it's impossible to make peace otherwise! There is no other way and Zuko's a friend it's not like I'm marrying some unknown sleazy firebender."
"I know but I just don't like the idea of anyone with you. You're my sister and I'm sorry you can't marry for love like the rest of us" Sokka looked at his wedding ring. Sukki was still in Keyoshi island but she was sailing over for the funeral.
"I know but it's for our people" Katara said with sudden conviction she had not felt for this decision before. Sokka nodded his approval.

Katara had also told Toph about the treaty, she just laughed and said it was about time, to which Katara pulled a face and left. She at least wanted her friends to know before they announced it officially at Aang's funeral in a few days. Katara signed it was going to be a long week.

TWO DAYS LATER

Most of the guests for Aang's funeral had arrived at the palace and were getting ready for Zuko's feast. Before the festivities started Zuko had invited Haddoka and Katara into his office to tell him of the proposition.

Zuko sat behind his desk maintaining his cool regal demeanour before the older chief- before his soon to be father in law, if Haddoka didn't kill him first.
"Well… why did you both invite be here?" Haddoka questioned.
"I- we have a treaty that may benefit both the fire and water nations and help us rebuild a peaceful world after this war." Zuko gulped, though is manner was calm and cool inside his was the opposite. The water chief arched his brow in interest.
"If the water nation was provided with boats it would be able to export fish to all the nations including the fire nation and in exchange the fire nation will pay higher tax rates, within a few years the water nation will be wealthy." Zuko explained.
"And you'd just give the water nations ships and pay extra? And even if you did, the water tribe are stubborn, they will not want to supply the fire nation with food. I'm sorry but this isn't going to work". Haddoka signed he really wanted a solution, but seemed like there was none.
"They may be less stubborn if the water and fire nation had a lasting bond- a blood bond dad" Katara interjected.
"I am proposing marriage between our two nations, between Katara and I to ensure peace in a world with not avatar." Zuko said, gaining a little more confidence from Katara's words.
Hadokka was in shock, he still did not think of his daughter as woman yet, to him she was still a little baby. But Hadokka knew that this was the only way for peace and even though he did not want to accept it, his daughter was old enough and strong enough to marry.
"Is this want you want Katara?" The chief said turning to her.
"Yes dad it's the only way to restore the world to its former peace". Katara was sure she no longer held the doubt that had plagued her when the proposition was first offered, she was sure.
"Then I approve," Hadokka turned to Zuko, looking him dead in the eyes "but if I find that you hurt my baby in any way, you will die at my hands." With that he stood up and left the fire Lord's office.

Katara and Zuko turned to each other. "Kat, I was thinking even though this isn't a traditional marriage, I still want to honour your traditions." The fire Lord opened a box which had been sitting on his desk, presenting a necklace with a black ribbon and in the centre a red stone that had both their nations symbols in blue. It was breath takingly beautiful.
"I hope this is to your liking"
"It's beautiful Zuko, thank you" Katara gasped taking the piece of jewellery.
"I just want to let you know that even though we have to do this for our nations, I'm happy that it's you I get to marry."
"I happy that it's you I get to marry also Zuko." She smiled as she stood to leave.