Author's Note:
Okay, so this one's a bit shorter, but I actually really like it, so I hope you all do too. This scene is one that really makes me want to write the full-length fic. And maybe I could if I made time for it. Fanfiction is much harder than I ever dreamed, especially when my main focus centers on my original works.
Response has been generally good so far and I appreciate the reviews. Feel free to leave one, if you're so inclined.
"Alone in a Nation" (Gravity")– July 17th Wednesday
She was rebelling against herself and everything else that pulled her toward him. Then, she fought to cling to him just as equally. After a year of allowing herself to fall for him, external forces insisted on opposing their union. Now she was talking herself in circles. The complications created confusion. Once again her heart and mind played tug-of-war for dominance.
They hadn't realized the gravity of the decision when they made it. Two lovers, blind to any standards but their own. Upon making the engagement public, they'd realized just how complicated a marriage between the Fire Lord and a Water Tribe girl would be.
At 21, Katara was much older than most of the betrothed girls in her tribe. Had she lived at home, she might have been given away as early as 16. Her responsibilities in Republic City had made an early marriage completely impractical. Now that Zuko had asked, she threw impracticalities to the wayside; the strongest hatred for him had become the deepest and most carefree love.
Until cares had been thrust upon them.
She and Zuko had assumed the merging of water and fire would be more accepted after the integration of four cultures into Republic City. The Colonies had already begun to mix nations and, slowly but surely, political support for mixed marriages was growing. Apparently though, the expectations were different for positions of power.
Katara had heard too much. They had only been in the Fire Nation a week and only to officially announce the engagement. Now, every time she walked to the market, she received stares of judgment, laced with a touch of envy. She was a target. The governors and councilmen of the Fire Nation had pulled her aside individually to voice their disapproval of the marriage. Even the children who used to play with her echoed bitter words they'd heard at home.
She felt alone in a nation that was not even her own.
"And you're sure you'll be alright?" Ty Lee asked, after escorting to her chambers for the evening.
Katara nodded as she sat on the edge of the soft bed. She could already feel the pent up emotions from the day threatening to burst past the floodgates.
Ty Lee sat down and folded her hands in her lap. She turned her ever present smile to the ceiling and said dreamily, "You know, you've always been so strong. Even in adversity, you fight for what you think is right. You stand tall, you take the hurt, and you store it away. You use it to make yourself stronger. I wish I'd done that when I was younger. I let other's expectations rule me for so long."
She turned to face the Water bender. "Don't hurt yourself too much by holding it in. And don't forget that you have supporters in the Nation too. Like me!" She added a big smile and pointed to herself for effect. "And let me know if you need anything, okay? Like tea. Do you need some tea?"
"I'm fine without tea, Ty. Thanks," Katara managed a small grin her way.
Ty Lee smiled back sadly. Reaching out, she squeezed Katara's knee comfortingly and then took her exit.
Katara leaned back and stared at the ceiling. Everything seemed to be weighing on top of her, pulling her down. One thing about her relationship with Aang: it had been whimsical and light, like the air itself. With Zuko, everything was more real – the feelings, yes, but more especially the problems.
A knock sounded after who-knew-how-much time had passed. "I really don't need tea, Ty! Promise!"
"Do you not need your fiancé either?"
She sat up abruptly. Zuko stood in the doorway, looking embarrassed. After years of knowing each other, he had never lost his boyish insecurities. "I can go, if you'd like."
"No!" she exclaimed. "No, I could use your company. If you can give me some piece of good news. Something positive."
He came and joined her on the bed. "I have a gift for you. Is that good enough?"
She shrugged.
"Here. Open it," he said, handing her a folded cloth.
Gingerly, she lifted the corners of the fabric to reach the small weight within. When the last fold was removed and the gift revealed, she gasped. Inside was a round, red stone latched to black ribbon on either side. Carved into the stone was a crescent moon around the outer edge, encircling a smaller sun that spit out fiery rays. She ran her fingers over the rough lines, noting the craftsmanship.
"Did you – ?"
"I asked Sokka to help me carve it before we left Republic City." He took the stone from her and tied it carefully around her left wrist. "It seemed like a good idea. Even as the future Fire Lady, you're still from the Water Tribe..." he trailed off in uncertainty.
His blush only endeared her to him. "It was a great idea." She leaned up a kissed his nose. She held the stone up, showcasing her wrist, letting him see how it looked on. "I like that it's a bracelet."
"You should never have to take off your mother's necklace," he said solemnly.
He took her small hands in his own, gently massaging her tan skin and letting his thumbs drift over the new adornment on her wrist. "You know, this is going to happen. Whatever they say. Whatever they do. They will get used to the idea. They have to." He took a deep breath and continued. "I can't imagine the throne filled by anyone else. Katara, I love you."
With that reminder alone, her doubts lifted. The gravity pressing her heart into the ground suddenly reversed, sending her heart instead soaring to the skies. He loved her. She loved him too. And they would make this marriage work.