Book 4 Air
Chapter 22 Understanding
The view of the town was seen, as a single house came into view. A young woman walked over to a table with a lit candle in her hand. Placing the candle down and seating herself at the table, she sighed with slight boredom.
Nightfall came once more over the Earth Kingdom town, and Mai recently has tried to feel better. Trying to forget the prince that she still so deeply loves.
Her golden-brown eyes stared into the small flame. Another deep sigh escaped her thin lips, everything reminded her about Zuko. No matter how hard she tried to block him from her mind.
A small creaking sound suddenly alerted Mai as she turned her attention to the dark shadows of the room. Mai slowly slid her hand underneath her robe, tracing her fingers along the edge of the blade's handle that she kept safely tucked in a pocket. "Who's there?" Mai said sharply.
Nothing answered as Mai slowly stood up from her chair.
She knew she wasn't alone, either that or her mind was playing tricks on her.
Living alone in a foreign land with only her mother visiting once every couple days has probably made her go mad.
Then again, she felt an uneasy feeling deep in her stomach. Something wasn't right.
Before Mai could turn around a sharp twist of her right hand made her release the knife. The sudden movement flickered out the candlelight. Darkness claimed the room, only the bright moonlight that shot through the window gave Mai sight in her surroundings.
Trying to break free Mai heard a loud shift of silk rustled against her back like a sly snake. It made her skin crawl.
Feeling another hand grab her body close, she girthed her teeth, as a pointed dagger pressed against her throat.
"Nice to finally see you again, Mai." The person said in a low, almost mocking tone.
Mai's eyes widen lightly, "Azula?!" Mai said with a hint of venom as she struggled against the princess's tight grip.
"I need you to settle an important coalition for me." Azula said as a wicked smile formed against her lips.
Mai's eyes narrowed as she cursed under her breathe, "Damn you…"
Clouds hovered over the vast blue skies as the view of the Fire Nation Palace was in sight. Settling through the open hallways of the corridor, a blue figure walked down the long narrow hallway.
The waterbender sighed lightly, 'This will be my new home one day…' Katara thought as she turned her head, glancing at the deep red curtains as they flowed from the light breeze from the open windows.
Katara grew bored sitting alone in the dining room after Zuko left for an important meeting. So she decided to explore the labyrinth hallways and empty guest rooms for a while before she will be attending lunch later on.
Walking further down the hall, it seemed as though the bold colors of red and gold appeared to overpower the waterbender's small blue attire, as she continued down the empty walkway. Standing out like white on black, Katara felt uneasy by the guards who appeared to stare at her behind their royal helmets.
Pacing herself further, Katara suddenly entered outside. 'Where am I?' Katara thought to herself as she looked around the garden in front of her.
It was a beautiful sight for the waterbender. Fresh green grass surrounded the open area with a pond in the center. A few trees along with blooming birds of paradise and soft pink roses scattered over the garden. The view was pleasant and a nice change in scenery compared to the common red, gold and white painted all over the kingdom.
"It would seem you discovered the royal garden." A calm voice said as Katara jumped in surprise.
Turning around she saw Zuko dressed in a fine red silk robe with a black sash tighten around his waist. He appeared leaner without the over-laying armor on his shoulders that would weight him down, making him look tense and mighty-perfect for a ruling leader. But now he seemed more relax dressed in his royal garments-like clothes.
Turning her attention back to the garden, she sighed with a slight hum. "So this is the royal garden, you say? It's beautiful." Katara said.
Zuko looked at the waterbender, and noticed her posture appeared slightly off. Something was troubling her. Whatever it was she seemed to be holding it in for some time. Zuko grew worried.
"Are you alright?" Zuko asked as he stepped closer to the young woman.
Katara lowered her head, "No…"
"I…I just can't go through this…" Katara said almost ashamed to admit to the Fire Lord.
"I understand this may be confusing and hurtful…But Katara-
"No! You don't understand! You can never understand how it feels!" Katara yelled at Zuko as she cut him off.
"This isn't easy for me either, Katara." Zuko said calmly.
"I had to leave my girlfriend; I had to tell the court and explain to the royal general our position. It was an embarrassing thing for me as a commander to have to do. Katara, we are doing this for our people and the world. Aang cannot bring complete peace to all nations. Some do not trust nor believe in him. Ever since he failed the Northern Water Tribe, and Ba Sing Sa. He caused mayhem to each respected governor, including General Fong of the Earth Kingdom. Some people can't help but view this in a political matter." Zuko said as he caught his breath.
Katara blinked, letting Zuko's words sink in.
'He sounds like dad and Gran-Gran…Yet…Yet Aang…' Katara thought as she lifted her head high.
"Yet Aang defeated Ozai! If it wasn't for him, the world would be ashes by now!" Katara cried out as she defended the Avatar.
"I understand that, Katara. We all are in great debt to him. But people cannot change their minds. For the past one hundred years, every nation, Water and Earthen have feared the Fire Nation. Our people have caused a great dread over the world. Now it must heal." Zuko said as he paused for a moment.
"Aang returning, giving people hope from his arrival-only to ruin the highest country, the Earth Kingdom, to let Ba Sing Sa fall. Tell me, what do you think that says to the rest of the world?" Zuko said as his eyes set firm and hard.
"I know Aang has probably done more badly than good when he first started, by he's different now. He's more mature. He's bringing peace and order to the world." Katara said as she clenched her heart.
"Yes…But as I've said before…Some people do not see it that way. That is why we have to go through the marriage…A tie between two nations. In order to bring peace to the world." Zuko said sharply.
"What about what I want? I did everything I could to impress the councils; I followed my father's and grandmother's wishes. I…I can't pretend anymore! I don't want to live here! I don't want to marry you! I can't!" Katara said nearly crying with frustration from the emotional conversation.
Zuko stood, listening to Katara tell her feelings, 'She's scared…Just as I am.' Zuko thought to himself as he walked up to Katara.
Wrapping his arms the crying girl, Zuko held Katara lightly.
Katara gasped in surprise.
"You don't have to live here if you don't want to…I'll think of something to stall the wedding. Until then please…Don't be afraid. I'll be with you every step of the way." Zuko said reassuring Katara.
Katara rested against his embrace, 'Zuko…'
Gulls flew high above the Earth Kingdom harbor as a great black ship hulled into the docks. The green and brown shops nettled along the shoreline as a crowd of people gathered for the arrival of the Avatar.
The metal doors from the ship opened as a bald-headed monk walked out, stepping along the deck. People cheered and called out to Aang as he wrapped his arm between Toph's arm leading her to the ladder.
"Sounds like they're happy to see you." Toph said to Aang with a smile as she reached the bottom, landing on the wooden dock.
Aang chuckled as he air bended down next to Toph. "They're just fans; the real people we should be seeing are the generals." Aang said as he started to walk towards the city.
"So will you be heading out to see your parents?" Aang asked Toph as they both entered into the city stopped in front of a carriage.
"I guess, but before I meet them. I was hoping to look around the market place." Toph said as she folded her arms.
"Oh? Why?" Aang asked, curious how unusual it was for the blind earthbender to be interested in shopping.
"I wanted to buy a gift for my mother. To cheer her up and stuff. I figured buying a gift would kind of make it better." Toph said as she shrugged her shoulders.
Aang smiled, "Sure Toph. Would you like me to join you? I'm sure the generals can wait a while longer before I arrive." The airbender said.
"Come along if you want, but I doubt you'll enjoy it…It's not going to be that exciting." Toph said as she entered the carriage hiding her embarrassment and tinted cheeks.
Aang laughed as he followed the blind girl closing the door behind him.
The driver called out as he whipped the ostrich horse to lead the passengers into the central marketplace of the city Goaling.
I hope you enjoyed this. Sorry there's not much excitement, but I promise it gets better as the story continues. Please review!
