Chapter 22: Building Steam
Katara opened her eyes and was surprised to see her robe and wrappings neatly put to the side. She turned expecting to see Zuko but instead saw a void in the bed next to her. She patted the bed too check, as the room was still darkened as the sun had yet to set.
She sat up and looked around, adjusting to her surroundings.
"Sorry, I hope you don't mind, but I had to figure something out before you woke up."
She suddenly saw Zuko's form appear as the window was opened, her eyes adjusting to the dark and light, as the curtains were drawn back.
"Did you do this?" She motioned to her clothing.
He nodded. "I suspected you might want all of it back. They were a bit lost in the bed."
She was surprised, with Sokka and Aang they tended to leave their belongings "around", not neatly fold them. Plus, she had, perhaps wrongfully, expected that Zuko would have a servant or maid to do such things. Perhaps she was being passively judgemental…there was a lot about him that had surprised her lately. Her mind began to drift to the night.
"I never realized this until I opened my mother's chambers, but her balcony is all but a foot from this room's. I suspect for a reason quite particular to my father." Zuko's voice dimmed. She assumed that his mother did not live a happy life of a queen here. At least her mother was happy when she was alive. "I think it's your best option for returning. I've called servants to come into each chamber at dawn so we can all bathe, before meeting for breakfast in the hall."
A part of her hated the sneaking around, but realistically, it wasn't the best for her to be leaving Zuko's room at this time of the morning. "Thank you Zuko."
"Think about what I said last night, I don't want to make any claims for you to stay unless you really wish to." He tousled his hair a bit.
"I will…but I think one more night. If I stay to negotiate some trading and cultural sharing – propositions of more peace, I can report to my father so he can approve them with our tribe the following day. I think it is a good idea...even if it was an excuse..."
Zuko's brow raised. "You are considering this to all extents…I will admit a good portion of my own needs may have trumped the political ones in my wish for you to stay."
"Negotiations." Katara simply stated. "What matter to which, or how they happen is completely between you and I." She shrugged and rose as she began to wrap herself and return to her robe in dress.
Zuko forced himself to look away – the prospect of such negotiations, and the prospect of her nude form may cause him to delay her escape. He knew well not all in the palace rose at dawn, so the quicker she returned, the less damage she might do to herself. He was never worried what others thought of him – he was a Fire Lord. He would rule fairly, but if standards of respect had to be set, they would be. It was Katara. She was the one they would target – for reasons wrong or right, or implicitly bias, they would see her as the weaker link. He would do all he could if they moved forward with how things were going.
"I'm dressed. You know, I'm certain you saw everything last night…"
"Tempted. I can't be tempted around you; I hope we will have more time soon. Let me help you to the balcony." Zuko was wrapped in a light robe as he approached, the dew of last night still sat on his body. She felt herself wishing to be tangled in it again – they were both practicing restrain.
He opened the doors and walked out first. Certain nobody was around; he took her hand to guide her out.
She was struck by the beauty of the sky when the sun hadn't touched it. Traces of a moon still sat in the sky, as the peak of the sun was just letting a bit of its light gleam on the horizon.
She noticed the leap wouldn't be hard to make. Before she could move to, Zuko had taken both of her hips and lifted her up enough that she could kick her feet over in a graceful jump. He handed her something, upon her feet touching the balcony.
"My mother's room had a key. It locked from both inside and out. For better or worse. If someone did see you, or …anything, her room is your safe haven here."
"You worry too much."
"I agree. But I can't help that anymore." He wanted to kiss her but for better or worse, returned to his room
She took the key on the chain and put it around her neck. It would sit beneath her wraps unseen if needed. Silently she returned to her assigned room.
Katara sat back on the be. Last evening had felt like a fever dream. But right. This morning with Zuko was rigid for the both of them, but only in lieu of being safe of prying eyes and a restraint they both had to keep until they could figure out their next steps. She felt the key around her neck, dangling between her bosoms. This room was one women's cage, another's possible haven. Reflections of the rulers of the Fire Nation.
Perhaps if nothing else, she could be proud that she helped Zuko become a better person. A better ruler. As the prospect of a lover hung in the air.
She heard a knock at the door and threw herself between the bed's sheets.
"Uhm, who is it?"
"I'm sorry Miss, just a maid. I didn't wake you, did I? I was asked to fill all the baths at sunset?"
"Oh of course." She pulled the sheets up over her.
The maid came in slowly and went into the private bathroom to the bath.
"This room is quite gorgeous and elaborate . You are a lucky woman to sleep in this one."
"Did you know her?"
"Her?" The maid echoed surprised.
"I-I found the portrait. I assumed it was the old Fire Queen's room…"
"I suppose there is no hiding it then. I didn't know her, but my sister did serve her. She was a warm heart from what she told me. I'm certain that's where our Lord got it from." She said delicately, as she poured the hot water.
"Zuko? Or …uhm Lord Zuko?"
"Yes. He is a much different ruler than his father, or his sister. He has treated most staff better than anyone could. My sister was kicked out of the palace when … well I shouldn't say. But I suppose you know the benefits of kindness. You spoke with eloquence at the celebration yesterday."
"Oh- Well ... I'm just saying what's true I suppose. I truly do want my tribe to be on good terms with the fire nation."
"Can I say, if I might, there is one thing that our men respect most, and that is bravery. While they are proud, your bravery, even in your words I'm sure moved quite a few of those listening yesterday. They are taken with tradition, but they appreciate the boldness that fire can bolster in it's bravery. I think you have proven to some that water can be just as formidable."
"I will keep that in mind." Katara smiled, wrapping herself better in the robe, covering her wraps.
"Enjoy." The maid left without another word.
Katara went to undress and as she took off the key, felt a hesitance. She walked to both doors and locked them from the inside.
She was brave. But she trusted that Zuko knew his people better than she did. After all that had happened with Zhao, she had to be cautious.
As she soaked in the warm water, she felt in her element. The steam from the water calmed her. A warm water. Hot water. Fire and water working together. Quite literally being all she needed at the moment, as the ripples broke her tension.
And for anyone who dare try to enter while she was bathing…if they dared…they would be very stupid as she was the best-known water bender around.
As they all sat down at breakfast, her family and father's friends chatted about the previous night and went on to thank Zuko and Iroh for their hospitality.
"I swear I heard a crash last night, was everything ok?" Aang inquired suddenly among the discussions.
"I assumed it was a clumsy maid...or maybe something like that..." Suki shrugged.
"I am really mostly just a klutz." Katara admitted looking quickly to Zuko. "I happened to bump into a vase in my room…"
"No repayment needed. It happens. I'm just glad you're ok." Zuko spoke up.
She nodded. "The vase took the brunt of it." She bit her lip nervously.
"You are all more than welcome to return at any time. Even if you break a vase or two." Iroh smiled breaking the air of tension.
"On that note…I do have a proposition to make." Zuko looked to Katara and Hakoda, who were seated near each other. "I think there is an opportunity here. Your nation has culture, and traditions and goods that we could benefit from as well as the reverse. I think allowing our people to connect and trade may help both of our nations see the value in the other's culture. The regulation of such, and all safety precautions may need to be discussed, but after last night, I think it's clear that we could both benefit in making our union both mutually beneficial and a place of understanding for what we both bring to the table. We are human first are we not?"
"I can see the benefits, but as you said, it may let in more men to our tribe that are hostile." Hakoda responded.
"Perhaps a waver? Should they cross any boundaries of improper behaviour, they will be … deported? Punished? Sent off to one of our island prisons?" Iroh spit balled.
"Or exiled. A fire nation man who has lost that identity is a lost one, perhaps in my own way, they too can revaluate their decisions. I should know. Again, the strength of your own nation may need to be… displayed to some of our men. I do not want anyone to think that fire should be fought with water, but rather that both can bring benefits." Zuko's face had turned serious with the negotiatioons.
"He's right. If we only show that we are a threat, we may only paint a bigger target. We also do not want our men to ever wish to target the fire nation." Katara spoke up.
"A formal agreement, or a truce. Any party who acts outside that truth, will be subject to due process by their own nation, in good faith of acting right." Iroh nodded.
"Well stated." Hakoda nodded. "As for the planning…"
"I will stay another day and discuss it. I know more than ever the risks and benefits of working with the fire nation…and I will return with a proposal we can counter or accept." Katara looked to her father.
Her father had an inkling to oppose but restrained himself. "In all honesty, when I am gone, it will be you and your brother who are most likely to take on our tribe as head. I suggest, after all you do for our benders and our people, the least I could do is allow this – as negotiations will be your duty as our worlds open even more so. So, if you return to us… safe, you can remain to iron out such details. Your mother was also strong willed, and I had to learn to give into it. But I also promised I would keep you safe."
"I guarantee it. I will accompany her back if I must." Zuko's stare looked boldly to Hakoda's gaze. While Zuko felt intimidated in a sense by her father, there was one thing he would not allow: Katara's injury.
"Surely there will be no need to." Hakoda smiled. "But I appreciate your willingness to keep her safe."
"Uhm, has anyone seen Katara when she's angry?" Sokka asked.
"He isn't wrong. I can manage on my own." Katara looked at the men trying to decide how safe she was.
"For that I can attest." Zuko agreed. "On any terms, I want to negotiate a stronger union, if we wish to get past this … roadblock. To which I take responsibility for. It was the people of my nation who stepped out of a place of decency."
"If you need any help, I will also assist." Aang nodded.
"Perhaps you can. If this goes well, we can use you to promote it in your travels. Where you are needed, we can share our story of success between Katara's and my nation." Zuko nodded. "You spear headed this, it will be your story to tell of our success. For now, I want to act on the words we said yesterday. I want nothing but opportunity to come from this."
"Then an agreement to be made – Katara will stay to discuss, and we will guarantee her safe return on the moving ahead of a union between our nations." Iroh sipped his tea. "And after, upon it's prospective success, we shall gain strength and revise our traditions to create new and better ones."
"Perhaps we, in the future could have you to our nation for a celebration as well?" Sokka added.
"I agree. We do have customs and celebrations that also may be shared in good faith as you have allowed us to join." Hakoda agreed. "We have been long working with the Norther tribe, and perhaps with both allies we can grow our cities even more and refrain from our older nomadic adaptions..."
"We'll discuss what we can. I just want tensions to ease. I know damage has been done, but if we can change the future for the better, I want to." Katara looked to her father, as they shared a knowing look that she was referring to her mother's fate.
"I agree. We also have a much better Fire Lord to negotiate with. A younger me would never have foreseen this." He nodded to Zuko.
"It took me a long while to get to be who I am. And Aang, your son and your daughter are part of that reason. I would not be the Lord I am if not for them and my uncle. In fact, Katara reminds me often of how far I have come, and how far we must go." Zuko nodded.
"Then it is settled. Shall I have the same room prepared for you?" Iroh smiled to Katara.
"Yes, thank you." She nodded.
"On that note, I invite everyone to spend today as you please. I'm happy knowing that this was a success. I can't express the apologies and amendment that I know cannot be done for the damage my ancestors and previous lords have done in the past."
"You speak aware and with a humble demeanor. Your actions show us no less. Perhaps now would be a good time for us to witness the culture of your town?"
"I will assign some of my men to you as well for precaution, but I would invite it."
"I will go as well. Nobody dares to fight me." Iroh bellowed.
Katara stood with her family as they all left but found that she silently needed to departed to her room.
There was so much to be done, yet so much that she wished she could just pause and take the moment she had intended to take with Zuko. But realistically, there excuse had become truth to mend their new national relationship.
And yet, she had no complaints. Perhaps things were finally coming together.