There was laughing in the streets and cheering everywhere. A loud procession marched toward the center of town. The wedding of the Avatar was quite a big event in Republic City with royals from all over coming to the amazing ceremony. Zuko was there representing the Fire Kingdom. He was in all his best regalia, looking stunning in the red and gold styles of royalty. King Bumi had insisted on being there. This got quite the rise from everyone when he was carried in on a sort of throne. He was extremely ancient by now. Somewhere around 120 years old, Aang swore the man would never die. King Kuei was also there, representing the Earth Kingdom's royal family.

Toph had been walking silently, her senses were a bit thrown off by all the people and all the added noise. The ground shook with the procession and all the commotion. She didn't know who all was there, but she knew she was close to Katara. Aang was somewhere ahead, waiting for them at the point of the ceremony.

Toph felt a hand grab her arm, and she knew it was Katara who pulled her back to walk side by side with her. Toph frowned slightly, confused by this gesture. She didn't have to say anything though, because Katara said it first. "Toph." She said quickly. Her breaths were getting quicker. "I… I can't. I'm so nervous."

Toph's eyes widened. She had absolutely never seen herself handling something like this. "Um…" she muttered to herself. "Don't worry." She said trying to be reassuring. "It'll all work out fine." Her words sounded hollow and fake. Not because they were, but because Toph was talking half monotone as she tried to figure out what to say.

The procession had wound through multiple streets and was now to the new temple that had been set up. The inside was clean and simple with statues of the previous avatars set up in a semi-circle around the perimeter of the building. At the back of the room, Aang stood in full regalia. He was clean shaven, his robes were beautiful yellow, with saffron sashes and decorations. Tassels draped off the sash and belt, and gold threadwork was woven into the yellow edging. He was impressive, but as the processional party began to enter the temple, no one's eyes were on him. All eyes were waiting for the bride to be.

Unfortunately, at the moment, the bride to be had been pulled aside. Toph had her in a side room and was trying her best to console Katara. This is your job. Toph thought as she tried her best. "Listen." She said roughly. "You want to marry him so stop being scared and do it." Once the words were out of her mouth, she realized how wrong it sounded.

Katara's eyes got big and she looked like she was about to cry. Not that Toph really knew that, but anyone with eyes, working or not, could sense that those were not the right words. "Katara, I'm so sorry. I know I'm not saying the right thing. Please. Just. Don't cry." She reached for Katara's hand and mustered any bit of sentimental wording she could.

"Katara. You are an amazing woman. You are a powerful waterbender, a wonderful friend, and I have no doubt you will be an exemplary wife. Please. Have faith in yourself like all of us do. We are all here for you. I'm here, Zuko's here, Sokka's here, Sukki's here, and you know who else is waiting for you?" she asked. "Aang." Silently she was cursing herself. It had sounded better in her head. "He's standing there, waiting for the woman he loves to walk in and blow him away. And I'm standing here, waiting for that woman to realize that he's never going to want anyone other than you." She took a step back. "So now it's time to stand up, go forward with this, and live this day to its fullest." She said smiling with what she hoped looked like a reassuring smile.

Katara smiled slowly. "Thank you, Toph. That was exactly what I needed."

Toph raised an eyebrow, unsure if Katara had been hearing the same thing that Toph had been saying. She shrugged and smiled. "I try. Now let's go before they send a search party." She teased.

Katara smiled and took Toph's hand. "Toph." She grinned.

"You're getting married, sillyhead. C'mon." she rolled her eyes and headed out the door.

Hakoda was waiting outside. He smiled as they came out of the little room. Katara walked over to him and they whispered to each other quietly as she held his arm.

Toph smoothed her dress awkwardly and pushed back the wisps of her hair. Holding the bouquet of panda lilies, she pushed through the large doors, and began the procession into the temple. Some beautiful music began to play as she entered, but her mind was simply on getting out of the way as soon as possible, so Katara would be the focal point.

She got up and stood beside Zuko who was also up there. An audible gasp went up as Katara entered. She was truly beautiful. Her hair was pinned up with panda lilies adorning the wavy curls. Her flowing blue and white dress seemed perfect. It was meant for a queen and really, she looked the part. Every bit of her was dazzling radiance. Zuko leaned over. "She cleans up good." He whispered playfully to Toph.

Toph smirked. "You're just jealous that Twinkletoes got there first." She lifted her head, looking at outlines as Katara walked up.

"You're right, guess I'll have to settle for second best." He shrugged. "You look beautiful today, Toph."

She elbowed him. "Stop and shush. Pay attention." She rolled her eyes. She knew that Zuko was joking and she laughed to herself, but she was trying to pay attention as the actual ceremony began.

All the normal rituals started, the readings (which bored the heck out of Toph), then the drinking of ancient wine. There were additional vows as she promised to be the faithful companion and helpmeet to the Avatar. She graciously repeated the words, her voice shaking a bit at first, but getting stronger as she went.

Eventually, they began to near the end, Zuko gave Toph a nudge and she moved forward. She was holding a ceremonial sort of scarf/rope. Toph, Zuko, and Sokka had taken it upon themselves to decorate the scarf with the four elements, Toph's sections looked a bit like a landslide, but it was obvious she had put time into it.

Toph and Sokka worked conjoinedly to tie Aang and Katara's hands together. This was the final stage, as they were now bound, in marriage, in the elements, and in love. Aang raised his hand and a cheer went through the whole room.

Toph couldn't see faces. Sometimes she wished she could. But if she had been able to. She could have seen the beaming smile that Katara held, or the smirk that Zuko managed, or maybe, if she had looked close enough. She would have seen the sideways glance that Sokka managed at her, before smiling.