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The Price of Peace	By : Looneyluna Category: Avatar - The Last Airbender > Het - Male/Female > Katara/Zuko Views: 19137 -:- Recommendations : 1 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own Avatar: The Last Airbender, nor any of the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
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Summary – The wedding and more.

Chapter Eleven –

Iroh smiled, the weight of responsibility momentarily forgotten as he handed the cash wrapped in red paper to Katara’s friends and family. They accepted the money with good-natured jabs and laughter – everyone except her brother.

Out of the corner of his eye, the good luck man watched the groom bow to the Water Tribe warrior.

Taking the offering for his sister, Sokka returned the respectful bow, never taking his eyes off Iroh’s nephew.

“Be sure to save the wrapping paper,” Iroh said in a low voice for only Sokka to hear. “A time will come that you may need it. It brings good luck during times of sorrow.”

Sokka’s gaze shifted to Iroh, a look of confusion marring his brow. “Yeah, sure. Thanks.”

Iroh watched Katara’s brother tuck the offering in his pocket. “With the permission of satisfied friends and family, I humbly request entrance on behalf of my nephew, Fire Lord Zuko.”

Aang looked at Sokka who looked at Aang with a look of confusion. Toph gave the brother of the bride a not so gentle nudge. “Bow to Uncle Iroh and tell him that Z has our blessings.”

“Huh?” Sokka looked around the room, suddenly aware that he was the focus of attention.

Grabbing his sleeve, Toph pulled Sokka toward the reception room. “Pull open the curtain and let Z in,” she growled irritably.

--

For a brief moment, Zuko thought he would never get past her pest of a brother. They had always been at odds with one another. It was the nature of their relationship and it would always be the nature of their relationship.

Ducking under the curtain, the Fire Lord entered the parlor to collect his bride. The room was decorated in splendid splashes of red and gold. He would need to thank his palace staff for arranging such a display on such short notice.

He scanned the room and approached the table, aware of Katara’s unseen eyes lingering on his figure. His fingers itched to lift the veil and touch her lips, but he needed to pay his respects to her ancestors.

“Please have a seat, Fire Lord Zuko,” Hakoda of the Water Tribe greeted and motioned for him to sit next to his daughter.

Zuko bowed to the father of his intended and bowed to the empty place setting in honor of her mother. He held the silk wrappings of her wedding present with shaky hands and walked behind her. “With respect to your customs, I have carved a betrothal necklace befitting this occasion.”

Her father smirked as the Fire Lord carefully placed the red and white choker around Katara’s neck. The Fire Nation symbol was carved into an ivory relief and red silk held it in place around her neck. “When did you have time to carve such a delicate piece?”

A blush crawled into Zuko’s cheeks as he took his place at the table. “I carved it long ago.”

Katara gasped.

Hakoda nodded in acceptance and offered the groom tea, soup, and a soft-boiled egg. “My time with my daughter has come to an end. I give her to you in the hopes that happiness and good luck may follow you.”

Zuko took the offer reverently, sipping the tea, and then the soup. Glancing at Katara, he tore through the delicate albumen of the egg and broke the yolk, symbolizing his bride’s break with her family. He took a small bite of the egg and set it aside. “I shall endeavor to deserve her. The honor you have bestowed upon me brings me great happiness.”

Placing his hand over Katara’s, Zuko gave her father a solemn look. “I will take care of her.”

Hakoda nodded in acknowledgment, yet said nothing.

--

Katara watched as Zuko stood and held his hand out to her. Her thoughts were addled and she felt warm. Her wedding costume was hot and uncomfortable, and she felt as though she were suffocating.

Looking at her husband’s hand, she hiccupped. “That’s it?”

Zuko smirked as Hakoda calmly sipped his tea. “Yes, Katara,” stated the Fire Lord. “You are mine now. You no longer belong to your father.”

Normally such a term of possession would rankle her, but this announcement wet her curiosity. Katara put her hand in his, and he helped her to stand. She looked at her father, hoping he would save her – from what she did not know. But, her father’s gaze rested on the empty place setting at the table.

With a gentle tug, her new husband guided her out of the parlor and into the glaring lights of the atrium of her father’s quarters. She heard her friends congratulating her and let Zuko place her in the bridal sedan. Before she knew it, she was lifted in the air and taken from the room.

Servants crowded the halls as she was carried to the Fire Lord’s chambers. The firecrackers and fireworks popped loudly in the surrounding gardens. Katara looked around her, wondering where Zuko was.

Large doors opened before her and she entered the sitting room of what appeared to be a maze of suites. Tapestries hung on the walls and a flames rose in the large fireplace. Katara was jostled from her observations as the servants placed the bridal sedan down.

The servants retreated silently as she sat there, wondering what she was supposed to do next. She startled when a hand touched her shoulder. The blasted veil was obscuring her vision, but she could see Zuko’s outline next to her, coaxing her from the sedan and through another set of doors.

Unlike the main sitting room, the smaller parlor had no windows or fireplace. The room was actually cold, almost as though it had never been lived in.

Zuko kept walking, guiding her through the maze of rooms and antechambers to a spiral staircase that looked as though it may lead to the middle of the earth.

At the top of the staircase, Katara paused. “Where are we going?”

Zuko turned, climbing the few steps he had taken. “I don’t have time to explain,” he murmured huskily, quickly lifting her veil and claiming her lips and her breath.

Returning his feverish kiss, Katara groaned in surrender. But something brought her stupor to an abrupt halt. Smoke crawled along the ancient ceiling, signaling danger above.

Seeing the harbinger of fire, Zuko pulled Katara down the stairs. “It has begun,” he murmured.

Stumbling behind him, Katara wiped her eyes as the smoke claimed more ground. “What has begun?”

“The coup,” he replied breathlessly as they reached a landing. He stopped and moved back up the stairs past her, quickly sealing a hatch to prevent the smoke from following them.

The torches on the wall were lit, illuminating the dungeon-like room. He climbed down the stairs and gathered her in his arms, quickly removing her veil and hat.

She gave a startled gasp. “What coup? What are you doing?” asked Katara, trying to slap his hands away as he tried to remove her red silk wedding jacket.

Grabbing her wrists, the Fire Lord gave her a little shake. “Do you trust me?”

“Yes,” she whispered shakily, her eyes stinging from the smoke and the make-up.

Zuko dropped her hands and walked toward a cedar chest against the wall. He opened it and pulled some clothing out, tossing it to Katara. “Then put this on and hurry,” he commanded, quickly divesting himself of his own wedding clothing and pulling a commoners tunic over his head.

--

TBC

A/N – Thank you, Moncapitan, for letting me bounce the development of the story off you. You ask the questions that keep this story on track.

Yes, I know this is an evil cliffhanger. I blame my short attention span and my sitcom mentality.
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The Price of Peace