5 Years Later Chapter 10

Avatar: The Last Airbender

5 Years Later

Chapter 10

        “Zuko, quickly she’s coming.” Zuko came to stand by his uncle and saw the procession of people as they walked up to the grand hall. Katara was with them robed in blue. They were to be married.
        She stood before him and he caught his breath. All the Fire Nation Regalia in the world was nothing compared to her. She had draping blue dress that seemed like water under the sun rippling with cool intensity. Her hair was braided intricately and placed up. He stood fully dressed in his finest waiting to be blessed by the Elders and the Council. If the Council gave their blessing the Fire Sage Elders would proceed with the ceremony. He took her hand into his, but under her veil he couldn’t see her blue eyes or just how sad they were.
         They stood on a dais, like the one he had stood on when his father had been crowned. Below them were the people who would witness the joining of the two  nations. Delgates including Katara’s family and the northern water tribe delegates were all there to behold it. Fire Nation nobles stood to the other side. Also present were some Earth Kingdom kings and nobles, but even familiar faces could not soother Katara’s angst. She walked in a daze, like a fog had been placed in front of her and she could do nothing but go where led. She had no will at this point.
Zuko was nervous but her hands felt like ice. When the Council saw her they nodded their confirmation. A physician was sent and he took her into a back room with a few maidens present to test her fidelity. If she passed then she could be wed. Katara had not been told of this for obvious reasons. It was well known in the Fire Nation of women who would purposefully sleep with another man so she could not be betrothed but to Zuko’s relief she came back out and there was confirmation she was indeed untouched.
          He sighed a bit and the Fire Sage Elders stood before them and gave them blessings from the spirits and the ancestors. Some more things were said but there was no asking of consent to be had, it was after all a betrothal. Finally the Elders turned to her and a servant came out with the fire nation mark of the crown princess and they fastened it on to her hair which had been pulled into a top knot just for the occasion. He already wore his and he bowed before the Elders with her. Next two golden rings were presented directly next to them and he took the ring closest to him and presented it to Katara placing it on her slim finger. She did the same thing with his ring to him.
          It was official then. That was it. There was no kiss the bride or anything. Betrothals often do not end up with pleasantries and both of them felt a slight bit of relief at this. The last and final part was the blessing of tFire Lord Iroh which was freely given and enthusiastically. He kissed the top of Katara’s head like a father would and together Zuko and Katara were led to the bedroom. Their bedroom.
In the background people cheered, but Katara did not hear it.
They were practically shoved into the room and Zuko thought he might have even heard a lock. They were quiet for a moment not daring to move. Finally Zuko took a step towards the bed and began to take off all the heavy regal wear. He truly disliked wearing so much. After years of traveling after, and then eventually with, the Avatar he had grown accustomed to comfort and even after five years as a prince once more he felt odd in everything. He undressed down to his trousers which he left on unsure of what to do. He turned and saw Katara still standing in her gown in the same spot he had left her at.
         “Katara?” She seemed to be in a trance and looked up hastily. She saw he was already undressed down to his trousers and held back her breath. He looked so regal and strong. She couldn’t see well through her veil but she knew he was muscular. She hastily took off her veil looking into her mirror. From it she could see Zuko’s reflection in full view without a veil to cover her vision.
She looked at the top knot on her head, very much alike the one she had worn all those years ago. Her hair was down now as it had been then. She took a brush to her curls that reached fully down her back. Her ministrations were slow. She silently hoped if she took too long to undress he would go to sleep and she wouldn’t have to see him.
          As slow as her ministrations were he seemed patient and eventually she saw his reflection turn around and stare back at her. She stiffened when the reflection walked closer and closer.
She felt his hands touch her skin on her shoulders and neck. His hands were hot against her skin and she suddenly realized just how cold she was. He began to help her with the dress. It had been made simple for no other reason than what was to happen after the ceremony. It slid off her easily. She looked at herself in the mirror and saw all that remained was her breast bindings and leg bindings. She looked at herself for a moment and then tears poured from her eyes. She began to cry fiercely and she shrunk down to the floor trying to hug the discarded dress closer to her. Anything to let her feel covered and not vulnerable to him.
         Zuko let her cry, there was nothing else he could do. He had tried. He wanted to comfort her, but he was as much afraid as her rejection as her tears. So he turned to the bed and went underneath the covers. He couldn’t sleep until finally she stopped crying but with his back to her he didn’t see her. He was too tired and drifted to sleep.