The Price of Peace

Summary – Jia Li and Hui have a reunion. Iroh and Zuko make plans. Katara gets ready for her wedding.

Interlude Nine –

“You must forgive me for there is little time,” Iroh said in a rush as he ushered a boy of ten into the room.

Jia Li sprang from the chaise and launched herself toward her son. “Hui!”

Tears threatened in the old man’s eyes as he watched the reunion. Backing toward the door, he bowed. “Please forgive me, but palace business calls me to duty. I will be outside the door. His grandparents are here. You mustn’t be seen together. They think I am giving him a quick tour.”

Iroh paused at the door. “I’m afraid that Hui’s ‘tutoring’ lessons will have to be postponed. I am sorry I could not afford both of you the time you deserve together. You have a few minutes. I’ll be outside the door.”

When he closed the door, Iroh stepped into a nearby alcove.

“Is everything arranged?” his nephew stepped out of the shadows and glanced up and down the hall.

“Yes,” replied Iroh, rubbing his beard thoughtfully. “Although I do not like the idea –”

Raising his hand, Zuko stayed his uncle’s protests. “It is the only way, Uncle. You and I both know that we can not wait for our enemy to come to us. Their assassins are already in the palace.”

“Our intelligence is days old,” Iroh protested. “And there is much ground to cover. Are you certain this is the correct course of action?”

Zuko’s eyebrow rose. “Yes.”

--

Katara winced as the old woman pulled her hair. How many more indignities would she have to suffer at the hands of Zuko’s servants? She had never felt so alone as she did right now.

She had given up the fight to protect her modesty by mid-afternoon, letting the maids bathe her in a citrus scented water. She was now dressed in new underclothes. The old woman behind her was dressing her hair – a somewhat painful process especially since she was not used to such trappings. Water Tribe ways were much simpler.

Starring at the dragon and phoenix candles, Katara shivered. Zuko was true to his word. They would be married before the sun set and he would take her to the marriage bed.

“Are you cold?” The woman snapped her fingers at a nearby servant and a robe of delicate silk was settled upon her shoulders.

Katara grabbed at it greedily, clutching the edges over her body.

Smirking, the old woman tugged on her hair. “There will be no room for modesty tonight. The Fire Lord does not come across as a patient man.”

She closed her blue eyes as the woman pulled a comb through her hair. She hadn’t eaten breakfast or lunch – her appetite mysteriously missing since last night. Picturing her mother on her wedding day, Katara swallowed her fear.

The attendant released her head and walked to a nearby table. “Here,” she said, returning and shoving a glass under her nose. “Drink this. It will warm you.”

Taking the glass, Katara gagged the liquid down, coughing and sputtering as she set the glass down. Her eyes burned as did her insides. “What is that?”

“Jiu,” the woman replied, twisting Katara’s hair into an elaborate design and not looking happy about it. “Your hair is stubborn. You have worn it in the style of your people for too long. It does not want to conform.”

Katara hid her smirk, feeling the jiu work its way into her system.

“This wedding is most unorthodox,” she growled, braiding flowers into Katara’s dark hair. “But the Fire Lord will have you.”

The bride-to-be scowled at the woman’s tone. Katara could tell the old woman did not approve of her and she started to wonder if his people would disapprove as well.

--

“I only wish I had more time with her,” Zuko stated softly in a rare, unguarded moment.

This time it was Iroh’s eyebrows that arched in disbelief.

“Don’t give me that look, Uncle,” the Fire Lord softly scolded his loved one. “You arranged this. You are the master manipulator. You are the one who put her in harm’s way. You’re the one who schemed with her father to bring her here. I still struggle to forgive your meddling.”

“If you forgive anything, you must forgive an old man’s desire to see his nephew happy,” Iroh replied with a slight bow. “Only Katara of the Water Tribe can bring you happiness.”

Zuko snorted in false derision.

“She is strong,” Iroh pleaded his case. “She will help you. She will help our people. And she has pretty blue eyes.”

The Fire Lord could not help the smirk of annoyed amusement that crossed his lips. His uncle was always the first one to use humor to diffuse a situation. “We should get back.”

Iroh nodded in agreement and moved to retrieve his young ward, but Zuko grabbed his sleeve.

“Please, Uncle.” Zuko’s voice was raw with emotion. “Please…promise me that you will take care of her should I fall.”

“I will guard her with my life,” Iroh responded without hesitation and walked toward Jia Li’s bedchambers.

--

The door opened slowly and Jia Li dashed her tears away. But she held onto Hui.

“I’m afraid we must return to the summit,” Iroh announced as he approached the mother and son.

Wrenching his way out of his mother’s arms, Hui turned and faced Iroh. “Why do you lock her away? Why do you keep her prisoner?” the youth railed at the old man.

Jia Li clutched her son to her, her eyes pleading with Iroh’s to forgive the impetuous nature of her child.

Getting down on one knee, Iroh’s sorrow touched his waning smile. “Like you, I seek to protect her. She is not safe. No one is.” He lowered his head and sighed.

“I must ask both of you to not believe anything you hear in the coming months. If anything happens, tell your grandparents that I still wish to tutor you…even if it seems I am unable to. I see the fire within you. You will be a great Firebender. You must be strong. Do not anger your grandparents. Be respectful and mindful of their wishes.”

“I-I don’t understand.” The boy had relaxed and now bore a mask of confusion.

“You will in time.” Iroh stood and patted Hui’s shoulder. “Now, come. We must return.”

--

TBC