Epilogue:

One month later

It had been a long time since he'd worn clothes like this.

"Nervous?" Katara asked, tying the last knot on the front of his robe.

Zuko looked down at the red and gold fabric, a lump rising in his throat. The cloth felt unusually heavy, more like a tarp than a robe. At least I was smart enough to forgo the armor, he thought.

"Zuko?"

His head snapped up. "What?"

"You look nervous," Katara said, fingertips trailing across his collar.

He shrugged, hoping the casual gesture would reassure her. "I've screwed up pretty much every speech I've ever made. At least no one will be surprised when I screw this one up, too."

She laughed. "You won't screw it up. You've been practicing for days."

"I'm sure the people will forgive you even if you ruin it," another voice said from behind him. He glanced back to see the Avatar lounging in one of the waiting chairs, wearing what Zuko assumed to be formal garb among the air nomads. A wooden necklace with swirling circular charms hung from his neck, a symbol of his people. "They're all really glad the war is over. Don't even worry about messing up."

"Thanks," Zuko muttered. "That's so encouraging." He ran his fingers across the front of his robe, feeling the little bulge in his pocket. I'm bound to ruin one of today's speeches, he thought. But which one?

"It is time" his uncle said, rising from his chair. Zuko's mother stood just behind him, her smile as warm as a summer breeze. It felt right to finally have her here, though her presence wasn't required.

Zuko faced the balcony and started forward. Here we go

A crowd of people stood in the plaza below, delineated by nation. He saw representatives from the Earth Kingdom, the water tribes, and the Fire Nation, as well as citizens from borderlands and undefined territories. All those people, he thought, feeling a stab of nervousness. Only the knowledge that everybody who mattered was down there watching or waiting at his back kept him from running back inside. Just make the speech, he told himself. Don't even think about what you're saying—just do it like you practiced.

He stepped forward, resting his hands on the balcony's guardrails as he addressed the people. He paused a moment, glancing to where Katara stood. The object in his pocket seemed to grow heavier.

He opened his mouth, letting the words flow without thinking about them. Words of peace. Words of cooperation and goodwill. The crowd responded, people leaning forward, entranced by his speech. His voice sounded confident and controlled, though his mind kept drifting. He'd spent hours crafting, memorizing, and refining the words. And once he finished the speech, he remembered none of them.

"All hail Fire Lord Zuko!" Fire Sage Hakko shouted, placing a crown over his topknot. Zuko bowed his head as he felt the weight of the crown press down on his scalp. So this is how it starts, he thought. Who knew? I'm actually getting more support than my father did. For years, his father had seemed like the ideal Fire Lord, ruthless and cunning. Yet while Ozai had drawn much larger crowds, he had never drawn such enthusiastic applause from the people who came to see him. The Fire Nation doesn't need a ruthless leader, he thought. They need someone who will stand for peace. They need me.

The cheers went on for several minutes, until he wondered how they could possibly stay that loud without losing their voices. When Aang stepped up to add his support, their cheers grew even louder. The world is changing, Zuko thought. And we're changing with it.

Finally, the cheers abated enough for him to justify leaving. He maintained a dignified walk until he was out of sight, then let out a relieved sigh. His mother hurried over to him and wrapped her arms around his shoulders. "I am so proud of you, my son."

He hugged her back. She'd returned a few days after the comet had passed (without any fire or bloodshed, thanks to the letters he'd penned to the Generals) and he'd made a point to spend time with her every day since. Though he'd yearned to see her after she'd left, he hadn't realized how much he'd missed her until they'd finally gotten to meet again. He'd also spent plenty of time with his uncle, though much of that had revolved around politics. Despite minimal involvement in lawmaking, Iroh had decades of training in such matters.

"We are all proud, Nephew," he said, laying a hand on Zuko's shoulder. Pride flared in his chest, and his lips curved into a smile. "You will be a great leader. Now . . ." Iroh grinned, clapping his hands together. "It is time for some tea."

"Uh, actually, I was going to . . . Um." He glanced at Katara and saw the flash of surprise in her eyes.

His uncle smiled knowingly. "Ah, I see. Well, do not let this old man spoil your fun."

Zuko felt his cheeks warming. "Uh . . . yeah. Sure. I was just going to get something to eat downstairs." He edged toward the door, casting a meaningful look at Katara. She followed him out the door, letting the back of her hand brush over his knuckles.

"They've figured it out," she said when the door closed behind them.

"Yeah, I guess. It's hard to keep secrets from my uncle." He paused, then changed the subject. "What did you think of the speech?"

"It was perfect. I told you it would be." Her fingers slipped into his grasp, and they slowed, cherishing the moment of solitude. Between stopping a war and organizing diplomatic meetings, they'd had few opportunities to just be together.

"I've been wanting to ask you something," he began, resisting the impulse to run his fingers along his pocket. Katara looked at him curiously. He hesitated, trying to remember the rest of what he'd wanted to say.

"Yes?" Katara pressed.

"Um . . . I just wanted you to know that you're the kindest, most beautiful woman I've ever met. I mean, not that I've really met a lot of women. Or, I guess I have, but I haven't really known a lot of women, so . . ." Focus, he told himself, breathing deeply. "So I wanted to ask . . ."

She leaned forward, her eyes widening. "You wanted to ask . . . ?"

He reached up and pulled the object from his pocket. "Will you marry me?"

She stared at the necklace dangling from his fingers, examining the intricate swirls he'd carved into it. She reached out, cradling the pendant in her palms like a baby bird. "You . . . made this?"

He nodded, abashed. "I know there are probably much better carvers, but I've been doing some reading, and I know that, traditionally, a man carves the engagement necklace himself, so . . . yeah. I practiced first. I made almost a dozen of these before I finished this one, but I can keep working on it if—"

"I love it."

His eyes widened. "Really?"

She laughed, arms wrapping around his shoulders. "It's the most beautiful necklace I've ever seen." She tilted her head back, pressing her lips firmly against his. "It's amazing. You're amazing."

"Is that a yes?"

Another laugh. Her embrace tightened. "Of course that's a yes! I told you I wanted to grow old with you." Her smile softened. "I wouldn't have said that if I hadn't meant it." She looked up. "So when's the wedding?"

"I can have the event planners set it up whenever you want."

She pursed her lips. "How about tonight?"

"Tonight?" he squeaked.

She nodded. "I don't want to wait anymore. It doesn't need to be extravagant. I grew up on the South Pole—our weddings were simple. Most of them took less than an hour."

He felt himself smiling. "All right. Tonight, then."

Seven hours later, Katara studied herself in the mirror. A blue dress cascaded down her body like a waterfall, shifting whenever she moved. A gold ribbon wound around her waist, a Fire Nation color to complement her water tribe preferences. Ty Lee hovered over her, pinning her hair up. "Do you want to keep the loops, or should we do something else?" she asked, armed with several bobby pins.

"Keep the loops," Katara said. "And tie them back into a braid."

Ty Lee set to work, seeming pleased. She'd changed drastically from the girl they'd freed from the prison. Her hair had grown out, and she'd regained some of her usual cheer in the past month. "This is so exciting," she gushed, fingers moving nimbly through Katara's hair. "I can't believe you're getting married, but at the same time, it's so you." She grinned, then immediately launched into a new topic. "I don't think you'll need much makeup. Maybe a little eyeshadow, but nothing major. You have such lovely skin."

"Thank you."

"I wish Mai could be here," Ty Lee said, her voice losing some of its cheer. "She'd never have admitted it, but she really liked giving makeovers. She and I used to do Azula's makeup all the time when we were younger." She smiled sadly, but lapsed back into joy a moment later. "But now I get to do your hair and makeup all by myself." She finished twisting the braid together, then tied it off with a piece of blue thread. "There. Have a look."

Katara turned toward the mirror, then gasped, lifting a hand to her head. The hairstyle was simple but elegant, similar to the style she'd worn in the South Pole, but more mature and regal, the braid pulling everything back into a sort of hybrid between Fire Nation and water tribe styles. "It's perfect."

"Great. Now for makeup." Ty Lee grabbed some products from the countertop and started smearing them on her face with practiced movements. "You'll be the most beautiful woman in the Fire Nation when I'm done."

Katara said nothing, keeping her face still while Ty Lee worked. The quiet gave her mind a chance to wander.

She hadn't told her father yet. Though he'd assured her he'd accept any man she chose to marry, he'd probably assumed her pickings would be limited to someone in the water tribes, or perhaps the Earth Kingdom. He certainly wouldn't have expected her to get married to the Fire Lord a month after the end of the war. A year ago, she'd have scoffed at the idea herself.

Then again, a year ago, a very different man had sat on the throne.

For now, it seemed like a better idea to beg for forgiveness than ask for permission. So she'd sworn Sokka to secrecy and kept the news limited to her friends. The palace scribe would be recording the whole thing, of course, but Zuko had assured her that was part of his duty. She'd do whatever it took to keep people from denying their marriage. Having one of the witnesses be a palace official would be the easiest step.

Half an hour later, Ty Lee led Katara to a crescent-shaped arrangement of kindling in the royal garden. Zuko had warned her about the traditions of Fire Nation weddings, but it still alarmed her when, after stepping inside the crescent, one of the servants lit the branches afire. Ty Lee gave her one last smile, then hurried into the audience, sitting in the second row. Sokka and Suki sat in front, waving as she met their eyes. Sokka looked a bit tense, and Katara guessed it had something to do with Suki's gentle teasing. The Kyoshi warrior was prodding him about when they could hold their wedding.

Aang and Toph sat next to each other in the front row, talking animatedly. It surprised her a bit to see Aang looking so relaxed—she'd always suspected he'd had a crush on her, and though he hadn't reacted negatively when she'd told him about her relationship with Zuko, she'd worried about the wedding upsetting him. Yet Aang seemed in control, even happy.

Others had gathered, mostly casual friends who had been close to the Capital. A few others—servants and noblemen she didn't recognize—sat near the back. Probably friends of Zuko's, she thought, smiling at them. A few had the grace to smile back, but most of them avoided her gaze. Well, you can't make the world whole again in one night, she thought. But we've got representatives from all four nations. That's got to be a good sign.

A small band started playing music at the edge of the garden, announcing Zuko's arrival. He wore deep crimson robes, his crown glinting in the sunset. Katara focused on him only for a moment, her attention drawn away by a man in a deep blue tunic. Her heart jumped as she recognized him. Dad?

Her father met her gaze. He stopped mid-step, his stare piercing. Katara's heart started thumping harder; she looked to Sokka, saw that he'd noticed their father's entrance. When Sokka turned back toward the flaming crescent, he had trouble meeting her eyes. Oh, you are so dead when this is over, she thought.

Her father sighed audibly, and Katara turned her attention back to him, her expression caught between a plea and an apology. After a moment, he sat down in the back row, crossing his arms in front of his chest.

As soon as her father sat, Zuko started walking toward the crescent. Her heart accelerated again, this time for a different reason. One of the Fire Sages followed, carrying a tiny white book. Katara recognized him as Fire Sage Hakko.

"We have gathered here today to witness the union of Fire Lord Zuko and Lady Katara of the Southern Water Tribe," Hakko began, smiling faintly as he opened his book. He spoke for a few minutes about the symbolism of the marriage and its anticipated effects, but she barely heard any of it, her gaze focused on Zuko's face. The sunset touched his eyes, deepening the gold to amber, and in that moment, he looked as if he'd taken a piece of that sunset inside himself, acquiring a faint radiance. He was, despite the scar, the most handsome man she'd ever known. And he's mine now. We can finally be together.

"Fire Lord Zuko, you may present your gift," Hakko said. Zuko pulled her engagement necklace—now suspended on a white ribbon instead of a blue one, symbolizing her change from being engaged to being married—and fastened it around her neck. The charm fell just above her collarbone.

"And you, Lady Katara, may kiss your groom," Hakko said. Katara leaned forward, pressing her lips to Zuko's. Pleasure rushed through her body, as pure and warm as morning sunlight.

"I love you," she whispered. "Always."

"I love you, too," he said. "Always."

Their small audience erupted into cheers, and even her father applauded politely from the back row, despite his brittle expression. Zuko took her hand, extinguishing the circle of fire with a wave of his hand. Servants rushed in to clean up the ashes.

Katara took Zuko's hand. "I think we're going to have to explain this to my Dad."

Alarm flashed across Zuko's face. "Now?"

She saw her father rising from his chair. "Yes. Now." She pulled Zuko along, gripping his hand even tighter as her father walked over to meet them.

"Katara," he said, nodding stiffly. "You didn't tell me you were seeing someone."

She smiled, trying to conceal the anxiety churning away under her ribs. "Yes, well . . . How did you find us?"

Her father raised an eyebrow. "Your brother is a good man, but he's not good at keeping secrets."

Oh, he's definitely dead when this is over. "Oh."

"Perhaps we should speak privately."

She fidgeted. "Right. Sure. Um, Zuko, could you—"

"Of course," he said, bowing to her father before looking at her. "I should probably speak to my cousins anyway. I'm sure they're curious." He edged away, as if waiting for permission, then turned and hurried toward the group of nobles on the other side of the audience.

Katara turned to her father, bracing herself for the inevitable lecture. "I'm sorry. I should have told you before, but I thought you'd try to stop us."

He laid a hand on her shoulder, closing her eyes. "I'm disappointed," he said. Katara wilted. "But as it happens, I approve."

She jumped. "Really?"

He inclined his head toward Zuko. "He may be Fire Nation, but I've seen what he's done to make this world better. He keeps his promises, and he's shown himself to be a fine warrior. If he'd been from either of the water tribes, I'd have had no reservations about this."

She winced, but didn't argue.

Her father sighed. "He honored water tribe traditions. The necklace. I wouldn't have expected that of him."

"He wants me to be happy."

"I know that." He looked away. "I know that. And I know you've grown a lot since I left the tribe. But you're awfully young to be getting married. Are you sure this is what you want?"

"I'm sure. I've never been more sure of anything in my life."

He paused, considering that. After a moment he nodded. "Then I trust your judgment. But you know, if you ever change your mind, I'm sure we could—"

"Dad. I'm not changing my mind."

He stepped forward, his arms circling around her shoulders. "Just remember you always have a place to come home to if you need it," her father said. "And come visit sometimes. Your life is going to be busy, but you've still got a family."

"I know." She smiled, glancing at Sokka. He grinned sheepishly, edging closer to Suki. Ty Lee bounded over to chat with him, sporting a comically short braid.

"Go on now," her father said, his eyes tight with tension. "I don't want to keep you from your husband on your wedding day."

"Thanks, Dad." She slipped away, hurrying over to Zuko as he split off from his cousins. She studied them for a moment, wondering which would have taken the throne if he'd refused it. And then he looked at her, and nothing mattered anymore.

"Shall I have the servants bring people to the reception?" he asked, taking her hands.

"I have a better idea." She leaned forward, pressing her lips to his and wrapping her arms around his torso. "Why don't we just skip straight to the honeymoon?"

His eyes lit up. "I don't think we're allowed to do that."

"You're the Fire Lord now. You can do whatever you want."

"Tempting. Very tempting." He kissed her again. "But you don't really want to skip the reception."

"Oh?" She raised an eyebrow. "Why not?"

"Because," He pulled her close again, but rather than amused, his voice became serious. "We live demanding lives. I want to spend every moment I can by your side. I figure that if we go to the reception, I get to spend that much more time with you."

"All right. But if we're going to the reception, you're going to dance with me."

"Dance?"

She nodded, grinning. "If we're going to make a compromise, I'm getting my cut," she said, tracing the edge of his scar with her fingertip. "That's basic politics, right?"

"True." He kissed her again. "But this isn't a political marriage."

"It doesn't change the fact that people will see it that way."

"No, it doesn't." He paused. "But we'll always know we married for love, not convenience. And I think that's the most important thing."

"I think so, too. Now," she said, taking his hand and pulling him toward an empty space in the garden, "let's dance."

—end—

Author's Notes:

So that's the end, everyone! It's been a great ride, and I hope you enjoyed this story. Writing the sequel was a lot more labor-intensive than writing the first part, but I think it was worth it. I stumbled in places (as many of you pointed out), but in the end, things turned out all right. Anyway, feel free to leave comments. I always read new comments, no matter how long it's been since I've finished a piece. And thanks to everyone who stuck with me through all the infrequent updates and flaws.