The Phoenix

Thanked

Katara, Sokka and Hakoda sat on one side of the dinner table as iroh, lu ten and azula sat on the other side as they thought it would be best to only have the six of them together rather than a larger dinner party.

"So you're the ones that found the avatar? How does one manage to do that?" The sixteen year old princess looked at the siblings as she sat between her uncle and cousin.

Azula was left to be raised by her uncle the day her mother was murdered, lu ten was more protective of her when prince Ozai was banished for bringing shame and treason, leaving her alone in the palace.

"It was on accident, I broke Aang out of an ice berg that he was frozen in," Katara told her simply as she sat in the middle between her father and brother.

"Has he mastered all four elements then? He's pretty young for an avatar," lu ten commented as the two girls sent him a look.

"I was aangs water bending teacher and we met Toph who trained him in earth bending, but we've never gotten to fire bending," Katara sighed explaining as she drank some red wine.

"Your a master?" Lu ten asked impressed.

"Yea didn't you see her throwing her tantrum?" Sokka snorted as Katara kicked him.

"I was always told there weren't any water benders in the South Pole," Azula looked at her uncle confused.

"I'm the last one, that's why we traveled north to find Aang a teacher," Katara told her and azula nodded understandingly.

"But the North Pole didn't allow women to learn water bending to fight, only to heal," she continued as the fire benders were slightly impressed.

"How come every time you get in a fight I get caught in your bending," Sokka complained a little.

"Trust me, I get it, azula always tried to duel me but every time I get lit on fire," lu ten snorted as azula drank from her cup.

"So you're not a fire bender prince lu ten?" Hakoda asked curiously.

"Nope," he ate some of his food.

"Then what are your intentions with my daughter when your crowned fire lord?" The chief asked calmly but there was a warning tone in his voice.

"I believe with your daughter we can show the world that the fire nation is done with the war, we want to establish peace," lu ten nodded at him.

"That's not what I asked," Hakoda looked at him.

Iroh and azula smiled a little seeing the slight panic in his eyes at the protective father.

"Chief Hakoda I know this all seems like a hoax, that the fire nation has had decades to create peace with the world instead of creating the fear that is has made, Ive been fire lord for eight years now and it's all sudden," iroh looked over as he held his cup of tea.

"And master Katara I thank you greatly for complying with the arrangement, we will make sure you get everything you need to feel more at home," he nodded at her as she seemed sour still.

"But the arrangement we've made I do believe it is a first step, there are rebellions against both sides of the war, some of my people are loosing themselves to the fear of never seeing their husbands or sons again, and others want to make sure the world burns, but with your help I think we can settle things down," he smiled kindly at them, Katara gulped a little as she held her brothers hand under the table.

"My brother... he also has been creating more destruction ever since his banishment, I fear he may rise up to over throw me," iroh said more seriously as azula clenched her fist a little.

"Your brother? Why would he do that?" Sokka asked confused.

"Ozai is a man full of rage and the desire for power, he believed he deserved my birth right of the throne, his intentions were dark, he may not be in the fire nation but he has still created destruction in the years," iroh gulped softly, screamed echoing in his head.

"Why didn't you put him in prison? He's a murderer," Hakoda knew the rumors of the brother of the fire lord.

"He's a what?" Katara snapped her head to her father. No one told her that one of her in-laws was a murderer.

"Prison would've been mercy, to still be served, banishment means he would've been less than dirt," Azula swallowed a lump in her throat glaring a little.

"He would've found power in a prison, many agree with ozai's views for destruction," iroh agreed.

"What he'd kill a servant or something?" Sokka snorted shaking his head.

"He killed my mother and my brother," Azula shot up from the table as she was quickly leaving the room.

"Azula," iroh went after his niece concerned.

"I'm sorry, I didn't know," Sokka immediately regretted his words.

"It's a day we mourn for, darkest day for my family," lu ten pursed his lips and Katara felt her stomach dropped. The memorials for the fire lady and the prince...

"I'm sorry," Katara nodded. "We've all lost someone we loved to this war,"

"Agreed," he smiled gently.

"Your right, this war is bringing more grief than a good reason to not try to at least stop it, I just want to know why the water tribe? Why my people?" Katara clasped her hands over the table leaning forward, remaining calm.

"Fire and water, opposite elements, what better way to show peace than an alliance with our opposite? Plus with the earth kingdom there was no way to start, nor anything we could agree to with terms," lu ten nodded, he was happy they could have a civil conversation with her now. Hakoda stayed silent as he let Katara say what she pleases and the information she wanted.

"But you've tried?" She asked.

"We have, but ba sing si is not accepting and only City that has been willing is omashu, but my father is a friend with the king," he smiled a little as Katara understood.

"Water tribe would be a good option then, perhaps with the marriage we can come to terms, as allies," she sighed agreeing and finished her wine.

"Thank you Katara," lu ten bowed his head to her a little.

"Don't thank me prince lu ten, I'm doing it for my family, for my friends and for everyone who's suffered," she nodded with a calm face.

"That's enough to thank you," he smirked a little.