Fire and Aether

Chapter 48: The Aether Family

    One year ago....
    The crowd cheered as Zuko stood back to his feet and approached the edge of the balcony, waving Rose to join him. "And there is one more thing I'd like to say." The crowd quieted themselves. "Something that I should've done so long ago. I, Fire Lord Zuko, am in love with the Avatar, Princess Rosalia Reign of the Aether Realm. She is the one who originally helped me find my way. I see it now as only fitting that I ask this question here and now so I can make our future together one of beauty and love."
    He turned to Rose who looked confused at his random confession. Slowly, he sank onto one knee before her. From the pocket of his fancy robes, he pulled out a ring with a jewel made of the magic that exists only in the Aether Realm.
    "Avatar Princess Rosalia Reign of the Aether Realm, will you do me the honor of making me the happiest man in all the five nations and become the Fire Lady, my queen, and my wife?"
   Rose's eyes filled with tears and she knew her answer immediately. "Yes, Zuko! I only ever wanted to be yours forever, your queen."
   They fell into each other's arms as the crowd cheered once more.
   A few minutes later, Rose was swarmed by her family and the rest of Team Avatar. They hugged her, handing out compliments and congratulations. 
   "Did you guys know?" 
   "I mean...the way his uncle was talking, we had an idea." Sokka said, shrugging.
   The rest of the group agreed.
   It was Toph who brought up the question on everyone's minds: "So what happens next?"
   Catie spoke up first. "Well, Will and I have to head back to the North Pole. Now that the war is over, we're hoping to start the process of making treaties between the five nations so that we can establish peace. The first step for us is signing a treaty between my people in the Northern Water Tribe and our people in the Aether Realm."
    "After that, we'll be heading to your home in the Southern Water Tribe to do the same." Will added as he gestured towards Katara and Sokka.
    "Once we finish what we have to do here, we might join you." Katara said.
    Sokka shook his head. "Once we're done here, I'm headed to Kyoshi Island. I'll meet up with you guys later."
    "Other than that," Ophelia continued, "Jasper and I will be headed back to the Aether Realm to clean up the mess caused there. We'll definitely have our hands full trying to fix the damages to the forest and the palace, not to mention restoring our connection to the spiritual world and our gods."
   "Perhaps my sisters and I should accompany you?" Aurora asked. 
   "We'll need all the help we can get, to be honest." Jasper said in response.
   The pair looked at one another and blushed. Rose caught the look and smiled. They were definitely soul mates.
   Speaking of which...
   "Has anyone seen Zuko?"
   "He's probably stuck somewhere in the crowd." 
   Rose nodded and the group continued their conversation.
                             * * * * *
   After Team Avatar met up with Earth King Kuei the next day, they met up with Rose's family to say their goodbyes. Earlier that morning, Zuko and Ophelia signed an official peace treaty between the Aether Realm and the Fire Nation. 
   As Will and Catie said their goodbyes and hugged the group, Catie responded, "It's been a pleasure and an honor to get to know all of you. Oh and, welcome to the family, Zuko." They hugged.
   That said, the pair boarded their boat. Moments later, Ophelia, Jasper, Aurora, and her sisters, after saying their goodbyes, jumped onto either a pegasus, alicorn, dragon, or griffin and took off.
                           * * * * *
    Sometime later...
    "Father!" Catie shouted as she rushed off the boat.
    The chief of the North Pole caught his daughter and pulled her into a hug. Will stepped forward and caught his arm in the customary greeting of respect. 
    "Well, let's head in."
                            * * * * *
    Meanwhile, Ophelia, Jasper, and the witches started their work on fixing up the Aether Realm. One day, Jasper and Aurora found themselves working together to make some repairs on the castle. After some awkward and idle chit chat, Jasper began asking Aurora questions about herself.
    "I'm sorry. I don't mean to be so nosy. I just deal in information, so I tend to be a bit curious by nature."
    Aurora laughed. "I completely understand. I tend to be a bit curious too."
    The pair giggled together until they realized how close to one another they were. Her eyes darted from his eyes to his lips then back. He leaned in and kissed her. Arms wrapped around one another, causing the pair to lean into each other.
    "This is cleaning a castle?" a sudden voice called out.
    The pair leapt apart and blushed like mad.
                             * * * * *
    Zuko inwardly groaned as he listened to complaints from his people. Rose was wonderful, however, coming up with new and clever ways to fix problems, make amends, and appease the people. As they finished up, the servant that escorted out the last person with concerns, smiled. "You'd better marry that girl, milord."
    Zuko smirked. "Oh, believe me, I have every intention of doing that very thing."
                             * * * * *
    Months later...
    Will and Catie had met up with Katara and Hakoda at the South Pole after all the treaty paperwork was done in the North Pole. Master Pakku and Gran Gran were inseparable, the latter laughing that this time, her fiancé had done things correctly. They planned their wedding would happen a few weeks from now.
   As the treaty signing was finishing up, Catie received a letter by messenger hawk: her father was dying. They needed to return to the North Pole.
                              * * * * *
    Letters were sent to the entire aether family to meet up as there was something important to discuss. Despite Aurora's warning, Rose attempted to return to the Aether Realm to see her family. The whole way, accidents kept happening and, after a near death experience, she agreed to listen to Aurora. Because of her predicament, the family agreed to meet somewhere between the North Pole and the Aether Realm.
   The family ran forward and hugged one another. It was Rose that noticed the ring on Aurora's finger. "What's this?"
    "Everyone...Jasper and I are now engaged."
    The group screamed in excitement and hugged the pair.
    Once everyone had had time to celebrate and found a spot in the clearing between a set of woods, Catie cleared her throat to address the reason why they were there. "So, the reason I called everyone here is because I received the news that my father...is dying." The family rushed to comfort her, uttering their condolences. "But," Catie continued, "because of this, I have to stay in the North Pole and take over my father's kingdom."
    The family was silent, turning to Will, as they wondered what he'd say. "I'll be joining her. I can't be away from my soul mate and it's important that I help her through this difficult time. However," he caught eyes with his mother, "someone else will have to rule the Aether Realm."
    "Unfortunately," Rose said, catching everyone's attention, "I can't return. I tried once to meet with everyone here and it went badly. On top of that, I am to marry soon and rule the Fire Nation with Zuko."
     "Not to mention her status as the Avatar would also disqualify her if I'm not mistaken." Zuko added.
     "That leaves only one choice." Ophelia stated plainly, glancing toward her youngest son. "Congratulations, Jasper. You will be king."
    Jasper vehemently shook his head. "I can't be king. I'm not right for the throne. I have no idea what I'm doing. Will was always the one that was prepped to be king. I'm just..." Jasper took a deep breath, "nothing. Just the forgotten brother."
    "You're so much more than that to us." the family disagreed.
    "Besides, I can help you, my love." Aurora added.
    Ophelia added, "And I don't plan to step down yet. Not until you're ready."
    "So it's settled then."
                           * * * * *
    Present day...
    When Rose saw the army standing before her, she sent a messenger hawk to her family. Hopefully, they would get the message in time...