The Price of Freedom-Ch 18

By the time they arrived where the others were, the fighting had died down a great deal. Granted, there was still fighting going on, but it wasn’t as bad as it had been. Many of the guards had been defeated and only a handful remained. Of course, it wasn’t easy and there were casualties on both sides.

The guards were the top of the line soldiers; firebenders with no sense of mercy. However Pakku’s army was strong as well. They knew there was no going back, they had to win. Not to mention, they had trained nonstop the past months, almost a year, for this very moment. There would be no backing out, no losing now.

The full moon increased the waterbenders power, giving them an advantage against the firebenders. The nonbenders proved their worth as well. Hakoda and Bato had trained many in fighting skills. The gear wore protected them from fire. And while the predictable firebenders paused in between each move, the nonbenders attacked by any way possible.

“Zuko, we have to find some way to stop them. You have to stop them.” Katara cried out. She knew her father could handle himself, but she was still worried about him. Not to mention their son. What if someone saw him and tried to harm him?

“I don’t think they’ll listen to me.” He shook his head. It was one thing to defeat his father; it was an entirely different thing to declare a war over.

“But aren’t you, I don’t know, the Fire Lord or something? Don’t they have to listen to you now?” Sokka rolled his eyes.

Zuko widened his eyes for a moment. In a way, Sokka was right. He had defeated his father and therefore the title of Fire Lord belonged to him. The time for peace was now in his hands. And with his hands, he sent two blasts towards those fighting, causing them to stop and turn towards him.

“Enough of this fighting! This war is over! The Fire Lord has been defeated. The Princess is captured. I am now the Fire Lord. And I declare peace!” His voice boomed throughout the halls. He took his stance as a leader with Katara at his side. Their look dared anyone to protest.

One by one they turned to face one another. The former prisoners couldn’t believe their ears. Peace had finally come. The soldiers weren’t sure what to think. But seeing his fierce determination, as well as Katara’s, they dropped their hands. Cheers could be heard all thru the Palace, signaling the end of the war.

“We did it Katara. We actually did it.” Zuko smiled at her.

“That we did.” She wrapped her arms around him for a kiss but was stopped by her father.

“I think I should be thanking you.” Hakoda extended his hand to Zuko. “You saved my little girls life, and for that I owe you.”

“It’s nothing, sir. I couldn’t live without her. It wasn’t a matter of choice, but a matter of time.” Zuko replied as he shook Hakoda’s hand, which only lasted for a moment before the Chief pulled him in for a hug.

“And you,” He turned towards his daughter. “I have missed you so much.” Tears ran down from his eyes as he embraced his daughter.

“I’ve missed you too dad.” She whispered thru tears. She finally found her peace, her family once more. “So much.”

“Now, let me take a good look at my grandson.” He smiled as he was handed Ryu. Ryu opened his blue eyes at his grandfather, happy to see a familiar face. “He’s beautiful. He has his mother’s eyes.”

“And can you believe they didn’t name it after me?!” Sokka exclaimed.

“No son. I can’t.” Hakoda smirked. Just like old times. Sokka was still Sokka.

Pakku eyed the young child he saved, unsure if he should like it or not. “Katara, is he the father?” He pointed over towards Zuko. “Or is it… someone else?” Katara and Zuko blushed a bright shade of red once they heard his question. Of course they knew someone would ask about Ryu, they just didn’t expect his blunt question.

“Katara, is there something you want to tell me?” Hakoda raised an eyebrow. Granted, he knew Katara had to of done some things he didn’t approve of in order to have a child, but he didn’t know all the details.

“I guess I should tell you.” She sighed before she started her story.

She began to explain the only way to save Zuko was to give something important to Ozai. Yet, there wasn’t any way she wouldn’t give her life to save him. However, she missed him and knew she had to be with him, even if it was wrong. He helped her feel whole again, to feel clean. That all changed once she was pregnant. And of course, that saved her life as well. By the time she finished up to that point, Toph and Haru were back.

Sokka couldn’t believe what he heard. Everything his sister had done, all for love. As he hugged her tightly, tears fell from his eyes. “My sister is now a woman. And I missed it all.”

“And to think, I’m the only one who knew everything.” Toph smirked. There might have been times when she hated being able to feel everything, but there were times like this that made her smile.

“I’m sorry to interrupt Hakoda, but there is something one of the men found in Ozai’s room.” Bato held a red ribbon in his hand. Even though he was on the other side of the hall with Katara next to him, Zuko knew exactly what it was.

“What-”

“That’s my necklace!” Zuko shouted, jumping up.

“Wow Zuko. I didn’t know you wore jewelry. I don’t think that color fits you though.” Sokka laughed. Bato rolled his eyes and mumbled something under his breath about being Hakoda’s son.

“No, that’s not it Sokka.’ Zuko shook his head. “It’s-”

“It’s mine.” Katara grabbed the necklace from her father, eyeing its detail. “Zuko carved it for me.” She smiled. “Ozai just found out before he gave it to me.”

“He carved you a necklace?” Sokka’s jaw almost dropped.

“You carved my girl a necklace? You know what that means don’t you?” Hakoda stood next to Zuko, almost trying to intimidate.

“Yes, well you see… the thing is… I wanted to ask you first.” He rubbed the back of his neck. “And, well… you weren’t here. And I wasn’t planning on asking right then, but it fell out-”

“Enough son.” He smiled. “Welcome to the family. I’d be honored to have you as a son.”

“Hey, since you’re the Fire Lord now and you’re family, does that mean we can eat? I’m starving.” Sokka’s comment was met by smacks by everyone.


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A week later, after everything had calmed down and Zuko had been officially crowned Fire Lord, a ceremony for those lost in the last battle started. Mostly it was for Aang. Zuko promised Toph he would make sure Aang’s name lived forever. With the new statue dedicated in his name, he would be remembered forever as the one who ended the war.

He managed to find his Uncle, with the help of Pakku. Pakku mentioned something about the White Lotus knowing where Iroh was. Seeing the two of them together in tears caused anyone nearby to cry. Seeing Zuko beg on his knees for Irohs’ forgiveness was something you would only see once, and normally would have teased him later on. Yet, not this time. The beautiful embrace of the two of them took the breath away of those fortunate enough to see it. Even Pakku could be seen shedding a tear or two.

Katara stood next to her now husband, holding him tightly. After everything they went thru together, they didn’t want to waste a moment before they married. It also gave Sokka a nudge before he proposed to Suki.

Although Hakoda loved the sight of his children alive and happy, he couldn’t help but feel a pain in his heart. A void no one was there to fill.

“Don’t worry Hakoda. I’m sure there are plenty of women in the Northern Water Tribe. We can find you someone.” Pakku smirked.

It was the idea of both tribes, a way of balancing things out. While there were too many women at the North, the South lacked in women. The simple thing was to see if anyone from the North would be willing to relocate.

“I’m not sure if I’m ready for someone just yet.” He sighed. Something told him he was, and she waited for him up North.

Katara smiled, seeing everyone there. Although it was for a sad occasion, she couldn’t be happier. The rainbow after the storm, as it was.

“Katara, my love, is there something bothering you?” Zuko whispered.

“No. I’m just so happy right now.” She turned towards him before saying the biggest news. “I do have one thing though.”

“Oh? What’s that?” He asked.

“I’m pregnant.” She whispered. Her only response was a loud thud from Zuko.