Return
The woman walked up the mountain, up the many steps that run up the side of the mountain. She was an old woman, one that had faced all that life had to offer, and still wasn't finished. The woman climbed up the staircase, step by step, one at a time. People passing by her didn't even pay attention, didn't even consider who she might be, didn't even think of the possibilities.
Then she heard voices, young voices, a group of teenagers were walking down towards the harbor, laughing and talking together in friendship. One was a young water tribe girl, another was a water tribe boy, who was apparently the brother of the girl. And coming in behind them was a bald boy, with the look of a teenager, but the eyes said different. The bald boy turned to the woman, smiling and gave a friendly wave. The woman looked at him and smiled back, then turning back to her steps, continued walking, one at a time, with hundreds more to go.
After a long while, she finally made it to the top, and looking back at the conquered stair case, she wondered how she managed to do it. What with her age it was a surprise that she made it off the boat with no help. Turning from the steps she made her way into the center of the Fire Nation capital, with people bustling everywhere, rebuilding broken walls and laughing at the sudden peace that had come only weeks ago.
Smiling, the old woman made her way further into the center of the city, slowly walking on and on, passed a butcher, weapons dealer, and cabbage merchant. And as she made her way further, a feeling of excitement grew in her, a feeling that she had not felt in years.
And slowly, with the creaking joints of her old body, she made it to her goal, the Fire Nation Royal Palace. Smiling, she looked upon the brilliant palace, and wondered at the one person inside whom she had come for. Again, she walked, up to the large door, and opened them. The lobby was surprisingly empty, with no secretary or servant in sight, so she kept walking, past the large lobby, up the throne room door, and then she knocked.
Tap, tap, tap she banged upon the door, hearing the multiple echos and reverberating bangs coming from inside the giant room.
Then she heard foot steps, walking, walking, walking, making its way up to the giant metal doors. Then, slowly, the huge doors began to open inward.
And a boy, not much older than the bald one seen on the stairs, came out with a bowl full of food, "What do you want?" he asked the woman.
The woman then looked into the eyes of the boy, and stood there silently, and the boy looked back into her eyes, and he dropped the bowl he was holding, and embraced her with eyes full of tears, "Mom?" he asked the woman.
"Yes, it's me my son." she replied.