Chapter 1: The Little Soldier Boy

"And as you can see," said the soldier to the dozen or so others in the war room, "the position illustrated here-" he pointed to his map- "will give us a vast tactical advantage. This will allow us to-"

A small form appeared silhouetted against the war room door. The soldier stopped his presentation. All those assembled were silent.

"Daddy?" the child said, his voice trembling.

The general pushed his chair away from the table and stood. "Please excuse me, gentlemen. An urgent matter has been brought to my attention."

"General Iroh," protested a soldier, "the war-"

"This," said the general, firmly, "is more important than any war could ever be." Scooping the child up in his arms, he exited.

"He gives that boy entirely too much attention," grumbled the soldier who had been presenting his strategy.

"You would too," replied another man at the table. "Ever since the general's wife passed on, that boy is all he's got."

"What's wrong, Lu Ten, my child?" Iroh asked his tearful and trembling son as they walked down the hall.

"A... a d-dream," sobbed the boy.

"Ah," said the general, nodding sagely. "Well, my son, I will tuck you back into bed, and together we will see if we can chase those nightmares away." Iroh growled ferociously, making Lu Ten laugh in spite of himself. "Do you think we can do that?"

"Grrr," replied Lu Ten.

"Oh, stop it," Iroh said in mock alarm. "You're scaring me!"

Iroh lit a lantern as they entered Lu Ten's bedroom, and placed his son gently on the bed, pulling the covers over him.

"Now, let me here you growl again," said the general. Lu Ten obliged. Iroh nodded. "Yes, a nightmare wouldn't dare show his face around such a fearsome beast." Lu Ten giggled. The general brushed a lock of hair from his son's forehead."

"Sing daddy," said Lu Ten, settling deeper into his pillows. "Please."

"Leaves from the vine, falling so slow, like fragile, tiny shells drifting in the foam. Little soldier boy, come marching home... Brave soldier boy, comes marching home."

Lu Ten was now asleep.

"Again," demanded the child, his eyes closed.

Well, not quite. So the Dragon of the West sang, and his son, eventually, slept.