'The Dragon and the Phoenix King'
Act just act
Hira'a a small fire nation town in the outskirts of the empire, everyone there lived a simple life as farmers, weavers and Ursa felt lucky her father had a job as a magistrate in which he provided her a good education, paid for her acting and singing classes.
She recited her words at the playhouse wearing a dragon mask, she often did her plays with her friend Ikem, they been friends forever and has been growing up together. He was passionate about acting and their parts were always romantic leads which made Ursa feel uncomfortable.
They rehearsal a kiss with masks and she backed up and took her mask off.
" I don't know what's worse a mask kiss or having to kiss my best friend without a mask ." Ursa wined
Ikem rubbed his head as he took the mask he wore off with a blush. He looked over Ursa in her pink dress, her hair was tied up a little braids to the back, he felt his heart pound.
" Well I enjoy kissing you Ursa.. After all I love you" He confessed boldly
She tutted she knew how he felt about her and she had made clear that she didn't feel those feelings, or she told herself she didn't feel that way.
" Ikem.. I...I am going to go home for the night." she replied awkwardly
She gave him her mask and ran off with a sad look as she put her hand to her chest. She didn't want to have feeling for her friend and ruin their friendship, she had to avoid those feeling. She slowed in her run and began to walk in her small village with the sun was setting, her parents trusted her out alone in the village as it was close knit community and she idly walked into home.
" I'm home.. " she announced with a yawned
She saw her mother sat on the dining room table, she was crying and Ursa put her hands on her shoulder concerned.
"Mother what is wrong? " Ursa asked concerned
She looked up and took her hand, she looked at her beautiful daughter now and tried to smile.
" Oh Ursa your grandmother and grandfather tried so hard to hide us.. We love you Ursa and we're sorry." Rina cried upset
" Mother.. What is wrong?" Ursa asked really concerned
" Go to your gardens and you'll see." He mother announced upset
Ursa walked off toward her gardens concerned and nervous. She walked into the gardens seeing her father there.
" Father? Mother said to come here."
Her father turned up her with a face that looked ghostly white like he was sick.
"Ursa you should bow before the most honorable Fire Lord." Her father urged weakly
She bowed quickly she had not seen him standing there sniffing one of her fire lily's
"Ursa is it? Please stand back up I want to take a proper look at you. " Azulon urged gently
She kept her head low as she stood with her hands in front of her.
" Lift your head please." Azulon added softly
She did look up and she focused on the Fire Lord, he gave her a kind smile, he looked toward another man and her eyes differed to him.
" You are a beautiful young lady as beautiful as the garden here. May I introduce you to my my youngest son, fire Prince Oazi." Azulon announced grandly
She saw Oazi now he was wearing royal red clothing, his clothing was made from the silk material, his clothing had yellows and golds in it and he wore a royal flame crown on his top knot. Ursa wondered just why the Fire Lord and Prince were here to see her family but her mother had hinted at it, was her family to be killed for there blood ties to Roku?
Oazi walked forward smiling kindly, he looked older then her but by how many years? She was merely a sixteen year old and had just became eligible for marriage.
" Lady Ursa decadent of Avatar Roku, would you do the honer of giving me your hand in marriage?" Oazi proposed regally
She blinked speechless and looked up her father with a look that showed her surprised.
He nodded in encouraging her to agree and she looked back the Prince. Had the Royal family travelled all the way just to ask her for her hand in marriage?
"Pardon Fire Prince Oazi.. Did I hear that right?" Ursa asked confused
Her father held his head almost groaning at his daughter and the Fire Prince laughed as he kissed his hand.
" Lady Ursa our marriage has been arranged by our parents, I ask as it customary to do so."Oazi explained sternly
Ursa knew then she had no choice, she knew why her mother was crying and why her father looked so sickly, the royal family had pressured, forced their will onto her parents.
" I would be honoured to take your hand in marriage Fire Prince Oazi." Ursa replied gently
She faked a big happy smile, she was a good actor and it was easy to pretend to be happy but tears slipped down from her eyes uncontrollably, Ursa knew she should say they were joyful tears.
She took her hand back with a wide smile as tears fell. She told herself they were joyful for the Prince's proposing, they were romantic tears. Yet they the opposite of romantic tears, this marriage was forced on her and why? Something to do with them being of Roku's bloodline... That seemed important.
Her father took her shoulder now and her spoke up on her behalf.
" I believe you made my daughter very happy here tonight, she is overwhelmed by happiness Fire Prince Oazi." Her father said gently
She nodded in agreement as she continue to wipe her tears, her father was always good at talking and she admired him for that
She was engaged just like that but what now? What was going to happen now.?
" I do not wish to to stay here much longer, I shall have the fire sages help your daughter pack so we can start travelling to the Royal Palace, we will send for you and your wife within a few days Jinzuk . " Azulon announced suddenly
Ursa looked shocked and looked to her father, she was getting whisked away tonight to the Royal Palace, probably to prepare her for the wedding. Her father lead her toward her room as the two royals went to wait in their carriage and sent the sages to help out.
" Daughter I'm so sorry… Roku hid your mother away from the royals to stop then using us. Yet they found us.." her Father explained weakly
He helped her pack her book and clothing and whatever she loved. Fire sages came in and Ursa could see in her father a defeated man and a man who wished this wasn't her fate.
She kissed her father's cheek as she whispers.
" It's OK father its not your fault or even mother's fault, they probably had this all planned."
He cried and hugged her close, the fire sages took her luggage and she bowed to her parents outside humbly and the fire sages helped her into the carriage and she was sat next to her husband-to-be. It was dark when she left and many were sleeping, she could hear Fire Lord Azulon telling her how great the homeland was compared to the village. He said the homeland had many luxuries but she felt go tired to listen to him, she closed her eyes as the carriage took her outside the village. Everything, everyone she knew or loved were getting left behind and she knew she would never see it again.
Azulon was still talking but when he didn't get a response he frowned, Oazi looked at her a little, he poked her arm and she didn't budge an inch.
" I think she feel asleep father."
Oazi sighed as he lent back in his seat and looked off from her, she was beautiful if nothing else but he knew nothing about her.
When they got home he'd have to marry her after he showed her around the capital and the palace. He was only getting marriage to this woman because she was grand daughter of Avatar Roku and the fire sages had predicted their combined bloodlines would produce a powerful child and secure their royal reign for years to come. Yet Oazi wondered why his had to bother with the marriage, he was second in line and his children would not see the throne.
He talked to his father as Ursa slept, he talked about what he could do to show her around and where he could take her, they didn't sleep as the capital was only a few hours away.
…
She felt a softness beneath her, softer then her normal bed, where was she?
She opened her yellow eyes rubbing them, she looked around and took in that this wasn't her room.
She saw she was dressed in a red robe tied around her wait, there was a knock at the door, the last thing she remembered was that she was in the royal carriage being brought to the royal palace. She was arranged to marry to Fire Prince known as Oazi. It hit her that this was the Royal Palace and this must be on of the room in it.
" Yes who is it?" she asked nervous to the knock at the door
The door opened and she held the blanket up to her afraid. Yet woman entered with a bow carrying clothing, water and cloths.
" Lady Ursa we have come to get you ready for the day."
She looked at the clothing, it wasn't wedding clothing, but it was expensive red clothing.
" Isn't it my wedding day? " Ursa asked confused
The maids laughed as they encouraged Ursa out of bed and took her robe off , she blushed and covered herself a little.
" What are you doing? " Ursa asked shocked
" We need to wash you lady Ursa, but today's not your wedding day. Fire Prince Oazi is taken you out today to show you around capital and off course the palace." one of the maids explained
She felt the hot water on her skin and she blushed uneasy, she had washed herself for years, but now she was here having woman waiting on her every need.
She was quiet as she as uneasy with their touches, they cleaned and dried her, dressed her and did her hair and make up.
They filed out and she sat on the bed, she was far from home with no one she knew, she felt like a prisoner here. All she had to do was act right, act like she like she liked it here and enjoyed being with a stranger, act like she loved him and cared for him.
The door opened again now and there stood Fire Prince Oazi.
" Morning Lady Ursa, I hope you slept well."
Ursa smiled at him as she stood now and bowed to him.
" Morning Fire Prince Oazi, I did indeed sleep very well."
She knew why he was here and he offered his hand and she took it softly.
" Today ill show you around the grounds and the capital. Then I have a special surprise for you."