Trial by Fire: LanYing's story

Ch.1: The Beginning

Long ago, the four nations of the world lived together in harmony. There was the Earth Kingdom, the North and South pole Water Tribes, the Air Nomads, and the Fire Nation. Fire Lord Sozin decided to grace the world with the "honor" of joining the Fire Nation, but when they refused his offer, he attacked them instead. Avatar Roku was certainly displeased with Sozin's actions, but he disappeared from the Earth, giving Sozin the chance to continue conquering the world. All was in a state of chaos while the world searched and waited for the new Avatar. In this world that you already know of, ordinary families lived and tried to raise their children in these dark times. This is a tale of one such family.

Liu groaned in agony as another contraction came.

"Ju-Long, you idiot where are you," she muttered to herself between clenched teeth. "I sent you a messenger an hour ago, surely you know by now the baby is coming!"

She hissed as the pain washed over her once more.

"There now Mrs. Zhú, I'm sure he's on his way right now."

The midwife entered the room with a bowl of water and a wet towel to put on Liu's head."You can't expect the messenger to find your husband's boat out on the river amongst all the other boats right away now, can you?"

Liu sighed in exasperation and pain. "I suppose not, but I wish he were here right now." A warble of fear crept into her voice. "I don't want to go through this alone."

The midwife wrung the towel and placed it on Liu's forehead. "You aren't alone. I'm here with you. And I will make sure you have a safe delivery."

Liu smiled in gratitude and opened her mouth to thank the woman, when another contraction came and a yelp of pain came out instead.

"Ohhhh it's getting worse, it's getting much worse!" Liu groaned in agony.

The midwife checked Liu over quickly and realized that the husband was probably going to miss his child's birth.

"I'm sorry Mrs. Zhú, but I'm afraid the baby doesn't want to wait for their father any longer. They're coming now. I need you to take a deep breath and push for me."

"Liu! Liu! Are you alright!?" Zhú Ju-Long slammed the wooden door behind him and clumsily hopped on one foot to pull off his shoes.

In his haste to get home, he accidentally brought a fishing net with him, slung over his shoulder, and it was doing its best to tangle around his feet and trip him. Eventually, he was able to get his shoes and net off, leaving them in a heap in front of the door. He rushed into the bedroom where his wife was.

"I'm sorry, the messenger had a hard time finding me he said that you gave him the message a long time ag-" His sentence was cut off as he stared at the scene in front of him.

The midwife was placing a wrapped bundle in his wife's arms. She looked exhausted, but radiant as she held the child- their child- in her arms. She glanced up at him, a tired, but mischievous look in her eyes.

"Zhú Ju-Long, you're late." She said. Ju-Long smiled sheepishly. "I know, Liu. I'm sorry."

They looked at each other and broke out in laughter.

"Well," Liu said, "come meet your daughter." "My daughter." Ju-Long repeated and crossed the room to the bed where his wife lay.

The midwife smiled as she watched the man look at his child for the first time.

"She's beautiful" he whispered softly as he looked at the newborn. "And so tiny! Just like you Liu!"

Liu, tired as she was jabbed him in the ribs. "You could have just left off at the 'beautiful' part, idiot!"

They laughed together and Ju-Long gently pulled Liu's face to his and kissed her.

"I love you, Liu." Ju-Long said. "You and our baby are the most beautiful creatures on this earth."

Liu blushed softly. "Are you being serious for once? That's not like you Ju-Long."

Ju-Long put his arm around his wife's shoulders.

"I'm as serious as I was when I asked you to marry me. And look at us now. We have our own family. And this little one will grow up to be just as beautiful as her mother and as strong as her father."

He look down at his child and reached out to touch her. As he did, the baby wrapped her small hand around his finger. Ju-Long's eyes welled up with tears of happiness.

"What should we call her?" He asked Liu.

Liu was silent for a moment. "I've been thinking of names and there's one that I've liked for a girl. How do you feel about Lan?"

Ju-Long thought for a while, then responded, "I like it, but it's too short. I'm going to end up getting Liu and Lan mixed up. What if we add something to it? Like… LanYing?"

"LanYing." Liu reapeated. "I like that."

Liu leaned her head on her husband's shoulder and addressed her child. "Hello LanYing. I'm your mother and this is your father. We're so happy you're here."

Ju-Long chimed in. "You picked a wonderful time to be born, little one. You're a citizen of the greatest nation in the world. Fire Lord Azulon and his sons will surely bring the Fire Nation to greatness."