Note: I came up with this idea before they ever aired "Zuko Alone", so that's why parts of this are inaccurate. I liked it though so I decided to leave it as it is. Just to clear up any confusion with names, since I left my original names in… Pyra is my equivalent of Ursa and Jin (which means "treasure") is Lu Ten. Hope you enjoy my ideas for what Iroh's past could have been like!
The old man passed silently back and forth, back and forth, almost like a specter in the dark. The sound of his feet upon the steel floor of the ship was the only sound. His body was there, in his room, but his mind was miles away, haunted by memories of a time gone by. Suddenly he stopped, his gaze fixed straight ahead, seeing in the darkness, specters of the past and listening to voices only he could hear.
"Iroh, I'm so sorry! My… my father made his choice. I'm to marry Ozai," her voice trembled as she spoke. He quickly looked away so that she might not see the hurt in his eyes. He knew that she had no choice in the matter, but it hurt to have his brother chosen instead of him nonetheless.
"Please… don't be angry," she said softly as she laid a gentle hand on his shoulder. "You know this isn't what I want but… but I have no choice," she said, her voice breaking slightly as a few silent tears trickled down her pale cheek.
"I know," he replied with a sigh. "I… I don't know what to say." His voice was barely above a whisper now as he looked at the woman he loved so dearly. Her tall, willowy body trembled slightly, but she still held her head high, proud and noble. Even in her sadness, it was obvious that she was a princess and a formidable woman. Her long raven hair was pulled back away from her face in a long braid that fell to the center of her back, except for one stray wisp of hair that fell into her dark, almond eyes.
He pushed the single strand behind her ear and kissed her forehead ever so gently as he drew back. "Pyra… I… I…" he wanted to say something to her, something to comfort her, something to ease their sorrows, but no words would come. He drew her into a fond embrace and held her for a long moment in silence. They both let their tears fall freely, mingling with those of the other as they stood motionless, clinging to each other in the dark and lonely night.
He blinked back the stinging tears that threatened to trickle down his finely wrinkled cheek and looked around him, seeing for the first time where he was. It took a moment for the fact to register that he was back on his nephew's ship. He was banished from his home and helping his nephew, the prince of the Fire Nation to hunt down the Avatar and he was twenty years older! He had only been remembering. Twenty years… could it really have been that long ago?
The old man shook his head as if to shake the thoughts away. He slipped on a scarlet robe and walked silently toward the ship's galley. As he moved silently through the corridor his thoughts returned, unbidden, to the first women he'd ever loved.
Two young men stood on either side of the Fire Lord's throne looking towards the door of the immense audience chamber. It creaked open slowly and a small man, made to look even smaller next to the huge oaken door, slipped inside. "May I present the Princess Pyra?" he said and waved his hand toward the door with a flourish. The door creaked open a second time and a beautiful young woman stepped inside and stood before the throne, curtseying gracefully before looking up towards the two young men with a small smile.
The younger of the two brothers stepped forward and walked slowly around the young woman, making quite a production of looking her over, though it was plain from the look on his face that he was quite taken with her already! The older boy stayed back, a little behind his father's throne and watched intently, eyes twinkling merrily.
"Where are your manners, my sons? Introduce yourselves," the Fire Lord said as he too sized up the young woman before them with his eyes. The younger brother nodded and stood before the princess bowing deeply. "I am Ozai." He smiled confidently and then stepped aside as his older brother stepped forward to introduce himself as well.
Iroh's face was a little flushed and his throat felt dry as he bowed to the lovely young woman. "My name is Iroh. I am very pleased to meet you," he said softly as he backed away shyly, eyes on the ground.
The princess nodded politely. "It is a pleasure to meet you both," she said smiling in Iroh's direction. "It is honor to meet you as well, my lord," she said kneeling before the Fire Lord.
"The pleasure is all mine, my dear," he said. "Now shall we go to dinner?" he asked rising and leading the way to the dining hall. The princess got to her feet and made to follow. Ozai quickly offered his elbow and grinned as she took his arm and they walked toward the dining room. Iroh felt his face flush angrily as Ozai turned his head and winked at his brother while the young woman's eyes took in all the intricacies of the palace around her. He said nothing, however, and followed behind them.
If he'd thought meeting this princess was awkward business then the dinner was ten times worse! His anger burned hotter and fiercer as he was forced to watch his brother flirtatiously converse with the lovely young woman. The musical sound of her laughter pained his ears as the mingled with hoarse laughter of his brother. Through it all, of course, their father sat there beaming. He was so proud of his youngest son, winning over the young lady so easily. He was always so proud of Ozai! No matter what he did he was always showered with praise. Iroh felt his stomach tying itself in knots and his breath was starting to catch in his throat. "May I please be excused?" he asked getting to his feet. His father nodded and he hurried out into the palace gardens.
She found him sitting on a small wooden bridge overlooking a pond of lilies. His feet were dangling in the cool water and his gaze was far off into the distance. "May I sit down?" she asked politely. He nodded and she sat beside him and turned her gaze off into the distance as well. "Are you alright?" she asked after sitting silently for a few moments. "You seemed rather upset when you left."
"I'm fine," he said quietly. Not knowing what else to say they sat there, together, in silence for a while. At last, he could feel the anger draining from him and he turned to her. He wanted to say something to her but wasn't sure what. Then the question he'd been pondering all day came back to him. "So why did your family decide to send you here?"
She looked a little wistful as she answered, "They've arranged for me marry one of you and form an alliance between our kingdoms."
"Ah, I see," he said with a sigh. "It's always political, isn't it?" he said with a frown. "I'm sorry, princess. I'm sure it must be hard to be separated from your family and sent to a foreign kingdom to marry someone you don't even know," he said after thinking quietly for a moment and trying to imagine what she must be feeling.
"Yes, a little," she sighed, looking out towards the horizon. "But perhaps it won't be so bad," she said forcing a smile. "Maybe I'll learn to like it here. I think I could learn to like you," she added smiling at him and chuckling as he flushed deep crimson.
He suddenly realized that he wasn't really hungry after all and turned, almost automatically and headed up towards the ship's deck. He needed a breath of fresh air. That would clear his mind and help him get back to bed. As he slowly climbed the stairs his mind began, once again, to wander.
"I'm sorry, my son. Ozai has proved himself to be more capable and better suited to rule the Fire Nation than you. He will succeed me as Fire Lord."
"My father has made his choice. I'm to marry Ozai."
It wasn't fair! It wasn't fair at all! First Ozai had robbed him of his rightful place on the throne and then Pyra's father had given her to him! Everything he held dear was being taken from him and given to his brother!
Rather than stay in the palace and be forced to watch his brother's happiness while he suffered in silence, he had decided to join his father's army. After several years of intense hard work and dedication his father finally promoted him to General. His first few missions went well, but then he was put in charge of capturing the mighty Earth Kingdom city of Bah Tsing Tsay.
His men had fought their hardest but control of the city remained just out of their grasp! The warriors of the Earth Nation were proud, strong people who refused to give up and fought with everything they had in them! No matter what tactics he tried, he could not gain the upper hand. Then there was that fateful day…