CONVERSATION ON A TRAIN
As the train began its winding journey into Ba-Sing-Se, Iroh leaned over towards the family sitting next to him. He gently stroked the baby that was held in the young woman's arms.
"What a handsome baby," he said genially.
"Thank you," replied the young woman happily, "she was just born yesterday."
Iroh nodded thoughtfully.
"Children are always a blessing."
"You're right," said the young woman, "that's why we named our daughter Hope."
"What a beautiful name," Iroh said quietly, smiling.
"Isn't it? We named her while traveling with the Avatar."
Next to him, Iroh could sense Zuko tense suddenly at these words, and the younger man now seemed to be straining to hear every word being spoken.
"Well, it was very nice talking to you," Iroh said to the young mother, hastily changing the subject. Zuko, however, would not be so easily deterred.
"You've seen the Avatar?"
"Yes," the young woman replied, "he saved our lives".
"Lee," Iroh said pointedly, deliberately using Zuko's alias, "we should not bother this nice family anymore".
Standing, Iroh took Zuko's arm in a gentle but irresistible grip, leading the younger man into the next car over. Leading Zuko towards the back of the car, which was sparsely populated, Iroh spoke in a low, tense, growl.
"Why are you asking about the Avatar?"
"Because, uncle, if he's nearby, I may be able to-"
"What? What will you do? Have you forgotten why we are going to Ba-Sing-Se in the first place? We are going to keep a low profile; to not draw attention to ourselves. It was you who pointed out my indiscretion earlier. You were right, it was a foolish risk. I do not want you to make the same mistake."
Zuko was silent for a long moment, deep in thought.
"But uncle, if there's a chance-"
"There is no chance!" Iroh said, his voice holding an uncharacteristic note of anger. Taking a deep breath, Iroh continued, this time more calmly.
"Imagine something for a moment. We reach Ba-Sing-Se. Somehow, we stumble upon the Avatar and his very formidable friends. I need not remind you that if it was not for them, we may not have escaped from Azula. You and me, by ourselves, somehow manage to capture him and make it out of the earth kingdom against all the soldiers who will undoubtedly swarm in to stop us. Let us say, for the sake of argument, that all of that happens. As soon as we set foot on fire nation soil we will be captured, interrogated, imprisoned, and in all likelihood, executed."
Iroh let his words penetrate the younger man's mind for a long moment.
"Tell me, is it worth it?"
Silence reigned for several tense seconds.
"Is it worth it?" Iroh asked once more, emphasizing the weight of each word.
"I-I never thought about it that way."
Iroh smiled.
"Young men often do not consider all the possible consequences of their actions."
Zuko sat down heavily and Iroh sat down next to him.
"Where do I go from here, uncle? How do I let go of trying to regain my rightful place on the throne?" There was a despondency in the young man's voice.
"That I do not know, my nephew. But may I ask you a question?"
Zuko nodded.
"Why do you want to be prince again? Why do you want to go back to a life that was so cruelly stolen?"
"Because I don't know any other life, uncle. If I'm not prince of the fire nation, who am I?"
"That is a question you must answer for yourself, my young nephew. But having no other alternative is not a good enough reason to assume the throne of a nation."
Iroh stood up.
"Come. We are almost at Ba-Sing-Se".
Silently, Zuko stood and followed his uncle from the train, lost in his own thoughts. Neither man noticed the figure that was following them, moving stealthily and swiftly, with cold purpose in every step.
