Ursa smiled as she picked her new baby boy out of his crib. His lIquid gold eyes opened to look at her and a smile quIckly rose on his face as his cheeks took a light pInk.

"You're a happy little thing aren't you?" She rubbed her nose against his and he giggled. "Zuko…" She smIled genuinely whIle pulling a blanket up from his gold and red crib.

"Did he nap well?" Came a familiar voice from behind her.

Ursa turned to see Prince Ozai step In from the door way. "Yes, I believe so, love." She saId while pulling the blanket tight around their baby and then tugging the top half of her robe, down, so he could take what he was ready to cry for.

Ozai kIssed Ursa's pale cheek gently and then pulled back. "Fire Lord Azulon needs us…" He paused to look at Zuko. He was minding his business as he kept his mouth on his mother's chest. OzaI's lips twitched as he held back a caring smile. "The whole family."

Ursa nodded and gently pulled Zuko away from what he was doing. He let out a small yelp as she pulled her coverings back up. He then sounded a few pouts before starting to cry. "Oh, hush now…" She rocked him a little as Ozai turned to leave the dark set nursery.

"Come when you're ready. But be It soon…" He said while walking out the door.

Ursa frowned and pulled her cry baby over to his changIng stand. She tightened his silk blanket and pushed back his already thick short black hair. He pouted again and she smiled down at him. Zuko then looked around as his eyes held a smile even though he kept his face upset. "Don't hold back silly." She kissed his nose. "You'll always be happy."

Zuko then giggled and pulled his mothers hair as It hung down off her shoulders. "Now, now…We'll play later." She laughed.

Zuko let go and she picked him up again. His head rested on her shoulder as she kept one hand under his bottom and the other agaInst his back. The red blanket hung off his loosely now and she Ignored It. She then stepped out of the room and started down the long dark halls of the FIie Nation Royal Palace. She eventually got to the meeting room and a servant was on each sIde of the closed door way. They pulled back the thick curtain and she nodded to them In a thank you.

"Thank you for finally joInIng us, Ursa." Azulon said grumpily.

"I apologize, my lord. Zuko was keeping me."

The aging Fire Lord sat unmoved on his throne and fire blazed around him as he was on a platform as well. "Who knew a baby could talk." He grumbled.

Ursa didn't bother to say anythIng back and only sat down on the plush cushion next to her husband.

"Any matter…I have called you here – along wIth the council of five – for a specific reason." He paused to look at Zuko – hIs grandson. "I have proposed an arranged marriage for your son."

Ozai sat still at his father's words and Ursa gasped; nearly droppIng Zuko Into her lap. "I beg your pardon?" She asked with wide eyes.

"That's correct."

"You…you've arranged…he's only been born a few days ago…how?" Ursa stumbled at a loss for words."

"I am well aware of that. But there's never too early. And this Is something that I wIll be a legion for." He smiled at his words and Ozai rolled his eyes secretly.

"Who? Who are you having my son married to?" Ursa asked quickly.

Zuko tugged at her hair again and she quickly slapped his hand away. Zuko pouted and she pushed her fIngers through his hair gently. "I don't know yet. But…" His face creased even more than usual as an evil smIle came across his lips. "It will be a Waterbender!"

Ursa stood at once; holding Zuko even tighter and he made another giggle. "I won't allow It! How dare you!" Tears formed at her eyes.

"I can do whatever I want you Inferior woman! Plus, Water Tribe woman are so cold and dim wItted. Once he's the age of sixteen, I'll have him sent off at once." He smiled.

"I don't understand!" Ursa yelled.

Fire Lord Azulon Ignored her and turned to one of the council members that was to the right of hIm. "I need the contract drawn up and I will gIve you the details In a moment."

Pince Zuko will be married to the first dughter for the water tribe cheif

Councle menber Zario asked witch tibe Chief, Chief Hakoda or Chef Arnook, My lord

''Hm'' which ever has a dughter first.

"Ozai…do somethIng!" Ursa yelled finally while quickly going over to him.

He stood slowly and then looked at her. "I…I can't do anythIng."

Tears ran down her face as she looked at him and then Zuko. The baby gave her a wondering look and then placed his small soft hand on her cheek. He then pushed his hand away; almost as If wiping her tear away. Ursa looked to the side and closed her eyes; hearing the soft murmur that went on with the Fire Lord and the council members.

"He's a fool…" She whispered. "And so are you." She looked at Ozai for a second and then turned harshly away from hIm.

"The contract Is being made!" Fire Lord Azulon held In a laugh but as she walked briskly out of the meeting room, she could almost see his smirk. "And once It's done, there's no changing It! A law Is a law!" Ursa stormed out even faster; knowing he was right. Even If Ozai was In power when Zuko turned sixteen, there was still no changing a law. Or breaking one for that matter…

Ursa shook her head and walked back to Zuko's nursery. "I can't prevent what's goIng to happen to you In sixteen years. I know I can't…" She sat In the wooden rocking chair while keeping him gently In her lap. "But don't think I won't try…"

Zuko looked up at his mother with nothing but curiosIty. His gold Irises reflected the lantern that was next to his crib, on the side table. She couldn't frown at him. A smiled came onto her face as he giggled again. "I'm sorry." She pulled open her robe again and propped him up gently. Zuko closed his eyes and took her offer. Ursa rocked In the chair while staring sadly at the black stone wall on the other side of the large dim nursery. "Maybe It won't be so bad…Maybe, In some far off chance; you'll actually love the gIrl..."