Korroh/Irorra Week! Yeah actually going to throw my hat in the ring for this! So here's hoping I get to everyday :). By the way as far as ages go I'm going with my standard 7 year difference then the cannon age difference, except for this first story which I'm going to stick with the cannon age.

Day One: Age

They said I would leave her a widow; I was too old to love her. Yet I loved her truly and she me. Too many years between us, I would leave her side too soon. That's what they all said. You won't always be there to stand behind her. It's not fair to her to let her tie herself to a middle aged man. Maybe they were right I have gray starting to show in my ebony hair and I not at strong or fast as I used to be.

I look out the window and see my young daughter playing with her big brother. I might be getting old but I can still keep up with them and carry my little girl on my shoulders so I'm not that old…I guess. I can't help but smile at their laughter. They're the ones I'm really afraid of leaving too soon. They run and tumble not having a care in the world while Commander Bumi, my mentor, watches over them. I envy my children and wish I could join them but if I do… I lean against a wall trying to compose myself.

I pass a painting of her; she's in her wedding dress laughing as we dance. I can almost hear the echoes of the music floating down the hall. Even at our wedding a stranger passed the comment that she should treasure the few good years we have. There's a dark irony in that statement there the when you think about how it all turned out huh? Makes me rethink that comment.

I come to the guarded doors. They let me pass with out saying a word; they're down cast eyes saying enough. The room is empty save a large wooden box and me. I don't want to look but I have to. Just in case…just in case it's not-not her. I look in and fall to my knees weeping at this sight of Korra's still form. Arranged on a bed of white lilies and red roses my love rests with eyes closed. She's still beautiful even with the horrible deep gash across her chest and blood stained tunic. I'll have to see to it that her body is properly prepared and dressed before the children see her.

I brush a lock of hair out of her face before giving her one last kiss. I stand up trying to compose myself I can't be seen as weak or emotional right now. I'm the Fire Lord, ruler of the Fire Nation and faced with the awful decision of shattering this age of peace with a war or letting my wife's murderer live safe behind his walls and Armies. I look back down at her still, silent body and feel myself go to pieces again. She was never this quiet, never this motionless.

I hear the door open behind me. "I thought I left clear instructions I did not want to be disturbed." I say trying to hind the sorrow in my voice. I look up so see Bumi standing in the door way my children thankfully not with him.

"I heard Lady Korra had returned from her trip." He looks past me for a moment and then back at me. He shakes his head slowly. "No, no Iroh…It can't…"

I nod my head and burst into brand new tears. Bumi just hugs me and lets me cry. I half expect him to tell me to solider up and move past this but he doesn't. He just lets me cry into his shoulder until I have no more tears to cry. Sighing deeply I back up a little and wipe my face with my sleeve. Only then does he speak.

"Was it him? Did he do this?"

I nod. "I don't know what to do now Commander. I'm lost. Do I jeopardize would peace to avenge her death? Is doing that selfish? To end the age of peace she worked so hard to obtain?"

The commander is thoughtful for a moment then looks down at the humble coffin. For a second the commander's eyes widen and he pulls from the flowers a bloody knife with an open locket wrapped around the hilt. I know the locket; I gave her it on Mai's third birthday. There was a picture of the four us posed smiling at the camera. Or that's what should have been there but instead the picture was slashed. Bumi frowned.

"My Lord, I think perhaps an age of peace has already ended."

I nod solemnly knowing exactly what message was being sent. Taking a deep breath I walk towards the door. "Commander gather my generals and bring them in to the loop. Tell them I'll be there as soon as I can but first I have to tell Mai and Zee that mommy's…" I bite my lip not wanting to say it. "Gone. Also if you can please tell the white lotus they better start looking for the new avatar while I burn Ba Sing Say to the ground."

The age of peace was over. The age of Avatar Korra was over. And the age of the King Wu of the Earth Kingdom would soon be over too.

A/N ok so a really sad one to start off with. Sorry if you're crying but I was too. However I will have some happier tales to tell for the rest of the week I promise! See yah tomorrow with another one shot and next time you won't need the tissues. ~ C.C.