Katara traced her wrists with gentle fingers. There was nothing her waterbending could do for these wounds. And she would not give it away.
The women had spoken to her in an extremely honey tone. She was sure they didn't like new competition coming into play. Not that she was competition. She would keep herself away from the Fire Lord as much as she could. He had slapped her after she had refused to bow before him. She would never kneel in front of such a perfidious man.
Of course her cheek had been marked by his large hand. She could see it in his uncle's face and then in these women's faces as well. They were bustling about, rubbing some kind of ointment on their breasts, combing their hairs, applying makeup. Once she had step foot in the harem's wing, the gaggle of faces had appeared around her, checking her out, grimacing or delighted by her arrival. They all inspected her wavy hair, since most had straight jet black hair, touched her skin in every place that was uncovered and stepped right into her personal space to peer into her eyes. They were all quite a deal taller than her, and she was half expecting that to be so. There were older women, around their forties, and she wondered if the Fire Lord, whom she had noted wasn't that much older than she was, used them.
There were also girls younger than her, laughing and smiling. Iroh had said he was respectful of his women. Still, Katara found it hard to believe these women enjoyed being taken by a man every time he pleased without being married to them. It was a foreign concept for her. In the Water Tribes such things were forbidden. Of course the Fire Nation and the Earth Kingdom had a completely different set of rules.
She could hear some of them talking about her, about how ugly and fat she was, and her eyes narrowed. What did they know about women of her type? She could also hear them laughing about how pathetic she was and how the Fire Lord would never call upon her to visit. Fine by me! She thought bitterly.
Her roommates all seemed to enjoy their masters company. Katara couldn't understand why. He didn't seem like the sort to be very gallant.
"Hey! You girl!" Katara turned her face too pear at the voice's owner. She was a burly woman, middle aged and with a very angry look, like she hadn't smiled in years. The waterbender wondered if she relaxed her face would the lines still be as visible?
"Yes you! Water Tribe!" the woman took a step further to her. "I'm sure you barbarians aren't accustomed to order and civility." The waterbender glared "But there are a few rules you should know about!" The woman placed her hands on her hips.
"I'm sorry but who are you to tell me what to do?" Her tone was calm but bitter none the less. She was sure this would sting. Fire Nation didn't like being defied.
"What?" The woman took a step forward and grabbed her painfully by the upper arm. Katara could feel the sting of pain. Great! Just great! Another bruise for me to worry about she thought resentfully.
"You will not speak like that to me. I'm the matriarch of this harem. I used to be Azulon's favorite woman."
"Favorite toy, you mean." Katara's left eyebrow rose as her lips quirked in sarcastic amusement. The woman just smiled.
"It is a great pride to be a Fire Lord's favorite. But you will never know the pleasure!" Thankfully she heard the little voice in her mind.
"You will do as you say none the less, girl. Rules are strict here, and trespassers are severely punished. You may not see the Fire Lord unless summoned. Any attempt to see him is punishable by death. You are not allowed to speak unless spoken too, especially in his presence. You will do as you are ordered by everyone you serve. Any disrespect will cost you dearly"
Katara glared at the woman, chin up.
"I'm sure the Fire Lord won't be summoning you greatly. Still he might want to keep you to entertain guests!"
"Entertain guests?" Her face fell. What was she talking about?
"The Fire Lord may offer his women to anyone he wishes. He may command you to work and clean, cook, mend, sew even to be intimate" She smirked "with one of the girls here! He is your absolute master. And since you are lower than all of us here, Water Tribe scum, you just have to do as you are told!"
Katara frowned. She was not a plaything. Nor would she ever be. The woman looked her up and down.
"We need to find you befitting clothes. Not that any will be of your size but we will deal with that latter. Is there something you can do?"
Katara tilted her head. "I can hunt. And fish. I can sew and I can cook. I can make clothes out of skin and some other things."
The woman's jaw dropped. "Anything useful? Like dancing or singing or even playing an instrument?"
Anything useful? Was she kidding her? "I can read and write. But that's just about it."
"Hm!" The woman walked away from Katara and called a few other girls. "I guess there is nothing we can do. What's your name girl?"
"Katara of the Southern Water Tribe!" She stuck out her chin defiantly. She would make sure they knew her name and her village.
"Well Katara let's get you dressed"
0o0o0o0o
She hated these clothes. Hated them with a vengeance. She truly looked like a prostitute now. Her shoulders were bare, her midriff was bare and a good portion of her legs were bare. Her top was very much like her under bindings only in a smooth red fabric. Her skirt was what bothered her the most. It hung low near her navel and had this cut on her left side that came all the way up to her thigh. They had adorned her ankles with charms and a bracelet was very uncomfortably place on her upper arm. Her hair was loose. They said it made her look less short and she frowned.
Now she had to wait. Wait until she was summoned. Or not.
The old matron that took care of all the girls was running around. It seemed that they had been busier since the Fire Lady had died.
They were used as gifts for nobles or even foreign dignitaries the Fire Lord was trying to keep under his control. But now that he was lonely, the women almost killed each other for a chance to be with him. Yes it was an honor to be intimate with their Lord, and it would be even better if they were impregnated. Bastard or not, the child would still have claim on the throne. It was said the Fire Lord's sister, Princess Azula, had killed all of her father's illegitimate children in hopes of claiming the throne for herself, but Katara didn't know how much of it was true.
The nobles and the man's council had been trying to guilty him into a new marriage, but no one believed he would ever do it. He loved his Fire Lady too much.
The waterbender snorted. Love. What does he know about love? She thought to herself as the women powdered their faces and smiled prettily at the guard that entered the room.
"Our most honorable Lord requests for Lihua's presence." He bowed deeply and the larger woman, Zhu, smiled brightly.
"Of course. Lihua our most amicable Lord summons you to his presence." A beautiful girl, in her early twenties smiled prettily and walked with the guard, her cheeks reddening as she did.
Katara snorted. Stupid women. If only they knew of the life beyond these walls, where freedom to marry whom they pleased was theirs, they would never feel this giddy about meeting with the tyrant. This man didn't deserve their adoration. She bit her lip. In the Earth Kingdom she had met a man, Jet. He was a freedom fighter and she had dutifully joined his band of merry man in the fight against the Firebenders. She had fallen for the man and he had fallen for her. Their romance was short though, for Jet had died in Ba Sing Se, trying to keep it from Fire Nation claws.
She had then fled to a village in the Earth Kingdom where she met another man, Haru. They didn't exactly start a relationship but there was definitely something between them. They had kissed once before his earthbending was discovered and he was ushered to a prison in the middle of the ocean.
Katara had allowed herself get captured, pretending to be an earthbender herself, she was very aware that her real abilities needed to be kept from fire scum' eyes.
The waterbender had started a riot in mid prison but soon they were overwhelmed and she was captured, and brought here.
She sighed. Prison life was better. At least she was left untouched. Her virtue remained intact, like Water Tribe tradition demanded. She had lived for over a year in the North, where arranged marriages were all the rage, and women dutifully obeyed their husbands. Luckily, her family down south was much loser when it came to marriage. Her father and brother had given her full liberty to marry a man of her choosing. Despite their evident looseness, Katara was still forced to keep her virginity until she got married. It would be difficult for her to keep it that way not that she was a working girl. Despite her nineteen years of age, she knew full well what would be done to her, especially since the Fire Lord could pass her around like one of her Tribe's peace pipes.
One foul move from her and he would punish with something far worse than death.
But she had to fight. She had to save herself and her family. Thoughts started rushing through her mind. Perhaps there was a way for her to end this war from the inside just like Princess Azula had conquered Ba Sing Se. Yes, she had heard about their unfortunate capture. All that stood between the Fire Nation and the world was the Northern Water Tribe. Chief Arnook, Master Pakku, Princess Yue. She wondered if her father and brother had made it up north to help them keep the city. She would see her family again. And that was a promise she made herself.
O0o0o0o0o
Iroh pranced around the palace mulling over the state of affairs. He had once been certain Prince Zuko would see the path he had to take and end the war. But the three years they had spent at sea didn't change the young man. They only fueled him deeper and when the chance presented itself the young firebender took it without remorse. Zhao had led an attack over the Northern Water Tribe and failed. The Fire Lord at the time, and Zuko's father for that matter, had deemed the man unworthy and put a bounty on his head. The Prince jumped at the opportunity and brought the man in. Fire Lord Ozai had declared Zhao a traitor and the only way to handle someone such as him was to sentence him to death. The man fought, so much so, that he changed the Fire Lord's mind. His life would be spared if he defeated an opponent in an Agni Kai. Of course Ozai had jumped at the opportunity. Everything to humiliate and shame other people. He had chosen his son, Prince Zuko as his champion. If he won his banishment would be over and he would regain his claim as Crown Prince and heir to the Throne. Zuko had won and he had forever strayed from the path his uncle had set for him. Peace, it was no longer a dream. It had been shattered, as soon as Fire Lord Ozai died and the Prince assumed power. He sent his sister, Princess Azula, and probably one of the most powerful masters to siege Ba Sing Se once more. Where Iroh had failed, Azula had succeeded.
But the old general had failed in showing his nephew the path of good. And that had been the biggest failure of them all. But he wanted to redeem himself. That's why he had bought that Water Tribe girl. He would save her from prison life and subsequent death.
He would keep her safe and perhaps one day she would be allowed to go home. Not that he believed that to be truth but at least no one would dare hurt one of the Fire Lord's concubines under penalty of death. Sure they could be passed around but if any harm came to them Zuko had the power to order the perpetrator's death.
Not that his nephew had shown much interest in the girl, but perhaps, he hoped, she could show him how important other cultures were. Perhaps Zuko would learn that the only way to keep rightful balance was to keep the world as it had once been, Four Nations. Now three nations, since the Air Nomads had been exterminated but that was beside the point, there was nothing anyone could do about that.
Iroh had long ago learnt that any form of bending could only get stronger if it absorbed the ways of others. Just as the Avatar had used the four elements to keep balance and gain strength so could every other bender in the world. True, they wouldn't be able to bend anything else other than their own elements but their strength would be heightened tenfold.
He stopped in front of the set of double doors that led to the girls' quarters.
He didn't even felt himself knocking, but Madame Zhu opened the door hastily, her infecting smile never leaving her face. She kept the females in order and was probably one of the best when it came to court affairs. She had been one of his father's mistresses and rumors claimed she had once bore him a son. Of course there were no proofs to the claim. If she had given birth to the Fire Lord's illegitimate offspring then he was nowhere to be found.
Iroh smiled, politeness evident on his face.
"Good evening Madame Zhu. I came here to collect a young girl!"
The woman's smile faded. It was most uncommon for the Fire Lord's uncle to present himself at the concubines' quarters. He had never seemed interested in claiming a woman before. After his wife, and later son Lu Ten had died, the man had dedicated his life to their majesty, Lord Zuko.
"But of course General Iroh. You can choose whomever you wish!"
"Actually I've already made my choice. There was a Water Tribe girl brought in here yesterday. I wish to speak to her."
Madame Zhu's jaw dropped. They had much better women here. The Water animal was nowhere near as beautiful as some of the other girls and she really needed to be domesticated first.
"My Lord Iroh, I genuinely advise you to not choose that girl. She still doesn't know how to behave and there is much we need to teach her. I strongly suggest…."
She was cut off when Iroh raised his hand.
"I'm sorry Madame Zhu, but it is the Water Tribe girl that I want. Now if you'd be kind enough to go claim her I would be most appreciated." He smiled and placed his hands on his round belly.
It took all of five minutes for the woman to retrieve a seething water maiden from her room. The girl's eyes were glued to the floor, and she looked as she was irked by the sudden intrusion.
Iroh held out his arm for her to take, and the girl's eyes darted from his arm to his face and back to his arm again.
She shook her head once and he took the hint.
"At least walk with me, please!" He smiled openly at her, his tone quite friendly.
Katara raised a brow and nodded as she was led down the hallway, Madame Zhu baffled behind them.
"First of all I would like to know your name, my dear girl." The old man said after a few silent moments.
"Katara, of the Southern Water Tribe." He smiled.
"Oh, the Southern Water Tribe. Yes, I've heard of it. Never really been there but I heard nice things."
"I'm sure." Iroh was certain her tone was laced with sarcasm, but he let it pass. She was clearly on her toes about this whole situation.
"So how did you get to the Fire Nation?"
"I was captured." She eyed him suspiciously through the corner of her eye. The man nodded and led her into a room where he sat on a cushion by a table.
Katara stood eyeing him suspiciously.
"Please take a seat." He smiled. She did as she was ordered. The girl found it best not to stir the waters just yet. She would lay low and calmly bait the enemy and then she would strike the final blow when they weren't expecting.
The man smiled as she settled herself in front of him.
"Would you care for some hot jasmine tea?"
She widened her eyes at the kind gesture and nodded once. "Yes, please!" Her voice was low and calm.
"You can tell me all about yourself while we drink."
0o0o0o0o0
The Fire Lord sat on his sofa, the flames popping in the fireplace. His eyes were glossed over looking at his element but not really seeing it.
He missed his wife dearly. Now that he was on the verge of actually finishing what Sozin had begun he felt lonelier than ever.
There was a knock on his door and he frowned.
Sighing, his voice boomed through the royal quarters.
"What is it? I said I wished not to be disturbed!" He was very much annoyed now that his musings had been interrupted.
Iroh came barging in through the door, his face always cheerful, arms wide open and robes bustling from his sudden movements.
"My dear nephew!"
Zuko cast him a look.
"I'm sorry, my dear Fire Lord. I feel quite disappointed you disregarded my gift!"
The young man frowned deeply.
"I have no wish for Water Tribe peasants." His tone was cold, distant. And he was telling the truth. He had no use for the girl. He wouldn't lay with a barbarian peasant, especially one who didn't know her place.
"But my Lord, the girl has many good traits. She can cook, clean, mend. And she is rather beautiful if I may say so myself"
Zuko snorted. She wasn't bad looking per se. He just wasn't interested in her. Nor had he pay close enough attention to her as a whole. All he had seen were those infuriatingly blue eyes and then her posture of defiance. One he had, at the time, wish to beat out of her.
"Come on nephew. Do this for your dear old uncle. Just request her presence to clean the floor to your room or such. I feel quite dishonored by your disregard of my generous gift!"
Zuko groaned and looked at his uncle. Besides his mother, uncle Iroh was the only one who had ever truly loved him, who had been there for him. He would be very ungrateful if he shamed his uncle in such a way. A gift was a gift, and when presented to the Fire Lord, disregard for that said gift would shame the bearer greatly.
He didn't know why his uncle wanted him to pay any attention to the girl. Perhaps he was feeling sorry she was going to be abandoned in the royal harem. Zuko could find good use for her, perhaps when some of his loyal Generals or maybe Ambassadors came to visit.
But this was a gift from his uncle for him. He could at least give her the time of day and then dismiss her.
He mulled over his options in his head, and Iroh tapped his foot on the marble floor impatiently.
"Nephew, I'm really sad you didn't like my gift. I thought you'd like it better than the tea I always offer you."
The Fire Lord sighed. Only his uncle to make him feel guilty about something so trivial.
"Tell me uncle, why do you want me to summon her so badly."
"My dear nephew, the Water Tribe girl could be useful to us. She comes from the late Southern Water Tribe. She could be used to get the Northern Tribe under our control. I'm sure my Lord and Master is intelligent enough to come up with good use for the girl. She may have insight about how to break them. How to finally conquer them."
Zuko liked the sound of that. Perhaps if he pried long enough she would let something of value slip.
Perhaps she would be useful after all.
Iroh watched his nephew review all over his arguments inside of his mind, probably trying to come up with something that could be argued. He hated lying to his nephew like this, but he was certain that once he saw how hurt the world was because of this stupid war, maybe, just maybe he would summon peace.
He saw the range of emotions that passed through his Lord's face, never concealed from him. Zuko had adapted into this spot of power much better than anyone expected him to. Even Azula had been impressed by her brother's sudden lack of mercy.
He had become as cold as they were. That was except when he was around.
Suddenly Zuko nodded.
"I'll call for her when I have the time." His amber eyes settled on his uncle suddenly, a unspoken strength lingering inside them. "But I will not taint my body with hers. Got that uncle?"
The old man nodded. He wasn't expecting him to. And he was quite sure Katara would rather have it that way as well.
I was going through Chinese and Japanese names and I found out that in Chinese/Korean Zuko means either "Failure" or "Loved one". It was quite an interesting find actually :P
I'm really sad no one has reviewed this yet. Is it good? Should I keep it going? Or just abandon it all together?
