A/N: This is a short chapter, but because I have not written in awhile (gosh darn you college applications) I wanted to get something out. There should be a larger chapter coming in the next few days. Also I am adding *warning fluff* as suggested by a few readers. I promise more action and adventure is coming soon.
-CM
Chapter 4
The Lightning's Hand
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Katara
I can't believe that I didn't notice it earlier. I should have figured it out. Of course the prince is him. I don't know why I didn't guess. He is the prince of the Fire Nation. I just thought that he would remain disgraced. No one said his name though so I just didn't think about it. He was just going to be some man that I would hate for the rest of my life. With all that Zuko has done, this is just perfectly ironic.
I start plotting how to stop taking my Chi-blocking herbs. If I can casually toss them somewhere, I'll be able to fight back when it is finally time for me to go to him.
By this time I have reached the Harem again. I pant as I bust through the curtain, and the other women look at me while I hustle through the heavily cushioned room to my special little area. I am still in shock. Why of all people in the entire world do I have to go to the wretched creature that has been trying to murder Aang since he emerged from his iceberg? Tui and La, please save me from this fate.
After my short little prayer to the gods that seem so far away from me here, Ma Ling yanks my curtain aside and stands intimidatingly in front of me.
"Katara, that is no proper way to act in the palace - in front of the crown prince, no less. I had to explain away why one of my charges behaved like that in one of the most cherished places in the palace."
"I just realized who the prince was. Please, you cannot make me serve him." I beg on my knees.
"That is what you are here for, so that is what you will do" Ma Ling says. For the first time her voice is not compassionate. With her ability to switch between kind and demanding, it is easily understood why she holds the position she does.
"Please, no, you can't."
"You will do what you are told and that is final. I will expect you at lunch to discuss your duties here in the palace."
Ma Ling stomps out of my room and I am left to contemplate my situation. I haven't been in the palace long enough to know my way around and with the number of guards I've seen in the hallways, there isn't a chance for me to escape before I am meant to be his. Again my mind wanders back to the herbs. If I stop taking them, it would take a week for my water bending to return and after then, I'd be able to fight back. I may not be able to burst out the front gate, but if I wait until night I should be able to climb over the palace walls and take out a few guards if need be.
I now have some sparkle of hope. I for sure need to find a way to stop taking my herbs. In the meantime, I have a way to get close enough to incapacitate the man who has been hunting the GAang for so long. If I am stuck in this situation, I may as well use it to help win the war.