A/N: Sorry for the long wait! This one still has romance and fluff, but also humor and action and mystery (oh my!), so hopefully I struck a good balance. Without further ado, I give you...Part Two.
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I'm not just a coward--I'm an idiot, too.
I mean, what was I thinking, acting nervous or reluctant, or whatever it was, about kissing her? Ursa and I took a little walk on the beach last night, and I finally tasted those sweet lips of hers. I won't regale you with the gory details—sorry, not a chance, although there were plenty—but I will say that sparks flew almost literally, me being a firebender and all, and we'll just leave it at that.
Just a sec—I've been told Iroh wants to see me.
Great. More secrets. More half-truths. Not that his secretly jealous little brother is any one to talk, but still...
Yeah, so I went downstairs to find Iroh heading out the door.
"And where might you be going in such a hurry?" It had to be something urgent, or he would have come to bother me himself, in person.
"Father has asked me to visit General Hui Lo, Head of National Intelligence," he explained, fastening his traveling cloak. "It seems they've found a lead on the plots, so I'm taking an hour's ship ride to Sheng Tao Island."
I looked at him skeptically, still smelling a secret untold.
"Should I compose a letter thanking Father for getting you out of my hair, or have I spoken too soon?"
"Nice try, but I'll only be gone for a couple days," chuckled my brother. "I'm leaving you in charge, though, so look after the others while I'm away."
"Sure, I'll just babysit the kids for you, so long as I get paid..." my sardonic comment trailed off as Iroh held up a scrolled tied with a silky red ribbon, and emblazoned with the Royal Flame. He was practically smirking for joy, so naturally I did my best to conceal my curiosity.
"Am I supposed to know what that is?" I inquired coolly.
"This...is your future!" he proclaimed dramatically, waving the scroll tantalizingly under my nose.
"Is that so?" I made a show of ignoring him (and watched the important missive like a hawk with my peripheral vision).
"This is only a copy made for us, but I think you'll be very happy to hear the news," wisely conjectured my brother, roughening his voice so he sounded like an ancient, venerable Fire Sage.
"Then tell me," I hinted in exasperation.
Unrolling the document, he assumed an authoritative stance and began to read:
"Let it be known that Longwei of the line of Roku, and Ri his wife, in loyalty and dutiful obedience Azulon of the line of Agni..."
He was enjoying every minute of it—so much for Iroh the Compassionate, eh, big brother? I tapped my foot impatiently. Just get to the point!
"...consent to give the hand of their daughter, Ursa of the line of Roku, in marriage to--"
I snatched the parchment out of his hand.
"Told you," he told me smugly. Because there are few things more awkward than being informed of and congratulated u[on your betrothal by your older brother, I shrugged off the news that made me feel as though I could take on the entire Earth Kingdom singlehandedly.
Shes—mine...
Enough with the mushiness, or I'll go all melty again. Although I could have poured over the evidence of our promised union for hours, I gave it a quick scan and then glanced disinterestedly back up at my informer.
"Thanks for the memo."
Iroh shook his head, smiling.
"You're welcome, little brother." As he walked out the doorway, though, he met my eyes once more, and all trace of humor had vanished.
"I'll send word if anything particularly interesting happens. Don't do anything too drastic in the meantime. And Ozai...be careful."
Whatever you say, big brother. I may be a Fire Nation prince, all grown up and firebending literally fit to kill, but does that mean I can take care of myself? Apparently not. I tell you, being treated like a child is really starting to get...annoying...
...Hence the smoke that was starting to rise from that torch over on the wall just now. But I've calmed down now, so we're good—I won't be staining ceiling with nasty black soot.
You wanna know what I was thinking of to calm down my scary temper? This is going to sound incredibly naïve and lover-ish, but...yep, it was my now officially promised bride that saved the ceiling beams. I must really be in love, if I go all mellow and fluttery just by thinking of my girl. Now that we're actually betrothed, do you realize what this means? It means I know for certain I'll get to do so much more than kiss her, one of these first days...
Before I drift off into giddy mental victory dances, I think I'll go have breakfast conjured up for my princess and me, and amuse myself with ancient records of dear old Grand-Daddy Sozin's antics with, you know, some comet or other while I wait for Ursa to wake up.
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Despite everyone's late night, Ursa still woke before the others. Eventually she and Prince Ozai had wandered back to the house, talking in the moonlit garden until the others were safely asleep and unable to press them for details. For a while the noblewoman lay in bed, gazing at the morning sky and dreaming of a stolen kiss, a forbidden dance, and one crimson lily.
When thought of a particular secondborn prince turned her inner dawn to gold, Ursa rose and went looking for him. Obeying a hunch, she climbed to Lady Ilah's cozy, elegant parlor on the second floor, now bathed in the pearly luminescence of new sunshine. There she found her beloved, pouring over a dusty scroll, and kneeling beside a low table laid with breakfast for two.
At her approach, Prince Ozai looked up with a quirky smile.
"I was rather hoping you would join me."
As Ursa took her place beside him, the royal poured tea for them both. Failing as always to adequately describe her pleasure and surprise, the noblewoman let an observation of no real consequence slip from her instead.
"I thought you didn't like tea."
With a twitch of his lips, the prince acknowledged her remark.
"I don't advertise my tolerance for it—not after growing up with the Obsessive Tea Lover. But in truth, I don't necessarily mind drinking tea. Just don't tell anyone," he commanded solemnly, taking a sip.
"Your secret is safe, lord prince," the future princess assured him with downcast eyes, and tasted her own tea.
During their light repast of fruits and pastries, Ursa's eye fell on the old document, now carefully set aside, that Prince Ozai had been studying at first.
"What are you reading?" she asked with interest.
"Dry, old records from ancient battles," he ruefully admitted. "Since childhood, military texts have fascinated me, but they'd probably bore you silly."
"Most likely," agreed the noblewoman sheepishly. "But then, I don't suppose you'd like fairytales." Even after their evening full of romance and mystery, she found it surprisingly easy to talk to him. Still, her senses felt heightened, as though to better take in the prince's face and voice—and each winning smile and witty remark set her aflutter, as they did when next he spoke.
"I like fairytales if they involve crazy spirit magic and epic battles. Just not romance...unless I'm one of the participants, of course," he amended with a knowing half-smile.
She blushed, and silence ensued—until they both started talking at once.
"You first," offered Ursa in the following awkward pause.
"All right then. I was going to say that I've been meaning to kiss you for a while now, and I was rather hoping..." With that look of shared, secret laughter, Prince Ozai melted her heart. "...that you were as pleased with the result as I was."
"Oh—yes, I...I was." This time her lowered gaze was no pretense, and so she didn't see the firebender reach across to lift up her chin. The memory of that same gesture (and its aftermath) on a silvery beach sent a jolt of electricity through her, and unable to do otherwise, the future princess let his molten stare claim her own.
Prince Ozai regarded her in friendly curiosity, which a mischievous tilt of his mouth belied.
"Ursa darling, have you ever kissed anyone before?"
Although her cheeks burned, the sun-colored fire in his eyes made them seem icy by contrast.
"No...only you."
Looking pleased, the prince slyly determined, "In that case, we'll have to practice." At the moment, however, he pursued the subject no further, and returned to their meal while the noblewoman calmed her nerves (with little success).
"Did you like that book I told you about yesterday? You seemed quite engrossed when I found you," he commented with a savvy expression.
"Oh, yes," she responded in delight. "I love wonderstories and ancient legends."
"There are many more on these shelves—my mother liked them, too. Feel free to read anything you find here," invited the prince offhandedly.
"Thank you." Gathering her courage, Ursa inquired after his own interests. "Are there any tales you enjoy, besides military accounts?"
Tapping his chin, Prince Ozai took a moment to ponder, before replying with an impish grin.
"I like it when the bad guys are punished with awesome retribution." Ruefully he chuckled. "You aren't so keen on that kind of thing, are you?"
"I...never enjoy hearing about war and judgment," the noblewoman confessed.
"So I've gathered," he replied, and she abruptly recalled their confrontation with Chan last night the party. "You aren't alone in loving mercy—so does my brother, of course." While an unfamiliar listener would have heard no insult in the prince's tone, knowing of the brothers' history made Ursa wonder.
Unable to bear losing the respect of her betrothed, she hastened to make amends.
"Prince Ozai—I don't mean to say that justice isn't necessary...because it is, I know--"
"I'm not accusing you, turtleduck," he soothed, and then paused, his face briefly shadowed. "Last night—did I upset you?"
"A little, yes," she admitted, remembering the promise of honesty.
Seeming genuinely puzzled, the prince studied her intently.
"I don't understand—Chan very nearly assaulted you, and yet you interceded for him. Will you tell me why?"
Twisting a lock of hair in her fingers, Ursa groped for an explanation.
"I just...he looked so pitiful—I had no idea what you would do to him. You're rather terrifying when you're angry, you know," she added apologetically.
Brow furrowing in quandary, he slid her that sideways glance she knew so well.
"Normally I'd take that as a compliment, but with you...I'm not so sure it is." Becoming graver, Prince Ozai warned, "You know it's dangerous to be easily moved by wretched appearance."
"Yes, I suppose it could let others take advantage of you," the noblewoman thought aloud, to show that she took his advice to heart.
"And on the battle field, it could get you killed," the prince delivered bleakly. When Ursa's eyes flew towards his, suddenly wide, he elaborated, "You've seen the glorious parades and majestic horn calls here in the Fire Nation. That isn't what it really looks like, out there." Gaze turning inward, he brutally recounted the truth. "Blood and grime, carcasses mangled beyond recognition, dying screams and charred bones and the smoke of battle: these are the true price of victory."
No longer hungry, Ursa stared down at her plate.
"It sounds...terrible. I know would never be able to endure such things."
"Then be glad that women are not compelled to serve," Prince Ozai gently enjoined. "But I have seen boys who... Suffice it to say that not everyone is like Iroh. My brother may be sentimental, but he's hardheaded enough to weather the war. Usually, that is." The firebender looked away, his voice revealing nothing. "I have seen even him unable to hold back tears, when the carnage is especially horrific."
Now strangely untouched by the horror of his words, curiosity drew her forward as one spellbound.
"And you?"
Restlessly he shifted, seeming reluctant to answer.
"I have very few sensibilities, or at least they're dormant concerning...mercy and empathy. So yeah, I can take the heat." This last the prince added carelessly, as though to shrug off their weighty conversation, but another question compelled Ursa not to let the subject go just yet.
"What if you couldn't...take it?"
Becoming thoughtful, he answered with a childlike straightforwardness.
"I'd get kicked out of the army. Or killed. That's what happens to most who can't stand it." Briefly his face darkened. "But I am not weak. I have faced horrors you cannot imagine, and I have killed seasoned warriors on a bloody battleground."
Suppressing a shudder, Ursa consoled his pride.
"I don't think you're weak. I can see that a Fire Prince must possess great strength, and you do."
Nodding, Prince Ozai affirmed, "The Royal Family is leading our people in this war--we're soldiers as well as rulers."
Every child had heard bedtime stories of the Fire Lord and his sons, and their victories against the lowly savages in the Earth Kingdom and the Water Tribes. Now that Ursa was promised to one of the princes, however, the struggle for world conquest seemed more real to her.
"If I may ask...what do you think of the war, of Fire Lord Sozin's vision to spread our greatness to the world?"
As in their very first conversation in the royal gardens, reminiscence of their age-old quest for dominion brought a faraway look to the prince's eyes, along with a gleam of reckless, exultant triumph.
"It is our glorious destiny, and our solemn duty, to bring the whole world under Fire Nation rule. Only then can it be reborn as the greatest empire that history has ever known." Coming back to the world of the living, he questioned her evenly in turn.
"And what do you think of the war, Roku's granddaughter?"
Taken by surprise, she scrambled to show her support of his family's ideals.
"I...I believe it is a high goal, and I honor those who lead us to it."
"No fair," he rebuked her lightly. "You know how to stoke my ego, but I don't know how to flatter you."
Flustered, Ursa disclosed, "You do it very well, just by—I mean, your attempts so far have been very..."
"...flattering?"
"Yes," she affirmed in a small voice, feeling shy but happy.
Half in earnest, he vowed, "Then I pledge to you all the perseverance of a warrior, a firebender, and a prince."
"Oh, my dear prince...I mean, that is--" To hide her shining gaze, the noblewoman tucked a strand of hair behind her ear.. "I shall repay it with..."
Curious once again, Prince Ozai leaned toward his princess, cupping her face in his hands.
"With what shall you repay me?" Amidst the swarm of butteflymoths he let loose inside her, for some reason Ursa remembered the guileless young prince in the portrait, so fiercely eager to serve his nation.
Selfconscious but determined, she wholeheartedly promised her world away to the only one who mattered.
"Everything...that is mine to give."
Seeming at once satisfied with and troubled by her response, Prince Ozai answered with his familiar, somber magnetism.
"A commendable reply from a subject to her monarch's son..." In his eyes, a stormcloud passed momentarily over the sun, but then it met Ursa's own gaze almost fondly, as his thumb caressed her cheekbone. "...and a promise worthy of treasuring from a woman to her betrothed."
Heart stilled in blissful tenderness, the noblewoman stumbled over her response.
"My Ozai, you're too wonderf—that is to say, I am honored, although...you must remember we aren't betrothed quite yet."
"Are we not?' he asked idly, hands releasing her as he stretched his arms and leaned back on them.
Astonished, she stared at him.
He stared back, raising an eyebrow as his mouth curved upward.
"It's quite simple, Ursa—the question is this: would you like me to keep calling you my 'girlfriend,' or shall I refer to you as my fiancee?" He pretended to consider. "Then there's always 'turtleduck,' which avoids the issue entirely..."
While a rush of powerful, unnamed emotion swept around the future princess's heart—still only "future"?--her mind struggled to catch up.
"But if I'm your fiancee, that would mean..."
"You got it, turtleduck. As of two days ago, when the papers were finally signed, we're official."
Head spinning, Ursa giddily clarified, "You mean, I'm officially engaged to be...your wife?"
"'Fraid so," he confirmed, somehow managing to look both smug and teasingly regretful. "Iroh told me this morning when the messenger hawk arrived. So now there's really no way we can get out of you joining the Royal Family."
"'Princess Ursa,'" breathed his betrothed, feeling bewildered despite the time she'd had to get used to the idea. "It sounds so...strange."
"I think it sounds lovely," Prince Ozai contended, a strange, fierce depth in his bonfire gaze. The flames lightened, dancing with inward laughter. "Of course, technically, your title changes now, due to legal formalities. If you want, though, I'll cow everyone into keeping your old title for now."
Ursa threw him a startled glance, and blushed.
"Oh yes, I think I will keep the old one. I'm not ready to be called 'Princess.'"
"Nonetheless, you are one," the prince alleged softly, adding with quiet pride, "Welcome to the family."
Somewhere in the no-longer-future princess's middle, a spray of whitehot sparks set her tingling. She opened her mouth to speak, and then hesitated.
Having finished eating, Prince Ozai absently picked up the scroll, and began turning it over in the fingers of one hand.
"Spit it out, darling."
Words failing her (again), Ursa leaned toward the prince and flung her arms around his neck, almost crushing the yellowed parchment. Quickly her betrothed returned the military document to its former resting place, and then caught his princess and pulled her into his lap, where she snuggled against his chest.
"I take it you're happy?" he inquired, looking exactly like an owlcat with a bowl of cream.
"Of course I am!" the noblewoman squealed ecstatically, not caring a bit how much she sounded like Ting Yan.
"So am I," the firebender pronounced contentedly, laying his cheek against her head. "I should warn you, though: Stay away from strange girls."
"What do you mean?" she asked in puzzlement, half laughing.
Silencing bride-to-be with a finger across her lips, Prince Ozai gravely continued, "The word of our betrothal will have gone out to the gossip-hungry multitudes—you're famous now, turtleduck. And because of your new status, all my fangirls will be green with envy."
Bemused and a trifle embarrassed, Ursa giggled.
In mock severity, the prince frowned at her.
"It's hardly a laughing matter. I have all the dangerous fangirls and none of the nice ones, unlike my saintly elder brother."
"Does that mean I'm dangerous, too ?" queried the noblewoman, innocently widening her eyes.
Slyly Prince Ozai stroked his chin.
"I think it means you have potential. I may yet bring out the bad girl in you."
After contemplating this, Ursa gave her consent.
"As long as we're not murdering anyone or committing treason, I have no objections."
"Kiss me, little bride, and we'll call it a deal."
Obediently she turned her face upward to him,and melted as Prince Ozai commemorated their moonlit stroll.
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After they had whiled away most of the morning in close proximity to each other, the prince and princess came downstairs to the airy front sitting room, where the other girls knelt on two of the cushions strewn on the floor. Through the large windows, the sky still shone bright and clear, but a foreboding mass of stormclouds darkened the horizon out to sea.
Engaged in a quiet, animated discussion, Dai and Ting Yan gave a start when they noticed the newcomers. As a suspiciously guilty look fought with expressions of keen interest in their faces, Ursa inwardly debated whether she wanted to immediately reveal her confirmed betrothal, or cherish the secret a while longer—assuming it could still be considered a secret when all of Prince Ozai's fangirls already knew.
Sweeping into the room with his betrothed on his arm, said prince smoothly halted each girl's dilemma.
"Good morning, ladies," he acknowledged the other two graciously.
"Good morning, you two!" Ting Yan cheerily greeted him and Ursa.
"Do sit down," offered Dai, motioning to the spare cushions around them. So they shared one, the prince's arm around the noblewoman's waist.
"And what are you girls up to, may I ask?" Prince Ozai pleasantly inquired of Ursa's friends.
"We were just conversing," Dai responded evasively, shooting Ursa a glance that promised another interrogation would be forthcoming. Apparently catching the look, the prince decided to speed up the process.
"I see. As it happens, so were my princess and I."
"We'd tell you what we were talking about," Ting Yan nervously volunteered, "but...um, it'd be awkward to do it with you here, instead of just Ursa." Now it was her turn to have Dai send her a pointed look.
"I'm sorry to hear that," murmured Prince Ozai regretfully, "because our news is...quite fascinating."
"Ooh, what is it?" Ting Yan zoned in on the hinted new intelligence, her face lighting up.
"I'd love to tell you," he drawled, "but I'm afraid it might be 'awkward'. Right, Ursa?"
"Very awkward, my prince," she confirmed seriously, content to let her betrothed 'bring out the bad girl' in half-teasing payment for all the past interrogations by her friends.
"We'll die if you don't tell us!" Ting Yan cried in anguish.
"Be respectful!" hissed Dai in a tone that suggested that Ting Yan would die in any case.
"Tell you what--we'll make a trade," proposed the royal. "You tell us what you were talking about, and we'll reveal our secret."
Ting Yan looked pleadingly at Dai. Seemingly resigned to the inevitable, the latter shook her head, but held a glint of humor in her eye.
"Fair enough, Your Highness."
"All right. We're royal, or near enough--" Discreetly the prince wound his fingers in Ursa's, to remind her of their secret tidings. "--and so we employ the right to...suggest that you go first."
"Very well," Dai began. "We... you tell them, Ting Yan." Indomitable as the quiet, determined noblewoman could be, courage failed her in confessing "girl talk" to one of the highest-ranking men in the nation.
Ting Yan, on the other hand, spoke even faster than normal in a flurry of excitement.
"Actually, what we were talking about was...a question we wanted to ask you."
The prince held up a hand for silence.
"Ah, but it follows that we would have to reveal two things to you while you tell us hardly any, and I hardly think that conforms to our agreement."
His betrothed laid her free hand on the arm around her waist.
"I think we ought to show mercy, since it's a special occasion." While rescuing Ting Yan, Ursa guiltily enjoyed heightening her friends' curiosity by dropping more hints.
"An excellent point," acquiesced Prince Ozai. Deep in his chest, the princess felt an inaudible rumble, as her efforts at tantalizing amused him. "Proceed, then, loyal minion."
"When you two left the party, we wondered...if anything especially romantic happened." At Ting Yan's failed attempts at subtlety, Dai looked as though she were itching to slap a palm to her forehead (or perhaps to the other girl's forehead).
Obviously relishing the suspense, the royal prolonged his listeners' agony with unmoved nonchalance.
"We walked. We talked. We...appreciated from afar the band that showed up. You'll doubtless get the sappy details from Ursa later." At the covert look of reproach she threw him for leaving her that job, he quipped, "Sorry, turtleduck."
Then he leaned forward, forcing her to do the same.
"Be that as it may, I do have one juicy tidbit for you."
As the others moved closer, the firebender dished with a conspiratorial air.
"For being new at it, your friend here isn't a bad kisser."
"Prince Ozai!" Once again Ursa's betrothed had set her face on fire without bending at all. As for her friends, Dai's jaw dropped, and for once, words not contain Ting Yan's squeal of delirium.
"Relax, darling—take it as a compliment," the prince encouraged lazily, straightening his back to a more comfortable position.
Having recovered somewhat from hearing about the latest development in Ursa's love life, the sharp-minded Dai held Prince Ozai to his word.
"Since Your Highness seems, as you said, inclined to show mercy, may we inquire after your part of the bargain?"
"You may, seeing as we have promised. Why don't you do the honors, princess?" Alert to his use of Ursa's new title, her friends went stone still in anticipation.
With the inward happiness bubbling out of her, the prince's beloved couldn't help but smile.
"We're officially engaged. We received the news this morning."
The room erupted as other two converged on them. Surprisingly emotional, Dai hugged Ursa with a motherly fierceness, and Ting Yan nearly strangled Prince Ozai, cheering at the top of her lungs right next to his ear. Strangely enough, he didn't seem to mind, and even gave his princess a bemused grin, for once not constrained to appear proud and regal.
"Ursa, I'm so happy for you," Dai congratulated her, sounding choked up. "To have made such an honorable match, with such a--"
"—such a wonderful, handsome prince! I'm sooo jealous of you!" Ting Yan gaily let slip, causing Prince Ozai's smirk to broaden. Just as he broke her ecstatic stranglehold by wrapping a possessive arm around her, and raised his eyebrows at his vaguely disconcerted betrothed, Zhao walked in.
"What's all the...commotion?"
Completely unruffled, the prince looked up.
"Oh, hey, Zhao. We've just been having some girl talk."
Whether more disturbed by the scene before him, by his friend's explanation, or both in equal amounts, the nobleman averted eyes and muttered, "To think you were worried about me wearing ruffles."
Perking up, Ting Yan started to scramble to her feet, a question obviously on her tongue. Evidently not finished with his "girl time," Prince Ozai refused to let go of her. Otherwise, however, he looked straight ahead with an innocent enough expression—except that his mouth had begun curving wickedly. While Ursa and Dai shot him glares half in earnest, Ting Yan reconciled herself quite happily to one of the few chances she would get to enjoy such proximity to one of her beloved firebender princes. Leaning against his shoulder, the flighty noblewoman voiced her inquiry to the increasingly perturbed Zhao.
"What do you mean, 'wearing ruffles'? I thought it was Prince Iroh who said they were on the other apron he could have worn, but didn't, a couple days ago."
"Long story—sometimes our sparring matches get..." Zhao fell silent, appearing reluctant to add any more awkwardness to the atmosphere.
"...interesting." Leaving them to contemplate this revelation, the prince went on glibly, "So, what have you been up to, sparring partner?"
"I've been answering another letter from my parents." He made a face. "They're worried the rumors of potential treason will pose a threat to my safety. They congratulate you two on your engagement, though."
"Give them my thanks," Prince Ozai directed regally, and then looked disapproving. "And remind your parents that they should feel honored by their son's desire to stand beside the princes, especially in our time of need."
"I live but to serve you, lord prince." With a mocking bow, the nobleman dropped himself on to a couch that faced them. "But seriously, what is all this about? Stories of evil plots have been running all over the court, but I haven't heard anything for sure."
"Neither have I—only hints and ladies' gossip," agreed Dai. "Is there something of which we should be aware?" Because their concern made the potential threat seem more real, Ursa listened closely now.
Despite the prince's casual reply, his princess and possibly Ting Yan felt his shoulders stiffen.
"I suspect has something to do with Iroh's so-called paperwork, but you know how it is--as usual, he and Father won't tell me much."
"What do you know, then?" asked Ting Yan, seeming fully engrossed in their tales of intrigue.
"Only that someone's out to get us, and my brother hopes they're nearing an answer." He let out a frustrated sigh, and the arm around his princess drew her tighter against him, as if to ward away the mysteries and danger. "Iroh told us to be careful, especially for Ursa's sake. She's more vulnerable to...threat, now that she's officially my betrothed."
Looking as though he were trying not to laugh, Zhao nullified the serious tone of this conjecture.
"If Ursa's your betrothed, then why are Dai and Ting Yan sticking to you like a fangirl's lipstick to her heartthrob's handkerchief?"
Affecting surprise, Prince Ozai modestly surmised, "I guess they just can't help themselves."
When Dai immediately scrambled away from the royal couple, managing to drag Ting Yan away from her captor in the process, the firebender longsufferingly confessed, "When Ursa's absolutely charming friends--" He sent a peeved frown at the traitors who had abandoned him. "--heard the news of our engagement, they deemed a group hug the most fitting celebration. I'm sorry you had to miss it," he added regretfully.
"I'm not," Zhao firmly maintained.
"Just admit it," coaxed the prince in scoffing amusement. "You know you can't resist me."
"Nah, I'll leave it to the ladies to fawn over you," the nobleman dismissed him, stretching out so that he took up the whole couch.
While the princess-to-be debated whether to laugh or scream (along with Dai, from the looks of her), Ting Yan darkened the mood once more.
"Is Ursa really in danger?"
"She might be." A grave enigma, Prince Ozai wound his free arm around her too, as though to shield her from harm by will alone.
"Then we'll look after her," the other two girls promised sincerely, and Zhao nodded. Although touched by the gesture, Ursa felt more stifled than grateful, as though her new station had already shut her in.
"Thank you, but...I'm fine, really," she declined as courteously as she could. "Please don't trouble yourself on my account."
For her ears alone, the prince softly chided, "You must learn to bear the gilded cage, my turtleduck, at least for now. It won't keep us in forever."
Coincidentally, Zhao chose that moment to express dissatisfaction with his present surroundings.
"I'm sick of being stuck in here. Does anyone else want to drop in on Piandao?"
"It looks like there's a storm on the way," Prince Ozai pointed out.
"So? I'm not afraid of a little storm," declared the nobleman with bravado. "Besides, if it breaks while we're over there, maybe we'll get to stay for dinner! Who's with me?"
"We could all go," suggested Ting Yan. "That way, all of us will be near Ursa in case she needs us."
"Good idea," the royal commended her mildly, and his princess laid aside her discomfort at the thought of everyone taking care of her like a little child. When the prince rose to his feet, everyone followed suit, and he favored them with an assured smile.
"Minus the future Fire Lord, let's get Team Awesome back together."
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As it was past noon, they decided to eat lunch before visiting the apprentice swordsman. Besides, as the prince pointed out, that would give them more chance of actually being invited to stay for supper, thus fulfilling Zhao's hope.
Piandao lived closer to town than did the Royal Family (at Zhao's friendly questioning, he had revealed the location of his family's summer home), so the teenagers strolled along in a talkative herd along the beachside road, laughing off the forebodings of treachery. When they neared more places of residence, people seemed to look at Ursa differently, as their future princess—or perhaps it was just her imagination.
One person's reaction, however, was frighteningly real. Soon they passed by an abandoned storehouse not far from the road, in which the roof had fallen in. In the far corner, they noticed a boy talking secretively with knot of strange men. Oddly, his companions wore dark clothing, rather than the usual Fire Nation red. The young man looked around, and both he and Ursa gave a start of recognition as she heard a sharp intake of breath from the others.
It was Chan. After the surprise faded from his expression, he sent them a smoldering glare of resentment and dislike. Feeling the arm across her shoulders draw her onward, Ursa looked up to see Prince Ozai meet fire with ice in his own hawklike stare--steely, cold, and unrecognizable. One last time the princess looked back at their enemy from the party. He was speaking to the strangers again, and she could have sworn he was smirking.
Shivering, the noblewoman drew closer to her prince, welcoming his protection. Perhaps his concern was also possessiveness—the line between them truly did always blur, at least wit them—but she was his, after all, and he cared for her. More to the point, Ursa wanted Prince Ozai to lay claim to her, as someone to hold under his wing.
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When they reached Piandao's front doorstep, the princess still couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief.
Brazenly Zhao marched up to knock on the door, and jovially greeted the white-haired serving woman who answered.
"Hi, there—all of us have come with Prince Ozai to hang out with Piandao, if he's around."
"Right this way, young master and mistresses, and Your Highness." Bowing gracefully, she led them spryly to the courtyard in back. Here Piandao was practicing complicated sequences with his sword, sweat dripping in his concentration.
When the serving woman respectfully took her leave, the apprentice swordsman finished his routine. Realizing that he wasn't alone, he lowered the weapon.
"Hello." Although perhaps a bit self-conscious, he looked pleasantly surprised to see them.
Seeming impressed, Prince Ozai queried, "What's this I hear about you possessing little skill in swordsmanship?"
Rubbing the back of his neck, Piandao avoided the prince's approving gaze.
"I'm not, really."
"On the contrary. He's quite good, isn't he, Zhao?"
"Definitely," the nobleman backed him up. "In fact, I think you could hold your own in a sparring match against Ozai and me."
"Let's have a three way fight then," the royal decided with a young warrior's carefree vehemence. As he and Zhao swiftly discarded their outer robes, the prince even found a way to include the girls.
"And while we're at it, Dai and Ting Yan, why don't you two each cheer for someone. Sorry, boys--Ursa's taken," he added with a sly grin at his princess.
"No problem, old married guy," Zhao blithely disrespected him. Letting Ursa know that Piandao had heard the news of her engagement, the swordsman sent her a smile of congratulations.
"Hey Dai, want to cheer for me?" Zhao offered magnanimously.
Demurely flirtatious, the statuesque noblewoman hid her initial surprise.
"I'd love to."
"That means I get to cheer for Piandao!" Ting Yan reasoned enthusiastically.
"I'm happy to hear it," the young swordsman thanked her with a touch of gentle humor.
"So, you ready to blaze?" Prince Ozai challenged wolfishly, igniting a red-hot sphere just above his right hand.
So the battle commenced in sparkling flame and flashing metal. From the sidelines, Dai and Ursa soon resolved to cast aside their usual reserve, so as not to let Ting Yan outdo them in exuberance. Whether distracting or empowering, their cheers garnered appreciative responses from the participants. Zhao winked at a suddenly pink-cheeked Dai as he attempted to bend his element into a fiery sword, and Piandao actually grinned at Ting Yan as he blocked the clumsy, energy-consuming weapon with his own skillful blade. Pausing to leave the other two locked in mortal combat, the royal firebender blew a princely kiss at Ursa, and then ferociously scattered his opponents with a blazing onslaught.
At length the girls were joined by a tall, elegant woman who introduced herself as Piandao's mother, Lady Huilang. She invited them inside for a cup of tea, and although Ursa could have watched her prince forever, she and the others accepted the offer and followed their hostess inside.
After leading them to an airy parlor with curtains of pale lavender, Lady Huilang poured them tea from a tray that the old serving woman had brought to them. For a few minutes, they sipped in silence, and although Piandao had told Ursa of his adoption, she could still detect a resemblance in him to this woman: a quiet soul, but insightful and courteous.
Now the lady of the house looked keenly but kindly at the princess.
"You must be Ursa."
"Yes, I am," she replied, startled.
"You are a good friend to Piandao," Lady Huilang told her. "He speaks highly of you."
"It is I who should thank your son," the noblewoman protested. "I am grateful for his friendship."
"All of us have valued it," Dai reflected wisely.
"And you must be Dai, and you Ting Yan," guessed their hostess with a smile.
"You already know our names!" exclaimed Ting Yan, delighted. "Piandao must have described us."
"He did," laughed Lady Huilang, "but even so, I would have heard your names, as the two close friends of our future princess."
"You know already?" queried Ursa in surprise. "The messenger hawk came to us only this morning with a copy of the official document." A moment later she remembered Piandao's smile in the courtyard. Of course his mother would have heard as well.
"Word travels fast, especially on such a monumental subject as the engagement of a prince."
"Oh," said the princess in what she hoped was a pleasant-sounding tone. Unavoidable though it might be, she still had mixed feelings about her wonderful secret being shared with the world.
"From my observation of you—forgive me—during the sparring match, it seems you are happy with your betrothal," their hostess shrewdly observed.
Ursa blushed, but spoke with quiet pride.
"Prince Ozai is good to me."
"I am glad," Lady Huilang approved. "Every young woman should receive kindness from her betrothed, and I am raising Piandao to be courteous."
In the comfortable pause that followed, Ting Yan burst out, "Ursa's going to be a princess so soon! I can hardly believe it.
"You will have much responsibility as a prince's wife," concurred their hostess.
"I don't know for sure that I'm ready," confessed the princess. "I am thankful we have a few years before I must take on my new role."
Arching an inquiring eyebrow, Lady Huilang observed, "You are unlike most girls I have met, who would relish such a rise in status."
"You are right—I am not like many others," attested Ursa, growing a little irritated. "I grew up on a remote island in the country, and I am truthfully a little daunted by palace life."
"Then you harbor no disappointment that you caught the eye of a second son?" probed their hostess carefully. "I hear so many young women speak only of pursuing the Crown Prince, because they 'won't settle for anything less.'"
Her tone softly purposeful, the princess-to-be set down her cup with more force than she had meant to.
"Prince Ozai is secondborn. I do not consider him second best as a consequence."
As Dai and Ting Yan murmured their agreement, Lady Huilang briefly inclined her head, as though Ursa had passed some test.
"You are wise, then, and I am happy that our younger prince is spared a power-hungry bride."
"You will have to watch out for the other girls, though," Dai cautioned, echoing Prince Ozai. "Believe me—I know from Mother and from experience that noblewoman aren't always as...ladylike as one might wish."
After defending her beloved, Ursa still felt confident and fearless.
"I'm not afraid of ambitious girls who care only for a prince's rank and wealth."
"That is well," Lady Huilang commended her, taking another sip of tea, and then became serious. "Have you heard the rumors of intrigue and treachery at court? They will concern you, as a part of the Royal Family."
"We heard a little about it from Prince Ozai," Ting Yan answered for her. "Do you know anything about it?"
For her part, Dai appeared disdainful.
"Whispered gossip of that sort always buzzes among the nobles. It's doubtless nothing to worry about, as long as we take reasonable precautions."
"This time, it seems that whispers are the least of it," Piandao's mother informed them heavily.
"What do you mean?" asked Ursa.
"There are those who seek to gain control over the princes by subterfuge," Lady Huilang clarified, and the other noblewomen shifted nervously.
"But the princes...they're almost invincible," countered the princess. "I hardly see how anyone could pose a true threat to them."
"If the arrow misses Lord Azulon's sons, the next shot will aim for you," their hostess stated abruptly, adding in a softer tone, "This is why you must be careful."
"Prince Ozai will protect me." For some bizarre reason, the words sounded hollow, like a child's tin shield against a grown warrior.
Lady Huilang fixed her with an uncomfortably penetrating gaze.
"Yes, he will, as long as you are important to him."
"I am," insisted Ursa, refusing to let unfounded anxiety get the best of her.
"But will it be enough?" Lady Huilang wondered quietly, half to herself. When the princess gave no response, their hostess unexpectedly changed the subject.
"And what if Prince Ozai is the one that needs protection, unlikely as it seems? Will you be able to give it?"
Although Lady Huilang's personal questions had unsettled Ursa before, now they led her to an unshakable conviction.
"I will do whatever it takes to protect my prince."
With a strange urgency, the lady of the house persisted, "A ruler's second son may succumb to his need for power—it has happened before. What then, if jealousy prevails?"
"He can betray me, banish me, or even kill me—I will not forsake him." With this certainty established, the princess felt oddly at peace.
Breaking the tense mood, Lady Huilang smiled at them.
"Wait here—there is something I wish to give you."
While they waited, the white-haired serving woman came in through the front door. Through the doorway, Ursa caught sight of a fluffy, bedraggled owlkitten huddled in the shrubbery outside. As she watched it mewing pitifully, ruffling it's fur and wingfeathers against the chill wind that preceded the coming storm, the noblewoman remembered a similar pet she had kept fondly on Hai Fen Island.
Resolving to help the poor creature if she could, Ursa jumped up and asked the serving woman, "Excuse me—does that owlkitten belong to someone who lives here?"
The woman looked where she pointed, and shook her head.
"No, dear, it just enjoys the owlcatnip in my mistress's gardens, along with a bowl or two of cream from the young master."
"Not to presume, but would Lady Huilang mind very much if I brought it inside? It's about to rain, you see," she justified her request.
"Then cease your chattering and go bring in the poor silly thing," the old woman adjured with a wave of her hand, moving aside to let Ursa pass.
The noblewoman bobbed her head obediently, with a "Yes, ma'am," and raced to the rescue. Unfortunately, her swift approach frightened the owlkitten, which bristled its fur with a hiss like a teakettle and made a dash for the cobblestone street. Unwilling to give up her mission of benevolence, Ursa ran after it along the road into town, while a stiff breezed whipped her robes and hair beneath the heavy grey sky.
The noblewoman lost track of time as she chased the winged feline through the maze of streets and buildings—but then she sped around yet another nameless, stony corner, and inexplicably, the owlkitten had vanished. Finally taking note of her unfamiliar surroundings, now grown menacing in the pre-storm twilight, Ursa felt an icy chill run down her spine that had nothing to do with the wind. As she anxiously searched for the way back to Piandao's house, the first drop of rain plunked onto the dusty street.
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Ozai--
Wherever you are, keep everyone together, and stay around as many other people as you can. I know you can take care of yourself, but this is serious. You see, last night Hui Lo's agents arrested a man carrying several suspicious documents, which seem to contain messages to and from our enemies. Hui Lo requested my aid in searching them for clues.
Catching the messenger had posed a challenge—he didn't want to be caught, and tried to fend them off--so today we scoured the site for missing papers that might have been lost in the fray. One in particular that we found concerns us greatly, although the elements had rendered it mostly illegible.
Whoever is behind this has a very well-formed plan. I can't tell you much more, but some sort of coup is scheduled to happen very soon, maybe even on Ember Island. The document also refers to "the new princess," and certainly not with benevolent intent.
This isn't good—I'm worried about you, little brother. And I'm sorry I kept so many secrets, sorry I'm still keeping them. I vowed to Father that I would, because our efforts to prevent this treachery might otherwise prove in vain. Possibly we failed even so.
Stay safe, and may Agni keep you. I'm coming home tonight, and would sooner if I were not absolutely convinced that Father and Hui Lo need me here, because my place is with my younger brother and sister when they need me.
Don't let Ursa out of your sight.
--Iroh
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By now the day had darkened almost to night, and the stinging rain pelted down in glistening sheets. Soaked and muddy, Ursa slipped on the slick cobblestones as she searched in vain for the way she had come. Amidst her misery and fear, the noblewoman realized with a start that a cloaked figure, his face obscured by the rain and a deep hood, was following her at a brisk pace.
Ursa struggled to walk faster, but her pursuer also quickened his footsteps. Breaking into a run, the princess careened into a side alley—and found herself staring at a dead end.
Before anything could register besides blank disbelief, strong arms encircled her gently, and a well-loved voice sighed in relief by her ear.
"Ursa, thank Agni I've found you." Sobbing in relief, she wriggled around to face her rescuer and clutched tightly at his robes.
Prince Ozai wrapped his cloak warmly around the noblewoman as well, to shield them both from the rain, but he sounded furious.
"What were you thinking? Why did you run off like that?"
Abashed, she stammered, "I--I heard an owlkitten mewing outside, and...I went out to bring it in."
"You came all the way into town just for an owlkitten?" he questioned in stern incredulity. "Do you know how dangerous it is now, especially for you?"
Ursa bit back tears as humiliation took the place of terror.
"Prince Ozai...I'm sorry. I meant no harm."
"I know," he relented, moving a hand comfortingly down her shoulder. "You just gave us a scare, that's all. Come on—we'll get back Piandao's house, so the others can stop wondering why I didn't come back when I ran out to get you." As they began walking, the prince threw a swift glance over his shoulder, and Ursa's sense of unease returned to haunt her.
"Is there...something wrong?"
In a low tone, he revealed the danger that he had downplayed earlier, to save her own peace of mind.
"When Zhao, Piandao and I were sparring, Huilang called me inside, and gave me a letter that had just come from Iroh. He's returning home a lot sooner than planned, because...something came up. After reading it, I came out to check on you girls, but of course you weren't there. You remember our vaguely infamous rumors of treachery?"
Although the princess's heart was racing, an icy, surreal tranquility held her in its frosty grip.
"I do remember."
"This morning Iroh left to confer with the Head of National Intelligence, who had intercepted a messenger with incriminating documents on him. He put up a good fight, but some of the papers got scattered. That's why my brother traveled over there--to retrieve them, and help General Hui Lo search for clues." His impersonal tone made the threat seem distant, like a lesson in history or politics.
"Did they find any?" asked Ursa, a good little student (with her heart pounding frantically).
Prince Ozai looked down at her, and for a moment his brow furrowed in seeming regret, as though to seek forgiveness for the inevitable.
"Yes. They deciphered enough to discover that some uncanny mastermind is scheming to gain royal power, and his plan concerns us. That was Iroh's mission, you know, all these weeks," he added almost reflectively. "Father wanted him to find out who was conspiring against us, and bring the traitor to justice."
"What happened?" she whispered, heart in her throat.
"He failed. Their plan, whatever it may be, is already in motion--" Pulling her closer to him, the firebender lengthened his stride. "--which is why I have to get you back to Piandao's house. I won't lose my own battle as well." Hurrying along with his arm around her, Ursa thanked all the spirits for her safety under his wing.
Too late the prince and princess realized they weren't alone.
Out of the rain-spattered murk, shadowy figures materialized, ringing them in and advancing.
"Who are you?" demanded Prince Ozai as the noblewoman clung to him. The newcomers gave no response, except to tighten the circle like a noose.
Lord Azulon's second son drew back his hood, and even in the gloom his eyes flashed golden.
"You dare assault a Fire Nation prince?"
As at some unspoken signal, the black, silent mob converged on them. The rain muted the sounds of the attack and dampened Ursa's voiceless horror, as though she were merely hearing a fight recounted in a legend. Hanging onto her prince like an anchor, she mindlessly flung herself away from the blows and grasping hands that hemmed them in, and the arcs of heavenborne flame that Prince Ozai sent back.
Even for a firebender he fought skillfully, and with a feline's deadly grace. In this moment, however, he had both his princess and himself to defend. Too quickly the fiery counterattack sizzled out in the killing rain, and their opponents were too many, far too many for one teenager to drive away.
The blaze around them faltered, as though its creator knew his bravery had proven futile. When their attackers surged forward and seized them, Ursa cried out as someone yanked back her hair, but a rough hand was clapped over mouth. Dimly she saw them wrestle her prince brutally to the ground, and bind his hands behind his back as they did the same to her.
After hauling the captives to their feet, the strangers herded them in a new direction. In the lighted window of a house nearby, a fluffy owlkitten blinked at them, safe and snug inside.
In the warm glow of that same window, Ursa glimpsed the face of her betrothed, but she could well have seen a mask—it was blank and stony, instead of bloodless and trembling as her own must be. She had no time to wonder, for they reached a line of piers, where a small ironclad ship rested like a ghost on the fathomless waters. Hurriedly their captors dragged them up the lowered entrance ramp and deep down into the cool, metal hallways of its interior, as the prow was lifted up by steam to shut them in.
At last they reached a small, unfurnished room, lit by one red torch on the wall. The strange black-clad men threw their captives unceremoniously inside, and slammed the door behind them. In their makeshift cell, the prince and princess lay still for a moment, and then struggled to find a comfortable sitting position. Leaning against the wall, they listened wordlessly to the creak of footsteps above them, the distant shouts of the crew, and finally the roar of the engine that propelled them out to sea.
None of it struck home, quite yet. The noblewoman stared at the dimness without seeing, still numb with shock.
Head bowed, Prince Ozai hoarsely broke his expressionless silence, sounding as though he were dragging up the words with great effort.
"I'm sorry, Ursa." His weary submission frightened her much more than rage ever could, because the second prince never admitted defeat--never, except in loving the bride he could not refuse.
"I lost."
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A/N: Yes, I'm cruel, and I'm sorry (but not really). Suffice it to say, here begins the reason that one of this story's genres is "Drama."
It was hard to get all of the culture to sound believable in this chapter (like the wording of the marriage document), and I've been beating my head against the wall trying to figure out the details of what happens plotwise, and how much Iroh and company know about it. Speaking of which, Piandao's mother was acting strange, wasn't she? All I'll say is...remember that she was going to give Ursa something, but never got to (or did she?).
I incorporated part of an Urzai song I wrote into this chapter. The phrase "a stolen kiss, a forbidden dance, and one crimson lily" is almost exactly taken from the bridge of my song The Minstrel with the Mandolin, which is in my Urzai poem collection. Also, I like the part where Ozai throws back his hood, because it seems like a moment you'd find in a Zuko fic, what with "eyes flashing golden" and all.
I'll try to update before another month has passed, but I'm so busy write now that I honestly don't know when I'll be able to (although I will definitely post at some point). But reviews will help give me an incentive, and will also be greatly appreciated. ;)
Question of the chapter: What was Piandao's mother going to give Ursa?