So I have decided to pick up the pace of things. I was aiming to remind you of some of the machinations going on in the story.
Azula gazes dispassionately at the sight of the Fire Lord sprawled facedown haphazardly across the large bed in his chambers. His clothes litter the floor leaving a trail from the door to the bed. He lies still half dressed, snoring lightly. Azula kicks the bed again in a half hearted effort to wake him.
"Zuko."
Kick.
"Zuko, wake up."
Silence.
With a sigh, she picks up the pitcher of water someone, most likely Katara mother henning the Fire Lord within an inch of his life, left on the bedside table and pours its contents onto the sleeping man. He wakes with a roar, quickly sitting up onto his knees, flames already flaring at his fists. His wild eyes land on the only other person in the room and he blinks droplets away.
"Azula?"
"Yes, Dumdum."
"What the hell?"
Sighing, she sets the pitcher back on his nightstand. "Do you know what today is?"
Zuko shakes the excess drops of water off his face. "Of course, I do."
"And?" She prompts.
"It's the last morning I better find you in my bedroom." He sneers.
She gives him a tight smile. "If you think seeing you and that peasant wrapped up in one another will deter me from running this nation, then you are wrong." Zuko snorts as he relaxes and sits back on his heels. "Get dressed. Agni is waiting for your offering before he can bless your marriage."
"It's stupid." It reminds her of Zuko when he was a child pouting over one thing or another.
"It's tradition." Azula retorts with as much sympathy now as she had for him then. "Let the people see their king upholding the faith."
"As if me saying a few prayers and giving the temple a sizeable bag of coins is really going to mean anything." He rolls off the bed anyway and heads into the ensuite.
Satisfied that Zuko is obeying, Azula opens the doors to massive closet and pulls out the few odds and ends he will need for the trip. The sound of running water drowns out the irritated muttering of her brother. It draws a sad smile to her face. Today Zuko marries and while not much will really change, it is the sign of a new era. He will no longer belong to just her. He will have a wife and eventually children that will demand more and more of his time until Azula becomes nothing but a sidenote in her own brother's life. The thought has her drawing a shuddering breath. She is caught up in her thoughts so much that she doesn't hear him approach.
"Zula?" Zuko's voice is thick with sleep. "Everything okay?"
She refuses to let him see her cry so she keeps her back to him and gives a tight nod. Zuko knows her too well. Warm gentle hands grasp her shoulders turning her in his arms to hug her close.
"You are my sister. None of that changes." He murmurs into her ear, reading her mind.
Her own hands wrap around his back holding him to her.
"She will come first. She will always come first, Zuko. That's how it's supposed to be."
He nods against her but doesn't loosen his grip on her. "I have been here your whole life, Zula. What makes you think that will change just because I marry?"
Unbidden more tears spring from her eyes and she nods against him. "I'm happy for you, really I am."
Zuko pulls back, with a skeptical look. "When have you ever been happy?"
It breaks the tension and she slaps him on the shoulder. He lets her go with a laugh. Azula wipes the offending tears off her cheeks while Zuko busies himself wrapping the royal robe around him. She sinks down into one of the soft velvet chairs in the closet and watches as he goes about methodically changing his appearance from Zuko her brother to Zuko the Fire Lord.
Once the five flamed trident is in place, he turns to her expectantly.
"You look almost regal." She offers with a smirk.
Oooo
Watching Zuko make a fool of himself in front of the world is more than Azula can take. She turns her attention from the spectacle of her brother pledging his life and country to a peasant to the members of the ruling elite sitting in the audience.
Ba Sing Se and Omashu are noticeably absent. Despite this being a state event, Kuei refused to leave the safety of his walls to attend, no doubt Jevian whispering in his ear the whole time. Someone should really do something about the imbalance of power there. Prince Boquin of Omashu begged off as his father King Bumi has been abed sick. It is only a matter of time before the old king gives up the ghost and the Earth Kingdom will really have a reason to hole up behind their stone walls.
The Water Tribes beam with something akin to pride. Hakoda is stoic but Azula can see the glistening of tears in his bright blue eyes. Beside him Takara, the singer and apparently new found close acquaintance, dabs daintily at her face, presumably trying to preserve her makeup. Chief Arnook of the Northern Water Tribe watches solemnly. No doubt he is counting the day he can align his own tribe with the Fire Nation Royal family by wedding his son to the Fire Lord's distant cousin when the girl comes of age.
The room is so heavy with plotting that it becomes stifling and Azula has to resist the urge to fidget at the too tight dress. Mai stands beside her unflinching at the kiss Zuko bestows to his new wife. Azula has watched her friend carefully for signs of lingering affection for the Fire Lord. It wouldn't do well for her plans if Mai were to still feel the level of devotion to him that led to certain treasonous actions best left in the past. Perhaps Mai is all hers now that Zuko is clearly off the table.
When the new couple is announced to the crowd, cheers and applause erupt but Ty Lee's dreamy sigh can't be missed. She has always been soft for romantic gestures and fairytales. No doubt it is something that her new husband, Admiral Tsuji, has taken full advantage of if the man has half a brain to romance his wife. Given the swelling of Ty Lee's stomach, he has.
Zuko leads his new Fire Lady out of the Great Hall, both beaming with smiles that has Azula's stomach twisted. A warm touch on her arm drags her attention away from the sickening display.
"Shall we?" Aang offers his arm.
Azula gives a small smile It would be improper for anyone else to exit the hall before the rest of the Royal Family and some small spiteful part of her is tempted to linger just to lord some sort of control over them. It would be childish though and there are many casks of wine just waiting at the reception. Azula relents and loops her arm in his before letting the Avatar lead the way.
Oooo
Zuko finds Aang on the balcony outside the Great Ballroom where a raucous crowd of revelers celebrate and nods to a set of doors farther down. Without a word, the Avatar follows along, neither speaking until they are inside a vacated hallway.
"I have a favour to ask." Zuko says quietly as they walk side by side.
"Anything." Aang answers honestly as the doors to the Fire Lord's office are opened by the guards flanking the room.
Zuko doesn't speak again until they are safely ensconced inside. "I know that the situation in the Earth Kingdom may require your attention, but can you make a point to stay here as much as possible while I'm away." Aang answers with raised eyebrows. Zuko adds "Iroh will be here but I'm not sure he can handle Azula."
"Are you worried about Azula?" Aang asks carefully.
"For her." Zuko corrects. "She's not handling my marriage well."
Aang nods understandingly. "Azula is…possessive." Azula's possessiveness over Zuko has a different flavor from her possessiveness over Aang but the effects are still the same. The two men fall silent staring out over the palace grounds. "Zuko, what don't I know?"
Zuko doesn't look at his friend. He doesn't want to acknowledge the elephant in the room but at the same time he can't ignore it, especially not here of all places.
"I swore on my crown, Aang; I won't betray my sister." He sighs."But I am going to tell you something that I probably shouldn't." Zuko steps away, circling behind his desk. He leans forward bracing his hands on the ancient wood. The Fire Lord has never looked more worn. "I brought Azula here because I was losing control of the Fire Nation. Between the assassination attempts and the resistance from the nobility, I couldn't effectively rule. It worked and they stopped trying to kill me." Zuko stands up, tall and imposing, and waves Aang closer. Kneeling down, Zuko peels back the large rug covering the floor behind his desk. Aang sucks in a breath at the stained red floor. "They targeted Azula instead."
Aang looks at him in alarm. "That's all hers? That's too much!"
Zuko nods grimly before letting go of the covering to hide the stain. He stands. "She would have died had Katara not been so close by."
Zuko steps away, reluctant to linger in the spot he nearly lost his sister. Aang is slower to follow as he tries to tame his emotions.
"Did you find her attackers?" Aang asks, confusion evident in his voice.
Zuko stops, turning slightly to face his friend. "The poison they used left no trace. Everything we tested came clean. The best we could figure is it was a type that remains inactive until another part is added then it becomes deadly."Aang looks back at the rug and the hidden bloodstain. Zuko adds, "It caused massive internal hemorrhaging. Multi-organ failure." Zuko pauses. "She shouldn't have lived."Aang sits down in one of the large chairs before the desk. "It was touch and go for weeks. I had to keep making excuses to everyone, Ty Lee included." Zuko sits in the other one.
"Why didn't she want me to know?" He asks. "I could have helped."
"Azula is stubborn. She would have cut Katara out of it too but she needed her. I'm not sure she would have even told me had I not been here." Zuko offers.
Aang remains quiet, taking the new information in. "Who do you think was responsible?"
Zuko sighs as he leans back, relaxing into the plush chair. "Anyone really. Azula isn't very loved but poison isn't the Fire Nation way." The Fire Lord's eyes take on a dark look. "If I had to bet then it would be Ba Sing Se."
"Jevian."
Zuko nods. "She can't take Azula on directly, definitely not in a fight and straight forward assassination attempts have failed. Poisoning is the safest shot." He considers the situation. "She could have got any of us I suppose and Azula and I shared enough dinners that it could have been easy." He shrugs.
Aang closes his eyes, drawing a deep breath trying to assuage the anger he feels. He's aware of his friend watching him closely, the subtle tension in his shoulders. "I'm not going to go all Avatar."
Zuko only regards him solemnly. "I would."
"Do I want to know what Azula did back?"
Zuko gives a small laugh. "She did nothing." The surprise shines clearly on Aang's face. "I know." He agrees.
Aang sits back in his own chair, feeling the tension wash over him. Silence falls over the two with only the distant sound of music in the background.
A thought occurs to him. "You said you won't betray her. You swore on your crown." Zuko hums in agreement as he stares Aang down. "That isn't what she wants to keep secret, is it?" There's something else."
The impassive face of royalty stares back at him."And here I thought you were just a pretty face." Zuko answers evenly. "You are my friend but she is my blood. I can't tell you anymore." He stands and straightens his robes. "As it is, she will have my head for telling you that much."
Aang stands as Zuko walks purposefully towards the door. Once there he turns to face him again. "Please do keep an eye on her. She's fragile right now."
"Of course, Zuko." Aang agrees.
Zuko turns in profile with his hand on the door, "And if it's not too much trouble could you please not screw my sister in public?" Aang starts at this and stammers a response. Zuko smiles. "We have decency laws for a reason and I really do not want to sit through another breakfast with Suki and Sokka as they recount your late night balcony activities."
The night has been overwhelming and all Aang can do is laugh and nod. "I promise I will try."
Zuko rolls his eyes.
Oooo
The Fire Lord's personal airship hovers ready and waiting to whisk the Fire Lord and his new wife to Ember Island. Azula resists the urge to glare as Katara warmly embraces her father. Hakoda is, no doubt, whispering fatherly platitudes into her ear, wishing her happiness. Zuko and Iroh stand heads bent close together. Uncle, of course, is bequeathing some last minute advice on marriage while Zuko endlessly worries about the state of affairs he is leaving her with. Azula is no fool; Iroh's purpose is to keep an eye on Azula. Zuko won't suffer more of her attempts to upset his idea of how the Fire Nation should be ruled. Removing herself from the line of succession only served to amp up the Fire Lord's fears. She wonders if he really expects Iroh to reign her in or just to keep the hapless nobles and merchants from being fried in his absence. The Avatar swoops into the fray and Azula can tell from the serious way Zuko addresses him that he has undoubtedly been enlisted in princess duty as well. It's a low move to use her own lusts against her but not without merit. She is more likely to be reigned in by a lover that can keep her challenged than an uncle that can only spout tea and wisdom. Zuko is learning.
When Zuko finally makes his way to her, she can see the burn in his golden eyes. His calloused hands grip her face as he leans his forehead against hers.
"Three weeks." He murmurs."Just keep it together for three weeks." Azula doesn't trust her voice and he takes her silence as agreement. "Do nothing until I get back."
So many plans are in motion. So many plots afoot. Three weeks is a long time in the world of politics. Zuko knows this so he must know that his order is one she won't be able to follow if pushed. Without the Fire Lord in residence, the push will come harder than they would expect. Enemies will seek to gain ground when they think the dragon is away.
"Enjoy yourself, brother." She whispers back. "I will try to leave the throne in one piece."
Zuko chuckles as he pulls her into an embrace. "I am sure you will."
He steps back, hands on her shoulders as he meets her eyes. Knowledge burns there. There is more than one dragon in residence and Azula hopes their enemies forget that fact. Zuko seems to know her thoughts and with a small frown he turns away from her and takes the arm of his bride. The two ascend the plank to the airship and disappear into the night sky.
Oooo
The morning following the Fire Lord's departure the heavy doors to Zuko's office fly open banging loudly against the walls The Avatar never breaks his stride, heavy angry steps that carry him past the table piled high with parchments occupied by Azula. She casts curious eyes to the disheveled guards agape on the doorway before turning back to the man now standing behind Zuko's desk. The thunderous look in his eyes silences the question on her lips.
"Leave us." She says without looking back at the hapless men. The quick shut of the doors reminds her of the fear others hold for the man she is now enclosed with. "I trust you have a good reason for upsetting Zuko's guards."
A muscle works in his jaw but he doesn't reply. Instead he stretches his arms out, fingers wide. When his eyes flash white, Azula's own eyes widen. The flash fades and with a sweep of his arms a sea of red rises from the floor. Another twist of his arms and the droplets form into a bloody parody of the moon. Aang lifts his chin while staring her down and Azula recognizes the gesture for the challenge it is.
"You've saved the cleaning staff countless hours. They may build a statue in your honor."
His face morphs into a scowl and with a brusque flick of his wrist the blood moon image flies out the window. The splash tells her it landed safely in one of the many courtyard pools.
"Why didn't you tell me?" Azula's own gaze hardens but instead of a response she turns on her heel. "Where are you going?"
"To flay Zuko alive with his own crown." She snap at the knowledge that Aang has been stewing in this anger just waiting for Zuko to be gone and out of the way. It's a calculating move she would never have attributed to the Avatar before. She must be rubbing off on him.
Sounds from the bustling hallway fill the room as she opens the door but the handle is yanked from her grasp. Azula catches the confused eyes of the guard closest the door as it slams shut with the Avatar's bending abilities. For a moment she stands there frozen in place, drawing in a deep breath she strives for calm. Turning halfway in profile she glares at the other person in the room. His eyes flash with what she recognizes as righteous anger. It's an all too familiar look.
"Zuko was clear he didn't break his promise by showing me this." Aang nods to the floor. "I think you should tell me what is so important that you have to swear the Fire Lord to secrecy."
The door behind her begins to shake and the shouting of guards can be heard.
Azula turns to face him fully. "If I wanted you to know then I would tell you."
It's the wrong answer and Aang is stalking towards her. The guards must be using a battering ram but the doors were built to withstand an assault. Briefly Azula wanders just what the palace guard plans to do once inside. It's not like they would be a match for the man presently looming over her. His fingers dig into her upper arm as he pulls her away from the door. With a stomp of his foot the ground beyond the doors move and the protesting yell of guards can be heard over the clash of metal armor hitting the ground. When the battering does not resume, she knows he's blocked the doors with stone. She huffs at his display of ego and yanks her arm free. He doesn't fight her pulling free but closes the distance glaring her down.
"Quit being stubborn."
Her eyes narrow. "You aren't exactly known for your self control." Her words confuse him. "You've leveled armies and nearly tore down the Southern Air Temple in your rage. Caldera sits on an extinct volcano. The last thing Zuko wants is to have the whole place engulfed in lava or the Fire Nation torn in half because you couldn't control yourself."
Aang searches her eyes. In most cases Azula's speeches are designed to shut down opposition but hints of truth are sprinkled throughout. The trick is knowing which is truth and which is bluster.
"I won't lose control." He quietly asserts.
Azula snorts in response. "You didn't feel anger when Zuko showed you that?"She nods towards the desk.
"Of course I did. You could have died but I was nowhere close to snapping. That hasn't happened in years."
Azula arches an eyebrow. "Not a risk I'm willing to take." She steps around him. He turns to follow her with his eyes. "I'll make you a deal: when I'm dead he can tell you but not before then." She pulls open the doors to a wall of stone blocking her way. Huffing she puts her hands on her hips and turns to glare at him.
With a begrudging sigh he drops the wall to reveal the multitude of shocked guards and onlookers gathered in the hall.
"Thank you." Azula mutters as she steps out the door. She disappears into the throng leaving him behind.
Oooo
Aang stares at the vaulted ceiling of his bedroom. For hours he has lain in bed turning over what he knows and trying to piece together what is hidden.
Azula is in danger, has been in danger. It's something both she and Zuko accept. It's something she doesn't want Aang to change. Not that he is sure he could change it anyway. His talents are better suited to the battlefield with the enemy plainly in front of him swords barred. Intrigue is more Azula's domain. Secrets and lies account for much in the courts of the world. It's something Aang never developed a taste for.
He sighs and forces his body to relax. He has meditated. He has sparred. Nothing has relieved the tension he feels settled deep in his chest since his confrontation with Azula. Perhaps he should have left off on Appa and just removed himself from the situation entirely. But he promised Zuko he would stay and keep an eye on Azula, that is until the Earth Kingdom implodes in civil war.
He draws another deep breath. War is inevitable. Ba Sing Se and Omashu are both set on declaring supremacy and neither cares if they have to rip the kingdom in two to do it. Aang knows that it won't stop there.
No matter how much Zuko asserts that he won't let the Fire Nation become involved, Aang knows there are ways of forcing the Fire Lord's hand. Jevian is clever and Boquin is determined.
The Northern Water Tribe has never been interested in the wars of the other nations but the Great War cost them dearly. Arnook needs to rebuild but the north is limited when it comes to resources. The Earth Kingdom is large and has an abundance of raw material. Yes, the Northern Water Tribe could be tempted.
These thoughts do little to quell the sense of unease Aang feels. Disagreements with Azula never fail to have this effect on him. Thoughts of another world war magnify the effect.
Whatever Azula is hiding from him is related to her near death. That much he is sure of. Previous attempts on her life were met with a sadistic glee on her part and a quiet fury on Zuko's. This one nearly succeeded and caused Azula to be more cautious and Zuko to be more protective. There's more to the story but neither royal is speaking and Aang won't put Katara in the uncomfortable situation of having to choose. He knows he will lose to Zuko hands down anyway.
The only light in the room comes from the moon, casting shadows over the walls. Slight movement catches his eye but he remains still as a familiar pair of golden eyes stare back at him.
"I waited for you." Her voice is quiet but carries easily. The note of disappointment is clear. No doubt she expected him to join her in her bed tonight. He doesn't reply.
She huffs and steps out of the doorway, crossing to the bed. The simple silk robe does little to hide her curves and he doubts she made the walk from her room to his in just that. Without a word, she crawls onto the bed moving until she reaches him in the middle. He shouldn't be surprised at the familiarity she shows when she gracefully throws a leg over him and settles comfortably over his hips. For a long moment she simply stares at him. With a sigh she leans over him, bracing her weight on her hands placed beside his head. She regards him with a cool, calculating eye.
"You're angry with me." The words are detached, resigned. Azula so readily accepts the idea of his anger that it twists at something in his gut.
"I'm not angry." The slight purse of her lips disagrees with his words even if her tongue does not. "I want you safe." Her eyes take on a skeptical glow, even as his hands come to rest on her hips.
"I am."
He feels frustration bubble up inside of him. "A pool of blood in the courtyard says otherwise." It's not the first time she has been under threat and he knows it won't be the last. She drops her head, the motion causing a strands of hair to cover her face.
"You can't stop them, Aang."
"Not with you insisting on putting yourself in danger. Come with me. No one would dare try anything with me beside you." The idea quickly blossoms and takes root.
Azula laughs. "You think their love for you will outweigh their hate for me?"
"They have to forgive it if you were my wife."
Azula stiffens under his touch and sits up straight. "You aren't serious."
Aang sits up to follow, wrapping his arms around her back to keep her from fleeing. "I am."
Her eyes take on a wild panicked look. "You can't marry me." She pushes against him struggling to free herself.
He rolls her so she is under him, pinned by his weight to the bed. He keeps his voice calm even while she tries to bat him off of her. "Do you not love me?"
His question stills her efforts. Her golden eyes are shiny in the low light. "Of course I do." She whispers. "Do you love me?'
Aang smiles. "Yes."
His answer causes her to frown. "Then stop talking foolishness." She begins to wiggle up towards the head of the bed, sliding from underneath the weight of his body.
He foils her escape by crawling up, closing her against the headboard. "It's not foolish, Azula. You're just scared."
She opens her mouth to deny it so he quickly kisses her silencing her protest. For a moment she sinks into him but he can tell the moment a fresh wave of panic takes over. She pulls away, turning her head away from his questing mouth so he trails his lips down her jawline and neck.
"We can't marry, Aang." She pants out. "I don't want children. I don't want a family." She manages to push him up off of her forcing him to meet her eyes.
"And who says I do?" He counters. Shock shines in her eyes and her mouth opens wordlessly. "Azula, if it were about the Air Benders then I would have taken the nations up on their offer years ago. Two people can't repopulate a nation." He stares her down, hoping she will catch on. She only shakes her head. "They wanted me to have a harem. Women from all corners of the world to bear children." The fight goes out of her and she relaxes as she ponders this information. "I wouldn't do it and not because of Katara. I could have married her years ago when Hakoda started bringing it up. I don't want children for the sake of a lost nation or because it's my duty. If you don't want children, then I am fine with that. I only want you."
Azula tries to blink back tears. She fails and they wet her cheeks. "You can't love me that much."
Tenderly, he brushes her hair from her eyes feeling the tips of his fingers come away wet. "Do you know why I left before?"
It's been the elephant in the room ever since that day he flew away from the Fire Nation after finding her in the dungeons flexing the power of the Crown .
"Because I'm a monster." Her voice is hoarse and thick.
"No," He says softly. "Because I was trying to make you fit into my idea of what you should be. I wasn't seeing you. I was seeing what I wanted to see." Her eyes turn fierce as she looks up at him. Confusion heavy on her face. "That wasn't love. I was infatuated. Love is taking the bad with the good. Love is acceptance and understanding. I can't just pick out the parts of you that I like and ignore the rest." She remains silent pondering his words. "I'm sure I have a few negatives you don't like."
Azula glares at him. "More than you know."
He smiles at the lack of venom in her words and leans over her. "I want you safe. I want you with me but I understand that you aren't ready for that."
"Zuko needs me." She whispers against his lips.
"I know." He presses his lips to hers. "One day he won't though." She opens her mouth to protest but he continues. "There is more to the world than war and conquest. There is more to the world than the Fire Nation."
He kisses her to silence any further talk. Aang is done talking. He has pushed Azula enough for now. The feel of her heels digging into his back urging him closer tells him she has had enough as well.
Brace yourselves: Winter is coming!
