Chapter 38
The frigate slowly approached land in the grey morning light and Princess Ursa stared at the small village that was about to be her home for the coming decade. It was an unassuming hamlet that only had a small reputation for its abundance of beautiful flowers. A long time ago she had not wanted to leave this village she once had called home.
That was a lifetime ago and only her iron will kept her from crying in anger and despair. How had it come to this? She was supposed to rule the Fire Nation, that was her destiny!
It all came down to her ungrateful and worthless children…
She had ten years to rebuild her powerbase and form an alternative to Azula and that despicable water peasant. Patience was a virtue after all and she intended to destroy her daughter by thousand cuts.
With eyes cold as death Ursa walked down the gangway to her prison. The small reception of villagers headed by the mayor cringed in fear when the princess' gaze swept over them as she passed them by.
Ursa was already planning her return to the Caldera and to power. She would never surrender her dream of ruling the Fire Nation.
§§
Azula stood by the window and was watching the raging storm outside, her mood matching the weather perfectly. Her actions had finally caught up with her and her punishment had been harsh.
The door opened with a crash and without looking she knew that it was the lord of the mansion where she was imprisoned who came barging in. The Fire Lord had banished her from the Caldera until his final judgement was made. The prospect of her future was grim.
"Listen up everyone, I have procured tickets to the Ember Island Theatre tonight!" The foolish lord proclaimed cheerfully and continued in an exited voice: "They are performing a play called 'The Magnificent Drama of the Royal Family and the Snow Prince – a Love Story'. It's about us!"
Azula could feel herself stiffen as a discussion started up behind her. The Ember Island Players were conducting a play about Sokka and her family? Wonderful…
"Why are you raising your eyebrow at me, Mai?" Sokka asked a bit peevishly behind Azula. It seemed Mai had the same high opinion about the Ember Island Players as she did. "We have done nothing but sulking since we arrived a week ago and a play ought to be a fun break for us…"
Azula toned out the voices behind her. It had been a week since the Fire Lord banished Sokka and Azula to Ember Island but what Sokka said was not entirely true. The only one sulking was Azula. Yes, Mai had been a bit more distant than usual but nothing strange there, not really. Sokka on the other hand had not changed a bit since they arrived at his fiefdom, no he had started to govern it as if he had lived his entire life on this cursed island.
She had asked him, well, confronted him was more accurate to be honest, if he was not upset over his exile. Sokka's answer had been that all his friends were here, that no one had been killed or executed and that the Fire Lord was well and in control of the nation, so no, he was relieved and not angry.
It was hard to argue with that logic.
So, now they were about to see a performance by the Ember Island Players. About Sokka, her family and all her friends, herself included…
Azula found herself longing for execution.
§§
Mai caressed her belly that had finally started to show her pregnancy while her friends were arguing, rather heatedly, if the play was a masterpiece, an opinion that Sokka and Ty Lee expressed loudly, or a piece of trash, an opinion that Katara and Azula firmly stood by.
"You are just upset the actor playing you was a middle aged woman, Katara!" Sokka answered Katara and continued with a mischievous grin: "An actor needs to reflect the person they play correctly and a middle-aged motherly person fits you perfectly, don't you agree?"
"So you agree that Mai should be played by a very large man, Ty Lee by a small squeaky child and yourself by a wise-cracking moron?" Azula interjected derisively before Katara could explode.
"Well, I agree with the casting of you and Ty Lee since I found them perfect in so many ways…" Azula continued without waiting for Sokka to answer as she shared a satisfied smile with Katara.
Mai toned out Sokka's answer and the continuing argument as she pondered the play. Yes, she had been quite annoyed upon realizing that a man rivalling the Combustion Man in size performed her in the play. Yet that had been a fleeting annoyance since the play had once again torn up the wounds she had tried to repress in vain.
One scene in particular had been painful to relive – the one where Zuko had turned her down just before their betrothal was supposed to be announced to the world.
Yet the scene that she couldn't let go of was the scene where Zuko sailed away from the Fire Nation in search for redemption. His face serene and content, knowing that it was the right thing to do.
Unconsciously her hand was drawn to where she had pocketed Zuko's letter. She had finally read it on the short trip between the Caldera and Ember Island a week ago. She knew what it contained, the words etched in her mind like carved in stone.
Mai - Love of my life,
I cannot begin to express to you how sad and utterly devastated I am over my actions. The way I blindly followed my mother's lead has led me to ruin. In pursuit of the throne I lost everything I hold dear and the only thing that gave me happiness – I lost you, the blazing sun of my life.
My actions brought nothing but sadness to both of us and my honour is gone like mist in the morning sun. It is time that I take responsibility for my actions and stand up for what is right, just as you and our friends have done time and again. Even my sister has stood up for what is right and thus I also need to redeem myself in my own, my friends' and in your eyes.
I need to regain my honour.
Mai, I cannot lie and say that I am happy that you are betrothed to another man and that our child will be raised by someone else than me. It feels like knives that tear at my heart and soul, every hour and every day…
What I can say is that I am glad that it is Sokka. He is a good man and great friend. I am sure you and our child will be loved and well taken care of.
To write down these sentences is both painful and hard but I am beginning a new life and I want my future life and actions to be something to be proud of. I want to look you and our child in the eye and say truthfully;
I have become an honourable man.
I love you with all my heart, Mai. I always will. I hope you can find it in your heart to understand my actions and forgive me.
Know that I would do anything to undo the pain and suffering I have caused to the person that means everything to me, namely you.
Always yours – Zuko
It was a beautiful yet heart-wrenching letter. Its content left her no peace and she found herself reading it over and over, unable to let go of the feelings she still harboured for the prince. They conflicted badly with her genuine feelings for Sokka, her friend and companion that had stood by her side through everything. Could she leave him now? Could she do that to Sokka?
She had a nagging suspicion that her feelings for Sokka would deepen and become genuine love if she stayed with him. Was that a bad thing? Would he feel the same toward her? Could they be happy?
Once more she felt herself being torn apart by her conflicting feelings.
"Would you just stop arguing over a ridiculous play!" Mai snapped at her friends who fell silent as they regarded Mai as she walked past them and got into one of the two carriages that had brought them here and without waiting the carriage set off toward the Ember palace.
Katara and Azula got into the last carriage and when Sokka and Ty Lee tried to follow them the princess slammed the door shut in front of Sokka. Azula graced the two remaining friends with a pleased smirk as the carriage clattered away.
"Hey, hey, I am supposed to be the lord here!" Sokka shouted after the departing carriages while waving his arms about.
"Well, it looks like we are walking." Ty Lee said cheerfully to Sokka when they no longer could see their friends. Sokka rewarded her with a grimace , something she completely ignored.
§§
Fire Lord Azulon was seated on the throne dais and tried not to glare at the fussy man who was reporting on the state of the nation.
"My Lord, our forces have cornered and defeated the remaining rebels and we have secured several persons of interest." War Minister Qin said as he read from a report.
"Unfortunately we have not yet secured the rebels Ozai or Zhao but the last of the nobles loyal to the rebel Ozai have sworn fealty to the crown." The Minister continued in that monotone voice of his.
Azulon tensed as the subject of the rebellious nobles was brought up. That had been a scheme initiated by Sokka and Azula and it had worked out very well indeed. Exceptionally well to tell the truth. It was hard for the old ruler to admit but because of Sokka's refusal to execute the princess, nearly all nobles in Ozai's faction had fallen in line and sworn fealty to the crown. The last time his nation was this unified was during his father's reign.
The Fire Nation stood strong, stronger than ever before. Yet Azulon could not rejoice in the knowledge of how secure his rule had become. The Fire Nation had become strong but his rule was weak.
"That foolish boy and girl!" Azulon snapped heatedly and interrupted the War Minister in midsentence. Qin warily regarded the livid ruler, the Fire Lord had still not fully recovered from his battle with Ozai and the more initiated in the Caldera worried that the old Fire Lord wouldn't fully recover his health and thus be unable to fully rule the nation. If he died with an heir that was not fully endorsed by the ruler a civil war was a very real possibility…
"What are they up to?" Azulon asked his Minister. Qin know perfectly well who "they" were. The Fire Lord thoughts always came back to the young Lord Ember and Princess Azula.
"The Princess Azula is abiding your command not to implicate herself in the Great Game. Our Eyes and Ears tell us that the Princess spends her time with Lord Ember and her other friends and are doing nothing of importance. Lord Ember spends his time governing Ember Island and seems to be content with that." Qin reported without a hitch, he had learned to memorize everything that had anything to do with them as soon as the reports from Ember Island arrived by messenger hawk.
"He is content governing his island?" The old ruler asked softly, almost to himself. Azulon's golden eyes hardened as he contemplated that "he" dared to enjoy his banishment.
"Yes, Lord Ember has supervised several projects and made quite a few reforms to his government, my Lord." Qin hurried to say before Azulon could continue. "Our sources report that Lord Ember intends to have something called a Carnival later this year. It has gained the interest of the nobility since Lady Ty Lee is taking part in this project and she was after all partly in charge of Lord Ember's successful Masquerade as you well know, my Lord." Qin continued in a more normal tone of voice.
The Fire Lord regarded his Minister for a long time with a hard expression. So long that Qin started to fidget under his gaze.
"He is full of surprises, that he is…" The Fire Lord whispered under his breath.
He would never admit it but he had made a mistake, several mistakes actually. The first one was not listening to reason when he recovered from the battle and the latest when he banished his granddaughter and his friend from the capital.
The empty spaces on both his sides loomed larger for each day that went by.
§§
Mai entered the large and opulent dining room silently and stopped in the shadows to observe her friends as they sat around the polished round dinner table. Ty Lee and Katara were talking softly with each other, Katara smiling at something Ty Lee said. Azula's laughter drew Mai's attention to the other two in the room.
Azula seldom laughed and when she did it was usual in derision or to mock some poor fool. Yet now she laughed in pure joy over something Sokka had said and when he joined in they laughed together, blissfully unaware of the world around them.
Nearly immediately they began to argue over whatever they were laughing about. It was not a serious argument, they all had become used to how Sokka and Azula interacted with each other since the scavenger hunt long ago.
"They really love each other, don't they?" Katara murmured softly as she regarded her brother and the fiery princess.
"Yeah, very much so…" Ty Lee answered as softly and with a blissful smile.
Now it was Sokka's turn to laugh at something Azula had said. Then the conversation around the table involved everyone as the servants started to serve the various dishes. Her friends might have missed Mai entering the dining room but the servants and Wong in particular never missed a dinner participant.
Wong helped Mai to her place at his master's side as Sokka greeted her cheerfully.
"Mai, I hope you had a good rest." Sokka said as she straightened out her skirt. "I have something to show you when we have dined." Sokka continued and reached for the wine. It was diluted with water, Wong watched over his lord and his guests like a hawk. Mai and most likely Azula were the only ones that had noticed the wine, though.
Today they would dine on komodo chicken roasted in honey and lime, one of Mai's favourite dishes.
"I am leaving you, Sokka." Mai said not loudly but the words cut the conversation like a knife.
She had not meant to say that. But the words had just come tumbling out.
"Come again?" Sokka managed to say after a little while. He looked bewildered and all his attention was focused on his fiancé.
Katara and Ty Lee sat with slack jaws as they stared at Mai. What was the meaning of this? What could Mai possibly mean?
Azula sat absolutely stock still and only her keen eyes moved as she focused on either Mai or Sokka. The servants seemed to fade away in the background as soon as they became aware of the change of mood around the table.
"I am breaking off our engagement, Sokka." Mai answered softly and then she finally looked at Sokka, smiling weakly.
"Please understand, Sokka. I can't marry you, not while we feel like we do." Mai said gently, this was hard. Very hard.
"No, I don't understand." Sokka with a shocked voice. Mai reached out and grasped his hands. "Where did this come from? Is it something I have done? Please, Mai, I can change and become more…" Sokka continued and his confused expression and large blue eyes held hurt.
"No, no, no, Sokka!" Mai interrupted gently. "You are not at fault here, if anyone is at fault it's me. I just can't rob you of your chance at happiness."
"My chance at happiness?" Sokka said and shook his head in denial. "We have already gone over this, Mai. I chose this path with open eyes…"
"I know, Sokka." Mai interrupted Sokka once more. She could feel her eyes tear up. This was unbelievingly hard. "I love you, Sokka. I have never met anyone like you and you are my friend, my family." Mai continued and had to embrace Sokka fiercely before she could continue.
"I love someone else, Sokka." Mai softly tried to explain. The tears from them both mingled as the embrace continued.
"Has your decision to leave me to do with the letter Zuko gave you?" Sokka asked after a long moment and with a sad smile. Mai raised her eyebrows, he had known about the letter and had never said anything.
"Yes, that letter played a large part in my decision." Mai answered with a smile in return. "I must follow my heart. Please understand, Sokka."
Mai looked into Sokka's eyes and Sokka could see the anxiety of hers, that he wouldn't understand why she had decided to break up the engagement.
"So, Zuko finally managed to do something right?" Sokka asked with a genuinely warm smile.
"Yes, he finally did." Mai answered with blissful smile of her own.
"I understand, Mai" Sokka continued and stroked her gently over her cheek. "I truly understand and I won't stand in your way, I wouldn't dream of doing that to you. You deserve happiness, Mai."
"Thank you, thank you." Mai said and held his hand. "Thank you for everything, Sokka."
With that she stood up and left the dining room.
§§
The rowboat glided softly and very quietly through the night toward the distant shore. It was a moonless night and Zhao could only glimpse the island where the rowboat was heading. He was infuriated that he, a man destined to rule the Fire Nation – if not the world, had to skulk from location to location hunted like an animal!
He had nearly lost his life several times during the never ending chase and it had made him aware that the enemy didn't value his life and deeds at all. The very thought that the nation continued to function without him was unbearable. He would make sure they all payed dearly for humiliating him and that cursed snow savage and the traitorous princess would be the first to die by his hands.
Once more a weak and fickle light appeared on the dark beach, his contact this time around.
"My Lord," one of the rowers whispered softly yet urgently, "you need to swim the last bit, we need to row back before they notice we're gone." The cursed rower continued and starting to push Zhao to leap into the dark water.
Zhao cursed them and the world in general under his breath before he slipped into the sea as silently as possible. A quick glance back confirmed that the two rowers hastened to get away from him. Zhao started to swim but the shore only marginally came closer. He had forgotten about the tide!
He would not die here! Not drowning like a snow savage!
After mustering all of his strength he managed to get ashore, the breakers nearly killing him in the process.
The lone man that had been waiting on Zhao made no attempt to help the exhausted admiral.
"I was against bringing you here, Zhao." The dark figure said coldly. "You are a fool and the stench of failure cling to you like a bad smell." The cloaked man continued and gave Zhao a look full of contempt.
The contemptuous words brought Zhao out of his stupor and he raised his head to look at his guide.
"Yon Rah!" Zhao managed to splutter when he finally recognized the man looking down on him. Anger fuelled him, thus he managed to get into a sitting position, so he was not crawling in the dirt before the despicable man.
"Know your place, Commander!" Zhao managed to say somewhat ominously. The image was spoiled by him squatting in the dirt, soaked to the bone and dressed in common rags. "I am your superior!" Zhao continued angrily, not letting his appearance stand in the way.
"Well, you might not have heard, Admiral…" Yon Rah said softly. "By Fire Lord Ozai's decree, I am now his chief advisor and Commander in Chief of the Fire Nation's glorious armed forces." Yon Rah explained with hard eyes and a sardonic smile.
Fire Lord Ozai didn't even command a simple corvette. The titles were as hollow and fickle as the sand they stood on and they both knew it.
Livid, Zhao surged to his feet. Fury made his features contort into ugliness.
"I will not stand for such an outrageous claim! I will make sure you know your place, Yon Rah!" Zhao snarled viciously.
Yon Rah managed not to roll his eyes in exasperation, it seemed only one between them understood that the titles were only a sham, nothing more.
"I will inform the Fire Lord of your thoughts on his appointments." Yon Rah said curtly and before he turned around he had the pleasure to see how Zhao paled in fright. "Now, hurry up. We need to get going before someone spots us." Yon Rah continued and walked away without looking back to see if his former superior kept up with him.
Zhao stumbled on weak legs as he barely managed to keep up with that utter fool. From the looks of it, Ozai had broken down from the pressure and was mad as a hatter. Yon Rah as the Commander in Chief? If he was not so utterly exhausted, Zhao would have killed the man on the spot. He needed to take charge and make sure the rebellion succeeded. He would be victorious, he would see Sokka, Azula and his enemies dead. He would live to rule!
§§
Mai regarded the mature yet young woman that looked back at her from the large mirror in the room she shared with Sokka up until right now. Her decision to break the engagement with Sokka and embark on a potential futile journey to find the man that had broken her heart was perhaps not one of her wisest life choices. Yet it was time she made those choices, be they good or bad.
All her life, other people have made those decisions for her, her parents, the society, Princess Azula and lately Sokka. She didn't resent them over it, far from it. It was now time for her to become an independent woman on her own.
Sokka had not tried to stop her, he supported her as she knew he would and whatever happened, she knew that she was always welcome at his home. He would never abandon her or she him. He would be a great uncle to her daughter. That the child she carried would be a girl was something she knew in her heart.
The serene young woman in the mirror graced her with a small mysterious smile. Yes, she had made the right choice.
"I am coming with you." Katara stated fiercely. The words made her the focus of everyone in the room. Katara steely eyes said that this was not a decision open for discussion. Mai only raised an eyebrow at the waterbender and the princess gave Katara a thoughtful look.
Azula had not said much since Mai's surprising announcement the day before. She had held her opinions to herself and not trying to sway Mai in either way. Still, the princess had given Mai good advice on what to expect when she travelled in the Earth Kingdom. Azula was considerate of her friends in her own way.
"My boyfriend is after all a citizen of the Earth Kingdom and it is about time I saw him again." Katara continued when no one responded to her announcement to travel with Mai. "Besides, it would be downright irresponsible to let our pregnant friend travel the Earth Kingdom alone." Katara said in a more normal tone of voice as she tapped her finger at the table beside her.
Ty Lee, who had surprisingly been the staunchest opponent to Mai breaking her engagement with Sokka and to Mai's decision to search for Zuko, let herself down from a beam as Katara was done talking. She landed gracefully as always. The acrobat had brightened considerably after Katara's announcement.
"That is a great idea, Katara!" Ty Lee chirped happily as she did an elegant pirouette. "I will come along…" Ty Lee didn't have a chance to finish her sentence.
"You will stay in the Fire Nation, Ty Lee." Azula snapped harshly. The fierce princess gave her nimble friend a terrifying glare that made Ty Lee squeak and visibly recoil from Azula. It seemed Azula was not ready to let both her friends leave just yet.
"I will stay here, Azula." Ty Lee said meekly when she had found her voice and tried a pacifying smile that wilted under Azula's petrifying glare.
"That you will join Mai is a good thing, Katara." Azula said in a more normal tone of voice that clashed with the hard glare she still gave the unfortunate acrobat. Being friends with Princess Azula had never been easy, that's for sure…
"Mai will have an arduous journey before her and my brother, incompetent as he is, might be harder to find than our pregnant friend anticipates." Azula continued while still glaring at the poor Ty Lee. If Ty Lee tried to leave, Azula would hunt her down and make her displeasure known…
"You are most welcome, Katara." Mai said and made everyone look at her, much to Ty Lee's relief. "Your company means a lot to me. But perhaps there is someone else that will object to you leaving? Especially if you announce that you will visit your boyfriend…" Mai said with a sigh and continued with a raised eyebrow. "When he found out about Haru the first time, he nearly left the Fire Nation to go and find you then and there." It was a nice memory, from a time of innocence. She had been happy then…
"Mark my words, If he tries to stop me I will encase him in an iceberg for a hundred years!" Katara vowed and nodded firmly as she spoke.
Really, encase someone in an iceberg for a century? That was just silly! Still, Sokka would be quite annoyed. It was a bemusing thought and the ghost of a smile graced Mai's features for a short moment.
"I need to speak to Princess Azula alone." Mai said when Katara was done speaking. Mai gazed steadily at the princess who looked back just as resolutely. Katara looked between the two young women, it seemed the two finally would talk about Sokka.
"Come on, Ty Lee, we're leaving." Katara urged her friend, unnecessarily since Ty Lee didn't wait to get away from Azula. With a final look Katara closed the door on two people that had become two of her closest friends.
Neither Mai nor Azula said anything for a long time after Katara and Ty Lee had left, they just observed each other while giving nothing away.
"You're a fool for leaving Sokka to chase after Zuzu." Azula said evenly but not unkindly and broke the silence. "This may be your greatest miscalculation so far." The princess continued and smirked a little.
Mai could only hope the princess was wrong, nothing more.
"When I have left, you will tell Sokka that you love him." Mai said evenly and not responding to Azula's statement.
Azula's golden eyes met Mai's silver eyes, their faces inscrutable.
"You love him, Azula and he loves you." Mai continued evenly. Mai was not good at these sorts of things but it needed to be done. "If he asks you to marry him you will not turn him down."
But she would be damned if she didn't make sure Sokka found happiness. He would most likely bungle it and Azula would never stoop so low as to confess her love to anyone. So, that made Mai the only one left to make sure Sokka and Azula ended up together. What a bother!
Azula stayed silent for a long while as she regarded her tall silver eyed friend. Mai patiently waited for a response, not letting the silence unsettle her.
"Tread carefully, dear Mai." Azula finally answered ominously. "You might be a friend but I never tolerate disrespect to my person, as you well know..."
The threat was clear and present. Yes, it was very hard to be Azula's friend.
Mai didn't let Azula intimidate her. Azula was not her only friend, Sokka was her friend, too.
"You owe me a favour, Princess Azula." Mai said formally yet calmly, her face unreadable. "I intend to collect your debt to me."
"That cursed scavenger hunt! You dare to… I will not…" Azula hissed in realization and became so furious that she couldn't continue speaking.
Azula's eyes blazed in sudden fury and blue fire engulfed her hands as her beautiful face contorted in anger.
"Yes, that is the favour I demand of you, Princess Azula." Mai said unyieldingly, she would not be denied. "You gave your word, Azula, Princess of the Fire Nation."
Silver eyes clashed with golden.
Without saying a word Azula turned away and stalked out of the room.
§§
Sokka couldn't tear his eyes away from the tall and oh so beautiful woman standing on the deck looking back at him with bright eyes. The ship was about to sail and with it his best friend and the one he had been prepared to spend the rest of his life with.
His emotions were…all over the place. Feeling bad for losing Mai, glad that he was free to pursue Azula and because of that, feeling even worse toward Mai. He was going crazy like the patients in that madhouse just outside the Caldera he had visited not so long ago. He had teased Azula and had said that she would fit right in with them. The Princess had not been amused.
Sokka found himself smiling over the amusing recollection and then came back to the reality when someone took his arm, quite forcefully actually.
The princess had declined to see Mai and Katara off. She had been distant since Mai had broken off the betrothal. Sokka didn't know why and had had no time to investigate what was going on. So the one shaking him could only be…
"Look, now the ship is setting sail!" Ty Lee sobbed heartbrokenly as she held on to Sokka's arm. "We will never see them again!" The acrobat cried and shook Sokka like a doll once again. He could hear his teeth rattle!
"You are being overly dramatic, Ty Lee!" Sokka managed to gasp when the girl calmed down and let him go. Sokka would never get used to Ty Lee's incredible strength. She was very strong.
Ty Lee waved at the now two figures that looked back at them from over the gunwale. Katara waved back, smiling and crying at the same time but Mai only looked at Sokka and he at her.
Sokka and Ty Lee stayed on the dock until the ship had disappeared over the horizon.
"We will see them again, Ty Lee." Sokka said reassuringly to his friend. She was quiet now, her tears dried up. "Katara and Mai will find Zuko in no time and I pity the fool who gets in their way." Sokka continued in a somewhat strained tone of voice. He had had his own misgivings after all…
Ty Lee nodded to herself and then spun around and hugged him fiercely, squeezing the air out of his lungs doing so.
"Yes, Mai will find Zuko and live happily ever after! They will have a small family together. This is so great!" Ty Lee chirped happily and gave Sokka a dazzling smile. Sokka was confused. She had just cried her eyes out while saying over and over that they would never see Mai or Katara ever again!
"You just said…"Sokka started to say before managing to stop himself. He decided to roll with it, no need to poke the bear after all. "Yeah, you are right. This is great. I am very happy for Mai." Sokka said instead.
As they walked home talking and laughing Sokka glanced out over the sea one last time.
"Be happy, Mai." He whispered softly.
§§
"Burn you, foolish girl!" The sudden harsh words made the servants cringe in fear.
Azula didn't see them as they dressed her. She had taken a soothing bath, well – it was supposed to be a calming experience but it had definitely not been one.
The subject of her wrath was no longer here. Mai had left the Fire Nation to search for Zuzu and his elusive honour. The utter nerve to demand that she, the Princess Azula, was to confess her love and without opposition, agree to a marriage!
This was beyond disrespectful! It was treasonous! Unbecoming and ridiculous! It was disloyal! She would not do it. It was out of the question and beneath her, after all.
Still, she had given her word when she agreed to participate in that cursed scavenger hunt… And her honour was not something she could compromise with. Unreasonable as it might be, Mai had made sure Azula was trapped like an animal in a cage.
That cursed scavenger hunt was causing her no end of grievance!
Azula grind her teeth so hard it was audible to the poor servants. Fear of the capricious princess made them shake like leaves in the wind. Not that Azula noticed.
There was not much she could do, not really. Princess Azula, crown-heir to the mighty Fire Nation would confess her love to Sokka and after that strangle him with her bare hands!
No need to prolong her humiliation and suffering. With burning eyes and murder written over her countenance, Azula stalked out of her quarters to hunt down the lord of the house. Servants and occasional guards or officials leapt out of her way, afraid to suffer her wrath.
Azula found her prey in his office. He was standing by the large window, gazing out over the endless sea. Was he sad that Mai had left him? The fleeting thought did not improve her mood. Not at all.
He was not alone. Ty Lee was standing on her hands on his desk, of all things. The nimble young woman gave Azula one look, got silent as a mouse and came down from the desk and moved away from Sokka. His manservant was also there and when the thunderous princess had entered the study, he faded into the background.
The sudden silence behind him, not to mention the doors opening and closing, ought to have caught his attention, but Sokka could be a bit oblivious of his surroundings. That he was not assassinated yet was probably sheer luck. Azula stood regal and dignified as she waited for the fool to acknowledge her presence. The princess was unaware that her glare was fierce enough to put him on fire. Ty Lee was definitely aware of that and stayed so still that she didn't even seem to breathe.
"I have to keep an eye on…" Sokka finally turned around as he addressed Ty Lee most likely. He blinked in surprise when he came eye to eye with Azula.
Before Azula could say anything Sokka smiled at her. It was a smile he only gave her and it swept away all her anger like it had never existed. How did he do that?
"Azula!" Sokka exclaimed happily. "Where have you been? You missed Mai's and Katara's departure. They asked for you." Sokka admonished in mock outrage.
"I need to speak to you." Azula declared, her voice suddenly hoarse. Why did she suddenly feel so…nervous? This was not like her, not at all!
"Yes, what is it?" Sokka prompted when Azula didn't say anything. His words rewarded him with an irritated glare.
Looking into his keen blue eyes Azula couldn't say it.
"I approve of your recent improvements of Ember Island's government. The island will prosper because of it." Azula said evenly and without a hitch.
"Even if that Carnival idea is downright ridiculous." Azula continued while pursuing her mouth. She really found that idea ill-advised.
Sokka looked a bit bewildered. Azula giving out praises was as rare as the sun rising twice on the same day.
"Are you dying?" Sokka gasped in sudden shock while looking at her frightfully.
"What? No, of course not!" Azula exclaimed in annoyance. Here she gave him a compliment and he looked at her as if she had sprouted a third eye!
"You're a complete and utter idiot!" Azula stated and to her growing annoyance she saw that the idiot actually looked a bit relieved by her words.
"Well then, thank you kindly." Sokka answered while looking very pleased with himself.
"You understand nothing, Sokka." Azula said coldly and without waiting for an answer turned and left.
Sokka exchanged a long look with Ty Lee.
"What was that all about?" Sokka asked Ty Lee. The only answer he got was a bewildered headshake.
Ty Lee then left Sokka with an excuse to get ready for dinner. Sokka then turned to Wong.
"Did you understand what just happened?" Sokka asked while slumping down in his comfortable chair.
"I believe her highness was trying to put to words what she tells you every time her highness meets with you." Wong answered softly.
Sokka become even more bewildered and gave his manservant a very confused look.
"What do you mean by that?" Sokka asked but Wong only gave his master an apologetic smile as he bowed low and exited the study.
"That doesn't make any sense at all!" Sokka all but shouted after his polite but independent servant. Wasn't a servant supposed to obey his master?
§§
Sokka and Ty Lee were the only ones attending dinner. The large and very polished dinner table seemed so empty. He wondered what his friends were doing at this precise moment. Did they miss us as we missed them?
With a sigh Sokka glanced over to where Azula would be seated. She had not joined them and she had refused to speak with either Sokka or Ty Lee for three whole days since her odd behaviour in his study. As he turned over the conversation with the princess in his head, he always came back to Wong's words. They seemed to be the key to unlock what was going on here…
"To put to words what she tells me every time she sees me." Sokka whispered softly. So softly that Ty Lee didn't hear. After all, she was in the middle of telling him about some of the plans she had made for the Carnival and only Azula or a volcano eruption could interrupt her stream of words.
What did it mean? What is Azula telling me every time she sees me?
Could it be that…
"Oh!" Sokka said softly yet it had a wondrous tone to it.
He gave Ty Lee a wide-eyed look that made her blink. He couldn't sit still, he needed to see Azula now.
"I will be back shortly, Ty Lee." Sokka shouted as he ran out of the dining room. Ty Lee did not have a chance to answer before he was gone.
Sokka rushed out into the corridor but stopped and hesitated, where could she be? But before Sokka could make a decision Wong stepped out from an adjacent room.
"The Princess Azula has gone down to the beach, my Lord." Wong said while giving Sokka a bow. In his hands he held a coat. "Her Highness is watching the sunset, my Lord."
Sokka could only nod in answer as Wong helped him to put the coat on. It was long and billowing.
Sokka rushed out of the palace and toward his Azula. All feelings he had suppressed and dared not to acknowledge came flowing out from deep within. He felt feverish in his need to see and talk to Azula. The world and time itself seemed to stand still as he ran toward the love of his life.
§§
The last couple of days had been tumultuous and even if her anger over the past days' injustice had died down the only place she really felt at peace was at the beach, looking out over the endless ocean while the sun glowed in the sunset. It would be a starry night with a full moon. She had really come to like the moon and the stars.
Suddenly Azula became aware that Sokka would be at her side. How she came to know that he was coming to her side she could not say, she just knew.
She turned away from the sun and the moon as she stood waiting for Sokka. He came rushing over a dune and when he saw her he stopped still. He regarded her for a little while before he strode calmly towards her, his coat billowing out behind him.
When he arrived before her he smiled down at the young woman that he loved with his entire being.
"I want to tell you something, Sokka." Azula began once more. It was so hard for her to say those words, nearly impossible even.
"You don't have to say anything, Azula." Sokka said softly yet lovingly.
No one had ever looked at her with such strong love before. She loved him with all her heart, now and forever.
"You tell me what you want to say every time I see you, Azula." Sokka continued with gentle smile.
"I love you too, love of my life." Sokka gently stroked Azula's cheek as he tenderly confessed his love to her.
Azula gave Sokka a loving smile. She gently clasped his hands in hers, bringing them close to each other.
"Well, then. It is as it should be." Azula answered slowly and continued softly.
"Now and forever."
§§
Fire Lord Ozai. It had a good ring to it, an expectation of greatness. Yes, he would lead the Fire Nation to it true destiny – world domination!
He stood on the terrace dressed in clothes unbecoming of a ruler but his struggle against his father's tyranny would become legendary and something to spur his soldiers onward as he marched them toward conquest, war and glory.
Zhao and Yon Rah squabbled behind him as they had done continuously since the Admiral arrived at Ozai's hideout a couple of days ago. Zhao was upset over Yon Rah's elevation and now holding a position he himself had coveted. Zhao had bitterly complained to Ozai and was even now scheming to have Yon Rah removed. Yon Rah on the other hand seemed determined to hold on to his position, perhaps mostly to spite Zhao since the man's spirit had not been notably lifted by his promotion, strangely enough.
Well, the man had become more serious since his liege lord had been betrayed by his own daughter and lost the first battle. No need to devote his precious time contemplating traitors. Regarding traitors, the list of people with undesirable opinions was growing longer. Nearly all nobles devoted to him had changed side and sworn their fealty to his father! He intended to have them all executed for treason. He would purge the Fire Nation in a cleansing fire before he brought that very flame to the rest of the world.
"My Lord." The Commander in Chief respectfully said to his ruler. This was a man that knew his place in Ozai's future government. "Confirmation has arrived that all soldiers are in place and ready to act on your command." Yon Rah continued in the same tone of voice.
The very telling silence from Zhao told Ozai that the admiral had not yet figured out Ozai's plan. It was an innovative plan that Yon Rah had come up with. Soldiers and other loyal men and women would strike at vital targets all over the Fire Nation in an attempt to confuse and force his father to spread out his forces in a vain attempt to capture Ozai's troops.
"Very good, Lord Commander." Ozai rumbled and smirked in pleasure as he once more took in the magnificent view that spread out before him. The building he resided in was a simple house of a somewhat successful wine grower. Nothing noteworthy with either the wine grower's house or his wine. The only thing remarkable was the view! He would build a palace here when he had secured the throne.
The Caldera lay beneath him and beyond that, the sea. He felt like Agni himself as he looked down on the world beneath him. This was his rightful place.
"You will inform Admiral Zhao about his crucial role in the upcoming campaign, Lord Commander." Ozai ordered Yon Rah.
"You have served me well, Yon Rah, but mark my words, you will be replaced if this plan of yours does not yield the result I expect." Ozai ominously informed his appointed Commander in Chief and continued:
"If you fail this mission, Zhao, death will be something you will long for…" Ozai threateningly told his bungling ally.
Yon Rah's only response was a sardonic smile at his liege lord's back. Zhao was not so circumspect, he rolled his eyes and without a proper bow, turned and stalked away.
§§
Azulon listened with half an ear to Qin's monotone voice as the man informed him about the string of sabotage incidents that had suddenly occurred all over the Fire Nation in the last couple of days. They were pinpricks and dealt no real damage yet they were a nuisance and needed to be dealt with so his men played a deadly game of cat and mouse with Ozai's rebels.
It seemed that his cursed son had not yet given up his dreams to rule the Fire Nation. Ozai was a fool, a dangerous fool but this sudden campaign was very well planned. His own forces were spread out, dangerously so, in an attempt to try to both counter and defend at the same time.
Azulon leaned heavily on his cane. He needed a cane to support him now. The battle with Ozai had left him frail and his wounds didn't heal as they should. He had become weak and it went without saying that he no longer could firebend as he used to do.
He refused to use the throne room, it felt so empty these days. So why had he come here? He looked around the opulent room and its furniture. That the former occupant had left it in a hurry was evident with even a casual glance. Clothes, books and other personal belongings lay everywhere.
Qin finally concluded the report and became quiet. Azulon had already given his orders concerning the sudden uprising so no further orders were needed.
Azulon picked up a book from the table. It was the renowned "Life and deeds of the Avatars - a complete compilation" by the famous Ba Sing Se scholar Acastus. Sokka's room was filled with hidden treasures like that. Where had he gotten his hands on this? His own library didn't even have it.
Azulon flipped the pages and a pressed flower fell out and ended up on the table. That young man was too curious for his own good.
Thinking about the cheerful young man and his granddaughter made him remember why they were in disfavour.
"What does our Eyes and Ears has to say about them?" Azulon asked his Minister and looked up only to find that Qin had silently tried to sneak out of the room. When the subject of them was brought up, Qin swallowed hard and he pulled at his collar.
"Ah, my Lord, well, it is a bit confusing…" Qin stammered as he managed to bow three times to his Fire Lord.
Azulon interrupted his stuttering Minister by slamming the heavy volume onto the table. The loud bang made Qin jump in fright.
"What are they up to? Spit it out, man!" Azulon snapped harshly. What was this all about?
Fright made the poor Minister speak out. He had hoped in vain that the subject of Lord Ember and Princess Azula would not be brought up by the Fire Lord at this briefing, that the rebel uprising would take up all of his ruler's time and energy. Unfortunately that was not the case.
He was not suited to deal with rebels and furious royals. This would be the death of him!
"The Lady Mai broke her engagement with Lord Ember and left for the Earth Kingdom with Lord Ember's sister." The words came tumbling out of the Minister and the sudden frown on Fire Lord Azulon's face made him continue.
"Lord Ember is now engaged to marry the Princess Azula."
The stillness after the last sentence was the calmness that came before the storm.
"Sokka and my granddaughter are engaged to be wed?" It was not really a question. The deceptively calm words together with the deadly glare that Azulon gave his high ranking official nearly caused Qin to faint.
"Yes, my Lord." Qin faintly managed to answer.
"Why was I not informed about this at once?" The answer to this question could determine Qin's career and, most likely, his life.
"We wanted to confirm these important observations before presenting them to the throne, my Lord." Qin said with a quavering voice. He rightly feared for his life.
So, no one had dared to present these news to their Fire Lord.
"Bring them to me!" The Fire Lord commanded and with a frightened look at his master, the Minister of War darted out to send word that Sokka and Azula were summoned by the Fire Lord.
§§
Author's notes:
I hope this chapter was worth the long wait. I am sorry about that by the way. I have nothing to say, not really. Well, now it is up and running!:)
For you Sokkla'fans out there I want to recommend a new and ongoing story by Loopy777. It is called "Throw Her Overboard" and is rated K+. Sokka is captain on a seafaring vessel that travels on the high seas. He ends up with an unexpected stowaway… You can't miss this story. Great story! Please read it as soon as possible!
If you want to read mystery with Sokka & Mai as main characters please try out a story by Menamebephil. It is called "The Long Drop" and is rated T. The author nails Mai perfectly and investigator Sokka is a wonder to behold. Read it! Azula might make an appearance too!;)
Next up, chapter 39. Can Sokka and Azula find happiness together? Or will someone die? Well, read and find out!;)