The Search

The city of Yu Dao a week later for the summit.

"If I could address the council." Ari ask with a practiced confidence at the beginning of the conference.
"Of course Fire Lady Ariadne, we would be happy to hear you speak." Earth King Kuei told her with an indulgent smile.
Ari stood with poise and dignity and made her way unhurriedly to the center of the room. She was thankful that she had had Irohs' help over the last week in writing her speech, his advise has been invaluable. This was the moment of truth as she cloaked herself in a composed authority. What she had to say was important, but so was the reminder to the assembled political leaders that she was more than a pretty face. "Fire is the element of power. The people of the Fire Nation have desire and will, and the energy and drive to achieve what they want. Earth is the element of substance. The people of the Earth Kingdom are diverse and strong. They are persistent and enduring. Air is the element of freedom. The Air Nomads detached themselves from worldly concerns and found peace and freedom. Water is the element of change. The people of the Water Tribe are capable of adapting to many things. They have a deep sense of community and love that holds them together through anything. It is important to draw wisdom from many different places. If we take it from only one place, it becomes rigid and stale. Understanding others, the other elements, and the other nations will help us become whole. It is the combination of the elements that makes us strong not their separation. The combining of nations and blending of cultures is what is already happening in Yu Dao, and they are stronger for it. To continue to try to separate the mixed nation families in the colonies would be morally reprehensible. The battle that occurred at Yu Dao was an unnecessary condition of affairs, and might have been avoided if forebearance and wisdom had been practiced on both sides."
"Thank you Fire Lady Ariadne. That was very well said." Earth King Kuei told her with a respectful bow looking humbled.

"Why do I get the impression with that last line that she wants to put us over her knee and spank us all?" Sokka whispered to Aang.
"You didn't see how mad she was-" Aang started to say.
"Don't think I still wont." Ari hissed, having heard what he said as she took her seat between Aang and Zuko.
The conference wore on as a professor from Ba Sing Se University gave a lecture on political science.
"Tell me again, how exactly is boring lecture guy supposed to help us figure out what to do with Yu Dao?" Sokka asked bored out of his mind.
"He's an expert on ancient Earth Kingdom theories of government. The Earth King thinks we should draw on the wisdom of the past to build a society of the future." Aang explained to him.
"Even if the past bores me out of my skull?" Sokka replied.
"Yeah, I agree. We need a new way of seeing the four nations, not-" Aang told him as he was cut off.
"Can you two keep it down, please? Some of us are trying to listen!" Katara whispered in annoyance.
"Sorry, Katara!" Aang replied contritely.
"Surprise, surprise. My boring sister likes boring lecture guy." Sokka said teasing Katara.
"Hey! That's my girlfriend you're talking about!" Aang said defending Katara.
Katara waterbended the water out of her glass and whipped a snowball at her brothers face while Aang laughed.
"I still can't believe your going to be a dad!" Katara hissed at him, 'at least that child would have Suki.' She thought to herself.
Zuko and Ari were trying to ignore the antics going on to their right.
"Professor, can you repeat that last part?" Zuko ask him.
"A teenager is a teenager, apparently, even if he's a head of a state." The professor said and Ari narrowed her eyes at him dangerously and he swallowed before continuing. "I was explaining, Fire Lord Zuko, an ancient Earth Kingdom philosophy: Family is in essence a small nation, and the nation a large family. Do you understand? In treating his own family with dignity, a ruler learns to govern his nation with dignity."
"Are you all right, Zuko?" Aang ask looking over and seeing the distressed look on Zuko's face.
"Have you been listening to him?" Zuko asked.
"I've been trying, but all I'm getting is "blah blah blah." Aang told him honestly.
"I put my father in a prison and my sister in an institution. My mother's been banished for years. What does that mean for my nation?" Zuko said quietly and Ari placed a comforting hand on his arm.
"Zuko, that's not what-" Aang started to say before being cut of by Sokka.
"This guy's a blowhard! Only people like Katara are taking him seriously." Sokka told him.
Katara whipped another snowball into Sokka face.
"He who learns but does not think, is lost! He who thinks but does not learn is in great danger." Ari told Sokka.

Back in the Fire nation Zuko was walking through the palace while he talked to Suki.
"The Yu Dao summit seems to have done you some good. You're more upbeat than-"
"-My usual, dour self?" Zuko finished for her.
"I didn't say that. I'm... we're glad to have you back, Zuko." Suki told him sincerely.
"Aang wants Yu Dao to be the prototype for a new kind of city, one that unites the four nations." Zuko told her.
"That sounds exciting!"
"It sounds idealistic, but maybe the world could use a little idealism." Zuko said with a smile.

Ari was taking Ozai tea in prison as was part of her usual routine. She wanted information from him, but it was not a process that could be rushed. Ari had spent the last year slowly building his trust.
"Good afternoon Ozai. I brought some of the tea cakes you like." Ari said bowing slightly before elegantly kneeling with the tray; a movement she had practiced until it appeared flawless before she ever met Ozai.
"Thank you, dear girl. You're looking unwell." He said with a frown as he took note of her appearance.
"I'm as well as can be expected in my condition." Ari told him with a smile laying a hand gently on her stomach.
"Your pregnant!" He said with surprise.
"Yes. I am told by a healer that both babies sound strong." Ari said smiling coyly.
"I had my doubts about you, but I believe it can be said that you are doing your duty to the Fire Nation, which is more than I can say about my son."
"Zuko will find his footing as a ruler, you do not help when you undermine his confidence." Ari told him surety.
"I heard you spoke at the summit in Yu Dao." Ozai told her and Ari betrayed no surprise on her face that he was receiving news in prison.
"'That which neither weapon nor flame could accomplish will be achieved by a sweet speaking tongue in council.' Peace will be found through words not steel." Ari told him.
"Your an extraordinary woman Ariadne. You may not have been born Royal but you have the bearing of one nonetheless." Ozai complimented her as he sipped his tea.

Two months past and Ari continued her stately rhythm. She carefully crafted her appearance to appear she was growing weaker, while maintaining her countenance and steel. It wasn't much of a stretch, the pregnancy was most certainly weakening her, though not as badly as her last three.
Ari walked in with the tray, holding it just above her swollen 4 month pregnant stomach, and started to kneal.
"Get her a chair you idiots!" Ozai roared at the guards.
Ari smiled sweetly, this was exactly the reaction she had wanted.
"Thank you Ozai." Ari said demurely.
"How are you." Ozai ask her not hiding the worry in his voice, he had expected to see her face round with new life, instead she looked more gaunt every time he saw her.
"I am well. I think the babies are taking all the nutrients from my body that they allow me to eat. I'm told one is much larger than the other." Ari told him setting the stage, afterall no matter what this baby was almost guaranteed to be bigger than her oldest son Rowan.
"He'll be a strong one then." Ozai said nodding. "Pregnancy does not agree with you, Dear girl. I don't recall Ursa struggling this much."
"No arguments here. Somedays I fear they may kill me." Ari told him. "Between the babies and affairs of state I am exhausted. There hasn't been a Fire Lady in 20 years, there's so much work to do. Did you know that someone had been spending the charitable dispensation on war funds." Ari said raising an eyebrow playfully.
"Well I guess some things do need a woman's touch." Ozai laughed. "After my father died, My wife was not around, and I didn't really bother with things like charitable dispensation. "
That was the signal Ari needed, it was time.
"What happened to her, Ozai?" She ask calmly.
"I banished her, she returned to her home town of Hira'a." Ozai told her, fear eating at him as he did so, that this might have been the information that she was seeking and his unlikely companion would leave him. That thought was to much for him to bear, he had grown guite fond of his daughter in law.
Ari artfully changed direction though, as to not linger on the topic.

Ari made a quick detour to her rooms to freshen up before finding Zuko. She may have wanted to play up her sickly appearance for Ozai, but it would just worry Zuko even more to see her like that.
She found Suki before Zuku.
"Where's Zuko." Ari ask her not bothering to stop.
"I think he's in his office." Suki told her.
Ari walked briskly into his office.
"I have it, he told me. She went back to Hira'a after she was banished." Ari said with an air of excitement.
"I'll send hawks to Aang and the rest for help in the search and another to Iroh to keep an eye on things here." Zuko told her, his eyes full of fire.
"Sounds good, I'll go start packing our things for the trip." Ari said turning to leave.
"Ari I think you should stay here." Zuko tried to reason with her.
"I have not been having tea with Ozai for the last year and a half to be left behind." Ari told him firmly.
Zuko sighed "I'm not going to be able to change your mind am I?"
"Not a chance."

Upon receiving their message their friends and family dropped everything and flew to the Fire Nation. Iroh had arrived the day before, and stepped out to greet Aang, Katara, and Sokka the moment Appa was sighted over the capitol.
"Iroh! We didn't expect to find you here!" Aang said jumping down from Appa.
"Zuko, Ari, your friends have arrived!" Iroh called out the couple and they quickly went out to greet their friends.
"Thank you for inviting us to your home, Your Fieriness! We've been out of touch for much too long!" Aang told Zuko while bowing to him.
"I saw you last week when you picked up Sokka. Where's Toph?" Zuko ask him.
"She had to stay at the academy. Now that folks have seen the lily livers- I mean, her students in action, everyone and their mother wants to be a metalbender. Even the Yu Dao police chief went to visit her!" Sokka explained.
"We came as soon as we received your message. What's this about?" Katara ask.
"I recently obtained some new information about Ursa, my mother. It turns out she's from a small town called Hira'a on the outskirts of the Fire Nation. I'm going to look for her. Uncle Iroh's agreed to watch over things here while I'm gone." Zuko explained.
"May you find who, and what, you are searching for, my nephew." Iroh said sagely.
"That's great, Zuko! Ari really came through didn't she. But it sounds like you've got everything covered... " Aang told him before being cut of by Katara.
"So why do you need us?" Katara ask.
"Ari insists on going with me, and since she's the one who was able to get the information out of Ozai, I can't really say no. I don't want to take guards or be conspicuous, but I still need to keep her safe." Zuko explained.
"Ever since my nephew ascended to the throne, he has yearned for peace. Finding Ursa may bring that peace" Iroh told them.
"We're your friends, Zuko. We'll be there!" Aang told him.
"Now before we leave, where is my beautiful wife?" Sokka ask.
"I'm right here!" Suki called out running up to them.
"Suki!" Sokka yelled dramatically. "Look how big you got."
The look in Suki's eyes was dangerous.
"Once again you were all just here last week!" Zuko said exasperatedly "Let's not poke the pregnant women, I have to live with both of them."
"Are you sure you should go Ari?" Katara ask her with concern.
"Yeah, are you sure thats a good idea." Sokka ask parroting his sister.
"I'll be fine." Ari said with a huff.
"Well it's a beautiful day for a trip. Let's get going." Aang said a little uneasily.

Iroh and Suki watched as they flew away.
"To think that I ever aspired to become lord of this dreary palace ..." Iroh says making a face.
"Anything we can do to make you feel more at home, Iroh?" Suki ask him.
"You see, the problem with the Fire Nation is exactly this." Iroh says taking a spear out of a soldiers hand and replacing it with a cup of tea. "For the past hundred years we have had too many weapons, and too little tea. That's it! I have discovered my first business as interim Fire Lord! I will declare a national Tea Appreciation Day! Drink up, my friend"

"Ahhh! The open sky above us, a daring mission before us, and friends all around! Just like old times, isn't it?" Sokka ask us.
"Even better than old times! Before, I always wanted to kiss Katara and now I actually get to do it!" Aang said happily.
"Aw, sweetie!" Katara said and turned to kiss Aang.
"I for one could do without that part." Sokka said making a face. "Too bad Toph couldn't be here."

They spent the day flying and just before sunset were nearing their destination.
"I think that's Hira'a up ahead. If we can't get there before sunset, though, we should set up camp. I don't want to enter town in the middle of the night like a gang of bandits." Zuko told them.
"Good point. Hey Aang-AH!" Sokka yelled looking over at Aang and sees him make a terrifyingly angry face.
We all look over and are startled by the expression on his face.
"What's wrong with your face?" Katara asked him.
"I don't know... But I can't help it! There's something out there... Some spirit. I can feel its presence, especially in my face." Aang tells them.
"Now that you mention it, I feel it too. That's why I'm doing this!" Sokka says pulling a face.
"Sokka, this is serious!" Katara chides him.
"As serious as this?" Sokka says making the most serious face he can.
"Knock it off!" His sister yells at him.
Aang looks down and sees a giant blue wolf spirit running through the forest.
"Whoa! Did you guys see that giant wolf spirit?! I think that's the presence I'm feeling!" Aang yells out to us.
"There's nothing down there." Zuko says calmly looking over the side of the saddle.
"Did the wolf spirit look like this? Sokka says making another face. Katara whips a snowball in his face.
"What was that for?!" Sokka yells at her.
"I told you to knock it off!" Katara yells back.

They prepared to land so that they could make camp for the night. All of a sudden they looked up and the giant spirit wolf was behind Sokka.
"Sokka!" Ari says quietly but with urgency. "Calmly and slowly back away from the giant wolf, maintain eye contact with it and whatever you do do not turn your back and run!"
Sokka turned to look at the giant wolf behind him eyes wide, before turning back around and running away as it snaps at the air.
"What did I just say!" Ari yells at him.
"The wolf spirit must've left the Spirit World for a good reason! So please, everybody, be respectful!" Aang tells us.
"Respectful?! Your spirit just tried to eat my head!" Sokka yells.
"Those markings on its belly... they sort of look like a face..." Katara points out to Aang.
"You're right... I think I get it now!" Aang says, as he jumps up and airbends himself in front of the spirit while Katara waterbends an ice shield in front of the rest of them.
"Stop, big giant wolf spirit! Listen to me! I felt your presence earlier, see? Just like the design on your fur! knew you were near because I'm the Avatar, the great bridge between the spirits and the humans! My friends and I are just traveling to the town of Hira'a. If we've disturbed you, please accept our apologies." Aang tried to talk to the spirit.
The wolf spirit stares at Aang for a moment before suddenly lunging at him aggressively.
"Yikes!" Aang yells jumping out of the way.
"Aang!" Katara yells while she, Zuko, and Ari all take fighting stances.
"Your "respectful" tactic doesn't seem to be working!" Zuko tells Aang.
Zuko, Ari, and Katara all attack the spirit with bending while Sokka throws his boomerang at it. All of their attacks were useless though and seemed to just bounce off of the creature, all except for Zuko's fire blast that it appears to eat.
"Did that wolf spirit... just eat my fire?!" Zuko ask incredulously.
"And burped! it ate your fire and burped at you!" Sokka tells him.
The wolf spirit turns and lunges at Aang again.
"Come on, wolf spirit! I'm great bridge guy! You don't wanna-" Aang says trying to reason with it, when suddenly Appa comes charging in putting himself between Aang and the spirit with a roar.
"All right! Giant spirit animal mega brawl!" Sokka yells.
"Go easy on him, buddy! We just want peaceful passage to Hira'a!" Aang calls to Appa as he fights the wolf.
Appa sends the spirt flying with an air blast and it hits an outcropping of rocks, the wolf struggles to stand.
"Woo-hoo! Sky bison: one, fire-eating wolf: zero!" Sokka cheers.
The wolf finally rises to its feet but makes a sick sounding gurgling noise deep on it's throat.
"Appa, I asked you to go easy on him! Are you okay, big giant wolf spirit?!" Aang asks the spirit.
The wolf begins vomiting a cloud of moth wasps, that begin to swarm towards them as they look on in shock and horror.
"It just threw up a cloud of moth wasps at us!" Aang yells.
"You are the grossest spirit ever!" Sokka yells at the wolf.
The moth wasps fly right at them buzzing around their faces.
"OW OW OW! Did they eat my whole arm?! I can't see my arm!" Sokka calls out.
"Try not to hurt them! They're spirit creatures!" Aang trys to explain to them.
"Aang, it's getting hard to breathe!" Katara tells Aang.
"I know! But if you hurt them, things might get worse!" Aang trys to explain.
Ari slowly, methodical produces an air dome pressing outward so that the moths are pushed back from the group as she covers the gang protectively from the insects.
"Zuko any chance you've figured out how to bend lightning yet?" Ari asks while trying to hold her protection in place.
"I can try, why?" Zuko asks her.
"I think the burst of light could draw the moth wasps away. I believe in you Zuko, I know you can do this." Ari told him sweat beading her brow. She didn't want to rush him, but she also wasn't sure how much longer she could hold the shield in place.
Zuko took a deep breath and centered himself, before moving his hands in the pattern Uncle Iroh had taught him. He could have cried with joy when it worked and he was able to produce a ball of lightning.
"Alright Ari, now, drop it!" Zuko called out to her and the air stilled immediately. Zuko threw the ball as hard as he could and by some miracle both the moth wasps and wolf spirit chased after it.
Zuko turned and saw Ari on her knees and he dropped in front of her and just held her for a moment.
After a few minutes the group numbly made their way over to Appa to look for someplace a little farther away to set up camp.

That night camp felt a little different from their usual dynamic. Without Toph, there was no camp kitchen like they were used to seeing Ari bustle around; but not only that, Ari was too drained from their earlier encounter to be the caretaker of the group as she always had been. Thankfully Katara was just as capable as Ari and she quickly made them dinner.
The girls and Aang were the first to turn in for the night which just left Zuko and Sokka sitting around the campfire.
"So how are you handling the pressure of impending parenthood?" Zuko ask him.
"You know, it still just doesn't feel real. I meant I look at Suki and I know she's pregnant and I can feel the baby kick, but it still doesn't feel like it's sunk in that I'm going to be a father." Sokka told him.
"I know what you mean." Zuko replied.
"How 'bout you. You freaking out over there?" Sokka ask him.
"I'm just worried that I won't be a good father. My own dad isn't exactly somebody that I want to emulate, you know." Zuko told him honestly.
"I think you had a better role model than most. Iroh may not be your dad, but he still raised you with love and compassion." Sokka replied.
"Thank you Sokka. I think sometimes I think about the things I was missing and forget to think about what I had." Zuko told him.
"No problem buddy." Sokka replied nonchalantly.
"I can't say I'm looking forward to being apart for so long, once the baby comes, but I love her and this is the only way." Zuko told him.
"I've spent a lot of time away from Suki to travel with Aang, but when I take her to the Southern water tribe, I'll be taking her to my home. I don't envy how much you'll miss. Just don't be afraid to ask for help, Zuko. You have people who love you. Iroh wouldn't fault you for taking a week or even a month here and there to go visit your wife and child. Don't treat this like exile, because it's not. She will be missing you just as much as you miss her, and she'll cherish those moments that you get." Sokka told him.
"How do you do that? Go from goofy to wise just like that-" Zuko said snapping his fingers.
"It's a gift really." Sokka replied
"Well I'm turning in for the night." Zuko said getting up. He went and found where Ari had fallen asleep and settled in behind her, rubbing her swollen stomach until sleep took him.

The next morning came quickly and they ate a quick breakfast before flying on to Hira'a. They arrived by mid morning and landed just outside the city.
"We need to hide our identities. We'll get mobbed if people figure out we're the Avatar and the Fire Lord and Lady" Zuko tells them while pulling up his hood.
"I'm not sure how recognizable I am, Zuko. I think all I have to do to be in disguise is to not wear a crown." Ari laughed.
"Don't worry. After hiding from you for all those months, we're masters of disguise!" Aang said tying a headband over his airbending tattoos.
"Aang, that headband of yours is cute, but as a disguise it worked a lot better when you had hair." Katara tells him.

"See? A fake beard made of sky bison fur! Classic!" Sokka says rubbing his faux facial hair.
"What did I tell you last time Sokka! I'm not helping you remove the glue this time!" Ari yells at him.
We barely make it into town before Sokka sneezes and dislodges at least half of the faux facial hair leaving scraggly white bits of fluff. Ari laughed as he winces trying to remove the rest. They see a crowd gathering up ahead.
"I thought Hira'a was supposed to be a small town. Why is it so crowded?" Katara ask in surprise.
They walked closer and see a stage up ahead.
"Looks like they're performing some sort of play!" Aang says trying to see over the crowd.
"I recognize that scene! It's the final battle in Love Amongst Dragons." Zuko tells them.

The actors face each other and prepare for mock battle.

Wretched Water Spirit! Now that I've escaped your curse and regained my true nature, you shall pay for your trickery!

Have you learned nothing from your time amongst the mortals? By threatening me, you invite your own doom!

They throw streamers at each other to represent a bending battle, before the red spirit kills the blue.

Nooo! Curse you, foul dragon!

Zuko and Ari are standing behind an older couple and overhear their conversion.
"The young man playing the Dragon Emperor this year was extraordinary, don't you think?"
"Oh yes! Much better than last year's fellow!"

Zuko leans his head closer to Ari and whispers "My Mother used to take us to watch the Ember Island Players perform this play. Afterwards on the beach, she would make Azula and I reenact this very scene. I don't get why I had to be the Dark Water Spirit, though."
Ari smiled at the warmth in his voice the memory had brought.
"Shhh! The best part is coming up!" The man infront of them hisses

.

Though I was trapped in the body of a mortal, you willingly gave me your heart! I cannot help but give you mine in return!

Only with your glory hidden in false form could you finally realize my devotion!

The crowd cheers at the end of the play and Zuko leans down and pulls Ari into a kiss.

"Yay! Woo-hoo! Encore!"
"It gets to me every time!"
"I agree! The fight choreography was top notch!"
We hear bits of conversation from the crowd around us.

"Everybody's leaving! What do we do now?" Aang asks Zuko.
"Let me ask around." Zuko says, approaching the old couple that had been standing in infont of us. "Excuse me. We're looking for information on a woman named Ursa. I believe she lived here many years ago."
"Ursa...Ursa ... wasn't she the magistrate's daughter? She used to date that boy Ikem, I think?" The woman says.
"Oh yes! Rumor has it she-" the man said before being cut of.
"Excuse me." Says a man in a mask behind them.
"AH!" Sokka and Katara yell out, but we're all startled
"I'm sorry! I didn't mean to startle you." The man says removing his mask. "My name is Noren. I'm the director of the Hira'a Acting Troupe. Ursa was once a member."
"Really?" Zuko asks in awe.
"That's right! She always wanted to play the Dragon Empress, but never got the chance! Didn't she-" the woman says but Noren cuts her off again.
"We should find a quiet place to talk, away from the crowds. You're all welcome to come to my home. We'll share some tea and I'll tell you everything I know." Noren says and motions to them to follow him.
Zuko bows respectful before speaking "It would be an honor. Thank you."
The others were all surprised but played along.

Noren led them to his house and introduced them to his wife and daughter.
Katara and Ari were seated at a low table with Noriko, while Aang and Zuko sat on the floor by the door while a little girl peaked in shyly.
"You and Noren have a beautiful home, Noriko!" Ari tells her.
"How long have you two been married?" Katara asks.
"Almost five years now." Noriko answers.
"It must be nice." Ari replies looking lovingly over at Zuko.
"It is. Are you two married? You seem so young still, but I see you already have a baby on the way." Noriko tells her.
"A-about a year and a half now." Ari says, she isn't quite sure how to respond. It's not like she could tell this stranger 'yes we're young but I'm not really as young as I look and we had to have a baby before we could rescue my other 3 children'.
Noriko senses her hesitation and keeps talking, "You know what? I take that back. Love leads where love leads, regardless of age. Noren and I found each other pretty late in life. Young lovers like you are lucky."

Over by the door the little girl walks up to Zuko.
"Wanna meet my doll?" She asks him.
"Of course." He replies with a warm smile.
"This is Kiyi!" She says holding up her doll.
"I thought your name was Kiyi!" Zuko asks her.
"It's such a good name, I used it twice!" Kiyi says sounding proud of herself.
"Well, little Kiyi has... a very... interesting haircut." Zuko tells her.
"I wanted to make her prettier, but it didn't turn out very good." Kiyi says with a small frown.
"My sister did stuff like that when she was little too." Zuko tells her with a smile.

Noren walks into the small house with Sokka behind him the two of them carrying trays of tea and tea cakes.
"Kiyi, are you being hospitable to our guests?" Noren asks her.
"I'm trying." Kiyi responds with a smile.

"Mind if I join the conversation, dear?" Noren asks Noriko.
"Just sharing some advice on life and love." Noriko tells him.
"Ah! Well, you are Hira'a's foremost expert on those subjects!" Noren replies kissing her on the cheek.
"According to you." Noriko laughs.
Zuko came over and sat next to Ari.
Noren turned to address the group "I must admit, I was a little suspicious when you all started asking about Ursa. But Sokka tells me that you're drama historians!"
"How wonderful! It's about time the Hira'a Acting Troupe got a little recognition!" Noriko says happily.
""Drama historians"? Really?" Katara whispers to Sokka.
"Great cover story, right? I just opened my mouth, and there it was!" Sokka whispers back.
"Ursa, the woman you asked about, was probably the group's most famous member, but not for her acting. Years ago, she was... well... taken to the Capital City on some sort of official business. We're not supposed to talk about her anymore, but people can't help speculating." Noren tells them.
"Supposedly, she married into the royal family. This all happened before I came to town, but even I've heard the rumors." Noriko adds.
"What about Ikem?" Zuko asks, having heard the name in town.
Norens eyes went wide in shock "Ikem... my, you've really done your research! Ikem was an actor, too. Ursa's boyfriend, I believe. He disappeared shortly after Ursa left."
"Folks say that he ran off to Forgetful Valley." Noriko supplied.
"Forgetful Valley?" Ari asked
"A forest at the bottom of a canyon, just outside of town. The heartbroken go there to forget their lives. You know, I vaguely remember hearing that Ursa came back to town years later, looking for Ikem. They say she went after him to Forgetful Valley." Noriko tells her.
"That can't be true! No one's seen or heard from Ursa since she was taken to the Capital City!" Noren replies.
"Well, if it is true, it's awfully romantic!" Noriko says.
"Romantic or tragic? Forgetful Valley is a dark, dangerous place. No one who enters ever returns." Noren replies.
They chat for a little bit longer before taking their leave, the group bowing respectfully as they departed.
"Noren and Noriko, you've been more than generous. Thank you for the information." Zuko tells them.
"And for sharing your home with us!" Ari adds.

They walked in silence for some time heading to where they had left Appa earlier in the day and to set up camp for the night.
"So whats the plan Zuko?" Sokka asks him.
"Just one more place to visit and we're done...we're going to the Forgetful Valley." Zuko tells them as the rest look at him in shock.