Ursa smiled lightly as finally, after what had seemed like an eternity she was standing in front of an older man of shorter stature.
Ursa couldn't help but note… Iroh looked very different from the last time Ursa had seen him. But to be fair, that had been over nine years ago. When Iroh had first left to lay siege to Ba Sing Se.
It seemed like an entire life time had gone past since then, everything was different.
Iroh looked older… A lot older. His face had been furrowed with wrinkles, his hair and beard had become one hundred percent gray. His hair line had resided but… His smile seemed kinder than ever. And his eyes genuine.
"Lady Ursa." Iroh spoke kindly. "What a pleasure it is to see you again! Words cannot describe how happy I am. That you were able to reunite with both Zuko and Azula." he said. "Azula more than anyone needed support at this time. And I am so relieved to hear that she got it." he said sincerely. "
"Iroh." Ursa smiled softly. "I owe you so much thanks. Don't I?" she asked. "You kept Zuko safe. You helped him on every step of his journey. Isn't that so?"
Iroh smiled a little sadly. "The truth is. He helped me more than I helped him. I was lost. Helping Zuko gave me purpose. And his good soul brought me hope for this world. I feel it is I who owe you thanks. For bringing this wonderful boy into the world and allow me to be such a integral part of his life."
Zuko blushed deeply from where he stood next to Ursa with Noren, not really sure how to take these two talking so much about him. Noren as well coughed into his hand and that's when Kiyi peered out from behind Ursa.
"And who's this special little lady?" Iroh smiled as he looked down at Kiyi.
Ursa smiled. "This is Kiyi." she said. "Kiyi. Say hello to your uncle."
And Iroh brightened up. Technically Iroh wouldn't be Kiyi's uncle, but Ursa had clearly just given him permission to call himself that anyway. And obviously Iroh couldn't be happier.
"My… Uncle?" Kiyi blinked.
"Yeah." Zuko smiled. "He's my uncle too. And Azulas. So he's our uncle."
"He looks more like a grampa." Kiyi pointed out and Ursa gasped. Iroh how-ever laughed loudly.
"I'm so sorry." Ursa blushed.
"Nothing to be sorry about." Iroh chuckled. "There have been people who thought I was Zukos grampa too!" he plainly admitted. "And if Kiyi wants to call me grampa, she is more than welcome to!"
Kiyi blinked.
"You can call me Uncle or Grampa. What-ever you like!" Iroh assured.
Kiyi turned to Zuko. "What do you call him?" she asked.
"Uncle." Zuko informed. "Though honestly he's more like my father so." he shrugged. "But I still call him uncle. And so does Azula."
"So kind to say Zuko." Iroh smiled fondly.
"Huh." Kiyi blinked. "I guess it's uncle then." she said. "I never had an uncle or grandparent before! So this is cool!" she grinned.
"What? A special lady like you who don't have an uncle or grandparent?!" Iroh asked. "Well it's a good thing we can fix that! Say do you like tea Kiyi?" he asked.
"Yeah." Kiyi blinked.
"Then I think the two of us will get along just fine." Iroh chuckled and Ursa smiled warmly.
"Uncle makes the best tea in the world." Zuko smirked. "You're going to love it Kiyi. And his tea house. He has his own tea house."
Kiyi gaped. "Wooow!"
And Iroh chuckled. "You would be welcome there at any time. Tea is on the house. For any of you." he looked at Ursa and Noren as well. "Ah. And you must be Noren. It's a pleasure." he formally bowed.
"Prince Iroh." Noren bowed back. "General Iroh? I'm sorry sir. I am unsure how I fit into the picture."
"You're family of course." Iroh said. "Iroh is fine. From what I understand, this family owe you much. So you would honor me if you would call me just by name."
"Very well then." Noren smiled lightly. "It is an honor."
"Family is important." Iroh said. "I am indeed very lucky that I have been given this chance to still have a family. The honor is all mine. Please." he asked. "Zuko has made sure that chambers has been made ready for you. We all hope you will have a comfortable stay here."
Ursa glanced up at the big palace walls she stood in front of. Inhaling deeply.
"Are you quite all right Ursa?" Iroh asked concerned.
"Forgive me." Ursa glanced away. "So many memories of this place…."
"Mom." Zuko whispered.
"I'm sorry Zuko. Please don't mind me." Ursa asked.
"It's okay mom." Zuko assured. "The chambers I picked is at the opposite side of the palace from where our chambers used to be… I kind of know what you mean." he admitted. "When I came back after having defeated Ozai. They all assumed I wanted to take over his old chambers… I couldn't do it. The chambers I picked for myself is in a completely different part of the palace. With view of the turtle pond."
"Turtleducks?!" Kiyi asked. "You got turtleducks?!" she asked.
Zuko chuckled. "Yes. I do." he informed. "And we have a whole tower just for war hawks. A khomodo Rhino stable and!" he held up a hand.
Kiyis eyes were wide as tea cups.
"Oh you're going to love this." Zuko grinned.
"What is it?" Kiyi asked. "Brotheeeeer!"
"We have a dragon stables with a dragon living in it!" Zuko groaned.
"What?" Ursa blinked. "Zuko… A dragon?"
"But." Noren blinked. "I thought dragons were extinct! The dragon of the west killed the last one isn't that how it goes?" then he halted. "The Dragon of the west who is…" he looked at Iroh who smiled as he waved.
"So… The one you killed wasn't the last one?" Ursa asked Iroh.
"Well…." Iroh smirked. "Just maybe there's a little white lie here and there."
"Like… Lying about killing the dragon when actually there were two dragons there. A couple. And you lied about it to protect them." Zuko smirked.
"Sometimes lying isn't such a bad thing." Iroh stated.
"So there really is a dragon?!" Kiyi asked. "You have a dragon!"
Zuko grinned.
"MOOOOOOOM!" Kiyi grabbed Ursas skirt. "Can I see the dragon? Pleeaaase!" she asked.
"It's safe… Right?" Ursa asked a little nervously.
"I promise it's safe." Zuko assured. "Druk is very intelligent."
"Can we go now?!" Kiyi asked.
"Well… Sure why not." Zuko chuckled amused.
"YAY!" Kiyi let go of Ursa so she could run over to Zuko and grab his hand as Zuko chuckled as slowly they started to walk. "Can you fly on the dragon too?" she asked.
"Not yet. He's not big enough yet." Zuko said. "But… Aang says that yes. Eventually I should be able to ride him… It makes me a little nervous to think about honestly." he admitted.
"I wish I could ride a dragon." Kiyi gasped.
"Well… When Druk is bigger and if he says yes. Then I don't see why not." Zuko smirked. "For now I am afraid you'll have to settle with me."
Kiyi gasped then reached up and Zuko chuckled. He had obviously asked for this, and he picked Kiyi up to put her on his shoulders again while she grinned.
Ursa beamed as she watched them and Noren shook his head while Iroh chuckled.
"One dragon coming up." Zuko chuckled. "Let's go!" he stated as they all started to walk.