Zuko woke up late in the evening. Despite sleeping all morning he did not feel rested.
Sighing he pulled himself from his bed, taking notice of the tray of food resting on his table. Uncle must have brought it.
The events of the other day came rushing back. Freeing the avatar. Going to his uncle with an arrow in his shoulder. He heard treasonous things yesterday, he did treasonous things.
Zuko didn't know what to feel. He should be furious, if not at his uncle for speaking that way about the fire nation, his father, if not for lying to him for years, surely he must be angry at his father. His father burned him. Who banished him.
He understood now. The whole Agni Kai was a trap. He was banished for being weak, for not fighting back, but if he had he would have been called a traitor. To fight the fire lord even in an Agni Kai...
Zuko should be resentful. He should hate that he was tricked, that he was too foolish to see it. He should hate that his father wanted to get rid of him. No doubt so Azula could be next in line. He always did favor her.
Zuko should be enraged. His father conspired to be free of him. He was cruel and heartless and sadistic.
Zuko should be angry... but he wasn't. He was hurt like the arrow had not missed his heart. He was in pain as if he was mourning the loss of a loved one. Three years of searching... and impossible mission meant to occupy the rest of his life so his father would never have to see his face again.
He wanted to be mad. He wanted to kick and yell and burn everything to the ground. He wanted to destroy, but he didn't. He didn't have it in him. Cause when it came down to it Zuko wasn't angry, he was broken.
He had nothing. No title. No power. No home. No family... that wasn't true. He had his uncle.
Zuko was hurt, but his uncle was always there to support him. He was betrayed, but his uncle left everything to be with him. He was not alone. He had never been alone.
The once prince sat down. Forcing down his food though he wasn't hungry, and setting the tray aside.
A light knock sounded at the door and when there was no answer it opened. His uncle came into his chambers.
"Nephew you're awake," he sounded relieved. "How was your rest?"
"Awful."
That earned him a small chuckle. His uncle sat down across from him.
"I've informed the crew that you are sick. That you need your rest."
Zuko nodded.
"Uncle... what do I do now?"
Iroh stroked his chin in thought.
"Well, what do you want to do? You have the whole world open to you. You can do anything you want."
"Except goes home," the prince muttered bitterly.
"Prince Zuko, the palace may be where you grew up but is not your home. Home is where your loved ones are."
Zuko flinches at that.
"And there's no one at the palace who loves me..."
General Iroh sighed.
"Nephew, I have not once missed the fire nation on our travels. Do you want to know why?"
Zuko looked up confused.
"Because I have everything I need right here. Pai Sho, my tea, you...
"I have the people I care about, and who care for me as well. I don't need all the servants and fancy robes and titles. You don't need them either.
"You are strong Zuko, and you care about people. You do the right thing even when it is hard. That is who you are. You are my nephew and your mother's son. You have a great destiny before you if you only choose to accept it."
"Never forget who you are."
"I'm proud of you."
"If we knew each other back then, do you think we could have been friends?"
Zuko stood up.
"You're right uncle, I don't need them. I have always known it was my destiny to find the avatar, but not so I could capture him. I know what I need to do now."
Iroh smiled.
"And I will help you nephew. There is so much I want to tell you. It's time for you to know about what I have been a part of these past years. I want to tell you about the white lotus."