A/N: Welp I'm back and bringing you more drama and excitement in Princess Zuko's life. Her father's choice of husband is a disaster as you will soon see. There will be confessions, admissions, possible triggers, and more. This chapter is setting the stage for some rapidly rising action in the next chapter. I hope you are enjoying this story and as always if you like it or have something to share please follow, favorite, and review! Have a great day!
Disclaimer: Zuko never thought that she'd one day threaten to make someone sleep with the fishies. Fanfiction is for making threats that you aim to follow through...
Chapter 10-An Unexpected Twist
The Fire Lord held a private dinner for Lord Hondo, his daughters, and himself. Conveniently, Iroh and Lu Ten were out of town and would not return for a fortnight. Zuko's friends were purposely left out of the dinner and asked to dine in their chambers for the evening so that the family could have some quality time.
Sokka and Katara knew something was up immediately. They asked Toph to use her detective footwork. "Yep, there's someone else in there with Ozai and the girls. He's really tall…" Toph said. Sokka said nothing and Katara got a strange feeling in her gut that things were changing but not necessarily for the better.
"We should probably head back to our rooms for dinner. It would look strange for us to be lurking around the Fire Lord's private dining room. We can see Zuko in the morning." Katara stated as she looked around for guards and passersby that would be suspicious of the water tribe members wandering the halls alone.
Sokka frowned and followed his sister. He knew that this "guest" was probably a suitor who had come to court Zuko. It was no secret that the Fire Lord wanted to marry her off. Nobles had been making plans for weeks since his announcement in the council meeting. It was inevitable especially after Ozai refused Sokka's proposal to marry Zuko.
It took Sokka a month to get up the courage to ask for Zuko's hand. Ozai didn't seem surprised by his request at all and even seemed sad as he gave some lame excuse about the treaty and that the Fire Nation just wasn't ready for that kind of love. The wounds from the war were still too fresh for many. Sokka knew that it would be useless to fight it knowing that the treaty was airtight, and his own sister wasn't able to be with the one she loves either because of it. It still didn't minimize the pain any less for him. It also didn't help that Chief Arnook sent him a letter with his own devastating news.
He was selected as Arnook's successor which also meant that he had to keep the Water Tribe bloodlines pure and marry Princess Roe, Yue's younger sister. The senseless death of Princess Yue was a loss that many still struggled to overcome. Chief Arnook struggled most of all. Sokka didn't know how he was going to tell Zuko.
Last night's dinner party was a complete sham. Family dinner indeed! Zuko thought. She got set up in the worst possible way. Her father introduced a complete stranger to her at dinner and practically declared him her husband. Ozai didn't consult, didn't even give her a heads up about it. He just said that this Lord Hondo person would be her husband and that they were to be married in the early fall so that the chances of having a summer baby were higher.
He wanted to ensure that the line of Sozin was filled with firebenders. What was she, a cow or goat on auction? Zuko was nearly beside herself with rage and grief. Sokka was her intended! How could he decide who she was going to marry in just three months' time? Knowing that she just put on an entire production for her father before the court, she had to hold her temper in check, but she would have a conversation with her father privately.
The next day, Zuko was depressed. The conversation with her father did not go as planned. He was not bending on his stance about Lord Hondo. When Zuko mentioned Sokka, Ozai nearly bellowed with disdain. "I will not have my daughter marrying the son of a water peasant! I don't care what title they have given him. He is no better than a common street urchin."
Zuko's eyes widened in horror at her father's degradation of her love. She bit her tongue until it bled to keep from screaming back. Ozai smirked for he knew she wouldn't retaliate at the risk of undermining her training. He knew she didn't agree or feel that way about Sokka, but he knew she couldn't get her hopes up about him either.
Ozai approached Zuko with rigid steps his glare sharp. He lowered his voice to a menacing growl. "If it were up to me instead of this damned treaty, there would be no possibility of your taking my throne and I wouldn't care how you ruin your life."
Ozai got directly in Zuko's face and grabbed her chin. She could smell the stench of fire whiskey on his breath and tried not to gag. Ozai sneered and grabbed her chin more tightly.
"Now it seems the gods have cursed me once again to keep you in the bloodline. You will marry Takeshi Hondo and you will obey him. I will expect nothing less than your full undisputed cooperation. Is that clear girl?" he hissed. Zuko closed her eyes and attempted to nod. She was too afraid her voice would reveal her fear and anger. Ozai grabbed her arms in a vice-like grip. Zuko winced and gave a small whimper of pain.
"I thought Madame Hachi taught you better than to nod at your superiors, I asked you if what I said was clear?" Ozai ground out gripping her arms even tighter. Zuko cried out in shock. Her voice trembled.
"Y-yes Father, it is clear." She said softly. Ozai released her arms allowing Zuko to fall back onto the couch where she was sitting. He managed to pull her up from her seat and suspended her between the couch and himself. Zuko fought desperately not to let the tears that filled her eyes spill over. After a moment, she found her voice though it was heavy with distress.
"If-if there is nothing further Father, m-may I be dismissed?" she asked. Ozai huffed in annoyance.
"Get out." He spat waving his hand dismissively. Zuko stood primly and turned walking out of her father's study with her head high though inwardly her soul felt like it was crumbling.
As she walked down the corridor to her room, Sokka was standing with his sister talking quietly among themselves. Sokka opened his mouth to get her attention, but Zuko continued walking neither acknowledging nor speaking to either sibling. Zuko knew it was rude, but she couldn't stop, and she couldn't tell them what was wrong.
She would break into a million pieces in front of Agni and her subjects which wouldn't be a good look. She didn't stop as she approached her bedroom door and the guards noting her posture and gait opened it for her quickly.
Once in her room, Zuko fell to her bed and grabbed a pillow. She put her face down in it and screamed over and over allowing her hot tears to melt into the cushion. She screamed until she felt herself going lightheaded. She screamed until her voice betrayed her and went silent. She screamed until she had nothing left.
The guards on the outside knew well of her meeting with her father this morning and the arrangement he made for her marriage. Many knew of the princess' affection for Sokka and liked him for her, but they too understood that sometimes what is best or desirable is not always what one can have. Sometimes it is about one's duty over everything else.
The men gave one another a sideways glance and realized that this was a moment Zuko needed for herself. The princess deserved to deal with her disappointment and grief in the way she saw fit and they would give her this private moment.
Sokka had enough. Zuko was subtly distancing herself from him and he knew it. It was in the way she avoided speaking to him in public and went the other way when he came near. It was in how she didn't converse with him during dinner much to her father's great surprise and joy.
The nobleman that came to visit who he now knew as Lord Hondo was ever-present and hovered over Zuko like some owl-hawk to prey or a vulture-crane waiting for the demise of an injured deer-fox. His ever-present cockiness told everyone he encountered of his victory and his prize. Sokka didn't like him at all.
Sokka had taken up talking more to his sister and Toph to help take his mind off the change in status. Katara complained just as much at how Zuko changed and was less open to them now but they were at a loss of what to do about it. Toph as always had sage wisdom to share.
"Guys you have to understand something. This is not Zuko changing. This is Zuko coping. Whenever her father is near or that freakishly tall nobleman is around Zuko's heartbeat is through the roof! They intimidate her and make being herself very difficult." Sokka and Katara turned to the blind girl with eyebrows raised.
Toph "rolled" her eyes at her friends. She really needed them to be more aware that she couldn't see their facial expressions. She thought for a moment and sighed sadly.
"Guys part of becoming a true noblewoman includes having to play by their rules. Noblemen are chauvinistic pigs who think of their women as property. Zuko was better off as she was before leaving for that island. She no longer belongs to herself. She is now an object to be traded." Katara's mouth hung open and Sokka furrowed his brow.
Though the northern tribe men subscribe to such an awful mindset to a degree, the men knew that to survive in the harsh conditions of the poles they needed the cooperation of their wives and families. It is easier to catch flies with honey than vinegar.
They didn't want to believe something so incredulous, but it had to be true. Zuko was only a shadow of the feisty and buoyant young woman they knew. Sokka was not so sure he wanted things to remain that way.
"How can we help her? She won't survive long living like this. She needs her friends!" He mourned. Toph was thoughtful.
"Honestly, she has to start playing the game. She is aware of it now and I think the knowledge of it is overwhelming her. She just needs to be reminded that she has leverage and a voice…" she said. Katara looked at Sokka and her brother sighed. It seemed like a hopeless situation. How could either of them get close enough to even help her understand that? Katara fanned herself in the intense Fire Nation heat that was exacerbated by her frustration and suddenly got an idea.
"Guys, I think I know a way to help Zuko. Toph, how are your fan skills?" she asked with a wicked and wide grin. Toph gave a toothy grin and nodded. "My fan skills are most excellent. I like the way you think Sugar Queen." Sokka raised an eyebrow but knew that Katara now had a plan.
"What are you thinking Sis?" He asked. Katara gave her brother the look she has when she's up to something big. "Just be prepared to have a conversation with Zuko tonight, you two definitely need to talk. We'll take care of the rest." She said. Sokka took a deep breath and nodded at the two women.
"Alright, I trust you but please whatever you two are planning to do, don't get us banished from the palace." He teased. The two women giggled and began whispering furiously. Sokka saw himself out. In the corridor, Zuko and Lord Hondo were passing by and Sokka bowed politely greeting them. Lord Hondo turned up his nose and continued walking on his face twisted in disdain. Zuko not wanting to be impolite again nodded and returned the greeting quietly.
Sokka gave an almost imperceptible smile and continued walking. He hoped that Katara and Toph could help Zuko find herself before it was too late.
Dinner was quiet for once. Many of the nobles who had hoped to snag a princess and their way into the royal family were thwarted at the knowledge of the Lord Hondo's presence at dinner night after night. It was clear that the Lord Hondo wasn't here for a social call to the Fire Lord. He was staking his claim and had the apparent favor of the Fire Lord.
Many remembered Lord Hondo as a ruthless commander and fighter in the 222nd Infantry. He drove his men forward even as others retreated. He was best known for his prowess during the battle at Ba Sing Se. Ba Sing Se was one of the bloodiest battles for both Fire Nation and Earth kingdom soldiers. It was where the nation thought they lost General Iroh's son, Lu Ten.
Wives and mothers had men who never returned home from that battle and it went down in history as one of the greatest losses for the Fire Nation. That Lord Hondo was chosen to be Princess Zuko's husband was not shocking to them, though many wondered if he would treat his wife any better than he treated his soldiers. Time would tell.
Katara and Toph were speaking quietly together as they waited for the Fire Lord to enter the dining hall. Their plan was simple enough. Katara would fake illness attributed to her "lady time" which no one would dare refute and excuse herself from the table. She would signal to Zuko to meet her in her room and hopefully, Zuko would get the message.
As the Fire Lord entered the dining hall everyone stood to greet him. He returned the greeting placidly his demeanor cool yet pleasant. Once he was seated all returned to their seats and the Fire Lord made the blessing. There were murmured conversations around the room as the dishes were served and eaten with relish. Midway into the meal, Katara groaned lightly. She began fanning herself gently and trying to remain composed.
Zuko eyed her friend carefully. What was going on with Katara? With the swiftest of imperceptible movements, Katara ran her fingers through the ribs of her fan. I want to talk.
Zuko's heart leaped for joy that her friends knew the language of the fan and were reaching out to her. Zuko gazed at Katara with wide eyes and grew concerned. She looked over at Lord Hondo and her father. They were in deep conversation. She attempted not to bring attention to her next words.
"Princess Katara, you look unwell. Is everything alright?" she asked innocently. Katara held her half open fan up to her face as if she were about to vomit. We are being watched. Zuko looked to her left and noticed her sister pretending to eat but listening intently.
Katara breathed in and out heavily as if she were nauseated. Zuko knew what to do. Zuko called calmly to the Fire Lord.
"Lord Father, it appears Princess Katara has fallen ill. May I and the Lady Bei Fong escort her to her chambers and call the physician?" she asked. Before the Fire Lord could answer Katara stood up quickly and ran out of the dining hall to the guest bathroom in the corridor leading to the kitchens. People sat back in shock and surprise at the dramatic display and Ozai grimaced as he dismissed the ladies without looking at them. Ozai glanced at Prince Sokka.
"Aren't you going to go and be with your sister?" he questioned. Sokka rubbed the back of his head sheepishly.
"I don't think I'll be much help with what she has going on right now, your highness." Sokka leaned in conspiratorially and whispered, "Lady problems, sir."
Ozai shuddered in disgust and shook his head. The Lord Hondo put down his chopsticks having lost his appetite instantly. Other men sitting nearby trying to listen in on the conversation cleared their throats and looked away. Lady problems were just something men didn't discuss.
Katara came out of the bathroom keeping up the act of looking ill so that anyone passing by would acknowledge that the Princess Katara was indeed feeling unwell. Once the girls got to her room, Zuko quickly shut the door and Katara fell onto the bed and sighed in relief.
"For the record, I wasn't faking about being sick it just so happened they were serving squid tonight and I haven't been able to stomach it." Toph cackled, "I know but it worked out perfectly. Thank you little Lu Ten." She said bowing towards Katara's waist. Zuko froze. Little Lu Ten? Why would she say that unless… A half grin formed on Zuko's face.
"Katara…am I going to be an auntie? Are you—" she couldn't finish the question because the look on Katara's face said it all. Zuko squealed with delight. "Oh Agni! Oh, Tui and La! This is…Wait, does Lu Ten know, Sokka?" Her brow furrowed slightly.
Zuko knew that her cousin would be ecstatic to know he was going to be a father, but Sokka knowing he was going to be an uncle, not so much. He was very protective of his sister and protected sometimes to the point of hovering. He had a very unrealistic view of what Katara should and shouldn't be able to do as a woman. Katara frowned.
"No Sokka doesn't know yet. I plan to tell him once Lu returns. We don't really know what we're going to do about this. The treaty still applies to us you know. I'm really glad you're here Zuko." Zuko's face fell. Katara was going through a major life crisis and she had been unavailable for her. Zuko felt like a bad friend. Katara chuffed and rolled her eyes.
"It's OK, Zu. Your situation couldn't be helped. Enough about me. How are you? You seem to have a lot on your plate now." Zuko shrugged. What could she say: Her father threatened her with violence because she loves Sokka and didn't want to marry the freakishly tall nobleman? She was miserable because Lord Hondo was an ass and treated her and other people terribly? That she missed her friends and felt completely alone? She opted to tell what she felt.
"I miss you guys a lot and I don't want to marry this man, but what do I do? My father…" Zuko trailed grabbing the hidden bruises under her arms as if trying to protect herself from her life. Zuko took a deep breath. "I should have expected this. My father sent me away to get me ready to send away. I—" As Zuko was speaking there was a sudden knock at the door and Sokka popped his head in.
"Hey just checking on you sis. Is…everyone OK?" he said looking specifically at a teary-eyed Zuko in concern. Zuko looked away. Katara shook her head sadly and Toph yawned. "Welp I think I'm ready to turn in, but not before I get some more chow. I didn't eat well during dinner thanks to Sugar Queen here. See you later, guys." Toph said with a smirk. Zuko called out,
"No, you won't see us, but we should have tea soon. There's someone you should meet." Zuko said giggling at her friend's terrible blind joke and thinking of Muta Osaka. Toph shrugged and smiled.
"Sure thing Sparky, let me know when and where." Zuko smiled brightly, "I will Lady Bei Fong. Have a good evening." Toph walked out lifting her hand in a wave and without another word punched Sokka in the arm as she went. Sokka glowered at her back while rubbing the spot on his arm he was sure was going to bruise.
"I really wish she wouldn't do that." He grumbled. "By the way Princess, ah, Lord Hondo was looking for you, would you like for me to send him this way?" he asked with very little enthusiasm. Zuko took a deep breath and sighed.
"Gods no. I'll find him...later. How have you been?" she asked hoping to change the subject from the one person she was trying not to think about. Sokka shrugged and gave a small smile.
"As well as could be expected I suppose." He replied. Zuko hung her head in sorrow. She was miserable but she never considered how Sokka must feel in all of this. Katara grunted as she slid her legs over the side of the bed.
"I'm going to the bathroom. I think you two should have a conversation while there's still time." She said casually walking to her bathroom door. Zuko encouraged Sokka to enter his sister's room and he did closing the door behind himself. He stood awkwardly for a moment looking down at his feet not really knowing what to say. Zuko took kept her eyes on her hands and said nothing.
As if in sync they began to speak at the same time. "I—" they began together. Both smiled and shook their heads in disbelief. Zuko found her voice first.
"My father wants me to marry Lord Hondo. Something about preserving Sozin's murderous and guilt-laden bloodline. I don't want to. I want to be with you Sokka! This isn't my choice." Sokka's eyes widened in shock.
"I'm glad to hear you say that. Seems like we're both in predicaments we didn't expect." He said. Now it was Zuko's turn to look in shock. Sokka ran his hand through his wolf's tail. "After your father turned down my proposal, I received a letter form Chief Arnook." Zuko looked at Sokka with the feeling she knew what he was going to say next. Sokka bit his bottom lip.
"He, uh, named me as his successor. He wants me to marry his daughter Roe in place of Princess Yue, spirits rest her soul. Arnook wants my marriage to his daughter to be a sign of solidarity between the two tribes to strengthen our ties. How do you say no to something like that when it seems there's no hope of getting who you really want?" He said not taking his eyes from hers. "I don't want to be with anyone else but you too, Zuko." Zuko gasped in pain.
This is was so unfair! Why couldn't the world allow people to marry who they wanted for love? Wouldn't it make more sense for the nations to come together rather than become more insular? Zuko wiped an escaping tear from her eye. Sokka opened his arms to invite Zuko in. She ran up to him and he held her quietly for a long moment. Sokka knew what he was about to do next was his way of giving them both one more moment that belonged to them and only them.
Like he did months ago on the docks the day he escorted Zuko to her ship, Sokka lifted her chin gently and pulled Zuko in for a final kiss. Zuko closed her eyes against the realization of this moment and just enjoyed it. Sokka poured all the love he had to give her into his kisses and Zuko reciprocated with equal passion. If she were never to feel his lips again after this, she wanted to remember his kiss for as long as she lived.
A voice cleared and Sokka pulled away resting his head on Zuko's. Katara stood in the doorway of the bathroom and smirked.
"This really sucks you know, but perhaps one day the world will find its new normal and we'll all be able to get our happy endings." Zuko nodded at her best friend and rested her head on Sokka's chest. Sokka stroked her hair for a moment and stopped. He lifted her head to make sure she was listening.
"Zuko, I've heard some pretty awful things about this Hondo guy. He's a real jerk and has no people skills. Promise me that if he ever tries to hurt you that you will kick his ass properly. Show him you don't take shit from anyone." Zuko looked up at Sokka curiously. Sokka saw her look and added.
"Guys like him are bullies and I know how you feel about bullies. You can still be a lady and fight for what's right. Don't let him intimidate you." Sokka's gaze intensified and Zuko was held captive by his crystalline blue eyes. "Promise me, if that man tries anything, you will give him hell." Zuko smiled and nodded.
She realized that she had been allowing her father and supposed fiancée to coerce her into what they wanted with fear. This was their game, but it was her turn to play. Zuko knew Sokka was right.
"Thank you, Sokka. I needed to hear that. Hondo would do well to learn from the water tribe. One can catch more flies with honey instead of vinegar." Sokka nodded.
"That's right, but if he won't treat you like a lady, then beat him like a man. Show him your strength, but don't ever stoop to his level, and please, please remember to think things through. I would hate to see you on trial for murder. I mean, of course, if you do murder him make sure it was premeditated and get out of there ASAP." Zuko clapped her hands over her mouth to keep from screaming in laughter and the only sound to escape was a squeak. Sokka chuckled then grew serious.
"I will never stop loving you. Know that." Zuko looked away to keep her tears from starting again. She lowered her hands slowly.
"Nor will I ever stop loving you, Sokka." Zuko closed her eyes against the pain of having to let go. "It's late. I should go and find my "fiancée," she said using air quotes. Katara snorted and laughed as she made her way back to the bed. Once Katara was settled in the bed she said,
"Well, look you two: Zuko may want to leave first so that we can keep things unsuspicious. It would look quite incriminating for the two of you to leave my room together. People have been accused of many things from appearances alone." Zuko smiled and thanked her friend for reaching out to her and helping her and Sokka to talk. She wanted to make the most of the time she had left. She wasn't married yet.
"Katara, you'll always be a sister to me, I hope you know that." Katara smiled and blew Zuko a kiss from her bed. She was still too queasy to get up and still wasn't ready for Sokka to know about "Little Lu Ten." Zuko caught the kiss and waved as she left Katara's chambers with a smile on her face.
As she walked down the corridor a large hand grabbed her in the same place her father did only days before. Zuko winced from the pressure.
"I've been looking for you. Didn't that peasant tell you?" Hondo kept a pleasant smile on his face while he hissed his displeasure. Passers-by thought Lord Hondo was speaking sweetly to the princess and continued walking remarking about how they made such a lovely couple.
Once the hallway was clear again, Zuko jerked away from his arm and glared at him. "Yes, I am quite aware that you were looking for me. Prince Sokka kindly passed your message along. Is there something you wish to speak to me about?" she said her tone even and calm but laden with steel just under the surface.
Hondo's eyes grew wide as saucers. Who is this woman? The princess he has been dealing with up to now was docile and demure. This woman was challenging him and that simply won't do.
"I believe what I need to say should be done in private. Shall we go to your chambers, your highness?" Zuko eyed Lord Hondo cautiously. His words were cordial but his eyes hid malice behind them like her father. This may be the moment Sokka was talking about.
"On your lead, Lord Hondo." Zuko offered. Hondo extended his elbow to escort her and Zuko took it gingerly. She knew that whatever happened in these next moments would determine the next years of her life possibly. In her room, Zuko informed her guards that she would be having a conversation with Lord Hondo. She measured her next words carefully,
"Regardless of what you hear next gentlemen, please be assured, I'm fine," she said softly. The nodding guards kept their faces impassive as she closed the door. They gave one another a look at the click of the lock. If they knew their princess, this wasn't a social call and the royal and the nobleman weren't about to have a "friendly" encounter, but they trusted the skill of their princess and hoped that she gave Lord Hondo hell.
The guards heard from others how Lord Takeshi Hondo was a bully and had no respect for human life save his own. Tales of his actions during the war didn't help how he was perceived by the people. Lord Hondo didn't regard others as equal and had terrible social skills. Zuko was unlike him in every way and didn't deserve to get saddled with a terrible human for the rest of her life.
Zuko was about to summon a servant to order tea when Lord Hondo refused.
"What I have to say won't take long, your highness. I am a man of simplicity. I live on my home island because the intricacies of court life are exhausting. I am not one for drama, especially in my home. I am accustomed to giving orders and them being followed without question or hesitation." Zuko said nothing as she watched Lord Hondo with her arms crossed. Where was he going with this? Lord Hondo huffed.
"I was quite surprised today when you left dinner and didn't return. You followed behind that water tribe wench and the earth scum like some little lost puppy. It wasn't a good look." Zuko laughed incredulously.
"Lord Hondo, that wench, and scum as you put it are my best friends and warriors who stood by my side during the Great War. Whatever your perception was of my departure was just that: your perception. If we are going to have a pleasant and happy marriage, you and I must come to an understanding." Takeshi raised his eyebrow at her boldness but did not interrupt. Zuko knew what she was going to say next was going to be the litmus test of who she was dealing with.
"Lord Takeshi, do not presume to command me like some master to his beast of burden. I am no frivolous woman and I do intend to speak my mind, and stand with you, not behind not beneath but beside. I am no one's armpiece and will not be relegated to the shadows for your ego's sake." Lord Hondo smirked and stood. As he stepped closer, Takeshi towered over Zuko casting a shadow that filled her space and blocked out the light. His voice grew dark and menacing.
"Your father told me you would try something like this. He also told me how you needed to be handled." In a flash, Takeshi brought his hand down slapped Zuko across her face sending her head in the direction of his hit. His blow was so heavy he broke her chair's armrest as she fell to the floor. Zuko fought the disorienting cloud from Takeshi's blow and knew that she was going to kick his ass as soon as she was upright.
He watched as she stood with a slight wobble for a moment and wiped the blood from the corner of her mouth. Zuko nodded and began to walk around him when Lord Hondo grabbed her arm again. Faster than lightning Zuko stepped back into him throwing him off balance and using his imbalance as leverage. She threw him over her shoulder to the floor. Lord Hondo landed with a heavy thud the wind knocked out of him when he hit her bedpost.
Zuko walked up to the downed nobleman and stepped on his chest with prejudice. He wheezed and gasped for air at the unexpected move. Zuko wasn't content to open the door and walk out. She was ready to make a statement he couldn't refute. Zuko's voice was cold as ice.
"This is the first and last time you will ever put your hands on me in violence and control. My father perceives that I am weak. He has told you as much. What neither of you realizes is that I have too much respect for my father's title to fight him, but I'm not afraid to fight you. If you ever touch me like that again, I will gut you and feed your parts one by one to the ocean. My guards will not betray me, and you will not be found. I am not your pet or your plaything. You will treat me with honor and respect. Is that clear Takeshi Hondo?"
Lord Hondo was in a daze. How was she able to get him down like this? Was there more to this woman than he was told? He initially thought Zuko's threats empty. Most noblewomen he knew were dainty and demure. None would ever dare rise against him to do such a deed. This was a ridiculous situation. Lord Hondo began to laugh. There was no way this little woman was going to make a mockery of him and his reputation.
"You don't even have a weapon girl. How are you going to gut me?" Zuko didn't speak she just looked down near her hand which was quite close to his abdomen. Takeshi looked down and saw a marble crested blade with Earth Kingdom characters engraved on it. She held the knife like one who knew how to use it. Her look told him she would. He didn't even know where the knife came from or when she procured it. For the first time in his life, Takeshi Hondo was afraid.
He didn't want to test his theory just in case the Fire Lord was wrong about his daughter. Takeshi held his hands up in surrender and Zuko backed away from him. She stood at the ready with her blade as Takeshi stood rather unsteadily on his feet. He straightened his clothing and his posture. He took a deep breath and nodded.
"Good night Princess Zuko. I do believe we have come to an understanding. I apologize for striking you. It won't happen again." Zuko released the breath she had been holding. "Be sure that it doesn't, please see yourself out." Without looking back, Lord Hondo unlocked the door and rushed between the two guards who noted the halted and stiff way the nobleman walked down the corridor. The guards fought back a smile and secretly celebrated their princess' victory.
They heard the commotion and resisted the urge to go in and defend their princess. It was her battle and she had to let that bully know who he was about to marry. The guards were loyal to the princess and if she had followed through on her threat, Lord Hondo would have been on his way to the sea of Azulon as food for the fishes rather than his guest room.
Zuko came up to the door rather painfully with a grimace. "Ah, gentlemen would you be so kind as to find Kiko for me? I may need a little assistance preparing for bed tonight."
One guard was already on his way to summon Kiko from the kitchens while the other looked at his princess with pride and little pity.
"Your highness, permission to speak freely?" Zuko smirked,
"Of course, Hide. Go ahead." Hide nodded.
"I'm glad you didn't let that so-called nobleman push you around. His reputation for cruelty is world-renowned. You really inspire all of us for your strength and courage and I'm certain Lord Hondo will think more than twice before he attempts anything like this again. Next time we'll gladly assist you." Zuko smiled as much as she could with a sore jaw. She felt her cheek swelling and knew it would bruise by morning.
"Thank you Hide. I appreciate knowing you guys have my back. I-I'm going to lie down now." She said as she stepped back to close her door. Before she could, Zuko felt light-headed and collapsed to the floor. Hide had her up in his arms and shouted for his partner Li who was running down the corridor with Kiko at the sight of their fallen princess.