Summary: A young lady from the court of the Fire Nation must balance duty, honor, and love to find herself and her prince. Arranged marriage, court intrigue, and one flying bison served together for one not-so-typical romance.
Disclaimer: I, in no way, own or claim Avatar: The Last Airbender as my original work. It is the property of its creators, Nickelodeon, and Nickelodeon's parent company. I am in no way receiving compensation for my work and it is written for the sole purpose of recreational enjoyment. In short, I'm just borrowing the characters for a little bit. I promise to put them back where I found them after I get done playing with them.
Author Notes: Hugs and kisses and pineapples to all my reviewers! This chapter will be a tad experimental, so bear with me. I'm going to try out the suggestion of LadyDragonweed/Elara and have this section written from the viewpoint of the deliciously devious Commander Zhao. Otherwise, it's the same cautionary note as always: do not steal my OCs. I will find out. Big Brother is watching. And should you feel so inclined and have the time, please drop me a review. Critiques are fun!
OMG, you so cannot miss the new episode on June 3! squeee!
Book Two: Fire
Chapter Two: Wonderment
From his vantage point, the world looked sublime. Zhao's amber eyes swept over the room, coldly appraising its occupants with practiced ease. Ozai, seated regally on the center dais, looked completely nonplussed by the turn of events, save for the glimmer of grim satisfaction in his own beast yellow eyes. The Fire Lord longed to cleanse himself of his son's disgraceful conduct; to that there could be no doubt. Leave it to that pampered palace brat to actually stumble upon the Avatar and ruin any guarantee of a permanent banishment.
Zhao fought back a derisive chuckle. That boy would never and could never capture the Avatar. Hadn't he already had the Avatar in custody and lost him? Zhao's lip curled in contempt. Pathetic. Zhao glanced back up at Ozai wonderingly. How could such a great man, of such a noble and robust bloodline, produce a spineless whelp like Zuko? Wonders would never cease.
Off to Ozai's left, a fluttering flash of blue caught Zhao's eye. A slow predatory smile spread slowly across Zhao's face as he made eye contact with the pretty owner of the dark blue fan. Dressed in mournful icy blues proper for winter and her bereaved state, delicate Lady Etsu sat peacefully, a veritable statue with her composed countenance. Only her hand, shaking ever so slightly and barely discernable even to Zhao, betrayed her agitated state. His smile broadened. This was only too perfect…
"Commander Zhao!" Ozai beckoned to Zhao to approach the throne. "You've made a powerful assertion, one not easily renounced. What evidence have you that these Fire Sages collaborated with Prince Zuko and the Avatar?"
"My lord, your son deliberately entered into Fire Nation waters in a misguided attempt to capture the Avatar, in turn jeopardizing my own mission to both defend our homeland and arrest any threat to your illustrious personage," Zhao bowed reverently to Ozai. Judging from Ozai's expression, Zuko had been yet again taken done another few notches in the eyes of the court. Zhao smirked to himself. By the time he was done, Zuko would have to live out the rest of his disgraceful life on that dismal little boat of his. "Prince Zuko pursued the Avatar to the Temple of the Fire Sages, where the Fire Sages aided the current Avatar in contacting the spirit of the deceased Avatar Roku. With the Avatar trapped within the temple, these traitorous worms," Zhao gestured rudely to the cowering Fire Sages, "then tried to assist the exiled Prince by delivering the Avatar into his hands.
"I did, my lord, arrest the Prince for violating your edict. However!" Zhao bellowed in ringing tones, squaring his shoulders as he pointed at to the now sniveling mass of elderly men. Only one stood resolute and calm against Zhao's fiery accusations—the one that personally had helped the Avatar. Scum. Zhao could only hope that his death was agonizing. "However," Zhao repeated over the babble of the courtiers' voices, "the inaction of these men contributed to Prince Zuko's escape, the Avatar's escape, and the destruction of the Temple. All that remains of that glorious temple is smoldering rubble!"
"Simply terrible—"
"How could they—?"
"—disgusting—"
"—death! The punishment is—"
"Traitors! All traitors!"
Ozai leaned forward, one hand casually extended to silence the outburst of his courtiers. His eyes were hard, his mouth a stern line, and his posture spoke of no mercy. Zhao was as close to gleeful as he could ever get. He shot a gloating look at the huddled Fire Sages. They had for far too long enjoyed a comfortable place in society, revered as the preservers of the ancient gift of Firebending, and living off the income of the court. Zhao sneered. A waste of flesh they were, hardly worthy of being called grubs.
"Treason is the highest crime that can be committed against the Fire Nation and punishable by death. As Fire Lord, the decision falls to me to judge these men. There can only be one verdict," Ozai paused, as if to savor the fear that thickened the air, "and that verdict is guilty!"
The Fire Sages cried out, prostrating themselves on the floor, sobbing and wheedling for a lighter sentence. The oldest one, bald and near toothless, darted forward before Ozai's personal guards could grab him. Hysterically, he seized the hem of Ozai's robe. "Mercy!" he screeched, his eyes bugging out. "I beg you, my lord, have—"
His voice was suddenly cut short as a guard drove his halberd deep into the old man's back, through the fragile bones and into the heart. Ozai smiled suddenly, a wide and terrifying grin. "There is no mercy for traitors in my nation," he said to the corpse. Without a backward glance, Ozai strode out of the chamber, effectively dismissing the court. Masked guards descended upon the rest of the Fire Sages, hauling off the blubbering fools to their fate.
Turning to leave, Zhao's eyes met the eyes of the serene Fire Sage, that damn Sage that had aided the Avatar. Unlike his compatriots, he was perfectly calm and unfazed by the verdict. Zhao scowled at him.
Wonders would never cease.
Zhao stalked out of the court, unwilling to let such a ripe opportunity escape him. In the chaos of that Fire Sage's death, the courtiers were exiting the room, chattering anxiously and surreptitiously glancing back into the chamber to glimpse the pool of blood staining the fine marble floor. Well-accustomed to the gore, Zhao did not spare a thought as he shouldered himself through the crowd in pursuit of one individual.
There you are!
The soft swish of silk accompanied the hurried departure of Lady Etsu and her attendants. Zhao narrowed his eyes as he dignifiedly followed her. Despite her ramrod posture, the woman moved jerkily with her shoulders shaking under the weight of her robes. Unrestricted by such unnecessary fashion, Zhao caught up with her before she managed to turn down the hall towards her apartments.
"Ah! I am honored to be in the presence of the esteemed Lady Etsu," Zhao smiled winningly at her, bowing as low as decorum and his armor permitted. Her powdered face was more than a little shocked at his actions. Her mouth curved into a small smile as she returned the bow.
"My esteem pales in the light of your achievements, Commander Zhao," Etsu murmured in soft tones, fanning herself with gentle wrist movements. Upon reflection, Zhao supposed he could afford a moment to savor the flattery. Eyes lowered respectfully, Etsu asked, "How may I be of assistance to you today?"
"Well, if it's not too much trouble…" Zhao trailed off, his face taking on a hesitant expression. Etsu, as if on cue, placed her tiny hand upon Zhao's arm comfortingly. It took all of his soldier's training to not drop his farce. Women were just so damn easy to manipulate. Their sensitivity left them open and vulnerable to even the simplest politic game. He glanced down at Etsu, her eyebrows knitted together in concern. "Could I speak to you in the gardens? I don't want anyone to eavesdrop…"
"Oh! Of course, of course," Etsu assented, allowing Zhao to escort her down the hall to the gardens. Much to Zhao's irritation, her attendants followed dutifully in tow. He didn't recognize the taller of the two, a lady similar in stature to Etsu but lacking any distinguishable beauty. He wished he could be so fortunate as to not know the other one. Short and pudgy, Lady Kohana and her family had been in pursuit of a marriage contract with him for three years. Like Zhao would ever soil his good name by marrying that cow! Clearly, neither woman enjoyed the comfort, security, or riches of Lady Etsu's family—and that would forever set Etsu apart from less attractive marriage suits.
The gardens weren't far from the Great Hall and even though Zhao had to take miniscule steps to keep pace with Etsu, they arrived in fairly good time. Despite the many renovations the palace had undergone, the gardens remained in their original form, a tribute to the old ways of the Fire Nation. The Kenosha dynasty, strict practitioners of such traditions, had built the gardens as a reminder of the balance between man and nature. Meandering, twisted paths wove their way throughout the gardens and around brilliantly coloured flowers, jumbled together with the trees, bushes, and creeping vines. Lush and green, not even Ozai was permitted to erect motifs of the Fire Nation within the garden for fear of the outcry by the older nobility. It was just a garden, but it was a living symbol of how things had been and how they believed things should be.
Zhao allowed himself a slight curling of his lip as they entered the gardens. After two years serving abroad in the Earth Kingdom, he had had all that he could handle of greenery. It even smelled green, a vile pungent assault on his nose. Etsu, on the other hand, took in a deep calming breath, obviously more at ease than she had previously been in the palace halls. Zhao grumbled to himself. For all of its economic strength and military prowess, the House of Reizo still stubbornly practiced the old ways, in defiance to the unwritten wishes of the Fire Lord and his sires. Etsu had regrettably been tainted by such a backward way of thinking—nothing that Zhao couldn't cure. Provided his plan worked, of course…
"You seem ill at ease, my lady. Has something been troubling you?" Zhao inquired with a generous dose of concern in his voice. Sympathy was such an easy emotion to fake, and Etsu was thankfully gullible enough to take his bait.
"It was…a violent death for anyone, even for a traitor. And he was a Fire Sage, after all," Etsu murmured, her face still quite pale underneath her make-up. Blood was obviously a new sight to her. "Lord Ozai used the Fire Sages as his personal envoys and instructors of privileged young men. They hold—"
"Held," Zhao interrupted her brusquely. There could be no return for the Fire Sages, especially to their revered places of honor. "They have been disposed, and you'd do well to remember that the Fire Lord is not one to recant his rulings." She should know that well enough. She had been present for Zuko's exile. Perhaps Etsu need to be reminded of such events… "My lady should recall the disgrace of the Crown Prince and his subsequent banishment. It is a permanent and irrevocable sentence—"
"No."
Zhao arched an eyebrow. "Forgive me, my lady, but you were in attendance when Prince Zuko was brought before—"
"My memory has not failed me, Commander Zhao," Etsu snapped. She turned to face him fully, fury dancing in her eyes. Zhao would never have guessed that she possessed even a spark of temper. In the presence of men, most women—women who wished to escape a harsh word or slap—remained as docile as cows. "You, sir, should do well to remember that Prince Zuko's banishment is far from permanent. Once he captures the Avatar, he will return to the Fire Nation and be reinstated as the one true heir to the throne."
Zhao guffawed loudly, startlingly both Etsu's attendants and a few birds in the trees. He leaned forward so that he was but a few inches from Etsu's face, cruel amusement apparent in his face. "That boy…no, that child," Zhao spat, "will never return. If he catches the Avatar was the stipulation set by the Fire Lord."
"You mean when he captures the Avatar," Etsu leaned forward as well, clearly unperturbed by Zhao's close proximity. She glowered at him in a haughty manner. "Commander, your lack of faith in the Crown Prince demonstrates an offensive sense of disloyalty to the throne."
The surprise was evident in Etsu's eyes when Zhao, instead of reacting with shouts or fists, merely straightened back up and offered her his arm. "As I said earlier, I would very much appreciate a conversation in private. Without eavesdroppers," Zhao stressed as he threw a significant glance at the women behind Etsu.
Taking her cue from him, Etsu too adjusted her posture. Her eyes, a warm golden color, were hard in the morning light. Cocky little wench. It would be amusing to watch her foray into the dangerous arena of politics. "For my own part, I would be glad to accommodate your wishes, Commander," Etsu inclined her head as curtly as etiquette would allow, "However I must insist that my ladies-in-waiting remain in sight, though out of earshot."
It seemed Lady Etsu wasn't the fool that Zhao took her for. If any transgression took place between them, the word of her two attendants would suffice for the word of a man if Etsu decided to lodge any grievance. "Naturally, my lady," Zhao smiled cordially, with only the barest hint of a predatory gleam in his eyes, "nothing should impinge upon your honor orjeopardize your marriage contract. I'll make sure of that."