Disclaimer: I in no way own Avatar the Last Airbender
Chapter Three
Starring out at the ocean with his legs crossed and elbows resting on his knees. It had been weeks since hehad seenanything other than floating chunks of ice. When they saw the ship in the distance they grew concerned. What if it was a Fire Nation ship? Would they realize he was here? Surely they would have thought he was dead. There was not a whole lot he could do about it. He would just have to keep forcing his head up high and hope for the best. He was beginning to think like that stupid Water Tribe girl. Hope is for peasants, not a future Fire Lord. He had to make his own destiny.
Yet he could not stop thinking about her. He placed his head in his hands and sighed. Every now and then he would glance overat his uncle out of the corner of his good eye. How he longed to wipe that smirk off that tired old face, but now with the enemy ship looming in the foreground his uncle was all he had. When did I start thinking of my nationas the enemy? It must be all this water.' He thought to himself. Now all he could do is wait.
Torn from his conflicting thoughts of the peasant girl and the ship quickly approaching, he heard this tune begin to hum in his head.. It was an old tune, one he knew well. It did little to calm him.It just bothered him to no end how his uncle could just sit there oblivious to the situation they were in. Or rather the situation he was in. After all it was he who was accused of treason not his uncle. His uncle would be welcome home at anytime. Buthe was beginning to realize that he would never be welcomed home Avatar or no Avatar.
"Prince Zuko," he heard his uncle say. He tilted his head to look at the old man, head still resting in his hands. "Keep your chin up my prince. I'm certain things aren't as bad as they seem. I wonder if that ship has tea?" Tea? Is that what he's been thinking about? The banished prince lets out a small grunt to let his foolish uncle know he is not pleased. But what could he do? He really loved his uncle very much but could never show it, because love is a weakness. His uncle showed it but he was old had earned his mark on the world. He found him self wondering if his uncle was ever in love? His uncle was one of the most powerful men he knew.
Soon the ship was upon them and they both found themselves holding their breath. They glanced back and forth from the ship to each other. It was a large ship, but that was an understatement it was huge, nearly four times the size of the craft he had called home for the last two years. Unsure of what to do he just stood up and waited for what ever was going to happen. When he heard laughing. 'Oh who ever it was is going to pay dearly!' Only when the laughter died down did he allow himself the luxury of looking up at the source of his woe. He could not help but grin. "Hey! Down there! Don't you know banished princes don't grin ear to ear?" The figure asked in a rather dry tone. And then laughed once more as it lowered a rope down to the crude raft. "I see you have taken to traveling in style!" When he climbed up there he was going to burn that mocking person till there was nothing left to send home to his loved ones.
They helped his uncle up first and lowered the rope once more. With out help the young prince climbed up and hooked a leg over the side of the ship. The sight before him was almost to much for him to deal with,He almost fell backwards to the sea. He was about to shoutwhen a firm hand grabbed him and helped him from the railing. Straightening up and brushing the hand away he was about to make a snide comment when he heard. "I beg your forgiveness my prince,"said thefigure kneeling before him on one knee. Raising one hand and slowlybringing itaside so the princes eyes would follow it's path. "After all, your loyal crew and I have taken the liberty to procure this fine vessel for you."
The poor rich boy was in such a state of shock that his uncle spoke for him, "And what a fine vesicle it is, Capitan Jee." Walking over to the young prince he leaned over to him and in a whisper, "Prince Zuko, your mouth is agape." Quickly righting himself he mumbled a sincere though quit thanks. Looking about he saw faces he never thought he would be happy to see again. The crew let out a cheer of shear joy and shouted for their prince to say a few words.
But all he said is, "I'd like to be shown to my quarters." Rather coldly, as if he had become the ice that surrounded him.
"Yes, of course my prince, after you have rested we will discuss your next plan of action." Normally he would have snapped back at the captain, but he held it inbecause he did do all this for him after all..He was really very great full.
Beckoning for a sailor he said, "Show Prince Zuko to his quarters." The officer bowed to his prince and quietly gestured for him to follow. Which he was all but to glad to do, his uncle close behind him heaving a sigh of relief. The tired prince didn't even roll his eyes at his uncle. He was just glad to be among the people he knew he could trust.
They came to a stop and the sailor unlocked the door to his quarters and ushered him inside. Waiting for his prince to excuse him of his presence, the man just stood there beginning to think he had beenforgotten, asthe prince surveyed his new quarters the man gathered the courage to speak, "Do your quarters meet your approval, my prince?"The princedid not answer, he asked, "Is there anything my prince wishes? Bath? Supper?" Leaning his head to one side to see if he could catch his princely gaze. All he heard was a mumble. He was certain it was some sort of agreement to his words but still looked to the old general for a reply. "Please forgive, Prince Zuko, he has been through much these past few weeks, we all have been and would like nothing more than to rest. So my good man show me to my quarters so I can rest my weary old bones as well, then you can go have a meal prepared for three as we would like Capitan Jee to join us. I long to hear the tail of how our loyal crew procured this vesicle." And with that they left the prince to his own thoughts and the exploration of his new quarters.
It wasn't long before he found the bathing room, though suite would have been a better term to have called it. It was just as large as his old room on his former ship. Stripping of his clothing he sank into the warm welcoming water. He leaned back letting it sooth his tired body. Beginning to lose track of time he let his mind wander where ever it would take him.He was suddenly startled when he saw or rather heard, "Prince Zuko, are you trying to become a water bender?" His uncle chuckle. "You will turn into a prune." Yet more laughter at his expense. Waving a hand across the water he sent a stream of water at the old man. Who only laughed more. Once regaining his composure he took a towel and dried himself off. "Supper is ready, Prince Zuko." And he turned to leave then looked back, "Take your time. We will wait"
Begging the water to release him he made his way out of the water . Once he was dressed he exited the to find his uncle conversing with Captain Jee. They both stood waiting for him to join them. They looked like they had had a good laugh, and the prince couldn't help but think it was he they were laughing at. When his uncle spoke, "Captain Jee was just telling me how, he andthe crew had acquired this fine craft."
Taking his seat at the table they both looked at him and shrugged. Sitting down Jee spoke up, "It really is amazing how hated by his own crew Admiral Zhao is." At the mention of his name Zuko let out a rolling grunt but did not look up as he ate. So Jee continued, "They pretty much welcomed our mutiny. We had a few who were loyal to him here and there but not so much as to warrant a full out attack on the vesicle." He paused allowing his words to digest with the meal. "I pretty much just walked onto the bridge with some of our crew members and simply stated that we were taking this ship for you, My Prince." Letting his words sink in once more he waited for a reply tis time.
"Thank you, captain Jee. I really don't know what else to say." He stated rather matter-of-factuality. With was true he was at a lose for words he was finding ithard to believe that his former crew was so loyal to him. He was in awe. He silently vowed, as their prince to make himself worthy of such loyalty.
After Supper they all went to the bridge and discussed their heading and their assets. The Avatar would need to master Earth bending next. The Earth Kingdom being the most vast they would have to narrow down their search. There were two cities in the Earth Kingdom that were known for their earth bending masters. But which one he pondered, Should they start with Omashu? They had heard rumors once about the Avatar being a friend of the King. And the King did have reputation for being a powerful bender.
Then there was Ba Sing Se. The young prince remembered his uncle coming home from the war where he held the city siege for what must have felt like an eternity. But for his father it was not enough. He wanted more. He hardly ever spoke to his brother, and hated that he showered so much affection on his only son. Lost in his thoughts he heard his uncle speak to captain Jee, "Oh, it is a very beautiful city, yes. But very hard to get in."
Finally Zuko spoke up, "Then we are in agreement? Omashu it is." Pointing to the map they set a course for their destination. Nodding their heads they silently agreed to fallow their prince where he would take them.