This piece was done specifically as a compliment to an art piece on deviantArt called "Bedtime Stories", by Terrafan4242, depicting Iroh holding a young Zuko (who is wearing turtleduck jammies).



Bedtimes Stories (Prose Adaptation)

"And then!"

Normally, that phrase didn't function as a standalone sentence in conversation. However, when General Iroh, the famed Dragon of the West, told a story, it was a frequent and vital bridge between the most exciting parts. It was delivered with a fierce enthusiasm, usually coupled with a widening of the eyes and a sudden forward leaning. Iroh often drew out the "then", but not always; it depended on the context.

Young Prince Zuko inhaled sharply with anticipation.

Iroh smiled. "And then... Avatar Roku summoned a wall of flame, as wide as the Walls of Ba sing Se and as tall as this very palace!"

Young Prince Zuko stared in amazement, even though he had no idea how wide they made walls in Ba Sing Se.

His Uncle grinned and leaned forward again, his face nearly touching Zuko's. Now, Iroh's voice was hushed, to properly convey the desired sense of awe and victory. "Avatar Roku pushed the wall forward, and the Black Spirit was forced to flee. But Avatar Roku did not stop! He chased the Black Spirit with the wall, until the villain had to jump into the sea to escape. Even then, the sea had been so heated by the Avatar's flames, that it boiled and scalded the Black Spirit. The coward whined in his agony, and finally fled back into the Spirit World."

Iroh leaned back and grinned happily. "Ta Min was saved, and the next day she and Avatar Roku were married."

It took Zuko a few seconds to process all that. More pleased at his Uncle's content tone than the story's ending, the Young Prince smiled wide and clapped.

Iroh chuckled with pleasure.

Then a voice cut into room. "You were supposed to tell him a bedtime story."

Iroh turned around to address Zuko's mother. "That was a bedtime story. Boys need exciting stories to make them want to grow up big and strong."

Ursa's tiny smile ruined her attempt to appear stern with her brother-in-law. "Boys need sleep for that, too, and exciting stories keep them up at night. Here, I'll take him and give him a back rub. That should put him down."

Iroh nodded and handed Zuko back to his mother. "Go ahead, Zuko. Avatar Roku loved back rubs, too." Zuko acknowledged that information with a grave nod, and went quietly to his mother.

Ten minutes later, he was asleep.

That night, both Zuko and Iroh dreamed of heroes, spirits, and Avatars.

END