"You three must not be from around here," Song said while wringing the cloth, "We know better than to touch the White Jade." She smiled, but gently slapped away the hand of the old man she was taking care of, since he was about to scratch his rash again. "Much less make it into tea and drink it." she added in a slightly amused tone.

Uncle smiled sheepishly when the healer took his hand to wash it. "Whoops." he said, trying to smile as much as his swollen face would allow him. Song gave him a wink, to signal she was joking.

She turned around to the young man and woman sitting at the table. The man was leaning against the side of the table with his eyes fixed on the floor so the straw-hat was covering most of his face. The young woman looked at her with sharp blue eyes. Unusual shade, Song mused. "So where are you traveling from?"

"Yes," the young man suddenly said as he straightened himself, "We're travellers." Song didn't miss the slight arching of the girl's eyebrows when she heard the man stutter a bit nervously.

"Do you have names?" Song kindly asked while applying more ointment on the skin of the older man.

"Names?" the young man answered, slightly hesitant as if he was not used to people asking his name, "Of course, we have names!"

Song turned around to again slap his hand away when the older man tried to scratch the ointment from his skin. When she did this, she missed the swift kick the young woman gave the man under the table. Her message was clear: Act normal.

Zuko stifled a cry when he felt Elyrie's foot kick his shin. I thought her feet hurt, he thought as he rubbed his painful leg.

"I'm Lee" Zuko said hesitantly, "And this is my uncle-,ehm, Mushi."

Elyrie bit her lip to stifle her laughter when the swollen face of Iroh, covered in green cream, shot his nephew an indignant look.

As Song continued to put healing cream on him, Iroh smiled sweetly to Zuko as he added "My nephew is named for his father, so we just call him Junior." He leaned over to his side to give him a pleased smile.

Zuko gave Iroh a dangerous look as he let his finger slide in front of his throat. The message was unmistakable: I am going to kill you. Elyrie had to place her hand over her mouth to hide her smile.

"Mushi and Junior?" Song repeated before she turned to the girl. "And what is your name?" she asked kindly.

Elyrie was wearing her cap, but the brown-eyed girl looked directly at her. She pondered a boy's name, but she felt that it wouldn't suffice. "Li-," She began, picking a common name when she saw Zuko raise his eyebrows at her. She realised Zuko had used something similar as his fake name, so she quickly added "-anna. My name is Lianna."

"I am Song, pleased to meet you all." the brown-eyed girl answered with a kind smile.

Her eye fell on Elyrie's feet. Elyrie followed her gaze and she saw that the improvised bandages were visible over her shoes. With an embarrassed smile, she looked back at the healer.

"Do you want me to take a look at your feet?" Song asked in a concerned voice. Her trained eye immediately noticed that the bandages were not sufficient enough to support her, especially if they travelled by foot.

"Thank you, I appreciate it." Elyrie replied gratefully as she kicked off her shoes.

She quickly understood that Song was an exceptional healer, because the paste she spread over her blistered feet made the last pain disappear. Elyrie let out a sigh of relief when Song wrapped new bandages around her feet for comfort and support.

"It is best if you don't walk distances for a while." Song advised when she was done. Elyrie sighed and exchanged looks with Zuko. He gave her a crooked smile and shrugged, as if to say: We'll figure something out.

"You look like you could use a good meal." Song said as she studied the trio, "Why don't you stay for dinner?"

Three empty stomachs reacted at once, but Zuko was the first to turn down the offer. "Sorry, but we need to be moving on."

Elyrie nodded with an apologetic smile to Song. Zuko is right, we can't stay too long, she thought as she tried to ignore the growling sounds of her stomach.

"That is too bad," Song shrugged in a sweet manner, "My mother always makes too much roast duck." She looked away with an innocent smile, as if it truly pained her that nobody could help them out.

And before Elyrie or Zuko could react, Iroh piped in. "Where do you live exactly?"

"My daughter tells me you're refugees," Song heard her mother say as she put down a platter of roast duck, "We were once refugees ourselves."

Night had fallen and Iroh, Zuko and Elyrie were welcomed in the house of Song and her mother. The table was filled with the most delicious dishes, enough to feed at least ten people.

"When I was a little girl," Song said sadly as she looked at their guests from across the table, "The Fire Nation raided our farming village. That was the last time I saw my father."

The blue eyes from the girl widened when she said that and she looked at her with compassionate eyes, as if she understood the tragedy she had endured. Now that she had taken off her cap, Song noticed that the girl had auburn-coloured hair. Combined with the blue eyes, she didn't resembled the two men in the slightest. But then again, the Earth Kingdom had been flooded with refugees these past decennia from all corners of the world. It wasn't unusual to have different features.

Song looked at Lee across the table. He seemed to be taken aback by her story because he stopped eating. She studied his face without trying to stare at the large scar that covered the left side of his face. It was the kind of scar only a firebender could give you, she knew that from experience.

Despite his facial scarring, he was a remarkable handsome man. He had an ivory skin, golden eyes and classic features. He resembled the older man, his Uncle they had told her. In the corner of her eye, she saw her mother smiling at Mushi, who was obviously enjoying her cooking.

"I haven't seen my father in many years." Lee suddenly said, his voice barely more than a whisper.

"Oh," Song felt guilty for bringing up such a sensitive subject, "Is he fighting in the war?"

"Yes." Lee answered after a brief silence but looked away in dismay from the kind eyes that glanced at him. Song immediately felt a sort of kinship. He had endured the same hardships she had faced, she felt it.

Elyrie pushed around the duck on her plate nervously as she listened to the conversation. Iroh stopped slurping his noodles as well. With a nervous look, he watched his nephew put down his plate.

Song and her mother were kind enough not to press the subject any further. Elyrie was relieved, but she also felt a sting. These kind women were driven from their home, possibly in the same way Zhao had burned down an entire village. Every hair in her neck rose at the memory and her heart started to pound rapidly. She could still hear the screaming of the women and children ringing in her ears.

"Are you alright?" she heard a voice say to her from far away, "You look pale." A soft hand was placed on her own, which brought her back to the present. She saw that Song's mother had placed her hand on her own. With a soft squeeze, she tried to calm her.

"Yes," she managed to say, "Thank you." She saw that her knuckles had turned white, that is how hard she squeezed the chopsticks in her hand.

"I am sorry if we brought back painful memories." Song said with an apologetic look in her chocolate-brown eyes.

"No, it is fine, truly" Elyrie said quickly as she lifted her chin and smiled, "It was a long time ago."

Elyrie felt the eyes of the two men on her, but she purposely avoided their gaze. They didn't knew about Zhao's cruelties. She had never told them about it. About how he planned to burn down an entire village and all the people with it. About the little boy who cried for his mother after Zhao had taken him hostage. How he mercilessly had threatened a child to make her obey him. How he had locked her up and tried to break her spirit. How he wanted to kill her by slitting her throat that night on the North Pole. One way or another, you shall become my wife.

Iroh and Zuko saw that she was lying. What is she thinking about? Zuko mused when she saw the colour return to her face. But she didn't meet his eyes as she continued eating her duck. He envied her. Whatever it was that was haunting her, she pushed it away with so much ease.

For him, on the other hand, it felt as if someone had plunged a fiery dagger into his heart. Song's story reminded him of his own father. Oh, he was fighting in the war, all right. He wás the war.

His father. It had been so long since he had seen him. He hadn't seen his mother for ages, but he could easily remember her. Her beautiful face, her pale skin and her kind eyes. Her voice, soft and gentle, even when she scolded him or Azula if they misbehaved. But his father didn't seem to have a face. He knew he had long, black hair and the same amber coloured eyes Azula had. But for some reason he couldn't remember his fathers face.

His voice he did remember, scolding him every time he did something which made him unworthy of being the heir to the throne.

You will learn respect. And suffering will be your teacher.

"If you will excuse me," Zuko suddenly said while standing up from his seat, "I think I need some fresh air."

It struck Elyrie how sad he suddenly looked. Iroh saw it too and put down his plate with a sigh. This was what he had been afraid of. It had been inevitable that Ozai's rejection would come back to haunt Zuko.

"Is he all right?" Song asked Elyrie when Zuko had shut the door behind him.

"I wish I knew." Elyrie answered with a doubtful look in his eyes.

"Zuko?" a voice brought him out of his wanderings. Elyrie walked towards him and sat down next to him on the patio, "Are you alright?"

He didn't look at her but kept staring in front of him to nothing in particular. The message he conveyed was not that hard to read: I don't want to talk about it.

"They will serve tea in a moment, won't you join us?" she then asked as she tucked her legs under her. Zuko shook his head and fixed his gaze again on the darkness in front of him. Dozens of fireflies danced around them, like little stars against a black sky.

Elyrie followed the movements of the fireflie while waiting for Zuko to say something. However, he seemed not particularly eager to speak. So, she sighed and stood up to go back inside. Sometimes being alone was the best thing. Besides, she knew Zuko could shut as tightly as a clam if there was something he didn't wish to talk about. Like a clam, he would open when the timing was right. Or when slammed against a rock with force, but she considered that a bit to rash.

"Elyrie," Zuko suddenly said as he turned his head to her. The fact that he used her full name drew her attention. He almost never used her full name when they were together. "Yes?" she replied as she turned back to him.

"What is it that happened to you?" He asked, his golden eyes capturing hers. He saw her eyes widen at his question and averted her gaze from his, while the fireflies danced around her.

Elyrie knew she could have expected that question sooner or later. Nervously, she started to turn her ring around her finger. "Zuko," she said slowly, "I don't want to talk about it."

It was only half true. It wasn't so much that she didn't want to, it was that she couldn't talk about it without getting upset. The ruthlessness of the man who had abused her and who she might have married was still an open wound. Subconsciously, she touched the small scar on her temple. Less than three months ago, she had received that scar due to Zhao's recklessness. If it hadn't been for Zuko, she would have died in that Temple.

Zuko would understand, she knew he would. But she just couldn't make herself talk about it. Not now. Not yet.

"I see." Zuko replied impassively, but not breaking eye contact. He wanted to press the subject, but instinctively felt she would evade every question if he tried. She was rather good at not answering questions if she didn't want to.

Nevertheless, it made him even more eager to know what bothered her this much. He suspected that it had something to do with Zhao. Uncle had told him how Zhao had kept her prisoner after he tried to burn a village down. But she had never talked about it and it hurt to think she didn't trust him enough to share her sorrows.

Elyrie opened her mouth, as if she wanted to say something but closed it again after a couple second. Zuko raised one questioning eyebrow, but she didn't reply and walked back to the door. Zuko heard the door slam shut, slightly harder than was necessary. Lily, what is haunting you? he thought over and over again as he stared into the darkness.

Inside, he heard to soft tinkeling sounds of ceramic. His Uncle's deep laugh and Elyrie's high voice were audible on the patio. He didn't feel the need to join the cosy tea party. It just wasn't like him to join and smile, like Elyrie and his Uncle both could. He envied them. They had what he didn't: the ability to turn away from their sorrows.

When he heard Elyrie's laughing inside, it was almost unthinkable she was haunted by her memories. He didn't knew why it hurt so much that she didn't want to share her story. She was a strong woman and she wasn't easily broken. She wasn't the least bit afraid of Azula, so what was it that made the memory of Zhao so terrifying to her?

Song's caring heart couldn't help to feel pity for the young man who sat alone on her patio. She looked at the young woman, who was helping her mother clear the table after they had finished their tea.

"Let us at least help you clean up," Lianna said as she picked up the plates from the table, "You have already been so generous."

"Are you sure?" Song asked the blue-eyed girl, who immediately nodded to her. "That is the least we could do." she answered cheerfully.

Lianna picked up a cloth and started washing the dishes, lively chattering with her mother about the china. Mushi helped with cleaning the table and piped in about his favourite tea flavours. Song chuckled, since it was exactly his love for tea that had caused the old man trouble today.

"I insist you take this with you." her mother said as she started to wrap the leftovers from the roast duck.

"You are too kind." Mushi answered with a wide smile and a loving gaze to the roast duck.

Amidst this friendly chatter, Song saw her chance to slip outside to the patio. The lone figure of Lee sat cross-legged on the edge, his gaze fixed at something in the dark.

"Can I join you?" She asked softly. Lee didn't respond, or even looked at her when she sat down next to him. She didn't blame him for his sombre mood. It had been years since her village had been invaded and she still dreamt about that day from time to time.

"I know what you've been through," she said when he continued his silence, "We've all been through it." She slowly lifted her hand to touch his scar. "The Fire Nation has hurt you."

But before she could even reach for it, Lee grabbed her wrist rather forcefully. Without even looking at her, he pushed her arm away from his scar.

"It's okay," she said compassionately. She wanted to let him know she understood his pain, so she placed her left leg in front of her. "They've hurt me too." she whispered as she lifted her pants over her knee, exposing her calve.

Zuko's eyes widened in shock when he saw Song's leg. From her ancles to her knee, it was covered in red scars in the shape of flames. It was the kind of scar you got when your clothing was set on fire and it caught the skin in the most painful way.

Song saw his shocked expression and looked at her own leg. Her scar was not as severe as the one on Lee's face, but it still carried a painful memory with it.

"I ran from the soldiers, but my clothing was set on fire by the flames that engulfed our house." She answered his silent question. It looked much better than it had been, mostly due to her mother's knowledge of ointments and herbs.

"It is why I became a healer," she added as she pulled her pants back over her leg, "I want to help people heal their wounds, because nobody should have to endure such pain."

At that moment, Uncle and Elyrie came out of the door. Zuko immediately stood up and walked away from Song.

"Thank you for the duck," Iroh said while taking the small package from the older woman, "It was excellent."

"You're welcome." Songs mother answered with a smile, "It brings me pleasure to see someone eat my cooking with such gusto."

"Much practice." Iroh chuckled as he patted his stomach in a contented manner.

"Thank you both so much for tonight," Elyrie said as she bowed before the two women, "I have enjoyed myself immensely."

At that moment, Zuko suddenly turned around and started to walk away.

"Junior!" his Uncle said, slightly irritated by his lack of manners, "Where are your manners? You need to thank these nice people."

Zuko turned around and bowed. "Thank you." he said, his tone not matching his words. As soon as he had said it, he turned on his heals and faced the darkness in front of him.

"I know you think there is no hope left in the world, but there is hope!" Song said to Lee's back, "The Avatar has returned!"

"Yes," Lee answered bitterly, "I know."

Song frowned her eyebrows at his tone, but both Elyrie and Uncle sucked in their breath. Thanking the women one more time, they followed Zuko as he started to walk away.

Zuko's pace quickened, only wanted to get away from this place as far and as fast as he possibly could. He pushed open the small gate, but halted when he saw an ostrich-horse next to the house. Without saying a word, he unfastened it from its post. Swiftly mounting the ostrich-horse, he led it to Uncle and Elyrie.

"What are you doing?" Iroh whispered in shock, "These people just showed you great kindness!"

"They are about to show us a little more kindness." Zuko said in a matter-of-fact tone. He extended his hand to both his Uncle and Elyrie. "Well?" he demanded impatiently when neither took his hand

"Zuko" Elyrie hissed at him with fury in her eyes, "You can't do this."

"And you can't walk." he answered with a straight face.

"We're not stealing." She said, ignoring his comment as she crossed her arms. Zuko growled under his breath. "We'll leave without you then."

"Go ahead" she shot back without attempting to move, "But don't you think the Fire Nation has taken enough from them?" She saw his jaw clench and she knew she had hit the target.

Damn stubborn girl, Zuko thought. He knew she wasn't about to yield in this regard. But he also knew she wasn't able to walk any long distances anymore.

"If I am not taking this one, it will be another." he warned her as he motioned to the surrounding houses.

"If you have the incredible need to steal," she retorted, "Then do it by someone who has more than one ostrich-horse."

"Do you see such a place nearby?"

"No, which is exactly why I said it."

Zuko scoffed at her and extended his hand again to his Uncle. "Are you coming or not?" he asked in a rough voice.

"Uncle, please" Elyrie said as she turned to the older man, "You have to agree with me on this?"

"I do," he admitted as he turned to his nephew, "Zuko, she is right."

Without waiting for Zuko's answer, Elyrie grabbed the reins of the ostrich-horse and gently pulled him back to his place. Zuko jumped off the animal with a frustrated noise and kicked some sand in her direction.

"Don't expect me to carry you." Zuko warned her when she limped slightly back to Uncle.

She didn't respond and didn't look at him, which for some reason made him even more angry.

"You two are impossible!" he said as he stormed off into the direction of the forest.

The next few days, they travelled in silence. Zuko had stolen two ostrich-horses from a large mansion which had at least a 100 of them. Even though Elyrie did not agree, she was glad she was able to let her aching feet rest, as Song had ordered her to. However, she and Zuko had barely spoken to each other after they had departed from Songs house. He was too angry and she was too stubborn. Iroh knew they would eventually come to their senses, but until then he wasn't about to intervene.

The leftovers Song and her mother had given them had provided them with food for two days. When it ran out, they decided to try their luck in a small village along the main road.

Elyrie sat down against a wall which passed by the main street. Zuko and Uncle Iroh followed her example and took the time to rest. It was a busy street with a lot of people and merchants passing by. Elyrie even saw a cart with masks for sale in front of them.

Iroh took off his straw hat and kept it up to the passing people. "Are you going to beg?" Zuko said vexed.

Uncle simply nodded while he said to a passing man "Spare coins for weary travellers?" He received a few copper coins and smiled gratefully at the man.

Zuko was less pleased. "This is humiliating!" he said angrily while he folded his arms, "We are royalty, these people should give us what we want."

Elyrie rose her eyebrows at this statement. They hardly looked royal at that moment with those worn off clothes and undone hair. She could hardly imagine what she looked like at that moment. Probably just as homely, she thought. It had been days since someone had fixed her hair or she had put on perfume. She tried to keep herself as clean as possible and luckily enough Zuko and Uncle shared her dedication to hygiene.

Uncle was not fazed by Zuko's criticism: "They will if you ask nicely." he said as he lifted his finger in a wise tone. A young woman passed by at that moment. "Spare change for a hungry old man?" Iroh asked as he pouted his lips to the woman.

"Ahww," the woman smiled at him and took a coin from her sleeve, "Here you go."

"The coin is appreciated," Iroh said with a grin, "But not as much as your smile!"

The woman giggled as she walked away. Zuko slapped his forehead in frustration at his uncle's antics. Elyrie repressed her own giggle, but it died down when a man casted a shadow over them.

Elyrie immediately felt a chill going over her at the sight of the man. He was tanned with a scraggly beard and he wore two broadswords on his back. He gave them a sly smile, directed at Uncle.

"How about some entertainment in exchange for…" he said as he dramatically pulled a shiny coin from his pocket, "a gold coin?"

"We are not performers" Zuko said annoyed.

"Not professional, anyway" Uncle said cheerfully while standing up. He wouldn't, Elyrie thought horrified. Uncle was many good things, but a singer was not one of them. Before she could say anything, Iroh started to sing on the top of his lungs and terribly off-key:

It's a long long way to Ba Sing Se

But the girls in the city

They look so pretty!

Elyrie clasped her hand in front of her mouth to hide her smile since it was almost comical how terrible his performance was. Her urge to smile quickly died for the second time when she saw the face of the man lighten up in a sadistic manner.

"Come on old man, it is a gold coin." He said in an annoyed voice as he drew his swords. "Come on, dance!"

Elyrie saw Zuko's jaw clench when the man drew his swords. She knew he would attack the man if he would come a step closer to his Uncle. She put her small hand on Zuko's knee and just as the man prepared to make Uncle dance by hitting on his feet, she quickly stood up and continued the song:

"It's a long long way to Ba Sing Se

But you can always find a path

You are always free to begin again

And you're always free to believe

When you find the place where your heart belongs

You'll never leave."

At the moment she started to sing, the man lowered his swords. Even though she trembled slightly, her voice was crystal clear. She kept eye contact with him, to be sure that he would not strike at Uncle. He stared at her with his mouth open. She sang the whole song, all five verses, with all her might to keep his attention.

It is so sweet

That you'll really liked to meet

The girls from Ba Sing Se

When she was finished with the last sentences, she heard a small applause. Surprised, she looked around and saw that a small crowd had gathered to listen to her. She hadn't noticed it, because she was so focused on the man that tried to hurt Uncle. She was flattered, but kept her face straight.

She turned back to the man and raised one eyebrow. "How is that for a performance?" she said in a haughty tone. That sleezy no-good of a man might think that they were simple travellers, but that was no reason to treat them as if they were worthless.

Zuko glanced at Elyrie when she straightened her back and raised one eyebrow at the man. For a moment, he saw the attitude of someone with royal blood. She lifted her chin proudly and gave him an arrogant look, as if to say that he was beneath her at that moment. He couldn't help but admire her pride.

The man was taken aback for a moment, but then started to laugh. "No professional performers you say?" he said with a head tilt to Zuko, "This girl sings like an angel." He took a step closer to her. "Sing another song for me, pretty girl." he added in a sleezy tone while licking his lips.

Finally, Zuko stood up and said in a firm tone "I think you have heard enough. Keep your money and leave." He placed his hand on Elyrie's shoulder and lifted his chin as well. Almost as a reflex, Elyrie placed her hand over his to signal their unity.

The man looked at him, irritated that he refused him. He took another step closer to Elyrie, but Zuko moved slightly in front of her and towered over the man. This time, Elyrie didn't even bother to intervene. She knew Zuko would wring his neck if he as so much lifted a finger to her or Uncle. And the man seemed to realise this too.

He narrowed his eyes at the young man in front of him, who was at least 10 inches taller. He didn't like it when he was refused something he wanted and right now: he wanted that girl. She didn't seem to be intimidated, which was a welcome change. He could take her 'guard' down with his swords, but he doubted he would be fast enough. He weighed his chances and finally backed down.

He tossed the coin to Elyrie, who let it fall at her feet. "Here, sparrowkeet. You earned it." With a last dark look at Zuko, the man turned around and left.

After the man had left, Elyrie's face finally broke in a smile and bowed to the crowd. The crowd started to break apart, but not before most of them threw more coins in Uncle's straw hat. She picked up the gold coin the man had tossed her and flipped it in her hand. She and Zuko exchanged a quick look and she gave him a grateful smile. He simply nodded in return. Uncle sat down again and said in a content voice "Such a kind man."

Elyrie smiled at him, touched by his goodness. She flipped the coin another time before saying "So, who is hungry?"