"Uncle!" Zuko scrambled back, hitting the wall hard enough to make him wince. Iroh sat with his hands on his knees, smiling.
"Would you like to tell me why I witnessed you in the astral plane on your great-grandfather's dragon?" Iroh questioned. Having no time to think, Zuko opened his mouth but no sound came out.
"I honestly have no idea how that happened." He finally managed and Iroh sat back.
"Now dear nephew, I must admit that you have been very suspicious recently." Iroh said while rubbing his chin. "This does not help things."
"Uncle, a spirit came to me. In the South Pole." Zuko said in a rush. Iroh looked surprised and didn't reply, so Zuko barreled ahead.
"They said that I can find the Avatar for you, since I'm related to Avatar Roku." He added. Iroh looked stern and stood up.
"Why did you say nothing of this to Lu Ten?" He questioned.
"I didn't think anyone would believe me." Zuko answered. "To be honest, it was only tonight that made me think it was real myself."
Iroh stayed silent and continued to stroke his beard, but now took up pacing next to Zuko's bed. Zuko, his heart hammering behind his chest, watched him intently.
"I can understand your mistrust, Prince Zuko, though it breaks my heart. Of course, your father had to be dealt with, I hope you understand." Iroh said, facing the wall but glancing down at Zuko.
Turning his face, Zuko looked down at his bead.
"I do know uncle." He replied softly.
Iroh sighed briefly and started pacing again.
"Your mother has been very helpful and your sister is nothing but obedient, so I don't see any reason to suspect you." Iroh halted and stared directly down at Zuko. "You wouldn't want to do anything to hurt them, would you?"
The fear in Azula's voice and the slash on his mother's arm went off like an explosion in Zuko's mind.
He shook his head.
"No uncle." Zuko said and looked up.
"Has your mother told you why I am searching for the Avatar?" Iroh asked, tilting his head upward but keeping his eyes trained on Zuko.
"No." Zuko shook his head and Iroh sat down on the edge of Zuko's bed.
"Your mother keeps secrets very well, even from me." Iroh said. Now Zuko stayed quiet and Iroh continued.
"We will see how things go in the North Pole but, I might have a special mission for you Prince Zuko." Iroh said, patting Zuko's leg. "And if you succeed where even I have failed, you may be able to redeem your miserable father."
As Iroh stood, Zuko reached out, making his uncle pause.
"Uncle, is Azula okay?" He asked. Iroh chuckled and shook his head.
"I can send a letter to the governor, but I haven't heard from your sister in many weeks." He replied. "Now get dressed, we'll be landing soon."
Zuko watched his uncle leave, blinking as the door shut. Letting out a shuddering breath, Zuko put his hands in his hair.
Maybe this could be it. Maybe he could convince his uncle to let him search for the Avatar, and he could just skip all the parts of him being a terrible person. After all, Zuko was living in this twisted mirror version of his life, and that would make sense.
But he had to get Katara and Sokka out. And he had to rescue his sister.
Squeezing his eyes shut, Zuko felt his inner fire burn erratically, causing him to shiver and sweat.
Azula, who always lied. Azula, who cared more about power than anyone who ever loved her. Azula, who had tried to kill Katara in their Agni Kai.
Opening his eyes, Zuko let out a heavy breath and went limp, his hands falling onto his bed.
This Azula was a pampered princess; scared and alone.
Standing up, Zuko dressed quickly and pulled his hair up into a topknot. He dressed in his robes, tying them up and making sure his lines were straight. He stared at himself in the mirror. His hand once again touched lightly under his left eye.
Taking in a steadying breath, Zuko turned and walked out of his room. As they moved north, the air had taken on that same cold, clean scent as it had in the South Pole. But this time, as they flew, the sun stayed longer at the horizon until it was almost constantly night. It was near the height of summer in Katara's village, which meant it was in the middle of winter in the North Pole.
The large ice wall shone like a beacon in the twilight, reflecting the light of the full moon. The Waterbenders would have the upper hand here, as the Firebenders would have to constantly monitor their inner fire if they weren't properly dressed. And, as a point of pride, they wouldn't be unless they were sleeping.
On deck, Iroh stood with Ursa and Zuri while Sokka and Katara were further off. Setting his jaw, Zuko walked to stand with his family.
Ursa spotted him and smiled, the lower part of her face swallowed by the enormous fur collar of her coat. She gestured to him, removing a hand from her muff to paw in the air, and he stood next to her.
"Isn't it beautiful Zuko? I've always marveled at the craftsmanship of the tribals." Ursa said, putting her arm through Zuko's before slipping her hand back into the muff.
"Are you cold mother?" He asked.
"Oh no dear, being around you three is keeping me quite warm!" She said and smiled brightly at Zuri.
"Is Zhao already here?" Zuko asked.
"For three days, after our little delay." Zuri answered dryly. Zuko clenched his teeth but said nothing.
"The wedding will go ahead as planned. I had no intention of us staying long anyway." Iroh said.
"For some of us." Zuri muttered.
"Funny you should say that Zuri. There may be a change in plans." Iroh said and while Zuri turned to him, Iroh looked over at Zuko.
"I hope Lu Ten hasn't been worried about us." Ursa interjected, smiling blithely and looking down at the frigid ocean.
"Let us hope my son has not gotten bored in our absence." Iroh said. "Zuri seems to be most of his impulse control."
As Ursa laughed, Zuri relaxed and smiled softly. They ignored Zuko, or seemed to, and leaned over the railing to watch an iceberg pass underneath.
At least it was going to be something different.