Fragile 20: Love

How many more of our children have to fall

Just how high do we have to build these walls

In fighting there's no dignity

It's such a waste of time

Take my hand,

I don't think God will mind

—-Great Big Sea

I apologize for the delay, work got insane because of some important political events in the country, which meant my office had a lot of responsibilities. I am a workaholic and I'm trying to squeeze in some fun, so writing took a backseat. All your incredible reviews made my day. Don't worry, I have the next chapter halfway written.

I'd like to dedicate the chapter to everyone who kept reviewing, and a special shout out to my beloved cousin, upon his engagement to his beautiful lady fair. A special thanks to Lily Dragon, whose review convinced me to give up my lunch hour to finish the story.

Hakoda waited for the shivering little prince to finally fall back asleep. Poor Lu Ten was so broken. He wished he could do more for him. Even if he could ignore the danger to his own crew, how could he send him and his little sidekick back to such a cruel environment?

Yet, how could he deny everything in the world Lu Ten had ever known?

Everything made sense now. The petulance, the martial arts experience, the regal manner, all of this made up Azulon's grandson. The cruelty, the violence, the temper, but also the brave and loving heart of this very strange boy. He didn't even know what to do with him.

Well, nothing could be decided till the boy recovered from his illness and that would require giving Lu Ten a reason to fight for his health. Which meant he had to play peacemaker with the younger prince.

Zuko was a delight, so sweet tempered and easy to please. He had finally learned the little one's real name and he had grown to love him like a son. Had Zuko been alone, he could have easily adopted him and said nothing.

Of course, had Zuko been alone, he'd have been dead in hours after being separated from the palace. Lu Ten had done everything to keep his half brother alive, over his own safety. Why did the crown prince love his own competition so much? Even if he had gotten violent with his little brother, it was the terrified act of a desperate child who had completely lost control. Had Zuko been actually injured, Hakoda had no doubt that Lu Ten would have tossed himself overboard in despair.

Hakoda was beginning to understand the complexity of their relationship. Zuko needed Lu Ten , but Lu Ten needed Zuko even more. Zuko allowed Lu Ten to tap into that essential goodness that was caked over by bigotry and violence.

Zuko was sitting on the deck, picking sea cucumbers with Bato, who was telling amusing stories from their childhood. "So then Aunt Kanna was so angry, she threatened to toss out for the arctic bears," he explained as Zuko fell into peels of laughter.

"Can I borrow the little shrimp for a bit?" Hakoda asked. "It's a bit of family business."

Bato ruffled the boy's hair. "All right, but then you and I will be enjoying some sweet kelp candy, I made some fresh," he said, before giving Hakoda a worried smile. "I'm sure everything is all right." He didn't want the kid upset again.

"Is this about Lu Ten again?" Zuko asked, staring at his bare feet. "I don't want to talk about him anymore. He's mean."

Hakoda sighed. "What did you say to make him angry?" he asked. Zuko was an easier target for interrogation, he leaked information like melting snow.

Zuko shook his head. "I can't tell you. You'll be mad at me," he whispered. "I don't want you to be mad too."

"I won't be mad. I promise, I just want to make your brother see that what he did was wrong and I can't do that unless I know what you did," Hakoda explained, allowing Zuko to climb into his arms. "I want to explain to him so he'll listen."

"I told him that I didn't have to listen anymore and I didn't love him anymore and he wasn't a prince anymore," Zuko chirped, too young to be aware of the psychological torture he had inflicted on the person who likely loved him most in the world.

"I see. Because he was mean to you," Hakoda confirmed, wishing he could make Zuko understand without devastating the good hearted little boy. "But you do know how much he cares about you, right?"

Zuko buried his head in Hakoda's shoulder and sighed. "Do I have to forgive him?" he asked sadly.

Hakoda took a deep breath and shook his head. "No, that's your choice," he said. He wished he could smooth Lu Ten's path but the boy would have to live with the consequences of his actions. Perhaps now he would have to learn about real leadership. "Let's go find Bato and get some of that nice candy."

—-

Azula was clumsy in her movements. She was too young to be trained properly, she was easily tired and cried for naps. Ozai was finding himself smacking her more, to get her to toughen up. "Your brother would have been strong enough to do this," he had shouted at her. Azula may have been a prodigy but she was still too weak. She needed to work harder and get stronger. Ozai had big plans for her and he didn't have time to wait.

If only she had been the one to die. Zuko was a wonderful child. He had nobly died for his father. He had been strong and smart and talented. Ozai was only sad that the dear child wouldn't grow up to be Fire Lord after him, and that no one would know of his sacrifice and sense of duty. His heroic, wonderful Zuko, who would have been a lot more useful than this stupid girl. "Do it again!" he snapped.

Azula burst into tears, throwing her little body on the floor. "Want Mama," she howled, her tiny face red with laziness. "No more."

Ozai rolled his eyes. "Mama is sick," he reminded her. He had been finally forced to have her removed to another palace, she had tried to run away with a sleeping Azula to go find the lost children. Now, she lay drugged in some forgotten manor, along with his heart.

"I want Mama," Azula howled again, earning herself a sharp slap from her long suffering father. She began weeping even more.

Ozai had lost his patience. "Put her to bed," he snapped to the maidservant. "She is to be ready for further practice tomorrow. I want all her toys removed from her room. Since she's too tired to learn, she must be too tired to play." That would teach the brat a lesson. "Zuko would have never been such a problem. He was a perfect son, taken too soon. You were just the leftovers."

Zuko would have never been a problem. He had been stolen from him, along with his happy family. But Ozai would regain everything when he would be Fire Lord. That day was coming very soon.

Lu Ten dreamed of Mother and Father. They were walking in the Imperial Gardens, the three of them and Father was telling a marvelous story. "My love, such talk is too bawdy for our boy's tender ears," Mother had protested, as Lu Ten hung on every word. He could smell the jasmine in the air, hear the sound of the fountain and feel the softness of the silk of his robes. It was his vision of paradise.

So when he had awoken to a furred bed, rough clothing and a lonely exile on an enemy ship, reality made him want to weep. He had to bit his lip until it bled to steady himself. He would not allow the enemy to feel his weakness.

Even if they weren't his enemy. Even if Hakoda was the kindest man he knew, the Water Tribe had to be the enemy. Otherwise, the world didn't make sense and the world had to make sense. Everything had an order. Peasants followed their lords. The lords followed the royal family. The royal family followed the Fire Lord. The world made sense.

Hakoda had returned with food and medicine. "I spoke to your brother," he said by way of greeting. "He's still a bit scared of you, but he's warming up."

Lu Ten shrugged. "Perhaps it's better. I can go back without him," he said softly. "You'll have a hostage."

"I'm not letting you go home until you reassure me that what happened to your back won't happen again to you or ever to Zuko," Hakoda said softly. "Do that, and I'll consider it. You have my word, and you know I keep it."

It..was worth the humiliation. "It only happened once. It really wasn't so bad," Lu Ten said softly. "It was my own fault. I should have been silent."

Lu Ten bowed deeply and waited for Grandfather to acknowledge him. Pressing his nose into the hard metal floors, he silently remembered the lessons Aunt Ursa had drilled into him. Be silent, don't speak until spoken to and think four times before speaking once.

"Rise," he heard the gravelly voice command. "Let us see our heir to the throne." His stomach twisted, wishing he was anywhere else but here. "Have you been studying hard?"

Lu Ten bowed his head, keeping his eyes on the floor. "Yes, your majesty," he whispered, trying to keep his voice from shaking. "May my lord live a thousand years and I humbly in his service."

"Name the Fire Lords and their major accomplishments," Grandfather intoned, sounding impatient.

"Agni gave the crown to Azariah the Sun Master, the Fire Sage who claimed the Fire Nation as his own. Azariah gave it to Temujin the Flame Demon, who built the first city of the Fire nation, Azar. Temujin willed it to his nephew Zahir the Dragon Tamer, who tamed the first dragons of the Fire Nation," Lu Ten began.

"In what year did Zahir conquer the dragons?" Grandfather demanded suddenly, leaning forward.

"Two hundred and fifty since the time of Azariah," Lu Ten returned, knowing the answer easily. A nod allowed him to continue. "Zahir gave it to his daughter, Savitri the Golden Eyed who founded the Great Library and was the wife of Avatar Dehun. Savitri gave it to her son, Azraen the Master Builder who built the city of Keahi and made it the most beautiful in the world."

Grandfather nodded again. "Name the three primary sources of income for Keahi?" he asked.

"Coal, fish and silk," Lu Ten said, getting a mild look of approval to continue. "Azraen handed the throne to Ei-Tan the Inferno who established the Fire nation schooling system and the first forms of martial arts. His travels in the Earth Kingdom were the start of culture for the backwards people. Ei-Tan fought against Chin the Conqueror and slew him mightily. He handed the throne to his daughter, Surya the Jewel of the Sun who was the greatest ruler in Fire Nation history, conquering much land in the Earth Kingdom before nobly giving it back to appease the cruel Avatar Kyoshi in five hundred and twenty six," he said, preempting the question.

"How many brigades did Surya use in battle?" Grandfather asked. "And name her four great generals?"

"Sixteen brigades, lead by Generals Hao, Yamato, Shin-Ju and Nadir," Lu Ten said, before continuing his recitation. " Surya handed her throne to her daughter, Azalya the Beautiful whose charm and wit allowed her to bring culture all over the world. She was succeeded by Sorin died in battle in the great war of the East. He was succeeded by Sozin the Conqueror who began the great war of defense, defeating the air benders in their genocidal war. Sozin handed the throne to Azulon, may he live forever," Lu Ten bowed his head.

"Good. Someday, when your father and I are with Agni, you will be Fire Lord, master of all that the sun shines upon," Grandfather intoned, as the fires flickered dangerously around him. "What kind of ruler do you wish to be?"

"One half as great as my master, the Fire Lord," Lu Ten whispered, his stomach twisting.

"A wise answer. Demonstrate to me the Fifth Dragon Form," Grandfather intoned. Lu Ten jumped to his feet, and began the complex steps of blocks and punches, keeping his fire neatly controlled. He especially enjoyed the crisp turns, he loved the feeling of dancing with his inner flame. Ending with a flying Dragon tail, he fell to his knees and bowed.

"Your movements are swift and brutal. Your form has improved. I am pleased. You are dismissed," Grandfather said softly.

"If…I have pleased my lord, may I have a request?" Lu Ten blurted out, knowing he should have just bowed out and ran along.

"A request?" Grandfather asked, his eyes narrowed. "What could you possibly wish for?"

"My father hasn't been home in seven months, your majesty. If perhaps he could be stationed home," Lu Ten pleaded, hoping that he could gain a few days holidays.

"Your father is doing my will. Do you question my judgment, Prince Lu Ten?" Grandfather hissed, as the fire around the throne. "Your father has more important duties than playing nursemaid to an insolent boy."

"Of course not, your majesty," Lu Ten whispered. "Forgive my remarks, I meant no disrespect. If my father serves your will, of course he should be forced away from me." He gasped as those words came out of his mouth. He had not meant to be so disrespectful. A horrible feeling spread to his stomach as he could feel the flames around Grandfather hiss angrily. He was doomed.

"How dare you speak to me this way?" Grandfather boomed as Lu Ten kneeled down to the floor and prayed to the merciful spirits would rescue him before he got his head chopped off.

"A thousand pardons, most wonderful and great lord, most merciful and kind lord," Lu Ten begged, wishing Aunt Ursa was here so she could save his life. He could feel hot tears leaking from his eyes. "It was only my love for my father, I meant no disrespect."

"And now you snivel like some infant?" Grandfather shouted, the fires rising dangerously around him. "I will teach you to be a prince of my bloodline. No weak link will be allowed in my family."

Lu Ten lay on the cold stones of his bedroom floor, face down. He gulped back hot sticky tears as he tried to remember that he deserved this. If Grandfather decided he needed to suffer, than this was justice. He had been thrown to the floor of his bedroom and left there, scared and alone to think about what he had done. "Consider yourself fortunate that I showed mercy," Grandfather intoned. "Next time, I will make sure you learn the error of your ways."

"Yes, your majesty," Lu Ten had whimpered, as he was yanked to his feet and dragged to his bedroom. He finally forced himself to slowly crawl into his bed, face down. His entire body screamed in agony at every step, but finally, he had some comfort. "I deserve this," he told himself. "Grandfather was right. I deserve this."

By the tenth time, Lu Ten found himself beginning to believe the truth. He did deserve it.

Lu Ten looked away. "That's where the marks came from," he said dully. "So now you know. My own father doesn't know and you stole my secret from me."

Hakoda raised Lu Ten's chin. "If your grandfather was before me now, I would kill him for what he did to you," he said, stroking his cheek. "You are a wonderful son and he is a fool."

Lu Ten shook his head. "Don't try it, please," he whispered. "You think you'll convince me that your kindness is worth more than my own family and that I'll embrace you and call you father. A good man did that for me…and…you're…you're a good man. But I have a father and a family, and I love them. They are hard but they are mine," he explained. "Why are you being so kind to us? We won't betray our country," he whimpered.

"Because it's the right thing to do," Hakoda said softly. "You are a child who needs protection. It's the reason you take such good care of your brother, because it's the right thing to do. I don't burn down cities and make the world miserable."

Lu Ten was grateful for the kindness, but he would not tolerate foul language towards his most royal family. "Don't insult my father," he sniffled, but his chin rested on his chest. "He's a great man, you know." He wanted to be grateful to him for such mercy, but he didn't know how to deal with it.

"I'm sure he is. But right now, he's not someone I want to meet. So we're going to have to hold you and your brother for a bit till we can decide what to do with you. If you don't try to escape, we won't keep you confined," Hakoda explained.

"Why won't you just let me return home? I swear, I'll give you anything you ask, but just drop me off at the next port," Lu Ten begged. "You can keep Zuko, it's better for him to stay away."

"So you would just leave him?" Hakoda said softly. "I find that hard to believe you would just give up on him."

"Do you know what my grandfather would do to my brother for disobeying me? For even speaking to me like that?" Lu Ten whispered, with a haunted expression and lightless eyes. "He would set him on fire and watch him burn. If my brother was lucky, he would only be flogged within an inch of his life. You're encouraging habits in him that will get him killed."

Hakoda looked stricken. "Your grandfather is a monster and there is nothing you can say that can convince me otherwise. He would kill a five year old for talking back to him?" He just didn't understand reality.

"He is the Fire Lord. His word is law. I have felt…what befalls anyone who angered him," Lu Ten said softly. "He is correct, of course. My fear is my unworthiness."

"So, if your grandfather decided to kill Zuko, it would be justice, right?" Hakoda asked. "Zuko would deserve to die?"

Lu Ten looked away and nodded. "The word of the Fire Lord is the word of Agni," he said, feeling sickened by the idea. "Yes…the sentence would be carried out?"

"But if your grandfather dropped dead, and your father became Fire Lord and spared him at the last second, that would be justice too?" Hakoda asked.

Lu Ten nodded. "The new Fire Lord's words would be the words of Agni," he said, not seeing the problem. "And Zuko's life would be spared.

"But you just said that Zuko would deserve to die because it was justice. But if it were just, he would deserve it on his own merits, not because the Fire Lord said so. How does that make sense?"

Lu Ten shrugged. "Reality doesn't always make sense," he said softly. He didn't like this train of conversation, even if it had a disturbing ring of truth to it. "But it is what it is."

"I have another question, my young prince. If Zuko committed treason, would you plead for his life? It would likely get you punished as well, it's not worth it," Hakoda asked.

Lu Ten glared at him. "I'd get on my knees and beg my grandfather for mercy, even if it meant a worse flogging. Do you take me for a false monster?" he snapped.

"So why are you willing to give up your life for his, when yours is so much more valuable?" Hakoda asked. "You are the future Fire Lord, he's just a spare."

Lu Ten gasped, not knowing the answer. It was a question he couldn't answer, because it was wrong. A prince should sacrifice for a crown prince. A crown prince must be willing to send a prince to die. Yet, he himself did not live by his own code.

Hakoda smiled. "I think now we're getting somewhere."

AN-Yes, Azulon whipped him. He almost killed Zuko to teach Ozai a lesson. He's not a good man. And neither is Ozai, who is completely delusional. Next chapter, we get some more news of the Fire Nation.