Evening came, and night began to fall. I made a pot of rice for the three of us, but I ate alone. Zuko tossed and turned but remained asleep for a good many hours. It was not until it was dark that he woke up. The first time, he only groaned and rolled about, trying to speak but nothing came out clear. I held a cold, wet cloth on his forehead, pushing back his bangs. His face was red, and his entire body was sweaty. He'd never looked more uncomfortable, and it pained me.
After many unsuccessful attempts to sleep, the prince resorted to staring into the floor between us as he lay on his stomach. I gave him two cups of Uncle's lemon tea to sooth him. I began to hum a song softly and increased my volume slowly. The prince moved his gaze up at me, and wondered what I was doing. I didn't stop, just kept humming.
"Sing," he said.
"Yes?" I asked, intently.
"Sing what you're humming," he repeated and laid his chin on his hands, looking into my eyes expectantly. I hesitated, lacking much confidence in my singing voice, but cleared my throat and began softly.
Meanwhile, the prince turned onto his back, seemingly more relaxed. He closed his eyes, and took a deep breath. I smiled slightly, seeing him calm, and finished the song on a soft note. I took his cloth and re-wetted it and put it back on his forehead. I grabbed a blanket for myself, just for something to hold, wrapped it around me, and returned to my spot behind my master. I peered over to Uncle, who was still deep in meditation in the same position. I closed my eyes and fell asleep sitting on the floor.
All three of us were at peace, or so I thought, until Zuko shot up out of bed with a violent jolt, waking me up. Disoriented, I rubbed my eyes, and looked around to see what was happening. He was breathing heavily and looking at his feet. I moved forward and put a hand on his back. "Zuko, are you alright?" I asked concerned.
He shook his head to snap out of it, and then held it in pain. I rubbed the wet cloth over his face and neck to cool him off. "Bad dream," he murmured. "Water?" I jumped up with the cloth, filled a glass of water for him, and rinsed the cloth. Once again, he drank the water incredibly fast, but I wouldn't refill it until he drank some tea and ate some rice first. Reluctantly, he drank his tea, and ate just a mouthful of rice before his stomach had had too much. As he ate, I rubbed the cold cloth over his face, neck and shoulders to relieve some of the heat from his body. "Your fever's going down," I told him cheerfully, touching my hand to his forehead and back.
"I don't think I can sleep anymore," he said laying down and rolling to his side. "What time is it?"
"Probably about three or so in the morning," I guessed. I yawned just at the idea of how early it was. "Can I get you anything?"
He thought for a moment, eyes slightly open. "I think I want a hot bath. Will that end my fever?" he asked.
"It would make you feel ten times better, I bet," I said optimistically. "Wait here until your bath is drawn." I stood up and readied the bath for the prince, even sprinkling a touch of chamomile dried herb leaves to steep and be inhaled by Zuko. I returned to his bedside for the past night, and helped him slowly to his feet. I held his arm securely, as we shuffled to the bathroom. He took the few steps inside the room carefully and slowly, at my discretion. I told him I'd wait outside, and I listened carefully for any signs of him falling or hurting himself without my supervision.