A/N: This takes place on Ember Island, during a "long walk on the beach." ;) It's from Ursa's point of view, but I'll wait till the concluding author's note to say anymore. I hope you like it, and please review.
-
-
Till the Tide Turns
-
We're wandering together,
Beside the lonely sea:
Leaning close, you whisper
Words meant for only me...
-
In the breeze, unbound hair tangles--
Where we walk, white foam is surging--
As sea with seashore mingles,
Black sand of footprints purging...
-
As the breakers crash, like starlight pearled,
Hope's promise I employ--
I want to believe our golden world
No shadow can destroy!
Yet around my heart, strange dread is furled
That sorrow haunts our joy--
Will uncaring tides around us swirled
Carry a lonely boy,
Adrift like a child's toy?
-
I dreamt of a battle, I dreamt of a throne--
I dreamt of a child, lost and alone--
I dreamt of a monster consuming your heart,
And of one who from all she loves must part...
My dear ones laugh--they know nothing of
The fragile walls protecting them:
Of these fears, you tell me, "Hush, my love--
Come close, and don't reflect on them."
Yet will they ever come to pass?
Will our glory fall like crumbling glass,
Like seashore castles, doomed to fall?--
They're only sand, after all...
-
We will walk till the tide turns,
Hand in hand on the foam-washed sand--
Here at sunset, our love burns,
Though the sea's cold waters should drown the land!
Ahead I feel a brooding monsoon,
But I won't waste time by dreading the moon:
The waves she pulls won't swallow us yet--
Let this moment be our eternity!
A thunderstorm may follow sunset,
But on Ember, we are free.
-
The billows echo our laughter
With music wild and sweet--
The heat of passion's fire
My heart's beguiled to meet!
-
You draw me like a candle--
For its deadly bliss I'm yearning!
If my fragile moth wings kindle,
It's with estacy I'm burning...!
-
With a gentle touch, our fingers twine--
My shoulder's curve you trace--
Then I'm swaying over salty brine,
Crushed close with savage grace:
As the years go by, will you be mine?--
Our romance shall Time erase?
Should the fire ever cease to shine,
Would you leave me the dark to face,
Exiled from your embrace?
-
I dreamt of a counsel, I dreamt of a duel--
I dreamt of your element, searing so cruel!
I dreamt of an exile with walls 'round his heart,
Whose anger and longing tear him apart...
Our son now laughs, yet tears of pain
From his gaze of innocence may spill!
You murmer, "Don't let dread remain--
He won't be harmed against my will."
As our young one builds with grave resolve,
His castles in sudden waves dissolve--
Will the dreams of childhood tumble down,
And in flames of real life, drown?
-
We will walk till the tide turns,
Hand in hand on the foam-washed sand--
Here at sunset, our love burns,
Though the sea's cold waters should drown the land!
Ahead I feel a brooding monsoon,
But I won't waste time by dreading the moon:
The waves she pulls won't swallow us yet--
Let this moment be our eternity!
A thunderstorm may follow sunset,
But on Ember, we are free.
-
Drive my foreboding sighs away,
In Agni's last, bright rays!
Kiss me in the flying spray--
Melt me in your blaze...
Sweet lord, I beg you, promise me
That you won't be leaving soon,
Though some heavy doom should come to be
Dragged shoreward by the moon!
The west enchants us, charmed and bright,
For still the sunset glows:
So take me in your arms tonight--
Forget what the future knows!
-
Perhaps our joy won't last,
Yet when summer's dream is past,
My heart will still belong to you...
We watch the night enfold
A world of molten gold,
For now our wedding song is new--
With your arms around me cast,
Your flame-lit gaze I hold...
-
We will walk till the tide turns,
Hand in hand on the foam-washed sand--
Here at sunset, our love burns,
Though the sea's cold waters should drown the land!
Ahead I feel a brooding monsoon,
But I won't waste time by dreading the moon:
The waves she pulls won't swallow us yet--
Let this moment be our eternity!
A thunderstorm may follow sunset,
But on Ember, we are free.
-
-
A/N: So, as you probably figured out, Ursa develops a bad case of "premonition-itis" in this song. ;) I love foreshadowing, though, and it's easier to do it in a song than a fanfic and not have it sound over the top. I particularly like the "I dreamt of a counsel" stanza, as it references one of my favorite parts of Zuko's backstory. (Because it's so heartwrending...and angst is what makes me a fan of someone...lol) Then it kind of gives me chills when Ozai replies to Ursa that Zuko "won't be harmed against my will," because it's very true. In the time of this song, I don't think anyone expected it to be true in the way that it was, or to that extent, but Zuko definitely wasn't harmed against Ozai's will in the Storm. (Speaking of "heartwrending"...) Yeah, I know it's strange that I like Urzai so much (and am a--i admit it--rabid fangirl of half of the ship), since Zuko's my favorite character and all. He was the reason I tried not to become a fan of his father (and I fought hard against it), but...well, let's just say it isn't only to Ursa that the "moth to a candle" metaphor applies (as in the stanza "You draw me like a candle" etc).
In case you were confused about the part in the bridge where she calls him "sweet lord," people used to sometimes use the word "lord" as a synomym for "husband," so that's what i meant. (It's all romantic, and i like that... -) In this song Ozai's currently a prince, but i figure he was Ursa's "lord" before he was anyone else's. One other thing--the "tide turns" metaphor is supposed to refer to the time they have left until Zuko Alone, and Ursa's trying to make the most of it, even tho she fears it won't last. To me this song is kind of hopeful and content yet at the same time poignant and wistful, so it gives me a mix of emotions.
I'd love to hear what you thought of it... (I know people are reading this from the "hit" count in my stats--my "hit list" haha--and i'm glad they are, but readers are certainly welcome to review as well... Not required, but encouraged. ;) )