Ursa carried a small basket filled with breads, cheeses, meats, and even a couple of small pasteries in one hand, and a torch in the other, as she slid down the bank beside the bridge. Twice she nearly lost her footing on the slippery edge of the stream before coming to the dug out cavern that was her aim. As she had the previous night, she dropped her torch among the fire wood and let the light cast its shadows before finding Marah's still form.
"Marah?" She asked softly. "Are you awake?"
A noise of affirmation came from one of the darker shadows and Ursa smiled.
"Will you come out now?" She asked.
There was no answer.
"I've brought a basket of food." Ursa coaxed.
Marah's head came up and she eyed the basket warily.
"See?" Ursa knelt beside the fire and began pulling food out of the basket.
Hesitantly, Marah drew nearer, not coming out of the shadows, but moving enough for Ursa to tell that she was much too thin. Her hand closed around a hunk of cheese before disappearing back into the shadows.
Ursa smiled at her small victory.
X x X
Over the course of the next month, Ursa learned more and more about Marah. She brought her food every night. Sometimes they talked, other times they did not. Gradually, Marah grew healthier, to the point that Ursa stopped worrying that she was dead. She began to bring Marah books, after learning that she was a quick study, and they were usually returned the next night, no matter how long. Some nights they would amuse each other playing word games, and games with bits of wood and metal.
Ursa found herself liking the girl more and more, and even began thinking of her as a sort of surgurate daughter. Azula had certainly never been this receptive. But still, Marah refused to come completely out of the shadows.
X x X
"Come now, Marah, why won't you come out of there?" Ursa sighed.
There was no answer, as there always was when she asked the question.
"Please, child, come near the fire." She coaxed, attempting a new approach.
To her surprise, Marah laughed. "Child? Am I truelly that small, mistress?" She asked. "I'm sorry, mistress, it isn't funny. But I am twenty-six years old. I am not a child."
"Oh. I didn't-"
"Don't worry, mistress. You couldn't have known."
"You could tell me?" Ursa suggested.
"No." Marah said softly. "I couldn't."
The next day she joined Ursa by the fire. The week after she allowed Ursa to brush her hair and replace her clothes. Over time, Ursa learned that Marah's father, husband, and only son had been killed it the war. It did nothing to curb her disapproval of the war in general.
X x X
When she thought that Marah was well versed enough, and dressed presentably, she offered her a position in her service.
"Me, mistress? Serving you?" Marah asked.
"Yes." Ursa said.
"Your hospitality is astounding, mistress."
Ozai never said a word to her about the addition to the servants, and Ursa never brought it up. Marah never went near the children, and though Ursa could understand why, she was always saddened by it.