Yes I'm re-editing and I have changed a few things in this chapter! Please if you've noticed these changes tell me for better or worse! And like I promised three chapters per night at least! REVIEW or else!

12th of June

Fire Lord Taishi 25

Year of the Sun

Six hours before noon

Needless to say I am very tired.

We awoke this morning before sunrise. Chen seemed to think that it would be a good Idea if we made it to the palace in time for breakfast. Honestly I think men care only for their stomachs!

I was sleeping and was not happy when Lee awoke me...definately not happy because I was not looking my best. In fact I probably resembled a panda with bags under my eyes and hair sticking out like a demented birds nest.

Nevertheless that didn't seem to dampen his spirits in the slightest. He was happy and laughing.

People have no right to be happy or jolly first thing in the morning. Such people she be executed immediantly. All I could hear was his voice in my ear whittering on about how funny I looked.

I have talked to Lee over the past few days. He's funny with a sense of humour but he's always happy and optomistic.

I know thats a general trait shared by all air nomads but it's irritating after a while. Still his hair is quite wavy and floats strangely in the wind...and his eyes are very grey...I can't help but stare in fascination for I've never seen an Air Nomad before...

It is silly behaviour though.

Well I've learned that Lee plans on becoming a doctor like his older brother. A worthy aim. I have a great respect for healers and medical people because Agni knows where we'd be without him. I also learned he has a little sister named Haku who is staying in the Capital city.

Anyway I'm trying to steal a few moments of peace. Kairi is getting all flustered about the auidence with Fire Lord Taishi and is trying to find her best kimono. Chen is off with Shinji trying to tame my dear little brothers hair - good luck to him.

I'm too tired to be nervous...I'm just grouchy. Nerves can wait until I'm awake.

Three hours before noon

I love entering the Capital City.

The sun always rises behind the temple so the whole city glows. The palace looms in the distance with it's walls of gold and scarlet blazing in the sunlight. The streets are full of people from all over the world. Flags hang proudly from peoples houses displaying their nationality proudly. People stare at our carriage as we pass knowing we're noblity.

I am begining to feel a slight twinge of anxiety.

I've been before the Fire Lords throne many times but the experience is still quite intimidating and of course I'm anxious to make a good impression on behalf of my family. My stomach is also jittering over the matter of Sozin.

I wish to the spirits he is not there.

The overwhelming smell of incense was burning the Fire Ladies nose and threatening to make her errupt into a coughing fit.

Twenty-five years. I should be used to it now...

Lien smiled slightly. Some things she could never get used to...she still had to fight of the desire to be mesmorised by the flames swirling in front of her and burning all around her making the air thick and hot. Eyeing the guard in front of her Lien cleared her throat before speaking.

"Yes Ryu?"

The man had a drip of perspiration slipping down his forehead and he spoke nervously.

"Fire Lady our guests have entered the confinds of the palace...they shall be here soon..."

Lien smiled largened and she felt her heart flutter as a warmth crawled through her.

Ah...Mari, I finally get to see your children once again...

She felt a bubble of nosgelia well up within her and a lump rose in her throat at the thought of her old friend. She'd been devestated when Mari had falled ill and was severly disappointed in Lin's envolvement with his children but she had to remain poised and in control...she was Fire Lady and she had to be careful when saying opinions.

Still she cared deeply for her friends children. She would do all in her power to support them in whichever future path they decided to walk. They would always have the blessings of the Fire Nation behind them.

"Thank you Ryu. Kindly go and fetch Fire Lord Taishi for I feel his presense is required to welcome our guests," Ordered Lien watching as the man bowed and marched from the room.

I'll have to fetch Yin Wei after the audience...I'm sure her and Maeko will enjoy each others company...it's a pity she's always been at the Academy...and as for Sozin...

Just thinking of her son made her head hurt. Of course losing Roku had been very hard on Sozin. The boy continued onwards and only spoke happily of Roku but she could see he was hurting and the boy wouldn't even admit it to himself! Instead he became absorbed in his studies and his fire-bending...of course it would make any mother proud the amount of effort Sozin was putting in but she wouldn't mind if the Prince had a little frivolity too. He was after all twenty.

I hope he behaves himself when he's escorting Princess Mei Xing...if he keep brooding or acting so immaturely then he's going to shame us! In front of the Water Tribe embassy of all people!

She frowned wishing wholey that Roku had not been chosen as Avatar. Of course she was happy for the child...he had a great honour and gift bestowed upon him and she was sure he would make the Fire Nation proud...but couldn't the Avatar have been somebody for whom the Royal Family had not made such strong emotional ties with?

In the name of Agni! The Monks should at least let him write! He's not zombie he's a boy! Never have I heard such stupidity..."breaking earthly bonds!" Pah...he's just a child! And his Earth Master is much the same...

"My Lady wife."

Lien shuddered and jumped slightly at the arrival of her husband. Fire Lord Taishi was tall and muscular with deep golden eyes and a tanned complexion. In his youth he had been handsome but now deep lines were starting to form around his eyes. Of course Lien could see the obvious resemblement between him and Sozin...both were as proud and pig headed as each other.

Spirits sake if men didn't have women then the world would go to pot!

"My Lord Husband, where is Lin?" Asked Lien raising an eyebrown as the Fire Lord sat on the cushion next to hers. Taishi sighed tiredly.

"Not more of this Lien?" Said Taishi impaiently.

"Yes more of this. There his children and he should be here!" Protested Lien firmly staring her husband firmly in the eye. Taishi shook his head at her steely gaze.

"Would it help if I fetched him dear?" Asked Taishi.

"No...it's not the same," Sighed Lien gazing longingly at the door.

"Then the subject is closed," Said Taishi firmly as the huge ornate golden doors were swung open. Lien instantly straightened up and raised her head proudly as the four figures marched in. She eyed them excitedly one by one scanning their faces for any sign of change.

The light of the fire illuminated their faces brightly and shone in their eyes. She couldn't help but marvel at how much they had grown. Chen looked like a man in his armour...she could scarely believe that in the years to come he would marry and have a family...it seemed just like yesterday he was trying to catch butterflies...

Her eyes rounded to Kairi.

The girl was beautiful...she had her fathers face and eyes but there was something of her mother in her...her stubborn gaze. She knealt gracefully and poised. Lien smiled... she was a real Lady but she couldn't help but feel the girl could do better for herself than Jin Li. The Queens eyes went to Shinji next and she struggled to suppress a laugh.

He's grown...

The boy looked nervous in the shadow of his siblings. His messy hair was in a topknot of sorts but his armour looked strange on him...it didn't suit him. He looked to young for it...yet there was definately something loveable about the childs desire to please. Lien couldn't help but feel more resentment for Lin - Shinji needed a father figure...

Finally her eyes sparkled on to Maeko and she felt tears glisten.

You look...so...much...like your mother...

The girl looked oddly quiet and lonely. Her wavy black hair was up in a semi topknot and her eyes were outlined in kohl. Her blood red kimono made her look ghost like with her deathly pale skin. Her eyes...they looked deep...and Lien could see blue icy flames reflected in them. Lien smiled softly...she'd always harboured a special fondness for Maeko and Shinji...while she looked at Chen and Kairi as equals she couldn't help but see the youngest members of the Azu family as lost little children.

Mari...you would be proud my friend...rest in peace...

"Welcome to our home Lord Chen, Lady Kairi, Lady Maeko and Lord Shinji. We are grateful for your presence," Said Taishi, his echo booming throughout the room.

"Thank you for your hospitality my Lord," Said Chen courtiously. Lien smiled and tried to break the awkwardness of the whole affair.

"Breakfast will be served in one hour. Until then I would be delighted to show you to your rooms," Said Lien anxious to show them her surprise. She stood up and Taishi parted the flames allowing his wife to go foward unharmed.

"Come with me," Said Lien embracing them warmly and leading them out of the throne room into the fresh air of the waiting hall where a giant potrait of the Royal family loomed. Lien remembered that day...trying to get Sozin to sit still had been a nightmare...he'd only been twelve.

We need a more up to date one...Yin is still clutching that doll...

Out of the corner of her eyes she watched as the Azu clan stared at the portrait with brief interest until Lien showed them through a corridor.

"Are you in all in good health?" Asked the Fire Lady as she marched up a flight of stairs.

"Yes Lien," Said Kairi smiling nervously. Lien nodded in approval...they could use her name in private as freely as they wished.

"Maeko I read your report from the Royal Academy. I pleased to see your shaping up to be an intelligent young lady," Said Lien inclining her head to Maeko. A faint blush shrouded the pale cheeks and Maeko smiled gratefully.

"Thank you."

"And Chan...you looked tanned...I heard you were near Tyre. How was it?" Asked Lien briskly.

"As you've probably guess extremely hot but I enjoyed myself. They have beautiful scenery up there and lot of history...carvings dating back to the Sun Warrior era," Said Chen keenly.

"Really? You'll have to get us some...we don't have anything that old in our library and if we're trying to compete with Ba Sing Sei we'll need all the help we can get," Said Lien with intrest. Finally she stopped outside a corridor. The doors were spaced far apart but each were ornate and set with gold. The guards saluted to her as she pased.

"Chen the room to your left is yours and Shinji yours is right next door," Said Lien directing them to the guest rooms reserved for foreign royalty. Chen and Shinji bowed before going into their respective rooms. Lien lead Kairi and Maeko further up the corridor.

"Your rooms overlook the gardens. I thought the scenery would be nice for you. Maeko yours overlooks the turtle duck ponds," Said Lien remembering the girls fondness for turtle-ducks.

"Thank you," Said Maeko.

"Kairi that is your room there. Theres already been a bath run for you and a clean set of kimonos left out," Smiled Lien as Kairi bowed in respect her face lighting up as she ran off into her room. Finally Lien and Maeko were left alone.

"Maeko I have something to show you later. Tomorrow Yin Wei arrives from the Royal Fire Academy, Sozin will not arrive for six days yet so I've arranged for someone to keep you comapany," Said Lien her heart bursting with excitement as she opened the door.

Inside the room was beautifully furnished with scarlett silk and rich golden embroidery. However Maeko had eyes only for the girl standing in the centre of the room. A tall stout young woman with long rich curly black hair and a spat of freckles on her face. The womans face split into a smile and she rolled her golden eyes.

"You look like a koi fish when you do that."

"Mielia?"