13th of June

Firelord Taishi (25)

Year of the Sun

Noon

I hardly dared to believe my eyes when I saw Mielia in my room last night.

Of course it wasn't very surprising and the fancy had crossed my mind but to see her there larger than life was amazing. I felt so happy just to see her and be in her company. The whole affair of the wedding was not a happy occasion. I was a maid of honour but I felt like I was leading my friend to the slaughter house instead of the supposed love of her life.

She has grown slightly but she's still got that stubborn sparkle in her eyes that refuses to die out. I'm glad to see she still posesses that quality. We stayed up talking for most of last night. Even Kairi came through and it was the three of us squeased into my double bed.

Mielia spoke briefly of her life with the Bei Fongs. She feels nothing but resentment for the whole family and says their emblem doesn't so them justice. She hates her husband and feels like she has been placed in a cadge.

She didn't elaborate too much but that was the general meaning. I feel sympathy for her . I even suggested that she runaway and live with us...a fantasy I suppose...Mielia quickly snapped me back to reality telling me it would cause a conflict between Fire Nation and Earth Kingdom.

I wish I could though. I feel nothing but guilt...I should have done something! Instead of being so weak I should have fought back and made damn sure Cho realised her situation. I could have manipulated her and black mailed her.

Instead I did nothing but freeze in shock.

A mistake I will never make again.

Apparently the Earth Kingdom Princess is arriving today with her escort. Mayleen is the second daughter of the Earth King and I understand the Earth Kingdom has strong hopes of a union between her and Sozin.

Good.

"Lady Maeko."

A snap echoed through the gardens as Maeko shuffled her diary into her hands before addressing the attendant.

"Yes?" She said with a slight edge of impaitence in her unemotional voice.

"Fire Lady Lien would like to see you at the turtle duck ponds," Said the guard bowing. Rolling her eyes the Advisors daughter gracefully scrambled to her feet and sighed. A small feeling of curiosity mingled in her mind as she remembered the Queens words from the last day. Willingly she allowed the guard to escort her to the nearby gardens.

Lying under the willow tree, whose long limp branches dangled millimetres from the smooth surface of the pond, was the Fire Queen herself chucking small bits of bread at the turtle duck family. The Fire Lady sighed contently, her long raven locks were tinged with bits of fading sliver at the roots and a few lines had spread there way around the pale face but it was obvious the Queen posessed a beauty similar to Kairi's.

Upon seeing Maeko the Queen smiled and bid the attendant over to her. Murmuring a few incoherrant words the attendant bowed respectfully before leaving. Maeko took a few steps forward towards the Queen.

I wonder she is? She has a youthful complexion...she must be at least forty five though...

"Ah Maeko," Said the Queen fondly before gesturing to the grass next to her," Sit down child."

Maeko obeyed and knealt on the dry crisp grass. The ducks quaked nervously at the new arrival and hesistated. Silently the Queen handed Maeko a lump of bread and after tearing it into a few crumbs Maeko chucked it at the surface watching as all shyness of the hungry animals vanished as they dived down after their precious food.

"Maeko," Said the Queen quietly after a few moments of silence, " What is that book in your hands?"

"My diary," Said Maeko calmly, her face betrayed no emotion but she tucked her diary up her sleeve to remove it from view. The Queens face cracked into a bright smile and she chuckled lightly.

"Your so much like your mother!" She laughed, Maeko could find to reply but felt slightly awkward and smiled gently.

The Queen produced a small black book from her kimono sleeve. Maeko stared at it with interest and her eyes widened as she scanned the title.

Diary of Mari Azu nee Li Faa.

Maeko shuddered. Obviously there was more to inheritance than eye colour.

"It was your mothers diary. She left it my care a few months before her...her...death," Said Lien somberly clutching the thing like it was made of diamonds, "By right it should have been passed to the eldest daughter but since Kairi has so many clear memories of her mother and you so little...I think you should have it."

Maeko stared as the small book was shoved in her hands. Her fingers traced the words on the front hyponitically but her voice came out in the same smooth voice as before.

"Thank you, your highness."

The Queen smiled warmly and her eyes gazed across the clear surface of the pond towards the grass area ahead. After a few moments she spoke in a happier tone.

"Princess Mayleen is arriving today...will you and Mielia greet her? Speaking of which where is Lady Bei Fong?"

Maeko's eyes flashed at the title but she sighed.

"She's still asleep."

"At such an hour? Have no servants awoken her yet?" Gasped the Queen.

"They tried but she said if they didn't stop she'd kick them through the window," Said Maeko calmly smirking inwardly at the look of shock on the Fire Ladies face.

"What a...a...high spirited child," Murmured the Queen. Just at that moment two burly guards approached the Queen and bowed.

"Your Highness, your daughter Princess Yin Wei," they said clearing aside allowing a young girl to appear into view.

Maeko was instantly put in mind of a china doll.

The girl was so tiny that she came only a few inches above Maeko's elbows. She was extremely delicate and fragile looking with creamy porcelain skin a shade to rival Maeko's own. Long black curls spiralled to the childs waist and a small golden crown glittered on her forehead. Perfect rosy red lips smiled gently and her yellow eyes widened. She looked perfect with her scarlett uniform but there was a certain glassy quality to that stare and like a china doll she didn't quite seem real.

The Queen embraced her daughter warmly and kissed her on the forehead. The Princess smiled but froze slightly when her eyes met Maekos. It had been three years since they had last saw one another...Yin Wei had always been away or with tutors at previous visits.

"Hello Princess," Said Maeko trying to add a friendly edge to her cool voice. The Princess bowed.

"Lady Maeko," She chimed shyly. The Queen smiled at the two introductions.

"Yin Wei dear are you alright? Have you seen your father yet?"

The Princess gazed dreamily at Maeko before answering.

"Yes. The journey was quite boring though. Where is Sozin?" She asked looking around for her older brother.

"He's greeting the Water Tribe embassies...dear. Luncheon will be served in an hour and I must attend to matters with the Earth Kingdom Princess...why don't you play with Maeko for a little while?"

Maeko winced inwardly guessing the logic behind the Queens thinking. Yin Wei stared in her own little world of bliss. Her voice sounded dreamy and slightly light.

"Your a cold firebender aren't you?" Inquired the Princess.

"Yes..." Said Maeko trying to remember if she'd ever told the girl that fact before.

"I can see it in your eyes..."

The Fire Lady stood up and smiled unevenly.

"Very well...I shall leave you to it." Said the Queen.

What am I going to do with this child?!

Ten hours afternoon...

I spent much of the afternoon babysitting Princess Yin Wei.

The Princess is slightly disconcerning. Her eyes gaze through you rather than at you and it seems like she's on another planet. I managed to amuse her by putting on a small firebending display...she seemed entertained enough but then she dragged me inside to the Palace chambers until we reached a small airy room full of painting easels.

It seems the Princess is an artist.

Admittedly for an eleven year old I was impressed. She stared at the paper in trance as she whirled her paints across it. An hour later I studied her work. She drew me in mid leap with blue flames crackling at my hands. It was good...

Mielia finally re-emerged from her slumber and stumbled into the middle of our game at two-ish. She yawned sluggishly and then joined in as we played hide and seek around the Princesses chambers.

Mielia is surprisingly good with children. I though she'd be impaitent and sarcastic with them but she was the complete opposite with Yin Wei. It was amusing watching the two interact.

Anyway Mayleen entered the palace an hour ago to attend a longer audience with the Fire Lord. I suppose I shall meet her tomorrow. My mind is wandering to my mothers diary so I shall go now.