Sam
We were on our way to the prison when Zuko spoke.
"Do you want to try?" I looked over my shoulder at him.
"Try what?"
"Steering him. It's easy. If you want him to go left do this and if you want him to go right, you do this." he said as he showed me the movement. "Here, take the reins." He said handing them to me. I wasn't so sure about this but I took the reins anyway.
I followed his instruction and, just like he said, it was easy. He put his arms around my waist and rested his chin on my shoulder. I looked back at him and he looked so proud. He was such a dork. And I loved him for it.
"Ok, we are here. Pull on the reins to stop him." I did as he said and the beast stopped. Zuko jumped off the rhino and then he held his hands up to help me down. I was still sore but was at least able to ride the rhino like normal. It wasn't unbearable. I grabbed ahold of Zuko's shoulders and he helped me slide down. I landed in front of him and he looked down at me, "you're a natural."
"Ah. Right. I'll still stick to riding with you." I said. Not only did I feel safer but I liked the closeness I felt to him and, based on his reaction to my statement, he did too. He took my hand and we walked into the prison. He went to the guard and told him he was going to see Hirshu.
We stopped outside the room and Zuko turned back to the guard. "Bring a chair for Sam to sit on. She is going to wait out here. No, that's final." Zuko said when he saw I was going to protest. I didn't argue and sat down outside. I could still hear. That was the main thing. Zuko stepped inside.
"Hello, Hirshu." Zuko said, not conversationally at all.
"Well, look who has decided to grace me with his presence. The Fire Lord himself." Hirshu said, just as 'conversationally' as Zuko.
"So you know why I'm here." Zuko said.
"You want to know why we 'played' your bitch." I blanched at the phrase. The nerve. I thought. I couldn't help myself. I quietly slid my hair to the door and peeked through the keyhole. He couldn't see me, but I could see him. I couldn't see Zuko's face because his back was to me. I saw his shoulders move to cross his arms over his chest.
"That would be nice." Zuko said, his voice smooth. I remembered when Ozai spoke to me in that same buttery voice. I shivered at the thought. It was the only thing I ever saw in Zuko that was like Ozai, save for his eye color.
"Because she is an outsider scum and she is not worthy of holding the title of Fire Lady. And you are a no good liar who defames the name of his father! Why would I respect you or that whore?"
"Where did you get the funding?"
"Well, wouldn't you like to know. Why would I tell you?" Hirshu asked.
"Because if you cooperate then maybe I'll be lenient on you." he said.
"What? You won't execute me but you'll just give me life in this hole? No thank you, Fire Lord Traitor."
I could just feel Zuko's eyes roll poor attempt at an insult.
"Well, that was original." Zuko said blandly. "And no, I was thinking that if you cooperate maybe I'll consider moving you to a lower security. You'd have more freedom and even rec time." I didn't like the sound of that. I didn't want him anywhere, where he might get out. "In fact, if you tell me now, I'll have you moved to the lower security section immediately. Unless, you need time to pack." I covered my mouth to stifle a giggle.
"Very funny. You can do better than that. Come on. Sweeten the pot."
"Fine, I'll make sure you are released in a year's time." Hirshu's mouth curled up into a hideous smile.
"Now, was that so hard?"
Zuko's stance shifted to one leg. I knew that stance. He was getting impatient. "Now, who funded your little mission?"
"You really have to ask me? You should know that already. Come on. Think real hard."
"I'm not playing games. Tell me now or I walk out that door and you can rot."
"Fine. Fine. Who would want that slut of yours dead?"
Zuko's hands shot out fire daggers in dragon fire. Hirshu's eyes shot down to Zuko's hands and went wide as saucers. Even if he had never seen it, Zuko's dragon fire was legendary. And feared apparently. Zuko stepped forward to the cell and held his hand up. Hirshu backed away til his back was against the wall.
"Don't think my dragon fire can't reach you back there, Hirshu. I will give you three seconds to start talking or I start burning." Hirshu's hands went up in surrender.
"Alright, alright Fire Lord! I'll tell you, please put it out!" Zuko did as requested.
"Tell. Me. Now." Zuko said. Although he didn't raise his voice, the hint of threat was still there.
"Earth Queen Kia. She is the one who funded it." Zuko stumbled backwards in surprised and sat down on a chair while I gasped and quickly covered my mouth. But it was too late. Hirshu heard me. Dammit, I'm an idiot.
"Yes, 'Fire Lady Sam'," Hirshu looked at me through the door, "Your old friend, the Earth Queen. She hates you. And hates Zuko for deceiving her. She wanted you dealt with."
"Do you think we are that stupid?" Zuko said. "No way the Earth Queen would ever do something that stupid."
"Don't underestimate her hatred for you and and your slut."
"That is Fire Lady Samyah, to you, Filth!" Zuko shouted at Hirshu, standing up and stepping forward for emphasis.
"I can prove it." Zuko crossed his arms again. "There is a document in my home. I can tell you where to get it and it will prove it was her." Zuko stood, deliberating. He walked over to the door and I quickly moved out of the way. He came out into the hallway and closed the door. Zuko looked down at me and addressed the guard, who bowed.
"Yes, your majesty?"
"I want you to go to Hirshu's residence and fetch the document to which he is referring." Zuko told him where to find it. "Sam and I will wait here until you return."
"Yes, right away, Fire Lord." and he scurried off.
"Do you believe him?" I asked Zuko.
"I'm not sure. He would say anything to save his own skin. But if we have proof, then we can finally do something about her."
Zuko and I waited and the guard finally returned, carrying a scroll. He handed it to Zuko. Zuko's eyes scanned the document and his face became angrier and angrier. He turned on his heel and went back into the room.
"We retrieved the document and, like you said, it is signed by her and has her seal on it too. Thank you for the information. Good evening."
"Hey! Wait! What about our deal?"
"What deal?" Zuko asked, perplexed.
"You told me that you would move me to a lower security prison and be released in a year!"
"Did I? I don't remember saying that."
"You did! It's what you said to get me to talk! Now hold up your end of the bargain!"
"My end of the bargain? But I'm a no good liar who defames the name of his father. I guess you shouldn't make deals with liars." Zuko smirked. He turned his back and walked to the door, "I'll see you at sentencing, Hirshu." Zuko said and walked out leaving Hirshu screaming and cursing as Zuko and I left the building. On our way out Zuko stopped at the guard, "keep a guard on him at all times until I tell you otherwise. No one in or out without my expressed consent. Got it?" The guard nodded and bowed to Zuko.
We arrived back at the palace and we worked our way back inside. Zuko told me to go ahead and head for the bedroom. He was going to put the scroll where no one would find it. I did as he said and a few minutes later, Zuko entered the bedroom.
"Is it safe?"
"Yes. Perfectly." Zuko smiled. I wondered where he put it, but I didn't ask. "I'll be sending hawks to the council of nations tomorrow summoning them here as soon as possible. This needs to be dealt with. And now that she sent people to kill you, we now have a way of getting her off the throne!" Zuko was excited. He'd been wanting this since he took me out of the prison 8 months ago. "If all goes smoothly, she will be dethroned within a month."
A month? She could be removed from power within a month? The Earth Kingdom could be free from her in a month. This was great news! It almost made what I went through worth it. Almost.
The next day Zuko and I got up early and we both decided to forego training. This was too important. He sent messenger hawks to everyone in the Council of Nations. That turned out to be Chief Hakoda and Sokka, Aang and Katara (although we figured she wouldn't come because of the children), Toph who was in charge of security at Republic City and would serve as ambassador of the Earth Kingdom, and Xinche, the president of Republic City. Zuko had already sent a hawk to Iroh who would be here in a few days to have our funeral for Ozai. Zuko said everyone else would probably get here within two to three weeks.
Iroh arrived at the palace a few days later, just as Zuko had predicted. Turned out Zuko had mentioned to Iroh about what happened to me, though to what extent, I did not know.
"Sam, I'm so sorry about what happened and what my brother has done to you. I'm glad to see that you are now in good health." Iroh said bowing to me.
"Iroh, please, don't bow to me. You are my family. And thank you for your well wishes. I am doing better than I had been although Zuko won't let me bathe alone yet." I shot a look over to Zuko.
"Uncle!" Zuko said, excited to see him. I knew how much he missed his uncle. Zuko always wished Iroh would move back to the Fire Nation, although he would never ask him to. He knew how much he loved his tea shop and a simple, quiet life.
"My nephew! It's good to see you!" Iroh hugged Zuko lovingly. Zuko hugged him back with tears in his eyes. "I'm sorry about what happened to your father. Your relationship with him was tumultuous but I know you loved him."
"I'm sorry for you too, Uncle. He was a difficult man, but I know you also loved him." Zuko said. I noticed that neither of them expressed Ozai's love for them. The man had no room in his heart except for hatred.
"How did Azula take it?" Iroh asked.
"Not well, but she is coping." Zuko said and looked at me.
"I've actually been working with her since she was arrested. She has made great strides but, it's true. Losing Ozai is something that Azula may never fully get over."
"She was so focused on earning his attention that she lost sight of who she is. It will take much time for her to find herself again." Iroh said.
After lunch, we decided to have our funeral in the Turtleduck Garden. Azula was brought from prison, in her chi-blocking cuffs. I looked at my husband, "Zuko, the cuffs should come off for this. She isn't going to try anything. She needs to properly mourn." Zuko didn't argue with me this time but nodded to the guard to remove her cuffs. This time, the guard was asked to wait inside. We needed privacy.
She walked up to us and she saw her uncle for the first time since she was in prison. Despite herself, she started to sniffle. Over Ozai or seeing Iroh I wasn't sure. She walked over to him and hugged him. Iroh's face was surprised, but accepting. He hugged her back and put his hand on the back of her head for comfort.
She walked over to me and Zuko. She had tears in her eyes but wasn't actively crying. She wrapped he arms around Zuko's waist and hugged herself to his chest. He hugged her back tightly, holding her close. They stayed like that for a while, just holding each other. I thought it was sweet and I could tell they were both enjoying each other's embrace. I stole a glance at Iroh and he was watching the scene unfold, wide-eyed.
"Come a long way, hasn't she?" I whispered to Iroh.
"That is an understatement." Iroh said in awe, "you do good work, Sam." I blushed at the compliment.
"Azula is the one doing all the work. I am just guiding her."
Azula pulled back from Zuko. She looked over and came to me too, giving me a hug as well, although not as heartfelt as Zuko's. I didn't mind.
"I know this was your idea outsi-Sam." She corrected. "Thank you for doing this for my father. I know he didn't deserve it."
I looked at her sheepishly but nodded. The truth was, I didn't suggest it for Ozai. I suggested it for them.
We all surrounded the small pyre. Ozai had already been cremated as he had died a couple of weeks ago but we put his clothes and a lock of his hair in the pyre so we had something to burn for the funeral. I nudged Zuko and gave him the "say something" look. He cleared his throat and spoke.
"Thank you everyone for being here to…honor Lord Ozai. He was Fire Lord for this great nation briefly but gave Azula and myself life and, for that, I will always love him." He kept it brief. I didn't think he would recite sonnets or anything. What he said was enough. He looked to Azula who recoiled, not expecting to say anything.
"Yes, Ozai gave life to my brother and I. For that I am grateful." I didn't expect her to say much either. Finally, it was Iroh that spoke.
"Ozai, my brother, may your spirit soar and your new life be happier than this one. He was the father of Zuko and Azula. Son of Azulon, now past. Son of Iyla, now past. I will miss you, little brother." Iroh's eyes spilled tears. He loved Ozai. Despite everything he had done to him, Iroh loved him. I could tell he regretted the relationship they had and wished it was different.
Finally, Iroh shot a small fireball onto the pyre. Then Zuko shot a fireball. And finally, Azula fired a small fireball. I wondered if it felt like stretching her muscles for her - it had been so long since she could. We all stood, silently. I looked up at Zuko and saw he was crying. I wrapped my arms around his waist, hugging myself to him and laid my head on his chest. He wrapped his arm around my shoulders and hugged me to himself. I felt his lips kiss my hair. I turned my head and kissed his chest and rubbed his back with my hand trying to comfort him. We all stood there until the fire was out. Once it was, we walked back inside. Azula held her hands out to the guard to be recuffed but Zuko held up his hand.
"Azula will be joining us for dinner. Please come with us and stand guard." Just like last time. Azula looked at Zuko and gave him a small, sad smile. The guard bowed to Zuko and obeyed his order.
We all sat down and ate. Zuko, Azula and Iroh shared memories of Ozai. It was difficult to share good memories but there were some. I sat quietly, letting them bond. Once we were finished, Azula was cuffed again and returned to her cell. She stopped and turned back to us.
"Thank you, Zuzu, for letting me be part of this. I…I love you." she muttered that last part quietly. I wasn't sure if Zuko heard it, but I did. She looked at me and I smiled and I winked at her in approval. She turned around and walked out.
