Chapter Five

Iroh watched curiously as his nephew walked back into the palace, an out of place spring in his step. Iroh had just been out for a stroll around the grounds, when he spotted Zuko standing alone by the steps. He scratched his beard. What has gotten into that boy? He's never been like this before…

The Firelord entered the palace, following the prince back to his chamber. He entered Zuko's quarters, seeing the prince lying on his bed, staring up at the ceiling. Prince Zuko did this often, but definitely not with the dreamy, starry-eyed expression he wore today while he partook in one of his favorite past-times.

"Are you all right, Prince Zuko?" Iroh asked, peered at his beloved nephew.

Zuko's head sprung up from the pillow, just noticing Iroh's presence, "I'm fine, uncle. Why would you ask?"

Iroh creased his unruly eyebrows, "It's just that… you've been acting quite different ever since we got here. I couldn't help but wonder what had gotten into you."

Zuko looked back up at the ceiling, a minute smile graced his lips, barely noticeable. But smiles on Zuko came few and far between. Iroh easily picked up the small facial gesture that showed on his nephew. "It must be the sun. It stays around for so long… maybe that's it." Zuko said simply, his gaze never breaking from the ice blocks that paved the upper limit of his bedroom.

Iroh, unconvinced, nodded. "I see… well… I shall see you at dinner, Prince Zuko." The short man ducked out of Zuko's room, puzzled and itching to know the real reason behind the prince's newly found happiness. Not the Iroh missed the sharp sting that clung to Zuko's normal voice, or his nephew's inability to show interest in most things, but such a dramatic change of ways could make a man wonder…

Somma and Yue were in the princess's sleeping chamber, just before bed, gossiping about their other friends and peers, when Somma brought up a subject that made Yue jump.

"So, that Fire Prince has a thing for you, right?" The inquisitive hand-maiden asked, looking up at Yue.

Yue blushed, "No…" She said, trailing off. "What makes you think such a thing?"

Somma rolled her eyes, "I saw you two together at the celebration. He couldn't keep his eyes off of you!"

Yue just smiled, fiddling with the sleeve on her robes. "I…"

"You like him too, don't you, Yue?" Somma asked, her question tinged with knowingness and disapproval.

"No!" Yue said, looking away, her blush deepening, "I… Somma…"

"Yue!" Somma hissed, glancing around the room, "You are engaged to one of the most enviable men in the kingdom! I would kill to have Hahn's hand!"

Yue stood up haughtily, "Then… just take him! I don't want him!"

Somma looked up at Yue in shock, "This is why you haven't been wearing your necklace…"

"Yes!" Yue cried, feeling hot tears prickling her eyes, ready to escape, "He's vile and arrogant and I would rather die than to be called his wife!" She felt the first few tears fall onto her face, and she felt her pride crumble. The princess simply turned and exited her room, fleeing to get outdoors, anywhere but within the restrictive walls of her home. She felt suffocated.

She found herself in the courtyard, where she and Zuko first spoke. She sat on the rim of a fountain, dropped her head into her lap, and began to sob. She hated Hahn for giving her the necklace, she hated her father for given Hahn his blessing, and she hated herself for being so weak.

Broken, desperate cries painfully wracked her throat, coming out in terrible, dying whimpers. Her hot breath turned to vapor, and she could feel the fierce cold taking hold of her body. I want to be with Zuko, she thought miserably, staring up at the moon, which was half full. It seemed so far away, it's beauty a daunting reminder to Yue the duty she held to her people.

Yue's people would benefit from her marrying Hahn. A royal heir of high status and ability would be bred between the two, no doubt. It made the entire situation seem more pressuring on Yue. It was a heart-over-mind choice. A choice she did not want to make. The vortex of fear, sadness, and anger swirled in her stomach, resorting her to tears once again.

Zuko, lying in bed, about to fall asleep, heard such a heartbreaking noise as his eyes finally began to close. He bolted upright, the noise was barely audible, but seemed close. He stood up, pacing his room, concentrating on the heartrending sound. For a few moments it was deadly silent, until another shuddering whisper of a cry came into earshot.

It's Yue…

Zuko did not hesitate to run for the girl, knowing that she must have been somewhere close to his room. He walked to corridor by his room, following his senses to where the sound would start up.

He found her in a crumpled heap by the fountain outside, gently weeping into her gloved palms. He didn't know how to approach her.

He crunched across the newly fallen layer of snow over to her. She had never looked so small to him before. He crouched down in front of her. Her blue eyes rose, rimmed with red and dripping with tears, to meet his. She opened her mouth, as if to speak, but words would not come. She just sat and stared, her mouth agape, barely breathing. He placed his fingertips under her trembling chin and raised her face to meet his.

"Yue…" He breathed, looking at her deeply, as if a dialogue was passing between their irises.

She wrapped her hands around his wrist, basking in the warmth that he gave off, "Hi…" She uttered, meekly.

He sucked in his breath. She sounded so pathetic and vunerable, like a badly wounded animal. "Are you… okay?"

She wordlessly shook her head, biting her lip and letting the tears freely seep from the corners of her half-lidded eyes. The princess exhaled shakily, fighting back another bout of sobbing.

"What's wrong?" He asked softly, leaning closer to her.

Yue shook her head again, afraid to speak. Her voice would not form in her throat.

"Tell me," He requested, trying to find her gaze.

The princess opened her mouth, her voice coming in choppy, tired bits, "I… I just have a problem."

The scarred prince stared at her with curiosity, "What is it?"

"I d-don't want to tell you, Zuko…"

"Tell me, Yue." Zuko demanded, clutching her hands with his.

She let out a small whimper, "…I am engaged to a monster."

The boy felt his jaw drop, not knowing what on Earth to say. Jealousy, rage, anger were the only feelings in his body that he could identify.

"A-and that's not the worst part," Yue continued, looking downwards, "My heart belongs to someone else."

The mismatched pair sat in an ungodly quiet, averting eyes, before Zuko asked in halted speech, "Who?"

Yue looked up at him, question flashing in her shining eyes, "What do you mean?"

"Who are you in love with?" Zuko asked, fire crackling in his honeyed eyes.

Yue peered at him, the hushed noiselessness cloaking them for another minute. His eyes rabidly burned into hers, awaiting her response.

"You."

Zuko's breath caught, "Me?"

Yue nodded, simply, "You."

Zuko was staring at their interlocked fingers, watching the way his encased hers. He knew what he needed to do, but had no idea how to do it.

Yue sighed, a puff of vapor drifting away from her, "You must not feel the same. Sorry for-"

Zuko grabbed her shoulders rashly, pulling her down to him. His lips crashed to hers, his eyes squeezed tightly. He felt her relax and melt into the kiss, his mind a blank, burning white.

After he released her, Yue's face held a raging blush, as her hand flew to her mouth, a ghost of a smile dancing across her lips.

"I do love you, Yue." Zuko stated, gazing at her, "I do."

She leant down and hugged him, holding him close, "Don't leave me," She whispered.

"Never," He replied, wrapping his arms around her, shielding her from the bitter, Arctic night. "I promise."