WOAH! took too long to update! sorry!

thanks everyone for the faves and alerts! that was super spectacular!

Disclaimer: don't own ATLA nor the song "Black is the Color" by Cara Dillon. (FYI: that is a irish folk song. i suggest you listen to it! it's rather lovely and i felt it fit with Nalren's simplistic views in affection since he has limited experience with women)

enjoy this installment!

-TSA

Chapter 17:

"A kiss is a lovely trick designed by nature to stop speech when words become superfluous."Ingrid Bergman

Nalren rushed through the palace, skidding to a stop as he came to the throne room. He was grateful to hear that General How had agreed to summon the Kyoshi Warriors to protect the palace, and even he was willing to admit that they were exceptional soldiers that could possibly match any man's skill in combat. Walking into the chamber, he saw The Earth King sitting on his throne, a look of boredom on his face as his bear, Bosco, watched one of the girls do a backbend.

He gave a bow, fist pressed over his chest. He glanced over at the other two warriors in the room. One was fiddling with knives, her lips pursed while she sat on the steps leading to the throne. The third was standing behind The Earth King, hands at her sides and a dangerous gleam in her eyes. He stared long and hard at those amber eyes, a color he had not often seen in Earth Kingdom women, but he refrained from giving them any sign that he was becoming suspicious.

"Are the armies assembled, General?"

Nalren gave The Earth King a stern glare, "Prepared to protect the walls, Sire."

"And what of The Day of-"

"I ask that you leave that concern to the Council of Five." Nalren saw that the girl twirling her knives was staring at him, "I bid you good afternoon, Your Majesty, as further plans must be made."

He was hoping that one of the girls would follow him to clarify his suspicions. Hiding his grin with a look of surprise, he watched the girl with the knives rise to her feet, fluidity in her edgy posture.

"May I accompany you, General? It would seem fit that we are briefed on these plans of yours."

He bowed his head to her, "Of course, Lady Warrior."

He allowed for her to stride in front of him, watching her slender frame wander down the aisle. Grinning, he strode along behind her while whistling a chipper tune he had heard Briar singing on her balcony when he went to care for her wounds. Such a lovely sound that came from her, he was nearly spellbound. It was a shame to think she never used that talent of hers, for she was convinced her only talent was that of seduction and deception-

His thoughts were cut off when he found that the girl he was following was holding a knife to his throat and a knife to his abdomen. He raised his arms, having half expected a hostile exchange, though her composure wasn't one of a fierce warrior, "Am I to suspect that you're from the Fire Nation?"

"That's a hasty generalization."

"I would have assumed we were exchanging hasty actions, seeing as you've drawn your blades." He was set at ease when she took a step back, knives returning to her sleeves, "The least I ask of you is your name."

"What would you do with it?"

He laughed a little, musing on her stoic features and the way her lips pursed, "I would simply address you by it."

Her lips curled into the faintest grin, "It's Mai."

"I'm Nalren." He gave her a sweeping bow, but when he returned to his upright stance, he was pinned through the sleeves of his tunic to the wall behind him. He tried to nudge the stilettos from their sheath in the stone, but he stopped because he didn't want to tear his tunic, "You have admirable precision, Mai."

Black is the color of my true loves hair.

"Did you just feel the need to say my name?" she replied.

"That might be truth." He gave her a pleading look to let him go, "I would rather like to move about freely, Mai."

"Again with my name!" She seemed rather agitated by it. Sauntering over to him, she plucked one of the stilettos out, his right arm dropping to his side. As soon as she removed the second one, she was yanked into his arms. Her wrists were locked behind her back by one of his giant hands and her fighting was only making him laugh, "What are you doing?"

Her lips are like a rose so fair.

He was beginning to enjoy the way she hissed her words, "I'm making a point." His grip on her tightened, which made her scowl, "I don't plan on raising alarm, since I figure that will play into your hands. I am simply warning you that I may be one man, but three girls are no challenge to me." He let her go, quickly seizing her wrist as she released a blade from her sleeve and jabbed it at him, the tip inches from his neck, "I like the fire in your eyes, Mai. It's a nice contrast to your stoic features."

"Are you always this charming?" she sarcastically drawled.

"I've not had that many encounters with women, so 'no'." He gave her a gentle toss backward. She stood before him, back to her unmoved expressions that found boredom in standing in the hallway with him, "Might I compliment you once more?"

She's got the sweetest face and the gentlest hands.

She rolled her eyes, "Whatever…"

He grinned as she pushed past him, "I would like to see you without all that makeup. I'd hate to continue imagining the splendors of your complexion."

"Nalren, you said your name was?" She gave him a nod of the head, fighting against the smile on her lips, "I'll remember that."

She walked off, leaving him to stare at her slender figure as it disappeared into the throne room. Even as he stood there, all he could think of was those eyes of hers. He'd never seen anything like them! They had been so close to one another, her chest brushing against his as she struggled with his grip. Just once more to see that fire in her eyes was enough for him to fight for-

"I didn't know you were a romantic…"

I love the ground whereon she stands.

Startled by that silky voice, he spun around, his face an immediate shade of red, while he saw Briar slink around the corner with a wide grin on her face. He was surprised that she had even been able to move that far from her chambers, "I'm not completely helpless around girls."

"You just didn't strike me as one to know anything about a compliment." She laughed, "But that's just me going off our recent encounters."

"How are you feeling?" he asked, following her as she meandered down the hall.

She linked her arm with his, wanting to assure that she would be steadier on her feet, "I'm in pain, but I hate sitting in my room all day. I figured a walk wouldn't kill me-" Her knees caved in, though her hold on Nalren kept her on her feet, "I stand corrected…"

"I think even walking is too strenuous." He offered to carry her, but she shooed him away, "You do realize that you're amount of blood loss almost killed you?"

"You do realize that you almost killed me as well?" She gave him a grin, "Yet here I am, alive."

"I think the Spirits are in your favor. Most people with your lifestyle don't live this long."

"And what kind of lifestyle do I have?"

He gave her a sideways glare, "For someone who backstabs people as a hobby, I'm surprised Jet was the first person who tried to kill you." He stopped walking as they came to her chambers, "I'm one rook, Princess. You'll need another one to protect you."

"I'll wait for someone to rise to the challenge." She sighed as he opened the door for her, "Until then it looks as though I will be enjoying my balcony view again."

"It's what's best for you."

She gave him a wave before disappearing into her room, door closed behind her. She shuffled her way over to her balcony and sat down in her desk chair that she had set out there in the early morning. Bundling herself under a light blanket, she stared at the orchid trees below her, the petals falling off the branches with each whisper of the wind. The scent was enchanting, drawing her further into her fantasies. Maybe that was why she wore it to begin with?

Everyone was captivated by the smell of orchids.

. . . .

He'd done it! He managed to climb over the palace walls! But now, he was wandering about the bushes of the royal garden, praying that the soldiers pacing back and forth hadn't seen him clamber behind the rose bushels, though all the while careful of the thorns. Glancing around the edge, he saw a balcony where someone sat peering over at the orchid trees. He sighed upon the thought of Briar's skin, the scent that of the enchanting flower.

Seeing that the soldiers were talking amongst each other, he raced off toward the orchid trees, scampering up onto the branches. He climbed higher and higher until he was near leaning against the wall of the palace. Below him, the soldiers were back to pacing around, which gave him time to pull his way up underneath the balcony, covered by the thinner, extending branches of the orchid tree. When he tumbled over the side of the balcony railing, he found that he was alone with only a chair sitting there.

But he knew it was Briar he had seen. For whatever reason, he could recognize every inch of her body, which was frightful to think that he was that familiar with her. Peeking around the corner of the balcony, where the curtains flickered in the wind, he found Briar standing there, her robe hanging on her elbows as her fingers ran over the bandages that suffocated her entire torso. His brow furrowed as he cautiously stepped toward her, his chest aching for not having known that she had been hurt.

"You shouldn't be here…"

Zuko's hands slid over her shoulders, pulling her back against his chest as he gently kissed her neck, "Who did this to you?"

"Names aren't important." She faced him, hands smoothing over his chest until they hooked around his neck, "Why are you here?"

"I need to know something." He cupped her face with his palm, "Do you love me?"

Well, that was sudden. Her eyes betrayed her with a look of alarm, which she knew Zuko had seen. When he retreated a step away from her, it took all her energy to grab him by his collar and press a kiss to his lips. Mouths tangled with longing, she felt the burn of tears in the back of her eyes. Lips parting, both speechless, she tried to ignore the stinging pain of her wound, but it forced her to collapse onto the divan in her room.

"Do you love me, Briar?"

The way he whispered her name, the unsure quake in his voice, the glimmer of disbelief in his eyes- She couldn't bear it. Yes, she loved him. But she needed to protect him to. Her weakness? Her want for him to love her…There was no hiding it unless she could break his heart.

"Zuko, please understand." She paused to see if he would leave, hurt again by her actions. It wasn't truly her fault! Her plans were unfolding and she couldn't risk him getting killed, "There is no happy ending for us. I've done…" Seizing the sleeve of his tunic, she fought with all her might to keep him from leaving, "…unforgivable things! I've caused the death of someone already; please don't make the next person you!"

Zuko sat down beside her, embracing her as she collapsed against his chest. He ran his fingers through her hair while mulling over her words. So she truly had betrayed her kingdom? What could he do about the matter? If she needed him to keep his distance, then he needed to obey her command, strictly because he loved her.

"What would you have me do?" he muttered.

"Stay as far away from me as you can." She pressed a finger to his lips to silence him, "That doesn't mean forever. Go back to the Southern Earth Kingdom, and I promise to be there in the end." She kissed him, though his secure embrace faltered upon the sound of footsteps outside her door. She rushed him to his feet, hiding a grimace as she brought her hand to her side, "You must leave."

"You promise that this isn't forever?" He drew her up into his arms as she succeeded in pushing him out to the balcony, "You have to promise me that."

She kissed him, "I promise this isn't forever." She heard the turn of the doorknob, glancing over her shoulder, "Now, go!"

Spinning around, she drew the curtains of her balcony together and faced the intruder in her chambers. She adjusted her robes before tying the sash tightly around her waist. When she glanced at her hand, she noticed that her fingertips held faint traces of blood. Curling her hand into a fist, she brought her eyes to the ones that watched her like a hawk.

"Are you still planning on killing Lord Chronos?" Briar asked.

The intruder laughed spitefully, "Having seconds thoughts, are we?"

"I don't see why he needs to die."

"Should I choose to kill The Earth King, Lord Chronos is most apt to succeed the throne."

"I don't see how that is a reasonable claim-"

"His power alone is renowned in even the Fire Nation." The intruder smirked, "But his political ambition is legendary, though he's young. His advisor, Ulysses, has arranged for him to be second in line for the throne should The Earth King not bear an offspring, which seems to be the case." Briar tried to remain as still as stone, but her side was aching unbearably. Droplets of sweat began trickling from her forehead, "I've been thoroughly planning this since I was asked to capture the traitors of the Fire Nation."

Briar instinctively brought her hand to her wound, wrinkling her nose, "You told me you wouldn't hurt him."

"Depends if the situation asks me to." The intruder yawned and made their way to the door, "I would hate to think that you've grown soft. You were asked, by the Fire Lord himself, to capture the traitors, which you have neglected to do."

"The Fire Lord asked you to capture them. My help was enlisted when you lost track of him inside my kingdom." Briar's eyes narrowed, "You just don't want to take the blame for failing to capture them. I won't take the fall for you. I never agreed to be a loyal soldier."

"It's indifferent to me." The intruder opened the door to leave, "You've collected enough players for this game."

Once Briar was alone, she collapsed to one knee, though she was glaring at where intruder had been standing, "How can you be sure that you're even a piece in my game…?"

WOAH DAMN! Mkay, let me see if i can assure that everyone is with me. :)

Chronos can inherit the throne to Ba Sing Se thanks to Ulysses, if the Earth King is killed. You all know very well who those "Kyoshi Warriors" are, so is The Earth King in trouble? and if he dies, then chronos is next!

not to mention...Zuko was being hunt down by his sister bc Ozai wants him captured (aka dead). that should explain why she had Jet meddling in her plans a bit, because she had been asked to capture him and Iroh. but obviously, she loves Zuko too much to let him get hurt.

anyone think they know EXACTLY what Briar is planning? I've left you clues, recently in chapter 16. :)

also: does anyone approve of Mai and Nalren? I need a bit of a vote on that! haha

umm...last request- PLEASE REVIEW! i'm working hard here! :)

Look forward to more soon!

-TSA