Book 4 Air
Chapter 72 At Last
Entering into the private room underneath a massive golden chandelier that lit up the area with its soft light. Toph marveled at the hanging lamp above her, there was still so much she hasn't seen in the palace. This alone was impressive.
"Ah, it is good to see, you are doing well, Miss Bei Fong." Iroh said as he called forth the group to join him at the small rounded table.
"Thank you…I am." Toph said with a soft answer as she sat on one of the cushioned chairs.
Katara politely seated herself as she then looked at Zuko. The Fire Lord stood firm as he narrowed his eyes.
"Why was there an order sent out for both staff and our guests to be present in their bedroom quarters?" Zuko asked as he kept his temper low, as he tried to figure out his uncle's intentions.
"Well…I wanted to make sure no one was fully aware of who came to visit the palace after the commotion happened earlier with the return of the Avatar and Miss Bei Fong." Iroh said lightly as he carefully laid his hand on the table in a calm matter.
"Who came to the palace?" Zuko asked wanting to know.
"Well…After notice of the nobleman's daughter, Miss Mai disappearing. I took it as a personal approach to bring her now. Of course if anyone else knew, rumors would spread like wild fire. Your reputation as Fire Lord would dim in the hopes of the people. Not many know her true reasons for being banished. So they'll take in their own accounts and judge her. Such a ruling cannot happen, due to the councils' word. I am afraid the councils might change their minds if such rumors were to escape these walls." Iroh said in a low yet clear voice as he narrowed his eyes.
"Uncle…Who is here?" Zuko asked as his heart tugged against his chest.
Mention of someone else who was banished, caught his attention. Someone else who, Zuko has missed for eight long years, could it be she has finally returned home?
"Hello, my son…" a soft voce said as Zuko's eyes widen. He turned and saw her, the woman who watched over him and protected him; his beloved mother.
"Mo-ther…" Zuko gasped out as he saw his mother's eyes filled with tears.
"My boy…" the woman said as she lengthened out her arms to him.
Zuko ran up to his mother, embracing her like a terrified little child.
Her loving scent of fire lilies filled his senses as the memories of her clouded his mind. At last...She finally came back…
Katara and Toph smiled at the sweet scene of the two family members reunited after so long. The waterbender lightly reached up and placed her hand over her heart, she was happy for Zuko.
Of course, a small hint of envy tugged at her heart. How she wish she could have seen her mother again. Nevertheless, she brushed that feeling aside. Zuko deserved to see his mother. Especially after everything he's been through.
Pulling away from her son, Ursa gently cupped his scarred cheek. "My beautiful son…Who did this to you?" Ursa asked softly as the teen boy turned away, almost ashamed.
"Its not important now…What-What matters is you're here." Zuko said as he turned his head back as his golden eyes glistened lightly.
Ursa smiled warmly, "Yes…" the woman said softly as Iroh stood up from his chair.
"She will remain in the far end of the Western wing of the palace. Until the councils agree to their final decision. Ursa must be hidden from the staff members." Iroh said as everyone nodded their heads.
"This is so wonderful, Zuko…" Katara said as she stepped forth to the Fire Lord, turning her head to the woman, Katara bowed her head. "It's a pleasure to finally meet you." Katara said as Ursa smiled.
"What a lovely young woman, do you know her Zuko?" Ursa asked as Zuko blushed.
"Y-yes…I am to wed her...Mother, this is Katara. She is a Master waterbender of the Southern Water Tribe." Zuko said as he then turned to Toph.
"And this is Toph Bei Fong, our close friend. She is a Master earthbender and noblewoman to the Bei Fong family in Goaling." Zuko said as he formally introduced the two girls.
Ursa's lips curved into a warm and gentle smile. "I am so pleased to have met my son's future wife and close friend." Ursa said as the two girls bowed deeply.
'I can't believe this...I'm so happy.' Zuko thought as he lips curved into those rare happy smiles across his face.
"Aeron! Wait!" Sokka called out as the girl continued to run down the alley way.
The girl abruptly stopped with a huff, "What is it?" Aeron said becoming impatient with the boy's slow movements.
"What if I tell Zuko about his mother's return? We can find her faster and maybe stop the execution." Sokka said as he caught up with the girl.
Aeron narrowed her eyes. It was worth a shot, but still…It would be she'd be closer to the man she wanted dead. It was the last thing she wanted to think about, yet if it meant saving the woman from certain death. Then she'll do it...for Ursa's sake.
"Fine…Take me to him." Aeron said as Sokka nodded his head.
"Come on, we better hurry." The Water Tribe boy said as he raced to the palace. Aeron followed as she clenched her teeth.
A frail white hand firmly rested against the polished glass wall. Two topaz gold eyes stared at their reflection, as Azula's mouth snarled upward. 'Why…?' Azula thought as she shut her eyes.
Pulling her hand away, she clenched her fingers into a fist as she then struck the glass full force. A large crack dented the smooth surface as Azula screamed out.
"What is she doing?!" a guard called out as another quickly stood forward.
The General who arrived moments ago entered into the cell hallway, "What seems to be the problem?" Sho asked as the two guards hesitated.
"She's becoming violent, Sir." One guard said as he turned his attention to the girl.
Her black hair covered her face as the sight of her hand was seen covered with shards of glass. Blood dripped in small droplets on the white stone floor as the girl started to pant out heavily.
"Don't worry; she can't break through the glass on strength alone." General Sho said with a confident grin.
"Sir, should we call for back up?" one guard asked unsure of the General's convinced words.
"No…I'll be returning to the quarters. I need to speak with General Jee." The general said as he started to leave.
"I think you can take care of things here, Diao." Sho said as the female guard narrowed her eyes.
She didn't like that man. His intentions didn't feel loyal and his smirk always made her skin crawl.
Turning to Azula in the cell, Diao sighed. 'Poor girl…' the female guard thought as she turned to the left frame and remained still at her post.
Opening his eyes slowly, Aang sat up from his bed. Rubbing his sore arms, the airbender moaned as he carefully stood up from his bedside. Placing his outer robes on, Aang steadily walked out of the room. Looking at the right side down the hall, then slowly to his left, Aang wondered where Toph and the others were. Using his glider as a clutch, the boy walked down the hallway.
'It's strange…Where are the servants and guards?' Aang thought as he journeyed further down the corridor.
As he entered into the antechamber, Aang saw a figure looming pass the entrance. The man appeared to be a high ranked general dressed in dark red robes with a Fire Nation emblem on his leather belt. The man was perhaps in his late forties as thick sideburns reached down the side of his face in a fashionable point.
Turning his head slightly, the general noticed the crippled airbender. "What are you doing out of your room?" the general asked as Aang blinked.
"I wanted to find my friends." Aang said truthfully as the general narrowed his eyes.
"Very well…I will take you to them. But be warned, this is the last time I am to see you out in the halls. Former General Iroh as sent an order that no one leaves their rooms unless permitted with the royal seal of the military." The general said as he revealed a golden icon that was stamped on his sleeve.
"Oh, I see…Umm, thank you for escorting me then." Aang said with gratitude as he sheepishly rubbed the back of his bald head.
The general scoffed as he then paced down the hallway, Aang slowly followed as he limped behind him.
The sudden sound of another loud boom was heard against the mirror. Diao closed her eyes as she twitched uncomfortably. "Do not move from your post, Diao." The male guard said as he looked over at the fidgeting young woman.
"But, Lei…What if she manages to break through? We can't just stand here." Diao mumbled out as she tightens her hands into a fist.
"She won't…Believe in General Sho's words…" the guard said as another flesh-tearing crack was heard as Azula continued to pound away at the thick glass wall.
"AHHHHH!!!" Azula cried out as blood rolled down the scattered dents of the polished mirror in front of her.
Taking a deep breath, Azula closed her eyes as she pulled her hand back. Then the sound of her heart thumping loudly in her ears was heard as the quick surge of energy shot through her. Her eyes opened widely as the sight of a flame forming around her wrist was seen as she blasted through the mirrored wall. Shards of glass fell around her as trails of fire shot out of the room, fanning over the stone wall. The two guards fell to the ground as they covered their faces. Azula leaped out of the cell then ran down the hall.
The male guard lifted his head as he yelled out, "Stop!" as he reached his hand out.
Azula panted as she ran down the dimly lit hallway then out to the entrance.
'Free…I'm free…' Azula thought as she ran out the two doors.
Walking up to the front gates of the palace, Sokka bowed to the two guards at post. "I am Sokka, from the Water Tribe. I am here to return to the palace. I have brought a friend of mine to see the Fire Lord." Sokka said as the two men nodded their heads and opened the gates.
As the two teens walked in, Aeron gasped at the beautiful sight of the courtyard with the lush gardens surrounding the area. Once they passed by the two large doors, Aeron stayed close to the Water Tribe warrior as she looked around the deeply decorated entrance hall.
"It's amazing…" Aeron whispered as Sokka chuckled, "Yea…It's pretty interesting here. All fancy and stuff." Sokka said as he entered into the antechamber and saw a nurse hastily walking up to them.
"Have you seen the Avatar?" the woman asked as she looked behind the two teens. "Umm, no…Maybe he's with the others?" Sokka said as he watched the nurse look behind herself, "You shouldn't be out here…You'll get in trouble by the general. He'll report you... Please return to your bedrooms." The woman said in a low whisper as she then wandered off down the opposite end of the hall.
"Umm…Alright then…" Sokka said as he scratched his head.
As the woman left, Sokka then took Aeron's hand. "Come on, they must be in Zuko's study or something." Sokka said as Aeron nodded her head.
'That woman…she almost looked frightened…What other evil things have the Fire Lord done here…?' Aeron thought coldly as she narrowed her eyes.
The view of the two teens were in sight as the scene drifted off to the dark corners of the red hallways and dim torches.
Ok, maybe not as action packed as I've promised…But it gets better! Just wait till Aeron finally sees Zuko face to face.
Also, Yay! Zuzu and Mama reunited!!! Plus, oh my…Azula escapes prison again… I know it's not one of my more creative ideas, but there is a point to it!
Try and guess where she's going…Okie Dokie?
Now please review for a quick update!!!! I love the comments!
