Zeta ran through the crimson corridors of the palace weeping with her hands covering her face. She was blinded by tears but she didn't need to see to figure out her way around the palace because she knew it that well. She knew that her distress caught many of the servants and palace officials off guard. She had always really been a big crier, but she couldn't help it now.
"Princess are you alright?"
"My lady is everything ok?"
She heard the servants and maids call to her, but she didn't stop to answer them. It was her uncle who caught her running. Literally he grabbed her and pulled her into a hug. "Zeta is everything alright? What are you doing up and out of bed, your father will not be pleased," he reminded her.
"He will not be pleased ever!" she yelled back.
"Zeta what is this? What is wrong with you?" the old general asked kindly he attempted to stroke her hair, but she roughly pushed away from him.
"Please! Uncle, I wish to be left alone," she explained. She tried to compose herself by standing up straight and wiping under her eyes.
"But Zeta, what is it? What happened?" he asked tenderly.
"I do not wish to discuss it," she said with a commanding royal air. She kept walking not looking back until she came to the door of her bedchamber. There she flung herself over her bed. She flopped down into the covers and sobbed openly.
The Fire Lord had parted company with lady Bing Bing and was now in desperate pursuit to find his daughter. He came across his uncle who hadn't progressed much from the spot where he had found Zeta. He seemed somewhat troubled as he made a slow pace down the hall. "Uncle!" The Fire Lord shouted trying t catch the elderly firebender's attention. "Have you seen Zeta?" he asked as he galloped toward the old man.
"Yes, she was very upset and was headed toward her room," Iroh began.
"Good, thanks," The Fire Lord remarked and kept marching after he gave his uncle's shoulder a pat.
"She expressed that she wished to be left alone," Iroh explained. "What is upsetting her?" he wondered aloud.
Zuko turned around looking miserable. "Zeta overheard my conversation with Lady Bing-Bing, I said that the mission that Lady Bing took her on was a failure. I think she took it the wrong way," Zuko explained.
"Seems to me she took it in the only way she could," Iroh shrugged.
"I didn"t mean it like that Uncle and you know it. I would never say that!z' Zuko yelled.
"You show a lack of faith in Zeta's abilities so often," Iroh explained.
"I don't lack faith, I'm only trying to keep her safe!" The Fire Lord shot back.
"Are you sure you are not holding her back from her potential? At Zeta's royal presentation, the sages saw the symbol of the Phoenix above her," Iroh explained. Reminding his nephew of the events that took place so long ago. Events that had made the young ruler nervous.
"The same thing was said of Azula," he grumbled.
"Zeta is not Azula," said Zuko's uncle and advisor. "Zuko give Zeta a chance to be all that she is," stated Iroh gently to His Fire Lord Nephew. Zuko had grown much over the years. He was a great bender, but he had always been such. He was a wise leader and a caring father and husband.
"That's just it uncle, It's all a game of chance... what if..."
"You have to put faith in who you know your daughter to be and not get caught up in prophecy," Iroh stated simply as he looked down and continued to walk back to his own chamber
The next morning came around it was yet early and Zeta who had cried herself to sleep. Heard a faint rapping on the door. Soon a plump woman appeared to be standing in the corner. The woman was round, short and spoke in a voice that sounded like it was meant for a mouse. She had dark hair and was fair skinned. It was Zeta's nursemaid, Lei. AGood morning, princess," The woman said from in the corner.
"Lei?" Zeta's voice croaked. "What are you doing in here so early in the morning? OUT!" she ordered cantankerously as she rolled back under the cover and covered her eyes with her arm.
"No can do my dear," the nursemaid said sweetly. "Your father determined that since you were up and about last night you should be able to go to school this morning," the older lady explained as she walked over the balcony windows and opened the dark red blinds allowing the golden sun's rays to flood the room. Zeta groaned and yelled anguish. "Please wake princess, it would not be acceptable for you to arrive late to school," the nurse \maid instructed as she gave Zeta a tap on her backside wwhich formed a large hump under the sheets. Lei stood their silently for a moment. Zeta thought that the woman was gone and so she allowed her body to go flat. "I have never met a firebender who would sleep the day away. We are children of the sun!" the woman proclaimed with pride.
"Yes, but I am also of the Water tribe and we rise with the moon," the princess explained smartly as she poked her golden eyes above the sheets,
"Yes don't I know," said Lei who seemed less than pleased by the statement. Lei had never understood why the Fire Lord had decided to take some Water Tribe peasant girl as his bride. There were dozens of beauties within the Fire Court for him to choose from. She shook her head. Lei had served the Fire lords for years. Her whole family had. She was born with in the Palace herself and had set by the side of the dying fire Lady Ihla, Zuko=s grandmother. She had only been a small girl then herself, but she had been assigned the task to watch over the ailing queen and assist her with her needs. Ihla had been a sweet mistress to her and she thought the Fire Lady would be appalled to know that a waterbender had set on the throne. Despite the feelings that lei bore toward Katara, the brown skin tribal woman had manged to produce a comely heir for Zuko. Zeta, seemed to possessed all the fine qualities of a Fire Nation girl. She was light skinned enough so that suspicions of mixed heritage could be easily over looked. She had been blessed with gorgeous amber eyes and had ebondy black hair, though it possessed the natural curl of her mother's. Despite having fire Nation traits Zeta looked a lot like Katara. Anyway Lei loved Zeta. "Now mistress I have laid out your uniform for you. Be quick about getting dressed will you?" she asked more than instructed.
With that lei exited. Leaving Zeta alone to get dressed. She always woke up with her hair a horrible mess. She remembered how her mother used to have to help her with it.
She was about 8 years old, but had insisted in doing her own hair then. Though their was the palace beautician. "Zeta please hurry dear," Katara called softly out her door, "you don't want to be late for school," The fire Lady sang.
"I'm not going!" Zeta sang back.
"Not going?" Katara questioned with that she pushed her way into the bedchamber. She found Zeta's dresser covered with hair ornaments and brushes, combs and creams. "Zeta what's all this?" she asked as she picked up the cream.
"I can't do anything with my hair!" Zeta pouted throwing her harms in the air. "Im not going to school with my hair looking a mess," the young princess explained. "Everyone will laugh at me."
"Your hair looks fine down Zeta," Katara said picking up a brush and running it through her daughters dark tresses. "Just leave it down honey," she shrugged.
"I don't want to wear it down everyday!" Zeta wiggled her head from under the brush and looked at her mother angrily. "I hate my hair!" she insisted as she crossed her arms. "It's so unmanageable!"
Zeta don't say that you have lovely hair. Here," Katara began to work quickly, she pulled her daughter's hair into two little ponytails on either side of her head. "O you like?" she asked.
Zeta stared in the mirror and scrutinized the style. It was simple. She wouldn't be able to wear her tiara with it but it would have to do for now. "Yeah I guess," she sighed.
"I used to wear my hair like that, when I was your age," Katara explained as she helped Zeta stand. She smiled at her daughter beaming with pride. She then gave her a loving squeeze around the shoulders..
"Then it's Water Tribe style?" Zeta questioned looking nervously.
"It's your style today and it doesn't matter wear it comes from." Katara explained.
Even now Zeta sometimes wore her hair in the two ponytails with the braids. She often wore more traditional Water Tribe styles because they worked better for her hair. The other girls at school were always impressed with her exotic hair-dos. She quickly pulled her hair into a ponytail that she braided at the nape of her neck and 2 thin hair loopies at the front. She got dressed in her uniform. A red and brown dark vest dress and brown pants underneath. She then stuck her royal crown in the back of her ponytail and proceeded to the kitchen.
When the princess came down into the dinning room she was surprised to see her father sitting alone. He seemed to be quietly reviewing some scoll. While a bowl of assorted fruits was present. He looked up from his scroll and gave her a lopsided smile and extended his hands for her to take a seat to his right. She barely managed to smile back and she walked toward him quietly. With out delay a servant girl immediately brought a bowl of fruit out for the princess. Zeta nodded thanking the servant and then plunged her golden chopsticks into the fruitsalad "Where is uncle this morning?" she asked breaking the awkward silence. Her father was not exactly a chatterbox, but they always talked briefly in the morning when he was able to attend breakfast. Many times her father had to meet with some dignitary in the morning. Her uncle never missed meals.
"He decided to have breakfast in his room. He said he was feeling a bit tired today," Fire Lord Zuko explained as he placed the scroll down.
"That's different." Zeta mumbled.
"Well your uncle is older now," Zuko shrugged. "You look well this morning," he explained
"Thank you."
Zuko sighed and gulped then rubbed his strong hands to the back of his neck, "Your mother used to wear her hair like that when she was young. It's that same style I first saw her in," He sighed.
Zeta paused a piece of papaya was half way in her mouth, but she stopped chewing. Her father never spoke of her mother. It was very rare and if they did speak about her Zeta always brought her up. It would usually be around holidays, but never in plain conversation like this. "I remember her wearing it like this too." Zeta smiled. The Fire Lord looked at his daughter tenderly, but didn't return a grin and Zeta quickly subdued her own.
"Zeta," Fire Lord Zuko began as he cleared his throat, "I wanted to discuss last night."
"There's nothing to discuss father," she said politely.
"My little fire-flake," he cooed, "we do have something we need to discuss," he explained as reached out his big hand to engulf hers. She snatched her's back and looked up at him bitterly. Even there very nickname he called her by showed what he thought of her. She was small and insignificant, nothing to be noted. Zuko was shocked by the look of disdain that appeared in her eyes, but he spoke on. "Zeta tell me what you thought I said last night." he urged her.
"I heard u say that all Lady Bing Bing set out to prove was a failure!" Zeta burst. "SHe was trying to prove to you that I was ready!"
"Ready for what my little fire flowere?" asked Zuko tenderly.
"Just ready! And don"t change the subject papa... I failed you're right, but..."
"Zeta you didn't fail," Zuko spoke softly.
"You said it yourself" she snarled.
"The mission wasn't successful Zeta, those rebels are still out there, but you are no failure. You are my beautiful daughter. I love you. I'm proud of you," he assured her.
"I'm sorry… I'm not a great warrior like you and uncle and mom and everyone!" she confessed.
"You don't have to be like anyone but yourself Zeta," Zuko said as he nudged up her chin. "I wanted to give this to you," he said slowly as he pulled something out from his pocket. It was a gorgeous amulet. It was made in the shape of a beautiful rare bird. The amulet was made of gold the feathers of the bird were lined with jewels mostly diamonds and onyx stones. The birds eyes were made of piercing red rubies.
Zeta gasped as he father rose and put the amulet around her neck. "Papa the Phoenix Pendant!" she declared.
"Yes," Zuko nodded as he gazed at her. The beauty of the amulet suited his child.
"Father this is a rare royal atrifact!"
"Your point? You are my daughter," he jested mildly.
"Papa I'm not worthy," she said humbly as she allowed her fingers to touch the priceless necklace.
"Of course you are Zeta. The Phoenix pendant was worn by the first female ruler of our nation, Fire Lady Sapphire. It was under her wise leadership that our people made a peace treaty with the Water Tribes. I want you to wear this and whenever you do remember no matter how many times it seems like you've fallen. Like a great phoenix you will rises from the ashes of your mistakes," Zuko said wisely
Princess Zeta's eyes misted with tears, though none fell. "OH papa! I love it! Thank you Thank you!" she exclaimed as she wrapped her arms around him and hugged him tight.
Zuko laughed as he gave his daughter an embrace and squeeze in return. Zuko loved his daughter dearly but had never been the type to linger with hugs. "Well," he began pushing her off of himself. "You better get on your way to school," he suggested.
"Yes sir!" She said with a playful salute.
Zeta arrived at the Royal Academy for girls only a few minute before the first gong would strike and signal that classes were soon to begin. Her two best friends were Suzuki, a short round faced girl with short hair that was cut neatly in a bob and Uma a beauty, She was pale and thin with beautiful jet black hair. "Zeta!" Suzuki screeched as she saw the princess step from out of her carriage and enter into the front garden. Suzuki immedaitely ran over to her friend and gripped Zeta up hugging her tight. Uma jogged behind to catch. "Oh Zeta I was worried about you. It's not like you not to be in school. I went by the palace and the guards said that you had been injured and that your were not able to receive visitors," she said sadly backing away as she placed her hands infornt of her and looked down like a child.
Zeta had a broad smile spread across her face with her lips painted red. She reached out and touched Suzuki's shoulder. "That was my father's doing I assure you," She explained.
"Well it's about time you got back here," said Uma finally coming over. "Just because you're a princess think you don't have to go to school like the rest of us." she teased as she approached A smile was on her face as well. Her make up was some what more subtle than the princess'. They also hugged. "Are you ok?" Uma questioned with the concern of a mother as she scanned Zeta's body for any sign of physical harm.
"I'm perfectly fine," Zeta shrugged.
"Well what happened out there?" Uma questioned further.
"My father reported that the vigilantes weren't caught." Suzuki spoke quickly and loudly but she was soon met with a swift backhand from Uma who always wore dark black gloves. Uma was a falconer. She came from a long line of Falcon breeders.
"It's ok.. it's true the vigilantes escaped. It was my fault," Zeta mumbled.
"Don't say that Zeta," Said Suzuki compassionately as she wrapped her arms around Zeta's shoulders.
" the important thing really is that you're safe," replied Uma. She may have hade a sharp tongue from time to time, but despite her tough exterior was really a marshmallow.
" That mission was far too dangerous for you anyway,"Suzuki continued. "I told you I didn't think it was a good idea. I mean you being so inexperienced and chasing after those notorious criminals. So many people have been killed at their hands… it's dreadful. DREADFUL!" she cried.
" Suzuki," Zeta said softly tapping her on the shoulder, "It's ok," she nodded and gave the girl a smile.
"Oh I'm sorry I just got carried away. Lost in thought really. When I thought about you being hurt…I got all nervous thinking what they might do to you."
"You're so much of a mother hen," UMa exclaimed. "I'm just glade to have you back safe and sound,j" stated Uma and once more they heard the gong and thje thjree friends and the other female students made their way to the doors.
"You girls kill me being so worried,"Zeta through her head back and laughed. "It's so sweet!" she proclaimed as she got in the middle of them and wrapped her arms around their necks.
"Sweet? Nope…nope…nope sweet has nothing to do with it. Your return is what's keeping me out of prison. If you wouldn't have come back their would have been a murder," Uma quipped.
"A murder?" the short Fire Nation girl questioned.
Yeah of you! All your gabbing was gonna drive me to homicide," UJma shot the girl a look and Suzuki ducked behind Zeta.
"Now, girls none of that,"Zeta waved her finger in front of them like they were children and they all laughed.