IX/ A prince's thought

As the evening fell, Zuko and his men returned to the Wangji, off the coast of Kyoshi Island. They dismounted the Komodo rhinos they had ridden to the village before making their way back on the ship. His gaze shifted to Lieutenant Jee and two other firebenders who were still defrosting their fellow companion who had been encased in ice during the confrontation in the village. It had been very challenging to bring the man back on the ship as they couldn't defrost them in the village. And as much as he wanted to resume the chase to capture the Avatar, he couldn't bring himself to let the trapped man to the mercy of the villagers and those female warriors.

As he was arriving on the bridge, the banished prince couldn't help but overhear some of his men discussing the strange woman's powers and their concerns about facing her again. "Did you see that, Lieutenant? That woman, she just summoned ice out of thin air!"

"I did. By Agni! That was... unnatural," Lieutenant Jee answered in a wary voice.

"Do you think she's some sort of spirit?" suggested another of his men in a wary tone that tried to assuage the fear and uncertainty.

"Icy firebender? You've burnt out your mind too much," interjected the first man.

A part of Zuko scoffed to such comments and fear. And yet, he couldn't help but be worried and furious by this development. It intrigued him how her abilities resembled waterbending and yet worked like firebending.

He also thought of her unique appearance as it was nothing like he had seen before. Her pale hair, her skin paler than even his own people and her dress that seemed to be made in ice and crystal, everything in her was something unique and otherworldly. Only her blue eyes were more natural and closer to a feature shared with the Water Tribes, but there was some intensity in her eyes and something that reminded him something familiar that had unsettled him.

And added to her unique physical appearance, her power over ice was unlike anything he had ever seen before. Her abilities seemed to go beyond the boundaries of traditional bending. Her control over ice was absolute, and she wielded it with grace and precision which overmatched his own firebending and even holding her ground when she was outnumbered, notably with stormy blasts. It reminded him Azula too much.

"Another person that was born lucky", he thought with irritation.

As he stood still at the desk, Zuko couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to the person than met the eye. Her presence in the battle had been unexpected, and her determination to protect the Avatar was unwavering. He wondered when she had met the airbender and why she had chosen to ally herself with him. Perhaps it was because she was a waterbender, a unique one though. But she didn't look like the Water tribe peasants that were accompanying the Avatar. There was something regal in her as if she was royalty. It reminded him of his mother who held herself with a quiet dignity. This wasn't just about her bearing; it was the quiet strength Zuko sensed in the ice woman's defiance. Her unwavering determination to protect the Avatar mirrored, in a twisted way, the unwavering love his mother had for him. That made him conflicted and wondering. This association, though unexpected, unsettled Zuko, even more as he remembered the last time he saw her.

Zuko shoved the thoughts down. He couldn't afford sentimentality, not now. She was an enemy that would prevent him to take the Avatar and to return home to restore his honour. And his mother was gone. He dearly missed her, but all he had was to have his father's love back.

Lost in his thoughts, the banished prince barely noticed as his men were preparing to set sail. He couldn't help but replay the fight in his mind, analysing every move and countermove. She had proven herself to be a formidable opponent, and Zuko couldn't deny that he had underestimated her. He was however sure that his men and he would have taken down that threat if it wasn't for the intervention of the Avatar. As powerful as she was, she wouldn't have held her own too long, not when it was obvious she was holding back. He made a silent vow to himself. He would find out more about this woman and her connection to the Avatar. There was something about her that intrigued him, and he was determined to uncover the truth. And the next time he would face her, he wouldn't let her in his way.

"Prince Zuko," Iroh's voice broke through the murmurs, drawing his attention. "How did your search for the Avatar fare?"

Zuko turned to face his uncle, a mix of frustration and resignation evident on his features. His uncle was glancing between him and the defrosting firebenders.

"We found the Avatar," he began, his tone heavy with disappointment, "but he escaped again." His jaw clenched in angry frustration.

Iroh raised an eyebrow, sensing there was more to the story, especially given the condition of the firebender that was defrosted. "And? What happened to Hiiro? Was the waterbender who froze him?" he prompted, his tone gentle yet probing.

Lieutenant Jee, ever eager to contribute, interjected, "It wasn't the water tribe girl that froze them but a powerful woman," he stated, trying to clarify the situation.

Zuko shot Lieutenant Jee a sharp look, "Did anyone ask your opinion?" he asked hotly.

Lieutenant Jee sent a glare at Zuko but relented, "My apologies," he said before resuming helping his fellow firebender to be defrosted.

Zuko turned back to his uncle who looked at him with intrigued look.

"A powerful woman?" the old man asked as he stroked his chin.

"Yes," he admitted reluctantly, knowing he couldn't evade the truth. "She was looking nothing like any people you and I have encountered. And she's a powerful bender," he continued, recounting the intensity of the encounter. "She wielded... ice," he added, struggling to articulate the sheer magnitude of Elsa's abilities.

Iroh's eyebrows shot up in astonishment. "Ice?" he repeated incredulously, his mind racing to comprehend the implications. "You mean a waterbender like the Water tribe girl?"

Zuko's eyes narrowed, his frustration simmering beneath a controlled facade. "No," he retorted sharply, his voice tinged with irritation. "It was nothing like waterbending. She didn't require water to wield her bending. It was as if she possessed an icy counterpart to our flames. And even when she was outnumbered, she was holding her ground."

Iroh listened intently, his expression contemplative as he absorbed his nephew's account. He recognized the significance of what Zuko was describing, a bending ability that defied conventional categorization. He felt there was something more to this mysterious woman. Hopefully, he would be able to encounter this mysterious person.

"Impressive," he finally remarked, a hint of admiration colouring his voice. "It seems that the Avatar has gained a powerful ally."

Zuko nodded grimly, the weight of his failure heavy on his shoulders. "Indeed," he agreed quietly, his gaze fixed on the horizon ahead. "But mark my words, Uncle. I won't rest until I capture the Avatar and bring him back to the Fire Nation, no matter what obstacles stand in my way."

Iroh, seeing the turmoil in his nephew's eyes, placed a comforting hand on his shoulder. "Patience, Prince Zuko," he said softly, his voice gentle yet firm. "Rushing headlong into battles without understanding your opponent will only lead to more setbacks. Learn from this encounter, adapt, and you will become stronger."

Zuko's jaw tightened, but he acknowledged his uncle's wisdom. "I understand, Uncle," he replied, his tone more subdued. "I will heed your counsel."

As Iroh began to turn away, he paused, a thoughtful expression crossing his features. "Remember, Prince Zuko," he said, his voice tinged with caution. "If this mysterious woman is indeed a waterbender, regardless of how her bending works, she may become more than a crucial ally to the Avatar. Perhaps even his teacher."

Zuko's eyes narrowed, a flicker of apprehension passing through them. "I won't let that happen," he stated firmly, his determination reigniting. "I'll find a way to capture the Avatar and deal with any potential threats."

Iroh regarded his nephew with a knowing look before closing his eyes in resignation, silently acknowledging the depth of his nephew's resolve. "Very well," he said finally before adding with a small smile playing at the corners of his lips. "But for now, how about some tea? It may help clear your mind and soothe your spirit."

Zuko's scowl remained etched on his face. He was about to refuse as frustrated, angry, and determined he was, but he paused as a hint of the tension seemed to ease under his uncle's calming influence. As much as he wanted not to waste time in his pursuit of the Avatar, today's events were so peculiar he nodded a break. He let out a frustrated sigh, the sound echoing softly in the evening air.

"Tea sounds good, Uncle," he finally admitted, a flicker of appreciation flickering in his eyes. It might be a small delay and he usually wouldn't accept that, but a warm cup of tea felt like a small comfort in his current predicament. He could still feel the cold shivers of that woman's blasts and wind over him.

His uncle looked at him with some surprise but offered him a smile before leading him toward their quarter. As he followed his uncle as they made their way towards the comforting warmth of their shared quarters, Zuko couldn't shake the image of the mysterious ice woman. He knew that the path ahead would be more challenging than ever, but he was determined to face it head-on. He would capture the Avatar and return home, with his honour restored and his father's love. Nothing and no one, not even that mysterious woman, would stop him.