Elyrie had been on her guard the entire day.
From the moment Jin had cut her hair – and gave her a full breakfast, along with some slices of fruit for on the way – she had walked around the city inspecting the grounds, but always glancing over her shoulder to make sure no one followed her. Especially after seeing Zuko. It made her realise how dangerous it actually was here for her – alone and on the run.
But, she had to admit, everything seemed to align with their plans for the invasion. Sokka would be glad to hear that their plan was still possible, although it was still uncertain how the Royal Family, and especially the Fire Lord, would act on the upcoming Day of Black Sun. Despite her best efforts, not one of the guards were able or willing to tell her more.
It had been a stretch to assume that everyone just knew about the battleplans or willing to share it with a humble servant. But all and all, it had been a pleasant day in the City if you didn't think about the fact that she was a wanted criminal.
She grinned as she turned the lock and opened the door to her home. The moment she let herself in her old home, she felt a weight lift off her shoulders. Everything had worked out the way they had planned – Uncle was in the city, the invasion plan didn't need major modifications and, most importantly, she wasn't caught.
Almost dancing over the marble floors, she saw that Jin had left a pot with hearty vegetable stew on the dining table. Freshly baked bread was lying next to it on a porcelain plate, the golden crust luring her to sink her teeth in the meal.
But first, a change of wardrobe. The maidservant uniform had been sticking to her back with sweat after a whole day walking around in the scorching sun
When she opened her bedroom door, she walked over to the side of the bed with her palm lit up.
Her heart caught in her throat.
Her mother's ring. There was no question about it – this was the ring she had lost that day in Ba Sing Se.
It can't be, she mused as she lit up the candle and picked up the jewel, weighing it carefully in her palm. She slipped it on her finger, her heart still pounding as she tried to make sense of it's sudden appearance.
As soon as the familiar weight settled on her ringfinger, a loud bang startled her.
She spun around, hands immediately going to her thighs to draw her fans. The world stopped turning for a moment when the golden eyes met the sapphire ones.
"No." was all she could mutter when she recognised the silhouette that burst out of her closet.
"You?" he muttered surprised.
Elyrie turned to stone by the mere sight of the person standing in front of her. She felt the tips of her fingers graze the hard metal of her fans, but she didn't dare move.
The small candle lit up Zuko's eyes, making it appear like molten gold in the warm light.
That afternoon, she had seen him in the square. She thought that had been painful enough, but now that he was standing before her. Only a few steps between them, yet it felt like miles.
She refused to lower her eyes as she kept his gaze, but the shock of the surprise was fading to the back of her mind. The fog in her head seemed to clear as she tried to assess the situation.
Think, she reprimanded herself, be rational now. Don't let your emotions cloud your judgement.
Zuko was here, that was a fact. He had recognised her, no doubt about it. But why was he here? What business had he in her old bedroom closet?
As weird as it seemed, that wasn't her main concern now. He now knew she had been in the Capital, dressed as a maidservant. He would be foolish not to suspect a ruse – especially with the knowledge of the Day of Black Sun.
As her thoughts rattled on, she saw Zuko move. "Hi- " He said awkwardly, lifting his hand in a half-wave as he stepped towards her.
That struck a nerve and Elyrie aimed her fan at his head. A lifetime of ducking spared Zuko from getting hit in the head and the fan missed him by a hair. The sharp sound of metal lodging into wood was audible when the fan hit the closet door behind him, slicing through it as if it was made of paper.
Zuko followed the movement in amazement, but he had not much time to think about it. Elyrie kicked in him the stomach, catching him by surprise as he slammed against the closet doors. Her right fist was level with his face while the other fan was unshielded just below his chin, inches from his throat.
Elyrie felt the blazing anger in her veins as she stood there. "Hi?" She hissed between her clenched teeth, "That is what you have to say to me? 'Hi'?!"
What right did he have? He was standing in her home, after turning his back on her and now he greeted her as if nothing had happened? After those long weeks, he just said hi?
Zuko coughed, obviously uncomfortable in his position against the door after the air had been knocked out of his lungs.
Good, she thought smugly.
"Ehm," he managed to say, "How are you, then?" just before she slammed her fist forward.
Agni, that hurts, Zuko was gingerly touching his nose. He was fairly sure it was broken. Or at least seriously bruised.
Elyrie was still standing in front of him, now again with two fans in her hand as she swung them around. New weapons, and by the looks of it she had become very skilled with them.
Great. This can't possibly get any worse, Zuko thought as he carefully pinched the bridge of his nose. Blood was coating his fingertips, but he didn't dare to reach for a cloth. She could very easily break his wrist next as he extended his arm. He wouldn't put it past her.
This is absurd, he thought, I am a trained warrior and master firebender – I shouldn't be sitting here, nursing a mere nosebleed. He lifted his chin up and looked at Elyrie.
Her blue eyes were cold and her lips were pressed together in a straight line. She kept spinning her fans - the sharp ends caught the light over and over again. She moved them with such precision that he was sure she would slice him in two if he moved without even blinking.
On second thoughts, a nosebleed is not the worst thing.
"Why are you here?" Elyrie finally said. Her voice was clipped and she kept spinning her fans.
"I could ask you the same thing." Zuko said, tilting his head slightly backwards to stop the bleeding.
"This is my house, in case you forgot," she answered coolly, but he saw something glistening in her eyes, "And I don't think you are in the position to ask questions here - blood is still dripping from your nose." She lifted her right fan to point to the bloodstains on his hands and face. "So, I'll ask again: why are you here?"
"I-, That is, I wanted to go -" Zuko stuttered as he let go of his nose. Blood continue to seep down to his lips, but it was not as bad as before. "I just wanted to..-"
"Invade private property?" she filled him in, "Breaking and entering? Spending a night in a bedroom closet?"
"No!" Zuko said, "I was on my way and I passed by, and I – well,"
The blue eyes were like icebergs, cold and emotionless as she stared at him struggling to find the words.
"I don't know." His shoulders slumped forward, "And that is the truth."
She said nothing as she weighed his words in her mind. The fans stopped spinning, but remained firmly in her hands.
"Are you going to turn me in?" she asked.
Zuko lifted his head and met her eyes. "No."
She cocked her eyebrow, surprise barely concealed. "Why not? Your father," she spat the word, "would be happy to have one of the most treacherous criminals in his custody. Not to mention your lovely sister."
The tone was pure venom. It hurt to hear her musical voice so full of bitterness. Zuko felt a pang in his chest as he saw that her cheerfulness was covered by a layer of stone.
"I owe you that much," he said quietly, "You didn't turn me when you knew it was me in the Pohuai Stronghold." For a second, he recognised a softness in her eyes before she blinked and the steel took over again.
"Funny enough, you don't strike me as the type to do such a kindness." She answered coolly.
"Are you trying to get a rise out of me?" Zuko asked, "Are you trying to get me to fight you?"
"If you were smart, you'd know that would be a very bad idea."
"Lily, I just -" he began, but stopped when he felt the fan breeze past him and hit the door for a second time. It was wedged in the wood, just inches under his right ear.
"Don't call me that." Elyrie pushed the tip of her other fan in his chest, forcing him to back up against the door again. She lit up her other fist and levelled it with his face.
Not Lily.
Her temper had never been short and she was certainly not a hothead. However, in this moment all the Fire Nation-temperament poured out.
"Are you really going to do that?" Zuko asked. He held her gaze for a few seconds before she stared at the burning flames on her knuckles.
She didn't answer as she cocked her fist further, ready to strike. After a few seconds, she lowered her arm and extinguished the flame, "But no, I won't do that. I am not that cruel."
You will learn respect, and suffering will be your teacher. It rung in her ears as she turned around from him. Her cheeks were hot and her heart hammered wildly in her chest, but she wasn't afraid he would strike her in the back.
No, he could have fought back if he wanted to. He simply didn't.
"So, now what?" she asked. She suddenly felt tired and her head felt heavy. Tears were pricking behind her eyes, but she didn't know if they were from exhaustion, sadness or frustration.
"I just want to talk with you." Zuko's voice was soft and low.
She had envisioned this moment over and over again in her mind. It was inevitable that she would see Zuko again. All possible scenario's had crossed her mind: that she would beat him to a pulp, or burn him to a crisp. That he would fall at her feet and beg for her mercy. That he would fight her. That he would grab her and -..
Yes, all scenario's. Yet, standing here before him made her only feel tired and washed out. All the anger she had felt moments ago seem to disappear as her thoughts settled. She didn't even feel wrath or sadness. Simply nothing.
"Zuko..," she finally sighed. His head snapped up and in his eyes she saw an emotion she couldn't place.
"Yes?" he answered, the look in his golden eyes almost hungry.
"Zuko," Elyrie repeated, "I am too tired and too hungry to deal with all of this now. I am going to wash up, change and eat something." She pulled the cloth covering her hair down and handed it to him. "Here, clean up the blood from your face."
And with that, she turned on her heels and walked out of the room.
She had walked out of her room without screaming, without crying or even without throwing another punch at him. Zuko didn't know what to make of this.
Carefully, he wiped the dried blood from under his nose. He heard water flow nearby and after a few minutes stop. He listened to the light steps moving across the marble floor until the sound descended from the steps.
He followed her and descended down the stairs into the dining room. She was standing near at table, with the room dimly lit by a single chandelier casting long shadows across the walls. Her clothing were the red colours of the Fire Nation. He realised that he hadn't seen her in red for a long time.
As she stood there, he took a moment to look at her. Really look at her.
Her hair was different without the cloth covering it. It was shorter again, just beneath her ears. The top she wore exposed parts of her arms and shoulders. He could see the muscles, more defined than the last time. Her legs were stronger as well. She had been training, obviously – as if he couldn't deduce that from her skills with those fans.
"Is there something bothering you?" she asked as she crossed her arms and shook her damp hair out of her face.
"No." he mumbled as he collected his thoughts. Elyrie rolled with her eyes, obviously annoyed, and sat down at the table. She broke pieces off from the bread and dug into the stew in front of her.
Zuko stood awkwardly in the door opening.
"Hungry?" she asked without looking up.
Starving, he thought. After immediately leaving for the war meeting after breakfast, he hadn't eaten a single crumb. He walked over and took the bread she offered him. Pulling a chair back, he sank down on it and took the bowl she pushed in his direction. Tearing off a piece of the bread, he began eating.
They ate in silence, both focused on the bowl in front of them.
This is ridiculous, Zuko thought as he reached for another piece of bread, just as she did and her felt her fingers brush his own. For a moment, he felt electricity shoot through his veins where she touched his skin.
"No!" Elyrie yelled and she pulled her hand back.
"Are you afraid of me?" Zuko asked, startled by her reaction. He doubted if her answering straight one was better or worse than icy silence.
"Afraid?" she mocked him, "I am not afraid. I am repulsed, that is something else."
"Oh.." he couldn't muster another answer. Definitely worse. He didn't look up, and she didn't elaborate further. Silence seemed to be the best course of action at this point – anything he would say would only make him screw up things more.
As far as that's possible, he groaned as he chewed slowly on the last piece of bread. Had it truly been only weeks? Was this the same woman who had welcomed him in Zhao's camp? That had embraced him after the Siege of the North? That had kissed him in Ba Sing Se?
Could it be that the affection she once held from him had vanished in such a short time?
"How is Mai?" Elyrie suddenly asked. The crust of bread caught in his throat and he coughed. With his fist, he slammed on his own chest to remove the treacherous piece.
"I'm sorry?" he asked with watery eyes after he regained his composure.
"You heard me."
"She is.. uh-, Mai."
"I thought you would be a bit more expressive in describing your girlfriend."
"Ah yes," Zuko muttered, feeling strangely vulnerable now that she had referred to Mai as his girlfriend. But why wouldn't she? It was common knowledge in the Fire Nation, he assumed. It wasn't as if they had been dating in secret.
Still, it felt strange to her Elyrie speak of it. He had never thought of discussing his relationship with Mai with her. It was as if they couldn't exist in the same world.
Mai belonged in the world where he was the Crown Prince, the son his Father wanted. The Prince who discussed battle plans for the coming of Sozin's Comet, and prepared for his upcoming role as Fire Lord.
Elyrie belonged in another world: the world before he was restored as the heir to the throne. She belonged in the world he lived as the banished Prince – on the run, hiding from the world and denied of his rightful place. The world she and Uncle had shared with him.
Now those two worlds collided with a bang that had shuddered him to his very core. In what world was he now? Elyrie was here as a fugitive, while he was the Crown Prince. Not that it seemed to matter, because they were alone between these walls. She didn't care if he was the Crown Prince again – she had punched him in the face just the same. And he didn't care that she was a wanted fugitive – he didn't want to see her chained and dragged off to the Boiling Rock.
"I know you must have mixed feelings about seeing me," Zuko began after a few moments of carefully choosing his words, "But I hope we can talk?"
Elyrie didn't answer. She leaned back in her chair and lifted her leg up, so her foot rested on the chair and her knee was level with her shoulders. It was a relaxed motion, strangely intimate. She placed her hand on her knee and studied it. Zuko saw that it was the hand on which she wore the sapphire ring.
"I never thought I would see my ring again," she said as she let her fingers gently trail the delicate jewel. "I was afraid it was lost forever." She looked up and Zuko saw a renewed softness in her blue eyes. "And I know it wasn't here this morning, because I would have noticed that, so..?" She ended the sentence with a meaningful glance in his direction.
"You're right," Zuko nodded, "I placed it there, moments before you returned."
"Why did you do that?" she asked, folding her hands on her knee and placing her chin on them, "Did you knew I was in the city?"
"No," Zuko answered truthfully, "I thought I saw you this morning, but I assumed it was my mind playing tricks on me." Wouldn't be the first time, he added mentally.
"Where did you find it?" she asked.
"In the Catacombs."
"And you kept it all this time?"
"I know how much it meant to you," Zuko answered, feeling his stomach slightly shift nervously, "And I was hoping that I could return it one day."
"Thank you." she said softly.
"You're welcome." He said. He fought the urge to reach out to her – to hold her close, to caress her hair or to gently squeeze her hand. But he knew that it would end badly. At the same time, he realised he felt the need to touch another. Physical contact was something that he had avoided as much as possible here, even with Mai. It felt invasive, unnatural.
Yet now he longed for it.
"Are you happy?" Her question was soft and delicate. No scorn or venom in her voice this time. He met her eyes and saw something he couldn't place: empathy? Concern?
"I'm trying to be happy," the truth was the best answer now, "But it is difficult to readjust after so many years away from this."
This. He saw the flicker in her eyes when he said it. This, not home. She caught it, but didn't say anything.
"And you?" he asked automatically, "Are you happy?"
"I hope I'll be one day," she said as she started turning the ring around her finger.
"I'm sorry, it must be hard to live as a fugitive," Zuko said. Her eyes shot up, but softened again when she met his look. He didn't mean to mock her. He was truly was sorry, for he knew how hard to life was on the run.
"I hope for the best," she only said as she stopped turning her ring and took out one of her fans. She unshielded it, but not threateningly. He even saw the corners of her mouth slightly tug upward as she spun it around. "And I pick up some useful skills along the way."
"I noticed," he answered dryly, "That should come in handy when fighting soldiers or an assassin."
A loud thud made Zuko's eyes widen as he saw that the fan was lodged in the fabric of this clothing, just next to his wrist, and in the wood of the table. Instinctively, he pulled his hand back but it didn't budge. The almost friendly atmosphere they had shared evaporated like water on a scolding hot day.
"I'm sure I never mentioned an assassin." Elyrie articulated very clearly with her hand tightly wrapped around the fan that was lodged in the table. Her voice was low and dangerous, matching the icy look in those darkblue eyes.
Zuko felt his heart pounding in his chest, each beat echoing the betrayal that dawned on him. "I-.. I, only meant -.."
"You sent the assassin after us?" Elyrie didn't raise her voice, "After me?"
Zuko clenched his fists, trying to steady the tremor in his voice. "I had no choice," he said, swallowing thickly, "The Avatar could still be alive. Everything I worked for..-"
Elyrie's jaw was clenched, eyes burning with a mix of anger and pain. "You choose to try and kill us all, to secure your own position?"
She shoved the table, sending a empty bowl toppling to the floor, shattering into pieces. The crash punctuated the tension, hanging heavy in the air.
"No!" Zuko said as he trying to stand up but realised he was still attached to the table, "I specifically told him not -."
Elyrie scoffed as she pulled the fan from the wood and kicked her chair away, toppling it over, "I underestimated you, I have to admit it." She stepped around the table, closing the distance between them. "I thought there was something good, or at least something of a conscience in you. I even thought it tonight, but thank you for proving me wrong. You are just as heartless as Ozai and Azula."
Zuko's face hardened. "You think I wanted this?" he said, clenching his fists, "Do you think I enjoy living in the uncertainty?"
"No, that is why you got the order out to kill everyone who stands in your way!" Elyrie exploded. With a sudden, swift motion, she lunged at Zuko, shoving him hard against the wall.
Zuko grunted, more from the emotional pain than the physical. "I don't want to fight you. This isn't what I wanted!"
"Well, you've got it!" Elyrie roared, all the suppressed emotions exploding into a fierce punch aimed at his jaw.
Zuko ducked just in time, narrowly avoiding the blow, and instinctively countered with a quick jab to her ribs. The strike was sharp, precise, aimed to stun rather than injure. Elyrie staggered back, but was only fuelled in her anger. She lashed out again, this time with a series of fire punches, wild and hard.
Zuko deflected the first two but took a hit to the shoulder that sent him stumbling. He recovered quickly, years of training kicking in, and grabbed Elyrie's arm, twisting it behind her back in a controlled lock. "Stop!"
Elyrie didn't answer, but the fury in her eyes was undiminished. With a surge of strength, she slammed her head back against his already injured nose. Zuko's head snapped back and she wrenched free and spun around, slamming her elbow into his chest. Zuko staggered back, pain flaring through his torso.
Zuko didn't have time to recover before she was on him again, fan's flying with fire in his direction. She landed a solid punch to his stomach, followed by a quick uppercut. He groaned in pain, but he didn't fall. Instead, he roared and tackled Elyrie to the ground, the two of them crashing into the dining room chairs, one of which splintered under their weight.
They rolled, grappling for control, each trying to overpower the other. The polished floorboards creaked under their shifting weight. Zuko threw a punch that grazed her cheek, and Elyrie retaliated with a sharp knee to Zuko's side. She exhaled, her grip on him weakening.
But then, with a final burst of energy, she managed to flip him onto his back, pinning him down. Her flaming fan hovered in the air, ready to strike.
Breathing heavily, he stared up at her with his hands ready to defend his eyes.
Elyrie's arm trembled. He saw something flicker in her blue eyes. Slowly, the anger drained from her face, replaced by a deep, hollow sadness. Her arm dropped to her side, and she stood up.
For a long moment, they remained like this. Elyrie standing up, Zuko down on the ground, the room silent save for their laboured breathing
Then, Elyrie turned on her heels and ran out of the room. Zuko rolled on his stomach, instinctively grasping his injured ribs. "Wait!" he yelled, wiping away the blood from his nose.
She didn't answer, but he heard the front door slam shut. "No," he groaned as he stood up. He had been injured before, far worse than now. He wasn't about to lie down and let her get away, not again.
The sound of his boots against echoed off the walls as he flew out of the door, mingling with the distant murmurs of the city. Elyrie was fast, but he saw her figure heading in the direction of the square. As he rounded the corner, he saw she nearly collide with an old fruit vendor. The apples scattered across the street and he jumped over them.
She was getting desperate, her moves less calculated, more frantic. Good, he thought, desperation makes people careless, and careless people make mistakes.
Zuko quickened his pace, his breathing still controlled to ease the pain on his ribs. The alley twisted and turned, the walls so close that he could feel the cool stone brushing against his sleeves as he ran. But he didn't slow down. He could hear Elyrie just ahead, her footfalls uneven, erratic.
Then, suddenly, the alley opened up, and Zuko burst into the square. The space was wide and open, a stark contrast to the confined streets they had just navigated. Zuko's eyes immediately found Elyrie, who had come to a stop in the centre of the square, her chest heaving and her eyes darting around for a way out.
The square was still bustling with the energy of the market, Zuko slowed his pace, his footsteps deliberate as he advanced. He was not afraid she would bolt now, not with so many people around them.
Elyrie turned to face him, but he saw no desperation or fear. Instead, her lips curled in a sly manner.
"Lily, if you would just ..- " Zuko said before he saw her eyes widen in anger. Elyrie opened her mouth wide and yelled "Prince Zuko!" on the top of her lungs and bowed deeply before him, "Your Royal Highness! What happened to you?"
Zuko's mouth fell open as he tried to assess the situation. What is she doing?
"It is the Prince!"
"Prince Zuko, Your Highness!"
"Do you need help, my Prince?"
"Look, it is Prince Zuko!"
"Your Highness, what happened to you?"
The chatter around him grew and he looked around to see at least a dozen people walking towards him.
Elyrie only stepped back slowly as the crowd started to gather around him. His eyes didn't lose her as she walked backwards out of the crowd. He had expected anger, judgement, even hatred – all that he could handle. But not seeing her leave again.
He felt his heart splinter in a thousand pieces.
"No!" Zuko cried out, reaching for her over the crowd as he saw her disappear, "Wait!"
"Goodbye Zuko." She mouthed as she gave him one last searing look before she turned to melt into the shadows, disappearing into the labyrinthine alleys.