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Chapter Text

Chief’s Hut, White Wolf Tribe, South Pole, 90 AG

Hakoda breathed in deeply as Kya lay a comforting hand on his shoulder, as distraught as he himself was. 6-year-old Sokka and sweet Katara were staying with Kya’s friend Ticasuk and her two daughters for the night, much to Sokka’s vexation. In the igloo sat his mother Kanna, wife Kya and dearest friend and ally, Bato. They sat in silence as they all processed the events of the day and what they might mean for the tribe. Reasonably Hakoda had known that though the Fire Nation had thoroughly attempted and succeeded in their extermination of the Southern Water Benders the blessings of Tui and La could not be taken away so easily. He had heard rumours of Water Bending children being born across the Southernmost continent, and of the raids which followed . He knew that hiding a water bending child, of keeping a tribe harbouring a waterbender safe, was nigh impossible. If at all. And Katara had just split an ice flow with her hands alone.

“So. What do we do now?”

Hakoda looked up at Bato’s words.

“Katara is not safe here.” Kya stated plainly.

The thought that Hakoda could not protect his own child made him feel worthless inside.

“Nor is the tribe safe with her here. We know what happens to bending children. And to their villages.” Bato stated.

Hakoda pursed his lips. Just because it was true did not mean that he wished to hear it.  He rose angrily.

“And then what would you suggest Bato? That I exile my four-year-old daughter and leave her to the spirits’ whims? That I leave her outside as she sleeps and let the winds take care of this issue? Is that what I ought to do Bato? Because if you think so then perhaps you should leave this igloo!”

Silence fell over the room as Bato looked to the ground. At his side Hakoda could hear Kya suck in a deep breath. Hakoda sat again.

“Now if anyone has any useful ideas which won’t result in the death of my daughter, I’m listening.”

The silence grew thicker.

It seemed to go on for a full avatar cycle before his mother spoke up.

“There is one thing we could do. It would be dangerous. But Katara would be safe, and the tribe would continue as it is, without a hidden child of Tui and La.”

“What are you suggesting Saki?”

Hakoda’s mother hesitated slightly before continuing.

“I am suggesting that I return to the North. And that Katara comes with me. I had never wished to return there. But in a situation such as this, I fear it may be the only solution.”

“What? Mother, you, what?”

“Oh son. Brave little wolf. You need never have known that I was not originally of the South. I never intended to return after all.”

“She would be safe ‘Koda. The tribe and Katara both. It is as good of a solution as we are going to get.”

Hakoda did not hear Bato’s words. Only a faint buzzing in his ears.

He felt himself being shaken gently.

“Bato is right my love. Katara cannot stay here. Not only would she be in constant danger of the Fire Nation finding out about her, but she would never be a true waterbender. With no master to teach her she could become a threat in her own right to herself and those she loves, even involuntarily.”

“Kya, you cannot possibly agree with this? They are suggesting that our daughter leaves us for the other side of the world. We might never see her again. Or worse they may not even make it!”

“What other choice do we have Hakoda! Our daughter will never be safe here so long as the war rages on! If they come for her then what? She will be dead, or worse formed into a pawn for them to utilise to their own devices! We shall certainly not be spared, and Sokka what of him? Best case scenario, he will be an orphan and his sister may return to the South to hunt his children down someday! How could we justify that Hakoda?! Tell me.”

She was right, as she usually was but…

“She’s our daughter Kya.” He laid his head in his hands. “Our baby girl”

A warm embrace enveloped him, followed by another set of arms and then one more. All the people he loved comforting him as the unthinkable was finalized. His heart, his heritage and his voice of reason.

“We will begin preparations tomorrow. Within the moon’s turn Katara shall be headed towards our sister tribe.”

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90 AG: Hut of Arviq and Ticasuk, White Wolf Tribe, South Pole

The fire was warm and Katara played with the drinking water that Aunty Tica had provided them with. Niyok and Nutha were playing a clapping game on the other side of the igloo while Sokka sulked at the side of the igloo farthest away from them all. Unfortunately for him there were not many boys his age, and he certainly never appreciated Katara or Aunty Tica’s daughters. Uncle Arviq was out with several the other warriors guarding their small settlement. And Mum and Dad had both gone to do something or another with Grangran. Katara really couldn’t care less however, because today she had found out that she could move water and ice without touching it! She giggled again as the water floated up and down and around as she wished it.

“Shut up ‘Tara! No one cares about your stupid magic water!” Sokka shouted at her from the bundle of fur he’d snuggled into while sulking.

Katara’s lip wobbled once, twice, and she fled the igloo crying.

It didn’t register to her that Niyok and Nutha stopped their clapping, nor that Aunty Tica called after her with concern. Sokka ruined everything! He was always mean for no reason and thought he was better than her just ‘cause. It wasn’t fair! All she wanted was him to like her, maybe play games with her sometimes like Niyok and Nutha did. She wiped her eyes and snuffled into the sleeves of her parka.

Katara was so caught up in her emotions that she didn’t realise when she water-bended a hole in the snow wall surrounding the village. She didn’t even realise when she reached the end of the ice sheet. She only knew when she suddenly found herself without any footing as she fell into La’s embrace.

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90 AG: Spirit Oasis, North Pole

Yue looked around once more. She had snuck away from her night nurse when she heard Tui calling to her. Her Spirit Mother did not often talk to Yue, and never had she called on her with such urgency. As such the 6-year-old had rushed away at the first call that the Moon spirit made. Now all she had to do was to get past the two men who guarded the spirit oasis. Yue bit her lip and looked about before breaking off a chunk of decorative ice and throwing it as far as she could down the hall in the other direction. Quite stereotypically the two men looked away as one went to check the disturbance out. Yue snuck past the remaining warrior with concerning ease.

The Spirit Oasis had always felt like a second home to Yue and perhaps in a sense it was, Tui had given her some of her chi after all. So, it stood to reason Yue would feel comfortable here. Yue made her way to the pool itself and knelt down in front of the fish who were spirits.

“Hello Spirit Mother.”

Hello my little moonbeam

Spirit Mother was the only mother that Yue could remember, her own mother having passed when she was 3 alongside her never-living baby brothers.

“Why do you need me Spirit Mother? If I may ask. It is very late, and I am tired.”

I know my moonbeam. But this cannot wait.

Yue looked up at the moon curiously.

My other half has found their chosen. La’s own has fallen into his embrace. Saddened by her loneliness and uniqueness.

“That’s not good Spirit Mother!”

Indeed it is not my moonbeam. But do not fear sweetling. Drops of water came up to caress Yue’s face. For she shall find a friend soon.

“She will?”

Yes moonbeam. By years end she will arrive here. And you and her shall be almost as close as I and La. You are both our children after all. Sisters.

Yue gasped. She had always wanted a sibling. But father had never remarried. (The Chief had taken his wife’s death as a sign the spirits were angry at him for not being thankful enough that they gifted his first-born with life.)

“I’ve always wanted a sister! I shall be the most wonderful sister ever and we shall be the best of friends!”

Yue felt as if the water warmed around her as Tui embraced her.

I am sure that you shall be my sweet one. But you must do something more than simply being her friend.

“What Spirit Mother?”

You must ensure that the Avatar’s destined master learn all forms of waterbending and the culture and history of the poles. For she is chosen by we two for this role and her alone. Can you do that for me little moonbeam?

Yue frowned uncertainly.

“I don’t know if I can Spirit Mother, but I’ll try.”

Good girl. Now I believe that humans need to sleep.

Yue nodded and turned to leave.

“I promise I shall not disappoint you Spirit Mother! Goodnight!”

Goodnight moonbeam

Chapter Text

The Kai, 90 AG

Lu Ten was completely, utterly and thoroughly bored. He was 19 and instead of fighting for his country, spreading the glory and superior knowledge of the Fire Nation across the world, he was on a boat. A big boat granted. But still a boat. Not only had his Father not allowed Lu Ten into officer training until he was 18, two whole years after the age of admittance. But his training had taken an entire year to everyone else’s 4 months. Granted Lu Ten had to learn about the Army, Navy and the Home Guard, but still it never should have taken so long! And then, instead of going to the battle front Grandfather Azulon had sent him on a certainly fruitless voyage to search for the long missing Avatar. Considering it had been over 90 years since they’d last laid eyes on one Lu Ten greatly doubted that he would find them. Lu Ten growled in annoyance.

He might not have been the son of his father’s late wife. But he was still the heir to the throne. Just because his mother was Earth Nation Father and Grandfather didn’t want him on the frontlines. As if he would betray the fire nation! Lu Ten was certain that this was the true reason they kept him off of the front lines. Not out of concern for his safety or the line of succession. But because his blood made him a potential liability. Annoyed he stormed out to inspect his troops. As he left his cabin a young seaman called him.

“What?” he snapped, very much not in the mood for this.

The seaman started

“Forgive me, your imperial highness, but I was asked to notify you if you left your cabin that a great storm is occurring. We cannot feel it here of course. Um, well, everything is in order and the deck is being cleared.”

“And you didn’t think that I might want to be on the bridge during this!” Lu Ten grumbled to himself.

“No matter. I shall attend there now. Dismissed.”

The seaman saluted “Your Imperial Highness!”

Lu Ten marched purposefully to the bridge still grumbling. As he made his way out of the heart of his cruiser it progressively became harder and harder to walk as the swell of the waves became more and more obvious. Finally, Lu Ten made it there without any more interruptions, though only a dimwit would interrupt an annoyed imperial firebender.

His captain noticed his presence immediately and saluted.

“Your Imperial Highness. The deck has been cleared and all delicate items tied down. We are prepared for anything La and Vayu have to throw at us.”

Lu Ten nodded in approval and watched on as the crew continued to wait out the storm.

Around 20 minutes passed before the woman who was watching the east cried out.

“Sir there is a ship! It appears to be in trouble.”

“What Nation?” The captain asked.

“It appears to be water tribe sir.”

The Captain snorted. “Never mind them then. Their spirit can sort them out.”

Lu Ten looked over at the captain in derision before turning to the officer.

“May I see.”

She saluted and handed over the telescope “Your Imperial Highness.”

Lu Ten put his eyes to it and looked around for the water tribe boat. When he found it, he was shocked. It was a flimsy thing, barely more than a raft, and aboard it much to his horror Lu Ten could see no one but an old lady who was curling her savage clothes about a bundle. Lu Ten’s lips tightened.

He turned to the crew stationed at the door. “Pull alongside them and get them aboard.”

“Sir?” The Captain interrupted him.

“That is an old lady Captain. I do not know how you were raised but I was not raised to let civilian elders drown in storms.” The Captain opened his mouth as if to contest Lu Ten’s statement. “Not even savages Captain.”

“I…Yes your imperial highness.”

Lu Ten turned back to telescope and tensed. If they did not get there in time even this savage woman deserved a witness to her death.

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Kanna was rightfully petrified. They had set off well over a fortnight ago and had just hit their first storm. Unfortunately, the two warriors accompanying them Adlartok and Taktuq were not used to such storms and had barely been able to tie down the sails before they were thrown overboard by the waves of La. Kanna could not help but feel that Tui and La had abandoned them as she huddled around her granddaughter wishing that they had never gone north. They should have taken the sign of Katara having washed up on the shores of the ice sheet nearest to the village as it was meant. That Katara was not meant to leave the South. Instead, it had only solidified her son and daughter in law’s decision to send their daughter north despite the risk.

This feeling was relieved once Kanna saw the ship through the torrential rain and wind. They were saved. The horror returned with intensity when Kanna realised that this was not in fact a Earth Kingdom trading ship, but a Fire Nation Battle Cruiser. She gripped Katara to her tightly. They were not saved, they were doomed.

She was still frozen when a figure with a rope tied about them descended from the ship as it pulled alongside them.

“Grab on!” The fire nation soldier shouted at her and Kanna gripped Katara tightly, enveloped in memories of the raids that had taken away her beloved Hama.

“Now woman!”

She snapped out of her daze and moved towards him. Hesitating only slightly she moved to remove Katara from her grasp.

“Please, take my granddaughter first.”

She saw as dark golden eyes widened and the fire nation soldier took into his arms her dear little whirlpool with more tenderness than she’d ever imagined anyone from the fire nation capable of having.

“I’ll be back for you お婆さん”.

Kanna nodded at the man. Not expecting to see him again as he rose with Katara. She would live at least, but what kind of life would it be?

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As they made it closer to the boat Lu Ten rushed to the deck where preparations were being made to rescue the elderly water tribe woman. When he got there the 5 seamen there were fighting over who would have to go overboard and risk their own skin for the savage. Lu Ten rolled his eyes.

“I ordered this so I might as well go over.”

“Your Imperial Highness please don’t!” His crew were all over themselves trying to stop him from carrying out his own orders. But nobody can touch the imperial person first so before they knew it Lu Ten had a rope tied securely about him and was moving himself to the edge of the ship. He handed the rope over to his seamen and women.

“Do try not to drop me.”

And with that he lowered himself over the side of the ship and began to lower himself down. It seemed to take hours before he made it to the edge of the ship (if it could even be called that). He shouted to the woman to grab onto his hand. Instead of moving she seemed to curl in on herself further. Lu Ten couldn’t tell if the woman was deaf, dumb or just frozen in fear. He shouted again and the elderly woman unfurled herself, revealing what she had been protecting. Lu Ten was handed a little girl. There was a child being handed over by her grandmother to him. Lu Ten’s heart all but melted as teary blue eyes looked up at him from his grasp.

Looking up he reassured the water tribe elder he’d return for her before pulling on the rope and being hauled up. As soon as he reached the side of the ship, he passed the little girl to one of the crew before going right back over. Though he had said that he’d come back for her the water tribe elder looked surprised to see him. He held out an arm.

“Now you!”

Still shocked the old woman rose and grabbed on to him. She was certainly heavier than the little girl and the waterlogged savage clothing didn’t help.  He gripped her harder and the woman tensed. Finally, they were pulled over the side.

Lu Ten didn’t linger and quickly ordered his crew back inside. He grabbed the little girl who was clinging to his crew member’s leg like a lifeline. Lu Ten frowned when he noticed that the crew member in question was ignoring the little girl, even attempting to edge away from her. As he picked her up the girl almost melted into him. He held out an arm to help her grandmother inside. As they made their way in Lu Ten could practically feel the judging eyes on his back. From whom he didn’t know. But he knew that this sight was probably exceptionally strange.

Chapter Text

Katara was cold. Even when she had fallen into the sea back home, she hadn’t been as cold as she was now. They had been in the storm for an eternity it seemed to the young girl. Adlartok and Taktuq had fallen to La’s waves almost an hour ago and now she was curled up in her Grangran’s arms as La threw them across the open ocean with no end, no hope in sight. A large wave washed over them and Katara cried out as they were thrown against the mast. She whimpered as Grangran curled about her tighter. The storm was much too loud to hear anything but against her Grangran’s chest Katara could feel her humming. It was cold and it was wet and Katara was terrified, throughout her childhood she had always been able to feel La’s waves in a way that she now knew others were unable to. They had comforted her whenever she found herself unable to sleep. They comforted her no longer. Instead of the comforting rhythm of the waves La was crazed now, their energy thrashing about around her and confused her senses. The rhythm was now madness and the five-year-old didn’t understand how to deal with it. She cried out again in fear and confusion.

Then Katara gasped into her Grangran’s coat. Far away but coming ever closer there was a boat. A big, big boat. She grinned and cuddled in tighter. They were going to be alright. She curled into Grangran and went to sleep to the feeling of the big boat coming ever closer to them. When Katara next woke up it was to shouting. A man was shouting to them so loudly that Katara could hear him even within the confines of her Grangran’s parka. She couldn’t make out what he was saying but he was there. Before she knew it Katara was face to face with her element once more as she was handed over to the man. The water in her eyes somewhat concealed her vision but already Katara could tell that this was a man unlike any she had ever met. Unlike everyone back at her tribe this man was warm. He wasn’t wearing a parka, or even anything which seemed to be at all warming, but still he was hotter than the igloo in the height of summer with the fire going. She looked up at him and met eyes coloured like fire. Katara gasped then curled into the fire man. He was so warm.

Sooner than she like they reached the edge of what Katara assumed to be their boat and the fire man handed her over to a fire woman. Katara moved to snuggle into the woman who was almost as warm as the man, craving the warmth they provided as any hypothermic child would. But the woman placed her onto the cold floor of the boat before Katara could cuddle into her. Instead Katara hugged the lady’s leg and watched through squinted eyes the side of the boat which the rope that was holding the fire man led over. She clung onto the fire woman in fear. Grangran and the fire man were down there.

Thankfully it was not long before the fire man came over the edge with Grangran. He shouted at the people in red clothes to go inside before frowning at either Katara or the fire woman whose leg Katara was still attached to. Then he grabbed onto her and she curled right back into his warmth. They reached a door and then a corridor and then a room before Katara was placed down. Wiping the water from her eyes and face she was finally able to take a proper look at their saviour. He was shorter than she would’ve thought. Much shorter than Daddy. His hair was black and tied up in a funny looking Wolf’s tail, but it was the fire man’s face which really caught Katara’s attention. His skin looked more like a polar bear dog’s fur than her own and his eyes looked even more like fire than she had initially perceived them to. While she had been staring at him the fire man had been fussing over her, removing her waterlogged parka without any hesitation before seemingly catching himself and hovering his hands over her seemingly checking her for any injuries.

“Are you alright little one? Does anything hurt? What’s your name~?”

He turned to Grangran.

“What’s her name? And yours, of course. I am Lu Ten of the Fire Nation.”

Grangran seemed frozen in place and the fire man, now named Lu Ten, turned to her in concern.]

“Are you alright? You should take that coat off. It is much too wet, お婆さん and then your granddaughter. You both must be freezing.”

He frowned looked at her again and then, seemingly decided, turned back to her Grangran and said “I’ll send for some fresh clothes for you. The child will have to make do with a tunic I’m afraid.”

He inclined his head towards Grangran slightly before turning and leaving the room.

Grangran remained frozen in place even after Lulu left the room. Katara approached her slowly.

“Grangran? Are you ok?” there was no reaction.

Katara pulled on her sleeve a little.

“Grangran?”

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Kanna started and looked down at her granddaughter. Katara. They were on a Fire Nation ship. Her waterbending grandchild was on a Fire Nation battle cruiser. Kanna almost began to hyperventilate before she caught herself. She breathed in deeply. Once. Twice. Three times. Kanna opened her closed eyes. It was alright. Everything was alright. Katara would be ok. Kanna would make sure of it. She tried to think positively. For a Fire Nation soldier the man who had rescued them had seemed nice enough. He had gone to fetch them fresh clothes Kanna remembered. That was good. Kanna was already so cold she could barely feel her fingers. Fresh clothes would be good. She moved to undress her granddaughter and then herself.

A knock on the door caused Kanna to start. Who was there? Had they returned to finally kill them. Kanna scolded herself at that thought. She was thinking irrationally. Of course, they weren’t it was probably just the clothes.

“Yes?” Kanna tried not to stutter.

A grumpy voice answered.

“Fresh clothes and towels for the water tribe.”

“Yes, thank you I’ll just fetch them.”

Kanna hesitantly made her way to the door. Leaving Katara for even a moment on this dreaded ship seemed to be a terrible thing for her. But it had to be done. She opened the door slightly and held one arm out. In return a stack of towels and clothes was kicked through the door. That was more like the reaction Kanna had been expecting when the Fire Nation ship came into sight. She bent over cursing her old back and moved towards Katara handing her a towel.

“Use this to dry off whirlpool.”

“But I’m already dry.”

And so she was. Kanna chuckled looking at the pool of water at her granddaughter’s feet.

“Then use this towel to dry that puddle and put on this shirt.”

Katara saw the shirt offered and gasped.

“Grangran look it’s red!” She shouted in amazement as she took it into one hand and popped it over her head before placing the towel on the ground and directing the water into it. Katara then twirled around in her baggy shirt made dress giggling.

“Isn’t it pretty Grangran?!”

Kanna chuckled in amusement as she dried herself off and put the Fire Nation clothes, she had been given on. They too were red much to Kanna’s distaste, but she supposed beggars can’t be choosers. Kanna started as she took in the decorations filling the cabin and the bed at its centre on which Katara was currently sitting.

“Whirlpool?”

“Yes Grangran?”

“What was the name of the young man who rescued us?”

“Lu Ten Grangran.”

At that Kanna paled dramatically. For while they might have been out of the loop for most war intelligence even those of the Southern Water Tribe knew that Lu Ten was the name of the future fire lord. And that this cabin was fit only for a prince.

Kanna’s blood grew colder than it had been in the storm as she realised that not only had they found themselves on a Fire Nation battle cruiser. They had found themselves on a vessel under the personal command of a member of the Fire Nation’s Imperial family.

Chapter Text

The Kai, 90 AG

Lu Ten was currently standing in the mess hall, surrounded by a grumbling bunch of soldiers. The water tribe elder and child had been given fresh clothes and were currently in Lu Ten’s own cabin as he figured out where to place them. The actions of Seawoman Hiroko had concerned Lu Ten greatly. The Water Tribe might have been inferior but to push away a likely traumatised and hypothermic child! It was disgraceful. As the soldiers grumbled before him Lu Ten remembered the conversation, he had had with the Water Tribe Elder Kanna and her granddaughter Katara. The elderly woman had prostrated herself fully upon his entrance, dragging her granddaughter with her. She had apologised profusely for how she and her granddaughter had acted towards him, thanked him for his “great mercifulness and generosity” and begged his forgiveness. Now Lu Ten had been prostrated to many a time, as members of the Imperial Family often were. And that had certainly been the situation when many in his family would expect to be prostrated to. But for some reason seeing this elder and small girl on there knees before him had disturbed him deeply. Particularly when the elder had struggled to rise after Lu Ten had excused them. The little girl had jumped up of course and started to chatter at him about her pretty new dress and him being her hero, grabbing Lu Ten’s hand in the process. She was certainly the most cheerful child Lu Ten had ever met, not that he had met many children other than his cousins Zuko (7) and Azula who had just turned 5 and was already mimicking Uncle Ozai with such accuracy that it was almost disturbing.

Anyway, Lu Ten had of course forgiven the old lady and small child. After all, while every fire nation subject might know his face by heart water tribe savages could not be expected to know the same. The elder had, on Lu Ten’s request, disclosed her and her granddaughter’s names, her hands trembling throughout. Elder Kanna and Katara were Northern Water Tribe Citizens who had been visiting Elder Kanna’s sick twin sister in the Southern Water tribe. Elder Kanna had initially sailed only with her two adult grandsons but Katara had snuck onboard. Tragically the Elder’s grandsons had drowned on the journey, Lu Ten had not been able to bring himself to ask her to specify when they passed. Now Lu Ten wasn’t exactly going anywhere in specific on his completely pointless Avatar hunt so he had figured that the South Pole wasn’t going anywhere so he might as well do it later. So, Lu Ten had offered to take them to the North Pole. He could have dropped the two off at the nearest port, but something was telling him not to. Besides, leaving a nonbending Elder and her very young granddaughter to fend for themselves, even savages, struck him as deeply wrong.  The shock on Elder Kanna’s face had been priceless. The entire conversation had completely gone over little Katara’s head as she had continued to chirp merrily at Lu Ten and tug his hand when he didn’t pay attention to her, as little children were want to do. As Lu Ten had expected Elder Kanna had immediately accepted and had moved to prostate herself once more before Lu Ten had caught her arm to stop her. Katara had gotten blubbery when Lu Ten had moved to leave, his crew had to be informed of the change of plans after all, so Lu Ten had asked for permission to take her with him and upon her grandmother’s agreement had taken the girl by the hand and led the bouncy little turtleduck out to meet her new crewmates.

That brought Lu Ten to his current situation. A small child gaping at the apparently massive mess hall while clinging to his hand, and almost all of his crew grumbling and staring up at him. Lu Ten had a feeling they wouldn’t be too happy to discover that they were about to reverse course and spend two moons sailing from one unbearably cold place to another unbeably cold place to drop off two water tribe savages. Lu Ten squeezed Katara’s hand and gestured at her to be quiet.

Then he rose to his full height and called his crew to attention. With all eyes on him Lu Ten began to talk.

“Soldiers. As I am sure you all know we have no set course for our journey.”

Murmuring broke out. Lu Ten glared at them and they promptly quieted.

“As such I have decided that we have nothing to lose if we reverse course and drop this lovely young lady off at her home in the North Pole.” At that he gestured to Katara who, incredibly adorably, gave a little wave at the crew.

Silence fell across the mess hall for a few moments before all hell broke loose. The crew were certainly vocal about their opinions.

He turned to Katara. “Little one, you must be starving, why don’t you grab some rice out of the galley, carefully of course.”

“Ok!” She turned to walk towards the direction Lu Ten was gesturing her towards before turning back confused. “What’s rice Lulu?” It took all of Lu Ten’s strength and severe training to stop himself from cooing at the adorableness of the situation.

“You just go in there and wait for me, I’ll show you.”

“Ok Lulu!” She exclaimed before skipping away blissfully unaware of the murderous hatred his crew was expressing towards her. Lu Ten waited until he was absolutely certain that he would not be heard by the little turtleduck before continuing on with his speech. He breathed in deeply.

“SILENCE!”

The hall fell completely quiet. His amber eyes raked over them.

“We will be on what is a likely to be a completely useless voyage for two years and you are throwing a fuss about turning around to drop off a child and an elder back at their home. I’m not asking you to march through the Si Wong Desert!”

“But they’re savages Your Imperial Highness! Why just drop them off at the nearest port and be rid of them.”

Shouts of agreement rung out.

“You want to abandon a 71-year-old nonbending elder and her 5-year-old granddaughter to find their own way back from the southernmost part of enemy territory.” He asked flatly.

“Well, they’re not the northern water tribes’ enemies are they.”

“The Northern Water Tribe has been neutral for the last 70 years. Do you think those mud-covered lunatics will take kindly to that?”

Quiet murmurs took over the crew.

“No matter. Even if you don’t agree with me, I think that you forget who exactly is in command of this ship. Who exactly I am.” Lu Ten let smoke exit his nose as he raked his eyes over the crew.

“Or do you need me to call an Agni kai against you all?” He snarled.

The crew bowed their heads.

“I thought not.”

“Helmsman! Send word to the Captain. I want this ship to set course for the north pole immediately!”

“Your Imperial Highness!”

Lu Ten smirked as he turned to the door to the galley. He was a dragon, and his word was law. Even if his crew might sometimes need some reminding of that fact. He entered to find the Little Turtleduck with sitting on the floor playing with some boiling water, blissfully unaware of the fire nation prince watching her bend from behind.

“Huh.”

Chapter Text

The Kai, 90 AG

Katara jumped up and down in excitement. Her new favourite person in the whole wide world Lulu was taking her to explore the ship with him. She grinned as she skipped alongside the young man hand grasping his tightly. The ship was already like nothing else Katara had ever seen, with its shiny walls and the great warmth coming off of every surface. Every few steps there was a light flickering across the corridor’s walls. It was super cool! They approached two of the p0eople who were dressed in the same outfit that those on the deck had been wearing. They put their two hands together in a strange way when they saw her, and Lulu approaching and bowed down like Grangran had made Katara do earlier. She oozed with pride. Her Lulu must be a really great warrior to command so much respect at such a young age.

Lulu led her through two great doors into an even grander hall. It was most certainly the biggest internal space that Katara had ever seen, over 3 times the size of the Chief’s hut back home. She gaped as she looked around and then down at the men and woman who had stopped eating to turn towards and listen to them. At her side Lulu gestured at her to step back and be quiet.

“Soldiers…” Katara was immediately distracted by the pretty colours on which decorated the walls. She thought they might be blankets of some sort. So cool. Katara was brought out of her wondering by a tug at her hand. Lulu was gesturing at her and the people in the great room were looking at her so Katara waved. They were all very quiet in return. Katara thought that was fair, after all it didn’t seem as if there was anyone else her age on the ship so she thought that perhaps she might be imposing a bit or at the very least strange to have around. Suddenly they all started shouting and Lulu turned to her.

““Little one, you must be starving, why don’t you grab some rice out of the galley, carefully of course.”

Katara agreed with a chirp “Ok!” then she turned to walk towards the direction Lu Ten was gesturing her towards before turning back confused. She realised that she’d never heard of this rice thing that Lulu told her to get. “What’s rice Lulu?”

Lulu smiled at her softly.

“You just go in there and wait for me, I’ll show you.”

“Ok Lulu!” Katara turned to skip towards the door. She reached it and unfortunately found herself almost immediately bored. This room wasn’t nearly as cool as the rest of the ship. It was still shiny but Katara had lost her wonder over that particular aspect of the ship. She grinned when she felt the water set on top of one of the shiny things in another shiny thing. Katara lifted her hands up and guided it out giggling. She sat herself down quite happily and played with the water, making sure it didn’t ever touch the floor. She found that she quite liked this new game. Before she knew it a sound came from behind her. She turned to see Lulu standing there, eyes wide.

“Lulu! Look! I’m keeping it in the air!” She grinned at him.

“So you are! That’s really cool turtleduck!”

Katara wasn’t sure what a turtleduck was but Lulu sounded happy so she figured it couldn’t be a bad thing. She kept grinning at him as she twirled the water up and down.

“Why don’t you put that back where you found it and we can go and see your Grangran and bring her some rice? I’m sure you’re both very hungry.”

“Ok!” Katara pursed her lips as she tried to get the water back in the shiny thing she found it in. It turned out that getting the water out of the thing was much easier than putting it back in it. Eventually she managed to do so turning to grin at Lulu who in turn clapped her hands for her.

“Well done!”

Katara grinned even wider at his words.

As they left, she noticed Lulu turn to one of the fire people and that the fire person turned to open one of the shiny things and produced three bowls of something Katara didn’t recognise but figured must be the rice Lulu had talked about. At the thought of food Katara’s tummy growled. Lulu turned and chuckled at her.

“Hungry turtleduck?”

Katara nodded heartily.

Lulu offered her his hand “Then let’s go back to my cabin and eat with your Grangran then.

Katara took the offered hand and happily chirped at him about all sorts as they made their way back along the maze of corridors they’d come through.

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The Kai, 90 AG

Kanna sat on the bed of the Fire Nation’s Prince in a state of shock and terror. She had let the enemy take her little girl away. And had only realised after they had left the room that Katara had never heard of, let alone met anyone who didn’t hail waterbending as a blessing. She was just too young to know such things. And she was now surrounded completely by the enemy, people who had razed the South Pole to the ground hunting their waterbenders down. Kanna wrung out her hands. Though certainly not much time had passed since the two left the room to Kanna it felt like a lifetime, an considering her age that was saying something.

As the door opened Kanna jumped up faster than she had in decades and was greeted by the sight of the Prince walking in with her granddaughter somehow managing to hold three bowls in his hands.

“Grangran!” Katara chirped running up to her

“Lulu and I brought food!”

“So you did whirlpool. His Highness is surely generous.”

“It is nothing Elder Kanna, simply some rice. We were certain that you must be hungry after such a stressful experience.” Prince Lu Ten said.

“So considerate too.”

Prince Lu Ten handed a bowl over to her granddaughter and gestured for her to eat on the floor, before coming over to sit on the bed next to her and gesturing for her to join him. Kanna bowed and sat, her joints aching as she did so. Kanna was getting too old for this stress. He handed her a bowl and chopsticks which he seemingly pulled from nowhere.

“My thanks.”

The Prince nodded at her, beginning to eat his food. Only after he had begun eating did Kanna start herself. Though he had saved them not hours before, it never hurt to be careful when accepting things from one’s enemy. He eventually paused in his eating, though he did not turn to her Kanna could tell immediately that she was about to be addressed.

“Elder Kanna, I had heard that Water Tribe women are not treated as equals to men. That they are not allowed to fully learn how to waterbend. Out of curiosity, it true?” The Prince said questioningly.

Kanna pursed her lips for this was certainly not a subject she particularly wished to address. She had fled the North Pole due to its deeply entrenched misogynistic customs, and now it seemed that as a “Northern Elder” readily allowed to leave the tribe she was going to have to defend them. A certainly distasteful position to be in.

“Indeed. It is the way of things. As Tui and La have opposing roles to bring harmony and peace to the world, so must the roles of women and men be opposing yet balanced.”

He hummed. “It is unfortunate then, that your granddaughter is such a talented waterbender. She would go far in the Fire Nation.”

For a moment Kanna was certain that her heart had stopped. That she no longer remembered how to breathe.

“Indeed.” She croaked. “Though my Katara is certain to bring great honour to her ancestors by healing. She is a prodigy after all.”

The Prince hummed again.

“One of my younger cousins is a prodigy also, she formed her first spark before her second year. Very clever young girl. If we were more distantly related grandfather would certainly have arranged a marriage for us by now. As it is no woman has yet been able to live up to Grandfather and Father’s newly elevated standards.” He chuckled.

“Perhaps this is fortunate for you. You may be able to marry for love if they delay too long.”

“Hmm. Perhaps. I doubt it though. Lady Myeong of Keohso has been very impressive at the Royal Academy for Girls recently. I don’t doubt that she might be the one to almost live up to little Azula. Though as she’s only 13 for now I have at least 5 years more of freedom.”

“So the marriageable age is 18 then is it?”

“Indeed. Though both my Father, Uncle and Grandfather married much later than that, both my honoured stepmother and Aunt Ursa were 18 when they married.”

And wasn’t that just fascinating. Such different customs, and the implication that Prince Lu Ten himself might not be the son of his father’s wife. Fascinating.

“It is 16 in the Water Tribes. Though I hold hope that my Katara might be able to wait for longer. 16 still seems much too young, particularly when one reaches an age such as mine.”

“I find myself in agreement. If I do marry Lady Myeong I shall be 24, and she 18. So not so bad. But my Aunt Ursa was married off to my Uncle at the age of 18, when my uncle was 27, almost a decade her elder. I would not wish for a marriage such as that. I still remember it you know? I was 9 at the time, and I still remember how she walked to her marriage like it was a funeral. The look on her face when he kissed her…I’d never want any wife of mine to look like that. And Sozin…while his first wife was of an age as him, after their children and grandchildren died, he remarried. To an 18-year-old girl over 60 years his junior.” At that Prince Lu Ten shivered.

“Sometimes marriage can be a special kind of suffering.” She looked over to Katara, who had finished her rice and was now playing with a glass of water. “We must only try and ensure that our descendants are given the best match possible.”

“Sometimes the best match possible will never lead to happiness.”

At this Kanna herself hummed in agreement.

They sat in silence eating their rice.

“While I am perfectly happy taking you back to your tribe, I feel I must assure you that you are welcome to remain on my ship and return with us to Caldera if you wish. Azula could do with a playmate such as Katara. And she really does deserve to excel.”

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91 AG-Royal Palace, Caldera, Fire Nation                     

Zuko was bored. Extremely, totally and completely bored. With Lu Ten away on his search for the Avatar he was stuck with Azula. Though thankfully this would be their last lesson together before she was allowed to attend the Fire Nation Royal Academy for Girls. Though that was irritating too. Of course, Azula got to go and spend time with other kids while Zuko was stuck in this stupid palace. Speaking of this stupid palace. Their history tutor Ha-Jun of Keohso was such a drag. Unfortunately, Zuko couldn't say so as the old man was the eldest son of Grandfather's younger brother Prince Rozuku. Though the two didn't get along very well, with Fire Lord Sozin having Rozuku be raised by some other family, Zuko didn't want to find out how Grandfather would react to his nephew being insulted. It really wasn't worth the risk. They were going over recent family history and the murders of Fire Lord Sozin and Fire Lady Aruna's progeny. While it was probably meant to be a lesson for Azula, that no one could be trusted, Zuko wasn't sure from the smile on his sister's face that she was taking the lesson to heart.

So far, they had covered the traitorous air bender Tsering. Who had kidnapped her husband and murdered her parents in law the then Crown Prince and Princess, as well as their youngest sons Kenzo and Kuzon in the Fire Nation's year of betrayal and righteous conquest. Thankfully that evil woman had been found 4 years later, though it had been too late for Prince Zhen. Now they had to cover the Crown Prince's other children.

“Now that we have addressed this, can either of you tell me what happened to Crown Prince Zhihao's other children?”

Azula of course raised her hand instantly. Despite being only six, she still knew absolutely everything it seemed. It was infuriating to Zuko.

“Yes, Princess Azula?”

“Of course, Cousin Ha-Jun. Princess Hokulani of the blue fire, eldest daughter of Crown Prince Zhihao, was kidnapped and murdered by the savages of the Southern Water Tribe before the rescue offensive could reach her. Fortunately, she, the great warrior Princess as she was, managed to slaughter half of the tribe's water benders before she passed. We continue her great work to this day.”

“Very good Princess Azula. I am certain that someday you shall be even greater than Princess Hokulani herself.”

Azula preened and Zuko sunk into his chair. Stupid Princess Hokulani was Azula's favourite relative after only Father and Fire Lord Sozin. Zuko didn't see why. She couldn't have been that impressive if she managed to get kidnapped. Zuko was only 8 and he'd already fended off kidnappers twice.

“And you Prince Zuko? What happened to Princess Yazhu, Princess Azula, daughter of Crown Prince Zhihao, and Prince Kazuki?”

Oh no. Zuko panicked. The Crown Prince and his wife were the airbenders, Hokulani was the water tribes.

“Was it something to do with the Earth Kingdom?”

Ha-Jun sighed and began to speak before Azula interrupted him.

“Of course, it was dum dum. Don't you remember? Princess Yazhu was a non-bender so no fire nation nobles wanted her. Fire Lord Sozin was generous enough to give her hand in marriage to the Crown Prince of the Earth Kingdom, but the traitorous mud covered lunatics betrayed us and murdered her bridal party which included both her and her sister Princess Azula, grandfather's namesake, and their younger brother Prince Kazuki. This betrayal shows us how little the Earth Kingdom can be trusted and how much we need to save them. Honestly Zuzu. It's not hard.”

“SHUT UP AZULA!”

“Prince Zuko! Do not address your younger sister in such a manner!”

Zuko grit his teeth in frustration. “Yes, Cousin Ha-Jun.”

“That was a very good analysis Princess Azula. You are quite correct, though it is always wise to assess one's options. When your uncle the Crown Prince met the Earth King's father during his search for the Avatar he sat in discussion for months and almost gained half the Earth Kingdom in exchange for Princess Nuan's hand in marriage.”

“That's stupid. Aunt Nuan is dead. Besides the Earth Kingdom would have betrayed us again anyway. Why would doddery old Uncle think that was a good idea?”

At this cousin Ha-Jun spluttered and grew red.

“I would inform you Princess Azula, that my honoured father Prince Rozuku was well aware of his nephew’s plan's and indeed encouraged them. He saw it as wise and thus I do too.”

“Well, it's obvious what your daddy dearest was trying to do then isn't it.”

Azula smirked and Zuko cringed. That smirk was never a good sign.

“Your daddy was trying to get Uncle disinherited by Grandfather. I bet he sabotaged Aunt Nuan and Fire Lady Atula's children and pregnancies too. Do you have the same ambitions as him cousin dearest~~? Do you also have your sights set on the Dragon Throne? Because that's not very nice~~ Perhaps I should call my daddy and let him know~~”

“AZULA!” Zuko screamed.

“Princess Azula” Cousin Ha-Jun was shaking a little despite his age “I would assure you that I have no such inclinations. My father and your uncle were always close, I was one of the first to hold him when I was around your age actually Prince Zuko. The allegations you make are not only disrespectful of your honoured Aunt and Step-Grandmother's memory, but of my father and your uncle as well. I may be only seventh in the line of succession but you'd do well to remember that you are only fifth. Would you truly target your brother's potential children to decrease that number? Because that is what you are accusing my honoured Father of doing.”

Azula only smirked.

“Little Zuzu here would have to find a woman to marry stupid weak him first. And we both know that's not going to happen. So really, it’s a non-issue. We should be higher anyway. Everyone knows Iroh and Lu Ten are just bastards like Zhao who shouldn't be anywhere near the Dragon Throne.”

“PRINCESS AZULA! You will go to your room for saying such treasonous things! And I shall be discussing this with your parents and grandfather mark my words.”

Azula hung her head as if ashamed. But Zuko saw her smirk as she left. Saw the skip in her step as she walked out of the door.

“Cousin Ha Jun?”

His tutor composed himself.            

“Yes, Prince Zuko?”

“What did Azula mean by that? What she said about Uncle and Lu Ten I mean.”

Despite them spending the past hour studying the murders of their family members it was only this that made Ha Jun uncomfortable.

“I'm afraid such discussions will have to wait until you are older my Prince. Perhaps you can discuss it with your parents.”

Zuko frowned.

“Fine”

Cousin Ha Jun breathed in deeply and adjusted his robes.

“Very well then. Let us discuss the life and death of Princess Azula, only daughter of Fire Lord Sozin. Her relationship with Prince Zhihao, her rivals and why her descendants have always had a lesser claim to the Dragon throne.”

Zuko groaned. This really was the most boring day.

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WARNING: Discussions of assassinations and infertility issues, including miscarriages and child death. Proceed with caution please.

The Kai, 91AG

Seven years. Lu Ten had been the chosen heir of Crown Prince Iroh for seven years. And yet he still had to exert his authority to get respect and obedience.

Every. Single. Time.

They might have finally found success in initiating the installation of a landfill in a neighbouring uninhabited volcanic island, but throughout the negotiations Lu Ten had been able to tell that General Mung didn't respect him. Didn't consider his authority legitimate. Perhaps the man hadn't realised that Lu Ten could tell. But he could. Determining which prominent individuals considered his claim illegitimate was essential after all.

In the seven years since Fire Lord Azulon's proclamation Lu Ten had almost been assassinated thrice as many times. The first wave had been taken out by his guards and had mainly consisted of individual attackers. That had changed in when he was 15. He had been taking tea with his stepmother. As had become common since Zuko had been born. They had been set upon by people dressed all in black. And Lu Ten had froze.

Lu Ten had froze. Crown Princess Nuan had not.

Officially the Earth Kingdom Princess was a non-bender. But that day she had bended as if she had been trained by Kyoshi herself.

Within less than 10 minutes Lu Ten was left the only person alive in a room of 25.

Because Lu Ten was a coward his stepmother was dead.

His own mother had died birthing him, leaving Lu Ten to be raised by servants, and his father whenever the Crown Prince was not at war. His relationship with the Crown Princess had been cold and distant for the first 12 years of his life, with her constantly trying to produce an heir of her own, to no success. That had only stopped with her death, but in those final three years they had been closer. So close that sometimes Lu Ten had slipped up and referred to her as mother. Lu Ten had long since grown out of that habit.

He remembered the day that his world had changed as if it were yesterday. Aunt Ursa had just entered labour with Zuko and Lu Ten was playing in the halls...
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Fire National Palace, Caldera, 83 AG

The flames flickered as Lu Ten ran the halls, his hair loose. Maids rushed to avoid him carrying all sorts of bundles, from laundry to tea sets. Looking at the floor to step on the floorboards only and avoid the cracks, Lu Ten didn't notice the Crown Princess's approach until her red slippers were in front of him. They were vibrant and intricately decorated with golden dragons, indicating her status.

Not-at-all-nervous Lu Ten fell into a full bow, head almost touching the floor.

“Your Imperial Highness”

“Prince Lu Ten. Rise so I might see you.”

Lu Ten definitely didn't gulp at that. He rose slowly to a kneeling position. Then, seeing the Crown Princess raise an eyebrow in question, he rose to standing.
Crown Princess Nuan's vibrant green eyes looked down at him. Her face was long and narrow, with a sharp chin. The shadows under her eyes and any wrinkles displaying her age (37) were hidden by makeup. As was usual for her, the Crown Princess had her hair up and intricately decorated with dancing golden dragons and a flame headpiece. Aunt Ursa only wore a simple flame in a singlar topknot. But Aunt Ursa was only a Princess Consort, not the Crown Princess Consort.
Looking at her belly Lu Ten could tell the Crown Princess was pregnant again, as she usually was. He hadn't been told. But after all of the miscarriages, stillbirths and shortly living siblings this wasn't surprising.

Lu Ten didn't know how the Crown Princess did it. It hurt him enough, with Atula's death 4 years ago being particularly traumatic. But for her and Father....loosing so many children constantly be beyond difficult. And having to keep on trying.

After Atula had turned two the Crown Princess had stopped being pregnant all the time. Then when she was 4 Atula had gotten a fever. And Atula had burned. He had been 8.

Sometimes father and the Crown Princess's wails still haunted his dreams. Only a few days earlier he had been playing with her and father. Atula had just had her first spark. Grandfather had proclaimed her the future Fire Lady. The Crown Princess had been sitting in the palace, with the walls taken back so she could see everyone as she painted. They had been so very happy. Then Atula died and within the year the Crown Princess was pregnant again. Within the next 4, 3 siblings had come and left.

“How are your studies coming Prince Lu Ten?”

Lu Ten started from his memories.

“Well, thank you your Imperial Highness. I have just begun large scale battle tactics. My tutors say I am progressing well.”

“That is good. In time you will serve your father well.”

“Thank you, your Imperial Highness.”

From a distance Aunt Ursa's scream of pain broke through the silence.

“I think perhaps I might take some tea. My ladies are sat with Princess Ursa at the moment. Perhaps you might join me?”

Though it was close, Lu Ten didn't fall into a complete mess.

“I'd like that. Thank you, your Imperial Highness.”

Crown Princess Nuan clucked. “Follow me then.”

As the Crown Princess commanded, Lu Ten fell in line.

They meandered through the halls, maids falling into full bows as they passed. Until finally they reached one of the few areas of the palace Lu Ten had never been inside. The personal quarters of the Crown Princess of the Fire Nation. Crown Princess Nuan glided effortlessly into her quarters. Lu Ten froze on the edge of them.
He saw as the Crown Princess sat down in front of an intricately decorated wooden table. She gestured for him to join her. Shaking, his foot crossed the line.

Crown Princess Nuan's quarters were unlike any other part of the palace. Decorated in green, gold, and earthy colours they were certainly befitting a daughter of an Earth King.

He sat slowly opposite her. The tea pot arrived, with an intricate array of leaves in beautifully decorated pots. Unlike when he took tea with Father or Aunt Ursa, the tea was not yet brewed.

“I am going to brew us some tea. If you could, please bring the water slowly to the boil. It is a good exercise in control, your father finds.”

“I...yes...yes of course, your Imperial Highness.”

The Crown Princess huffed in amusement. Lu Ten did not see the contemplative look on her face as he slowly brought the water to boil.

“Here you are, your Imperial Highness. I hope that my humble efforts are satisfactory.”

“It's perfect Prince Lu Ten.”

She reached towards the bowls.

“With your Aunt going through what she is, I imagine today has been quite stressful. I shall brew a calming tea.”

“I thought all tea was calming?” Lu Ten asked without thinking. Immediately nerves broke through. “I apologise for my question your Imperial Highness. If you do not feel like answering it is no issue.”

She chuckled. “It is no issue Prince Lu Ten. Tea can be calming or energising. Different blends can possess entirely different properties, as well as tastes. The one which I brew for you now calms the mind and the body both. As such it's a favourite of many.”

“I understand. Thank you, your Imperial Highness.”

The Crown Princess stared at the brewing pot for a while.

“You should call me stepmother. Someday you may be Fire Lord after all. And then where would we be?”

Lu Ten's brain skid to a halt. He stuttered and stumbled over his words for minutes before coming up with a coherent response.

“That's not at all necessary! Soon you will have an heir of your own, and they will be Fathers heir. And then someday Fire Lord or Lady. So, it really isn't something I will be.”

Crown Princess Nuan sighed. “You are old enough now to realise how unlikely it is that I will produce a healthy child. I am 37. I have been wed since I was 17. In those twenty years I have only borne two children who lived passed infancy, despite falling pregnant 19 times. That this one would live, is highly unlikely.”

Lu Ten looked down in silence.

She sighed again.

“Prince Lu Ten. As things stand, the Fire Lord does not wish for you to be your father's heir. He considers you weak. Ill-blooded. Frivolous. And to the best of his knowledge, you only have the support of your father. If this continues. If the worst happens, and your father passes to Agni before the Fire Lord. Prince Ozai will be named Crown Prince.”

Lu Ten shivered.

“I see from your reaction you understand how dire of a situation that would be. Prince Ozai is a powerful and intelligent man. But he cares for nothing but power and himself. The war will be over within the reign of the next generation. Prince Ozai will not know how to conduct himself in such a situation and the world will burn.”

Lu Ten found himself nodding along.

“As such, after this pregnancy has come to a close, one way or another. If I have no living babe. I will beseech the Fire Lord to name you Iroh's heir. I expect you to work hard to deserve this honour.”

Lu Ten was silent for a couple of moments.

“Thank you, your Imperial Highness. I will work as hard as I can to deserve this honour.”

The Crown Princess smiled and raised an eyebrow.

“I apologise...stepmother.”

Crown Princess Nuan smiled at him.

“Very good. Now then...it appears the tea is brewed. Let me pour it and you can tell me more about your studies.”

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The Kai, 91 AG

Lu Ten stared down at the golden and green teapot and cups in front of him. His tea was brewed. And still no one outside his family believed in him.

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The Imperial Family; 90 AC, 70^th Year of the Reign of Azulon

Fire Lord Azulon, Fire Made Flesh, Herald of Agni

• Married: (1) Fire Lady Atula of House Ty (1 BC-47 AC); no issue
• Married: (2) Fire Lady Illah, yet living
  • (1) Crown Prince Iroh of Agni’s Light, the Dragon of the West
    • Married Princess Nuan of the Earth Kingdom (46 AC-86 AC)
      • Prince Zhihao of the Fire Nation, most beloved and mourned (71 AC-74 AC)
      • Princess Atula of the Fire Nation, most beloved and mourned (75 AC-79 AC)
    • Noble Consort Kun (50 AC-71 AC)
      • Prince Lu Ten of the Fire Nation, Respected Heir to Crown Prince Iroh
  • (2) Prince Ozai of Agni’s Light
    • Married Lady Ursa of Hira'a, yet living
      • Prince Zuko of the Fire Nation
      • Princess Azula of the Fire Nation

Extended Family of the Blood of Sozin

Fire Lord Sozin, Fire Made Flesh, Herald of Agni (82 BC-20 AC)

• Married: (1) Fire Lady Aruna of House Yaomin (77 BC-2 BC)
  • Crown Prince Zhihao of Agni’s Light (53 BC-YC); Murdered by the traitorous Tsering
    • Married Princess Pipaluk of the Northern Water Tribe (45 BC-YC); Murdered by the traitorous Tsering
      • Prince Zhen of the Fire Nation (24 BC-4 AC); Murdered by the traitorous Tsering
        • Married the traitorous Tsering of the Air Nation; successfully defeated by the glorious avenging Fire Nation in 4 AC
          • Princess Zhen of the Fire Nation (1 BC-YC)
      • Princess Hokulani of the Blue Fire (23 BC-4 AC); Killed by the Southern Water Tribe Savages
      • Princess Yazhu of the Fire Nation (19 BC-YC); Murdered by the Earth Kingdom
      • Princess Azula of the Fire Nation (17 BC-YC); Murdered by the Earth Kingdom
      • Prince Kazuki of the Fire Nation (15 BC-YC); Murdered by the Earth Kingdom
      • Prince Kenzo of the Fire Nation (13 BC-YC); Murdered by the traitorous Tsering
      • Prince Kuzon of the Fire Nation (11 BC-YC); Murdered by the traitorous Tsering
  • (4) Princess Azula of Agni’s Light, Wife of the Head of House Ty (40 BC-6 BC)
    • • Ty Thura, Head of House Ty (20 BC-50 AC)
        • Fire Lady Atula of House Ty (1 BC-43 AC)
        • Ty Win, Head of House Ty (2 AC-yet living)
          • Ty Bhun (28 AC-48 AC); Killed in action
          • Ty Chit (28 AC-50 AC); Killed in action
          • Ty Thurein (36 AC-yet living)
            • Married Lady Ha-Yun of Keohso, yet living
              • Ty Suriyo (60 AC-yet living)
                • Ty Thura (80 AC-yet living)
                • 7 identical daughters (84 AC)
                  • Ty Lee
                  • Ty Lin
                  • Ty Lat
                  • Ty Lao
                  • Ty Liu
                  • Ty Lum
                  • Ty Woo
              • Ty Lin (66 AC-88 AC); Killed in action
      • Ty Alangka (18 BG-YC)
• Married: (2) Fire Lady Dipali of House Siso (18 BC-80 AC)
  • Fire Lord Azulon, Fire Made Flesh, Herald of Agni
    • The Main-line Imperial Family
  • (3) Prince Rozuku of Agni’s Light
    • Married Lady Ji-Su of Keohso, Head of her House, yet living
      • Lord Ha-Jun of Keohso, Minister of Education (34 AC-yet living)
      • Lord Ha-Byeong of Keohso (36 AC-yet living)
        • Married Lady Mei of House Yukara, yet living
          • Lord Min-Jun of Keohso (63 AC-yet living)
          • Lady Myeong of Keohso (77 AC-yet living)
      • Lady Ha-Yun of Keohso (39 AC-yet living)
        • Married Lord Ty Thurein, yet living
          • House of Ty         

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Chapter WARNING: attempted arranged marriage between a child and an adult. I very obviously do not condone this, but I would consider it to make sense in this situation, considering customs and the sheer potential ramifications of such a match being successful.

91 AG, Palace of the Northern Water Tribe, Agna Qel'a

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WARNING: References to Domestic Abuse, including both spousal and child abuse. Please don't proceed if this is something to avoid

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Agna Qel'a, Northern Water Tribe, 92 AG

The flames of the healing hut flickered, lighting the hut in an eery glow. Yagoda sat beside her old friend Kanna, and her young protégé Katara, who, with only a year of formal training in the healing arts of waterbending, was already nearing mastery. Neither Yagoda’s mastery, nor Katara’s prodigious talent had been enough to save Kanna. For even the greatest of healers were helpless when the spirits decided to take someone into their midst.

Kanna had been sleeping for weeks now, kept living through influxes of chi, snow melted into her mouth, and gruel. Yagoda had tried everything; Pakku had scoured the Great Library for any information; and Katara had fainted from exhaustion. There was naught to be done. Only the Avatar could save Kanna, and the Avatar had been gone longer than Yagoda had been alive. She supposed it was a small blessing, that she had had the opportunity to spend an entire year with her old friend before she passed, after having lost her for so many decades. It did not feel like a blessing now. Now all Yagoda could feel was regret for the time lost.

When the Chief had announced the arrival of the Fire Nation War ship, she had been shocked. When he had announced the ship was to be let through the entrance to Agna Qel'a, well, to say that she had been apprehensive would be a vast understatement. But in they came, and for the first time in her life, Yagoda bore witness to the Fire Nation. At first, she had thought that the young man with the flame crown had been a woman, so short and beautiful he was. But then his herald had announced him, and that beauty turned to ice in Yagoda’s eyes. For he was none other than the future ruler of that evil nation.

Yagoda’s attention to the prince had been cut short however, by elder and young girl who had emerged from behind him. Kanna. A name that had not been uttered in the Northern Water Tribe for decades. Kanna who had rushed into the arms of the man she had fled from. Kanna, who despite her age, was nimble on her feet and glowed with the youth of a woman half her age. Kanna.

Yagoda hadn’t been able to believe it at first. But then, following the Fire Prince’s departure they had had the opportunity to talk more, as she was tasked with teaching the last waterbender of the Southern Water Tribes.

Kanna’s son and daughter-in-law had decided that it was for the best that their only daughter was sent to the North the moment that she bended for the first time, breaking an ice flow apart. They had no other choice, for the child was the last known bender of the South Pole. Before she had slept, Kanna had drawn Pakku close and spoke words to him that only the spirits could know. The last words she had said to Yagoda were good night.

A trained healer, Yagoda could sense it as Kanna’s time drew closer than ever and called for one of her many apprentices to fetch Master Pakku to sit with her in the end.

Yagoda shook Katara gently to wake her from her slumber the moment that Pakku entered the chamber, quiet and sombre.

And so they sat, Yagoda at Kanna’s head, one of Kanna’s hands held in Pakku’s, the other in her granddaughter Katara’s. Until, as the full moon reached its zenith, Kanna of the Water Tribes, mother of Chief Hakoda of the White Wolf Tribe, Grandmother of Katara the last waterbender of the Southern Water Tribes, breathed no more.

Katara broke down into verbal sobs, begging her grandmother to return to her, as Pakku and Yagoda watched on, their own grief manifesting in silent tears drenching their faces.

.......

.......

.......

.......

Yue lifted her hand from the pond of the Spirit Oasis, detesting herself for doing what her spirit mother Tui had demanded of her.

Chapter Text

South Pole, 92 AG

At seven years of age Princess Azula of the Fire Nation had never left the shores of her homeland. As she took in the sights of the icebergs and sheet ice, the creatures she did not even have words for, it hit Azula how different the world was from the confines of the palace. This was not the first time that Azula had thought this of course, it had been a months long voyage after all. But still, these sights, these noises, this temperature, all combined into something more overwhelming than anything she had faced before.

Mother had not accompanied her, with Grandfather apparently wishing to teach Azula some responsibility. Fortunately, Azula had been allowed to bring Ty Lee and Mai with her. Ty Lee’s mother Ty Suriyo was also accompanying them, both to ‘supervise’ Azula’s interactions with Lu Ten and to help to continue their studies. Azula and Ty Lee looked like such opposites, even Azula sometimes forgot that the other girl was her second cousin thrice removed. That while all of her children were non-benders, Ty Lee’s mother Ty Suriyo, was a firebender, and ninth in the line of succession to the Dragon Throne, being descended from two of Fire Lord Sozin’s children - Azula and Rozuku.

Cousin Suriyo was a stern woman, which was surprising to say the least, considering the character of her daughters. But she was a talented firebender, and had been a talented officer before she had retired after her victory in the battle that had killed her sister Ty Lin. She was a more than decent tutor for Azula to learn from. She also made sure that none of her three charges ever had a hair out of place, particularly when they were having dinner with Lu Ten. She’d attacked Azula today with the ferocity of a dragon, combing her hair until Azula was sure that she’d be bald by the end of it, draping her with robes upon robes upon robes. Azula felt more like a Hippo cow than a human.

Azula stood on the deck next to Cousin Suriyo, Ty Lee and Mai right behind them, as they approached the small settlement. The settlement where Lu Ten’s Noble Consort resided. Azula still did not quite know what to do with that information. While she had been aware of it for months now, she was not sure how, or if, it should be addressed. That Lu Ten had already proven himself capable of having children was a relief for both Grandfather and Azula. Azula might not particularly want any babies, ugly little things that they were, but she knew they were necessary. There were only nine people currently eligible for accession to the Dragon Throne. Three of those people were on this very ship. Even if she wasn’t to marry Lu Ten, Azula knew that Grandfather would expect her to have children.

So yes, knowing of this child, the ‘Lady Katara’ was a relief. That the girl was a waterbender moreso. But that Grandfather wanted Lu Ten to bring the girl’s mother home with him. Azula didn’t like that. That he wanted Lu Ten to take Azula’s greatest rival Myeong as a second consort, Azula liked that even less. While the royal historians had not yet published the latest update to the Imperial Family Tree, Lu Ten’s child had been sketched in, as had her mother, Kya. Azula sneered at the thought of the savage’s name. Kya who had borne Lu Ten a daughter five years ago. A daughter who yet lived. Azula was extremely conscious of the fact that she was only seven. That it would be over a decade until she would be wed to Lu Ten and able to attempt to have a baby. In those 12 years the Water Witch might be able to give him six or more children. Myeong was 15. If her parents did not insist Lu Ten wait until she was the right age to marry (and why would they, Azula wouldn’t), Myeong might be able to do the same. Azula tried not to worry with her lip. Upwards of 12 children by consorts before Azula could even produce one of her own. And that was presupposing she would be able to. Aunt Nuan had failed, and she and Uncle Iroh were unrelated. Fire Lady Atula hadn’t even been able to produce one child. And she was Grandfather’s grandniece.

The ship stopped on the sheet ice, too solid to be moved, with a great thud and a worrying Azula was ushered to the exit. She was positioned only a step or two behind Lu Ten, who was, like Azula, dressed in much finery. Too much finery for this tiny village in Azula’s opinion.

The exit for the ship lowered and Azula was met with more white than she had ever seen before. They exited flanked by soldiers and cousin Suriyo, Ty Lee and Mai waving them off from the deck of the ship. They didn’t have to walk for long before they were greeted by the savages. They were giant, with many of the soldiers standing a head taller than Lu Ten. Lu Ten spoke in a language Azula didn’t recognise. She only heard the name “Kya” and struggled not to sneer. The soldier at the front of the party looked confused for a moment, and Lu Ten spoke in that strange language some more. Then she was being gestured to. Then Suriyo was ushering her forward. And before she knew it, Lu Ten was telling her to bow. Telling Azula to bow to a savage. She really did struggle not to sneer at than, sparks almost coming out of her hands.  

“This is to be your bride.” The savage said something again. Azula hated it. Hated not understanding.

“She is yes. I think it would be best if we could talk in private. I don’t think that you will like what I have to say.” Lu Ten responded in that savage language.

“You may be surprised Prince Lu Ten. You may have come at just the right time. Your betrothed looks of a similar age to my son, Sokka, and some of the other children of the village. If it would be agreeable to you, we would be happy for her to spend time with them, accompanied, of course, by your cousin.”

Azula saw Lu Ten nod before he turned to her.

“Azula, the chief has offered for you to spend time with his son, and with the other children of the tribe. I believe this would be a good learning opportunity, if you are so inclined to take it. Lady Suriyo, I believe you speak Southern Water?”

Cousin Suriyo nodded to the affirmative. Azula knew that she didn’t actually have an option.

“Of course, my Prince.” Azula said, bowing. Lu Ten smiled tightly at her, and Azula worried a little more.

Then a tall man was guiding her and cousin Suriyo away as Lu Ten walked with the seeming Lord of the village to a snow building not so far away. As she was led into the noisy room, filled with children looking at her with a varied mix of emotions, Azula breathed in deeply. She was a Princess. She was the future Fire Lady. She could deal with some savage children.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Lu Ten had gone over what he would say to Katara’s parents many times since his grandfather had given the order. He’d obsessed over it even. Nothing ever sounded quite right. Then again what could? Oh hello, Chief Hakoda and Kya! Funny story, the entire fire nation is under the impression that your daughter is my get, and that I slept with Kya when I was a teenager! That was sure to go down well.

Lu Ten hadn’t been meant to know that Katara was, in reality, the last waterbender of the Southern Water Tribe. But the girl had mentioned it off-hand, with an obliviousness that only children possess, during their time together in the North. Lu Ten was honestly impressed that the girl hadn’t mentioned it earlier. He knew by then, what danger her status put her in. And Lu Ten cared for the little girl. Felt for her almost how he had felt about Atula. So, Lu Ten had not breathed a word. Not to Kanna, not to any of his crew or family, not even to Agni. Not until he off handedly, accidentally, noted to his grandfather, the fucking Fire Lord, that his ‘consort’ was in the South. Lu Ten thanked all the spirits daily that neither grandfather nor father had connected those particular dots.

He digressed. The Chief, Hakoda, led him into an igloo. A woman who could only be his wife, could only be Kya, sat there. A young child in her arms, not even a year old. Another warrior followed them in.

“Lady Kya.” Lu Ten greeted her, glancing over at the other warrior warily, for this was not a conversation for all ears to hear.

“Bato is my dearest friend Prince Lu Ten. Whatever you have to say to my wife and I can be said to him also.”

Lu Ten cleared his throat. No words came out. No words worked. Lady Kya looked at him in worry.

“I…this is difficult. I was recently journeying the world. Searching for the avatar.”

At this the three Water Tribe people frowned. Right…possibly not the right thing to say.

“On my journey in the South I came across a ship in distress. This ship was carrying two people on it, an elder and a young child. Kanna, and Katara.” Kya gasped in horror.

“I had my crew rescue them, and Elder Kanna said that they were returning to their home in the Northern Water Tribe. As I was on a fool’s quest, I saw fit to return them. I am grateful that I did, as returning them has brought peace between the Fire Nation and the North. My cousin, Prince Zuko, is to marry the Crown Princess of the Northern Water Tribe, Princess Yue.”

At this Hakoda, Bato and Kya looked to one another confused, for women were not allowed to be Chief to the best of their knowledge. Lu Ten, enveloped in his story did not notice.

“Unfortunately, during our travels to the North, I may have given quite a few people, important people, the wrong impression about my relationship to your daughter, Katara. Word got back to my grandfather, the Fire Lord, and well …. my family is under the impression that she is my daughter,… that you are my consort.” Lu Ten knew there was not a word in Water for consort, so used mistress instead. He bowed his head in apology before his next words.

“Chief Hakoda, Lady Kya, I have been ordered to bring my consort back to the fire nation, where she will live in luxury. I completely understand if it is not possible, but if it is… I need a water tribe woman to return to the fire nation with me. To pretend to be Katara’s mother.” He finished and only the crackle of the fire could be heard within the igloo.

“There is no need to pretend. I will go with you.”

“Kya no!” The Chief shouted.

Lu Ten looked up in shock.

“This is the answer we have prayed to the spirits for Hakoda. Presented to us on a silver platter. It would be folly not to take it. I won’t let my daughter leave with some stranger!”

“She has a good point ‘Koda. We could not handle Katara here, not safely. Hokulani. She would be impossible, and you see how she weakens as the sunless days come closer. It is a solution. To save her.”

The chief buried his head in his hands as his friend placed a hand on one of his shoulders, his wife a hand on the other shoulder. Lu Ten felt incredibly confused and out of place. He really did not want to be here. Was it too late to back out?

The chief let out a watery chuckle. “Why are you always fucking right.” He sat defeated as Kya spoke again.

“I will go with you Prince Lu Ten. As your consort. I will not give you any children however. My heart belongs here, to my husband.”

“Of course!” Lu Ten interrupted before she could speak again.

“Good. I must ask a favour of you however. My younger daughter. She has something in her that none of us expected. We do not know where she has inherited it from, perhaps from a distant ancestor, perhaps it is a new blessing by the spirits.” Kya spoke again and motioned to hand her baby to Lu Ten.

Lu Ten had never held a baby before, not Zuko, not Azula. He sat awkwardly with her, Kya’s hand still stroking through dark locks. The baby was strangely pale for a water tribe child, that was immediately evident. Then she opened her eyes and Lu Ten knew what Kya wanted of him. She did not even have to say the words. Lu Ten stared into golden eyes that looked exactly like Zuko’s in shock.

“My younger daughter. She is a firebender.” Kya said.

As if on command, the girl sneezed sparks at him and giggled.

Chapter Text

Zuko had very rarely laid eyes on his grandfather. As Fire Lord, Grandfather Azulon was nearly constantly occupied, with the few hours he was not busy being usually taken up by rest. Zuko had certainly never spent time with his grandfather alone, with just the two of them. As such, when he received the summons to join Grandfather and Mother for their evening tea ceremony, he was nervous, and was promptly made fearful once Mother had poured the tea and Grandfather dismissed her. For the first time in his nine years of life he was sat alone with the ruler of the Fire Nation, Zuko’s own grandfather.

Zuko kowtowed before him. “Fire Lord Azulon, it is an honour to sit with you this evening. May the light of Agni shine upon you for decades to come.”

“Prince Zuko. Greetings. Rise now.”

“As you will it Fire Lord.” Zuko rose to a kneeling position, trying desperately to breathe normally.

Silence came upon them as the Fire Lord went to take his tea. After he drank, Zuko raised his own cup with trembling hands to sip the hot leaf water.

“As you well know, Prince Zuko, it is the honoured duty of our family, one bestowed by Agni himself to care for Agni’s people, all across the world.”

Zuko was silent, but nodded in acknowledgement.

“You will not be the first Prince of the Fire Nation to wed a Northern Water Tribe Princess. Indeed, as you well know my honoured elder brother, the late Crown Prince Zhihao of Agni’s Light, was wed, with the approval of our Father, Fire Lord Sozin the Great, to Princess Pipaluk of the Northern Water Tribe.”

Zuko continued nodding along “Yes, Fire Lord”

“You shall be the first Fire Nation Prince to act as Consort to a Water Tribe Princess however. It will be your duty to save your new people from their savage ways, to bring them truly into Agni’s Light.”

Zuko wasn’t sure how he’d be able to do that … it seemed so big.

“Yes, Fire Lord, I shall serve Agni’s will”

“You are a good Prince, Prince Zuko, and shall, someday, make a wonderful Chief Consort.”

“Thank you, Fire Lord,”

Fire Lord Azulon gestured to one of the servants, who had been so silent Zuko had forgotten they were even there. The servant walked over to them and laid on the tea table in front of them a set of scrolls, bound in a silvery leather.

“My goodsister, Princess Pipaluk brought these with her when she came to this great nation to wed my brother. They contain details of water tribe customs, histories, and waterbending techniques.”

At this Zuko looked up in shock. “Forgive me, Fire Lord Azulon, but why would I need these?”

“To save the savages from their own ways, you must first understand those ways, and why they are both damaging to the people, and inferior to our own advanced and civilised customs. You will study Prince Zuko, so that you might save them. Now, off with you.”

Zuko kowtowed to his grandfather, his shocked eyes hidden from view.

As he picked up the box of scrolls, he hoped against all hope they were written in Fire tongue.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Less than a mile away, the flames in the great chamber of the grand palace which was the residence of the younger brother of Fire Lord Azulon and his descendants flicked up and down hypnotically as Prince Rozuku of Agni’s Light breathed weakly. He had been unconscious for days now, and all of the healers and sages were in agreement that the end was drawing near for the old prince. In all of that time his elder brother, Fire Lord Azulon had not seen fit to visit him.

His wife, the Lady Ji-Su of Keohso, Head of her House, had passed in her sleep earlier that week, and the sages had been anxious for Prince Rozuku to weigh in on who the headship of House Keohso should pass to, with both of the late Lady Keohso’s sons now being in their 50s. With the elder as a childless bachelor, well established as the Minister of Education, the sages and other officials alike were loath to lose him to a ruling position as Lord Keohso.

They were not to get his opinion however, for on that day, during the 72^nd year of the reign of Azulon, Prince Rozuku of Agni’s Light, last surviving child of Prince Zhen and Princess Tsering, claimed son of Sozin, breathed his last, and all the fires in the great palaces of the Caldera went out in harmony.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Unfortunately, the scrolls had not been written in Fire, but Northern Water, and as such Zuko was relegated to the library translating the lines of the scroll, one by one, seemingly neverendingly, using the dictionary scrolls. So engrossed was Zuko in his task, bestowed on him by the Fire Lord himself, that he did not notice the flames of the palace going out, only absentmindedly lighting a fire in one palm to help him to see.

Azulon noticed however. And Azulon knew. He had been holding yet another war council went the lamp at the end of the hall had gone out. His flames surrounding the throne and concealing him from onlookers flared as a litany of emotions overcame him, silencing his council in fear.

Azulon could not remember a life without his brother. Father had brought him to the palace when Azulon was very young after all. They may never have gotten along all too well, with Rozuku being raised by their zealously loyal nephew, who had been 20 years Azulon’s own elder, Ty Thura and his wife. But to have had a brother for almost 90 years, and then suddenly for that brother to be gone…it was jarring.

Azulon breathed out, burning away the tears in his eyes. Rozuku and he had never gotten along. But his brother deserved to be honoured.

“Lord Siso.”

“Yes, your Imperial Majesty”

Lord Siso, a great grandnephew of Azulon’s mother Fire Lady Dipali bowed.

“Fetch Lord Ha-Byeong of Keohso.”

“My Lord?”

The silly man kept forgetting his place. He may have been Azulon’s cousin, but there was no imperial blood running through his veins.

“My noble brother has passed away. I will be appointing Lord Ha-Byeong as Lord Keohso.”

“But your Imperial Majesty, forgive me, but is it not Lord Ha-Jun’s birthright to be Lord Keohso?”

Azulon’s nostrils flared and he blamed the emotional unrest caused by his brother’s passing for not later burning the man on the spot.

“Lord Ha-Jun is unmarried and has no children. He is better serving elsewhere. Bring his younger brother to me so I might make the appointment!”

Finally the upstart bowed, deeper this time than was usual for a man of his standing.

“Your Imperial Majesty” Lord Siso, and, hidden by his own fire, Azulon sank into his seat.

His brother was dead.

Chapter Text

Agna Qel'a, The Northern Water Tribe, 93 AC

In the height of the North the sight of a bird was rare enough, the sight of a red winged one, that was unheard of. And yet there it was, a stark contrast to the white of the sea ice and the blue of the ocean. A fire nation messenger hawk. Atuat had just finished her healing lessons for the day, and had been on her way home, but ran instead to her father, a warrior on the wall.

“Father! Father!”

Her father turned, concerned.

“What is it Atuat?”

Atuat went to answer him but a younger warrior burst in, ignoring her entirely.

“Warrior Aluq!”

Her father turned to him expectantly.

“Yes?”

“A messenger bird from the Fire Nation sir. One of our benders shot it down.” At this he presented father with an injured bird barely clinging to life. Atuat gasped in horror.

“Tarrlok! Do you not see my delicate daughter here! How dare you display that poor beast in her presence!”

“Miss Atuat. I apologise.” He stated quickly before turning back to her father and ripping something from the bird’s talon as it continued to bleed out.

“It is from the Fire Lord.”

“Then we must take it to the chief immediately.” At this her father turned back to her.

“Atuat, go to your mother, tell her I may be late this evening.”

“Yes father.”

Before her father and the younger warrior, Tarrlok, were able to run off Atuat spoke again.

“Father! May I try to heal the bird?”

The injured creature was quickly pushed into her hands.

“Do not feel bad if it dies. It is Fire Nation after all.”

At this the two warriors fled the room rapidly and Atuat fell to her knees trying to stabilise the poor bird. She could only do so much however, and quickly fled to seek aid, either from her Master, or from Katara, a young girl in her class who was truly blessed by the spirits. Atuat ran with the bird lax in her arms, as quick as the wind.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Palace of the Northern Water Tribe, Agna Qel'a, 93 AG

Chief Arnook was exhausted, if slighty happy. Ever since his daughter had been raised to the Northern Water Tribe’s first ever Crown Princess nearly 2 years ago, seemingly every meeting with his council had been a fight. Yue had taken her new lessons in stride bless her, but for the rest of council, other than Master Yagoda, her very status was an insult to the spirits, the ancestors and centuries of tradition. The neutralisation of the threat of the Fire Nation was the only thing that had stayed their hands from rebellion, of that Arnook was near certain.

Today’s particular brand of fighting was the ever present, “We are to be led by a woman! She will never understand how to fight, or how to lead her people in war!”. Arnook’s go to was (quite wisely he thought) not that she would be wed to a militant Fire Nation Prince who could surely assist her, but that she would be assisted in her rule by a grand council of warriors would she not?

The fight was going as well as could be went two warriors burst in.

“Forgive us my chief, councillors, Master Yagoda”

“What have you come for Warrior?”

“Chief Arnook. A letter from the Fire Lord.”

Arnook stared at the insultingly innocent looking letter with poorly concealed dread. Had the Fire Lord pulled out of the betrothal agreement? Was war on the horizon? Had Prince Zuko died, as children were so prone to?

Arnook was barely able to stop his hand from trembling as he took the letter. He broke the seal of the Fire Lord and unwravelled it with great care, reading the poorly written Northern Water carefully.

He did not recognise some of the words, but the gist was evident.

Fire Lord Azulon was thanking them, the Northern Water Tribe, for raising his grandson, Prince Lu Ten’s eldest daughter. He notified them of the arrival of Katara’s mother to the Fire Nation, where she, alongside Katara’s sister Hokulani, would reside with Prince Lu Ten. Lady Katara was no lady, no daughter of a Tribal Chief, but the daughter of a Fire Nation Prince. A Princess.

They had leverage.

Chief Arnook breathed a little easier when he next spoke.

“Pakku.”

“Chief”

“Fetch your ward. I have news for Princess Katara of the Fire Nation.”

And so you could hear a baleen drop.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Later

Katara had been living with Grandfather for a year now, ever since her GranGran had gone to the spirits. Despite spending a significant amount of time with Yue, who was the Crown Princess and heir to Chief Arnook, she had never set foot in the Great Hall of the Northern Water Tribe. Why would she? She was an 8 year old girl.

But grandfather had brought her there today, and Katara felt smaller than ever as she looked at all the men staring at her, picking her apart, searching her face and body for something.

“Princess Katara.” Chief Arnook spoke, and Katara looked at him in confusion.

“Chief?”

“You have our apologies for not addressing you properly Princess. Your grandfather, Fire Lord Azulon, has written to us to inform you of your Father and Mother’s arrival in the Fire Nation. And of the birth of your sister, Princess Hokulani of the Fire Nation.”

Katara was confused. From her limited memory, she had thought she had come from the South Pole, not the Fire Nation. That her father was a large man with a wolf tail.

But maybe she was confused. Maybe the warm man, Lulu, on whom’s ship she had travelled with Grangran, whom she had spent the better part of a year attached to his side. Perhaps he was her father.

Katara wasn’t sure she could remember.

Katara looked over to Master Yagoda, who had been Grangran’s friend. Grangran would have known, so surely Yagoda would too.

But Yagoda was silent.

“Master Pakku. I know you have enjoyed having your granddaughter with you, but I must insist Princess Katara be moved to the palace, to somewhere more befitting her station. You understand?”

Katara looked to her grandfather in horror but Master Pakku only bowed his head and aquiesced.

And so Katara’s life changed irrevocably. Now a daughter of a Fire Nation Prince, trapped in an icy prison.

Chapter Text

The Law of Succession (transcribed into Common Fire by High Sage Yaomin for the purposes of the betterment of the knowledge of the peoples of Agni)

1. An individual must be a Fire Bender to ascend the Dragon Throne, this is the Holy Edict of Agni
2. While those who are not Fire Benders may not ascend to the Dragon Throne, Imperial Descendants who are not Fire Benders may pass their succession rights to the Heirs of their Body unless otherwise disqualified
3. Imperial Descendants who wed or become wed to any of the below individuals are, along with the Heirs of their Bodies, automatically disqualified from ascending to the Dragon Throne:
   1. The Avatar
   2. A Mother Superior or High Monk of the Northern, Eastern, Southern or Western Air Temples
   3. The Chief of the Northern Water Tribe
   4. The High Chief of the Southern Water Tribes
   5. The Heir of the Chief of the Northern Water Tribe
   6. The Heir of the High Chief of the Southern Water Tribes
   7. The Earth Monarch
   8. The Heir of the Earth Monarch
4. Those who commit treason are automatically disqualified
5. Those who do not pay homage to Agni are automatically disqualified
6. Those abandoned by Agni’s light are automatically disqualified
7. Those who are exiled by the Herald of Agni are automatically disqualified, unless Agni or the Herald of Agni approve of their return
8. The order of preference for succession, unless otherwise legislated by the Fire Lord, follows male preference primogeniture. Wherein legitimate sons come before legitimate daughters, and grandchildren before siblings or Uncles. Imperial Descendants, borne of Imperial Noble Consorts and Noble Consorts may only ascend to the Dragon Throne if there are no legitimate heirs to the Dragon Throne. Of such descendants, Imperial Descendants who are borne of Imperial Noble Consorts take precedence over those borne of Noble Consorts.
9. In the sixth month of the 64th Year of the Reign of Azulon, his Imperial Majesty, Fire Lord Azulon, Fire Made Flesh, Herald of Agni, proclaimed that Prince Lu Ten of the Fire Nation, son of Crown Prince Iroh of Agni’s Light by Noble Consort Kun, be recognised by all spirits and men as the Respected Heir to Crown Prince Iroh of Agni’s Light.
10. In accordance with all relevant legislation the current line of succession is as below.

Line of Succession 93 AC, 73rd Year of the Reign of Azulon

1. Crown Prince Iroh of Agni’s Light, the Dragon of the West, eldest son of Fire Lord Azulon, Fire Made Flesh, Herald of Agni
2. Prince Lu Ten of the Fire Nation, Respected Heir to Crown Prince Iroh of Agni’s Light, eldest son of Fire Lord Azulon, Fire Made Flesh, Herald of Agni
3. Prince Ozai of Agni’s Light, second son of Fire Lord Azulon, Fire Made Flesh, Herald of Agni
4. Prince Zuko of the Fire Nation, eldest child of Prince Ozai of Agni’s Light, second son of Fire Lord Azulon, Fire Made Flesh, Herald of Agni
5. Princess Azula of the Fire Nation, youngest child of Prince Ozai of Agni’s Light, second son of Fire Lord Azulon, Fire Made Flesh, Herald of Agni
6. Lord Ha-Jun of Keohso, Minister of Education, eldest child of Prince Rozuku of Agni’s Light, fourth born child of Fire Lord Sozin, Fire Made Flesh, Herald of Agni
7. Imperial Consort Myeong, second child of Lord Ha-Byeong of Keohso, Head of House Keohso, second child of Prince Rozuku of Agni’s Light, fourth born child of Fire Lord Sozin, Fire Made Flesh, Herald of Agni
8. Ty Suriyo, eldest daughter of Lady Ha-Yun of Keohso, third child of Prince Rozuku of Agni’s Light, fourth born child of Fire Lord Sozin, Fire Made Flesh, Herald of Agni. Also, the sole eligible descendant of Princess Azula of Agni’s Light, second born child of Fire Lord Sozin, Fire Made Flesh, Herald of Agni.
9. Lady Hokulani (91 AC-yet living), honourable daughter of Prince Lu Ten of the Fire Nation, Respected Heir to Crown Prince Iroh of Agni’s Light, eldest son of Fire Lord Azulon, Fire Made Flesh, Herald of Agni

A/N: Difference between Imperial Noble Consorts, Imperial Consorts, Noble Consorts and Consorts.

Consort is the base line for a woman kept as a lover by a member of the Imperial Family. Men were kept as consorts by male members of the Imperial Family prior to same sex relations being banned. It is frowned upon for female members of the Imperial Family to keep consorts.

The title “Imperial” is automatically afforded to any consort who is the direct descendant of a Fire Lord, up to four degrees of separation (great-great-grandaughter).

A consort is granted the title “Noble” after they bear a living child.

The Imperial Family; 93 AC, 73rd Year of the Reign of Azulon

Fire Lord Azulon, Fire Made Flesh, Herald of Agni

• Married: (1) Fire Lady Atula of House Ty (1 BC-43 AC); no issue
• Married: (2) Fire Lady Illah (25 AC-91 AC)
• (1) Crown Prince Iroh of Agni’s Light, the Dragon of the West
• Married Princess Nuan of the Earth Kingdom (46 AC-86 AC)
• Prince Zhihao of the Fire Nation, most beloved and mourned (71 AC-74 AC)
• Princess Atula of the Fire Nation, most beloved and mourned (75 AC-79 AC)
• Noble Consort Kun (50 AC-71 AC)
• Prince Lu Ten of the Fire Nation, Respected Heir to Crown Prince Iroh of Agni’s Light
• Imperial Consort Myeong (77 AC-yet living)
• Noble Consort Kya (60 AC-yet living)
• Lady Katara (87 AC-yet living), honourable daughter of Prince Lu Ten of the Fire Nation
• Lady Hokulani (91 AC-yet living), honourable daughter of Prince Lu Ten of the Fire Nation

• • (2) Prince Ozai of Agni’s Light
    • Married Lady Ursa of Hira'a, yet living
      • Prince Zuko of the Fire Nation, honourable betrothed of Crown Princess Yue of the Northern Water Tribe
      • Princess Azula of the Fire Nation, honourable betrothed of Prince Lu Ten of the Fire Nation, Respected Heir to Crown Prince Iroh of Agni’s Light

Extended Family of the Blood of Sozin

Fire Lord Sozin, Fire Made Flesh, Herald of Agni (82 BC-20 AC)

• Married: (1) Fire Lady Aruna of House Yaomin (77 BC-2 BC)
  • Crown Prince Zhihao of Agni’s Light (53 BC-YC); Murdered by the traitorous Tsering
    • Married Princess Pipaluk of the Northern Water Tribe (45 BC-YC); Murdered by the traitorous Tsering
      • Prince Zhen of the Fire Nation (24 BC-4 AC); Murdered by the traitorous Tsering
        • Married the traitorous Tsering of the Air Nation; successfully defeated by the glorious avenging Fire Nation in 4 AC
          • Princess Zhen of the Fire Nation (1 BC-YC)
        • Princess Hokulani of the Blue Fire (23 BC-4 AC); Killed by the Southern Water Tribe Savages
        • Princess Yazhu of the Fire Nation (19 BC-YC); Murdered by the Earth Kingdom
        • Princess Azula of the Fire Nation (17 BC-YC); Murdered by the Earth Kingdom
        • Prince Kazuki of the Fire Nation (15 BC-YC); Murdered by the Earth Kingdom
        • Prince Kenzo of the Fire Nation (13 BC-YC); Murdered by the traitorous Tsering
        • Prince Kuzon of the Fire Nation (11 BC-YC); Murdered by the traitorous Tsering
      • (4) Princess Azula of Agni’s Light, Wife of the Head of House Ty (40 BC-6 BC)
        • Ty Thura, Head of House Ty (20 BC-50 AC)
          • Fire Lady Atula of House Ty (1 BC-43 AC)
          • Ty Win, Head of House Ty (2 AC-92 AC)
            • Ty Bhun (28 AC-48 AC); Killed in action
            • Ty Chit (28 AC-50 AC); Killed in action
            • Ty Thurein, Head of House Ty (36 AC-yet living)
              • Married Lady Ha-Yun of Keohso, yet living
                • Ty Suriyo (60 AC-yet living)
                  • Ty Thura (80 AC-yet living)
                  • 7 identical daughters (84 AC)
                    • Ty Lee
                    • Ty Lin
                    • Ty Lat
                    • Ty Lao
                    • Ty Liu
                    • Ty Lum
                    • Ty Woo
                  • Ty Lin (66 AC-88 AC); Killed in action
                • Ty Alangka (18 BG-YC)

• Married: (2) Fire Lady Dipali of House Siso (18 BC-80 AC)
  • Fire Lord Azulon, Fire Made Flesh, Herald of Agni
    • The Main-line Imperial Family
  • (3) Prince Rozuku of Agni’s Light (2 AC-92 AC)
    • Married Lady Ji-Su of Keohso, Head of House Keohso (9 AC-92 AC)
      • Lord Ha-Jun of Keohso, Minister of Education (34 AC-yet living)
      • Lord Ha-Byeong of Keohso, Head of House Keohso (36 AC-yet living)
        • Married Lady Mei of House Yukara, yet living
          • Lord Min-Jun of Keohso (63 AC-yet living)
            • Married Lady Mamushi of House Saowon (71 AC-yet living)
              • Lord Ye-Jun of Keohso (92 AC-yet living)
            • Imperial Consort Myeong (77 AC-yet living)
          • Lady Ha-Yun of Keohso (39 AC-yet living)
            • Married Lord Ty Thurein, yet living
              • House of Ty

Chapter Text

Southern Air Temple – The First Day of the Air Nomad Genocide

They had come at night. Under the cover of darkness, they had brought fire and blood and death to the Southern Air Temple. Mother Superior Jamyang (105) of the Western Air Temple had never seen anything akin to it in all her years. She had thought Sozin capable of much, but this…. this was beyond anything she could have anticipated.

She recalled less than a month prior, having her assistant Brugmo, now a Master Airbender at only 12 years of age, write a letter of condolence to the Fire Lord and his kin for the deaths of his grandchildren Princess Yazhu, Princess Azula, and Prince Kazuki. The young princesses and prince had been killed in a shipwreck off of the coast of Kyoshi Island as they made their way to Ba Sing Se, where Princess Yazhu had been set to wed Crown Prince Feishan of the Earth Kingdom. The match had been hailed as a great remedy to the growing tensions between the Earth Kingdom and Fire Nation. Instead the bride and her siblings lay dead in La’s eternal clutches. The deaths of three of the seven children of the Crown couple of the Fire Nation had devasted their mother, who they were reliably informed had somehow managed to bend her way to safety and lay comatose in the Fire Nation Palace.

Crown Prince Zhihao, Crown Princess Pipaluk, Prince Zhen and Former Nun Tsering had not been seen since the wreck. They had thought the famously close-knit family to be isolated in mourning. Looking at the war raging outside her now, Jamyang was not convinced that they had not left this planet with their kin.

“Mother Superior!” Brugmo burst through the door with Namlang.

Jamyang had doomed them to death with her decision to visit the Avatar. If they had remained in the Southern Air Temple perhaps they would have lived. Surely Sozin could not have duplicated this attack elsewhere.

“…do?!” Oh dear. Jamyang’s mind had wandered and she had missed this.

She glanced out of the window and saw as a middle aged airbender was shot by a fireball. She watched as he fell the ground, burning. The children would not be able to escape.

“Mother Superior!” It was a young man at the door. He had been the one training with Air Ambassador Dargye in the Earth Kingdom until recently Jamyang recalled. At his side was a face Jamyang knew relatively well. She had met two of his predecessors after all. Avatar Aang.

“Mother Superior! The Council of Elders begs you to flee with the Avatar! You must protect him.”

Jamyang looked at her young ward Brugmo and saw as her shoulders fell and her face hardened. Resignation evident. It would be most sensible to take the Avatar and attempt to flee. Jamyang knew this. With only two of them, they would be lighter for the young Avatar’s spirit animal to carry them. And with her knowledge and age, when the soldiers fired at them, well, Jamyang knew the hidden tiers. The tiers only taught to the most spiritual and respected of airbenders. Those who knew absolute control and dedication to the spirits.

The tiers designed for killing. The tiers that had been banned by Avatar Roku 60 years ago.

Now, Jamyang was one of only a handful that knew them. One of only 3 currently residing in this temple.

But Jamyang couldn’t bring herself to. To abandon the children she loved to their deaths. It was an earthly attachment. It was illogical. It was a sin. And yet…

“Brugmo, Namlang, Monk, Avatar Aang.”

They fell silent, as outside the screams of burning and of death surrounded them.

“You will all follow me.”

And so Jamyang bended herself forward, feet never touching the floor.

The spirits must have been with them, for somehow they were found by only three soldiers, all of whom Jamyang was easily able to dispatch.

They mounted the Avatar’s saddled Air Bison in silence. Jamyang silently thanked the brave individuals who must have saddled the beast.

And then they flew. Near immediately fireballs set upon them.

“Brugmo! Sense your surroundings and direct the bison accordingly! Monk … you will assist me with Tier 36 – we will have it surround the bison!”

The young monk paled but his face hardened and he nodded in acquiescence.

And so they bent. They bent as they never had before. A vicious Air Vortex which transformed into an Air Sphere. The Air Bison bellowed in panic. It was not trained for this. None were these days.

They went on for hours upon hours upon hours, neither she nor the young monk willing to let up and risk what may be lingering outside their sphere. Brugmo was doing admirably, keeping up the strenuous task of sensing their surrounds outside of the sphere, despite the barrier, and directing them to the South pole, where Princess Hokulani and Prince Kenzo of the Fire Nation were known to be residing.

Eventually however, Jamyang’s age caught up to her, and her mind wandered, and the sphere collapsed, taking her with it.

She fell to the saddle, the young Avatar barely catching her with his wind cushion.

She could hardly keep her eyes open as the Avatar, Namlang and the Monk all huddled over her, Brugmo not distracted once from her task. The world around them was storm and thunder but they had to continue after all. Rain drenched them, and Jamyang had to strain herself to speak.

“Monk…tell me your name.”

“I am Tshering, Mother Superior.”

“Come closer.” He knelt close to her and she whispered in his ear all the secrets of bending she could, with little hope he would retain the information.

“You must care for the Avatar now Tshering. And the girls as well. Promise me.”

He hesitated little before promising. Jamyang closed her eyes, relieved.

Before she passed on, Jamyang heard one last word, screamed in excitement, by which one of the children she could not say.

“Dragon!”

And then the world faded to black and Jamyang was falling.

Chapter Text

Flashback - The Kai, 92 AG

When she had seen the black snow falling again, after all these years, Kya’s blood had grown as cold as ice and her heart had sunk. The Southern Raiders had come, every 10 years, like clockwork, ever since anyone could remember. Before the last Southern Bender had been captured their raids had been more frequent. Now it was once a decade that the South was forced to pay homage, or to burn. They came only to remind them of their place, Kya knew. The Fire Nation wanted for nothing that their scattered people could provide. They came just because they could. They killed her father in front of her, because they could. They had found a water bender in a neighbouring tribe a decade ago. Other talks or raids were merely myths, fearmongering, but Kya knew this one to be true. For in 82 AG they had walked the boy of 7 around in chains. Kya had seen him.

They must have heard of Katara. Of a little girl able to water bend. That was what she had thought. Then they had seen the singular ship flying not a black raven, but a flag of four. The Fire Nation came in peace. Kya had barely arrived at her friend Tica’s igloo in time to stop her from smothering her twin girls in their sleep. Tica had wailed in her arms when Kya told her that it did not seem to be a raid. The twins were none the wiser that their mother had almost spared them a fate worse than death. Kya did not think she would have had Tica’s strength.

Now she found herself on that ship. The war prize of the future Fire Lord. Her daughter saved from the sunless days of the Southern Water Tribe. She had left her only son, and the love of her life. To live in the heart of the enemy’s nation as a whore. The Prince may claim that he would respect her wishes. That he would not impose himself upon her where she slept. That he would not ask her to bear him children. But Kya had first hand experience of what Fire Nation men could do. She would never trust him.

Kya had not left the cabin she had been assigned since setting foot on the ship. The only thing that gave her the strength to continue with her decision was seeing little Hokulani grow ever stronger the farther from the South Pole they travelled. And they had travelled far. They were nearing the Fire Nation proper now, and still she had not taken up the Prince’s offer for her to join him for dinner. She wouldn’t have a choice for much longer. Even if it had not been the Princess who invited her this afternoon. Today or tomorrow, Kya had planned on finally saying yes. But her hand had finally been forced when, instead of an invitation from a Prince, this afternoon she had received an invite from his betrothed, the Princess Azula. The unnervingly severe Lady Ty had provided her with a briefing of the Fire Nation Imperial Family, and particularly the people she could never refuse, on the first day of their voyage. Other than the Fire Lord and Crown Prince themselves, the main individual highlighted as one she must obey was the young Princess set to be the Prince’s bride, Princess Azula of the Fire Nation. If Lady Ty had been unnerving, Princess Azula was a thousand times worse.

Kya had brought her younger daughter Hokulani with her to the dinner. She did not trust anyone on this ship not to smother her the moment they had the chance, particularly Princess Azula who was looking at Hokulani with a calculating and cold gaze. Ironic considering her fire coloured eyes.

“Thank you for joining me Noble Consort Kya”.

Lady Ty came close to Kya’s ear and translated the Princess’ words.

“It is my pleasure, Princess Azula.”

Kya expected Lady Ty to move over to Princess Azula to translate her words, but the noblewoman remained at Kya’s side.

“It is a pity that we have spent so long on this voyage, and yet you have yet to learn the civilised language of the Fire Nation. I am glad that you have at least, being doing your job properly and entertaining my cousin.”

Kya saw the moment that the young girl saw that the words had been translated, as Kya flushed red first in rage, then in embarrassment. She had nothing to be embarrassed about, of course, she would never betray her husband. But it was true that Prince Lu Ten had come to her room on a nightly basis. She had entertained him with cards and spending time with Hokulani.

“I will endeavour to learn Princess. Please, have patience with me. It is my honour to serve Prince Lu Ten.”

“It is. Don’t forget that savage. And don’t get any ideas about your daughter’s position. You may keep her. I am no murderer. But remember it shall be my son who sits the Dragon Throne. Not your half-breed girl.”

“I would never think otherwise Princess.” Kya bowed and grit her teeth. It was almost sad, she knew, to become so incensed at the words of a child. But something deep down in her raged at the girl’s words. Kya couldn’t help but think the world would be better off if Hokulani ruled the Fire Nation, rather than the spawn than this evil child.

She rose, and saw the little girl’s smile be almost warm as she looked at her, eyes cheerful. Kya at first wondered if she had perhaps judged the girl too hastily. Then she took a bit of the food in front of her, and Kya’s mouth burned. The Princess giggled. It would have been cute if Kya was not in so much pain. She breathed in deeply. The Princess was a child still. Perhaps she just needed a mother? Kya had not heard anyone talk of the mother of Princess Azula since she had boarded the ship, and it was Lady Ty that accompanied her, not her mother.

Kya’s heart softened as she looked into Azula’s warm gold eyes, and saw not a cruel Fire Nation princess, but an older version of Kya’s little Hokulani.

Kya had never met her own mother, for Ila of the Wolf Tribe, wife of Chief Atka of the Wolf Tribe, had died at her birth. Her grandmother had died before her birth, and of course her Grand Aunt Ila had been taken by a Fire Nation prince long before that. But the Wolf Tribe were a pack. And packs looked out for one another. Just as Tica’s mother had taken Kya as her own daughter, so Kya would take the young Princess Azula in. Kya would treat Azula as if she were her own flesh and blood.

Kya could fix her. No matter how long it would take, Kya would make the Princess melt.

Chapter Text

93 AG: Main Imperial Palace, Wing of Prince Lu Ten

Lu Ten wasn’t quite sure how residing in the lap of luxury with two Consorts – neither of whom he was actually sleeping with – and an army of servants, was more stressful and confrontational than diplomatic relations with the Northern Water Tribe, but somehow it was.

If the High Sage had walked up to Lu Ten four years ago and had told him that by age 22 he’d be a father of two; betrothed to his cousin Azula; officially the lover of both Lady Myeong and a water tribe savage he’d have been shocked but not overly so. All of these things were perfectly understandable after all. But if anyone had told him that he’d be desperately longing to flee Caldera to treat with the Earth King, as he had already treated with both the Chief of the Northern Water Tribe and the High Chief of the Southern Water tribes, he’d have considered that individual rightfully insane. Yet here he was.

They had arrived in Caldera a few months prior, being greeted by a great procession of the most important nobles and Generals in the city. Both Azula and the Lady Kya had held themselves with pride, as Hokulani had giggled in her mother’s arms. Lu Ten had been surprised when they had told him Hokulani’s name, being that of the famous Fire Nation princess who the Southern Water tribe had murdered, but he supposed that perhaps it was simply a very popular name among the water tribes.

Grandfather had practically glowed when Hokulani had been introduced to him, particularly after she lit his beard aflame (panicking the entire room and almost causing her poor mother to faint) with a sneeze. In an exceptionally disturbing series of events, Grandfather had responded with a booming laugh. Lu Ten had thought his Aunt likely to faint in shock. No punishment was dished out to the babe, with Grandfather only exclaiming with pride that she lived up to her namesake.

Kya had not left her daughter’s side once since boarding the ship in the South Pole, completely understandably. Hokulani might have been right at the bottom of the line of succession, but as the only firebending child of a future Fire Lord, and a mixed race one at that, assassins were around every corner. Lu Ten was sometimes genuinely shocked that Azula hadn’t seen fit to get rid of both Kya and Hokulani. Instead, his cousin had been visiting the two water tribe every day, at seemingly random times and intervals. Lu Ten supposed the purpose was likely to keep them close, or nervous, or perhaps both. His servants kept him informed of the proceedings in his wing of the palace, where he now resided with Lady Kya, Hokulani and Lady Myeong.

Grandfather had discouraged him from visiting Kya’s chambers again, and as Lu Ten certainly did not trust that the Fire Lord did not have his own spies within Lu Ten’s staff, he had not dared go close, not even during the midday sun. He had visited Lady Myeong’s chambers at least twice a week since Grandfather had called him in for tea and had all but demanded he produce a babe with the prodigious fire bender.

Lu Ten had said that Azula may consider such an act a threat, and that he didn’t want to anger his betrothed. Azulon had said the little girl should be honoured to be Fire Lady, and welcome any children Myeong gave them.

Lu Ten had pointed out that having a potentially Firebending child from an Imperial Consort a decade older than any trueborn heir could pose the threat of a civil war. Azulon had simply stated that if that occurred then the Fire Nation would be richer for it, with the most powerful Fire Lord possible sitting the Dragon Throne.

Lu Ten had fallen silent and acquiesced.

Myeong did not want him, a fact she made quite evident. Lu Ten would not force himself on her. Instead they spent the evenings together staring in silence or sparing wildly. Spars with her were more invigorating than any sparing partner Lu Ten had had before. She was brilliant.

Myeong’s mother and sister in law had visited them infrequently since she had been living with him, preferring like the rest of their branch to keep to the former palace of Prince Rozuku, located on the outer edge of the Imperial Compound. Her mother had visited her the night prior, Lu Ten had tried to tune out the screaming match that had ensued.

But at least Myeong’s family visited her. Father had not visited them once, returning to the front lines soon after Lu Ten had returned from his Avatar hunt. Father had not seen fit to speak to him then. Nor had he sent any messages since. No one here could be trusted to know that though. It struck fear deep into Lu Ten’s bones to know that his father may no longer favour him. Kya could not know. Azula could not know. No one could know that his one main supporter had tossed him aside the moment he expressed his own agency.

The court was full of snakes, waiting to strike him when he was most weak. So far as anyone knew, so far as anyone must know, Lu Ten was the favoured grandson of Fire Lord Azulon, the chosen heir of Crown Prince Iroh, the one who had already continued the line of Sozin twice over, producing one imperial firebender, diluted though her blood was. They could not know the truth. They could not know Hokulani was not his daughter. They could not know that his father was not speaking to him. They certainly could not know that Lu Ten himself was doubting the righteousness of the war.

It had to be business as usual.

Lu Ten nodded to the soldier guarding Lady Myeong’s door. She opened it without knocking, for even an Imperial Consort was not a wife. She was Lu Ten’s property and was not to be afforded privacy, not when it came to him. After spending time in the Water tribes, such a fact now made Lu Ten’s stomach turn. The fact that this fact of life hadn’t disturbed him before his journey, upset him moreso. Grandfather kept numerous consorts. Fire Lady Illah had been one originally. A water tribe prize of war. The mother of father and Uncle. A woman so thoroughly broken he had never heard her speak before her death. A Fire Lady in name alone, never once leaving the Fire Lord’s palace, never once sitting at his side.

Grandfather had not rid himself of his other consorts when she was raised to Fire Lady, though at the time she had been the only one of them to bear him a child, Iroh. In time, the Fire Lord’s consorts had borne a handful more children. Then Prince Zhihao, son of the Crown Prince and Crown Princess had been born, hale and hearty and screaming.

Then those other children had screamed.

A couple, the youngest of the children, had been gifted to fervent nationalists. Set to be raised with no knowledge of their heritage, their names struck from all records, as if they had never existed. Only the Imperial family were kept informed of their names and identities, lest they ever present a threat. Those who were older, all aged between 4 and 20, were executed and their names wiped from all ledgers and records. Their deaths were quick of course, for the Fire Nation were not monsters. The main line could not be threatened, that was the reasoning for the slaughter. It was an unspoken atrocity, considered by all in the nation to be a necessity, the murder of nine children with the blood of Agni, ordered by the Fire Lord. The Noble Consorts who took offense to the death of their children joined them, and no one spoke against that either. For while they may have borne Imperial Firebenders, they were still the Fire Lords property. And no one cares when the Fire Lord kills his property.

Lu Ten was struck from his thoughts as a figure fell to her knees.

“My Prince” it was a coldly courteous line befitting a noblewoman of Lady Myeong’s standing.

“Lady Myeong. I wish to join you tonight.” He said before the door closed.

“As ever I am at your service.”

“Rise.” Lady Myeong looked up with her wide golden eyes, and her still rounded face. As every night, Lu Ten’s first thought was of how young she was, then how much she detested him, then that despite both those facts she was one of the most beautiful young women he had ever seen. She had turned 16 only recently, and Grandfather had thrown a feast in her honour, before expressing his wishes that she might soon bless the Fire Nation by extending the line of Sozin further.

Neither Lu Ten nor Myeong intended for that to happen.

“What do you wish to do tonight then?”

Myeong pursed her lips and sighed.

“As I said my Prince…” she sat on the bed. “Tonight I am at your service”.

Her robes began to fall away and Lu Ten’s eyes widened in shock.

Her voice said one thing, her eyes which promised a fiery death said another.

Lu Ten wished at that moment that the palace had more than one floor.

Chapter Text

94 AG, Quarters of Prince Lu Ten, Imperial Palace, Caldera

Lu Ten had been staring at the scroll for what seemed like hours. For the first time in almost a full year his father was trying to get in touch with him. And Lu Ten couldn’t bear to look.

A knock at the door.

“Enter.” Lu Ten said softly.

The door slid open and Myeong entered, bowing deeply.

“My Prince”

“Lady Myeong”

She walked over to him, with the posture of a woman sure of her status. In the past year they had grown closer, particularly lately, as grandfather became more and more impatient for him to produce a child with her. Myeong had recently been forbidden from contact with her close family, at least until she “did her duty”. As if she had a say in when she became pregnant.

Lu Ten had become more and more isolated in the court, the passive aggressive looks and his Uncle’s cold eyes tracking his every move. Myeong’s allyship only brought the loyalty of those who he was already related to. If she was his wife, perhaps things would be different, as she would be allowed to accompany him to events and leave the inner palace. But she was a consort, so she could not. Lu Ten had ears in the servants, for which he was grateful. Though sometimes he did wonder if it would be better not to know that so much of the court, and in particular the generals, still whispered about him. About his heritage. About the fact that at 23 he had yet to be blooded. Ignoring the fact that Ozai had never served either.

Azula was yet too young to buy him favour, not that he intended to wed her. And in her place, Aunt Ursa was useless at scoring favour on his behalf. She was almost as quiet and invisible as Fire Lady Illah had been.

Lu Ten placed his head in his hands as Myeong placed a hand on his shoulder.

“What is it” her voice was as cold as always.

“A letter from father.”

Behind him Myeong raised an eyebrow and looked down at the sealed scroll.

“I see. Are you going to open it.”

And while they had grown closer, they were not close enough that Lu Ten would tell her that he and his father were not on speaking terms.

“Of course. I merely hesitate, as it is so late, and reading any bad news at such a time won’t do well for my sleep.”

Myeong rolled a thumb along his neck and Lu Ten shuddered.

“If sleep is what you worry after, you know I will be happy to keep you company throughout the night.”

That Myeong could say something so salacious in such a cold tone never failed to bemuse him.

“You have the right of it, my lady.”

He broke the seal and uncurled the scroll. It was short. It was a summons.

Lu Ten was going to Ba Sing Se.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The Next Day.

Myeong inspected her reddened skin with a detached curiosity. It was like this every morning after she lay with Lu Ten. After she rubbed herself raw in the evening to be rid of his touch. Perhaps if he hadn’t been the son of Azulon’s spawn. If she had a choice in this. If she had made time to get to know him before giving into her family’s pressure to lay with him it would be different. But it wasn’t.

Myeong was a liar. Pretending that she now cared for the cousin who had stolen what was rightfully hers when she still detested him. Brushing the side of his neck with care in the evenings and gripping the sheets in the heat of sex when really she wanted to ring his neck and scratch out his eyes until they could no longer look at her softly.

She wouldn’t have to worry about that any more at least. Lu Ten was going to the front. Myeong placed a hand on her soft stomach. She wasn’t secure. The moment he left, she, alongside Kya and the girl would be in danger. Perhaps Myeong less so. So far as Ozai was aware she was a pureblooded Imperial Consort. Yet unproven fertility wise, but still worth keeping around. Hokulani on the other had was a threat to Ozai. And she was still of an age where death was not uncommon. Kya wouldn’t survive the night. Everyone knew how Ozai liked to play with his pets.

Myeong breathed in deeply as a shrill laugh echoed through the halls of the inner palace. Azula. How Myeong hated to admit how they would be relying on that girl and Azulon for their safety. Her skin itched at the thought.

Myeong bowed as Lu Ten left the palace later that day. Blinked once, twice, as the great doors sealing them off from the main palace slammed shut.

So long as Azulon lived, they would be fine. And Agni knew that old man held onto life like an elbow leech.

They would be fine.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Main Fire Nation Camp, Ba Sing Se

The great walls of Ba Sing Se stood impossingluy in the distance as Lu Ten finally approached his father’s camp, accompanied by 2 entire divisions. Travelling there had been beyond obnoxious, taking months and months. No one had written from home yet, though that wasn’t surprising, as communications to active divisions were rare at best.

Lu Ten didn’t know how he was to face his father. What he would say.

Then finally he entered the tent of the Dragon of the West, Crown Prince General Iroh.

And his father beamed in pride and gathered him in his arms with a clap on the back. And Lu Ten relaxed for all had been forgiven.

With his first orders as a real front line officer in hand, Lu Ten left his father, no, his General’s tent with an almost skip in his step. Only to halt with almost immediate effect as his eyes met amber eyes he’d spent years trying to forget.

Amber eyes’ voice was breathy in disbelief when he finally spoke.

“Lu Ten”

Lu Ten could have sworn he’d turned as white as the Northern snows when he replied.

“Min-Jun.”

Lu Ten was in trouble.