His friend | Prince Zuko x OC

chapter twenty two: Grand and Oldest

Lyra

After more then three hours, Lyra had nothing more to do. She helped water benders, but it wasn't anything important or big.

She sat at first room, guarding the doors. There were too many things in her mind - about both Aang and Jet.

Lyra knew about black sun, so it would be date when she and Aang would meet again. There was no chance that she would be able to see him in less then a month - which wasn't suprising at all at that point.

Her thoughts were about to go crazy, when someone knocked at doors. It was unusual to hear someone comming in middle of nothing, but she looked trough hole for eyes in door. She didn't pay attention, just asked question which man get correct, so she let him in.

'I wasn't wrong after all.' man said with smile as he entered, closing the door behind him. 'You are the one with highest position here.'

'Iroh...' she sighed, 'Its good to see you, but if you need help from other members, you have bad timing.'

'I do?' he asked, eyeing Lyra carefully and finally noticing how blind they were not to figure out. 'Can I have word with princess, your highness? You hold the title of Oldest member here.'

'Im surprised that you didn't notice earlier. It was obvious from the start.' she started but Iroh just smiled softly.

'I had my theories. Since you show up, things become more intense.'

'I was connected with Aang', she said shortly, 'You and prince Zuko? Just mine luck.'

'Destiny is interesting thing, your highness.' Iroh said dreamy, but his face become more serious next second. 'Is any healer here? I need leaf, for my tea, you know.'

'You couldn't have worse timing. They're trying to save Jet, is tea really necessary now?' Lyra wanted to sound calm, but it sounded just rude. She was under pressure and couldn't help herself.

'I wish things are that simple. Zuko is changing, your highness. He made good decision, he isn't used to it.' Iroh was serious but Lyra couldn't help but chuckle. She was terrible at making good decisions, but never got sick because of it.

'Is he alright? It couldn't be that serious, right?' she panicked and her voice almost broke at the end. 'Making good decision isn't reason for someone to get sick.'

'You know him best, your highness. Prince Zuko is... complicated. But at the end, he have only good intentions.' Iroh was still calm, but Lyra couldn't say the same.

'Let me bring you that leaf. Where can I find it?' she asked quickly and Iroh eyed her for second.

'Are you sure? It's dangerous to go deeper in the forest if you don't know, you shouldn't--' he started but Lyra cutted him off.

'I don't have a choice. What leaf do you need?' her voice was strict and loud, Iroh was sure that he never heard her talking like that. On ship, she had to follow Zuko. In colonies, she had to act like they helped her. This was completely different situation.

'You really care about my nephew, do you, your highness?' Iroh said, but continued as he noticed Lyra glaring at him. 'You can find it at the fields behind cottage. They're hidden, but leaf is bright green with red dots.'

'Dont move and don't let anyone in.' Lyra ordered and turned around, but Iroh stopped her.

'If you can't find fields in 10 minutes, come back. They're hidden, only chosen Order members know about them.'

'I was chosen when I was child. Don't underestimate me, Iroh.' she said shortly and turned around, leaving Iroh alone in hall.

Lyra knew what she was looking for. They often used that type of leaf for food back in her childhood, it was perfect for anyone who didn't want to eat meat. She assumed that his place become hidden duo war and people using it for wrong purpose.

Her mind was messed up. Aang was in Ba Sing Se, safe but at risk, while Jet and Zuko were dying. She knew Jet less then few hours, but he was important to Smellerbee. On the other side, Zuko was someone special to her. At this point, one of rare ties with today world.

After 20 minutes of walking, she noticed fields full of different type of flowers and leafs. If she wasn't in hurry, it would be perfect place for relaxing. She quickly grabbed two leafs, turned around and eyed place around. Since none was there, she decide to use her bending to help herself with comming at time. In less then minute, she was right behind the cottage.

'...I understand Iroh, but you need to put all faith in her.' one of healers from before said, and Lyra came closer to the doors. She didn't want to eavesdrop, but couldn't just leave also. This wasn't for her, it was for Zuko.

'I know how powerful Lyra is, but she is leaded only by emotions.' Iroh started, 'I am very found of princess, but she is both short tempered and easy to connect with people.'

'You say like it's a bad thing. Fire nation is leaded by desire and ambition, but air nomads always were different from rest of the world. We can pretend to understand them.' healer said, but before Iroh could replay, Lyra knocked and entered.

She walked to Iroh, giving him leafs and eyeing him once again. She was insulted that he didn't believe in her - her choices were questionable, but at the end, most of them turned out to be right.

'Thank you, your highness.' Iroh bowed for second, and then went back to his normal position. 'You really are as bright as legends told us.'

First time since she met him, Lyra wanted to punch Iroh. If she hated anything, it were legends about her. Expecially ones made by Azulon.

'I am nothing like legends told you.' she replied bitterly, 'but I am willing to change.'

'We would see each other again, your highness. Hopefully, next time with my nephew too.' Iroh said last thing with smile, so she couldn't tell was he joking or not.

'Lets not put too much faith in that. Good luck, Iroh.'

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I'm sorry for not updating whole december. If I don't get one more writers block, new part would be up in few days.

Also, Merry Christmas to all my Orthodox brothers and sisters. May God bring you peace, the Christ has been born!

Happy Holidays!