Arianna

Prisoner or ally

Arianna turns as she hears an arrow whizzing towards them she goes to strike it from the air but it hits his shoulder and he begins to fall from Appa. ZUKO! Arianna tries to grab him but misses and Sokka grabs onto her. NOOO! Zuko! ZUKO! WU NO! WU PLLEEASE! don't do this! Kai! Don't! Let him go! Sokka gently pulls Arianna away from the edge. It's over Sokka says. They've got him. Let me go I'll go after him. We're too high now. He grabs her wrists and tied them to the saddle. Arianna lowers her head Katara is next to her don't try anything. Did you not listen? Arianna whispers they took my bending. I've got enough herbs in my system that's a constant eclipse. Eclipse? Who said eclipse? Katara grabs her collar what did you say? How did you know? I know many things. Arianna says. She pulls away from Katara. What's your point water tribe? Have you heard of the fire nation's darkest day? Why do you speak of this? Arianna whispers. Tell us! Katara says. Arianna sighs. Where are we going? Hey! We ask the questions. Arianna sighs again. Do you wish me to be your prisoner or your ally? Because you're quickly making an enemy of me. Aang turns what's going on? Not of you avatar. What? What did you say? I said you're not my enemy. That's not true! You're the firelord's daughter! You are his enemy. That's not true Arianna says. Well it is she says. The firenation destroyed his people you're part of that. You would blame me for something that happened 100 years ago? Well...you're just like them are you not? An arrogant pompous Princess that's had everything handed to her since she was born! Katara! Sokka says. That's enough! Just like your brother she continues prince jerk face he's an evil arrogant pompous prince that hasn't suffered at all! Arianna doesn't say a word. He's not even that good of a fire bender he probably burned himself and he needs to learn respect Arianna growls and fire licks at her lips. Don't you dare speak of Zuko that way! You have no idea what Zuko's been through! What? What could be have possibly been through that's so terrible? What could have possibly happened did he not like sleeping in his room? What's so terrible about being a prince?! Stop! You know nothing! The ropes burn off of Arianna's wrists and Katara sends a water whip her way and Arianna blocks it. Arianna rubs her bleeding wrists. She puts her hood over her head and crosses her arms. Finally Appa begins to descend and Arianna carefully climbs off Appa's back. She looks towards the town and she frowns. This is Omshu. Yes Sokka says coming over to her. We're dropping you off. Excuse me? You can't possibly be serious you'd have me killed. That's not our problem. Toph. But she's - Toph ! I'm sorry sunsunine. What? Arianna's hands are soon trapped behind her in earth. Sokka grabs her arms and he starts to walk her towards the entrance. This is ridiculous! Sokka! Aang calls after them. What's your Business? We're here to see the king aang says. I'm an old friend. I remember you three. Arianna looks up. Who's she? Ozai's daughter the princess of the fire nation. Let me take her then- no I've got her Sokka says. We're going to see King Bumi. Very well. I will escort you. Arianna glances behind her and they keep walking and they go into the castle. The doors open and Aang and Katara come in first and then Sokka brings Arianna in with Toph. Aang! My friend! Ah I see someone new has new  added to your group. Just one Katara says glaring at Arianna Arianna glares back. Well...we want you to ...keep her Katara says we bring her anywhere else and she could escape. He motions and one of the guards takes Arianna. If that is all Hui will make sure you four have a room for tonight. I'll make sure she's well looked after.  Hui. Of course he says leading them off. Aang wait. Aang turns and says go on I'll be fine. He motions to the guard who hands her over to Bumi. Let's get these off of you they're annoying aren't they?  Arianna bows her head and the king says sit. Arianna bows her head and then sits on the chair. The king kneels down and he says you have nothing to fear from me Princess Arianna. You know who I am? The king smiles. Yes. Aang he turns to the avatar why was she ...restrained? Uh...Katara thought it would be best. They argued ...oh Appa. Very good I'll see you later Aang. Aang nods and goes out the door. Arianna's eyes follow him. How is it you came to be with Aang and his friends? They came to the stronghold while I was there. Zuko was with them and I thought...I thought - Arianna shakes her head it doesn't matter. Why is that? They took him. Wu shot him with an arrow and pulled him off Appa. They ...they stopped me from leaping after him....and tied me to the saddle ring. Is that why Sokka gave me this? Arianna sighs. You told them you couldn't bend he says that you were given herbs. I was. Everyday for four weeks. Every time I ate or drank the herbs were present. Have you had anything to eat or drink since? No. Has your bending returned? Arianna sighs. Yes. She mumbles my anger must've burnt off the rest of he drugs. What? Nothing. Princess Arianna you can be honest with me. Arianna shifts ..Aang  said you argued. With who? Water tribe. Sokka? No. Ah. And what ..he offers her some chili bread she takes it and eats a piece what were you arguing about? Arianna sighs. What she said it made me angry. And that brought back your bending? Yes. It was terrible. What? I dislike bending from anger. King Bumi's face softens. Did you just go to the stronghold or were you someplace else before? Arianna swallows her bread and says yes. Where did you go? Arianna looks down. A place called Camelot. Camelot? Yes. What happened there to delay you? I was captured. They thought I was some sort of witch. That I had sent a creature called a griffin after them. But I was able to...I mean she takes another bite of the bread. Arianna what happened there? I saved the Prince's life. But because I had shown that I could calm the griffin I was accused of bringing it ...and all that entailed. But you escaped? Yes...eventually. The prince helped. I set for the stronghold then. Commander Hiai is kind I wanted him to know I wasn't dead. Why would he think that? The same reason they believe my brother to be dead. He isn't? No. He's alive. My brother has a way of doing that. Finishing the bread she dusts off her fingers. What are you going to do to me sire? You speak as if you think you are to be punished. Only because I have been treated as such. What do you think? Arianna stands up and paces the guards react but Bumi signals them back. I'm not certain. Everything I know is...just an illusion. I've been resistant to Ozai's ...teachings my entire life. The only way to defeat him is by beating him at his own game and being better for it. What do you mean by that? Arianna turns to the king. There's a reason Aang is the avatar now. The war is at its peak. Either it ends or everything is thrown even more out of balance and it gets worse for all of us. If they wish to plan an invasion on the fire nation then they will need my help. You'd help them invade your own kingdom? Arianna sighs. She looks away. If the avatar can defeat but not kill the firelord before the comet the world will be better for it. With my brother on the throne the fire nation can be restored. You are wise for someone so young. Arianna bows. Thank you. I am sure you are still hungry would you care to dine with me? Arianna bows Id be honored. Perhaps ...Hui will take you to your room where your things are so you can freshen up. Thank you Arianna says and she follows Hui. He follows her into the room and she digs through her bags taking out an outfit. She looks around and doesn't see a screen. Can you please grant me privacy? Very well he says going and she hears the door lock. She rolls her eyes and undresses and she uses the bowl of water to clean her face and wrists. She wraps her wrists in bandages and then she puts on a tunic before finishing with her layers. She fingers her circlet and then she places it on her head. Her swords are on her back and her pennant around her neck. She puts on her boots and puts daggers in them. She stretches and knocks on the door. Hui? I'm ready. He opens the door and Arianna glances over to see she's been put beside the Avatar and his friends. Arianna! Toph says. Hello ...Toph  isn't it? Yes. She says. Where do you think you're going? Katara says going over to Arianna. King Bumi has asked me to dinner. That can't be right she mumbles. She's telling the truth. Don't tell her that. Arianna turns and she begins to head towards the throne room. Hey! Don't turn your back on me!! Arianna turns and slices the water whip from the air her eyes flash. She goes towards Katara and she says it is dishonorable to attack someone when their back is turned. Then she turns away as Katara says what would you know about honor? What's the obsession anyway that's all your brother cares about! Arianna stops. My brother is mistaken about his honor Arianna says in a quiet dangerous voice it was not him that lost his honor that night it was Ozai rather any he had left. But I wouldn't expect you to understand. Wait what did you mean "that night" Sokka says. Nothing Arianna says we shouldn't be late it's rude to- tell us! Katara says. Arianna shakes her head. I do not answer to you. She turns and heads towards the throne room. Aang and Toph arrive after Arianna and Toph sits next to her on the other side.  Katara sits across from her and finally everyone is seated. King Bumi sits down last. He chuckles is it cold in here or is it just me? Ladies ...Arianna turns to him. I am sorry m'lord. He waves her off. You all may begin- eating he says after seeing that Sokka has already started. Arianna...Toph's voice is soft. Can you tell me what the different dishes are? Sure.....do you like spicy foods Toph? Yeah she says. Then you'll like misu soap with chili bread ...here she hands her the spoon and puts the bowl close to her she gently touches her hand to the bread that's the bread ...thanks Arianna. You're not too bad. Thanks ..I think? Toph laughs. I mean you're kind of ...nice. Arianna smiles. Thanks Toph. One of my only memories with my mother was visiting the orphanage. This should be good. Arianna acts like she didn't hear Katara. The kids loved it when I read to them..some of them were blind. Oh Toph says. But in the fire nation thy make them cover their eyes it's ridiculous. Arianna? Yes Toph? Thank you for sharing that with me. Your welcome. If it's even true! Arianna rolls her eyes. What do you mean one of the only memories? what happened to your mother? It's hard to say with Ozai. Arianna says. One day we're in court he arrogantly asks to be made heir my grandfather challenged him to kill my brother to make him feel the loss my uncle had instead the next morning I wake up and my grandfather is dead and he's being named firelord and Zuko is crown prince at eight. Oh yeah and she had vanished. Arianna King Bumi says gently how old are you now? Eleven. Arianna says quietly. So you were five years old when Lady Ursa disappeared? Yes. Arianna  turns to her food and tries to eat.