Sokka stood in the very back of the long throne room of the Fire Nation the following day. He felt nervous as he wasn't sure of the junior minister's next step, and he'd have to be ready to follow the man whenever.
"You can do this, Sokka, we've done much harder things," Suki squeezed his hand.
"I know... but I just have a really bad feeling about this one... I'm not sure why.
The couple watched a large number of Fire Nation officials settle into the hall for their assembly. He waited for what seemed like forever, while Zuko made many announcements and discussions that Sokka could not pay attention to. He let out a quiet yawn. Sokka, couldn't imagine taking Zuko's job. And he was glad that the Water Tribe had different ways of taking care of things. He let out another yawn as his girlfriend lightly jabbed his ribcage, making him realize that the planned scenario was about to take place.
"As many might know that the queen has been accused of attempted murder." Zuko began, "And as of now, the evidence proving her innocence has been brought to the surface." The Fire Lord gestured for servants to bring forward the items.
"Minister Isuka," Zuko demanded as he stood from the seat on his throne, his voice low and serious. No one else dared to speak, as it appeared to the crowd that Zuko was fuming.
"Yes, Lord Zuko." Isuka stepped forward, kneeling on one knee.
Pointing at the items laid out in front of him, Zuko continued "It seems that someone working under one of your divisions has framed and accused the queen of treason."
"My sincerest apologies, Lord Zuko." The man lowered his head "I vow to do better."
"Might you know who it is who did such an act?"
"I may have a few suspects in mind, I pledge to conduct an investigation and bring them to you once I am able to, my lord." Isuka bowed one last time before returning to his spot in the assembly.
Sokka watched as Zuko made eye contact with Isuka, before his golden eyes glanced over at Shun who seemed unsettled, darting his pupils left to right as if looking for someone in the crowd. Shun eventually made eye contact with Zuko, and to Sokka's amusement, the man jerked his body backward slightly when meeting eyes with the Fire Lord, who knows what's up.
"The queen shall be released from prison and return to her place, after this assembly. I will personally be at the prison to welcome her back, so whoever committed such treasonous acts should be better off not making another move ." Zuko glared down at the crowd.
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Lynn stared blankly at the portion of food as she sat in an empty cell. Her hands were numb and red from the cold.
What use was there to warm up her hands? To hope for her release? To fill herself up with food she didn't deserve?
If it hadn't been for her staring at the waving bag, her parents wouldn't have had to let go of their honor or pride only to be second-class citizens in Yu Dao.
She literally owed her life to the old couple. If they hadn't adopted her after finding her in a burned-down village, she would have died an early death.
Her stomach wasn't even growling, as she felt the acid in her stomach in her throat, and her limbs trembling from the lack of energy.
Every time she tried to close her eyes, in an attempt to sleep the thoughts that were eating her alive away, the vain grin, and the eerie voice of Ozai echoed in her head over and over.
The only time she'd passed out from the extreme lack of sleep, Lynn was not able to escape another nightmare.
The people of the colonies were always asked which nation they chose after the war, and she thought she had made her decision. But at what cost? Denying that she looked like an Earth Kingdom woman, with slightly wavy hair and green eyes? Denying that her family practiced many Earth Kingdom traditions that brought them joy? Denying that her parents actually preferred the Earth King over the Fire Lord? She lied to herself that she was bringing honor to her family by marrying Zuko when in reality Zuko would probably be the last person on Earth her parents would want her to be with.
"Truly heartbreaking for your parents who betrayed the Earth Kingdom for a useless child like you. And truly despicable that you now have your mind set on becoming part of a Nation you will never fit into."
But what part of her would she be denying if she had not? That she enjoyed the developed city of Yu Dao? That she was educated and knew how to read and write? And her loyalty to her lord, or her feelings towards her contracted husband?
Lynn didn't know what she was anymore. Both? Neither? The line seemed too frail. She didn't know what she was even worth to her parents, who risked everything for her, or to Zuko...
Zuko... You're not Ozai... You've accepted me as your part of your Nation even when you can look and me and deny it... I know you will accept my apology... I know you will...
Perhaps the words she desperately wanted to tell Zuko were what was keeping her head sane. She had to tell him.
Lynn felt as if she could give up anything now, except for the chance to talk to Zuko at least once more. Even if she was a conflicted mess, at least she could say something to alleviate his fear of becoming his father.
When the metal door opened the lights from the hallway blinded her temporarily.
Lynn was expecting another round of questions perhaps from Sokka and Suki again. Sokka and Suki... She wished she'd have a relationship like theirs one day...
Or maybe TyLee rushed in shoving another blanket into her cell, and asking if there was anything she could do to improve her aura and mood.
She shielded her eyes from the light with her arm and before her vision was restored, she heard it, and her heart skipped a beat.
"Lynn."
The voice of Zuko. The person she desperately wanted to see.
Like a dear in headlights, her green eyes widened, unable to form a word at the sight of the Fire Lord. She watched as he unlocked the metal cell, abandoning the thin blankets on her shoulders when he entered, throwing herself at the man.
"Zuko..." Was all she could manage, before tears streamed down her cheeks uncontrollably.
His embrace was warm around her, "You're free." He said, "I'll make sure you'll never have to suffer anything like this again." he patted the back of her head, letting her tears soak his garnet-colored robes.
Maybe she'd tell him all her bottled-up confessions when she could control her tears.
Lynn did not have much memory of what happened afterward, maybe she caught a few glimpses of Sokka and Suki? Isuka and TyLee?
But Zuko had kept her close to him, the entire way back. Sometime after she had fallen asleep. She woke up in the bed she was used to sleeping in for the past weeks.
Instead of Zuko, she heard another familiar voice.
"Lynn! You're finally awake!"
It was her mother, who helped her sit up.
"Mom?" She rubbed her eyes.
Before Lynn said anymore, her mother presented her with a bowl of warm congee. It was nothing like any of the food she had since entering the palace. Just plain rice seasoned with salt. The food her parents have made for her every time she refused to eat from a mental episode or sickness.
"It won't be as good as your father's, but Lord Zuko told me what happened and you haven't eaten in days." the older woman said in a concerned voice. "But it's gotten a little cold, I'll get you another bowl." She stood up facing the exit of the large bedroom.
Lynn pulled at her mother's sleeve, stopping her from leaving, with a sudden realization that the fabric felt smooth and silky, and resembled what the upper-class women in Yu Dao wore.
"Y-Your clothes." She said.
Her mother got the message, turning back around to sit down "Lord Zuko sent us a new wardrobe, after your wedding." Her mother laughed "He offered us so many different options from all over the Fire Nation and the Earth Kingdom, but we settled with the Yu Dao wear. Isn't it lovely?"
"...Why?" Lynn scanned the red and green dress. "Why not the Earth Kingdom, from where you guys were from?"
"Well, Lynn." She sighed setting down the bowl "Maybe we've confused you. I speak for both your father and myself. Yu Dao is our home."
"But you guys wouldn't be there if it weren't for me..." Lynn looked away from her mother's brown eyes "Don't you want to return to the Earth Kingdom? Don't you want to be treated like a normal Earth Kingdom citizen? I can ask Zuko to-"
"Lynn, dear," She was cut off by her mother "We've never blamed you for our life in Yu Dao. It's the only place our family has settled in, and it's what we're used to. But you have to forgive us for expressing our feelings towards The Fire Nation for causing the war, and distrust toward the Fire Lord. But now because of you, we know that we can trust the new Fire Lord to give us a better home."
"..." Lynn didn't have a response as she remained silent, with her mother patiently waiting for her to process. "Mom... What am I...? Why am I here then? Can I just go back home with you? To our home?" She wasn't sure why she said, that considering there was still a contract she had to fulfill, but she wanted to know.
The woman sighed "This is your home now." her mother put her wrinkled rough hands on her shoulder, "With your husband. That's what makes it home."
She looked around the room, even though it hadn't been more than two months of marriage, the room looked less empty, as her belongings took up some of the once empty space.
"I know you probably married Lord Zuko for us." her mother said "You did not act like yourself at all when you came to our old home, and we were concerned. I know now that you knew you found your partner. So, no. You may not come back to our home. That idiot man is my husband you have yours. You need to stay here, and make a family of your own, not because of me or your father. Just for yourself. That's all I ever wanted for you, though your father might be thinking too much about the financial aspect, you being happy is all we truly want." Lynn's mother chuckled at her confused face, brushing a strand of hair aside "Forgive us for our mistakes, we're so proud of you for finding someone."
Lynn nodded. Unable to comment on the reality of her relationship with Zuko, she was at least relieved to know that her parents never truly resented her for their life.
"Mom, I have one more question, how did you have time to come here? How did you know to come here?"
"Ah, that." She let out a laugh "I in fact need to leave soon, but he might be able to answer your questions." her mother gestured at Zuko who was leaning on the door frame of the room, with his hands behind his back.
"Zuko..?"
Lynn's mother gave her one last embrace before leaving the room, giving Zuko a small bow and closing the door.
His movements were stiff and awkward as he approached her, unlike when he had brought her back to the palace.
"Can I sit here?" He pointed to the space next to her on the bed, his question earned him a nod.
Zuko pulled out a wooden box from behind his back before sitting down. "I-I'm sorry I took your candy." He said, handing the box to her. "And I'm sorry for my father... sorry for making you feel like you're less than you are... Also sorry for the bad tea..."
She carefully opened the box, lips curving up slightly at the sight of the pink paper-wrapped treats, and the sweet smell of peach. How was he so stupid to actually repay her when she was just teasing him? So awkward while handing her a gift? Nonetheless, it made her feel radiant happiness inside.
"Here, I heated up the congee for you."
Lynn set down the box of treats, her green eyes gazing back up at the Fire Lord. A sudden wave of sadness hit her seeing the scar on his face.
Her sad expression caused the man holding the congee to panic, darting his irises up and down. She took the bowl setting it aside, placing her palm over the deformed side of his face, running her thumb over his cheek.
"Zuko... You're not Ozai... You've accepted me as your part of your Nation even when you can look and me and deny it... You never will be."
The Fire Lord held onto her forearm, his hand over the bumpy skin of her scar, with a smile. "Thank you."
"Also... sorry for breaking your dad's nose..."