The Only Hope

The Epilogue: Part 2

Now

With a small growl of content, Lu-we leaned into my hand as I rubbed the beast. Above us the sun shined down, the afternoon still young but the weather being the most comfortable of the year. Smiling, I gave him one final rub before pulling my hand back and looking at the papers in front of me. Despite having taken my work out side, and even getting to spend time with my bison, I was still utterly bored. I tossed the papers aside, and laid back on my blanket. Looking over at Lu-we, his eyes had closed and he was falling into a nap. I reached up, gently rubbing him one more time. Beside me, the radio hummed out soft music.

I had begged Tenzin to allow me to take him on. He was wary, but in the end I begged for two solid years until it was decided no owner would come to claim him. He didn't fly, for whatever reason, maybe he couldn't- we didn't know. That scared people, being the poor thing couldn't do the one thing it should have known to do before birth; not me. I looked at the creature with love and compassion. He would never replace Leza, nothing ever would. The bond we held, our connection, was a once in a life time thing and I had accepted that. But Lu-we was Leza's son, he was a piece of her and that's all I needed. He was mine, no matter what. As was Zo-we, who actually went Fuoco- he and Terra had just celebrated their first year of marriage this past year and were oh so cute together. It was madness to think of my young students- all grown up. I felt so old, with everyone getting married and settling down around me, and while my life was busy with royal duties- life had become quite settled at only twenty six- it still felt as if something was missing.

Something was missing to be honest, a lot was missing.

I glanced at the papers once more, the advisors said not to worry about work right now. They encouraged me to take time off, rest and recover from my lost. I couldn't just sit around doing nothing though- that only left me to my thoughts which I didn't dare allow out.

Lu-we's deep snore brought me back to my blanket, where I still laid out in the afternoon sun. The radio still hummed it's sweet tunes, and the leaves rustled in the soft breeze. The song on the radio ended out with a fade as another one came in, and I couldn't stand it anymore. A wave of random emotions hit me, as they had been over the past few weeks, and I found myself sitting up. Grabbing the papers I ripped them up, and scattered them to the wind before reaching for the radio. Sitting up, I tossed the radio with a grunt, and watched as it hit a pillar. The sweet song was cut short, and random pieces went flying about.

~~~

"Are you feeling well?" I looked up from the plate of half eaten food, to my aunt. I nodded, but casted my eyes back down. "You do not look well, should I send for the doctor?" I shook my head, using my chopsticks to stir around a few noodles.

"No, please don't, I'm just... not hungry much is all. I'm fine."

"I understand the pain you're feeling, we have all suffered loss in our lives, but it has been nearly three months my Niece. Mourning ended two months ago, it is time to move on with life." I tossed my chopsticks down at that, like a child throwing a fit.

"How can you say that? How can you claim to move on so easily when you also claimed your love for him?"

"Don't you dare question me!" Aunt Izumi's sudden outburst had shocked me into silence, "I loved my father greatly and shall mourn for him till the end of my days, but I also realize I have a country to run and thus cannot wallow for months on unend! This too is a lesson you must learn should you wish to be a wise leader. Zabri, you are two months from taking the throne- do not make me regret my decision in choosing you." I casted my eyes down. At one point in my life I would have stormed away in an angry fit. I was older though, and wiser. She was right. I was to be crowned Fire Lord in a month, three weeks and five days. Once that crown was on my head, my life was no longer my own. I belonged to the people and they belong to me. I was expected to rule to a certain standard, a standard my Aunt had been grooming into me for the past seven years.