Wandering Firebender

Seventy: Pride

"Fire Lord Zuko. So sorry to interrupt your training, but Captain Elio wishes to speak with you." An attendant announced to him. Zuko, who was practicing his firebending forms, dropped his arms and got out of his stance.

"That's fine. Go ahead and send him in." Zuko invited. The attendant went to the doors and opened them up. Elio entered into the Fire Lord's private indoor training area.

"Hey. Sorry, I didn't know you were doing all this. I'll be brief." Elio apologized as he stepped into the room. He looked around curiously at all of the decor and fancy weapons hanging on the walls.

"It's alright, Elio. You don't need to rush. I already told you I prefer for you to speak freely." Zuko reminded him.

"Right, yeah, sorry. I also didn't know this room existed." Elio brought up.

"It's one of many secrets that my family prided themselves on. For several generations, Fire Lords and the royal family would learn advanced and secret techniques here – it's part of what's always given us our edge. When I was a boy, I was taught how to use twin broadswords here in this room."

"Wow. That's...a lot to take in." Elio commented with a little chuckle. Zuko nodded in agreement.

"What can I do for you, Elio?" He asked.

"Uh, right! Um...I've been meaning to ask this since I got here, but I got so swept up in things before that I forgot to say it, but-um...have you heard anything about my father? I don't know how he's been doing." Elio inquired.

"Your father?" Zuko looked up at him.

"Yeah. I haven't seen him since the invasion at the North Pole...I know that he escaped and retreated with the others, but I don't know anything else. Is he alright?" He asked.

"Yes, he's here. Your father returned with the men who escaped. According to reports, when he realized the battle was over, he ordered a retreat that actually saved a lot of lives, even when the admiral assigned to the siege wanted everyone to keep fighting." Zuko relayed the report he heard.

"That sounds like my dad," Elio nodded in agreement. "My father was misguided, but he is a good man. I hope that you haven't treated him too harshly." He expressed.

"After taking everything into consideration, I decided to allow your father to retire honorably. It seemed like the most reasonable thing to do. He should be at home now, as far as I know." Zuko answered him.

"Really? Can I go and see him?" Elio requested.

"Are you sure that's a good idea, Elio?" Zuko asked doubtfully.

"Please. The things I did hurt my family deeply. I want to try and make amends with them." He insisted. Zuko considered this and finally nodded in understanding.

"Of course you can go. Just be careful. Take the whole day, and I'll see you tomorrow."

"Thank you." Elio bowed respectfully before leaving Zuko to his training...

It took Elio awhile to muster up the courage to finally go to his family home. He quietly trekked up the hill with a bouquet of flowers in hand. When he finally got close, his heart became heavy with all of the memories that he had previously left behind and was now returning to.

The last time he had been here was when his parents threw that graduation party for him; the one where his father tried to cut his hair in front of everyone. He still felt embarrassed thinking about that, even though it had been so long ago.

Finally, he made his way up to the front door. He took a deep breath, clutching the bouquet a little tighter as he knocked on the door with his other hand. He waited patiently until someone finally came to the door: his sister, Taiga.