Throne of Ashes (Avatar: The Last Airbender Fanfic)

Nameless

"What is there even to discuss?"

When Iroh first approached Fire Lord Azulon regarding Hama's plan, he remained confused regarding what her plan entailed. Fire Lord Azulon replied he should oversee her choices, which, in turn, the waterbender selected from the waterbender individuals who were young, with the stipulation that at least one looked as if they were Fire Nation, and from there, she wanted to introduce the children to Zuko the moment he woke.

However, the plan didn't go as Hama wanted, with the three not hitting it off, and a servant let him know Hama wished for his inclusion in the conversation with the children. Still, he found them in a courtyard near Zuko's new room, the girl sitting on the bench looking at the flowers while the young man leaned against the wall, his eyes denoting someone of Fire Nation heritage glaring right at Iroh, the distaste for him quite evident. "And why is he here?"

"As I recollect, you're the one who asked Prince Zuko if you could think about your current situation," Hama said, sitting on a bench across from the girl, old withered hands in her lap. "But honestly, you're right. There is no need for discussion because neither of you has any choice in this matter."

"Hold on." Iroh sucked in his breath, watching the girl flinch, distracted from reaching out for a butterfly. "No. That isn't the case at all. Whatever you're planning won't work if they're not doing this of their own free will. It doesn't matter how well-meaning your intentions are, Hama."

The boy stood there, arms still crossing his chest, then he looked away. "You speak as if I've better options with my life." His eyes narrowed, watching the Water Tribe girl, her hands lowering from the butterflies that fluttered around the garden, her eyes on the ground. "Her, on the other hand. She should be sent back home to her family and not forced to be the companion of some spoiled prince."

"Home?" the girl said, eyes still looking at the ground, fingers reaching up to twist around one of her traditional loops. The look in her vivid blue eyes—

"She's seen more than a child should ever have seen," Iroh thought.

"See?" The boy turned his head. "She isn't in the same situation as me. She's got family."

"Don't know," the girl remained quiet, frowning, then hugged herself, repeating. "Don't know."

"Come on! At least you can go back!" the young man protested, his throat tightening. "I've never even seen the South Pole, but I doubt they'd ever accept me the way I look." The young man looked away. "But this isn't home either."

"Do either of you," Iroh started saying. "No. Of course, the two of you have names. Let's start there, maybe?"

The two looked at him, saying nothing, resulting in Iroh sighing. Hama gave him a look, then turned to the two. "Whether you have names or not doesn't matter. What matters is your duty to our tribe, regardless of whether they'd accept either one of you back."

"Seriously." Iroh shook his head. "This isn't how you deal with children."

"I'm not a child," the young man said, glaring at Iroh. "So don't treat me like one."

"And the girl?" Iroh said. He took a deep breath. "She seems the same age as my nephew, and he's still a child, still in need of being a child. Again, let's start with names because, contrary to what Hama says, your names are important."

"Well, the girl likely has one," Hama sighed. "But she's not said much of anything."

"She hasn't?" Iroh asked. "And the boy?"

"They called him the boy."

"Don't you dare give me a name," the boy said, snapping.

"We need to give each of you names; otherwise, what else shall we call you?" Hama said, "To that, I guess you were right. The names were important."

"What kind of name do you want?" Iroh asked. The girl shook her head. Iroh tried smiling at her. "She likely doesn't want a different name than her own." He took a deep breath. "How about, until you're ready to tell us your name, we come up with something. A pretty name, such as Hana? It means flower?"

Her eyes blinked, then she shrugged her shoulders.

"Hana it is," Hama said, not giving the children a chance, resulting in Iroh sighing.

"And you?"

"No."

"Just call him anything," Hama said. "We don't have time for this."

"No." Iroh shook his head. "This is important, so I'll take all the time I need. Think carefully about what kind of name you want."

"What does that even mean?" the boy asked.

"Well, just as Hana means flower, there are names that mean wisdom, courage, various elements within the world." Iroh took a deep breath. "While it is true we've certain plans for the two of you..."

"And what are these plans?"

"The two of you are to be Prince Zuko's companions," Hama said. "And you, boy, are also to be his protector."

Iroh watched the boy start bristling. "And the girl. Don't tell me..."

"Nothing!" Iroh said. "Nothing of the sort!" He held up both hands. "I am aware of how you came to be, albeit I don't know who harmed your mother and grandmother."

"I've no mother or grandmother," the boy said, turning his head. "Those of the Water Tribe want nothing to do with me because I am what I am."

"I do!" the child named Hana said. "Why wouldn't they?"

"Perhaps we not explain such things to Hana?" Iroh asked.

"Why? She needs to know how the world is."

"Can we hold off on that?" Iroh said, shaking his head. "I'd rather children be children as long as possible," the man said. Then, taking a deep breath. "Fine. The appropriate name for you is Minato."

"What?" the young man bristled. "I didn't ask for a name, and I do not..."

"You are the girl's protector, right?"

"You mean that spoiled prince, or so..."

"Both," Iroh said. "You're the protector of them both." He took a deep breath. "The name Minato is the name of someone who protects, but it references back to being able to harbor safely in port, but I suspect nobody will suspect there's a double meaning, one tied to water for you, unless your hand is forced and you're forced to show your waterbending."

The young man's mouth opened, nothing coming out.

"You don't have to show off your waterbending if you don't want to," Iroh said. "Just so we're clear here."

"I see," the young man said, "No, I don't. I don't want to do this. He's just..."

"He's not," Hama said. "He's a very kind prince, and I want him to stay that way, for a kind prince will eventually become a kind Fire Lord when the time comes."

The boy frowned. "But this is far into the future."

"We know," Iroh said. "But something needs to be done to end this war. It has, after all, been going on nearly a hundred years now, which is almost a hundred years too long."

"Minato?" the girl said, causing the young man to startle, looking at the girl.

"That's not..." the boy said, then sighed. "It's fine. We'll go with those names. For now, that is." He looked at the ground. "And I'll try. I'll try and be nice to that brat."

"Seriously," Hana said. "If you weren't needed for the plan..."

"It's better this way," Iroh blurted out. "Zuko, he needs to have perspectives outside those he knows to grow as a person, and the two of you, you can give him that." He watched the two frown, obviously unsure this was the case.