Double Bender

Part 55

The palace was huge, made almost completely out of wood. It was large and extravagant, but it seemed...empty and sad. Zuko and I wandered around the palace a little bit before finally finding a bedroom. I helped Zuko lie down and then sunk into a chair. For a while, it was silent, then Zuko said. "What happened?" I didn't answer. I couldn't tell him that Geo was dead. It would kill him, and he'd already been through enough tonight. So I simply answered, "You need to sleep." "Something happened." Zuko repeated. "Are you alright?" I now realized I was crying again. I quickly brushed my eyes and said, "I'll tell you in the morning. You're exhausted and you've been through enough." Zuko nodded sleepily and gave me a smile. I smiled back at him. In almost no time, he was fast asleep. Then, I started sobbing. I had lost so much, my parents, my best friend, my childhood, and I nearly lost Zuko. I couldn't take it all in, it was too overwhelming. So all I did was sit there and cry.
A servant came into the room and tapped my shoulder. "Ma'am?" She asked. "Are you alright?"
I wiped my eyes. "Yes." I lied. "Is there something you needed?"
"The girl outside, the dead one," I cringed. "What should we do with the body?"
I didn't want Geo to be dragged away to some random graveyard where no one could mourn her properly. "Are there any rooms in this palace?" I asked. The servant nodded.
"Just down the hall. To the left." I stood up.
"Please take her into that empty room and please get a bed in there as well. And two tables. And as many candles as you can find." The servant nodded and left. I couldn't hold it anymore. I collapsed on the floor, too tired to cry but too horrified to sleep. I sat there for what felt like hours until the servant came back. I didn't get a good look at her before. She was wearing a brown dress with an apron, her amber eyes were kind and soft, and her long black hair was tied into a bun. "I did as you said, Ma'am. Except I didn't light the candles. I supposed you'd want to." I nodded as she handed me several matches and led me down the hall. I stepped inside the empty room that was completely dark. I lit one of the matches and slowly walked forward to see Geo's body lying on what looked like a small fluffy bed. I tried to stay calm as I lit the candles. Flink. One candle. Flink, flink, flink, flink, flink. Five more, several to go. I kept lighting them, at a steady pace, careful to keep my eyes off of Geo's body. But I couldn't do it. I sunk to the floor and sobbed. The match went out and the only light was from the seven or so candles, flickering by the body. I started to cry. The servant came back in and patted my shoulder. "Go back and be with Prince Zuko." She instructed. "I'll finish here."
"Thank you." I whispered, looking back at Geo and walking back to Zuko's room. Once I was in there, I collapsed in the corner and started to cry again.
I eventually cried myself to sleep, I slept for maybe an hour or two. When I woke up, it was at least three in the morning. I got out of my chair and walked over to the window. The courtyard was a wreck! There was water and debris everywhere. By then, Azula had been hauled off to an asylum. The comet had passed over by now and was long gone. The sky was back to an inky black. I didn't know how much had happened while we were fighting. Maybe, out in the darkness, a little girl had just lost everything. Maybe she'd run away and find a family and stay with them for a long time. But then maybe she'd find someone who care about her and maybe she'd find a friend. She might have to deal with separation and loss and she might even give up at some point. But she'll find everyone again. Who knows what she'll find? She might even find love. I paused, thinking about the scenario I'd just created and chuckled a little, realizing that the little girl was me. But like that little girl, I was able to make it. I was here, alive. I was able to come back and help save the world. Just like we were going to end the war and save everyone. Somehow, we'd come back and we'd be able to fix the world.

Sorry if I made you cry, but at least the end was nice.
I think we'll be done in about four or five parts.
Let me know what you wafflebunnies think.
~Maeve