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“Firelady Mai.”
Zuko entered the room Mai was getting ready in, getting ready to receive her title as the Firelady, as a politician.
“Firelord Zuko.” She replied with an enthusiastic voice. She would admit, she loved it whenever her husband entered a room. She stood up to greet him, he walked towards her in sync. He did reach for a Kiss when Mai was going for a hug. “Zuko! Makeup.” She warned her.
“Oh, sorry.” He apologized, taking a tiny step back to reach for her hand. He grabbed it, left a kiss on it while he never lost eye contact. After he stood back up straight, Mai went in for a hug. They stood like that for a while, neither was in a hurry to let go of the other… except the coronation was merely hours away.
“I need to do my makeup. And hair.” She softly spoke, still in his arms. “That’s alright.” he said. He let her free after kissing the top of her head. She really liked that. Offering her his hand, he guided him back to her chair where she was getting ready at. “I can do your hair.” He suggested.
Fun fact about Firelords, they are wonderful with hair. “I’d love that.” She replied.
She sat back down and picked her brush back up.
Zuko stood right behind her, he slowly undid the bun her hair was held up in before he picked up the comb to detangle her already silky smooth hair. “I am in love with your hair.” He said. “I am in love with you.” She teased. He responded with a sweet smile.
“Are you nervous?” Zuko asked.
“About becoming Firelady?” She questioned. “No. I’ve been in all the politics for as long as you have. Nothing will change.”
She noticed Zuko catching glances at her as he was pinning parts of her hair. She took a deep breath and let it out in a deeps sigh, as if she was trying to breathe out that pit in her throat.
“They will talk.” She spit out. “I am the only Firelady that didn’t get the title at her wedding to receive it as a royal. They already don’t like that I am present, they don’t like that I’m useful. They don’t like the idea of me being crowned as a leader. They won’t like it when I become official, just the way you have. They won’t like that I am important.”
“But you are.” Zuko simply said, catching her eyes in the mirror. She looked right back. “I have something for you.” He said before gently putting a section of her hair down. She turned her back to follow where he was going.
From the drawer next to his side of the bed, he brought out a book. He showed the cover to her before putting it on her table and standing beside her. ‘HISTORY’ the title read in capital letters. “A history book?” she asked. “Look.” He gave it to her.
She noticed a marking on a page. As she opened it up Zuko explained; “Aang brought this over from a school he visited in the Earth Kingdom. Some kid showed it to him to ask about it, he said he immediately asked for copies so I could show it to you.”
‘Mai- Fire Nation’ a title read, followed by her place of time of birth, what she has done for peace, how she influenced the younger generation to protect balance with a few information of some things she has done for the Fire Nation regarding politics. She looked at Zuko with sparkles in her eyes.
“He brought this at our wedding, but I wanted to give it to you for your coronation. I was going to give it to you after, but I think this is a better time.”
Mai kept looking at him in full awe. She never thought she would have such impact already. Kids were learning about her as a historical figure at school.
“You’re right” Zuko said in his soft voice. “Nothing will change, for you but the world already is changing. So what if it takes a little longer for some of them to learn? That is how change works. These kids” he pointed at the book “are learning about you because you made that change happen. Mai, I am right by your side with every step you take and I am in such awe of you. You deserve this more than anyone. We need you as an official and that is something no talks will ever change.”
Mai had a smile that told so many things about how she felt; excitement, happiness, a little pride, how glad she was to be next to such a person…
“You owe me a lot of kisses after this.” Zuko laughed kindly before he went back to doing her hair. “Of course.” He said, “Why didn’t you ask the maids to do your hair and makeup?” he asked after. “I thought you’d show up.” She answered.
~
Zuko and Mai were taking a simple stroll around their palace in the calm of the night.
The calm of the night it was before Zuko heard Mai’s cry of pain right beside him followed by the tightening grip on his arm she had hers hooked in.
“Mai?” He softly questioned before her grip weakened along with her body. He quickly turned to her, wrapped his other arm around to help her keep her balance. Supporting her back he felt a sensation of warm and wet. “Mai? Mai no.” He fell along with her, gently guiding to the ground. He took a look at the sensation. He was right. There was blood and a knife where it was coming from. A piercing knife, sharp and precise, decorated in red. “Mai? Mai stay with me.” She was losing conciseness, quick. Far quicker than she should’ve been. He would know, it happened to him before. “Please. Look at me, Mai look.” And she wasn’t responding at all. It wasn’t normal, everybody knows what happens if you sleep after such an occurrence.
That worried him, a lot. After such an attempt, he knew he had to keep quiet and low to avoid any other attack. And he was struggling. But Mai mattered more, so he grabbed her in the gentlest way possible and after checking the bits and corners, ran right towards the gates of the palace.
The guards didn’t say a word as they opened every door in his way and after he ordered “Don’t follow me.” they didn’t move either. He ran straight up to the door that always had familiar faces when it was in use. Still holding his wife in his arms, he kicked the door for knocks until he heard complains and footsteps.
The door revealed a woman with brown hair and traditional Water Tribe clothing.
“Help, please.” He uttered. “Bring her in.” Katara opened the way right away. “Zuko?” He heard Aang softly question. “On the bed.” Katara ordered. Zuko followed immediately, laying Mai on her side and supporting the rest of her body. Without a word, Aang brought a bottle of water.
“I’m going to need to clean and cover up the wound can you get them for me?” Katara said as she was already bending the water out of the bottle. Aang left the room without a word. Katara guided the water to where the knife. “Lie her down.”
Zuko gently let Mai lie on her stomach as he placed her head to the side. “Take the knife out when I tell you.”
“Okay, will she-“
“Shush. Get ready.” Zuko audibly let out a shaking breath of frustration as he motioned towards the knife. “Katara please” he pleaded.
“Hold. I will count from three.” He held the knife. He held his breath.
“Three” steady
“Two” steady Zuko.
“Pull!” And he pulled out the knife. His hands gave out. He could barely hold the knife because of how violently they trembled. “Katara? Say something.”
“Knife on the counter, don’t touch the blood.” As if he wasn’t all covered in it. He still did as she asked. He didn’t sit back down. He kept his gaze over Mai as he paced around the room.
Katara was silent. She said nothing but the orders she gave and Zuko was about to lose it. Mai had fainted completely and still hadn’t woken up, stabbings never took people out that fast. He could tell the wound was close to her heart. He did his best to think positively, he did. Katara was the most skilled healer in all the nations, she healed much worse and Mai was completely safe in her hands. But Mai was still not moving. “Katara talk!” He snapped.
“Shut up Zuko! I can’t deal with you, I need to focus.” Zuko immediately stopped and paced back to the bed Mai was on.
“I’m sorry.” He mumbled. Guilt was added to the list of horrible feelings.
“What happened?” asked Katara.
“We were walking.” Zuko started. “I heard her cry and she just began fainting. I grabbed her and came here. It wasn’t normal, she shouldn’t have fainted so fast.” He realized he raised his voice towards the end of his sentence. He looked at Katara, she didn’t seem to mind.
“It wasn’t normal alright.” Katara mumbled. “I’ll clean her bloodstream as much as possible.”
Aang entered the room just as Katara spoke. Zuko immediately stood up to get all the stuff from him. While Zuko helped Aang pour a fresh bottle of water into a bowl, he noticed Katara pull something out along with the water she used and bend it right out the open window before it evaporated.
“I’ll use this to work on the wound” she motioned to the bowl “Aang can you bring a bit more water?” Aang did so immediately.
“I’m healing the wound, her bleeding will stop in a minute.” She finally informed him.
“Somebody wanted to take her out by her weapon. They must’ve figured she’d known how to deal with such a wound. There was something only toxic enough to leave her unconscious until she lost enough blood. She’ll run a little hot until she sweats it all up, but she’ll recover.”
“I was there.” Zuko added.
“Let’s be glad they weren’t clever enough.” Zuko did not like how serious she sounded.
Aang stepped back in and Katara immediately switched the water in the bottle and the bowl and started cleaning the wound with a piece of cloth. “Wash up. Then ready the bandage.” She told Zuko. Aang had disappeared once more.
After Katara cleaned the wound and he finally got the blood off his hands, Zuko helped her cover it up. Katara let Zuko lay her on her back before she pulled two chairs beside the bed. She motioned Zuko to sit closer to Mai before she got him a glass of water. She then sat on the other chair.
“Thank you.” Zuko took a sip of the water, his hands still shaking. He put it next to the knife that was still on the counter. Then he spoke.
“That is her knife.”
“What?” Katara mildly asked.
“Her knife. Somebody didn’t just decide to take her out by her weapon, they attempted on her life with her own weapon. When I was there.”
After a few moments of silence, Katara softly said “You did good. There was nothing else you could do.” She smiled at him. That did make him feel a little better. “Thank you. Really.” He said once more.
Then Aang made a final comeback. With two glasses and a bottle. “Sorry Katara.” He said as he handed them to her to grab a chair for himself. “It’s alright.” Katara let out a peaceful laughter.
That made Zuko smile.
“No, I can’t.” He refused anyway. “Not after she got- I can’t.
“You will.” Aang insisted. “It’s not easy to see your wife like that. You still have her blood on you. It’ll calm your nerves, then I will assist you to your room and keep an eye on her as you clean up. Come on, bottoms up.” Aang lifted his glass up.
“Thank you.” Zuko said while he didn’t turn his friend’s toast down. “Katara, I’m sorry I bothered you at night and I’m sorry I got a bit anxious and mean.”
“It’s completely alright. Let us know how she is when she wakes up okay?”
“Okay.”
After maybe a few more drinks, they ended the night and they did as Aang said. Zuko couldn’t sleep of course. He laid down beside her, staring at her for almost the whole night.
Until she finally woke up.
“Zuko? Ahh!” She took a sharp breath when she tried sitting up.
“Mai? Thank spirits. Try not to move much, okay?” He crawled right next to her, checked her cheeks and forehead for her temperature right away.
“It hurts. Why?” She asked.
“You were stabbed. I took you to Katara right away, she healed you.”
“Why?” She asked again.
“I don’t know.” Zuko replied. “Just get your rest okay? I’ll get you some food and tea. We’ll talk about these later.” He almost got out of the bed but “Later.” Mai requested. “Stay, please.”
He did.
~
Mai loved teaching.
Duties and politics took a lot of her time after becoming the official Firelady but Mai knew she’d come back to it one way or another. So when Zuko figured a few kids in the nation wanted to learn a thing or two about bugs and knives, she didn’t turn it back.
Of course, she made up countless scenarios in her head to how the teaching as a Firelady would go but it was really hard to point it down. However, she had one request from the class the moment she entered;
“Hi everyone I’m Mai. I’ll be your teacher today and days to come if you wish to continue this class. As you would know, I’ve been teaching for a few years and I want all of you to know and acknowledge that I’m your teacher from now on and I’m nothing but your teacher when we’re in class. I do not want any of you to feel any discomfort, shame or pressure in any way, alright? Any questions?”
“Firelady Mai?” A little girl raised her hand.
“Sifu Mai.” She corrected her. “Yes?”
“My mom told me to never forget you were the Firelady and that if I failed you, you’d be really mad. How come?”
The question started echoing through the whole classroom. It was no wonder their patents tried to scare them into success using her position. That made her upset, knowing exactly how it felt. Being feared was something she expected but it did feel worse when it was spoken directly to her. But that was why she wanted to teach as the Firelady anyway. She had the power to protect these kids from what she had to go through. So, she smiled and answered,
“Then you’ll try again and I’ll help you until you get it. But know that you can never fail me and I will never get mad at you for stupid things like ‘failing’ or ‘talking too much’. I’m the Firelady because our nation needs smart and hardworking leaders to help the people live better lives in peace and balance. Good leaders never lead with fear. It is never my intention to teach you to fear. If I let you fear me then I wouldn’t be a good leader. I wouldn’t be a good Firelady. And I wouldn’t be a good teacher either. “
And that resulted in a few more hands in the air. She let another student ask.
“Sifu Mai? When will we get to learn about knives?”
It was such a relief to her that she could get to these kids so quickly. All kids deserved to be safe and free. And they deserved to be loud, daring, confident and shamelessly brave. It healed a part of her too, getting to give what she would kill to have we when she was at that age.
“How about today?”
~
“Zuko?” Mai found him speed walking across the halls as she was doing the same to find him.
“Where have you been?” He asked immediately, turning his head towards her. He kept on as he walked towards her. “I refused to start the meeting without you, I’ve been worried sick.” He sounded a bit mad. He wasn’t wrong, the meetings were no joke and if it was still on, she would be at least half an hour late.
“I’m sorry.” She simply said. Zuko wasn’t really satisfied with that answer. “Where were you?” He asked, still mad.
Sometimes in moments of anxiousness and panic, Mai would shut down, speaking would become her weak point. This was almost evolving into that. “You’re mad.” Mai said.
Zuko knew that of course. “I’m not.” He responded mindfully. He took one step forward to close the distance between her and himself. After tucking a piece of her hair behind her ear, he kept his hand on her jaw as he caressed her cheek softly. “Mai you’ve been disappearing lately, you’re dissociated. I’m just really worried. I’ve looked around for you for an hour…”
“I was at the healers.” Mai spoke.
“Have you been at the healers?” Zuko questioned. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing- it’s not wrong.”
At this point she could tell he was going crazy. “Mai?” He uttered, desperate for an answer.
“We’ll have an heir. We made an heir.” She spit out. She also added a smile she couldn’t really control anyway.
Zuko couldn’t control his stunned face either. He did probably expect something much worse. “Wait. You mean?” He asked as his eyes went back and forth looking at hers.
She nodded.
“Well the council can’t be mad about that can they?” Zuko’s uncontrolled laughter made its appearance in the middle of his sentence.
Mai shook her head “no” as her smile turned into laughter too.
Right before their stances turned into an embrace.
“I’m sorry I worried you.” Mai mumbled into his hair.
“I love you.” He said as a response.
“I love you too.” She said right back.
~
“Firelord Zuko, will the Firelady not be joining us this day?” A member of the council caught up to him as he was making his way to a meeting.
“Unfortunately.” He casually answered. “She’s not feeling well.” They kept walking as they kept the conversation going. “Ah.” The man said. “Send her my wished for a rapid recovery then.”
“Thank you sir. I will.” Zuko answered, expecting their next words to be spoken in the meeting. “It’s a shame she can’t make it. It’s quite an important one.” He was wrong.
“You have no idea how much I had to insist to have her stay out of this one. Do not worry, I’ll be mouthing her thoughts and ideas just as I will inform her of everything spoken.” And he kept walking.
“It is a relief.” The man continued for some reason. “The Firelord is much more capable of such matters after all.” Zuko stopped. The man stopped immediately after.
“Whatever do you mean?” He didn’t even look at him. “My Lord,” he uttered. “It is only natural that you would have more experience and wisdom.”
“How come?” Zuko turned towards him. He spoke with certainty in his tone. “She has covered as many meetings for me as I’ve done for her.” The man stepped back. Although he did keep talking. “It isn’t her place as much as it is yours.”
Zuko took a deep breath. Frying this man head to toe wasn’t the way no matter how much he wanted to.
“Mai has been just as much of a leader as I’ve been since I became Firelord. She has helped me through many decisions I would never be able to make without her wisdom. She has led many meetings, taken charge of many topics and flawlessly executed many projects. How is it that it isn’t her place? Tell me.”
He tried to take a stance. It was a poor attempt. “Well that just isn’t right.” That was a poor take.
“Well, that is why you have your job. You think I singlehandedly brought members of other nations into royal court? Attended all the meetings, conversed with the most stubborn members for your equal pay, the same rights of resignation and security as every other nation and rank? Who do you think secured your daughter’s future, taking responsibility for education and children’s protection? I heard your wife makes her income from the metal crafting field, it has been her hobby and profession since she was a child right? How wonderful she gets to do what she loves for an occupation without being threatened with losing her job every week isn’t it? Why do you think that is?”
The man took another step back. Although infuriating enough, he didn’t stop there.
“Women have never been in such power.”
But Zuko had enough.
“Mister if it is so important to you that the Firelady stays out of this meeting, you may too.”
He finally fell silent.
“By all means go home. You will be informed on the status of your occupation.”
And the Firelord paced on.
~
“Welcome back.” Zuko said to Mai as she walked back to their bed chamber, greeting him from the bed where Izumi was laying down, admiring the small purple fire her dad was waving around for her amusement.
“She loves that thing.” Mai said as she made her way to the bed to sit right next to her.
“Oh yeah we’ve been experimenting.” Zuko said.
“Really? How so?”
“She’s been really fond of green about a week ago. But now she’s really into the purple. And see what she does when it’s pink.” He switched the colors of the flame with a swish of his hand. Baby Izumi reached it as she screamed at it with joy. As much as the baby was hers, Mai would admit they were still very weird. She loved that weird thing very much.
“We have got to get her to meet Azula. I cannot wait to see how she will like blue. I have a feeling they would get along really well.”
“Me too.” Mai admitted, watching her daughter’s joy in such awe. The Fire Nation wasn’t an easy place to live in, but she was so glad she had such wonderful people around to live her life with. It filled her with hope that she was able to make it better for so many people too. A whole world of them.
“So how was it?” Zuko asked. “Do you feel better?”
She looked at him and smiled into his eyes. “Your uncle is the most respectful, kind man alive. Thoughtful too, he made berry tea and brought honey because I liked it sweet. It’s such a wonder how you turned out to be so much like him.” She reached for the back of his ear, softly stroking his dark brown hair. He leaned right into it.
“Really?”
“Really.”
“I’m so glad you’re here Mai. I’m so glad you’ve been here. I’m so happy I get to exist with you.”
Mai gently put her hand down, stroking the rest of his long hair. She held his hand instead.
“I am here. I won’t go. I never want to be where you are not.”
The Firelady leaned in for a kiss with the Firelord before picking up the Princess in her arms so they could give some of it to her.
None of them would go anywhere that day. Not when they had each other.