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24th Day, Month of the Fire Moon, 104 A.G.
Dear Uncle,
Thank you, again, for the Solstice gifts. Your white dragon blend is still my favorite. Mom, Ikem, and Kiyi all send their love and thanks as well. You would’ve loved to see her laugh, when she saw “Kiyi’s Special” on the bag!
We all missed seeing you at the Summer Solstice Festival this year. But I'd never dream of interrupting business during the high tourist season! I hope the Jasmine Dragon continues to do a roaring trade (so to speak) as always.
All is well here in the palace. Mai and Kei Lo visited for the festival and send their greetings. They seem happy together, and so I’m happy for her too. But sometimes I miss hearing her knives hitting the targets, in the sparring yard. Even though it’s been a year already, it still seems a bit quiet without them.
Things may liven up soon, though. I’m arranging a summit for this fall, during the Turtleduck Moon, with Chiefs Hakoda and Arnook. We will be discussing war reparations to the Water Tribes, particularly to the South. I hope Katara will be able to make it. Her last few letters have felt sad, since she and Aang split up, and a distraction may be good for her.
I will also be paying another visit to the Sun Warriors soon. Now that things have finally calmed down here at home, I’ve had the energy and time to return to something that I've long put aside. We've recovered some of the warriors' texts, but so far, none of them have given me the answers I seek.
You received the dragons’ blessing, once. Perhaps you can enlighten me…when they showed me the true nature of Firebending, I saw something more, something that I’ve never forgotten. A kind of vision. When you saw the dragons, did something similar happen to you?
King Kuei and I plan to visit Yu Dao next spring, probably during the Beetle-Worm Moon, for the uprising’s second anniversary. I hope to see you again well before that. But if not, I can promise we'll be stopping at the shop. (He likes ginseng tea.) Say hello to Jin, Lee, Ruyuan, and all the old crowd, during their next shifts. I remain, as always,
Your nephew,
Zuko
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9th Day, Month of the Cat-Stag Moon, 104 A.G.
Dear Zuko,
I am delighted to hear everyone enjoyed their teas. Kiyi's Special has been selling out weekly, and I am currently developing a new brew for autumn. Who knew that tiger lily buds, ginseng, and cinnamon make such a wonderful combination? I’m considering calling it “the Jin-Seng blend,” as she helped me with the experiment.
It gladdens me to hear that Mai is well, too. It is natural to miss her; you shared a few years together, and that is a difficult thing to leave behind. But sometimes, two people grow apart rather than in the same direction. That is equally natural and normal. I am proud of you both for recognizing this and agreeing to put yourselves first.
Regarding the dragons, what you describe is known as fire-sight. Dragon fire can, on rare occasions, grant spiritual visions to Firebenders who witness it. To receive fire-sight is a deeply personal experience, so I will understand if you prefer to keep the nature of your vision private. However, should you choose to say more, know that you are always safe to discuss such things with me.
I have made note of your trip to Ba Sing Se next spring, and I will be thrilled to serve you and King Kuei at the Jasmine Dragon. If my new blend sells well, perhaps he would be willing to sample it? Also, if he does not insist on hosting you in the palace, I will prepare your old room! I eagerly await your next letter, as I always enjoy hearing from you.
Yours,
Uncle Iroh
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2nd Day, Month of the Koi Moon, 104 A.G.
Dear Uncle,
Thank you for telling me this. I'm happy to share what I saw with you, of course. I would be even if I didn't need your advice.
When Aang and I saw the dragons’ fire, I think we saw the same thing at first. Such a stunning rainbow of color and light. I never knew so many hues existed, that fire could be so lovely. Or that Firebending, true Firebending, is so drawn from life and love. It's the sun within one's soul...I told the dragons that I understood, in that moment.
That's when it changed. The flames I was looking at shifted, and Katara came out of them. She was made of them. Her hair and hands, her smile, her eyes, all of her, made of bright ribbons of fire. To this day, it’s the most beautiful thing I've ever seen. Sometimes I still see it when I meditate, when I dream.
She came to me and...kissed me. The fire didn't hurt or burn, it felt like her. It was her. I felt her arms wrapped around me, her body, so warm and perfect against mine. Her mouth – oh, Agni, her lips! – and I heard her voice, saying my name. Just a whisper, almost how a lover would say it...Uncle, nothing in my life has felt so right, before or since. In her embrace, I knew a deeper joy than I ever thought I'd have; I knew peace.
You know I’ve never been much of a one for tears. But I wept then. Aang thought it was just the fire’s beauty (it made him cry too), and I’ve never told him the truth.
I’ve never spoken of this to anyone before now. I was in love with Mai, there was a war and then I became Fire Lord, and then Katara and Aang were together and…well, it was all too much. I'm still not entirely sure what to do about it. I admit, I've been drawn to Katara for ages, even before Ba Sing Se. (If I had to pinpoint a moment, it was the first time I saw her Waterbending up close, during “the pirate incident.”) Sometimes, I swear that there's something more than friendship to our hugs, to her words and in her letters. And, much as I hate myself to say it, Aang and Mai are no longer factors in this. Still, I don't know if I have only deluded myself.
Besides, Katara and I are not just us. We're the Fire Lord and the Southern Chief’s daughter. There's so much pain that remains between our people, and she already carries enough burdens. I do not need to add more. Yet the thought of doing nothing torments me.
I’m confused, Uncle, and more in need of your wisdom than ever. Which is saying a lot.
Your nephew,
Zuko
P.S. I have sent a care package in advance of your birthday. Dried fire lily buds for tea-making, extra-spicy komodo chicken jerky, and a bag of new pai sho tiles that Toph made (she sends an arm punch). No sharing the jerky, by order of your Fire Lord!
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16th Day, Month of the Air Moon, 104 A.G.
My dear Zuko,
My deepest apologies for this delay in responding to your letter. There was much to process in it. Let me begin by saying this: I am so honored, and happy, that I was the first person to hear of your vision. I thank you for it. I must also confess, it unearthed some difficult memories. I have spent these weeks meditating upon them, and your letter, to best advise you.
The Sun Warriors told me that fire-sight reveals nothing more, or less, than the deepest and dearest wish of a person's heart. However, that does not equate to a prophecy, or to truth. The only truth the dragons’ fire shows is that of our own hearts. It is up to each of us to understand if what we see is even possible, let alone real, or within our hands to create.
I learned this the hard way, I'm afraid. After Lu Ten died, before I returned home from Ba Sing Se, you remember that I was delayed? It was because I visited the dragons a second time. Their fire granted me a vision that day, of finding my boy in the Spirit World. Of having the chance to see him one last time, and to beg his forgiveness for my mistakes, which cost him his life. It was why I began to study the Airbenders’ writings, their ability to astral project, and why I eventually entered the Spirit World.
Lu Ten was not there. Fire-sight showed me only my heart’s most desperate desire. It was only afterward that I understood its true purpose: not to know a future, but to know ourselves. I strongly advise you to consider this, before proceeding.
That said, I also encourage you to consider something we discussed once: in both the brightest and darkest of times, hope is something that you give yourself. When it comes to Katara, I believe you have very good reason to hope. From my observations, she has also been drawn to you for a long time. (At least from her offer to heal me, when Azula attacked us, if not before.) Your spirit burned brightest when you were willing to give your life for her. And both your hearts still burn brightest when you are together. “A burden” will be the last thing you are to her.
As for the politics of it, all of that will come in time. Tradition and the expectations of others are overrated. Though I commend your wisdom in considering the long-term implications, I think it wiser still to choose happiness and love. Everything else will follow.
With all my love,
Uncle
P.S. My new pai sho tiles are beautiful, and the jerky was delicious, as was the fire lily tea. I am lucky to have such a thoughtful son.
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22nd Day, Month of the Air Moon, 104 A.G.
Dear Uncle,
Thank you. From the bottom of my heart…thank you.
Your son,
Zuko
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20th Day, Month of the Water Moon, 104 A.G.
Dear Katara,
Happy Winter Solstice! I hope the ocean kumquats and fire flakes made it to Wolf Cove in one piece. It was wonderful to see you at the summit last month, too.
I’ll get straight to the point. When the first round of reparation meetings finishes in the South next Thawing Moon, I’ve kept my schedule clear for three weeks. It would be great to catch up with you. If, of course, your schedule allows it!
I can almost hear you laughing at me now: “Zuko, we just saw each other!” But it’s been far too long since we spent time together as friends. We had so little time to spare during the summit…and I have a few things I’d like to talk about with you, just us. If we can get Sokka to leave us both alone long enough.
Anyway, please let me know what you think. Happy Solstice, again, and I’m looking forward to seeing you again in the new year in any event.
Love,
Zuko