The smell of sweat and dust lingered in the air when the five men arrived in the town, their next respite from a long journey from Ba Sing Se to the Fire Nation capital. The leader of the men pulled his reins back, bringing his mount to a standstill, noting a patrol recently passed by before swinging down to the ground.

One of the men motioned, indicating he should stay still while they scouted out the area for potential trouble, yet eventually, he gave the all-clear. The man let out a sigh, heading into a nearby establishment, motioning to the man he traveled with to order the drinks while he and the others took a seat, being wary.

"Not long until we're back home at the capital," the youngest member of his party said."

"A few days," their leader said, taking note not to pull back the hood that hid from the locals who he was as he traveled back to the city, not wanting to cause a stir. "A few days left for me to think, take respite, and grieve."

He took a deep breath, listening to the chatter among the patrons of how he'd turned like a coward from the walls of Ba Sing Se while others countered with sympathy, either having lost someone themselves to the decades-long war that seemed to have no end in sight, or they feared the loss of their own sons, only to break General Iroh's heart even more.

"I inflicted this upon our people. How many other fathers in our nation lost their firstborn son to this," Iroh shook his head, taking the drink his lieutenant handed over to him, sipping the cold drink, savoring the alcohol yet never drinking enough to dull the senses even though part of him wanted to do so. "As the crown prince, I must always be on alert."

"I know the royal family needs an heir..." he heard someone mutter, trying to keep their voice low as if trying to hide what might be seen as treasonous thoughts.

"Shush," another said. "It isn't as if Crown Prince Iroh will remarry. Everyone knows that."

Iroh frowned, wondering how such rumors managed to travel outside the palace walls.

"I mean, it's not as if he can find another like her, but that was their only son as well," the second person continued, bringing some relief that the people weren't thinking of his unwillingness to remarry yet another way he'd neglected his duty as heir to the throne. "So it makes sense, doesn't it?"

"Does it?" the first protested, suddenly glancing around to see if anyone listened in as Iroh continued not looking right at them, simply keeping his hood lowered and listening, grieving, ignoring the claims of his retreat from the walls of Ba Sing Se painted him a coward. "After all, Prince Ozai..."

"So, Father gave my birthright to my younger brother?" Iroh let out a short snort, burying his nose in his drink to be noticed.

"Shush! Don't talk about that traitor here!"

Iroh stiffened. "Traitor? Ozai?" He straightened.

"Yes, but if he's unhinged, then so's Prince..."

Iroh stood up, the chair scraping the floor, pulling his hood back as he walked over to the man, grabbing his shoulder tightly. "What is this news of my brother?"

A silence fell over the sweat-smelling establishment, various soldiers and citizens staring while the two men swallowed. His second command stepped over, pulling his hood away. "Please. We've not been made aware of the news regarding Prince Ozai as we've been on the move, and no messenger knows where to find us in the time of Crown Prince Iroh's grief. What is going on at the palace."

The two men stared, eyes wide, fear there, neither saying, when another came over, bowing low, placing their hand properly in front of them to greet the crown prince. "Apologies, Your Highness. Prince Ozai attempted not only to kill Fire Lord Azulon but also made an attempt at Prince Zuko's life as well."

Iroh felt his blood grow cold, swallowing. "He what?"

"And what is this talk of Prince Zuko being unhinged?" his second said.

"He is Prince Ozai's son, but rumor has it the princess is just as unhinged if not more than her father."

"My nephew isn't like that," Iroh said. "Of that, I can assure you that he's unlike his father. He's like..." He stopped. "No. Not completely."

"General Iroh?" his second asked.

"Lu Ten," Iroh said, shaking his head. "Why can't my brother appreciate what he has? What's so precious to us all?" He took a deep breath. "My son, Prince Lu Ten, adored his cousin Prince Zuko, and for good reason, so please. Do not speak ill of my nephew." He saw a few glares at the two who gossiped. "And don't speak ill of those who do. Given all that's happened, I can't blame them for wondering."

"You are kind and generous as always, General Iroh, our Crown Prince," another said, bowing again. "We are sorry for your loss but wish you well with your new heir. Please take care of our prince, particularly since rumor has it he's not been fairing well since Prince Ozai attempted to take his life."

"Thank you," Iroh said, turning to his second. "Let's make haste, quickening my pace. There's no time to think about what I did wrong at Ba Sing Se, that lost so many lives when there is urgent business at the palace."

"Yes, sir."

Iroh then turned, leaving his drink behind while one of his men hurried to buy rations they could eat on the road quickly. They mounted, taking off, creating more dust to clog the air of the small village they'd meant to take a night respite in, hurrying to the palace, arriving, and being taken straight to Fire Lord Azulon.

Iroh bowed low, prostrating himself. "I apologize, father. For failing you at Ba Sing Se and not being here to protect the throne and my dear nephew, Prince Zuko."

"There is no need to apologize," Azulon said. "You are not wrong for grieving your son, but never believe yourself a coward for doing so." There came a silence accompanied by the cracklings of fire around the throne. "It's Ozai who doesn't understand the preciousness of life, particularly our firstborn sons. That child—he's precious to me, Iroh," Azulon said, dropping the formalities. "So please, rise and take care of him."

Iroh stood, swallowing, dropping the formality as well. "And how is my nephew? We heard the news he is not fairing well."

"Prince Zuko is not, but I'll have the servants take you to his new room, or at least his new room for the time being," Azulon said. "I placed him in Lu Ten's room, hoping his cousin would protect him from going to the other side."

Iroh bit his lip, holding back the tears. "I doubt Prince Lu Ten will let any spirit touch Prince Zuko."

He slammed his fist into his hand and bowed, following after the servants. His lieutenant leaned in. "I do not understand the meaning of placing Prince Zuko in your son's room. Does it really have that power?"

"It's the power of hope," Iroh said, motioning the servants to move faster, "And it's a place for Prince Zuko to feel safe."