The Air of a Flame

*Trinity’s POV*

I was sitting alone in the room they had put me in on Zuko’s ship. It had no windows, and a small bathroom. There wasn’t very much in the room; a bed, a desk, and fire nation décor on the walls. Zuko had arranged so that I was in the room next to him so he could “keep a close eye on me.” I thought back about what had happened since I had gotten captured by Zuko with a sigh. In a matter of hours, my whole world was changed.

*Flashback*

As soon as we left the view of my brother, Zuko took his hand off of my mouth. He still kept my hands restrained, but I guess he was tired of covering my mouth.

“Where are you taking me?” I asked him, scared.

“To my ship. You are coming with me. I can tell you will come in handy with capturing the Avatar.” He informed me. He had a determined look on his face, like he would do whatever it took to capture Aang.

“Why? What did he ever do to you?” I asked him.

“It is my destiny.” He replied. I was confused. Why was his destiny to capture my brother?

“Ah, Prince Zuko.” An old man said. The man had on traditional fire nation clothes and his graying hair tied up in a ponytail. He was pretty round around his belly, but he seemed like a nice old man. He looked at me with surprise before pointing at me. “And who’s this?”

“She was traveling with the Avatar, Uncle.” Zuko replied harshly towards who I guess was his uncle. I guess Zuko’s uncle saw something in my facial expression or my eyes that gave away how scared I really was.

“Zuko! That is no way to treat a lady. Let her go!” Upon hearing his uncle’s words, Zuko loosened his tight grip on me, but still kept a strong hold of my hands.

“If I let her go, she will run away. I need her to help capture the Avatar.” Zuko said to his uncle.

“Well, you don’t need to be so rude to her.” He said to Zuko before turning to me, “Hello there. My name is Iroh. And who are you?”

“M-My name is Trinity.” I said to Iroh. He seemed like a nice enough man. There was no need to ruin a future friendship because of who their family was.

“What is your relationship to the Avatar!?” Zuko said to me, demanding an answer. Zuko scared me, and I looked away without replying.

“Answer me!” he screamed at me. I flinched at his harsh tone.

“Now Prince Zuko. Maybe if you were nicer to her, she would reply. Here, give her to me, I’ll take her back to the ship.” Iroh said to Zuko. When Zuko agreed, I couldn’t have been more thankful. Even though I hadn't known them both for long, I would choose Iroh over Zuko any day. As we walked away from Zuko, Iroh held onto me with a loose, yet firm grip on my arm. “I’m sorry for my nephew.” He spoke, surprising me. “He’s going through a rough time.”

“It’s okay.” I said to him. “He just scares me.” Iroh smiled at my comment.

“He does have that effect on some people.” Iroh replied. “But once you get to know him, he is a good person.”

“It doesn’t seem like it.” I said back to him.

“He has just…lost his way.” Iroh said in his defense. We arrived to a big, metal ship. It had a column of smoke coming from one of the cylinders, but the ship looked relatively empty. Iroh led me onto the ship, before leading me to a room. The way there wasn’t very complicated, but I still though I would get lost. He told me that I was going to stay in the room next to Zuko’s and that his room would be just down the hall if I ever needed anything. He let me into the room, before closing the door and leaving me to my thoughts.

*End Flashback*

It had been a while since then, and I was very bored. All of a sudden, there was a jolt. I jumped in my bed, before getting up onto my feet. The boat was moving; we had set sail. The door had a lock on it, so I wasn’t able to get out and check things out. I was really frustrated with everything; I didn’t know what to do.

I lied down on my bed and starting thinking. Is Aang okay? Are Sokka and Katara? Where did they go? Will I see them again? Will they come a rescue me? Why does Zuko want to capture my brother? What would happen if Zuko found out he was my brother? What is he found out I was an airbender?

I was pulled out of my thoughts by a knock on the door. “Trinity.” A voice said. It was Iroh. “It’s time to eat.”

“Okay.” I replied. I was tired of being in this room and was glad to finally be able to leave it. I opened the door and followed Iroh to what was the dining hall. He led me to a table and made me sit. Not too long after I sat down, Zuko strolled in. He sat down on my right while Iroh sat down on my left. The servers came in and served us food I was unfamiliar with. It was probably food that was Fire Nation. I was served very little, while everyone else was served a lot more. I guess I was like a prisoner on this ship.

We ate in silence, and when I was done, I was escorted back to my room, where I was locked in again. I was beginning to feel hopeless. I didn’t think I could survive being on this ship for much longer.

Over the next few days, nothing changed. I was still escorted everywhere, and was locked in my room for the majority of the time. I was bored out of my mind, and I had nothing to do to keep me preoccupied. However, one day, Iroh took me out to the deck. When we arrived, we were not alone. Zuko was practicing his Firebending. He was shirtless, and I couldn’t help but notice his well defined muscles. He was in very good shape for such a young person, and he was also very powerful. I couldn’t help but feel in awe of the strength he possessed. Iroh went over and helped Zuko with his moves while I watched them from afar. I learned that Iroh was a very wise and patient man, but Zuko was very short-tempered and hasty.

We were sailing towards these ships that help Earthbending captives. It was reported that Aang and his friends were aboard it. I was secretly scared for me friends. I hoped that they got away before we arrived.

When we finally got to the boats, the whole place was trashed. Apparently, Aang, Katara, and Sokka, had devised a plan that helped all of the Earthbenders escape. Zuko was walking around the rubble before he stopped. He bent over and picked something blue off of the ground. He held it up for a second, before closed his hand into a fist around it. But I had seen what it was.

It was Katara’s necklace.