Prologue

"Punishment"

Fire Lord Ozai sat in the War Room, alone but for his fire. He meditated, hands in his lap, flames gently rippling in time with his breathing.

"Ozai, I must speak with you."

Golden eyes opened. "If this is about Zuko, you might as well just turn around and leave. I will not change my mind."

Iroh stepped further into the War Room, hands in his sleeves, anger carefully hidden. But Ozai knew his brother. He knew what to look for.

"I wasn't asking you to," Iroh said, standing just feet away from the flames. "I merely request that I be allowed to accompany Prince Zuko during his banishment."

Ozai raised an eyebrow. "What are you hoping to accomplish with this?"

Iroh returned his gaze evenly. "With you? Nothing. But I feel it would be helpful to Prince Zuko to have a family member with him."

Ozai looked at him, trying to read the deeper meaning to the words. "Very well. Go."

Iroh turned to leave, and paused. "Perhaps, while we are gone, you could think about shortening the banishment."

Ozai took a deep breath, and kept his flames under control. "Why would I do that? Zuko comes back with the Avatar, or he doesn't come back at all."

"Yes, but think of how old he will be in a few years time—fifteen. You know what traditionally happens in the Royal Family at that age."

"Yes, I remember," Ozai said sharply. "Why do you bring this up?"

Iroh shrugged, his back to his younger brother. "It is just something for you to think about. Who knows? Prince Zuko might be successful. In that case, you should have everything already arraigned for when we return."

Ozai sneered, opened his mouth to comment…

"And if you need help with the decision, I believe Lo and Li have a wise suggestion," Iroh continued.

Ozai closed his mouth, frowning slightly. "Azula's advisors?"

Iroh chuckled lightly. "Yes. Through remember, they were Ursa's advisors before she… left."

Anger flared slightly in Ozai's chest at the mention of his wife, but he reigned it in. "Hm. Go."

Iroh walked out without looking back.

Ozai sat several minutes longer, staring at the flames of his own making. Eventually, he retreated to his room, thinking hard.

-0-

"You called for us, Fire Lord?"

Ozai suppressed a shudder at the voices speaking in unison. The elderly twins were completely identical, right down to the voices.

"I did," he said. "Several weeks ago, just before they left, Iroh made mention to me that you had an idea for Zuko's betrothal in a few years?"

"Ah, yes," Lo—or was it Li?—said. "Iroh had us search, when we were not busy helping Azula."

"And we believe we have found the perfect girl," the other twin—was this one Li?—said.

"Who?"

"There is a family in the Southern Earth Kingdom with one young daughter."

"They hold land that would be most advantageous in the war."

Ozai stared at them. "An Earth Kingdom girl? In the Royal Line?"

"It is a strange idea," Lo said.

"But is it not fitting for a scarred and banished prince?" Li asked.

"Without his honor and with all the shame you have granted him,"

"There will be no Fire Nation noble who will want to wed their daughter to him."

"A noble girl from the Earth Kingdom would complete Zuko's punishment."

Ozai kept his face straight, but mentally, he laughed. "An interesting idea. But she is of Earth. She will be stubborn, and hard to deal with."

"Ah, but in the Zuko's hands, she will become like clay."

"And you shall be the one instructing him."

"Marry the two, and you shall receive land, forces, and money,"

"Without risking Fire Nation soldiers."

"And you shall insure the continuation of your line," the finished in unison.

Ozai frowned at the last. "What about Azula?"

They hesitated for just a moment. "Azula is not of the right age to think about bearing heirs yet, Fire Lord," they said.

"Hm… and what if this family doesn't want to marry their daughter to Zuko, because of the reasons you mentioned already?"

"Those of Earth do not understand honor as those of Fire do," Lo said.

"And she will not mind the scar, for she cannot see," Li added.

Ozai blinked. "What?"

"The girl is blind, Fire Lord."

"And your son is… not as handsome as he once was."

"With the way she sees, and the way he looks, it's a perfect match," they finished again in unison.

"I see…" Ozai said, fingertips lightly stroking his beard. "It is an… interesting idea. I will have to think about it. Go."

With a bow, the twins turned and left.

Ozai took a deep breath, put his hands in his lap, and closed his eyes.

It was an interesting idea… but the fact that Iroh had suggested it made him think there was more about this girl than a lack of vision. He knew his brother—he wouldn't want to hurt or insult Zuko in any way, especially to such an extent.

But, even knowing that, were there any cons to this situation?

Ozai sat meditating in the War Room for a long time after that.

So now you know my favorite reason for this pairing. Lo and Li's last line, btw, comes directly from Fiddler on the Roof (a fantastic musical that everyone should see).

And yes, this takes place in an slight Avatar AU. The physics and arts and bending are all the same, I'm just going to be switching some situations around.

And we'll see where it goes. :)