AN: This is an Ursa 'Point of View', from her days of when she was the age Zuko is now, up until her disappearance. It's my guess of her life, and is canon to the series. Somewhat. This is also a pseudo-mini-prequel to an upcoming fic of mine called the Gains of Enmity. Enjoy!

Lady of the Flame

ON MY SIXTEENTH birthday, as was customary in our great nation, I became of marriageable age. To most girls, this is a very important and life changing birthday in our young lives, and it was no different for me.

My father was the eldest son of a very distinguished family in the Fire Nation, and my mother was the only daughter of another very distinguished family. Their families united both their lavish wealth and good names with my parents' union.

My elder brother became my parents' pride and heir to their vast empire of wealth and influence within the Fire Nation. In addition, I was a source of something in the nature of pride. But I was also a useful tool in uplifting the family status.

My father had relations with the royal family of the Fire Nation; Fire Lord Azulon in particular. After many months of debate, he and Fire Lord Azulon had come to an agreement: I was to be wed to the second son of Azulon.

His name was Ozai, and although I had never spoken with him, I had seen him at many social parties and gatherings. His reputation of being a skilled Firebender preceded him as well. He was handsome, ambitious, and loyal to the Fire Nation.

Despite these admired qualities, I felt scared, powerless, and depressed. I confided these feelings with my mother, and she confirmed them to be her own when she was to be wed to my father. She assured me that over the years, she and father had become good friends, passionate lovers, and very happy with one another. I could only hope that this would ring true with Ozai.

His elder brother Iroh, heir to the throne, was someone who I had spoken with before. I had been exploring the royal courtyard about a year before the announcement of my betrothal to young Prince Ozai, and I had unknowingly dropped my folding fan.

Prince Iroh, who had been in the courtyard enjoying tea, noticed this and returned my fan to me. He made a rather flattering comment, saying something along the lines of 'A pretty fan should not be without its pretty owner.'

I had blushed like a young school girl, of course, and I still was. I had been held with honors at the Royal Fire Academy for Girls, being skilled in weaponry and martial arts. I preferred simpler things in life though, and did not feel all too proud of my accomplishments.

I thanked the handsome young Prince, and blinked with surprise as a young boy ran to his side. "Daddy…" he hid behind his father, shy of my presence.

"Greet the beautiful young lady, Lu Ten." Prince Iroh urged his son gently.

Lu Ten nodded, and stepped before me, bowing slightly. "Hello, pretty lady, I am Prince Lu Ten, son of Prince Iroh, grandson of Fire Lord Azulon. How do you do?"

I covered my smile with a hand, and curtsied slightly. "It is a pleasure to meet your acquaintance, young Prince Lu Ten; I am Lady Ursa of the Tomi family."

Iroh smiled, taking his young son's hand. "It's a pleasure, Lady Ursa. We must be going now, but do have a lovely day."

Lu Ten waved goodbye and departed with his father.

From this experience, I found Prince Iroh to be a very kind man, and his son Lu Ten to be as well. Both would make wonderful Fire Lords, once their times came. I had not known I would see them again only a year later, as future in-laws.

My first official meeting with Prince Ozai had been a formal dinner at the palace between our two families. I was extremely nervous the day of the dinner. I chose a brilliant red kimono made of silk just for the occasion. It had golden flames dancing at the hem and on the right breast, and my obi was also woven of gold. My maid expertly applied demue makeup for me and wove my hair into an orante style that was both flattering and impressive.

My mother and father both assured me that I looked beautiful, but when I was seated at the dinner table across from Ozai, my confidence collapsed.

He studied me intently throughout the meal and once he came to some sort of conclusion, he nodded and folded his hands in his lap.

The dinner was agonizingly long, but I was grateful for Prince Iroh's presence, as he would tell jokes to make me demurely laugh. My elder brother and his fiancée would also laugh from time to time.

After dinner, Fire Lord Azulon and my father left to work out for detailed arraignments, Fire Lady Ilah and my mother spoke softly amongst one another. Prince Iroh left to tuck his precious son into bed. And Prince Ozai and I were expected to talk.

He gestured to me, and I followed him. He walked me throughout the palace, giving me the well-rehearsed histories of each room, the family, and such. I nodded and made noises of affirmation to signal I had heard and understood him.

It was rather awkward, and I didn't know what to say to my future husband.

He broke the silence. "I have heard of your fighting prowess, perhaps you'd be amiable to a friendly spar next time you visit?"

I nodded. "Of course, Prince Ozai."

He stopped in his walking and turned to me. He studied me intently, then reached a hand out to touch my cheek. His fingers tilted my chin to look up into his face, for I was too timid at first. "You are very lovely." He commented softly.

I blushed and tried to look away, but I could not. "T-thank you, Prince Ozai."

"Just Ozai. When it is only us, Ozai will be fine." He replied mildly.

"Ozai." I repeated softly, correcting myself.

He smiled slightly, and nodded, continuing his walk. We stopped in the courtyard that I had been in a year ago with Iroh and Lu Ten. Ozai and I sat beneath the tree beside the pond. Turtle-ducks swam in the moonlight, quacking ever so often at each other.

I rather enjoyed this spot, and I guess I was smiling. "You're even lovelier when you smile. Do you truly fear me so?" he inquired, almost sadly.

I looked down, clasping my hands together. "I've been taught familiarity is disrespect, Pr-ah…Ozai."

He nodded, understanding a mere noble girl's teachings and point of view. "Well, we are to be married. Can we not be familiar?"

I smiled softly. "Tell me about yourself." I was feeling emboldened by his gentle question.

He looked almost thoughtful for a moment. "I love to Firebend. When I am doing so…my heart flies, my blood sings."

"You are true to the blood of a Prince." I commented.

He nodded. "Perhaps so!"

I smiled again, and ran my fingers through the plush grass. "What else?"

He chuckled softly. "I am very interested in politics, my nation, this war."

I felt worried very suddenly. "Will you go and fight in this war?"

He frowned. "I would like to, however, I cannot. My elder brother is currently a general…both of us cannot fight at once…you understand…"

"I do." And I was inwardly relieved. I did not desire to be a young widow.

"I have to exercise patience, for now." He did not look pleased at this, and a saw a glimpse at something that gave me a chill. He turned to look at me. "Are you cold?" he asked.

There would be no other explanation for my shudder, so I nodded slightly.

And to my embarrassment, he moved closer, wrapping an arm around me. The silk of his kimono slipped against mine and we were pressed tightly together. I could feel the heat of his body so close to mine, and wondered momentarily if Firebenders were prone to being…well, hotter.

I blushed and he chuckled upon seeing this. "You really are something, Lady Ursa." He remarked kindly.

"Ozai…" I murmured, looking up into his golden eyes. They were hot and cold, ambitious and serene, good and somehow bad, all at the same time. I feared him and yet was intrigued by him at the same time.

He leaned his face close to mine, and our lips met. His were warm against my own, and covered mine fully. I shivered again, and he pulled me closer, deepening the once chaste kiss. And he lit my body aflame, it felt like.

He drew away, studying my face, tucking a strand of hair that had fallen from its ornate design. "I should like to think this marriage will be a pleasant one." He said finally, his handsome eyes piercing through me.

And somehow, I had a feeling that it would be too…