Narrator here. Just to give ya'll fair warning, this fic is unmitagated ANGST. LOTS OF IT. I've always wanted to write an Iroh-centric fic, since he's my favorite character in the series. I'd alway hoped for something witty and sardonic, like him, but then I saw "Zuko Alone." Well, you can guess was happened...
Narrator: OMFG, IROH WUZ ROBBED! AND HE LOST HIS SON! (begins sobbing uncontrollably)
Kanashimi: Shut up, I can't hear the show! (whomps Narrator with pillow)
(ahem!) So, naturally, I felt compelled to write about the story only alluded to in the episode. I'm sure many other (and better authors) will do the same, but I wanted to put forward my own view of the events and Iroh's character.
Disclaimer:Avatar: The Last Airbender is not mine, and neither is the awesomeness that is Iroh.
Prologue
"Hm, you're not even trying, are you?"
A laugh and a shrug. "I've long since given up hope of ever defeating you at your favorite game, Father."
A grin in reply. "You're impatient. And Pai Sho's not merely a game, it's…"
A hand, held up in mock surrender. "Please, Father, if I have to hear one more proverb about the Game of Life, I will go back to my own tent."
A sigh. "But it was a good proverb…"
A teacup emptied and placed to one side. "Father, I think it's time you told me what you really summoned me here tonight."
Another sigh. "So impatient - can't you ever learn take advantage of these rare moments of peace? Very well - as you know, the siege has lasted for five hundred and ninety-eight days. Our army was eight thousand strong when we first made camp around the outer walls - we are now less than six thousand."
A hand reaches across the table in a rare gesture of comfort. "It is the way of sieges, soon they will have to break, soon -"
Another hand, raised for silence. "No. Earth Kingdom armies have cut us off from all but out most indirect and distant supply lines. Even as Ba Sing Sei starves, we starve faster. Even as we draw the trap around them, they and their allies seek to encircle us and crush us into the earth. We will lose this battle."
A breath quickly drawn, in shock and anger. "You're giving up? Why? How can you, Father! Why have we fought these nearly two years, only to give up now?"
A tile idly moved into checkmate - the lotus tile. "I sometimes ask that myself. You know full well that I advised the Fire Lord against this battle. It was too soon, the Earth Kingdom still too strong. But the Fire Lord, my father, would not be swayed. If I would not command the army, he would find someone else, someone who cared more for his favor than strategy, his position in court more than the army he would win it with. And at first, I too believed we might win after all -"
A fist slams on the table, making tiles jump and teacups clatter. "We still can! I was at the front lines just this morning, repelling one of their useless counterattacks! Their will is weakening! Their walls crumble faster than they can shore them up, they -!"
A sigh softer than a whisper halts the tumult. "You see what is in front of you, my son, as a warrior should. As a general, I see that we have lost too many engineers, too many sappers, too many men. We are bleeding ourselves dry, pouring our strength into broken stone the enemy uses as mortar to rebuild their walls. We must withdraw the army to fight another day, or we will be utterly destroyed."
A stillness reigns. "Father, you truly… What is it that I am to do then?"
A ghost of a smile. "Do as you have always done. Lead your men, preserve their lives. I want your regiment to serve as the rear guard as we retreat. An army is at its most vulnerable with its back to the enemy. The other division and regimental commanders have received their orders - the siege will be broken in good order, and not until the very last minute will the enemy be aware that they have won."
A jaw clenched against rash and harsh words. "Very well, General. I will carry out your orders."
A piercing stare across the table. "You are also ordered to stay alive, Luten."
A bitter laugh and a noncommittal shrug. "I can make no such promise."
And so... on to battle.