shadowsong26 (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
shadowsong26) wrote2010-12-16 05:11 pm
shadowsong26) wrote2010-12-16 05:11 pm
intended to be for the atlaland 63 challenge...
...buuuuut i forgot to submit it. so, posting here instead.
Title: For the Good of the Nation
Characters: Azulon (63ed), OC
Summary: Firelord Azula is given some surprising news.
"What," Firelord Azula said, staring at Doctor Kichirou.
"I'm certain, my lord," he said quietly.
"I will be fifty years old next month."
"I know."
"You told me after Iroh was born that I wouldn't be able to have more children."
"At the time, I thought that was the case, my lord." He sighed. "Obviously, I was wrong. I apologize."
Azula waved a hand, dismissing him, and stalked over to the window, staring out and considering her options.
It was a terrible position, the one she'd put her son into. She knew from experience--her own father had waited until dangerously late in his life to have children, and she'd been the only one. Her own lack of a secured succession was less voluntary, but no less problematic.
The last few generations in the royal family, in fact, had been small. After Iroh, there were a few cousins, all with equally valid claims on the throne. If something were to happen to him, there would be...internal unrest.
At best, it would cost us the war. At worst...
Succession crises like this had seriously depleted the nation's population in the past.
On the other hand, while Azula was hardly ancient, and had every reason to expect a long, healthy life, fifty was old for a pregnancy. She'd had several miscarriages before Iroh, and carrying him had been difficult, despite being barely thirty when he was born. And unlike her, he hadn't been the only child of an elderly Firelord, prepared to step in and take the reins at a young age with little to no warning. He'd gone straight into the Army as soon as he'd reached adulthood, which was of great importance, but not necessarily good preparation for ruling over civilians.
But I may be borrowing trouble. At my age, it's highly unlikely I would carry the child to term.
She rested a hand on her stomach. She'd been raised to difficult choices. All that remained was determining whether the potential reward outweighted the substantial risks.
It didn't take her long to reach her decision. She sent a page to fetch Doctor Kichirou, then returned to her desk to wait for him.
Title: For the Good of the Nation
Characters: Azulon (63ed), OC
Summary: Firelord Azula is given some surprising news.
"What," Firelord Azula said, staring at Doctor Kichirou.
"I'm certain, my lord," he said quietly.
"I will be fifty years old next month."
"I know."
"You told me after Iroh was born that I wouldn't be able to have more children."
"At the time, I thought that was the case, my lord." He sighed. "Obviously, I was wrong. I apologize."
Azula waved a hand, dismissing him, and stalked over to the window, staring out and considering her options.
It was a terrible position, the one she'd put her son into. She knew from experience--her own father had waited until dangerously late in his life to have children, and she'd been the only one. Her own lack of a secured succession was less voluntary, but no less problematic.
The last few generations in the royal family, in fact, had been small. After Iroh, there were a few cousins, all with equally valid claims on the throne. If something were to happen to him, there would be...internal unrest.
At best, it would cost us the war. At worst...
Succession crises like this had seriously depleted the nation's population in the past.
On the other hand, while Azula was hardly ancient, and had every reason to expect a long, healthy life, fifty was old for a pregnancy. She'd had several miscarriages before Iroh, and carrying him had been difficult, despite being barely thirty when he was born. And unlike her, he hadn't been the only child of an elderly Firelord, prepared to step in and take the reins at a young age with little to no warning. He'd gone straight into the Army as soon as he'd reached adulthood, which was of great importance, but not necessarily good preparation for ruling over civilians.
But I may be borrowing trouble. At my age, it's highly unlikely I would carry the child to term.
She rested a hand on her stomach. She'd been raised to difficult choices. All that remained was determining whether the potential reward outweighted the substantial risks.
It didn't take her long to reach her decision. She sent a page to fetch Doctor Kichirou, then returned to her desk to wait for him.