Lien's Story

(I was gone... so I'm going back a little bit)

Lien tiptoed silently through the hedge maze in her family's extensive, beautiful garden. The sun was setting. She had sid to her family that she was going to bed early, and not to disturb her. She hoped they hadn't discovered that she'd left

Just as she thought this, she heard a rustle in a nearby hedge. Whipping around, Lien sighed with relief when she saw nothing there. She turned around, almost ot of the maze, and jumped at least two feet into the air, stifling a scream of surprise.

"What's the matter?" Her older brothers chorused deviously. They were the identical twins of the rather large family, Jin Yu and An Yu. They were performers, and sometimes put on shows for the royal family themselves sometimes. They usually simply incorporated firebending into gymnastics, but it was enough to rile up a crowd and fame amogst the nation. They always had a mischeivous look upon their faces though. One Lien was sure only she could see. Even though they were only two years older than her, 16, they acted like they were much older and superior.

She shuddered as they each slipped an arm around her shoulder and leaned into her face. "Not so tired after all, ah?" they whispered suspiciously. Lien obviously couldn't tell them where she'd been.

"I uh..." she stammered. They snickered malevolently. "I just went for a walk through the maze, that's all."

"Sure," Jin Yu hissed.

"Just a walk," chimed An Yu.

Lien shuddered again. "Yes. A walk."

They cackled diabolically. "So what were you doing in town?" they said simaltaneously.

She jumped. How had they known?

As though they read her mind, they replied. "We knew you'd sneak out," An Yu said. Jin Yu finished, "And fight that filthy earthbender."

Lien gasped and shook her head. "I didn't fight! I was helping the other firebender!"

The twins nodded knowingly. "Don't worry," Jin Yu said, slipping his arm away. "We won't tell," concluded An Yu, following his twin's lead. They cackled once more and walked back into the mansion.

Lien turned right around and found another way out of the maze. From there, she entered through a back door and sprinted to her room, hoping she hadn't been discovered by anyone else.

Lien crouched in the large branch overhanging a river. Her sleep had been fitful. That morning, she'd passed Jin Yu and An Yu in one of the ornate hallways. They had said nothing, but they snickered deviously and leered as she walked by. Lien all of a sudden didn't feel too safe in her own home. 

Despite her better judgement, Lien had gone out again. She was a nature person, and she'd already pretty much memorized the family's garden. So she decided to go exploring. Real exploring. Out-in-the-deep-woods-without-supervision exploring. It's not like she needed supervision anyway. She was fourteen. She could take care of herself. Unfortunately, her family didn't see things the same way. But she couldn't have any peace with bodyguards or older siblings watching her. Especially not those devilish twins. 

She sat down on the branch, her light weight not making it bend in the slightest. Lien created a small fireball and tossed it between her hands, careful not to let it become out of control. This was an exercise her tutor had shown her. She often did it when she was bored or alone. As the serene river flowed some feet below her, Lien began humming a soft, sweet melody her mother often sung at concerts. It had been used to lull her to sleep as a child, but she was still fond of it.