Maiden Voyage

Chapter 6: Closer to Her

{AND THE SPICE BEGINS MUAHAHAHA. Okay things FINALLY heat up in this chapter (first kiss) I won't say anymore as to reveal anything except for: wait for it, its gonna be worth it, believe me ;)}

Moana ran through the endless halls of the castle in search of Merida. Unfamiliar in her setting, she made random turns in hopes to find the woman until she got lucky and saw a figure flash around a distant stone corner. She made the turn and quickened her pace, relieved knowing she was close. She started to smell meat and knew they were close to the kitchen. Moana looked into each room she passed, all of them empty. As she started to give up hope, she walked past a room and did a double take when she saw a familiar long skirt. Moana stepped backwards and leaned in the doorframe.

Merida was standing beside a long table of desserts on metal trays. Her cape was on the floor, and she was currently fiddling with a complex cap that was containing her hair.

"Shite-" Frustrated, she groans and then rips the fabric to release her fiery red curls. Her hair bounces out, happy to be out of the confines of the cloth.

"Hey..." Merida's head turns to the sound of Moana's voice and sees her in the doorway.

"Oh. Hi." She dropped the ripped hair cap next to her discarded cape.

"You ran out of there kind of fast."

Merida chuckled in response as she leaned against the edge of the table.

"I jist couldn't stand bein' in that room for another second. Not with alla them..." She trailed off.

"Not with all of them what?"

"You don't wanna hear about-"

"But I do." Moana interrupted her and picked up one of Merida's hands and held it between both her palms. The girls locked eyes and Moana tried to get through to Merida with this look. Trying to tell her she cared deeply about her without saying it.

"I do." And she squeezed Merida's hand firmer.

Merida looked away from her piercing stare, tendrils of red hair falling in her face. Moana tucked the curl behind the woman's ear and gently picked up her chin with her fingertips so her head was facing hers again.

"Tell me."

Merida sighed and stood upright from her leaning stance against the dessert table, falling out of Moana's grasp. She stepped over the cape and cap and walked over to the opposite side of the room and leaned against the stone wall.

"I jist..." She let out a heavy sigh.

"I don't know, do they all jist think I'm incompetent? What, am I not good enough for 'em? I guess I'm not because whenever I walk into that feckin room to see all of 'em," Merida extends a shaky pointed finger towards the door.

"I can feel them judgin' meh. I know they're all lookin' at me and thinkin' that I'll never be able to do alla this. To be the Queen. I don't think they understand that I've been doin' this for the past three months." Moana realized Merida wasn't shaking because she was on the edge of tears, she was shaking with anger.

"When my Mam got sick last year not one of them came to help! They knew she was dyin' and not one of 'em even sent a letter askin' about her. Well not until she died, at least. Then EVERYONE wanted to know how my Dad was doin' and if he was lookin' for a new bride. Not even two weeks later and all they wanted to do was marry off one of the cousins to my Dad so they could get closer to the crown. Absolute shite." Merida crossed her arms.

"Three months." She scoffed.

"My Dad was excited to take me to the battlefield for the first time. To defy expectations and teach his daughter to fight, and in a war no less. He was so proud of me that day. He turned to look at me, to check on me, in the middle of it all and an arrow whizzed right through his back, straight through his heart. The moment he died I realized it was up to me. I was alone except for my wee brothers, and I have to take care of 'em now. Three months I've been runnin' this castle and this kingdom, and still none of my relatives give me credit for keepin' it all goin'."