Beyond the Surface: Feralla's Story

Chapter Thirteen: Plans

Margeitt picked out a turquoise gown for me to wear to dinner, She first dressed me in a tight suffocating I might add, also painful, girdle. She put on the gown and brushed my hair into a braid. "It's remarkable that I get to still do this. It's like her spirit never left this realm" I smiled looking at the letter, "She never left indeed." She placed a tiara on my head and kissed it. "It is tradition for the queen to be to wear the previous queen's tiara the dinner before coronation. You look beautiful. Oh!-" I giggled. I forgot to mention I was wearing the bracelet made for me by my mother also that let's me have legs or fins interchangeably. "It's the bracelet." She laughed as well. "Well my child you are ready then. Your shoes are by the door. I will meet you at dinner."
As I walk over to the shoes and put them on I look out of the window at my kingdom. We've done it guys, Mom I couldn't have done any of this without you. Esmeralda, excuse me, Elle, you are my inspiration and I hope you can continue to help guide me to lead this kingdom as greatly as you did them. I hear the horns play and their announcing Masley, My father and Margeitt. I hurry at the top of the staircase behind Margeitt. She whispers "good luck". "Welcoming back and Announcing the queen to be and our savior: Feralla Serene Valinruud!"
Everyone who is standing around the grand dining room table claps and cheers for me. I can't help but smile and wave at every person I see. When arrive at my seat I nod my head and sit, "You all may be seated." I say. Everyone follows and the guard who announced me also announces the first course of dinner. Margeitt informs everyone of tomorrow's plans and who is to be what and involved in this and that and so on. Down the long table I catch Masley sinking his teeth into the warm roll served with steamed seaweed and shark bites. My father is talking business with the temple's scholar about opening up a school for the children, and the city's financial advisors talked of new savings plans and monetary exchanges with far away lands.
This was all so new to me and it was amazing to actually be living in a castle, wearing expensive cloth, and making rules. Who knew that one day I would be sitting here at a long luxurious table eating the most succulent meats under the sea and dining amongst royals. The night was spent talking, laughing, story telling, drinking and eating of course. It all seemed to quiet down the later it got and finally I was in my bed lying with Masley, ready to drift into dream land.
The first light of morning's breath came into the room. I awoke and didn't know if I should feel depressed or extremely excited because today was my coronation day. Masley was already awake I'm assuming since he wasn't next to me when I turned over. My two dresses were hung upon my wardrobe with detailed instructions. Oh, Margeitt. Such a perfectionist. Definitely the motherly type. Which gave me some comfort in not having my mother around to do such things for me. Even though the first dress was as black as night, and meant for something more sad and gloomy than you could imagine, it was still a beautiful creation within itself. So profound and meant for what I was wearing it for.
I dressed myself and decided to wear my hair down. Elle liked it that way, she said it's when I looked the prettiest. She also said in my natural state is when I looked like my mother Alessandra the most, I put on the tiara, and grabbed the black laced umbrella propped up against the chair in front of the vanity. Well, I thought, Elle you're about to get a lot of attention. I hope you're resting easy with my mother and enjoying the heavens. Hopefully one day we will meet again.
The ceremony began to take place and 13 different high priests said prayers dedicated to The Queen by her peoples. There was flowers everywhere for Elle, all of which were her favorites. For all 5,000 of her subjects there was one person who represented his/her family and a small excerpt from her book she wrote a few years back in her memorial. The service was so beautiful and it was hard for me not to cry as they burned her sword as a signal of peace in her passing. The church's choir began to sing Elle's favorite songs, and the people began to rejoice. This was unlike any funeral ceremony I've ever seen. People were absolutely rejoicing in her name! Then I remembered her saying to me that she would rather have everyone laugh and sing in her memory than cry and think negatively. This made sense now.
After the service was over Masley helped me into the carriage and we rode back towards the temple to celebrate my coronation and have one final moment of silence for Elle. Masley held my hand, "You were so brave my love. I am proud of you." I smile at him, looking into his lovely green eyes. "I've come to accept Elle as I had to with my mother. I know they're happier where they are." When we arrived at the temple, everyone was already there waiting for us. Margeitt was waiting by the door and the guard opened the door. As Masley stepped out the crowd cheered, when he helped me out they roared in rejoice.