Author's Note: I thought I would never get home today. Dear lord.
I am in a rather uncomfortable situation with one of my clients that makes Wednesday nights always a little tough, but hopefully I can churn out Chapter Eleven before midnight. Challenge accepted, let's do this.
Chapter Eleven
By the time Moana and Maui managed to limp up the path to the village, most of the people of Motunui were already gathered there waiting, chatting frantically amongst themselves, staring down at the faraway sea with wide, frightened eyes. Moana could hear people whispering things like "such a nightmare, like an earthquake," and "what are we supposed to do now?"
"Moana!" Her mother and father rushed to meet her as she and Maui made their way through the throng. "We were so worried. What were you-?"
Moana shot her parents a look that conveyed very clearly, yes, we are going to talk about this, I promise, but now is NOT the time.
Out loud, she announced, "Mom, Dad, don't worry, I'm okay. Um, this is my friend, Maui. You may have heard me mention him once or twice."
The surrounding villagers gasped, and several people began to back hurriedly away. The buzz of frantic chatter increased, and now everyone was pointing at Maui, not at the sea. Maui gritted his teeth and looked down at his own hands for a moment, obviously and uncharacteristically embarrassed. Moana frowned.
"He's a little tired," she went on calmly, "because he just pulled an entire island out of the sea to save it from being destroyed in a huge flood. Do you think we could find somewhere for him to lie down for a bit and get his breath back while I go talk to the village council?"
Moana's father took a quick, sharp look at Maui, then at his wife, and then out at the terrified people of Motunui.
Please, Dad, pleaded Moana silently, please be cool about this, just this once, for me? I...I really need your help on this one. Please.
Moana's Dad paused, and took a deep breath.
"It is...a honor," said the former Chief Tui quietly, nodding, "to have you visit our humble village, Maui of the Wind and Sea. Thank you for protecting our daughter, and for saving our island. We are forever in your debt."
Unexpectedly, and rather slowly due to his old injuries, Moana's Dad knelt down in the sand and bowed his head before the demigod. Maui looked genuinely startled, and when he opened his mouth to reply, nothing came out.
Moana's Mom smiled her brightest, most welcoming smile and quickly followed suit, kneeling alongside her husband. One by one, still muttering, with their eyes fixed on their former chief, the villagers of Motunui all knelt and lowered their heads.
Trying not to show her immense relief, Moana collapsed to her knees as well, leaving Maui standing alone in the midst of his supplicants.
"Uh, y-you don't need to do that," he mumbled, shaking his head. "Really, it's...I mean, you're welcome. Really. Please...please get up. I'm um, glad to be here. Very glad. You could say I'm a...big fan of your Chief."
He swayed a little on his feet, and Moana's Mom was instantly up on again and at his side, slipping her arm underneath his and steering him over towards Moana's house.
"You must be exhausted," she murmured sympathetically. "It just so happens that I've got a freshly made bed all put together just waiting for an overtaxed hero like you. Come on, let's get you inside."
Moana's Mom looked over and shared a quick, knowing glance with her husband before ushering Maui hastily along the path towards home.
Moana started after him, but her Dad shook his head.
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Whare Potae (The House of Mourning)
FanfictionPart One of the Purakau stories. Moana, now the new Chief of Motunui, rushes off to rescue Maui from the clutches of the goddess of death in the face of another crisis on her island. In the process, she discovers a few unexpected things about the De...