Maiden Voyage

Chapter 5: The Ceremony

{Hiiii this chapter is just to advance the plot, so not a lot going on MeridaxMoana wise BUT next chapter is where the long-awaited spice FINALLY begins :D so, yeah definitely come back for Chapter 6!!}

Moana woke up feeling warm and comfortable. She yawned and started to move her hands and stretch her legs, but realized she was stuck. She opened her eyes to see her and Merida, a mess of entangled limbs, her arms still wrapped around the girl who had been so vulnerable the night previously. Instead of getting up, Moana hugged the red head closer, wanting to stay in this serene moment forever. Soon though, Merida started to squirm until her eyes opened too. This startled Moana for some reason and she quickly released Merida from her grasp.

Moana, now feeling awkward, hoping she didn't make Merida feel uncomfortable, tried to brush it all off and hopped out of the bed.

"So! Big day, huh?" Moana desperately tried to make conversation as she nervously toyed with the hem of her night gown. However before Merida could get a word in, there was a knock at the door.

"Your highness?"

"Come on in." Merida responded absentmindedly. Two maids entered the room with an extremely ornate gown and corset set complete with a royal cape and intricately designed jewelry.

The maids paused, staring at Moana, most definitely taken aback that she slept in the Queen's chambers.

"She's fine, let's get started already. This is gonna take a while." Merida stood up and walked over to the maids and took off her night dress while one of them picked up her underskirts. Merida casually threw her arms up as they slid the layers over her head.

"Oh Moana, yeh can pick anythin' out from the wardrobe over there." Merida gestured to the wardrobe mentioned with a nod of her head. The maid preparing Merida's corset glanced over at Moana with a dirty look before returning to her work.

Moana, now very concerned about the judgmental maids, grabbed the shoes she wore yesterday and followed Merida's instructions, looking for something to wear in her small selection of dresses.

"Please, not too tight," Merida grunted as they laced up her corset. Unfortunately, the dressing process was long from over. While it only took Moana ten minutes to put something presentable on, the maids had to stay for almost an hour simultaneously helping Merida put on the ceremonial garb and doing up her hair.

"Your highness, the ceremony will begin within the hour, so come down to the hall as soon as yeh can."

"When does everyone leave again?"

"They set off tomorrow mornin', Miss."

Merida groaned. "Okay, okay. Thanks I'll see yeh down there."

When the maids finally left, Merida let out a big sigh.

"Feckin dress... can't even breathe in this shite... hate corsets." She muttered, tugging at the tight bodice. Merida was so obviously uncomfortable in the ceremonial outfit. You could see the pain in her face, and it wasn't just from the suffocating garments. It dawned on Moana that Merida hated this. The production of it all, the huge crowd of people downstairs, the flaunting of her in a fancy dress just so that her jealous extended family could judge her? Even though she was royalty, she felt so out of place in this lifestyle, but for what reason, Moana couldn't put her finger on. Maybe it was connected to how last night-

"Alright well I 'spose I'll ask 'em to save yeh a seat in the front row? Sound okay?"

"Yeah! Yeah, that sounds great... I um... I just wanted to say thank you, again. I really appreciate you letting me stay with you and all, you didn't have to do that."

"Course I did! Don't be ridiculous." Moana was so glad to see a small smile on the other girl's face. She felt proud she was the one who made her smile.

"Well, I can't wait for the coronation! I'm excited for you, your highness," Moana punctuated by dramatically curtseying. Merida chuckled out a "Thank you" and left the room. Moana followed her a minute or so later, trotting down the stairs and making her way to the hall.

Unlike the day before, there was no hustle and bustle downstairs. Moana stepped into the big hall and realized everyone was already seated and quietly waiting, murmuring. Now embarrassed that she was late and probably made Merida late too, she shuffled down the long aisle to the front row of seats. The servant she met the day before, George, helped point her to her seat in the very front, next to Merida's triplet little brothers.

Again, she recognized this strange special treatment from Merida compared to her other guests, the source of these generous gestures unknown to her.

Then the men in kilts started with their bagpipes. The seated audience all turned in their seats to face the back of the room, where Merida stood. Her eyes down, she started walking up the aisle in time with the traditional song playing.

As the procession began, instantly Moana overhead the whispers of Merida's guests.

"See, I told ya she'd look nice if she really tried."

"...she's beautiful I don't understand why she couldn't get a husband..."

"She had time to find a good man, why didn't she?"

"...so naive..."

"She simply isn't ready for this kind of responsibility,"

These comments angered Moana, as she knew Merida was made of more than what these shallow, rude statements depicted.

Merida now approached the front of the hall, where two men stood, one holding the crown on a pillow and guarding whatever was in what looked like a velvet case. The other had a small bowl in his hand, and some papers and a book on a wooden stand in front of him. Merida ascended the four short steps, her long and heavy cape drooping behind her. When she reached the top, the bagpipes finished their song.

The man with the bowl dipped his fingers inside and anointed Merida with holy oil. He read something in Scots, which Moana didn't understand, but it sounded as if it was emotional. He paused and moved to the next line as the man with the crown now took his turn to step forward. He ever-so-gently placed the crown atop Merida's head. There was a heavy silence as this action was completed. Something about the crown finally made it all seem final. Although, the procession was not yet over. The man who was holding the crown went back to his red velvet case and pulled out a short sword and the scottish scepter. He kneeled, presenting them to his Queen. Merida picked up the priceless items with care and caution and rotated to face the guests.

"PRESENTING, QUEEN MERIDA OF DUNBROCH!" the man who read the Scots bellowed out.

She mustered a smile so the audience could applaud before quickly putting the sword and scepter back, and replacing the crown on top of the pillow with the other man once again. Everyone continued clapping as she deeply curtseyed before walking back down the aisle.

Moana noticed she was walking much much faster than her original speed before her crowning. Merida practically ran the last few steps out of the hall. Something was definitely wrong. As the other guests slowly started to stand up and mill around, Moana darted as fast as she could out of the room, trying to follow Merida.