Welcome to my first Mulan fic. I did as much research as I could for this chapter. Sorry if i'm not historically accurate.

We hit a wall when we were young

Nergui sat nervous as her mother combed her hair into two braids together in the back. This was the one day she had dreaded since childhood. Ever since she was a child, her parents had been talking about an arranged marriage between her and a man she had never met until a few days ago. Today she was marrying Shan Yu, the leader of the Hun army. Nergui was scared to marry such a man as large as him and as intimidating as him.

We'd given up
We were never taught

"Stand still!" her mother said as she tried to get her into the silk red dress she was to wear.

"Mama, I'm nervous…" Nergui said as she stood shaking.

"Hush girl", her father said. "The sooner you wed, the sooner we have one less mouth to feed."

When we were young we did ignore
It was so cold

She looked down with a sigh. Why wasn't she surprised with this reaction? She had caused enough dishonor to her family and now here she was, being sold to Shan Yu for what? A basket of food and a jug of milk.

"Where is Shan Yu?" her father asked. "It's a shame we had to miss out on half of the tradition. We don't need him backing out of a deal."

"He's waiting for his bride to join him", her mother answered.

Shan Yu's parents had passed on the year before in the cold winter. Due to the circumstances, half of the wedding ceremony would have to be skipped. Nergui would not be welcomed into the family by her husband-to-be's parents. She would not be blessed with good luck by the parents. So far, this seemed to be a doomed marriage…

We were never warned
We never were

"There!" her mother said as Nergui stood dressed in the ceremonial garb. "Now get out there!"

She and her husband pushed her out of the room, into the room where Shan Yu was waiting with the ceremony leader. They had enough of their daughter and wanted her gone as soon as possible. The two parents wanted a son, but were disappointed when they brought a daughter into the world. At least they were able to receive the food in return for giving their daughter away to one of the finest men in the land.

Nergui kept her head down as she walked down the aisle, unaccompanied by her father. She glanced around the room, not seeing a sign of her parents sticking around. They had sent her on her way and made off with the food promised to them. Shan Yu on the other hand, had no family. The sooner they were pronounced man and wife, the sooner he would be taking her home. Nergui raised her eyes, looking up at her husband-to-be, seeing he was dressed in the traditional wedding garb. His dark eyes stared her down as the two of them stood at the altar. He gave a slight smile showing off his sharp teeth, making her even more nervous.

"Hello, wife", he whispered in his deep voice.

"H-Hello…" she said looking down.

The ceremony leader recited a traditional poem about friendship, commitment, joy and continuing traditions. Nergui barely paid any attention as she tried to keep herself from sobbing. She was scared. Here she was, being forced to marry a man she didn't know, with no support from anyone.

"Come now", Shan Yu whispered. "This is your wedding day. Shouldn't you be smiling?"

Nergui closed her eyes, giving a shuddering sigh as she refused to answer. The ceremony leader finished the ceremony by wishing the couple happiness and prosperity. Shan Yu turned to his wife and grabbed her arm, pulling her up, into his arms as he started to walk home, carrying her in his arms.

How is this the world?
How is this the one?

song used: We Hit a Wall by Chelsea Wolfe