Thank you so much for reading my story! This story is the sequel to The Wayfinder's Champion. With The Moon and the Spear I researched many of the Polynesian legends and created a story that fit my "universe" but still pays respect to the original stories. I did a lot of research, but if I wrote something inaccurate I am sorry. I hope you enjoy!
I do not own Moana or any of the Disney characters.
He was Maui, shapeshifter, former demi-god of the wind and sea, and hero to all. He had lived for thousands of years, battled countless monsters, pulled islands from the sea, lassoed the sun and braved the exploding mountain to bring fire down for the humans. He was a warrior. Fearless in battle and ferocious in combat.
So why did the beautiful, hollow sound of the conch shell cause his palms to sweat and set his heart racing?
The murmurs from the crowd behind him ceased as everyone brought their attention to the canoe slowing drifting across the lagoon. The setting sun made it difficult for Maui to see, but he ignored the discomfort, straining his eyes for just a glimpse of the canoes passengers. Namely, one in particular.
A clap on his back brought him back to reality and Maui startled, making sure to keep a loose hold on the lei in his hands.
"If I remember correctly, old man," Taianui's smug voice whispered in his ear, "I'm fairly certain the groom is supposed to meet his bride on the beach, not standing up here like a blushing maiden."
"I know what I'm supposed to do," Maui hissed back, rolling his shoulders to dislodge his friend's hand. Maui shook his head and stretched his neck before heading down to the beach. Taianui's chuckles were lost as the blood rushed in Maui's ears.
I am NOT going to be nervous. I have faced more deadly challenges that marriage.
Maui walked to the beach slowly, waiting for Moana's canoe to approach. One would think that with two extra people paddling the canoe would be moving much faster. Maui glared at the water lapping at his bare feet.
"You're slowing it down on purpose, aren't you?"
The water just swirled happily, splashing into the air and causing the setting sun to shoot rainbows in the mist. It seemed as eager to see its favorite wayfinder as Maui was. Maui hadn't seen her for three days; he couldn't remember the last time they had spent so much time apart. Maybe during one of his "hero voyages," as Moana had started calling them, but even then Moana usually tricked her way into joining him.
But this was different. They had been on the same island, in the same village no less, yet Sina had sequestered Moana away so well that Maui hadn't been able to catch even a glimpse of her, not even when he recruited Taianui's help in finding her. Maui knew, of course, that Moana was busy preparing for the wedding, but he still would have liked to steal a few kisses between preparations.
The conch sounded again, drawing Maui out of his daydream of soft lips and bright, brown eyes.
"You ready?" he asked Mini-Maui, who saluted him in answer. Maui chuckled; his tiny friend didn't seem to be showing any sign of nerves, even though his own tiny counterpart had yet to show herself.
Maui gently stroked his wedding lei and hoped that Moana would understand the unspoken messages within it: yellow and orange ilima blossoms to give honor to her chief status, ti leaves to symbolize her union to a demi god, and the rare red hibiscus flowers, Moana's favorite. Maui had spent days trying to find enough hibiscus to fill his lei. Each flower was handpicked by him, each leaf and vine carefully formed crafted to show the depth of his love and devotion.
A final blow of the conch shell and the canoe settled onto the beach. Maui could finally see the face of his beloved.
And she was glorious.
His eyes traveled from her unbound hair down the length of her wedding costume that her mother had so lovingly created for her. When his eyes finally reached hers, they were filled with such love that it made his knees weak. He was humbled that she chose him to be her life partner, and he prayed that she could see the depth of his devotion as well.
Afa, chosen for the honor of conch blower and chanter, jumped off the canoe and blew the conch's song, beginning the ceremony. Maui, never taking his eyes off his beautiful bride, listened as Afa blew the conch's song to the four corners of the world. East, where the sun would rise of their new life together. Moana smiled, and Maui grinned at her in return, nerves tingling with excitement. Afa turned and blew towards the north, where the island's forest lay. West towards the vast ocean.
Maui stepped forward to take Moana's hand and gently helped her out of the canoe, leading her onto the path. Maui paused, allowing Afa to complete the circle and blow the conch to the south, towards them, the wedding couple, and all of their loved ones who gathered together on the beach to help them celebrate.
The cheers from the crowd were deafening, each villager sending their love and support to the happy couple. Moana laughed beside him and gripped his arm tightly. Maui placed his hand on hers and tightened his grip, smiling with her at the village's clear sign of devotion.
He leaned down to whisper in her ear, "Are you ready, Curly?"
"I am more than ready to become your wife," Moana responded, tears filling her eyes.
His wife.
After tonight he would be hers, to love and cherish for the rest of her life, and because of his sacrifice many weeks ago, for the rest of his life as well. No more intrusive fathers, no more wondering if they would see each other that day. After tonight, they would never need to say goodbye again.
Maui's eyes softened into the look that always took her breath away and made her cheeks burn. And, judging by the slight smirk on his face, Maui knew just how charming he could be.
When Maui lifted his lei and placed it over her head, Moana was surprised to see his hands shaking and gave a small laugh at his sign of nerves. He grinned shyly before taking a deep breath.
"I, Maui," he called out loudly over the soft chanting of the crowd, "give you, Moana, my love, my devotion, and my heart." His voice cracked and he cleared his throat as he lovingly settled his lei around her neck. It was beautiful, and Moana smiled widely at him, understanding his private message completely.
"Moana," Maui continued and Moana thought her heart would burst with love, "I have lived for a long time. I have been to places you can only imagine, seen things you have only dreamed. But there is no place I would rather be right now than here with you." Moana blinked, spilling tears onto her cheeks. Maui tenderly cupped her head and brushed them away with his thumbs.
"I know I can be arrogant, and I talk about myself a little too much." Moana and the rest of the villagers laughed at the understatement. Maui grinned and continued. "But I promise I will cherish and respect you, and I will always be there for you, no matter what trials come our way." She closed her eyes and leaned into his hand, placing her free hand on top of his.
"I, Moana, chieftess of Motunui, accept your vows and offer you my own." Maui dropped his hands, allowing Moana to place her lei around his neck. She saw him study it, staring at the fruits, nuts and seeds, and his eyes twinkled when he looked back at her. She sighed in relief, happy that he was also remembering their early voyages and a certain chicken. She took Maui's hands in hers and tried to ignore Mini-Maui and Moa as they cheered her on.
"I, Moana, give you Maui, my love, my devotion, and my heart. I know that, sometimes, I can be stubborn and opinionated."
Maui snorted, and Moana was sure she heard her father join him. With a small laugh she took a deep breath and continued.
"And compared to you, I have only just begun exploring and haven't been on many adventures. But I promise that you are about to begin the greatest adventure of your life and I will always be by your side, sharing the journey."
"CHEE-HOO!"
Moana yelped as Maui lifted her by the waist and swung her around, calling out his warrior cry. The crowd responded wildly, and Moana threw back her head and laughed. After several spins Maui set her feet back on the sand, taking care to steady her as she wobbled.
"Ready to see my father?" Moana asked once the world stopped spinning and the crowd began to disperse towards the meeting hut for the remainder of the ceremony. Maui ducked his head and placed his forehead on hers, making their noses touch. She wiggled her nose on his.
"Do you think he'll get upset at me if we walk really, really slowly?"
Moana stepped back and smacked him on the arm. "Stop pestering him! He's your father-in-law now, so be nice."
Maui only laughed, "Not yet he's not. How much more do you think I can annoy him before the ceremony ends?"
Moana rolled her eyes and grabbed his hands to pull him down the path.
"Spare me from the demi-god's ego! Let's finish getting married!"
"Wait," Maui tugged her arm, causing her to lose her balance and bump into his broad chest. Maui wrapped his arms around her, tucking her closer to him. She could feel his heart pounding under her hand. She looked up and saw him staring at her lips, his eyes smoldering.
"I haven't seen you in three days. Your father can wait a few more minutes."
"Oh, ok," Moana whispered, closing her eyes.
The moment their lips touched a loud roar sounded behind them. The ocean exploded, destroying the canoe and drenching them with water. Moana felt Maui push her behind him and she staggered backwards, coughing, trying to brush her water soaked hair from her face.
"What was-"
Screams pierced the air. Moana wiped her hair from her face, turning towards the ocean and gasped.
A giant eel swayed above the water, its visible body at least as tall as the meeting hut. Its large eyes scanned the crowd while the villagers scrambled off the beach in a panic.
Moana slowly stepped towards Maui, glancing at him with only her eyes.
"Maui, have you ever seen-"
The eel saw her movement and whipped his head down to look at her. Moana froze, barely daring to breath. To her horror, the eel began to chuckle.
"It's been a long time, demi-god. I hope I'm not interrupting?"
Moana frowned, "Maui, what is it talking-"She glanced at her almost husband and the words died on her tongue. Maui's face had hardened with loathing.
"Not long enough." His voice could have been carved from stone. "I thought I had killed you millennia ago."
"Oh, you gave it your best try," the eel hissed, twisting its neck and exposing a long, jagged scar. "But alas, it didn't work."
"Why are you here?"
Moana saw Maui's hand gesturing for her to move. She slowly stepped backwards, away from the beach, never taking her eyes off of the creature. It started chuckling again.
"Oh, it's quite simple really. I'm here for revenge." The eel turned back towards her and flicked its tongue. A strange sense of dread filled her and she continued her slow departure, hoping the eel wouldn't notice.
"She looks important to you," the eel sneered.
"Moana, RUN!"
Moana turned, darting towards the trees. The loose sand slowed her movements and in her rush she tripped over an exposed branch. She landed hard on her stomach, landing with a loud grunt. She scrambled to her knees and glanced back to see the eel draw in a deep breath. Moana shielded her head with her arms and was covered in a burning, sticky slime.
The eel's head dropped back into the water while its tail surfaced, knocking Maui to the ground before wrapping itself around her waist. Moana screamed as the eel lifted her high into the air.
"Moana!" she heard Maui yell before she was plunged underwater and everything went black.
I have the whole story written and will hopefully edit and post new chapters every week. Thanks for reading!