Twenty minutes later, they were descending the grand staircase in the main hall. Abby was wearing a shimmering silver skirt, light as water, that fell just below her knee. Her top was silver too, close fitted with intricate swirling designs and thin silver chain straps. She wore stringy sandles that laced up around her ankles, loose flowing bracelets, dangling crystal earrings, and her delicate silver crown.
Her tightly curled hair bounced with each step, white streaks visible at the nape of her neck and her temples. The lines that raced across her skin were now a robin egg's blue and seemed to be moving.
Her arm was linked in Tasha's for balance and support. Her best friend walked in her dead fathers place as her escort. Tasha wore robes of iridescent lavender with silver seaming and silver link straps. Her hair fell in graceful waves over her shoulders. Strong silver wristbands of the guard were clamped over her wrists. She wore delicate sandles with silver and amethyst detailing.
Wispy, other-worldly music filled the room and pure white light radiated from the crystal guardian statues at the front of the hall between which stood her mother and the council of elders.
The girls walked slowly and Abby's formally armored guard walked behind them, their spears clanking against shields. The whole of Atlantis was visible through the open castle doors.
When they reached the doors, her guard stepped aside, lining the steps in front of them.
Abby's mother, Queen Miranda, stepped forward. "Abigail, you have been called by your city to serve as reigning Princess, and in this capacity to protect your city and rule it when I am gone. Do you willingly answer this call?"
"I do," Abby answered, dropping Tasha's arm.
Each of the four elders stepped forward and asked in turn:
"Will you give your strength to Atlantis?"
"Will you give your heart to Atlantis?" and finally,
"Will you give your life to Atlantis?"
To all of these, Abby answered, "I will."
Then the fifth and oldest member of the council, Tiberius, stepped forward. "Then in the name of Atlantis, I name you Princess." He lowered an ornate crystal crown  onto her head. "You may return to your protector."
Abby linked arms with Tasha again, and together they stepped out into the sun.