Mavia of the Saracens

She stood, staff in hand ... Staring down at the man kneeling before her Strands of her hair danced on the breeze like a stallion's tail Cinnamon skin, a stunning contrast to her brilliant white riding robes Sandals strapped in crisscross up to her knees Toes and fingers painted to match the jewel to be given her And a wide purple sash, marked with her family crest A crest that many of her kin had died protecting This ... was her moment, true A moment she had been preparing for her entire life Tireless hours and countless trials endured Spent in the grooming and educational endeavors A lifetime of the artistic, physical, and intellectual disciplines required The extraordinary skills needed to lead a country And she had taken it as seriously as any that had come before It was her way ... to be the best, at everything Now, that conviction to excellence had brought her here And due to her father's untimely passing, much sooner than expected. His prayer done, the priest looked up for her winking approval, then stood Holding the simple crown in both hands, he tenderly placed it A single wide, plain gold band, with one large Tanzanite pear, dangling The exquisite violet-blue gem, dancing on her forehead Shimmering like the Merelani Hills, in the bright noontime sun The shining, resplendent symbol to all the land Of the binding promise she thus made To be an oasis of prosperity, benevolence, and peace for all The fierce but compassionate ruler of the desert sands River unto her people ... Queen ... of the Sahara. (The Merelani Hills are near the very small area of Tanzania where Tanzanite is found ... it has never been discovered anywhere else, and in a mining area only 7 km long and 2 km wide).