Gamu tried to shake his head “no.”
She raised her paw and quickly raked his face. He screamed and rolled out from under Kubali, whimpering and putting a paw over the fresh wound that lay where his right eye had once been. “Oh gods! Oh gods!” His back feet dug into the soil and he kicked spasmodically.
“Now you ARE Taka. Go and never come back, for the next time I see you, I’ll kill you!”
He scrambled to regain his footing. Tilting his head to one side, he staggered away yammering in the half-darkness of pain that had become his world. If he lived or died, Aiheu would decide.
Kubali wanted to apologize, and so did Elanna. Neither could get the words out. Instead they nuzzled, wrestled, kissed and rubbed with a desperate intensity. Tears came, and they lasted a long while. The wounds were deep and cruel, but love would heal them all.
As for Griz’nik, he went away and they never saw him again.
Kubali touched Elanna’s tear-stained cheeks with his tongue. “We will never be parted again, though all the Makei in hell stand in our way.”
The buzzards smiled. “Awwww....”
“I’m so grateful, my friends.” Kubali touched Markaaagh with his paw, something he’d never done before. “How did you know? It was a miracle!”
“Maybe you’re right.” Markaaagh bowed, then took off, followed shortly by the others.
CHAPTER: THE MESSENGER
After Gamu left, the next few weeks passed in a deep river of joy. Rosy dawns nuzzled golden days. Golden days fondled purple evenings. Purple evenings kissed silver stars. Moonlit nights died on the breast of rosy dawns. Day by day, moment by moment, Kubali and Elanna felt their love grow and deepen in breathless beauty. His large paw would gently caress her cheek and turn her deep, soft eyes to face his, and he would draw close and nuzzle her. Times were lean for the two rouges, but safe in the embrace of their love no hint of their low status could intrude on their perfect happiness. Elanna lay with her head on Kubali’s soft mane and closed her eyes. There she would have been content to stay forever with his strong arm about her shoulder.
Then one night a lioness came and complicated their private dream.
She appeared through the grass one night as the two were bedded together. Instantly, their heads rose up in surprise to look at the visitor.
“Kubali, is that you?”
“Well, uh, yes. Should I know you?”
The lioness just smiled, “Don’t you remember the one who gave you milk?”
Kubali stared at her. “Debara?”
The lioness nodded and smiled, moving towards him, “It’s been a while, Honey Tree.”
Kubali rose up and nuzzled his old nurse. But he looked into her eyes, concerned. “What are you doing out here far from home? Have you left my father?”
Debara shook her head. “Your father sent me to look for you.” Tears formed in her eyes. “Honey Tree, I have some bad news.”
“Dad’s not dying is he??” Kubali lifted her drooping chin gently with his paw. “Nursie, surely not Dad??”
“Not your Dad. It’s your brother. He’s dead.”
Kubali took a step backward and sat with a plop, stunned. “Oh my gods!”
Elanna came and sat next to him, rubbing her cheek against his, kissing away his tears. “Poor darling!”
“How did it happen, Debbie?”
“He was hunting with the lionesses. Your father begged him not to go, but you know your brother--he felt more at ease hunting than learning to rule.”
Kubali looked down. “At least he died doing something he enjoyed.” He half-closed his eyes as Elanna nuzzled him and turned to paw her cheek.
Debara sighed softly. “Kubali, you’re our only hope. Could you forget the past and come back with me?”
“Well sure. But what about the lionesses? Aren’t they still angry?”
Debara stroked his mane gently. “You are our only hope of keeping the pride...you must come back. The others have accepted this.” She smiled softly, “My daughter can’t wait to see you.”
“Penzi wants me back?”
Debara chuckled. “She is your betrothed....and you were never that much of a trouble maker...” She bated him gently, “just a normal little brat.”
“That bad, huh? Well I’ve mellowed out somewhat.”
He could feel Elanna’s tenseness. “Yeah, about that betrothal. Debara, this is Elanna. If I am to come back, she must join me. A lot has happened in the last few weeks. Time and trials change people. Debara, Lannie and I have--well--shared our comforts. I love her. I can make no plans for the future that don’t include her--you do understand, don’t you?”
Debara nodded. “You never led Penzi on. You never told her that you loved her. But Honey Tree, she DOES love you, and she HAS told you. If you love me at all, be gentle with her.”
“I DO love you.”
“I know.” Debara nuzzled him softly. “The King will be pleased to see you, and I’m sure he’ll understand. Don’t worry yourself, dear. It’s better if you let me speak to Penzi before you announce.”
Kubali nuzzled Elanna softly, “Come on love. We are going home. You will be my queen and together we will rule the land. You will be my Ka, my conscience.”
Elanna whispered to him softly, “What about Penzi? Can you face her?”
“She will understand.”
“Are you sure they will accept me?” Elanna looked genuinely fearful. “I’ve been alone before--a stranger surrounded by crowds. I don’t know if I could end my life that way.”
“Lannie, we either come or go as a pair. I love my father and I want to help him, but some things are more important than titles and power. Things like love and decency.”
Debara looked at Elanna and kissed her cheek. “Honey Tree, you are good for him. I grieve for my daughter’s loss, but I can’t help liking you.”
CHAPTER: ON THE TRAIL
The three of them walked most of the day. Debara led the way, with Kubali behind her, and Elanna bringing up the tail. Elanna thought of her new future with Kubali. The horrible secret of her torn body played on her mind. She couldn’t give him a son, so if she did become his queen, the line would end with him. She had been afraid of telling him her secret, worried that he might leave her. Now she was depriving more than a husband. She was risking the future of a pride.
She looked up, watching the two catch up on the missing months. She sighed softly, unheard. How could she admit to him that the light would never shine in her eyes?
Almost without warning, Debara was next to her. Elanna’s head raised up to look at her. “What’s the matter, Elanna?”
Elanna just shook her head, “Nothing, just...things...thoughts running through my head.”
Debara nuzzled her shoulder gently, something that made Elanna jump back slightly. It had been so long since she had felt the affection of another lioness. “We are pride sisters now, Elanna. We’ll help each other. Don’t be afraid.” She batted at Elanna’s shoulder gently. “Don’t think just because you are the future queen, that you have to stay apart from of us.”
Elanna looked at her, her smile becoming wider at the thought of actually being a part of a pride. She rubbed Debara back and murmured, “You really don’t know how much that means to me.”
Debara chuckled, “A word of advice, just keep your distance from my daughter for a few days. She is bound to be slightly disappointed.”
Elanna nodded, “Will she be mad at me?”
“Most likely, but don’t you worry none, I will keep her under control. She is my daughter after all. Now, let’s hear more about you. I hear you taught this little brat to respect lionesses?”
Elanna just shrugged. “We met after my old mate was killed and my old pride drove me out. Though we’ve had a few problems, Kubali has shown me unconditional love, and together we made it through.” She smiled softly to Debara. “I thought my life was over. Kubali showed me that I had more to live for, and more to love for.”
Debara laughed softly, “I
t’s funny how time heals these wounds. Bless you, Elanna. You saved our pride. You don’t know what it’s like to see everything you love crumbling around you.”
“Yes I do, Honey Tree.”
Elanna was about ready to continue to tell Debara more about the time she had spent with Kubali, but soon it was interrupted by a roar of a lioness. Debara returned the roar and looked to the two, “Come on, they have just hunted. If we are quick, we can make it before the meal is gone.”
With that, the group picked up there pace and, coming into a clearing, ran into the pride, gathered around a kill. Elanna looked over the group, subconsciously moving closer to Kubali. Kubali nuzzled her softly and smiled to the group. Debara looked to the group, “I have brought back the son of our king.” She smiled to the group, “and a new member to our pride.” She motioned to Elanna, “This is Elanna, the lioness who taught our prince some humility.”
The king stepped forward. “Kubali? My son? Against all hope, I see you again!”
“Dad, I came as soon as I heard about Ababu. Was it--quick?” When the king hung his head and sobbed, Kubali rushed forward and nuzzled him. “Oh, dad!”
“Can you forgive me for my mistakes, my son?”
“Can you forgive me for my mistakes, father?”
“I have lost one son, but I have found the other. Let us bury the past, my boy.”
After a few moments a young lioness stepped forward to the two. The King smiled once more. “Kubali, there’s someone that wants to see you.”
The young lioness moved to nuzzle Kubali. “It has been a long time, my prince.”
“As has it for me, Penzi.” Kubali replied, not really returning the nuzzle. Penzi looked at him curiously.
Debara coughed a bit, seeing Elanna getting a bit timid. “Sire, may I speak to you and my daughter in private please?” Penzi and the King looked to Debara curiously.
The king nodded. “Of course Debara.” He looked to his son and Elanna, motioning to the kill. “No doubt that it has been a long journey--you two nourish yourselves and then we will talk.”
Kubali started to walk towards the kill, but Elanna stayed where she was. He looked back, “Come on dear...you look hungry.” Timidly she moved next to Kubali to the kill. The lioness make a hole for the two as they approach, some mumbles exchanged between the members of the group. Looking between the kill and Elanna, Kubali ripped off a piece for the two and drug it a little ways off from the group. There, the two eat quietly, not sure what to say to each other.
After the meal, the two groomed each other, getting more looks from the other lionesses. Elanna could feel these stares as they bore into her soul, but she had been through so much with Kubali, there was no reason for them to hide their affections to other. Soon after the meal was finished, the king, Debara and her daughter reappeared. Penzi walked near her mother, her mood showing that she had heard the news of Elanna as her tail and head were hung low.
The king stepped to his son and Elanna and spoke, “Members of the pride...I have an announcement. It has come to my attention that this lionesses and this lion...” He motioned to Kubali and Elanna. “...Have fallen in love while my son was away. Although he does have a betrothed here...and against my better judgment...I am willing to allow Elanna to become his queen as reward for watching over my son.”
Penzi looked at the two, obviously disappointed in her loss, but walked over to them, “I wish you two a long life together.” She nuzzled Elanna gently. “Take good care of him, as I will still love him.”
Elanna smiled back and return the rub, relieved at her good fortune of being accepted into the pride. Slowly the other lionesses approach the group and introduce themselves. Most of them hovered around Kubali, remarking how well mannered he had become. Every so often, one of them would break away from the prince to introduce themselves to Elanna. Elanna felt it hard to try to keep names and faces together, and she fumbled with it for a bit. By the end of the night, though, she was becoming more comfortable and started making small talk to the other members. How she had longed for this, to actually have friends to speak to. How she missed it in her old pride, when Taka would keep her away from the other lionesses or the other lionesses wouldn’t approach her. Finally, as the night drew to the end, the king approached her.
“May I speak to you...alone.”
Elanna looked back to Kubali, who was involved in another conversation. Quietly she walked with the king a short distance away. “Yes, my king?”
The king asked her about her intentions and the time she spent with Kubali. “I understand how bad it is to be alone, and I’m grateful for everything you’ve done. Really I am. But now it’s time for him to take on his responsibilities. I wish you would reconsider becoming Kubali’s queen.”
Elanna just looked at him stunned. “But sire...you said...”
The lion cut her off, “I know what I said...and I won’t force anything. But, you must understand that I have to ask this of you. Penzi is his betrothed and I’m afraid if you marry him, what might befall these lands. I can’t force you to let him go because you did help him. You brought him back to me. Still, I must look after my lands.” He looked at her softly, “You have helped him so much...help him again by letting him go. Let him go, but do not tell him we had this talk. I promise I will reward you if you will do this.”
“Like...” she said speculatively.
“There is another male...and he is approaching his mantlement. It would make him...his mother...and me very happy to see a lioness pledge to him. You can be that lioness as a reward for you good deeds.”
Elanna laughed softly, “Sire...no insult intended...but I can’t do that. Many lionesses don’t find true love once in her life. Even fewer lionesses find it twice. I would be tempting faith to try for three times.” She looked down, “I love him...he gave me life when I thought my life had ended.”
“Then show your appreciation of that by letting him find his place in the circle.”
She looked at him, almost distastefully, “I can’t leave him...I’m sorry.”
“I’m afraid. The gods will be upset because the betrothal is broken. It does not tide well to turn your back on the prompting of the gods. Elanna, I like you--I really do. But I have raised my son over days, weeks, and months. I don’t want him to be hurt.”
“Then don’t break his heart. Can’t you see that we’re like leaves in the wind? Why didn’t the gods interfere then? Instead, against all odds, our love has survived and grown.”
He sighed a bit, “Yes, Elanna. I can see that you are past controlling your feelings. So be it. I will not interfere.” He moved and nuzzled her. “If it is from you that the heir comes, you are my daughter and I will shelter and love you. Welcome to the pride.”
She tensed at the nuzzle but returned it, feeling more relieved, “Thank you, sire. I will not mention this to Kubali.”
He smiled, “Thank you. Now enjoy your husband.” With that, they separated and she walked back to be by Kubali’s side.
CHAPTER: THE DREAM
It had been a few nights since they had rejoined the pride. She was making new friends and had even been on a very successful hunt with them. That was the best, she thought, having ‘sisters’ again. She could see the young male that she would have pledged to, watching over her. It wasn’t really bad, she thought. She liked have a bit of attention on her and not be it for bad reasons.
Other things did bother her, however. Although the king had accepted her into the pride as his daughter, he still didn’t go out of his way to be friendly to her. Same thing with Penzi. She had mentioned this to Debara and she just shrug it off, “Don’t worry, Elanna,” she would say. “They will get friendlier to you with time. Just wait till you bear the Prince cubs. You will become everyone’s darling then. Who can resist a mother and her young cubs?”
They might have told Penzi that she could just wait for him--when Elanna was gone, she could be there to console Kubali. They gossip about her. Did she really tell t
he whole truth? Was Taka really that bad? Might she have had something to do with Scar's death? Of course they don't mean it mean, but they do wonder about these things. Maybe one of them gets put up to ask her none too discretely. Awkwardly, in fact. Maybe this triggers the nightmare.
The most disturbing event happened during her sleep. As she was cuddled with Kubali, she feel asleep. She woke up in a dream, to see the land as it was under Taka. The lionesses all looked thin and the lands were parched. She went to Kubali to talk to thing. He turned to look at her, but it wasn’t Kubali’s face that she saw...it was Taka’s...his faced marred by the scar. She gasped and turned suddenly away from, only to come face to face with the king.
“See what you did, daughter? See what you did by your selfishness. You condemned these lands to this horror. If only you would had accepted my offer, this land would not be in this shape. That young lion that I had offered to you...he was the first to die.”
Elanna gasped. “No! Not again! Oh gods, was the curse on me instead?? Was it me all along??”
Suddenly, Elanna’s eyes flew open as she panted heavily against Kubali’s side. Her eyes scanned the area, just to see the peaceful scene she had seen before she feel asleep. Kubali’s eyes slowly opened and looked at her, “Dear?”
She turned to look at him, her breath calming down, “I’m all right...go back to sleep.”
He nuzzled her softly, “Bad dream?”
She purred softly and nodded. “Yes...but I can’t really talk about it. I’ll be fine, love.”
He yawned and gave her cheek a quick lick. “All right dear...if you say so. I’ll be right here if you need me.”
She did not fall asleep, however. Her mind raced of thoughts of the king’s word to her. Would this land fall into a drought because of me? Would Aiheu punish us all for my selfish love? What if he knew that I could never give him a cub? Now I’m not only ruining his future, but the future of a pride.
That last thought stung her deeply. She could never be his queen because of that. There would be no continue of the line beyond him. She looked down and sigh. She would have to leave him...give him a chance to have a future. She nuzzled against him, knowing it would be their last night together. He grunted with satisfaction, feeling her warmth against his body.
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