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, "It'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 the 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.
	The next morning came quickly and she looked at him, fondling 
his mane like she did the first night.  "Thank you for all of the 
things you gave me."
	He woke up slowly, purring at the fondle. "Thank me for what 
love?"
	She looked at him sadly.  "For all of the times we were 
together." She sighed, building up her courage.  "Love...I have to 
go."
	His head shot up instantly. "What?  Why?" he stammered.
	She continued to fondle him gently.  "Dear...I have kept a 
horrible secret from you...something you must hear before you take me 
as your queen."
	His tongue licked at her paw.  "Whatever it is...you will 
always be my queen."
	"Dear...I can't have cubs."
	He looked at her stunned.  "What?"
	"Taka gave me cubs one time, but it was not to be.  The cubs 
came out dead...along with any chances of me having anymore."
	He shook his head.  "I don't care...I love you.  You will still 
be my queen."
	"And what about the pride?  Without me being able to have cubs, 
you will have no heir.  Your line will end."
	He licked her check softly.  "I don't care about being king...I 
care about you."
	"But you are prince, and a prince must someday be a king.  You 
must not think about yourself.  You must think of your pride."  She 
rose up slowly, giving him a soft lick.  "Look for me when you join 
the stars.  Part of you will always be with me, and I will not forget 
you."  With that, she slowly began to walk off.
	Kubali rose up also, following her.  "I'm coming with you...I 
give this up for you."
	She turned quickly, "No...you can't. You must stay here and be 
king." Kubali froze as she continued, "Tell your father and Debara 
thank you for welcoming me." She moved back to him and gave him 
another nuzzle.  "Tell Penzi that she will get a loving mate."
	"Elanna...please."
	"Before when we parted it was because of a secret, a lie, or a 
misunderstanding.  This time I am completely certain in what I'm 
doing.  This time it's the truth that must split us apart.  You know 
what will happen if I remain.  Your father will discover that I am 
barren, and he will drive me off.  I will tell him so myself before I 
let you throw away everything Aiheu meant you to have.  Besides, it 
is Penzi that really loves you.  I just wanted a little 
companionship."
	"Don't say that!"
	"But it's true!  I like you well enough, and you're a very good 
lover as far as that goes.  But I'm just not in love with you.  Penzi 
is, and your feelings for her could be returned."
	"But Elanna!  I know it's not so!  I know you love me!  I felt 
your body tremble next to mine!  Oh gods, you can't tell me that was 
all an act!"
	She kissed him gently.  "That does not matter now.  You gave me 
back my self respect.  We were together when we needed each other.  
Now you need Penzi and she needs you."
	"And what do you need??"
	"I need to face my past.  I need to go some place where you 
can't come.  Darling, if you love me, let me go.  Please??"
	"Say you love me first."
	She looked at him, eyes moist with tears.  "I won't lie to you.  
I am a ripped gazelle, and my heart is being slowly eaten."  She came 
and kissed his cheek quickly, then turned and trotted away into the 
grass.  A short distance off, she heard his mournful roar.  She fell 
to the ground and sobbed.

Bookmark/Search this post with:

delicious | digg | reddit | newsvine | furl | google | yahoo | technorati