John Burkitt - Touch of the Nisei

The urgency of getting away soon faded and she slowed down to a slow trot. She looked around the surround area to get her bearings. Her gaze fell back to where she came from. Only the very tip of Pride Rock was barely visible over the golden grass. She dropped her head and continued to walk away slowly, until Pride Rock was nothing more than a memory.

The day slowly faded away as the sun set in the west. Not seeing anyone coming after her, she figured it was safe for her to lie down and try to rest her aching muscles some. She flopped into the grass, disappearing from sight. She sighed, thinking of her future. Now, even the vultures wouldn’t talk to her. She was truly alone...or was she?

“Hello there,” a booming voice cut through the air. Elanna froze, hearing the voice...her breathing picking up. “I know you are here...I can smell you, lioness. Why don’t you just come on out. I promise I won’t hurt you.”

Elanna held her position, trying not to let her breathing give her away. Suddenly, she could sense that the huge form was moving towards her. “So you want to play, lioness, I’m game”

Elanna still had no idea what was after her...but she was ready. She wasn’t going to go with a fight. She growled softly, baring her claws as her body tensed to jump at the owner of the voice. Suddenly, she jumped out...straight at a maned figure.

“Whoa...” he said as he tried to scatter back from the lioness flying towards him. Elanna landed squarely in front of him, growling loudly. “I said I wasn’t going to hurt you! Now calm down.”

Elanna got a good look at the lion in front of her. He wasn’t like Kubali at all...he was much larger and older. Slowly, as she realized that the lion wouldn’t attack her, the growling in her throat died down as her muscles began to loosen.

“There we are...I was just wondering what a beautiful creature like you was doing on my lands.”

Elanna chuckled to herself, thinking how flattering some lions are. Suddenly it hit her, did he say his lands? “Oh Gods,” she thought, “I have wandered into someone else’s kingdom!” She spoke softly, “I...I’m sorry...I didn’t mean to intrude.” Slowly, she began to back away from him.

“Hold on...it’s all right. I’m not going to hurt you. Do you need help?”

Elanna just shook her head, continuing to back away from him.

“I am King Mabongo...and you are?”

Elanna stopped for a moment...her body still shaking, “I...am Elanna.”

The king just looked at her thinking, “I have heard that name before...”

Elanna looked down. “I was a member of the pride at Pride Rock.”

Mabongo nodded. “You were the queen if I remember correctly. Your husband was named Scar. Latest news that I heard from you old pride was that his nephew came back and took the throne from him.”

She breathed softly, “Simba...”

Mabongo looked at her, “Yes, that was his name. From what I hear, the lionesses were happy to overthrow your husband and have Simba as their king.”

She nodded softly and looked down.

Mabongo shifted softly, “That was tactless of me. I’m sorry. It’s a pity about your husband...I’m sure it was a great loss to you.” Elanna stood there, quietly as he continued. “You don’t have a home, do you?”

Elanna shook her head, “I thought I did...”

He sat down slowly, “If you want...I could always use another lioness in my pride. We are small but tightly knit group.” He smiled to her softly, “You are tired. Come start a new life here. Would you like that?”

Elanna looked up, “I...I’m not sure, sire.”

“Mabongo...I don’t go for formalities here. If you want, you can come with me and I will introduce you to the pride. We are a friendly bunch and if you like what you see, you may stay for as long as you want.”

Elanna looked at him speculatively then rose, “All right...I will try...Mabongo.”

He smiled to her, “There you go...you will fit in fine.” She smiled to him softly and followed him through the grasses.

As they topped a ridge, Mabongo roared and a lioness replied. The king turned to Elanna. “Come...they know we are coming.” Quietly, they walked down the rise. A small group of lionesses and cubs were gathered below, looking at the visitor with great interest. Mabongo smiled and said, “This is my pride.”

Elanna looked over the small group, trying to gauge their mood at seeing her. In the group were five lionesses and a few cubs who huddled uneasily next to them. “Very nice,” she said, scanning the cubs’ eyes for some sign of acceptance. “You must be proud of them.”

Mabongo ran to one particular lioness and nuzzled her. Elanna guessed that she must be his queen.

“This is Elanna. She comes to us without a home. I feel that it is the right thing to do is to allow her to stay here if she wants a home.”

“Flip that mane out of your eyes, babe,” the lioness said, stepping toward Elanna with a pronounced swaying strut. “How do we know this gal is worthy?” The lioness walked up and looked at Elanna’s face. “Pretty enough for two, but who knows what kind of past she might have--or what future.”

Mabongo looked at Elanna uneasily. “That is Ujuzi...my queen. She means no harm.”

Ujuzi pawed Elanna’s shoulders politely enough. “Of course I mean no harm. But Sweetcheeks, if you want to run with this crowd, we gotta check you out. If you got nothing to hide, you won’t mind answering a few questions.”

“I’m willing to answer any of your questions, Your Highness.” Elanna said softly.

Ujuzi looked back at the timid lioness. “You can skip the Your Highness bit. Yes Ma’am and no Ma’am do nicely.”

“Yes, Your--uh--ma’am.”

“Well, for first, what brings you to these parts? You tick off your queen?”

Elanna sighed softly, “I was the queen. I was driven out by my pride sisters...”

“Driven out by your pride sisters?” Ujuzi stared at Mabongo. “I guess you already knew that? And I’m sure she also told you why while you were flapping your jaws, but I want to hear it with my own ears.” She turned back to Elanna and said, “So you’re going to tell me you’re very sorry and you just want a second chance? What happened? Did he catch you crouching in the bushes?”

“No!”

“No, WHAT??”

Tears sprang to Elanna’s eyes. “No, MA’AM!” Her head hung low and tears streamed down her face. “Thanks for the offer, Mabongo, but I won’t stay where I’m not wanted.”

Elanna started to walk off, but Mabongo cut her off with a gentle nuzzle. “Ujuzi, would you calm down and let her finish?” He turned back to Elanna and smiled softly. “Come on, dear. It’s OK.” Mabongo glared at Ujuzi, showing a little tooth. “I’m sure my wife didn’t mean it the way it sounded.”

Elanna regained her composure and turned to face Ujuzi respectfully but firmly. “I was driven out because my husband was disposed. My only crime was that I loved him.”

“And where is your husband?”

“Dead.” A tear ran down her cheeks. “He was ripped alive.”

The other lionesses drew in a quick gasp. Even the queen was a little nonplused.

Mabongo wiped her tears with a paw and gave her shoulder a pat. Then he turned to Ujuzi. “There. You see! Nothing wrong with that.”

“Yeah, right.” Ujuzi looked about uncomfortably. “So we have royalty among us.” She turned her gaze on Elanna. “I’m not heartless, honey. Just remember who’s the queen around here, and who’s the subject and we’ll get along real fine. There’s no special treatment here for ladies of leisure. Forget breakfast in bed. You want hard work, clean living, and fair treatment, you came to the right place.”