03 - Tales to be told
Sun was almost set, but two lionesses, younger one and the elder were sitting next to acacia tree. Its trunk hadn't given any shade from hour, but then shade was no longer needed. Dusk was coming to Prideland's savannah.
"His reign was the greatest trial that any king known to me was forced to face. The Great Drought started about a year after Mufasa's death. Until that, Pridelands were running very well. Scar was keeping hyenas under his control, so they had never interrupted lionesses hunting. They fed on our scraps and if any of scavengers transgressed Scar's law, was punished, mostly by exile. When the very first symptoms of drought shown, king change his mind about hyenas. He organized some smart system of joint lion-hyena hunting, which had worked quite well as long we thought that rain is going to come any day. But it had not.
We faced the hunger - and when Border River and river in Pride Gorge dried as well as most of waterholes - also a thirst. And then came the remnants of Gold Pride. It was starving pack of once great desert lions pride. It had lost its leader, and when they came to Pride rock, was running by children of dead king Arista. As you probably well know, those two were your uncle Sparthi and your mother Zira. Ten exhausted lionesses and one lion came to your father and asked for mercy. Scar had no obligation to help them. In fact, he had no reason at all. His own people were in danger, so uniting with other pack was a serious risk. And your father took it." Vitani looked on old lioness carefully. Silent question was drawn on her face. "No, it was not so romantic story, I mean: not yet. Your parents fell in love with each other a little further. But you probably know that tale." Vitani confirmed, nodding. "So Scar saved Golden Ones just because he wanted to. Many of our lionesses disagreed that decision, especially that Sarabi herself was ill-disposed to newcomers. But king made his will the law. He said once, that no lion will die under his reign and he kept his word. Except your uncle, who died from disease, that he had caught during the travel, he was only victim of his own kingship... But let go back to story... After he feed desertlanders, we discovered, that we were standing at the face of doom. So Scar once again prove himself strong and decisive leader. He sent Desertlanders in few small patrols to find new hunting areas and prepare shelter for cubs and adolescent lionesses. Meanwhile, Pridelander were hunting at all remained wildebeest nearby. Also, we had to face first hyena's riot. But until the end, Scar believed that his decision was right and he hadn't allowed Sarabi to lead lionesses away from Priderock. He said it would be rescue for some, but certain death to younger and weaker pridemembers. So he kept his decision to the Simba's return, facing discontent of own subjects and hyenas plots. And he was right. One of the desertlanders scouting team found fertile sanctuary, close enough to drag food to Priderock. Unfortunately, when they back, they found their king and savoir dead and received exile sentence from Simba. Just before those events you were born, somewhere on Outlands border, where cubs were kept because of more water."
"What?" yelled surprised Vitani. "I thought that Outlands were driest place in whole Africa, except for the Great Desert, of course."
"So, you now know, how hard was time of drought. We all almost died from hunger, starve and some illnesses. Your brother Nuka caught some nasty fever then and had been sick for few a months. Probably that why he never full grow and always was weaker than healthy lions are."
"Mother never told me that." Said Vitani amazed.
"Probably she did... in some way. From that what I heard, in time she started to blame Simba for all her misery, both for that real and that imagined crimes that he had done to her. But don't blame her. She was sick. Not like Nuka, on body, but on her heart. She was sick from love."
"I know that" agreed Vitani. "But tell me, so all we... I mean the Outlanders, were Desertlanders and their offspring?"
"Yes" answered Sakia. "Both Sarabi and Simba blamed newcomers for running out prey herds and they suspect, that grateful Gold Pride, saved by Scar, would remain old king in memory. And that happened, because they all were loyal to your mother, all the time until day of Reunion. Don't judge hard yourself and your pridemates. You know what is for Outlander perspective of living in the Paradise Valley like Pridelands might looks."
"Indeed, it seems to be perfect." Agreed Vitani. "I was swayed first. But... " she silent for seconds and burst in tears. "But... I was so tired of fighting... tired of running... tired of chasing mommy's dream. And I hoped that mom will too..."
Old lioness came to younger, hug her and licked her face.
"Cry, my baby. It helps a lot." Whispered to her ear.
They were lying still on grass till the last of sunrays died at horizon.
Tanabi have understood almost nothing from his grandmother's confession. He tried to sum long and often interrupted by tears and moments of recollection story. After a while he asked shyly:
"That mean you once loved uncle Scar?" she nodded. "But... you know... you felt in love with each other?"
"Yes, my dear" said Sarabi. "It started long before my relation with your grandfather... and it ceased when I was about to mate Mufasa."
Lion shocked his head in disorientation. "I don't know much about this kind of stuff, but... do mind if I ask..."
"Well, I decided to answer every question." Sighed queen-mother.
"So... have you ever... hm... planned to be with uncle Scar instead of grandpa?" He had to ask. That was the question, that never gave him rest. In all tales about Scar that was told him by him by father, he always found a hole, something wrong and mysterious. Why his granduncle hated his grandpa so much? King said that was just a power-hunger, that had driven usurper mad, but Tanabi had serious doubts on it. He wondered if there had been some other reasons.
"I guess, you know about this kind of stuff enough or you have good intuition in it." Laughed Sarabi, but lion felt the bitterness in that laughter. "Yes, once I wanted to marry Taka. I was young, quite unconcern. Taka... I mean: Scar was handsome, intelligent and intrigue lion. I bet that half of our hunting pack was ready to be killed for that black mane... and so was I. This was when your grand-grandfather, Ahadi still lived. He wished that Mufasa mate a lioness of his choice and that was me. Old king tried persuade me to part Scar but those days I was deaf for that suggestions. I didn't see the world except for Taka... But this changed, when Mufasa challenged Scar. Pretext was that Scar offended his father, what was likely, because Ahadi and his second son were in constant conflict. But I knew, that the real matter behind that fight was me and hurt Mufasa's pride. In my cubhood I loved Muffy... sorry, I mean: your grandfather like elder brother I never had. But he serious felt in love with me. I think I refused him first time in some rude way, but it only raged him against Taka. He never kept the grudge against me, but his harsh friendship with brother turned to almost hatred. And Taka didn't care about it. He used to say, that if Mufasa was about to assume the throne, his share was to marry the princess... He meant me, of course. But then this blasted fight took place... and from this moment Taka became Scar. His wound was inflict by his own brother. I caused their rival, because I was too weak and too undecided..." finished Sarabi, with dry tears in her eyes.
Tanabi felt that he should say something soothe to his grandmother, but his mind already felt in investigation haze.
"I was told, that granduncle Scar was wounded by buffalo, when he was about to make a nasty joke to grandfather."
"Who told you that?" asked surprised Sarabi.
"Daddy. And Zazu confirmed that."
"Oh... Simba probably was told that by Zazu himself. And that hornbill... point for him for keeping good memory of Mufasa. Shame for him for telling lies."
"Oh... never mind. That was just a jolly family story. Most of them are fancy."
"That story haven't any jolly origins. It was a serious fight, and Taka lost it, of course. He fought brave but Mufasa was stronger and outweighed his quickly. In final blow, he hurt Taka's face." Sarabi stopped for a while, recollecting some hardest memories. "After that, Taka bleeding was shouting on Mufasa terrifying things. He ordered him to fight to death and said that he would kill him if Mufasa didn't finish, what he had started. At the first time in my life I was afraid of Taka. He still was asserting that he loves me, but he did it in so scary way – bleeding and cursing Mufasa. I escaped Priderock's top where they challenged and run to savanna. When I got back, I found Taka with scar on his face and with anger in his eyes. Of course, Mufasa had started to call him his new nickname. Ahadi forbid me and Taka to meet, even talk to each other. Oh..." she stopped for moment. "I called him Taka again. I shouldn't... but in my memory he always be called that. But... it doesn't matter. Since that time I had been forced to avoid my once beloved. I hadn't noticed how much he changed soon after, maybe because I had some new troubles in mind..."
"That story I know well." Said Tanabi, who knew the tales about Mufasa court of Sarabi's love.
"Have you ever thought that those jolly family stories are fancy too?" asked Sarabi with irony.
"Are they?"
"Well... not. But now you might to read them in slightly different context."
Lion was wondering about few things at once. He knew that his interest in life of enemy of his own father was in some way sick. He also knew, that his questions were nothing pleasant for Grandmother. Queen-mother, as she said, wanted to make a confession but way that Tanabi demanded details was not very gentle. But his mind was deluged by more and more question. It was like fire that was consuming his thoughts, hungry for more data and more attention. Like Tanabi felt hunger to see the life from completely different perspective.
"How was he?" asked Vitani. "I don't care about kingship stuff right now. I mean: how was he as a lion."
"Oh, my child!" answered Sakia. "You would never separate those two things. Your father was both the king and the lion and there he seemed to be a perfect union of two bodies – of the first royal and of second, that all could see. Even when he hadn't been king yet, he looked so proper and act so proper. I remember, from my early cubhood... We all were playing together: Taka... I mean: Scar, Mufasa, Sarafina, Sarabi, Onya and rest lionesses from Priderock. Mufasa already used to tease Scar. Always he tried to start a fight with him under the slightest pretext. Of course, your father was much to proud to ever complain about brother to your grand-grandfather or grand-grandmother. He rather try to prevail Mufasa by words. Sometimes, he made fun of his brothers nervous character or not so smart mind. But there were just exceptions – he never use a mockery or sarcasm unprovoked. Usually, Scar try to knock him out by one smart sentence, with shows who really was mane-event there. One I'll remember till end of my life. After fight or sparing, I don't remember, Mufasa claim that he is mightiest of all us. Then Taka... I mean: Scar, said: Muffy, I guess, you're right. But you always have to show your might, to be treat as a king by us. That is right? You haven't enough, Taka? asked Mufasa, ready to resume their fight. Well, I think, I'm mightier that you and it doesn't matter, how many times you beat me. What? I mean, that you always need to win, to be king for girls. And you can't win, if you have no one to fight with. That makes you to fight with me. You're right. So what? So I'm the one who make you a king every time. Right? You little meerkat! shouted Mufasa and took an attempt to hit Scar. Wait, Muffy said calmly your father. Aren't you king already today? Are you need a crowning again? So... " Sakia stopped for a while and laughed loudly. "So Mufasa was shocked, that even he didn't touch Scar for next week. And all cubs from our pride were laughing, but not on Mufasa folly, but with respect, on Taka's cleverness."
"Is Mufasa was really so awful brother?" asked Vitani.
"Well, I guess not. Maybe he wasn't too kind to his young brother, but I can't call him cruel. It came with time. I'll tell you that some other day. Or maybe you should ask queen-mother, she know that I mean."
"No way!" said Vitani. "I can't do that!"
"Why?" asked Sakia. "But it doesn't matter. Let back to your father, what he was like."
"Right, tell me."
"He was... different. That what I can say for the start. He had been watching the world and all on it with some different perspective, I guess, unable to us. When he didn't understand something, he always asks and never let his wondering and enigmas lay unsolved. He tired to understand whole Circle of Life. I think, he just was unable to accept things as they were."
"Grandma" finally asked Tanabi. "Why you tell me all that things? Why now?"
Old lioness sighed and looked in grandson's eyes.
"Because I believe that we can learn from our past and avoid the future errors."
"What errors I should avoid if..."
In that moment he understood whole thing. He was second child of a king. He wasn't destined to be king of Priderock but the same time he was going to live in his sister's shadow. He always had too much questions and too often he was displeased with given answers. He was...
"Do you think I'll follow the Scar's pawprints?" asked coldly.
"Oh, Great Spirit, no! Of course you'll not!" replied shocked Sarabi. Her eyed narrowed and she looked into ground. "But..."
"But I'm on best way to do that?"
"No, my dear. I did not say that!" Stressed lioness.
"You don't have to." Noticed Tanabi. "You said that I'm stubborn and disobedient."
"I didn't"
"But I'm afraid, I'm, grandma." Said lion. "And I so often disappoint you all. And..." he said it with almost giggle in his voice. "I'm younger brother, second to throne, am I?"
"Tanabi, stop that. You're talking rots now!"
He burst in laughter and fall into soil. At the first time in his life, he was taken serious. As possible usurper and murdered, but it was not bad for a start. "Me... Scar... O, Ahadi! ... they even don't allow me to hunt by my own and they think..."
"Tanabi, quit that, please!" asked Sarabi with pain in her voice. Lion felt ashamed.
"I... I'm sorry, grandma!" whispered. "I don't know what obsessed me..." suddenly, he realized what meant what he just suggested. "Grandma! I didn't mean that. I have never been jealous of Kiara. I never... even for moment... thought I would be the king. I never..."
"Hush, my child." Said Sarabi and hug her grandson. "I know that. Of course, you haven't meant that. No one would." But in the same moment in her head silent voice whispered: "Even Taka never would... until it actually happened!"
"I don't care about kingship! I think that Kiara and Kovu will be fine leaders someday, better than I could ever be! I just want to be..." he silent at once. He was about to say: loved, respected and trusted. And than, he would cry on his grandmother side. But he did not. He swallowed words and tears, stood and went to cave's entrance. "Never mind... I'll go to torrent and be back soon." He left. All that sorrow and irritation he just had swollen, gushed inside him, caused both tense and some strange relief. "I don't have to cry out what I feel. That cub's acting. I'm not a cub. I'm adult now, I can care of myself. Neither grandma, dad, mom, Kiara nor anybody else will treat me like a child. So i can't treat that myself. If only father understood it..." He went into warn night, trying to think about nothing and no one. But view of blue Vitani's eyes came to his mind anyway. He run to torrent and lower his head to running surface. He saw his own reflection and deep-green eyes looking from it. But this remind him nothing.
But Sarabi still was gazing in empty cave's entrance, shaking inside. She saw a couple of green eyes, looking exactly like some other's gaze long ago. She once lowed that gazer, but she also feared him.
"Oh, Tanabi..." she sighed. "I know it's my weakling mind... but I'm afraid."
Vitani was not afraid any more. Even that Sakia had said nothing more than few recollections from Scar's reign, daughter of forgotten king felt, that she found peace in her heart. Someone, at last, was talking about her parents with love and respect. Someone, at last, said that quest of her mother's life wasn't wrong. Maybe it had failed, but was try of something great and right.
"Well, don't get me wrong, but i was always scared by your mother methods." said Sakia. "I know, that is easy to condemn a fighter, which Zira was indeed, while sitting in safe cave. But I guess her plan couldn't work perfect. Even Outlanders could killed Simba, or made him do step down, but what about rest of the pride? Some scars... " she smiled sadly, while was saying that word. "...on both groups were too deep. Pridselanders were so prejudged against Golden Pride, that would never accept rule of desert lioness."
"I guess, I'm a half-desert-lioness." Noticed Vitani.
"Yes, you are. But you also the Pridelander's heir. Scar was descendant of ancient royal line and you had to remember it. You didn't come to Pridelands, you returned here."
"But... when my uncle dead, my mother became queen of Desert Pride. So now... Kovu is rightful Golden Sands King if this pride will ever be restored?"
"It's true just like that, you're rightful Pridelands queen, my lady." Said Sakia with some hypnotizing tune in her voice.
"Yea... what?" shouted shocked Vitani. "You went too far. Please, tell me, you're kidding."
"As you wish, my lady!" replied old lioness with contrary favour.
"Don't call me like that!"
"All right... I won't. Until the time will come."
Vitani stood, turned away from Sakia and stepped few steps into night. After a calm moment of rest her mind was again struck with burning question. "I'm a princess?! But this can't be... not now. The Circle of Life turned other way. Kovu will be a king... after Simba. It's sick idea, I was just accepted as a Simba's subject" Really? said some bitter voice in her head. "And I'm grateful to him." For killing most of your family? asked the same speaker. "Am I crazy? That is impossible! I don't want to even want power."
"I was, at least, strong enough to want" whispered voice in the wind, but no one was there. He sounded like Nuka. Young lioness shocked her head.
"Vitani, come back, please..." asked Sakia. "I'm sorry. I didn't meant to trouble you. Just forget what I said."
"Sakia..." said Vitani with tensed voice. "Tell mi one thing. Why didn't you help your king and deny Simba's power?" old lioness was silent for few seconds but then she replied with sorrow:
"I was too weak and too coward to do this."
"So why you're talking all that now."
"Just because of that." Said Sakia. "I want to redeem my betrayal. I can't die and come into stars now. I couldn't stand before Scar and tell him, that I've forgotten what we had done."
"But talking tales never changes history."
"Sometimes it does."
"But you won't tell that to no one, if you're not asked, all right?"
"Right" replied Sakia. "Vitani... you have chosen not to fight for your heritage?"
King's daughter was looking to the stars in silent. For moment and there for moment more. She was gazing into the sky and Sakia thought, she was crying.
"My dear..."
"Wait!" said Vitani, with voice strong and sure that old lioness never heard before. "I think what would my father do."
Stars were silent, but Sakia was almost sure, that they were calling to Vitani loudly.
Tanabi returned when moon was high on the sky. Sarabi was pretending, she was sleeping, but in fact she was listening carefully. Young lion entered cave, looked on his grandmother.
"Grandma?" said quietly but there was no response. "Oh... you're sleeping... too bad I can't apologize you now." Said Tanabi. Sarabi wondered if he was talking to her or just to himself. "You have right... in every point. I'm reminding uncle Scar but only superficial. I'm too weak to even have an ambitions. I'm don't ready for that yet. But someday I will. Someday, I'll make you both proud and scared. I'll never be a king, but I will show you, that I would be..." he gazed in darkness of den for a while and then finished gently. "Good night, grandma. Rest and recover soon. We have to back home... and I have to do something more then."
"My pawprint" song. Music mysterious and scary, a similar to "Be prepared".
Scene of Tanabi, standing in Green Den, next to sleeping Sarabi. He ran to entrance and throw out some bushes, that have hidden it. Moonlight illuminates Tanabi causing scene to turn blue. Lion looks through entrance on savannah. Music starts.
I feel like kind of pawn
Back-up heir to the crown
Younger child, who was raised just in case.
He starts with moderate volume, growing with growing emotions in Tanabi's voice. He is drawing sketches on ground, similar to those Rafiki's
Always second and late
In this world's race parade
Bored with boredom of still being chased
On sketches he is small and Kiara twice his size. Suddenly, he wipe his own picture.
Pre-chorus:
Is this really have to be that way?
I've got so minor role in this play?
He stands on rear legs, supporting to wall and looks over edge of rock. Capture of one of Green Den's rocks, head of Tanabi raising from behind, he had some bush leaves on mane. He shakes and throw them out.
What if wish to change
Turn of fate and arrange
Other round of the Circle of Life
He jumps out on rock. Then moon comes from clouds and strong light lit lion. He bow into virtual audience direction, giving greetings. Louder music starts.
Chorus:
Cause it's running the same
Every round year it claims
With no difference and purpose at all
View from Tanabi's eyes. He is turning his head to scan all horizon. He sees common night activity of animals.
I wish this scheme be dropped
I wish routine be stopped
I wish stop it and start it at my call
He jumps down to some kangaroo rat, who is running down there. Animal, seeing predator, bow to ground with terror, Tanabi raises it and puts on rock where he was before.
I wish leave on my track just pawprint
Maybe not great but for sure of mine
He put his paw to sand and press to make a pawprint.
Mighty Circle of Life
I wish win in your strife
And be one who your turn can define
He starts to run in direction shown by pawprint.
Second verse:
As my path is so thin
With no much space within
So it temps me to step all aside
He runs but suddenly, changes his course.
Choose the another way
Choose main role in this play
Choose that one that allow to decide
He wakes sleeping zebras, who look on him with fear, but he ignores them.
Pre-chorus:
Am I must to be king of this hole?
If whole world for my dreams is too small?
He looks on sky.
What if wish to change
Turn of fate and arrange
Other round of the Circle of Life
He comes to edge of bank and jumps to the river in acrobatic way.
Chorus:
Cause it's running the same
Every round year it claims
With no difference and purpose to me
He floats in the river, spinning around own axis.
I wish this scheme be dropped
I wish routine be stopped
I wish crush and rebuild scenery
He hit the bank and comes on beach. Suddenly, he had an idea and splashing with paw water, to dip sand.
I wish leave on my track just pawprint
Surely mine and for surely be great
On wet sand he draws giant lion's pawprint.
Mighty Circle of Life
I wish win in your strife
Live my life until is much too late
He lays in centre of "pawprint" looking into stars.
"Are you tired?" asked Vitani.
"No." replied Sakia.
"Could we go right now?"
"Yes... but it's middle of the night!" said old lioness.
"If you're not tired I wish to go at once." Replied Vitani. "Is that problem to you? Walking in the darkness is against the direction of Circle of Life?" asked sarcastic.
"Oh, Great Spirit, what happened to her?" asked herself Sakia. "She seems to be different person now... she seems to be... real Scar daughter! Even that sentence... King used to say it sometimes, but no one other. Why she used exactly the same words?" Lioness looked into sky. The thousands of stars were blinking up there, silent as always. On with one Vitani gazed? Is king's daughter heard something? She saw something? Sakia was filled with questions but she was afraid to say any of them. She stood and said:
"I'm ready my la... I mean: Vitani."
"So go then." Replied young lioness. "I'm hurry, because I must go back to Green Den, as soon as it's possible and then go to Outlands."
"What for?" the elder lioness asked. They were heading to Priderock, barely visible in weak moonlight. They were going faster that Sakia thought she was able.
"As you said, I have to ask queen-mother for few things. And then... go to my old home."
"There is no one in Outlands now."
"I don't care... I must be there... to hail and apologize all those I've betrayed. And you... I want to ask you for something."
"What's that?" asked Sakia surprised.
"Talk with all Outlandresses that want to talk with you. Examine them and find out, what they think of Scar and Simba."
"Do you want me to incite your pridemates against the..." she wanted to say: king, but this word stuck in her mouth.
"No. I just ordered you to find out, what they think and..." suddenly, Vitani felt scared by own words. "Ordered her? Who am I to order anyone? Am I really considering myself as a princess? What happened to me today?" and then, once again, she heard this inside voice, so similar to Nuka's. "What happened? You understood, who you really are. Finally! You were living for all this years hearing and not understanding it. You're king's daughter!" Vitani shocked her head, but voice still was calling in her mind. "You're a descendent of both Prideland and Golden Pride lines. You're the heir to the throne."
"Sakia?" asked Vitani with shaking voice. "What happened to me?"
"I think, you understood it, and came into your heritage deepest I ever expected to, my la..."
"Vitani!" growled Vitani.
"Yes... Vitani."
"Sakia..." said young lioness solemn. "I don't care about the throne. I don't to fight with Simba and Kiara in sake of leadership. I don't want to hurt Kovu in any way... but..." she stopped and turned to elder lioness. Sakia knew, that had to be just an illusion, but she could swear, that Vitani's blue eyes for second went to blinking green. But it had to be just moonlight reflection. "But after what you have told me, I'll wont rest until I restore glory of my parents name. Is that clear?"
"Yes, it's clear."
"And what you think of that?"
"Vitani..." replied Sakia with emotion. "I was waiting for that for years. I'll do what you told."
"Father, give us strength!" whisper Vitani, came to Sakia and hug old and faithful lioness. She was about to burst in tears but she barely swallow fear and emotion. I was not time for that. "Thank you, Sakia... but now we must go!"