Chapter 6: Morning Patrol
"I found sanctuary in a jungle until I realized that I had to come home where I belonged." ~Simba
"One question at a time, Maalum."
Maalum pushed his mother's paw off of his mouth so that he could speak. "What was his name?"
"Simba."
"Simba," the cub repeated in awe, "Where is he?"
"I'm not exactly sure, but I don't think he's too far away from the jungle."
"What happened? Why'd he leave?" Maalum, who had been jumping around at point, finally sat down.
Sheeva exhaled deeply at the bittersweet memory. "He had to go."
"Go where?"
"…go take his place as King."
"King? Dad's a King?" Sheeva chuckled heartily as her son got excited and began jumping around again. "That means you're a Queen and I'm a Prince, right mom?"
Sheeva's laughter came to a slow end, but it took Maalum a minute or so before he caught on to the fact that she didn't answer.
"Right, mom?"
"No son, sadly it does not. You're father…has moved on."
Maalum frowned. "What do you mean? He doesn't love us anymore?"
"Maalum…" She started to tell him not to over exaggerate, but he kept talking, his voice getting more distressed by the second.
"Why mom? Was it you? Was it me? Did we do something wrong?"
Sheeva pulled him close. "No honey, were just…different from your father."
"Different how?"
"How aren't you different?" A new and masculine voice suddenly interrupted the conversation.
Maalum turned to see a large lion emerging from behind the trees. The lion had golden fur and a fiery red mane and although Maalum had never seen him before, a voice in his head said the word 'Dad.'
"Dad!" To say Maalum was elated was an understatement. He started jumping on and around his mother about ten times as fast as he was before. "Look mom, he's back! Dad came back! I knew it! I knew it! I knew it! I knew he would never leave us. You've come home, Dad!"
"Don't call me that!" The lion barked out in the same harsh tone he used before.
Maalum's joyous state ended just as fast as it came. He quickly came to a stop and flattened his ears in a frightened manner. "But Dad, why not? You're my father."
"Hah! Like I would ever accept something like you as my son. Don't be ridiculous."
Maalum was frozen in place, dumbstruck as to why his father was saying the things he was. His distressed demeanor was quickly returning.
"But—but you are my Dad! Tell him mom. He's my father." He looked to his mother for support, but she just continued to stare at the lion in front of her. "Mom!"
Seeing that he wasn't getting any response from her, he turned back to the lion that was staring at him. "But Dad I am your son. Why can't I be? You love mom. You love me. That's why you came back."
The lion let out a cruel laugh that sent chills down Maalum's little spine and made his eyes water. "Don't fool yourself. I have bigger things to worry about than you two. I am a King. I need a real mate and a real heir."
"Dad…"
A cruel smirk appeared on his face. "Your mother did serve me well. My only regret is that it created you. However, I'm pleased that I no longer have to deal with this little dilemma. I have a greater life to live that does not involve you two. Now if you excuse me, I have to go back home where I belong. And you'll stay here, where you belong."
He turned around and began to walk away. As he did, darkness started to envelop Maalum's world. The cub immediately called for his father and started sprinting after his retreating form, but he just kept getting further away.
"Please! Don't go! I'm sorry! I'm sorry…" Tears streamed down his face as he eventually stopped sprinting and fell to his stomach.
Maalum couldn't believe what was happening.
He was losing his father before he'd even gotten him back.
...
When a golden glow appeared on the horizon, signifying that dawn was approaching, Simba was the first to awake as usual. It was his job to patrol the borders in the morning, so he was used to being the first and only up at that time. With a quick stretch, he rose to his paws and surveyed the den. All the lionesses were still fast asleep and looked as though they would be for much longer. Simba smiled when his gaze fell upon his daughter, whom was snuggled up with Kovu. Before he decided to leave the den, he knelt down and gave Nala a morning nuzzle, who purred in response.
After making sure he was content with his observation, he made his way out. The cool dawn air hit his face, helping him shake off the morning drowsiness. As he looked across the dew ridden Savannah, a big mound of fur obstructed his view.
"Maalum," he thought aloud to himself. "What is he doing out here?"
From the distance, Simba was able to see the striped cat rolling around and fidgeting in his sleep. It look as though he was fighting a battle. He watched him in his agitated state for a minute or so before making his way over to him. Once he got around to the liger's front, he watched him closer, trying to observe what was troubling him. Maalum's eyes were clenched tightly as if he were in pain and his teeth were bared. It was obvious he was having a nightmare.
Simba considered waking the liger in attempts to calm him, but there was no need. Before he even finished the thought, Maalum's eyes shot open and with a gasp, he jerked his head up. It only took Maalum a few seconds for it to register that, not only was there a lion in his personal space, but who the lion was as well.
"D-…!" Maalum bit his tongue in the nick of time, preventing himself from identifying who the lion in front of him was aloud.
"You okay?" Simba asked in a concerned voice.
Maalum stared at him with a pained expression at first, but then he shook his head, trying to clear his mind of the vivid nightmare he'd just woken up from.
It was all just a dream. It's meaningless. My father could never be that cruel, right? I mean look: he took me in even though he barely knows me…even if he doesn't know who I really am. My mind was just playing tricks on me. Get it together.
"Maalum," Simba said, snapping him out of his trance.
"I'm sorry, your majesty."
"Simba," Simba kindly corrected him, "you're part of the pride now. Just use my name."
Maalum nodded his head and restarted, "I'm sorry, Simba. I just had a bad dream."
"I can see that. You looked like you were facing the devil," Simba said with small chuckle.
If there is a devil, that's who I met.
Maalum shuttered at the thought, but Simba was oblivious.
"So what are you doing out here? It's a lot more comfortable in the den."
Maalum quickly thought of possible responses. A part of him wanted to describe Kovu's BS last night and get him busted for it, but as much as the thought seemed preferable, the other part of him didn't want any more drama involving himself than there already was.
"I, uh, decide to sleep out under the stars. The fresh air felt nice." Maalum immediately cursed himself for the lame excuse and avoided eye contact.
"Uhhha…and are you sure that was the only reason?" Simba said with a sly undertone to his voice. He had a pretty good idea what really happened. He also recognized the look on Maalum's face; it was strikingly similar to the one he used when he tried to avoid telling the truth to his parents.
"Yeah, of course."
Are you sure a certain dark furred lion didn't block your approach?
Almost positive there was more to this story than Maalum was admitting, Simba made a mental note to question Kovu later. After coming to the conclusion that he would put a stop to the dark furred lion's erratic behavior, he decided to change subject. "Well since you're awake, would you like to accompany me for the morning patrol? I'd like to show you the rest of the kingdom."
I'd REALLY rather not.
Although Maalum had acknowledged its meaninglessness, the nightmare had still put him on edge. And the last place he wanted to be at the moment was right next to the lion the 'evil one' was based on. However, he couldn't think of any legitimate reason not to go. It was clear he wasn't tired and he had nothing else to do.
"Sure. That sounds great," Maalum said in the most light-hearted tone he could muster up.
"Shall we?" Simba said with a smile while turning and starting his descent down Pride Rock. Maalum let out an inaudible sigh and reluctantly followed.
The two made a short walk to a small waterhole in silence with the savannah beginning to awaken in the morning sun. Simba knelt down and lapped up the cool water, but stopped once he noticed Maalum didn't follow suit.
"Aren't you thirsty? You look like you chased a gazelle in your sleep," Simba said the words while arching an eyebrow.
Although Maalum was parched, he felt too awkward to join the King for a drink. He still felt like he didn't belong there, in the King's presence. In his father's presence. In the same unconvincing tone as before, he said, "I'm fine, Simba. I'm not usually thirsty in the mornings."
I have got to work on my lying skills. That wasn't even a good attempt.
"I see." Simba smirked and shook his head, obviously not believing him. Maalum looked away in embarrassment and let out a sigh. "Maalum, you don't have to feel tense around me or anyone else in the pride. You're one of us now, and we look out for each other. Everyone will get used to you in due time; including Kovu."
Maalum's head jerked up at Simba's emphasis on Kovu's name. There was now a disapproving frown on the lion's face.
"Kovu made you sleep outside last night, didn't he?"
Maalum wasn't sure how to respond and his silence was all Simba needed to confirm his previous suspicion. Still, Maalum didn't want any more attention drawn to him so he attempted to minimize its importance.
"Simba it's really no big deal. I don't mind sleeping outside. It's what I've been doing for as long as I can remember."
"No," Simba replied in a stern voice, "Kovu needs to learn to accept others. Besides, if he rejects you, then others may follow his lead."
Maalum sighed in defeat and padded forward to edge of the waterhole and knelt down for a drink. He stopped for a fraction of a second to stare at his reflection.
Yeah, I guess I am a good liar. I just wish I didn't have to.
Maalum brushed the thought aside and forced himself to put his usual poker face back on. After refreshing himself, he looked back at Simba who gave him a small nod and started padding into the Savannah. With a low sigh, Maalum followed.
As the two males padded through the tall grass in silence, Simba thought of an old conversation he'd had and decided to pass it on. He stopped and directed the liger's attention, "Look around you Maalum."
Maalum looked out across the rolling grass from the slightly elevated knoll they were on. He spotted a herd of zebra and quite a few animals gathered around a large waterhole in the distance.
"Everything you see exists in a delicate balance. As the ruling pride of these lands, it is our job to maintain that balance and ensure the safety of all the others."
Maalum cocked an eyebrow at that statement. "Yeah, but don't we kill the others for food. What's the difference between us and the other predators?"
Simba smirked after practically hearing his own words. "I thought the same thing when I was young. I had to learn the hard way. The thing that separates us is our willingness to restrain ourselves and not take advantage of the land. The King before me did not care for restraint and allowed the herds to be consumed until there was nothing left but dust and bones."
"Who was that?" Maalum asked, now curious. Sheeva herself had never known much about Simba's past other than the small things he'd told her. And what she did know—the biggest thing being his father's death—she never shared with Maalum.
Simba's frowned, a regretful look coming to his face. "His name was Scar. My very own uncle."
"What?!" Maalum blurted out with wide eyes.
Simba glanced at Maalum's perplexed expression, but continued walking. Maalum followed right next to him, listening intently to the story. "My uncle was a very twisted lion. He always held a grudge against my father because he was not chosen to be the next King. I think when I was born he finally snapped because he realized the throne was out of reach."
Maalum was too focused on Simba's story to realize Simba was leading him to the gorge. When Simba finally came to a stop, Maalum gazed down at the immense crack in the landscape along with the sheer drop. Simba continued his story, "In a final act a vengeance, he lured me and my father into this very gorge and attempted to crush us both in a stampede. I was only a cub at the time and I didn't stand a chance. My father saved my life at the cost of his own."
Simba's voice became heavy as he concluded his story, "I was devastated, and my uncle convinced me I was to blame for the entire thing. With his advice, I ran as far away from here as I could go. I was too young and heartbroken to see the truth."
With a sullen expression Simba glanced down at the very same ledge he'd stood on years ago. "I found sanctuary in a jungle until I realized that I had to come home where I belonged."
Maalum had been hanging on Simba's every word, but that last line made his heart jump as the last part of his dream replayed in his head.
'…where I belong'. He didn't mention mom at all. Has he really forgotten about her? Was that part of his life really that insignificant to him? Was my dream telling me the truth?
"Ah, Simba. Don't forget about da curtain someone who convinced you to come home," said an all too familiar voice. Maalum's eyes bulged from their sockets and he whipped his head around to see his worst nightmare. Well, his second worst nightmare.
Oh, hell no! If that Old World Monkey says one word, I'll take his head off!
Rafiki, who had walked up behind the two cats while Simba had been finishing his story, smiled at the duo. Simba turned and smiled at his old friend. He walked forward and took the shaman in a friendly embrace which the monkey returned. "Good morning Rafiki."
Rafiki looked over Simba's shoulder at the liger who, at the moment, was giving him a death glare. Rafiki had a sly look in his eye which only served to put Maalum more on edge. And although they weren't speaking, their eyes said everything.
Don't you dare say anything! Maalum's amber red eyes bore into the monkey's.
I have a big mouth, Stripey. Rafiki thought slyly.
The two broke their embrace and Rafiki looked back at the King. "Ah Simba, reliving da past are we?"
Simba smile faded a little and he sighed, "Just telling it like it is."
"Ah Simba, you know dat if you run from da past, it will just come and find you." Rafiki ended that sentence while glancing at Maalum. Simba was confused by Rafiki's reply and was about to tell him that he wasn't running from anything, when Rafiki continued, "So who's da new fellow?"
"This is Maalum. He's a new addition to the pride. Apparently he's a liger, a cross between a lion and a tiger."
Rafiki was now circling Maalum as he pretended to observe him. "Hmm, dat is quite strange. What lion could have had a relationship with a tiger?" Rafiki knew nothing of Sheeva, but he enjoyed toying with the liger in front of him.
Although Simba didn't make the connection that Rafiki was trying to force, he was still caught off guard by the question.
"I don't remember how my parents met," Maalum said quickly.
"Why is it dat you have decided to join this Pride?"
"Simba accepted me."
"But why dis pride?" Rafiki encouraged. "Is there something—or somebody here that attracted you in da first place?"
Maalum's initial response was to shoot a glare at the persistent monkey, but he was forced to change his expression once he saw Simba look at him, obviously curious about the question as well. He swallowed and spoke through clenched teeth. "No…I came across this pride by accident."
"I see," Rafiki said while looking at the liger's tail closely once more. He looked as though he considered pulling it again, but eventually shrugged and let it go. "Anyhow, you've found a good home, my striped friend."
He patted the liger's large paw.
"Thank you," Maalum said in the straightest voice he could manage at the moment.
Now could you please leave me alone?
A brief moment of silence passed as the two eye locked once again. Eventually, Rafiki let out an inner sigh once he saw that he wasn't going to make the breakthrough he'd hoped for when he'd spotted the two cats.
Tapping his stick he turned back to Simba. "Well Simba, Rafiki is glad you've taken this one in. His appearance may have drawn anyone else away."
Simba smiled back at his old friend. "He's not that different. And besides, we're all part of the Circle of Life."
Rafiki let out one of his crazy laughs and started walking away. "Right you are Simba, and besides, you may have more in common than you think."
Simba stared at the monkey's retreating figure in confusion at his words once again. Rafiki walked away with another bout of laughter and disappeared into the grass.
Then again, when has Rafiki ever made sense? He's as cryptic as the stars.
"Simba, that monkey is weird."
Maalum's comment brought Simba out of his thoughts and he smiled. "Ah, don't worry about him. He might seem insane at first. But once you get to know him you'll see he's only crazy," Simba chuckled. "And when you get used to him, he can be your best friend. He helped guide me home."
Maalum continued to stare at the shifting grass where the monkey had passed.
"Come on, Maalum," Simba said as he began padding away from the gorge. "The pride must be up by now. We should be heading back."
Maalum followed the King with the fiery red mane.
...
As Simba and Maalum departed, Rafaki stared after them with an intense gaze. A light wind blew by him which he listened closely to while shaking his head. "Ah Mufasa, progress is moving a bit slow, but we can't rush these things. This young one must learn the truth on his own or he won't accept it."
The wind blew a bit harder at Rafiki's back. "What is it Mufasa? What can Rafiki do? This one is as stubborn as his father and his father's father." Rafiki said the words while pointing his stick at the sky, "If we force him he'll never fulfill his destiny!"
This chapter was written by 22teamplayer (You can find him in the search box or in the earlier reviews)
Thank you to all who reviewed, followed and/or favorited this story. Even if you only read it; thanks for taking the time to click on this story. I hope you liked this chapter and it would be awesome if you told us what you thought about it. *cough*Review*cough*
