Chapter 9: The Mourning of King Mtundu

Mohatu watched from a distance as Mtundu sat, grieving over Malkia's grave. Malkia's service had ended nearly an hour ago, and all the lionesses had went back to Pride Rock. But not Mtundu. He had been sitting there for quite some time, and didn't seem to have any intention of abandoning his post. Mohatu was growing worried. He couldn't even begin to imagine Mtundu's pain, but at the same time, worried that his brother might take his grieving to the extremes, a path that had been taken by many other lions left behind by a loved on. Suicide.

"Mtundu," he called, in attempt to rid himself of such melancholy thoughts.

Mtundu slowly turned to look over his shoulder. He smiled weakly. "Oh...hello Mohatu," he replied.

Accepting this as an invitation, Mohatu trotted over to Mtundu's side and sat down. Mtundu's gaze returned back to the mound of fresh dirt that lay before him. He sighed heavily.

"Mtundu, it's getting late," Mohatu told him, in a soothing voice, "the sun is going down."

Mtundu didn't respond right away. He stared at Malkia's grave for a moment, then looked into the horizon. The red orb of the sun was beginning to disappear from the orange sky behind the yonder peaks. The fiery colors of the inferno sunset danced upon Mtundu's mane. He nodded. "I suppose you're right," he replied distantly.

Leaning in a bit to try and make his presence more noticable, Mohatu spoke. "I think it's time that you get back home," he advised, "I'm sure your pride is worried."

Only offering a slow nod as a reply, Mtundu continued to stare at the horizon.

"I'll be right back, I'm going to go back to Pride Rock and let Mzungu know that we're leaving," Mohatu continued.

Finally, Mtundu snapped out of his trance and looked at Mohatu. "We?"

"Of course, we'," Mohatu replied, a smile playing on his lips, "you don't think I'm going to send you on a half-day journey on your own, do you?"

Mtundu tore his gaze away and gave a bit of an embarassed sigh. "You worry about me too much."

If only he knew, Mohatu thought. "You're my brother," Mohatu replied, "I'm supposed to worry about you." Remembering the sincerity in Achana's voice the previous day, he couldn't help but smile. Mtundu slowly looked at Mohatu. A weak smile cracked onto his face.

"Thanks, Mohatu," he said.

A great smile came upon Mohatu's face. He knew how adamant his brother was against getting help of any sort with anything. But Mohatu had still been able to get through to him. "I'll go tell Mzungu," he said, "then we can get you on your way."

It was nearly morning by the time Mohatu and Mtundu arrived at Misty Rock. The sun kissed the horizon in the east, and the clear sky showed promise of a brilliant day.

"Your Majesty!"

A lioness immediately noticed his presence, and her cry awoke some of her sleeping friends. At first, they responded to her call with scowls, but then saw Mtundu and Mohatu standing in the mouth of the den. They instantly forgot the earlier hostility towards their pride sister and ran to the cave's entrance to greet them.

"Ladies, ladies, please," Mohatu intervened, seeing that the lionesses were nearly smothering him. He gently pushed them back. "Your king has had a rough couple of days."

"King Mtundu, where is Malkia?" a voice called.

Mohatu's face went grave. That was the wrong question to ask at the wrong time. A bit afraid to see Mtundu's reaction, Mohatu slowly looked in his brother's direction. Mtundu stood there, saying nothing. Though he bore a strong expression, Mohatu was positive that he saw Mtundu's lip quiver. Mtundu stepped forward, and Mohatu swallowed hard, instantly assuming that Mtundu was preparing to administer punishment to she who had asked the question. "Where's Thabiti?" he asked, throwing Mohatu off, "where is my daughter?"

The lionesses all looked to eachother, then a small voice came from the back of the crowd. "Majesty?" The lionesses parted, forming a small aisle from the den to Mtundu and Mohatu. A pale, timid lioness walked slowly down the aisle, carrying a tan bundle in her mouth. Once she approached the apprehensive kings, she gently set the cub down at Mtundu's feet, bowed respectfully, and joined the other lionesses.

Thabiti, the cub, slowly looked up at her father with large, inquisitive blue eyes. Mohatu stepped back a bit, respectfully, and watched Mtundu's interaction with his daughter. Mtundu looked down at Thabiti, and his eyes began to brim with tears. In an instant, he fell to the ground and gathered Thabiti into his arms. He pulled her close, so that her tiny body was pressed to his cheek. "Thabiti," he whispered, giving her a long, rough lick on her head. He nuzzled her fiercely. "I'll never let anything happen to you, ever." Mohatu felt a knot forming in his throat. It killed him to see his brother suffer like this. "I'll protect you with everything I can," Mtundu continued, his voice cracking, "just like I should have done with your mother."