The Golden Branch
!!This is one of three possible ending of "Trails on Sand". I recommended this one for persons a bit shocked with my tale, especially Kiara-fans (who decided to read ToS in spite of warnings). But if You got like Tetesi character and somehow You cheer her in her heroic, yet murderous struggle, do not read this! "The Brown Branch" is much more appropriate for You. (Warning! This story should be read with carefulness. It contains scenes of violence and many troubling themes. It's also not the best story for devoted fans of Kiara. Knowing TSH and TGQ is recommended to read it. Also TNR helps You to get familiar with scene of this tale – Golden Sands.)!!
Chungu hit Tetesi's side with impetus that threw them both over four metres aside. Lioness was surprised, but she anyway managed to hit new enemy in paw. They both landed awkwardly on their backs and it took several seconds for brownfurred and redmaned to stand up. Kiara instantly rolled aside, leaving free battlefield to combatants.
"You killed Angaa!" growled Chungu.
"Sorry, I had to misunderstand his peaceful intentions." Snorted Tetesi. In fact she was furious. It came not as she planned. Then she called to Kiara. "Rejoice, my lady! Join the enemy of pride and kill me."
"Chungu!" screamed queen. "Do not kill her. Just wound her and get to cave."
"With all due respect, you highness." Growled rouge. "Shut up!" And pounced on Tetesi.
This fight wasn't so impressive. It was just a desperate exchange of quick hits where both sides were unprepared and furious. Brownfurred was sparking with anger for disrupting her plans. Chungu was in berserk after death of his friend. Because his fierce and erratic attacks, Tetesi seemed to have some superiority. She was a bit tired and definitely weaker. But she was also already warmed up to fight, acting in adrenaline rush and was generally better trained.
Queen was looking on that without move. Beware of how it ended previous time, she was far from intervention. And in fact she had no idea whom to cheer. To Tetesi, claiming she wanted to… and trying to kill her, or rouge lion, who was an ally of killed assassin? If she understood it right, both combatants were struggling for honour of killing the Golden Queen. This time she had no objections of following father's voice. She turned to Golden Sands and started to run. She didn't look back when she heard noise of avalanche behind her. She was crying and running. Her paws were burning with pain, but she didn't stop before Golden Massif.
And that's the way it ends. I'm laying here, broken and dying, under stones and gravel. I guess Chungu is already dead and I will follow him shortly. Broken rear paws and most of ribs, internal haemorrhage that I feel in my chest. Stream of blood are flowing over my wounded lungs. So it's almost done. I'm could be only happy that I managed to tell you my story before the end.
The details of fight? Oh, never mind. When I understood that I had to charge to kill Chungu and catch Kiara, I just jumped on gorge slope on loose limestone and with no surprise noticed that rouge followed me. So I grabbed the ledge and waited for him to catch my rear paws. He pulled down, what was too much for fragile rocks. Then shower of rubble covered us. I guess he died instantly, hit in head by some bigger fragment. I had this luck to pass away in pain for several hours.
It was enough time to reconsider all what I have done. I turned out to be weak, that I failed. But even if I succeeded, could I call myself strong? I hurt Kovu, by standing against his orders, laws and emotions. I damaged his matehood and caused him many pains. That is not the way the subject should act. That's not the way that lover should act. I should accept the fate I was given and be happy in the way I could. Because I stepped away from that path I was removed from the Circle of Life. Fortunately for everyone.
But somehow I die happily. I got better fate that I deserved. Until death I was enjoying love of my king. I doubt if Kiara would dare to tell him whole true. So he will probably remember me like his devoted subject and real…
Never mind. Kiara is his mate and now she had right and duty to love him and expect him to love her back. I regret that she is still so weak queen. I failed as a tutor, she will never be Golden One.
So take care of her, mother… girls. She needs your guidance.
I'm sorry Kovu. I'm so glad you will never know about how stupid was way I loved you.
I… I'm done. I'm going back on desert where I belong. Maybe, someday I will find there the oasis of redemption.
Epilogue
While I'm recalling that day, I can't stop myself from shivering. I was so close to death then and I lost so much. I lost my childish faith in the world and what was most hard for me, I lost only lioness that I could call my friend here. She tried to kill me, but she failed.
However she was close.
I have never said Kovu what happened. First of all I wasn't sure how ended fight in gorge. So I just called pride there and run back. We found dead bodies of Tetesi and Chungu, partially covered with stones after an avalanche. Lion died because of hit in his head with heavy piece of limestone. My friend got wounded in avalanche, but it seems she was dying a while, bleeding from numerous injuries. But I couldn't help that – I got assistance as fast as I could.
When I saw her dead, I burst with cry. It was both relief and genuine sorrow. My beloved rival was gone. Kovu came to body and did what I was afraid he would. He bended down and kissed her blooded lips. No one saw it, except of me. He really loved her. In that case her plan and attempt wasn't as crazy as I thought.
So, could I tell him how it was? Of course no! I just came to him and cuddled in his side. From that moment again we were close each other as earlier. She, the barrier between us, was gone. It's bad to feel happy about someone's death, but I was happy. However I cried honestly. I don't know, I still miss her even now.
About an hour after that Lipizi and Jamaa ran into gorge and found Angaa's body. So, the story seemed to be obvious – two rouges wanted to kill the Golden Queen but failed, due to heroic stand of faithful Tetesi, who gave her life for her monarchess. Admit it – that version makes much more sense than the real story.
Kovu exiled Lipizi, knowing that she encouraged Angaa to assassination. She actually confessed that by herself.
"I loved him, you bastard!" cried lighfurred. "Ghibu was father of my cubs… But I loved him… I love them both and you killed them both." She rushed to pounce on Kovu. Jamaa overturned her and pinned to the ground.
"Please…" he whispered. "Don't avenge on her."
"You are not allowed to live here, Lipizi." Called Kovu. "Your cubs shall stay in the pride. We will give them better care than their wicked mother could give."
"I bet you will, Your Infallibility!" and spat on my mate.
"Are you trying my patience?" asked Kovu with growling voice. Maybe first time in his life he was so angry and merciless. But it was necessary. I noticed as Kauli smiled, very pleased. "Go away."
She turned east and set off ahead. After few steps she stopped, to look on her cubs, but growl of whole pride hastened her. So she went further and Jamaa followed.
"Wait, Jamaa!" called surprised Kovu. "I have nothing against you. You may stay and…"
"You are noble and right king, my lord." Said lion with hollow voice. "It's really unfortunate what happened here. But please, do not ask me to praise your justice. It hurts." Then he turned back to Lipizi. "I'm going with her, because she is only pride I have now. Farewell, fair ruler. I hope you are satisfied."
Lionesses sighed with sorrow. Jamaa was favourite of whole pride. But if he willingly defied the king, it was better for him to leave. But 'better' not always means 'good'.
"Let's go home." Said Kovu finally. "Many bad things happened, but we can't undo them. We could only make sure that none of those mistakes would be repeated in future."
So we entered cave – smaller and harmed pride. But somehow stronger. We were the whole again.
\/\/\/
I sometimes wonder how it could be, if Tetesi succeeded and killed me. If she would be better queen than me? Very likely! Could she live with memory of my death and be happy? I prefer not to answer that question. Maybe someday I will ask her about that. I feel that she is on the sky now, where all brave and good lionesses go after death. Why there? Haven't she deserved on punishment? I'm not the person to judge her. I just have intuition she is still close to me… and Kovu and she is somehow helping us.
I'm going very well with Kovu. Dhalimu is growing fast and we are good family together. Good pride too. But sometimes I look on my life and see in how many things I lack as the Golden One. All pride is teaching me, but I lost hope to be fully educated before I die. But I try everyway, with assistance of those I love.
So, Stars, help me in being good queen.
…and Tetesi… if I may ask you, try to help me too.
The End
TakaPL – August 2007