IX. Warm Welcome
Day raised over Pridelands in complete silence. Most of lionesses were already awaken, but still somehow feared to show awareness. Only active creature in cave – apart of Thamath, keeping guard over Tanabi – was Nala. When sun appeared on horizon, she entered royal chamber and woke up Simba, who was lying next to unconsciousness king.
"My dear…" she whispered, stroking his mane. "I must go." Seeing he opened his eyes, but was still too sleepy to reply, she added. "Stay here with our son, we will handle ourselves. We will be back soon, I promise."
Simba had no strength to protest – nightly guarding tired him, he also felt that Nala acted on her own and according to her own plans. If brownmaned wanted to stop those, he should have done it two days earlier. Then was the time of harvest what was planted before.
Nala bended down and kissed motionless Tanabi's cheek, then turned back and exited chamber. She quickly woke pride and formed tight unit to march north. There wan no time nor need to hunt. That small war was about to be determined even before breakfast.
"Go!" called regentess from the ledge of Priderock. Then she joined to silent ranks of lionesses. Eight huntresses of pride, led by ex-queen departed in river direction. They were observed by numerous creatures of savannah. Animals weren't scared of being hunted, however they feared that day. Even if not everyone knew what was about to happen, every living creature there sensed scent of blood in the air. For the first time since a year – another war was near.
Simba told Timon and Pumbaa to stay in Green Den whatever happened. Friends of course disobeyed that and set of on Priderock even before dawn. When they came to pride's keep they noticed outgoing war-party.
"That is not good." Murmured warthog, looking on Pridelandresses.
"What's a big deal." Snorted meerkat. "They beat Outlanders year ago, so they will do the same now."
"Are you sure those are again 'Outlanders'?" asked Pumbaa, then feeling irritation of friend, added. "Right, let's go to Simba."
Meanwhile Nala was on lead of unit, followed by Bidii and Mto. Seeing anger and slight uncertainness shown in steps of leaderess, greyfurred lioness asked.
"Ma'am, what is wrong?"
"Umeme." Replied regent. "She should have been here already. Something happened there."
Mto gasped with fear, following Nala's premonition. However she couldn't believe that Kucha and Maitha would raise their paws on lioness of pride. "No!" she thought. "It must have been Vitani herself. Only that Outlandress is capable of this." But then she speed up, seeing that Bidii a bit outran her.
"Stay sharp!" called Nala. "We will settle it quick."
So when ex-queen re-ordered her warrioresses, Timon and Pumbaa reached Priderock. They entered empty cave to find just shaman, sleeping on doorstep of inner chamber and Simba inside. They came bedding of knocked out ruler and his father.
"Oh… murmured meerkat. "We didn't know that is so bad…"
"Nice to see you, guys." Welcomed them lion. "I doubt you could help… but I need just your company anyway."
"Why Nala and others went so quickly?" asked Pumbaa. "Is that hunt?" Simba shook his head.
"No. It's… Stars! I even can't name that absurd… They want to stop Vitani from returning here and make her to step down."
"Yeah! That's good!" called Timon, jumping on Pumbaa and clapping his paws in the air. "Does it mean we are back in home for good?"
"Or for bad." Said brownmaned. "This day could cost us dear." Then he shook his head, as if he woke up from sleep. "But enough of that. We must do something. Call for Zazu or Tiko."
Pumbaa (and consequently Timon, still sitting on friend's neck) exited chamber to search for birds. Meanwhile Simba sat down next to Tanabi and started to stroke his mane, murmuring. "I shouldn't do it, for I'm no longer king. But if you are away, I must stop that slaughter. However I still hope you suddenly wake and do it yourself." Then from main cave lion heard loud voice.
"I have no bloody idea where that rascal is. I saw him two days ago, when he flew away…"
"Zazu!" called Simba. "Come here, quick!" Hornbill entered chamber and sat down on ground before brownmaned and his son. "You said there is no Tiko here?" bird shook his beak. "But when you saw him for the last time… Where he was flying?"
"To the Outlands, of course." Replied majordomo. "I saw him following Vitani and…" Then blue-feathered paused for a moment and added with uncertain voice. "Or no… He was going more on east… Like in direction of Mighty Waterfall." Simba gasped. "Do you have any idea why, sir?"
"Yakta!" called lion. "Your nephew went for reinforcements! He wants to bring Yakta, maybe even with pride of Green Valley."
"E… Timon…" murmured Pumbaa. "You said that would be 'short, victorious war', didn't you?"
"Well…" threw Zazu in. "If Tiko manage to bring eleven lionesses and two lions to aid Vitani, that war still will be most likely short." And added with whisper. "But not victorious."
"Zazu, you must fly there and negotiate the peaceful solution." Ordered Simba. Seeing angry stare of bird, added. "I know you got the worst share, but I – thanks Stars! – haven't any wings. So tell Yakta – if he in on way – to wait, until we reconcile Nala and Vitani. Returning here, tell Nala about Yakta. Then…" He lost any idea. "Damn! Tanabi, I really need you here."
"I know, dad!" called Tanabi, however he couldn't be heard. His spirit was floating over his body and looking on gathered creatures. "But I still can't return. Something is still undone… Some of you have to make decision that will allow me to wake. You must settle this yourselves!"
\/\/\/
Vitani led her small retinue to the river. No word was said, because everybody knew what had to be done. Next to queen walked Umeme. She was – if that possible – even quieter than the rest, however in her head thousands of voices called. She was also repeating in mind simple litany. "I'm doing what I have to. There is no other way." But in fact she wasn't sure what she was doing. She deflected, hearing queen ordering her. There was no guaranty that she wouldn't do it again, seeing Nala. "It's not right!" she gasped silently. "I'm acting because my emotions, not because of reason. But this is not a love story – it's a matter of kingdom. Stars! Help me… help me, going in whatever path I will go!"
"Dhahabu!" said Vitani with decisive voice. "I want you to stay aside of this. Take Anasa and wait on the shore." She expected a wave of protests, but her son replied in less expected way.
"I know, mom." He turned to kitty. "Anasa, let's go!"
„But Dhahabu..." called queen, seeing him running faster to beach. "I meant…"
"Don't worry, mom. We will be safe." Replied prince and added quieter. "All you will be."
And two cubs took a path in crocodile's den direction.
"Ma'am?" asked surprised Kucha.
"Leave them." Ordered Vitani. "I trust his reason."
"So there will be no 'hostage-stuff'?" asked Maitha with tone of irony.
"No, just reclamation of just rights!" snorted monarchess. "We will win only of we enter my kingdom as queen and her guards. If we hurt any of my subjects, we lose anyway, even if I'm back on throne."
"You can really cheer us up, my lady." Murmured Kucha. "Will you really name your son Taka?" asked with half-smile.
"If I have a son, he will be named like that. If it's daughter, her name will be Amali."
"Hope!" translated lioness. "I like this name much more." Then she paused for few seconds and exclaimed with amaze. "DHAHABU! It means 'Golden One'!" Funny, none of Pridelandresses never thought over from where than name was from.
Vitani just smiled and replied proudly. "Why did you think that Outlanders haven't sense of humour? But being honestly – that's very good name – it served well to my great-grandfather."
"Whatever will happen today." Said Maitha, mixing amusement, fear and a slight tone of admire. "You will be remembered as Pridelands queen."
"We all love villains, aren't we?" asked monarchess and all four females burst in laughter. Maybe it was just a vent of nerves and stress before battle, but maybe something different. Vitani felt as she did something she had neglected before – get genuine contact with her subjects. She laughed with them, shared efforts with them, hoped for the same. "I was so far from them!" she yelled in mind. "Why now? Why I couldn't understand it earlier!? Now, I know what to do to be good ruler." She thought. "I hope that will be useful for more than nearest quarter!"
Five kilometres south of there Tanabi opened his eyes and burst with chocking coughs. Simba instantly rushed for prepared coco-shell with water and poured liquid on lips of son. King spat the water mixed with remnants of dirt that stayed in his gullet. But then he inhaled deeply and with moan he call for more to drink.
"Tanabi!" screamed Simba with burning relief. But then king coughed again in the same moment when five kilometres north his mate gasped.
"What the crack!?"
She saw the beach of Border River and then her son Dhahabu being carried by a giant crocodile. Just after that pair was stomping second reptile with Anasa on its back. Six more predators walked in rearguard.
Vitani rushed without word into crocodiles direction. She pounced in the air, aiming on nearest reptile with her son. But in flight she noticed as Dhahabu raised his paw in protesting gesture.
"NO!" he called. "Those are friends!"
Queen hit the sand just before predator, still ready to attack. But 'enemy' instantly bowed his head and said with low yet humble tone.
"Good day, my queen! I'm here to hear your commands."
"Dhahabu!" yelled lioness.
"Take your son, if you want." Said Msaka. "But he climbed on my back willingly and he's the one who asked me to came here. I heard you might need a helping paw."
"You…"
"I'm Msaka of Border Bend." Replied reptile. "And this is my family. We are free creatures, but we are ready to defend our monarchess."
"Mom, I brought them to stop the war." Added Dhahabu.
"I'm gladly receiving your assistance, noble Msaka." Said Vitnai with official voice. "Yes, we need some help with disciplining our disloyal subjects, who plotted against our throne. Could you join our retinue and help us enter our land as we should enter it?"
"Of course, my lady." Replied crocodile with the same, official tone. Then he added quieter. "But lure them close to river. On savannah we will be much less efficient." Vitani nodded.
"E… wait a second!" called Dhahabu with surprise. "What is the meaning of this? There will be no fight. You just show yourself and say you support mom!" cub ordered, knocking in Msaka's skull.
"I suggest to fake a retreat and that way bring them to the shore." Said predator, seeming to ignore prince. "When they reach water, we will join to action."
"NO!" screamed both Anasa and Dhababu. Male cub added. "Msaka, there will be no fight! I order you to…"
Then crocodile looked on cub and smiled with his usual half-irony.
"Right, my prince." He said. "But tell me few things. Have you order me to help you because of some particular reason?"
"Because our land is in danger and I must guard it." Replied Dhahabu with decisive voice. "So I ordered you as a heir of Pridelands throne."
"Well, that makes some sense." Murmured reptile. "So you order me, because you are – due to your birth – made responsible for your land." Cub nodded. "And you claimed that you have better knowledge and sense what is right for kingdom, because of your title." Dhahabu nodded even with more decisiveness. "So tell me, my young lord, if I obeyed you because of that, what would make me disobey the queen of Pridelands."
"Eee…" replied Dhahabu with sudden confusion.
"Believe me – due to the same reason I listened to you, now I'm listening your mother now, my prince." Then he turn back to Vitani. "You son is smart, but you still have to work over him. Now, give your orders."
"Just follow us, crossing the river." Instructed queen. "When we enter the beach, stay submerged and wait, until we start. Then strike at random, until they all surrender."
"Or die." Replied Msaka with quieter voice. "Anyway, we'll do as you wish." Then he wagged his tail to give a sign to his family. Reptiles started to enter the river.
"Mom, please, don't do this!" yelled Dhahabu, nudging Vitani's side.
"Why do you assume I have any choice?" replied lioness with question. "I can't give up. I could do it as myself, but I'm also your father's mate and your mother. I'm the queen of Pridelands."
"So you can't hurt your subject!" cried cub. "You can't stand against grandma… You can't stand against Anasa's mother!"
"I have no such a dilemma." Replied monarchess. "They stand against me." She hugged Dhahabu, but then pushed him aside with gentle, yet decisive move. "Stay here, on this shore." She turned to Kucha, Maitha and Umeme. "Are you still with me?"
"I hate to say that, but I am." Replied Kucha. Others nodded.
"So there will be no touching speeches." Said Vitani. "Because of simple reason – what you do is not some feat, but your duty. You are the few who read your duty properly…" she pointed on the other bank. On range of River Hills they all noticed incoming Pridelandresses. "…when most read it wrong. But there is no time to think over what went wrong. We will, but later, when we secure at least basics of order that was broken recently." Then she added with quieter voice. "Forgive me, I allowed on that. I will sorry you with every day of my life from now on, but we must get back home. We are not the wind of change. We are the wind of constancy, who brings the things on their places. Go, my Windies!"
To her surprise, three lioness roared with conviction, giving sound much louder than one could expect of three throats. In it sounded a tone of decisiveness and loyalty. Something grabbed heart of Vitani. "I didn't deserve it! Stars! Let me live and make it up!".
Retinue of queen entered the water.
\/\/\/
"They are cherishing they betrayal." Snorted Bidii with distain. She was carefully looking for Anasa, expecting to see her in first line, taken as hostage for usurper. But there was no cub in sight.
The morning was clear and sunny, however not hot. Sun shone from east-northern sky, giving savannah tone of deep green, especially even for rainy season. Air was calm and just few clouds on sky sometimes cover sun to uncover it just after. The weather was almost perfect – much too absurdly nice for day of wrath.
"Don't worry, we will find her." Assured friend Nala. "And we will find Dhahabu. Just let's stop that madlioness and all will be right."
She believed that, or at least hoped that. She took a last look on her 'army'. It was eight lionesses, not counting herself. They went against Vitani and two possible traitors of pride. Ex-queen was very uneasy about that – if Outlandress wanted to fight, she had to hope for success. But how she could hope for it, with almost no force? "There must be some deceit in that." Thought regent. "She wants to use Anasa." Concluded and shivered inside, still uncertain how to act in such situation. But then she froze, seeing four silhouettes entering water. Not three. Four.
"Umeme…" whispered Nala.
She closed her eyes to open them again and again scan the landscape. But she was right – goldenfurred lioness was swimming just next to Vitani. In that seconds their stares crossed. In her grey eyes Nala read a fear mixed with guilt. But there was no hesitation. She seemed lost for the cause. Regentess sighed with pain.
Umeme was someone closer for her than other lionesses. Maybe close as daughter, especially after Kiara was gone. Only member of pride who so boldly disobeyed Vitani and for most time stayed with exiled ex-rulers. "She always was 'against'." Thought Nala with tone of motherly tenderness. "But Stars! Why she have to be against me now?"
"Ma'am!" called Mto, probably seeing Umeme too.
"Carry out your orders." Murmured regent with shivering voice. "Vitani is not allowed to enter our soil."
Pridelandresses ran thought beach and stopped on the bank of river. Msaka and others crocodiles were waiting - almost totally submerged - for Vitani's moves.
\/\/\/
Running after almost four days of coma was not as simple as Tanabi initially thought.
Hurrying, he ignored Thamath suggestion to eat something and he just set of to run, followed by Simba and Pumbaa (carrying Timon). Zazu was already in the air, flying to intercept assumed unit from Mighty Jungle. Shaman tried to run as fast as lions and warthog, but they have to overrun him and leave soon.
King was speeding as fast he could, but with any waterhole he spotted, he stopped to spit out bloody saliva from his mouth and drink. Because in rainy seasons there was many waterholes, you must get the point – generally they weren't travelling too fast.
"Son, I will carry you." Called Simba, seeing as Tanabi laid down to pool, coughing with blood and remnants of dirt from his throat.
"I think I'm a bit too old for that!" replied lion and submerged whole muzzle in water. After few draughts he almost jumped up on four paws and set of to farther running.
"Just thinking aloud." Replied Simba and followed his son and king.
Tanabi that time felt a bit stronger and decided not to search for any excuses for a break. He climbed a hill from where he looked north. He cursed his lost eye, because his visual imparity really disturbed his ability to estimate distances. So he had no idea, how much more he had to run.
"Go, faster!" hastened Tanabi and jumped ahead.
He wanted to jump over tree trunk, lying on grass. But as we noticed before, with just one eye he couldn't judge distanced properly. Despite of almost year of his injure, he often forgot about that. Most of those cases were very painful.
"Tanabi!" called scared Simba, coming to lying son.
King opened his eye to learn that he hit with muzzle into trunk and overturned. Bronwmaned helped to stand up and said.
"Maybe we'll try…"
"Dad, they will see me!" gasped redmaned, but then he turned his stare to the ground. "But… if you take me for a while and we stop before hills."
"Of course, my boy." Said Simba and lowered his body. King uncertain climbed on parent's back.
\/\/\/
Vitani sensed a bottom under her paws, so she based on it. She was fording ahead, slowly emerging from water. She heard as Umeme at her side also touched the ground. On beach already waited a welcome-party. Nala was on lead.
"You shouldn't have come here." She shouted. "You chose your Outlands as a home, so be consistent!"
"I have two homes." Replied lioness. "Place where I was born and place where I'm the queen."
"Oh, you go straight to the point." Smiled Nala with bitter smile. "I hoped for little more courtesy. But very well – as a regent of Pridelands I forbid you to enter the land, unless you return prince Dhahabu here and promise to drop any action offending our pride."
"Only action offending pride is disobedience!" growled Vitani.
"Grandma!" called Dhahabu from the other side. Heart of queen froze – she wondered if her son was determined enough to warn Pridelanders about ambush. But no, he tried something different. "Let mom in!"
"Oh, Dhahabu!" replied regentess. "You are all right…" she sighed with genuine relief, then added. "Should I let her exile me again? You know what means if she rule again. But don't worry, you are my prince anyway."
"Let her go!"
"Sorry, my boy. I must do what I have to. Let her enter if she is able too." Said Nala with sad voice. Then she looked on Vitani with anger.
"All pleasure is mine." Growled blue-eyed.
Let me explain few things. Vitani was pregnant since over a week, but just then her body accustomed to it. Her organism accepted new hormones and started to act like it should to secure another life inside lioness. So what was a weakness just few days back, then become an advantage. She got a natural boost from body who was already working for two beings, but was not exploited as it could. Tiny, unborn daughter of Vitani was much to small to engage much of life-energy of mother. However mother was already switched to pregnant mode of additional effort. In those few days female was stronger and more endurable than usual. However her psyche was also already prepared for motherhood – she acted in interest of her and her child, ready to do anything to secure her cub proper life. Also mind deluged with hormonal flood was more hasty and erratic than cold-blooded reason of lioness usual. That made Vitani gifted warrioress. With all benefits and consequences of it.
"Stop me, if you can." She growled even lower. "For I am your queen, I order you to step aside!"
"Mom, no!" yelled Dhahabu from the other bank.
"Day of wrath" song. Verses sing with dramatic and fast tune. Voices of both Nala and Vitani are angry and determined. In background we hear a mixed choir of "Dies Irae" lines. It's accompanying verses. It's not part of song – just we hear it from off-screen.
"Dies Irae" with lyrics of Thomas of Celano. Sing with no specially known interpretation (Verdi's is too slow, Mozart's is too fast), juts imagine your own.
Vitani is slowly coming out from water, Kucha, Maitha and Umeme follow her shortly after. We see hidden crocodiles, ready to enter the scene. Nala waits on beach in centre of lionesses line.
Vitani declaiming, when tune is fading in:
There is no point to talk
The rule's meant to be shown
If they can't see the crown
They have to taste queen's claw!
"No, mom! Stop!" calls Dhahabu from northern bank.
"Sorry, my dear." Replies queen with gentle voice, then backs to grave recitation.
The majesty is carried
Not only by king's voice
If they can't bow to rights
Let bow before the force!
Actual song starts. Choir in background. Vitani stops in shallow water (reaching her knees), just in front of Nala. They measure each other with sight.
Choir:
Dies irae, dies illa
solvet saeclum in favilla
teste David cum Sibylla.
Vitani:
Is not me, who shows the claws
Is not me, who bares the fangs
But the queen who does the thing that queen should do
Nala is looking on Vitani. Then – in her mind – scene shifts to some recollection. Year before – Vitani is standing over Nala in heat of Battle of Reunion (Scene from SP: "Where's your pretty daughter, Nala?" then pounces on enemy. But then Nala closes her eyes and when she opens them again, she back see the reality – beautiful morning year after.
Choir:
Quantus tremor est futurus,
quando iudex est venturus
cuncta stricte discussurus.
I've no right to let you go
Unless you made homage bow
Is not my will to fight or die, nor to hurt you
But she made step ahead and again closes her eyes. After a while she looks on queen once again. That is no longer Vitani, but Zira, grinning with hatred on hated Pridelander. Nala growls, but this dispels an illusion.
Choir:
Tuba mirum spargens sonum
per sepulchra regionum,
coget omnes ante Thronum..
It is not private insult
It's not revenge here about
But you hurt me - as your ruler - to the core
They both pounce each other and clash in the air. They fall on the sand, rolling aside. We see Dhahabu and Anasa screaming from the other bank, but no one reacts to this. Kucha, Maitha and Umeme exit water too and engage with rest of pride.
Choir:
Mors stupebit et natura,
cum resurget creatura,
iudicanti responsura.
So the duty guides my paw
I'm reclaiming the control
That belongs to me and I have to stand for
After few blows with pride, three queen's guardians disengage and form a circle around Vitani and Nala, still wrestling. Pride tries to break it and help regent.
Choir:
Iudex ergo cum sedebit,
quidquid latet apparebit,
nil inultum remanebit.
1st chorus, Vitani:
Stand for what is surely mine
The place where I was assigned
Step away or fight the powers of the law
And they judge as the one who now should bow
Both lionesses managed to grab each other's neck but both are holding tight on maximum distance, making impossible the slash of throats. They wrestle, but Nala is get weaker with every seconds – the age shows in her.
Choir:
Quid sum miser tunc dicturus?
Quem patronum rogaturus,
cum vix iustus sit securus?
Second verse, Nala:
Bidii breaks the circle of Kucha, Maitha and Umeme and with one blow frees Nala
So you speak about your reign
But I ask you to explain
What it have to do with laws you're breaking now?
Bidii is engaged by Umeme and queen again charges on regent. However this time Nala is more self-confident.
Choir:
Rex tremendae maiestatis,
qui salvandos salvas gratis,
salva me fons pietatis.
With no respect to our lore
Spiting on the ones before
Sitting on the place you stole my kins somehow
They roll down to the river and Nala gets superiority, slashing enemy few times. They entered the river.
Choir:
Iuste iudex ultionis,
donum fac remissionis
ante diem rationis.
Stranger, breaker of our peace
Aren't you enough of this
Bringing ghosts of war and the murder's shame?
Nala tried to drown queen, but suddenly sees as Vitani just smiles, still wrestling. Regent turns back to see charging crocodile.
Choir:
Confutatis maledictis,
flammis acribus addictis,
voca me cum benedictis.
With a shade of father's guilt
Only aim - blood to be spilt
You have to be stopped as must be flame
She avoids reptile's jaws by centimetres and jumps aside. But then another crocodile charges. Seeing that, all Nala's party runs to water to help leader.
Choir:
Oro supplex et acclinis,
cor contritum quasi cinis,
gere curam mei finis.
2nd chorus:
Go away from place that's ours
I will weed you out from flowers
Step away or fight the force
That will judge the bane of yours
Finally battle turns to stalemate – crocodiles form circle around Nala's lioness, they form circle around Kucha, Maitha and Umeme, who stand in triangle. Inside triangle are fighting Nala and Vitani.
Choir:
Lacrimosa dies illa,
qua resurget ex favilla
iudicandus homo reus.
Lionesses raise her paws and in the same time start he fatal blow to each other.
Music cuts out.