Chapter 10 - The rapid Growth.
*** Malaika's story. ***
After the gathering, Scar had to take some time to speak with Shenzi, her deputy Banzai and the rest of the pack's officers, leaving me alone with the hyenas... It was then that I understood perfectly that we rather have these creatures as our friends, and was deeply thankful to the prince for turning them to our side.
The members of the hyena army, counting over a hundred, didn't take kindly to any lions other than Scar. But since Shenzi ordered them to treat us as guests, I was left alone and, apart from a lot of suspicious glares, even received something to eat. The meat was old but, thankfully, not rotten, and I lied down to have my late dinner a little away from the rest of the pack.
It stopped raining and I even enjoyed my stay at the Graveyard, especially because of the presence of a cetrain female hyena. Her name was Zena and, since she had two of her own tiny cubs with her, she stuck at the back of everyone (she explained to me that male hyenas could be dangerous to the cubs). Between me and her it wasn't, in the strictest sense of the word, a 'firendly' conversation, but we did speak as allies, peacefully. After an exchange of the typical 'I never thought I'd bee speaking to anyone of your kind' conversation starters, she showed me a big scar on her side and said it had been caused by a lion. When I said I hope it wasn't me, she laughed... Her cubs- a girl and a boy- were far too afraid of me to do more than peek from behind the rocks where they were hiding, but I gave Zena some of the meat I had to give to them. That finally broke the ice.
Zena explained to me that the hyena who had been killed by Tufani was Ed- Shenzi and Banzai's friend since their cubhood. Even though he was handicapped, he'd been one of the closest associates of Scar. I told her I was sorry for the pack's loss, and that killing a handicapped animal was a teriible thing to do. My hyena interlocutor nodded and said that was the final reason why Shenzi decided to enter the war, which otherwise, being a conflict between lions, wouldn't bother them much.
Then we both wondered about the prince and their pack's leader's plans for their part in the fight against Tufani. Since we were both just subjects, Zena knew as much as I did, but she assured me that even a leader as good as Scar would not be able to make them fight the Raiders in what would be a suicide battle. I aked- and what if you had to fight on one side with another pride of lions? The hyena laughed mysteriously, and said she wished that wouldn't have to happen. She joked she'd rather just stick with giving 'ol' king Mufasa' moral support. That made us both laugh, but then we figured that what would eventually happen was now in the hands of our leaders.
And especially ol' king Mufasa. To whom Scar, Shenzi and I returned shortly afterward, making me feel greatly relieved we didn't have to spent the night at the Elephant Graveyard.
Ordering the hyena to stay outside of the cave, the king asked me how the meeting went. I explained everything to him shortly, adding that my impression was that, under his brother's leadership, they would stay loyal to us. Mufasa thanked me and said that I could go to sleep now. Then he left with Scar to speak to him in private. Even though I did not hear what they were talking about, I had a feeling that much of our future depended on the two brothers' conversation.
(Right before dawn, at the top of Pride Rock...)
Mufasa was sitting with his face turned toward the thick darkness that enveloped his kingdom. It was so dark that his brother, who was just a bit behind him, felt the other lion's presence more than he saw it.
-What are you gazing at? - Scar began impatiently. - You can't see any stars, anyway.
Mufasa turned to face his brother.
-It's not the stars I'm looking at. See- the sun is almost about to rise. You know, for the past few days, whenever I see the sunrise, I pray that the coming day would not bring news of another death.
-Yes, well, none of those days have been that kind, have they? But I suppose that today might be different. As long as you follow my instructions, that is.
Mufasa snorted, but stopped himself from making a remark. Instead, he said:
-How was your meeting with the hyenas?
-As I thought it would be. They demand revenge. Although they do not trust any other lions than me, I convinced them to help us in the fight against the Raiders. They understand it's also their fight now. They will follow me, and you, even to the battlefield. As long as you don't do anything foolish, that is.
-Stop insulting me! I am about to risk my life for you and for them!
-I didn't say that was foolish. But there is more to be done than just your duel with Tufani...
Mufasa gave Scar a suspicious look.
-What do you mean?
-Well, even you probably know that to fight our foe, we still need to find him first. And this is precisely what I intend to use the hyenas for. Because it is through them that I found Tufani in the first place. In other words, I want you to permit Shenzi's pack to enter the Pridelands and start sniffing around the borders. You heard Malaika's report- there's a whole army of them. With their numbers, the hyenas are bound to find some trace of the intruders eventually. And I hope, just as you do, that it will be before somebody else looses his life. Give the permission, and I will send Shenzi to go back to the Elephant Graveyard and start the search first thing in the morning.
Mufasa looked as if he didn't like that plan at all.
-You want me to let hyenas into the Pridelands? I personally exiled them, don't you remember?
The calm sincerity of his brother was more infuriating to the king than open mockery.
-I do remember. And so do they. But since even despite that they decided to fight on your side, wouldn't you want to show them what a kind ruler you are by repairing your old mistake?
Mufasa knew what this meant. Hyenas never, ever did anything for free.
-They will not just be looking for Tufani, Scar. They will also steal our prey in the process. And then, they will want to stay!
-It will not be stealing if you permit them. All creatures must eat- the worker deserves his wages, as the saying goes. Later, after this crisis is settled, we will think of how to keep them at bay. It had been like that when we were cubs, and I don't remember there ever being a shortage of food.
This was a tough nut to crack for Mufasa. He had to be honest with himself- since they killed his father, he hated hyenas. It filled him with disgust to even think of one of them laying a foot in his kingdom.
But Tufani had to be found today- enough blood had been shed already. There was no time to organize a search with the neighboring prides. And maybe later he could delegate Scar to take care of the 'hyena matter', like he had been doing for so long?
-Make them find our enemy - Mufasa said finally. Scar smiled.
-See? All you need is somebody telling you what do do, and you start making the right decissions.
-Scar!
-Alright, alright! Save your anger for Tufani. Because you are still going to fight him, aren't you? I hope that having the hyenas on our side didn't give you the idea to just gather together and attack the Raiders by surprise. Although it sounds tempting, I think we ought to be honorable and stick to your initial agreement.
-I will fight him myself. He decided to challenge the king, and it is the king's duty to personally defend his land from intruders.
-Right. Well then, in that case, I want you to hear me out with another piece of advice...
Scar received another angry look from his brother.
-Advice? What you bring is not advice, but demands!
The younger lion shrugged.
-Words. Do they really matter? What matters is that they serve your cause. If you listen to them.
-What do you want this time?
Scar smiled maliciously.
-I'll leave thinking of the best way to make Tufani breathe his last breath to you. But what I want is this- when we find him, you must be the one to propose the place and time of the battle. But before you do that, you will follow my instructions. Because I know where and when you need to fight him.
Again, Mufasa didn't look convinced.
-And what difference will it make, anyway?
-If it doesn't to you, the easier it will be for you to accept my advice.
-Where and when do you want me to fight him, then?
-When is to be determined yet. First we need to find the wretch you wish to fight with. As for where, however... Listen- it's a secret.
Scar looked around and moved his head to whisper in Mufasa's ear. But the older brother didn't like what he heard much.
-Why there? That place is filled with rainwater from the storms. It'll be almost impossible to fight there!
-How about less questions and more trust, brother?
-This doesn't have anything to do with trust! If you want me to win the battle, I have to have good conditions. And the ones you offer are not!
-How do you know that? What if I told you I have a plan?
-Then tell me!
-No.
-How am I supposed to listen to you if you keep it a secret?
-This is where trust is required, brother. Do you trust me?
There was something sarcastic in Scar's voice. But when he saw Mufasa's hesitation, he spoke seriously.
-... or do you have doubts about something else? Perhaps... perhaps you do not trust yourself?
The sun was beginning to rise. Scar could now look into Mufasa's brown eyes and see what reflected in them clearly.
-Mufasa - said the younger lion. - I want you to be honest with me. You've seen Tufani. You heard how he hurt Sarafina. Now tell me- do you think you can defeat him?
The king turned his face to watch the rising sun and to think over his answer. But when he looked at Scar again, the younger brother could see that Mufasa's trust was not in himself. It was in the cause which he only represented.
-Do you remember what our father used to say? Whenever we feared that following the laws of the old kings was too hard, he would quote the old proverb- 'the just will flourish like the watered garden'... Scar, do you think that justice is on our side now?
He adressed a universal value which he hoped he still shared with his brother. And he was not disappointed.
-In this case - Scar began - In this case, definitely. Justice is on our side.
Mufasa looked toward the East again.
-Then justice will prevail - he said.
AN: Here we have a totally different perspective, absent in the original Lion King story. Who cares about what the hyenas think? Who cares about reconciliation of the two brothers? They're enemies, they need to fight each other.
Well, that's kind of boring and predictable IMO. I like to think that Scar, Mufasa and the hyenas didn't have to fight each other- they were not born enemies, after all. And what could bring them back together? A common foe and a common value they're after- justice.
Tell me what you think about where the story is going. Remember- reading is good, but reviewing is awesome ;)