CHAPTER VIII - RETREAT
The jungle might have been a beautiful place during the day, but after dusk even the bravest animals that lived there sometimes felt the hair on their backs raise from fear. The wildest noises and strange shadows filled it, all kinds of dangers lurked behind every corner.
But Kovu did not pay any attention to that. His heart was full of deep sorrow. His pride had rejected him, his mother accused him of his brother Nuka's death, king Simba along with all the other inhabitants of the Pridelands despised and banished him, separating from his beloved Kiara… All that plus the fresh scar on his face that burned him so strong that he was close to going crazy. All he wanted was to run, to escape as far as he could from the land that all his life gave him nothing but pain. In his haste he went over hills, torn down tree trunks and broad puddles. He jumped on a big boulder that stood in his way with ease, not even noticing that there was something lying on top of it. Towards the careless lion there suddenly sprung a big black mamba with her mouth open, emitting a gruesome hiss. Kovu retreated terrified, only to slide down the tall rock a moment later, hitting the ground with his back with a loud thud.
-WOOH! Oww…
From the top of the boulder the snake gazed at him, turning his head.
-Kovu, Kovu… Aren't you venturing through thisss foressst a bit too hassstily, my boy?
-Oh, it's you, Elkanah? Wait, just lemme get up. I almost broke my spine…
-I presssume that what you are risssking here isss more than jussst your ssspine…
-Uh, what do ya mean by that?
-What do you mean what do I mean? Where, for goodnesss' sssake, are you going, kid?
Kovu just sat down on the ground, shook the grass off his mane and lowered his head.
-I sssupose you don't know that yourssself, hmm? Go on, convince it.
-Yes, Elkanah… actually I don't know where I'm going. And is there even a place where I can go?
-Persssonally, I would advise you to ssstay right where you are now.
-Don't be ridiculous. There's nothing left for me here. The king exiled me, my brother's dead, my mother hates me…
-Your mother hasss done a great missstake, very much like Sssimba hasss… She isss blinded by her lussst for revenge. He on the other hand atemptsss to be as ssstrong and proud as Mufasssa, only that he lacksss hisss level of wisdom. While your brother sssuffered death on hisss own demand… You do know about that, don't you?
-I don't know anything anymore…
-Nonsssense! Lisssten to yourssself! What are you afraid of? Isss that how a lion actsss?
Kovu could not be comforted. He turned his head being greatly troubled.
-All my life I've been an outcast. I guess it's going to stay that way.
-Oh, Kovu…
Elkanah crawled down from the rock. He started fawning against the lion's front paw.
-But you know perfectly that there isss ssstill sssomeone over there that hasss not cassst you away… Sssomeone… clossse to you…
-Ehh… You mean Kiara?
-Of courssse! You and her are two piecesss of the sssame puzzle. Without you, the circle of life cannot turn properly. Your familiesss are at the ssstate of war, a tragedy hangsss by a thread…
-And what do you think I can do about it?
-Easssy- you can go and find Kiara! Become a sssign of unity for that torn lion pride…
-You think so? You think that she still… wants me around?
-Sss… Kiara doesss not believe that you wanted to kill her father! Anyone with at leassst a bit of reassson can underssstand that it wasss all Zira's fault.
-Is that… is that really true?
-Oh Kovu, I can ssseee more than you. I know both Sssimba and Zira alike, and above all… I alssso know Kiara.
The young lion jumped to his feet. Elkanah's words gave him some extra hope.
-Which means… You're telling that there is still a chance for our love?
-Your love? That may be. I firssstly believe in ressstoring the order within the circle of life. I believe in you… and in her, as well.
-In that case… what do you say I should do?
-Oh, my boy… but you already know that perfectly. Go back! Go back to your… love.
The lion turned towards where he came from. There was nothing that encouraged him to return… except for Kiara. And that was a strong enough reason.
-Okay. I'll go.
-Then go! Go, before it'sss too late!
Elkanah was already yelling at Kovu as he was disappearing in the dense jungle. Despite everything, his plan still had a chance of success.
-Go. Go, my prince. I'll sssee you at Pride Rock.
AN: Elkanah has the ability to appear in the right place at the right time to shape the events according to his will, doesn't he? Has anyone of you guessed what he wants to achieve in the end?
