Days began to pass more and more rapidly. A month went by, faster than any of the pride could believe. It was a common theory that time flies when things are going well, and the last month could have just proved this theory. There had been 10 successful hunts, no trespassers, no untimely deaths--no deaths at all for that matter. Everyone was in good health. Tuli and Utisho, as well as a few other lionesses were coming along nicely in their pregnancy. All was going well.
Mzungu sauntered proudly down the slope of the back of Pride Rock to meet with her pride sisters at the lionesses' favorite resting spot. Her tail flicked back and forth is a sassy fashion, and her chin was held high. She had many things to be boastful about. One, was that she was queen during this bountiful time in the Pridelands, and all the lionesses saw her in a reveric light, much like they did Mohatu. Then, there was the most important thing of all. Inside her, she carried a secret, a secret only she knew about. As a cub, and even a young adult, she had had a hard time keeping secrets. To her, it had been an honor to have information, and loved to show it off to everyone. But not this time; this time, she wanted to know what it was like to have a secret only she knew about. She hadn't even told Mohatu, though she had come dangerously close a number of times. It was joyous, so it made it that much harder to keep it to herself. But she had managed. Of course, she wouldn't keep it to herself forever. A smug smile came upon her lips. Let the others find out on their own...
She finally came into view of the lionesses resting place. Many of the pride sisters were lounging on rocks, under trees, or basking in the sun. The majority were asleep, while the ones who were awake were lazily gossipping. Out of the numerous lionesses, she instantly spotted her friends and mother. Tuli and Utisho were laughing softly about something, and Yolanda was grooming herself. Then there was Ucheshi, who stuck out like a sore thumb, lying at Utisho's side dotingly. Obviously, he's not aware this is a girl's only zone, Mzungu mused to herself. "Ladies!" she called.
Her friends' head shot up, and they instantly turned to face her. Happy smiles tugged at their muzzles as Mzungu trotted over to them. "Ah, Her Majesty has decided to grace us with her presence," Ucheshi said smartly.
"You!" exclaimed Mzungu jokingly, taking a swipe at his head. Ucheshi ducked out of the way and smirked at her. "You know I HATE it when you refer to me that way!"
"But you ARE the queen," informed Tuli.
Mzungu shot Tuli a look of mock anger. "And YOU," she chided, "don't encourage him. He's got enough lip for all of us."
Ucheshi scoffed and lay his chin on his paws. Tuli, Yolanda and Mzungu all laughed. Even Utisho laughed, but then tenderly nuzzled his mane to assure him that they were only joking. Ucheshi groaned and turned away, pouting like a cub. "I see how it is," Mzungu joked, "you can dish it out, but you can't take it?"
"Now you leave him alone!" Utisho scolded with a smile playing on her lips. She nuzzled Ucheshi again. "And you, stop pouting. It's MY job to be irritable. I'M carrying your cubs. If they take after their father, they're YOUR responsibility. I want no part in it."
Ucheshi sighed, and gave in. He gave Utisho a smile and nuzzled her in return. "You're right, I'm sorry," he muttered sincerely. Slowly, he rose to his feet.
"Wait, you're not leaving?" Mzungu exclaimed. "We were only kidding around, Ucheshi."
Ucheshi smiled at her, assuring her that he was aware of that fact. "I know," he replied, "but this is obviously going to turn into a ladie's chat', so I figured I'd head out before it gets dangerous." He winked at them, and walked off.
Once Ucheshi was out of earshot, Mzungu walked onto the rock and laid down in the spot Ucheshi had left vacant. "You sure told him," she said to Utisho.
Utisho gave Mzungu a sideways grin. Tuli swatted at the air in front of Mzungu's face to get her attention. "What's got you in such a good mood today?" she asked. "You're actually taking time out of your busy schedule to hang out with your FRIENDS!"
Mzungu's lips curled upward, in an earnest smile. "Ouch."
"I'm sorry," Tuli sighed, her ears going back apologetically, "I didn't mean that. It's just...we don't see much of you anymore, you know? We've been through this before, don't seem so surprised."
Mzungu shook her head. "No, no, no, you're right, Tuli," she replied, "I have been abandoning you guys a lot lately. Having royal duties is no excuse. I'm truly sorry."
"Nah, don't worry about," Utisho said, waving a paw at Mzungu, "we're still friends, no big deal."
Mzungu smiled, glad that her friends had again accepted her apology. She did feel bad about how little time she spent with them. No excuse was good enough for leaving her friends hanging so often. But they had forgiven her, so she need not dwell on it. "So, fill me in," she started, "what's everyone been up to?"
"Sleeping," replied Utisho, "a LOT." She rolled onto her side, and looked pointedly at her belly, which had grown a considerable amount over the last month. "Now I know why cubs are so energetic; they steal it from their mothers before they're born."
"I hear that," added Tuli. "I think I've slept half my life away already." She looked at Mzungu with tired eyes. "You have no idea how good you have it, Mzungu."
Mzungu looked away and began to groom a paw. "Oh, I wouldn't say that..."
Suddenly, all three of the other lionesses paused what they were doing, looked at eachother, then looked at Mzungu. "What?!" they exclaimed in unison.
Night came upon the Pridelands, and Mzungu stood atop Pride Rock alone watching the stars appear. She smiled gaily. The night sky, the scent of twilight, it all reminded her so much of Mohatu, and all the nights they had shared under the stars. The stars, and night itself, had become a representation of the love between Mohatu and Mzungu.
"Mzungu?"
Mzungu turned around, to see her mother Yolanda standing a few meters behind her, bearing a questioning look. "Good afternoon, Mother," she greeted.
Yolanda walked towards her daughter, and took a seat next to her. "What happened this morning?" she asked.
Mzungu swallowed hard. She knew that this would come up sooner or later. Though she had tried to side-step her way out of the conversation earlier on, she knew that it would not be so easy with her own mother. Mzungu had inherited and learned nearly all her wit and ways from her mother, so she knew that she wouldn't be able to con her way out of answering her mother. She decided not to reply.
"Mzungu," Yolanda started, "look at me."
With a mental wince of nervousness, Mzungu slowly met her mother's eyes. Yolanda examined her daughter for a moment, then slowly, a jubilant smile came upon her face. "Oh, Mzungu, you have the light in your eyes!" she exclaimed.
Mzungu quickly averted her gaze. "What, no..."
"Don't think you can fool your own MOTHER, do you?" Yolanda teased. "You're with cub!"
Still not looking at Yolanda, Mzungu felt her face growing warm. She should have known that Yolanda would be the first to find out. Slowly, she met her mother's eyes. "I am."
With a small squeak, Yolanda jumped forth and nuzzled her daughter. "Oh, my dear Mzungu!" she exclaimed. "You're going to make me a grandmother." She drew back and considered her daughter for a moment. "Where DOES the time go?" she asked quietly. Her eyes began to brim with tears of joy.
"Mother," Mzungu started, a bit worried by the tears in Yolanda's eyes.
Sensing her daughter's apprehension, Yolanda brushed the tears away with the back of her forearm. "I'm sorry, Mzungu," she sighed, "I'm just so...I can't believe...I'm so proud of you. It seems like just yesterday I was begging Tiifu to allow me to betroth you to Mohatu. And now..."
Yolanda's joy radiated through her body, so strong, that even Mzungu caught it. She smiled at Yolanda. "Mom..." she interrupted. She leaned forth and rubbed cheeks with her. "Do you think I'll be a good mother?"
Yolanda smiled. "Oh, darling," she started, "of course you will. You're so smart and brave and caring, and Mohatu is tender, strong and loyal. Your cubs will be lucky to have you as parents."
A tear of joy ran down Mzungu's face. "I only hope that I'm half the mother you are."
Apparently, someone had overheard Yolanda's conversation with Mzungu, because the news circulated throughout the whole pride by the next morning. Upon waking, Mzungu was greeted by eager lionesses, congratulating her, asking her when she was due, suggesting names...it took her by great surprise.
But the most surprised of all was Mohatu. As soon as Mzungu got past the lionesses and out of the den, Mohatu ran to her, nuzzled her lovingly, and began crying. Not tears of fear, anger or sadness, but tears of joy. He instantly started in on how he would never leave her side, and that he would be with her for as long as she needed him. He then sent the hunting party out to fetch something fit for a celebration feast.
By that afternoon, the news had circulated throughout the whole kingdom. Errands around the Pridelands for Mzungu were frought with knowing looks, smiles and questions. She was, of course, honored that everybody took such an interest to her and her cubs, but was a bit overwhelmed by it all.
Then there was the matter of her friends. Tuli and Utisho were estatic, Ucheshi even expressed interest. Kito instantly went to the yonder Mistylands to inform Mtundu, who in turn sent his congratulations, and promised to be there for the birth.
Mzungu felt amist a sea of excitement and joy. At times, she feared that she would drown in it. For the next two months, she managed to keep her head above water, with Mohatu's help.
Miles and miles away from the Pridelands, Mtundu slept soundly in the cavern of Misty Rock with his daughter, Thabiti at his side. The nights had grown long since Malkia's death, but soon, they became bearable again. And it was all thanks to Thabiti. Mtundu knew that if he didn't have her, he would have taken his own life to be with Malkia once again. But no, Malkia was still here. And he knew that as Thabiti grew, he would see some of Malkia's traits in her. He longed for that day passionately. He wanted so much to see her again. Even if it was through the actions of their daughter.
Suddenly, Mtundu's sound sleep was broken by a loud sound. Mtundu's eyes snapped open and his head shot up. His paternal instincts took over and he instantly began to scan the den for the intruder. That's when he saw it. A pair of red eyes near the mouth of the den, growing closer and closer by the second. Mtundu was not one to become afraid easily, but the sheer appearance of these eyes caused his fur to stand on end. The eyes were deep, deep red, like freshly-spilled blood. Crimson pools of hatred and maliciousness. And they weren't looking at him, Mtundu soon realized. They were looking at Thabiti.
No. Mtundu would never let any harm come to his daughter. Hackles raised, Mtundu slowly, cautiously rose to his feet, and stepped over Thabiti's tiny sleeping body as a form of protection. "State your name and your business," Mtundu growled.
A low chuckle rumbled from the throat of the intruder. "Oooh, we got a tough one here, don't we?" the voice asked. Obviously a male. "Who are you to demand such information?"
Mtundu snarled, irritated that this intruder had the nerve to challenge him thus. "You know full-well who I am," he replied, "I am Mtundu, the KING."
"I know who you are!" the voice snapped. The moonlight from just outside the cave beamed in, and shone along the contours of the intruder. The outline showed that the intruder was a lion. And a large one at that. At least as big as Onevu had been, maybe even bigger. This factor caused Mtundu to shiver, and long to shirk back into a corner. But no, he needed to protect his daughter. He would not budge.
"King Mtundu, ruler of the Mistylands," the lion said, with a taunting edge to his voice, "brother of Mohatu, King of the Pridelands...who killed his own father, and had the nerve to bring up his father's daughter as his own." The lion was now practically nose to nose with Mtundu. Mtundu could feel the lion's warm, moist breath on his face. The scent was putrid. It smelled of death. Mtundu felt his fur prickling even more.
"My brother killed no one," Mtundu protested defiantly, with a bit of waver in his voice, "he merely brought an arrogant, sadistic king to justice."
Mtundu had barely finished his sentence when he felt a sharp blow hit him upside the head. The blow knocked him clean off his feet. With a loud thud, Mtundu's massive body hit the cold ground of the den. Stunned, Mtundu lifted his head to see everything spinning around him. Spinning darkness. It was like a dream, no, a nightmare.
"Tragic, that," started the lion casually, "you're father thought so highly of you. He loved you so...you were his prized possession. And now, you speak ill of him, in defense of that vile brother of yours."
"My father was a liar and a murderer!" spat Mtundu.
The lion didn't speak for a moment. Instead, his gaze shifted slowly to Thabiti, who was since awoken, and was watching the scene in confused fear. Suddenly, Mtundu saw the gleaming grin of the intruder. "It would be ironic, wouldn't it?" the figure inquired. "If your daughter grew to feel the same way about you."
Mtundu gasped, and mentally kicked himself for leaving his daughter vulnerable on the floor of the den. "Don't you touch her!" he shouted.
The lion paid no heed to the king's warning. He crouched down, in attempt to match Thabiti's height. "Come here, little one," he cooed. His voice was soft and convincing, but there was a hint of deceit. "Come to Uncle Mjeuri."
"Mjeuri," muttered Mtundu. He jogged his memory in attempt to remember somebody named Mjeuri. The name sounded familiar enough, so he may have heard it sometime during his youth.
While Mtundu pondered this, Thabiti slowly rose to her feet and toddled over to the lion, Mjeuri. She stopped short about three feet away from him, and stared up at him with inquisitive eyes, as if she somehow knew that she shouldn't go any closer.
Mjeuri slowly reached out his massive paw and began to pull her towards him. Mtundu, snapping out of his trance, jumped to his feet. "No!" he exclaimed, running towards his enemy.
In one quick, precise movement, Mjeuri pulled Thabiti in, held her against the upper part of his other forearm, and unsheathed a claw, placing it to Thabiti's throat. Mtundu skittered to a stop immediately. Trembling, he looked at his daughter. Thabiti began to whimper a bit, and looked at her father with innocent, pleading eyes. "Thabiti," winced Mtundu, mournfully. He began to tremble more violently. He had allowed his daughter to fall victim to this intruder. Had he been quicker, he could have saved her.
Slowly, fearfully, he met Mjeuri's eyes, which were dark and grave. "One more step, and I'll rip her throat out," he warned.
There was no part of Mjeuri's voice that hinted towards falseness. He was serious, Mtundu knew. He stayed put, but looked at Mjeuri's eyes pleadingly. "No, please," he begged.
Mjeuri stared hard at Mtundu for a moment, and looked down at the trembling cub thoughtfully. "Life is a fragile thing, isn't it?" he asked, in a bit of an amused tone.
Dread welled up inside Mtundu. Mjeuri was going to kill her! Thabiti, his only child. His only remaining part of Malkia. His pride and joy. His sole purpose for living. "No..." he whimpered helplessly.
"...all it takes is one...false...move," Mjeuri continued, looking back at Mtundu. A grin spread across his face. "Come save her."
Mtundu lifted a paw, but instantly realized it would be a mistake. Painfully, he placed it back on the ground. Mjeuri pressed on. "Oh, c'mon, Daddy. You know you want to. Come get her. Save her from her doom. She's your life, your pride. The fruit of your loins. She's your only daughter."
Mtundu felt tears beginning to fill his eyes. He couldn't take it. Mjeuri was killing him, slowly. Painfully. He couldn't bear it for much longer. He longed to lunge forth at Mjeuri and kill him violently, but he knew that by the time he reached Mjeuri, Thabiti's throat would be slit and her blood gushing out all over the floor. He couldn't afford to take that risk. The blood of his daughter would not be on his paws. He hung his head, and began to sob.
"I really hate to do this to you, Mtundu," the voice said, with a hint of sadness, "but it's a price you have to pay. You should know better than to show disrespect for the dead. But fear not, your brother will be punished as well. In due time, of course."
Frightened by this statement, Mtundu looked up at his tormentor. Mjeuri looked him in the eye, but didn't grin, or laugh. He simply took his claw from Thabiti's throat, then leaned down and picked her up in his mouth. Without a word, he started for the mouth of the cave.
"Thabiti!" Mtundu cried, not daring to move.
"Daddy!" Thabiti squealed in fear.
Mjeuri paused in midstep, then smiled a bit. "Don't worry, kiddo," he comforted, "you'll see your daddy again someday."
With that, Mtundu watched in helpless pain as Mjeuri disappeared--with his beloved daughter in his jaws.
