An Interesting Christmas
Ever since her marriage to Malik had become public, Janna had been learning how to be a Queen, for that was what she would become sooner or later. She had learned the little things like how to sit properly and how to know which utensils to use at the dinner table, as well as more complex things like making decisions that would benefit her people. Queen Mzuri, who had proven herself to be a very good Queen during the reign of her and King Hasim, oversaw her daughter-in-law's learning. Heather, who had grown extremely close to her sisters-in-law, also helped Janna. The little princess was always there to give the future Queen an encouraging smile and a gigantic hug. This made Janna feel a lot more relaxed knowing that her best friend was there to help her. Of course, Malik, the future King, was there for Janna as he swore he would always be, but, in addition to supporting his wife, he was also struggling with his own doubts about becoming King.
One Christmas Eve, Janna was in one of the corridors, looking at a portrait of Queen Mzuri on the day of her coronation. Little did she know was that, further down along the corridor, her husband was looking at a portrait of his father, King Hasim, on the day of his coronation. Malik thought back to the time when he was a little boy and his father was teaching him about kingship for the first time...
Flashback...
It was just another ordinary evening in the royal palace. Malik was a five-year-old boy, Adesh was a baby, and Heather hadn't even been thought of yet. Malik had been playing a game of peeka-boo with his baby brother, and, carrying a now-sleeping Adesh, he was en route to the throne room to see his parents. He carefully opened the door so as not to wake his sleeping brother. His parents were talking to each other. "Are you sure he's ready to start learning how to be a King, Hasim?" his mother asked his father. "I mean, it's not like learning the alphabet or working out what two plus two is,". "I think he is ready, Mzuri," his father replied. "I have complete faith in our boy,". Malik entered the room and walked over to where his parents were. "Ah, there you are, Malik," Mzuri said. "Let me just take Adesh there,". The young prince gave his baby brother to his mother. "And... your father has something he wishes to talk to you about,". She left to put Adesh in his cot. Malik grinned at his father, his brown eyes sparkling with excitement. "What are we going to talk about, Daddy?" he asked. "Come with me to find out, son," King Hasim winked as he left the room, Malik following close behind.
A few minutes later, the King and his eldest boy were sitting on the grass near the palace. "Malik, look up at the sky," Hasim asked. "What can you see?". The child did as he was told and looked up at the sky. "I can see the stars," he responded. "They may look like stars," his father explained. "But they are in fact the great Kings of the past, watching over us,". "Wow," Malik uttered. "These Kings, my son, will always be there to guide you. When I die, I will be amongst them, watching over everyone and guiding you and Adesh,". Malik gave his father a heartfelt cuddle. "What about Mummy? Will she be watching over us when she dies too?" he asked. "Yes, she will," Hasim assured him. "Every King and Queen that ever was is there to support you, me and everyone else in our family," He took a quick, cleansing breath before continuing. "One of the first things I said to your mother was "Nos eiusdem superbia",". "What does that mean?" the boy asked. "It's Latin; when translated into English, it means "We are of the same pride. It's something every good King should know. In other words, Malik, love doesn't care in the slightest about how someone looks or how wealthy someone is or anything like that. Love is a sacred force beyond all human understanding; love is something that is there for everyone. I hope that you remember that philosophy when you find your soulmate, my dear boy,". "I will, daddy," Malik nodded. This was Malik's first lesson in kingship, and it was one that would have a profound effect on him for the rest of his life.
Now, as an adult, Malik looked at his father's portrait, wondering how he would compare to him once he became King. "Father truly was a great king," he thought to himself. "I'll be doing very well if I end up being half as great as him,". With one final glance, the young man made his way down through the corridor. Towards the end of the long corridor, he saw his wife looking at his mother's portrait. He walked over to her, planting a soft kiss on her cheek. "Hi, my love," Malik smiled, taking her by the hand. Janna immediately pulled him in for a passionate kiss on the lips. When they eventually broke away, she smiled at him. "Hello, handsome," she said. "What are you up to?".
"Well," Malik stated. "I was looking at my father's coronation portrait, and, quite frankly, I don't know if I can ever be even half the King he was,". "Don't say that, my angel," Janna said as she ran her fingers through her love's hair. "In fact, I don't mean any offense to King Hasim, but I reckon you're going to be even better than he was. You are so brilliant, Malik; it's me I'm worried about,". She took another glance at Queen Mzuri's portrait. "Queen Mzuri is going to be quite a tough act to follow," she admitted. "She and the dead King might not have been in love, but they sure did work well together. And she's quite a formidable solo player as well. She ruled alone for a good year before marrying Hasim, and she's done so again for the last... has it been two and a half years since your stepfather was murdered?". "It has been," Malik realised. "God, how time flies!".
"I wonder why the ambassador murdered my stepfather," he thought. "I know that he was upset about me being secretly married to Janna, but I didn't think he had much to gain from the killing. I guess people's minds work in mysterious ways,". "So, any news, my amazing husband?" Janna asked with love in her green eyes. "A letter arrived from Mufasa this morning that he and Sarabi are now King and Queen of the Pridelands,". "And how are they finding it?" Janna inquired. "Well, they found it a bit daunting at first, but they've adjusted well," Malik answered. "That Scar didn't even bother showing up to their coronation though. To think that Scar didn't even send his brother a letter to say that he wouldn't be coming; what's wrong with having some manners?." "I thought Mufasa's brother was called Taka," Janna frowned.
"Well, he was," Malik explained. "But ever since he got a scar, everyone's called him "Scar" instead. There's obviously something not right in the Pridelands though. I mean, not even four months ago, Scar destroyed his own Lion Guard,". "You mean the group of people who protect the Pridelands?" Janna asked. "Yep. He used the Roar on them, and, as a result, he lost the Roar and his position as leader of the Lion Guard," Malik finished. "Why would he do something like that?" Janna questioned, horrified. "That's a good question," Malik stated. "Rumour has it that Scar, believing that he should be King instead of Mufasa, ordered the Lion Guard to help him take his older brother down, and when they refused, the enraged man used the Roar to murder them all. The truth is, however, that no one knows for sure,". "Golly, that's horrible," Janna gasped. "I do hope for the sake of everyone in the Pridelands that Scar never holds any power ever again,". "Me too," Malik nodded.
The couple looked at the crib that was on the nearby mantelpiece; the ornament that depicted the birth of Jesus Christ. "Shall we go to bed, my amazing wife?" Malik asked. "I think we shall, my dear Malik," Janna smiled, nestling her head on her husband's shoulder. They walked to their bedroom, all the while singing one of the most famous Christmas songs ever to themselves (which I do not own).
Malik: Silent night, holy night. All is calm, all is bright. Round yon virgin mother and child. Holy infant so tender and mild. Sleep in heavenly peace; sleep in heavenly peace.
Janna: Silent night; holy night. Shepherds quake out of sight. Glories stream from heaven afar. Heavenly hosts sing hallelujah. Christ the saviour is born; Christ the saviour is born.
When they got to their bedroom, they slipped on their night clothes and fell asleep in each other's embrace.
The next day was Christmas day. Malik and his siblings were conversing in one of the lounges. "So, everything's in place, right?" Malik asked. "Absolutely," Adesh nodded. "Yep," Heather smiled. "Oh, I hope Janna likes our Christmas present!". Just then, they heard footsteps. "That must be Janna now," Malik smiled. And, sure enough, he was right. Janna entered the room, carrying three presents in her arms. Malik rushed over to help her. She gave him a grateful smile as he grabbed a chair for her to sit on with his free hand. They both placed the presents beside the chair, and Malik planted a kiss on his wife's forehead. "Merry Christmas, my love," Janna smiled at her husband. "Merry Christmas, everybody,". "Merry Christmas, my friend," Adesh smiled. "I've got some presents for all of you," Janna said with a smile. "And the the three of us have collaborated to make your present, Janna," Heather grinned. "Actually, Heather," Janna stated. "I want you to be the first to get your present,".
With a sweet little giggle, the young princess went over to where the older princess was sitting. With a big smile on her face, Janna handed her little sister-in-law a box with green and white striped wrapping paper. Heather took off the wrapping and opened the box, revealing a pair of earrings shaped like purple flowers. Heather immediately gave a charming smile as she put them in her ears. "Do you like your present?" Janna asked the child she had grown to love as though she was her own sister. "I love it, thank you," Heather replied, giving Janna a big hug. Smiling, her sister-in-law hugged her back. "I knew that you're a big twelve-year-old now and that you got your ears pierced a few months ago, so I thought you might like them. Plus, they look like they go with the flower in your hair,". With a final, lovable giggle and cuddle, Heather walked back to where Malik was standing. It was now Adesh's turn. "Ad, I know that you've been having a difficult time with Hilah ignoring you," Janna stated. She, along with everyone else, had no idea that Adesh's relationship with his wife was actually a lot worse than he admitted. It was true that Hilah ignored her husband as much a possible, but she would also come into his room every night before going to bed, taunting him and abusing him, all the while manipulating him into thinking that he was the problem, not her. Because of that, Adesh was spending more time than ever with those who truly loved him.
"Uh-huh," Adesh nodded slightly as he walked over to collect his present. He took off the polka-dot wrapping, revealing a orange-coloured diary with his name engraved on the front (orange was Adesh's favourite colour) and a blue pen. "So, now," Janna went on. "Instead of bottling up your thoughts and emotions, you can record them in your own personalised diary,". "Thanks, Janna," Adesh smiled as he shook his sister-in-law's hand. "This is a lovely Christmas gift,". Lastly, it was Malik's turn. With a smile as bright as the shining sun, Janna handed her beloved his Christmas present. Malik tore off the pale blue wrapping paper with red hearts on it, revealing a hand-knitted red and yellow scarf. "I made it myself," Janna smiled as she rose from her chair. Malik was awestruck; his wife had made this beautiful scarf all by herself. He wished he was as talented as her. As the prince examined it, he noticed a heart with an arrow through it monogramed onto it. Inside the heart were Malik and Janna's initials; M + J. Smiling, the prince threw the scarf around his neck and kissed his princess passionately on the lips. "I'll take it that he likes his gift too," Heather uttered, smiling to herself.
"Now, it's our turn," Adesh grinned. "Youngest first; show her what you've got, Heather,". Heather grabbed her present for Janna. who walked over, ruffled Heather's hair and opened her present. Inside the box was a pair of dancing shoes. They were blue with a sapphire on each one. Janna carefully took them out of the box, not wanting to damage them, and placed them on her feet. She gave a little twirl. "How do I look?" she asked. "They look lovely on you," Heather grinned. "That's because they're lovely shoes; I adore them, Heather," Janna stated. "I'm glad; Merry Christmas, Janna," the little princess smiled softly as she held Janna's hand. "I'm next," Adesh said, raising his hand. "But first, we have to go to the ballroom,". Seeing the confused look on Janna's face, Adesh explained "You'll find out why in a minute,".
So, the group left for the ballroom, although Malik slipped away momentarily. The ballroom had been done up for the festive season; there was a Christmas tree in one of the corners, and there was tinsel running up the walls. "Where's Malik?" Janna asked, realising that her husband was nowhere to be seen. "He's on his way, Janna," Adesh assured her, giving Heather a subtle wink. There was a grand piano in the ballroom, and Adesh sat down at it, playing a short tune to make sure it was working. "Testing, testing, one, two, three," he said. "I didn't know you were a musician, Adesh," Janna mused. "Eh, I dabble," the prince shrugged. When he was sure that the piano was working, he whistled. In came a herald with his horn. Giving it an almighty blow, which made Adesh, Heather and Janna cover their ears, he cleared his throat. "Announcing His Highness Prince Adesh's musical back-up!" he bellowed. With that, he sat on the stool next to Adesh. "Now, remember, Mr. Herald," Adesh told him. "First of all, please blow your horn a lot softer than you would if you were making an announcement. Secondly, please don't give any flowery speeches afterwards or I will personally put that horn on your head,". he joked.
A/N: I'd like to thank a good friend of mine for giving me that idea with the horn :D.
"I'm joking, of course," Adesh assured the herald. "In all seriousness though, sir, please don't do anything silly; this is my sister-in-law's Christmas present,". The herald nodded. "So, you've got dancing shoes, you've got dancing music..." Heather stated. "All you need now is a dance," a voice declared. They all turned around to see who said that. Sure enough, it was Malik. He made his way to the centre of the room where Janna was standing, and he handed her a beautiful flower. Blushing, Janna took the flower and put it in her hair. "May I have the honour of dancing with you, my love?" Malik asked politely. "Of course," Janna uttered softly. Heather dimmed the lights to provide a romantic atmosphere for the couple, while Adesh played a lovely piece of music by Mozart on the piano with brass accompaniment from the herald as the couple began to waltz. When the waltz ended, Malik bowed to his wife, and Janna curtsied to he husband. Heather applauded them, visibly delighted for the couple, while Adesh smiled proudly at his brother and sister-in-law. Malik and Janna then shared a deep, loving kiss, their hands intertwining.
Unbeknownst to the group, Hilah had been spying on them, and she had seen Malik and Janna kiss. She remembered the time, two and a half years ago, where she had kissed Malik, which disgusted the prince greatly and caused Janna to run off crying. "What is wrong with me?" she thought as she slumped against a nearby wall. "I've been married to Adesh for a year and a half, but I'm no closer to obtaining revenge on Malik and Janna than I was then,". She gave a heavy sigh. "Maybe revenge isn't the way. Maybe if I just let go of the past, I would feel much better about myself,". She paused. "No, Hilah! Why would you tell yourself such rubbish. They crossed you, and so they must pay for all the pain and agony I've felt since that night at the ball,".
Just then, Queen Mzuri arrived. When she saw the Queen coming, Hilah pretended that nothing was wrong. "Hello, Your Majesty," she curtsied, forcing a smile. "Hello, my dear," Mzuri beamed. "Would you care to join us for the celebrations of Christmas Day?". "I would love to, my lady," Hilah lied. "But I'm not feeling the best today; I couldn't possibly stomach any Christmas dinner,". "Well, maybe you should go to bed and get some rest then,". the Queen suggested as she entered the ballroom. Hilah yawned and thought "That's actually not a bad idea,". However, just as she was about to leave for her bedroom, she overheard the Queen say that she had an announcement to make. Curious, the bitter princess peaked into the ballroom to see what was going on.
"Both my sons are married, now," Mzuri declared. "I've lost both my husbands, and I'm quite frankly worn out. So, I've made the decision to retire,". Now, this came as a massive shock to everyone, even Hilah, who had to cover her mouth to stop herself from being heard. "Malik, my son," Mzuri declared. "You've matured so much over the past five years. I remember how devastated you were when your father had that heart attack and died; I didn't think any of my children would get over it. But you all did. Malik, you proved just how mature you had become on the night of the ball, standing up for what was morally right. From that night onwards, whenever you spoke, you acted, looked and sounded like a true King. Your father would be so proud of you; I know I am. You are ready to follow in your father's footsteps,". She turned to Janna. "And you are ready to follow in mine, my dear. You might not have been born into royalty, but you have shown all the qualities a Queen should have; mercy, a sense of justice and the ability to connect with your subjects. And, much as I love and respect Hilah, I think you will make a much better Queen than she would have been. Next month, you two will be officially crowned King and Queen of the Tree of Life,".
Malik wasn't entirely sure how to respond. It had only been the previous night when he and Janna had been talking about what it would be like for them to take the throne; were they ready yet? However, Malik thought to himself, they would have a whole month before their coronation to prepare themselves, so he was confident that they were ready to rule. "Thank you, Mother," Malik smiled as he hugged the Queen. "Thank you, madam," Janna beamed. Heather and Adesh applauded for the future King and Queen.
Queen Mzuri had unwittingly poured fuel on Hilah's fire. Outside the ballroom, Hilah was insulted by what she had just heard. "Did the Queen really say that a peasant would make a better Queen than me?' she asked herself. As a result of the Queen's announcement, Hilah's desire for revenge reignited as Janna would now serve as a symbol for what she could've been had she married Malik. As Mzuri left the ballroom, she noticed Hilah standing there. "I thought you were not well, Hilah," she questioned. "I'm not, Your Majesty; I've just gotten up to get a glass of water for myself,". "Oh, there's no need for that," the Queen insisted. "You go back to bed, and I'll have one of the servants bring you up a glass of water,". Incredibly, Hilah did go off to bed, and she decided to give tormenting her husband a miss that night.
Hours later, Adesh was in his bedroom, looking out his window, when there was a knock on the door. "Is that you, Hilah?" he sighed. "No, Ad; it's Malik," the voice from the other side declared. "Oh, you can come in, Mal," he said. So, the soon-to-be King came into the prince's bedroom and sat down on one of the chairs. "So, how are you?" Adesh asked his brother. "I'm okay," Malik nodded. "Adesh, if you don't mind me asking, is everything alright? I mean, you've been a bit down in the dumps lately; in fact, I think today was the first time I've seen you smile in at least three months. Tell me if something's not right, yeah?". "Are you advising me as my brother or are you commanding me as my King?" Adesh asked with a smirk on his face. "Well, first of all, I'm not the King yet," Malik explained. "Secondly, even when I do become King, I would never force you to say anything you didn't want to say. All the same, Ad, I think I smell a rat between you and Hilah. If she's been hurting you or upsetting you in any way, I won't tolerate it. No one, and I mean no one, abuses my brother and gets away with it,".
Adesh momentarily considered opening up to his brother about the full extent of Hilah's harsh treatment of him, but he decided against it. Not even Adesh himself knew why he did so. It could have been out of love. It could have been out of fear. It could have even been out of duty since he took the marriage vow he had made to her seriously. "Everything's fine," he stated. "Hilah's just having a spot of bother adjusting to her new home,". "Right," Malik nodded, though something was telling him that Adesh wasn't telling the truth. "Well, if you ever have any problems, I'll always be here for you,". "Thanks, Mal," Adesh smiled, hugging his brother. "By the way," Malik continued. "I have another Christmas present for you,". He handed Adesh a black and white photograph of a baby. "Who do you think that is, Ad?" "Is it me?" Adesh guessed. "Yes," Malik nodded. "You could stick it on the front page of the diary Janna got you,". "That's a good idea, Mal,". Adesh beamed. "I'm going to write my first diary entry now,". "Well, I won't disturb you; I'm think I'm going to turn in myself,". "Sounds good; Merry Christmas, Malik," Adesh smiled. "Merry Christmas, brother," Malik grinned as he left and closed the bedroom door. Before going to sleep, Malik and Janna talked about the day they had and their hopes and expectations of what was to come. Whatever happened, however, they knew that their love and trust for each other would see them through.
To be continued...