Chapter 15: Coronation

"There is much to be said about Bashasha," Mohatu bellowed from the promontory to the small pride below, "she was a wonderful, loyal friend, and could always be counted on when you needed her most." A few mutters of agreement rose from the five lionesses below. Mohatu continued. "I know full-well that I haven't known her for nearly as long as any of you, so I--by likely hood--don't know as much about her. But over the past weeks, I've gotten to know what a great and honorable lioness Bashasha was. She rescued me from death when I first arrived. She nursed me back to health. She assisted me whenever she could, and she allowed me to confide in her. Shortly before her death, we had a...disagreement. But she appeared in my hour of need and fought to her very death, and helped her pride sisters to achieve what they have been aspiring for and praying for for months and months--freedom."

Bowing their heads respectfully, the lionesses took a moment of silence to remember the life of their departed friend. Mohatu sighed deeply, shut his eyes, and bowed his head. He silently thanked Bashasha for all she had given to him. "I would have been lost without you, Bashasha," he murmured. He then looked up, and the lionesses below did the same. "May the gods rest her soul," he announced.

The lionesses nodded, and spoke amongst themselves in agreement. Suddenly, a familiar voice came from somewhere behind the crowd. "Escuse me," the deep voice said politely, "pardon me, ma'am."

Mohatu's ears pinned, and he leaned over the edge to see who it was. The lionesses stepped aside, allowing the newcomers to pass. It was Mtundu! Overwhelmed, Mohatu broke into a smile, and disappeared from the ledge of the promontory. He nearly stumbled as he scurried down the side of the rock toward his brother. "Mtundu!" he called. After finally descending the slope, he ran to his brother and embraced him. Burying his face in Mtundu's mane, he began to weep a bit. "My brother, I've missed you!" he whispered.

Mtundu smiled and tried to hide his face as a tear of joy slid down his cheek. "I've missed you, too," he replied. Mtundu and Mohatu pulled away from eachother. Mtundu looked Mohatu over a bit and noted the many scratches and bits of matted, bloody fur on his brother's wet body. "My my," he awed, "someone got into quite a scrape."

Mohatu groaned, remembering all he had put his body through during his stay in the Wastelands. "Only one of many," he sighed. "You have no idea what I've been through."

Mtundu raised his eyebrows in a mix of concern and intrigue. "Care to share?"

After giving this some thought, Mohatu shook his head. It wouldn't be right to ruin such a joyous moment by telling Mtundu everything that had happened. Besides, the long battle was over, and he wasn't ready to relive it yet. "Maybe some other time," he replied.

Then, Mohatu's heart jumped into his throat as a golden lioness approached the two. Her deep amber eyes looked at him, and instantly filled with tears. "Mohatu," she whispered.

"Mzungu!" Mohatu exclaimed with cublike enthusiasm. He sprang forth and fell into her, nuzzling her longingly. Love, joy and pent-up longing surged through his body. He was finally reunited with his true love. Ever since his first conscious night in these new lands, he had wanted her to be there with him. To comfort him and protect him, like she had done so many times in the past. And now she was. "You're certainly a sight for sore eyes," he purred contently.

Mtundu sat back and smiled in spite of himself. "She refused to stay home," he told Mohatu, "so I had to put up with her the whole way here."

Mzungu, ignoring Mtundu's comment, buried her face in Mohatu's mane and breathed in its masculine, gentle aroma. A purr found its way past the lump in her throat. "Mohatu," she whispered, her voice trembling, "I haven't seen you for so long. I was afraid you weren't going to come back." She looked Mohatu in the eye as tears streamed down her face.

Compassion welling up inside him, Mohatu leaned forth and began to gently lick the tears off the face of his beloved. "I'll never leave you again," he vowed softly.

"Mohatu?" a voice inquired.

Mohatu, Mzungu and Mtundu looked to see a group of about seven lionesses, one of which was Utisho, who was the one who had spoken. Mtundu scanned the crowd, then looked back at Mohatu. "Friends of yours?" he asked.

Looking at the lionesses, Mohatu couldn't help but smile. "Yes, as a matter of fact," he replied, walking over to the lionesses, "these lionesses helped me to weather the worst and roughest journey I have ever--and will ever--have." One by one, the faces of the lionesses lighted up with brilliant and admiring smiles. "But the greatest friend I have made here isn't among this group," Mohatu continued, his face growing solemn. "She perished in the act of saving my life."

The lionesses bowed their heads a bit, in respect for the deceased. At that moment, Mohatu realized that Mtundu wouldn't be the only one prompting introductions. There was no doubt in his mind that the lionesses would request information on how Mohatu knew these two strange new-comers. And he knew that this time, he couldn't lie. It was time to bring everything out in the open, like he should have done in the first place. He sighed. He had no idea how either party would react to his news, but all he could do was hope for the best. He knew that this was the right thing to do.

With a swift leap, Mohatu jumped onto one of the many rocks that led up the slope to the pridal cavern. Regally, he perched himself on the rock. "Everyone," he announced, "I have something to tell you."

The lionesses lifted their heads and shifted their attention to Mohatu, as did Mtundu and Mzungu. Taking a deep breath, Mohatu boldly proceded. "I haven't been entirely truthful with you," he said to the pride, "I am not a rogue." A few whispers and shocked looks sprung up from the lionesses. Mohatu motioned toward Mtundu and Mzungu. "That is my family. Mtundu--my brother--the king of the yonder Misty Lands, and Mzungu, my beloved." He paused, and let the lionesses absorb all the information he gave them. With another deep breath to settle his nerves, he continued. "Years ago, we banished my father--and your former king--Onevu from the Misty Lands. Mtundu was next in line by birthright, but decided to share his kingdom with me. Everything went well, until recently, when we noticed that some of the lionesses from this pride were hunting in our lands. Our only idea to what was causing these intrusions was famine. Mtundu then sent me here to summon a shaman, and end the famine so there would be no more intruders."

After finishing his story, Mohatu examined the lionesses. All of their eyes were downcast, as if deep in thought. Now they knew that he had been lying to them the whole time he had been here. Even though he had put king Onevu to justice only moments ago, that brave act could be nullified by his dishonesty. He gave a pained sigh. "I have accomplished what I set out to do," he said, watching as the rain continued to pour down, "with the help of shamans Hekima and Rafiki, I have brought rain. Rain will bring vegetation, which will in turn bring game back to your lands. After a week or so, you will hunger no more." All the lionesses looked back up at him and watched him intently as he spoke. "I realize that you are all probably disappointed by my dishonesty, and your feelings are justified. If you wish for me to leave, I will be on my way."

Everything went silent. All that could be heard was the steady pattering of the rain upon the ground, and thunder rumbling in the distant skies. Mohatu watched the pride, patiently awaiting a response.

Suddenly, from the back of the crowd, the voice of Utisho shouted, "Hail King Mohatu!"

Mohatu's ears perked as he looked at Utisho, his facial expression shocked and questioning. Utisho just smiled to him and bowed. The other lionesses all watched Utisho's act, then turned to Mohatu. One by one, a smile found its way onto each of their faces. They all bowed. Mohatu stared in awe, overcome by the scene. He then turned to Hekima and Rafiki who were standing away from the pride of lionesses. They both placed a hand over their heart and bowed.

Just then, the clouds parted a bit, and a beam of sunlight decended upon Mohatu. He blinked a bit as the bright rays flooded into his eyes. A tear of joy ran down his cheek, and he smiled at the sky, knowing that his mother had been watching the whole thing.