Marahan kept her footing as she was hoisted on to Caesar's horse.
The princess wrapped her arms around the Ape king's waist as he led the soldiers back to the hideout. His generals were alert, their steeds tottering quietly through the forest. Only the soft steps of the army could be heard to break the silence of the atmosphere.
Ahead of the apes, the sky light of the morning faded into a somber grey. Light traces of rain sprinkled the bodies of Marahan and the apes.
After what had transpired that day, no one spoke.
There was nothing for anyone to say.
The apes won this day but suffered severe casualties at its finest.
Sixty-three.
The number made Marahan's heartache, she slowly leaned her head against Caesar's back. His dark black and grey hairs were dampened by the rain, but at the moment the princess didn't care.
Sixty-three of their soldiers were lost.
Her mind went back in time to their ambush. If she had acted sooner could that number have lessened?
She couldn't change the past, but from what Spear and Tebe had said. More apes would have perished if not for her actions. Their words brought some relief to a few of her drowning worries, but her sorrow did not ebb. Marahan felt so many emotions.
She missed Blue Eyes and her Uncle Rocket.
She missed being a general.
Marahan missed spending time with her own father and hated that she was too angry to talk to him about why he took away her military status.
Worst of all, the princess hated this war and how their colony was basically forced to fight for their lives to prevent their extinction.
Not able to hold back, Marahan let out a small whimper and allowed her tears to finally fall. Her eyes grew red, and her head began to pound, but it didn't matter. As she cried, Marahan felt Caesar's arm wrapped around her back.
He leaned his head down to nuzzle her head in comfort. The king's-tired eyes understanding the princess's struggles.
He wanted this war to end, which is why Rocket, and his son were sent out.
If the Ape king could not end the war with diplomacy, then migrating was the best option. That way, Caesar could ensure a decent future for his Colony.
"I am proud of you." The king signed to his daughter in law.
"You are not angry with me?" Marahan asked signing in return.
"You saved apes. I was angry that you put yourself in danger." Caesar stated as he to pointed Marahan.
"You are part of apes' future. Must stay alive to lead one day. A leader's actions must never be reckless." The king concluded.
Marahan gave a soft sigh, she had been careless and stubborn. Cornelia told her this multiple times in her lessons, yet the information stuck when Caesar repeated it.
"I own Cornelia, Lake, Lily and Tinker an apology." Marahan muttered.
Setting upright on the horse, she saw their hideout come into view. When the army reached the entrance, Caesar and the generals put the horses in secluded areas in the forest.
The soldiers rushed to the river to wash their wounds before reuniting with their mates. Caesar and Marahan walked up the narrow path leading inside the caves.
The young apes were crowded around the entrance awaiting the return of their fathers and other male relatives.
Many females were among the crowd of ape children, making sure they didn't wander outside the cave. With the war, it still wasn't safe for the young to be outside. Colonel didn't know where their hideout was, but as a precaution females, young and elders were to be kept inside.
It was an adjustment for the young as many were very accustomed to being outside, but they still found ways to entertain themselves inside the hideout.
Marahan always found it adorable when she saw some of the ape children playing leapfrog in the cave tunnels. It was one of the human games Ellie taught her and Ash. She recalled how Ellie taught the pair the game at their campsite.
Learning it was hard for Ash, when the ape discovered that he needed to get behind Marahan. Ash blushed and turned away from the group, Ellie was confused by his reaction until Marahan took Ellie aside and explained that a male ape getting behind a female was part of the Colony's mating rituals.
As soon as she realized the miscommunication, Ellie apologized to Ash and reexplained the game. The male ape felt more comfortable knowing the goal was to jump over the other person. Despite the humorous misunderstanding, Marahan couldn't help but smile fondly at the memory.
She missed Ash so much and it still hurt her to know how his life was senselessly taken by Koba's hatred.
The princess took a calming breath reminding herself that the tyrant was dead and couldn't cause anymore harm to their Colony.
Unfortunately, the traitors still needed to be dealt with, but there was nothing the apes could do to punish them when those apes were under their enemy's control.
These lingering thoughts acted as a valid distraction as Marahan, and Caesar entered the royal chamber.
The rushing of the falls was the first sound that met her ears and she bowed low in front of Cornelia. She was in the large nest with Cornelius motionless in her lap.
Her head was decorated with a crown of leaves and small shells. The queen's lips were held in a firm frown as Caesar took his place beside her in the nest.
Marahan was on her knees, holding her head to the ground not meeting Cornelia's gaze.
"I am the one who planned to ambush our enemies. I couldn't stand being hidden away, while the males of our Colony risk their lives." Involving Lake and Lily was my mistake and I take full responbility for putting their lives in danger. My decision to involve them doesn't befit a future queen." Marahan moved her head from the floor with a stern look.
She made sure her golden eyes were aligned with Cornelia's.
"I will not apologize for not interfering as my presence in the war today has prevented many more deaths." Marahan concluded awaiting her mother-in-law's response.
The Ape Queen moved to her lap carefully resting her youngest son in his father's lap. The ape child did not stir instead cuddled into his father's abdomen. Cornelia motioned Marahan to sit beside her in the nest. When she did, the Ape Queen help the woman close, nuzzling into her hair before facing the princess.
"I understand why you did it, but it was how you chose to do it. I am disappointed that you lied to Tinker and I. Putting yourselves in danger was not wise." Cornelia said as her right hand gently rubbed the long curls in the princess's hair. The left hand held some moss soaked in rainwater.
The queen carefully rubbed the red paint from Marahan's face.
"What if something had gone wrong and you were captured or wounded? These are things you must think about before executing an ambush, but I agree with Caesar that you did save more lives today." Marahan smiled as Cornelia resumed cleaning her face of the red paint.
When the red was gone from her face, the queen squeezed out the moss in the falls and set it on the side of the nest before taking a breath.
"Since you did lie about your whereabouts and actions. There is a consequence. From now on, you must stay in the hideout. There will be more guards stationed at the entrance as a precaution. You will resume your lessons with me and Tinker, in addition you will also spend time watching over the young ones with Lake and Lily. Your general status will not be restored, but when a war meeting occurs, you are allowed to attend and help with planning with council. No fighting."
Marahan sighed understanding, at least she will be able to help in another way with the war.
She bowed her head to the king and queen, before leaving the nest for her alcove.
It was a small space, she and Blue Eyes used as storage, but Marahan still enjoying going there from time to time.
Exhausted, she collapsed on the medium sized nest of banana leaves and deer pelts.
Her punishment could have been worst, but she was grateful her mother-in-law was merciful.
"Marahan are you there?"
The princess sat upright as Lake entered the tent.
From the look of hair, the female ape had been outside either tending to the wounded or gathering herbs with Tinker. Lake shook herself allowing some droplets to hit Marahan. The woman didn't mind and made room for Lake to sit with her in the nest.
"So was Tinker merciful?" Marahan asked in a teasing manner as Lake playfully swatted at her arm.
"I am to bandage the wounded every day and be on babysitting duty with the children for the next year, thanks to your highness." Lake muttered a hint of bitterness under her tone.
"Then we have the same punishment. I am trapped here like a sardine again. I must watch over the young, resume my lessons and to add insult to injure they doubled the guard to make sure their princess doesn't leave, along with an incentive." Marahan said looking to Lake who was listening attentively.
"They are allowing me to help plan any attacks against the Colonel's soldiers, otherwise no more fighting." Marahan said still accepting everything that was happening.
"At least you will be safe. I agree with Cornelia not fighting is best. Besides when Rocket and Blue Eyes return, we will all leave for a new place. Then, in our new home you can fight to your hearts content." Lake said hearing the frustrated groan coming from the woman's lips.
"Lake, you don't get it. I have been trained to fight since I was young. If someone threatens the Colony, I was part of the first line of defense. I feel as if my wings have been cut and I am stuck in a gilded cage." Marahan said allowing her body to fall into the nest.
She was right.
Lake could never understand how not fighting in the war affected her.
She was an ordinary female chimpanzee trained to be a healer. Lake knew nearly every herb and how to use each in a different method to cure extensive injuries.
Marahan was skilled in various combat maneuvers and could command respect from their soldiers by just showing her strength. They were vastly different creatures but remained close despite it all.
Lake could only imagine the stress weighing on the princess's shoulders, the reason she became her lady in waiting to ease that burden. Lake looked over at Marahan and patted her arm.
"I may not understand, but I am here for you." Lake signed earning a satisfied sigh from Marahan as she rolled to face her friend.
"Lily probably won't be joining us. Winter was attacked by one of the traitors we had in our custody." Marahan uttered in a somber tone.
Winter was Luca's apprentice and second in command.
He was a target of ridicule because of his snow-white hair by the other members of the gorilla guard. Even with the mock and scorn, he still caught Lily's attention.
Their relationship although not perfect, was loving.
When the war started, Winter's anxiety and insecurity increased. His mate bearing the burden of helping him overcome his trauma. As days turned to weeks, Winter's conduct worsened to extreme levels of paranoia. Healers tried everything they could for Winter, but there was only so much the females could do to help.
"Is Winter with her now?" Lake asked a hint of worry in the way she signed.
"Yes, but I would leave the pair be. Winter has endured enough for today. Its best if he is surrounded by his family." Marahan replied recalling how unnerved Winter became as they reached the Colony.
Upon seeing his blooded body, Lily rushed to her mate only to be pushed away.
A growl of irritation escaped Winter's mouth before giving Lily a remorseful look. She replied with a soft press of her hand to his shoulder as Winter was escorted to the healers' alcove.
Marahan hoped Winter would recuperate once he was far from the battlefront.
"Marahan someone is here." The princess sat up at the sound of her lady in waiting's voice. Lake was already up, her eyes glued to the entrance.
A tap of a spear was heard from behind her curtain of sewn leaves.
A large gorilla's hand carefully moved the curtain and kneeled before Marahan and Lake.
"The Colony is gathering for the evening meal. I was sent by Caesar to inform and escort you." He said looking toward the females.
Marahan wasn't pleased with being escorted to dinner, but figured it was part of her punishment and stood along with Lake. "Thank you, Vine. Lead the way." Marahan said leaning close to Lake as they walked into the tunnels.
"Will you be eating with us?" she asked her lady in waiting. "My mother is expecting me to take food to my father. He is on guard for tonight." Lake replied wrapped an arm around Marahan, bringing the woman in for a squeeze.
"I will make it up to you!" Lake shouted as the human woman watched the female chimpanzee walk to her mother, Sepia.
The older female ushered her daughter to a spot away from the crowd of apes.
Marahan at the entrance looked around, similar to the royal chamber; this one had a waterfall view.
The area was enormous, large enough for every ape in the Colony to fit in it.
Caesar named the area the Regale Chamber.
The cave was used for dining, meetings and in case of emergencies a safe dwelling for the children. The space made it easier for apes to split into family groups to eat their meals similar to how they did at their previous home.
Normally, Marahan felt comfortable in this chamber, but right now it was awkward with the apes kneeling and holding out their hands as she strolled. The woman was accustomed to the attention, but at the evening meal it was unnecessary.
Vine led the way until they were in the middle of the chamber where the king, queen and the council were seated for their meals.
Their attention moved to Marahan as she bowed her head.
Taking a seat between Queen Cornelia and General Luca.
Next to Luca, was Rocket's mate and Head of the Healers, Tinker.
Then, seated next to her was Marahan's father and the General of the Orangutan Army, Maurice.
The human woman did her best not to make eye contact with the orangutan.
Closing her eyes, she evened out her breathing as her meal was handed to her.
Tonight's dish was buffalo meat served with smashed yams and banana fruit paste served on tree bark. Marahan licked her lips diving into the meal.
Buffalo meat was her favorite, but it was hard to come by.
The princess hadn't tasted the meat since she was seven.
It was a harsh winter and food was limited.
In order to ration food, the Colony was forced to eat one meal a day.
The lack of meat also meant less fur for Marahan to cover herself.
Often, she would huddle into her father's orange hair to keep herself warm. Lake and Ash grew sick, forcing the young ones to be moved to the Healer's hut.
The apes' survival seemed bleak until by some miracle an enormous herd of Buffalo wandered into the forest preserve. The apes wasted no time hunting the beast, it was because of these noble creatures that the apes managed to survive.
"Delicious! Did more buffalo make their way here after all these years?" Marahan asked.
"Maurice and the hunters came across the beast a few blocks into the city limits." Tinker replied tasting her fruit paste.
"It was a blessing. According to Maurice, there was a herd of ten." Cornelia added feeding a portion of her dish to Cornelius.
Marahan allowed herself to look at Maurice.
The old orangutan knew this was her favorite meal, was he trying to get back in her good graces?
"Thank you, father." Marahan signed out of respect, before devouring the rest of her meat. The woman felt some relief that she was able to say something to her father but was unwilling to say more.
She was still hurt that her own father helped to take away her status as a general.
The betrayal hurt worse than Marahan could imagine. She looked once again at Maurice, the memories and pain flooding back.
"Marahan why don't we switch seats. I am sure you want to talk with your father." Tinker said attempting to lighten the mood. "I am sure you two-."
"Tinker!" Cornelia said glaring at her friend, then turning to Marahan who at this point had set her empty bark on the ground.
"Thank you, Aunt Tinker, but suddenly I have lost my appetite." Marahan said standing and wishing her family a good night. She wandered slowly out of the chamber.
As soon as she was in the tunnels, the princess ran to the royal nest. Marahan threw herself onto the soft nest, allowing her tears to shed.
She had enough for one night.