Author's notes: Well, once again I'm late with the chapter. I apologize but this one was very difficult to write. But I'm very grateful to see I've still got some of my old reviewers! That was a big worry of mine. Now let's just hope I can keep your interest. Here's the character list again.
Simba – Adult male lion, King of the Pride Lands
Nala – Adult lioness, Queen of the Pride Lands, wife of Simba
Kiara – Adult lioness, Princess of the Pride Lands, hunting party leader
Kovu – Adult lion, Prince Regent of the Pride Lands, husband of Kiara
Vitani – Adult lioness, half-sister of Kovu
Amaryllis – Adult lioness, foster mother of Amabi, former loner, wanderer, former loner
Nadhari – Adult lioness, mother of Alyssa and Kelt
Sharhal – Adult lioness, a member of Kiara's hunting party
Aetti – Adult lioness, a member of Kiara's hunting party
Tumai – Adult male lion, competitive, aggressive, mocking
Juvi – Adult male lion, quiet, thoughtful young male
Salama – Adult male lion, old and wise but not as wise as he thinks, condescending
Lokanneoro – Adult male lion, Tenzer's father, veteran survivor, powerful
Maradi – Adult male lion, attractive and pleased with his appearance
Haya – Adult male lion, young, curious about the world
Tenzer – Half grown male lion, loner, quiet character but gentle with cubs
Ryana – Half-grown lioness, talkative and besotted with Tenzer
Amabi – Male lion cub, adopted son of Amaryllis, cheeky, inquisitive cub
Alyssa – Lioness cub, daughter of Nadhari, more reserved and careful cub
Kelt – Male lion cub, son of Nadhari, slightly insecure cub
Zazu – Adult hornbill, Simba's majordomo
Timon – Adult meerkat, Simba's friend
Pumbaa – Adult warthog, Simba's friend
Rafiki – Adult baboon- Simba's friend, shaman and advisor
Shenzi – Adult female hyena, leader of Graveyard Clan
Banzai – Adult male hyena, leader of Graveyard Clan
Ed – Adult male hyena, leader of Graveyard Clan
Ridikill – Adult male hyena, hunting pack leader, extremely aggressive and antisocial
Burudi – Adult male hyena, scarred face, Ridikill's 'lieutenant', less vicious, member of Ridikill's pack
Groco – Adult male hyena, weakling, low-ranking scout trying to improve his social standing, member of Ridikill's pack
Agiza – Adult female hyena, hunting pack leader, one of Shenzi's favoured, high-ranking
Sarkil – Adult female hyena, sarcastic huntress, member of Ridikill's hunting pack
Kapungu – Adult male hyena, fearsome hunter with a lust for blood, member of Ridikill's pack
Babaka – Adult male hyena, always hungry, member of Ridikill's pack
Shungi – Adult female hyena, rookie leader of small hunting pack
Cauron – Adult female hyena, currently heavily pregnant
Mali – Adult male leopard
Mamacala – Adult male crocodile
The leader of the lions stared at the leader of the hyenas, and vice versa. Simba tilted his head slightly and growled audibly, "How do I know this isn't a trick?"
Shenzi shrugged, "You don't, I guess. Although you can take it from the surprise of my associates that it's for real".
"Your friend could be a very fine actor", Simba nodded in the direction of Banzai.
"Trust me, he's not a 'very fine' anything".
The lion looked the male hyena over once, "Point taken".
"Hey!" Banzai objected.
"Enough of this garbage!" Vitani snapped from within the crowd of still-speechless lions, speaking for many of them, "Find out what they want".
"Oh, yes, um…", Simba cleared his throat, "Why do you seek to open negotiations with us?"
"Not so fast", Shenzi leered, "We should introduce ourselves. You are…?"
"You know perfectly well who he is", Kovu barked.
The lions were beginning to overcome their shock and it was fast turning into anger. Who were these bandits and marauders to think they could hold an audience with the rulers of the Pride Lands and talk to the King in such tones?
The hyenas too were rousing: what was their leader doing? They'd all expected to fight a fearsome battle here today, but their own leader had lied to them: apparently she had marched them all out here under horrific conditions just because she wanted to chat and act big in front of their enemy. But many, particularly 'the weaklings' were relieved and threw themselves to the floor and lay there panting and gasping.
"I am Simba, King of Pride Rock and the Pride Lands", Simba said, calmly complying with the hyena's wishes and ignoring the dissention from both sides, "I can speak for the lions of the Pride Lands. And you are…?"
"I'm Shenzi, and this is Banzai, and this is Ed", she nodded at her two companions: Ed snapped into a mock salute, tongue sticking out from between two teeth. After a moment he collapsed in a fit of giggles.
"Come on Simba honey", Shenzi crooned, paying no heed to the indignant rumblings from the lions, "Surely you remember me?" she reared up and assumed her most impressive pose; neck stretching up, head facing forward, chest puffed out.
"Remember you?" Simba looked nonplussed, "Why, have we met before?"
Shenzi's composure wavered, but she managed to pull it together, "You kid. The three of us were the ones who ambushed ya in the Graveyard when you were just a cub. Remember?"
He nodded, "Yeah, of course. Well, I remember you two", he pointed to Ed and Banzai with his paw, "But I'm having trouble recalling you. You must just have a very forgettable face".
Unexpectedly to most of the lions the hyena clan erupted in sniggering and hooting: they quickly forgot tension when a joke was cracked, even at the expense of their leader. Banzai in particular was amused by the way Shenzi's cocky air completely vanished and her face contorted into an angry snarl in an attempt to hide her embarrassment.
"They're weird", Aetti whispered to Amaryllis as they watched the hyenas roar with laughter.
Simba inclined his head towards Nala and winked: as she'd expected Simba hadn't really forgotten who Shenzi was, he'd just been turning the hyena's ego against her to knock her down a few pegs.
Shenzi, lips curled back, teeth bared and eyes narrowed, took a few deep breaths. She knew perfectly well what Simba was playing at by pretending not to remember her; but she was in control of this situation. She wasn't about to let the lion get the better of her: the negotiations depended on her ability to trade witticisms with him. So after a few deep shuddering exhales she relaxed and forced a casual smile.
"Alright, knock it off guys, you've had your fun", she said to the clan before turning back to Simba, "Funny. You got a sense of humour. I like that in a guy".
Nala glared viciously at her; Shenzi picked up on it and all of a sudden she had her chink in Simba's armour.
She took a few meek steps towards the King, swaying her hips deliberately to overemphasize her physique, "Who'd have thought it; humour in a lion, and the King nonetheless? You sure do have it all; a sense of humour, authority, charm, not to mention good looks. You're quite a catch, sugar".
Without thinking Nala leapt forward and planted herself between Shenzi and Simba, "What is this: I thought you said you were here to negotiate, not flirt!" she snarled jealously.
The hyenas instantly burst into another fit of laughter, enjoying Nala's discomfort, but they weren't the only ones: several of the lions sniggered as well, although they were shortly silenced by warning glances from their comrades.
On Amaryllis' left side was Maradi. He was chuckling quietly, his shoulders heaving as he tried to stop himself from exploding into laughter. Amaryllis brutally elbowed him in the ribs and with a yelp he settled back down.
Nala stood there, staring daggers at Shenzi, still in an aggressive crouched position. She realized how ridiculous she looked, how easily she had been baited by the hyena bitch; to actually think she was really trying to flirt with her husband? The hyena grinned at her and winked. Fuming but defeated and ashamed Nala slunk back to sit behind Simba, who had sat watching the events utterly perplexed.
When the last snorts of laughter had died down form both sides, Shenzi reassumed her cocky stance, pleased with how she'd managed to make the King and Queen look foolish. She could sense the growing confidence in her from her followers, including the disillusioned Banzai, which relieved her.
"Anyway, we got things to discuss. You wanna know what we're here to negotiate for? That's simple. We want rights to hunt on the Pride Lands".
An uproar rose from the lions: snarling, spitting, growling and muffled roars. Several of the bolder individuals even took steps towards the hyenas. For hyenas to be allowed to hunt on the Pride Lands was an unimaginable crime against the laws of nature to them. The mere suggestion of it was enough to send most of them into a rage.
Simba had expected the answer, and he nodded gravely, "I thought as much. Well, we'll see what you have to say. I assume you three speak for the entire clan?"
Shenzi nodded, "Yup, we're the clan leaders. The rest of 'em follow us".
"No we do not!" a voice roared.
Everyone fell silent and turned to look at its source. Ridikill the hyena was standing apart from the clan, with his legs far apart in a tensed stance, his mane bristling, his teeth bared, his eyes blazing.
From within the crowd of lions Amaryllis craned her neck to get a good look at the hyena. It looked like the one she'd ran into twice: the one who'd called himself by the unflattering name of 'Ridikill'. She squinted her eyes. Was it him?
Shenzi looked at the rebellious male, "What do you mean, 'we do not'?" she demanded to know.
"You heard me!" he marched towards her, shouting, "You…you…what do you think you're playing at?! You drag us out here to talk! What kind of leader are you?!"
"She's the kinda leader whose orders you follow, pal", Banzai reminded, walking towards him to intercept him.
Ridikill didn't even look at him but stormed straight past him, bumping him with his shoulder as he advanced, "I don't take orders from you! Not any more!" he snarled at Shenzi, "None of us need to! I came here to fight, not talk! How dare you lie to us?"
"You know, if you actually think about it, I never once said we were going to fight anyone", Shenzi replied smoothly, "I just said to rally everyone. I didn't say what we were marching here for".
"You knew what you were doing!" Ridikill was so furious now that he was spitting as he spoke, "You take the coward's way out if you like! But I'm gonna make mincemeat of every lion here, by myself I have to!"
The bewildered lions watching the exchange began to tense up, getting ready to kill the insolent hyena if he attacked.
Ridikill shoved his face into Shenzi's, "You weakling! It's about time someone replaced you!"
"Like who?" Shenzi replied, seemingly undisturbed, "You, Ridikill?"
At the mention of the hyena's name Amaryllis' suspicions were confirmed. She was finding this little confrontation very interesting: it looked to her like Ridikill was an exceptionally aggressive individual anyway, and wasn't a fair representative of his species. That actually soothed her nerves somewhat.
"Yes, me, Shenzi!" Ridikill snapped.
Banzai laughed, "Who'd ever follow you? You're hated in this clan. It's only 'cos you're a decent hunter we let you keep your high rank".
Ridikill span about to face him, "Hatred leads to fear, and fear is the keystone of all good leadership! And it's something you three goons lack these days! I'll restore respect to this miserable clan, starting by winning this battle!" he looked over his shoulder and bellowed, "Hyenas, attack!"
With that he charged at top speed towards the waiting throng of lions without the slightest hint of hesitation or fear. Not a single hyena followed him. He didn't seem to notice.
Shenzi glowered. Such disobedience made her leadership look weak, and weakness was something she couldn't afford to show now, in front of her adversaries. She turned to Ed.
"Ed, stop him".
Instantly Ed galloped after Ridikill. Before the upstart could reach the waiting lion ranks the grizzled clan leader was on him.
Ridikill was strong and battle fury was on him. He whirled about to face his pursuer and snapped his jaws. However Ed was unperturbed by his opponent's savagery and bowled into him with his superior strength, tackling him to the floor. Their was a brief exchanged of kicking, gnashing teeth and writhing bodies, but after a few seconds it ended with Ed gripping Ridikill's neck in his jaws and pinning him down with his forelegs.
Ridikill struggled and twisted, foaming at the mouth, "Garn…let go of me you fool!"
Ed dragged him to one side, ignoring the struggling chief's protests, and resumed pinning him. Shenzi nodded her thanks to Ed. He somehow managed to grin despite gripping Ridikill's neck in his teeth.
Kovu laughed suddenly, "It would seem your leadership isn't all you say it is, hyena".
Shenzi cleared her throat, "I assure you the views of this…individual don't reflect those of the rest of the clan, and certainly not the leadership".
Simba shook his head, "I'm not convinced, and until I am I'm not about to open negotiations with you".
"You don't need to open negotiations with them at all", Tumai pointed out, "Why are we wasting our time talking to these ill-bred freaks?"
"I have to say I agree with that on principal", Zazu snorted, lighting on Simba's shoulder, "However, royal protocol does demand the King listen to all foreign dignitaries, ambassadors and negotiators".
"Forget the royal protocols! They deserve a taste of what they did to Ryana!" Tumai snapped.
There was a general growl of agreement from the lions.
"And you deserve a taste of what you did to my brother Vidiku and the other ten you killed!" Shungi the female hyena shrieked.
The hyena crowd whooped in approval.
"Woah, woah, everyone calm down", Shenzi reasoned, "Let's just give this a chance, yeah? Don't kill it before it gets started!"
Simba raised a paw to restrain his restless pride, "Listen to what she says, guys. But at any rate, Missus Shenzi, I'm still not convinced the views of your follower", he gestured at the still-struggling Ridikill, "Are not representative of a significant portion of your clan".
"Well…uh…they're just…not", Shenzi was unprepared for such a scenario: she didn't expect to have to prove the intentions of her entire clan, especially since she wasn't even convinced of them herself.
Simba raised one eyebrow, "I have only your word on that".
"I can vouch for this".
Two hundred faces turned to look at the speaker. Amaryllis stood meekly at the front of the lion ranks.
"Huh? You can?" Banzai wondered.
"You, Amaryllis? How?" Simba asked.
The lioness cleared her throat and spoke up, "I've come across the hyena called 'Ridikill' recently".
"You…" an unearthly snarl came from Ridikill as he managed to wriggle his head so he could look up and see Amaryllis.
"I've spoken to him and he told me himself that he was considered an overly-aggressive outsider", Amaryllis continued, "An antisocial thug, from my own observations. I think it's fair to take their word in this matter".
Simba looked at her, then nodded, "Alright, I think that's fair evidence. Thank you Amaryllis".
Amaryllis nodded and stepped back into the crowd. Why had she done that? Helped out the hyenas? It wasn't like she wanted them in the Pride Lands. That was the last thing she wanted, what with young Amabi to raise. She didn't share such a passionate hatred for hyenas as most of her pride, but she was certainly not overly-fond of them.
She could see out of the corner of her eyes several of the other lions glowering at her. What was she playing at, helping along the negotiations? She looked to Vitani, but only received a particularly hurtful glare. So she'd alienated her best friend too. Great.
She could also notice many of the hyenas, including the three leaders, looking at her quizzically. How did she know Ridikill? And what's more, why would she be inclined to engage in a conversation with such an aggressive animal?
But as she glanced at the hunting chieftain writing on the floor beneath his leader, she felt the unmistakable pang of…pity.
Suddenly Ridikill surged to his feet, wrenching away from a surprised Ed and he turned to face him, Shenzi and Banzai, "Bah! Fine, proceed with your pathetic negotiations! But words are a waste of time when we could be fighting and winning! Winning through strength! Strength is all that matters. Everything else is just a delusion for the weak".
"Everything except fighting is a delusion for the weak? Oh my, what a misguided creature you are!"
Everybody's attention was once again drawn to one voice: however nobody knew where the strange voice had come from. Everyone looked back and forth, trying to identify the speaker. At last a shape dropped from the trees and landed in front of Simba.
"Rafiki!" the King exclaimed, "I thought you'd left the Pride Lands by now!"
"Oh, not yet, but soon enough. But this occasion was far too interesting to pass up! Lions and hyenas: sitting down and talking like civilised creatures! As if they can stand each other's presence! Hoo-hahahaha, this is worth witnessing!"
"Hey, whose the monkey and what the heck's he doing here?" Banzai wanted to know, speaking for the rest of his clan.
"Uh…good question", Nala muttered, still taken aback at the baboon's sudden appearance, "He's…a friend of the family. How long have you been listening Rafiki?"
Rafiki hopped over towards the hyenas without a hint of fear, "Long enough. Pleased to meet you madam", he took a surprised Shenzi by the paw and shook it.
Banzai turned to Shenzi, "Alright, what's the deal? Now we're negotiating with a monkey?"
"Hey, don't look at me! How was I supposed to know?" she looked at Simba, "Can't you make this…thing go away?" Rafiki was still warmly shaking her paw with his wizened hand. She snatched her paw away and looked at him ruefully.
"Oh now, don't be so grumpy", the baboon pinched her cheek like she was a naughty child, ignoring her indignant growl.
Ridikill snorted, "Well, you look quite the fool now don't you o great and cunning leader, eh?" he threw his head back and laughed.
Rafiki bounded over towards him, surprising him, "Ah yes, you. You're an odd one aren't you?"
"Me, odd? Looks whose talking!" Ridikill chuckled, pleased with himself: his loss of dignity during his struggle with Ed had made him eager to regain respect by kicking down others.
Rafiki grinned, "That was quite an interesting little philosophy you spouted back there".
"What, you mean, about strength being the only thing that matters?"
"Yes. And 'everything else is'….?"
"Just a delusion for the weak".
"I see, I see", Rafiki stroked his beard and nodded slowly, eyes closed, completely at ease despite being positioned next to one hundred and fifty hyenas who would gladly eat him at a moment's notice, given the chance.
At last he opened his eyes and peered at Ridikill, "I recognize the 'wisdom' of Mamacala in your words".
"What?!" Ridikill's jaw hung open, "Mamacal…how…how do you know about Mamacala?!"
Rafiki chortled and trotted away, "I'd wager five hundred gourds I know Mamacala better than you".
All the other hyenas and lions watched this exchange in utter confusion. Ridikill's lieutenant Burudi frowned. Who or what was 'Mamacala'? He knew Ridikill better than anyone else in the clan and he'd never heard Ridikill mention 'Mamacala'.
"Mamacala?" Simba wondered, "Zazu, isn't he the representative of the crocodiles in the Pride Lands?"
"Yes sire, he is", the hornbill confirmed.
"How come I've never heard of him before?" Kiara asked.
"Because he rarely, if ever, attends meetings", Zazu explained, "Keeps himself to himself. A little strange, they say, but nothing wrong with him, per se. He always says he's just too tired to walk to the meetings, and he's not required to turn up more than twice a year anyway".
"'Nothing wrong with him?'" Rafiki shook his head, "There's much wrong about Mamacala. His words are like poison, his mind a storm of hate and his presence a dirge to his victims. Great evil lurks in Mamacala's soul".
Ridikill grunted dismissively, "Nonsense".
Rafiki's eyes closed as if he was in deep thought, "We will see. You may live to regret your loyalty to him. Then again, you might not realize that until it is too late. All Mamacala needs is one second for you to drop your guard and snap!" the baboon clapped his hands together close to the hyena's nose.
Ridikill started, surprised, then regained himself, "Don't you play games with me, old man! Grrrargh!" he hurled himself at the monkey, teeth bared before any had a chance to cry out to warn Rafiki.
But the baboon was not there when Ridikill pounced. He was standing behind the hyena, walking nonchalantly away.
"Grr…how did you do that?!" the furious chieftain demanded.
"Oh, come now, you're losing your temper. Is that what Mamacala would want? I'm sure he's always told you to keep your emotions in check".
Ridikill was breathing hard. The baboon was infuriating. How did he know Mamacala and seem to know the details of the crocodile's tutelage?
"Anyway, enough about old Mamacala. Forgive the interruption", he bowed low to the bemused hyena leader trio, "Please, continue with the negotiations".
In the crocodile-infested waterhole not far away from the tenuous negotiations a strange shape scythed through the water. It was large, sinuous and scaly, but it was no crocodile. The dimmed sunlight revealed the shape of a massive snake wallowing in the scummy water.
Few snakes would dare swim so boldly in the presence of so many crocs; however this snake enjoyed special protection: to attack it was to invoke the wrath of Mamacala. So the lesser crocodiles grudgingly drifted out of the way of the giant serpent.
The sunlight broke through the canopy of nearby acacia trees for a moment and bathed the waterhole in light. The snake reared up the front third of its length and for a moment it presented a ghoulish image – towering over the pool, swathed in red light, forked tongue flicking out, emotionless eyes staring out. The rock python was a magnificent specimen of his kind, over twenty feet long and very thick in diameter. The golden scales were dappled with dark brown and black patterns, and the broad head vibrantly marked. He was at once terrible and beautiful to look at.
To add to the eerie scene the ancient crocodile Mamacala suddenly surfaced in front of the snake, little streams of water running from his armoured back. The pair floated on the surface, looking at each other.
The crocodile didn't move, "Well?"
The python spoke in a raspy, dry voice, "Lord Mamacala. I bring you news".
"Good Kachero. You've been prompt as usual. Proceed".
"The lion and hyena armies have met, but as you predicted they're engaged in diplomacy. There's evidence the hyenas are actually trying to contain violence".
Mamacala chuckled, "Ridikill must be vomiting in disgust".
"I'm afraid I can't verify that myself, my Lord", the python lowered the front third of its body again so that it lay flat on the surface of the water, "I'm relying on Oocheva the plover bird for this information. He's watching the scene from a perch in a tree. But he's always proved accurate in his reports so I believe we can trust him".
"Yes, yes, I don't doubt your sources", Mamacala knew Kachero prided himself on his spy network throughout the Pride Lands and further afield. Mamacala had little idea how it worked but he didn't care so long as it proved reliable – so far it had. The crocodile had lied to Ridikill when he said he relied on only idle gossip for news; in fact he was the benefactor of a well-groomed channel of intelligence, with agents ranging from tiny fragile plover birds to giant pythons like Kachero.
"There's something else you need to know", Kachero whispered in his grating voice, "Oocheva says there's a strange looking baboon there".
The crocodile was silent for a moment before murmuring, "A strange looking baboon eh?"
"Yes my Lord. Oocheva didn't offer a more detailed description so that doesn't necessarily mean…"
"Oh it is him. Only he would be so audacious as to get involved in a dispute between two hundred angry carnivores. My my, what a rare delight. Old Rafiki's finally back in the Pride Lands eh?" the crocodile shifted slightly and the malice in his voice was impossible to miss now, "That absurd little monkey who fancies himself a rival to me. How rude!"
The crocodile's giant spined tail shot into the air and hung there for a moment, dripping red-tinted water, before it crashed back down, slashing the surface of the waterhole.
Kachero recoiled warily from the sudden movement. As with Ridikill and indeed all of Mamacala's agents, he never counted himself completely safe from being on the crocodile's menu.
"Well, what does it matter anyway?" Mamacala said, calm as usual again, "Head back to Oocheva and get his next report, and then return to me".
"As you command Mamacala", the serpent whisked his body around and swept across the waterhole.
Night was beginning to fall. The negotiations were finally underway. Simba and several of the more prominent pride members were sitting facing Shenzi, Banzai, Ed and some of their chieftains. Nobody noticed a tiny plover bird perched on an overhanging acacia tree, listening intently and cocking its head whenever a new speaker was heard.
"I respect you for your willingness to participate in civil negotiations instead of resorting to violence, which you're clearly capable of", Simba was saying, "However, I fail to see why we should even listen to you. You have proven yourselves to be nothing but a menace to the wellbeing of the Pride Lands in recent days".
"You ain't nothing but a menace to the herds you prey on and they put up with you. Explain that", Agiza pointed out, and was rewarded with a warm smile from Shenzi.
"We are not just a menace", Nala explained, "We have arrangements with them: to them, the privilege of grazing in the lush Pride Lands far outweighs our predation".
"Yeah, and one of the arrangements involves keeping you guys out", Vitani growled.
"And I don't wish to upset my subjects", the King intoned.
Agiza gave a disgruntled snort, "I ain't buying that. You just want the herds, with all their nice juicy young calves, all to your selves".
"And what's wrong with that?" Salama the elder male lion objected, "I've not heard of many examples of dominant predators inviting a large number of their rivals into their territory. It's absurd, and I suspect you wouldn't grant us that luxury if the situations were reversed."
There was a murmur of agreement from the assembled lions.
Shenzi smiled her slow smile, "You've got us all wrong if you think that".
"Oh, because you've shown nothing but goodwill to us lions recently have you?" Vitani demanded incredulously, "Poor Ryana was mauled almost to death! You tried to eat several cubs one night! How can you expect us to let you share our hunting grounds when that's how you conduct yourself?"
The murmur rose to a half-roar.
"Well…those incidents were unfortunate, I admit", the hyena swallowed: she hadn't been looking forward to trying to excuse her own bloodlust in wounding Ryana, "And it's true: they show a lack of control on our behalf. But on the other hand: you killed eleven of our pack members in retaliation. We didn't kill anyone".
"Not for lack of trying", Nala said, outwardly calmly composed, but the tip of her tail was beginning to twitch impatiently.
Several hyenas from Ridikill's hunting pack began to chuckle to themselves: they were openly proud of the carnage they'd come so close to inflicting on the night they chased several defenceless lion cubs up a tree.
Ridikill himself was pacing impatiently up and down the ranks, casting foul looks at anyone who was in his way. Burudi and Groco tried to motion to him to sit down and cool off, but he ignored them. He glared up at Rafiki sitting in a tree overhead, listening intently to the exchange. How much did the baboon know?
"But anyway, we're the ones who lost our brothers and sisters", Shenzi went on, "But if you're willing to show us mercy now, we're willing to overlook past grievances".
""Yeah! Wait, we are?" Banzai looked at Shenzi. They both knew how hard some of the clan had taken the deaths of their family and friends. Banzai, like the majority of hyenas present, was now willing to give negotiations a chance if it meant they'd be allowed access to the Pride Lands, but there were certain concessions that couldn't be made so easily.
"That's one way of looking at it", Kovu said before any hyenas could grumble in protest, "Here's another way: we don't get along. So perhaps it's best we stay out of each other's paths?"
There were nodding heads - from both sides. Shenzi scowled at the young lion.
"Listen here, kid, leave this to the adults why don't ya?"
Instantly she realized her mistake: she had lost her composure for a moment. Resorting to name-calling made her look silly next to the King.
As if he could read her mind, Simba shook his head, "I'm sorry, you're not convincing me".
"See? This was a stupid idea!" Ridikill barked suddenly.
"Hey, didn't I tell you to shut up..." Shenzi turned to look at the offender but by losing her temper and snapping she was only making herself look worse.
"Hey, I think he's right", Tumai laughed, "This was a stupid idea. Lions and hyenas don't get along, and this all seems kinda silly now. So why don't you all run off home before things get nasty?"
The lion's mocking laugh was shredding Shenzi's nerves: instinctively she found her hackles raised, her body quivering and her teeth bared. A low growl came from her throat.
Vitani observed the hyena bitch's discomfort and pressed the attack, "That's right. I mean, at the end of the day, you can't come up with a single good reason for us to even listen to your demands, let alone agree to them".
Almost everybody in the two assembled throngs recognized that the negotiations had come to a crashing halt, and it was mostly due to Shenzi's inability to control her temper when under attack. Individuals on both sides tensed, ready for a fight-or-flight situation.
"What about the ecological advantages?" a strange, dopey voice said.
Everybody looked at its source. It was Ed.
"You see, the Pride Lands offer unrivalled grazing to the herds", the hyena continued, "So why should herds further afield be expected to remain content with their meagre lot in life?"
The entire hyena clan stared at the ragged-eared leader with open jaws, except for Shenzi and Banzai, who looked merely surprised as opposed to struck dumb with amazement.
Ed went on talking eloquently despite his ridiculous slobbering voice, "Herds from miles around migrate to the Pride Lands for plentiful food and water, and this is increased exponentially during the dry season. This year in particular has seen a vast inflow of herds. But any right-minded creature can see that not so many will be leaving when the dry season ends. Why should they leave? Life's so easy here for them".
"If this dynamic continues, I imagine that in two or three years the Pride Lands will be stripped bare, perhaps permanently ruined".
"Stripped bare? You mean like it was when you guys settled into Pride Rock under Scar's leadership?" Nala pointed out.
"Oh, surely you can't blame a severe drought on us", Ed continued the debate single-handed, "What effect do predators have on the seasons? None. But anyway, my point is that you face the same devastation unless some action is taken to control the herds".
"You mean you guys preying on them?" Vitani narrowed her eyes, "To control their numbers? We do that just fine on our own".
"I don't call your hunting skills into question and I never will", Ed said politely, "But I do ask you to consider this: you are relatively few, and so are the leopards, cheetahs and wild dogs. You can only do so much. With our hunting packs trimming the herds down to size as well, we will at least substantially reduce the chances of the Pride Lands suffering irreparable damage".
Groco turned to Burudi and whispered, "Since when can that guy talk?"
Burudi shrugged, equally confused.
Simba nodded, impressed by the hyena's logic, "Perhaps there's some truth in what you say. Please continue".
"If you'll forgive me I'll sit this one out. My two colleagues can take it from here", Ed turned and stepped back a few paces, nodding once at Shenzi and Banzai, and sat back down on his haunches.
Instantly his tongue protruded from between his lips and drool dripped from his teeth. The alert look in his eyes was gone and replaced by his usual spaced-out countenance.
Banzai shrugged his maned shoulders and said quietly, "Nice going man".
Ed laughed loudly as he furiously scratched himself with his hind leg.
Shenzi drew her gaze from Ed and turned it back to Simba, "Um…anyway, you take my 'colleague's' point?"
"Yes, I concede it is a valid point".
"Sounds over-dramatic to me", Haya called out, "The Pride Lands stripped bare? Not in this lifetime".
"It's happened before and it can happen again", Shenzi replied smoothly: she had taken advantage of the respite Ed's little speech had granted her to calm down, regain her composure and rethink her tactics.
Nala looked at her husband. She knew the strange hyena's argument had swayed him slightly. It had surprised everyone, but Nala knew that most of the lions were still dead-set against granting the hyenas access to the Pride Lands, and many were unwilling to even listen to their demands. It was one thing to convince the compassionate Simba of something: it was quite another to convince a pack of young, impetuous hunters to grant their rivals concessions.
Banzai could see the pressure Shenzi was under. Not only was she having to convince her mortal enemies her proposal was a good idea - she had to convince her own followers. He'd been silent throughout most of the negotiations, following Shenzi's advice to keep quiet and stay out of the way. His volatile, easily riled nature was not suited to diplomacy. However, he'd dropped his misgivings about Shenzi's ruse and even her lying to him and the rest of the clan. He couldn't remain quiet anymore: to do so would suggest divided leadership, and that was something the hyena trio could ill-afford.
He knew little about subtlety and discretion and rules and laws, but more so than the cool, aloof Shenzi he followed his feelings and knew a thing or two about how to appeal to a fellow creature's compassion.
He took a deep breath and stepped forward, "Hey, King-y, don't forget that this is all just hyperfetishical".
Shenzi looked at him, aghast, "Hypothetical!"
"Right, right, hypothetical. My point is we ain't asking for unlimited access to the Pride Lands forever and ever. What we need is a trial period to prove our intentions to ya. If you'd be willing to let us have that, then we'd do our best to keep to your terms".
Simba looked thoughtful. Shenzi arched an eyebrow at Banzai: she was impressed. She hadn't thought of that.
After a moment of quiet Simba said, "Suppose I ask you to name your exact demands…"
"Wait, no!" Vitani roared, "Don't listen to them!"
"If you let them gain a foothold now we'll never get rid of them!" Tumai exclaimed, "Don't be a fool!"
Simba was stung to wrath by the hot-headed Tumai calling him a 'fool'. He whirled around, snarling angrily. Tumai quickly crouched low, not expecting such an aggressive response.
"I am not letting them gain anything!" Simba snapped, "I am asking to hear their demands. What kind of King would I be if I rejected or accepted terms without hearing them first?" he turned back to the hyenas, "Please name your terms".
"We ask for, as my colleague said, a limited trial period to prove our intentions and the advantages of having us around to you", Shenzi said, "We're asking for four…no, six weeks of freedom to live and hunt in the Pride Lands without persecution as a trial period. We'd be allowed all the liberties of all your other subjects – but of course we'd abide by your laws. After the trial period is over, there would be a review and debate over whether or not we'd be allowed access on a more regular basis", Shenzi took a deep breath. She hated talking with such articulation for so long. She wasn't one to mince her words normally. It reminded her of talking to Scar in his last, insane days.
"And the current hostilities?"
"They'd cease, if you so wish".
Simba tossed his head and paced a few impatient steps. Nala and the host of lions watched in silence. The Queen peered at her King's face, trying to discern his mood. He seemed to be genuinely impressed with the reasoning and diplomatic approaches of the hyenas. Nala's heart began to beat faster: what would life be like for them if the hyenas were allowed into the Pride Lands to do as they pleased?
Just as the horrible thought really sank in for the first time, Simba looked up at the hyenas, "No, I'm sorry. I'm not convinced".
Shenzi squinted, "Oh?"
"No. You haven't convinced me you need access to the Pride Lands. I understand your argument about maintaining the ecological balance, but why do you want access to the hunting grounds? Not out of the goodness of your hearts, some overriding concern of yours to protect the Circle of Life, I'm sure".
The hyena bitch blinked, "Isn't it obvious? We're hungry".
"Maybe, but you don't appear to be suffering. You look reasonably well-fed, albeit through poaching. I'm not prepared to throw the Pride Lands into potential chaos to satisfy already full bellies".
"We're not all so fortunate", Shenzi replied, and she leered slyly. Banzai caught the look and suddenly he understood something that had been confusing him since even before they left the Graveyard.
"Cauron, would you come here please?" Shenzi said, keeping her eyes locked onto Simba's.
No answer came from within the hyena crowd. Shenzi waited, then after a moment she wrinkled her nose and turned around to glare at her clan.
"Where's Cauron?"
"Over here, boss", a dog hyena spoke up from the rear of the crowd.
"Well? Get her to come out here!"
"She can't…she's…um…well…you know".
Shenzi scowled. She had planned, from the beginning, to use the 'weaklings' of the clan to provide the much-needed sympathy factor she knew they'd need to win over the lions. She'd noticed Cauron lagging behind during the clan's march: a pretty young female who was heavily pregnant, a victim of her own natural weakness, the very picture of exhaustion and suffering. Shenzi was going to use her as the poster-girl for the injustice of the hyena's situation.
So why wasn't she able to step up front and be used a trump card? Shenzi wondered. Unless it was because…oh.
The leader hyena strode through the ranks, out of sight of the lions. Everybody cleared out of her way. At the back she came across Cauron, standing next to the sheepish looking dog hyena who'd answered Shenzi. Cauron was lying on her side, panting heavily, eyes dilated, tears in the corners of her eyes; drool was puddled around her gaping jaws and she was groaning in exertion.
Shenzi took one look between her legs to confirm her suspicions. She looked up at the dog hyena, "She's in labour".
"That's right, ma'am".
"How'd you know her?"
"Well…I…err…"
"You're the father?"
"Um…well…I am…a bit, yeah".
"Moron", Shenzi turned away, full of disdain for the cowardly male and then an idea caught her: she could still use Cauron. In fact, this was even better than she could have hoped for.
"Hey, King-y, come here!" she hollered at Simba.
Simba peered through the crowd to try and spot her, "Come where?"
"Over here", Shenzi jumped up to balance on her rear legs for a moment, so she was outlined at the rear of the one hundred and fifty strong crowd of hyenas.
Simba took a step towards the hyena clan. Instinct on both sides took over for a brief moment: all the hyenas saw was a large male lion, their worst natural enemy, stepping confidently towards them, and all the lions saw was their pride leader heading towards a line of crushing teeth, bone-crunching jaws and evil intentions.
In an instant every lion was on its feet and several charged several metres forward. The hyenas raised their hackles and bayed loudly, gnashing their teeth.
"Oh come on cut it out! Grow up!" Shenzi snapped, as if she was addressing a sulking cub instead of dozens of powerful predators, "Ain't we above this kinda thing by now? Come on King-y, this way".
The lions and hyenas stopped and retreated a few steps, muttering angrily. Simba stepped into the hyena mob: they stepped aside for him grudgingly.
"Fine, but don't call me 'King-y'" Simba said to Shenzi.
He went to her side, standing over Cauron. Shenzi waved her paw in Cauron's direction.
"Now come on. Ain't that the most pathetic sight you ever did see?"
Simba looked as if he was about to turn green: he'd never witnessed a birth before. Such matters were kept private in lion livelihood. He looked at Shenzi, keeping his field of vision fully restricted to her so he couldn't see any of the birth.
"Why are you showing me this?"
"To prove to you that we need access to the Pride Lands. Cauron is one of the earlier births taking place this year. They'll be a big rush of 'em in a few months. We struggle to feed ourselves as it is, and each day food gets harder and harder to find. With all these new arrivals, we're simply not gonna cope. Brand new mommas ain't gonna have enough milk to feed their young, and the little ones will starve", she picked herself up and began pointing at other members of the clan.
"Or him over there, that old-timer. He's got another year in him maybe, but that'll be maybe three months if he doesn't get regular food. Or those two little darlings there, they've been weaned and they need plenty of grub to quieten their grumbling little tummies at night. Or her, yeah, her over there, she's sick, dunno what from, but she gets weak pretty quick without food. And then there's…"
She went on, pointing out various members of the clan. The lion crowd was out of earshot, and they strained forward eagerly to pick up anything they could.
Banzai sighed. He'd worked out in the last few moments before she'd revealed her intentions that Shenzi had brought the weaklings along to play the sympathy card with Simba. It seemed pretty cruel to him, dragging them out here just to use them in this fashion, but it was a damn sight less cruel than making them fight. But it didn't make Shenzi any less shameless.
Simba looked over the ailing members of the hyena clan as Shenzi pointed them out. At last he turned away, interrupting her mid-sentence, and padded back through the hyena ranks.
Shenzi froze. Hadn't it worked? She trotted after him.
"Hey? Hey! King-y! I ain't finished! You listening? You gonna turn your back on 'em? King-y?"
"I told you not to call me 'King-y'", Simba shot back. He strode into the no-man's land – the ground between the lion and hyena throng.
Shenzi, Banzai and Ed approached him, "Hey, you're just gonna ignore all those poor unfortunates?" Shenzi pressed.
"No. I won't ignore their plight. I see your plan for what it is – a shallow attempt to gain my favour through pity. And what's worse is that you're the one who forced them out here, if you are indeed the leader, and so you've forced them through great hardship in an attempt to gain what you want".
If Shenzi could have flushed she would have, "I did it for them as well, I did it for all of us", she spat.
"I hope that's true, because if it's not you're a terrible leader".
"Hey pal, back off!" Banzai growled, even though he privately thought Simba was making some sense, "She's a damn good leader and she did what's best for everyone".
"Maybe", Simba hung his head; he looked deep in thought.
There was silence on both sides. Everybody knew the fateful announcement was coming. Only Rafiki, sitting up high on a baobab tree, playing with his toes and singing quietly, made any noise.
"I've made my decision", Simba said at last, and he spoke loudly so all could hear him plainly, "I hereby grant the hyena clan of the Elephant Graveyard access to the Pride Lands for six weeks. They will have unlimited access…"
Shocked gasps and roars of protest from the lion crowd interrupted him; he raised his voice and quietened them down.
"They will have unlimited access to live, hunt and set up homes as they please. They will abide by the laws of the Pride Lands and will gain all the benefits granted to Pride Landers; in effect, they will be Pride Landers for the six week period.
"However, understand that this is not a declaration of peace between lion and hyena. Lion and hyena cannot live too closely and in harmony. We still have the rights to interact as rival predators if we feel we should. However, for the moment we will disperse peacefully.
"I will meet with the leaders of the Elephant Graveyard clan at nightfall in precisely two weeks from now at this spot: we will discuss the situation further at this date. After the six week period is over, we will review the matter to see whether or not the situation can be applied on a more permanent basis", he took a deep breath and recited the words that his father had told him were always said when laws or rules were applied in the Pride Lands, "The word of the King is final".
With that he turned away and, walking between Nala and Kiara, he headed for home. Mother and daughter looked at each other, wordless for a moment, then followed him, Kovu close behind.
The hyena clan didn't say anything. The entire group, with the exception of those in critical conditions such as Cauron, were looking in Simba's direction with wide eyes and pricked ears.
The lions muttered in disbelief at Simba's decision, shaking their tawny heads and growling quietly, but gradually, one after the other, they followed their King on his silent march back to Pride Rock.
At last something snapped in the hyena clan and the little runt of Ridikill's hunting pack, Groco, leapt up and cheered, "Yeah! We did it! We did it! We get to hunt in the Pride Lands!"
Instantly the hyena clan broke into laughter, cheering and hooting and cackling and giggling. They danced around, howling and yelling. Most of them couldn't believe that what they saw as Shenzi's stupid idea had worked. Some embraced each other.
Some began to sing, "We'll have food! Lots of food! We repeat! Endless meat!"
Some of the bitter, retreating lions looked back at them and saw what they wanted to see: a jeering, devilish crowd, howling and mocking them in the darkness.
In the midst of the hyena crowd Banzai jostled his way through two dancers and found Shenzi. She was sitting on her haunches, looking exhausted.
"Hey Shenzi! You did it!" Banzai grinned.
She looked at him, "Nah, it wasn't me. We all did our part", she bit her lip and looked almost shy, "You were great".
"Thanks!" in the excitement of the moment Banzai didn't notice her coy look, "Well, anyway, we did it then! Hahahah!"
"Oooh-heh, ohhehehehahahaha!" Ed appeared suddenly by his two companions and slobbered relentlessly.
"Hah-ha! You were great too!" Banzai grinned at him.
Shenzi leapt up, slid between her two friends and wrapped her forelegs around each of them and hugged them up against her, "Haha! That's right, we did it! Looks like meat's back on the menu, boys!"
The hyenas cackled and cheered into the night. From his perch Rafiki watched for a moment, then skipped to the floor and trotted back towards Pride Rock.
From another tree Mali the leopard watched the baboon go, then snarled angrily at the hyenas and made his way quietly down the trunk.
And in yet another tree, a small plover bird, overlooked by all, flapped his wings and took off.