A/N: What will Alex learn at Rafiki's tree? We'll find out after I respond to your reviews.
Jestalnaker94000: Don't trust Scar, Simba! And it also acts as a foreshadowing of Simba's character arc but you'll find out how it will play out in due course. I'm glad you liked it, I certainly enjoyed writing it.
Joe Ree (Guest): Thank you for reading my story and reviewing the chapters. (P.S. Joe is an old friend of mine and I think you should check out his punk band, The Human Error - look it up on YouTube and Facebook.)
Warning: implied sexual violence and very strong language later on in the chapter.
The next time I reminded Simba that I had to go and see Rafiki, his reaction was less hostile than before. He reluctantly paused the nuzzling of my face as he bid me farewell for the afternoon.
The air was no longer providing refreshing relief for my skin. My entire body was covered in a thin but frustrating and almost debilitating film of sweat that was beginning to cause my shirt to stick to my skin. I then decided to make a small detour to the water hole to at least hydrate and cool my skin, even if temporarily. I then thought about the apparent properties that the water had and decided that it was worth testing if it was able to clean my clothes. After several days of wearing the same shirt for several days, it was now uncomfortable, with cold sweat patches and crusty mud stains. The worst that could happen was that I would have to walk to Rafiki's tree wearing a soggy shirt, which was quickly becoming a not undesirable option.
Upon arriving at the waterhole, I took my shirt off and pushed it under the surface of the water. The grey shirt immediately became a few shades darker, but before my very eyes, the stains seemed to dissolve in the water, with the patch of cloudy water almost instantly clearing up once again. I pulled the shirt out of the water and, to my astonishment and satisfaction, there were no more stains or sweat patches, and the shirt smelled like freshwater. There was no hint of the odour produced by the bacteria in my sweat. My plan appeared to work, and when I went to put my shirt on, not only did it provide my body with relief from the heavy heat, it felt... dry.
'This water is brilliant,' I thought to myself before I continued my journey to Rafiki's tree.
Upon arriving at the gigantic baobab tree, I climbed the ramp that led to the base of the tree but couldn't see or hear any mandrills. I could hear the clanging of gourds as the wind passed through the tree, and with it was carried the rich scents of spices, herbs and ointments.
"AYAYAYAYAYAY!"
I flinched at the sound of ululating reaching my ears. I twisted my body to look behind me, where the noise came from, and I could see Rafiki swinging on a vine down from a higher branch, heading directly for me. Instinctively, I dove to the floor, covering the back of my head with my hands. I dared to uncover them when I noticed that the screaming stopped. I could only see a vine idly swinging back and forth. I turned my head and Rafiki was just standing there with his arms crossed. I pointed a firm finger at him.
"That was not cool," I warned. He did not appear concerned by my tone and only chuckled.
"What is also not cool is keeping Rafiki waiting," he responded.
"Yeah, well, I had some... personal issues to clear up," I said, deciding that explaining the moments between me and Mufasa and Simba would cost time that had already been lost. "And I'm here now, so let's get started," I added.
Rafiki walked off to arrange some of his medicines and it looked as if he was restocking some of his remedies, judging by the raw materials all over the platform on which he manufactured the medicines.
"This evening, you will be attending a ceremony where you will be confirmed as a Pridelander," Rafiki said. "And you will be expected to know both the Royal Anthem and the national hymn, as you will be leading the other citizens in singing the people's song," he explained. "Clearly, you know neither, so the first thing I will teach you today will be those," Rafiki said. I nodded in understanding, eager to expand my knowledge of the customs of the Pride Lands. Already, its heritage was fascinating and their way of life had expanded my understanding of how animals lived. My singing voice was nothing special - I had clearly not inherited the ethereal power and angelic grace of my mother's singing. I had sung in school productions and choirs before, but I wouldn't be winning any talent shows with it.
"Let us begin with the Royal Anthem," Rafiki declared before he clicked his fingers, which preceded a cacophony of drum beats surrounding us as he began to whistle a pleasant, almost childish melody. After the first descending ostinato, Rafiki whistled a constant melody that went up before going down again and then began to sing the chorus.
Busa le lizwe,
Busa le lizwe,
Busa lomhlaba wethu,
Busa ngo xolo.
Rafiki went on to explain how important the pronunciation of 'lomhlaba' was, having to almost click my tongue in connecting the first and second syllables. I repeated what he sang without too much trouble. He then sang the first verse to a different yet equally expressive melody.
Shwele baba,
Siyakubongela,
Usi lethel' injabulo,
Noxolo.
The mandrill then sang the next verse with a slight variation to the melody of the first.
Shwele baba,
Siyakubongela,
Liqhakazise baba,
Ngo thando.
I noticed that the names of Mufasa's deceased sons were spoken in the Royal Anthem. It seemed as if the values spoken of in the anthem were obviously dear to Mufasa and Sarabi and so they named their sons after them. In England, the monarch did not sing because the anthem was about them. In this case, Mufasa and Sarabi might be otherwise uncomfortable with listening to it because it reminded them of their sons. This proved to be a distraction and, as a result, I struggled with the middle two lines of the verses leading up to the final lines.
The chorus was sung twice before Rafiki sang the third verse twice.
Bayede baba,
Sikhokhele bo,
Busa lomhlaba,
Ngo thando.
But then the third verse, being sung twice, was just taking the piss.
Busa ngo thando,
Busa ngo thando,
Busa ngo thando,
Busa ngo xolo.
This onslaught of references to cubs I had never met or heard of until this morning was like a kick to my heart. Rafiki stopped singing when I noticed my depressed expression. Why did I feel this way, as if they were long-lost siblings that had passed before I even existed? Why did I regret their absence like this? Could it be that my heart was meant to love and be loved by this family?
"Mufasa told you about his first sons?" Rafiki concluded. I could only nod.
"Good. That is good," Rafiki commented, causing me to look at him in confusion. "It means he trusts you like he trusts few others," Rafiki said. This made me feel a sense of honour, that a person of such authority, and whom I already regarded with deep respect, trusted me with such matters.
"But you still have to sing those verses," Rafiki said. "As the Guardian, you will be confronted with a lot of grief, even if it isn't your own," he warned. "You will know de Pridelanders' grief, the Royal Family's grief as if it is your own," he added.
I reluctantly agreed to resume learning the anthem.
Ubuse ngo thando,
Ubuse ngo xolo,
Ubuse ngo thando,
Bus' Mufasa, Bus' Mufasa!
Hemna iyo,
Hemna iyo,
Hemna nkosi,
Bus' Mufasa iyo
"Okay, that is the Royal Anthem, and we will now move on to the people's anthem," Rafiki announced. He clicked his fingers again, which preceded a more subdued percussion accompanied by what sounded like the wind going through pipes producing a soft and smooth sound playing a mournful melody. The introduction was sung twice.
Fatshe leso, lea halalela.
Fatshe leso, lea halalela.
Uli-buse le lizwe,
Izwe lethu,
Mhlaba wethu.
Uli phathe kahle,
Izwe lethu,
Izwe lethu.
The chorus that was then played sounded mournful and... almost familiar.
Uzo libusa le lizwe,
Uli buse kahle
Uzo libusa le lizwe, le lizwe.
Fatshe leso, lea halalela.
Fatshe leso, lea halalela.
Uli-bu...se le lizwe,
Izwe lethu,
Mhlaba wethu.
U'zuli qon... u'zuli qondise,
Izwe lethu,
Izwe lethu,
Uzo libusa le lizwe,
Uli buse kahle
Uzo libusa le lizwe, le lizwe.
Upon the completion of the second song, I found that my cheeks were nourished with tears. Not only for the beauty of the song but because it was another realisation that my whole life in London was almost a portent for my life in the Pride Lands. I knew this because the melody of the chorus to the national hymn was the same as another song that was a fixture of my childhood. It wasn't one that was meant to put one asleep but to help them navigate grief. I heard my mother sing it a few days before she went to the hospital for the last time, and she told me that if she didn't sing it properly, it would condemn us to a cycle of grief.
The songs themselves were a joyful celebration of the peaceful and compassionate government of the kingdom and a soulful reminder of responsibility and the delicate balance of the Circle of Life respectively. I always thought that my own country's national anthem was a bit of a soulless dirge, a chore to get through. An expressionless melody for increasingly irrelevant values.
I then sang both songs with Rafiki until we ironed out any mistakes I had made, and the songs were enjoyable to recite. T
"You have done well today, Alex," Rafiki praised. "You sang well and confronted fresh grief before it could grow into your soul," he said.
"And for that, I have you to thank, Rafiki," I said with gratitude.
"You are most welcome," Rafiki nodded. "Now, let us go over the general schedule," he said.
Rafiki explained that the ceremony would be an event of music and light. There would be choirs, singers, drums, wind instruments and string instruments made out of plants and bones and hairs. There would be stories, even comedy! And the mandrill suggested the possibility of a special guest - a delegate from the Council of Kings, a diplomatic body where leaders of the kingdoms ruled by lions and other animals would come together from across Africa to discuss and overcome common challenges. I would be keen to make a good impression of them, as I'm sure that they too would have some thoughts on the nature of humanity, as mythical as I thought ourselves to be to them.
Rafiki then clicked his fingers, preceding a strange sensation where no sound could reach my ears, nor could any air touch my skin and asked me if Mufasa had told me about the plan to deal with the jackals. I nodded silently.
"Did he tell you exactly how it will happen?" he asked. I shook my head.
Rafiki then reached out his left arm and a wooshing sound preceded his staff flying into his hand. He then got up to his feet and muttered something in what I guessed to be Swahili to the top of the staff. He then slammed it against the wooden base of the tree, which then triggered a rush of air coming from behind me and culminating at the top of Rafik's staff. Rafiki pointed his staff at me before the compressed air was fired at me and impacted against my chest, sending me flying into a branch and deflecting me onto another. I landed on the base of the tree with a thump, taking a while to recover from the burning sensation of the scrapes on my face and arm.
"What the... fuck... was that?!" I asked with fury fuelled by pain.
"I told you what you needed to know," Rafiki shrugged before he put his staff next to a collection of gourd shells with different shades of paint in each of them.
"You didn't tell me shit, you just threw me across the tree," I complained.
"First off, no profanity in Rafiki's tree," Rafiki pointed a firm finger at me. "Secondly, do you now know how the negotiation will play out?" he asked.
I paused in realisation as I found that I was able to find the information in my mind to give Rafiki the answer he needed, but just as I opened my mouth to respond, I realised what it is that Rafiki had just done to me. I guessed that he formed some sort of sound bubble to prevent the information from leaking, and in an effort to make the transfer of the information more secure, he trapped the information in the sound bubble spell and, well, blasted it at me!
"Oh," I nodded with a knowing grin of appreciation on my face.
Rafiki dismissed me not long after that and permitted me to go about my day and said that he would see me that evening at Muzimu Grove. I bid him farewell before departing his tree. My grazes and contusions were already healing by the time I reached ground level.
I was halfway between Rafiki's tree and Pride Rock when my journey was interrupted. I was walking through a flat area of grassland where I could hear nothing more than the chirping of crickets and the calling of far-off inhabitants of the Pride Lands. I had an unsettling feeling that I was being watched, and this feeling was vindicated upon me swiftly looking behind me, and I heard a panicked gasp and saw a blur of rust-coloured lioness diving into the golden grass.
"Hello?" I asked aloud after a moment of confusion. Were they following me? And why? Were they trying to hunt me?
After waiting out a tense few seconds, I was ready to resume my journey. But before I could turn in the direction of Pride Rock, my eyes caught movement from behind a tree. I tentatively stepped towards the tree, wading through knee-high grass.
"I'm not going to hurt you, if that's why you're hiding from me," I reassured them. I could see shoulder blades rise up and down slightly as they sighed, reluctantly emerging from behind the tree. I cocked my neck slightly when I saw a rust-pelted lioness appear from behind the tree. She was visibly malnourished, with her ribs beginning to protrude.
"I'm sorry I followed you..." she apologised sheepishly, looking to the floor. "I just... thought you could help me out with something but..." she began but paused to chuckle. "I was afraid that you were a hunger-induced figment of imagination," she said with a grin of embarrassment.
I opened my mouth and shook my head. "Oh, thanks!" I said, unsure whether to be insulted by her line of thinking. In her defence, I assumed that it wasn't every day that humans ventured into these parts. "My name is Alex, by the way," I introduced myself.
"I am Hatima," the lioness returned the favour. She had blue eyes that were dulled by pain and anxiety. "I happened beyond these lands just yesterday with my daughter, who is waiting for me in a cave beyond the borders of this kingdom," she said. "We had to abandon our home when a band of rogues attacked our pride... I fear that we are all that is left," she said solemnly, looking to the floor once more, but now in a mournful expression.
"I'm sorry," I said softly. She looked up at me and a weak smile was formed.
"Thank you," she replied. "And as if that couldn't be bad enough, we've had jackals hassling us for what food we do manage to catch," she added. My face began to heat up with anger for what the jackals had done to her.
"Jackals... of course," I sighed. "We've had jackal trouble here as well," I said. I then remembered that she needed help was something.
"You said you needed help with something," I dialled the conversation back.
"Oh, yes, well, speaking of jackals, I was hoping that you would help warn them off, just so that we could have at least one decent meal," she said. I wasn't sure if it would be wise to antagonise the jackals before the negotiation could take place. Sure, it was expected by both sides to turn into what could be a full-scale battle, but I wouldn't want to do anything that could derail that plan and bring war sooner than we might be prepared for. All to help one lioness and her cub. I sighed.
"The best I can do is to introduce you to the King and see what he can do to help your situation if anything," I replied. Hatima's consequential expression conveyed slight disappointment.
"But he is a kind, welcoming and generous ruler who, I am sure, will have you and your daughter fed properly tonight," I tried to lift her spirits but not necessarily her expectations.
I accompanied her to fetch her daughter as she went on to request. Our trek beyond the borders took a few hours. I was conscious of how long it might take to return all the way to Pride Rock in time for the ceremony at Muzimu Grove, so I dictated the pace at which we made our way to retrieve her daughter.
"What's the rush?" she asked with a chuckle. "Do you even know the destination?" she asked.
"Sorry, it's just that... it's of the utmost importance that I attend a ceremony this evening and it would obviously reflect badly on me if I was late," I explained.
"What does the ceremony entail?" Hatima asked.
"Oh, it's basically an induction as a citizen of the Pride Lands, and I have to sing some songs, it might not sound important, but I have to convey a positive initial impression," I replied.
"The Pride Lands?" Hatima gasped. "But that means the King you speak of is Mufasa!" she concluded. I guessed that Mufasa was a respected King in the neighbouring prides and that the title of King of the Pride Lands held great power and respect.
When this conversation ended, we came across a pair of pillars of dark grey stone that towered over both of us. The shadows at their feet extended no further than a few feet beyond the territory of the Pride Lands.
"Welp, we have officially left the Pride Lands," Hatima declared as we stepped between the pillars.
The cave where Hatima's daughter was taking refuge was a few hundred yards from the pillars that marked the western border of the Pride Lands, situated beneath a sand-coloured kopje. As it would turn out, those very yards would be vital.
I waited outside while Hatima went into the cave to call for her daughter. I then heard a small and weary voice belonging to a girl ask,
"Are the bad lions coming back?"
"No, they're not going to trouble us," Hatima replied gently. "We're going to Pride Rock," she added.
"Pride Rock?" the young cub, as yet unseen by my eyes, repeated. Her voice conveyed wonder and excitement. The cub finally emerged from the shadows, from behind the rock and I saw that she had a slightly darker pelt than her mother but she had her eyes. I guessed that she was a little older than Simba, but because she was undernourished, she appeared smaller, less well-built than the Prince. When the young cub's eyes met with mine, she gasped and froze in fear.
"Mama... what... who is that?" the cub corrected herself. Her voice was strangled with fear.
"It's okay, little one, he's a friend," Hatima reassured her daughter with her gentle voice once more.
"My name is Alex, I'm here to help you and your mother," I said, kneeling down to her level and trying to match the gentleness that her mother conveyed, but the cub merely hid behind her mother's legs.
"Tell the kind human your name, little one," Hatima whispered.
The cub looked up at me sheepishly. "S-Safiri," she stuttered.
"It's nice to meet you, Safiri," I said while smiling. "You're in a safe place now," I added.
"I wouldn't be so sure about that," a deep voice interjected. I spun around to confront whoever said that and I was met with a large lion, around the size of Mufasa. He had a jet-black mane and straw-coloured fur. His claws were already unsheathed. He had a line of scars across his muzzle and another down the left side of his head and on his right cheek, which I guessed were caused by the claws of a lion's paw.
Hatima and Safiri both gasped at the intruder.
"Oh, why won't you just leave us alone, you bully?" Hatima asked with a desperate tone.
"I don't think you understand, dear," the lion chuckled. "If the Ironclaws say they want something, they get that something," the lion growled aggressively. I stepped between the lion and the lioness and her daughter.
"Who are you and what do you think you're doing hassling these lionesses on the territory of King Mufasa?" I asked with a harsh tone. The lion cocked a brow and snorted.
"I think you'll find those pillars over there," he motioned to the pair of pillars behind us. "That's where the Pride Lands start. They're over there, we're over here," he spoke condescendingly. "Therefore, we're not in the Pride Lands," he concluded with a cocky grin. "Then again... who, or what, are you?" the lion shot back.
"I am a citizen of the Pride Lands. I am taking the lioness and her daughter to seek safety and food," I said categorically.
"I wouldn't be so sure about that," the lion said. "You see, this lioness defied the will of the Ironclaws, and... that simply won't do," the lion shook his head.
"Uonevu, please... just let us have one day where we can have a proper meal, then we can come to an... arrangement," Hatima looked to the floor as if forcing the last word through her mouth was like a wound to her dignity.
"Woah, hold up, there will be no 'arrangements' while Hatima and her daughter are under the care of the Pride Lands, they will be afforded sanctuary there as long as they want," I said firmly.
"Biped, if you know what's good for you, you will not stand between an Ironclaw... and their prey," he said with his teeth bared. I saw that he had a black middle left incisor tooth. It looked as if it was some sort of metal. He glared at Safiri and prowled menacingly towards her. I tried to step in front of the lion known as Uonevu but before I could try to reason with him, he batted me aside with a mighty paw, and his black claws, which almost looked like they were also made of metal, given they were sharp and reflective enough to be mistaken for it, caught my chest. There were three tears in my shirt which were quickly being lined with blood. Such was the speed of the turn of events, it was as if it was happening in slow-motion, and it was only then that I realised that I had been sent flying several feet into the air, only coming to a halt when I hit the bottom of the kopje, expelling the air out of my lungs, and the back of my head also made firm contact with the rock. I fell to the floor, my arms and legs sprawled on the dust. I could not find the energy to stave off unconsciousness.
My brother was being held against a fence with a knife being pressed against his throat, threatening to cut the skin. My vision was enveloped with a blue light.
My body was enduring an onslaught of fists and feet, punching me in the head, kicking me in my abdomen. The compiled pain gave way to energy that emanated from my heart, engulfed my entire body and crawled across my vision as I managed to open my eyes.
I opened my eyes to a completely different, utterly chilling scene.
Hatima had just landed on the dusty floor with a grunt, having been thrown aside by Uonevu, who had now held Safiri with a paw pinning her head against the ground.
"Please... not my daughter," Hatima pleaded with a weakened voice.
I then understood what the lion intended to do and after a wave of disgust and contempt hit me like a shockwave, rage built up in me. It then manifested into the energy that had so often caused me to enter a state in which I remembered nothing but always came out with people who could still move fleeing before me. The world around me turned blue.
"NOOOOO!"
Hatima's POV
The collision with the floor following Uonevu throwing me aside with ease stole my breath. When I rolled my body, when I saw what I saw, the very thing I had been fighting to prevent, I was only able to produce a hollow cry of desperation.
"Please... not my daughter," I pleaded helplessly. Ever since we became rogues a few moons ago, we have done nothing but evade pursuers, but we have done no more running than from the Ironclaws. Since the day when one of their leaders, Uhalifu, decided that my daughter would be one of their thugs' many mates, there has not been a day where we have been able to rest or have a decent meal. Every time we found someone generous enough to host us, the Ironclaws' wrath descended on them.
Through the tears that stung my eyes, I could see my daughter's expression convey pain and terror. I could not decide if that was what made my heart sting more, or the prospect of what she was about to go through. It's a humiliating, dirty thing in the first place, but for it to happen at such a young age? I could not measure my contempt for the bastard who was about to steal my daughter's innocence. I did not know if I could stand seeing my daughter go through that, it's not as if I would absorb any pain or humiliation that she might know. I shut my eyes and turned away, but then I heard a roar.
"NOOOOO!"
It was Alex. What came out of his mouth almost sounded like a lion's roar. His eyes were glowing blue. He then charged at a speed greater than a cheetah before leaping in the air, almost as high as the kopje. This distracted Uonevu for a sufficient amount of time for Safiri to sprint in my direction, almost screaming through her tears.
Alex then landed a few feet from the lion with a great thud, which I felt thirty metres away, and a plume of dust obscured what happened next. I could hear the satisfying sound of Uonevu screaming in terror and pain. Through the dust, I swore I could see the silhouette of a lion being swung around through the air by his tail! He was then sent flying toward the kopje, hitting the rock with a grunt of pain and falling to the floor with a crash. Alex slowly walked towards the lion that was struggling to stand up, his tail twitching painfully.
"You sick fucking cunt!" Alex's voice echoed across the savannah. It was different from when he first spoke to us. His usual voice was gentle and compassionate, but whatever had happened to him, his voice was now fuelled by rage and contempt. It was as if two people were speaking from the same mouth.
Alex punched Uonevu's face and the lion was pummelled to the floor. The human then threw him across the floor, pulling him by his mane.
"If I see you again, I'll cut your fucking cock off!" he screamed angrily before the black-maned lion limped heavily as he ran off into the distance.
I could see that Alex was breathing heavily. His shoulders rose and fell. He looked in our direction, the blue glow in his eyes starting to fade. He took a step before he collapsed onto his side, resting his weight on his left arm. My daughter and I shared a look of both nervousness and astonishment before we rushed to see if he was okay.
"That was... quite something," was all I could bring myself to comment on his performance. I had never seen a lion being thrown around like that. I had never seen a creature perform such feats as Alex's
"Sorry you had to see that," Alex said at length. He was now on his hands and knees, still breathing heavily.
"No... I mean, thank you for... what you just did," I said, still bewildered at how Alex managed to perform those feats of strength and physicality. "I don't think anyone has ever stood up to Uonevu like that," I remarked with a grateful and satisfied tone.
"Well, if he knows what's good for him, he'll stay away," Alex said as he finally got to his feet. I felt compelled to further demonstrate my gratitude, so I nuzzled his flank. Safiri joined me in doing so, but could only nuzzle his knee.
"Thank you again for saving my daughter's innocence," I said.
No POV
Alex gently reminded the mother and daughter that they had somewhere to be, and if they left now, they would be able to convene with the King in good time before the ceremony, and they promptly made their way to Pride Rock. The sun was at a position in the sky which meant the blue was turning orange by the time we reached Pride Rock. There were now few clouds in the sky.
Morgan was the first to confront them.
"Where have you been all afternoon?" Morgan asked. "And who are those lionesses?" he pointed to Safiri and Hatima, who were panting slightly, offering to skip the water hole for now so Alex could attend the ceremony on time. "And what happened to your shirt?" he asked, poking his finger in one of the tears across my shirt.
"All you need to know is that... they needed help, I helped them, and they need food and water," Alex provided a more vague and sensitive answer.
"Oh, well... Mufasa is still waiting for you in the cave," Morgan motioned behind him with his thumb.
'We're not too late, then,' Alex thought.
"Thank you, Morgan," he acknowledged with a nod before motioning for Hatima and Safiri to follow him by tilting his head quickly. They followed him up the slope. Upon entering the cave, they saw that Mufasa, Sarabi and Simba were just exiting. Simba gasped and ran up to and jumped up at Alex, who instinctively held his arms to catch the cub, which he did. He then promptly nuzzled the human lovingly. Alex chuckled as the cute cub rubbed his muzzle and cheek on his chin. He looked at the lionesses and thought it better if Simba did not hear the following conversation.
"Uh... Simba, would you go and wait with Morgan for a moment?" Alex asked quietly.
"Okay," Simba replied and Alex lowered him to the floor and he ran off out of the cave.
I then turned to Mufasa and Sarabi, who immediately recognised the seriousness of the situation. Mufasa looked like he was about to ask where Alex had gotten to, but decided that the appearance of these distraught lionesses was good enough of an answer.
"Mufasa, Sarabi, this is Safiri and Hatima, daughter and mother," Alex introduced them. "I think Hatima should tell you what happened," he said. Hatima looked to the stone floor momentarily before asking her daughter to excuse herself from the conversation. When Hatima was confident that her daughter was not within earshot of the conversation. she gave a shuddering exhale.
"Your Majesties, my daughter and I are rogues... we travelled for months, staying in one place for no longer than a day because we had to evade a lion by the name of Uonevu, a member of the Ironclaws," Hatima explained.
"Ironclaws?!" Sarabi exclaimed. "They haven't been around these parts since... very dark days," she said.
"Please continue." Mufasa encouraged.
Hatima took a moment to prepare for the words that were about to come from her mouth. "Ever since we were forced from our home, the Ironclaws decided that they wanted my daughter for their own, and today... they almost got what they wanted when Uonevu tried to... force himself on my daughter!" she somehow managed to stop herself from bursting into tears.
"No!" Mufasa was aghast. His mouth hung open but words couldn't get out.
"They were said to be unspeakably cruel, but this... I have no words!" Sarabi shook her head.
"I'm... sorry about your daughter, nobody should have to go through something like that, let alone a cub," Mufasa said at length, still in disbelief that someone would do something like that to a cub.
"Thank you. But it was this human, Alex, who saved my daughter and... chased that bully away, though, I'm not quite sure how he did it," Hatima said as she nuzzled my arm.
Mufasa then smiled, approached me and put a paw on my shoulder. "Once again, you are to be commended for your actions, and once again, you have proven yourself to be more than worthy to be a citizen of the Pride Lands," he proclaimed.
Alex nodded humbly. "Hatima and Safiri are in need of food and water," he explained.
"We will give them not only food and water, but shelter as well," Mufasa declared.
"Oh, thank you, Your Majesty!" Hatima exclaimed, bowing to the floor.
"Please rise, and you may call me Mufasa from now on," Mufasa smiled.
"While I am grateful for your offer of shelter, in the interests of your kingdom's safety, I'm afraid I must decline," Hatima responded with a regretful tone.
"Why do you feel that way?" Sarabi asked.
"Alex may have chased away Uonevu, and even if he doesn't return, other Ironclaws will, and possibly in greater numbers," Hatima warned.
"We should never be afraid of doing the right thing, and we insist on you staying here for as long as you deem fit," Mufasa replied.
ONE HOUR LATER
Alex's POV
When we arrived at the venue of the ceremony, a grove of baobab trees whose trunks were as wide as the width dimension of a double-decker bus, as well as tall as one, Rafiki kindly repaired my shirt (with magic, of course). I didn't want to appear unseemly to those who I would share a nationality with.
Every Pridelander I had met so far was here: the Royal Family, apart from Scar, who I had not seen since I saw him talking with Simba, and did not expect to see, Rafiki, the lionesses of the pride, their cubs, Aminifu and his herd, Thurston and his herd, Basi and his pod, Rafiki, and of course, Morgan, the other human who was becoming a citizen of the Pride Lands by dint of my initiation and the fact that I was now his guardian.
There were also giraffes, antelopes, crocodiles, cheetahs, all sorts of carnivores and herbivores, mammals and reptiles and amphibians and birds. All sharing one venue in peace and celebration. The wonder of how this came to be had not yet worn off. Was it always like this and nobody saw it until now? Is this situation unique to the Pride Lands alone?
And for how long would this peace endure? Would it end after the negotiation? When would the equilibrium be restored if so? I then decided to put aside these questions when Morgan approached me.
"I don't have to lead the singing with you, do I?" he asked.
I chuckled. "Do you want to?" I asked with a cheeky grin.
"Are you serious?" Morgan gesticulated. "I don't even know the words!" he exclaimed.
I laughed. "Hey, I'm taking the fall for you here, doing two people's jobs," I remarked. "If you weren't a child, you would count as your own person, but your welfare is my duty so you don't have to go through the initiation," I said.
"Well... thanks, I guess," he shrugged. "Ooh, I'm going to say hello to the cheetahs," he pointed to the cheetahs who were all sitting next to a baobab tree, interacting with the zebras.
"You do that and I'll talk with Mufasa," I said before we parted ways.
While I made my way to the Royal Family, who were situated behind a sloping rock in the middle of the grove, I greeted, acknowledged and nodded at several representatives of a variety of species. I met the leader of the crocodiles who was known as Pua. His gracious and sincere welcome was surprising. I had expected crocodiles to be grouchy and short-tempered, but I guess that was only when they were hungry, being antagonised or mistaken for a log, which was fair enough.
I then met with Simba, who revealed that Mufasa had asked him to find me and wanted me to meet a friend of his, so I followed him to the rocky outcrop behind which the rest of the Royal Family was waiting. Accompanying them were Rafiki, Zazu and a lion with a brown mane, a sandy pelt and kind brown eyes.
"Alex, I would like you to meet Kilisha," Mufasa said, standing adjacent between myself and the lion. "He is a representative from the Council of Kings," he added.
"Oh, uh, it's an honour to meet you, Kilisha," I replied in an appropriate manner as I could muster through the chuckle of realisation of the lion's importance.
"Please, the honour is all mine," Kilisha smiled. "Mufasa has told me about your heroic deeds, the Pride Lands is about to gain a worthy citizen," he declared.
"It is almost time," Rafiki announced to our circle. My heart began to beat faster as anxiety began to gnaw at the strength in my legs.
"Where is Morgan?" I asked. "He said he was going to see the cheetahs, but I think he should be here," I said hurriedly. I wanted him to have a front-row seat of this moment. Perhaps a handful of human beings at most have lived to see such a spectacle, and he deserved to share this moment with me, to spectate with the Royal Family.
"There he is," Sarabi answered, pointing at the boy who was approaching us. He bore a grin of excitement.
"This is going to be amazing," Morgan said with glee. "Don't mess up, Alex, or else Mufasa might be so embarrassed and insulted that he'll throw you out," he laughed.
"Yeah, thanks," I sighed sarcastically. "Don't forget, if he throws me out, he's throwing you out as well," I reminded him.
"Well, for both our sakes, good luck," Morgan responded with a chuckle.
"Nobody is being thrown out, you're going to do just fine, Alex," Mufasa reassured me. I nodded in gratitude. I then stood before the rock. It suddenly looked quite steep. I then imagined myself doing something stupid and humiliating, such as choking on my own saliva or tripping over my own feet. It was as if every muscular function was being judged, every facial expression was being judged.
Rafiki then climbed the rock to introduce me and my performance. I then saw a range of animals, such as giraffes and rhinos, zebras, impalas, cheetahs and even lionesses and their cubs. It simultaneously felt like a whole hour had passed and also like a fleeting second before Rafiki descended the slope. He leant towards me and whispered something in my ear.
"You sing with your heart, not your mind. The voice of the heart is easier let through the lips."
I figured that I would soon find out what he meant by this, I just hoped that I didn't embarrass myself or come across as pathetic. I inhaled, imagining that I was breathing in the vibes given off by the atmosphere of support from behind me and excitement in front of me, and exhaled as if I was expelling the anxiety and overthinking in my mind and began to trust my heart.
I walked up the slope and saw hundreds of pairs of eyes staring back at me. A handful of animals cheered me on.
"You can do it, Alex!" Aminifu bellowed, this was followed by scattered laughter.
Below me, Zazu waved his wings in an energetic manner and the sound of light wind instruments and drums began to play behind me. I tried to ignite some sort of musical spirit within me as I tapped my foot against the stone to the beat. I saw several animals nodding to the beat.
It was time.
The choir below me sang the introductory chorus twice. Despite not having much accentuation, it did not sound processionary.
Busa le lizwe,
Busa le lizwe,
Busa lomhlaba wethu,
Busa ngo xolo.
Background singers hummed to a tune, giving it the foundation so that the melody stood out.
There was now only the banging of drums and the strumming of strings. It was time for me to let my heart sing.
Shwele baba,
Siyakubongela,
Usi lethel' injabulo,
Noxolo.
I personally thought I was a bit quieter than I could be, and the initial nerves blunted the strength with which I would have preferred to have performed, but the pressure of the expectation of not only the Pridelanders but also the Royal Family allowed me to nail the difficult third line of the verse.
In singing the next verse, I could feel my inhibitions and my anxiety melt away. I allowed myself to be engulfed in the spirit and energy of the music that surrounded me. I even began to move my entire body to the beat.
Shwele baba,
Siyakubongela,
Liqhakazise baba,
Ngo thando.
The chorus was then sung twice again, and I even dared to join in at the end of the second singing of the verse to add variety and emphasis. This went unpunished by Zazu and Rafiki nodded in approval.
I went on to sing the next verse paying little attention to the richness of my voice, and I found that the less I paid attention to it, the better it became. I was beginning to own the song, rather than the song owning me.
Bayede baba,
Sikhokhele bo,
Busa lomhlaba,
Ngo thando.
For the second iteration, I truly began to make the song my own. It was no longer a procession, I was enjoying performing this song. It was almost a source of energy itself. I was confident enough to extend the note over the choir's chorus. For the first time that evening, I sang with a smile on my face.
The choir sang the new chorus, seemingly inspired by my confidence and energy and sang robustly but passionately.
Busa ngo thando,
Busa ngo thando,
Busa ngo thando,
Busa ngo xolo.
The choir then sang in a way that could only be described as a euphoric celebration of the Monarchy and the values by which they should govern. I couldn't help but chance a look back at the Royal Family, and I was rewarded with a pair of proud expressions and, as if that wasn't wholesome enough, I saw that Simba was singing along, with his eyes shut, shifting his body from one paw to the other, completely lost to the spirit of the music. This gave me an idea.
Ubuse ngo thando,
Ubuse ngo xolo,
Ubuse ngo thando,
Bus' Mufasa, Bus' Mufasa!
They sang the following verse in an ostinato that was just as passionate.
Hemna iyo,
Hemna iyo,
Hemna nkosi,
Bus' Mufasa iyo!
During the interlude, which was an iteration of the first melody, the melody that supported the chorus, I rushed down the slope and asked Rafiki if it was in order for the Royal Family to join in with the singing.
"I don't see why not," was Rafiki's answer. I looked to Mufasa and Sarabi with an encouraging grin, and their son looked up at them hopefully.
Mufasa looked into Simba's eyes and I could see in his own that there was mourning but also a sense of recognition, as if the son that was before him reminded him of the sons that came before. He looked at his mate and they then appeared to engage in a conversation spoken through eyes. They had very deep, soulful and wise eyes, which spoke every word that they couldn't bring themselves to say in front of their unknowing son. It's as if they came to an agreement that they couldn't put off every single memory of their old cubs to the side, that to do so would go against the joy that they brought into their lives.
"Okay, we'll do it," Mufasa declared.
It was at this time that I noticed that the interlude was transitioning into the final part of the song and I rushed to the top of the rocky outcrop and sang with the choir.
Ubuse ngo thando,
Ubuse ngo xolo,
Ubuse ngo thando,
Bus' Mufasa, Bus' Mufasa!
Mufasa and Sarabi hesitantly joined me in singing this chorus, and Mufasa did not partake in singing the final line of the verse, which made sense. But the spirit of the music began to possess them as well upon the next verse.
Hemna iyo,
Hemna iyo,
Hemna nkosi,
Bus' Mufasa iyo!
For the next interlude, I clapped my hands to a relatively sparse beat, and every animal before me stomped their feet to the same beat. I could feel the thumping with my very feet as if it were the very heartbeat of the Pride Lands. A wave of celebratory calls spread through the crowd. Elephants trumpeted, zebras whinnied, birds tweeted, and everyone else cheered. A tingle of immense satisfaction travelled up my spine when everyone joined in with the singing.
Busa ngo thando,
Busa ngo thando,
Busa ngo thando,
Busa ngo xolo.
While the crowd sang, the choir had their own phrase to sing and could still be heard over the crowd.
Oh, bus' Mufasa iyo,
Vusa amakhosi,
Vusa amdlozi bo,
Bus' Mufasa iyo!
Hemna iyo,
Hemna iyo,
Hemna nkosi,
Bus' Mufasa iyo!
Everyone erupted into cheers of jubilation. This must have been the most compelling rendition of the Royal Anthem they had heard in years.
"Bravo!" Aminifu called above the crowd.
"Thank you for helping to make that such a joyous rendition," I praised the crowd, which only reignited the voices.
"And thank you, Alex," Mufasa said. "Thank you for..." the King trailed off, looking at where Simba was situated but saw that he went to speak with Nala, who was in the choir with her mother.
"Thank you for helping us heal, for helping us to navigate our grief through the power of music," he said with gratefulness and authenticity.
"It was my pleasure," I replied, putting my hand on his shoulder. He then pulled me into his embrace. When he finally let go, I remarked,
"That went so much better than I ever thought it would," I chuckled in relief.
What followed the first anthem was a comedy performance by a meerkat and warthog duo by the name of Timon and Pumbaa. Their act included puns, observational comedy and, somehow, political comedy. The warthog was the funnier of the two but his content would often be duplicated by the meerkat, whose versions were laughed at the most.
There was also a troupe of travelling baboons who performed a dance around and within a baobab tree, which was also well-received.
Simba explained to me that while I was absent, he was instructed to put together a re-enactment of a famous battle fought by one of his ancestors, Mohatu the Great, who was Mufasa's grandfather. He was said to have saved the Pride Lands from a devastating drought but his apparent military record included resisting challenges to his rule by no less than five rogues at the same time and singlehandedly fighting off 15 hyenas!
Of course, Simba would be playing the role of Mohatu, being his great-grandson. Simba appeared rightfully proud to be the descendant of such a mighty king, not that he had much control over the matter.
Some of Simba's friends would be playing the role of the rogues that Mohatu supposedly defeated, and various young canines, such as cheetahs, leopards and a serval would play the roles of the hyenas - they were all painted in the greyish colours of the scavenger species.
Rafiki introduced the re-enactment and acted as the narrator, conveying the exposition of the story. Simba had a 'mane' made out of red leaves around his head, as did his lion friends who portrayed the antagonists.
"I am Mohatu, Fourth King of the Pride Lands," Simba proclaimed in as deep a voice as he could muster.
Rafiki explained that Mohatu was a wise, honourable king who was loved by his subjects, but one day, his reign was challenged by his own brother, who was called Choyo, for he believed that the lions' destiny was to rule all of Africa, but Mohatu respected the sovereignty of his neighbours, and so the two lions engaged in a fierce duel.
"My brother, together we can take the Pride Lands beyond that which the light touches," said Chumvi, who was portraying the Choyo, and also spoke with a forced voice. "We have a great power, and to forsake that power is to insult our creator," Chumvi claimed.
"You are wrong - to misuse our power is to insult our creator, and we use our power to keep order, fairness and the integrity of the Circle of Life, a true King does not wonder what he can take, but how he can serve," Simba declared before they pounced at each other. Out of context, it was a pretty tame battle, but Simba and Chumvi managed to make it emotionally compelling without any claws being unsheathed. The duel ended in a stalemate, with Choyo declaring that he would pursue his goal on his own and left the Pride Lands.
Rafiki told of how the misguided brother would go on to recruit other lions to his cause and wreak havoc in faraway lands, driving herds of other animals to the Pride Lands, which caused a water shortage. Mohatu went on a successful expedition to find a new water source, but while Mohatu was absent, his brother betrayed him and took up residence in Pride Rock, holding the rest of his pride hostage, signified by the female cubs sitting on the rocky outcrop and the rogues standing in front of it. Simba looked aghast when a horde of hyenas intercepted his path.
"Allying with hyenas? How could you, brother?!" Simba growled.
"Kill him!" Choyo ordered and the 'hyenas' charged. The cubs representing the rest of Mohatu's pride gasped in shock.
"No!" Nala yelled. It was as if the idea that Simba was actually about to come to harm provided her with the motivation to conjure such a reaction.
"I'll take you all on!" Simba said with a badass voice and dodged, swiped and pounced at the hyenas before they all ended up in a pile of dazed cubs.
"Do you not see that we are destined for more than this stupid rock?" Chumvi asked as Choyo.
"You are right, brother, we are destined for more than this, we are destined to bring peace to all of Africa," Simba responded. "I offer you a chance to build a legacy for yourself, to be known as the lion who redeemed himself and brought peace to Africa," he conveyed the ultimatum.
"Only cowards accept mercy! We will finish this once and for all!"
The lion cubs then charged at Simba, who once again deftly avoided the lunges and exploited the vulnerabilities of the 'rogues'. They were all easily and efficiently dispatched by Mohatu until the brothers were facing each other once again. It was at this point that the fight got a little more violent, with paws batting at faces, mouths at necks - I was assured that they weren't actually scratching or biting. The duel culminated with Chumvi striking Simba to the floor, leaping at him, but Simba kicked him over his head with his hind legs and the cub went flying into the pile of defeated enemies with a crash and a chorus of groaning cubs. The audience reacted either by wincing in sympathy for the cubs or laughing at the manner in which they all now lay in an unrealistically neat pile.
Rafiki went on to give an epilogue about how Mohatu continued to rule with wisdom and compassion for many years until one winter night, he passed peacefully surrounded by those dearest to him. Simba followed Rafiki's hint and lowered himself to the floor and lay on his side. Nala then placed a flower that was discretely given to her on Simba's body, and the other portrayers threw some grass on him, indicating that his body was returned to the earth but even then, his part in the Circle of Life was not over.
Upon Rafiki announcing the conclusion, the audience roared their approval, congratulating the young cubs on a compelling performance. The cubs bowed their heads in gratitude. As Simba still had grass all over him, he couldn't prevent a small sneeze, which caused the cubs to giggle. They then went to their respective parents, who each regarded their child with justified pride.
When Simba arrived at the rock at which his family were watching, Sarabi nuzzled her son.
"You were brilliant, my son," she praised.
"Thanks, Mom," Simba returned the gesture before looking up at his father. "Dad, did you see my moves?" he asked excitedly, eager to prove to his father that he could be a fierce defender of his territory just as the incumbent King was.
"I did," Mufasa smiled. "You would have made Mohatu proud," he declared. Simba beamed at this. Apart from his own father, it seemed that Mohatu was his greatest idol. He sounded like a strong, wise and noble character and I would have loved to have met him.
Rafiki whispered in my ear, informing me that it was time for me to sing my next song and the final performance of the evening before I was confirmed as a Pridelander.
I walked over to join the crowd. Some even whooped and cheered at me as I walked toward them, causing me to grin while looking down at the floor in humility. Upon turning to face Mufasa and his family, I realised that I found that a more daunting sight than standing on a platform in front of thousands of animals of enormously differing sizes. The need to impress the King was at least a thousand times more pressing than for the latter.
Nonetheless, my nervous thoughts were almost immediately banished from my mind when the music began to play and the choir softly sang the first verse, which acted as both a kind of preamble and interval.
Fatshe leso, lea halalela.
Fatshe leso, lea halalela.
Then it was up to me to define the rest of the song. I began by spacing the syllables across the melody but I managed to retain the impact of both.
Uli-bu...se le lizwe,
Izwe lethu,
Mhlaba wethu.
Uli pha...the kahle,
Izwe lethu,
Izwe lethu.
I sang the chorus with the choir providing a graceful backing. I sang with more purpose and magnitude. The fact that the melody was the same as the one for the mournful song that my mother sang was momentarily put aside.
Uzo libusa
Le lizwe
Uli buse kahle
Uzo libusa
Le lizwe, le lizwe, lizwe,
At this point, I deviated from the choir's soothing rendition of the verse, being more stylised but only singing between the choir and not over it.
Fatshe leso, lea halalela.
Fatshe leso, lea halalela.
The music then collapsed upon that climax so I started to rebuild it by singing the next verse and chorus like I sang the first time around,
Uli-bu...se le lizwe,
Izwe lethu,
Mhlaba wethu.
U'zuli nqon… u'zuli nqondise
Izwe lethu,
Izwe lethu,
Uzo libusa
Le lizwe
Uli buse kahle
Uzo libusa
Le lizwe, le lizwe.
I was then exposed to a pure instrumental expression of the chorus melody, and I could almost hear my mother's voice within every note as if it transcended beyond mere memory. It was as if she was singing with us right now. It made me determined to fulfil the vision that she had for me. This was where I was meant to be and much like the course of events of my life in London, I guessed that things would not always be this way - family moments, celebrations of peace and welcoming. But I was determined to make sure that they endured as long as I had a say in it, and that meant ensuring that Mufasa's reign prevailed for many more years until he completes his journey in the Circle of Life.
I then found myself looking at the prince who was sitting in front of the King - the son who was so eager to be like his father but was already making paths of his own other than the ones that were made for him. If Simba saw me as a brother, then I would guide and support him as I would my biological brother.
At this point, as the instrumental interlude was about to transition into the final lyrical one, my thoughts in my mind threatened to manifest themselves in the form of tears. I closed my eyes and looked to the floor and sang solemnly. Again, I sang between the choir rather than with them. I rose the volume of my voice on the final line.
Fatshe leso, lea halalela.
Fatshe leso, fatshe leso.
I sang the final iterations of the verses as if I was instructing Mufasa to stay true to his duties as the upholder of the laws that keep the peace and protect the integrity of the Circle of Life and protect the ways and livelihoods of the inhabitants of the Pride Lands. I had to sing at such a volume to stop myself from succumbing to tears, and just as I was about to falter, I was buoyed by the voices of the Pridelanders behind me. The air was filled with the sound of unity and solidarity, the voices behind me almost holding me up by themselves, providing a net to stop me from capitulating to my emotions.
Uzo libusa
Le lizwe,
Uli buse kahle.
Uzo libusa le lizwe
Uli busa kahle
Uzo libusa
Le lizwe,
Uli buse kahle.
Uzo libusa
Le lizwe,
Uli busa kahle.
Upon finishing the song, I could do nothing but fall to my knees and let my head fall into my hands. Within the cheers behind me, I could hear words of support and gratitude. When I looked up, I could make out the golden lion cub approaching me through distorted eyesight caused by stinging tears.
"Are you okay, Alex?" Simba asked with a voice of concern and confusion, wondering why I broke down as I had.
I smiled as I rubbed my eyes, only alleviating the stinging marginally. "I am," I pretended. It was neither the time nor place to explain why I reacted to the melody in that way, and I wasn't sure if Simba would appreciate at this time why it would take me off guard.
I then noticed that Morgan was standing beside Simba, with the rest of the Royal Family approaching to regard me. We were looking into each other's eyes, and in his, I could see an understanding, a sympathy, even though he didn't exactly know why. Nonetheless, he wrapped his arms under my own and around my torso.
"Oh!" I gasped having been taken by surprise by the gesture. "Thank you," I said, putting a hand on his left shoulder and another on the back of his head.
"Welcome to the Pride Lands," Mufasa proclaimed.
We both looked at Mufasa, giving him grateful expressions. We then looked at each other and gave each other broad smiles. We were Pridelanders.
The crowd dispersed at the end of the official ceremony. I vowed to follow the laws and respect the customs of the Pride Lands and Mufasa officially declared me a citizen of the Pride Lands. This was met with perhaps the loudest cheer of the night. Before everyone went home, the leaders of the respective species groups congratulated me and asked if I was okay after my emotional response to the People's Anthem. Mufasa spoke on my behalf, explaining that it was a long and personal story that would be told another day if I so chose. The animal leaders accepted this answer and once again congratulated me on my initiation.
The sky was now a meadow of stars, unbridled without the pollution of artificial light as it was in London. The waning moon was providing a decent level of light in that I could actually see where everyone was. Of course, lions wouldn't have such trouble even during the darkest of nights. I could see that Mufasa and Sarabi were leading the lions back to Pride Rock, with their son betwixt the Royal Couple. They were talking about how fun the songs were thanks to me, and how Simba apparently portrayed his great-grandfather accurately. Sarafina and Nala were praising each other for their graceful singing and passionate portrayal respectively.
Morgan soon caught up with me and walked beside me.
"I hope you ate your carrots," I chuckled, and so did Morgan.
"I did, but I think that's a myth anyway," he replied. I looked down at him and went through what we had been through together and a thought entered my head that I believed needed confirming.
"Morgan... why did you hug me like that after the song?" I asked. He looked at me. I guessed that he initially felt offence, thinking that his gesture was unappreciated. But then he looked to the floor as if thinking to himself why he did it.
"I suppose... I wanted to make you feel better, but I also wanted you to know that you weren't alone," he said. 'I don't know exactly why you reacted that way, but I assume it has something to do with your mother," he added.
"Yes... it does," I replied at length. "If only more people were as considerate as you are," I said, to which Morgan responded with a humble smile.
It was a few minutes before we were ascending the slope that led to Pride Rock. Instead of going into the cave, he lowered his head to speak to Simba. I could only hear Simba's affirmation before he bounded off into the cave. The King nuzzled his Queen before she followed her son. Mufasa looked behind and motioned for me to follow him up the promontory of Pride Rock.
"I think Mufasa wants to speak with me," I said to Morgan. "I'll catch you in a bit," I added. He nodded before walking into the cave himself. Lionesses were still ascending the slope as I approached Mufasa. Even though I was technically taller than him, his presence alone made me feel like I wasn't as tall as I was. Behind the brooding and stoic eyes that gazed into the unlit savannah, I could tell that there was a storm of emotions going on. Primarily pride and satisfaction for how the ceremony went and how his son performed, but also a good deal of anxiety about tomorrow.
"I want to thank you for... the joy that you inspired... in all of us," Mufasa spoke with sincerity. "I can't recall a more passionate rendition by my subjects, and as you can imagine, it has been many moons since I participated in the Royal Anthem," the King admitted.
"I'm glad that I was able to step up and make that ceremony one to remember, and I have you and Rafiki to thank for that," I responded. Mufasa looked at me and cocked a brow.
"Give yourself some credit, Alex," he chuckled, lightly tapping my elbow. "It was your voice that filled the air, and my word do you know how to work a crowd," he added.
I shook my head. "Beginners luck," I played it down.
"Speaking of Rafiki..." Mufasa's tone turned serious. "Did he tell you how the peace talks would play out?" he asked.
"Yeah," I nodded. "And it hurt," I said bluntly.
Mufasa chuckled. "Rafiki has his ways," he sighed. I responded with a chuckle but this meant opening my mouth and releasing an indignifying yawn.
"Oh, excuse me," I apologised.
"I agree, we should get some sleep," he declared. "Tomorrow will be a decisive one," he added before walking back down the promontory. I took a moment to appreciate the stars that were strewn across the abyss above like glitter.
"Indeed it will be."
I eventually tiptoed into the cave and unfurled the blanket, which was actually a generous size and was surprisingly comfortable even on particularly humid nights, the warmth it provided seemed to disregard the air temperature.
I closed my eyes and remained still so I could fall into the ocean of slumber as swiftly as a peregrine falcon - that's how exhausted I was, I felt as if I could just fall into an abyss for a whole day before I had the energy to do anything. But that would entail missing the peace talks, and I wouldn't even entertain the thought of missing it or the consequences of doing so. As my thoughts began to be clouded by overwhelming weariness, I could feel a faint current of air hitting my face. Initially, I appreciated it as a gentle stream of cool air providing a satisfactory complement to my warming lower body. But then it hit my face repeatedly and consistently.
I opened my eyes and saw a pair of bright amber eyes with scarlet irises. I flinched slightly.
"Simba?" I mouthed. I could barely rub my eyes to expel the sleepiness that had already weighed on my eyelids. "What are you doing here?" I asked. "Go back to your parents before they notice you're gone," I ordered before I turned my body to face Morgan, but to my surprise, I saw that he too was wide awake. I then slumped onto my back and sighed heavily.
"What's the meaning of this?" I asked, realising that this was pre-arranged between Morgan and Simba.
"We wanted to know why you cried after the last song," Simba said. There was sorrow and pity in his voice. I looked at Simba and then Morgan, before resting my head on my left hand.
"I cried because... because it reminded me of my mother, of a song that she used to sing to me," I answered. It wasn't the entire truth, which would probably be less relatable to them. Even in a whisper, with every word that came out of my mouth, my throat grew heavier.
"And I have recently had an epiphany about my purpose, my destiny, and I now believe that my entire childhood has been a precursor for my time here, and... honestly, it makes me feel that I have no agency," I admitted. I was no longer whispering, but my voice was silent to the point where one could hear every movement of my vocal cords.
"Wow..." Simba breathed.
"Yeah, that's... that's heavy," Morgan whispered. I chuckled.
"Yeah, well... I'm too tired to talk about it at this point and I don't really want to talk about it anymore anyway, so... good night," I whispered quickly and brought the blanket up to my nose and rested my head on my other hand as the original hand was developing paraesthesia. It was a few moments before Morgan lay back down and Simba padded away. I sighed wearily and closed my eyes, thankfully for the last time until the sun eroded the darkness.
A/N: And so concludes the longest chapter yet. I'll tell you guys, writing this chapter was an emotional journey. Not just because of the highs and lows of what happened in this chapter, but because of the betrayals I faced along the way. First of all, FanFiction betrayed me by loading weirdly and losing half of the re-enactment and the second song, and Google Docs betrayed me because of some sort of syncing issues. No matter, it is here and it is a longboi. And of course, the two songs that Alex and the Pridelanders sing are 'Busa' by Lebo M and 'Lea Halalela' by Khululiwe Sithole, both of which can be found in The Rhythm of the Pride Lands album. I hope you enjoyed reading this chapter and make sure to review constructively and add this story to your favourite/following lists if you haven't already. See you next time and have a good week.