Born To Lead Chapter 6

Later in the evening, the celebration was reaching its peak. Many were retiring to their huts to sleep though a number remained awake continuing to enjoy what was left of the festivities.

Caesar bid his wife and newborn goodnight choosing to stay a little while longer. So Cornelia climbed the steps back into their oak tree assisted by one of her multiple midwives.

Caesar had taken a seat on the roots of the tree Maurice sitting beside him.

"Another son," congratulated Maurice.

Chuckling, Caesar signed "Makes me think how far we've come, Maurice."

Together they looked out at the forest and the human city that lay beyond.

"Seems long ago," signed Maurice, pointing at the decrepit city."Still, think about them?"

"Humans," asked Caesar.

Maurice nodded in reply.

Shrugging, solemn, Caesar admitted"Sometimes."It was impossible for him not to. Humans raised him for most of his life surrounded by love and trust. There were times he missed his favorite humans so much it was sheer agony. Caesar often wondered what his human father, Will, would think if he saw him now, all he'd accomplished.

"Didn't know them like you did," signed Maurice."Only saw their bad side."

As a circus orangutan, he'd witnessed a lot of neglect at the hands of humans, but not as bad as the apes experienced trapped in the labs.

"Good, bad…doesn't matter now," signed Caesar, gravely."Humans destroyed each other."

Maurice mentioned, "Apes fight too."

"Be we are family," insisted Caesar, smiling.

Maurice conceded at the point rather than agreeing with it.

Caesar signed "Wonder if they're really all gone."

"Ten winters now…The last two…no sign of them. They must be gone," assumed Maurice.

Despite the truth behind Maurice's words, Caesar was doubtful. The population of the humans had been so large before they'd turned on each other. Surely there had to be some survivors, but if there were they weren't anywhere near Caesar's people.

Breaking passed Caesar's stoicism, Maurice signed "The past has no purpose in our lives now. Remembering only brings pain. You have done honorably by our people, Caesar. You have built a new life for us in the woods. A life of peace and plenty. A life that is worth far more than anything humans have ever done to our kind."

Speaking of which Caesar turns to look downward into the communal area around the dying embers of the fire pit. A lot of the younger apes his own children's age were sitting around the fire laughing and joking with each other taking pleasure in the traditions to which they were accustomed. Unlike their parents, they'd been, thankfully, spared from feeling the cruelty and strife of human hands knowing only tranquil serenity. This wasn't the first time he envied the comparative simplicity of their lives. Here he'd achieved it for himself and many others in spades. Scanning his eyes over the crowd Caesar pinpointed whom he wanted.

Blue Eyes, Ash, and Willow were sitting together on the same log. Ash was in the middle with one of the twins on either side of him. Ash was currently conversing with Blue Eyes while Willow leaned against him her head on his shoulder. Caesar looked further down and saw the couple was holding hands their fingers linked to intertwined.

Caesar gazed with fondness at the duo. The mutual attraction between these two lovebirds was undeniable to anyone who saw them, sharing a lovely romance. They made a great pair. As he studied their interactions Ash lifted a hand adjusting the circlet adorning Willow's head receiving a beautiful smile as compensation. That's all he needed.

Blue Eyes hooted at his friend and sister. A few signs he made were illegible to Caesar across the distance, but whatever he said got a rise out of the pair. Truly it was all in good fun. They weren't the least bit offended. Indeed they were laughing along with Blue Eyes.

As Caesar considered them he became somewhat impassive a random thought coming to mind.

"Do you think I favor Willow," asked Caesar.

Maurice stated, "She loves you so much it's hard to avoid it."

Grunting, firm, Caesar signed "I've heard the gossip, Maurice. I know what most apes say."

Caesar is referring to the rumors he's heard of how many in the tribe would rather Willow succeed him as leader instead of Blue Eyes. Blue Eyes was Caesar's firstborn thus he was destined to rule after his father. But there were certain qualities of a good leader he lacked, lessons he had yet to learn. On the other hand, Willow is the complete image of their father an exact replica. It wasn't difficult to figure out which one suited the throne more. Blue Eyes was loved, respected, and cherished in the tribe as a whole, but he was nowhere close to being ready while his sister was. He hoped Blue Eyes would mature with age as he grew losing that carelessness and impulsiveness he had. The blatant disrespect he'd displayed during the hunt was proof this wasn't the case. Caesar saw so much potential and promise in his son. He just needed a chance an opportunity to prove himself.

Thankfully that crossroad was a long way off from now. Caesar would be leading the apes for a long time yet.

Caesar's inner circle knew better than to utter such nonsense, but they couldn't stop everyone else from speaking their minds.

Their knowledge as to whether she was ignorant or just ignored it was a mystery. If Willow did she never once let on determined to keep the craziness of it from affecting her life.

"Perhaps I've indulged her too much," contemplated Caesar, shaking his head. "She's grown up so headstrong."

Maurice disagreed, vehemently, signing "All she's ever desired is finding a way to contribute to the tribe. Before when she was aimlessly trying to escape to the world we left behind she had none. Now, to her, she has a purpose something that gives her drive, a need to do more. You didn't spoil her, Caesar. Far from it, you did just what needed to be done. You gave her a life to live."

Nodding his assent, Caesar signed "You're right. I just really hope those two never become at odds with each other. Two halves of one soul twins should constantly be united as one."

Authors Note:

It's official the apes have seriously taken over!