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CHAPTER: IN THE SHADOW
Through the walk...the thoughts that haunted her dreams came back. Would she be accepted back or be killed for her husband’s crime? She finally reached the stream that marked the border of her lands...the lands of her family. She stopped...the small trail of water becoming a huge stone wall blocking her quest. Markaaagh noticed her balking and flew down to meet her. “Is this not where you want to be, Missy?”
“No...this is it.” She slowly sca
The buzzard just looked at her, “what...what is it?”
Without answering, she turned quickly and ran into the grass, leaving the flock of buzzards in complete confusion as she disappeared.
Heart pounding and sweet dripping from her brow, Ela
The thought of being alone ran through her mind also. Now it would be for good. She couldn’t go home...and she definitely could not go back to Kubali. The feelings were just too strong for her to be anything but his mate.
The urgency of getting away soon faded and she slowed down to a slow trot. She looked around the surround area to get her bearings. Her gaze fell back to where she came from. Only the very tip of Pride Rock was barely visible over the golden grass. She dropped her head and continued to walk away slowly, until Pride Rock was nothing more than a memory.
The day slowly faded away as the sun set in the west. Not seeing anyone coming after her, she figured it was safe for her to lie down and try to rest her aching muscles some. She flopped into the grass, disappearing from sight. She sighed, thinking of her future. Now, even the vultures wouldn’t talk to her. She was truly alone...or was she?
CHAPTER: ANOTHER TRAIL
“Hello there,” a booming voice cut through the air. Ela
Ela
Ela
“Whoa...” he said as he tried to scatter back from the lioness flying towards him. Ela
Ela
“There we are...I was just wondering what a beautiful creature like you was doing on my lands.”
Ela
“Hold on...it’s all right. I’m not going to hurt you. Do you need help?”
Ela
“I am King Mabongo...and you are?”
Ela
The king just looked at her thinking, “I have heard that name before...”
Ela
Mabongo nodded. “You were the queen if I remember correctly. Your husband was named Scar. Latest news that I heard from you old pride was that his nephew came back and took the throne from him.”
She breathed softly, “Simba...”
Mabongo looked at her, “Yes, that was his name. From what I hear, the lionesses were happy to overthrow your husband and have Simba as their king.”
She nodded softly and looked down.
Mabongo shifted softly, “That was tactless of me. I’m sorry. It’s a pity about your husband...I’m sure it was a great loss to you.” Ela
Ela
He sat down slowly, “If you want...I could always use another lioness in my pride. We are small but tightly knit group.” He smiled to her softly, “You are tired. Come start a new life here. Would you like that?”
Ela
“Mabongo...I don’t go for formalities here. If you want, you can come with me and I will introduce you to the pride. We are a friendly bunch and if you like what you see, you may stay for as long as you want.”
Ela
He smiled to her, “There you go...you will fit in fine.” She smiled to him softly and followed him through the grasses.
CHAPTER: THE THIRD PRIDE
As they topped a ridge, Mabongo roared and a lioness replied. The king turned to Ela
Ela
Mabongo ran to one particular lioness and nuzzled her. Ela
“This is Ela
“Flip that mane out of your eyes, babe,” the lioness said, stepping toward Ela
Mabongo looked at Ela
Ujuzi pawed Ela
“I’m willing to answer any of your questions, Your Highness.” Ela
Ujuzi looked back at the timid lioness. “You can skip the Your Highness bit. Yes Ma’am and no Ma’am do nicely.”
“Yes, Your--uh--ma’am.”
“Well, for first, what brings you to these parts? You tick off your queen?”
Ela
“Driven out by your pride sisters?” Ujuzi stared at Mabongo. “I guess you already knew that? And I’m sure she also told you why while you were flapping your jaws, but I want to hear it with my own ears.” She turned back to Ela