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TOUCH OF THE NISEI

A Chronicles of the Pride Lands Story of Elanna
by John Burkitt, Ian Layton and David Morris



LEGAL NOTE:  This original copyrighted work is based on Walt Disney's 
feature film, "The Lion King."  Elements taken directly from "The 
Lion King" are the property of The Walt Disney Company.  "Touch of 
the Nisei" is distributed free of charge excepting reasonable 
distribution costs.  Quoting passages from our work, writing original 
pieces based on our work, or using characters we created is fine as 
long as you secure prior approval.  That begins by sending one of us 
a copy of the work.  Our e-mail addresses are:

David A. Morris: damorris@wilmington.net
Ian Layton:      rama@pridelands.org
John H. Burkitt: john.burkitt@nashville.com

Your comments on our work, pro and con, are always welcome.  We have 
been asked about our legal note.  This is our official response: "The 
copyright is maintained solely to prevent patently vulgar or lewd 
misuse of our characters.  Most any work, including parodies would be 
fine as long as it meets certain reasonably broad standards of 
decency.  We reserve the right as copyright holders to define and 
change those standards.  None of these standards is meant to force 
the applicant to be consistent with the literary style or plot of the 
original work."

The character Isha is the property of Brian Tiemann.  Used with 
permission.

This story is a fictional work, but we don't claim that any 
resemblance to any characters living or dead is purely coincidental.  
With love and respect, we acknowledge the debt we owe to those who 
taught us how to laugh and cry.  Without acting as clear models for 
any one character, many great souls, some non-human, have been woven 
deeply into the fabric of our lives only to end up in "Touch of the 
Nisei."


FOREWORD BY THE AUTHORS:

	When I first heard the suggestion from Ian Layton that we do a 
story on Elanna's exile, I didn't know whether to shout "Never!" or 
"Let's do it!"  The project, by its very nature, was chock full of 
challenges and rewards.  But as his pitch was laced with some 
specific suggestions that intrigued me, and I had little chance 
fighting the temptation.  The idea took hold of me, and I was no 
longer in control of the project, it was in control of me!  
	It was fun while it lasted.  In addition to the story line 
itself, I couldn't resist the opportunity to work with Ian on 
something canon to the Chronicles of the Pride Lands.  Dave and I had 
become very comfortable with each other's style--Ian added a unique 
note to the theme that kept us on our toes.  He has been a good 
friend to both of us, and I think I speak for Dave too that the 
experience has been fascinating.

			--  John Burkitt, Nashville, Tennessee


	What is it about Elanna?  What is it about a character who has 
repeatedly come back in our minds over and over, demanding her tale 
be released to the world?  Perhaps it is the agony of her pain which 
makes us sympathize with her...or the depth of her love that sustains 
her through it...or perhaps it is the iron will that holds her up 
even in the darkest hours, refusing to succumb to despair...something 
that inspires us all as we yearn for our happy time in the sun.
	The time has finally come round for Elanna to have hers...and 
we've been invited along.  Won't you join us?

			--  David Morris, Wilmington, North Carolina


	Through the past few months, I have been through some bad 
times.  From pressure at school, to my vehicle, and then to my 
computer, everything seemed to pile on me all at once. Throughout 
that time, I learned that I had many close friends, willing to do 
almost anything for me in my times of pain.  Two of them, and among 
the closest, are John and Dave.  I really don't know what I would 
have done without you two being there for me to talk to.  Through all 
the Ugas jokes and bad puns, thank you.
	Now about the story...I was on IRC one night when ideas started 
to be flung around by some people for an idea for another 
'Chronicles' story.  Someone mentioned Elanna and my wheels began to 
spin.  The next day, I sent an e-mail to Dave with an idea for an 
Elanna story.  He told me to forward it to John which I did.  The 
idea was all I had planned for my part of the project, but before I 
knew it I was drug into the project as a writer.  I would say it was 
a very interesting experience working with two people with different 
writing styles from my own...and very rewarding.
	Finally I give my thanks to the Disney corporation for making 
the movie which this series of stories is based on.  For better or 
worse, `The Lion King' has affected me far beyond what I ever thought 
possible for a mere movie.

			--  Ian 'Rama' Layton, La Vergne, Tennessee


DEDICATION:

This work is dedicated to the memory of Jacques Yves Cousteau, 1910 - 
1997.  Conservationist, oceanographer, citizen of the world, friend 
to all life everywhere.  May his light ever shine on us from the 
stars.


CHAPTER:  THE OUTCAST

	The golden eye of N'ga stared at the savanna relentlessly.  The 
effect was palpable, seeming to stir the savanna grass like a gentle 
wind, but it was only an illusion created by the hot, still air.  The 
occasional wind did little to bring relief.  It dried the nose and 
stung the eye like a fierce enemy.  Zebras panted and remained near 
the shrinking pools of water.  One-who-brings-rain had been scarce of 
late, and the grass has turned from gold to a tawny brown.  
'Dry...but not too dry,' as the zebras had said.  "Merely peckish," 
the oryx had replied.  Prey was still plentiful, but it had been a 
lean time for lions, a time to avoid unnecessary effort and rest 
often.  Still, the land fared better than it did in one kingdom 
rumored to be forsaken by the gods, the lands of Taka.
	A lone lion made his way through the grass with the fearful, 
empty tread of the recently exiled.  Now his fate rested on two 
points: the mercy of Aiheu and his own resourcefulness.  His old 
friends, his family, and his familiar grounds were behind him, 
perhaps forever, and he sought out solace in a new beginning.  Only 
that lion seemed to bear an extra weight on his shoulders that made 
his ears a little flatter, his tail a little lower and his step a 
little slower than most.
	"Why didn't I listen to Dad?" he said aloud.  Rogue lions often 
talked to themselves for a while to fill the void--at least until 
they got used to doing without companionship.  He looked back from 
where he came and let out a loud sigh as if the weight of the land 
was on his shoulders.  "Why was I such an idiot??"
	Only a week ago his life had been so simple.  An heir apparent, 
he was used to respect and concessions.  Everything had been fine a 
week ago, but those times seemed like a distant memory.  Fewer days 
than he had toes?  Could it be that short a time?
	He had been given a commoner's mantlement and sent out never to 
return.  It was a shameful fate for one destined for greatness from 
his birth.  The promise of his presentation was not kept, and he was 
alone and vulnerable.  Sure he had stirred up the lionesses.  But he 
had meant no harm by it.  Many princes go through a phase of acting 
like a brat, a child wanting to test the limits set by his elders and 
have a little fun bending a few rules.  The lionesses didn't mind too 
much when the young cub would come to them and demand things.  'He 
will grow out of it,' the king would assure them.  `It is just a 
phase he's going through.'  But he did not grow out of it.  It got 
worse with age.
	He had been warned.  Warned that he would be sent away like the 
troublemaker Gamu.  But the constant warnings had become a familiar 
part of his life, a background noise that got tuned out from constant 
repetition and no enforcement.  A commoner's mantlement would never 
REALLY befall him.  At least that was what he used to think.
	His mother had died giving birth to him.  The thought of what 
she must have been like, and his father's stories about her, filled 
him with awe.  He loved the lioness he never knew as much as many 
cubs love their living mother.  But to the other lionesses he had 
shown little respect.  His father had tried to raise him differently, 
but he did not know how to channel youthful energies into productive 
growth.  Many of the lionesses would have gladly given the young cub 
lessons, but the King only let them give him milk.  That was a 
dreadful mistake, not only in how the son turned out, but in shaping 
how the lionesses felt about him.  Finally with a threatened 
rebellion looming large, the King decided to overcompensate, becoming 
a harsh disciplinarian and making life for his prince a living hell.  
That only aggravated the situation.  More warnings were met with more 
rebellious behavior.  It was only a matter of time until the 
situation came to a head.
	The King's younger son Ababu was only five minutes younger, but 
he had no claim on the throne.  Still, he had been properly trained 
by the lionesses, and they were demanding that he be the heir.  "Five 
minutes younger, but years more mature!  Either Ababu will be our 
next king or we're out of here!"
	The King had no choice, and he called a commoner's mantlement 
for his former prince.  With many bitter tears from father and son, 
and glares of satisfaction from most of the lionesses, the prince was 
sent away.  That was only a few sunsets ago, and the young lion had 
experienced his first taste of the loneliness that would be his 
curse.  When he could finally work past the anger and bitterness he 
felt, he took a long close look at his life, comparing himself to 
Ababu.  He remembered all the times he'd snickered about his 
brother's prim and proper behavior, calling him "stodgy" and "stuck-
up."  He wished he'd been more stodgy and stuck-up.
	Step by step he was headed into nowhere.  He thought about his 
father's kindly voice and the way Debara's milk had tasted as she 
stroked him with her soft pink tongue.  He thought about Debara's 
daughter Penzi, and how he used to lie beside her under the shade of 
the acacias to watch the clouds float by.  Penzi was his betrothed, 
and she had been aching for her first kill so she could be a true 
lioness and unite with him.  "Dear, gentle Penzi," he stammered, 
"I'll never see you again."  He was without hope, and with a deep 
pain in his gut he fell to the ground and sobbed.  She was afraid of 
exile, too terrified to accompany him.  He did not blame her, but he 
felt the lonliness gnawing at his ribs and a moan escaped him.
	"Help me, Aiheu!  Help me!  Send me a friend, God!  I'll be 
good!  Please, God!  Oh Aiheu!  I'll never be so selfish again!"


CHAPTER:  THE SUNSET OF TAKA

	The last few days of Elanna's marriage to Taka went by in a 
blur.  Taka had more frequent nightmares, sometimes three or four a 
night, and the lack of sleep left him looking prematurely old.  
Sometimes she would find him huddled in the cave whimpering.  She 
would ask him what was wrong and he would say, "My mother really 
loved me, you know.  I wish she were here right now."
	She would answer him, "I'm here, and I really love you."  He 
would kiss her and nuzzle her desperately.  His temper was very 
short, and he snapped at her from time to time, but afterwards he 
always came to her sobbing and begging her for forgiveness almost 
incoherently.  She would hug him tightly and move him gently with her 
arms from side to side like a crying cub.  
	Taka insisted that others eat a bit of his food before he would 
touch it, sure that the hyena healers would try to drug or poison 
him.  He was afraid of sleep for more than just his nightmares.  He 
finally got to the point where he was afraid to sleep if Elanna was 
asleep.  So the two of them spent less time together--she mainly saw 
him asleep, and she collapsed from exhaustion shortly after he awoke 
and was tired all the time.  Finally Uzuri, in her kindness, offered 
to stand watch over them part of the day so they could sleep touching 
and maybe spend some wakeful moments together.
	Then one evening right at the end of his life he went out on 
the promontory and looked up at the clouds that passed overhead but 
did no good.  In the grip of his encroaching madness, he shouted, 
"Have you forgotten how to rain??"  He turned about, lifted his tail 
and urinated, the golden drops falling on the ground below.  Elanna 
thanked God that the others were out on the hunt at the time.  
	He came trudging in and looked down at Elanna who lay on the 
floor of the cave.  "What's the matter, Honey Tree?  You never saw 
someone take a whiz off the rock before?"
	She did not answer him, but patted next to her with her paw.  
He came and lay beside her, sighed, and closed his eyes.  He tired 
easily, and it did not take long for him to fall asleep.
	A moment passed, then he opened his eyes.  Something was wrong-
-very wrong.  He looked around, surprised that he couldn't find his 
love.  "Odd," he thought.  "She hadn't left me in my sleep in a long 
time."  He called out her name but heard nothing in return except a 
quiet laugh, a hyena's laugh.  His stomach began to knot up, and 
nearing panic he rushed out onto the stone ledge toward the mocking 
sound.  He looks around expecting to see his mate.  Instead he saw 
Shenzi.  
	Slowly and carefully, he approached her.  Shenzi regarded him 
with an amused grin.  "What do YOU want?"
	"Have you seen Lannie?"
	She only laughed demonically.
	"How DARE you laugh at me!  How DARE you!  I remember when you 
were a little brat messing in your own den!"
	Shenzi laughed louder, a red fire glowing in her eyes.  "Now 
I'm messing in YOUR den!  Who is the scavenger now??"
	Taka begins to quail with fear.  "Where is Lannie??"
	"What's a matter, cubby??  Can't hold on to your Mommy??"  She 
approached him, hackles raised.  "Maybe she wants to crouch with a 
REAL lion?  Maybe that warped little body of yours makes her sick!  
Sick, sick, SICK!"
	"If that's how you feel, take your--people--and get out!!"
	"It's not that easy, cubby!  You don't scare me one bit."  
Shenzi grinned broadly.  Taka gasped in horror as he saw the signs of 
fresh blood on her strong, sharp teeth.
	"Where is Lannie??  What have you done with her??"
	"Wouldn't you like to know!"
	"What have you done??" Taka demanded, shoving her back with a 
paw.  "WHAT HAVE YOU DONE??"  He moved closer as she backed back, 
still laughing at him.  "Stop laughing and answer me!  WHAT HAVE YOU 
DONE??"
	He shoved her with a paw again and she tumbled backwards over 
the edge of the promontory, falling, falling, falling to the distant 
savanna.
	"Shenzi!!"
	Taka quickly made his way down the steep sides of Pride Rock.  
Maybe in her dying breaths she might reveal the truth.  He searched 
under the promontory, expecting to see her twisted body.  Instead he 
spotted a lioness laying in the grass motionless.
	He approached the form slowly with a growing panic.  The pain 
in his stomach was almost unbearable as he crept the last few lengths 
on trembling limbs and looked at the face of the lioness.  
	"LANNIE!!  OH GODS!!"
	There were fresh claw wounds on her otherwise flawless form.  
"NO!!"  LANNIE!!  NO!!"
	Suddenly he was stirred from sleep by a familiar presence.  He 
gasped and tried to catch his breath as Elanna's dear face approached 
his and kissed him.
	"Dear...dear...you were having another bad dream.  You screamed 
out my name."
	"Oh Lannie, never leave me!"  He kissed her face and rubbed his 
paws against her.  "Never leave me, girl!  Never leave me!"
	"I won't, honey tree!"
	He continued to kiss her.  "I love you, honey tree!  You don't 
think I'm a warped little lion, do you?"
	"No!  You poor fool!"  She rubbed against him softly, returning 
the affection.  "I've felt that strong body next to me in the night 
every night and rubbed your beautiful dark mane.  I've made love with 
you every time you came to me with that sweet little hungry cub look.  
You scare me when you talk like that--like you don't trust me.  Taka, 
you're the only one in the world that trusts me anymore.  If you 
don't trust me, what will I do??  What will I do??"
	Taka put his forepaws about her neck and rubbed his face 
against hers, his breath finally returning to normal as calm returns 
to his body.  "I will always trust you.  You are the only real truth 
I've ever known."
	"My poor foolish husband!"  She kissed him.  "At least this 
cave is our gentle place.  If only I could stop those nightmares, my 
darling.  If I could take them on myself...."
	"NEVER say that!  NEVER!"  He kissed her desperately.
	"But I would.  I would."
	"I know you would.  And don't think I don't appreciate it."


CHAPTER:  THE BLUEBIRDS OF HAPPINESS

	The rogue lion wandered the corridors between territories.  
There he was relatively safe from the territorial males.  They would 
remind him to avoid their lands, but not fight him.  Some of the 
kinder ones who remembered what it was like to be alone would chat 
for a while when they saw he meant no harm.  Ugas would share a 
couple of jokes.  Old Mabatu would even stroke his mane and give him 
a blessing.  Once, Duma let him eat a small portion of zebra haunch 
because he reminded him of his son.
	Because the other rogues had to share the same corridors, he 
would also chat with them briefly.  He wanted to join a coalition 
that would end his solitude.  But most of the rogues had a brother or 
another friend already.  They were quite content to keep their 
infrequent kills or carcasses to themselves.
	By and large, the most companionship he'd known was the flock 
of buzzards that collect at every kill.  He had negotiated an 
arrangement with them--in a real sense they were his buzzards.  They 
would spot prey, and rather than watch it go to the hyenas and 
quickly vanish, they let a lion friend have his fill, then he would 
guard them while they took the remnants.  It was a great system, and 
because this rogue was alone, they were assured of a large share.
	The rogue saw the distinctive signs of a meal ahead.  The 
buzzards were flying in circles.  So the lion hurried ahead and saw 
their target.  It was a wounded antelope with a broken leg.  It 
staggered along in the oppressive heat on three legs, a look of 
desperation on its face.
	The antelope spotted him and tried to run, but could only 
hobble quickly.  Soon the lion overtook it and pushed it over, 
pinning it to the ground with a paw.
	"No, don't!  Don't!"
	"It's over.  Just relax," the lion said softly.  "Don't 
struggle and it won't hurt much."  He gripped the antelope by the 
throat, pressing firmly but not causing unnecessary pain.  The 
antelope hardly moved.  It pawed at him almost gently with a hoof, 
vainly gasping for a breath.  Then it quickly felt the need to 
breathe slip away and relaxed, falling into a last sleep.  
	The buzzards landed not far away.  "Now that's right nice, 
Fuzzy," said the leader said.  "I hope when it's my time I go that 
well."
	"Thanks," the rogue said, quickly ripping the carcass and 
availing himself of a long-awaited meal.  "I could have been an 
antelope--he could have been a lion.  That's what my father used to 
say."
	"Go easy on him, Fuzzy," the buzzard warned.  "Remember, make 
it worth our while and we'll help you out.  Fair and square all 
around.  That's what MY father used to say."
	"You'll get yours, Markaaagh."
	"You learned to say it properly, I'll grant you.  Maybe you 
have some vulture in your blood."
	"Maybe," the rogue said with a laugh.  "Any hyenas around?"
	"Nope."
	The lion could have easily finished it off himself, but he left 
plenty for the small crew of buzzards to eat their fill.  He watched 
them eat with some satisfaction.  They were in a sense his pride.  
	"So what's up, guys?"
	"Nothing much," Markaaagh said.  "Things have been kind of dead 
lately.  Har har!"
	The lion's nose wrinkled at the terrible buzzard breath.  "Dead 
lately.  Good one."  He looked around.  "You have a new one today."
	"Count us, did you?  Which one is new?"
	The lion looked around and quickly pointed.  "Her."
	"Haaaargh!  True enough.  Most carnies say we all look alike!  
That's my new mate, Ohyeghegh."
	"Interesting name.  Congratulations."
	Moments later, they had picked what was left of the Antelope 
clean and with a quickly mumbled good bye, they headed away like 
leaves in the wind.  He looked after them longingly.  As poor company 
as they were, he felt his loneliness close around him tighter still.  
He was alone once again.  At least he thought he was.
	He was being watched and followed by another rogue.  The 
strange lion crept along, watching him from the bushes and through 
the blades of golden grass.  Beside him was a hyena....


CHAPTER:  THE WORLD IS ON FIRE

	Elanna had given up hope.  She was waiting for death by her 
husband's side, no longer clinging to the fiction that everything 
would turn out all right.  But a small group of hyenas told her 
Rafiki had the answer to her prayers.
	They led her out of the cave by great stealth and smuggled her 
away from Pride Rock without being seen by Taka.  And Elanna 
cooperated, stealthily slinking on her huntress feet near several 
lionesses without a sound.  Had she known what awaited her, she would 
have cried out and the hyenas would have been quietly dispatched.  
However, by the time she knew it was a trick, it was too late to call 
for help.  Death was about to claim her, when suddenly in the 
distance she heard a loud shriek in hyannic.  A lion roared--and it 
was not Taka.  Her would-be executioners abandoned her and ran back 
to Pride Rock.  The battle for Pride Rock had begun.  
	Elanna stood in shock for a moment.  She thought of taking her 
chances with the beasts, but the better part of her took control and 
she hurried away from the hyenas into the cover of some nearby trees.  
Suddenly, the sky filled with light and the heavens shook.  Elanna 
had to focus a bit to where the light came from, and saw the telltale 
faint orange and curls of smoke rise from the dry grass near pride 
rock.
	Fixed by her fear, she stood and watched as the long-predicted 
battle raged on.  Her thoughts moved back to her husband, and the 
fight that he must be in right now.  How desperately she wanted to be 
by his side, but she knew that she couldn't risk herself going back 
right now.  She knew that her husband would never want to see her 
hurt.  She did not know if she would be perceived as friend or foe.  
This was evident in how she had never been allowed to hunt.  With a 
small sigh, she stayed among the trees.
	"Help him, Aiheu!  Please!  He has not been perfect--who has?  
But he suffers so!  Help him, God!  If he must face exile, send him 
to me!  I'll take care of him, but don't let him die!"
	Suddenly...the sounds of hyenas filled the air near her.  
Turning her head quickly, she spotted the defeated bands moving 
toward her position.  Quickly, she huddled closer to the ground and 
trees, trying to stay out of sight.  "Please Aiheu..."
	The hyenas passed her without incident, but another sound 
filled the air.  This time, the roar of the lion.  She looked down 
and quietly wept for her husband, suspecting that this lion sent Taka 
to be with Aiheu.  Along with the roar of the new male, she heard the 
roaring of her pride sisters.  She sighed, thinking how happy they 
must be now that they are rid of him.  Still she didn't leave her 
cover.  Her hopes continued that somehow, some way Aiheu guided him 
out of the fight alive.  
	Time passed and the night continued with no sight of her love.  
Finally she saw movement in the grasses.  Without thinking she jumped 
from her cover in the hope it would be him.  She was horrified to 
find  a hyena that has fallen behind of his friends.  Quickly she 
adopted a defensive stance, looking at the beast.
	The hyena caught sight the lioness as soon as she jumped out.  
"Well, Lannie-poo!  You thought you were so much better than us!  But 
you know what?  My mate survived the battle, and yours is lying in 
three separate pieces!  Ripped!  He was ripped like a gazelle!"  The 
hyena laughed demonically.
	Elanna's mind had been prepared to hear this but her heart was 
caught by surprise.  Suddenly she could feel her insides crumble.  
She struggled not to give the hyena the satisfaction of seeing her 
grief.
	The hyena added, "And you know what?  If you go back, you'll be 
next!  Your husband confessed to killing his brother to get the 
throne.  I heard the new king saying that anyone that gave your 
husband comfort would be killed on the spot."  He grinned evilly as 
his lie took its toll on her already fragile nerves and she began to 
sob.
	A tearful Elanna watched the hyena slink away.  She considered 
her options.  She could go back to her home to embrace death first, 
then embrace her husband.  Then the thought of how she would die came 
to mind.  Would she be choked like prey or would the new king rip her 
abdomen and leave her to gasp out her last breaths like Gur'mekh?
	"I'm afraid, Honey Tree!" she cried into the heavens.  "I'd 
come now, but I'm afraid.  I'm a coward, but how I love you!"
	She collapsed to the ground, crying.  But a few moments later 
she heard the soft tread of lionesses in the grass.  "Oh my God!  
They are looking for me!" 
	Quickly, she jumped off and ran into the empty plains, putting 
some distance between her and the land of her birth.


CHAPTER:  THE MISSING HUNTRESS

	In the initial confusion after the Battle for Pride Rock, 
frightened cubs began to come out of hiding and look for their 
mothers.  With a squeal of delight, Isha found Habusu and Lisani 
alive and unhurt.  Other cubs ran to their mothers' sides to be 
kissed and fondled in the flush moment of victory.
	Rafiki thought briefly of ways to purge Pride Rock of the hyena 
smell lions found revolting, but he knew that project was very low 
priority with so many wounds to heal.  Not all the wounds were 
physical, either.  Some of them were deep emotional wounds that would 
take time to heal.  Sarabi sat by Taka's body sobbing to see him laid 
open who had once lived for her affections.  Isha went to the place 
where Jona and Minshasa had died during the drought.  She looked up 
at the rain, a little bitter, then back at the place where they had 
lain in death.  "I hope wherever you are, you know it's raining."
	A few hyena stragglers were left on the Pride Lands but they 
were soon driven back into the elephant graveyard.  In that sensitive 
moment, even the hyenas that sided with the lions wisely retreated 
across the border to let things cool off.
	Finally, as the rain was beginning to taper off, the lions 
began to regroup and let Rafiki tend their wounds.  It was during 
that informal meeting, as Sarabi was searching for the right thing to 
say to Elanna, that Sarabi noticed she was missing.  Since Elanna was 
not in her cave on the rock, no one had any idea where she had gone.  
No one remembered seeing her during the fight.  In fact, it was as if 
she had just vanished.
	Since Elanna had left the cave only rarely, it was easy enough 
to follow her tracks down the side of Pride Rock, but in the wet 
grass, the scent was lost.  Sarabi quickly ran to Simba.
	"Son, Elanna can't be found and no one has seen her since 
before the fight."
	Simba looked to her sadly.  "Form a search party, Mother.  May 
Aiheu guide you."
	Isha pointed out the hyena's hidden cache of food and a few 
morsels of food were taken for quick strength.  But without rest and 
heedless of their own wounds, the lionesses headed out and searched 
the fields, calling Elanna's name.  They knew why Elanna might try to 
make herself scarce.  "Don't be afraid!" Sarabi shouted.  "By Aiheu's 
whiskers, we only want to see you!" 
	After many hours of searching, nothing was found except her 
scent, which was quickly lost again.  Then as the group was heading 
home in defeat, they turned towards some soft moaning in the grass.  
Hoping against hope that it would be Elanna they found instead a 
dying hyena.


CHAPTER:  THE WITNESS

	She had a head wound from a canine tooth that opened into her 
brain.  Her pain was stronger than her fear, and she looked over the 
group whimpering in pain.  Her eyes stopped on Rafiki.  "The pain!  
Oh gods, the pain!  Please help me!"
	Sarabi pushed forward, "Now listen to me, you fiz'lo!  Where is 
my sister Elanna?" 
	The hyena whimpered.  "Help me!  Please!  Please?"
	"We will give you something for the pain," Sarabi said, "But 
only if you tell us what you know."
	Rafiki pushed past her and held out some herbs.  "Take this."
	The lionesses scowled.  Isha said, "Those painkillers should go 
to wounded lionesses!"
	"There is enough to go around, Isha.  They are no great friends 
of mine, by and large, but the poor wretch is dying.  Let me work."
	"Kind ape, turn me to face the east," the hyeness stammered.  
"I want to see Roh'kash."  Rafiki grunted with the exertion, and 
without help from the lionesses managed to drag her forequarters part 
of the way around.  But Uzuri saw the strain on his face and helped 
move the hyeness on around.  She never questioned his motives on 
anything.
	The hyeness started to fade out.  Using a small twig, Rafiki 
cleared the clot of blood from the head wound.  Blood came out, 
relieving the pressure on her brain.  He then held some silvervein in 
front of her nose.  It made her mind work more clearly and she 
briefly opened her eyes again.
	Gently, Rafiki said, "Tell me where Elanna is.  It is too late 
to save you, but you can undo hurt for those who go on living."
	Struggling to focus on his face, the hyeness said murkily, 
"Taka said he'd kill himself if anything happened to her.  We thought 
we had a plan.  Skulk said...."  She grimaced with pain.  "....bring 
me his tail to prove he'd done it.  We carried her to the woods.  Ten 
of us."
	She started to fuzz out again.  He held silvervein in front of 
her nose and stroked her gently.
	"And?"
	"She knew what was about to happen.  Die with dignity....  
Screaming....  Fire everywhere....  The whole world on fire....  
Mer'kh toh embas, doh pekhtureh frogam meklu....  De'h mirchet 
ere....  Immobrek Elanna mes kroth...."
	"What's she saying?" Yolanda asked.
	"Did Elanna die??" Sarabi demanded.  "Common speech!  I don't 
speak that gibberish!"
	The hyeness drew in a breath and shuddered.  "Ten hyenas to 
kill one lioness....  Ten hyenas to kill...."  Her eyes closed.  
	Sarabi put her paws on her chest and shook her.  "Did you kill 
her??  Tell me, damn you!!  DID YOU KILL HER??"  Sarabi put her paws 
on the hyeness' chest and began to slowly sink them in.  Blood sprang 
from the points.  "DID YOU KILL HER??"  Her claws moved slowly down, 
leaving red trenches.  "DID YOU KILL HER??"  Sarabi's voice fell to a 
near whisper and she drew close to the hyeness' face.  "Please?  
Please tell me??  Oh God, I have to know!  Did you kill my sister?"
	The hyeness' eyes opened briefly, though it is doubtful she saw 
much.  Her breath escaped in a long gurgle and her pupils dilated to 
large black lifeless orbs.  A stream of urine ran unchecked down her 
hind legs, forming a pool beneath her shattered body.
	"DID YOU KILL HER??"  Sarabi pounded on her with her paws and 
shrieked, "SPEAK, DAMN YOU!!"  She gripped some silvervein and 
scattered it across the still face in her panic.  "IS SHE DEAD??  IS 
SHE??"
	Rafiki gently but forcefully gripped one of Sarabi's paws.  
"It's too late.  Don't make a scene, dear."
	Sarabi stepped back from the dead hyena.  Her chin trembled.  
"She didn't tell me," she stammered.  "She had nothing to lose.  Why 
wouldn't she tell me??"
	"I think she did," Rafiki said gently.  "I'm sorry."
	"I saw Lannie just yesterday," Sarabi said, still in shock.  
"You know what she said?  She said, `We need to talk.'"
	Rafiki put his arms around her neck and held her.  "You poor 
dear!"
	"She wanted to talk but I said, `I have nothing to say to you.'  
My gods, can you believe I said that to my own sister??"
	Rafiki began to stroke her cheek and kiss her.  "Poor honey 
tree!  Poor dear honey tree!"
	She pulled away from him and headed to the top of a small 
kopje.  "Elanna??" she shouted.  "ELANNA??  CAN YOU HEAR ME??"
	The name echoed off the surrounding hills, mocking her.
	Sarabi's chin trembled again, and she drew in a deep breath.  
"ELAAAANNAAAAA!  PLEEEEASE!!  I'M SORRY!!  OH GODS, ANSWER MEEEE!!"  
She roared and pounded the ground with her paw.  She roared again, 
and the other lionesses joined her.  Tears began to course down 
Sarabi's cheeks, and she stumbled off the kopje, nearly collapsing to 
the ground.  "First my parents, then my husband and my son, now my 
sister!  I've tried to live a good life.  Why does everything bad 
happen to me??"
	Rafiki ran his paw through her fur gently.  "Lannie is with 
Taka now.  That's where she would want to be, Honey Tree.  At least 
you got your son back.  Go to him, Sassie.  He will bring you 
comfort."
	Sarabi kissed Rafiki, then turned and slowly trudged up the 
side of Pride Rock.  "Yes, I have Simba.  Thank the gods!  I should 
be grateful."


CHAPTER:  THE NISEI

	As her Pride mates mourned for her, Elanna was walking alone 
across the savanna contemplating her own death.  She looked ahead of 
her and saw nothing.  Her whole life seemed to lay behind her, a 
tragic story destined to have a tragic ending.  With his faults, Taka 
was still loved her with his whole heart.  Now no one loved her, and 
the one time she needed a shoulder to cry on most of all, she was 
isolated, a tiny yellow speck on a vast golden plain.  
	Sadly, she looked back from where she came, the sight of Pride 
Rock now long gone from the horizon.  For the first time in her life, 
she could not see any part of it.  Pride Rock, whose golden shaft 
greeted the morning.  She had been born there, and she had thought to 
die there.  Her mother lived again in its grasses, and looked down 
upon it from the stars.  Her husband had taken her in its protective 
embrace.  A horror enveloped her that she had not really escaped 
death, but exchanged a quick one for a lingering, painful ordeal.
	She took stock of her life, forming an inventory of all the 
good and bad times that made up her days.  She remembered the sweet 
richness of her mother's milk, and the comfort of Sarabi's body next 
to her as she closed her eyes and nursed.  She remembered cubhood 
games of tag that lasted for hours, and wrestling with young Mufasa 
in the cool of the cave.  She remembered her first kill, and how 
proud she felt when the red pawprint in blood was placed on her 
cheek.  She remembered using the warm muskiness of Taka's soft mane 
as a pillow, and the breathless pleasures of his lovemaking.  She 
remembered the feel of a small life inside her.  Once, in death, she 
looked on the face of her son Fabana.  "Oh gods, if only those little 
eyes had opened one time and seen the love I bore him!  If only once 
I could have held him to my belly and given him milk!"  Tears welled 
in her eyes.  Voices were calling to her from the realm of Aiheu--Mom 
and Dad, lover and child.  And the voices were getting louder, 
beginning to drown out even the piping of the weaver birds and the 
chirping of the crickets.
	The thought of returning and facing justice played in her mind.  
Her reasoning was simple and compelling.  If Taka had indeed killed 
Mufasa and Simba in his madness, she could die to pay the blood debt 
and set him free.  His death would atone for Mufasa's, hers for 
Simba's.
	She had not rested since the hyenas had told her of her former 
pride's plan for her.  Finally, her body gave out and she collapsed 
on the ground exhausted.  Soon sleep had claimed her.
	Her sleep was fraught with dreams.  In her visions she relived 
her days with Taka.  Mercifully it was not what life had become for 
them in the past few months, but what is was like in the beginning.  
She smiled softly in her sleep as she felt his body against her.  
	"Lannie, there is a full moon outside.  Let's sit on the end of 
the promontory."
	She followed him up the stone spire and laid her head against 
his soft, dark mane.  "What will we name our son?" she asked.
	"There is one name for him.  Three great loves have I known.  
My mother loved me.  You loved me.  And Fabana loved me."
	"I think Fabana would be a lovely name.  But what if I have 
girls?  Three little girls.  Ever think about that?"
	"Three little Lannies!"  He smiled and nuzzled her.  "Then I'd 
have to keep trying, wouldn't I?"  He turned his gaze back to the 
full moon.  "Dad used to say if you wished on the full moon and you 
just believed hard enough, it would come true."
	"I'd never heard that."
	"Neither had he, I warrant.  Dad was always like that.  Wishing 
and believing.  Oh gods, I wish he was here right now, and my mother 
too.  Once life was so simple.  So simple and so good."
	"It can be simple and good again, my love.  And you can believe 
that."
	Taka looked back at her face, washed silver with moonlight.  
"Gods, I love you!"
	Then the vision changed.  It was no longer like a dream.  A 
bright light flooded the spot where she stirred.  "What the...."
	As her eyes adjusted to the light, Taka appeared before her in 
a cloud of glory fire.  "Taka?  Is that you?"
	"Listen, love!  I don't have much time!"
	"Honey Tree, are you coming to take me with you?"
	"No.  I'm here so you will NOT die."
	She ran and nuzzled him.  "Oh my husband, but I want to join 
you!"
	Taka just shook his head.  "Do not try to atone for my sin.  I 
will pay my debt to the last drop of blood.  I will start with you.  
You will have a comforter in your time of grief."  He kissed her 
cheek softly.  "When your time comes, we will sit together forever 
and never be apart again.  Till then, be my brave little girl."
	"Taka, Honey Tree, I must know the truth.  Did you kill your 
brother?"
	The lion looked at her sadly.  "Remember the good times, 
Lannie.  Remember the blissful moments.  Those were the truth."  With 
that, he faded quickly.  She had her answer.


CHAPTER:  IN MEMORIUM

	The search party quietly headed back without their Pride 
sister.  Even the cubs were hushed as the lionesses slowly made their 
way through the grasses with their heads and tails hung low.  Simba, 
who had stayed at Pride Rock to guard against the last of the hyena 
stragglers, saw the group approach.  One look at their posture 
affirmed in his mind that Elanna was lost to them.  Silently, he made 
his way to the queen mother.   "I'm sorry mom..." he said softly to 
her as he rubbed against her gently.
	Sarabi looked up at her new king, her eyes still wet with 
tears, "At least I have you, son."
	It had been a long time since Rafiki had been able to walk out 
alone without the confines of his hyena jailers.  Even through the 
somber mood of the night, he was determined to make the most of his 
new freedom.  He went to each of the pride members and blessed and 
stroke each of them in turn.  He even had a special blessing for 
Timon and Pumbaa.  Slowly, he began to fill in the gaps in the last 
two years of his life.  He quickly ran out of his jerky as he gave 
all the cubs a treat...and even the lionesses he remembered as 
nothing but a cub.
	As he went through the pride, he treated their wounds.  True to 
his words, there were enough herbs for the lions of the pride, even 
if he would have nothing for his aching joints that night.  It had 
been indeed fortunate that no one was seriously hurt, the worse 
injuries being some cuts and bruises.  The hyenas that followed 
Shenzi were quick to leave after they passed their sentence on the 
former king and upon seeing their cousins fighting with the lions.  
Still, in the distance, their sounds could be heard, mocking the 
newly freed pride.
	As the evening passed into night and the lions were able to 
rest their sore bodies, it was time to remember the lost member of 
the pride.  Sarabi, being her sister, called the group together for a 
memorial to their fallen pridemate.  
	Rafiki stepped into the circle of lionesses.  Everyone knew how 
he felt about Taka, and for this reason he was the only one left 
alive that could speak the opening words freely.
	"Great Aiheu, we commend to your care Elanna, and pray that she 
will be reunited with her husband.  And may Taka...."  The mandrill 
leaned heavily on his staff as tears streamed down his face.  "Grant 
them peace.  Forgive him as I have forgiven him.  He loved me once.  
He really did love me."
	As Rafiki stepped away, Isha came forward.  "She was gentle and 
kind.  And how she suffered!  I wish I'd known her better."
	Ajenti did not step forward, but she stammered, "Me too."
	Nala crept to the center of the circle.  "She really loved 
children, though she had none of her own.  She was always very nice 
to me.  She was always sad, but one time she sang to me.  She had a 
very pretty voice, you know."
	Nala edged back to Simba who nuzzled her and pawed her face.
	As the turn passed from lioness to lioness, most remembered her 
strength.  How, even through the mental isolation from her pride, she 
stayed faithful to her husband to the very end.  How even through 
their scorn, she still loved everyone.  The cubs remembered how kind 
she was...how she would always want to give them affection and how 
she would, the few times that she could, always had a story for them.  
	Finally, it came to her sister, Sarabi.
	Sarabi sighed softly as the memory of her sister and their 
cubhood comes back to her mind.  The wind whispered quietly among 
them.  Her face remained motionless except for the slow blinking of 
her eyes.  The other lionesses began to stir uneasily, looking to one 
another uncertainly as they sought an answer to her silence.  Thus it 
was that they all started nervously when she spoke.
	"Elanna...."  A wan smile creased Sarabi's face and she looked 
up finally, her gaze passing through the gathered pride into a haze 
of time into which only she could  penetrate.  A half sob, half laugh 
escaped her and she looked down again, staring through the air.  "I 
keep thinking of a day, back when we were cubs..."  She sniffed and 
wiped her eyes with a paw, smiling.  "Once she saved my life.  We 
were lost in a cave, and though I never told anyone about his, I 
nearly drowned--or worse--in the haunted cave under Pride Rock.  She 
pulled me from the water.  And how did I repay her?"  New tears 
welled from her eyes.  "I'd give anything to have her back here 
again...oh gods, I can't even remember what she smelled like before 
those damn hyenas defiled this place."  She shivered, gripped by the 
terrible agony of her grief.  "I'd give anything to be able to look 
her in her eyes...and tell her I'm sorry!"
	Silence gripped the group as the former queen looked up to the 
sky.  "I hope you are happy, sister, with your husband.  I wish you 
all the joy in the next world that you never had in this one."  She 
drew a deep breath and uttered a mournful roar, venting her pain in a 
cacophony of sound echoed by her pride sisters as it swept across the 
savanna into the depths of the night.  


CHAPTER:  STRANGE PREY

	After a long night with very little sleep, Elanna was unable to 
lie still any longer for she suffered from a different emptiness.  
She had eaten well for the times of Taka's pride, but still that was 
poor, and she had been given even less over the last day.  Taking 
Taka's words in her dream to be a sign, she started off to quench her 
desire.  Hunting had been denied her for over two years by her 
overprotective husband.  She remembered the lessons taught long ago, 
but she was woefully out of practice.  First would be to find some 
prey to test her luck with her old skills.  
	That didn't prove so difficult since the terrible draught had 
not scorched the land beneath her feet.  Silently, she made her way 
toward a small herd of impala.  How she wished for her sisters to be 
behind her to back her up.  But oh, if she DID succeed, what a bounty 
would be hers!   It had been a long time since she had seen so much 
food.  She continued to stalk the prey, hoping against all hopes that 
she would be able to get her wish.
	Finally, after closing the distance farther than she had hoped, 
she burst from cover and rushed.  The excitement of her youth came 
back.  She felt so alive, so exhilarated that she began to understand 
what she had been missing the last two years.  
	The herd separated, just as she remembered from her lessons of 
so long ago.  In front of her was a lone impala, unsure where to go.  
Elanna wasted no time in closing the distance and taking her prey 
down, ending its life so she could continue hers.  Elanna panted and 
said her blessing as she began to tear into the body of her prey.
	Just then, the familiar whoops of hyenas began to close in on 
her.  Before she knew it, a group of hyenas closed in and surrounded 
her and her prey.  At first, they are silent, looking over the 
lioness and the prey beneath her.  Finally, in common speech they 
said, "Our share!  Our land!  Part is ours!"
	She snarled at them as she stayed protectively over the life 
giving meat, "Krekh toh!  Barekh moh amspach Elanna!"
	The hyenas were startled for a moment and backed off, looking 
at each other.  "Hfff!  The scholarly type!  But, my dear bakhret, 
even from our own kind we require our share of everything killed on 
our land."
	The hyenas began to approach her, but as it appeared that 
Elanna would lose her work and maybe her life, a rustle was heard in 
the grasses.  The rogue lion came out of grass, looking at the 
lioness, her prey, and the hyenas.  He moved out more looking 
intently at the hyenas and growling, "You wouldn't be making trouble 
for her, would you?  I advise you to leave and now before I make sure 
you don't come near here again--EVER.
	The hyenas looked at their numbers and decided not to risk 
their lives for such a meager meal.  With curses, both in their 
language and common speech, they disappeared into the night.  
	With a grunt of satisfaction in his work, he moved to Elanna.  
	Suddenly she snapped at him, "This is mine!"
	"You're quite welcome," he said with a bow.  "Maybe we can do 
this 
again sometime."  With that, he turned and began to disappear into 
the night.
	Elanna watched as the rogue faded from sight.  Finally she 
called out, "I'm sorry.  Would you share with me?"
	The lion turned around and began to trot back towards her.  
"How can I refuse an offer like that?  But you go first--you look a 
bit thin, my dear."
	Elanna dug in to the still warm body of the impala.  Her 
stomach, unaccustomed to this food, had shrunk from long fasts and 
meager meals.  As her insides began to rebel, she moved away from the 
meat and purged the food from her body, crying as she did.  The male, 
not wanting to miss the free meal, dug in, his eyes still on the 
crying lioness.  Finally, his hunger quenched, he moved closer to her 
and sits down.
	"If you're wise, you'll eat a little grass, then take a few 
bites.  With time you'll get your appetite back."
	"Sounds like good advice," she said, still sick.  She nibbled 
half-heartedly at a few clumps of green grass.
	"Are you a rogue lioness?"
	"No.  At least I wasn't."  She sadly looked down.
	"I hope I didn't offend you.  I'm a rogue male--of late."  He 
approached her closer and though she shrank from him at first she let 
him touch her cheek with his paw.  "My dear, you look like a ghost.  
If you don't mind, we can help each other."
	"How?"
	"Well, I can drive off the hyenas and flush game.  And you can 
talk to me."
	"That's it?"
	"Hey, it's the silence that gets to me.  I can't stand it.  I 
even talk to buzzards.  And when they're not around, I talk to 
myself.   All the time."
	"Well, I can talk," she said.  "And if you help me hunt, you 
may eat your share.  Deal?"
	"Deal!  I am Kubali, by the way.  And you?"
	She tried a small bite of the impala, chewing it carefully and 
uncertainly, then swallowing.  "My name is Elanna."
	He smiled.  "Elanna!  What a beautiful name."


CHAPTER:  SOMEONE TO LEAN ON

	The day's event had taken their toll on the two lions, and when 
the sun had slipped below the horizon, they quietly searched for a 
clearing which to bed for the night.  Upon finding one, Elanna lied 
down in the short grass and Kubali did the same, a few passes away.  
Kubali, long accustomed to the solitude, fell asleep rather quickly.  
Elanna wasn't so lucky.  As he mind filled with visions of her Taka, 
she softly wept. 
	Kubali's ears were pricked on this weeping.  Looking over at 
her for a few moments, he rose up and moved towards her.  Hearing no 
protest on her part, he lied down next to her, still keeping a small 
gap between their bodies.  Almost absentmindedly, Elanna turned and 
draped a paw over him, which brought forth a soft purr from him.  
Felling his warmth, they finally drifted off to a quiet sleep 
together.
	Morning came quickly for the pair.  Elanna woke first, and 
while she was thinking of her Taka and how nice it was to see him 
wake in the morning, her paw wandered on him.  She softly stroked his 
mane, as she once did for the fallen king.  
	Suddenly, she realized she wasn't at Pride Rock anymore.  She 
turned her head to see her paw across Kubali's mane.
	"I'm sorry!"
	"Don't be.  My nurse used to do that."  He sighed.  "I bet he 
was special, this mate of yours."
	"He's dead."
	"Oh...."  He touched her face again.  "That's why you were 
crying 
last night.  I haven't known you that long, but I already hate it 
when you cry."
	Elanna pawed his shoulder gently.  "Look, 
Kube...Kublia...uh..."
	"Kubali."
	"Yeah.  You've been very sweet to me, but I don't want you to 
get any unrealistic expectations.  I need a friend now, and I think 
you could be that friend.  But I don't know if I could ever fall in 
love again."
	Kubali smiled gently and touched her nose with his.  "I need a 
friend too.  Someone I can lean on when the trail is long and weary.  
I wouldn't take a chance of ruining this."
	Elanna smiled, relieved, and returned his nuzzle.
	Over the next three days Elanna and Kubali worked hard to prove 
their friendship would never blossom into romance.  It was a tense 
time for both of them, a time of guarded words and cautiously 
touching only when necessary.  They would allow themselves a good 
morning nuzzle and, when they made a small kill, a congratulatory pat 
on the shoulder.  Still, it was done timidly and with great 
restraint.
	Then on the fourth day a remarkable thing happened.  They 
stopped being afraid and decided to enjoy their friendship.
	Elanna was sunning herself on a small kopje that morning when 
Kubali came and laid beside her.  "Lannie, we have to talk."
	"My husband called me Lannie," she replied.  "It makes me feel 
uncomfortable to hear it from anyone else."
	"Fine.  Lots of things make me feel uncomfortable.  I think 
we're both pretty miserable."
	"Are you saying we should part?"
	"No.  I'm saying we should stop being miserable."  Kubali said, 
"I've been holding back from you.  Surely you wonder about my past."
	"I try not to."
	"See there--that's what I mean.  This secrecy is tearing us 
apart.  I mean, if we're really friends, let's be honest with each 
other."
	"Are you saying I've lied to you?"
	"No.  You have to say something first."  Kubali looked around 
with building frustration.  "Look, I have a sordid past.  If I can 
tell you what I did to wind up here, you can tell me, can't you?"
	Elanna looked about, surprised.  "Just how sordid?"
	"Then we have a deal?"
	"It depends," Elanna said, rolling over to look at him in the 
eyes.
	Kubali sighed nervously.  "Where shall I begin?  Well, I think 
it started when I was a little cub.  My mother died the day I was 
born, and I was raised by nurses.  My dad is a king, you know.  I was 
the heir apparent, and I guess I had free rein to do what I pleased."  
He laughed nervously.  "Oh yes, it pleased me to do a lot of selfish 
things--a whole lot!  The lionesses got fed up with me and one day 
they said my polite little brother would make a better king--or 
else."
	"Or else?"
	"Or else they would leave.  Dad banished me."  Tears came to 
his eyes.  "I'll never forget the look on his face when he said good 
bye.  It will haunt me for the rest of my life."
	"Poor Kubali!"
	"I deserved it, though.  I really messed up my own life, and I 
have no one else to blame.  Now I have to make a new life for myself, 
and I'll be different.  I begged Aiheu for a friend.  Someone--
anyone--that would end my awful loneliness.  I swore I'd be better.  
I meant it too.  Then I saw this feisty lioness facing off a whole 
group of hyenas.  I knew that you were the answer to my prayers."
	Elanna kissed away his tears, a rather intimate gesture of 
friendship.  "Your honesty puts me to shame.  Really, I should have 
told you more about myself.  You've been so kind to me."
	"Am I kind?  I wondered if I was doing well."
	"Better than well, my friend."  She nuzzled him.  "My husband 
was a king.  His name was Taka.  He was never popular, but I loved 
him.  I loved him the way snow loves the mountain peaks, and you know 
the snow would never leave the mountain peaks lest it should melt and 
die."
	"What did he do to be so unpopular?"
	"Well he...."  She sighed.  "He was not completely sane.  He 
did a lot of strange things.  Very strange.  But it was not his 
fault.  I did not know that he had killed his brother to take the 
throne.  Not till after the hyenas ripped him alive."
	"Whoa, you poor dear!"
	"I loved him, but I wouldn't have stayed with him.  Not if I'd 
known.  Still the knowledge has not killed my love.  Somehow I cannot 
turn years of love into hate.  Now you know why I have not fallen in 
love with you.  When he died, my dreams of love also died.  He was 
killed and I live in exile, a wanderer with no place to lay my head."
	"Wrong.  Lay your head on my mane, dear.  It doesn't matter if 
you love me or not.  I have enough love for both of us."
	She laid her head on the soft fur of his mane and sighed 
peacefully.  "I'm glad we had this talk.  And I didn't mean what I 
said before--call me Lannie.  You've earned the right."
	"It's not a right, it's a privilege.  A privilege to be earned 
daily.  Your suffering is over, Lannie.  Over and done."  He stroked 
her gently with his paw.


CHAPTER:  HAVE IT YOUR WAY

	If calling Elanna `Lannie' was a privilege to be earned daily, 
Kubali did his best.  The truth had freed them to enjoy each other's 
acceptance.  Elanna became to Kubali more than just a mystery, 
however alluring.  She became a person with strengths and weaknesses, 
and compassion like a river bearing away his sorrows to lands unseen.  
In return, Kubali treated Elanna with a gentle humility he didn't 
know he had.  He devoted himself to making her feel important and 
cared for.
	With each passing day, Kubali and Elanna drew closer to the 
inevitable moment when one or the other would use the word "love" to 
describe their feelings.
	With all the truth and experience, however, small quirks showed 
up in their behavior.  Elanna found Kubali's snoring intolerable when 
he lay on his back.  Often in the night she would shove him over with 
a paw, hoping to find peace.  And Kubali noticed to his irritation 
that she always deferred decisions to him.  It was nothing much 
really, just a `You decide' or a `We can do what you want' every so 
often, but it bothered him.  And for him, this was one problem that a 
simple shove of the paws would not rectify.  He decided to let it 
past and wait.  She get use to the freedoms, he thought to himself.
	One day, they went on a hunt together.  Quietly, before they 
were close to any prey, he jokingly nuzzled her and said, "So...what 
do you feel like today, my fair lioness?  The savanna is filled with 
choice prey."
	She smiled up to him, "Oh...I don't know...you pick."
	He could feel his insides tighten on her words.  "Come on 
Lannie, I always chose...I think it's your turn to chose."
	She just shook her head, "I'm no good at making decisions...you 
can. It's all right."
	Kubali could sense where this was going so he swallowed his 
pride and nodded, "All right...how does gazelle sound today?"
	She smiled and rubbed against him softly.  "It sounds 
wonderful."  She didn't notice, or care to notice, the tightness in 
his body she caused.
	Together they walked until they were able to find their target.  
Quietly, Kubali slipped away from Elanna and stalked about to a point 
where he was sure the gazelles can smell him.  He jumped out and 
roared, causing the gazelles to flee towards Elanna.  She burst out 
of the brush, her swift and fatal onslaught bearing a struggling 
beast to the ground.  Some of the others in panic turned and headed 
back.
	Kubali did not react swiftly enough.  One of the gazelles 
caught him on the side with a hoof, nicking him and bringing a few 
drops of blood.
	Elanna quickly and compassionately snuffed the life from her 
horrified captive, then spoke a quick blessing.  Kubali went to her 
after the dust had settled and rubbed against her gently.  "Good job, 
Lannie!"
	As his body pressed against hers, she noticed the blood on him. 
"Oh my gods...you're bleeding, Kubali!"
	Kubali turned to look at the wound and chuckled.  "Don't scare 
me like that!  It's really noth..."
	"Oh you poor dear..." She got up from the fallen beast and 
began to lick at the blood on his coat.  "My sweet little Nisei, let 
me make it all better."
	"Lannie...not that I mind your affections...but I'll be all 
right."
	She began to stroke his side gently.  "My brave little lion.  
There, there!  It's all right.  I'm here."
	Kubali stepped away from her, "Didn't you hear me, Lannie?  I'm 
all right.  It's really nothing.  I didn't even notice it until you 
mentioned it."
	Elanna looked up to him.  "But Kubali...aren't you in pain?" 
	He just shook his head.  Elanna looked down at his paws, 
"Oh..."
	Kubali came and nuzzled her.  "You don't have to treat me like 
a cub, Lannie...and you don't have to think of me as your master."  
He kissed her gently.  "Lannie, I don't want someone to command 
around. That's what got me in trouble in the first place."
	She nodded.  "OK.  I'll try if you want me to."
	He shook his head.  "You still don't get it.  Try because YOU 
want you to."  He looked around and said, "We better eat this before 
it falls to the hyenas." Ripping at the flesh, he opened the beast.  
"Hunter's choice?"
	Elanna just looked at him, about to ask what he wanted.  Then 
quickly she dove her head into the carcass and pulled out the heart.  
She moved over to him and dropped it at his feet.
	Frustrated, Kubali sighed.  "Lannie, listen to me."
	"We'll share it.  You and I together."
	He smiled and licked the blood from her check, giving her a 
kiss at the same time.  "That's my girl."


CHAPTER:  STRANGE BEDFELLOWS

	The cold gray eyes stared silently out at the small clearing, 
taking in all that they saw and revealing nothing, like their owner.  
He crouched in the overgrown scrub, the soft fronds swaying in the 
quiet breeze, batting at his face in a maddeningly repetitive 
pattern, but he lay still, like a stone.  Finally, he grunted in 
satisfaction and rose, shaking out his mane, and emerged from the 
grass, padding silently over to where the other two lions had lain 
the previous evening.  His small companion followed, the hyena 
glancing about nervously at the waving grass.
	Gamu bent his face to the ground and paced about slowly, nosing 
at the bent blades of grass where the two lions had slept the night.  
His head jerked aside of its own volition, drawn by a particular 
scent, and he breathed deeply.  Nodding, he lifted his face to look 
at the hyena in satisfaction.  "Soon, now."
	"Soon?" the hyena asked.  "I wish you'd hurry up."
	The lion smiled complacently and strolled over towards him.  
"Patience, Griz'nik."  Whipping a paw up abruptly, he extended a 
single claw and lifted the hyena's chin with it sharply, dimpling the 
flesh in.  "Your days with of pushing lions around are over.  You 
will remember who is your boss, and it's not Shenzi."  He lifted his 
paw higher, watching the hyena flinch with detached amusement.  
"Understand?"
	Griz'nik coughed and nodded carefully.  "Yes sir."
	Gamu released the pressure and dropped his paw.  "That's 
better.  Now be a good little hyena and tell me who that lovely 
creature is with Kubali."
	Griz'nik rubbed his chin gingerly, staring at Gamu with 
undisguised hate.  "That's Elanna.  She used to be my queen."
	"Your Queen?"  Gamu laughed.  "I was unaware you were making a 
career of obeying lions, Griz."
	Griz'nik spat.  "Remember that when I gnaw on your bones."
	Gamu waved a paw absently.  "Yes, yes.  She was a queen, you 
say?"  His eyes gleamed as he looked at the hyena.  "Royalty, eh?  
Then tell me what she's doing out here eating on leftover carcasses 
with that flea bag."
	Griz'nik scratched an ear self-consciously.  "Well, back when 
Amarakh was our Roh'mach, there was this hyena named Gur'mekh--"
	Gamu swung heavily with a paw, barely missing the hyena who 
dodged away with a yip of terror.  "The condensed version, please, 
and spare me your savage chatter.  I don't have all day."
	Griz'nik stood warily just outside the reach of his paw.  "We 
helped kill the old king in my old home.  His brother took his place 
and allied with us in return for our help.  She married him."
	"You little devil!"  Gamu grinned humorlessly.  "It seems you 
do have a few redeeming vices."
	"Thanks--I guess."
	"That still doesn't tell me why she's here."
	Griz'nik flattened his ears.  "Uhh...the old king's son came 
back and kind of took over the place."
	Gamu threw his maned face back and bellowed laughter into the 
sky.  "Oh my...you ARE priceless.  I wondered why you came crawling 
to me."
	"Well, we did for her husband before she left, O Great Hairy 
One.  But you'd better watch yourself."
	Gamu snapped his head down and bored twin holes into the 
suddenly silent hyena with his eyes.  "Ahh...so hubby isn't going to 
come looking for his long lost mistress, eh?"
	"Not in this world."
	"I see..."  Gamu rose and paced slowly past the clearing, his 
companion following at a respectable distance.  "Excellent.  I shall 
have to move against this young upstart before he endears her to him.  
He manages to exude a certain charm--despite his good qualities."  He 
paused and surveyed the area slowly.  "I could rush him from the 
reeds, but they do make so much noise..."  He eyed Griz'nik 
uncomfortably.  "How fast can you run?"
	"Oh no you don't!  Don't drag me into this!"
	"It's either I drag you into this or drag your carcass away.  
Now stop whimpering and answer me."
	"Not very fast," Griz'nik said nervously.  "Hey, why don't you 
just get him when she goes to drink or something.  I make a lousy 
decoy."
	"As well as a fabulous idiot.  If I kill him in front of her, 
do you think she'll want my attentions?"  Gamu snorted derisively.  
"Besides...I don't want to kill Kubali outright like that."  A slow 
grin spread across his muzzle, humorless and cold.  "I can think of 
other things I want to do to him first."
	Griz'nik tittered.  "Then I get him, right?"
	"You can have what's left, certainly."  Gamu sidled 
uncomfortably close to the hyena and patted him.  "After all...what 
are friends for?"
	Griz'nik chuckled.  "Dessert!"
	"Precisely."  Gamu leered at him, making him shy away in fear.  
"Now tell me more about this Elanna."


CHAPTER: GUESS WHO'S COMING TO DINNER

	Brother Sun padded slowly across the sky, shedding his warmth 
across the savanna in a proclamation of Aiheu's glory, exposing all 
His works for the world to see.  The light was reflected from the 
ground, the golden grass barely wavering in the stillness of highsun 
as the world slowly revolved about its axis, the intense heat 
rippling the air and making the world shiver in a macabre dance as 
the two lions sought surfeit from its hungry embrace.
	Kubali groaned and shifted again in another fruitless attempt 
to get comfortable in the sweltering heat.  His chest rose and fell 
rapidly, tongue lolling absurdly as he panted, the hot air seeming 
thick as liquid as it burned at his throat.  Rolling slightly, he 
reached out with a paw and stroked Elanna gently, wishing for a 
delightful rub against her fur but unable to stand the heat.  She 
purred tiredly, glancing at him and smiling.
	Movement yanked at the corner of her vision and she glanced 
upward.  "Look, Kubali!"
	The young lion twisted and squinted upward into the azure sky, 
perking up slightly as he spied the dark shapes drifting high above 
on the thermals.  "Vultures.  Looks like they might have found a 
meal."  He debated a moment, then sat up.  "Care to join me?"
	Elanna hesitated a moment, then nodded and rose to join him, 
following him as they left the pitiful shade of the kigelia trees and 
padded through the high grass, glancing upward now and again to keep 
their bearings.  The birds were circling still, but lowering; 
whatever it was would soon succumb to heat or predator's jaws, 
preferably theirs.  Kubali increased his pace a bit, trotting through 
the golden sea of waving grass, his own form nearly indistinguishable 
from the plants around him.  Elanna, distracted by the birds, trotted 
after him quickly, feeling the heat encapsulate her in the enclosed 
grass.
	Abruptly the circling birds descended and vanished.  "Quick!  
Let's go before they get it all!"  She sped past him, ripping through 
the tough plants effortlessly as she hurried towards the unseen 
carcass, her ears detecting the raucous squawk and gabble of the 
birds as they began fighting for position.
	"Elanna, wait!"  Kubali sprinted to catch up, seeing her moving 
eagerly towards the fallen animal, now discernible as a zebra, albeit 
a decidedly feathery one with the carpet of vultures around it.  The 
bird scattered out of her way, forming a rustling ring about the 
animal as Kubali cantered up beside her and cut her off.  "Wait."
	"But they're going to eat it all!  They already ate the eyes 
for heaven's sake."
	"They have their right to the kill as much as we...none of us 
brought it down.  Aiheu chose this spot for it to die upon of its own 
accord."
	She paused, nodding at his wisdom, but unable to fathom his 
hesitation.  "All right...but they're just birds...it's not like 
they're helping us hunt."
	"Aren't they?  What signaled us that there was a carcass to be 
had?  In return, we dispatch the prey quickly and they can eat 
sooner."
	"Oh...I see your point."
	Kubali nuzzled her playfully.  "Hey, they're the next to best 
thing that's happened to me out here.  They'll take care of you if 
you respect them."
	She looked at him askance.  "And what's the best thing?"
	"Not what--who."  He nuzzled her again, meaningfully this time.  
"Gods, it's good to hear a lioness' voice again.  I was beginning to 
forget what it was like."
	Elanna purred and lashed her tail shyly as the two approached 
the downed zebra.  One of the vultures hopped astride the striped 
form and cawed in greeting.  "Fuzzy!  Still making life miserable for 
hardworking birds, I see."
	Kubali laughed.  "I have yet to see you break a sweat, 
Markaaagh.  Since when have you worked hard in your lifetime?"
	"Ever since I met you, Fuzz; it's hard enough trying to fill my 
own belly with this crowd without a walking gizzard moving in, har-
har!"  Markaaagh cackled wittily and looked at the lioness.  "Two for 
dinner?  Does she know the rules?"
	"It's safe.  This is Elanna."
	The vulture clucked and shifted his weight.  "Oooh, so you want 
to lay a few eggs and raise a brood?  Pretty thing for a lioness.  No 
scars or anything."
	"Thanks, I think," Elanna said.  "And might I mention that you 
don't have a feather out of place?"
	"Aw!"  He looked about at his wing coverlets and groomed self-
consciously.  "This one has manners, kid.  Hold on to her."
	Kubali looked at Elanna.  "He thinks we're in love," he 
whispered with a grin.  "The silly old buzzard."
	She looked at him.  "Yeah, silly idea."  Her ears fell flat at 
his chastened expression, and she hurried to correct herself.  "I 
didn't mean it that way.  I mean, you're really handsome."
	Kubali arched his neck slightly and smiled.  "Why, thanks.  And 
you're no blot on the landscape yourself."  He waved a paw 
invitingly.  "Shall we?"
	They fed on the carcass until their hunger was satiated, then 
stood guard while the buzzards ate.  As Elanna groomed herself clean 
from the meal, she paused and looked about at the tussling pile of 
birds, a wry smile coming to her face as she watched her `pride' 
wrestle its way through dinner.  She returned her gaze to the 
surrounding savanna, watching for predators and feeling a mild sense 
of wonder at guarding what she had previously seen as nothing but a 
nuisance or a competitor for her dinner.  She looked over at Kubali, 
who lay with his back to her as he watched the western plains, and 
wondered at his sense of composure, the odd peace which wrapped him 
in a near visible aura of confidence.  She muttered a short prayer to 
Aiheu in thanks for sending the young male...otherwise she might have 
met the acquaintance of the vultures under much less pleasant 
circumstances.
	Sighing, she exchanged greetings with a contentedly stuffed 
Markaaagh and chatted with him absently, fielding his odd questions 
and wondering what Uzuri would have made of all this.


CHAPTER:  COMING TOGETHER

	One morning as Kubali and Elanna were sitting side by side, 
they watched the clouds and imagined what things their shapes might 
be.
	"There's a wildebeest," Elanna said.
	"It has a calf," Kubali said.  "See, that little puff to the 
left?"
	"So it does!  And there's a rabbit.  He's eating a--oh, it's a 
lion!"
	"That must be some rabbit!"
	"No, I mean there!  A rogue!"
	"What the...."
	"Should we say hello?"
	Kubali tensed up.  "To him??  That dirty rascal??"
	"You know him?"
	The strange lion trotted up, obvious pleasure on his face.  
"Kubali!  Our paths cross again!"
	"I wish the pleasure had been postponed--indefinitely."
	The stranger showed disappointment.  "Surely not!"
	Elanna nudged Kubali disapprovingly.  "Aren't you going to 
introduce me?"
	"This is Gamu," Kubali said shortly.  "We grew up together."
	"Your brother?"
	"Heavens, no!"
	Gamu looked down.  "Whatever wrongs I've done, I've paid for in 
the hell of my solitary existence.  I'm sure I wasn't perfect like 
you, so they weren't sad when I left."
	Kubali's face fell.  "Well, maybe I've been harsh with you.  
But you asked for your hard times."
	"Asked and received.  Remember at your mantlement?  Something 
about the proving grounds of hardship which strengthen the Ma'at and 
purify the Ka?"  He bowed his face to the ground.  "I have suffered, 
Kubali!  Please let us try it again from the start?  Please??"  He 
looked up and mustered a withering smile.  "Kubali!  Our paths cross 
again!"
	Kubali came forward and nuzzled him.  "So they do.  This is my 
friend Elanna.  Elanna, this is my old pridemate Gamu."
	Elanna shyly nuzzled Gamu and felt his timid kiss on her cheek.  
She felt sorry for him at once.
	"So what brings you this way?" Kubali asked, pointedly.
	"The whims of the savanna.  Some gracious chance, or was it 
Aiheu?  But since kind fate has thrown us together, let us band 
together.  I can help protect you and aid you in hunting.  Maybe 
someday if you want lands of your own, I can be a valuable ally."
	"And in return?"
	"I have a real audience.  I've had no one to talk to but myself 
for many long weeks.  I've lost track of the time."
	Kubali nodded, then looked over at Elanna.  She nodded back at 
him and smiled shyly.
	"Very well.  Behave yourself and you may travel with us."


CHAPTER:  THE STARS

	Gamu managed to steal a few moments from his new companions to 
visit Griz'nik in the reeds.  The hyena had brought him a rabbit, and 
Gamu nodded silently, gave him a pat on the shoulder, and took the 
carcass a short distance.  He rolled it in the fragrant leaves of a 
Corbynanthus and then licked the wound on the neck, chewing it a bit 
to fully disguise the hyena scent and toothmarks.  He brought it back 
to where Kubali and Elanna sat.  By their sudden silence, it was 
clear they were talking about him, but unfazed, Gamu sat the rabbit 
in front of Elanna.  "For you, my vision of lovliness.  Have you made 
your decision yet?"
	"My decision??"  Elanna looked at him puzzled.
	"Oh come now, I didn't mean to hint around at anything naughty.  
I meant to come straight to the point.  On the one paw, Kubali is 
dependable, reliable, and is saddled with a strong moral character.  
Not that I hold any of that against him...."
	Elanna laughed.  "Oh, Gamu!  You are such a wit!"
	Kubali grumbled.  "At least she's half right."
	Gamu sneered.  "Come now, Kubali.  Would you stand in the way 
of true love?"
	"No.  And I hope the one of you will be very happy together."
	Gamu laughed.  "Why Kubali, you've acquired a sense of humor!"  
He looked over at Elanna and winked.  "Well, how about it?  Do you 
want the perfect marriage or some real fun?"
	Elanna shoved him with a paw.  "You wicked lion!  If you must 
know, I haven't given the matter a lot of thought."
	Gamu smiled innocently.  "Insects don't give the matter a lot 
of thought.  That's why there are so many of them."
	"Her husband is dead," Kubali said, a bit ruffled.  "Have a 
little respect."
	Gamu's face fell.  "Oh my gods!  That's my problem.  I had a 
little respect when I should have had a lot."  Gamu nuzzled Elanna 
tenderly.  "I meant no offense.  No doubt he must have had many 
bitter rivals for your affection."
	"It's OK," Elanna said, nuzzling him back.  "I'm not offended.  
I know you meant it all in fun."
	"Of course, my dear.  Of course."
	Gamu was better than his word.  He proved to be an intelligent, 
polite, and charming companion.  That night when the stars winked in, 
he astounded Elanna with stories even she had not heard; Maku the 
Hunter, Ari and Kuzima, and the Love of the Evening Star.  When Gamu 
spoke in his rich, well-cadenced voice, even the most improbable of 
tales sounded as firm as the stone, and as warm as a nuzzle.  He 
touched her emotions with tales of great kings and epic struggles in 
long ago days.
	Through it all, Kubali sat there jealous and uncomfortable.  
His own knowledge of star lore was adequate, but no match for Elanna, 
much less Gamu.  And rather than learning something from it all, he 
merely tolerated it as best as he could.
	Gamu saw the sullen look on Kubali's face, and to avoid 
offending his host he left the admiring Elanna to contemplate all 
that she had heard and caught up on events with Kubali.  Gamu 
listened to Kubali's story, and in return he told Kubali a great many 
things.  Only he did not mention the hyena Griz'nik or the plans Gamu 
made with him.


CHAPTER:  THAT CERTAIN TIME

	Elanna had been married to Taka for three years.  During that 
time certain habits had become ingrained in her that were difficult 
to break.  Kubali lay asleep, but Elanna lay wakeful, watching the 
smooth rise and fall of his chest.  She kept her vigil faithfully, 
and at the first sign of dreams--twitching paws and limbs, she shook 
him.  "Wake up, Honey Tree!  It's all right!  Lannie is here!"
	"Huh??  What's wrong??"  He looked around.  "What time is it??"
	"About midmoon.  You were having another nightmare.  I couldn't 
stand to see you in torment like that.  Let your Lannie make it all 
better."  She began to paw him, stroking his mane and pushing him 
gently from side to side.  "Feel the tension roll away, my dear."
	He looked at her askance.  "I was hunting gazelles.  Just about 
had one too."
	"You weren't having nightmares??"  
	"No.  I almost never do."  He yawned.  "Hey, if you don't mind, 
let's finish this talk in the morning, OK?"
	"Sure."  Elanna's ears flattened in consternation as she 
watched him begin dozing again almost immediately.  She lay her own 
head upon her forepaws and watched him surreptitiously, waiting for 
his limbs to jerk and yank him upright as he howled his torment from 
the nightmares.  Absently she gazed at his side, watching his ribs 
rise and fall with the gentle tides of his breath.  Easing forward, 
she rolled sideways until her back touched his, assuring herself that 
any sudden movements on his part would alert her in time.  Relaxing 
slowly, she lay her head down, feeling a faint rumble-purr from him 
at the contact.  The sound lulled her gently down, and she let 
herself drift away, daring to wonder if she might sleep through the 
night once again without awaking to a scream.
	Her eyes opened to the pleasant sounds of morning, the twitter 
of birds beginning to fill the air as the sky reddened in the east.  
Jerking upright, she looked around to see Kubali washing his face, 
rubbing his paw busily over his muzzle and mane as he lay a few feet 
away.  He noticed her staring and stopped, smiling at her.  "Good 
morning."
	"Uh, good morning."  Elanna looked at him carefully.  "Are you 
all right?"
	"Fine."  Kubali frowned.  "Shouldn't I be?"
	"Oh, uh, of course."  Elanna lashed her tail and sat upright.  
"Excuse me...I need to go get something to drink."
	Kubali nodded and watched as she padded quickly away through 
the brush, heading towards the small pond they had passed the 
previous evening.  Footfalls sounded in his ear and he glanced over 
to see Gamu plodding slowly toward him, yawning hugely.  The lion 
paused and crouched slightly, lowering his chest and splaying his 
forelegs, claws extending with the effort as he stretched 
contentedly.  Emitting a self-satisfied grunt, he arose again and 
meandered over to Kubali.
	"Quiet one, that," he said, motioning to the lioness who was 
lapping at the water's edge some distance away.
	Kubali hummed thoughtfully.  "And a strange one, too...do you 
know she woke me out of a sound sleep last night, rocking me like a 
cub?"
	Gamu's ears rose upright.  "Oh?  Whatever for?"
	Kubali shrugged with a flick of his tail.  "Aiheu knows...I was 
dreaming of gazelle.  She nearly rolled me over trying to get me to 
wake up, going on about `my torment.'" The lion peered after Elanna, 
who had finished her drink and was watching the marsh birds flitting 
about, screeching angrily at each other.
	Gamu's eyes sharpened as he stared at the back of Kubali's 
head.  "What did she say?"
	"Something about me having another nightmare...and she was 
trying to ease my tension."  Kubali glanced back at Gamu.  "Have you 
ever heard such things?"
	Gamu quickly lowered his gaze, his expression carefully 
neutral.  "Only from mothers soothing their cubs...I daresay it's 
nothing, my friend."  He smiled ingratiatingly.  "She was probably 
half-asleep herself and dreaming of cubs."
	Kubali nodded absently, his gaze returning to the lioness who 
was making her way back towards them.  "You're probably right."
	"I always am."  Gamu grinned oddly.  "Excuse me."
	As the following days progressed, Elanna began to show the 
outward signs of a lioness entering her receptive period, and Kubali 
accepted Gamu's idea that her idiosyncrasies were just another 
symptom of that special time which all lionesses experience when 
their bodies yearn for cubs.  Eventually the subtleties grew more and 
more obvious, and the two males spent their days pacing agitatedly 
about, growing snappish and irritable.
	Elanna felt guilty about the effects of her heat upon her 
friend, although she was not responsible for it.  Anxious to avoid a 
confrontation between the two males, she persuaded Kubali that it 
would be best if they separated temporarily, since a nearby kopje 
provided adequate shelter and an excellent vantage point from which 
to scout for prey.
	"Good idea," he said, relieved.  "I'll sleep up top on the 
rocks, and you can stay inside that little cave in the side until it 
passes.  Okay?"
	"Okay."  She nuzzled him chastely and stepped away quickly, 
curling up inside her temporary abode and tucking tail beneath her.
	Kubali ascended the rocks and lay down at the top, sighing 
uncomfortably as he fought to shove away the memory of the quick lick 
on his cheek  she had given him.  "Easy, boy, nothing but trouble 
there."  He watched absently as the herds moved slowly across the 
landscape, noting the dark shadows that chased each other across the 
ground.  A heavy rumbling filled the air, and his nose twitched as 
the thick smell of approaching rain hit him.
	"Oh, great,"  he muttered.
	Elanna settled down in a corner of the cave and closed her 
eyes.  She felt lonely and a little depressed.  The soft warmth of 
Kubali next to her had been a comfort she had learned to rely on.  
She rolled over and reached out her paw to put it on his shoulder, 
only he was not there.  It was the worst time to be alone, and it 
took her a while to fall asleep.
	Elanna's nights had been full of bad dreams.  She had a morbid 
fascination with the last moments of her husband, and had experienced 
them many different ways in her troubled nights.  For a change the 
insistant yearnings in her body changed the course of her slumber.
	"Lannie?"
	"Yes, Taka?"  She rolled on her back, gazing up at her husband 
that loomed over her with that hungry cub look on his face.  "Did you 
want something?"
	Silently, fervantly, he reached down and nuzzled her face, then 
kissed her throat right above her throbbing pulse.  Passionately, he 
took his paw and rubbed her chest, then passed his paw down to fondle 
her sensitive belly, awakening sensations in her that made her 
shiver.  He touched the paw to his nose, closed his eyes, and 
inhaled.  "Oh gods," he stammered.  "I'm on fire!  Crouch for me, 
Lannie.  I want to make love to you all night."
	She reached up with a paw and fondled his chest mane.  "Give me 
a moment, darling.  Let me get ready."
	Elanna lay on the ground in the throes of her romantic dream.  
Her paws twiched and her jaw trembled.  A thin, high moan escaped her 
lips.
	Suddenly an earsplitting crack sundered the air.  Elanna's eyes 
popped open.  She was alone.  Once again, Taka was dead and the 
remnants of her dream were washed away in the downpour.  Lightning 
flashed again.  The world outside her cave was cold and miserable, 
and she thanked Aiheu for the shelter as the rain descended in solid 
sheets.
The drops fell on the dry earth, splashing in small crowns of 
splendor.  After the plunge to earth, the small sprites sought out 
their friends, joining to form small trickles that merged into 
rivulets seeking sanctuary from the strange, hard soil.  Some clung 
to stems of grass, turning them to gemmed scepters that swayed in the 
wind.  Lightning lit the sky with infinite diamonds of brilliant 
lustre.
	A hornbill began to bail water from her nest, her chicks 
shivering and wet.  Lightning framed a couple of meerkat sentries 
that ducked quickly into their holes.  Water ran unchecked into a 
gopher hole, and the agitated resident came out, looking about in the 
wet darkness.  Nearby a badger slept safely, a drain passage keeping 
the flood from his bed chamber.
	Kubali wended his way down the rocks to the lee side of the 
kopje and crouched miserably in the mud, his tail tucked between his 
hind legs and his bedraggled mane soaked and drooping.  A flash of 
lightning made him cringe, and he wished it would all go away and let 
him sleep.
	Elanna came to the mouth of the cave and called softly, 
"Kubali?"
	The faint cry reached his ears and he turned to see Elanna 
beckoning him frantically towards her.  Ears flattened, he padded 
quickly over, paws sending up small splashes of water and mud.  
Shivering, he trotted in next to her, grateful for the short respite 
from the driving rain.
	"Huh?"
	"Hsssh!  Quietly.  Come in here."
	"But what about Gamu?"
	"What about him!"
	"Gods!  You're soaked!"  She looked at him sympathetically.  
"Stay in here until it quits, at least."
	"Thanks."  He lay down on the rock floor, still shuddering from 
the cold air, the water forming small puddles around him as his body 
steamed away the moisture.  Clucking reassuringly, she padded over 
and lay down next to him, draping a forepaw across his broad 
shoulders and pulling him close, sharing her body heat with him.
	"Don't do that!  You'll get wet!"
	"I don't care.  Besides, it's my fault you got soaked."
	Kubali had grown used to the feel of her and the scent of her 
next to him, and he had trouble sleeping alone.  He grunted with 
contentment as her warmth began to penetrate his cold fur.  "Thank 
you, Lannie.  You're really very special."
	"So are you."  She patted his shoulder and rubbed his side.  A 
smile spread across his face.
	Kubali closed his eyes and sighed as her warmth sank into his 
wet fur, seeping in and easing the shivers which caused his tail to 
tremble with their vehemence.  Gradually, the heat of their bodies 
filled the cave, giving it a cozy feeling and relaxing him.  A 
contented purr rolled out of his chest and Elanna answered it, 
sliding closer and touching her side to his.
	A bolt of lightning struck, and Kubali felt Elanna tense.  "Are 
you afraid?"
	"Well, not actually."
	Another bolt of lightning hit nearby.  She clung to him with 
her paws.  "There wasn't much rain where I came from.  I'm not used 
to it, that's all."
	He turned over to face her, stroking her face with his paw and 
saying, "I'm here, Honey Tree.  You're safe.  Nothing's going to 
happen to you."
	"You do make me feel safe," she said, kissing him.
	He tried to kiss her back, but stopped at the last moment.  
Something about it did not seem right.  Then a flash of lightning lit 
her face.  There was fear in her eyes, and it was not all from the 
storm.  "It's all right.  Really it is."  He gently reached out with 
his arms and bore Elanna's face next to his own.  He put a soft kiss 
on her cheek and on her forehead.  "If you want it, I do too.  If you 
don't, just say so."
	She said nothing, but nuzzled him quietly and passionately, 
kissing him with the barest touch of her tongue.  A purr escaped her.
	Kubali swallowed heavily, his heart beginning to hammer in his 
chest.  "Oh girl, I've wanted you for the longest time."
	"Shhh."  She covered his muzzle softly with her paw, silencing 
him.  Craning forward, she nuzzled him firmly, her warm tongue 
flicking out and tracing down his cheek in a kiss.  "Kubali, do you 
really love me?  Are you sure you do?"
	He nuzzled her passionately, his wet mane filling her with his 
fragrance.  "I was never so sure of anything in my life."
	She purred, rolling over into a crouch and moving her tail 
aside.  "Come then.  Make love to me.  I'm yours."
	His heart pounding, Kubali rose to his feet.  He kissed her 
once again, then trembling with anticipation gently took hold of her 
shapely neck in his jaws, stepping across her supple golden body.
	The rain came down furiously.  The lovers' muted cries were 
muffled somewhat by the pouring rain, but Gamu listened intently and 
missed nothing.  He cringed with every soft moan and cursed his luck, 
both the rain and the passion lost to another.  Staring at the dark 
opening with narrowed eyes, he bared his teeth and trembled.  "Damn 
you, Kubali!  Damn you to hell!"
	He listened until he could bear no more, then stalked away 
stiff-legged with rage, the rain filling the depressions he left in 
the soft earth.


CHAPTER:  AFTER

	Elanna laid on her back, forepaws tucked neatly on her chest as 
she lay nestled against Kubali, basking in the delightful warmth of 
his body and listening to the soft patter of water dripping outside.  
The cool evening breeze tugged gently at her fur and she shifted 
slightly, the mane of her beloved falling gently about her face and 
shoulders.  She inhaled his scent and smiled, a small secret smile 
that intrigued him.
	"What is it?"
	Her eyes lidded, she looked at him and purred softly.  "Oh 
nothing."  She lifted a forepaw which could snuff the life from an 
impala with one blow and gently caressed his face.  "For the first 
time in a long while I feel safe."
	He answered her throaty purr with a low rumble of his own.  
"You are safe, Elanna.  Now and forever."
	"Not Elanna.  Lannie.  Remember?"  She smiled up at him and 
kissed him.
	His eyes sparkled.  "Lannie, then...do you know how beautiful 
you are to me right now?"
	Her tail lashed in embarrassment and she looked away shyly.  
"I'm not beautiful."
	"You're right."
	Her eyes turned to glare at him.  "What??"
	"You aren't merely beautiful."  He drew a paw along the side of 
her muzzle, tracing the soft line where her fur lightened.  "Sunsets 
and flowers are beautiful, but they don't inspire love.  There must 
be another word for this."
	A nervous laugh escaped her.  "The word is lucky.  Do you 
really think I'm attractive?"
	"No."
	She glared at him again.  "Will you make sense?"
	"I don't have to think so.  I KNOW so."  He nuzzled her again, 
more intensely this time.  "I wish I were a flea so I could spend my 
life on top of you."
	"Oh, don't say such things!"  She giggled, enjoying his 
attentions.  She lay her head back, purring louder as his rough 
tongue bathed her throat, immersing herself in the waves of pleasure 
he was inciting in her.
	"I wonder what our children will be like?"
	Elanna tensed.  Her eyes opened in alarm and she twisted to 
look at him, but his expression was far away and dreamy.
	"Uh...it's a little early to think about--"
	He grinned at her, the sight so overwhelmingly beautiful it 
stole her breath away.  "Just think of it Lannie!  Our children..."  
He glanced down absently at his crossed forepaws, as if contemplating 
a squirming cub there.
	"But I thought that would be an awful burden on you.  You have 
no lands of your own, and you'd have to support your children."
	"I don't mind!  They would be OUR children.  They'll be safe 
and well fed, I promise you!  I'll take such good care of them and 
love them, my darling."  He looked at her again and beamed.  "And 
they'll all be as beautiful as you."
	Lannie wore a look of pain.  Abruptly, his expression melted 
away like water steaming under the hot son.  "Lannie?  What is it?"
	Tears were coursing down her cheeks as she stared unseeing out 
the darkened entrance to their cave.  "I can't talk right now!"
	"Elanna?"  His voice took on a frightened tone.  "Elanna, 
what's wrong?"  He raised a paw to touch her and flinched in surprise 
as she jerked away, her eyes burning.
	"DON'T TOUCH ME!"  she shrieked.
	"I'm sorry!  What did I do?  What did I say??"
	"Leave me alone!  Please, just go away!"  Elanna lurched into 
motion, leaping up with such violence that her hindpaw struck Kubali 
in the face, dazing him momentarily.  He shook his head, fighting to 
clear it, only to see the empty savanna stretching before him in the 
night.
	"Lannie?"  He rose and paced out worriedly.  "Lannie!  Please 
come back!"  He swallowed heavily, fear gripping his heart and making 
him giddy.  "Oh gods...LANNIE!!"
	The subject of his concern was just over a rise, her own sobs 
too loud in her ears to hear him.  "M-My love, I'm sorry...oh gods, 
Taka, I miss you so much!"  She choked back a cry and looked down at 
her forepaws.  "I wish you were here."
	A soft touch brushed her shoulder and she growled unsteadily.  
"Damn it, Kubali, I said leave me alone!"
	"You summon me and dismiss me in one motion?"  A warm voice 
chuckled behind her, making her eyes widen.  "Come, Lannie, make up 
your mind."
	She whipped around to behold a dark maned lion surrounded by a 
soft glow of starlight.  "Taka??"
	"Yes, it's me."
	"Dear Aiheu, how I've missed you!  I've been so alone!"  She 
swept forward and collapsed against him, feeling his soft fur and 
breathing in his dear, familiar scent, now touched with wild honey.
	Taka lifted a paw and stroked her cheek.  "I know, love.  But I 
have sent you help and you have refused it.  Lannie, go back to him!"
	"What??"  Elanna stared at him.  "How can you say that?  Taka, 
I want to be with YOU."
	"No you don't, love.  The tides of life still beat strong 
inside you.  My time is past, but you still have a path to walk 
here."  He lifted a paw and brushed away a tear from her face.  "He 
needs you, Lannie...and you need him, not some old memory of love."
	She shook her head, silent tears still rolling down her cheeks.  
"He doesn't need me.  Not like you did."
	"No, our needs are different, but that does not make his need 
any less, love.  There is a thorn in your heart, and only he can 
remove it."  Taka purred deeply and kissed her muzzle.  "When I see 
you happy with him, it fills me with joy.  Go to him Lannie.  Go to 
him and LIVE.  If you don't, I cannot be happy."
	Elanna nodded and nuzzled him one last time before turning away 
and padding slowly back towards the kopje in the distance.  A final 
warmth passed through her and then the savanna fell dark and silent 
again around her.  Lifting her face to the heavens, she beheld the 
glitter of the stars, and sought out one in particular.  "Thank you, 
my love."
	The star seemed to shine brighter for a moment, as if in 
answer.
	"Lannie!"
	She jerked her head down to see Kubali bound over the rise, 
puffing for breath.  "Lannie!  Thank God I found you!  I heard 
someone talking over this way and recognized your voice..."  He 
trotted over to her and drew up short of nuzzling her in greeting, 
suddenly uncomfortable.
	"Lannie?  I'm sorry.  I didn't mean to hurt you...can we talk 
about this?"  He looked at her miserably.  "Please?"
	Elanna cried aloud and ran to him, wrapping her forepaws around 
him and bearing him to the ground as she covered his features with 
warm kisses.  "I'm so sorry, Kubali...I've been such a fool."  She 
rubbed her cheek to his and nibbled his ear gently.  "Love me, 
Kubali...you make me feel so special."
	He smiled at her warmly.  "You ARE special, Elanna.  I want to 
make love to you, but I need to understand what just happened."
	"My mate appeared to me.  He told me that I should not be 
afraid of my feelings for you."
	Kubali stared silently at her in awe.  "I'm glad.  Your Taka 
really loved you.  I really love you too.  I won't be jealous if you 
won't feel guilty."  He nuzzled her.  "Do you want to tell me about 
him?"
	She initially looked away, but she settled beside him.  "Taka 
was very sweet but very sad and afraid.  Once when he was a cub, 
there was this badger...."


CHAPTER:  AN AWKWARD MOMENT

	The next morning, Gamu looked at Kubali with a smile but also a 
hint of reproach.  "Miss some sleep last night?"
	"Yeah.  The lightning and thunder."
	"I bet.  It's a wonder you slept at all."  He glanced at Elanna 
who hung her head embarrassed.  "All that lightning and thunder."
	Kubali looked at Elanna.  "Lannie, are you OK?"
	"Why shouldn't I be?"  She edged nearer to him, but said 
nothing more.  Kubali glanced at Gamu, then back at her.  She made no 
sign whether she wanted Gamu to know about them.
	"I bet you didn't sleep well either," Gamu said at Elanna, 
pointedly.  He winked slyly.
	"Look here, Gamu," Kubali said sharply.
	"Yes?"  Gamu smiled.
	For a moment, Kubali was nonplused.  He didn't know what to do 
or what to say.  He looked at Elanna again, seeing how she wanted to 
curl up and die.
	"Look here, Gamu.  I'm unworthy of her, an exiled prince with 
no one to blame but himself.  But last night, that wonderful 
creature...."  He became inarticulate for a moment, looking for the 
right words.
	"We made love," Elanna said, moving next to Kubali and nuzzling 
him.
	Kubali found his tongue again and straightened with pride.  
"Yes.  Many times.  And if I died tomorrow, I could look Aiheu in the 
face and tell him I've lived a full and meaningful life.  Well, Gamu, 
aren't you going to congratulate us?"
	Gamu smiled meekly.  He'd clearly lost the first round.  But if 
anything, he was tenacious.  "I'm glad for you.  Both of you.  I've 
lost to the better lion."
	Elanna pawed Gamu playfully.  "We need to find you a mate.  But 
for right now, you understand, we'll need some privacy.
	"Of course.  You just give the word."
	Kubali leaned against Elanna and purred softly.  "The word is 
given.  Go scout up some gazelles--or something."
	"As you wish, Lover Boy."


CHAPTER:  JUST BETWEEN US

	Gamu was soon over his disappointment at Kubali's triumph.  
After all, no prize easily won was worth much.  Tolerating their 
desire to make love in the morning, Gamu went to the watering hole 
and looked at his own reflection.  He tried to make the most sad face 
he could create and looked at the reflection.  "Oh Gamu," he said in 
a rough imitation of Kubali's voice.  "Why did I ever let you back in 
my life?  Why didn't I see this coming??"
	Gamu could no longer keep a straight face, and he rolled on his 
back with laughter.  "Griz, get over here!"
	Nonplused, the hyena left the cover of the reeds.  "How did you 
spot me?"
	"I didn't.  I just know you, you little sneak.  The same way I 
know Kubali and Elanna.  And my little flea-bitten friend, knowledge 
is power.  So he's breathing down her neck, is he?  It will give him 
something to think about when he's on the savanna alone."
	"I thought you wanted to kill him," Griz'nik said.
	"I'm not sure.  I wandered around alone for the longest time.  
I know what it's like.  But for him it will be far worse.  He's lost 
the kingship, and he will also lose her.  I see those shapely thighs 
of hers, and I think about the sweet delight of her lithe golden 
body...."  He trembled.  "How much sweeter it will be to know my 
enemy is alone and unloved!  And every time she cries out my name, it 
will pull out a thorn that lion put in my heart!"
	Griz'nik looked at him crossly.  "You're sick, you know that?  
Even I can tell she's beautiful for a lioness.  If I were you, I'd 
take her out behind the reeds, and Kubali would be the farthest thing 
from my mind.  My gods, Gamu, if you want to know what I think...."
	"I DON'T," Gamu said, swiping at the hyena and shoving him into 
the water.
	"One of these days you're going to go too far," Griz'nik said, 
huffing and puffing as he left the cold water.
	"And then you'll do what?"  Gamu patted Griz'nik on the cheek.  
"Face it, my little friend.  You need me.  Even if you could kill me, 
and the thought is laughable, what would you do?  Expect a handout 
from the mistress you ill treated and her husband?  I think not."
	"You promise me much," Griz'nik said, "but what have you 
actually delivered?  A couple of lousy rabbits?"
	Gamu gave him a withering look.  "These things take time to be 
done right.  Remember what I told you about the territory to the 
south?"
	"The land between the hills?"
	"Yes.  You and Elanna and I.  You'll get to hunt gazelles and 
no one will bother you.  Maybe you'll find another mate and have some 
little--whatever it is hyenas have."
	"Pups."
	"Yeah, right.  But only if you obey.  Only if you wait.  I'm 
not like your Taka.  I won't be pushed around or circumvented."
	"Circumvented?"
	"Shoved aside."
	"You and your big words."
	"Big words for a lion with big ideas."
	Griz'nik shook himself, and water went flying about, getting in 
Gamu's eyes and wetting his mane.  Griz'nik tried not to smile 
broadly at the mischief he'd created.  "Oh, pardon me."


CHAPTER:  LATER THAT DAY

	Gamu came back later that day.  Elanna was lying on her back, a 
blissful smile on her face.  Kubali was sitting sphinx-like a short 
distance away, looking at her with mixed pride and love.
	Gamu tapped Kubali on his shoulder, jerking him out of his 
reverie, and he signaled for him to come away a short distance.
	"This had better be good, Gamu.  You know I said I needed some 
time alone with her."
	"You know, Kubali, I've tried hard to earn your respect and 
trust.  I keep hoping someday we'll have a land of our own, and you 
will be my King as it was meant to be."
	"So?"
	"I come to you as a good friend to tell you something you need 
to know about your mate.  She carries a burden on her heart and you 
can help her find peace.  You'd like that, wouldn't you?"
	Kubali looked at him skeptically.  "A burden?  She discusses 
everything with me, no matter how drastic.  We've been completely 
honest with each other."
	"Then you know about how her husband died?  Have you told her 
yet that you've forgiven her?"
	"Forgiven her?  For what?"
	"Oh my gods," Gamu said in a near whisper.  "I thought you said 
you were completely honest with each other."
	"What are you going on about, Gamu??  Is this another one of 
your tricks??"
	"Tricks??  It's true--no good deed ever goes unpunished.  Fine 
thanks I get for trying to help you!  I know very little about her 
past, but she's admitted to me the cause of her nightmares."
	"Her nightmares?  She won't discuss them with me.  Why should I 
believe she told you?"
	"That's PRECISELY why.  She doesn't care what I think of her.  
She could ask me anything.  You're another matter entirely."
	"And why are you discussing this with me?"
	"Because I feel I owe you something.  Now do you want to hear 
it or not?"
	"OK."
	"See, you two are not completely open as you thought.  I told 
her that I thought she could talk about Taka with you, but she's 
afraid.  You need to reassure her.  Then she'll bare her soul about 
everything and seek forgiveness.  It will set her free, Kubali.  If 
you really love her, you'll want her to be happy.  And true happiness 
comes from the inside out.  With this locked inside her, she'll never 
be truly happy."
	"I know that Taka killed his brother, and that he tried to kill 
Simba.  She was not aware."
	"That's not what she told me.  He went completely mad at the 
end.  She knew it was only a matter of time until there was a civil 
war, so she worked with the hyenas in their plot to depose the king.  
She betrayed him to his enemies.  They ripped him, you know.  Now she 
has nightmares racked with guilt and remorse.  I mean, when Taka died 
he was screaming her name.  And she will carry that burden all her 
life.  She felt she had to tell SOMEONE.  It was all bottled up 
inside her, and she was going crazy holding it inside."
	Kubali's face fell.  Gamu tried not to smile and betray his 
deep satisfaction.  The lie was planted, and he would give it time to 
grow.


CHAPTER:  A MATTER OF TRUST

	It was a clear night.  Kubali held Elanna's trembling body 
beneath his own and shuddered in the grip of passion.  He climaxed, 
and with a roar, he sprang from her.  She turned to snarl at him, but 
she was not angry with him.  She rolled over in the grass and invited 
him over.  Kubali lay next to her in the soft grass and looked with 
her into the night sky.  Elanna snuggled into his soft mane listening 
to his heart beat.  It was a comforting sound, a familiar sound, and 
she drew solace from it.  Still, as she scanned the night sky she let 
out a small sigh.  
	Kubali looked around.  "Are you all right, Lannie?"
	"I'm fine.  It was nothing, really."
	"If it's nothing, you won't mind telling me about it.  I mean, 
we don't keep secrets from each other--do we?"
	She smiled, but it was a melancholy smile.  "I was wondering 
which one of those stars was my Taka.  I miss him..."
	Kubali frowned slightly, but he quickly hid it.  "I know you 
do, lover...he sounds like he was everything to you."
	She turned her head to face him more, "He was.  And he used to 
tell me I was everything to him.  He had no other friends.  He relied 
on me for comfort and friendship.  I was all that kept him going."
	"I see."  Kubali's jaw set firmly.  "He trusted you entirely, I 
imagine?"
	"Why yes, he did."
	"Uh huh.  Everyone needs someone they can trust entirely.  
Someone whose love for them is unconditional--who would never betray 
them."
	"I know."  She rubbed his chest mane with her paw.  "You are 
that person for me."
	"I'm glad to hear it," he said.
	She seemed to be waiting for him to answer her more 
meaningfully, but he did not.
	"You do trust me, don't you, lover?"
	Kubali changed the subject quickly.  "Look, the bats are out.  
They don't fly in straight lines like birds."
	Elanna glared at him.  "I asked you a question!"
	Kubali looked back, tensely.  "Look, I'm trying to let this 
whole business about Taka be firmly in the past.  If you help me, 
I'll help you."
	"What about Taka??  Today I've made love to you many times!  Do 
you think I'd just go crouch with any lion in the bushes??"  She 
shoved him roughly with a paw.  "Kubali, if there is no trust between 
us, there sure as the world will be no more intimacy.  I don't crouch 
for someone that doesn't trust me!"
	"I trust you all right.  I just can't forget what you did just 
like that!  I'm sorry, but it's going to take time!"
	"And what did I do??"
	"You know."
	"Assume for a moment I don't!"
	"I don't want to talk about it.  Look, I trust you, OK?  Let's 
get some sleep."
	"Sure!  You sleep here.  I'll find me a place."
	"Look, you little spitfire, you're acting like a complete fool!  
Everything was fine, then all of a sudden you change toward me!"
	She got up quickly and moved away from him.  "I thought you 
were gentle and sensitive, but you're not at all!  You're coarse and 
inconsiderate, and it's no wonder they drove you out!"
	The words seemed to sting him more than words could express.  
He stared at her for a while silently, a look of barely suppressed 
rage on his face.  Then when he found his tongue, he blurted out, 
"Yeah right, like I'm the only outcast here!  If you're so perfect in 
every way, where are your pride sisters when you need them?  Huh??"
	Shocked and hurt, tears welled up in her eyes and she 
stammered, "Good bye, Kubali.  It's over."  She turned quickly and 
walked off, leaving him alone in the night.
	He growled back at her as she drew away, "FINE...leave me."  He 
shouted, "I don't need you!  You HEAR me??  I don't need ANYONE!"  He 
let out a loud roar and turned from her.


CHAPTER:  HURT FEELINGS

	At first Kubali was angry enough to hide from the grimness of 
his situation.  He muttered to himself, "How could she betray Taka?  
Even if he was insane!  I could understand if she'd left him, but 
having him ripped alive??  My gods!  Hey, I was willing to forget and 
forgive, but she started acting like a complete...."
	He stopped and sighed.  The loneliness was beginning to find 
the chinks in his defenses and wear away his resolve.  "And I guess I 
helped her a lot, didn't I??  Way to GO, Kubali!"  He flopped on the 
ground where they lied together a few moments ago.  He inhaled slowly 
and deeply, reading her fragrance.  "She was the most beautiful and 
loving lioness I had ever met--and I went and blew it!  She was my 
last chance for happiness."  He rolled on his back and sighed.  "My 
last chance.  I'll never forget the look on her face when I rubbed in 
her exile."  He frowned and growled.  "But she never should have said 
what she did!  She started it!  She insulted me first!  She made me 
mad, and I just had to say something--I just had...."  He sighed 
again.  "Well, I didn't HAVE to.  Oh God, help me!  Maybe I'm not the 
most patient lion in the world, but I really love her, and I need 
her.  Help me please!"
	Kubali rolled over and got up.  "I am not the lion my father 
exiled." He opens his eyes slowly, "I will find her...confess my love 
to her...and ask her to be mine."
	He moved off slowly in the direction that he saw Elanna 
disappear in, nose close to the ground, seeking the scent that will 
lead him to her.
	As Elanna walked away, disappearing into the night, her ears 
turned to hear his roar of frustration after her.  "What did I see in 
him?" she muttered softly.  "He is nothing like Taka.  Why did I give 
myself to him like I did?"  She walked a short distance more, intent 
on leaving Kubali for good.  As she continued to move away from him 
though, she turns her head more often, as if a part of her is saying 
no.  Finally, she gave up and sat down to work through her thoughts.
	Out of frustration for her remaining feelings for Kubali, she 
muttered, "He did not trust me."  She sighed and looked over the open 
fields.  "Maybe I should go home...I have nothing here either.  Even 
if they kill me, I will be with my husband and I won't be lonely 
again."  She looks up at the stars, searching for him.  "I will join 
you, my love...you must keep your faith.  I will be there to cradle 
you again, tell you how much you mean to me.  In Aiheu's fields you 
will dream no bad dreams and I will weep no tears.  How could you 
send me to that lion?  You were mistaken about him, Taka.  I don't 
need the kind of care he gives me.  You were wrong, Honey Tree."
	She laid her body in the grass and, with a deep sigh, allowed 
her head to fall to her paws in thought.  Through her mind ran the 
times she spent with her husband--how she courted him.  The 
expectation of giving him cubs, then the tragedy of losing them and 
with them her fertility.  She smiles softly, remembering how he 
wouldn't replace her and how he remained faithful through it all.  
"He was always there for me.  He loved me.  He truly loved me!"
	She gasped softly, remembering the moments of passion she had 
shared with Kubali.  "Will Taka be jealous?  Will he want me back?  
Oh gods, if he refuses me what will I do??"
	She remembered the last days of Taka's life.  She recalled the 
sleepless nights she spent cuddling him close and protecting him from 
his bad dreams.  She remembered trying to anticipate his needs and 
fill them one by one.  She could not always know what would please 
him, and he would sulk.  Then she would have to use all her powers of 
subtlety to draw out the cause of his ill humor and make it up to 
him.  She remembered staying in the cave by herself and not even 
given the satisfaction of feeding herself.  His temper had become 
even worse in the weeks before his downfall.  She stayed by his side 
through it all for their love was strong.  But he would leave her 
alone for hours or days in a private hell of despair.
	She didn't know what to make of Kubali.  Their first meeting 
still fresh in her mind, remembering how alone she felt until she 
meet him.  How he didn't try to control her life...how she could 
actually sleep through the day without it being interrupted by a 
scream.  She could even express her thoughts to him, something she 
never dared to do to Taka.  He was more like her memories of Mufasa 
and Ahadi.  She sighed softly, trying to chart her future course.
	Her eyes traveled back up to the sky.  "I loved you so much, my 
dear, that I never realized how much you controlled and used me.  
Whatever you did to me, I still loved you and I always will." She 
sighed softly, "But what is this I feel for this other lion? Is it 
love like I felt with you, or is this just my season?  I talk about 
you so much to him, I guess that is unfair to him.  You mean so much 
to me, even when you aren't here, how can I just forget you?"
	She heard a voice.  It might have been beside her or just in 
the back of her mind.  But its message arrested her.  "Don't forget 
me, but don't forget him either.  If he knew the truth, all would be 
well between you.  Tell him the truth, Lannie."
	A lioness has little trouble following even an old trail when 
they are following someone else.  But they are so accustomed to their 
own scent that it is hard for them to backtrack.  She desperately 
tried to trace her steps back to Kubali.  "Help me, Taka!  Guide me, 
Aiheu!  Gods, give me success!"
	Suddenly, she saw a form move through the grass.  Seeing the 
mane poke through the grass, she held her breath, hoping that it is 
the one that she is hoping for.  As her line of vision cleared and 
his face came into view, she gasped and ran after him.  Together in 
the middle of the savanna, they came together.  At first, both are 
silent, just looking over each other slowly.  Suddenly, they both 
began to speak.  With a slight laugh, they tried again, this time 
with Kubali starting.
	"I'm sorry for what I said.  I believe in your love, and I'd 
trust you with my Ma'at and my very Ka.  Gods, Lannie, I don't know 
why you should love me, but I am grateful and I don't question my 
good fortune.  Can you forgive me?"
	Elanna nuzzled him gently.  "I'm sorry I was so angry.  Let's 
promise it will never happen again.  The only good part of this whole 
argument is making up afterwards.  Kubali, I love you."  With that, 
she gave his cheek a soft lick, walked a short distance and crouched.  
"Make love to me, my lion!"
	He looked in the sky and smiled.  "Thank you, God!  You haven't 
abandoned me!"  He turned his attention to the golden body of his 
lover.  With a soft purr, he approached her.  "Beloved, I come!"


CHAPTER:  GAMU'S FRIENDSHIP

	Kubali went running to Gamu.  "You know, you were right!  
Lannie and I got this out into the open, and she and I are closer 
than ever!"
	"You did??"
	"Yes!  You're a dear friend, and I'm sorry I ever doubted you.  
And someday when I have a kingdom of my own, you'll be my Prince 
Consort--the brother I never had--and everyone that sees you will owe 
you respect."
	"Oh--great.  Thanks.  That will be nice--when you get one.  
There is this land to the south I think we could grab."
	"Soon enough," Kubali said, giving his shoulder a little pat.  
"I have to get back.  Lannie will wonder where I am."
	Gamu nodded absently.  "Oh yes...go to her, by all means."  He 
stared off in the other direction as Kubali rose to pad away from 
him.  "We can't keep our lovely savanna flower waiting, can we?"
	Kubali paused and eyed the other lion oddly.  "Gamu?"
	"Eh?"
	"Are you all right?"
	Gamu flashed a grin at him.  "I'm fine...just full of thoughts.  
Go on, Kubali."
	Gamu realized that he had lost the battle, but was determined 
not to lose the war.  Knowing that Kubali and Elanna would be 
otherwise occupied for the rest of the day, he slinked away to find 
his companion.  The hyena was eagerly awaiting him.
	"Any food?"
	"No, not now.  Lover Boy is in search of slower prey."
	"Oh."  Griz'nik's ears drooped.  "I guess your brilliant plan 
didn't work."
	Gamu glared at him furiously.  "No," he spat out.  "It didn't."
	"I think you should cut out the fun and games and knock off the 
lion.  This isn't a pakh'jimbi match--there's too much at stake."
	Gamu looked down his nose at the hyena and paused for a moment.  
"Dare I ask?  What is pakh'jimbi?"
	"It's a pup's game.  You need at least three players on both 
sides.  The head of each side is called a kor'hum, and it's his or 
her job to coordinate the other players called gam'gis.  Now when the 
referee, which we call a bar'gem, gives the signal with three sharp 
cries, the two sides assume a formation called a tar'tar on either 
side of the center line or mehlo.  The object of the game is to rack 
up the most points by getting more of your gam'gis through the four 
obstacles or mosh'muikheti...."
	"I get the point!"
	"The point is you'll never ditch the lion at this rate, and 
I'll be stuck in this hellhole with no hope!  You're a big 
disappointment, Gamu.  You have no hope of ever being but a THINKER--
you should be a DOER."
	Gamu snarled at the hyena, setting him aback.  "Be glad I'm a 
thinker right now.  You wouldn't like what I'd do!"
	"All right!  OK!  Don't get upset--you know you're bigger than 
I am, and I know it too.  You don't have to prove anything."
	Gamu calmed down at the hyena's show of submission.  He made a 
very clear show of sharpening his claws on a tree trunk.  Then he 
yawned, showing off his ivory daggers of death.  Out of the corner of 
his eye, masked by a quiet expression, the lion watched with glee as 
his companion stared at the arsenal.  And satisfied, Gamu finally 
settled down and closed his eyes for a nap.
	Griz'nik watched him very closely.  "Gamu almost looks decent 
when he's asleep," he thought.  He waited several minutes, looking 
deceptively like a guardian angel.  The great chest rose and fell 
softly.  Once, before Griz'nik realized the true depth of Gamu's 
disdain for him, he had longed for the soft warmth of another body 
next to him as he slept.  He would have tolerated the odor of a lion 
which he found foreign and irksome.  "We might have been friends," 
Griz'nik silently mouthed.  "As my mother used to say, if you hunt 
trouble, someday you'll catch it."
	The hyena looked at the thin-skinned spot in the upper throat 
right under Gamu's jaw.  Griz'nik knew if he suddenly bit down--hard-
-and then ran away quick, Gamu would bleed to death before he could 
catch him.  Griz'nik squirmed close, his belly to the ground, his 
eyes fixed on Gamu's throat.  From time to time he glanced up, and 
the great eyes were closed.  Now was the moment of his destiny, the 
moment he took charge of his own life once again.  The eyes were 
still closed.  Gamu's breath was even and slow.  He crept closer, 
every movement designed for stealth and accuracy.  One last time he 
looked up--the eyes were slitted...watching him.  He froze.
	Gamu said, "Come here," and patted with his paw on the ground.  
"Lay down, old friend."  
	The hyena crawled next to him, exposing his neck in submission.  
The lion, with a razor-sharp claw stuck out, said, "You know 
something......"  He drew the claw lightly over Griz's throat and 
abdomen.  "Claws are a wonderful thing.  A mother tends her little 
cub.  It glides through his fur and gets out the mats very gently, 
very tenderly.  Then that evening she puts her little cub in a safe 
place.  `Now don't you move--Mommy is going to get you dinner....'  
Then she goes out on the hunt, and Mommy becomes a huntress."  
	The claw tightened on his skin.  "She stalks the gazelle like a 
ghost...then, suddenly, springs!  Those claws become very different!"  
	Gamu swiped quickly down Griz'nik's soft underside.  The hyena 
looked down in panic, expecting to see blood and entrails.  
Whimpering and shrieking, he examined his abdomen.  There was 
nothing--Gamu's claws had been tucked in.
	Gamu laughed.  "But you're my FRIEND, Griz'nik!  I wouldn't 
hurt a FRIEND, would I?"  He shoved the hyena away and stalked off, 
leaving Griznik to stare after him, rubbing his belly and shivering.


CHAPTER:  A FRIENDLY GAME

	Early the next morning Gamu came to Elanna.  "Good morning, my 
dear."
	"Oh, hello Gamu."
	He stared at her sensual curves, his jaw hanging slack as he 
thought of those curves pressed against his body.  "You are really 
very beautiful, Elanna dear."  
	Kubali was away, and Elanna was not very comfortable being 
alone with Gamu.  But she nodded and said, "Thanks."
	Your face is kind and gentle.  Your eyes are like twin sisters 
of the stars.  Yes, my dear, Kubali is lucky."
	"You're not so bad yourself," she said, laughing nervously.  
"I'm sure someday you'll find someone who can make you very happy."
	"And those strong huntress shoulders which can be so soft.  
Sleek sides that ripple with each step, and hips like Minshasa's."  
He kept looking further back.
	Elanna felt naked and ashamed, and she made a subconscious 
effort her clamp her tail firmly against her backside.
	"Kubali will be back soon, Gamu.  Oh look, there he is now!"
	Kubali had returned from the watering hole.  "That was 
refreshing."  He looked at Gamu who smiled innocently and at Elanna 
who was supremely uncomfortable.  
	Elanna glanced at Gamu.  "Why don't you drink now?"  She wanted 
to speak alone with Kubali, and she was hoping he would leave.
	"No, go on, Elanna.  I'm willing to wait for what I want."
	She reluctantly left the two of them alone.  And while she was 
gone, Gamu saw Kubali's good mood and twitched his tail.  "Think 
you're hot stuff, huh?"
	"And I suppose you are??"  Kubali reared up and flailed at 
Gamu, laughing.  Gamu seized him around the neck with his forelegs 
and began to wrestle with him.
	"I guess you think you'll win," Gamu grunted in the height of 
his exertions.  He tried to shift his weight and throw Kubali.
	"I always do," Kubali grunted, compensating with a hind limb 
and pushing hard.
	"You won't win this time!"  Gamu broke away, then started 
flailing out with his paws.
	"You're quick," Kubali said, sparring with him.  "But you're 
not quick enough for me!"  With a sudden jab, he had Gamu on his side 
and bore his great weight down on him.  "Beg for mercy!"
	"Never!"
	"Beg for mercy!"  Kubali rubbed the back of his paw against the 
fold of Gamu's hind leg, making it kick.
	"Stop tickling me!"
	"Beg for mercy!"  Kubali laughed and nudged his thigh again.  
Gamu's face tightened into a mask of misery as he struggled to keep 
his composure.  "I can stay here all day, Gamu!"
	"OK, MERCY!  Get OFF me!"
	Gamu struggled out from under the laughing lion.  "You win--
this time."  He looked at Kubali from narrowed eyes.  "But be careful 
not to let success go to you head.  It makes you careless, and that's 
a big mistake while I'm around."
	Kubali laughed at what he thought was a joke, and he rubbed 
against Gamu, nuzzling him.  "I used to think you didn't like me."
	I can hardly wait to show you how true my friendship really 
is."  Gamu nuzzled him back.  "Someday, you'll look back on this talk 
and remember what we said."
	"Yeah, buddy."  Kubali looked in the distance.  "She's back.  
Go for it, Gamu.  There's a long hot day ahead." 


CHAPTER:  MATCH POINT

	Gamu was gone a very short period of time.  He had something to 
do, and it had to be done quickly.  He was gleeful when Kubali 
thought he heard a strange noise and went to check it out.  "You 
pulled it off, Griz'nik," Gamu thought.  "You're totally unprincipled 
and ruthless.  If you weren't so irritating, we could be quite a 
pair."
	Gamu used his moment alone with Elanna to fullest advantage.  
He watched Kubali leave, very intently.  So intently that it got her 
curiosity.  She was afraid that he was about to try and force himself 
on her.  She mentally prepared herself for the struggle ahead, taking 
in a deep breath and letting it out.  The fur on her neck and back 
began to rise and her ears went back.
	"Elanna, we need to talk."
	"Oh??"  She backed back a step.
	"When I first saw you two together, I felt like it was a match 
made by Aiheu himself.  You seemed so happy."
	"However??"  She backed back another step.  "You think it's not 
working out??"
	"You've noticed too?  I'm so sorry.  I wish there was something 
I could do to help."
	"I bet you do."
	He looked into her belligerent stare.  "I realize this is all 
my fault.  I should have never come back.  I'm so sorry."
	Her ears flicked forward.  "Sorry?  For what??"
	"You don't know??  I thought he'd discussed it with you.  I 
could understand him not wanting to.  Maybe I should just leave."  
	She pressed the point.  "Gamu, you say you've repented of your 
crimes.  That you want to be good and start over.  It would be a big 
step if you'd put my mind to rest.  Be honest with me.  He's jealous 
of you.  He thinks you're trying to cut in on me.  You are, aren't 
you?"
	"Not exactly."
	"We must be honest with each other.  I will not tolerate lies 
from you.  I've been very understanding, Gamu.  I've given you the 
benefit of the doubt, but I must be able to trust you."
	He tried to meet her glance, but could not.
	"If you would consent, I'd be on your back in a moment, girl.  
But you won't and I understand.  It's not a crime to want someone, 
especially when they are so beautiful and charming.  My one great 
crime was not my fault.  I was given my mantlement because of 
Kubali."
	"Are you blaming your crimes on him?"
	"What crime??" he asked impatiently.  "Aiheu's mane, Kubali 
loved me!  Why would I want to hurt him??"
	"So he loved you.  But you must have done SOMETHING."
	"You don't understand.  Poor dear Lannie!  He LOVED me.  Every 
time he passed me, he used to run his paw over my thigh.  `Crouch 
with me, Gamu!  Don't you find me handsome?'"
	She backed back and snarled.  "Liar!  You liar!  How DARE you 
say that!"
	"You think I'm a liar??"  He snarled back at her.  "He wanted 
me all the time, and no one would believe me because he was the 
prince.  Then one day the King saw his son nosing my butt.  Do you 
think he punished Kubali??  No, he tried to hide ME away, thinking he 
could match him up with Penzi.  The superstitious old goat believed 
the gods spoke in the bending of a twig.  Because she was his 
betrothed, the King refused to see any possible outcome but Kubali 
crouching with Penzi and raising lots of little cubs.  So he tossed 
me out into the wilderness to live or die by Aiheu's whim, me too 
young to hunt properly!  Then Kubali has the nerve to greet me like 
I'm some sort of plague when he finally found a lioness he could bear 
to make it with!"
	She cuffed him across the face.  He felt of his cheek--there 
was no blood.  "Claws in.  At least I have some good luck left.  I 
have lived a hard life, and I gave up on Aiheu being fair long ago."
	She was almost instantly sorry.  "I should not be so hasty to 
judge.  I will hear your story, but may Aiheu have pity on you if you 
are lying to me!"
	"Of course, I never encouraged this.  I never once said that I 
found him attractive, and I would make excuses to get away from him.  
If it's any consolation, we never actually DID anything."
	"But he and I made love!" Elanna insisted.  "It was so 
special!"
	"I know, and I'm very glad for you.  My one great sin was in 
coming here.  I should have turned and run the moment I saw him.  My 
dear, I know you well enough to feel remorse for this."  He showed 
her some small scratches on the turn of his thigh.  "We were having a 
little wrestling match.  I was having fun, but--alas--he found it 
quite stimulating.  He bore me to the ground and began to--well--I 
shouldn't be telling you this.  I should have just left."
	She sniffed the scratches.  As she nosed his thigh, a half 
smile came over Gamu's face.  "Careful, Missy.  Especially now.  
After all, you're in season and I find it a big turn on when a 
lioness touches me there."
	She looked away in disgust.
	"Just you be careful with him," Gamu warned.  "He's made it 
with you but he'll never pledge to you.  At least not with me around.  
But say the word and I'll go far away.  I am rather fond of you, my 
dear, and I don't want you to be deprived of your happiness and 
consolation, not after what you've been through."
	She looked away.  "He COULDN'T be attracted to you!"
	Gamu sighed.  "You're right.  Whatever you say."  He then 
added, "But tell me, was he a little awkward?  You know, in his 
technique?  He wanted you, but he didn't quite know what to do?"
	She looked at him, explosively angry.  "How DARE you ask me 
that!"
	"But it's true.  I can tell by your reaction.  He's not a 
virgin, you know.  Why do you think they sent him packing?  Do you 
really think the lionesses wanted him out of there because he was 
impolite??  They found him crouching with Ajhada in the bushes and 
that's why he was forced out.  You can't trust him around other 
males.  My dear, you must always remain a rogue if you want him--if 
you love him.  Always a rogue.  Out here in the open, you have a 
chance.  And who knows--being a father may change him like nothing 
else would."
	She started to sob.  He comforted her with a soft nuzzle.  
"Poor, dear Elanna!  Your life has been a hell on earth.  I'm so 
sorry, so sorry!  If only things had been different and Aiheu had 
shown you to me first, I would have devoted my life to you."  He 
backed from her.  "I'll go now.  You will never see me again.  Still, 
I'll even mend my ties to Aiheu so I can pray for you every night."
	"No, don't go."
	"If you really wish it."
	"I do."
	Kubali came back.  "It was nothing.  Just a rabbit."
	Gamu made a show of an overly affectionate greeting, kissing 
and rubbing Kubali full length.  Innocently, Kubali closed his eyes 
and enjoyed the closeness.  Elanna's chin trembled.  
	Kubali came to Elanna and tried to rub her but she backed away 
from him.
	"Don't you TOUCH me!"
	"Lannie, honey tree, what's wrong??"
	"You know EXACTLY what's wrong!"
	Kubali looked at Gamu.  "What have you been telling her??"
	"Not what you think.  Only about how we used to play as cubs."
	Elanna snarled at Kubali.  "I never want to see you again.  Get 
out!"
	"Out of what??  We're out in the corridors, remember??  Now 
Lannie, don't pull this nice-again, mad-again crap on me!  I've tried 
hard to be a good mate, and I've put up with a lot from you!"
	"Well no longer!  No more putting up with me!  Get out!"
	"Aren't you going to at least tell me what I did?"
	"You know what you did!"
	"Fine!"
	"OK!"
	Kubali turned in a huff and charged off into the savanna.


CHAPTER:  STORMY WEATHER

	Gamu watched Kubali disappear into the distance, then when it 
was too late for her to cry out, he looked back around at her.  
"Lannie, will you ever get over this?"
	"Someday.  Not today."
	"Yeah, I suppose so."  Gamu sighed and rolled on his back.
	Elanna needed the comfort of another living Ka next to her.  
She came and laid next to Gamu and began to pine for Kubali.  Then 
suddenly she looked about with a start.  "You're trembling."
	"Am I?"
	"You feel like a leaf in the wind."
	"So I do."
	She rose and came about to face him.  "What's wrong, Gamu?  Are 
you sick?"
	"I was never more well in my whole life."
	"Then are you afraid?"
	"Afraid?"  He shrugged.  "Don't worry about it."
	"If you're not afraid, why are you trembling?"
	He looked at her hungrily and intently.  "You're the one that 
said you hated a liar.  You're the one that wants the truth all the 
time.  I asked you if you could ever get over him.  You said 
someday."  He rose to his feet and faced her.  "You are many things, 
but foolish is not one of them.  I inhale the fragrance of a 
beautiful lioness in her receptive days and feel her warm body next 
to mine.  Oh gods, I'm not made of stone!  Ever since I first saw 
you, I fought my inclinations for Kubali's sake.  But now he's gone, 
and I look at you lying there, so alone, so sad, so vulnerable, so 
very beautiful."
	She backed back a step, but he advanced another two, bringing 
him almost nose to nose with her.  "Here's the truth, if you can 
handle it.  I breathe in your essence and it spreads like fire 
through my being.  Ever since I met you, I have had passionate 
fantasies of your soft, beautiful body under mine while I explore you 
and tremble.  Oh gods, to know this pleasure would heal a world of 
hurts for me."
	Her tail clamped firmly down and she trembled.  "There's no law 
against dreams.  Not as long as they end when you wake up.  I will 
defend myself if I must!"
	"Who said I would force myself on you?  Lannie, I love you!  
Did you not question me in depth about my personal feelings?  Did you 
not say you'd leave me if I lied to you?  Gods, you're beautiful and 
exciting and intelligent and so kind!  You've had two lovers that I 
know of, while I am still as I came from my mother's belly.  You 
saved Taka from total dispair, and you pulled Kubali from the depths 
of his misery.  You see before you a broken lion who has faced pain 
and hardship, much of it due to Kubali.  I cry out for your redeeming 
love.  Be my conscience, my faith, my principles.  You could save me!  
Do you blame me if I tremble before you??  Teach me how to love, 
Elanna!  To love deeply and well.  Crouch for me!  Please!"
	She looked at him with mixed pity and disgust.  "Maybe I should 
remove the temptation.  I will go away--far away.  Maybe you'll find 
someone else to crouch with."
	"Why?  Am I ugly?"
	"No."
	"Stupid??"
	"No!  Of course not."
	"Then why not??"
	"You are great for a story or a joke, but the thought of you 
mounting me makes me sick.  Even pity won't make me crouch for the 
likes of you.  Understand?"
	She turned to leave.
	"You never know how long a single female can make it in this 
land."
	"I'll take my chances."
	Then, as if on cue, a hyena came up from the grass and growled 
menacingly.  Gamu stood protectively in front of Elanna, then with a 
snarl chased the hyena off ferociously into the bushes.  
	Behind some bushes Gamu began to beat the earth, while Griz'nik 
began to shriek horribly.  Gamu growled and tore into the earth, and 
Griz'nik made one heart-rending yip, then fell silent.  Griz'nik got 
the rabbit he had cached away and watched with amusement as Gamu 
minced it in his jaws, soaking his face in blood, then wiping his 
mane with his paws to bloody them.  "Not bad," Gamu whispered.
	Gamu returned to the shocked Elanna a bloody mess.  "I saved 
you that time.  But they will be back, and in greater numbers.  You 
need me.  Someday you'll come to love me."  He nuzzled her, getting a 
spot of blood on her cheek.
	She shrank from his touch.  "If you respect me at all, you'll 
keep this locked away inside of you and never mention it again.  And 
unill I'm through my period, I'd really prefer that you sleep apart 
from me.  Stay nearby, but don't touch me."
	The icy silence that she began continued for some hours.  Gamu 
was beginning to feel the isolation of his old rogue life coming back 
on him again, and he was listless and miserable.  Finally, when 
hunger began to set in, he said, "Elanna, it's time we tried to hunt, 
don't you think?"
	"I guess so."
	She had spoken!  Hearing her voice again was a balm for his 
woes, and he did anything to hold her in conversation, becoming too 
talkative to seriously stalk prey.  Instead they settled for making a 
new kill by watching the buzzards.  Elanna knew how to watch the 
skies, and she soon spotted the wounded gazelle that had escaped one 
lion only to fall to another.
	Gamu, who was very hungry, roughly grabbed the shrieking beast 
by the hindquarters and began to tear into the muscles of its haunch, 
satisfying his hunger with living flesh.
	"Stop!" Elanna shouted.  She drew close to the weakly-panting 
gazelle and said softly, "Think about Aiheu's realm.  Soon you will 
be out of pain."  She took the gazelle's neck between her teeth and 
cut off its breath.  And in a few moments, when the body had slumped 
into a final slumber, she looked up at Gamu.  "What's with you, 
anyway??  Can't you wait for a clean kill?  You hunt the way you woo 
females!"
	The birds began to gather, but Gamu looked up hatefully.  He 
was already angry, and their unwanted company set him off.  "Stupid 
birds!  Piss off!"
	The vultures looked at each other, stunned.
	"I said piss off!"
	They took to the air before he had a chance to charge them, but 
then they circled maddeningly just out of reach of his leaps and 
shouted at him, "Gamu, Gamu!  Naughty boy!  We know who you are and 
we know what you did!"
	He was mortified.  He shouted "I'll pluck you and eat you!"
	"You can't fly!"
	"And you can't fly forever!  You'll have to land sooner or 
later!"
	"Promises, promises!  Look at the naughty kitty!  Time someone 
taught him some manners!"  They flew off, laughing.
	Gamu stalked back to Elanna who stared at him.  "So, what are 
YOU looking at!"
	"What did they mean?  They know who you are and what you did?"
	"It's between them and me.  Besides, how should I know?  Maybe 
he saw Kubali trying to seduce me.  Just drop it."
	She looked away from him.  "If you say so."
	"I didn't mean to snap.  Sorry, my dear.  I just hate buzzards, 
that's all."


CHAPTER:  A WAR OF ATTRITION

	A lone lion made his way through the grass with the fearful, 
empty tread of the recently exiled.  His old friends, his family, and 
his familiar grounds were behind him, perhaps forever, but this time 
he did not seek solace in a new beginning.  He bore an extra weight 
on his shoulders that made his ears a little flatter, his tail a 
little lower and his step a little slower than most.
	"Oh gods," he muttered to himself, for he was once again his 
only audience.  "Oh gods, what could I have done?  What could I have 
said differently?  I was happy, truly happy and willing to spend my 
life with her!  She wouldn't even tell me what I did?  One moment she 
loved me, and now she has driven me away, and all I want to do is go 
to sleep and never have to wake up!"
	Memories of the blissful moments he had spent with Elanna came 
crowding over him, torturing him in his loneliness.  If only Gamu had 
known what his lie had caused, he would have reveled in perverse 
satisfaction.  Kubali fell to the ground and sobbed.  "Oh gods, 
you've taken away everything I lived for!  Why not let me die!  Oh 
gods!"
	Unaware of the extent of his mischief, Gamu was busy trying to 
solidify his claim on Elanna.  He felt victory, complete victory, 
waited for him over the next rise or behind the next rock.
	Gamu alternated fear and tenderness, playing on Elanna's 
helplessness and setting himself up as her one salvation.  So far it 
had not resulted in a mating with Elanna, the mark of his absolute 
and utter destruction of Kubali.  Knowing that Kubali had something 
that had eluded his grasp was more frustrating than his unfulfilled 
desire.
	She refused him consistently.  Once, in the throes of passion, 
he followed her about with a tense purring in his throat.  He reached 
out with a paw and shoved her rump down, starting to mount her 
willingly or unwillingly.  She turned about smartly and cuffed his 
face with all her might.  As he lay stunned on the ground, she 
snarled at him.  "Touch me there again and I'll leave scars visible 
at night!"
	She got very little sleep throughout the next day and night.  
She was afraid of him, almost as afraid as she was of the hyenas.
	The end of her receptive period offered Elanna some relief from 
his constant entreaties, but his war of attrition shifted to other 
fronts.  He went from a prospective lover to a caretaker.
	"Lannie, if you will pledge to me, I will find a pride where 
you can be a queen again.  You could hunt with pride sisters again as 
you once did.  You can be respected."
	It went on subtly, day after day.  Like water running across 
once baked earth, he began to gently, patiently wear gullies in her 
firm resolve.  She did not grow to find him handsome, but she began 
to submit to his kissing her.  She never kissed him back, but Gamu 
felt that would come with time.  "It's like that hyena game, whatever 
in hell that little weasel called it."
	Flush with what he perceived as signs of success, Gamu was more 
bold in taking leave of Elanna to chat with Griz'nik and keep him 
apprised of his progress.  With a plan that ingenious, Gamu had to 
brag to someone or he would burst at the seams.
	Never did Gamu pay any head to the circling buzzard overhead 
who watched--and listened carefully.  


CHAPTER:  MARKAAAGH'S ERRAND

	Markaaagh saw what he thought was a dying lion.  He had a 
personal preference, hoping it was not Kubali.  Despite his 
professional detachment, he had grown rather fond of the polite, 
intelligent lion.  He lighted next to him, hoping to at least say 
something to ease his torment at the end.
	"Hey Fuzzy, are you OK?"
	"I'm not ready to be the guest of honor at your dinner party."
	"For once I'm relieved."  The buzzard regarded him closely.  
"Where is your lady friend?"
	"Gone.  She dumped me."
	Markaaagh looked surprised and disappointed.  "Tell me it ain't 
so!  Brother, I know how you feel."
	"How could you?"
	"Oyeghegh left me without so much as a pinfeather."
	"Oh?  I'm sorry."
	"Of course, I take these things in stride.  In my younger days, 
I was quite the rage among the young ladies, and I still haven't lost 
it entirely!  Har har!"
	Kubali covered his eyes with a paw.
	"You poor boy, I was happy for you.  I was hoping this match 
would work out.  I'm really sorry."
	Markaaagh trundled across a bit of savanna, flapping his huge 
wings until he was airborne and could put some distance between 
himself and the lion.  He embraced the buzzard policy of not getting 
involved with animals he could eat.  It was only courting pain and 
conflict.  Still, he felt he had to get to the bottom of this.  If 
only to find some dirt on Gamu that would give him the satisfaction 
of ripping out his liver when Fuzzy got through with him.
	It took a while.  In fact, it took several days.  Then by 
patience and silent soaring, Markaaagh caught Gamu in a bragging 
mood, talking with a "dead" hyena about his imminent conquest.  He 
heard Gamu tell the story for probably the hundredth time, though it 
was the first time he could put all the pieces together.
	He had heard enough. "We can eat three day old carcasses, but 
some things we just can't stomach."  He smiled a nauseating vulture 
smile.  "Today, greedy gut, you get yours!  Drive me off with 
insults, will ya??  I'll see you ripped like a gazelle!"
	Markaaagh flew quickly to find the moping lion.  He told Kubali 
what he had heard.
	"You have earned yourself FIRST RIGHTS at my next five kills!"
	Kubali rallied.  Suddenly he stood tall and straight and proud.  
It did Markaaagh's heart good.


CHAPTER:  THE CONFRONTATION

	Gamu's fear campaign had worked too well.  Elanna was truly 
afraid to remain alone for even a moment with hyenas about.  If only 
she had known that the nearby clan was the histrionic attempts of 
Griz'nik to be seen in several different places in quick succession, 
using variations on his voice with every territorial yip!  He would 
call out "Ta'bliz!" (Attention!) and answer himself, "Mar roh!" (Yes 
milord!).  The sound of the dark tongue would send chills down 
Elanna's spine as she worried about those hyenas.  Not used to 
freeloading off the lions, these were surely hunters of the first 
order, fierce and coldly efficient.
	When Gamu left her with strict orders to remain behind, he 
really expected her to stay put.  Though it was supposedly for her 
own good, Gamu's ordering about was intended to complete his 
domination of her and to give him free reign to contact Griz'nik for 
further orders.  Without careful coordination with the hyena, Gamu's 
main trump card of fear of the hyenas would become worthless, for a 
frightened lioness can run faster than an angry lion.
	Elanna used all her stalking skills to stay within hearing 
range of Gamu that she might be a simple shout away if intruders 
targeted her.  Little did she know what she would hear that fateful 
day!
	Elanna saw Gamu talking to the hyena.  She overheard what he 
was saying.
	Griz'nik was laughing when Gamu told him again about the 
deception.  That Elanna was foolish enough to believe Kubali loved 
Gamu after making love to her all night!
	She knew that was the hyena that Gamu said he killed.  She 
recognized the voice as one of those that called about her in the 
night.  And she gritted her teeth to keep from crying out.  
	Griz'nik asked Gamu what would happen to him when Elanna 
pledged to him.
	Gamu said, "I was just about to tell you that myself."  He 
started forward.  "Old friend, I had three great ambitions.  One was 
to have her warm my belly.  One was to see Kubali dead in the dust.  
My third wish is of great interest to you.  It's to keep you from 
ever telling my secrets to Lannie.  I've practiced your little cries.  
Ta'bliz!  Mar roh!  En'khet koi, Roh'mach!  In fact, I think I can 
get along without you."
	"You're sending me away??"
	"Clear to whatever hell you believe in."
	The hyena backed back.  "Oh gods, don't do this!  Let me run 
away, Gamu!  Oh gods, don't hurt me!  Please!"
	Griz'nik had backed back into the corner of the small shelter 
as far as he could go.  "I'll do anything!  Oh gods, this is madness!  
Stop!!"
	Gamu was about to bite the hyena's neck through when suddenly 
in burst Elanna.
	"Griz'nik, I should have recognized your smell anywhere!  If 
you want to live, you better tell the truth!"
	Griz'nik urinated freely in his utter panic.  "He wanted to 
kill me!  Have mercy and I'll tell all!  Gamu is a cheat and a liar!  
He invented that story about Kubali being in love with him, and he 
told Kubali you had betrayed your husband!"
	She raised her face in an agony of extreme hate, roaring to 
shake the walls of the small cavern.  Her eyes glowed red with fierce 
bloodlust, and she sprang on Gamu.  "I'll kill you, you devil!"
	For all her determination, Gamu was a young adult male, and he 
outweighed her by half again her bulk.  Her claws tore hunks of fur 
from his mane but barely grazed the skin beneath.  He raked her 
shoulder and  easily brought blood.
	Elanna did not really care.  If she could only mark him before 
she died, she could look down from the stars on him and feel 
revenged.  Gamu, who had so often tried to make love to her, was 
bringing the terrible brunt of his anger on her.
	Then a lion announced his presence with a terrible roar.  "Keep 
your paws off of her!"
	Gamu looked about.  It proved to be his undoing.  Elanna 
clubbed Gamu on the back of the head with one massive blow of her paw 
and sent him sprawling.
	In an instant, Kubali was all over him, battering him and 
covering him in small cuts and scratches.
	From seemingly nowhere, a gallery of buzzards had gathered to 
watch the fray.  One of them yelled, "Give it to him, Kubali!  Tell 
him who's the stupid bird NOW!"  It was Markaaagh.  Somewhere, 
somehow, Kubali would remember that the bird used his real name.  He 
was "Fuzzy" no longer.
	Kubali wanted to kill Gamu, and with the rival pinned to the 
ground, he started to inflict a killing bite to the skull.  Elanna 
stopped him.
	"No, honey tree.  There are fates worse than death."  She 
looked at the pathetic lion  You wanted to take Taka's place.  So be 
it."
	Gamu tried to shake his head "no."
	She raised her paw and quickly raked his face.  He screamed and 
rolled out from under Kubali, whimpering and putting a paw over the 
fresh wound that lay where his right eye had once been.  "Oh gods!  
Oh gods!"  His back feet dug into the soil and he kicked 
spasmodically.
	"Now you ARE Taka.  Go and never come back, for the next time I 
see you, I'll kill you!"
	He scrambled to regain his footing.  Tilting his head to one 
side, he staggered away yammering in the half-darkness of pain that 
had become his world.  If he lived or died, Aiheu would decide.
	Kubali wanted to apologize, and so did Elanna.  Neither could 
get the words out.  Instead they nuzzled, wrestled, kissed and rubbed 
with a desperate intensity.  Tears came, and they lasted a long 
while.  The wounds were deep and cruel, but love would heal them all.  
	As for Griz'nik, he went away and they never saw him again.
	Kubali touched Elanna's tear-stained cheeks with his tongue.  
"We will never be parted again, though all the Makei in hell stand in 
our way."
	The buzzards smiled.  "Awwww...."
	"I'm so grateful, my friends."  Kubali touched Markaaagh with 
his paw, something he'd never done before.  "How did you know?  It 
was a miracle!"
	"Maybe you're right."  Markaaagh bowed, then took off, followed 
shortly by the others.


CHAPTER:  THE MESSENGER

	After Gamu left, the next few weeks passed in a deep river of 
joy.  Rosy dawns nuzzled golden days.  Golden days fondled purple 
evenings.  Purple evenings kissed silver stars.  Moonlit nights died 
on the breast of rosy dawns.  Day by day, moment by moment, Kubali 
and Elanna felt their love grow and deepen in breathless beauty.  His 
large paw would gently caress her cheek and turn her deep, soft eyes 
to face his, and he would draw close and nuzzle her.  Times were lean 
for the two rouges, but safe in the embrace of their love no hint of 
their low status could intrude on their perfect happiness.  Elanna 
lay with her head on Kubali's soft mane and closed her eyes.  There 
she would have been content to stay forever with his strong arm about 
her shoulder.
	Then one night a lioness came and complicated their private 
dream.
	She appeared through the grass one night as the two were bedded 
together.  Instantly, their heads rose up in surprise to look at the 
visitor. 
	"Kubali, is that you?"
	"Well, uh, yes.  Should I know you?"
	The lioness just smiled, "Don't you remember the one who gave 
you milk?"
	Kubali stared at her.  "Debara?"
	The lioness nodded and smiled, moving towards him, "It's been a 
while, Honey Tree."
	Kubali rose up and nuzzled his old nurse.  But he looked into 
her eyes, concerned.  "What are you doing out here far from home?  
Have you left my father?"
	Debara shook her head.  "Your father sent me to look for you."  
Tears formed in her eyes.  "Honey Tree, I have some bad news."
	"Dad's not dying is he??"  Kubali lifted her drooping chin 
gently with his paw.  "Nursie, surely not Dad??"
	"Not your Dad.  It's your brother.  He's dead."
	Kubali took a step backward and sat with a plop, stunned.  "Oh 
my gods!"
	Elanna came and sat next to him, rubbing her cheek against his, 
kissing away his tears.  "Poor darling!"
	"How did it happen, Debbie?"
	"He was hunting with the lionesses.  Your father begged him not 
to go, but you know your brother--he felt more at ease hunting than 
learning to rule."
	Kubali looked down.  "At least he died doing something he 
enjoyed."  He half-closed his eyes as Elanna nuzzled him and turned 
to paw her cheek.
	Debara sighed softly.  "Kubali, you're our only hope.  Could 
you forget the past and come back with me?"
	"Well sure.  But what about the lionesses?  Aren't they still 
angry?"
	Debara stroked his mane gently.  "You are our only hope of 
keeping the pride...you must come back.  The others have accepted 
this."  She smiled softly, "My daughter can't wait to see you."
	"Penzi wants me back?"
	Debara chuckled.  "She is your betrothed....and you were never 
that much of a trouble maker..."  She bated him gently, "just a 
normal little brat."
	"That bad, huh?  Well I've mellowed out somewhat."
	He could feel Elanna's tenseness.  "Yeah, about that betrothal.  
Debara, this is Elanna.  If I am to come back, she must join me.  A 
lot has happened in the last few weeks.  Time and trials change 
people.  Debara, Lannie and I have--well--shared our comforts.  I 
love her.  I can make no plans for the future that don't include her-
-you do understand, don't you?"
	Debara nodded.  "You never led Penzi on.  You never told her 
that you loved her.  But Honey Tree, she DOES love you, and she HAS 
told you.  If you love me at all, be gentle with her."
	"I DO love you."
	"I know."  Debara nuzzled him softly.  "The King will be 
pleased to see you, and I'm sure he'll understand.  Don't worry 
yourself, dear.  It's better if you let me speak to Penzi before you 
announce."
	Kubali nuzzled Elanna softly, "Come on love.  We are going 
home.  You will be my queen and together we will rule the land.  You 
will be my Ka, my conscience."
	Elanna whispered to him softly, "What about Penzi?  Can you 
face her?"
	"She will understand."
	"Are you sure they will accept me?"  Elanna looked genuinely 
fearful.  "I've been alone before--a stranger surrounded by crowds.  
I don't know if I could end my life that way."
	"Lannie, we either come or go as a pair.  I love my father and 
I want to help him, but some things are more important than titles 
and power.  Things like love and decency."
	Debara looked at Elanna and kissed her cheek.  "Honey Tree, you 
are good for him.  I grieve for my daughter's loss, but I can't help 
liking you."


CHAPTER:  ON THE TRAIL

	The three of them walked most of the day.  Debara led the way, 
with Kubali behind her, and Elanna bringing up the tail.  Elanna 
thought of her new future with Kubali.  The horrible secret of her 
torn body played on her mind.  She couldn't give him a son, so if she 
did become his queen, the line would end with him.  She had been 
afraid of telling him her secret, worried that he might leave her.  
Now she was depriving more than a husband.  She was risking the 
future of a pride.  
	She looked up, watching the two catch up on the missing months. 
She sighed softly, unheard. How could she admit to him that the light 
would never shine in her eyes?
	Almost without warning, Debara was next to her. Elanna's head 
raised up to look at her.  "What's the matter, Elanna?"
	Elanna just shook her head, "Nothing, just...things...thoughts 
running through my head."
	Debara nuzzled her shoulder gently, something that made Elanna 
jump back slightly.  It had been so long since she had felt the 
affection of another lioness.  "We are pride sisters now, Elanna.  
We'll help each other.  Don't be afraid."  She batted at Elanna's 
shoulder gently.  "Don't think just because you are the future queen, 
that you have to stay apart from of us."
	Elanna looked at her, her smile becoming wider at the thought 
of actually being a part of a pride.  She rubbed Debara back and 
murmured, "You really don't know how much that means to me."
	Debara chuckled, "A word of advice, just keep your distance 
from my daughter for a few days.  She is bound to be slightly 
disappointed."
	Elanna nodded, "Will she be mad at me?"
	"Most likely, but don't you worry none, I will keep her under 
control.  She is my daughter after all.  Now, let's hear more about 
you. I hear you taught this little brat to respect lionesses?"
	Elanna just shrugged.  "We met after my old mate was killed and 
my old pride drove me out.  Though we've had a few problems, Kubali 
has shown me unconditional love, and together we made it through."  
She smiled softly to Debara.  "I thought my life was over.  Kubali 
showed me that I had more to live for, and more to love for."
	Debara laughed softly, "It's funny how time heals these wounds.  
Bless you, Elanna.  You saved our pride.  You don't know what it's 
like to see everything you love crumbling around you."
	"Yes I do, Honey Tree."
	Elanna was about ready to continue to tell Debara more about 
the time she had spent with Kubali, but soon it was interrupted by a 
roar of a lioness. Debara returned the roar and looked to the two, 
"Come on, they have just hunted.  If we are quick, we can make it 
before the meal is gone."
	With that, the group picked up there pace and, coming into a 
clearing, ran into the pride, gathered around a kill. Elanna looked 
over the group, subconsciously moving closer to Kubali. Kubali 
nuzzled her softly and smiled to the group. Debara looked to the 
group, "I have brought back the son of our king." She smiled to the 
group, "and a new member to our pride." She motioned to Elanna, "This 
is Elanna, the lioness who taught our prince some humility."
	The king stepped forward.  "Kubali?  My son?  Against all hope, 
I see you again!"
	"Dad, I came as soon as I heard about Ababu.  Was it--quick?"  
When the king hung his head and sobbed, Kubali rushed forward and 
nuzzled him.  "Oh, dad!"
	"Can you forgive me for my mistakes, my son?"
	"Can you forgive me for my mistakes, father?"
	"I have lost one son, but I have found the other.  Let us bury 
the past, my boy."
	After a few moments a young lioness stepped forward to the two.  
The King smiled once more.  "Kubali, there's someone that wants to 
see you."
	The young lioness moved to nuzzle Kubali. "It has been a long 
time, my prince."
	"As has it for me, Penzi." Kubali replied, not really returning 
the nuzzle.  Penzi looked at him curiously.
	Debara coughed a bit, seeing Elanna getting a bit timid.  
"Sire, may I speak to you and my daughter in private please?"  Penzi 
and the King looked to Debara curiously.
	The king nodded.  "Of course Debara."  He looked to his son and 
Elanna, motioning to the kill.  "No doubt that it has been a long 
journey--you two nourish yourselves and then we will talk."
	Kubali started to walk towards the kill, but Elanna stayed 
where she was.  He looked back, "Come on dear...you look hungry." 
Timidly she moved next to Kubali to the kill.  The lioness make a 
hole for the two as they approach, some mumbles exchanged between the 
members of the group.  Looking between the kill and Elanna, Kubali 
ripped off a piece for the two and drug it a little ways off from the 
group.  There, the two eat quietly, not sure what to say to each 
other.
	After the meal, the two groomed each other, getting more looks 
from the other lionesses. Elanna could feel these stares as they bore 
into her soul, but she had been through so much with Kubali, there 
was no reason for them to hide their affections to other. Soon after 
the meal was finished, the king, Debara and her daughter reappeared. 
Penzi walked near her mother, her mood showing that she had heard the 
news of Elanna as her tail and head were hung low.
	The king stepped to his son and Elanna and spoke, "Members of 
the pride...I have an announcement. It has come to my attention that 
this lionesses and this lion..."  He motioned to Kubali and Elanna.  
"...Have fallen in love while my son was away.  Although he does have 
a betrothed here...and against my better judgment...I am willing to 
allow Elanna to become his queen as reward for watching over my son."
	Penzi looked at the two, obviously disappointed in her loss, 
but walked over to them, "I wish you two a long life together."  She 
nuzzled Elanna gently.  "Take good care of him, as I will still love 
him."
	Elanna smiled back and return the rub, relieved at her good 
fortune of being accepted into the pride.  Slowly the other lionesses 
approach the group and introduce themselves.  Most of them hovered 
around Kubali, remarking how well mannered he had become.  Every so 
often, one of them would break away from the prince to introduce 
themselves to Elanna.  Elanna felt it hard to try to keep names and 
faces together, and she fumbled with it for a bit.  By the end of the 
night, though, she was becoming more comfortable and started making 
small talk to the other members.  How she had longed for this, to 
actually have friends to speak to.  How she missed it in her old 
pride, when Taka would keep her away from the other lionesses or the 
other lionesses wouldn't approach her.  Finally, as the night drew to 
the end, the king approached her.
	"May I speak to you...alone."
	Elanna looked back to Kubali, who was involved in another 
conversation.  Quietly she walked with the king a short distance 
away. "Yes, my king?"
	The king asked  her about her intentions and the time she spent 
with Kubali.  "I understand how bad it is to be alone, and I'm 
grateful for everything you've done.  Really I am.  But now it's time 
for him to take on his responsibilities.  I wish you would reconsider 
becoming Kubali's queen."
	Elanna just looked at him stunned.  "But sire...you said..."
	The lion cut her off, "I know what I said...and I won't force 
anything.  But, you must understand that I have to ask this of you. 
Penzi is his betrothed and I'm afraid if you marry him, what might 
befall these lands.  I can't force you to let him go because you did 
help him.  You brought him back to me.  Still, I must look after my 
lands."  He looked at her softly, "You have helped him so much...help 
him again by letting him go.  Let him go, but do not tell him we had 
this talk.  I promise I will reward you if you will do this."
	"Like..." she said speculatively.
	"There is another male...and he is approaching his mantlement.  
It would make him...his mother...and me very happy to see a lioness 
pledge to him.  You can be that lioness as a reward for you good 
deeds."
	Elanna laughed softly, "Sire...no insult intended...but I can't 
do that.  Many lionesses don't find true love once in her life.  Even 
fewer lionesses find it twice.  I would be tempting faith to try for 
three times." She looked down, "I love him...he gave me life when I 
thought my life had ended."
	"Then show your appreciation of that by letting him find his 
place in the circle."
	She looked at him, almost distastefully, "I can't leave 
him...I'm sorry."
	"I'm afraid.  The gods will be upset because the betrothal is 
broken.  It does not tide well to turn your back on the prompting of 
the gods.  Elanna, I like you--I really do.  But I have raised my son 
over days, weeks, and months.  I don't want him to be hurt."
	"Then don't break his heart.  Can't you see that we're like 
leaves in the wind?  Why didn't the gods interfere then?  Instead, 
against all odds, our love has survived and grown."
	He sighed a bit, "Yes, Elanna.  I can see that you are past 
controlling your feelings.  So be it.  I will not interfere."  He 
moved and nuzzled her.  "If it is from you that the heir comes, you 
are my daughter and I will shelter and love you.  Welcome to the 
pride."
	She tensed at the nuzzle but returned it, feeling more 
relieved, "Thank you, sire.  I will not mention this to Kubali."
	He smiled, "Thank you.  Now enjoy your husband."  With that, 
they separated and she walked back to be by Kubali's side.


CHAPTER:  THE DREAM

	It had been a few nights since they had rejoined the pride.  
She was making new friends and had even been on a very successful 
hunt with them.  That was the best, she thought, having `sisters' 
again.  She could see the young male that she would have pledged to, 
watching over her.  It wasn't really bad, she thought. She liked have 
a bit of attention on her and not be it for bad reasons.
	Other things did bother her, however.  Although the king had 
accepted her into the pride as his daughter, he still didn't go out 
of his way to be friendly to her.  Same thing with Penzi.  She had 
mentioned this to Debara and she just shrug it off, "Don't worry, 
Elanna," she would say.  "They will get friendlier to you with time.  
Just wait till you bear the Prince cubs.  You will become everyone's 
darling then.  Who can resist a mother and her young cubs?"
	They might have told Penzi that she could just wait for him--
when Elanna was gone, she could be there to console Kubali.  They 
gossip about her.  Did she really tell the whole truth?  Was Taka 
really that bad?  Might she have had something to do with Scar's 
death?  Of course they don't mean it mean, but they do wonder about 
these things.  Maybe one of them gets put up to ask her none too 
discretely.  Awkwardly, in fact.  Maybe this triggers the nightmare.
	The most disturbing event happened during her sleep.  As she 
was cuddled with Kubali, she feel asleep.  She woke up in a dream, to 
see the land as it was under Taka.  The lionesses all looked thin and 
the lands were parched.  She went to Kubali to talk to thing.  He 
turned to look at her, but it wasn't Kubali's face that she saw...it 
was Taka's...his faced marred by the scar.  She gasped and turned 
suddenly away from, only to come face to face with the king.
	"See what you did, daughter?  See what you did by your 
selfishness. You condemned these lands to this horror.  If only you 
would had accepted my offer, this land would not be in this shape.  
That young lion that I had offered to you...he was the first to die."
	Elanna gasped.  "No!  Not again!  Oh gods, was the curse on me 
instead??  Was it me all along??"
	Suddenly, Elanna's eyes flew open as she panted heavily against 
Kubali's side.  Her eyes scanned the area, just to see the peaceful 
scene she had seen before she feel asleep.  Kubali's eyes slowly 
opened and looked at her, "Dear?"
	She turned to look at him, her breath calming down, "I'm all 
right...go back to sleep."
	He nuzzled her softly, "Bad dream?"
	She purred softly and nodded.  "Yes...but I can't really talk 
about it.  I'll be fine, love."
	He yawned and gave her cheek a quick lick.  "All right 
dear...if you say so.  I'll be right here if you need me."
	She did not fall asleep, however.  Her mind raced of thoughts 
of the king's word to her.  Would this land fall into a drought 
because of me?  Would Aiheu punish us all for my selfish love?  What 
if he knew that I could never give him a cub?  Now I'm not only 
ruining his future, but the future of a pride.
	That last thought stung her deeply.  She could never be his 
queen because of that.  There would be no continue of the line beyond 
him.  She looked down and sigh.  She would have to leave him...give 
him a chance to have a future.  She nuzzled against him, knowing it 
would be their last night together.  He grunted with satisfaction, 
feeling her warmth against his body.
	The next morning came quickly and she looked at him, fondling 
his mane like she did the first night.  "Thank you for all of the 
things you gave me."
	He woke up slowly, purring at the fondle. "Thank me for what 
love?"
	She looked at him sadly.  "For all of the times we were 
together." She sighed, building up her courage.  "Love...I have to 
go."
	His head shot up instantly. "What?  Why?" he stammered.
	She continued to fondle him gently.  "Dear...I have kept a 
horrible secret from you...something you must hear before you take me 
as your queen."
	His tongue licked at her paw.  "Whatever it is...you will 
always be my queen."
	"Dear...I can't have cubs."
	He looked at her stunned.  "What?"
	"Taka gave me cubs one time, but it was not to be.  The cubs 
came out dead...along with any chances of me having anymore."
	He shook his head.  "I don't care...I love you.  You will still 
be my queen."
	"And what about the pride?  Without me being able to have cubs, 
you will have no heir.  Your line will end."
	He licked her check softly.  "I don't care about being king...I 
care about you."
	"But you are prince, and a prince must someday be a king.  You 
must not think about yourself.  You must think of your pride."  She 
rose up slowly, giving him a soft lick.  "Look for me when you join 
the stars.  Part of you will always be with me, and I will not forget 
you."  With that, she slowly began to walk off.
	Kubali rose up also, following her.  "I'm coming with you...I 
give this up for you."
	She turned quickly, "No...you can't. You must stay here and be 
king." Kubali froze as she continued, "Tell your father and Debara 
thank you for welcoming me." She moved back to him and gave him 
another nuzzle.  "Tell Penzi that she will get a loving mate."
	"Elanna...please."
	"Before when we parted it was because of a secret, a lie, or a 
misunderstanding.  This time I am completely certain in what I'm 
doing.  This time it's the truth that must split us apart.  You know 
what will happen if I remain.  Your father will discover that I am 
barren, and he will drive me off.  I will tell him so myself before I 
let you throw away everything Aiheu meant you to have.  Besides, it 
is Penzi that really loves you.  I just wanted a little 
companionship."
	"Don't say that!"
	"But it's true!  I like you well enough, and you're a very good 
lover as far as that goes.  But I'm just not in love with you.  Penzi 
is, and your feelings for her could be returned."
	"But Elanna!  I know it's not so!  I know you love me!  I felt 
your body tremble next to mine!  Oh gods, you can't tell me that was 
all an act!"
	She kissed him gently.  "That does not matter now.  You gave me 
back my self respect.  We were together when we needed each other.  
Now you need Penzi and she needs you."
	"And what do you need??"
	"I need to face my past.  I need to go some place where you 
can't come.  Darling, if you love me, let me go.  Please??"
	"Say you love me first."
	She looked at him, eyes moist with tears.  "I won't lie to you.  
I am a ripped gazelle, and my heart is being slowly eaten."  She came 
and kissed his cheek quickly, then turned and trotted away into the 
grass.  A short distance off, she heard his mournful roar.  She fell 
to the ground and sobbed.


CHAPTER:  SO CLOSE, YET SO FAR

	The heat started to build as the sun rose in the sky. A lone 
lioness walked through the golden savanna, unsure where to go.  
	Her future looked bright just the day before, but now she was 
alone again.  She had been with Kubali for so long, she had forgotten 
what it felt like to be alone.  Looking around, all she could see was 
the flowing grass.  Not only was she alone...she was lost.
	She continued to walk, desperate to find her way back to where 
she was.  She continued to look for any sign of a jutting rock that 
signaled her childhood home.  Her mind now set...it was time to face 
her punishment.  If they accepted her back, at least she would have 
companions.  If not...she would join her long lost husband.
	The problem was trying to find her old home.  She had been 
walking for nearly a full day, and her legs were starting to buckle 
under her.  It had been a few days since her last good meal, so 
hunger started to return to her body.  Finally, after she had walked 
as far as she could, her body gave out and collapsed the ground.
	Her stomach protested, but she tried to put that in the back of 
her mind as she did with the memory of her husband.  Her aching limbs 
seemed to make a sigh of relief as her weight now spread over her 
whole body.  She laid her head down on the ground and mumbled softly, 
"Hunt tomorrow..."  She was soon asleep.
	Her sleep was restless.  Her first night in a long time with 
out someone next to her was troublesome.  She missed the warmth of 
Kubali's body and she missed the safety she felt when next to him, 
her head buried in the soft hair of his mane.  How she wished she 
could be next to him, but deep down she knew it wasn't meant to be.  
	Aiheu had other plans for her, but what?  She wanted to be in a 
group--she hated being a rogue.  The fear of what her old pride still 
felt about her preyed on her mind...the hyena's warning rang in her 
ears.  "They'll rip you!"
	She woke the next day, not really feeling refreshed at all.  
She rose out of the grasses and yawned, looking around. She looked 
into the sky, seeing them.  "Can it be the same group," she wondered 
aloud.  She wasn't going to take the chance that they weren't and 
began to move towards the circling birds.  In a few minutes, she 
caught up with the group and smiled.  
	"Hello Markaaagh."
	The buzzard pulled his head out of a impala carcass and looked 
to the lioness, "well...if it isn't Fuzzy's mate.  Har har!"
	She smiled slightly, remembering how he hated that name. 
"Yeah...it's me." She moved to the carcass.  "Is the deal still in 
place...because I could really use some food."
	Markaaagh flapped a bit out of the way.  "Of course."  He 
looked around, noticing the absence.  "So...where is he?  After you 
two routed that lion, I thought you two wouldn't be more than a step 
away from each other.  Don't you love him enough to stay with him?"
	She sighed slightly, taking a bit of meat from the carcass, "I 
love him too much to stay with him."  She gulped down the slightly 
aging meat and sighed, reaching for some more.
	"Eat up, Honey Tree!  You are delirious!"  The vulture moved 
closer to her.  "If there is anything you need that I can get, I will 
offer it to you.  Our old agreement still stands."
	She looked at the vulture, her nose wrinkling slightly at the 
familiar foul smell.  "I do need one thing.  Do you know of a place 
called `Pride Rock'?"
	He seemed to go in thought for a moment and shook his head, 
"No...I'm sorry...can't say I ever heard of it.  But I don't usually 
talk to them what can talk back.  Har har!  Maybe if you describe it, 
I might know where it is."
	Elanna described to the vulture about the lion pride that lived 
there, the huge rock the dominated the skyline, and about the 
terrible drought that over took the land.  Markaaagh took some time 
and nodded, "I know where that is...had some fine pickings a while 
back, but now it's lean times for us."  He smiled only how a vulture 
can.  "Not that they're sorry to see us go."
	"Can you show me the way?"
	He just chuckled.  "Of course...we were heading that way 
anyway. Times may be good for the lions there, but there is always 
something for us to eat there. Har har!"
	She just smiled.  "Oh thank you..."
	After she had a bit of meat and let the vultures feed on the 
remaining portion of the carcass, they started to make their way 
towards her old homelands.  After a walk that took the better part of 
the day, she finally saw it...the jutting stone of Pride Rock.


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 scanned the sky...and something 
caught her eyes.  It was a small bird...flying from the rock.  To her 
horror it was coming right towards her.  It must be Zazu, she 
thought.  How could she face him after what Taka had done to him?  He 
would tell the king immediately and the hunting party would be formed 
to go after her.  She gasped loudly and shook. "No...I can't stay 
here."
	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, Elanna put 
more distance between her and her home.  She had stood so close to 
going back to her old life...and yet.  It was the doubt in her mind 
about how she would be greeted that made her run. 
	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.  Elanna 
froze, hearing the voice...her breathing picking up.  "I know you are 
here...I can smell you, lioness.  Why don't you just come on out.  I 
promise I won't hurt you."
	Elanna held her position, trying not to let her breathing give 
her away.  Suddenly, she could sense that the huge form was moving 
towards her.  "So you want to play, lioness, I'm game"
	Elanna still had no idea what was after her...but she was 
ready.  She wasn't going to go with a fight.  She growled softly, 
baring her claws as her body tensed to jump at the owner of the 
voice.  Suddenly, she jumped out...straight at a maned figure.
	"Whoa..." he said as he tried to scatter back from the lioness 
flying towards him.  Elanna landed squarely in front of him, growling 
loudly.  "I said I wasn't going to hurt you!  Now calm down."
	Elanna got a good look at the lion in front of her.  He wasn't 
like Kubali at all...he was much larger and older.  Slowly, as she 
realized that the lion wouldn't attack her, the growling in her 
throat died down as her muscles began to loosen.
	"There we are...I was just wondering what a beautiful creature 
like you was doing on my lands."
	Elanna chuckled to herself, thinking how flattering some lions 
are.  Suddenly it hit her, did he say his lands?  "Oh Gods," she 
thought, "I have wandered into someone else's kingdom!"  She spoke 
softly, "I...I'm sorry...I didn't mean to intrude."  Slowly, she 
began to back away from him.
	"Hold on...it's all right.  I'm not going to hurt you.  Do you 
need help?"
	Elanna just shook her head, continuing to back away from him.
	"I am King Mabongo...and you are?"
	Elanna stopped for a moment...her body still shaking, "I...am 
Elanna."
	The king just looked at her thinking, "I have heard that name 
before..."
	Elanna looked down.  "I was a member of the pride at Pride 
Rock."
	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."  Elanna stood there, quietly as he continued.  "You don't have 
a home, do you?"
	Elanna shook her head, "I thought I did..."
	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?"
	Elanna looked up, "I...I'm not sure, sire."
	"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."
	Elanna looked at him speculatively then rose, "All right...I 
will try...Mabongo."
	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 Elanna.  "Come...they know we are coming."  
Quietly, they walked down the rise.  A small group of lionesses and 
cubs were gathered below, looking at the visitor with great interest.  
Mabongo smiled and said, "This is my pride."
	Elanna looked over the small group, trying to gauge their mood 
at seeing her.  In the group were five lionesses and a few cubs who 
huddled uneasily next to them.  "Very nice," she said, scanning the 
cubs' eyes for some sign of acceptance.  "You must be proud of them."
	Mabongo ran to one particular lioness and nuzzled her.  Elanna 
guessed that she must be his queen.  
	"This is Elanna.  She comes to us without a home.  I feel that 
it is the right thing to do is to allow her to stay here if she wants 
a home."
	"Flip that mane out of your eyes, babe," the lioness said, 
stepping toward Elanna with a pronounced swaying strut.  "How do we 
know this gal is worthy?"  The lioness walked up and looked at 
Elanna's face.  "Pretty enough for two, but who knows what kind of 
past she might have--or what future."
	Mabongo looked at Elanna uneasily.  "That is Ujuzi...my queen.  
She means no harm."
	Ujuzi pawed Elanna's shoulders politely enough.  "Of course I 
mean no harm.  But Sweetcheeks, if you want to run with this crowd, 
we gotta check you out.  If you got nothing to hide, you won't mind 
answering a few questions."
	"I'm willing to answer any of your questions, Your Highness." 
Elanna said softly.
	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?"
	Elanna sighed softly, "I was the queen.  I was driven out by my 
pride sisters..."
	"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 Elanna and said, "So you're going to tell 
me you're very sorry and you just want a second chance?  What 
happened?  Did he catch you crouching in the bushes?"
	"No!"
	"No, WHAT??"
	Tears sprang to Elanna's eyes.  "No, MA'AM!"  Her head hung low 
and tears streamed down her face.  "Thanks for the offer, Mabongo, 
but I won't stay where I'm not wanted."
	Elanna started to walk off, but Mabongo cut her off with a 
gentle nuzzle.  "Ujuzi, would you calm down and let her finish?"  He 
turned back to Elanna and smiled softly.  "Come on, dear.  It's OK."  
Mabongo glared at Ujuzi, showing a little tooth.  "I'm sure my wife 
didn't mean it the way it sounded."
	Elanna regained her composure and turned to face Ujuzi 
respectfully but firmly.  "I was driven out because my husband was 
disposed.  My only crime was that I loved him."
	"And where is your husband?"
	"Dead."  A tear ran down her cheeks.  "He was ripped alive."
	The other lionesses drew in a quick gasp.  Even the queen was a 
little nonplused.
	Mabongo wiped her tears with a paw and gave her shoulder a pat.  
Then he turned to Ujuzi.  "There.  You see!  Nothing wrong with 
that."
	"Yeah, right."  Ujuzi looked about uncomfortably.  "So we have 
royalty among us."  She turned her gaze on Elanna.  "I'm not 
heartless, honey.  Just remember who's the queen around here, and 
who's the subject and we'll get along real fine.  There's no special 
treatment here for ladies of leisure.  Forget breakfast in bed.  You 
want hard work, clean living, and fair treatment, you came to the 
right place."
	Elanna went and fell before Ujuzi and kissed her forepaw.  "Oh 
thank you!  You won't regret this, I swear it!"
	"Well let's hope not," Ujuzi said, touching Elanna's cheek with 
her paw.  "Welcome to the pride, but remember you're on probation.  
I'm keeping my eye on you."  With that, she turned and walked away, 
disappearing.
	Mabongo frowned as his wife disappeared into the grass.  "Don't 
let her intimidate you.  She will warm up to you with time--she's 
just mistrustful.  Come...meet your new family."
	Elanna nodded and walked with him to the group.  Another 
lioness stepped forward, "I am Wehu...hunt mistress."  She sat down 
in front of Elanna and smiled disarmingly.  "Don't worry about my 
mother.  She's just grumpy because she missed on the hunt and she 
keeps thinking she's getting old."  She nuzzled Elanna and half-
whispered, "She is, but most people are at her age.  She's been 
keeping the cubs, but we need to get her back on the hunt again.  
Build her confidence again."  With a chuckle, she said, "Until we get 
you up on our lands, we might just allow you to stay with the cubs.  
Then she'd HAVE to hunt!"
	Elanna said.  "I would love to watch the cubs."  She turned to 
look at them.  "They are so adorable."  One of them smiled back at 
her, and Elanna broke into a candid grin.  "It's the only time I feel 
like a real lioness."
	"I bet you were a very good mother," Wehu said, admiringly.
	"I never got the chance.  I came close once, but I...."
	"You're shy?"
	"No, dear."  Elanna nuzzled her softly and whispered, "When I 
had my miscarriage, I lost my...."  Elanna looked down, her eyes 
filled with shame and tears.
	Wehu took her paw and gently lifted Elanna's chin.  She kissed 
her gently on the cheek, the corner of her mouth, and the tear-stain 
that flowed from her eyes.  Her warm hazel eyes peered into the 
depths of Elanna's pain, misty with compassion.  "I'm sorry I made 
you cry."
	"Don't be."  Elanna returned her kiss.  "I have smiled as well.  
I've had a good life, a full life, and every time I've needed help, 
someone like you would come to me.  Aiheu has dealt kindly with me."
	Wehu smiled.  "I'm glad you came.  I'm sure they will be too, 
even my mother."  
	She motioned to a lioness with two cubs huddled around her.  
"That's Kiesi...and her cubs Inwiena and Ibura" She turned to another 
lioness with three cubs around her.  "That's Tetesi and her cubs 
Asuri, Kirizi and Machosi" Finally she turned to the last lioness in 
the group, a younger lioness and much darker than the rest.  "That's 
my daughter, Gamaiusi...but we just call her Darky."  She smiled 
softly to Elanna.  "Mother always said I had a dark streak...and it 
shows in more than her fur."
	"MOTHER!"
	Elanna laughed.  It was a pretty laugh that had waited a long 
time to come forth.
	"We have some meat left over from last night's hunt. We won't 
hunt again till tomorrow, so we can let the cubs get to know you 
better before we leave them in your care."
	Elanna nodded and smiled.  "Thank you."
	"You have a pretty smile.  Use it often, my friend.  With my 
mother going through one of her phases, someone has to be in a good 
mood."
	Silently Mabongo walked up to her, before lying his massive 
body down.  "I'm sorry about my wife...she gets like that sometimes.  
I do hope you have a better impression of us now.  Her moods scare 
away most new pride members."  He looked to her, "I hope she hasn't 
driven you off."
	Elanna shook her head, "No.  I'll be hard to scare off.  I'm 
afraid of being alone."
	The king nodded.  "I know what it's like to be alone..."
	Slowly, the cubs started to make their way away from their 
mothers towards the king and Elanna, helped by some nudging of their 
mother.  Elanna smiled and rolled on her back, patting her chest with 
a paw.  "Come on and see your Aunt Lannie!"
	There was a moment of initial hesitation, but a light seemed to 
come from Elanna's face, one of such peace and joy that even the 
least perceptive of the lionesses saw it and was struck by it.  A 
beautiful grin and a pat of her paw swept the cubs toward her in a 
wave of laughter.
	The cubs mobbed her, biting at the tuft on her tail and tugging 
at her ears with soft giggling.  Elanna grunted with pleasure, 
fondling their small bodies and anointing them with kisses.  As the 
group huddled about her, a pair of eyes watched the pride from the 
covers of the grasses.


CHAPTER:  FITTING IN

	Kiesi was the first lioness to approach Elanna and make 
conversation.  "I hope you'll be happy with us.  I was just noticing-
-I mean--my Aunt had a ubruki nose too.  You're very pretty."
	"So are you, Kiesi.  You are, Kiesi, aren't you?"
	"Yes ma'am," the lioness said shyly.
	"You don't have to ma'am me," Elanna said, nuzzling her.  "Just 
call me Lannie."  She looked at the two cubs that drew near to her 
and rubbed against her legs.  "That goes for you too, Inwiena.  
Hello, Ibura."
	"I'm Ibura.  She's Inwiena."
	Elanna laughed prettily.  "Give me time!  I'll get it right."
	Tetesi came up.  "Honey Tree, I hope you know star lore.  I've 
run out of stories."
	"I love star stories," Elanna said.  "Meholo and Darzee, the 
Brothers of Marabo, the Seventh Trail...."
	"Oh thank the gods!  I'm telling you, Hon, you just might know 
enough to keep Asuri busy for a week.  I warn you, he's like dry 
earth--he'll soak up whatever you give him and come back for more.  
And always `why.'  Why this and why that!"
	"I'm so glad!"  Elanna could tell by the shy grin which one was 
Asuri and she nuzzled him warmly till he giggled.  "We're going to 
get along just fine."
	Gamaiusi, an adolescent lioness, came up and said, "Star lore?  
Do you mind if I listen in too?"
	"Sure, Honey Tree!  Your mother is welcome too."
	Wehu smiled broadly.  "I'll take you up on that.  But we'll 
also cover the lands too.  You need to learn this place if you're 
ever going to hunt here."
	Elanna smiled broadly.  "Yes, I'd like that.  You've been so 
accommodating."
	"Dad really likes you, I can tell."
	"He's a dear old thing."
	Wehu laughed.  "You add a touch of elegance to our pride.  You 
know, I love mother to death but sometimes she can be so...."
	"Wehu!" Ujuzi shouted, "hike your buns over here and help me 
drag this carcass!  We have a visitor!"
	Wehu smiled and nodded in the direction of her mother.  "That's 
my mom, all right."
	Wehu and Ujuzi pulled in a large wildebeest carcass.  The 
lionesses came around with their cubs by their side and began to tear 
at the flesh.  Elanna came over and tried to nose in.
	Elanna discovered to her great surprise that the other 
lionesses gave way before her and offered her the deference they paid 
the queen herself.  The look in Ujuzi's face was not exactly angry 
but it was not approving either.
	"You know," Ujuzi said, her mouth full of meat, "I think 
wildebeest is good for one's constitution.  I mean it stimulates 
one's enduring if properly mitigated with other circumstances."
	Elanna looked up quizzically.  Wehu's face was pained.
	"I'm so glad you invited me in," Elanna said.
	"My husband invited you in," Ujuzi said.
	"Still, now that I'm here, I think we can be real friends.  You 
have a delightful daughter."
	Ujuzi pulled off another large hunk of meat and minced it.  In 
words clogged with meat and humors, she said, "That Wehu's a good'un.  
Just like her Poppa.  Yes ma'am, a real first class act."
	The next few days for Elanna were touch and go for her.  She 
seemed to be accepted by most of the members of the pride.  Even the 
cubs had come to call her `Auntie Lannie'.  The cubs flocking around 
her made her very happy.  For the first time, she felt that she could 
play or tell stories to the young ones without getting bad looks from 
their mothers.  Even Darky, although a young lioness, would often 
stop and listen to her musings.
	Most of the lionesses were very kind and trusting to her, 
especially Wehu.  Wehu had been taking her off to the side during the 
day and showing her the lands, often to the sighs of the cubs that 
were gathered around her.  Slowly, Elanna felt that she was learning 
the skills she would need to hunt in the group again.  She had 
enjoyed spending the hunting time with the cubs, getting to know them 
better, but she was anxious to get in some hunts.


CHAPTER:  THE SIGNAL

	Elanna finally got her chance to hunt with her new pride.  
Memories came flooding back to her of the few good hunts she'd had 
with her old pride.  There was a time she had enjoyed the title of 
lioness while her sister the queen reveled in Mufasa's love, and poor 
Simba enjoyed the ignorance of youth.  Sarabi, lithe and lovely would 
stride through the golden grass beside her as Uzuri forged a path 
across the trackless savanna.  For the longest time it had seemed 
like a distant dream rather than a memory.  Now it was clear and 
sharp once more.  
	The group closed in on some gazelles that were grazing in a 
clearing.  Elanna's pulses pounded, and her breath came and went in 
restless tides.  She felt so alive, so aware!  The moment of fate was 
approaching, and her prey would either live or die.  
	Then Elanna saw what looked like the signal to cut off escape 
and she joyously lunged forward.  Behind her came shouts of, "No!  
Stop!"
	But surely she had read a tail wave from the hunt mistress!  
Could it mean something different here?  The realization made her 
stomach knot tightly.  Rather than cutting off escape, her gaffe only 
spooked the gazelles who ran like an opening blossom of tan across 
the grassland.  
	The lionesses looked upset at her move...but understanding as 
it was her first hunt with the new pride. It wasn't until she heard 
the queen yell, "Damn," Did she feel the blood rush to her face in 
embarrassment of her move.
	The lionesses of the pride came up to her and nuzzled her 
gently, each telling her that it was all right.  Wehu was 
embarrassed.  "I should have gone over our signals with you.  I'm so 
sorry!"
	"It's my fault, Wehu.  I should have asked."
	Elanna understood, though, that she would be cub-setting again 
for a while.  The queen went up to her and scowled, "Damn honey...I 
know you are new here, but that was downright stupid of you to go 
charging in on the alert signal."  
	"But Ujuzi, ma'am, in our old pride that was the signal for cut 
off escape...."
	The Queen just snorted at her.  "Maybe it still does.  You'd be 
of some use there."
	"Please, Ujuzi, forgive me!  It was an innocent mistake, I 
swear!  I'm a good huntress--really I am!"
	"Well dearie, why don't you go over your signals while you cub 
set for a while longer.  And remember Hon, you will be sitting the 
cubs...NOT my husband."  The lionesses looked with shock at the queen 
as she disappeared over the ridge.
	Wehu sighed and gave chase to her mother.  Finally catching up 
with her, "Mother!  Please!  Give her more chance!  She is almost 
having to learn to hunt again.  It isn't easy for her, and besides, 
what she did wasn't any worse than that miss you made with the 
wildebeest."
	"Damn it, that wasn't the same!  Not at all!"
	"Whatever you say, Mom."  She looked at her with a sigh.  "And 
could you PLEASE tone down your language a bit?"
	Ujuzi turned quickly, her eyes full of rage.  "What...am I not 
good enough for the little princess now?  I will not sit here and 
suckle that overgrown cub, while we grow thin enough to catch gophers 
in their holes.  Not only do we have another mouth to feed in the 
pride...but here she goes and ruins our hunt so we have NO food.  If 
she doesn't start getting her butt in gear, dear...I'll throw her out 
on hers...understand?  My responsibilities is to this pride...not to 
some deposed queen that has fallen on some bad times."  With that, 
she walked away, leaving Wehu in shock.
	Latter that night, the pride had bedded down.  The cubs were 
against their mother, enjoying their warmth, giving Elanna a breather 
from what seemed like constant story telling.  Mabongo noticed Elanna 
alone and moved to lie down next to her.  "I heard about what 
happened earlier"
	Elanna looked up to him, "I'm really sorry...I just got my 
signs messed up."
	Mabongo chuckled, "It's all right.  I remember what it was like 
when I started hunting, and when my daughter, then my granddaughter 
did.  It's not an easy thing you do, and I'm grateful to have such a 
fine group."
	Elanna smiled softly, "It won't happen again...I promise."  She 
looked around uneasily.  "Where is the queen?"
	He shook his head, "She probably off moping somewhere...she 
does that when she is in a foul mood.  I hear she didn't take your 
mistake too lightly."  He chuckled softly, "I'm actually kinda happy 
she is gone...she can be such a pain when she is in a bad mood."  He 
nuzzled her softly and smiled.  "I know the cubs ragged on you all 
day, but I would love to hear one of your stories."
	Elanna smiled gracefully and began telling him more about Taka, 
grateful that she had found her place.


CHAPTER:  AFTERMATH

	The next night, the huntresses walked slowly through the 
grasses.  The queen had taken her usual spot in the front of the 
group.  Wehu, Kiesi, Tetesi, and Darky were a few paces behind her.  
They had a way to travel, so the four were talking quietly amongst 
themselves.  This was the first hunt since Elanna had made her 
mistake, so talk ran to the newcomer.
	"I think she is rather kind," Kiesi noted.
	"She's a lot more cultured than our queen is," Tetesi added in 
a hushed voice.  She could feel Wehu's gaze fall on her but she 
continued.  "Can you believe how she speaks?  I never heard such 
words come out of Ujuzi...I think it's rather nice to have someone 
here that can act noble.  Still...."  She paused, unsure how to 
express herself.  "It is intimidating trying to talk with her.  I'm 
afraid I'm going to say something stupid.  Not that she would ever 
let it show.  She's not that type."
	"Have you heard some of her stories?" Darky jumped in. "It 
makes me wish I was a cub again so I could stay with her and not miss 
any."
	"I almost wish that she was our queen," Kiesi added in quickly. 
The other three lionesses stopped and looked at her.  She continued 
in a hushed voice.  "Well...how many queens you know go around acting 
like ours?  Not that I don't like her...but sometimes...she just 
doesn't act like a queen."
	"Be careful what you say...she is my mother."
	"I know...I mean nothing against her....it's just...."
	Kiesi was interrupted when, noticing that they held up, the 
queen joined the group, "Are we, or are we not going to hunt, Wehu?"
	She turned to her quickly and nodded.  "Sorry mother...just 
trying to...um...get our strategy set for the hunt."
	Ujuzi just snorted.  "Were you not going to include me...or am 
I just not useful enough for you?"
	Wehu shook her head, "No mother...we were just going to call 
you over when you came..."
	Ujuzi frowned.  "Fine...now start acting like a hunt mistress 
and take charge of this...GROUP."
	Wehu nodded...then thinking quickly said, "OK...normal semi-
circle.  Mother...you are the beater." 
	She could sense her mother's grumble as she walked away from 
the others.  She glanced to the other three.  "No more discussions 
about Elanna right now.  Who knows what my mother would do."  The 
lionesses nodded to her as they continued through the grasses.
	Sometime later back at the pride's resting grounds, Elanna was 
among the cubs when they heard the huntresses' roar.  She was in the 
middle of a story when the cubs all jumped up, gave her a warm nuzzle 
of thanks, and dashed after the sound and the meal it promised.  
Elanna chuckled, watching the mob of cubs take off as she rose and 
followed them.  As she topped the ridge, she could see the five 
lioness dragging a large gazelle behind them.
	It was common for the beater to carry the prize home since she 
did the least amount of work in the hunt, so behind Ujuzi followed 
the carcass.
	She saw Elanna top the ridge and cried out to her, "Get your 
butt over here, sweet cheeks, and help me tug this carcass...or are 
you too proper to do that?"  Elanna sighed and hurried to her aid.  
When she got close enough the queen said, "You grab the butt and I'll 
get the neck--we can do this--that is, if you feel up to it, dearie." 
	Elanna could feel the blood rush to her face in embarrassment.  
She shook it off quickly.  "Yes ma'am."  She grabbed the haunch on 
the prey and, along with the queen, drug it up the hill to the 
pride's resting area.
	Elanna said little, and she tried to avoid eye-contact with the 
queen.  Wehu did not sit next to her, but Elanna understood and was 
not upset.  Wehu sat next to her mother, engaging her in chit-chat to 
ease her raw feelings.
	But after the meal and a good nap, Wehu approached Elanna.  
"Come on...I want to teach you more so you can join in on the next 
hunt."  Elanna got up slowly and stretched out, following after Wehu 
as they disappeared from the rest of the pride.
	After a short walk, Elanna looked at Wehu.  "Is she always that 
crude?"
	Wehu chuckled, "Who...my mother...yes, unfortunately she gets 
like that."  She frowned softly, "It's quite embarrassing at times."
	Elanna just shook her head, "I'm sure it's nothing.  I only 
knew two queens myself, Sarabi and Akase.  I guess I can't expect all 
queens to be like them."  Elanna looked at her, "What does your 
mother think about me...really.  Yesterday it almost seemed she 
suspected me of trying to steal your father."
	Wehu shook her head.  "I don't know what's wrong with her.  
You're the first one I've seen her react like this with."  She smiled 
softly, trying to change the subject.  "I can say that you have 
impressed the other lionesses in the pride...and the cubs just love 
you.  Even Darky says that she wishes she was just a cub...so she 
didn't have to miss your stories."  She thought for a moment.  "Some 
even wish you were the queen."
	Elanna was taken aback.  "I hope I haven't given that 
impression.  All I want is to be loved.  I don't care about being 
queen, and truthfully I don't want to be.  I know what it's like."
	Wehu nuzzled her softly, "No, no...it's all right.  You haven't 
given us that impression, at least not me.  It's just that sometimes 
mother can be rather embarrassing as you saw.  You seem much more 
cultured than her.  And you're younger.  She's trying to compete with 
you, and she knows she can't win."
	"But I'm not competing with HER!"
	"Honey Tree, I know that.  She's just apprehensive.  Now I know 
for a fact that my father loves her with all his heart.  He would 
never take a new queen, even if she died."  She smiled.  "Now come 
on.  If you want to join in the next hunt, you must learn the lay of 
the land.  And your signals, too!"
	Elanna dropped her head in embarrassment.
	Wehu made several sweeping gestures with her paw and then 
tapped the ground twice.
	"What does THAT one mean??"
	Wehu imitated her mother's accent.  "It means `I think 
wildebeest is good for one's constitution.  It stimulates one's 
enduring if properly mitigated with other circumstances.'"
 	Elanna laughed.  "Just don't let HER hear that!"  She pawed 
Wehu.  "Thank you!  You have really made me want to stay."
	Wehu chuckled and nuzzled her.  "It's good to finally see 
someone that my mother can't scare off."  She smiled.  "Now come on.  
I know you'd rather hunt than sit cubs."  The two lionesses 
disappeared into the grass, Elanna eager to prove herself.


CHAPTER: THE DOCTOR IS IN

	Mabongo was resting, something he was very accomplished at as a 
lion, but even more since he was older.  Ujuzi came and nudged him 
with a paw.  "Wake up, Bobo!"
	One eye opened.  "I wasn't asleep.  I was resting my eyes."
	"Then you won't mind having a go at it?"
	Both eyes opened wide and he sniffed the air.  "Ujuzi, could it 
be that I didn't notice?  Is it that time for you?"
	Ujuzi laughed merrily.  "I meant wrestling, you old fool!"
	Mabongo rose slowly and stretched.  "Do you know how long it's 
been since you asked me that?"
	"Too long," Ujuzi said, unwilling to speculate.  "Now let's see 
you work off some of that fat."
	"Fat?  Me??"
	Ujuzi snickered at him.  She popped his thigh with a paw.  "Fat 
little legs."  She ducked and touched his belly.  "Check out that 
flab!"
	"That's muscle!" Mabongo said, getting into position.
	"Put on much more muscle, you won't fit in your cave!"
	"That did it!!"
	Mabongo stood ready for all comers.  Ujuzi sprang at him, 
laughing.  She sought to bear him to the ground.
	Mabongo easily ducked her.  "So I'm fat, am I??"  He whipped 
out with a paw as she passed under him and grasped her shoulder.  
Coming down on her, he bore down with his weight.  But she would not 
be easily won.  Despite her age, she was a huntress, not the hunted.  
And she squirmed away, wrapping her paws around his neck.  A few 
thrusts of her back legs got her the purchase on the grass she 
needed, and she shoved him over.
	Ujuzi tussled with him as he lay on his back.  Mabongo laughed, 
then reached up with both arms, not to wrestle, but to draw her face 
to his.  He rubbed her cheek and kissed her.  "My golden treasure.  
Oh, I love you, girl!"
	"I need to hear you say that sometimes."
	"Am I old?  Am I stodgy and no fun?"
	Ujuzi said, "Heavens, no!  You're wonderful!  I pledged to you 
once.  I'd renew my vows if you wanted it."
	Mabongo rolled on his side, taking her with him.  As they lay 
panting in the grass, looking deeply into each other's eyes, he said 
softly, "You know, there's no shame in growing old, not if you have 
someone that loves you to grow old with.  Oh girl, I'd die if you 
left me!"
	She stroked his mane.  "No chance of that, Bobo!  No chance of 
that!  Nothing, and no one will come between us, my love!"  Ujuzi 
kissed him, then got up and trotted away as quickly as he came.  
Mabongo closed his eyes and went back to sleep, a happy smile on his 
face.
	For her trouble, Ujuzi ached all over, even in muscles she 
forgot she had.  She would never let HIM know that, and she headed to 
see her friend, Uzima the Shaman.
	Ujuzi had been walking quite a distance and her muscles were 
beginning to protest every step she took.  She knew it was only a 
little bit longer.  Finally...she reached a solitary tree in the open 
savanna.  Uzima...come down here!" she cried out.
	Quietly a mandrill's head pokes down from the tree, "Who dares 
disturbs my sleep??  Go away--come back tomorrow!"
	"Get your ugly blue butt down here on the double!"
	A laugh was heard, "And what if I don't?"
	She growled up to him, "You know good and well that I will come 
up there..."
	Another laugh, "I would like to see you try."
	Ujuzi grunted and braced her forepaws against the trunk of the 
tree.  With a powerful push of her hind legs, she managed to clear 
the ground.  Grunting loudly in exhaustion, she pushed her self to 
the lower branch, just barely above her height over the ground.  With 
another laugh, the mandrill joined her on the branch, "How long has 
it been since you have done that?"
	Ujuzi looked at him, "I can't remember the last time I climbed 
a tree..."  She looked down at the ground, gripping the branch 
tighter, "Damn...I'm surprised I got this high."
	Uzima chuckled.  "Ahh...the mastery of the language...your 
father's blood does course through you..."
	She growled, "Don't you start on my butt too..."
	He nodded, "Come on down to the ground...then we'll talk..."  
With that, the mandrill flipped gracefully to the ground.  The 
lioness looked down, holding on tightly.  Finally...she simply let go 
and fell gracelessly to the ground, landing with a dull thump and 
raising a cloud of dust.  The monkey chuckled, seeing the lioness get 
up and shake the dust out of her fur.  "Never was able to master the 
dismount."
	She growled softly and moved to him.  The mandrill smiled and 
wrapped his arms around her neck, fondling her face and kissing her. 
"What brings the great queen all the way out to see me?"
	She sighed, "Am I getting older, friend?  I was wrestling with 
Mabongo the way we used to, and kings above does my body ache!"
	He laughed, "The only ones not getting older are dead, 
Ujuzi...it's a part of life.  Your body is telling you to slow down."  
He looked her over slowly.  "Why the sudden interest in your age?  
That wrestling match get you down?"
	"I missed on the hunt.  Me!  I hadn't done that in ages."
	He looked at her, "Everyone misses at times..."
	She continued, "Then my daughter gave me the position of 
beater, something that is given to the worse hunter or the injured 
lioness.  I haven't been the beater since I was my granddaughter's 
age."
	Uzima started to stroke her fur, rubbing the deep muscles of 
her shoulder.  "It's all right...someone has to take that position."
	"But I'm the queen...doesn't that mean anything?" she 
protested?
	"Wasn't it you that taught your daughter that position in the 
pride doesn't carry to the hunting grounds?  I seem to remember you 
saying something like that."
	She sighed.  "But for all your monkey mumbo jumbo, you still 
know what it means!  I don't like double talk, ape.  I'm washed up--
through--and from here on out it's only going to get worse."
He worked her shoulders, loosening up the muscles and eliciting 
a contented grunt from the old lioness.  "That's the price of 
perfection--any change is for the worse."
"You have a civil tongue in your head, I'll grant you."
	"And you have friends that love you."  He continued to work on 
her shoulders, making  her purr softly.
	"I don't want to grow old," she said, like a cub that is afraid 
of the dark mewing to her mother.  "Please tell me how to be young 
again."
	He looked in her eyes with pity.  "You should know better than 
that.  You know even my spells have limits."  He grinned slightly, 
"Don't you think that I would have used it on myself?"  He smiled and 
continued to work on her shoulders.  "Besides...you are only as old 
as you feel."
	She smiled, but with a tinge of sadness.  "That old?"
	He changed to the other side.  "You need to slow down at your 
age.  Please...dearie...don't do what your mother did...she worked 
herself to death.  Let the future of the pride take some of the 
burden from you."
	A tear rolled down her cheek.  "It's not just the hunt.  I 
wouldn't mind being beater if that was all of it!  It's my husband!"  
She looked at him with tears in his eyes.  "I think I might be losing 
him."
	He shook his head, scandalized.  "Mabongo chasing tails??  
Him??  That lion would never leave you dearie!  He loves the very 
ground you walk on!"
	"But I'm old and ugly!"
	"You, ugly?  Maybe I have some herbs for your madness.  Maybe 
it's not old age, it's the notions in that pretty head of yours!"  He 
wrapped his arms around her neck. "Your beauty comes from within.  
Your body might age...but you're as beautiful as you were when I 
helped your mother give birth to you."
	"Do you really think so?"
	He kissed her beneath each eye.  "Honey Tree, I really know so.  
If you want to be beautiful, you should smile more often.  When I see 
you cry, I bleed inside."
	She touched him with her tongue.  "I know you think I'm being 
foolish.  But please help me.  Please?"  She frowned in her desperate 
impatience.  "You must have something that can help me?  Please??  
Damn it, help me keep him.  I live for that lion!  Remember that I 
help you whenever I can, and I ask for so little in return."
	He sighed, seeing that she didn't listen to what he said.  
"Fine.  Give me a moment and I'll see what I can do."  
With that, he hopped back into his tree.  Leaves rustled around 
as he moved about and a few minutes later, he appeared back on the 
ground with a gourd of liquid.  Without saying a word, he started to 
work the fragrant mixture into her fur. 
	She winced as the strong floral smell hit her nose.  "Are you 
sure this will help?"
	He smiled.  "Of course I'm sure.  I was wearing this when I met 
my mate.  It contains musk from antelopes.  That's why it's so hard 
to come by, and so effective."
"Hard to come by?"
He smiled, holding up her paw and pressing the claws out.  
"Hard if you're a monkey!"  He kissed her paw and sat it down.  "Your 
husband will love it."  He finished rubbing her down and hugged her 
once more.  "Now go be with him, and remember that he will always 
love you."  He nuzzled her.  "And dearie, look for sources of stress 
in your life.  Get rid of those things, and those you can't, learn to 
accept.  You'll sleep better and feel better if you do."
	She nodded and smiled, "I will try...thank you."
	He patted her on her rump, "Now go on, and let an old monkey 
sleep!"
	So the fragrance was hard to get because the poor little monkey 
had to scavenge carcasses?  If that's what it took, Ujuzi would work 
out a beneficial relationship with him.  All the antelope musk he 
could ever want--pounds and pounds of it if she had to pluck whatever 
part it was found in herself and carry it to the baobab!  In return, 
she would be the sexiest and most exciting streak of golden sunshine 
that ever lit the pride lands!  "Who knows, with time I may even grow 
to like that smell!"
	She went back to the pride kopje with a mincing, happy trot and 
with a sultry purr drew alongside Mabongo.  She rubbed him and batted 
him with her tail alluringly.
	"Hello, handsome!"
	He looked about, then stared at her.  "Who, me??"
	She purred again.  "Who else!"  She nuzzled him and said, 
"Bobo, do you notice anything different about me?"
	He sniffed and grimaced.  "Yeah.  But don't worry.  Whatever it 
is will wear off soon enough."
	"Well, I...."
	"What were you into, anyway?  I can't tell if it was flowers 
or--ugh--antelope!"
	Ujuzi stared at him, unable to speak.  Her chin trembled.
	"Did you want to wrestle again?  I'm sorry--you're just not 
being very clear, old girl."
	She took a step back.
	"Come on, Honey Tree?  Give me a hint?"
Ujuzi turned and ran off.  
Mabongo looked at his daughter.  "Well, what's gotten into 
her??"
Wehu said, "I think she was trying to impress you."
"With what??  Maybe I should go after her."
"I wouldn't," Wehu said.  "Give her a moment alone, then I'll 
go see her."
	Ujuzi went alone to hide among the reeds and she cried and 
clawed the grass till it left a bare spot, then sobbed in the bare 
earth.  "I'm old!  I'm losing him!  Oh gods, help me!"  Then she 
says, "Damn Elanna!  Damn her to hell!  And I'm just the person to 
send her there personally!!!"  Remembers the shaman's innocent words.  
"You need to get rid of what is worrying you."  She says, "I will!"


CHAPTER:  CROSS WORDS

	When Ujuzi had regained her composure, she went back to the 
others and began to start her campaign to drive off Elanna in 
earnest.  But how could she do it without getting her husband mad at 
her?  She decided to find something...anything...wrong with Elanna 
and exploit it to its full potential.  She saw one of the cubs at 
play and approached him with a smile.  "Asuri, you like your Aunt 
Lannie a lot, don't you?"  
	"Yes, ma'am."
	Ujuzi smiled.  "She's very pretty and very smart.  I bet she 
tells great stories."
	"Oh yeah!  There's this really neat one about two brothers.  
They get into this fight over a...."
	"I don't want to know," Ujuzi said quickly but gently.  "I want 
to hear that story someday, so don't tell me how it turns out, all 
right?"  She nuzzled him gently and began to groom him as she talked.
	"Maybe you can tell me something.  Does she ever leave you 
alone?  I mean, does she ever go somewhere and maybe the King goes 
with her--you know, for a little while, maybe?"
	Asuri purred at the grooming and looked up to her, "I'm not 
sure.  Why don't you ask them?"
	The Queen held in her tart reply.  "Honey Tree, I don't want 
them to know I'm asking.  I don't even want your mother to know."
	"But Mom said it's wrong to keep secrets like that."
	"It's OK with me, because I'm the queen.  Sometimes Kings and 
Queens need special favors.  And I'm asking you a special favor as 
Queen because this is an important secret, and you are my special 
agent.  A SECRET agent."
	Asuri gasped in amazement, "Gosh!"
	"I'm planning a little surprise for your Aunt Lannie.  But 
there are some things I need to know.  Now think hard.  Did you ever 
see her sneak off with my husband for a few minutes?"
	He tilted his head from side to side.  "Gee, they MIGHT have, 
but I'm not sure.  I was taking a nap.  But yes ma'am, I think so."
	Ujuzi's ears went back and her jaw tightened.
	"Are you all right, ma'am?"
	"Yes, Honey Tree.  I have this pain in my stomach, but it will 
be over soon."  She kissed him.  "You keep your eyes and ears open.  
Remember, you're my special little boy.  Only a very clever lion can 
do this job."
	She let Azuri go and got up slowly, wandering off.  Ujuzi's 
stomach had indeed knotted up.  She remembered that Elanna had never 
been in her receptive period since she came, so that little trip into 
the bushes could not have been THAT bad.  Still, time and nature 
would correct that if she didn't do something quickly.  She had to go 
talk to him.
	Mabongo was lying down, taking one of his many naps.  His head 
came up when he saw his wife.  He smiled to her, "See...I told you it 
would wear off."
	"Stuff it, my king...we have to talk about that..." She held 
back the word she wanted to use, "Elanna."
	He cocked his head a bit.  "What about Elanna?"
	She moved to look at him, eye to eye, "I don't know what you 
two are up to...but damn it...I don't like it.  You spending all that 
time with her is beginning to make the lionesses gossip."
	He looked shocked.  "You don't think...love...I would never do 
anything like that to you.  We spend so much time together because we 
are friends...nothing more.  Most of the time we spend together is 
when you are on the hunt...and there is little company here other 
than her.  Love...I would never do anything to hurt our marriage.  
It's enough to do the right thing without worrying about 
appearances."
	"But how about the way it appears to ME??  You better watch 
your step, Bobo!  I've given you my youth and my cubs!  Six years of 
my life I've put into this marriage!  I'm not letting some two-bit 
tramp come along and steal my husband!"
	He growled at her softly...apparently agitated.  "She's not a 
two-bit tramp!  She's a fine lady, and you could stand to learn some 
manners from her!  She can't steal me unless I WANT to be stolen, and 
I don't!  Listen to me, wife--I'm tired of the way you've been 
treating her!  You've been nothing but hateful for the longest time, 
and I'm sick of it!  Sick, sick, sick!!  You know I'm not a tail 
chaser!"
	"I know that, but she's subtle.  She's stalking you, and you're 
standing there like a blind gazelle!"
	"That's enough!  Wife, this conversation is OVER."
	The Queen was about ready to say something...until Elanna 
showed up to take care of cubs.  She smiled at them and nodded, "My 
king...ma'am..."  Ujuzi snorted loudly and stormed off into the 
savanna.  Elanna looked to Mabongo, "Is something wrong?"
	The King just shook his head.  Elanna went over and nuzzled him 
softly, to which he froze and became rigid.
	"Is everything all right?"
	"Why shouldn't it be??"
	"Oh nothing.  You just seem like something's bothering you."  
She walked back a few paces and lied down, looking at him, "I guess 
that the others are about ready to go on a hunt..."
	Mabongo nodded quickly and rose up.  "I...um...need to go 
also."
	Elanna looked at him, "Usually you keep me company...what is 
wrong?"
	He shook his head, "Nothing...I just have to...uh...do my 
patrol."
	"But you already did it..."
	He snapped quickly, "I have to do it again...all right?"
	Elanna sighed, "My king...what have I done?"
	He shook his head again.  "Nothing...but I need to go."  
Quickly he ran into the grass, leaving an astonished lioness behind.
	Later that day, Ujuzi pulled Wehu aside, "My daughter...I think 
Elanna might be moving in on my position.  I think she might be 
trying to steal your father from me."
	Wehu gasped, "No mother...you are wrong.  I know Elanna...she 
would never do anything like that to you...or anyone."
	"Listen to me daughter...if you watch them like I do...it would 
be plain to you.  She is trying to muscle in on my lion...and I won't 
have it."
	"What do you suggest I do?  Go and spy on her like you?"
	"Yes...exactly."
	"No mother...I can't do that to her."
	"What are you afraid of?  If you are right then you won't mind 
looking in on them.  If there's no wrongdoing, there will be nothing 
to see."
	Wehu stormed off without an answer. Ujuzi smiled...the first 
part of the plan was done...now to set the trap for her prey.  She 
found Elanna resting alone in the clearing.  Mabongo had come back 
from his `patrol' and was resting a short distance off.  There was 
tension in the air between the two when Ujuzi walked to Elanna and 
within ear shot of the king.  "Sweetie?  You like Wehu, don't you?"
	"Yes, queen."
	"She was my first...and I have had many strong children after 
her."  She smiled softly, "And how many children have you had?"
	Elanna sighed softly...as the memory of her dead son comes back 
to her, "None my queen.  I can't have cubs."
	Ujuzi just chuckled and shook her head, "That's a real shame.  
You know a lioness is not a real lioness until she has her first 
child."  With that, she walked back to the king and rubbed up against 
him.
	Elanna turned her head away from the two, her eyes focusing off 
in the distance as tears began to form in her eyes.  Ujuzi chuckled 
softly again and walked off...knowing what would happen next.  Sure 
enough, Mabongo rose and walked over to the crying lioness.  
"Elanna?"
	Elanna turned her head towards him, wiping her eyes clean, "Yes 
my king?"
	He sat down next to her, looking down at the lioness, "I heard 
what my wife said to you.  I don't know what got into her, it was 
uncalled for."
	Elanna just nodded, "She is right though...I'm not a real 
lioness."  She turned to look at him, "That's why I left Kubali, 
because I couldn't give him cubs.  I might be a lioness in form...but 
not a real lioness."  More tears started to form in her eyes as she 
looked into the sky, "I love cubs so much!  Why Aiheu?  Why me?"  She 
turned aside and started to sob.  "I want to go home!"
	Mabongo leaned down and nuzzled her softly, which made her jump 
a bit.  "Dear Elanna...so much tragedy in your life.  Aiheu doesn't 
do anything without a purpose.  You must remember that." He smiled to 
her softly, "You are no less a lioness in my eyes because of your 
injury.  You are a very welcome part to this pride.  The cubs 
absolutely love you, and the other members, save my wife, find you 
very kind and caring.  I hope you don't think about leaving because 
of her."
	She sighed softly, "I had been thinking it...but I don't know 
what to do or where to go.  I'm tired of running..."
	He shook his head, "Then you don't have to go.  I will talk to 
my wife and get her to end these attacks.  She is a queen...and it is 
far time she acted it."
	She smiled softly, "You would do that for me?"
	He nodded and chuckled, "She may be the queen...but you are 
also important to me.  She can't be doing this to you...it's unfair.  
You see, my dear, she's very jealous of you."
	"Jealous?  Of me?"
	"Yes.  That's what was wrong when you came to cub-set.  I 
wasn't upset at you.  I was just afraid what Ujuzi would think, but 
frankly I won't hurt your feelings just to spare hers."
	She smiled softly, "I understand now.  I'm not worried that she 
was jealous--it explains a lot.  But I'd hate to think I lost your 
friendship."
	"You never will.  She'll have to learn to deal with her 
jealousy some other way than victimizing you.  Now we spend much time 
together.  And I won't lie to you--you're a very beautiful lioness 
and I couldn't help but notice that.  But there's no one for me but 
Ujuzi.  I'd never dream of cheating on her."
	"And I'd never dream of breaking up your marriage.  But you are 
a dear, sweet thing and I'm very fond of you.  I like to think my 
brother might have been like you."  She sat up and moved her head to 
give a lick to his cheek.  "I will leave if my presence here is a 
burden on you."
	In the cover of the grasses...a pair of eyes shown through.  
after seeing the shows of affections, the owner of the eyes pulled 
back, further into the grass.


CHAPTER:  A STOLEN GLANCE

	Wehu couldn't believe what she just saw...the new lioness--her 
dear friend--going after her father.  At first she didn't believe 
what her mother told her about Elanna.  She always saw her as being a 
kind, caring lioness, and she never thought Elanna would try to steal 
her father away.  She had tried to dismiss her mother, but Ujuzi had 
persisted and convinced to keep an eye open.  Maybe her mother was 
right...maybe she was trying to steal father.
	Slowly she appeared in a clearing...her mother already waiting 
there for her.  "Well?" the elder lioness asked.
	Wehu's head hung low, "She kissed him..."
	Ujuzi grinned, "See...I told you that she was trying to steal 
him from me.  Now...what are we going to do about this fallen queen?"
	Wehu blinked, "We?  Mother...I don't know what really happened.  
I couldn't hear what they were talking about.  All I saw was her give 
him a innocent little lick."
	"Daughter...I know what I feel from my husband. She is moving 
in on me and I won't have it."
	"And I won't get involved in something I don't know what is 
happening.  Don't ask me of this.  Elanna is my friend...I trust 
her."
	"Who do you trust more...this `friend' who just got here within 
a moon...or your mother who gave you life and kept you alive?  Do you 
expect me to throw away six years of marriage?  Six LONG years that 
I've hunted for him, carried cubs for him, picked him up when he fell 
down!  Comforted him when he wept!  Six LONG years.  And what do I 
ask of you, my own flesh and blood?  For all the love and care I've 
given you?  This one thing alone I've asked.  That you help me 
against this viper that would come between your father and I!  Honey 
Tree, you're young.  You don't see things the way my older and wiser 
eyes do.  Where do your loyalties lie--tell me, daughter."
	Wehu just stood there, stunned at her mother's attitude.  She 
was about ready to answer when a rustling sound from the distance.  
Her mother hushed her as the king appeared through the grass.  "Hello 
you two."  He moved to join the two lionesses, "Wehu...would you 
excuse me and mother for a few moments, I have to talk to her."
	Wehu looked to her mother and father, then nodded, "All 
right...I'll be around."  With that, she disappeared into the grass.
	The king turned to his wife, "Why are you harassing Elanna, 
dear?  Why did you bring up cubs in front of her like that?"	
	Ujuzi shook her head, putting on her best act, "Dear...I didn't 
know about her and cubs.  I just thought I would mention it to her."
	"I told you about her problem.  Don't you remember?"
	"Oh...if you say so, dear...it must have slipped my mind.  I'm 
sorry...I really didn't mean to hurt her feelings."
	"It seems like you are trying to make her life difficult here.  
She has been through a lot in her life.  Please...for her...for 
me...give her some slack and make her feel welcomed here.  Everyone 
but you seem to love her."
	Ujuzi moved closer to him, and nuzzled him, taking a moment to 
catch Elanna's scent on his cheek.  "Of course my husband...I will."  
She pulled back as thought went through her mind, "I will be nice to 
her."
	Mabongo smiled, "Thank you love...now if you will excuse me, I 
need to finish my patrol."  He gave her another nuzzle and continued 
on his way.
	Ujuzi sat down, waiting a short time before calling out, 
"Wehu...come on out."  Wehu appeared a short time later, sitting 
beside her.  "We need to do something to Elanna...she is the evil one 
here...not my husband."
	Wehu shook her head, "No mother...please...I don't want to be 
involved."
	Ujuzi looked at her coldly, "You will help me...remember that I 
am your mother...your queen...and the lioness that got you the title 
you hold.  How would you like me to give your title to another 
lioness.  I know Kiesi would love to be hunt mistress."
	She looked at her mother and sighed, "All right...all 
right...I'll help you."
	Ujuzi almost wept.  "My darling, my firstborn, I know I've 
asked a lot of you, but Sweetie, I'll make it up to you, I swear!"  
She nuzzled her daughter who returned the nuzzle desperately and 
kissed her mother.
	"Please Mom, let's not argue any more."
	"Of course, Sweetie!  If you want to know who loves you, and 
who would never take advantage of you, it's your mother."  Ujuzi 
pawed her cheek and kissed her.  "You relied on me when you were 
young and weak.  Now Honey Tree I'm growing old and weak and I need 
someone I can rely on."
	Just...don't ask me not to hurt her."
	Ujuzi smiled.  "Hurt her?  No, your father would be furious if 
someone hurt her.  But she might have an accident."
	"An accident??"
	Ujuzi smiled innocently.  "Maybe it's time we gave Lannie poo 
another chance to hunt."  The queen leaned over and started to 
whisper into Wehu's ear.  Wehu eyes went wide as the plan was passed 
to her.


CHAPTER:  THE STORY

	Elanna had settled back among the cubs, relating a story of her 
and Sarabi during happier times. The cubs...and even Darky...were 
sitting around her in silence as she talked about how they played and 
got in trouble with Muffy and Taka. Slowly though, as the story 
continued and the memories flooded back into her mind, tears began to 
form in Elanna's eyes.
	The cubs noticed this and Inwiena spoke up, "Auntie 
Elanna...this is a fun story...why are you crying?
	Elanna smiled to her, using a paw to wipe her eyes, 
"Dearie...it's just bringing back memories...good memories...before 
me and my sister got mad at each other." 
	"You and your sister still fight?"
	She shrugged, "I don't know...it's been so long since I have 
seen her...I do miss her though."
	"Why not go back then?"
	Elanna chuckled and sighed, "It's not quite that easy...if I 
thought I could, I would."
	Inwiena looked back to Ibura, her sister, "We fight...but we 
always say we sorry and we still love each other." She looked back to 
Elanna, "Maybe you go say that to your sister?" She moved and placed 
a paw on Elanna, "Then you won't cry no more."
	"Anymore."  Elanna licked the top of the cub's head, "Maybe 
...perhaps. If only I saw the world through your eyes...none of this 
would have happened." She nuzzled the cub and smiled, "You have 
something special, a sister that loves you unconditionally...I only 
wish I had the same."
	The cubs looked at her sadly as Elanna lowers her head back 
down to her paws. Inwiena moved back to her sister and flopped down 
next to her, whispering, "I'll never be mad at you."
	Elanna looked at the group...their mood now saddened by her 
story. "You don't have to be sad for me...I have accepted my place in 
the circle." She smiled softly. "Hey, if I hadn't been in trouble 
there, I wouldn't have met you!  And I'm glad I met you.  Now...who 
would like to hear another story?"
	The ears of the cubs perked up and they nodded 
enthusiastically. Elanna was about ready to take a breath to start 
her story when Ujuzi and Wehu appeared.
	"Hello Elanna," Wehu said.  "Keeping the cubs occupied?"  She 
looked straight at Darky, who turned her head a bit from her. 
	Elanna looked at the two, "Hello my queen.  Hello, Wehu. 
Yes...I was just telling them a story of my sister and I."
	Ujuzi prodded her daughter, looking at Elanna.  Wehu jumped a 
bit at the prodding then looked to Elanna, "You have been making 
great progress with me in your hunting skills.  So much, that I think 
it's time that you join us.  Darky, why don't you take over?"
	Elanna smiled a bit, ready to hunt.  She rose slowly from the 
grass and yawned, shaking off the dead grass on her pelt.  Amid the 
pleas of the cubs for her to say, she stretched out her body and 
muscles.


CHAPTER:  ON THE HUNT

	Elanna was overwhelmed at the chance of getting on the hunt 
again.  Though she hated to leave the cubs, she wanted her old life 
back.  Enthused about the chance to redeem herself, she went to Wehu.  
"I need to make up for my last mistake.... I'll be the beater this 
time."  
	"Oh no, my dear," the Queen said, moving past her daughter and 
rubbing against Elanna.  "You will be next to my daughter.  This will 
signal a new time of friendship among us.  I haven't been very nice 
to you.  But now I want to get to know you better, and show you how I 
really feel about you."  She grinned slightly as she moved away from 
the two, getting a look from her daughter.
	Elanna smiled to the queen, bowing her head slightly, "I pray 
that Aiheu may remove all doubts from your mind about me."
	Ujuzi turned her head from her, grinning, "He has, my dear.  I 
have no questions about you or your intentions.  Now we will see what 
kind of huntress you really are."
	Perhaps if Elanna had looked deeply into Ujuzi's cold stare, 
she would have seen past the smile.  She would have suspected the 
plan that  Ujuzi had in store for her.
	The other lionesses were in a good mood to see Elanna among 
them.  They all nuzzled her and commented on how fast that she came 
back when they saw her.  There was a certain relaxing of tension 
among them that could be seen and even felt in subtle ways impossible 
to describe.  Ujuzi herself seemed to be in an upbeat, if intense 
mood.  Unlike the others, Wehu seemed to be tense as she scanned the 
horizon for the target of the nights hunt.
	Quietly the group headed into the grass, searching for that 
weak animal that would sustain them for another day.  Elanna sensed 
that something was wrong with Wehu as the night progressed.  Slowly 
she moved over to her and tried to improve her mood.  "I'm glad to be 
hunting again.  I feel you have talked with your mother--there's no 
other explanation.  You're a dear friend, and so like my daughter 
might have been."  Elanna smiled nervously to the hunt mistress.  "I 
want to do well and not mess up again."
	Wehu turned to her and tried to put on a smile, failing 
miserably, "I wouldn't worry about that if I were you."
	Elanna looked at her curiously, but shook it off.  "Still, I 
feel the queen is only being nice to me because of you.  If there's 
anything I can do to make your mother really like me, let me know.  
Your father likes me well enough."
	Wehu swallowed slowly, looking down at the ground.  "So I 
gathered."
	"Aiheu bless you for your kindness.  At my age, I need peace 
and stability.  I've felt torn up inside since I got here.  You're 
all that holds me together."
	Wehu nuzzled her, her insides tight over what her mother had 
planned.  "I think you will find peace."  Wehu hung her head.  "You 
know Lannie, you've had to face a lot of obstacles in your life.  I 
wonder if I would have done half as well."  Wehu added quietly, "No 
matter how this hunt turns out, I think you're a good lioness."
	Elanna looked at her in surprise at her statement "Now I AM 
frightened.  Is so much riding on my making well tonight?"
	"No, Honey Tree.  Don't worry about it.  I'm just making a 
statement, that's all."  Wehu sniffed at the air and sighs softly, "I 
smell something."  Quietly she grunted to the others in the 
group.signaling them to get prepared for the hunt.
	As the pride topped the hill, they spotted their target for the 
night, a small group of wildebeest.  Wehu looked around at the group, 
as if she was about ready to make a decision which she dreaded.  
Quietly she cleared her throat as she looked to the pride.  "Mom, you 
head to the right with Kiesi.  Tetesi, come left with me."
	Elanna looked to Wehu in confusion, "Where do I go?"
	Wehu tried to smile as her insides tightened more, "You have a 
very important part."  She motioned with her head, "You head down the 
dry gully as far as you can and when you hear all grief break loose, 
climb out and create panic."
	Elanna looked down at where she was suppose to be, through the 
sea of wildebeests.  She turned backed to Wehu "Are you sure that it 
is safe for me?  I'm getting awfully close to their hooves when you 
start to drive them."
	"It's not as bad as it sounds, dear.  We'll be pushing in 
toward your position.  If you're careful, there should be very little 
danger to you."  She tried again with a reassuring smile, "It's 
Tetesi and I that will have to watch out."  She tried to let out a 
small chuckle, "And Mom is not as young as she used to be."
	Elanna nodded softly, still not suspecting what the real prey 
was.  "I'm sorry Wehu.  I guess I just have to get use to a new 
hunting style."  She looked up to her, "I trust you with my life, 
something I don't do to many."  She smiled up to her, "Just tell me 
what to do and I'll do it."
	Wehu nodded and tried to hold the pain in her stomach, "Thank 
you Lannie.um.I have to speak with the others to set up our portion 
of the hunt."  With that, she quickly moved over to Kiesi and Tetesi.
 The two lionesses looked at the hunt mistress, "What are we 
going to do, Wehu?  What's the plan?"
	"Just do as you're told, girls.  I'm sorry it makes no sense, 
but I've given Elanna some special instructions.  It will be clear to 
you when it all comes together."
	As Wehu was talking to the other lionesses, the queen made her 
way towards Elanna, "Well, I'm sure you will do well on this hunt.  
As a matter of fact, I talked my daughter into letting you come on to 
this hunt.  She thought you might not be ready."  She nuzzled Elanna 
gently and smiled, "But I convinced her to let you play this pivotal 
role.  If everything goes well, we'll have a kill for sure."  
Elanna smiled to the queen and returned the nuzzle as Wehu 
glanced over and glared at her mother.
The hunters regrouped and began to make their moves.  Elanna 
was very careful to watch Wehu's, the signs she had been taught 
running through her mind.  Wehu sent the other lionesses off, and 
before disappearing with Tetesi, she nodded at Elanna.  It was time.
	Elanna kept a low profile and walked with a quiet tread as only 
a cat could through the savanna grasses and toward the beginning of 
the dry wadi.
	There were rocks in the bottom of the wadi.  It would take all 
her skill to keep from making sound there.  She stepped gingerly from 
boulder to boulder, avoiding the loose pebbles and gravel that could 
make scraping noises.
	So far, she had not heard a stampeding herd.  There was not 
even the nervous stamping of a few spooked animals.  She could tell 
by the grunts and low calls of mothers to calves and the chirps back 
that against all hope she had pulled off the perfect stalk.  How 
proud Ujuzi would be of her!  And how proud Wehu would be!  With 
pride in her heart, she waited for the signal, prepared to make a 
mighty effort to start panic among the wildebeests.
	Suddenly, she heard a rush, and what she thought was a signal.  
Wehu shouted, "Stay still!  Don't move!"
	The rumble of hooves was all around her.  Suddenly the hunt 
mistress was bounding down the wadi after Elanna with Tetesi behind 
her. Wehu had been hit on the side by one of the animals and was 
bleeding a bit.
	"Oh thank Aiheu!  You're all right!"
	"Why?  What happened??  Did I mess things up??"  She looked at 
her friend, "Oh Wehu, your bleeding!"
	"No, Sweetie!  You didn't mess up!  I did!"  She didn't seem to 
notice the bleeding or care for that mater.
	"You did?"
	Wehu looked down at Elanna's paws and suddenly burst into 
tears.  Elanna looked at her curiously and nuzzled against her.  Wehu 
looked up and into her eyes, "Forgive me!  I love you, Elanna!  
Forgive me!"
	"For what??  I'm all right!  So you made a little mistake on 
the hunt--who am I to be upset with you??  Why are you acting like 
this??"
	Wehu looked up quickly, the fear showing in her eyes, "Run, 
Elanna!  Don't ask why, just run.  Run far away!  Or the queen will 
try to kill you again!"
	Elanna was shocked, but before she could react Ujuzi came 
running into the wadi, snarling.  "Wehu, are you all right??"  She 
noticed the blood quickly.  "Did Elanna almost get you killed??"
	Wehu growled back at her mother, "You know good and well what 
happened!  I couldn't carry out your orders!  Not and stand before 
Aiheu when I die!"
	The Queen growled, "I don't need a trick to kill a dirty little 
adulteress!"  She turned viscously on Elanna but before she could 
advance, Wehu bodily blocked her mother.
	"Out of my way, brat!"
	"No!  You'll have to kill me first!"
	"I am your queen!"
	"I thought you were my mother!  You're not!  I don't even know 
you!"
	"You're not hunt mistress anymore!  You disgraced the one who 
bore you!"
	"You disgraced yourself!  Elanna and I are leaving together."
	"No we're not!" Elanna shouted, which instantly silenced the 
Queen, her daughter, and the other lionesses in the pride.  Elanna 
turned on the queen.  "You think all I dream about is making it with 
your husband!"
	"Watch your mouth!" she screamed balefully at Elanna.
	Elanna snapped back, "I've just gotten started, Missy!  And do 
you want to DO something about it??"  Elanna stepped forward.  "I'm 
not afraid of you, you overstuffed, backbiting, treacherous loud-
mouthed hussy!"
	The queen silenced, backing back as she saw Elanna for the 
first time.  No longer was she a timid little mouse, but a mighty 
hunter.
	"Mabongo is like the brother I never had, and Wehu is like the 
daughter I never had.  Personally I don't care if you live or die, 
but they love you--no matter what you think--and I don't want to see 
them hurt.  If you want to hold on to that husband of yours, start by 
showing him a little respect!  Now by your leave, YOUR HIGHNESS, I 
will leave you and your `pride' alone!"
	Elanna turned away from the queen, catching her breath.  
Instantly, her gaze fell on Wehu.  
"Where will you go?" she asked, moving towards her.
	Elanna nuzzled her gently, giving her a kiss on the cheek.  
"Where I belong.  I'm going back to my sister to face my past.  If I 
can face Sarabi, you can face your mother.  Honey Tree, it doesn't 
seem like it now, but you will work this out with your mother.  It's 
all right.  I want you to."
	Wehu kissed Elanna, then went to the Queen.  Embarrassed, Ujuzi 
looked down.
	Wehu began to weep softly, and Ujuzi gently but urgently began 
to clean the cut on her side.
"Ujuzi?" Elanna called.  The Queen looked up and tried to meet 
her eyes with her own.  "He never loved any lioness but you.  I'll 
admit I found him attractive, but I never tried to act on it.  I 
swear to Aiheu.   He loves you, Ujuzi.  I hope the two of you have a 
good life.  Sometimes dreams do come true--not always, but I hope 
yours do."
"You too, Hon," Ujuzi said.  "But somewhere else, please?"
Elanna nodded, turned, and walked away.


THE EPILOGUE:

	Elanna felt that she would be home by nightfall--either home 
with Sarabi or Taka.  She sought the advice of Rafiki.  If anyone 
could help her know what to expect, it would be him.  True, her 
husband had brutalized him and kept him locked away.  Still, inside 
she felt that if anyone could forgive her, it would be him.
	She stalked quietly up to his baobab.  She was not certain if 
he would still be there after the rigors of his long confinement.  In 
fact, she did not even know if he was still alive.
	She saw something that made her heart race.  A lioness was 
playing with a young mandrill under the tree.  Could that be Rafiki's 
son?  She could not be sure, and yet she finally recognized the 
lioness.  Uzuri!
	What luck!  Uzuri had always been willing to stand by her!  She 
felt a tremendous urge to break cover and rush to her, pawing and 
kissing the one who had been so kind!  Still, she remembered the 
hyena's warning.  She had been told that death awaited her at Pride 
Rock.
	Her conflicting emotions of fear and love made her tremble.  
The battle within her made her huntress' concentration lapse, and she 
didn't notice which way the wind was blowing for some time.
	A quick gust of wind swirled about her ears and tickled her 
whiskers--and headed straight for Uzuri.  Elanna panicked and chills 
wracked her as the young mandrill turned and pointed directly at her.
	"Please, Aiheu," Elanna silently mouthed.  "If I must die, let 
it be quick and merciful."
	With her heart in her mouth, Elanna rose and stepped out of the 
tall grass.  Trembling, her gaze locked on Uzuri's startled 
expression.  She saw the lioness quietly mouth, "Oh my gods!"
	Makaka glanced nervously from one lioness to the other.  The 
tension was so strong it fairly rustled the grass.
	"Lannie!  I thought you were dead!"  Uzuri took a step forward.
	Elanna took a step backward.  Her heart pounded.  She heard 
escape from her lips, "Don't hurt me!"  It was almost as if someone 
else was speaking inside her.  Fear had weakened her, and her knees 
nearly buckled under her weight.
	Uzuri paused and lowered her head a bit.  "Hon, I won't hurt 
you.  I'm your friend, remember?"
	Elanna wanted to believe that.  She wanted to trust her more 
than anything.  For one awful moment, she wondered if this might be a 
trick to bring her back alive to justice.  But Uzuri's eyes were kind 
and sincere.  There was pity and love in their hazel depths, enough 
to heal a world of hurts.
	She crept toward her old huntmistress, trying to summon some 
dignity from her past.  Her head was erect and her shoulders were 
square, though her heart was pounding like a hammer.
	When she was but a length away, Elanna rushed the last couple 
of steps into a desperate nuzzle.  She rubbed her face against 
Uzuri's soft cheek.  She took an ear between her lips and mouthed it 
lovingly, stroking it with the tip of her tongue.  Then she rubbed 
full length down her warm, lithe body, feeling the familiar comfort 
and mixing the fragrance with her own.  "Oh gods!" she murmured, 
tears filling her eyes.  "Uzuri, I've been so alone!"
	Her friend purred and gave her a gentle touch of her tongue.  
"Not any more, dear.  Not any more."
	Elanna thought about her sister Sarabi.  Would she be as quick 
to forgive?  Could she forgive the mate of her husband's killer?  She 
sighed deeply.  "I can't come back.  The others--they hate me.  I 
just know it.  They'll never let me stay."  She started to cry, 
looking down at the ground.  "Uzuri, I don't know what to do!  I've 
been alone for the longest time.  I can't stand it anymore!  I tried 
to join Mabongo's pride but his wife is insanely jealous.  She tried 
to kill me!"
	"Oh honey tree!"  Uzuri nuzzled her again.
	"It was in the hunt.  She said it was an accident, but I know 
better!  I almost ended up like Avina!"
	"Poor thing!"  She stroked Elanna's cheek with her paw.  "You 
remember my sons Togo and Kombi, don't you?"
	"Yes.  How are they?"
	"Well Kombi's a king and Togo's his Prince Consort."  Uzuri 
smiled.  "Their father died, but his death gave them a new life.  
Life is like the wind--if you don't like the way it's blowing, wait 
and it will change."  She kissed Elanna's cheek.  "They will be glad 
to take you in, my dear."
	"Really?"
	"Yes, and you could have a fresh start...."  She frowned.  "No!  
Your home is here, and you're going to come home where you belong."
	"But they all hate me.  They'll never forgive me for marrying 
Taka."
	"I think they will.  Don't you want to see your sister Sarabi 
again?"
	"Oh gods, I'd give anything to see her.  But it will never 
work!"
	"I don't want you to give anything--just the effort to trust me 
and come back.  Give it a try."
	"But facing all of them alone...."
	"You're not alone.  I will be with you."
	"Why are you so good to me?"
	"Because I love you, and because I promised Taka that I would 
look after you the way you asked me to look after him."
	Elanna had hoped against hope that the hyena had lied to her 
about Taka.  She had to know the truth.  She timidly asked, "How is 
he?  What happened to him?"
	"He died like a real lion.  You would have been proud of him."
	"You are good, Uzuri.  So good to me.  If it's the two of us, I 
will give it a try.  It can't hurt."
	"The three of us," Makaka said.
	"The four of us," Rafiki said.  Rafiki threw his arms around 
Elanna's strong neck.  "First Simba came back from death.  Now my 
Lannie.  God has been generous."
	Bravely, hopefully, the four friends headed for Pride Rock.  
According to Elanna's wishes, Rafiki and Makaka combined their 
talents with Elanna's experience to avoid the sentry patrols and find 
Sarabi before someone found them.  Elanna did not want to be 
intercepted by an angry Isha who might rip her alive on the spot.  If 
anyone must kill her, it must be her own sister.  Maybe with Sarabi 
there was a chance for mercy.
	Elanna ascended Pride Rock the same way she had left it--by 
stealth.  She led her surprised friends up a difficult but well-
concealed route that left old Rafiki huffing and puffing, but 
surprised even Uzuri in its ingenuity.  The mistrustful hyenas had 
devoted a great deal of thought to the approach, and it probably 
aided many spies to eavesdrop on Taka.
	It was the time when Sarabi should have been cub-setting in her 
usual spot.  Rafiki looked around the entrance and spotted her 
resting in the cool shade.  She glanced up at him.  "Rafiki, come 
here old friend!"
	"I'd like to, but I think you might want me to wait outside."
	She laughed.  "What are you talking about, old monkey?"
	"You'll see."
	Elanna wanted to go right in, but she froze beside the mouth of 
the cave.  She looked at Uzuri and shook her head "no."
	Uzuri half smiled and nodded "yes."
	Lannie tried taking a step, then looked around in a panic.  She 
touched her chest with a paw, the silent hunting signal for retreat.  
Uzuri shook her head, nuzzled her reassuringly, and tapped her cheek 
wth a paw.  The gesture said, "No!"
	Lannie looked at the cave mouth, then looked back at Uzuri.  
She touched her chest with a paw again and started to walk away.  "Oh 
gods," she mouthed silently.  "I'm scared!"
	Uzuri drew close and whispered, "I know.  We all are."
	Death had once seemed like release to Elanna, a sort of belated 
victory.  She had contemplated joining her husband among the stars 
before, but she stood there terrified of dying.
	There was no where to run.  She was in the middle of the Pride 
Lands, and the only way out was through.  She kissed Uzuri good bye 
and hoarsely began to whisper the prayer of the dying--in case she 
did not have the time to utter it in her moment of greatest need.
	In a move that was not meant to be morbid, and was not taken 
morbidly, Rafiki made the sign of Aiheu, circling her eye and 
touching under her chin.  He nodded.  "It is time."
	Then she stepped into view....
	"Who are you?" Sarabi asked.  The bright light behind her made 
Elanna a silhouette against the azure sky.  "Do I know you?"
	Elanna had to step closer to Sarabi, and the effort made her 
tremble and gasp.  Still there was no hint of recognition until one 
feeble word escaped her lips.  "Sassie?"
	Sarabi's eyes grew wide and her ears drew back.  "You're dead!  
Oh my gods!"
	"No, Sassie.  It's really me!"
	The queen mother looked at her.  Her chin trembled and her 
chest heaved.  Tears began to run down her cheeks.  "Lannie?  
I'm...."
	"Sis, I want to come home!  Oh gods, I want to come home!"
	Sarabi rose from the ground and sprang up, wrapping her paws 
around Elanna's neck and bearing her to the ground.  Wracked with 
sobs, she pawed and nuzzled Elanna, covering her in warm kisses, 
feeling her fur, breathing her scent and listening to her heart beat.  
"Don't you ever leave me again, girl!"
	Lannie reached around Sassie's strong neck and held her 
tightly.  "I'll never leave you!  Never again!  I love you, Sassie!"
	"I love you too!  I'm sorry I wasn't there for you.  Oh Honey 
Tree, can you forgive me?"
	"What do YOU think?"  Elanna sniffed back tears.  "The hyenas 
were taking me out to be killed when the battle started."
	"I know.  Ten hyenas to one lioness.  That's what we heard."
	"I wanted to come back and help.  Really I did, but I thought 
you didn't...."
	"Hsssh, Honey Tree.  It was a bad dream.  You're awake now."
	"How about the Pride Sisters?  How many died?  How many of the 
cubs?"
	"None and none.  Aiheu was with us.  Some of the hyenas were 
with us too.  I was bitter and full of rage, but I was touched by a 
great light that day.  Now you're here and there is no darkness 
left."
	Makaka slipped his arms about Rafiki, and the old mandrill 
reached down and kissed his cheek.  Tears filled Rafiki's eyes.  "All 
is as it should be."
	Some of the cubs came forward and looked at the two entwined in 
their tearful embrace.  Sarabi stood up and wiped her face with a 
paw.  "My sister Elanna's here.  You've never met her before."
	Sarabi proudly said, "The one in the middle is Tanabi.  Simba's 
boy.  My grandson."
	"Your grandson?"
	"And your nephew."  Sarabi smiled at Tanabi.  "Come kiss your 
Aunt Lannie, Honey Tree.  She could use it."
	Tanabi came forward and rubbed on Elanna who promptly pulled 
him close with a paw and began grooming him.  "You're a sweetie, yes 
you are!"
	Lannie looked around at the other small faces and beckoned to 
the cubs, a smile of almost other-worldly beauty lighting her 
countenance.  "Come here, you!  Let's have fun!"  At once they mobbed 
her, pulling on her tail, kissing her face, and rubbing against her.  
Elanna wept again, hugging each of the unknown cubs and kissing them.
	One asked, "Why are you crying?"
	"I'm crying because I'm so happy a smile isn't good enough!"
	Another asked, "Can you tell me a story?"
	Elanna affectionately swatted him with a paw.  "I'll certainly 
try."
	Uzuri poked her head in the cave.  "Is everything OK in here?"
	Elanna looked about.  "Yes, Zuri.  Everything is OK in here."


THE END:  TOUCH OF THE NISEI