CHAPTER 40:  GAZELLE EYES

	"I knew it.  I just knew it!" Timon said with disgust.  "I knew if 
we carried him to water, you'd want to feed him.  And if you fed him, 
you'd want to keep him.  Do you know what lion cubs do?  Huh, DO you??"
	Pumbaa looked at Timon with mist in his gazelle eyes.  "No, Timon.  
What do they do?"
	"They get bigger.  It doesn't happen all at once, see, but one day 
you'll wake up...."  He straddled and expanded to make his point.  
"....and there will be this greaaat biiiig lion as far as the eyes can 
see!  He won't be little and cute then, but he'll still be our problem."
	"Keep it down, Timon.  He'll hear you!"
	Timon glanced around anxiously.  "Yeah.  And I bet he's hungry, 
too!"
	"Now there you go again!  He's only a little kid, and he's so sad 
and lost and helpless!"  Tears began to spring up in Pumbaa's eyes.  
"Just because you're smarter than I am doesn't mean you're always right.  
I mean, not always, you know."
	"And I suppose you got it all figured out?"
	"No.  But while we're wasting time figuring it all out, that 
little guy needs our help!"
	Once in a while Pumbaa said something that made Timon stand up and 
take note.  "All right.  Answer me this, then.  Let's say we keep him.  
Down, Pumbaa, I said IF we keep him, what will he eat?"
	Tears misted up in Pumbaa's eyes again.  "If we DON'T keep him, 
what will he eat?"  A tear ran down the warthog's cheek.  "I gotta live 
with myself, Timon.  Don't make me choose between you and him.  
Please??"
	"You can't walk out on me!"
	"I can't walk out on him!"
	Adopting a lion cub was a big decision, and it took Pumbaa a lot 
of discussion and a great deal of pouting to overcome Timon's 
reluctance.  What Aiheu did not give the warthog in eloquent speech, he 
made up for in sheer determination.  And when Pumbaa really made up his 
mind and looked at Timon with his gazelle eyes, he usually got his way.
	All in all, the benefits outweighed the disadvantages, Pumbaa 
figured; they would have to raise a youngster (a task Timon especially 
loathed), but the return on their investment would be enormous.  Simba 
would make a terrific bodyguard and a good friend.  Besides, Timon would 
not have to endure Pumbaa's pleading looks.
	"OK," Timon said at last.  "I'm going to regret this, but we'll 
keep the kid."
	"Hooray!!"
	The advantages of such a relationship were obvious, and the two 
readily fell to in making the cub feel right at home.
	Simba, however, had no such preconceptions.  He embraced the 
carefree lifestyle of "Hakuna Matata" the two preached of, somewhat 
reluctant at first, but more and more easily as the day wore on.  It was 
difficult to overcome the inhibitions his parents had instilled in him; 
he found it hard to accept the fact that he was pretty much free to do 
what he pleased, eat what he pleased...even the simplest of niceties 
were not required.  The first time he belched and covered his mouth with 
a paw, saying "Excuse me!" with a horrified expression on his face, 
Timon had gone into gales of laughter.
	The cub reflected on this as he lay on his back, paws outstreched, 
rubbing one ear lazily as he blinked in the late afternoon sun.  He 
tracked its progress, half intrested, thinking it was funny how much the 
sun looked just as it did when he had been at home.
	Home.
	He rubbed the fur on his belly uncomfortably, remembering sitting 
next to Sarabi, her warm tongue bathing him as he lay beside her, sated 
from his last meal, watching the same sun go down in the Pride Lands.  
He watched as the fiery orb doubled, then trebled in his vision as quiet 
tears ran down his cheeks.  His heart sank along with the sun, his 
spirits falling and turning dark with the sky around him.  The stars 
made their appearances one by one, standing stalwart against the night, 
but no such light remained in Simba's soul.  Sniffing quietly, he tilted 
his head back to look at the depthless expanse of the universe above.
	"God?  I don't know if you feel like listening to me...but I 
wanted to ask a favor."  His jaw trembled, and his face drew down in 
deep lines as he struggled to keep control.  "Would you please watch out 
for my pride?  I mean, Uncle Scar isn't that strong and he has that bad 
back...he needs help.  And help Aunt Uzuri catch a lot of food so Nala 
doesn't get hungry or anything."  Despite his struggles, he began to cry 
again, his voice wavering unsteadily as he rushed to finish.  "And watch 
out for Mom, okay?  And if you can...please tell her...I'm sorry!  I 
didn't mean it!"  His head fell forward and he buried it under his 
forepaws, shaking with the terrible force of his grief.
	A sharp trill sang from the grass next to him, and he jumped, 
crying out as he backed away.  A second trill answered, and son the 
grass was full of the droning sound of crickets, humming away busily as 
they sang their strange calls to one another.  Fire blossomed in the 
grass as a small white glow emerged, flitting about aimlessly.  Simba 
twirled in agitation as he was suddenly surrounded by dozens of tiny 
points of light, miniature suns that gleamed with a cold brilliance.  
The fireflies darted about his head, one alighting on his nose and 
jittering frenziedly as it signaled its fellows.  The cub yelped in 
fear, jumping up and running across the clearing to the cover of the 
nearby bushes where Timon and Pumbaa were making themselves comfortable 
for the night's slumber.
	Pumbaa saw him scamper in, shaking furiously.  "What's the matter, 
Simba?"
	"I'm scared!"  he burst out.  "I wanna go home!"
	"Aww, man..." Timon groaned.
	Pumbaa shushed him sternly, then turned back to the terrified cub.  
"C'mon, little fella.  Just lie down and get some sleep.  You'll feel 
better in the morning."
	"I CAN'T sleep!  Those THINGS'll get me!"  Simba ran over to 
Pumbaa and huddled against his comforting bulk, shivering as he stared 
at the dark jungle around them, seeing movement in every shadow.
	"Poor kid."  Pumbaa grunted unhappily.  "Scared of the dark?"
	Simba nodded.
	"Huh!  Me too!  But ya know what?"
	"What?"
	"My mom used to tell me stories to help me get to sleep, and I 
remember `em all!  Wanna hear one?"
	Simba nodded, wide eyed, and settled in close, much to Pumbaa's 
surprise.  "Would you tell me one?  Please?"
	"Sure.  Let me see..."  Pumbaa grimaced, thinking hard, then 
smiled.  "Oh yeah!  This one was my favorite.
	"Once there was a great leader among the elephants.  His name was 
Mongo Earthshaker because he was so big that when he walked you could 
feel the ground shake.  Well one day Mongo was so thirsty that he ran 
down to the watering hole, even though he had hurt his leg only three 
days before.  His mate Zesta warned him that he was headed for trouble 
because of his leg, but he hurried anyway.  Well, the water was so cool 
and refreshing that when he drank it he didn't feel thirsty anymore.  
Then he went back to his friends."
	"Then what happened?"
	"How should I know?  That's the end of the story.  But there is 
another one about him that tells about the time he took a mud bath.  
You'll never guess how it ends!"
	"He cooled off, didn't he?"
	"Darn!  You've heard it already."  Pumbaa looked alarmingly at 
Simba's dour expression and put a foreleg around the cub.  "Look here, 
little guy.  You lay next to me.  If you're afraid, don't be.  I'll take 
care of you."
	Simba looked at him a moment longer, then lay his head down, 
pressing his nose into Pumbaa's side, trying to blot out as much of the 
world as he could.  The gentle tides of Pumbaa's breathing and the 
steady thrum of his heart lulled the exhausted cub, pulling him into a 
much needed sleep.
	Pumbaa sat quiet until he was sure Simba had dropped off, then lay 
his own head down.  Eyes drooping, he began to slide away into sleep's 
embrace until a sudden motion from the cub brought him back to sharp 
wakefulness.  Glancing down, he saw Simba's paws twitching restlessly, 
soft moans escaping his lips and chilling the warthog with their 
intensity.
	"Uncle Scar?  I'm sorry...din't mean it."  He shuffled restlessly 
again.  "Accident...what'm I gonna do?  Mom?"  Pumbaa grunted with pain 
as the cub kicked abruptly, crying out in the dark stillness.  "Dad!  
No!"
	Pumbaa nuzzled him helplessly, uncertain of what to do, and was 
relieved to see Simba quiet down at the touch, forepaws reaching out in 
his sleep and making contact with the warthog's side, claws kneading him 
slightly in a long forgotten reflex.  Pumbaa endured the discomfort, 
gazing at the cub thoughfully as the night passed, until Simba dropped 
off into a deep, dreamless sleep.



CHAPTER 41:  ATTENDANCE IS REQUIRED

              "Where there is no vision, the people perish."

                           -- Old Testament (I'll have to look it up)


	Meanwhile Fabana, Shenzi and Banzai moved among the hyenas.  They 
spread the word to all: "Important Clan meeting at high moon.  
Attendance is required."
	Amarakh was having a playful wrestling bout with her husband when 
Ber came by.  "Roh'makh, do you have a moment?"
	She looked up, peeved.  "Can't I have a life of my own?"
	"I'm sorry, My Lady.  I'll ask you tonight at the clan meeting."
	"I didn't call a clan meeting."
	"Well everyone else says you did.  And that it's very important."
	"Who told you?"
	"Fabana."
	Amarakh sighed, kissed her husband, and said, "I'll be back in a 
minute.  Remember where we were."
	The Roh'mach went around looking for Fabana.  She expected to 
trace down the source of the rumor and find out who dared to mock her.  
She was in for a great surprise when she finally found Fabana.
	"Fay, what's this about a clan meeting?  Who told you?"
	Fabana straightened with pride.  "Roh'kash herself."
	"What??"  Amarakh's hackles raised.  "Let me scratch my ears.  I 
must have wax in them."
	"No, My Lady.  Tonight at high moon, The Lord herself is going to 
address us on a matter of great importance."
	"If you say so," Amarakh said dubiously.  "Let's just say I hope 
She shows up for your sake.  Otherwise, I'm going to be pretty put out 
with you, hon."  She softened her tone.  "I know it's been hard on you 
raising that family of yours alone.  Especially the way Jal died.  I'll 
think of something important to say.  Maybe I'll just make something up.  
I don't want you being made a fool of.  We'll discuss this later, OK?"
	"I'm not seeing things.  There are witnesses.  Shenzi, Banzai and 
Ed all saw her."
	"Look, Fay.  We've been friends all our lives.  But this is 
ridiculous.  You go around promising God to these folks, all I can say 
is you had better deliver!"
	There was a large pointed crag in the elephant graveyard called 
Makh'pil Baru, or "Moon Claw," for at exactly high moon the shadow of 
its point would touch a boulder named Ul Khalil, or "The Springhare."  
In living memory it had always been the signal to start a clan meeting.
	Also by long custom, the Roh'mach did not discuss business before 
mid moon.  Everyone usually had some idea what was going to be covered 
in advance, and this time as always there were rumors being spread 
through the crowd.  Amarakh politely turned away questions, but she was 
clearly uncomfortable.
	"It's not too late," she whispered to Fabana.  "Please don't go 
through with this.  I'm trying to help you.  You know I'm your friend."
	"I know."
	"I hope you know what you're doing."
	"Just wait.  You'll see."
	The dance of the heavenly bodies was progressing.  The point of 
the shadow drew close to Ul Khalil.  By then, everyone was in a state of 
great anticipation.
	Amarakh was silent, her mind working quickly to think of something 
to say.  Shenzi was looking rather smug, certain that what happened 
would be the crowning glory of her short life.  Banzai was proud of his 
sister and sat erect, glancing at her out of the corner of his eye and 
looking gravely serious, trying not to grin broadly.  Ed, as always, was 
Ed.
	The point of the shadow crept to the edge of the rock.  As 
everyone watched with bated breath, the black triangle crept across the 
stone and finally reached the exact center.
	The quiet was unearthly.  No one spoke or even dared to move.
	Then the shadow passed the center of the stone and approached the 
far side.
	"Thank you for coming," Amarakh said.  "My main reason in calling 
you here was to sort out a crime that had been committed against one of 
our prominent families.  But since the guilty party has confessed and 
agreed to make reparations, I think it wise not to dredge it up again."
	"Who, Roh'mach?" someone asked.
	"I prefer not to say."
	"Was that it?" another one asked.
	"Pretty much.  The wildebeest herd is on the move again, but most 
of you know that by now.  I'm sorry the hunt had to be spoiled by this 
little fiasco."
	"When is God coming?" one of the females asked.
	"Yes, when is she coming, Amarakh?" Korg asked.
	"We were told God was coming!" Ber said.  "So where is she??"
	"Who said God was coming??"
	A clamor arose.  Clearly, there were a lot of disappointed hyenas 
who were not sure who to be upset with, but Amarakh was as good a target 
as any.
	"Calm down everyone," the Roh'mach said.  "We'll all see Roh'kash 
at the moment of our death.  Think, all of you!  Think!  Why would God 
want to call a clan meeting with us?  It makes no sense!"
	Amarakh was suddenly aware of her shadow grow long and prominent 
before her, a great golden light filling the air around her with 
luminance and bathing the hyenas before her as they fell to the ground, 
ears flattened back and heads between paws.  Amarakh trembled.  She 
swallowed hard and turned around....
	"Roh'kash!!"  The Roh'mach fell to the ground and howled in fear.  
"Mercy!  Mercy, Lord!"
	Melmokh came to her in the form of a beautiful hyena.  "You 
question my decision, Amarakh?" said a sweet voice.  "I will not harm 
you.  Still, you are no longer Roh'mach."
	"Why, my Lord?  Have I not always worshipped you faithfully?"
	"Not for your impiety, for there is no quarrel between us.  I have 
given that title to the daughter of the prophesy.  Shenzi was annointed 
from birth to deliver your people from bondage, and her path shall you 
follow."
	Amarakh rolled over and pawed at the false Roh'kash.  "Even so, my 
Lord.  Even so!  I hail Shenzi, the Lord's annointed!"
	The other hyenas cried, "Hail Shenzi, the Lord's annointed!"
	Melmokh went through the crowd.  At first they parted before him, 
but after he touched lame Pashond and healed him, the other hyenas began 
to crowd in on their Roh'kash, seeking blessings and the occasional 
coveted kiss.
	"Hear my words," the false Roh'kash cried.  "I have come to 
liberate you through my servant Shenzi.  But if you are to be worthy of 
her and of me, you must be disciplined.  You must be sober in judgement.  
You must be willing to make sacrifices."
	"Even so!" hyenas shouted.  "Even so!"


CHAPTER 42A:  THE PLEDGE

	After the presentation, Melmokh saw his opportunity to move in and 
establish himself as he never could with Gur'mekh.
	As Roh'kash, he took Shenzi apart from the crowd to be alone with 
him.  The two of them went along to a cave far from the others.
	"You are my anointed, and I have brought you here to confirm our 
relationship and bond us together forever."
	Shenzi bowed before Roh'kash.  "Even so, Great Mother."
	Melmokh laughed prettily.  "You do not need to bow before me.  I 
do not want your service but your companionship.  Do you not know that I 
have sought you out to rule beside me?"
	"To rule beside you?"
	"Yes.  As my mate."  The false Roh'kash rubbed her down her full 
length.  The sexual meaning was not lost on Shenzi, and she froze in 
terror.  
	"You quake, my little one.  Do you not know that I am both 
Roh'kash and Roh'khim?  The Great Mother and the Great Father?  They are 
different aspects of the same God.  Behold the one who courts your 
affections!"
	Melmokh revealed himself to her, though his evil heart was 
disguised with the beauty of golden light that wrapped him like a 
mantle.  "Is this more to your liking?"
	"Oh!"
	He was musky and handsome, and the gleam in his eyes was hypnotic.  
She stared at him spellbound.  He began to nuzzle her lightly around her 
face, kissing her passionately beside the eyes and under the corners of 
her twitching mouth.  "You fill me with every wholesome desire," he 
purred.  "Our love could last the centuries.  I can please you the way 
you were born to be pleased, and you will please me too."  He began to 
nuzzle her neck and her trembling shoulders.  "I'm on fire, child.  Give 
yourself to me freely, not because I command it, but because you want 
it.  Only if you call me of your own free will, for I will not force 
myself upon you."
	She did not answer him, but she stood her ground when he rubbed 
her along her length, and from her throat escaped a low whimper as her 
jaw trembled.  She gave herself willingly, and in doing so became truly 
his.  As the death of Demrath bound Gur'mekh to him, so her intimacy 
bound her to him.  But he had no desire to torment her.  Far from it.
	There in the darkness, Melmokh made love with her.  And there in 
the darkness he forged a bond with her that would make her his.  For it 
was his wish that she would one day concieve a child who would become 
the physical presence of Melmokh, a body through which he could fully 
enter the world of Ma'at and have his way unobstructed by time and 
space.
	Of course, he neglected to tell her that.

Bookmark/Search this post with:

delicious | digg | reddit | newsvine | furl | google | yahoo | technorati