Kidnapping a lion cub, Uhuru thought disgustedly, shaking his head. What next?
He was silent as he watched Skulk and his group of rebellious miscrants fade into the night. It never seems to end, he thought disgustedly. One trial after another. He half jokingly wondered if he was being punished for the sins of one of his long dead anscestors.
Sighing, he shoved the thought away. He had been true enough to Aiheu’s calling, and he knew it. Perhaps with the removal of Shenzi’s malign influence, things would go back to normal. He hoped so; Uhuru was sorely sick of fighting, deception, and betrayal. The past three years had seen enough of that. But it seemed an insurmountable wedge had been driven between the children of Roh’kash and Aiehu, and he was helpless against it.
He picked up a slight movement in his peripheral vision and turned to see Simba making his way toward him. Grimacing, he sat up and headed toward the king. Things were about to go from bad to worse, it seemed. The arena-like atmosphere of the Shi’khal had dissapated, and the hyenas and lions stood apart, polarized around their rulers like iron filings near a magnet. The noise of conversation diminished as Simba moved to stand in front of his group of lionesses. The hyenas parted to make way for Uhuru, who nodded at them. The two leaders contemplated each other silently for a moment, then Uhuru crouched, extending a forepaw before him. “Incosi aka Incosi. I touch your mane.”
Simba breathed a silent sigh of relief. “I feel it. Rise, my friend.” He blinked wearily; the events of the past several days had exhausted him terribly. Still, as he looked at the hyena standing before him, he felt supremely satisfied; his faith had been vindicated. His gaze moved to the hyenas standing to either side of Uhuru. Their appearance was similar in all respects; the poor creatures were slat sided and thin, their grey coats dull and staring. But they now stood shoulder to shoulder with a hyena that they had previously denounced not three days ago as a traitor. Uhuru had given them back their faith as well. Unlike Shenzi’s ragtag lot of hooligans, they had not sided with him for personal gain, but because they knew he would never betray them to save himself. Uhuru had returned their capacity to trust. Now it was time to give them back their hope.
Simba cleared his throat, a deep rumbling sound that carried clearly. “I say this before the gods, and the great kings of the past: the ban which great Ahadi placed on scavenging in the Pride Lands is over and done.” Eyes widened and heads turned on both sides as Simba continued. “There is no reason why you cannot live as Aiheu intended.”
For a heartbeat, dead silence reigned. Then a raucous cheer arose from the hyenas as they began to dance with joy. Uhuru sat amidst the tumlut, struck with wonder as his brethren flocked to Simba, falling prone before him and humbling themselves. “Ebu Simba,” they cried joyfully. “Roh’mach aka Roh’mach!”
Rafiki clapped the hyena on the shoulder, making him jump. “Congratulations, my friend. You handled Shenzi well.”
“Not as well as you did,” Uhuru grinned. “You planned that, didn’t you? You knew I was going to win.”
“My boy,” Rafiki chuckled, “I had no idea.” The mandrill walked to a low hummock of grass and sat down, grunting with relief. “So! What now? What are you going to do with yourself, now that you have the whole of the Pride Lands on your side?”
“I don't know, to be honest.” Uhuru looked at him. “I really don't like this, Rafiki. Simba should have chosen someone else to do this.”
“Why?”
“Maybe this could all have been avoided.”
“Indeed. We could have avoided this. We could still be fighting each other. Don't sell yourself short, Uhuru.” Rafiki rubbed his friend between the ears affectionately.
Uhuru grinned at him, then glanced at the crowd. "Look at them," he whispered.
Rafiki watched the hyenas as they streamed homeward in small groups, the night air filled with cries of happiness as they laughed and joked together, whooping gaily.
“I’ve not seen them like this since my childhood,” Uhuru said wonderingly. “You can feel it.”
“Even so. I told you of ‘The Peace of Asumini.’ Your children will know this as the beginning of ‘The Peace of Uhuru.’ A wonderful thing has been born, tonight. Nurture it. Care for it like you would your own son.”
“I want to! By the gods, I cannot leave my people now! But a son must bear love for his father, much as I do for you.” Uhuru looked at the mandrill, torn with indecision. “How can I leave you like this? Who will help you out at the tree? And don't you DARE tell me you’ll get by, Rafiki; I’ll not see you out in the fields pulling roots at your age!”
Rafiki laughed and patted Uhuru’s back. “Not to worry, friend. I’ll not argue that point with you. I have friends in the mandrill villages who will be willing to trade. There are enough strong backs there to keep me in my medicines.”
“But-”
“But nothing. Aiheu has shown you your place in this world. Don’t refuse him.” Rafiki reached out with both arms and embraced his friend. “Do not fret. You are making the right decision." Places his hand atop Uhuru's head. "Aiheu abamami, Uhuru. God bless. And Uhuru, go propose to Brill today. There is a saying among our people: ‘Harvest while the fruit awaits.’"
The hyena smiled. “You read my mind!” He turned to leave, but froze, staring at the last remaining hyena who stood, silently, waiting for him.
Rafiki peered at the figure. "Ah, is that her?"
"Yes," Uhuru said, captivated. "Isn't she beautiful?"
Rafiki scratched his head, musing over the hyannic features. "Er, ah, yes, of course. Her beauty shines from within," he said truthfully.
"Doesn't it?" Uhuru agreed. He padded over to Brill, nuzzling her on the cheek. She returned his caresses, then leaned on his shoulder, her head tucked under his. Rafiki watched as the two walked slowly away, their shapes fading into the darkness.