“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.