"I speak the words of Aiheu the Beautiful who breathed into our nostrils the breath of life: Come, let my children grow in grace and stature, and let my gift of life endure from generation to generation as long as the sun shall rise and set. And I place a sign among you that my favor endures forever."
It was to be a mantlement ceremony as held in the days of old. All of the celebrations would be strictly observed, including the one day moratorium on hunting that allows the animals of the Pride Lands to celebrate the prince's good fortune. Even the cheetahs and leopards were expected to abstain from blood, something that was probably unpopular with them, but they carried themselves with too much dignity and too little strength to complain. Misha was depressed. There would be no hunt that night for her to prove herself. Indeed, after a careful examination, Rafiki told her she would be off the hunt for at least a week.
To lift her flagging spirits, Nala asked her to sit with her during the mantlement ceremony. It was a place reserved for a sister or, had things gone well, an announced mate. Nala knew what Simba would never know--she had turned down the gift of another's blood. Nala respected her, and even considered pleading for an exemption so she could be wed on what should have been her son's perfect day. But as Simba reminded her, it was not just a custom, but a religious custom designed to protect the young and inexperienced.
The morning of the ceremony, space close to the rock was at a premium. The elephants and zebras came in close, followed shortly by the buffaloes and gazelles. The giraffes said they didn't mind being in the back because they were tall, but it was clearly noted that they fought their way forward over the course of a quarter hour until they were almost to the elephants.
Zazu stood on the tip of Pride Rock and looked over the huge assemblage. The speech he'd planned to make once for Mufasa came to mind the way Ahadi and Makedde had taught him and Rafiki had rehearsed him. He spread his wings, and the crowd came to a startlingly quick hush. Such was the power of the King and his representatives.
"I speak the words of Aiheu the Beautiful who breathed into our nostrils the breath of life: Come, let my children grow in grace and stature, and let my gift of life endure from generation to generation as long as the sun shall rise and set. And I place a sign among you that my favor endures forever."
Zazu, deeply moved, added, "Listen well, all of you. The sign has appeared once more on Prince Tanabi, the true son of the King. The gods have remembered us through him."
Tanabi came forward. At the sight of his new mane, short as it was, the crowd bowed deeply in silence. The sight of so many standing so quietly was unnerving. For a moment, he forgot about his troubles and straightened with pride.
Simba stood beside him to give the blessing. "Great are you Aiheu, father of all races. Anoint Tanabi, your chosen servant with the blood of mercy and rain of love. Fill him with the wind of freedom. Stand his feet on the soil of faith. Shine upon him with the light of knowledge. And through him, bless all flesh that holds you dear."
Quietly, Misha whispered, "And let him know how much I love him."
Nala touched her cheek with her tongue. "He knows, Honey Tree. He knows."
The ceremony, and Tanabi's speech, was not rushed. There was no need. And for those who would read the Chronicles of the Pride, the particulars are worth the effort. But Misha did not pay much attention. She was depressed, and after all the grand speeches and blessings were over, she slunk away silently to mope. Tanabi started to follow her, but was advised to give her some time alone.
That night, when the crowds were gone and quiet reigned once more, Tanabi looked out across the Pride Lands. "It is peaceful. Just for tonight there is no fear in any heart." He looked at Simba with a half smile. A zebra colt walked right up to me. He asked me what I was. Can you believe he didn't know what a lion was?"
"He came to you in his innocence. Remember that moment, " Simba said. "They have thoughts and feelings too. You must remember that zebra and never hunt for sport or kill cruelly. Son, I might have been born a Zebra, or an antelope. I would have loved my child no less than I love you here and now."
"So after all is said and done, it's all a matter of luck, isn't it?"
"That, yes. But we may go beyond luck through faith and courage, and rise to the challenge. Misha's love is courageous, and in time it will overcome all challenges. All she needs is to build her faith. You must help her believe in herself. You must believe in her."
"I wasn't talking about her, " Tanabi objected, but then he sighed deeply. "Who am I trying to fool."
SCENE: THE THREE OF US
Early the next morning, Tanabi showed up at Misha's den. "Good morning, Misha. It's a fine time for a walk--just the three of us."
"It IS lovely this time in the morning, " Zazu said in a very upbeat voice. "Misha, you know what Rafiki said about your shoulder. Let's start out with a nice short walk--loosen up the old muscles and put the spring back in your step."
"Anything to get back in the hunt, " Misha said tiredly. She stretched, wincing briefly as her shoulder pain flared up.
They walked away from Pride Rock, down the path to the watering hole. Though the ban was lifted, most animals kept only a convenient distance between themselves and a pair of talkative lions on an early morning stroll. Tanabi looked at a herd of skittish zebras, wondering if one of them was the colt he met the day before. "It's a shame we can't have a truce more often."
"Like today, perhaps?"
"Heavens, no! " He whispered to her, "Every day without you is an eternity."
"I think about you all the time, " Misha whispered back.
"I will wait for you, Misha. As long as it takes, I swear it."
"Don't make promises you might not be able to keep. I may not be any good at hunting, and you will come to forget me."
"You only have to be good once. I will never forget you. Your love is in the bones of me."
"Would you really wait for me, Tanabi?"
"I've always waited for you, haven't I?"
"I hear you love birds whispering down there, " Zazu said. "I hope it's not some sort of plan."
"Matter of fact it is a sort of plan, " Simba said. "A plan to get her well again."
Zazu fluttered down and lit on Tanabi's backbone. The smooth lion tread swayed Zazu ever so gently as he perched there. "Your Highness, I do sympathize. We hornbills have some rather ridiculous mating rituals too."
"Are you saying our laws are ridiculous?"
"Oh no, Your Highness. Just that while I'm not a good judge of lion beauty, I know a natural pair when I see one. When a hornbill and his mate are that struck on each other, all it takes are a few flutters and squawks--no more than a dozen or so--to cinch the deal."
"Flutters and squawks?"
"You know...." Zazu flapped his wings quickly, shook his tail feathers and went, "Squ-WAWK! Squ-WAWK! "
Misha laughed. "So that's what woke me up this morning! "
"Heavens, no! " Zazu folded his wings indignantly. "Madam, I am more discrete with my private life than the neighborhood riffraff. Where I come from...."
Misha's ears snapped to attention. She froze in her tracks.
"What's up?" Zazu asked.
"Hssssh! "
There was a rumbling. The ground tremored expectantly. Seconds later, a group of antelope came bursting from the thicket and charging blindly toward them. Zazu had to fly hard and fast get out of the way. From the air, he could just see the lionesses that started the stampede. "This sort of thing doesn't go on in the morning. What are they trying to do?"