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.’”