| Chapter Nineteen |
All was nearing readiness.
Vitani stood at the crest of the rise at the northern border. Striking out of one’s home into unknown and potentially
dangerous territory was nothing to sneeze at. But despite not having any cubs or even a mate of her own, she was
going to find those cubs. Whatever the obstacle standing in the way, be it prey, predator, man or mountain, Vitani was
not afraid. All such obstacles would be hunted down, weeded out, overrun or outsmarted.
Tanabi started towards the figure of the lioness on the hill. The grieving, mourning, angry, vengeful hunt mistress.
Tanabi found lionesses intimidating enough as it was, traveling with one that was just looking for an excuse to rip out
something’s jugular was not going to make for a fun trip. Why had he volunteered for this again?
Kovu stopped him. “Brother Prince, a moment please.” He still walked with a pronounced limp.
Tanabi turned and smiled. “Of course, Brother King.”
“Tanabi, first off, thank you for helping like this. Your knowledge and connections in that territory will be of great
worth. And let’s not insult each other’s intelligence; things will go a little smoother at Pride Rock without two kings.”
“The thought had crossed my mind, yes.”
“But there is just one more thing. Vitani is many things, but… well… my sister is a princess and a warrior, but she is
still a lioness. Still a female.” Tanabi was not quite catching his brother-in-law’s drift here. “She has recently suffered
the loss of her nephew after all, and she is vulnerable, no matter her exterior. And you, who will be traveling with her,
close to her, are a powerful, available lion…”
“Majesty! I hope I haven’t said or done anything to indicate I would try to take advantage of your sister’s current state
to…”
“No, Tanabi, it’s not that. Just remember: I married your sister. You owe me one.” Tanabi could not believe what he
was hearing, but Kovu wasn’t done yet. “If she should fall in love with you, I would consider it a personal insult if you
did not return the favor.” He looked on dumbfounded as the king turned and walked away smiling as he continued.
She’s my sister, you’re Simba’s heir. It’s a good match, yes?”
Zoay finally spotted her target, and entered the secluded clearing as a lion the size of a tribal human’s hut bowed low
to her. “Battlechief Xater, thank you for hiding here this whole time. Do you have their scents?”
“Of course, my Queen. Vitani fought at Izusa and is familiar to me. And this Tanabi is going to be easy: he has his
mother’s stride and his father’s scent.”
“Yes. I’m a little concerned about him and his brother Kopa returning to Pride Rock. They seem perfectly able
leaders and willing allies, but they are new to us. Nothing must jeopardize the future union of our two kingdoms. All our
plans hinge on it.”
“Yes, Highness. But we must first ensure the safe return of the heirs.”
“Of course. I retain cautious optimism. Jothra tells me that Jozay and Hope have found themselves in the company of
at least two other cubs of exceptional abilities. As for your part, follow a safe distance behind Tanabi and Vitani. If they
run into any serious trouble, aid them. Keep your ears open. And don’t worry about your warband. Your son Axel has
everything under control.”
“I hope so, my Queen. And Lord K’Tia and Lady Camiil are well suited to rule in your temporary absence.”
“Of course they are. They somehow managed to raise me, after all.”
And so it began. Prince Tanabi and Hunt Mistress Vitani ran along the ground, a warband of two, and Xater followed
behind, unbeknownst to the Pridelanders, a mountain of muscle on the move. A more determined band of lions couldn’
t be found anywhere on the savanna.
With the possible exception of the band of cubs that they were looking for.
Vitani stood at the crest of the rise at the northern border. Striking out of one’s home into unknown and potentially
dangerous territory was nothing to sneeze at. But despite not having any cubs or even a mate of her own, she was
going to find those cubs. Whatever the obstacle standing in the way, be it prey, predator, man or mountain, Vitani was
not afraid. All such obstacles would be hunted down, weeded out, overrun or outsmarted.
Tanabi started towards the figure of the lioness on the hill. The grieving, mourning, angry, vengeful hunt mistress.
Tanabi found lionesses intimidating enough as it was, traveling with one that was just looking for an excuse to rip out
something’s jugular was not going to make for a fun trip. Why had he volunteered for this again?
Kovu stopped him. “Brother Prince, a moment please.” He still walked with a pronounced limp.
Tanabi turned and smiled. “Of course, Brother King.”
“Tanabi, first off, thank you for helping like this. Your knowledge and connections in that territory will be of great
worth. And let’s not insult each other’s intelligence; things will go a little smoother at Pride Rock without two kings.”
“The thought had crossed my mind, yes.”
“But there is just one more thing. Vitani is many things, but… well… my sister is a princess and a warrior, but she is
still a lioness. Still a female.” Tanabi was not quite catching his brother-in-law’s drift here. “She has recently suffered
the loss of her nephew after all, and she is vulnerable, no matter her exterior. And you, who will be traveling with her,
close to her, are a powerful, available lion…”
“Majesty! I hope I haven’t said or done anything to indicate I would try to take advantage of your sister’s current state
to…”
“No, Tanabi, it’s not that. Just remember: I married your sister. You owe me one.” Tanabi could not believe what he
was hearing, but Kovu wasn’t done yet. “If she should fall in love with you, I would consider it a personal insult if you
did not return the favor.” He looked on dumbfounded as the king turned and walked away smiling as he continued.
She’s my sister, you’re Simba’s heir. It’s a good match, yes?”
Zoay finally spotted her target, and entered the secluded clearing as a lion the size of a tribal human’s hut bowed low
to her. “Battlechief Xater, thank you for hiding here this whole time. Do you have their scents?”
“Of course, my Queen. Vitani fought at Izusa and is familiar to me. And this Tanabi is going to be easy: he has his
mother’s stride and his father’s scent.”
“Yes. I’m a little concerned about him and his brother Kopa returning to Pride Rock. They seem perfectly able
leaders and willing allies, but they are new to us. Nothing must jeopardize the future union of our two kingdoms. All our
plans hinge on it.”
“Yes, Highness. But we must first ensure the safe return of the heirs.”
“Of course. I retain cautious optimism. Jothra tells me that Jozay and Hope have found themselves in the company of
at least two other cubs of exceptional abilities. As for your part, follow a safe distance behind Tanabi and Vitani. If they
run into any serious trouble, aid them. Keep your ears open. And don’t worry about your warband. Your son Axel has
everything under control.”
“I hope so, my Queen. And Lord K’Tia and Lady Camiil are well suited to rule in your temporary absence.”
“Of course they are. They somehow managed to raise me, after all.”
And so it began. Prince Tanabi and Hunt Mistress Vitani ran along the ground, a warband of two, and Xater followed
behind, unbeknownst to the Pridelanders, a mountain of muscle on the move. A more determined band of lions couldn’
t be found anywhere on the savanna.
With the possible exception of the band of cubs that they were looking for.
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Legal Note
Story and characters based off of The Lion King by Walt Disney Pictures.
Also based off of the author's The Lion King: Circle of Life, a revision of the author's original Legend of Destiny,
Copyright 2005, US Library of Congress TXu-1-234-761.
Characters appear and events are referenced from all three features -- The Lion King, The Lion King 1 ½ (distributed
internationally as The Lion King 3: Hakuna Matata), and The Lion King 2: Simba’s Pride -- and reference is also
made to events only depicted in The Lion King on Broadway production. The “Cub’s Quest” episodes also contain
material referencing The Rescuers Down Under by Walt Disney Pictures.
Like many Lion King fan writers, I was inspired and influenced by the works of fans who have gone before me, notably
the 'Chronicles of the Pridelands' and related works by John Burkitt and Dave Morris. The mythology behind the story
of the Sun and the Moon is drawn from their work 'The Leonid Saga'. It's also worthy of note that both of our stories
bear resemblance to the Genesis story. Mr Burkitt and Mr Morris have been out of contact with the TLK fan
community for years, and fan writers and artists both have been building upon their works for just as long or longer.
Nonetheless, I have managed to find Mr Burkitt's email address, and am seeking his official thumbs up. I will certainly
remove any reference to their works in mine upon their request, just as I'll delete the site itself if Walt Disney Pictures
tells me to.
-CJ Webster
Also based off of the author's The Lion King: Circle of Life, a revision of the author's original Legend of Destiny,
Copyright 2005, US Library of Congress TXu-1-234-761.
Characters appear and events are referenced from all three features -- The Lion King, The Lion King 1 ½ (distributed
internationally as The Lion King 3: Hakuna Matata), and The Lion King 2: Simba’s Pride -- and reference is also
made to events only depicted in The Lion King on Broadway production. The “Cub’s Quest” episodes also contain
material referencing The Rescuers Down Under by Walt Disney Pictures.
Like many Lion King fan writers, I was inspired and influenced by the works of fans who have gone before me, notably
the 'Chronicles of the Pridelands' and related works by John Burkitt and Dave Morris. The mythology behind the story
of the Sun and the Moon is drawn from their work 'The Leonid Saga'. It's also worthy of note that both of our stories
bear resemblance to the Genesis story. Mr Burkitt and Mr Morris have been out of contact with the TLK fan
community for years, and fan writers and artists both have been building upon their works for just as long or longer.
Nonetheless, I have managed to find Mr Burkitt's email address, and am seeking his official thumbs up. I will certainly
remove any reference to their works in mine upon their request, just as I'll delete the site itself if Walt Disney Pictures
tells me to.
-CJ Webster
| (Cubs' Quest Episode Three: The Sunlit Kingdom Introduction) |
