She sighed softly, “I had been thinking it...but I don’t know what to do or where to go. I’m tired of running...”

He shook his head, “Then you don’t have to go. I will talk to my wife and get her to end these attacks. She is a queen...and it is far time she acted it.”

She smiled softly, “You would do that for me?”

He nodded and chuckled, “She may be the queen...but you are also important to me. She can’t be doing this to you...it’s unfair. You see, my dear, she’s very jealous of you.”

“Jealous? Of me?”

“Yes. That’s what was wrong when you came to cub-set. I wasn’t upset at you. I was just afraid what Ujuzi would think, but frankly I won’t hurt your feelings just to spare hers.”

She smiled softly, “I understand now. I’m not worried that she was jealous--it explains a lot. But I’d hate to think I lost your friendship.”

“You never will. She’ll have to learn to deal with her jealousy some other way than victimizing you. Now we spend much time together. And I won’t lie to you--you’re a very beautiful lioness and I couldn’t help but notice that. But there’s no one for me but Ujuzi. I’d never dream of cheating on her.”

“And I’d never dream of breaking up your marriage. But you are a dear, sweet thing and I’m very fond of you. I like to think my brother might have been like you.” She sat up and moved her head to give a lick to his cheek. “I will leave if my presence here is a burden on you.”

In the cover of the grasses...a pair of eyes shown through. after seeing the shows of affections, the owner of the eyes pulled back, further into the grass.

CHAPTER: A STOLEN GLANCE

Wehu couldn’t believe what she just saw...the new lioness--her dear friend--going after her father. At first she didn’t believe what her mother told her about Elanna. She always saw her as being a kind, caring lioness, and she never thought Elanna would try to steal her father away. She had tried to dismiss her mother, but Ujuzi had persisted and convinced to keep an eye open. Maybe her mother was right...maybe she was trying to steal father.

Slowly she appeared in a clearing...her mother already waiting there for her. “Well?” the elder lioness asked.

Wehu’s head hung low, “She kissed him...”

Ujuzi grinned, “See...I told you that she was trying to steal him from me. Now...what are we going to do about this fallen queen?”

Wehu blinked, “We? Mother...I don’t know what really happened. I couldn’t hear what they were talking about. All I saw was her give him a innocent little lick.”

“Daughter...I know what I feel from my husband. She is moving in on me and I won’t have it.”

“And I won’t get involved in something I don’t know what is happening. Don’t ask me of this. Elanna is my friend...I trust her.”

“Who do you trust more...this ‘friend’ who just got here within a moon...or your mother who gave you life and kept you alive? Do you expect me to throw away six years of marriage? Six LONG years that I’ve hunted for him, carried cubs for him, picked him up when he fell down! Comforted him when he wept! Six LONG years. And what do I ask of you, my own flesh and blood? For all the love and care I’ve given you? This one thing alone I’ve asked. That you help me against this viper that would come between your father and I! Honey Tree, you’re young. You don’t see things the way my older and wiser eyes do. Where do your loyalties lie--tell me, daughter.”

Wehu just stood there, stunned at her mother’s attitude. She was about ready to answer when a rustling sound from the distance. Her mother hushed her as the king appeared through the grass. “Hello you two.” He moved to join the two lionesses, “Wehu...would you excuse me and mother for a few moments, I have to talk to her.”

Wehu looked to her mother and father, then nodded, “All right...I’ll be around.” With that, she disappeared into the grass.

The king turned to his wife, “Why are you harassing Elanna, dear? Why did you bring up cubs in front of her like that?”

Ujuzi shook her head, putting on her best act, “Dear...I didn’t know about her and cubs. I just thought I would mention it to her.”

“I told you about her problem. Don’t you remember?”

“Oh...if you say so, dear...it must have slipped my mind. I’m sorry...I really didn’t mean to hurt her feelings.”

“It seems like you are trying to make her life difficult here. She has been through a lot in her life. Please...for her...for me...give her some slack and make her feel welcomed here. Everyone but you seem to love her.”

Ujuzi moved closer to him, and nuzzled him, taking a moment to catch Elanna’s scent on his cheek. “Of course my husband...I will.” She pulled back as thought went through her mind, “I will be nice to her.”

Mabongo smiled, “Thank you love...now if you will excuse me, I need to finish my patrol.” He gave her another nuzzle and continued on his way.

Ujuzi sat down, waiting a short time before calling out, “Wehu...come on out.” Wehu appeared a short time later, sitting beside her. “We need to do something to Elanna...she is the evil one here...not my husband.”

Wehu shook her head, “No mother...please...I don’t want to be involved.”

Ujuzi looked at her coldly, “You will help me...remember that I am your mother...your queen...and the lioness that got you the title you hold. How would you like me to give your title to another lioness. I know Kiesi would love to be hunt mistress.”

She looked at her mother and sighed, “All right...all right...I’ll help you.”

Ujuzi almost wept. “My darling, my firstborn, I know I’ve asked a lot of you, but Sweetie, I’ll make it up to you, I swear!” She nuzzled her daughter who returned the nuzzle desperately and kissed her mother.

“Please Mom, let’s not argue any more.”

“Of course, Sweetie! If you want to know who loves you, and who would never take advantage of you, it’s your mother.” Ujuzi pawed her cheek and kissed her. “You relied on me when you were young and weak. Now Honey Tree I’m growing old and weak and I need someone I can rely on.”

Just...don’t ask me not to hurt her.”

Ujuzi smiled. “Hurt her? No, your father would be furious if someone hurt her. But she might have an accident.”

“An accident??”

Ujuzi smiled innocently. “Maybe it’s time we gave Lannie poo another chance to hunt.” The queen leaned over and started to whisper into Wehu’s ear. Wehu eyes went wide as the plan was passed to her.

CHAPTER: THE STORY

Elanna had settled back among the cubs, relating a story of her and Sarabi during happier times. The cubs...and even Darky...were sitting around her in silence as she talked about how they played and got in trouble with Muffy and Taka. Slowly though, as the story continued and the memories flooded back into her mind, tears began to form in Elanna’s eyes.

The cubs noticed this and Inwiena spoke up, “Auntie Elanna...this is a fun story...why are you crying?

Elanna smiled to her, using a paw to wipe her eyes, “Dearie...it’s just bringing back memories...good memories...before me and my sister got mad at each other.”

“You and your sister still fight?”

She shrugged, “I don’t know...it’s been so long since I have seen her...I do miss her though.”

“Why not go back then?”

Elanna chuckled and sighed, “It’s not quite that easy...if I thought I could, I would.”

Inwiena looked back to Ibura, her sister, “We fight...but we always say we sorry and we still love each other.” She looked back to Elanna, “Maybe you go say that to your sister?” She moved and placed a paw on Elanna, “Then you won’t cry no more.”

“Anymore.” Elanna licked the top of the cub’s head, “Maybe ...perhaps. If only I saw the world through your eyes...none of this would have happened.” She nuzzled the cub and smiled, “You have something special, a sister that loves you unconditionally...I only wish I had the same.”