LionHeart. The Lion King

LionHeart

~CHAPTER ONE~
The afternoon sun was a bit much today and it was evident from how the hunting dogs were panting. He had success on today's hunt compared to the hunt of two days ago; He continued walking down the path when he spotted Michael from afar. Michael really does not like participating in his hunt and he often tried to hide his disgust for the idea of hunting down animals. In all sincerity, Lionel was not sure as to the reason why a full grown man would hate hunting with such passion. Hunting is a man's sport and a true test of masculinity where the strongest gets food.
"I am so glad to see you. I was worried when Amahle told me that you had gone hunting."
"What brought you out here to hunt with me Michael," Lionel asked.
Michael took his gaze away from the antelope hanging around Lionel's neck resisting the urge to puke. He faced the ground much to the amusement of Lionel who understood well enough the reason why is childhood friend won't look at him in the face.
"There is a media crew in the town and they wish to study the life of our people."
A frown crossed over Lionel's face at the idea of having a media crew in among his people. They don't have any reason to let the foreigners know about their way of life since they were not interested in theirs. Michael knew that Lionel was not going to be pleased with the idea of media crew wandering among their people but Michael knew that this was important. The Zulu nation had kept away from the outside world as much as possible and most of the young ones who left always return back. Michael and Lionel for example, went to the London to get their degree and yet they chose to return back to live amidst their people but this was not the same with everyone who had left. Some had left and forgot their heritage entirely.
"I have to welcome them as King of the Zulu nation right? That was why you came to find me in order to have me prepared," Lionel said.
"You pretty much have everything I had in mind."
"I don't like this idea of letting foreigners put our life into a documentary."
"Yes, I understand Lionel," Michael said. "But we need the exposure that they would bring to us."
Lionel simply nodded and continued walking on with Michael a few distance behind. He would have to take on his role as Umvikeli wezwe which meant 'Protector of the Motherland." This is a title that has been passed down his ancestral line and it was one that he bore with pride.
"Also, you might want to keep Einstein away from them considering what he did to a member of the media crew."
Einstein is Lionel's pet monkey and he got the name because he was too smart for a monkey. If only he could talk then he would be smarter than a lot of men. Lionel knew that he was smarter than a lot of men he had meant from the conversation they both have.
With the title of Umvikeli Wezwe, came powers and gifts of which one of them was speech with animals. The secret was not public knowledge and former protectors wished it that way to prevent anyone from trying to exploit the ability. Everyone was however well aware of the transformational ability which changes from one protector to another. His father, the former king and protector, had the form of a tortoise for his transformation ability. This often gave him more respect when it came to argument since the tortoise was viewed as a symbol of wisdom, stability and longevity. During his time, it was something that their nation had enjoyed
With him rising to the position of the Protector of the Motherland, things changed a bit since he does not have the animal form of his father but things were still as good as they were during his father's time though there were still a few issues.
"I have made it clear that no one should let them know about the ability of the Protector of the Motherland," Michael said, bringing Lionel out of his thoughts.
He had not thought of that but that was the reason he was glad that he has Michael since he would do the worrying about that.
The two of them continued in the direction of the nation moving at a face pace that was easy for Michael to catch up with. If Lionel was alone, he would have gotten to the nation by now but that would mean he would have to leave Michael far behind and that was not something he could do even if the idea seemed fun.
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Several Zulu towns were spread all over the Zulu nation and each had a chief all of who are in the council that come together to discuss the affairs of their people every full moon. Lionel walked into his town smiling at the little children who shouted with joy at seeing him. His father had told him many times as a kid that the key to the heart of his people was kindness, compassion and strength. Since his time as Protector, he had ensured that he acted based on those three characteristics.
The media crew were standing in the square waiting for him. He passed by them to drop of his hunt before coming to face them and listen to whatever it was that they have to say.
"Lionel you are back from hunting," Amahle, his sister said.
He had two other sisters and a brother, all who had moved away from the Zulu nation to the outside world. His sisters apart from Amahle were happily married and his brother was going to get married in the next few months which often left people wondering when he was going to get married. He knew that he would have to give an heir who would have to take his place as Protector when he passes away but he was yet to find the right woman.
"Lionel, they are waiting for you," Michael said as he entered.
"Calm yourself down. I am coming out now after I have a drink."
He soon had a cup in his hand and a look from Amahle showed him that she was also interested in meeting their guests. There was the usual flood of tourists and explorers who come to see their land and they all proved to be a good source of income for his people but never has there been a media crew who was interested in doing a documentary on him and the Zulu nation.
There have been several documentaries in the past but none had been focused on talking about the Protector of the homeland. He still does not like the idea of this but he knew it was something that he has to do since it was going to be a sure means of publicity for his people.
"Fine, let's go and meet your friends," Lionel said to Michael.
The both of them walked outside towards the media crew who had already spotted them. Lionel had a rather odd appearance to people since he stood at 6'2 and had a heavy dread which had suddenly appeared with his crowning s the Protector of the Motherland. They came to stand right in front of the media crew who looked at Lionel in astonishment for a few minutes before Michael spoke.
"This is the Umvikeli wezwe known as the......"
"Protector of the Motherland," a voice said.
Both Michael and Lionel turned over to the voice and saw one of their one amidst the media crew. Michael knew that Lionel was not going to like the idea of a Zulu coming to talk about what should be the secret of their people. He was right and he could see that Lionel was somewhere close to telling them that there was not going to be any documentary so he acted quickly.
"It is nice to see that a Zulu is among you and she would be able to point out to you things that we might not like included in the documentary."
The woman was now standing close to Lionel and Michael and she held Lionel's stare which impressed Michael greatly. Ever since he became the Protector, Lionel's personality had changed a little though not for bad actually but he tends to emit a strange aura that commanded authority and respect.
"It would be a pleasure to work with you Protector," she said.
"My name is Lionel and I would prefer that you call me that."
Silence followed and Michael was wondering how he would cool the tension that was starting to build up in the air and that was when Amahle popped up. Her jovial and friendly nature was what he needed right at the moment since she was the only one who can get Lionel to calm down at the moment.
"Is everything going all right brother?" She asked.
"Everything is going fine Amahle and I would like you to meet the media crew who came from Cape Town to do a documentary on me and our nation."
The tension was broken as Amahle went about greeting each of the crew though Lionel was still engaged in a battle of will with the Zulu woman but for now things were alright and Michael knew it was best to get Lionel away from them for now. In fact, it was best that both the media crew and Lionel avoid each other as much as possible since any slight provocation could cause to Lionel telling them to pack their things. The Zulu nation needed this documentary since it would bring out the Protector of the Motherland to the outside world and that was going to be honey that would attract several tourists to their present tourist's stream.