Between Love and War

    Once upon a time deep in the Congolese forest lived a tribe of Bambuti. They lived off the land and raised their descendants in likeness of them. They were a peaceful yet Powerful tribe. No outsiders were allowed to infiltrate their peaceful land. The King of the tribe Jaja is a very noble King and he has a very strong leadership over the Bambuti people, his wife Adanna is adored just as much as her King. There are hundreds of men, women, and children living in this forest village among the animals and all the Gathering is done by the men while the women make sure the village is well kept and rule over the wellbeing of their men and young.     Jaja and Adanna were united young by their families both born of Kings who were killed off in an attempted invasion of their village. The Village men all of positive stature and strength passed on the fallen Kings legacy to the chosen children of the tribe. In their village the their Queens would rule together until the children were ready to take the throne. Unlike most Dynasties they were equal to their people and they all have riches and rights to the land. The only way to be condemned from the village is to bring outsiders in. Jaja's father Addae learned this the hard way almost overthrown in their own land and almost losing his life. Adanna's Father Eze saved him and the village men fought off the outsiders with bamboo machetes that were so sharp they could cut trees.     Outsiders would often come here because the land was so rich with all things, fish, fresh fruit and berries, honey, and the women are so beautiful it is the most amazing sight! The most sought after possessions though were the diamonds that grew in the rocks and once it was discovered it was often a fight to protect the Village from being taken. Addae and Eze ruled side by side and died side by side protecting the village from savage outsiders who were coming in the forest at night trying to steal the diamonds. Jaja's mother Amare and Adanna's mother Bolade was protected with their babies until the fight was over. They fought for hours and lost twenty men, including the two Kings. The village built their village back up even stronger and raised the future rulers because they were chosen by the Ancestors to bring forth life and protection to the village.     Now, the village is a magnificent place it has many more additions to the tribe and amongst them Adanna and Jaja are expecting their first child. Jaja is now faced with the task of choosing a second King to replace Eze because Adanna was a female and married off. Her father's throne goes to the most nobel protector, fighter and the most loyal warrior. Jaja has just the right man in mind. Gamba! he thinks would make a great King to rule side by side. Gamba is not married and is one of the most strongest warriors that this village has. Who would be better than Gamba? Jaja and Gamba grew up together learning the rights to passage and learning to be protectors all their life. Gamba is fierce and compassionate when it comes to his village and it's people. Gamba has always had a soft spot in Adanna's heart and they all grew alongside each other in the village. Gamba is a tall, structured, bronze brown skin with the brightest smile and wide strong brown eyes that could look through your soul. This is why when JaJa suggested to Adanna that he should crown Gamba. A smile lit her bronze face and she said "this would be a wonderful thing".     King Jaja now has his future warrior King to rule alongside. Now he needed his mother's consent. Although Jaja is King his mother still has to consent over his rulings to ensure reason. The elders are always a part of major decisions when it came to the kingdom and the village. Jaja runs in his mother's beautifully made hut and through the tunnel to her room shouting " Mother I am excited to say I think Gamba should be King"!? Amare turns with her still youthful smile and says " I knew it would be Gamba and you have my consent". With excitement he said "We will celebrate and crown Gamba at once"! Jaja sent an announcement out through the village to meet in the village circle to crown the new King.     As the village surrounds the village circle they still don't know who will be King all the warriors are there with anxiousness. It is every warriors' dream to become King and have the energy of the Ancestors behind them to guide them in protecting these precious lands. Adanna is on her throne and awaits Jaja with his news for the village. JaJa takes place on his throne their mothers beside them. JaJa begins to speak the crowd is silent, " I have decided on a King". He continued " I call Gamba! to be crowned and the second king of the forest". Gamba is delighted to hear his name but, he already knew that he was the strongest warrior he even thought to himself even stronger than King Jaja. He knelt before Adanna and kissed her hand and show gratitude for her support in Kings Jaja's choice. She leaned forward and whispered " He already had his mind made up". The Queen gave a soft smile with her beautiful glowing face radiant from the nourishment of the Sun and pregnancy. She secretly made Gamba melt and he felt that she should have been for him but, he and King Jaja grew up so close he tried to refrain from showing his real feelings for Adanna.     King Gamba was crowned and life in the village was going good the gatherings were fruitful and the village was blossoming. As Adanna nears the end of her pregnancy she ready herself for childbirth. King Gamba found a moment where he could have a moment with the Queen. "Can we talk Adanna?" "Yes what is it King Gamba?" His eyes scrolling her with a burning passion only he hoped he could feel, from her crown to her long black braids, making his ways to pouty lips down to her plump breasts and larger n*****s due to her child baring stopping on her round full belly full of baby. He smiles and says" How are you feeling?" She smiles and takes a seat in a bed of shrubbish freshly picked for her every sunrise, "I'm doing fine and I am excited to meet our future King, JaJa is convinced it is a boy and I just want a healthy baby." Gamba went on to tell her if there was anything she needed don't hesitate he knew JaJa as supreme ruler was a lot more busier and was out alot more talking with other villages and their Kings. They would often trade amongst other villages and grant access to their resources for trading purposes. Most would only deal with JaJa because they knew his father King Addae, he was admired by all the village leaders for his giving, caring heart, and also for his tremendous ability to ward off intruders so much so that they wouldn't come back.     Days go by and Gamba can not keep Adanna out of his mind her round belly is so beautiful he knows that he must find a wife to carry on his warrior legacy. Gamba has had his eyes on Abebi, she is strong and is the daughter of a strong warrior Folami and beautiful mother Abeni she would make a beautiful Queen he thought. No woman available in the village would not want to be Gamba's wife he is a strong protector, although Abebi is not easily impressed because of the great warrior father who raised her Gamba wants her. Abebi also grew up in the Village with Queen Adanna, King Jaja and King Gamba they were all raised close in their village. Gamba sends a messenger to call for a ceremony to choose a wife. As the news starts to float through the village Abebi is especially happy and wants to be chosen because she has always has been attracted to Gamba. Abebi seen his love for Adanna the way he looked at her and was always protective over her. Abebi had made an assumption and didn't think he was ready to take a wife. Abebi is opposite of Adanna she is taller has a more slender structure and slightly younger, yet equally as stunning.     As the ritual starts and the women available of the village dance Gamba never takes his eyes off of Abebi, as Abebi makes her way around the circle Gamba reach for her. Still pulsating from the beat of the drum Abebi and Gamba move close and he also is pulsating from the beat. King JaJa announces I think King Gamba has chosen a Queen. The ritual goes on and is now a celebration. Abebi is taken back with joy that she was chosen and is genuinely happy. They continue to celebrate until Gamba takes his wife and they spend their first night together. As the sun rises in the morning the King is awake and have already meditated with the morning, and now looking over his sleeping new wife she has silky smooth skin and its glowing with the morning sun as he softly kiss her lips she smiles "Grand rising my King". Gamba is warm and full with her sweet voice and he imagines spending the rest of his days with her. "Grand rising my Queen", he reply with a soft kiss to her hand that's so small inside his. Gamba has work to do so he leaves his Queen to her new throne and starts off for the day with King Jaja.     King Jaja is pleased that Gamba has taken a wife and even more so because Gambas' first born if female will be married to his first born and will keep the tradition of the ancestors from the village of thousands of years. On the other hand if both Kings have boys they will be raised and prepared to guard and rule the village. King Jaja and Gamba set off early Jaja knows Adanna is getting closer to birth and wants to be near for the birth of his first born. "Everyday is closer to Adannas' birth, I have to be there but, if I can not you stand in for me and make sure she is ok", he told Gamba. "I will do whatever I can King", Gamba said. Gamba didn't need to be told to look after Adanna because he has always did just that. When they were children in the village he was always watching over her after all Gamba has always been a warrior as long as he could walk and talk. Gamba is now a King but, he is a warrior first after all this is why JaJa made Gamba the warrior King.     Adanna takes to Abebi right away they greet each other Adanna asks her to accompany her for a walk through the village, Adanna wants nothing more than Gamba to be happy and Abebi to be comfortable with her new position as his wife. They grew up together but, Abebi always felt out of Adannas' league she was rougher than Adanna and liked to be around warriors. Abebi watching Adanna dote over the baby to come has her longing for a pregnancy of her own and knows it wouldn't be long before she will experience the love and joy of bringing the King a child . In this village the children are a gift from God the children are to keep the village tradition and its integrity, the children are the future of the village. Abebi is still adjusting as the Queen of Gamba and is quiet and observant of Adanna. Abebi has a natural warrior spirit but, has to soften herself for her position, as she feels she has to protect the village that is the job of the Kings and warriors once taken by the King her duty is to protect the future child. Queen Adanna tire quickly at this stage and asks Queen Abebi to accompany her back to the village they had a nice walk now its time for Adanna to relax. Queen Abebi goes back out to insure that the food is properly prepared and portioned, she also observes that the village is kept tidy and everything is in order there. Just before sun down the Kings and warriors return with more cloth for garments for the children being born, and more food supply for the entire village. Gamba also returned with jewelry he picked from the diamond rock and will have an elder make his new wife pieces to be worn as symbolism of her status.     As sun rise King JaJa is called to an outside village that supplies his village with coal for cooking. They are being infiltrated by another village and he has to go make peace between the two. Sometimes he would just be a mediator and sometimes he'd have to help them fight but, usually it didn't go that far with his peaceful tone and heart. Adanna was uncomfortable through the night and he fear being away but, has a duty to do for his extended families. JaJa made certain that Gamba was aware that today might be the day and to stay near by. The day start without incident and Gamba takes his daily walk through the forest to make sure that there was no intruders and to be sure that he has secured the village for the day. He can hear in a distance commotion at the village. It's in distance so he can't hear what's actually gong on. He knows that Adanna was not quite up and moving around which is not like her.As he nears the village Bolade is seen running inside King JaJas hut with a bucket of water and cloth. The birth is happening and usually in the village the men stood by and the elder Mothers' delivered the child, Gamba peeked inside and the Queen is in a squatting position while her mother Amare holds her up and Bolade cleans her and soothes her in preparation for the baby. This agony goes on for a couple of hours and Gamba drifts to sleep just by the entrance. It is not long after he drifts he hears whaling screams that startles him awake and then there is a long silence, it seemed like forever. As he waits to hear something , anything, then there is a cry of a baby and laughter. Bolade yells out " It's a boy Adanna you have a Prince".      Gamba take a deep breath of relief because both mom and son are fine and made it through the birthing process. He wait for the mothers' to clean Adanna and baby. Amare says " What shall we call him?" Gamba can hear the excitement in Adannas voice still slightly shaky she reply " My King said we will call him Adeyemi because he is fit to be king!" Amare and Bolade are heard cleaning and helping Adanna nurse young Adeyemi, then Amare step out and whisper to Gamba " mother and child are doing fine you may see them now." Gamba could hardly wait to to see Adanna after her screams he was just trying to check on her well being. Gamba enter  Bolade greets him and let Adanna know if she need her, she is not far and don't hesitate to send for her she then leave them alone. Gamba take a seat near her feet on the bed as she lay cuddling the small prince. They both smile and tears form in her eyes. Gamba had to ask he was hesitant but, needed to be sure " Is he mine?"      Adanna is hurt by the question yet, know deep down inside she has been harboring a dark secret. She is silent as she thinks back.It was that night when the King was away herself and Gamba, she tried to forget but, couldn't. What started innocently as she complained to Gamba that whenever JaJa is called he is gone and she is left alone. Gamba looked so handsome standing there being the man JaJa wasn't and just listening to her after all he was her confidant and friend. Suddenly their eyes met and she was in his arms. The passionate intertwine of her soft lips and his led to his strong hands on her breast and his  deep long thrust led ecstasy and her son. Soon after she started to have symptoms of pregnancy, from then she knew she was carrying Gambas' child she could not tell a soul. King JaJa was over joyed about his first born how could this ever get out it would destroy him, them! It was not uncommon for the men in the village to take more than one wife but, it was shamed upon if a woman went outside her husband especially the Queen. This is the conclusion of my preview for Part 1 of my short story the rest is epic! If you would like the rest of the story like, follow and please feel free to leave feedback .