I. Painful Treatment
The new order of living on Priderock was – what admitted almost everyone – strange, but for then no one had better idea. Pridelanders were still living in main complex, including royal cave and few smaller rooms and Outlan... I mean: Golden Pride took as own back chambers, once used by Scar and previous generation of Golden Ones. Few lionesses, old enough to remember those times were unrest – history made a full circle and once again on lions keep two prides were living in fragile harmony. In fact subjects were exhausted of war, coup d’etats, deceits and constant danger, so lionesses were event too tired to feel hostility towards each other. But war was still a fresh experience and – what was quite obvious – rulers were still living with recent past.
That morning Kovu stayed on Priderock only with Yakta. Lionesses had gone on hunting (two prides separately) and Tanabi had decided to visit Green Den. Golden King was close to go with him, but ultimately he chose to stay. He had something to talk about with Yakta.
Redmaned lion was a strange figure on Priderock. He was a strong male and in normal conditions every ruler would be anxious about eventual rival. But Kovu would have rather suspect Yakta for being meerkat that for slightest thought of disloyalty. Son of Shakisa was strange element in both prides – on the fist look completely useless, but somehow appeasing every growing conflict. Also he was like a shadow stepping behind Kovu, still reminding him, who he was. It was unbearable – to be each day ordered to rule.
“What do you need, my lord?” asked redmaned.
Both lions were on back ledge of Priderock, in front of entrance to small cavern, once private chamber of Scar and Zira. In those days it became the private chamber of Kiara and Kovu. It was placed on south-west side of keep, so then was in deep shade. Yakta had been lying on path uphill, but when Kovu came, instantly stood up with readiness both to serve and advice, what always was extremely disturbing Golden King.
“Need...” repeated lion with thoughtful voice. Suddenly he woke up from reverie and looked on Yakta with almost angry stare. “Do you know what I need? I need judgement and most likely solid punishment!” Yakta didn’t change is stoical expression and replied.
“I think that everyone needs to be judged, sometimes punished.”
Kovu once again asked himself if Yakta’s folly and naive appearance wasn’t just a mask that lion was wearing to cover irony and some kind of malicious intelligence. But in that moment redmaned was looking on his ruler with so honest and simple-hearted stare that Kovu again left that idea.
“You know what I mean!” he gasped. With fear he discover he was starting to be angry, because nothing on earth would drives him mad in so much as Yakta’s stoical calmness. “You should be the king, not I!” Finished ruler.
“I beg your pardon, sir?” replied redmaned. When Kovu murmured with anger, second lion added. “I’m afraid that is impossible. I’m your and lady Kiara’s subject.”
“I could free you from any oath.”
“But I still wouldn’t be royal descendant, sir.” Noticed redmaned, as if he was treating king’s words as grave serious.
“You would find some princes to marry.” Said Kovu, still not knowing why he was talking that.
“It not so simple, sir.” Answered Yakta. “I’m afraid I’m not gifted to be a ruler.”
“I heard that children inherit their intelligence after mothers.”
“Sometimes I’m not sure about it.” Replied redmaned still looking with calm stare on king. Kovu narrowed his head for few second thinking if it was some kind hidden allusion to him. But Yakta’s eyes were still so honest and simple-hearted that...
“Stop it!” called lion. “Don’t look on me like that!”
“Like what, sir?” asked Yakta with his natural courtesy.
“Like... that!” king went to redmaned, stopped just in front of him and looked in his eyes. “Show what you feel. I just can’t believe that you just ignored that what I did during Battle of Reunion! How could you be loyal to someone who wasn’t loyal to cause you support?” Yakta was silent. “Judge me!” called Kovu with even louder voice. “You are so smart with all those royal laws. I want you to judge me!”
“I know just the dead formulas.” Replied redmaned with his normal, indifferent tone. “Only king speaking it and applying it, makes the law.”
Blackmaned raised his right paw, extended claws and hit the ground below him with anger. He roared quietly, closing eyes, then took few deeper breaths.
“Yakta, I humbly ask you to judge me. Not as the king... as Kovu, just a lion.” When redmaned said nothing in a while, he added. “Please.”
And then something changed. Yakta inhaled deeply, started to walk, passing by his ruler. He started to speak, but different – with some new tone in his voice. Kovu never heard redmaned speaking in that way.
“As You wish, sir.” Said lion. “But I must ensure you that everything I will say is not about Golden King, just about Kovu of Outland.” In that moment blackmaned realised he actually didn’t want to hear what his subject had to say. “I studied recent history of both prides and was thinking about your role in it... sir.” He added official form of address after few seconds, as if he initially forget about it. “And it looks amazing indeed. I think a bit too amazing... to recall it.” But because Kovu said nothing, Yakta continued. “It’s hard to believe, but in one day of battle you contributed to death of your brother, you left your mother in distress and betrayed the memory of your father... In fact – you betrayed memory of two lions you could name <father>.” In progress Yakta turned from indifferent speech almost to growl. “I describe it as <amazing>, because in one day you disowned more than I have in whole my life... sir!” finished with half-shout.
Kovu felt shunned. In fact he asked Yakta for talk because he had been sure that lion wouldn’t criticise his ruler. But blunt truth, said by redmaned was burning like fire. Blackmaned sat on the rock, hiding his head in shoulders. After about minute of silence, interrupted only by breathing of lions. Finally Kovu asked with almost weeping voice.
“So... what I should do?”
“Who you’ve hurt?” asked Yakta with sharp tone.
“Mother...” whispered Kovu.
“So what you could do now, to make up for it?”
“I don’t know!” yelled Kovu.”
“Wrong answer! You know it well...” replied Yakta, with no sign of recent courtesy towards king. For that short moment a jurist became a judge. “What she loved... except of you and your siblings?”
“Scar...”
“Your sister took care about memory of king Scar.” Said Yakta. “That is not your quest. What then?”
“Pride... her pride...” whispered Kovu. He looked on Yakta, who was still - angry and severe – watching his king. “And land... pride and kingdom are one.” Added blackmaned. “I must revive the Golden Sands... I must... lead the pride back!” finished Kovu, surprised by what he was saying.
“Those are word of wisdom, sir.” Said Yakta, instantly returning to his natural, polite tone. All signs of recent anger vaporised in one moment. “It’s good to have so conscientious ruler.”
Before Kovu managed to reply or even react, redmaned jumped down from ledge on path below and disappeared over the rock’s corned. King was gazing after him for a while, but he didn’t hear a whisper of his subject.
“Well, my queen.” Said Yakta to unseen auditor. “We have much work to do. I’m sure we could teach your son everything he needs.”
*
Spotty didn’t intend to eavesdrop. It was a pure coincidence that she was there in that moment and she heard some from Kovu’s talk with Yakta. If she had choice she would hadn’t hear a word. She dropped a haunch of adaks – which she was bringing home from hunting – and froze for long time, waiting for Yakta to go away. Finally, when lion entered some on minor caves on southern slope, she took meat again in her jaws and ascended on path.
“Sir, your lunch.” Said, stopping in the entrance to Kovu’s cave. King went from inside, still confused, barely paying any attention on his subject.
“Ow, thank you.” Said and automatically took a haunch.
“Queen send me here to bring you meal.” Said Spotty. “Do you need something more or I should get back to pride?”
“E... what?” asked ruler, lost in thoughts, whom words of lionesses seemed to wake from slumber.
“Has something happened, my lord?” asked Spotty with concerned voice. She was actually concerned and worried, but not exactly about what was troubling blackmaned.
“No, it’s nothing.” Replied Kovu. “Go back to Kiara...”
Huntress nod her head in bow, then turned back and started to descend on savannah. It was a bad moment to ask him. But if there would be better? Every day is improper if we want to do something hard. But it had to be done.
*
Kiara was on the lead of Outlandresses and she was feeling terrible. She knew that her subjects were almost crawling along, being careful not to overtake her. Young queen was exhausted, opposite to her team. Golden lionesses after day of running and chasing were a bit tired but also ready to do twice an effort if it was necessary. Kiara was barely standing and walking with heavy steps. With all her might she was trying to move on her own, because she knew that her lionesses were ready to take her on backs, just like some game’s meat.
Two months from Battle of Reunion and month from abdication of Simba had changed lot. Kiara’s pride was no longer pack of Outlanders but Golden Lionesses. Just few weeks of proper feeding on fertile plains turn skinny outcasts into healthy and strong creatures. Muscular silhouettes of females were nothing like those skeletons who had been fighting Simba. If then – what was, of course, impossible – another conflict divide prides, Pridelanders would be quickly squashed by deadly trained, then being in perfect condition, desert ones. Kiara shook that strange thoughts off and made another heavy steep. Just next to her were walking Danti and Ostasi, as if they were waiting to support monarchess.
“That is not far, ma’am.” Murmured Danti quietly. Kiara almost gasped from shame, cursing herself for showing the weariness.
But then they all noticed Pridelandresses. There a situation was quite opposite – whole pride was crawling with effort, only Vitani – fresh and firmly – was marching on lead with a heavy piece of meat in mouth. Her lionesses were trying to catch her up, but only Maitha seemed to be in condition able to match with queen.
“How’s hunting, girls?” called Vitani to Golden Ones. Just two months earlier they had been her friends, but then they turned to be subject of other pride. However it was hard to cease with informal familiarity between former Outlandresses.
“So-so... ma’am.” Replied Dotty, adding <ma’am> in last moment, probably only because of Pridelandresses. “But we won’t starve.”
Quickly both groups got mixed – in rays of setting sun two prides merged. It was instinctively acting: Vitani wanted to speak more with Dotty and Kiara joined to well know ground of Pridelanders. Other lionesses followed subconscious example of leaders. After few minutes of chats, three Golden Ones exchanged stares and finally Spotty came closer to Vitani.
“Vi... I mean: ma’am. Can we talk?” asked lionesses. Prideland queen looked a bit surprised by serious tone of old friend but then nodded her head. She gave her piece of meat to Dotty and steeped from column aside.
“Sure.” She replied. “What do you need?”
Spotty stopped, waiting for other huntresses to pass by. Because since Vitani stopped too and Kiara became a leader, it took a while, because teams were marching slower. But after about two minutes, when others disappeared over a hill, lionesses took a look around and said with muffled whisper.
“I have a problem, ma’am.”
“Hm?” surprised queen. “Just leave it. My name is Vitani. I have nothing against if you recall that... if there are no Pridelanders around.”
“It would be hard, ma’am.” Said lioness. “Now you are Pridelander.” Vitani burst in laughter and suddenly pounced on friend, overturning her and pinning to the ground.
“Kovu spoiled you!” called queen, still laughing. “Spotty I knew would have never allow me to surprise her!”
Spotty instantly ran from back on paws, throwing Vitani with strong push. Queen landed firmly on paws and crouched to another charge. But Spotty sat still and shook her head, showing that play is over.
“Vitani, I really need your help.”
“Right, straight to business.” Murmured queen and sat on the grass. “I’m listening. What I – your friend, because now not your queen – could do for you?” Spotty sighed and sat next to blue-eyed lioness.
“You know... the war is over. When your mother was still alive and we all were preparing for returning here... We have a clear aim and duties. But now that is finished. Maybe not exactly as queen wished to...” Spotty noticed that Vitani shook her head, hearing that. “But the goal is fulfilled – Scar’s heir is on the throne.”
“What is your point?” asked Vitani. “Are you bored by peace? It’s not surprising. Comparing with our life in Outlands, existence here is plain as savannah.”
“Not exactly I meant that.” Replied Golden One. “Vitani, I heard... don’t ask me how or from whom, that king Kovu wants return to Golden Sands.”
“Great!” called queen with sudden amaze and genuine joy. “It’s best news I could hear... Mother would be happy about that.” She added quieter.
“Well, yes... but this is the problem.” Said Spotty. “I... and not only I – also Danti and Ostasi hoped that now, when war is over, we could...”
Vitani understood it instantly. Three of lionesses had spoken about it many times. And although they hadn’t want to share those plans and questions with others, blue-eyed had discovered it long time ago. Her friends were daughters of three wanderer lions, who had named themselves “Windy Rouges”. That pack joined Outlanders in early days of exile, promising help in Zira’s reclaimation in exchange for home to stay. But only Amini, youngest of rouges and father of Kovu, had fulfilled his oath. Three lions: Horen, Daki and Laki left the scene when they found the battle looks grim. All younger lionesses in Golden Pride were daughters of some rouges, that visited outlands. No one of those lions decided to stay, but none of them had been asked about it. But the case of Windy Rouges was different – they promised and ran. Zira and others lionesses have never – even for one second – blamed daughters for theirs fathers guilt. But burden of that shame was heavy anyway – three Golden Ones were living with consciousness that they fathers doomed the cause of pride and allowed Amini and Rama to die. Maybe as no one else, Vitani knew that hard past need to be confronted.
“I know. You don’t have to say more.” Said queen. They were silent for a while, then Vitani added. “But... why didn’t you tell it to Kovu? I’m sure he wouldn’t make any objections.”
“Such a journey could take some time...” replied Spotty. “Crucial time, if we are going to Golden Sands.”
“Stars dammit!” gasped Vitani. “Kovu would surely say what I’m saying. Pride is in debt in you. For your loyal service for years you all deserve not just a holiday, but that we all... I mean: all Golden Ones help you finding them!”
“No, Vitani. That is a private matter.” said Spotty. “But because of that we should fulfil every duty to pride first.”
“Speak with Kovu about that.” Replied queen. “I’m no longer Golden One, as you noticed.” But when she saw as her friends eyes narrow and she turned her stare to the ground, Vitani added. “What happened? Few months ago, you wouldn’t have scruples to tell him whatever you wish to.”
“But know he is a king.” Said Spotty.
“Sometimes I think you all understand it better than he does...”
*
So Vitani decided to take care about whole business. On evening, when both prides, after supper, were lazily laying in caves, she entered Golden One’s chamber and asked brother and her three friends aside.
“What’s the matter?” asked Kovu, a bit nervous about official and grave expressions of his subjects. “Some pride problems?”
“Some sort.” Agreed Vitani.
“Yakta!” called Kovu. “Could you join us?” Seeing the surprised stares of lionesses, he added. “I prefer not to make any decision without a word with advisor.”
So all six: Prideland queen, Golden King, three lionesses and Yakta exited back chamber and went on ledge nearby. Sun had set about two hours earlier, but clear sky was full of stars and full moon was also bright on firmament. From the ledge lions could see shapes of distant Green Hills on west. Except of Vitani, no one had even slightest memories about that place. But queen, looking on dark range, recalled a distant pictures of four lions, she had seen in her cubhood. “So...” she thought. “Girls want to find their fathers... Those who left us. Probably I should be the last person who have right to judge rouges. I betrayed family myself.”
“So, what’s the problem?” asked Kovu, when all went far enough from cave. Vitani was nudged in side by Spotty and said with serious voice.
“Bro, I suspect you want to return to our home in Golden Sands.” King nodded his head, not showing surprise that someone knew that. “But I presume your pride won’t set off before next rainy season.”
“Yes, we all need to rest, before that.” Agreed blackmaned.
“Or do some others businesses.” Added Vitani. “Things that could be done during war. Spotty, Danti and Ostasi need your permission to leave the pride for few months.” She discrete waved her paw, stopping him from questioning. “Family matters.”
“Well... I guess that we and Pridelanders will manage some time without you.” Replied king. “But where you want to go? After all I’m still responsible for you...” added, looking on in the same time on Yakta. It seemed as of king was staring on lips of advisor, waiting for every word of help and hint. “Is that journey dangerous.”
“Yakta!” smiled Vitani and turned to redmaned.
“Yes, ma’am?”
“You would help us. You would go with girls and help them in search.”
In that moment lion looked with surprise and sudden uncertainness on Kovu. Although male could be firm and self-confident advisor, the perspective of independent mission seemed to be scary for him.
“With all due respect, ma’am.” Said Yakta with uncertain voice. “As a subject of lord Kovu, I’m waiting for his decision in that matter.”
“Yes, yes, I know...” laughed Vitani. “Bro, order him to keep an eye on girls.”
“I think you are bossing among my lions.” Murmured king. “Are your new pride is too small to satisfy your ambitions?”
“Ow, come on, Kovu.” Added Vitani. “I will be good for both of you.”
“Will be, sir?” asked Yakta silently.
“I don’t know...” replied blackmaned. “What do you think?”
“I think that girls shouldn’t go alone, but...”
“You see!” called Vitani, hearing that. “Case is closed. Spotty, Danti i Ostasi go with Yakta. I stay here and take care of my little brother...” She came to Kovu and playfully stroked his mane.
“Not...” started both Kovu and Yakta.
“...in front of pride!” finished Vitani with laughter. “Right, I’m going back boss to my subjects.” She passed next to Spotty. “As in old times. Girls rule the world!”
*
They hadn’t intended it, but it just came – three lionesses, ready to journey, laid down to sleep a bit aside of main part of pride. They didn’t talk about it much, although Spotty was sure that in mind of each one of they there are similar questions. “Why we are doing it?” “Who they, Windy Rouges, are?” “What will we do, when we find them?” Lioness in that night for the first time in her life felt scared by finding her father. She knew only his name: Horen, nothing more. He probably have no idea that she is named Spotty, he most likely didn’t know his child was a girl. And what Horen, one who left pride would say, seeing children he newer wanted? “But I must find you, father.” Thought Spotty. “And I must find why you left us.”
Night was calm and warm, but still not hot – as it would be in prime of dry season. Priderock was covered in silence and only uneasy dreams of three lionesses were breaking that harmony. What Spotty, Danti and Ostasi didn’t know, was that many miles from there someone also had a hard night, interrupted by another heavy dream of half-forgotten guilt.
So these two lions, Gazer and the King of the Green Vally will be playing a part in this story... hmm, very interesting! 
