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An afterword.

(For who felt a bit confused by my last ffic. Others may skip it.)

As You probably noticed, this story was a bit different from my „usual” fanfics. That was my intention to make an experiment, however I wondering if some of its result would be misunderstood.
Thanks to Cogitor, who pointed some controversial themes in ToS, I’m going to explain few things. I hoped that multi-pow narration and paragraph of in-plot explanations would be enough, but I might be wrong. So I’m going to stress few things, present, however not fully articulated in text.

1). One of secondary goals of ToS was showing my soc-biological model of lions in my fanfic plot-line. As in TGQ I tried to show how I imagine working of pride in times of crisis, now I tried to show its natural routine, chains of generations, breeding and raising cubs. Its relations with rouge lions and meaning of territory, its integrality and king’s (and queen’s) authority. The practice – in that particular story - was more important than metapolitical base, so widely described in previous works (esp. TSH and TNR).

2). The thing that made this task hard was a plot, that brought many troubling motif and events. By creating plot against queen, her (successful or not, depends on “branch” You have chosen) assassination and problems of monarchess with keeping her authority (as well as fulfilling her duties), I wrote about one particular (“exceptional” in schmittian sense of that word) situations with no claim to describe general rule nor system. That single act of disobedience, lese maiestatis and breaking of common accepted morality (adultery in 3rd branch! Deceitful murder in 2rd!) should be separated from author’s views showed in previous stories, where the straight codex of both ethical and metapolitical rules was presented.
It should be treat similar to others troubling motives in my writing – as my likeness towards Scar and Zira doesn’t mean that I ever questioned the Natural Order of Prideland.

That means:
1). Kovu’s decision of keeping Lipizi’s cubs should be judged inside lion’s logic, natural way of live and customs. The same thing in human world would be terrible (separating mother and children) but in particular lions life-model it was natural and justified. Cubs need pride to grow in normal way and life-style of rouge endangers them. Additionally due to usual absence of father in lions cubhood, king acts as a surrogate father and real carer of cub. And in that perspective Kovu’s decision of keeping Akra and Simmi should be judged. He didn’t do it as a office, but real and particular person, responsible for their lives.
2). Scene of Kovu’s and Tetesi’s entry to Golden Cave (and fight that succeeded it) could be misunderstood. Lipizi called Golden Ones [trespassers], although it wasn’t true. Whole incident turn to be fatal accident, however the main reason was overreaction of Ghibu (†). Both he and Lipizi knew about Golden Ones as original owners of that land. According to some basic rules of lions, king had right to kill in spot trespassers in his domain. However – knowing the complicated situation – he wanted to solve the problem peacefully. That attempt failed.
However Kovu seems to regret that accident anyway.

So, keeping that all in mind, believe me that:
1. I’m well aware of importance of family bonds in every situation and I consider state interfering in family matters (except of some extreme situations) as something clearly bad and terrifying.
2. I’m supporting unlimited right of (justifiable) self-defence, especially in case of trespassing private property. That includes the right of owning firearms in order to defence oneself.
And last but not least:
3. Any idea of regicide (except of undutiful cases of valid monarchs, namely: tyrants in aquinitian sense) I found as one of the heaviest thinkable crimes.
If any of You took an impression that some controversial actions of my characters could reflect my actual views please understand that is not true.

(Written by Taka – true conservative who happens to love some rebels)

Holidays

I will be gone for a while – to about 17th September. I’m going on quite crazy trek to Norway (I have nothing prepared expect of plane tickets;).
But if I return successfully, I will surely write something soon after.

Lionesses and Lions, Wolvesses and Wolves
I’m back, alive after return from Norway (Wolflux: again thanks for support!) and after successful entry exam on doctor’s studies.
I was approved on my university with thesis: “Human against the Nature: Common image of relationships of man and environment based on Anglo-Saxon popular culture of late XIX and early XX century.”
(based mostly on popular nature-novels, like Curwood’s, London’s and Kipling’s)
So, comparing with my magister’s thesis, I’ve made a serious focus shift: from lions to wolves;)
About ffics:
Perhaps I will present soon a new Balto-project, but be patient. Right now I’m celebrating my future doctor’s degree <lol2>.

Hey Taka, congrats on your thesis. That's pretty cool. You know, I had a feeling that you would make a fic switch from lions to wolves which is cool by me. So a new Balto project huh? Sounds promising. I look forward to reading. I'll be patient for ya. You deserve to celebrate your future degree. It's not everyday that that sort of thing happens to a person. Congrats to that too my friend.

Thumbs up for the thesis!
I'm of course a bit 'saddened' to hear you've switched to doing more wolf stuff again, but that asside, it's good to hear you're still around.

All right – as I’m still waiting for approval on my new Balto-project, I’ve started a new TLK story. after poll on forum, I decided to wrote LLTQ first (but TPR is still in queue).
Today just short prologue.
Few words about story – it’s “my plot-line builder”, filling many events after TSH/TGQ and minor stories, still long before TNR. It somehow special story for me, due to some issues, I will write in progress of story. it’s also a bit awkward to write about conflict of one of my most favourite characters (Vitani) with one of my least favourite (Nala), but I hope I will manage to keep both sides balanced, with no black-and-white dichotomy. However – You will read and judge.
On the beginning there will be some catchy quote from de Maistre, but for now I can’t find any good English-translation;)

Live the Queen

Prologue – Dreams so pretty

The world was floating like a water. Without any specified time marks, Nala saw a past, presence and future as one, calm river, going in well known direction. Simba was on her side, standing on the ledge of Priderock. They both were looking on crowds of animals before them. Creatures came there just to bow their rulers… not as sign of submission, just to check that all was the same, all was as usual. Sun was shining from northern sky, dazzling queen’s eyes. So she turned her stare back to see Kiara standing next to her.
No, something was wrong. Kiara was in past, but presence and future lacked of goldenfurred princess. “Princess?” asked herself Nala. “No she is queen… but how. I’m queen too!” That meant vision of past and present times mixed. “Kiara is not here. There is just Tanabi… What happened to him? His eye?” gasped queen silently. “No… that’s…”
Slowly memories of recent event deluged Nala. One by one events of fresh and aching past appeared in vision. Tanabi, standing on the ledge with lioness that Nala didn’t recognize… or didn’t want to. Wound on forehead, one damaged eye… Sad stare of the other. And that lioness, she was an enemy! The crowd of animals was the same, but hailing not pridelander’s pride, but… some outcast! Nala recalled her name. It was Vitani.
That was the last element of puzzle that came to its place. Queen… no! former queen then new it all. She wasn’t standing with king Simba on Priderock – she was standing with ex-king Simba, far from there, in Green Den. Vision of family keep was impossible, it was just a part of dream. “I am dreaming.” Though Nala. “I see things that should be, but isn’t! Ow, Simba, why it came to this!?”
Vitani was looking on predecessoress with barely hidden irony and triumph. Nala had to turn her stare down for not to see those blue and deep proud eyes. “It’s too much… Simba, stop it!” she called into her dream. As if someone obeyed her, she woke up.
Former queen opened her eyes to see the half-darkness of Green Den. Small lair in rock-range of Border River Cliff was nothing compared to main cave of Priderock. It had barely ten on four metres, maybe even a bit less. But suddenly Nala felt lost and confused, very small in big and cold inside of den. She cuddled closer to sleeping Simba, who just sighed in his slumber. When she felt warmth of her mate’s body, she felt more confident. However the bitter taste of dream still was keeping her confused.
She stood up and walked to exit. After few steps she sensed a pain in her left paw’s joints. “Funny, it passed just few months of me being deposed and I feel old. I guess that aging is not a matter of time, but state of mind. But now…” she exited the lair. “…I must overcome it. Whatever it takes!”
Her eyes were struck with bright light of dawn, because entrance of Green Den was directed due east. “As in my dream.” Thought Nala, squinting her eyes. She looked aside, to look Zazu, peacefully sleeping on branch of acacia. Old major-domos was slumbering indifferent to raising day, what for Nala seemed somehow very irritating. “Year ago, he would be already awake now, gathering morning reports and looking over vicinity. But now… he is useless. Just like we are!” She instinctively looked back to the cave, where Simba was still sleeping. She couldn’t get it – her mate seemed to be fully reconciled with status quo, giving no slightest sign of disapproval for their son’s actions. “Simba… you were a perfect king… Why did you let it go so easily?” She again turned her head – back to sun. That time with growing anger. She closed her eyes, but kept her face against sky flames.
Nala wasn’t power-hungry. She treated being a queen much more like a duty than privilege. But that didn’t mean she gave up her duty easily. She felt that if she once had taken that burden with Simba, it was natural to bear it until she die. But actually she could left her title without any huff, if that would done in proper way. And her office would have been passed to proper person.
“Simba…” she thought, that time looking on horizon and growing sun’s disc. “I love our son as well as you… but it doesn’t make me blind. Tanabi did a grave mistake, by overthrowing you and restoring Scar’s memory… And did fatal error, taking Outlandress as a mate. It’s problem of Vitani as lioness… but that she is Zira’s daughter. We can’t… he can’t rung his kingdom, basing his rule on former rebel.”
She knew that most of her complains are late ones. Tanabi was loyal to his mate – he upheld her decision to banish Nala and Simba from Prideland (although former queen had to admit that her son interpreted that ordinance in so wise way that it allow old royal couple to keep their authority), supported Vitani in everyway. And since few months new rulers were also parents. Their son Dhahabu was the best guaranty for new order as could be.
“Your son…” Nala addressed in her thoughts directly Tanabi. “It’s not his fault that his mother is Outlandress… He is your heir and I love him as I should love my grandchild… But I’m afraid… I don’t mean blood, it’s doesn’t mean too much… but he his descendant of our enemies. Are you sure he will manage to bear that burden?” Then something interrupted her silent reverie.
She jumped in place, turning aside. She was ready to fight, whatever any fight was improbable then. She was on her land, under protection of Simba and whole pride. But habits of old days were strong.
“It’s just me!” whispered Vinia with regretful voice. Former queen hid her claws to pawpads and looked on grey lioness with curious stare. “I’m terribly sorry, ma’am.” She added. “I’m here for some time, but… I was scared to interrupt your cogitation.”
“Yes, you succeeded to be stealth for few minutes.” Murmured Nala with tone of irritation. But then she asked, a bit confused. “What are you doing here on such a weird time. Has something happened?”
“No, that’s nothing special…” she replied. “I just… I asked sir Tanabi if there is need to stay with you constantly. You know… to assist you…”
“Ow.” Smiled Nala with poisonous smile. “Or maybe your queen asked you to have an eye on us?” Vinia’s eyes narrowed.
“Stars… no!” she gasped, shocked. Then Nala felt like an idiot. That was very improbable assumption and a bit offending one. “Ma’am, I here to help you in hunting and remind you about edict. But I wish to accompany queen mother…” she turned her stare down. “..if she wants me to.”
“I’m sorry, my dear.” Replied Nala and came to young lioness. She hugged her with motherly tenderness. “I said something stupid… Of course, I’m glad you want to help… But to sleep with us? Sorphi and you have to watch us for day anyway... I think you have enough of that.”
“Sorphi is there.” Vinia pointed cluster of bushes nearby. “We got here late at night, so we didn’t want to wake you up.”
Just like as response to command, from cluster appeared a head of second lioness, assigned to Simba’s and Nala’s escort. She looked with sleepy stare on former monarchess and on friend, then stood up and came closer to lionesses. She bowed before Nala.
“So, we start another day of your glorious assignment?” asked Nala with irony.
“Maybe we thing about hunt.” Advised Vinia and nudged Sorphi in side.
“Yeah, that good idea.” Replied lioness and they both set off in savannah direction.
“Again.” Sighed Nala. “Believe me, I would be grateful for replacing you in that duty. But I know… the edict… So good hunting.” She said, following two huntress. Suddently Vinia stopped.
“Ma’am!” said with a bit scared voice. Nala understood and stopped too.
She was on the edge of stone-plate of Green Den. Just before her was beginning actual savannah of deep green. But also it was a border of Prideland. With one paw former queen was in her old home. She was ordered not to put it on that ground… ever.
“Yes, I almost forgot that my space is so short.” Murmured Nala and carefully got back her limb. “Thank you.” Said to guardian.
“I’m terribly sorry, ma’am!” said Vinia with shivering voice. Former queen sensed that she was close to cry and felt genuine compassion towards her.
“All right.” Nala replied. “As Simba said: you only do you job.”
“It’s king’s…” sobbed huntress.
“And queen’s order.” Added queen-mother. “In first place queen’s. But it is not you problem. Just… go.”
Both lionesses set of to run, as if they were relieved from very unpleasant duty. Perhaps they were. For them it was barely standable to serve as guards for their old king and old queen. Nala was sure of their deep hidden aversion to their roles.
“Maybe…” in that moment a spark of long unfelt emotion came over her spine. It was hope. “Maybe… I’m not only one, who remember how our life should be.” She whispered. “Is there any way to check it… a sense emotions of pride?”
She opened her eyes and looked directly on east. Sun already had raised a bit over horizon, so she could look freely. And then she saw another view that gave her strength and more of hope. A silhouette of another lion. “She came yesterday… and today… Again on morning, before hunting. She will have to back to Priderock and set of with team. But still, she came to visit her old monarchs…” Umame came closer to green den. With rays of early sun her fur – naturally golden – seemed to be made of actual gold. “She is so alike to my beloved Kiara.” Smiled old queen. “Both with appearance and her gentle heart.” She smiled even wider, when newcomer noticed queen-mother waiting before den.
“Ma’am…” she called. “It’s a bit early for sunbath.”
“My child… it’s a bit early for chat with your aunt.” Replied Nala. Umame added a burst of laughter to that greeting.
“Right, ma’am.” She said. “But I was wonder how are Sorphi and Vinia going.”
“In keeping me?” asked Nala with sarcasm. “Well, I’m still here, so my guards are viligant.” But there was no usual bitterness in that joke. Just was just a… joke. Nala could jest in that way only with few persons. Umame was one of them.
“Ow, Umame…” she thought. “I always hoped that you will become Tanabi’s mate… and my daughter by that. It came in different… worse way, but you seem to treat me like mother. It helps me very much.” Then she added aloud. “And… what has changed on Priderock?”
“Since yesterday? Not too much.” Laughed lioness. “At least nothing wthat couldn’t be undone.”
It could be just coincidence, but Nala took an impression that whole world was asking her to make few steps back… and return to yesterday. “Simba, my dear.” She thought. “Although you lost your hope, I will hope for you!”

Nice, more TLK, more bitterness and more revanchist feelings. I eagerly await the next chapters.

More bitterness and harsh feelings. Well done! Nala's thoughts over the last few months in the Pridelands is deeply clear. At least Simba has adjusted to his new role as a former King. I too await more chapters.

All right, so here is first normal chapter. As You probably saw, for this story I dropped songs (what is most likely not too great flaw…), to stress that is rather plot/politic-story (sic!). But I will contain some songs in TPR for sure.
But to the story.
Today I proudly introduce old/new acquaintance, that is Dhahabu. If You remember TNR You most likely remember him as positive although not fully likeable character, due to his initial conflict with Taka II. But every lion – even those haughty ones – was a cub once, so I try to portrait him as lovely yet very smart youngster.

I. The New Generation

The Border River was limiting Prideland on western and northern side. Some would say that fertile savannah was placed on band of river and there was much truth in that sentence. On pools of Border Turn current got slower and started to deluge nearby meadows. For most of year – except of heat of dry season – those backwaters and swamps were favourite watering places for many creatures. But not only watering places.
“Yuppi!” creamed Anasa, sliding down from slanting tree, right to mud of backwater. She hit the greenish surface and splashed dirt around. Some of those hit Dhahabu, standing on bank. But prince just burst with laughter – he was as dirty as the other cub. Right before that scene, he as a first used slanting trunk as a chute and led the way down.
“Look, I’m a warthog!” called kitty, swimming in muddy water.
Duo of cubs, if some would have washed them away from filth, looked like typical kitties of their age. Both about six moths, growing fast, but still small children in lions standards. She had mild, greyish fur and vigilant and pranking green eyes. Dhahabu, son of Vitania and Tanabi, prince of Priderock, was goldenfurred cub, resembling his father in muzzle features. But his eyes were deep blue, more desert ones.
“Stars!” both cubs heard shout from the sky.
“*****!” gasped Dhahabu, looking up on diving hornbill.
“My prince, Anasa, get out of there immediately!” cried green bird, stopping just above the surface of backwater. But suddenly a splash of dirty his him and hornbill become more brown than green. “Sir!” yelled majordomo, hearing laughter of Dhahabu.
Cub just hit the water, splashing mud on his carer. Then he instantly stood in <attention-position>, pretending he did nothing. But spotted bird was too tired to play in prince’s games. “Stop it, sir!” he called with enraged voice. Get away on solid bank, now.” Then he looked again on Anasa. “Stars! Get away from this filth!”
She was still swimming on shallow pool of water and mud. She loved such a games, especially in days so sunny and hot like that day was. So she just showed her tongue to green (or green/brown) bird and pushed her paws to swim further from shore.
“Stop it! Stop it!” called Tiko. “You mother…”
“…is not here.” Smiled kitty. “Come on, Tiko, I like to swim.”
But hornbill flew over her and with anger pricked klumzy cub in her head. Most likely he wanted to grab her fur and at least try to drag her, but it looked rather pathetic.
“Hey, stop it!” called Dhahabu, jumping again to water. “Don’t threat her like that!”
“If you don’t like it, sir, help me take her away from here.” Snorted hornbill, trying again to catch Anasa’s fur with his beak.
“Tiko, leave me alone, I’m coming out.” Yelled kitty. Bird flew a little higher, and for that waited Dhahabu. He again sprinkled him with next portion of muddy water. Hornbill lost his balance and fell down to pool, just next to Anasa.
“Ow, you got him!” cried cub.
“Yeah…” nodded prince, but then seeing that majordomo didn’t return to the surface, he called. “Anasa! Pull him out!”
Scared kitty started to search in water for drowned bird. Dhahabu joined her instantly and they both were scanning pool with waves of paws. With every seconds cubs were closer to panic.
“Stars… we drowned him!” sobbed Anasa, again failing to find Tiko.
But in the same moment bird emerged few metres away from there with loud panting. He made his awkward swim to the bank and barely climbed on grass.
“Tiko!” called prince with relief and Anasa stopped her cry.
“Very funny!” panted bird, still spitting some water. “Now you see that isn’t funny.”
“We thought you drowned.” Said Dhahabu. “You… tricked us?” asked with surprise.
“I just wanted to show you, how it feels when person you are responsible for, gets into danger.” Replied hornbill and shook his feathers to rid of the water.
“Cool!” called prince. “Good joke that one! You are in fact nice guy.” Then added with quieter voice. “You have just such idiotic job.”
“It’s not funny, sir!” shouted Tiko. “Get away from this swamp, now! Your mother…”
“…is also not here.” Smiled Dhahabu, but then he narrowed his lips to more serious expression. After all he was a prince and heir to throne. He should acted like one. “Right, I’m going.” And he set of in bank direction. After few steps he stopped and looked back on Anasa.
“Anasa, you are coming?”
“Yeah, sure.” Said cub, but then her pupils got wider. “Or no…” she whispered.
Anasa was standing in water, with only head above the surface. The muddy water didn’t let her to see what she was stomping on. The bottom was soft carpet of mud. Cubs had been swimming over, then running on it, without fear, however they hadn’t been aware what hazard it was. When kitty stopped in one place for few minutes, her paws just sunk into layer of slime. She missed the moment, to understood what had happened when she tried to raise one of her limbs. She failed.
“Anasa, what happened?” asked Dhahabu.
“I’ve stuck…” gasped cub, then she submerged few centimetres more. Water reach her mouth and if she hadn’t closed it, it would deluged it.
“Tiko, call for help!” shouted prince and pounced back into friend’s direction.
Not watching what would bird do, he swam to Anasa. She was almost underwater, just with eyes and forehead above surface. Prince got to her, being careful not to base on dangerous bottom.
“Hold you breath and be ready.” Cried.
She wanted to ask: for what, but she couldn’t – if she opened her mouth, the water would choked her. Meanwhile prince took a deep breath and lowered his head. Just underwater he sought Anasa’a lips and blew air from his lungs into his friend. Then again swam up. On surface he noticed that only Anasa’s ears were uncovered.
“Don’t panic!” ordered prince. “Tiko will bring some assistance… When you sense I’m close, just exhale and I will give you my air. Do read?” He noticed that ears of cub shook. He hoped it that confirmation, not a shiver of fear. “Wait, don’t exhale, now I will check if I could free you myself.” She mover tips of her ears again, then she sunk underwater totally. Dhahabu dived again.
He got to the bottom and touched with front paws to Anasa’s limbs. Those were heavily sucked down to knees and stuck in place. Prince tried to pull one of paws, but when he sensed that was useless, he returned to surface. Because Anasa’a ears were also underwater, he said nothing, just took another deep breath and dived to friend’s lips. He blew again, giving cub next portion of lifegiving oxygen. Not waiting for any response, be got back to surface and inhaled again.
“Stars!” he thought with growing fear. “How long I would stand this… Tiko, get back with someone now!”
He repeated his action, thinking with despair. He knew that hornbill’s flight to Priderock and way back – made even by the fastest lioness – would be much, much too long to get on time. Young lion was getting tired fast, he also feared that Anasa would panic and with some another turn she wouldn’t hold her breath long enough. “But I must do what I could! I’m a prince Stars dammit!” gasped in mind, submerging once again.
After fifth time he lost his count. His life became a way up and down, synchronized with breathe in and out. He even tried to freeze his mind, to save any energy he could. He only silently prayed to ancestors for a miracle. It took six more breath for miracle to come.
Suddenly Dhahabu felt as some strong paws pulled up Anasa in front of him. He surface and opened his eyes to see Umeme, carrying coughing cub in her mouth. Lioness gave just a quick look on prince to check if he was all right, then jumped on bank and laid Anasa on grass. Kitty coughed even louder.
“Thanks A…” sighed Tiko. Because of coughs prince never knew if bird said “Ahadi” or Arista”, but some brink of his ruler’s intuition said him it would be very interesting to know that. Meanwhile bird flew down and sat next to Umeme, who was trying to clear Anasa’a throat, by pressing cub’s chest. After few such actions cub stopped to cough and breached normally.
“You’re right?” asked lioness.
“I guess…” replied cub with weary voice.
“My prince!” then called Umeme, turning to Dhahabu. But he already managed to got to shore and climb on it. Cub laid on grass, exhausted. “My prince… are you…”
“Yeah…” panted goldenfurred. “Thanks…”
Lioness – as if she didn’t believe in cub’s assurance – came closer and looked examined him carefully. Seeing he was indeed unharmed, she return to Anasa.
“Thanks, Umeme.” Repeated prince.
“Thank Stars, sir.” Replied lioness. “It was a miracle I was so near.” Then she turned again on prince and smiled. “But anyway – nice moves, sir. You really did it in smart way. But…” she lowered her voice. “…I can’t turn a blind eye on that. I must report about it to your mother.” Both cubs turned their stares down.
“Yes, I know that.” Replied Dhahabu with serious tone. “I will tell her myself, I promise.”
Umeme was silent for a while then said. “Good, that would be the best. I must say you did a real mess here, but I like how you clean it. You saved Anasa… and I believe you will tell your mother what has happened here with all details. You’ve made mistake today, prince. But damage is done and keep undoing it in that way. It’s just… good.”
Anasa stood up and came to goldenfurred. She whispered to his lips. “Thank you… You saved me…”
“Well, yes.” Nodded Dhahabu. “But You was amazing too. You stayed cool even in such situation. I… if I could say that… I’m proud of you.”
“But what will be now?” asked asked, clearly scared by vision of her mother. Bidii was loving parent, but very stern one.
“Don’t worry… I will talk with my mom first.” Said Dhahabu.
In standards of Pridelnders, queen was very lenient. It didn’t mean that she was tolerant about any disobedience, but she let her son on more independent and even more dangerous plays than most of lionesses on Priderock. Juts harsh cubhood of Vitani taught her that fun with no sweat (of both effort and fear) is not a fun. However such a stupidity that prince and Anasa made, would be most likely punished decisively.
“Really?” asked Anasa. “You… are saving me again!”
“That’s what for princes are.” Smiled Dhahabu, but in fact he was shivering inside before talk with queen.
“All right, cease those secrets.” Umeme finished their quiet conversation. “We are going home.”
“You are really cool guy.” Snorted Tiki, flying next to Dhahabu. “But you have to learn some manners anyway.” Prince slowly followed goldenfurred lioness.
*
After about hour they reached Priderock to see just two lionesses there. But that were Vitani and Bidii. Both cubs gulped.
Queen and her subjects stayed in cave while rest of team was on hunting. Monarchess had no obligation to go for game, however she usually went. But that day she decided to take a break, after minor injury she had taken day before. That’s why she also wasn’t accompanying her son in plays, but ordered it to Tiko. The same Bidii – stretched paw made her unable to hunt and Vitani assured her that her daughter was safe under hornbill’s overseeing.
Umeme was carrying Anasa on her back (Dhahabu followed them, saying he could walk on his own all the way), but just before rock, she stopped and let cub come down. She looked on prince and said.
“So… that’s the end of my road. You are going to your mother alone. I hope you will deal it quickly.”
Dhahabu nodded and said to Anasa.
“Wait here. I will try to… keep their focus on me.” Then he set off uphill.
Vitani and Bidii, forewarned by Tiko, were waiting for cubs. Both lionesses had severe stare, however Dhahabu noticed that his mother was somehow absent-minded. Cub stopped on the ledge, just before queen and greyfurred lioness.
“That was all my fault.” He started. “I guided Anasa there and as first entered the swamp. There is no excuse for me… but she just followed me. She trusted that I, as prince… was doing no bad thing.”
“Probably.” Said Bidii. “But Anasa got into trouble in the first place.”
“Yes, but because of me.” Replied Dhahabu.
“Bidii?” asked Vitani. “I think he had right. He is the one who romped there. I think that Anasa doesn’t deserve for punishment…” Dhababu instantly nodded his head. “…as my son.” Muzzle of prince narrowed with fear. “Will you let me solve this?”
“As you wish, ma’am.” Said lioness. “Do what you think as proper. But if You still think that my daughter deserves a discipline, suit yourself.” Replied and went to cave, hobbling a little.
Vitani without word came to Dhahabu and hugged him. Cub was surprised, but stayed silent. After a moment, queen let him loose and stepped back.
“I just made sure, you are here.” She said with hollow voice. “Tiko said me everything. You and Anasa were close to drown.”
“No, that was…” started cub, but then stopped, took a deep breath and said, seeing no point in avoiding. “Well, actually, we were. I’m sorry, mom.”
“Yes, sorry…” repeated Vitani, pacing in front of her son. “It easy to excuse someone, but… from my perspective it isn’t as easy. Look.” She stopped and turned to cub. He had been looking on mother since few moments, but he tried make his stare even more perceptive. “Why are you so… uncooperative? I just gave you a little more easiness and you overuse it so fast… Stars!” she gasped both to Dhahabu and to herself. “I promised myself I will provide you cubhood I didn’t have. That I will let you play and prank, not learn of survival and fight for every scrap of food, as I had to. I just want you to be airy and happy… But that is not the way you are achieving it.”
“Mom…” whispered Dhahabu.
“Don’t interrupt me.” She said. “Just understand, that I was more soft-hearted that I should have been. If you father knew what is happening, he would has tied your tail to his, to keep an eye on you.”
“Yeah, I know that.” Nodded Dhahabu.
“No, you don’t.” snorted Vitani. “Your grandfather Simba was… very strict about that kind of stuff, so your father learned how to keep his cubs short… for their good. And I’m closer and closer to think, he has right.”
“Mom… I will be better.” Yelped cub. “I promise…” then he paused.
“What are you promising?” asked queen. “That it will never happen again?”
“No, mom…” said Dhahabu. “I wish to not irritate you ever, but I can’t be sure if someday…” Vitani smiled.
“Ow, my son… You are just too honest and simple-hearted.” She replied. “Most of your contemporaries would swear on Stars it won’t happen again. But you…”
“I’m just not sure.” Said prince. “But I don’t want to upset you.”
“You didn’t upset me.” Said Vitani, again coming to and hugging son. “Just… made me mad.” Added with faked anger. Then they both laughed. “Ow, I just kidding. So from now on I hope you will be more careful. Remember – you are a prince and your kingdom depends on your future. Also because you are a prince, you have to give an example to all… including Anasa.”
“I know, mom. I will… no, I just will do everything I could to please you in that.”
“Right.” Nodded Vitani, putting cub on the ground. “I believe you. So you could go back to Anasa. Tell her that storm didn’t come… this time.” She gently pushed Dhahabu into cave’s direction. Cub set off to entrance, but after few steps stopped and look again on mother.
“Mom… you… won’t you punish me?”
“Mh?” asked a bit surprised lioness. “I guess it’s not smart for you asking such questions, because I could change my mind.”
“Yeah, I very glad you see no need of that, but…” he return to queen. “Mom, something is wrong. I see how it is bothering you since few days. Something you can’t tell even dad about.”
“So what makes you think I could tell you?” asked queen. In the same time she was wondering how her son noticed it so quickly.
“I don’t know… Well, I’m just a cub and I don’t many things. So you could tell me, knowing I won’t understand. I can’t advise you, but I could listen.” She laughed again, but then replied with serious voice.
“No, get back to your plays. It’s true I have some questions I can’t answer right now. But no one could. I must just wait for solution.”
“But I will be alright?”
“I hope.” Said Vitani, regretting she couldn’t say <for sure>. But she was as honest and blunt as her son.
So Dhahabu entered the cave and saw Bitti, lying on her bedding with Anasa in paws. Lioness was cleaning her daughter, most likely without any serious reason, just to keep her around while Vitani was dealing with prince. Seeing that queen so quick finished with son, she released Anasa and looked on Dhahabu with slight confusion.
“It’s over?” asked Anasa wisphering.
“I guess.” Replied prince.
“Mom, can I go now?” she pleaded.
“We will get Tiko and won’t be far from rock.” Added prince.
“If queen said so, you can.” Said lioness. Careful auditor would have noticed something strange in sound of word <queen>. Lioness spelled it in a bit strange way. Maybe even ironic.
“Thanks aunt.” Said Dhahabu and with Anasa they run out from cave. The passed next to Vitani, who nodded them and whistled on Tiko to oversee cubs in their walk. Hornbill flew after running two, sighing with weariness but also with reconciliation.
“Just get back before father returns.” Called queen after them. She hoped that nod of Dhahabu was confirmation of that.
“Ow… I’m not sure if I’m doing right.” She thought. “I was raised in so different way… and I hadn’t even half of freedom they have. Am I good mother?” asked for thousandth time, but then added with sarcasm. “Am I good mate, am I good queen? and so on. I could ask endlessly, but no one would give me a straight answer.”
She could ask Tanabi, but he would reply with certainty she was going great. That was not real answer. On the other paw, she couldn’t go to Bidii and just talk about cubs. Lioness would have avoided that question or give any random answer to finish that talk. “I’m not queen for her.” Thought Vitani. “Just a former Outlander. Fact I’m mother of prince complicated things in her eyes, but just a little. I just have to reconcile with awareness, I will never be real Pridelandress for them.” But then a sudden anger burst in her heart. “But I AM REAL PRIEDELANDRESS!” shouted silently. “I’m the daughter of Scar, the true king of this land! That is insulting that treat me like that… They treat memory of my father the same!” She instinctively extended her claws, to notice that just second later. “Ow, I can’t lose my temper like that. It’s all fine, all will be ok… But why the heck Tanabi is spending so much time, looking on those prophecies?”
*
Tanabi that day went to Thamath. Rafiki left Prideland instantly, leaving also his keep inhabited. So his successor – mandrill Thamath took that baobab as his. Tanabi tried to keep old ape near his court, but it was useless. Rafiki blamed himself for failure during War of Prides and deaths that followed it. So he chose self-exile in Mighty Jungle. For first few months king was very uneasy for old shaman living on his own, but when Yakta left Prideland to establish own kingdom, he was asked by Tanabi to have an eye on Rafiki and assist him in his old years. Then – relieved from some of duties – king could accept his new shaman with clear conscience.
But relation between Tanabi and Thamath was very strange. Mandrill was young and quite inexperienced – a lore of shaman one could achieve only by such a duty. Meanwhile king was special creature – a lion, but unlike of most his kins, very sensitive to supernatural voices of Stars. Especially since his accident, when he lost his eye, ruler started to see world in different way. Worse about normal sight, but much better about that sight shamans usually have. That why king and sage-to-be were learning in the same time, mostly of the same things. Tanabi assisted Thamath in many of his rituals, what was ion the same degree troubling and helpful for mandrill.
“Wind.” Said shaman. He and monarch were sitting under Rafiki’s baobab and looking on monkey’s coconut’s shells. Thamath was painting on trunk of tree, but they both were looking on unexpected result. Shaman repeated. “Wind. It’s a sign of change.”
“With all respect to your knowledge, friend.” Interrupted him king. “Wind is not sign of change, but sign of lasting. Just that’s a testimony that Nature is returning to the state of order. Warm air causes high pressure, then it’s going where pressure is lower. World returns to balance… to order. That is wind.”
“Sir…” said mandrill, seriously amazed. “I have never seen it like that.”
“So now we both are enlightened.” Smiled ruler. “But never mind, let’s see your painting.” They turned their stares on trunk. “That strange… I see much chaos… uncertainness and fear in future.”
”It’s about the Second Drought, sir.” Replied shaman. “As you were told by Kings of the Past. The future will be hard.”
“Yes, I know that.” Nodded Tanabi. “But those clouds…” he pointed on grey shapes on bark. “Are much closer that I thought.”
“Not this year, my lord.” Assured mandrill, however he noticed something more scary on picture and shivered inside.
“But what means that dashed line there? Why it is so blurred.”
“I have no idea, my lord.” Lied shaman. In fact he knew what was that shape. It was line of king’s destiny. He didn’t dare to guess why that element was so dashed.

Good chapter. Yes, Dhahabu is a different character here than when he was an adult and the Pridelands King. Though he does get into trouble, he knows when to jump in and save a life. He saved Anasa's life, offered to help his mother with whatever is bothering her. Sure he's stubborn but it sounds like he's intelligent like his grandfather, on Vitani's side of the family. lol. I do feel sorry for Vitani and maybe she'll figure this problem out. As for Tanabi, he's adapting to his new found 'shaman like' skills.

Again, good work. Update soon!

Hello, I’m here again, but just for a while. I’m (unfortunately) a bit busy in those days, however I managed to write a bit of LLTQ. Now – 2nd chapter, where some unexpected events catalyze what is bound to happened…
By the way – I haven’t’ mention that this story is also PG-13 rated. Not because of blood, just because some not-so-shiny themes and “political” stuff. This particular chapter should be dedicated to Cogitor and Ograndebatata, two readers (at least once) interested with legal system of my Prideland;)

II. Considerations on Prideland

For few days that passed since trouble on swamps, Tanabi hadn’t learned about that. Also Nala and Simba – however Green Den was very near from backwaters, heard nothing about Dhahabu’s and Anasa’a accident. Vitani, with all troubles on her mind, decided not to upset her mate. Bidii also waived with it aside, so both cubs avoided any further rebukes. Sometimes an absence of punishment in the most severe punishment itself. Anasa and Dhahabu felt in that way. No one locked them, no one forbid playing outside of Priderock nor limited their trips on savannah. But cubs – without any deliberation, they just spontaneously did – stayed in nearest vicinity of lions keep. They were playing in back caves or nearby of main rock – always in sight from ledge. Although Tanabi wasn’t aware what happened on swaps, he noticed very untypical behaviour of his son.
“Hey, Dhahabu.” Called king. “What’s up? Why are hanging in home… I guess for third day.” In fact he had nothing against it, but also calm and somehow gloomy face of prince bothered him.
“E…” started uncertain cub. He definitely didn’t want to say whole story to his father. Tanabi turned out to be very tolerant father in every aspect except of safety. Just a year of maturity wiped any memory about his own cubhood and youth – he didn’t recall own complains about strict Simba’s overseeing. Dhahabu knew the situation in general and was very glad that his mother decided about most of his activities. “Mom asked us to be at paw.” Said carefully, trying not to say more, but still say true.
“Good, good.” Murmured king. “I guess she has her reasons… But if you are bored here, I could take you somewhere for a trip.” That wasn’t a smart idea to bore tripping subject, but cub instantly replied, giving vent to his old want.
“To the Outlands?”
Tanabi was a bit surprised by that request, but he replied. “Well… maybe not now. But if you really want to see Outlands… I don’t know what would be interesting there… If you really want to go there, ask mom if she planning a visit there.”
“To visit whom?” asked cub.
“In a memorial.” Explained Tanabi. He didn’t like to talk about it with son, however knew that some stories have to be told. Cub knew the general history of his land and was aware of most of events of Scar’s reign, Golden Pride exile and War of Prides. But still it was extremely hard to tell about family’s tragedy in normal way. Every such a tale, even a short reference was reminding king a walking on the swamp – sometimes one needs to walk through it, but it is better to do it fast. “In about week there will a anniversary of… end of war. That means also your grandmother Zira died then. There is a tradition in both our and Golden Pride to visit shire of dead in anniversary of his passing. It’s not a cheerful ceremony, but we need to keep in my all ones we ever held dear. I think your mother wants to go to Outlands, to old keep of Zira… and place when she grew up.”
“But you won’t come?” asked cub.
“I’m not sure if I manage, but I will try. It’s about family, after all. I didn’t know your grandmother well, but she is my mother-in-law. So if there will be no urging issues here, I will go with your mother and – who knows – maybe also with you to Golden Hall.”
Dhahabu sat down in front of king, as if he was waiting for longer story. Tanabi didn’t like that particular topic, but also know that cutting it was a bad idea. He tried to have always time for his son. It was really hard, because matters of kingdom kept him busy for most of time, but most of free time he wished to spend with family.
“I see.” Said prince. “Just like you all were reminding great grandma Sarafina. But dad. So soon there will be grandma Zira’s anniversary. But you said that just two months later died great grandma Sarabi. Will… mom take participate in that too?”
“Of course.” Replied Tanabi. He was amazed how fast cub managed to sense serious problem of family, but he wasn’t happy to explain it. “She is a queen and will salute to once queen.”
“But won’t it… upset her? I mean, if that wouldn’t be a bit hard for mom to salute… simbist heroes...” He spelled that strange word with uncertain voice. That was a term given by Tiko to describe whole faction of family involved against the banner of Scar and Zira. Analogically Outlanders, their queen and heirs were called “scarist”. Two neutral words, chosen to name something that shouldn’t be name without detailed explanation. But sometimes there was a need to say about one or other party from tragic past. “And the same I wonder if you have any trouble to participate in memorials of scarist part of… our family.” Cub sensed he said something very troubling and decided to calm any dissonance by reminding they were all one, at least in some way.
“Son.” Said Tanabi. He sat down too, yet knowing he wouldn’t avoid giving some lesson. “I feel very uncomfortable to tell you about those things. I tried with all my might to teach you about our past without anger nor biases. I hope I succeeded, but you will judge it someday, when you reach the age proper to think it over yourself.”
“I never sensed you were hard talking about mom’s family.” Said Dhahabu. “Of course mom says about those things in very different way, but neither you nor she told anything… bitter. I think you both were very careful, explaining me.”
“I’m glad you took it in this way.” Replied Tanabi. “But let me finish. You are aware of great conflict in our family, how it was caused and that it caused the War of Prides. Those were very sad events, however he can’t change them. But your aunt and uncle set off to Golden Sands, just before you was born. Yakta became a king, finding in that was kind of recompense for hardships of his cubhood. Golden Pride accepted your aunt Kiara as their monarchess. In every way we could, we are healing wounds of past. It is very hard for us to cast aside memories of some grudges, but we are trying. Your mother is going very well in that. She is really big-hearted person. But not all of us managed to appease emotions. That’s why we rather no speak about history more frequent that it is necessary. However, it is necessary so often.” He sighed. “So try not to bother others with too personal questions. Just ask me or mom, all right.”
“Right, dad.” Nodded Dhahabu. “But tell me one more thing: if we are trying to heal every wound… why grandma and grandpa are still not allowed to live on Priderock.”
“Good question.” Murmured king in mind. but aloud he said just. “It’s really complicated matter. We decided that would be easier for… all. My father agreed with mom.”
“But that means you did escape from one of problems.” Insisted cub. “This is no real solution of our past. It is just… collective oblivion.” Said prince, then stopped for moment, as if he was surprised by own words. He took a deep breath and added. “I know that I know little. But I feel it’s is not right if I have to walk few hours to see grandma and grandpa.”
“You are very wise, son.” Replied Tanabi. “Sometimes you say things that really trouble me. That you noticed something we – mature ones – missed. I could promise you I will think it over. But now…”
“Here you are!” called Anasa, jumping from behind corner. “I found you, you seek…” Then she noticed king. “Ow, sir, I’m sorry.” She said with quieter voice. Tanabi just smiled. It looked a bit scary, while he was narrowing his muzzle, also showing more of scar of empty eyesocket. But Anasa knew it was genuine sign of good humour.
“You were playing hide and seek all this time?” he asked with laughter. “Dhahabu was talking with me for a while. I guess that you checked all of sophisticated hideouts here, but missed some obvious places.”
“You right, sir.” Admitted Anasa. “But the result is the same. Now he seeks.”
Dhahabu turned to father, said something between <thank you> and <sorry>, then followed his friend in run to ledge. Tanabi waited for son to leave then sighed with relief. Anasa relieved him from duty to say more. Then king cursed himself.
“*****! Sooner or later he will ask on his own behalf. Somehow I’m encouraging him, saying that I can’t tell it in objective way. But then he would learn that there is much more of hidden bitterness on this rock that I could admit. He senses the problem and we can’t hide it forever. I must talk with Vitani about him.” Then he recalled that phrase he said that morning one more time. He just promised himself to tell his mate about Thamath’s painting. “I know that it sounds idiotic, but since the war is over, I had no easy time at all.” He snorted and walked into the royal chamber.
*
“I got you!” called Dhahabu, jumping down on Anasa.
Anasa hid herself on pile of gravel in one of back chambers of Priderock. That was quite cunning trick, because that place didn’t looked as hideout. Cub wanted to outwit friend, by using trick that he and king involuntary showed her. To hide in very obvious spot. And it would have worked perfectly, if not Anasa’s fur.
She laid down on pile and covered herself with some of dirt. But golden coat of kitty was clearly seen under that improvised camouflage. Dhahabu noticed something wrong instantly he entered that chamber, but it took him about half a minute to believe own eyes. His friend chose so unfortunate cover. Then jumped with laughter.
“How did you find me?” asked a bit disappointed kitty.
“I have sharp eyes.” Replied giggling prince. “But now I see there is your turn.”
Anasa stood up from pile and shook off gravel from her fur. It didn’t work perfectly, because on her coat stayed many dust and she looked almost like he changed her skin. Dhahabu stopped his laughter, seeing that.
“Ups… you look like a mess… I think your mother would ask some difficult questions.”
“But we did nothing wrong.” Said cub with a bit scared voice. She started to lick her fur, but due to area of dirt it was no use. “We just played in home, as we said.”
“Yeah, I know. But you should batch yourself, before your mother sees you. Maybe we sneak out to waterhole on eastern side. I will watch the corridors and let you know, when I have sure she is not there.”
“Yeah, that’s good idea.” Anasa smiled with gratitude. “Thanks!” But then she noticed something interesting in corner of chamber. “Hey, did you see those tunnels?” she pointed on crack in wall.
Dhalimu always thought it was just a crack, but looking carefully one could notice that it was much deeper than seemed. In fact it was passage to some other cavern and what was even more interesting, to one unused by pride.
“Wow.” Said prince, coming closer to crack. It was tempting to enter – hole was small but still enough for cub. A weak air-movement suggested that on the other side was some bigger chamber. There was no light, however it didn’t scared prince.
“It’s dark there.” Said Anasa.
“Don’t tell me you are scared!” smiled Dhahabu and stepped closer to crack. But then stopped. “Ow, but I don’t know if we should go there. It could be dangerous.”
“I am who is scared?” asked Anasa with irony. “Ow, come on! It’s just a hole. And I’m dirty anyway. We could use that and just get dirty little more. We have to take batch anyway.”
“You’re right.” Nodded Dhahabu, made another step, but stopped once again. “But your parents might be mad.”
“But they allowed us to play inside Priderock.” Noticed cub. “Mom said nothing about dangerous holes or something like that. We’re doing no wrong.”
In prince’s mind some dark shadow appeared above the crack. His logic told him not to go, however he wasn’t in age that logic ruled every motion. Three days of self-chosen penance his cubbish nature just demanded some emotions. He looked on Anasa, smiling in silent plead then stepped ahead.
“All right, but I will go as first.”
Anasa didn’t protest, so prince made first steps into darkness of crack. With every metre inside the excitation killed premonition in him and when he reached the next chamber, he quickly turned back to friend and called.
“Come on, it really aerie here!” Then he looked on remote cavern, partially overgrown with fluorescent moss. Dhahabu never saw anything like that. In chamber there was a darkness a bit lightened by that glare. Some distant water dropping sounded in deeps of corridors and in the same time wind was howling in some crack going outside of rock. That wasn’t the home cubs knew. In light of moss some completely new world appeared before young explorer. However that glare was much too weak to show all the cracks on walls of cavern.
And prince was much too excited to hear menacing jangles of weathered rocks.
*
Simba gained some strange habits during his exile in Green Den. He always – or maybe except of early cubhood – liked to sleep a lot, but it never turned to be regular afternoon nap. But freed from monarch duties, ex-king started to sleep every afternoon after dinner. Because Nala freedom of hunting was limited by short area of Green Den plate, queen was bored on that afternoons. Company of Zazu was usually very tiring, because former majordomo was still practising his vocal skills and spending that time with Timon and Pumbaa – in spite of all advantages that her mate’s friends had – was also not the thing ex-queen aimed.
Sorphi and Vinia was for most time out, looking on food for ex-monarch couple. But sometimes, if hunt of main part of pride was already over, often Umeme – best Nala’s friend – visited Green Den.
That afternoon ex-queen was also waiting for goldenfurred, however she had something to do. She stopped Zazu – who as usual was going away from den to sing somewhere out – then ordered him to tell a lecture about Prideland laws.
“As you wish, my lady.” Said hornbill, sitting on acacia’s branch, before entrance to Green Den. “I will serve you with all my might. But may I ask why are you so curious about our codex? After… so many years of choosing any other possible subject to talk with me.”
“That is not important now.” Replied Nala, squinting her eyes. She was lying on afternoon sun, directed west and looking on river, clearly seen from Green Hill. “Just remind me, what our laws say about divorce.” Zazu looked on her with confusion mixed with bolt of fear. “Not my divorce.” Added Nala instantly. “I’m doing fine with Simba in every possible way. Just tell me about general principles.” Hornbill wanted to ask for something more, but stare of ex-queen convinced him to reply on question.
“That’s very difficult problem… because we… haven’t any.” Said legist. “Because – at least among lions – the marriage and matehood isn’t subjected to any strict rituals. All is regulated by customary law. I saw just three such a celebrations – of Mufasa and Sarabi, of Tanabi and Vitani and of Simba and you, ma’am.”
“Yeah, I know how it was.” Interrupted Nala. “But tell me about parting. Any cases of Prideland history you know?”
“Not of my knowledge.” Said majordomo.
“So what do you think? How it could be done?” asked Nala, a bit too fast and too inquiring. Zazu sensed that behind that curiosity was hiding something really troubling. “I mean, in theory…”
“In theory the promise made to Circle of Life, and made in front of all subjects are permanent. And after cubs are born, mates have undeniable duties each other and to offspring. Unless…”
“Unless…” encouraged him Nala.
“There were some additional circumstances that made sworn invalid.” Said Zazu. He knew she started a very shady game, but the lawyer awoke in him – he just continued his lecture. “A bigamy, notorious adultery, curative problems disturbing matehood, too close affinity of mates, charges of treason against one of mates…”
“Stop!” called Nala a bit too loud. She instantly lowered her voice, being careful not to wake Simba. “Again that one. About close affinity.”
“Ma’am, are you sure we aren’t talking about some particular case?” asked Zazu gulping. He wanted to fly away from that place and forget about whole situation. There was just one possible couple fitting to that description.
“Tanabi is great grandson of Ahadi. Vitani is granddaughter of Ahadi. Technically they are cousins…”
“…in fourth grade of consanguinity.” Finished Zazu. He didn’t want to, just layer in him turned out to be stronger that wise bird. “But ma’am, you can’t question lord Tanabi’s and lady Vitani’s marriage! In such cases, with fourth or even third grade, the approval of current monarch works as a dispensation.”
“Was then Tanabi already king? And had he approval of his parents for marriage?” asked ex-queen.
“I don’t want to hear it!” Called hornbill. “With all due respect, ma’am, if you say something more about that, I will wake Simba!”
“Go on.” Smiled Nala. “And what will you say him? Complain about me that I making some questions.”
“I’m terribly sorry, ma’am.” Said bird, raising into the air. “I promised to visit Tiko today. I’m late already.”
“***** it!” thought Nala, looking after fleeing majordomo. “If he says something about that to Vitani, there might be a problem.” But then she judged that Zazu was too scared about her ideas to share news with anyone… even with own nephew. “And that’s good.” Smiled ex-queen. “I’m still not sure about the situation, but I have to check all possibilities. Maybe we will kill both birds with one stone. Riding that awful Outlander out of your land and secure proper future for Tanabi.”
Then she noticed Umeme, walking through savannah in Green Den direction. Nala smiled, seeing not only good friend, but possible solution to all her problems. “Once Tanabi was betrothed with goldenfurred lioness. I have no doubt she still remembers she could has become a queen… and in some conditions, still could be.”
Lioness came to Nala and bowed her head as if she was still rightful queen of Prideland. Ex-monarchess just nuzzled her muzzle in gesture of friendship. They were very close in way a bit strange for persons like them. Nala was much older, comparing to three and half tear old subject, however she found a common tongue with freshly mature female.
“How was your day?” she asked.
“A bit too long already.” Replied goldenfurred. “We went of savannah just after dawn and finished just about. I even hasn’t been on Priderock yet.”
“But still came to see your old friend, huh?”
“To rest here, ma’am.” Explained huntress. “I think I’m better relaxing on your court than on rock. There is too much rush there.”
“Well, suit yourself.” Smiled Nala. “Have you eaten?”
“Yes, thanks…” nodded Umeme, then took a look around.
“Easy, my guards are on hunt right now.” Said Nala, pronouncing word <guards> with irony. There was no bitterness in that, at least not directed to Sorphi and Vinia. “Sit down. Simba sleeps, we are alone for a while. And that’s good.”
“Ma’am?” asked a bit confused lioness.
“I want to ask you some a bit personal question.”
“I will try to answer it as I can.” Said Umeme, sitting next to Nala.
“But if you decide it’s a bit troubling, say me.” Asked ex-queen. Surprised huntress nodded her head. “Let’s talk about my son.”
“King Tanabi.” Instantly corrected Umeme.
“No. For me he is Tanabi in the first place. For you the same.” Said Nala, observing lioness’s reaction. She noticed a slight, however barely repressed narrowing of eyes. “You are friends… you were so close in your cub’s days. Had that changed?”
“Of course it had.” Replied Umeme. “He is a king now. He had mate and cub, so there is no time to recall <old friendships>.” Nala heard in those words involuntary complain on ways of fate. Exactly what she hoped to hear.
“And that somehow concerns me.” She said. “After all, you are almost like queen now.” Nala noticed a bolt of sudden amazement on goldenfurred’s muzzle. “I mean, Vitani is crowned, but she is not Pridelandress. And I heard you took many duties of monarchess, to fill lacks that… our new queen caused. You help to watch over cubs, assisting Tanabi in his patrols and so on.” Said Nala, carefully speaking words, trying not to show her anger.
“Well… I could say so.” Nodded Umeme. She was so simple-hearted and loyal to her king, that she failed to see a possible insult to royal couple. She also failed to see a threat in ex-queen’s words. After all she wanted nothing but good. Nala did the same.
Most of tragedies start that way.

To whom is concerned:
BTW. Today I performed my first lecture as academic tutor (Sunday, because for extramural students).
It’s hard to rate own effort, so I could say just:
No casualties reported;)