great.”

 

This made the both of them feel a little sadder about leaving the Pride Lands because they were loved so much by the entire pride, and the kinship that they had developed with Simba and everyone else over time became so special; regardless of predator/prey relationship. So those words that Nala spoke became flattering for the both of them.

 

“Well, then; it has been a real pleasure serving with you, Your Highness.” Timon replied, also cracking a little joke. Nala just smiled.

 

The both of them suddenly remembered what they had come for.

 

“By the way,” Pumbaa said, “Have you seen Simba?”

 

“He just went to the top of Pride Rock.” Nala replied, gesturing to the pinnacle of the Rock. “He is educating Kovu into his future kingdom ship.”

 

“Okay, then.” Timon replied. He then decided to tell Nala about their business. “Look, we are going to leave for a while.”

 

“Leave?” Nala asked. “Where are you guys going?”

 

“Well, we decided to go back home to our old home in the Tropical Paradise for a while.” Pumbaa replied sadly. “Even though we love the Pride Lands as a home, we are just missing our old home. We thought that we should relive some good ol’ times at the place where we grew up together.” Timon nodded in agreement.

 

Nala could tell from the tone of their voices that they were reluctant and slightly depressed to have to leave their friends and; in their own eyes; their extended family. But she knew that they had meant well. She nodded to them understandably as she was about to let them go.

 

“Well then,” She began, “there is nothing holding you guys back from going. Besides you deserve to go home after all that you have done for us; and we really appreciate everything. I just want to say thank you for taking care of our children and showing them a good time; and for your help in the wars that we have fought. You have been great.” Timon and Pumbaa were trying hard to choke back tears from these touching words. “So you go on ahead and say goodbye to Simba; and have a safe journey.” She concluded.

 

The two of them immediately came up and embraced Nala as if to say ‘thank you and farewell’. She returned it in a lovable fashion and with a smile on her face. The embrace lasted about ten seconds before they broke off.

 

“Goodbye, Nala.” Timon finally said to her before he hopped back onto Pumbaa’s back, ready for the departure.

 

“Goodbye, guys.” Nala replied.

 

And with that, Timon and Pumbaa both set off towards the back of Pride Rock, where the path leading to the top of Pride Rock was waiting to be taken by them. Nala looked at them one last time with a slightly sad expression at their departure; but yet she still smiled, remembering the good old times that they all shared. She then went around to the other side of Pride Rock to find a place to rest for a while. She was also feeling a little banged up from the war, and she wanted to give her body some healing time as well. She eventually found a shaded place under an overhanging rock at the edge of the west side of the Rock; and so she lay down and went to sleep.

 

13

 

Meanwhile, Simba and Kovu had just made it up to the top of Pride Rock; the very place where Simba’s father, Mufasa, had taken Simba on his first lesson when he was a cub.

 

The sun was straight overhead of them both at this time, signaling the middle of the day. Again very few clouds were in the sky, and the illumination of the sunlight over the African landscape became one of the most beautiful sights in the world. From the pinnacle of Pride Rock the 360º view was even more spectacular; with the distant mountain ranges around the savannah, Mount Kilimanjaro in the south east, the rivers and waterholes, and the many great animals that roamed the land.

 

Both Kovu and Simba sat down as Simba was about to begin.

 

“Look, Kovu,” Simba began, “The landscape of this entire savannah is really one of the most beautiful places that you will ever see.”

 

“I know what you mean, Simba.” Kovu replied in astonishment at the amazing view. He had never seen the Pride Lands from a sort of ‘aerial’ view before; let alone anything. “I have never known just how beautiful this land really is. I am lost for words.”

 

“You don’t have to say anything. It is very hard to describe.” Simba then remembered his father’s words to him when he was just a cub. “Now, I am going to tell you everything that my father taught me as a cub: Everything that the light touches is our kingdom; and a king’s time as ruler rises and falls like the sun. So one day when my time comes, along with Nala, the sun will set; and will then rise with you and Kiara as the new rulers.”

 

“Wow!” Kovu exclaimed. He felt excited about the idea of becoming a ruler one day, but then all of a sudden he was feeling unsure. He couldn’t help feeling something deep inside that ate at his heart. All of his life he had been trained to hate and kill, and quite frankly he knew nothing about being loyal. How can I become a good leader after how I have been brought up? He thought to himself. I could turn out to be just like my mother, and then what would everybody else think of me? What would happen to these lands if I make bad decisions?

 

“But Simba,” Kovu responded in a slightly nervous tone. “Are you sure that I can do this? I mean, how would the animals of this kingdom want someone with a blackened heart and who has been raised in hate?”

 

Simba smiled at Kovu’s sweet sensitive tone. He could tell that Kovu was still feeling bad about being manipulated and poisoned against the Originals in the first place. But Simba knew now that it wasn’t his fault; and he could also see that Kovu had a change of heart.

 

“Ahh, don’t worry about it.” Simba therefore remarked. “You may have been raised in blackness, but I can clearly see that your heart has changed ever since you met my daughter and spent some time with us. You saw the true side to us Pride Landers and you knew that your mother had lied to you and turned you against us. You have learned from you mistakes and have been able to move on. You just need a little time; and I know that you will do just fine. With your now gentle and open heart, you are more than capable.”

 

Simba then began to break into song:

 

You destiny is calling, it’s shining in your heart

You feel inside the voice that’s calling, “You must play your part,

In the life of our world that fits us all inside

The Great balance we call, The Circle of Life.”

 

You may think you can’t handle yourself

Because you’ve been raised by hate, and its burning your health

And you tell your heart that you are not the kind

You are incapable of what you have to find

 

But someday you’ll see that you will be free

To carry on this legacy passed on to you from me

You can be stronger than anything you know

Look inside yourself and you will know where to go

 

Your time will come when my work is done

You will have to carry on for me

I won’t be here one day and I need you to stay

To lead our kind and set the others free

Just keep the faith and don’t give in my son; your time will come

 

Kovu, in deep thought and imagination from Simba’s words, had begun to feel a little more comfortable. He then took over:

 

I have never thought that I could be so true

To myself despite all my sins to name a few

But I found my open heart that helped me get away

From the darkness I have felt that always seemed to stay

 

Everything I thought I knew just wasn’t the way

To help me learn the quality of life we know today

Can I trust my heart to follow in your prints

In this world that I’m living in?

 

Simba then took the lead on the song again:

 

The work that is mine will be passed onto you

Believe in what you see and you will know what to do

Just trust in yourself and believe you can

Reach out deep and touch the hand

 

Your time will when my work is done

You will have to carry on for me

I won’t be here one day and I need you to stay

To lead our kind and set the others free

Just keep the faith and don’t give in my son; your time will come

 

The song ended. At the same time Kovu could not help admiring Simba for his encouragement and support in him; and he began to feel that Simba was like family to him. Since he never knew his own father, he began to see one in this noble and wise Lion King.

 

“Just remember to follow your heart and believe in yourself.” Simba concluded. “That is the most important thing.”

 

Kovu nodded and smiled appreciatively, feeling that Simba’s support meant the world to him.

 

Something else then came up in Kovu’s mind. He decided to ask Simba about the leadership that his family had carried for years in this savannah.

 

“I hope that you don’t mind if I ask; but in terms of your kingdom ship, how far back does your family go with this land?”

 

Simba seemed glad that Kovu asked that question,

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