“That was our original plan after Simba exiled me and we found each other again. I can understand now why he didn’t believe me when I tried to profess my innocence. If it were me, I don’t think I would’ve believed me, either. I mean my name, Kovu, means ‘scar’. Therefore I don’t blame the animals for fearing me for so long. Being named after a lion that killed his brother so he could rule can be a reminder to name your children carefully. Kiara and I were very careful when we named our sons.”

            Takata nodded. “My name means ‘clean or pure’. I try to live up to it.”

            “You succeeded. I don’t know many lions that would be able to raise a blind daughter without losing his sanity.” The Prince stopped, his eyes widening at what he just said. He turned to Takata, expecting to see an angry face but instead saw a softened face. He relaxed. “I’m sorry, Takata. I didn’t mean that. What I meant was…”

            “It’s alright, Kovu. You did not offend me. I’ll admit,” he began with hesitation. “It surprised to me when Etana was… born. I didn’t expect her to be blind.” He smiled. “But I consider it a blessing.” He looked at the Regent whose eyes were questioning. “Because she’s blind, her other senses are stronger. She sees with them and it makes her not disabled. She sees more than you or I ever could and I’ve done all I can to teach her.”

            “You’re a good father. Not many…” Kovu stopped, forming his words carefully. “Not many lions would take care of… a visibly impaired lioness.”

            “I’m not like most lions, Kovu.”

            “I can see that.”

            The lions shared a laugh and after a few minutes of walking in silence, Kovu stopped walking and turned to Takata with a hopeful and slightly serious face. “Takata,” he began, his voice full of the authority he had used for so long. “You are a lion who’s been through a lot in his life and has come out lucky and blessed, just as I was. How would you like to serve this kingdom and its king?”

            The black lion looked as though someone hit him in the face, knocking the wind out of him. He pawed at the ground, his head lowered. “I… how, Kovu?” he asked softly. “How can I help?”

            “How would you like to be a guardian of the Pridelands?” Takata whirled his head to him, shock written on his face. Kovu smiled. “Surprised?”

            Takata stammered. “I-I-I… I’m-I’m humbled, no honored, Kovu, but why? I’m almost as old as you are.”

            Kovu laughed. “True, but you’re in good health. I think you would make a good guard.”

            “Thank you, Kovu, but what of the other guards, Kadiri, his mate, and Mabaki? Will they approve?”

            Kovu smiled. “I think they will.”

            “I am honored. I promise I will serve this kingdom and your son with every fiber of my being. I may be getting old, but I’m not old yet. I’m only six years believe or not.” He laughed and Kovu returned it.

            They continued their walk for another hour.

            “I wonder how Kiara and Etana are,” Kovu wondered aloud.

            “I’m sure they’re fine, Kovu,” Takata said helpfully. The Prince only nodded.

            “We better return to Pride Rock,” Kovu said, looking at the sky, seeing the sun beginning to sink.

OoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOo

They arrived at Pride Rock almost two hours later. Lucky for them, the pride was assembled and the cubs were near their parents. The hunting party had also returned, with the kills in front of a tired Baraka.

            While Kovu went to his mate, Takata went to his daughter. They nuzzled. “Did you have a good time?” the old lion asked.

            “Yes, Father,” Etana answered. “The Pridelands are very beautiful and… full of an interesting history. These lands need help and I think we can help.”

            Takata nodded. “I agree and we will. Kovu asked me to be a guard and I accepted.”

            Etana smiled and put a paw on his foreleg. “That’s wonderful.” Takata nuzzled her.

            There was more talk amongst the pride but silence filled the air as the king stepped toward the kills, placing his forepaws on each of the dead animals’ sides. He gave the blessing and stepped back. The pride came forward to get their shares and moved back to their spots. They all chatted while Baraka, stripping off his own piece, took it in his mouth and walked down the ramp, lying in the grass. For some reason, he wanted to be alone. He chewed slowly at the meat, his ears perking up, hearing the conversations of the pride above. He sighed wearily. As much as he wanted he could not join them. As much as he wanted to give his nephews and niece some of part of his meat, he wasn’t up to it.

            “Mom… Dad… All those duties, all their problems… How did you handle it?” the king asked himself. He bowed his head, his eyes almost wet, but he would not cry. He was in pain. Today had really drained him and he did not want to do it again tomorrow. He wondered if Kovu would be able to rule in his stead for a day. But no, that would be asking too much of his own father. So what do I do? Baraka sighed. It would be so much easier if… He shook his head quickly. No… He had to get that thought out of his head. It wouldn’t change anything. Having a mate wouldn’t change anything. None of the lionesses he grew up with were interested in ruling. Saada and Dailia loved him but not in that way. He understood. He was too compassionate and kind hearted not to. Besides, Dailia had Kadiri and Saada just wanted to live in peace. So what was he looking for in a mate anyway? He cringed. Even he wasn’t sure of that and if anyone asked he couldn’t answer.

            Baraka sighed again and buried himself in his meal but he felt something lay down near him, the grass under and around his body moving. He lifted his head and turned, slightly surprised. Etana was there, her sightless eyes staring at who knew what. She couldn’t see anyway so what was the point of her head pointing anywhere? He was about to speak, to ask her why she was beside him but didn’t. It was a free land and she had the right to go wherever she wanted, even if she now was lying next to him.

            “How was your day, Etana?” he asked, finally.

            “It was well, sire. Your mother gave me the full tour. These lands are everything she said they were. She told me much about the history of the Pridelands. These lands have been blessed through and through with good leaders. You being among them…”

            “I’m still learning,” Baraka said with a slightly hard voice.

            She sensed the hardness and laid her paws flat on the grass, her breathing soft. “A hard day, sire?” she asked with closed eyes.

            “Yes and I don’t wish to relive it, please?”

            “I understand, sire.”

            Baraka smiled and turned to her. “Etana, call me Baraka. You did this morning.”

            “Your pride is above us. They may hear.”

            “Everyone has the right to call me by my name. You have that same right. I get enough of the ‘sire’ stuff from the animals and my majordomo. A lion can only take so much.” He laughed