voice.

            “It may take him years,” Kiara said, her eyes lowering.

            “We could help him, but we have no advice to give. From what Rafiki said this has never happened in the Pridelands history…”

            “Or he may never marry…”

            “Kiara,” Kovu said with a firm voice. “Baraka just doesn’t love lionesses. I tried talking to him but he refuses to speak.”

            She sighed. “But… you’re right though. He does like Etana and, as I said, he won’t admit it. I think he’s afraid.”

            Kovu raised a brow. “Of getting hurt?” he asked. Kiara didn’t answer. He bowed his head. “Ki… we can’t keep worrying over Baraka and his future. He’s in control of it. If he never finds a lioness to share his life with, there’s nothing we can do.”

            Kiara shuddered. “I know,” she said quietly. She looked up at the sky. “I wish Daddy could tell us what to do about this.”

            He put a paw on her shoulder. “I think Simba would want us to do what’s right. He would want us to step back and let our son handle it. It is his future.”

            “I know… it’s just…” She closed her eyes, pushing back the tears. “It’s hard to watch him go through a loneliness no one can imagine.”

            “Well, we should be thankful he didn’t marry Hasira.”

            Kiara didn’t reply. She looked at the stars again, silently wondering how to help her son. She prayed mindfully then turned to her mate. Tiredness showed through his eyes as it did in hers. She yawned. “Kovu, let’s go back to sleep,” she said drowsily.

            He nodded in agreement. They settled down in their sleeping spots in the den a few minutes later.

OoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOo

The entire den was silent and unmoving, but in Baraka’s chambers there was movement. The King of the Pridelands paced his cave, looking at the walls, and mumbling to himself. His fur was soaked, his mane damp. He panted heavily, his eyes almost unfocused. He’d had the same nightmare that plagued him for months. He couldn’t get rid of it. Not even the herbs given by Arif and Rafiki seemed to help.

            He let out a pained, frustrated and tired sigh and then flopped down to the ground. He looked around. The darkness was comforting but also, in its own way, frightening. He eyed Etana and his gaze frowned. He moved over to her, his mind in a whirl. He wondered how she was doing, if she was alright. Though he was thirsty he couldn’t leave, not until he was sure that she would be okay. Takata’s word that morning had not been enough. He had to see for himself. She was, after all, in his chambers.

            Fatigue fell over him. He had been awake for an hour. He yawned and fell asleep a few seconds later.

            Another hour passed when he stirred. He thought he heard a sound, and rose. He walked around again, stopping beside Etana. He looked down at her and stared. Was it his imagination? Did she move her head? He kept looking. The lioness’s ears flickered and his eyes grew. She was moving!

            “Etana, can you hear me? It’s Baraka. You’re in my cave. Dailia is well.”

            The lioness moved a little more. She opened her eyes slowly, a small groan emitting from her mouth. She tried to speak.

            He noticed. “No, don’t speak. You’ve been out for almost a day. I think its mid moon now. Rest, okay?” He lied down beside her.

            Etana tried to move but her body was still weakened. The pain she endured was worth it, even if it now meant taking a few days to recover from the bodily battle. But she had done it; she got rid of the fever. Her body was hurting but she’d get over that. It was normal for her. She didn’t respond to Baraka’s statement. She simply closed her eyes, her breathing slow and soft.

            Baraka smiled faintly then tried again to sleep for longer than an hour if that’s how long it’d been.

            As he began to drift, he thought he heard her voice.

            “Sleep well, Baraka.”

            He smiled.

Chapter 7: Stories and Memories

Early morning the lion and mandrill shamans were called to Pride Rock, to the king’s chambers.

            Baraka and Takata waited outside the cave but neither spoke. The looks on their faces and in their eyes were enough. A small while later the shamans came out.

            “De symptoms from Dailia’s pain have left Etana’s body,” said Rafiki in amaze.

            “We would give her medicines but we’re not sure how she’ll react to them,” Arif added, shaking his head slowly.

            The king nodded almost gravely, but Takata said, “The only thing you can do is let her rest. She’s done this before and has always been fine. Now that Dailia’s pain is gone from her body she will need to recover.”

            Rafiki and Arif glanced at each other and looked to Baraka. The king thought over the black lion’s words then nodded in approval. “Very well, Takata. Etana can stay in my chambers until she is fully recovered and when she is, she is more than welcome to sleep in the den amongst the pride, but if not the offer still stands.”

            Takata dipped his head. He was grateful to Baraka’s constant kindness. He smiled, silently knowing his daughter would be alright. After taking on someone’s pain, the animal was cured completely, showing no traces of being ill.

            “Sire,” said a voice. The lions and mandrill turned. Dailia padded toward them. “Sire,” she said again. “If it’s alright with you and Takata, I’d like to keep an eye on Etana while she recovers.”

            They all looked at each other but Takata wasn’t surprised. Anyone Etana healed always wanted to keep watch. “Dailia,” the black lion said with a warm smile. “Thank you. That would mean a great deal to me.”

            “Dailia, are you sure?” Baraka asked. “I’d thought that you would want to spend time with Kadiri and your cubs.”

            She smiled. “Baraka, Etana saved my life. It’s because of her that I am with my mate and cubs again. I owe her so much and what better way to show my thankfulness than by watching over her?”

            There was truth in her words and no one disagreed. They all stepped aside and Dailia disappeared into Baraka’s chambers.

The three days it took for Etana to recover came and went, but nothing else changed. Dailia, true to her word, looked after Etana whilst most of the pride hunted, the guardians patrolled, and the cubs played, and the king tended to his duties with the animals. While Dailia took care of her, Etana did in fact recover. But during the night Dailia was taken off duty and Baraka kept watch.

            The first day she fully woke and started to eat what pieces of the kill were given to her and her keeper. She had been surprised to hear the guardian’s voice but she also expected it. The second day she was able to walk around the cave. Takata was relieved,