different, almost… royal, but that’s impossible, right? You’ve been a rogue your whole life.” He would’ve continued but the realization of his last words struck him. He bowed his head, his ears low. “Forgive me, Etana, where are my manners? I shouldn’t have…”

            He felt her place a paw on his head then moved it to his cheek until it rested under his chin. She tilted his head up to look at her. There was no anger on her face.

            “It’s alright, Adabu. I can understand why you’re curious,” she said simply and with a hint of sympathy.

            “But… I… Never mind,” he whispered.

            “Never be afraid to speak your mind. You’re very intelligent. Don’t be afraid to show it.”

            Adabu purred under the gentle touch. “I won’t.”

            She smiled warmly. There was another silence then, at a good length, she spoke. “You’re also very smart. Tell me, do you like hearing stories?”

            “Yes.”

            “Alright…” Etana shifted herself, getting into a story teller position. She cleared her throat. “In a large area in the mountains, there resides a kingdom with no name.” Before Adabu could ask, she held up a paw and said gently, “I’m thinking of a name for it.”

            Adabu nodded, waiting patiently for her to continue.

            “This kingdom, like many, had a king and queen. Under their rule, the lands were plentiful, the herds at peace and the pride satisfied. During these times, the queen was giving birth to her first litter of cubs. When the shaman came to examine the cubs he was distraught and saddened to tell the new parents that their first born cub, a daughter, was blind.” Here, she paused.

            The cub didn’t respond. By that, she could tell he wanted to hear more.

            “But there was a son, the second cub, and he wasn’t blind. The king was distressed and angry. He refused to acknowledge his daughter as the next queen and vowed to train his son instead.”

            Etana paused again.

            Adabu lowered his head. “But why,” he asked sadly. “Why would the king be so cold to his child? So, she was blind but did he really have to… take away her inheritance, the kingdom and the leadership because of that?”

            Etana shuddered. “Blindness ran in his family. His own father, the last king, was blind as was his father before him.”

            “Oh, so… um, what happened?”

            “The cubs grew, but the king’s temper towards his daughter became worse with each passing day. He would say cruel things to his daughter and at times he wanted to hurt her. He thought her a cursed member of the royal family, cursed to carry on the blindness of his family. The queen was getting worried for her daughter, but the princess was strong and with the help of her brother, mother and many of the pride members, she was able to walk the lands without tripping or bumping into stuff. She could even tell who everyone was by listening to their breathing and the sounds of their pawprints. She wanted to show her father that she wasn’t weak or cursed.”

            “What did he say or think?” Adabu asked, with all politeness. He could hear hesitation in her voice, almost as if she was hiding something. He shook his head. There was no reason to suspect that, not from her.

            She bowed her head. “He didn’t. He didn’t care, and the queen was getting more and more fearful. One day she arranged a meeting with the most trusted pride members. The prince attended and they talked about the future, mainly that of the princess’s. By the end of the meeting it was agreed that for her own safety, the princess would be taken from her home and either raised by a good caring pride or a gentle, non blood thirsty and non power hungry rogue lion or lioness.”

            Adabu was silent for a while, his mind twirling the story so far in his head. Etana was also silent, her body shaking. The cub didn’t notice; he was patting the ground. A tear came to his eye and he let out a sigh until a minute passed and he found his voice again. “Who… who took her away? Did the king find out?”

            “I can only answer the first question. The second… I’m trying to work that out. The first question’s answer is the mother, the queen herself, took her daughter away.”

            “Did she find someone decent to raise her cub?”

            “Yes,” Etana replied. “A rogue lion, one with a gentle and loving heart…”

            Adabu sniffed, the story overwhelming him. He looked up at her. “Does the story have an ending?”

            She shook her head. “Not yet.”

            “It was a sad story, but I liked it. Thank you for sharing and I hope you can complete it.”

            “So, do I…” she whispered.

            A minute later, Adabu yawned tiredly. He saw Etana pat the ground beside her with a welcoming paw. He rose and settled himself comfortably beside her.

            They put their heads down for a nap.

OoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOo

Rafiki’s reputation for being the shaman of faith and all knowing had changed in the last few years. The mandrill still, at times, couldn’t believe that he had lived to see another generation of Prideland royalty assume the throne, nor had he believed that the new royalty was one not two. For as long as he lived in the Pridelands he crowned many kings and queens, presented any cubs they had, performed last rites for any animal who died, and took care of those who were sick.

            He lived an amazing life and had helped the kingdom in its darkest times. Scar’s reign had been the hardest. The deceased ruler was king for two years, maybe three, but it was long enough that Rafiki would never forget it. Now he lived to see three generations of leaders give the Pridelands the peace they deserved. Simba restored the Circle of Life when he returned and helped keep the balance when Zira, Scar’s mate and ex Prideland queen, plotted to train her second son to kill Simba and become king in the name of Scar.

            Rafiki shivered. He suddenly remembered the night Kovu had been born.

            “It was an unusual night…” the old mandrill whispered to himself.

            He stared off into the distance, allowing his mind to wander…

He had been confined to the Tree of Life for almost two years. He wasn’t allowed to leave unless he was sent for by the king himself.

            Rafiki walked around his home, his yellow eyes gazing on the paintings of past Prideland rulers. He stopped as he beheld the near fading form of the last good king. He put a trembling hand on the image and a tear of sorrow and regret fell from his eye.

            “Oh, Mufasa,” he whispered, casting down his head. “For such a short reign you did so much good and now…” He paused, sniffed and lifted his head, allowing himself to look on the devastation that was once so full of life. It tore him apart to see the Pridelands in ruin. “And now your brother has destroyed your work… If only things had been different. If only you hadn’t died… and your beloved son, Prince Simba, with you.” He put his other hand upon his heart, feeling it beat slowly. “I miss you, my friend.”

            He sniffed sadly but was thrown out of his