for my bloodline to step in.”

            “Even so, Arif, you must be prepared, as must your children,” Nala said in warning.

            “Also you must tell no one of this,” Scar said with gentle but narrowed eyes. “We don’t like to keep secrets but this must be kept. If Baraka finds out, he will either not believe it, or worse…” He stopped.

            “I… I understand,” the shaman replied with a bowed head. His mind felt clouded. A lioness would come and help Baraka? How? What difference could she make in his brother’s life? Would Baraka even like her? And how could he, the shaman of the Pridelands, not tell his own flesh and blood, the King, something that could free him from his loneliness, someone who could set him free from his nightmares? And what of Rafiki... how could the student not tell his master something of this magnitude?

            After a moment of going over the words, he looked up. “When will she come? Does she have a name?”

            The lions and lionesses exchanged glances. “We do not know when she will arrive in the Pridelands,” Uru answered. “Nor do we know her name. And since this is of God’s work, we do not question.” The rest agreed quietly.

            “Other than giving you this message, there is another reason why you’re here,” Mufasa relayed. “We heard your prayer to receive a message from the spirits… Being here, in heaven, temporarily taken from the physical world is our way, and the Lord’s way of answering your prayer. But be warned, whenever we give you a message, this, you being here, will not always happen.”

            Arif nodded. “I understand but I am honored to actually see my ancestors. I thank you and God for this wonderful privilege.”

            They all smiled. “This will be a heavy burden you carry on your shoulders, Arif,” said Sarabi but the old queen gave a warm, loving smile. “But you can do it. You are the shaman of knowledge. You too have been blessed, but you already know that.”

            Mohatu looked around then up at the sky. He was quiet for a while, as if concentrating on something. A moment later he nodded to no one and looked down at Arif. He smiled. “Well Arif, my descendant, it is time for you to leave this realm and return home. Follow me, I will show you the -” Before he could move off his ledge, another figure jumped straight down, landing beside the shaman gracefully. Mohatu and the entire party were surprised. It was Scar.

            The former king looked up at his family. “Grandfather, if it pleases you and everyone else, I will escort Arif out.” He turned to his brother, his eyes pleading.

            Mohatu nodded his approval and Mufasa stared down at his brother. He smiled, his eyes shining. “It’s alright, Scar,” said the older lion. “You have the right to do so. Arif, take good care and remember we are always watching over you, your mate and your cubs. We watch over Baraka too.”

            Arif smiled and looked at them, tears welling in his eyes. He did not want to leave. This was his family. But he had a job to do and this visit was temporary. He sighed sadly and bowed his head. Scar gently nudged him.

            “Come now, my grandson, we must go,” said the black maned lion. Arif nodded and the two turned to leave.

            “Arif…” Kopa called out. The shaman turned and the prince smiled. “Your children are very special, more special than you know. Listen to them, learn from them. They can help, even though they’re young.”

            They watched the lions depart and one by one, they too started to disperse but only Mohatu, Mufasa and Simba were left on the stones. Uru had left her rock to find Ahadi. She would have words with him but so would her father, not to mention the Almighty who did not tolerate cruelty among the kings of the past, especially if one king was the father of another.

            Simba sighed, his mane bangs falling near his eyes. “Father… we could’ve told him… everything He told us.” His voice was a whisper.

            Mufasa shook his head. “Simba, we did not lie and He didn’t either. He does know her name, He does know everything about her… but there are just some things He felt that Arif would not be able to handle. He will find out, they all will.”

            “But it won’t be easy,” said Mohatu. “Her coming will change everything in the Pridelands. Whether they know it when she first arrives or way later, they need her. Baraka will need her.”

            “You’re right, it won’t be easy,” Simba said softly, pawing at the rock. “I just hope Baraka doesn’t make the wrong choice, or wait until Arif’s kids are grown.”

            Mufasa nuzzled his son and put a paw on his. “Everything will work out, Simba. They always do.”

            A while later, the three kings turned to leave.

OoOoOoOoOoOoOoOo

Arif arrived home the same way he had left, through a portal. He gave his great-great uncle a loving nuzzle and jumped through, landing on the promontory. He was home. The stars were still shining. He felt like he had been gone for days, maybe even months.

            But it was still night.

            He sighed heavily, the information still weighing in his head. He turned and walked down the stone, entering the den. The pride was still in a deep sleep. When he reached his spot and settled down beside Akase, he was surprised that she did not stir. The cubs were near her but Adabu was where he had been. Arif smiled and kissed the cub’s forehead, purring gently. He looked at his other son and only daughter, love showing in his features.

            He noticed Akase, sleeping so soundlessly. She was beautiful. He leaned over and kissed her cheek, then feeling fatigued, he laid his head on his paws to sleep but the words of his family, of past kings, queens, princes and princesses still rang throughout his head.

            Whoever this lioness was, he hoped she would come soon.

Chapter 2: Their Arrival

Arif stood on the promontory, staring out into the Pridelands. The sun was already up; the pride lounging in the grasses. The cubs were playing but one of his own, Adabu, wanted to spend the morning with him. Arif smiled sadly. As much as he wanted, he couldn’t. Rafiki was expecting him. Thankfully, Adabu had understood and scampered off to join the other cubs. Arif considered himself truly blessed to have caring cubs, cubs that would do anything for anyone. It was as if his children were cubs on the outside but adults on the inside with minds full of wisdom, intelligence and hearts of love.

            He knew his sons and daughter would one day make him proud. As he thought of their futures, he remembered seeing his ancestors, the words they had spoken about Baraka, and what Prince Kopa had said regarding Arif’s children.

            “They are special, Arif. More than you know. Listen to them…”

            The shaman bowed his head. “About what,” he asked himself. “They’re kind, loving and… mature… But is there more to it, more to their personalities than Akase and I know?” He shook his head. That wasn’t the only thing on his mind. He was still in a daze of his visit to heaven and he couldn’t understand why he got the message and not Rafiki. Why was he called to bear it?

            He searched his mind.

            ‘A lioness will come,’ they said. A special lioness… but what could she do for Baraka and