attampting to ignore the dull pain in my stomach.

Two days later, at the break of dawn, Sarabi made her way into the cave. “Fina? You okay? I thought I heard crying… Oh, my.  Qu…Queen Uhru! Hurry! The mothering cave! It’s Sarafina!” In seconds, almost every lioness was in the cave. “Sarabi, what is it?” the queen yawned. Then she looked at me and her eyes popped. “Your cubs have arrived! Why didn’t you call for help?” “I was raised to understand that only your sisters, aunts, grandmas and your mother should accompany you when it’s your cubs’ time. If you have none of those, your best friend should help. I didn’t want to bother Sarabi, since she’s now a mother-to-be.”

“Well, it looks like you did just fine. How many are there?” “Three. One boy, two girls.” Uhru came over then and looked at each. “The girls looks just like you.  And the boy…” “Is the mirror image of his daddy. Kakaylan would be so proud to have a little boy.” As I shook my head, I whispered to Uhru. “Please, my Queen, bring Takari to me.” Swiftly she left and came back with a very sleepy prince. “Gee, whiz! Cubs! They came!” He shouted happily as he bent down next to me. “Yes, aren’t they cute? They aren’t near as big as they ought to be- but that’s my fault. I need to talk to you about something, though. I have no idea how a boy would be raised, and I am not sure that on the move I could protect three cubs at once. So, when I leave, I want my son to stay with you. I know he would not be in danger, and you and the others would take care of him. I ask a lot, I know.  But if you could find it in your heart to do this I would be very grateful.” He stared at me for a brief second, and then nodded. “If you’re sure you want to leave him behind, then, yes I will be his father.”

“No you won’t. Those cubs will die- either by my paw or yours, Mufasa.” Ahadi snarled angrily. “You won’t lay a paw on my cubs, you blithering idiot.” I roared. Oh, how badly I wanted to jump him, but I wasn’t quite that stupid.  “I have shown you nothing but respect from day one. WHAT IS YOUR PROBLEM! My son poses no threat, nor do my daughters. And as much as I would adore having my teeth around your throat, I won’t harm you either. Why do you hate me?”

Now I was close to tears, and Sarabi came and stood by me.  Uhru came as well, opening her mouth as her fiery green eyes shone with fury. “I find her to be right, Audshy. You are being cruel to someone who has given no reason or action for your attitude.” She lowered her voice to an angry whisper. “And if you ever threaten a cub again, I will tear out your eyes and stuff them down your throat so you can watch me tear your carcass apart bit by bit. Got it?”  He looked terrified and backed off.  “You can’t be a mother to every rogue that comes; one day, we’ll take one in and it will murder us in our sleep.” I gasp. “YOU THINK I’M A MURDERER? My entire kingdom just got slaughtered and you believe I will harm you? You have a seriously messed up mind… Goodbye.” Swiftly I grab my cubs and head out the cave, running away, even though they call for me to come back.

I stop a short bit away, gasping for breath. After twenty-five hours of bringing three cubs into the world, I am both physically and mentally exhausted.  “Sarafina, please, wait. Listen to me.” Sarabi shouted fearfully. I look back and see that Mufasa, Uhru, Takari, and Sarabi are racing to me, with Ahadi trailing guiltily behind. I allow them to catch up, placing my newborns between my paws as the five come up to me panting. “Please, forgive my father. He didn’t think when he spoke.” Mufasa pleaded. Ahadi looked at me, eyes sorrowful like a puppy’s. I snarl. “Never; why should I, when I know he meant what he said and said what he meant.”

Sarabi went to speak, but I caught scent of the lion that Kakaylan had had to save me from. “Move!” I yelped and slammed into Sarabi as the killer lunged. “You messed up my hunt, wretched lioness!” He roared. “I’m fixing to mess up more than that, ASSASIN.” His eyes burned with recognition, laughing as I jumped and missed. “You killed my mate!” I growled. “Indeed, I did. What do you aim to do about it?” “THIS!” My paw slashed at his ugly face, taking out an eye and two whiskers. “You probably did away with my father, too.” A cruel smile played on his blood stained face. “Actually, my four children got him- They did rather well, for their first kill.” He snarled. “But we forgot about you- prepare to die.” “THAT is MY line” Throwing myself at him, I grab his mane and pull as he throws me off. Letting out a scream of pain, he snarls. I spit out the grey mane, pleased to see I have now exposed his neck. We circle, and then lash out, both going for the others’ blood. I see four adult lions joining, and I completely lose it. Truly, I just snapped- even now, in my old age, never have I gotten so very angry as I was at that moment. In seconds, the four others were near unconscious from blood loss, (not to say I couldn’t have done that anyway) and the grey maned lion was pinned, pleading for his life. “Please, mercy, mercy! Don’t kill me, please, mercy!” I reeled back, preparing to strike… then hit the ground beside of him with a snarl. “I am not going to stoop to your level. You won’t die by my paw… only the rulers of the land have the right to do away with you. You may be a murderer, but you have cubs of your own. I… refuse to kill you.” He looked at me as if I’d gone mad. “So, my cubs die but I live?” “Your cubs shall live too. They are not as hurt as you think. I give you… five seconds to get the heck OUT of my sight before I do stoop to your level and take the lives of your cubs… and then you die. ONE… TWO… THREE…” He whimpers and nudges his children to their feet, and then each begins to scamper away swiftly.

When they are well out of sight, I turn my head away in sadness. “Five.” “That was incredible how you fought them! And so noble how you let them go! I know I wouldn’t have.” Mufasa shouted. “You… you saved my life.” Sarabi rasped. I smiled.

Only two months later, Simba was born. And when Sarabi and Mufasa proposed that my Nala become Simba’s wife in later years, I gladly agreed. And they would go on to do just that- but of course that is their story. This was mine.