good to the meet you princess let us see if you keep your word,” Wanderer said, a faint smile on his face.

“No lion from my pride will know of your existence, when I give my word I keep it,” Zola replied standing up.

Racing the setting sun Zola ran home through the deserted land. As she ran it dawned on her that she had defied her parents, going directly against what they would have wanted. Reaching Pride Rock roars ripped through the air, Aina and her friends were fighting Sarabi’s friends. Claws and teeth ripped through fur, on the sidelines Masika and Zira watched, a look of horror on Masika's. Slinking over to her friend Zola watched the fight.

“What started it this time Masika?”

“Sarafina said Sarabi and Mufasa were greater rulers then Zira and Scar could ever be. Sarafina got really mad, she said something about Simba’s death possibly not being an accident. I didn’t understand what it was about.”

“I do, something has been kept from us.”

“What?”

“Not here.”

Swiftly the pair made their way out into the savannah away from their parents. Stopping at the gorge they stood on the rocks as the sun began to set. Looking down to the ground below Zola turned to her friend.

“Zola what has happened? I’ve not seen you all day,” Masika whispered.

“My father murdered his brother King Mufasa and tried to kill his son Simba but Simba is alive. Mufasa’s queen was Sarabi,” Zola whispered, the words sticking in her throat.

“He wouldn’t……”

“He did, my mother knows. Masika that is the source of all the conflict….....Nala was Simba’s best friend. Rafiki knows Simba is alive, this morning he left to find him.”

“If Simba returns……” Masika gasped wide eyed.

“Death.”

“Oh Zola you are in trouble…….” Masika began.

“It gets worse, a group of rouges are hidden in the Outlands I gave them permission to hunt.”

Masika just looked at her friend in awe, shocked Zola had defied her parent’s rules and Masika was still overcome by the news she had just received. Yet it wasn’t a complete surprise, both had recently taken to defying their parents, as a princess it was natural Zola would try to assert her own powers.

The days passed, after initial reservations Masika met Wanderer and his friends, quickly becoming accepted by the group. Despite the danger, there was a lot of laughter and fun in the small pride based on genuine friendship. A close bond quickly developed between Zola and Wanderer, one born out of friendship and understanding. They would often talk late into the night, both finding a cunning and ruthless nature in the other. Unknown to both they mirrored Scar and Zira but unlike them Zola and Wanderer had not yet given in to the darkness.

A week after meeting Zola and Wanderer walked along the banks of the dry river. Zola had just told him everything about Simba and her father and what his return could mean for her. Walking silently for a while lost both were lost in their own thoughts. Stealing a glance at Zola, Wanderer finally spoke.

“We have only known each other for a few days but we have a connection. You and Masika are liked and respected by my friends,” Wanderer began hesitantly. “I have no right to suggest this...... but......... I’m going to. Come with me.”

“Leave my pride?” Zola whispered staring at him. “Betray everything I have ever known.......My place is here Wanderer, I don’t have the luxury to go where I please.”

“You already rebelled by not telling your parents I was here. You are brave, beautiful and very very smart. Don’t be a prisoner.”

“I wish it were that simple.”

“It is simple. You said yourself you will never be queen and only death or exile of Simba returns! You don’t have to die for your parent’s crimes, you could live free, with me.”

“You make it sound so simple,” Zola sighted smiling sadly

Breaking the Circle

A couple of days had passed since Wanderer had asked Zola to leave with him and his pride. Night had fallen, standing on the edge of Pride Rock, Zola looked out across the barren land. Wanderer’s words had plagued her along with those spoken by Rafiki. Zola had avoided Wanderer and not even Masika knew what he suggested. His suggested had taken hold, allowing her to imagine another life. Looking up at the stars Zola spoke softly.

“How do I decide what path to take? Wanderer is offering me a chance to be free yet if I follow him I will betray my pride. This land is my home. I cannot just abandoned it to an uncertain future. Simba could claim the throne, he is the rightful heir.

Yet don’t I have equal claim? I am the daughter of the king. The daughter of a murdering king slayer. Will I always live in the shadow of my parents actions? They have ruined this land through tyranny. I have the same darkness in me. Please Great Kings and Queens please help me.”

The moment the last words were spoken a brilliant white light descended from the stars causing Zola to step back. Out of the light stepped the ghostly form of Queen Ure. Zola’s eyes widened in half fear half amazement hardly able to believe what she was seeing.

“Hello Granddaughter, I am here to help you just as you asked. All those who have the courage to ask the Great Kings for help will receive it.”

“Grandma how is? I have heard stories…..but I never imagined.”

“Your heart called to me for help, after all you are my heir Zola. We share the same personalities you and I. Do not fear your heritage,” Ure gazing at Zola proudly.

“How I can I be proud of my heritage when my parents are responsible for so much bloodshed? You know the darkness in me,” Zola whispered sadly, her eyes filled with shame.

“Zola you can be a great queen. Not all are like Sarabi all light and innocence , at times darkness in needed. Yet darkness cannot exist without light.”

“I will never be queen. Simba will return and claim what is his by right. I am my parent’s daughter and will be expected to fight.”

“Oh Zola history does not have to repeat itself,” Ure replied nuzzling her. “There need be no more bloodshed. You have the chance to leave where with Wanderer and your new friends.”

“I cannot leave here, no matter how much…….”

“How would you feel if Wanderer left and you never saw him again?” Ure asked.

Zola paused; an intense pain scorched her heart greater than anything she had felt before. In her head she ran over the times spend with Wanderer’s and his friends, all the fun they had together. Wanderer’s handsome face stuck in her mind and the connection they shared.

“I couldn’t bear that,” Zola gasped, her heart pounding. “I think I……love him. He hasn’t said if he feels the same way. But my statues…….my parents…..is it worth the risk?”

“Trust what your heart tells you. You will have to make a choice tonight Zola, in three days it will be too late.”

“If I left……….”Zola began walking to the edge of Pride Rock. “Would the pride be able to heal? Would it be better for the kingdom and my pride if I had never been born?”

“Never question your own birth. After all had you not been born then Nala may have been condemned to a life as your father's second queen. The pride may heal or it may not that is dependant on the outcome of Simba's challenge to your parent's rule. ”

“I don't have a choice,” Zola replied smiling sadly. “I have to leave with Wanderer to escape the past. Thank you for listening to me Grandma.”

“Help is given to those who need it, we will meet again Queen Zola,” Ure replied nuzzling Zola before disappearing.

With a light heart Zola walked into a small cave where she often slept. In her dreams she saw Wanderer walking out of the ocean onto a beautiful beach. Rolling over she smiled in her sleep. When drawn struck the land the following morning she raced to the Outlands. Arriving she found her Masika and Majani playing tag while the other relaxed in the cool morning air. Seeing her Wanderer looked up, surprised at the light that shone from her eyes.

“I’ve decided to come with you, I will never be truly happy unless I leave,” Zola said before Wanderer could speak.

“Zola that is fantastic,” Wanderer replied nuzzling her.

Smiling the pair looked at each other, without planning it or caring their friends were watching they kissed. The pride and Masika roared with delight, all had seen the way the pair looked at one another.

“We leave the day after tomorrow,” Wanderer whispered to Zola.

“So soon…….Masika,” Zola said turning to look at her friend. “I can understand if you want to stay.”

“Actually I’m leaving too,” Masika laughed. “I came here to tell everyone. I was dreading telling you, I can’t want live under your father’s rule.”

Spending the day together the new pride and Tau planned their route once leaving the Pride Lands. To Zola's surprise Tau appeared to be guiding them towards the coast, remembering her dream, Zola smiled, hoping it might just come true. Plans for made for leaving the Pride Lands in meticulous detail with alternate routes included on