give her a chance to live the life she has chosen for herself. Masika will never come back. Both just want to be free from the cycle of hatred.”

“Masika we can deal with, all she is is another lioness,” Sarabi replied heavily. “Zola is Scar's heir, you cannot keep her existence secret for ever. One day Simba is going to find out.”

“You heard what Simba said, no more bloodshed. She was Scar's daughter but also our friend. Remember she was the one who told me of Scar's plan to make me his second queen. She may have been their daughter but not once did she hurt us. If lying to Simba protects her than so be it! I can live with that.”

“I hope you can Nala and I hope you fully understand the consequences. Simba could see your actions as betrayal. Is Scar's daughter worth losing Simba's trust?” Tama asked shaking her head.

“When I met Zola that night I was faced with two terrible choices. Either condemn her to be punished for her parents actions or to live with the knowledge that one day I would have to face Simba's anguish when he learns of her existence. I love Simba, the thought of causing him further suffering,” Nala sighed, regret shining in her eyes. “I made the choice I could live with. I had to offer Zola the chance that her parents never had. Swear to me none of you will repeat what I have told you.”

Listening the Nala's world Sarabi, Sarafina, Tama and Kula saw the wisdom in her choice yet all felt a tremor of fear for the future. They had all realized that Nala had overlooked, what if Zola heard of recent events and decided to return to challenge Simba? For all they wanted to believe Nala's world, they knew the darkness that lived within the heart of Zola. With heavy hearts the lioness swore to keep Zola's existence a secret from Simba.

Under the night's dark sky the pride stood on Pride Rock, down below them stood the hyenas, Shenzi and her daughter Yejida standing defiant. Many of the hyenas had died during the fighting, including Banzi and Yejida's father. The deaths had caused pain to the pack. Hatred burned in the hearts of Shenzi and Yejida, for unlike the lioness they had noticed the absence of Zola, Yejida having been a close friend of the princess. Standing proudly Simba fixed his eyes on the hyenas, his gaze as hard as steel and cold as ice. No hint of kindness or understanding in his golden eyes.

“I banish you from my kingdom on pain of death if you return.”

“YOU MURDER SIMBA! I will NEVER FORGIVE YOU FOR KILLING MY FATHER OR BEST FRIENDS!” Yejida howled jumping forward.

“Be quiet hyena,” Tama snarled, pinning Yejida to the ground. “You had your chance to surrender.”

“I should have killed you when I had the chance Simba,” Shenzi hissed, three long healed scars visible on her cheek. “Lay a paw on my daughter again and I swear you will pay dearly.”

“YOUR TIME IS OVER!” Simba roared, causing the hyenas to shudder. “LEAVE THIS LAND.”

“You should be grateful Simba as chosen to spear your lives 'cause there were plenty of calls for your deaths,” Tama snarled releasing Yejida.

Hearts filled with rage the hyenas were escorted to the farthest border of the kingdom by members of the pride led by Tama. Leaving their home for the last time the decimated pack vowed revenge on Simba, utterly blinded to the gift they had been given.

Healing Times

A month had passed Simba's return, slowly the land was beginning to recover. The destruction of the dead vegetation by fire combined by a month of near continual rain had been the catalyst for new growth. The rivers ran fast and clear, fish swam in the deep waters. Grass and plants grew once gain the Pridelands which in turn had drawn the herds back. Soon the land would return to all it's former glory.

One wet morning Simba stood under Pride Rock listening to Zazu's morning report. The pair were set to patrol to kingdom so Simba wanted all the facts before they set out. Hearing footsteps behind they turned to see Timon walking towards them, a look of exasperation on his face.

“Hi Timon what's eating you?” Simba asked casually.

“Very funny kid. Pumba overate on the breakfast bug buffet. He is now laid up with stomach ache,” Timon groaned rolling his eyes.

“Poor Pumba. Well how about coming with Zazu and I?”

“Love to kid but one problem. I’m small, might get squashed.”

“You can ride on my back,” Simba replied looking at his friend.

“Now that's an idea,” Timon replied,climbing up onto his friend's back.

“It it will be a pleasure to have you with us,” Zazu said smiling happily. “Pity the weather couldn't be better.”

Walking down into the land Timon clung tightly to Simba's mane while Zazu flew slightly above him in. Giraffes, zebra, antelope, elephant and gazelle grazed on the grass. In trees birds and monkeys huddled in the branches. On the banks of the river several large crocodiles laid in the water while flamingos walked in the shallows. As they went Simba, Zazu and Timon chatted about the land, finding the rain was not bothering them in the slightest.

“Things have changed since you came back Simba,” said Timon, looking around him.

“They have Timon. The land is slowly recovering from Scar’s rule and the drought.”

“Scar ruled as a tyrant despite appearing to rule wisely at first,” Zazu said sadly.

“I can't imagine that monster was ever a good king or how he got away with the murders.”

“Scar was a master manipulator. We knew he could be well........how do I put it? A little troublesome but we never imagined he could commit murder,” Zazu replied sombrely.

“Zazu’s right. I always trusted him, growing up Scar was just Uncle Scar. I never thought he would..........when he said those things in the gorge......I didn't doubt him.” “We were all so naïve, I for one should have known better,” Zazu replied bitterly.

“Why Zazu? You said he was an actor,” Simba asked curiously.

“Yes your Majesty but I had known him since he was a cub, I knew his past.”

“Well like I always you can't change the past, you just got to put it behind you,” Timon replied shrugging. “Besides he sounds like a crafty old rouge who could teach a fox a thing or two.”

Climbing up onto a hill they saw the entire kingdom spread out before like a map. Far in the distance the Elephant's Graveyard stood dark and deserted while the gorge was just visible through the rain. Abruptly a pair of cheetahs appeared raced up the hill, both bowing when they reached Simba. .

“Sire, Timon, I would like you to meet Farai and Kato. You may not remember them Sire but they served King Mufasa as scouts of the borders” Zazu said smiling at his old friends.

“A pleasure to see you have returned King Simba,” the cheetahs bowing.

“I remember both of you, my father took me on a few trips to the borders”.

“He was a greet King we are honoured to serve his son”.

“So tell me when did you both arrive back?” Zazu asked.

“A week ago we heard from a passing lioness that the true king had returned. We did not wish to leave to leave this land but we had not choice. Mufasa had been our friend as well as our king, it would be an honour to serve his son,” said Farai bowing deeply.

“I know how much it must have hurt you both, father often told be of the fun you all had as cubs. I would be honoured to have you both in my service as scouts,” Simba replied proudly.

“Thank you Sire. Zazu we need to have a catch up,” Kato replied.

Bowing deeply Kato and Farai set off across the rain drenched land. Leaving the hill the group walked down to the river. Seeing them approach two of the crocodiles swam over to say hello. Both were large, one an adult was five meters while the second, though still a juvenile was three and half meters. Seeing them Timon shuddered.

“Greetings Sire,” said the largest bowing deeply.

“Good morning Buziba (meaning deep water and open water) how are the rivers?” Simba asked smiling at his old friend.

“Teaming with life once more, every day more animals cross the eastern river into this land,” Buziba replied.

“They are teaming in Sire. I have seen some of the hyenas on the on eastern crossing near to the eastern border,” the second crocodile said.

“That is not good news Sobeck,” Zazu said ruffling his feathers angrily.

Suddenly a scream diverted their attention. A pair of hyenas were chasing a female meerkat, slipping in a puddle she tumbled to floor. As the hyenas closed in Tama and Kula appeared from the grass, their claws ripping into the hyenas as they pounced. The opposing sides fought viscously. Running down from the hill Simba stood over the terrified meerkat while Timon jumped from his back. Landing in the water Timon helped the female to her paws. With viscous roars Tama and Kula pinned the hyenas to the ground.

“Kula, Tama escort those creatures to Pride Rock, now they will learn what happens to those who break the laws of this land,” Simba snarled looking at the hyenas with disgust.

“Certainly Simba,” Tama replied glaring at the hyenas.

“I will go with them Sire, to make sure they do not try anything,” Zazu said taking to the air.

As the hyenas were led away Simba and Timon turned to the meerkat standing