give a rough estimate for your age?”

Afya thought for a while. She had been roaming the desert for a very long time before she found Kopa. Then Kopa had grown up when he was in her care.

“I would say that I am about seven years old.”

There was a gasp from the pride. Then a whole bunch of voices started speaking at once.

“But you look so young!”

“You’re older than Simba!”

“You’re the same age as Zira!”

This last comment made everyone go silent. Simba walked up to the lioness who had said it.

“Zira has gone now, Vitani can tell you, so we must remember her only in our minds and not out loud.”

“Simba, it’s okay.” Afya said. “That name reminded me of someone. It was someone from long ago. She used to travel with me. A friend or a sister, I don’t know, but that name makes me think of darkness.”

Kovu stepped forward.

“She’s gone now.” Was all he said. There was a long pause.

“Oh Simba!” Afya shouted, “I’m sorry but I forgot to say that would love to join your pride!”

And with that, the Pride settled down for the night.

 

It was a few months later when the pride rejoiced but mourned in the same day. Nala and Vitani began their hunt, their plans formed around a herd of zebra. Nala crept forward; she was to make the first move. As she readied herself for the sprint, something startled the herd. She ran after them but they were too fast. She roared to call the hunters in.

“Did any of you disobey my orders?” she snarled.

“No Nala.” They all replied.

“They who chased the heard?” Nala whispered to herself. She sat down to think.

“There are no other prides in this land so it must be a rouge.”

“A rouge or someone who wants to return.” Said a voice.

Nala spun round to face a lion with a dead zebra at his feet. She gazed inquisitively at his face.

“Who are you?” she asked.

“Do you really not recognise me?” the lion asked back.

Nala shook her head.

“It’s me, Mheetu.”

Nala stopped where she was. She found it hard to breathe. Her brother was alive. Mheetu was alive and facing her this very moment.

“Quick!” Nala shouted. “Let’s get you home!”

 

 

Back in Pride Rock, Sarafina was ill. She had been ill for a long time and everyone was sure she was on her way out. Sarabi stayed by her side every minute of the day. At night, they both went out to drink and be themselves once more. Sarabi thought of all the good time the two of them had had. Sitting in the sun, chatting like nobody else could’ve. Sarabi sighed. It wasn’t like that any more. Afya (the healer as people liked to call her) had tried to help Sarafina but her healing tongue did not work. It seemed she was only good at healing wounds. Sarafina had fallen into a fitful sleep when the hunting party arrived. As soon as she saw Mheetu, Sarabi woke Sarafina up. Sarafina immediately recognised her son. Ngoma, who was entertaining Shaha and Chuki, smiled.

“Mheetu?” asked a shocked Sarafina.

“It is me, mother.” Replied Mheetu.

“My son.” said Sarafina.

She then went up to him and collapsed on the floor. Afya and Sarabi rushed to her side.

“My son.” She repeated.

As if she was satisfied with seeing her son again, her eyes closer and she drew her last breath.

Everyone started crying.

 

 

A few months after Sarafina’s death, the pride began to realise that someone was turning against them. Their hunts were disturbed, the waterholes were taken and roaring was heard almost every night. It was the Moutain Pride with Malka at its lead. Simba decided to talk with his old friend and form an agreement.

“Why are you in the Pride Lands?” he asked.

“Because someone has taken over and someone told us that you had moved out.” Replied Malka.

“Who had told you we had gone?” Simba growled.

“A young lioness by the name of Chuki.” Malka said.

Simba recognised the name as Ngoma and Mheetu’s daughter.

“Thank-you old friend. You have helped us and now we will help you in return. We will help you claim back your kingdom from whoever has taken it.”

 

That night, Simba called forward Chuki. He grilled her with all sorts of questions to find out why she betrayed her pride. Chuki wouldn’t go down without a fight. Her answers proved that she hated Simba, hated her pride and hated her family. After a while, Simba gave up.

“You leave me no choice.” He sighed. “You must be exiled. You must leave tonight and never return.”

“Of course, your majesty.” Chuki said evilly.

She then swiped her paw at Simba’s face, luckily missing, then ran off.

“And good riddance too!” shouted a voice.

Simba turned around to see Shaha, Chuki’s brother. Simba was surprised.

“Didn’t you love your sister?” he asked.

“No.” replied Shaha simply. Then he began teeling stories about what she had done behind Simba’s back, either to him, or other people. Simba found himself being caught up in Shaha’s words and an idea formed in his mind. When Shaha finished Simba asked him whether he would like to be a storyteller for the pride. Shaha’s spirits lifted from being pressed down by the tales of his sister. He replied positively. He felt honoured at being asked.

 

The next day, Simba rallied the fighting troops and went out to help Malka. They met at the boundaries of the Pride Lands. Several members of Simba’s Pride were worried about going out of bounds and breaking the law.

“It’s alright.” Malka assured them. “I am the leader of this land and I grant you access this moment in time.”

After crossing the border they all headed for the mountain with Simba and Malka leading.

“Thank you dear friend for all your help.” Whispered Malka.

“It’s no problem.” Simba replied. “Know you would’ve done the same for me.”

They talked no more until they reached the mountain. At once they could see it was in use.

“Why would someone take over a mountain but pile it up with bones of dead animals?” asked Kovu

“Rituals.” Replied Shaha. “The higher you are to the sky the neared you are to reaching the souls in heaven.”

“It doesn’t matter what they’re doing!” growled Malka. “They shouldn’t be here!”

With that, everyone ran up the mountain, ready for attack. They were met with a group of lionesses and a rather old lion.

“Why are you in my lands?” roared Malka.

The old lion looked at Simba, then to Malka, then to Simba again.

“You killed my daughter.” He said accusingly.

“I did not.” Replied Simba, calmly. “I fought her, yes. When the rest of her pride admitted defeat she did not. When she leapt at me my daughter was there to fight back. Zira fell down the cliff. My daughter tried to save her but Zira refused. I am now ruler of the Outlands as well as the Pride Lands. If you would leave this place then I would give them to you and your pride.”

“But why would I want to leave here?” snarled the old lion.

“If you don’t leave, I’ll make you want to leave.” Growled Malka.

“So be it.” Replied the lion, evilly.

Bth sides leapt for attack. Simba and Malka fought against the old lion’s protectors – well trained lionesses – until they were exhausted. The old lion had no more protectors now. They ran up the mountain side, following the scent of the old lion. They finally cornered him at the very top.

“Step down.” Ordered Malka.

“I will.” Replied the old lion. “My time has come for me to enter the spirit world. All you have to do is kill me.”

“We do not kill without a good reason.” Replied Malka.

“Then you leave me no choice.” The old lion said as he stepped calmly off the edge of the cliff.

“Your kingdom has been returned old friend.” Said Simba

“Thank you Simba” Replied Malka. “I couldn’t have done it without you!”

Simba turned towards Malka.

“Roar. Take your kingdom back!” he urged Malka.

Malka took at deep breath and roared. A few seconds later a reply was heard from far down the mountain. Malka’s Pride was successful.

 

Vitani was back at Pride Rock. She had convinced Simba she was ill but really she wasn’t. She was pregnant – nearly due. Tonight was the night she would tell Kopa and the rest of the pride. She thought about different names to call her cub. When the fighting crew came back she called Kopa over to her. She got closer and whispered in his ear.

“I’m pregnant.” She said.

Kopa was overjoyed. He licked her face and started crying with happiness.

“Vitani’s pregnant!” he announced to the pride.

That evening was an evening of celebration. Vitani and Kopa were congratulated so many times that they eventually lost count. When the celebrations ceased, Kopa took Vitani outside into the cool night air.

“I wish for you to be alone for when the time comes.” He whispered.

“I am never alone in Pride Rock.” Vitani added.

“Then go to Scar’s Cave. You know the place.”

Vitani did know the place. A

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