heard the argument below she had decided to confront her friend, thinking he might listen to her even if he wouldn't listen to his parents.

“Kopa what were you thinking dating Zuri?”

“So much for keeping things a secret,” Kopa muttered rolling his eyes. “Who else knows?”

“The entire pride given the argument we just heard. What were both of you thinking?”

“You sound just like my Father,” Kopa retorted.

“At least that makes one of us!”

“I'll live my life the way I see fit!!”

       Turning tail Kopa pushed passed her into the cave leaving Aketch to stew in the entrance to the cave. Hanging her head Aketch stalked into the cave, throwing herself down onto a rock as far away from Kopa as possible.

“Aketch would you like to talk?” Ni asked walking over to his daughter.

“Dad how can Kopa brush me off like that? We're supposed to be friends,” Aketch asked.

“Ae you just concerned for the welfare of your friend or is there more to it than that? I am only blind in one eye daughter.”

“There………..there is more,” Aketch whispered blushing. “I like Kopa a lot, over the past few months, I've fallen for him.”

“I suspected that might be the case,” Ni chuckled shaking his head.

“Daddy should I tell Kopa how I feel?”

“If you tell Kopa he could either accept your feels are reject them entirely. You could gain a mate or lose a friend. I can only say the choice is yours.”

“It’s hard seeing him with other girls.....” Aketch choked. “He never even looks at me as a potential mate. Is he that blind?”

“Kopa is a prince, it’s natural that he will lap up the attention he is given. What you have to understand about males is that we can mature slower than females. I suspect love and romance are far from his mind. In time Kopa may realize for himself that you are the one, it all depends on if you are willing to wait.”

       Turning to her father Aketch began to speak than stopped as his words sank in. In her heart the young lioness felt bewildered by her conflicting emotions. Seeing his daughter in pain Ni sighed, he knew that her teenager years were going to be difficult, he had never considered just how difficult. Placing her head on her father’s shoulder Aketch looked out across the kingdom.

“I’m going to wait a little while longer to tell Kopa. If I wait a little bit then Kopa will be forced to break up with Zuri. Then I can tell him. I know Kopa, once he knows how I feel it will work out.”

       Looking at his daughter Ni let his thoughts drift over the situation between his daughter and Kopa.

“I might need to have a conversation with Simba in the near future. Kopa will need a queen someday. Arranged marriages have been the norm in the past. One was not arranged for Kopa at birth due to the circumstances surrounding Scar. If Simba and Nala were willing to continue that custom Kopa and Aketch could be betrothed. It would easily solve the current problem with the cheetah. We have discussed the idea of them marrying in the past, we laughed at the thought they might fall in love. My suggestion might just be favourable with them.”

 

          A change in the weather

             The summer past, with it the third birthdays of Kopa, Imoo, Aketch, Sudi, Akil and Dumisa. Much to the annoyance of Simba the relationship between Kopa and Zuri continued as did Imoo's affair with the female leopard. Out with Simba and Nala one day Ni broached the subject of a betrothal between Kopa and Aketch. Though slightly surprised at first Simba and Nala quickly realized the benefit of the union. Both new the strong friendship between Kopa and Aketch and saw that it would benefit the kingdom to have the heir betrothed. After all they had been betrothed as cubs, what better than for two friends to marry? Talking together the parents began to plan to betrothal and how they would tell their cubs.     

          The tension between Simba, Kopa, Imoo and Ni continued to increase rocket as the older males tried to impart some advice to the youngsters. This attempt backfired in a spectacular way. The verbal battle could be throughout Pride Rock. The tension reached such a high that it broke into physical conflict to the horror of the pride. It took the combined forces of Nala, Tama, Kula, Sarafina and eight others to separate the fighting males. Gasping for breath younger and older males had glared at each other, both sides baring visible marks of the fight.

     For the first time in their lives Imoo and Kopa had left Pride Rock in the midst of a storm without a word of goodbye. For three days the pair stayed away from home living at the furthest edge of the kingdom. While the two teens were away playing rebel Nala, Simba and Ni gathered for a conference. The fight had shown had brought home to them how much trouble the pair could cause if something didn’t chance. Looking at each other the adults knew the time had come for them to act.

        Standing together on the top of Pride Rock a few evenings later Simba, Nala and Ni looked out over the kingdom.

“We have to get Kopa and Aketch betrothed as soon as possible, this situation cannot continue,” Simba said.

“I agree Simba, Kopa is heading for trouble, a betrothal will end the liaison with the cheetah.”

“We have discussed it with Zazu and Rafiki who are both in favour of the match. We can inform Kopa and Aketch as soon as we wish,” Simba replied.

“Given the ages of Kopa and Aketch there should be a formal betrothal ceremony. It is rare for an heir not to be betrothed, I am sure our subjects will be delighted to witness one,” Nala said smiling.

“You’re right Nala. My parents had one, we would have had one as teenagers had circumstances been different.”

“We need to handle this situation with care. Kopa and Aketch have to understand the reason but it has to be done in a way that does not alienate or turn them against the idea or cause them to rebel,” Ni said.

“They know that we love them, once we explain why they will understand. They are friends after all, Aketch already loves Kopa and I know he cares about her, perhaps this will allow him to realize his true feelings,” Nala said smiling.  

 

            Two days after Imoo and Kopa returned from their sojourn away Simba, Nala, Ni and Aketch approached Kopa as he was preparing to go on border patrol.

“My son we need to speak to you in private about a serious matter,” Simba said in a rather formal tone.

“Ok, but some else will need to take over my border patrol. Why are Ni and Aketch?” Kopa asked curiously.

“I have already arranged for Imoo to take over your patrol. The matter which we wish to discuss concerns them.”

          In silence the adults led the cubs up to the very top of Pride Rock, the cubs looking at each other in utter confusion. Reaching the top the adults turned to face their cubs, looks of happiness and pride on their faces. A shiver of fear ran down the spines of both cubs.

“Kopa it is custom for the heir to the throne to be betrothed to a lioness who will one be his queen.” Simba began.

“Now the time has come for you to be betrothed Kopa, as custom we have chosen this lioness for you,” Nala said gently.

“Betrothed, Mum listen,” Kopa began, panic swirling through him.

“The lioness we have chosen is Aketch,” Simba said smiling.

      Hearing the words Kopa and Aketch looked at each other in stunned silence, barely able to comprehend what they had heard. As the words sunk in Aketch’s heart did a flip with joy, her dream was going to come true. Looking at the adults a wide smile spread across her face. Seeing her look Ni, Simba and Nala smiled at one another.

“King Simba, Queen Nala I am honoured to have been chosen,” Aketch said bowing deeply.

“You are our son’s friend, I could think of no other lioness who I would rather have as my daughter in law,” Nala said.

“Friendship that will lead to love. Within a few days a formal ceremony will take place then within a season you will be married. Kopa you haven’t said anything, let’s hear your feelings,” Simba said looking at his son.

    As the news had sunk in Kopa had stood in silence as he tried to process the sudden change in his life. Utterly stunned, the announcement had caught the young prince completely by surprise. The emotions of shock, dread, fear, apprehension, panic, anger and resentment were running through his body at once. While he had known marriage was expected he had expected it to come further down the line and to be able to choose his own bride. Aware of the four sets of eyes looking at him Kopa turned to face them, his face betraying his mixed emotions.

“I…….I…………….why didn’t you……….you never said anything about wanting me to be married………..if this is because of Zuri…..we never wanted to harm anyone………….it was all a bit of

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