was all a bit of fun,” Kopa replied in utter panic.

“Kopa it is expected for a prince to be betrothed. I know this has perhaps come as a shock,” Nala said in attempt to reassure her son.

“Kopa please I was shocked a little too, but think how great it is going to be, we have been friends since we were cubs,” Aketch said.

“I cannot…………..you should have discussed this with me,” Kopa replied gasping for breath.

“Kopa you are a prince. Now this might be a surprise however that does not excuse how you have just treated your future betrothed. An announcement will be made tonight, both of you will appear at the edge of Pride Rock. Kopa you will not see Zuri from this moment onwards,” Simba said looking at his son.

“Kopa this is a wonderful even for you, a true sign to the entire kingdom that you are an adult. I understand it must feel a little overwhelming. We have chosen Aketch because we know how deep your friendship is, I know you will both be very happy together,” Nala said gently placing a paw on his shoulder.

     Looking between his parents, the look of coolness on Ni’s face and the look of joy mingled with bewilderment of Aketch, Kopa felt the entire world close in around him.

Standing next to him Aketch felt her heart ache in sadness as Kopa’s reaction had been the complete opposite of what she had been expecting.

“Kopa, come with me, we have a lot to talk about before tonight’s announcement,” Simba said.

   Seeing the stern look on his father’s face Kopa allowed himself to be led away down the cliff path without question. Casting a look at his son a spark of regret entered the king’s heart, perhaps he should have spoken to his son about the betrothal before today. As they walked Simba began to talk to his son about the changes that were coming.

    Back at top of the rock Ni, Nala and Aketch stood in silence until the pair were out of earshot. Looking at the adults Aketch broke down into tears.        

“Does Kopa not want me as a mate? I thought he would be happy. We have been friends for so long.”

“Oh Aketch you cannot think like that,” Nala said gently. “I was surprised by his reaction too. A betrothal is a very important event. I think Kopa is just feeling a little overwhelmed by it.”

“Nala is right. Kopa clearly wasn’t expecting nor even thought about marriage. The news simply threw him into a blind panic. Once he has calmed down a bit he will be delighted at the prospect.”

“He didn’t look so happy, have I………was I over happy about everything? I love him so much.”

“No Aketch. There is nothing wrong with you. Kopa just needs a little time. Perhaps if we had talked you both about it separately before today he would have reacted better.”

          As the sun set over the horizon the entire kingdom at the base of Pride Rock. As Simba made the announcement a great cheer went up from all those assembled. Side by side Kopa and Aketch were presented so the subjects could see the prince and the lioness who would be his queen.

“In five days’ time the betrothal ceremony will take place. Queen Nala and I invite all of our subjects to come to bear witness to this great event,” Simba said.

   At this another great cheer erupted from the crowd. Looking down at the crowd Aketch reward them with a brilliant smile much to their delight. Standing next to her Kopa just stared straight ahead. Outside he appeared the very image of a confident prince, inside he was struggling with a jumble of emotions. He could feel the weight of expectations on his shoulders along a new sense of sudden responsibility and pressure. For the first time in his life Kopa felt utter panic and fear and for the first time he felt utterly alone. ____________________________________________________________________

     Over the next four days the kingdom was gripped by excitement at the coming ceremony. Offers of help with the coming ceremony came from all corners of the kingdom. To the amusement and delight of Ni, Nala and Simba the subjects of the kingdom had decided to turn the coming ceremony into a celebration. Everywhere the lions went they were cheered, Aketch received words of comfort and praise from each animal she met. Caught up in the plans she forgot her initial fears about Kopa’s reaction.

     For Kopa the days seem to pass in a blur of lecture by his parents and Zazu about how his life would change and what kind of behaviour would be expected from him. As the blind panic wore off the reality of the upcoming situation began to hit home causing him some sleepless nights. Out in the kingdom Kopa was treated in a more respectful way those around him. Everywhere he went worlds of support and congratulations came his way. As the day of the ceremony grew closer his nerves began to increase.

      After Simba and Zazu had given him another lesson on how to be a good fiancé from Kopa felt the world close in around him. The satisfied, proud and happy smiles on the adult’s faces only added to his feelings of panic. As Zazu began to speak Kopa took to his paws, running out of the cave in which they were without a backward glance, leaving Zazu and Simba in stunned silence.

“Oh dear Sire that did not end as we expected. I fear the young prince may not be as delighted as we hoped,” Zazu said with concern.

“I feared this might happen. I thought Kopa was just a bit nervous but he seemed calm over the past couple of days,” Simba sighed sadly.

    Out in the savannah Kopa ran and ran totally blinded by emotions and oblivious to all around him. Stopping at last in exhaustion Kopa was shocked to find himself on the plateau above the Gorge. In a swift bound Kopa walked down the cliffs, throwing himself down on a section of rock overlooking the place Mufasa died.

“What am I doing? Tomorrow I’ll be betrothed to Aketch. Our parents think we will be happy and fall in love because we have been friends for years. They never even asked us what we thought. I like Aketch as my friend. I’m not in love with her. The thought of marrying her scare me witless. Now way am I ready for a betrothal ceremony let alone a marriage. Sure heirs are betrothed as cubs but a formal ceremony never takes places until they are older as the ceremony signals that both are together as a couple.   

   Yeh they were annoyed about me and Zuri but they knew we were only having a bit of fun. If they had just backed off it would have ended after a couple of months. We knew they hated it so we went out more to annoy them. Just because Dad never dated didn’t mean he had to be so strict with me.

    What is with my parents and being so controlling? They expect me to be the perfect heir all the time. Sure if I make mistakes they never get to mad, they are fairly understanding. I just wish they’d give me time to relax a little.

      Springing this betrothal thing. They expected me to be really happy about it, Aketch expected me to be happy. The looks on their faces when I froze. Sure Mum can convince Aketch it’s all just nerves and that things will change once the ceremony happens. Trouble is I’m not they will change. I don’t love her. Duty demands that I marry her. Could I marry someone I don’t love even if that person is a close friend? What makes this worse is that Aketch loves me. She is expecting me to lover her in return just as a prince from my Grandma Sarafina’s stories would.

     The last thing I want is to hurt her. Perhaps it would be better if I didn’t go through with the ceremony. My parents would kill me. No breaking it off wouldn’t work, that would only cause more pain.”

“KOPA!”

   The sound of his named begin called caused the young lion to practically jump out of his skin. Turning around Kopa found Imoo standing behind him, a look of worry and concern on his face. Taking in the utter despair on Kopa’s face Imoo flopped down next to him.

“I thought I might find you here. Simba and Zazu told me you ran off. Simba is has this crazy idea you might be nervous out about tomorrow. Me, I think you are freaking out so much you are considering a moonlight flit,” Imoo said sarcastically.  “Trust me a moonlight flit seems like a very good idea from where I am sitting.”

“For all their planning the adults didn’t think to ask you how you were feeling. Talk to me Kopa, whatever is going on? I know you like Aketch as a friend and I suspect you wouldn’t be freaking out if you loved her.”

“When did you get so insightful? You are too damn intelligent for your own good. You’re right though, I only care for her as friend yet she is in love with me. My parents say I will grow to love her. They say their arranged worked out so will mine. I know it is custom for heirs to have arranged marriages.”

“That doesn’t mean it will always work out. Kopa only you can decide what you are going to do. If you a want to run I’ll lend a paw, you just have to be sure.”

“That sounds fantasy Imoo. As scared as I am the thought of letting my parents down, letting the kingdom down is more than my fears about tomorrow,” Kopa sighed.

“Well I couldn’t do it, I just hope Aketch realizes how great a lion she is

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