attempts to catch Akil as he swooped down over her head. A sad look came into Ni’s eyes yet he was smiling.

“Ni are you alright?” Kula asked with concern.

“I miss her mother Kula. I failed. If I had agreed with Majani’s suggestion that we leave as soon as Kula had become pregnant.”

“Ni you are not to blame for what happened. If you had left then Katlego could just as easily have died and if Aketch had been in the open she could also have died.”

“At times in the night I wake up screaming from horrible nightmares,” Ni choked in reply. “It was my fault she died.”

“No Ni it wasn’t,” Kula replied, gently laying a paw on his back in comfort. “Katlego died but you did not fail her. You kept your daughter alive through circumstances where many other cubs would have perished. Your love for Katlego gave you the strength to beat all the odds and survive. I am sure that wherever Katlego is she is very proud of you.”

    Looking at Kula a small smile crossed Ni’s face. Her words held the ring of truth, her paw on his body felt comforting as did her presence. The young cub he had once met had grown into a very kind and caring lioness. A sudden roar brought the two adults firmly back to the savannah with a jolt. Looking up into the foliage cover at the cubs they saw Kopa and Aketch looking down at them from a high branch a mischievous grin on both their faces. Ni’s heart missed a beat at the high his daughter had climbed too while Kula felt her heart flip at the distance to the ground.

“Alright whose bright idea was this?” Ni asked raising his eyebrows.

“Mine Daddy,” Aketch replied brazenly.

“You both nearly gave Kula and I heart failure. It appears you’re nearly healed.”

“Daddy I am fully healed,” Aketch replied smiling.

“Ni I think we are going to have our paws full,” Kula laughed.

“I think you might be right Kula,” Ni chuckled shaking his head.

     Watching the cubs Ni felt utterly at peace with the world. The healing was complete, at least that of Aketch and most of the physical healing of himself. To heal a heart takes time. Now it was time for Ni and Aketch to learn to truly live once more.

 

 Learning to live again

     Little over a month had passed since Ni and Aketch had arrived in the Pridelands. Their wounds had healed and both were starting to really integrate into the pride.

       Under the sun Simba, Nala and Ni walked through the savannah. As they walked they discussed the events of recent weeks, how Aketch was faring, Ni’s hunting success the previous night and how the pride could further help them both.

“Ni the entire pride would love it if you and Aketch stayed with us permanently,” Nala said.

“Stay……….I hadn’t even considered the future……….”Ni replied, surprised by the queen’s offer.

“It would be a pleasure to have another lion. I’m only a young lion, a little too young for a king in some ways. Your advice and experience would help me a lot,” Simba said, expressing his respect for the older lion.

“This land is beautiful, Aketch has settled well and has plenty of friends. If I just knew where Majani was than perhaps I could find lasting peace,” Ni mused.

“Ni nothing will ever chance the love you feel for Majani. She chose a life she though best, nothing you said could have changed her path,” Nala replied gently.

“At times I considered trying to find her…….I almost went with her. She left with a small pride lead by a male going by the name of Wanderer. He was only three years old but he had a darkness about him. I fear what might have happened to her, he wasn’t a lion to trust your daughter too.”

“Don’t go down that path Ni of thinking what ifs they only lead to pain. Trust me I did that for a long time after my Father died,” Simba said, pain visible in his eyes. 

“You’re right Simba, I know any dreams of finding Majani are foolish. I just pray we meet again one day.”

      Standing on a hill the trio looked across the vast expanse of the kingdom, from Pride Rock down to the river, over to the Outlands and the Elephants Graveyard and the mountains far in the distance. The warm breeze gently blew their fur this way and that. High above the hustle and bustle the three lions felt utterly at peace with the world. Turning around Ni looked at the kingdom around him. His heart filled with joy as memories stirred of his past visit. The land was filled with so much wealth and beauty, a place that some called paradise. 

“I would be honoured to join,” Ni said facing his friends.

“We are honoured to have you. Tonight you and Aketch will undergo a formal ceremony of adoption into the pride. Ni if you are willing I would like you to join by council of advisors. My father said to find those who will give good advice, never abuse their position and who will always be honest, even if what they say goes against what you want to hear.”

“I am honoured you think so highly of me Simba, it would be an honor.”

    Under the light of the evening sun Rafiki conducted the ceremony of adoption. The lioness assembled in two neat rows, Ni and Aketch walked down between them while birds sprinkled petals over them. Reaching the end of the row Ni and Akerch bowed to Simba who placed a paw on their shoulders. The ceremony complete Simba let out a might roar that was taken up by the other lioness. All across the savannah their cry was heard. Ni and Aketch had a new home.

__________________________________________________________________________

       At dawn the following morning Simba and his council assembled at the very top of Pride Rock. The council was made up of Nala (who shared power equally with Simba) Sarabi, Sarafina, Zazu, Timon and Pumba. At times Pika, leader of the wild dogs joined in as did the leaders of various herds. The custom of a council dated back several generations which in theory acted as a barrier against tyranny. At first Scar and ruled with Mufasa’s council with a couple of hyena additions though later he had and Zira had later disbanded it. Sitting together the council began to debate the issues of the day, each member making an effort to bring Ni up to speed with the events.

     While the council was in session Aketch, Sudi, Akil and Kopa played around Pride Rock under the watchful eyes of Timon’s mate Tabia and Zazu’s mate Mert. The youngsters were full of energy, darting through the rocks they were giving their guardians the run around. In an adventure of their own imagination the cubs played in a world of magic. Caught up in their game the cubs failed to watch where they were going, causing them to quite literally run into members of the council as they descended from on high. Landing in a heap of paws and tails the two groups looked at each other. Simba, Timon and Ni laughed as all climbed to their paw, Mert and Tabia shaking their heads in exasperation.

“Oh my back, I am getting to old for this,” Sarabi replied standing up slowly.

“Sorry Grandma,” Kopa replied grinning.

“Little more care next time,” Simba said placing his son back onto his paws. “I am going out on patrol with Ni, try not to cause too much mischief while I’m gone.”

“Ok, Dad have a good day,” Kopa replied nuzzling his father.

“Aketch be safe. I will be home tonight,” Ni said hugging his daughter.

“I’ll be good Daddy.”

“Ni we will take good care of her, you don’t have to worry,” Nala said calmly.

          Waving their tale Ni, Simba, Timon and Zazu headed off into the savannah leaving their children under the watchful eyes of their mates. With a nod to Nala, Tabia headed off home with Sudi to re-join her and Timon’s other kits. At the same time Mert and Akil flew off leaving the lions alone. For a while Aketch and Kopa were happy to play around Pride Rock exploring the small caves and playing hide and seek with Sarabi and Sarafina. Coming out of a cave Kopa saw Tama, Kula and Nala said on some rocks half asleep. Crouching low to the ground he silently crept up on them. When he was just inches away he let out the loudest roar he could manage. The effect was priceless, the lioness nearly jumped out of their fur in fright while Aketch stood giggling on a rock behind them,

“Kopa you little terror, never do that again!” Tama stammered gasping for breath.

“I had to. You told Aketch yesterday that no creature could ever catch you off guard.”

“Yeh Tama so Kopa had to try,” Aketch replied bounding over.

“You did set them a challenge Tama, maybe think about what you in the future,” Kula replied slyly.

             Groaning Tama rolled onto her back shooting a steely glare at the cubs that clearly showed she was not happy. Seeing the look Nala and Kula struggled to suppress giggles as they remembered the escapades the three of them had gotten into as cubs.

“Mum can we go down to the waterhole? Aketch has been here over a month but she’s hardly been away from Pride Rock?” Kopa asked eagerly.

“I don’t see why not, would you like to go Aketch?” Nala asked, rolling over to face

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