the lead the group left the hill. Running towards Pride Rock they raced through the tall grass, effortlessly swimming the river and darting through the various herds that were just beginning to stir. As they ran the soft singing of birds began to pierce the silence. Running silently passed the lions seemed like phantoms, shadows, figments of the imagination or the hazy remnants of dreams. In the pale light some thought they saw just for a moment a white phantom with swirling lavender eyes.  

     Nearing their home Kopa, Kiara and Imoo let out load roars which shattered the morning peace. Moments later their roars were answered, Simba, Nala, Aketch and Kovu appearing at the edge of Pride Rock, eyes wide with surprise. Smiling with delight the trio raced down to greet them, the air filled with roars of delight as the lions nuzzled and hugged each other. Standing back Simba and Nala looked at their son. The passing years had changed their son from a teenager into a handsome adult. Kopa was now the same age as Simba had been when he had taken the throne.

“Home at last, it’s good to have you back,” Simba said in delight.

“You have grown so much,” Nala said hugging him.

“I promised I would return, you have barely changed at all,” Kopa replied smiling broadly.

“That is very kind of you. We need you here Kopa,” Simba said hugging his son.

              Turning away from their son Simba and Nala looked at Imoo and Kamaria who were stood awkwardly behind Kopa. Looking at the son of Scar the pair were shock at how much he had grown. They saw a powerful young lion with a dark edge. What shocked them most was the white scar over his left eye. Then their eyes fell on the beautiful white lioness with startling lavender eyes who stood next to him.

“Welcome home Imoo,” Nala said smiling at home.

“You have grown. I am sorry for Zira,” Simba said with a hint of guilt.

“Thank you Nala. Simba no apology is needed, Zira’s hatred led her to that fate,” Imoo said.

“Now then are you going to introduce us to your companion?” Nala asked warmly.

“I would like you to meet my mate Kamaria,” Imoo replied proudly.

“It is a pleasure to meet you both. My father Malka spoke about this place a lot when I was a cub,” Kamaria said hesitantly.

“You’re Malka’s daughter!” Simba stammered in shock.

“Your father was a great friend of ours, welcome to the Pridelands,” Nala replied warmly.

       Turning around they saw Kiara and Kovu looking nervously at Imoo and Kopa. The past hung heavily between the four coupled with fears of Kopa’s reaction to his sister’s relationship and feeling of intimidation from the two adult lions. Standing nearby Vitani looked over at Imoo and Kamaria with uncertainty. Sensing the tensions Kopa took a step forward.

“Kiara has told us about everything that happened. I’m happy the war between the prides has ended. As long as Kiara is safe and happy then I will be happy,” Kopa said.

“Thank you Kopa,” Kovu replied breathing a sigh of relief. “Imoo our Mother…………”

“Kovu I am proud of what I have heard. It will take time,” Imoo replied.

        Gathered together the pride looked at their returning members while trying to take in how much they had changed. Looking at Kopa, Aketch felt her heart leap with joy at the prospect of their coming wedding. In that moment Aketch felt as though she was on the edge of a fairy tale. The Outsiders looked at Imoo with a mixture of uncertainty and relief. At their head stood Aine, Zira’s best friend and current de-facto leader. Aine was one of the founding members who had lived under both Mufasa and Scar’s rule.

“So you have returned Imoo, my my you have grown into the image of your father,” Aine said studying him.

“Aine it is good to see you alive. We all have a lot to discuss. Now I have had a long journey and wish to rest,” Imoo said.

     Leaving the pride Kiara, Kopa, Imoo and Kamaria walked into one of the many caves to sleep. As they rested the news of their return spread throughout the kingdom. Sitting with the others Aina covertly studied Simba and Nala. Now at last was the time of reckoning when she would reveal long carried suspicions. Out in the savannah Kovu and Vitani were both wondering what would come now their half-brother was home. In the aftermath of Nuka’s death Zira had told them the truth, partly in anger and partly to shame Kovu into action. This had backfired inspiring Kovu to follow his heart rather than his mother’s wishes. Since the wars end Kovu and Vitani had questioned Aine and Nala about him. Now he was home the pair wondered about their futures.

    In the late afternoon sun the lions and their friends gathered in the woods to the left of Pride Rock. Tensions hung in the air, everyone knowing things had to be said yet scared to begin. Breaking the silence Kopa and Imoo began by telling the younger lions about their friendship, the events surrounding Kiara and Nassors kidnapping, Scar’s death and Imoo’s acceptance into Simba’s pride.

“Why didn’t you tell us back then?” Kiara asked. “If I had known…Imoo it wouldn’t have mattered.”

“We wanted to protect you. When we saw you and Kovu playing together we saw a chance for understanding to develop that could break down the barriers,” Kopa replied.

“We know everything about you from what Aine and Nala have told us,” Kovu began.

“When you were born I begged our Mother to leave when you were older or at least let you choose your own lives. Had I not been in the jungle you would have learned the truth from me,” Imoo said, his voice heavy with regret.

“I’m glad you’re our brother,” Vitani said. “I loved Nuka. Now I understand why he used to stare at the stars so often. Part of him was missing his twin brother.”

“I begged Nuka to see things differently. My biggest regret was that I was unable to save him from following a path of hatred.”

“Imoo we will gladly allow you to lead the Outsiders, you have more experience and power then we do,” Kovu said tentatively.

“No Kovu together the three of us will lead. We are Priderlanders. In a few months the divisions will heal and that name slip into memory,” Imoo replied placing a paw on his shoulder.

         Looking at the trio the other Outsiders chanted their names in delight while the other lions smiled with relief that common sense had prevailed. Then a loud roar cut through the air, to the surprise of all Aine stalked into the middle of the large circle.

“Noble words Imoo very noble intentions. If we are dealing with the past then the time of reckoning has come for one kept since your parents ruled,” Aine snarled maliciously.

“Aine leave the past to rest!” Nala yelled jumping to her paws. “Nothing good will come from unearthing it.”

“No Nala this time I will not be silent!  Those responsible will be brought to account for their crimes. Scar and Zira had a daughter who was born during their reign. They named her Zola. Zola vanished on the nigh Simba retuned.”

     Silence fell onto the pride as all tried to understand what had been said. For all the lioness Nala’s age or older the announcement was of little surprise. In the passing years many had wondered what had happened to her. The younger lions gasped in shock while Simba struggled to understand. Shifting uncomfortably Sarafina looked at Nala.

“That cannot be true,” Simba stammered.

“Do not play dumb with me Simba. Nala, Sarabi and many others knew of her existence. Zola was Scar’s heir and a threat to your claim to the throne. You must have killed her!”

“NO! Until this moment I didn’t even know she existed!” Simba replied looking at Aina.

“Aine speaks the truth Sire,” Zazu said looking at Simba. “Zola vanished the night you returned Sire. I always presumed Nala had told you about her.”

   Hearing the words Simba looked at Nala with shock and dismay written on his face. Seeing his look, Nala felt agony rip through her body. With a heavy heart Nala walked into the centre of the circle standing inches away from Aine. Taking a deep breath she felt the weight of events long passed. Words spoken years before surfaced, memories of another life in another time. 

“Zola did not die. On the night Scar fell she and Masika left the kingdom. Zola told me she had had fallen in love and planned on making a new life,” Nala said calmly.  

“Nala all this time you……..you never told me!” Simba roared in disbelief.

“I had no choice! Zola was my friend. Simba I never wanted to hurt you but I had to give Zola a chance to prove she was not like her parents,” Nala cried with a mixture of guilt and anger.

 “Nala speaks true Simba,” Rafiki said wisely. “Zola choose a path of freedom allowing her to become the lion her parents could never be. Had Zola remained here she would have become a lioness far worse than Scar or Zira combined.”

“I trusted both of you and you betray me!” Simba stammered with distrust in his eyes.

“Can you honestly say you would have allowed her to

Previous Page

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

Next page