have allowed her to live unchallenged had you known? Nala asked, tears falling from her eyes.

      Nala’s question stopped Simba in his tracks. His mind went back to the days of years ago when he had first retaken his kingdom. All the dealings with Scar and Zira which had resulted in their exile. Then the events of the years previously since he had become king. His thoughts moved onto what Zola represented, the full blood heir born during Scar’s reign. The one lioness who could have legitimately challenged his claim to the throne and potentially united both prides. The pride could have decided it was better to be ruled by Scar’s daughter whose character was known then a prince who had been missing for many years.      

 “I would have send someone after her as I would have seen her as a threat and rallying point for Scar,” Simba replied.

“Simba please believe me. Zola could have gone down the same paths as her parents, I had to believe there was some hope for her,” Nala pleaded.

“Zola would have become a powerful dark queen had she walked the path of hatred. I saw in her the lions Scar and Zira could have been had love prevailed,” Rafiki replied.

       Gasping for breath everyone took a moment to gather their thoughts. At last the truth had been learnt. Standing there Aina felt her heart leap with joy, Masika was her daughter, a daughter who she had believed had died. Sitting together Kovu and Vitani tried to process the information while a million question formed in their minds. Imoo sat in silence. At last he understood the circumstances that had led to Zira betraying Scar and ultimately to the birth of Kovu and Vitani.

“When Mother looked at me did she see……?” Vitani asked breaking the silence.

“She saw Zola partly. Your birth resulted from arguments between Zira and Scar. Zira always believed Zola was alive but Scar was tried to force her to accept that Zola was dead. One night it all got too much. She went on border duty at the farthest edge of the Outlands and met a rouge male. Zira was away for a few days, they were together all of that time,” Aine said sadly.

“So that male was my father,” Vitani whispered.

“Without a doubt. Despite what happened Scar forgave Zira. I think he blamed himself for what had happened to Zola. Scar saw Nuka’s weakness yet knew Kovu could be trained from birth to be a warrior.”

“We our existences to a lie,” Kovu replied bitterly. “If Nala had told the truth…………”

“Life would have been very different,” Aine replied looking at the pair. “Nala you said my daughter left with her.”

“That is what Zola told me at the time. No one has seen her since that night so I have to presume Zola was telling the truth,” Nala said, her face full of remorse.  

   The meeting lapsed into silence. One by one the Outsiders walked away to have a private discussion between themselves about their future. Last to leave were Kovu, Vitani, Imoo and Kamaria. Looking at the four Simba gave them a reassuring smile fully understanding their need to talk in private.

      Walking far out of earshot the Outsiders unknowingly stopped in Scar’s former cave. Gathered together they began to discuss their future. To their surprise Kovu repeat his suggestion that Imoo should lead, a call which was taken up by the rest. In the end it was agreed that both Imoo and Aine would act as leaders. Yet other lioness resented the ideas as they had yet to forgive Imoo for betraying them. Hearing the same old arguments Imoo began to lose patience as the adults took advantage to tell the younger member exactly how Imoo had betrayed Scar.

“THIS ENDS NOW!” Imoo roared. “If any owe loyalty to Scar then you will obey me as his heir. We are all one pride. Scar was a tyrant who destroyed a second chance to live freely. Zola and Masika were forced away because of that hate. Any hatred that may stem from fears over what Simba did to Zola is unfounded. All here have a choice. Accept the peace or if the past still holds sway go into exile!”

     Standing there Imoo exuded an aura of power and confidence with a dark edge that shone from his eyes. The lioness saw Imoo as he truly was, all feeling a shiver run down their spines, clearly the mixed up, guilt ridden teenager had changed. Seeing the ice cold anger in his eyes the lioness backed down, bowing their heads in submission.

“Well Imoo you are Scar’s son after all,” Aine sad silkily.

“I want peace Aine. No more blood will shed in his name. Whatever happened between Mufasa and Scar has to end.”

“I agree with Imoo,” Vitani said while Kovu nodded. “Over half of us were not even born when all this began.”

“Me too. All the fighting has only led to death, I’ve already lost my brother and Mother this way, I don’t want to lose any of my friends,” Kovu said.

      At Imoo’s powerful edict shocked muttering ran through the pride. The lionesses looked at one another, talking, arguing different points of view, the younger members trying to make older ones see sense. Soon a small group of older lioness emerged who chose exile. To their surprise Aina was not part of the group instead choosing to remain.

“Your mother would never forgive me if I left you,” Aina said.

“I’m glad you’re staying Aunti Aine,” Vitani said softly.

“So am I,” Imoo replied smiling softly.

“I always loved you Imoo even if I didn’t always agree with your choices. I am too old for all the fighting, all I want to spend my days in peace.”

“You have mellowed in your old age,” Imoo said teasingly.

“Much of my hatred was based on the belief that Simba killed Zola and Masika. Knowing they live has altered everything,” Aina replied sadly.

         As the sun set that night the Outsiders who had chosen to leave stood on the edge of furthest part of the Outlands looking out into an unknown kingdom. Fear mingled with defiance hung around the small pride. With them stood Vitani, Aina and Imoo, tears pouring from the eyes of the two lionesses.

“When you cross the border your exile will begin. The exile is final you cannot ever return. I offer all of you one last chance. Think carefully before you cross, make sure you can life with any consequences. If you hold any doubts I advise you to remain until you are certain,” Imoo said looking at each lioness.

      Turing their backs on him one by one the lioness cross the border into exile. It was the end of an era in many ways. Instead of a king’s decree the lionesses had chosen their own fates. Now at last both prides could truly become one.

          Rebuilding the pride

      A couple of days had passed. The prides had noticed how much Kopa and Imoo had changed during their time away. Slowly Kovu and Vitani were getting used to Imoo and Kamaria. However tensions had emerged between Kovu and Nassor, tensions which had developed while Kiara had been away but had now boiled to the surface. While Nassor was delighted to see Imoo he appeared to distrust Kovu, a fact related to having been Kiara’s friend since they were cubs. Slowly both groups were adjusting to the existence of Zola and Masika.

        At the top of Pride Rock Simba, Nala, Kopa, Ni and Aketch gathered in the morning light. Kopa had a feeling of apprehension about what the meeting would bring.

“Kopa, Aketch now you are adults it is time you are married,” Simba said in a firm tone.

 “Queen Nala King Simba thank you I am so happy,” Aketch replied, her eyes filled with delight.

   Eyes turned to Kopa who had been stood stock still in utter silence. His blood had turned to ice. The announcement ringing in his ears Kopa was going through inner turmoil. Part of him felt relief that it came at last. A different part anger at being forced to marry someone he didn’t love, angry that Enitan would never be accepted as queen, another part felt guilt for breaking the betrothal vow and all the while fighting the near overwhelming urge to defy his parent’s wishes. Gasping for air he looked at them with uncertainty written across his face. Seeing the look Ni and Simba’s faces clouded over in anger, Nala showing a look of disappointment while Aketch felt a spike of fear.

“I will do as you wish to continue the line of this pride,”Kopa replied in a voice devoid of emotion.

“I am disappointed in you Kopa, your reaction is far poorer than I expected,” Simba said.

“Your father is right. You should be delight at your coming marriage to my daughter,” Ni snapped his eyes alight with anger.

“Kopa, while we understand you have been away you are an adult, it is time to take on adult responsibilities. Your marriage will be a joyous occasion,” Nala said in a strict tone.

“I understand my role. Things were different in the jungle alright. I got out to live my own life for well over a year. Then Kiara shows up turning everything I’d built upside down. Heck I’ve barely got to grips with what’s happened. Then you spring this on me,” Kopa replied defiantly.

“Kopa this kingdom has dealt with too much instability,” Ni roared. “The subjects need to see

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