and something akin to hate.

“Simba consider this a warning. Do not harm my sister. Arjana come with me,” Vitani said.

“Take care,” Zola said walking over to her sister. “If anything happens to me go to Majani and Maskia. Get yourselves out of here. Swear to me you will get yourselves out of here.”

“Zola on my life I swear to protect myself and your cubs should anything happen to you,” Vitani whispered in reply, her eyes blazing.

“Thank you Vitani that promise means I can go with a lighter heart.”

“Mum please…….don’t let Simba,” Arjana stammered.

“Simba has no power over me. The blood of my father runs in me.”

    Walking away from her son Zola joined Simba and Nala. Together the trio walked down Pride Rock. Passing the base they saw Nassor, Kopa, Imoo, Kovu and Kiara talking underneath the great outcrop. The group appeared to be on the edge of an argument and failed to notice the trio.

   In the sunset the trio walked side by side through the savannah. Silence hung like lead while the weight of the past felt like a herd of elephants on their shoulders. They were also aware of the age difference between them. Walking over old ground Zola was overcome my memories of fun times. Nala could see that Zola had changed yet a lot of the characteristics of Zola and Scar were evident too. Nala couldn’t help but feel uneasy at how cunning and powerful Zola seemed. Looking at his cousin Simba only saw her parents staring back at him.

       After a while the trio arrived at the plateau above the Gorge where a herd of wildebeest were sleeping gently. Looking at each other the lions walked silently through the herd until they came to the edge of the plateau. Knowing her worlds had to be chosen carefully Nala felt torn between her true love and her friend. Taking a deep breath Nala broke the deafening silence.

“Simba Zola. I have been fortunate to know both of you. The legacy of Scar and Mufasa. Simba you have been able to accept Scar’s heirs Imoo and Kovu. Zola you willingly left and rebelled once you had learnt the truth of your parent’s actions. You each acted for the good of the kingdom. Hatred should not divide you.”

     Simba and Zola looked at each other. Invisible next to them stood Scar and Zira next to Zola and next to Simba stood Mufasa and Sarabi. The ghosts looked at each other, their eyes filled with fear mingled with hope. The sun set casting all in a pink light.

“Everything began when Scar betrayed my father. For years I lived in exile consumed by guilt over my Father’s death. I cannot forgive Scar for what he did nor for his tyranny. In you all I see is Scar and Zira. Zola you represent a time of shadowland, the living embodiment of their rule….a different future that could have been. Their hatred was born out of the belief that I killed you,” Simba said, pain and anger in his voice.

“My life changed forever the day I learnt of your father’s murder by mine. When Rafiki told me you lived an impossible reality was laid before me. To fight for my father’s kingdom despite knowing it was conceived in murder or to find a different path. I believed you would either condemn me to exile or death. I left in the hope you would restore peace and justice. I chose not to let my parent’s darkness consume me yet it was you who determined the course of my life. It all comes back to you,” Zola said.

     Simba was amazed at Zola’s words. Zola looked at him coolly and cynically. Nala’s eyes were wide, finding Zola’s views and demeanour unnerving. Nala could see both points of view. Catching Zola’s eye Nala saw that she too understood Simba’s view, clearly Zola’s time away had given her perspective on the past.

      Breaking away Zola walked down into the Gorge with Simba and Nala walking a step behind her. Walking down they came to the exact spot where Mufasa and Scar had stood to watch the stampede. The ghosts had walked with the trio. From Scar’s eye shone regret and remorse while Mufasa’s showed forgiveness. Zola and Simba stared down at the spot where Mufasa had lost his life with Nala standing between them. The sun set plunging them into utter darkness yet up above them a new moon and million stars twinkled brightly.

“It all began here,” Simba whispered in a hollow voice. “I was an innocent cub. Years of suffering, bloodshed resulted from one murder in this place.”

“By the same token the actions of your pride caused the deaths of my parents and brother. Scar might not have died by your paws but you hold some responsibility for his death,” Zola said silkily.

“He was a tyrant! He killed my father! He tried to take back his old power even after I had given him a chance! He deserved his fate!”

“Even now the hatred remains in your heart. For all your pride has fought against my family I do not hate you nor blame you for the events that led to their deaths. All you see of Scar is the murder and Zira you see the rebel leader. I love them. They loved me there was kindness, love and compassion in them.”

       Simba was startled by the last few words, he found it possible to believe that either lion could love.

“See me. Judge me of the queen that I am not the legacy I represent. Nala had to live through the shadow times yet she was able to look past my parentage. Oh in many ways I am like my parents. The darkness that controlled them is wielded by me,” Zola said.

    An aurora of power mingled with darkness swirled around Zola. Simba moved to speak yet stopped as her worlds slowly sunk in. the ghosts looked at each other. All four ghosts suddenly became visible to the amazement of the living lions.

“Simba the time has come for reconciliation,” Mufasa said. “Scar lives in Zola as I live in you. Yet just as you are not me so Zola is not Scar. You must let go of your hatred so peace can return to this kingdom.”

“Father how can? It could all have been different. If Zola had fought or I’d have known she was alive,” Simba replied.

“Simba it does not do well to dwell on what might have been. Zola was given a choice just was you were. You had the choice to live in exile or return to take your rightful place as king. Zola was given the choice to stay to fight or leave to make a new life in hope she might find happiness and allow peace to come to this land. Neither choice was easy yet both for you choose. Without Zola’s selfless sacrifice your path would have been far harder. See your cousin for who she truly is,” Mufasa replied gently.

“My son I remember Zola fondly,” Sarabi said nuzzling Simba. “If she was all that you fear than she would not have left. I bear no ill will towards her. Do not condemn her for the circumstances of her birth.”

        Enfolded in the love and security his parents Simba allowed himself to relax. Their words were comforting yet surprising and full of wisdom. In his heart Simba yearned to be able to rewrite the past.

“Mother…..I want….I know it must end. It is hard to accept her existence was hidden from me,”

“Nala acted out of love for both you and Zola. To save a life she trusted in the hope that a better future would emerge,”Sarabi said looking kindly at Nala.

“I have forgiven Scar and Zira. I do not expect that off you just that you make peace with the past,” Mufasa said.

     Turning away Simba stared at Zira and Scar with hatred in his eye. Both were hugging Zola, tears of joy falling from all their eyes.

“Zola I am so proud of the queen you have become,” Scar whispered.

“My daughter all those years in my heart I knew you lived,” Zira said.

“I never wanted to hurt you…..I couldn’t stay,” Zola replied, her voice breaking.

“Oh Zola we understand, you saw what we could not,” Zira replied.

“We do not blame you. It was out hatred that decided our fates,” Scar replied, his voice heavy with regret.

“Zola you have become the lioness I never could be. Be happy I love you,” Zira whispered.

“Go home to Delmar. Do not allow my crimes to destroy your life. Live free. I love you, I am proud of you,” Scar said smiling.

“I love both of you, thank you for accepting my choice,” Zola said smiling.

      Both sides of the family turned to face each other, the older generation smiling warmly at each other. Simba looked on the face of his uncle.

“Simba all I ask is that you accept my daughter. Nothing I say will ever atone of my crimes yet she is blameless,” Scar said, genuine remorse evident in his voice.

     Simba and Nala gasped, never had they imagined that statement. The pair looked at each other slowly feeling the change in the pair. The lions had come full circle. Scar and Mufasa moved to stand next to one another. Both looked utterly at ease. The hatred had gone only peace was between the two brothers. A patch of moonlight suddenly fell on Scar, Zola and Zira illuminating the happiness on their faces. A life so changed by refusing to let hatred dominate Zola had broken free from the cycle of pain. Slowly the family felt the threads of broken lives knitting together.

“Zola I accept you as princess of the kingdom,” Simba said.

    The magic words lifted the last trace

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