lifted the last trace of hatred and so the last traces of the past melted away.

          At the break of dawn Simba and Zola stood side by side on the edge of Pride Rock bathed in morning light. Mufasa and Scar standing behind them. Walking out of the cave the pride looked at the scene in utter awe. In perfect unity Simba and Zola let out mightily roars that echoed across the savannah. At the base of pride rock the pride gathered around Nala who was looking up, pride and delight written across her face. The families had at last been united.

      Hope of the future

        The unity of Simba and Zola banished the last tensions within Simba’s pride. The change was almost instantaneous. Simba and Nala seemed to visibly relax and age overnight. The appearance of Zira had allowed Vitani to make peace with her mother. Hours after Simba and Zola had stood together Zola, Vitani and Zira had travelled to the Outlands. What passed between the three had healed wounds. The ghosts of Scar, Mufasa, Sarabi and Zira had remained for one day bringing much joy to their decedents. When they had left it had been a true, happy goodbye that had marked the end of the era of war. Nassor too seemed changed, he was now challenging his parents and taking full control of his own life and expressing his opinions. Watching the Vitani and Nassor the pride saw just how much the pair had changed during their time away. The changes were hard for the pride to come to terms with. Aine and Nala began to realize Nassor and Vitani had gone through something so profound that they could not simply pick up the threads of their old lives.

      A few days had passed since that glorious morning of unity. On the banks of the mighty river the pride lay in the shade of trees and bushes. In the glistening blue water Arjana, Kopa,   Hasina and Kiara played tag. On the bank Zola and Nala were laid together watching the cubs play. In the tree above them Nassor chatted to his parents while under a large bush Vitani spoke to Kovu. Turning away from the cubs Zola looked at Nala.

“Nala all that I had set out to achieve has come to pass. I am delighted to be here, to see this land and pride recover,” Zola began softly. “However it is time we travellers to return to our home.”

“I understand Zola, I am so glad you were able to come back,” Nala replied.

“We plan to leave in three days’ time,” Zola replied smiling at Nala.

       At her words time seemed to stand still. Vitani and Nassor looked at her than back at one another. Fear and in trepidation coursing through their veins. While the announcement was no surprise the time limit was. Looking around Vitani left her place by Kovu, moments later she was joined by Zola and side by side the sisters headed off down the river bank.

     Under the dense foliage the pair were virtually camouflaged. For a while they walked in utter silence consumed by thoughts. At last they reached a small gap in the foliage where it gave way to a rocky crag. Standing side by side they watched the traffic of the river.

“Vitani it was not my intention to upset you,” Zola said, a hint of remorse in her voice.

“Zola that isn’t what has upset me. I’ve got used to being with you all,” Vitani replied. “The thought of not seeing you again…”

“Vitani you and Nassor are more than welcome to go return home with us,” Zola replied.

“Go back….” Vitani whispered in wonder.

“If you so wish it. I do not make any demand of you. If you wish to remain here that too is your right, I simply offer the chance.”

“I need to talk to Nassor. I love him but….this place…it doesn’t feel the same as your kingdom. Being here….I’m trying to fit into an old life that no longer seems right.”

“I understand. I feel the same way. Sometimes a journey changes you so much that it is impossible to go back to an old life. Talk to Nassor tonight only then will you be able to decide a path,” Zola replied.

      Returning to their family the pair found them still relaxing. Their disappearance was not even commented on. Within seconds of arriving back they were dragged into a water fight that had been instigated by Arjana and Hasina and now involved half the pride. Under the heat of the afternoon sun the happy, sometimes startled calls of the lions drifted down river as the young members tried to outdo the adults. Soon everyone was dripping wet from nose to tail much to the annoyance of some members.

___________________________________________________________________________

       A few hours later the sun was setting over the savannah turning the sky a mixture of yellow, deep orange, pink and red. On the riverbank the lions were getting up to head back home. Looking at each other Vitani and Nassor nodded in understanding then tuned to face their family.

“Mum, Dad I’m gonna stay out for a bit. I need to talk to Vitani,” Nassor said casually.

“The pair of you can talk at home surely?” Kula asked raising an eyebrow.

“It’d be better out here, I’ll catch up with you later,” Nassor replied coolly.

      Looking at the pair Kula and Ni exchanged a look of surprise, unable to imagine what was so important that couldn’t be talks about at home. As he left Kovu looked at his sister with concern and at Nassor with distrust. Kovu had been less than happy with the amount of time the pair had been spending together and struggled to adjust to the changes in Vitani.

       Turning away Nassor and Vitani walked through the darkening until they reached a small patch of jungle forest. Jumping onto a very thick tree trunk they looked down at their reflections in the water, they were one. Yet their reflections seemed different, the lions sharing back were powerful and confident adults not the confused and half broken teenagers.

“Did you ever imagine we would come back with all our plans achieved?” Nassor asked gently.

“Never. I never thought back then everything would turn out so well,” Vitani replied softly.

“It does seem incredible, our crazy plan has worked out beyond our wildest dreams. We made it possible, us, two mixed up former enemies together.”

“Things have come full circle. Nassor I love you so much.”

“Vitani there is no one else like you in the world, no one I have ever truly cared about until you came along. We don’t live under illusions of happily ever after. We both remember what Delmar said.”

“That we would be forever welcome in this kingdom with open paws.  Zola and Majani will leave forever…” Vitani replied, tears glistening in her eyes.

“We have to choose where we belong. Vitani I love you but I won’t try to make you stay with me if you want something different to me,” Nassor said, sincerity and sadness in his eyes.

“Nassor please be let us be honest with each other about our feelings. The Pridelands has never been home for me. The past has always been casting a shadow.”

“This place was all I’d ever known but now…I’ve seen, experienced so many things. I’ve come home but…..I’ve changed.”

“So have I. I’ve finally found out who I am. The pride has changed too…”

“No kidding. Aketch and Kopa, Imoo and Kamaria both having cubs……it all seems neat here….”

“Zola told me some journeys change a lion so much that is impossible for them return to an old life….”

“She was right” Nassor sighed. “To much has happened…for me at least…..”

“I’m not who I used to be. I’ve made my peace with my past but I don’t belong here,” Vitani said, tears falling freely from her eyes.

“I was always seeking something. I’ve found it. I’ve found you and my true home…”

“I can’t stay here. I want to go home with Zola. Her kingdom is my home,” Vitani replied.

“I found my home in that sea side kingdom,” Nassor replied, a smile flickering onto his face.

“Do you truly mean that?”

“Without a doubt. I belong there with Majani and you. I’ve never felt so alive until now. We have a chance to be happy. I’m not going to throw away that when staying would be a lie. We go back together.”

“Together we can be free and happy,” Vitani replied.

         Under the star filled sky Vitani and Nassor kissed deeply sealing their futures in a spark of love. The past was long gone only the truth of their own hearts remained.

___________________________________________________________________________

         The following morning found Nassor and Vitani curled up together on a bed of soft grass in the hollow of a tree. Stretching they smiled before climbing to their paws. The sunrise reflected off the water bathing both of them in a haze of yellowy red. Side by side with their heads held high they walked back to Pride Rock. Arriving at the rock they found the pride just waking up with Kovu and Ni anxiously looking out across the savannah. As soon as Vitani and Nassor walked up to the rock Kovu sprang in front of them, cold hard fury written across his face. Behind him Ni

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