in the water and exploring the caves. As they walked they talked about Zola’s plan to go back to the Pridelands. As their mother spoke the Arjana and Penina listening intently, asking thoughtful questions and receiving honest answers. Delmar spoke when he felt he needed to, providing a reassuring presence in the midst of the uncertainty. Listening the tales Penina felt a little calmer as and began to understand what was happening around her.

    Standing on the edge of a cliff they looked down to see Majani standing below them completely lost in thought. She did not look happy at all and was unaware they were above her. Before they could speak Nassor appeared on the beach. Words passed between the pair then Nassor looked up. His eyes went wide in horror. Majani then looked up, a look of anger filling her eyes. Seconds later the pair walked off away from the gorges.

“Mummy will Aunti Majani and Nassor be okay?” Penina asked, her face and voice filled with worry.

“They will be Penina,” Zola replied smiling softly.

      Over Penina head Delmar, Arjana and Zola exchanged the same looks of concern. All three knew what could happen yet wished to spare Penina any further worry. Penina was young and innocent.    

___________________________________________________________________________

   The following day as the pride rose in the morning light Majani and Nassor reappeared having been out all night. Calmly Majani told the pride she would be returning to the Pridelands with the others. Both lions refused to say what had passed between them. The entire pride breathed a collective sigh of relief. In the morning light the planning began in earnest yet despite the agreements of Delmar and Zola some of the pride still objected, especially those older than Delmar and those of Kopa’s age and younger. In the midst of the arguing Ramala let out a mighty roar that caught everyone in their tracks.

“The future in this instance is clear to me. Zola must return to the kingdom of her birth. The shadow of the past still hangs over her. Now that Simba knows of her existence there is a threat to us all. Only once the two heirs meet will the past ever be fully reconciled.”

“Let the past die than once and for all,” Majani snapped her eyes blazing with fury.

“We all live the consequences of our actions Majani,” Ramala replied in an even tone.

“It is not our actions, Scar did all this not Zola.”

“Majani the past is the past!” Zola yelled leaping to her paws. “Whatever has happened I will deal with. I knew this would come one day in fact I wished for it. The Pridelands were my home. Going back will allow me to make peace with my family. My father’s legacy. I alone of his cubs lived during his reign. Had I fought the future would have been very different.”

    Silence descended on the group as her worlds sunk in. turning away Zola walked off into the savannah leaving the pride in silence. In that moment they saw the truth of a past Zola had long hidden. In truth the pride new very little of what had gone before in her early life. The arrival of Vitani and Nassor had opened their eyes to some facts but the implications and intricacies were largely unknown.

___________________________________________________________________________

       A few days later the travellers assembled at the edge of the kingdom on the mountain border. Sadness was written across the faces of many of the members that echoed what was in their hearts. Mixed in was a deep undercurrent of tension, some members resented what had been decided and some had chosen to stay way. Heartfelt goodbyes were said. Chumvi and Chipo’s hearts filled with sadness.    

“Come back to me Zola,” Delmar whispered nuzzling her.

“I will fight to the death if I have to……I have to go,” Zola replied, her voice breaking with pain. “Take care of Penina.”

“I will Zola,” Delmar replied turning to Arjana. “Behave yourself, do as your mother and aunt tells you.”

“We will Dad,” Arjana replied embracing his father.

“Penina be a good lioness while I am away. It breaks my heart leaving you. I promise I will come home,” Zola said hugging her daughter tightly while tears fell down her cheeks.

“I’ll be a good lioness Mummy. I don’t want you to go, do you have to?” Penina pleaded.

“I have to go. There is something important I have to do in Pridelands. I promise to come home.”

“I’ll wait for you Mummy.”

“I know you will do. Take care of your Father for me,” Zola whispered licking her daughter’s cheek.

  Looking at each other the family smiled sadly at one another, their hearts breaking yet Arjana and Zola standing resolute. Turning around they faced Nassor and Vitani who were stood a little away from the pride.

“It has been a pleasure to have both of you in this pride. Should either of you wish to return here with Zola you will be welcome,” Delmar said smiling.

“Thank you Delmar…..I hope we meet again,” Vitani replied bowing low.

         One by one the lions said their goodbyes, tears falling from many eyes as the reality hit home. Majani look utterly cool with no trace of emotion on her face other than a cool detachment and an almost scornful view of the emotions. Stepping forward Ramala blessed each of the travellers in turn.

“Go with the blessings of all may the Great Kings past guide you all. Never forget this kingdom. Zola as queen your status is equal to that of Simba, he should treat you with the respect befitting your rank. Allow the past to be healed,” Ramala said.

“I know what has to be done. I will return on my life that I swear,” Zola replied.

     Turning away the travellers crossed the border. The past was upmost in their minds as it now was a herald of their future. At the highest path all turned back to look down on the kingdom, the sea glittering far below.

 

   Part 3: The Circle of Life

    C7 Return to Pride Rock

          A number of weeks had passed since the travellers had left the kingdom by the sea. Standing on the very same spot that Simba has stood on his return they could see the Pridelands stretched out before them in the late afternoon sun. Far in the distance PrideRock stood proudly. Gazing across the land Zola felt a tightness in her chest. Never in her wildest dreams had she ever imagined returning to the land of her birth. At her side the cubs gazed at the places they had heard about. Side by side Zola and Masika exchanged a look, so much had changed since they were last here.

      With Vitani and Nassor in the lead the travellers made their way across the kingdom. They tried to be as inconspicuous as possible, taking less used paths and avoiding any lions they scented. For a while they swam in the shallow parts of the river to mask their scents and at times had to hide in the foliage. With each passing second the tension increased, Vitani making everyone swear not to let on about her and Nassor. Now they had returned the pair had suddenly realised their relationship might not go down so well with their families. In a desperate move to ease the path to acceptance Vitani had decided discretion was the best option.      

         Reaching Pride Rock they travellers saw the lions lazing on the rocks, Kopa and Imoo lazing under the shade of the overhang. Seeing the travellers the pair let out load roars and leapt to their paws, skidding to a halt at the sight. Instantly the other lions rallied, all gazing wide eyed in amazement. Running forward Imoo gasped. Seconds later Nala ran down the path. Time seemed to stand still as Nala and Zola caught sight of each other. They saw how much the other had changed. Gone was the young rebel leader who had once left in fear of her life, in her place a wise and regal queen. Gone too was the confused teenager who had fought her heritage. Now stood a cunning, dark, powerful, intelligent queen with a hint of ruthlessness.

“Zola welcome home, it is wonderful to see you,” Nala said, a serene smile on her face.

“Nala time has healed this land and you have kept your word,” Zola replied.

“For as long as possible,” Nala replied smiling slightly.

       Then behind Nala appeared Simba looking every inch the powerful king. Tensions simmered as the heirs of Mufasa and Scar took the measure of one another.

“Zola welcome home. I am Simba king of the Pridelands.”

“I know who you are,” Zola replied.

      Then Masika stepped forward causing the adults to chock in amazement. From the back of the pride Aine ran forward, embracing Masika with tears in her eyes. The tension broken a stream of hurried chatter followed that introduced everyone. At the sight of Majani, Ni walked forward with tear filled eyes. Seeing her sister Aketch felt her world tilt, anger and sadness combined in her heart, all the while Majani maintaining her cool demeanour.

     Turning their gaze on Vitani and Nassor all members of Simba’s pride greet them with delighted as the travellers were lead up onto Pride Rock. Settling down the travellers sat together. Slowly the travellers told their story. Simba’s pride listened intently. After a while

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