maybe twenty five lions?” then she gave up such a dilemmas. There would be enough time to decide, when she would reconquer her kingdom.

Amini returned from waterhole and laid down next to Zira. He wasn’t touching her, but he was close enough to show, who is her <first subject>. Queen smiled and put paw on lion’s paw. Amini murmured with contentment and closed his eyes. He seemed to be happy and satisfied in his new role.

Zira quickly felt asleep, but dreams she dreamed weren’t pleasant at all. After few night, when she had been lying in slumber like a log, at first time after her escape from Priderock, she dreamed about Scar. She was so longing for him, that even those dreadful pictures of her mate, dying at Priderock’s foot were some kind of relief. But in moment, where dreamy Scar made a final breath, Zira awoke, all in cold sweat. She raised her head and instantly looked on children, laying on trunk. She stood and stepped to <throne>.

“Zira... I’m here, guarding.” Whispered voice in darkness. It was Amini. “As a rouge I have quite sensitive ears.”

Lioness licked quickly her cubs and returned on the ground.

“I know...” she replied. “But... You know. Bad dream.”

“As far I know, I can’t fight your dreams.” Said Amini. “But I will have an eyen on every other threat.”

Lioness didn’t see his face, but she felt, he was smiling radiantly. She moved a little closer and allowed him to gentle cuddle her paw.

“Good night, Amini.” Said Zira.

“It will be good, indeed.” Replied lion with playful voice. “I have my dreams... at my paw.”

Then, they both join rest of the pride in sleep. Whole pride, except two members. Doria and Horen.

*

Sun shone Outlands and its new dwellers.

At first awoke Vitani and after few nudges, inflicted to Nuka, he got up as well. Amini caught them where they trying to went out from mound.

“Well, well, well... Where are you going?” Asked with playful voice.

“To see... sunrise.” Answered Nuka quickly.

“Nuka said that he could teach me how to swim.” Said Vitani honestly. Male cub turned his stare to the ground and Amini burst in laughter. That awoke most of the pride.

“What...?” asked Zira with sleepy voice. “Vitani? Where are going?” she amaze, seeing her daughter, quite away from trunk cradle.

“To see sunrise?” cheeped Vitani and looked on Nuka. “Right?”

Queen went to her cubs and Amini was still laughing.

“Look, my queen, you children became quite independent.”

“Yes, I see.” Replied Zira with proudly smile. “And I’m very content because of that, but I’ll probably change my mind after several more such awakenings.”

“But will we go to swim?” asked Vitani. She went to Amini’s paw and suddenly, hugged it. Lion seemed to be surprised, but also happy about that. He looked on Zira and when she nodded, he gentle grabbed cub with jaw and place her on his back. Vitani smiled and cuddled in lion’s mane. Nuka narrowed her eyes.

“Girls, ha!” he muttered. “Want only to hug. But I want to swim!”

“If you want, you can take then on river, but not let them in.” Said Zira and Amini nodded. “Children, you must obey Amini, or you will back at once. Right?” Nuka and Vitani agreed with smiles.

Lion with girl on back and Nuka at his side started to walk in Border River’s direction. Zira smiled and saw Rama coming to her. Old lioness said with playful voice.

“He seems to be perfect father.” But then she noticed painful expression on queen face. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean...”

“Never mind.” Replied Zira with tensed voice. “Call Vii and Doria, we must confer about today’s...”

“There is no Doria here.” Interrupted Daki, who was coming in Zira’s direction with his brother.

“How do you know?” surprised Rama, looking for younger friend, but she, in fact, didn’t found her.

“Because our boss is gone.” Explained Laki. “Probably they went for a night.”

Zira smiled and asked brothers with playful voice.

“Really? Horen <I_don’t_like_those_bloody_lionesses>?”

“Yeah.” Replied Daki. “Horen <I_don’t_like_those_bloody_lionesses...”

“...except_of_Doria>” finished Laki and they burst in laughter.

So morning life in Golden Hall started. Lionesses ate remnants of preys from day before and laid before mound, waiting for Doria, leader of hunting pack. After some time, golden lioness and redmaned lion showed on path from north. They stood uncertainly, surprise, that theirs return drew so much attention. But rather friendly smiles convinced pair to go to hall.

“Thank Stars that I haven’t my family with me.” Whispered Horen to Doria ear and lioness smiled. “But now you must forgive me, my pack is waiting.” Said leader and went to twins. “Gentlemen, let’s go aside.” They came behind mound nearby and Doria ran to her queen.

“My lady, I’m terribly sorry. I’m ready to lead pack at once and...” tried to explain herself Doria.

“Calm down, my friend.” Smiled Zira. “And go rest, I see, you haven’t sleep to much.” Huntress turned her stare to the ground, but not to hide shame but smile. “I will lead the hunting team.”

Doria went into Golden Hall, followed by inquiring eyes of her friends.

“O, stop it.” Gasped Zira, faking anger. “I ordered her night recognizance.” Few lionesses giggled. “But now, let go!” she turned to Outland’s Heights and started with full speed. Rest of the pride followed.

“We will search for fords!” called Horen after her.

“You can rest too.” Replied him queen. “Twins will handle it.” And she disappeared behind mounds.

“Nice.” Said Horen. “Lioness at work, lions sleeping... and Amini babysitting. New world order...” He tried to enter Golden Hall, but was stopped by heavy stared of brothers. “WHAT?!” he asked.

“Boss, you said that we can’t get fooled by those lionesses.” Said Daki with reproach.

“And that our quartet can’t down to trio... or duo!” added Laki.

Horen went to twins and put them paws on shoulders.

“Guys.” He said with merry voice. “Find yourself girlfriends.” Then he entered mound-keep.

“I’m lost.” Admitted Daki. “But I always do, what Horen says.”

*

Play on river’s beach prolonged to midday and when Amini was returning with cubs to Golden Hall, he met Zira and Vii with first part of prey. Mongooses had one advantage – they were easy to carry. Both lionesses had several creatures in mouths.

“Hi, mommy!” called Vitani. “I hunt a dragon fly on rivershore!”

“HMHHhhhh” replied Zira, what was intended to sound like: that’s great my darling.

“Yes, she stated her hunts early.” Confirmed Amini. “So, now we can switch: you will stay with cubs and I’ll support lioness in hunt.” Zira smiled and put her preys on ground.

“They drained you so fast?” asked with laugher.

“No mommy!” protested Nuka. “That was my turn to ride on Amini, but she didn’t get out. So we ride a little both...”

Vii looked on her queen with telling face. “As Rama said: perfect father.” But Zira ignored it and went to her cubs.

“Are you sure, you don’t need some rest?” asked and when he shook his head, she grabbed Vitani in jaw and went into mound. Nuka followed her, but in entrance turned to Amini and said.

“Thanks. Will we go there tomorrow?”

“Why not?” agreed Amini. “But now, go to your mother.”

Vii carried her preys into Hall, then returned to lion.

“Shall we go?”

“Yes, lead the way.”

*

When Vitani went sleep, Zira was cleaning Nuka. Finally she had some time to think. All had complicated, as if it could complicate after disaster, that death of Scar was. She was planning their return, but queen understood, that wouldn’t be so easy. Maybe, after joining four frown lions, Golden Ones outnumbered Pridelanders. But how many of Zira’s pridemates were able to fight? She made an quick estimation and judged, that they were still possibly weaker. They needed a reconnaissance, deep scouting in Prideland, to check if Simba was ready. She hoped, that enemy pride, after victory became self-assured to the point of irreverence of adversary. That was her main hope, because pride could easy turn to fear and panic, if Golden Ones could even severely wound or even kill few of Simba’s lionesses. Yes, they had to made a raid to Priderock. It was important to do it quick, to discover fate of Shakisa and Yakta. Zira even hoped, they could recapture hostages in sudden strike. Yes, it would be deadly for enemy’s morale and... greatly increasing chances of her friend and her cub.

“What are you thinking about, mother?” asked Nuka.

“About saving Yakta.” Replied queen. “Soon, we will go to Priderock and find him.”

“It’s great, mom.” Smiled Nuka. “I miss Yakta... But, what about Hawaa? Will you bring her too?”

Zira surprised with her son’s request.

“Well... Hawaa is daughter of Kilia. I’m sorry, but Kilia is Simba’s follower.”

“But Hawaa is not!” exclaimed Nuka. “I’m sure she hates Simba! And I fear, that Simba hates her too! Mom, we must save her!”

For the first time this question came to Zira’s mind. “It impossible, that all lionesses supports Simba... that mean: they are obedient to Sarabi and Sarafina. There must be some resistance to usurper’s power. And we must find and use it!”

“We will try my dear.” She assured her son.

*

Pridelanders were napping after solid meal. Lionesses easy got their preys, that were two adult zebras, so pride was satisfied, like never in times of drought. Simba was laying with Nala on the ledge and smiling.

“I still can’t believe it!” he whispered to his mate. “It’s working. I’m king for four days and land is still running quite well. I guess, I rid of this stupid anxiety.”

Queen stroked his mane and replied.

“You don’t know, what you are saying. Running quite well?” she raised her paw and pointed on savannah, that was recovering it’s green colour in unbelievable rate. “Simba... This is revival of Prideland. When you, rightful heir, returned and we banished those parasites from our land, the Circle of Life is

Previous Page

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18

Next page