of Life is restored... I guess, that Rafiki is best with such a speeches, but I can assure you, that you restored harmony in home. Your father would be proud...” she noticed spark of pain in her mate’s eyes. “And he probably is proud, looking on us from above.”

“But he is not here...” muttered Simba with melancholy. “Recently, I was just scared, how would I manage without his advices. Now, when I found out that somehow I can, I started to miss him not as a king, but as a father.”

“I’m sure, he would wished you to worry and focusing on past. Now, you have us to worry about.” Smiled Nala. “I hope, that soon, there will be more us, that you will have to care.”

Inside of cave, most of lionesses were sleeping. Kilia was in deep slumber too, but her daughter was fully awake and she quietly slip out from mother’s hug. Hawaa started to sneak in entrance direction... to meet Sarafina there.

“Stop!” whispered lioness, putting her paw on cub’s side. “Where are you going?”

“On a walk.” Replied Hawaa.

“Does your mother know that?” asked Sarafina and seeing scared stare of her charge, she added. “All right, you can go on a walk with me.” She grabbed cub in jaws and put on her back. “Where do you want to go?”

Hawaa was silent for while and Sarafina felt, that cub under smile is hiding her sorrow. They went on savannah to small rock nearby, where lioness had discovered first flowers. There were some butterflies, an perfect training target in hunts lessons. Cubs were usually to slow to catch it, but butterflies were colour enough to draw their attention.

“It’s a nice place.” Said Sarafina. “Do you want catch some butterflies?”

Cub looked on nearest insect, when turned her stare into ground.

“I have never got one.” She confessed. “Only Nuka can grab them.”

Sarafina narrowed her eyes, hearing this name. It was hard to sooth cub’s longing after playmate, but she knew, that it was necessary. Scar’s son became unwelcome quest on Priderock for good.

“You will learn too.” Assured lioness.

“It would be better that Nuka was back.” Replied Hawaa. “He could catch them for me.”

“Saffy?” called Sarabi from Priderock. “Could you go here for a moment?”

Sarafina wanted to reply, that she is with Hawaa and she can’t, but then from behind of rock came Sakia, like she was there some time and only was waiting for opportunity to show herself. Queen’s mother had no idea, what lioness could do in such remote place. Sakia looked on Sarafina and Hawaa then said with acodating voice.

“Go. I will stay with her.”

So Sarafina went back on Priderock’s Ledge and Sakia came to Hawaa and asked.

“So, what were you playing, my child?”

Cub turned her stare to the ground and replied with sad voice.

“In nothing particular, aunt. I was just...” suddenly, she burst in tears. Lioness hugged her and murmured with sympathy. “I was just... wondering, if Nuka would someday back to us.” Sakia froze, hearing this words. Again, this cub was reminding her, what she had mustn’t forgot. She was able to say only one.

“It’s harder, than you think.”

“But this is not fair!” exclaimed cub. “Mommy said, that king Scar is dead. Simba killed Nuka’s father! Why, aunt?”

There was no good answer on that question. Sakia just hugged Hawaa harder and remained silent. Cub was sobbing some time, then she asked with shyly voice.

“But... If I would find aunt Zira and stay with her, would mommy join us? Would you join us?”

Sakia tensed and sighed with pain. This small cub was proposing her, what she had to do long before. To find rightful queen and offer her faithful service. But for once again, lioness had less courage than cub.

“Rather not.” She replied. She knew, that Kilia was devoted to Simba with all her heart. She wouldn’t leave pride for any prize. And, of course, she wouldn’t let this to her daughter. “You must stay here... And maybe, someday, Nuka and queen Zira will be back and then we will be together.”

“Simba won’t let it.” Sobbed Hawaa. “I heard, that he was talking cruel things about king Scar and aunt Zira.”

“Kings aren’t eternal.” Said Sakia and just second later, she scared of own word. What she was suggesting to this cub?

“I must find some way, to convince mother.” Added Hawaa.

*

“We don’t know, where they are exactly.” Started Sarabi. Three lionesses: queen-mother, queen’s mother and queen herself, where sitting in back cliff of Priderock. “But, according to scouts reports, there are some tracks to Northern Ford.”

“They crossed the river?” exclaimed Nala. “After such a rains? With cubs? It would be suicide!”

“But if they made it... although, I have no idea, how.” Continued queen-mother. “It’s grave news for us. They won’t escape to those Golden Sands, for example. Outlands could be good base for short rest, but pride can’t dwell there. Too small amount of sweet water to survive dry season.”

Lioness were thinking heavily, saying nothing. After over minute, Sarafina said.

“And one thing more. If Zira made them to cross Border River and to settle in the Outlands, she would made them to do anything. Her leadership is unquestionable.” Others lioness nodded. “Please, forgive my doubts... But are we one for sure?” seeing amazed stares of daughter and friend, she added. “I mean: Are we sure our pride’s loyalty to Simba? I know, that Scar was tyrant...” said with uncertain voice. “But his reign had some advantages... and maybe sympathy for Golden Ones dimmed someone’s common sense.”

“No!” disagreed Nala. “Simba is king and Mufasa’s heir. No one would support Scar’s widow, after we found out, how Mufasa died. Scar was a traitor and a liar!” finished, almost shouting.

Sarabi and Sarafina looked on themselves, saying nothing, but silent question was floating in the air: “He was? For sure? Everyone is sure of that?”

“We must convince Simba, to find out those rebels and exile then for good. Are you with me?”

Lionesses nodded in silence.

*

Another night came to Outlands, when Zira was finishing her speech. Queen said her pride, what she was intending to do. Idea of armed skirmish to Priderock was greeted with mix of both excitement and fear. Lionesses wanted to save Shakisa and her cub, also wanted to avenge theirs beloved leader and benefactor. But idea of striking on... lion’s den, sound dangerous. Zira admitted, that they can go only with part of pride. Only five lionesses were ready to fight, what, with four rouges in support, gives nine jaws against thirteen. It looked grim, even counting males strength twice. But their main goal was to find Shakisa and depart. Hard but possible.

“We will go on tomorrow’s dusk to strike in middle of the night. Sleep well and rest. Tomorrow, only those, who stay, will hunt. We must save our strength.” Lionesses nodded in silence. “If there is no question, dismiss!” and she added with gentle voice. “...my sisters!”

“And brothers!” added Daki and Laki at the same time. Laughter, so needed by scared lions, sounded in Golden Hall.

“And brothers!” agreed Zira with smile. “Good night!”

Lionesses went to theirs lairs, but not all of them. Doria, as well as Vii and Thela, were gone. Of course, rouges were not there too. Brothers clearly took Horen’s advise seriously. So after some time, in main chamber of Golden Hall remained only sleeping cubs, Zira and Amini. Rouge came to queen and said quietly.

“Risky move. Am I right?”

Zira sighed and answered.

“I don’t remember any safe move in my life. It’s not in my style.”

“You are afraid, that they leave us?” asked Amini. “Saying honestly... I’m afraid of it too.” Zira just nodded, but then she looked on blackmaned and asked.

“Go on a walk. I must tell you something important.”

They went out from mound and started to river. They were walking in silence, until they reached beach near Northern Ford. There, Zira laid on sand and pointed her stare in lion.

“Beautiful night, isn’t it?” asked Amini, looking on moon in full, shining on river, and making silver reflections on water. “So calm... I guess, that tomorrow we will miss that silence.”

“Tomorrow.” Muttered Zira. “That why I brought you here. Amini, tell me honestly: do you love me?”

Lion smiled, but replied with serious voice.

“Well, finally, we can call it right. Of course, I do. Do you have some doubts with that?” but queen ignored his inquiring stare and asked.

“And... are you able... to love my children?”

This question confused Amini a little but he overcome his surprise and answered honestly.

“I think... yes. They have already charmed me and I think, this bound will grow stronger, if I stay here.”

“Will you care about them, if something happens to me?”

“What? What you’re talking about!?” exclaimed lion but he calmed down in next second. “Yes, I know, what you mean. I assure you, I won’t let anyone hurt you tomorrow. But, if somehow, something happens to you... I will take care of your pride and cubs. I will raise them... in memory of great mother... and father.”

Zira sighed with relief and came to Amini. She hugged him gentle and put her head on his mane.

“I have no chance to amend you all that... May Scar protect you... my dearest friend!”

“But Zira...” whispered Amini. “I can die tomorrow too. You know, that I would do everything, to protect you, so...”

“Try to stay alive.” Asked Zira with sensed voice. “I don’t know, if I manage alone.” She stepped back and looked in his eyes. “And one thing more... Maybe this is last night, when we are together. Do you remember, what have you promised me?” lion nodded. “Haven’t you change your mind?”

“No.” Amini shook his head. “I still will be honoured... and happy to help you...” he came closer to lioness and licked her cheek. “...in anyway, I could.”

*

[“United” song. Romantic, but dark-romantic tune. Music starts lions lay on the sand.

Zira is looking in darkness over river and she see vivid picture

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