will be remembered here for generations. He left us in that truth there is all comes to end

And they peacefully drowned just behind river’s bend

So let learn from theirs waves, hear the voices from past

There no use to save moment, in eternal put trust

[With his brother, he buries king’s body with rock and gravel and when the last boulder is in place, all animals knell in absolute silence.]

Chorus:

So go ahead and swim ahead

Don’t waste your time

Life is fading every day

But there is no other way

So this is the only way to be fulfilled

[Both lions are standing over the grave, looking on it but in the same time giving a discrete looks on each other. Camera is zooming-out and we see crying pride, still holding in bow and Tiko, flying over them.]

Look on those who paid their fare

We are there where once they were

They are now - where some day we certainly will

[Sun fades out. Music stops.]

 

All the world, a warmth of evening, scorching dryness of desert wind and quiet sobbing of lionesses were coming to Taka like from beyond the thick veil. For long minutes he was standing over father’s grave, next to the tomb of mother. In fact, he was barely aware where he was. Finally the voice of Dahabu called him back to the reality. His older brother started a funeral speech. Previously they had decided that they told it together.

„My father...” said golden-maned, just like he was the only child of Tanabi. “...was a great king. His reign finished a tragic conflict between Golden Pride and Pridelanders. He and my mother restored a harmony in the Circle of Life, that had been disturbed by argument between Scar and Mufasa. For the common good of your land and creatures living here, he decided to oppose his own father, Simba. He was hard times, but he showed us the way how to survive the drought.” Dry wind intensified and showered with sand gathered lions. One of lionesses sneezed, when dust got to her nose. But she instantly fell silent, ashamed by her faux-pas. Dahabu was talking still. “That why I humbly ask you: don’t cry, because every drop of water is required to outlive that disaster. Holding in times of trial we will celebrate the memory of Tanabi in the best way we could!”

In spite of common grief among lionesses sounded a murmur of approval and admire to touching words of golden-maned. But Taka was standing indifferent, looking on father’s grave. Amali came to him and nudged his side.

“Will you say something?” she whispered.

“For what?” murmured black-maned. “Dad knows what I want to say. Dahabu won’t heat it, even if I was screaming with all my might.

It was because older son of Tanabi considered himself as a king already. He was standing before gathering – straight and serious, but sparks of pride were blinking in his eyes. Deceased king left no last will but everybody knew what was about to be. Amali knew too – she left her younger brother and went to funeral stones. Taka even didn’t listen her speech, but he believed that she told something beautiful and wise.

Ceremony was over – lionesses went back to cave and Tiko flied to farewell gathered animals. On the cemetery left just Tanabi’s children and Mtanga, Amali’s mate. Taka was still standing closer to the grave, until mayordomo came. Bird sat on Dahabu’s shoulder (“Why on his shoulder?” asked Taka in mind. “My brother isn’t the king yet!”) and golden-maned whispered something to his ear. Hornbill raised to further flight and Taka narrowed his eyes.

“Brother, we are going.” Announced Amali. Obviously, she was talking to Dahabu, although her brother was also Taka. But golden-maned just nodded his head and replied with calm voice.

“Good. Let Kings of the Past show you the way and let you establish a powerful pride. South Forest?”

“Yes, there still could be some herds there.” Agreed grey-furred rouge.

“You know, that if something goes wrong... you could return here.” Added Dahabu, but with tone that was suggesting something opposite.

“I’ll be missing you, bro.” Whispered Amali and licked golden-furred cheek. “And you too, take care...” added quieter, coming to younger brother.

“Take care of what?” asked black-maned but too quiet to be heard.

Pair of lions set off to south, to a bit wetter parts of savannah. If shock in Taka’s mind and burning pain after his father’s death, Taka would have wished them the best. But not in that moment. The youngest of Tanabi’s children was slowly overcoming the emotional paralysis, but only to feel a growing anger on Dahabu. They were standing in silence, maybe even for few hours, still aren’t knowing what to do and how to act.

“And what then?” asked Taka and coming blow of wind cover them in sandy dust.

“Come closer to Priderock.” Instructed older brother and not waiting for reply he set off into home direction. They hid from wind in rock-pan next to western slope. Golden-maned stood in centre of hutch, where was a big boulder. In cubhood, Tanabis’ children were fighting for that stone, claiming that holder of boulder would be Prideland king someday. Of course, younger and weaker Taka had been getting a regular beating in that struggles, but sometimes a wheel of fortune turned his way – he was inducing his sister to help him in fight and that way they sometimes overcame Dahabu. But Amali was not there to help and tiny Taka remained alone.

“You know, what is about to be.” Said Dahabu.

“No.” Lied black-maned. “And father didn’t know too. What why he hasn’t decided who is to be successor.” Older brother smiled maliciously, hearing that.

“So, what it will be?” he raised his right paws and showed his claws. “Do you want to fight for the throne? Father would never allowed on this, but now...”

For shot moment young lion was seriously considering accepting a challenge. He didn’t hope for victory, because that was possible only by miracle or thank to support from Kings of the Past. But for pure perversity, some voice in his mind was calling to extend this claws to and stand to the duel. “He wouldn’t kill me.” Thought Taka. “And if even Kings of the Past bless me, I wouldn’t kill him too. We are brothers and blood-bond is a sacred thing. And he is older brother... I can’t ignore that simple truth. Throne is destined for him.” He extinguished in mind memories of humiliations from cub’s times and replied.

“No. You will be king. I will leave Priderock.”

“You always could...”

“Ow, shut up!” gasped Taka, hearing a mockery in brother’s voice. “I will set of to Golden Sands tomorrow to announce aunt Kiara about dad’s death. When I leave, you will do what you want.”

“I’ll do it even if you stay here.” Golden-maned smiled in malicious way. “Dawn is nearing and Tiko is already gathering animals...”

“WHAT?!” growled furious Taka. „Call them off! Don’t you try to assume the throne until bereavement after out father is going on!”

“Kingdom has to be ruled by a king. Subjects have to be ruled by ruler.” Reminded older of brothers.

And then Taka extended his claws. He even didn’t realise what he was doing because wave of anger washed his mind. Dahabu wanted to proclaim himself as a king before his brother left the land. This not what was fixed in their unwritten agreement. Just like Amali, Taka was about to leave Prideland before coronation and that why he hadn’t had to pay a homage to new ruler. He wanted to remain prince. Maybe prince without land, but still free creature with undeniable title. As a king’s son he could establish a new pride when drought would be finished or to marry some queen from other kingdom. But Dahabu tried to hum Instructed older brother and not waiting for reply he set off into home direction. They hid from wind in rock-pan next to western slope. Golden-maned stood in centre of hutch, where was a big boulder. In cubhood, Tanabis’ children were fighting for that stone, claiming that holder of boulder would be Prideland king someday. Of course, younger and weaker Taka had been getting a regular beating in that struggles, but sometimes a wheel of fortune turned his way – he was inducing his sister to help him in fight and that way they sometimes overcame Dahabu. But Amali was not there to help and tiny Taka remained alone.

“You know, what is about to be.” Said Dahabu.

“No.” Lied black-maned. “And father didn’t know too. What why he hasn’t decided who is to be successor.” Older brother smiled maliciously, hearing that.

“So, what it will be?” he raised his right paws and showed his claws. “Do you want to fight for the throne? Father would never allowed on this, but now...”

For shot moment young lion was seriously considering accepting a challenge. He didn’t hope for victory, because that was possible only by miracle or thank to support from Kings of the Past. But for pure perversity, some voice in his mind was calling to extend this claws to and stand to the duel. “He wouldn’t kill me.” Thought Taka. “And if even Kings of the Past bless me, I wouldn’t kill him too. We are brothers and blood-bond is a sacred thing. And he is older brother... I can’t ignore that simple truth. Throne is destined for him.” He extinguished in mind memories of humiliations from cub’s times and replied.

“No. You will be king. I will leave Priderock.”

“You always could...”

“Ow, shut up!” gasped Taka, hearing a mockery in brother’s voice. “I will set of to Golden Sands tomorrow to announce aunt Kiara about dad’s death. When I leave, you will do what you want.”

“I’ll do it even if you stay here.” Golden-maned smiled in malicious way. “Dawn is nearing and Tiko is already gathering animals...”

“WHAT?!” growled furious Taka. „Call them off! Don’t you try to assume the throne until bereavement after out father is going on!”

“Kingdom has to be ruled by a king. Subjects have to be ruled by ruler.” Reminded older of brothers.

And then Taka extended

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