Father’s Day

0. Prologue

It was a grave mistake, a terrible error to turn back. That why he was looking on scene which he both wasn’t able and didn’t want to interfere. Or at least – he thought that initially.

From high cliff the river bed was seen clearly. Stream was raging, what he was rather hearing that seeing in darkness of the night. But moonlight was shining on the centre of river, showing the silhouette of floating lion. He was wounded, bleeding from numerous cuts on his chest, barely awake. He was keeping his head over surface only because extreme effort – but it was clear that without any help blackmaned would drown quick, maybe even before he reach the waterfall.

Silent beholder war gazing on struggle before him. He was like in parlays. Some voices were calling and ordering him to jump down in furious stream, to catch and get out dying lion. But body was disobedient – gazer was standing still, as if he was only half-aware of drama in river.

Blackmaned passed next to him, giving the last stare in lion’s eyes and screaming something through the roars of closing waterfall. That was the turning point – gazer opened his lips and shouted with terror, trying with all his might to jump ahead and get to drowning one. It was too late – blackmaned was floating helplessly to the edge. Also gazer couldn’t make any move, stopped by overwhelming force. Tears came to his eyes. He was still calling the name of drowning lion, but voice couldn’t change the unavoidable fate. Blackmaned disappeared on edge of waterfall, still looking in his eyes. That was dreadful stare of fear and amaze of betrayed trust. Gazer cried with pain and opened his eyes.

*

Redmaned lion muffled his yell in last moment – his lips were opening to cry and his awaken consciousness closed them right on time. Predator blinked his eyes, casting tears away. Then he gulped, swallowing saliva from his mouth. Took a deep breath trying to banish every memory about nightmare.

Next to older, red-hoary-maned lion was lying lionesses of sandy-brown fur. She was sleeping still, in airily slumber. She was even smiling, feeling the touch of lion on her side. Redmaned carefully stood up and went few steps aside. There he shook his mane to rid of the cold sweat from his head.

Once again – it was close. But no one discovered it. Lion still had his secret only for him and no one suspected him. Dreams weren’t pleasant, but after all they were just a dream.

“It’s just a past.” Thought redmaned. “It doesn’t matter now. I have new life now, and shadows of old one should not disrupt me.”

He looked on young lion and lionesses – adolescent sibling of queen’s children. He smiled with dose of affection – after almost two years of living on Green Valley he start to treat prince and princess not just as wards, but almost as own children. Like once the had been treating...

The leash of memories hit his mind. He cast away the burning thought that mixed present sight with dream’s horror. Lion shook his mane once again and went back to the centre of royal cave. Then he laid down next to queen Chanua. It was still middle of the night and redmaned was still sleepy. The fear of absurd nightmare couldn’t prevent him from rest.

“Just a past.” Murmured lion and cuddled to lionesses side. He closed his eyes and soon fall asleep, not dreaming at all.

[“The New Dawn (The Circle of Life pt. 2)” song. Tune of well known opener of TLK. Scenery of the Priderock, when the first sunrays are shining on it. Silence, calm morning – no visiting animals, no ceremonies – only two prides sleeping in caves of rock.]