face of his father expression of fear and confusion. He didn’t want to go, yet he had no choice. In second Tanabi understood what happened and that his mother broke edict as first. Simba just followed her, most likely to prevent more of chaos. But he did as always in his life. Simba wanted good, but it came as usual.

“Lionesses are still in shock and confusion.” Said Nuka. “They don’t know how welcome queen-mother. But when your father get there, there will be no hesitation. You have something like pocket counterrevolution downthere.”

“Dung!” gasped angry Tanabi. “I just couldn’t die in worse time.”

“You are not dead.” Noticed Nuka. “But come lower. We will see it better.”

“Wait!” stopped him Tanabi. “I need to speak with mom… or with Vitani, or with both of them. It’s a matter of life and death.” Outlander shook his head. “So you talk with your sister. Tell her I will survive and will clean this mess when I wake up.” Nuka shook his head again.

“I can’t. Rules are rules. We can’t manifest at will.”

“Yes, I know that.” Murmured Tanabi, but then his muzzle narrowed with smile. “But you can listen to pleads of those you salute your memory. Isn’t that true?”

“Well… yes.” Nodded Nuka. It was clear he was hoping for the same that Tanabi, but Ancient One was bound with strict rules of his world. However he smiled hearing as his brother-in-law was going in right direction. “But we could respond for that only in shires were we are recalled.”

“So call Scar!” exclaimed Tanabi. “He died on slope of Priderock. If Vitani seeks his advise…” Nuka shook his head.

“It’s not as easy.” He replied. “Some things changed since last time we met. When Ahadi was freed from his bond with earth, Tarki was relieved from duty of Arbiter. Scar is Arbiter now, so he can’t interfere in living ones arguments.”

“Grandma Sarabi!” smiled Tanabi. “She died nearby too.”

“Are you totally sure that Sarabi would solve that problem in best way?” asked Outlander with sarcasm in his voice.

Tanabi narrowed his eyes. Right, it was a problem. King loved his grandmother with all his heart and knew that she loved him too. But Sarabi was also Nala’s mother and it was rather probable she would favour daughter over current queen of Prideland. Tanabi wanted to solve argument balancing both sides, as he belonged to both sides. He wanted to secure Vitani’s authority… but hurting his mother in progress was the last thing he planned.

“So… what could we do?”

“We could pray that my sister will go on Outlands.” Said Nuka.

“But if she leaves Prideland…” he didn’t finished that sentence, but for both of them possible danger was clear.

“But in Outlands my mother and I would speak to her.” Explained Nuka. “And if not to her, due to our too strong emotional involvement, surely to Dhahabu. But it’s a matter of few days. Now you could just watch.”

So they watched.

*

“Nala!” gasped Vitani, exiting from cave.

“Take me to my son!” replied older lioness with decisive voice. Without any formal address, just as if she was giving command to queen. Maybe, she was.

Former Outlandress took a look around on lionesses, gathered on the ledge. Result of that observation wasn’t very optimistic. Most of pridemembers were looking on queen-mother, not on her and raised ear showed to whom they were obedient. Only two Pridelandresses - Kucha and Maitha – standing at sides of Vitani, seemed to be still with her. However that didn’t meant they were sure of that decision. Queen sensed a fear and doubts in her companions. Meanwhile those who openly showed loyalty to Nala seemed relaxed and sure. Just as if they had been living in shadow for long time and just could go into sun and breathe in freely. Vitani understood she didn’t lose their allegiance. She had never had it.

“Girls, are you still with me?” asked, whispering to Kucha and Maitha.

“Y… yes.” Stuttered Kucha.

“Please, my lady…” whispered Maitha with shivering voice. “Don’t do anything… hasty.” But then he added with still quiet yet more certain voice. “But I will follow my queen.”

“I was blind!” thought Vitani. “I felt so certain and secure… I was lazy. I even didn’t deserve for loyalty of those two… But now I must use it. Wisely.”

“What brought you here… mother?” asked queen to Nala, trying to sound not too poisonous.

Queen-mother stepped to her, but not looking in her eyes. She replied. “That’s obvious, I’m here to see my son… And take care of him, if others can’t.” She event didn’t have to point <others>. Vitani clenched her jaws, repressing some instant and aggressive reply. So she just said.

“King is alive… But now unconsciousness. You must be wrong, he didn’t call for you. He didn’t repeal his edict.” Some of lionesses there froze in fear, sensing coming confrontation. But Nala avoided that in easiest way she could. She ignored dreadful stare of queen.

“He didn’t have to.” She gasped. “I’m still his mother, doesn’t matter what you enact.” Then she just entered cave and walked to royal chamber.

In chamber was a constant guard of two lionesses. It happened that Bidii and Mto were waiting next to sleeping ruler. That was a bad circumstance for Vitani – bad even looking on all circumstances of that day – if she had to point two most disappointed with new order members of pride, she had to pick Anasa’s mother and greyeyed huntress. Both guardians instantly bowed before Nala.

“It’s bad we again meet in such a day.” Said Bidii, still in deep bow. “But it’s good to see you back, my queen. Why it took you so long?”

Nala came to subject and nuzzled her chick with her nose, making her to raise her head. “I just didn’t believe you’re still waiting.” Said with quiet voice. “I’m sorry.”

“The point is you are here.” Replied Bidii. “When lord Simba will be back?”

“Soon, my friend. Very soon.” Smiled Nala with bitter smile.

Vitani didn’t hear whole dialogue, but from tone of voices she sensed trouble. Because she had no better idea, she just ordered, somehow wondering how long she would be listened.

“Shift! Sorphi, Vinia, change Bidii and Mto.”

In fact it was a little change, because two huntresses were also definitely on Nala’s side. However act of shift itself could stop angry gurgles. And somehow stopped, but not in way queen expected to. Two guardians looked on Nala, before they made any other action.

“Go, my dears.” Said queen-mother. “You are most likely exhausted.” Only then two guardians moved aside, letting Sorphi and Vinia stand next to king. Vitani felt a tight grip on her throat. If meeting with ex-monarchess was a battle, current queen lost it badly.

“Could you call my grandson?” Nala asked Bidii, just exiting the chamber. Lionesses nodded.
After that in room left only unconsciousness Tanabi, Nala, Vitani and two new guardians. Temperature in cave seemed to be much lower than African average.

“Ow, there are still Maitha and Kucha.” Thought queen. She just forgot about two loyal subjects, following every her step. “That’s a bit depressing that ruler had to walk with bodyguards to be obeyed.” Thought Vitani with bitter irony.

“You could see, king is alive.” Started queen. “But when he wake up… how you will explain him your disobedience?” Maitha, standing on Outlandress side quietly gasped, trying to stop her ruler. She was still fully loyal to Vitani… but she wanted to show how far was safe to go. Monarchess crossed some line she shouldn’t had too.

“Fortunately it’s not of your concern.” Replied Nala, lying down to Tanabi and hugging to his motionless body. “I will explain myself only before my son… if he has any objection to my deeds.” She smiled, showing her teeth maybe a bit too wide.

Last time all teeth of queen-mother Vitani saw year earlier, in Battle of Reunion. Somehow she felt exactly like in that day – walking behind enemy lines, surrounded by hostiles. “But there was much better.” She thought. “I had mom, who guided me.” Then her thoughts went to Zira and coming anniversary. “It all couldn’t happen in worst time. I have to set of on the Outlands tomorrow, whatever happens.” And in the same time the chamber entered Dhahabu.

“Mom, what… Grandma?” he exclaimed, seeing old lioness. “But how…” Whatever he wanted to ask, he left it, running to Nala and nestling to her. Queen-mother hugged grandson and licked his forehead.

“You are here for…”

“I will stay, my boy.” Said Nala. “Don’t worry.”

“That’s the thing we all should worry about.” Thought Vitani, looking on son. Dhahabu turned his stare on her and for second they eyes met. He sensed that something was very wrong, and greeting grandmother made his mother upset, but he couldn’t resist. “Sorry.” He seemed to say silently.

“And where is grandpa?” asked Dhahabu, finally freed from Nala’s hug.

“He will be here soon.” Replied old lioness. “Be patient.”

Vitani knew she had to stop that scene, whatever it would take. She inhaled deeply to get air for longer speech, but suddenly she was struck by wave of nauseas. Her body was grabbed by unseen hand of weakness and lioness for few second lost her sight and hobbled.

“Ma’am!” called both Maitha and Kucha.

Kucha, standing closer, managed to catch queen before she fell down. Supported queen quickly regained her balance, but nauseating feeling was still overwhelming. She sensed that she was close to vomit.

“Ma’am, let’s go outside.” Said Maitha with decisive voice.

Supporting Vitani she and Kucha guided her out from cave. Dhahabu seeing it wanted to follow, but was stopped by Nala.

“Your mother is just tired.” Said old lioness.  “Stay with me and tell me what happened on Priderock while I was away.” Cub was thinking a while, then tired of constant doubts, just obeyed his grandmother. It was far enough as for six months child.

“It’s good to see you here.” Said finally, hoping it was a honest sentence.

*

Queen managed to go out and even came down

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