and even came down from slope of rock. But then – in clusters of bushes – she had to empty her stomach. Before she finished, she had already known what was happening. “I would be delighted in any other time.” She thought. “But now!?”

“Ma’am, what is happening?” asked scared Kucha.

“It’s nothing.” Said queen.

“Nothing unnatural.” Murmured Maitha. “But not <nothing>. You are pregnant.”

“Please, don’t tell the pride.” Asked Vitani and lioness nodded. “And listen to me…” she added, but then another wave of nausea came. She vomited once again, then continued. “I will thank you later, Tanabi will thank you for what you are doing now. But I nclaimed, 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.”Dhahabu noticed all those things, but didn’t understand most of them. However he felt urge to ask for advise. He just went away from royal chamber and went to main cave, where he found Anasa, waiting alone for mother.

“Dhahabu!” she smiled, seeing cub. In fact for previous two days they almost hadn’t seen each other.

“Yeah, that’s me, last time I checked.” Said prince and kitty burst with laughter. But then she stopped, seeing his serious stare. “Anasa, tell me… what is happening?” He came closer and sat on Bidii’s and Anasa’a bedding. Goldenfurred cub hugged him. “It’s all gone crazy. Dad is sick… and grandma is back. I wish to be glad of that, but mother is not. Why they have to fight each other?” Anasa couldn’t explain that, but mind of prince was working much better while he was talking. So he answered himself. “Grandma wants to make all things be back in times she was a queen. Mom wants to keep them all as they were yesterday. While dad is away, he can’t stop them both, so some fight is unavoidable.”

“You are the prince.” Said suddenly Anasa. “That all should listen to you.”

“I’m a cub!” sighed Dhahabu. “Just a cub.”

“Everyone once was.” Replied Anasa. “However some of those cubs turned to be great kings.”

“I… can’t.” said prince quietly and Anasa turned her stare down with disappointment. “I can’t do it alone. Will you help me?”

She looked on him and smiled. “I’ll do my best, prince.”

*

Tiko was flying over savannah and on the ground were running Vitania and her two companions. It was just after midday, so sun about zenith was searing world below, making such a run very tiring activity. Especially for pregnant queen, who – maybe for the very first time – was close to ask Pridelandresses to slow down. With relief she noticed as Tiko speeded up, most likely seeing incoming king.

“Wait here, your highness.” Said hornbill and rushed ahead.

He met with Zazu in half a way and both bird just started to circle around themselves, exchanging angry shouts. Vitani heard not more than one third of that talk, however she didn’t comprehend even that part.

“That clear violation of official king’s edict, that caused…” was shouting current legal advisor. But then he made more than half of circle and queen heard better Zazu, who was arguing.

“That’s a state of exception and sir Tanabi himself made a first precedent.

“She couldn’t decide by herself, if Tanabi would have…”

“The status of lady Vitani was never fully set and that why we can’t treat her…”

“Hello, Vitani.” Said Simba, muffling air argument of major-domo and his uncle.

“Hello… Simba.” Replied queen. She wanted to say <dad>, however she had no idea what impact could cause such familiarism.

“How is Tanabi? What Thamath said?” asked ex-king.

“Thanks you are asking.” Snorted Vitani. “Nala didn’t bothered with that.” But then she added with serious voice. “We can’t say anything for sure. Thamath is helpless in waking him up.”

“I… I…” started brownmaned with uncertain voice. In that moment in Vitani’s heart sprouted a hope. Simba looked as if he really was not convinced to Nala’s action. Queen stretched all her muscles to calm herself down. “I didn’t want to interfere, it was Nala’s idea.” Added lion. “I’m sorry for breaking promise I’ve made.” Vitani was close to burst in tears due to sudden relief. But it was too early for relax. “But what has happened, happened. I’m terribly sorry to say that… But I ask you to let us take care about Tanabi during his illness.” Vitani gasped with anger and another wave of nausea almost overturned her.

“Do you know what that means?” asked with weary voice.

“I know it’s best thing for our kingdom.”

Vitani without word turned back and started to walk in Priderock direction. Umeme, standing on Simba’s side caught her stare for blink of an eye. She shivered. “Not that way!” she thought. “I didn’t want to break my oaths!”

 

VI. In memoriam

 

Nala commended a hunt.

One hunting was already done that day and pride had some food, surely enough for twenty four hours. But queen-mother gave her orders anyway. To make sure lionesses obey – and they obeyed. Old ruler barely repressed smile of pride and contentment. That not a reason for joy. “Just a mean of helping Tanabi.” Thought lioness.

“Who is team leader?” asked Bidii.

“Umeme.” Said Nala instinctively. Then she noticed that goldenfurred was still not there. “So you will, Bidii.” She corrected. “I will stay here, to watch over king, prince and Anasa. Go now.”

Eight lionesses set of on savannah, asking no additional questions. The second hunt that day maybe wasn’t too pleasant thing to do, but pride preferred to be far from rock when conflict between present and once queen was about to be settled. Just to be sure they don’t chose bad side, they decided not to choose. There was no fear nor opportunism in that. Lionesses just knew that they – as subjects – weren’t meant to decide about royal family’s business. And besides almost all they were cheering with all heart to Nala and not participating in translatio imperii also freed them from hard necessity of disobeying queen.

“Dhahabu, Anasa.” Called Nala to cubs, watching procession of hunting team, marching through savannah. “Don’t go away too far. While lionesses are not here, stay at range of sight.”

“Yes, ma’am.” Said female cub.

“This time we have to be really careful.” Murmured Dhahabu.

Both cubs went on the slope to back cave, once taken by Scar and Zira as private chamber. In time it became Vitani’s private chamber – new queen went there each time she sought a moment of peace and relax. Dhahabu hoped there he could wait for mother.

“You think that is the best idea?” asked Anasi, when they entered backcave.

“Mom will be here soon.” Replied price. “But before that, we must think about few things… are you still with me, in cleaning all this mess up?” She nodded her head. “I must go with mom on the Outlands. You know… just to show mom is… still mom. Somehow I’m a guaranty that pride treats her proper.” Goldenfurred kitty nodded her head and Dhahabu continued. “But you will stay with your mother… and you have to watch her and keep her… prevent her from doing stupid things. You know what I mean?”

“And I will tell everything to your father, when he wake up.” Added Anasa.

“Yes, good point.” Agreed prince. Then asked with uncertain voice. “How do you think… will we stop them?”

“I’m sure of that, my prince.” Smiled Anasa and bowed her head, faking courtesy homage.

Then to chamber came Vitani. In the first moment she even didn’t notice cubs – she just walked to her brushy bedding and laid down hardly, coughing loud. But then saw two kitties and tried to stand up and hide her weakness. She failed.

“Mom!” called Dhahabu. “You are sick…”

“No, that’s not a sickness.” Replied queen. “Just a little price for a great blessing… It will be gone in few days.” When Dhahabu came to her, she hugged him gently then laid herself in more comfortable position. “Anasa, could you leave us alone for a while?” asked Outlandress with gently however decisive voice.

“Mom, she knows what is happening.” Said Dhahabu. “She knows we have to go to grandma’s keep.”

“You told her?” sighed amazed Vitani, but then added with calmer voice. “Anasa… my son trusts you, and I hope you won’t overuse that. You can’t tell about our plans to no one, even mother.”

“I know it, my queen.” Said cub and bowed with respect. “I promise to help you as I can.”

“All right, I’m very glad you keep more reason than most of lionesses here.” Replied Vitani. Then she turned her head to Dhahabu. “My dear… rest now, because tomorrow we have to go.” Prince nodded. “And I must take a nap. Wake me, if Simba gets here.”

*

But Simba had his own problems. He was lying on ledge of Priderock, feeling as if reality was flowing around him, with no need to interact with former king. Nala went away somewhere with Umeme, Zazu and Tiko were still arguing aloud, paying little attention that Simba was listening. Absurd of whole situation was striking. Brownmaned was alone in keep of his old kingdom.

So he stood up and entered the royal chamber. Next to Tanabi was waiting Thamath. Monkey painted some sketch on the wall, but seeing old king entering, stopped instantly.

“No, I don’t want to interrupt.” Said Simba. “Damn! I didn’t want to interrupt anything.” He thought with sarcasm, then added aloud. “If you are doing something important, I will leave.”

“No… sir.” Replied shaman. “You could be here as you wish… But there

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