But there is nothing to do. King is still away.”

“I want just to be with him.” Said Simba.

“It definitely won’t hurt.” Judged money and returned to painting.

Ex-king followed his hands (he always was curious of such shaman’s stuff) to see ordinary picture of lion. But soon after Thamath started to add some traits of Tanabi. Blind eye was marked with red dot. Over his head was painted something resembling spiral.

“It’s sign he was blessed by two lines of ancestors.” Explained shaman, almost reading Simba’s mind. “Those from Mufasa and Scar.”

“What meant that dark aura over him?” asked ex-king.

“That he disobeyed his father.” Said Thamath and seeing Simba’s amaze, added. “We both know it wasn’t crime… however it also isn’t reason to be proud.”

“But what says that picture?” inquired lion.

“Nothing.” Said monkey and seeing confused stare of old ruler, added. “But that’s also a sign. It means no Ancient Ones would help him. Someone from downhere could.”

Simba didn’t respond, just stroked mane of unconsciousness son. He hoped that helping creature’s plan was already in motion. However he was somehow convinced that wasn’t Nala’s.

*

Umeme was listening to Nala’s words and with every minute she felt happier and more terrible. What queen-mother was saying tasted like a honey, but lioness was swallowing it sensing some bitterness in it. It was much too beautiful to be real… and safe.

“In those special circumstances, you as hunter team leaderess, should act like queen should have.” Concluded Nala.

“I’m given much too much credit.” Replied lioness. “When king is awake…”

“…he will appreciate your… our concern.” Finished queen-mother. “Vitani doesn’t know our laws… She shouldn’t be queen… nor mate of my son.”

“I shouldn’t listen to such things.” Said embarrassed Umeme.

“Yeah, you shouldn’t.” agreed Nala. “You should make them happen.” Goldenfurred wanted to reply something, but queen-mother added instantly. “Don’t say anything. Just show how you love him.”

“Affirmative, ma’am.” Replied Umeme, however inside she was scared to death. “Am I a traitor?” she asked herself.

Nala stood up and walked away, leaving lioness alone in cluster. But soon after flew there Zazu and with very embarrassed expression, said.

“Umeme, I was asked by queen-mother to tell you about few things around king’s marriage.”

She nodded her head and started to listen sweet words of hope. But she wasn’t sole listener of that.

“Not good.” Murmured Nuka, hearing that. “Your mother is much better prepared that we expected.”

“I can’t believe it!” gasped Tanabi. “How she could assume I would leave Vitani?”

“You won’t?” asked Outlander with inquiring voice.

“Of course, I won’t!” snorted king. “Is so hard to believe I really love girl for whom I enflamed my family, got into fight with father and lost my eye in progress.”

“Just checking, bro.” Smiled Nuka. “Don’t be upset.”

*

On evening in royal chamber was no one but Nala and Thamath. In doorstep were guarding Sorphi and Vinia, the rest of pride laid in main cave. Vitani entered keep, greeted by whispers of subjects. She sensed a slight shadow of hostility. Instinctively she showered down and let Maitha and Kucha catch her up. Then she felt a little surer.

A little.

Just after them was also walking Dhahabu. Procession came to Royal Cave and two guardians stopped on doorstep, next to Sorphi and Vinia, put there by Nala. Four lionesses measured themselves carefully, saying nothing. Vitani just went further and with Dhahabu came to Tanabi’s bedding.

“What are you doing?” asked surprised Nala, seeing daughter-in-law laying next to unconsciousness king.

“I’m living here.” Replied Outlandress. “You was not here for some time. You could have missed it.” Added with poisonous voice. Then asked Sorphi. “I guess you are best huntress here. Tomorrow you won’t chase another big game, because we are full. You must catch some smaller animals that you could bring here alive. Only thing that king could eat in this state… is blood. He must drink blood in order to eat anything.”

“Yes, I know that!” almost gasped lioness. There was little of respect in her words.

“So dismiss. Go rest.” Finished queen.

Sorphi wanted to reply some harsh reply but look on Nala appeased her. If queen-mother nodded her head, it meant she could do it. She wagged her tail, to give a sign to Vinia. Old guard left its post.

“Are they guarding king from his mother?” asked Nala, pointing on Maitha and Kucha.

“From every trouble.” Replied Vitani and laid her head down, nestling it to Tanabi’s side. He wished to cast away Nala, but she felt that another wave of sickness was coming. “I can’t show my weakness to her.” Thought Outlandress.

“Sleep, my son.” She said to Dhahabu. “Tomorrow there be a hard day.”

This one think she was sure.

*

Vitani wanted to set of on morning, before hunting team go on savannah. But sickness got her again and kept her on bedding to wake up of whole pride. Nala started to organise Pridelanders day already.

“We overslept.” Murmured queen to Dhahabu.

“No, it’s nothing.” Said prince. “I talked with grandpa Simba.” Vitani looked on him with a bit angry stare. “He just promised they will take care of dad.”

“I guess that is his responsibility.” Murmured Vitani, standing up slowly. “What else said your grandfather?”

“He suspect you… are blessed with my brother or sister.” Said Dhahabu. “And advise you not to go.”

“And what you replied to him?” asked queen, a bit surprised that Dhahabu already knew about her pregnancy.

“I said that I would have advise you the same, but we must go there.”

“So… are you ready?” asked Vitani. “Have you eaten?”

“Yes, mom. Maitha and Kucha fed me.” Nodded cub. “But you…”

“I’m not hungry right now. Let’s go.” She set off to exit of chamber.

Two lionesses loyal to queen slept on the doorstep of chamber. Vitani felt terrible, seeing that she forced them to such a constant effort and discomfort. “But it’s necessary.” She thought. “I will queen as long I could act like queen… and be treated like queen. Girls have to be attentive… And I have to think how reward them.”

“Ma’am, are we going?” asked Kucha with sleepy voice.

“If you are ready…” said Vitani and without slowing down came across main cave.

Rest of pride watched it initially in silence. But then first whispers started. “Outlands!” gasped someone. “She is returning to Outlands… and there is her place.” Murmured some other lioness, Vitani was even too scared to check which one. “Daughter of Scar!” sounded another whisper, as if that was an insult. Maybe that day it was.

Nala was standing on the doorstep of cave, waiting for Vitani to pass by. All lionesses raised their ears to hear what queen-mother would say. Current queen forced herself not to look on mother-in-law, pretending that nothing is happening.

“Where are you going?” asked Nala. “Are you leaving your mate in distress.” Vitani didn’t respond, walking next to older lioness. Dhahabu just put a quick and apologising stare on grandmother, but didn’t stopped also. “Is that an acting of a queen… or an Outlander?” asked Nala with loud voice, calling after leaving lioness.

In Vitani something cracked. She was tired of constant shaking, hiding her emotions and staying silent. “I’m a queen!” she thought. “I’m queen as a Scar’s heir. They have nothing to do with that.” She stopped, still not turning back.

“Where are going?” asked again Nala with inquiring voice.

“To salute…” said Vitani with growling whisper. “…king and queen of Prideland. In memoriam of Zira and Scar!” Then she set of again, leaving shocked lionesses inside.

Nala was shocked too. In her boldest expectations she didn’t predict that queen could do such an enormous mistake. “She just had declared to be Outlander!” laughed inside queen-mother.

“Don’t take there Dhahabu!” called older lioness after leaving rival.

“Prince will do what princes have to.” Replied Vitani. “Loyal to his mother in everything. Just like my brother was.” Then she vanished after corner of rocks and started to go downslope. When she was sure no one from cave saw her, she turned to Dhahabu. “I’m sorry, my dear… But I need you at my side.” Cub nodded his head, however he wished to disagree with queen.

Whole procession: Vitani, Dhahabu, Kucha and Maitha came down to foot of Priderock. Two accompanying lionesses were looking on each other, uncertain how to start quite obvious rebuke. Finally Maitha said.

“My queen, it was very unwise, to mention about Zira and Nuka. Very unwise. I guess you couldn’t do more to enrage our pride.” Vitani stopped and turned right to Maitha.

“No, you’re wrong.” Said still with burning anger in her voice. She touched with front paw to her belly. “If that is a boy, I will call him Taka!”

“Yes…” nodded Maitha, gasping with a shocked voice. “You right. You still could do it better.” Finished with irony.

“You could always go back to them.” Said queen and in that second imagined how pitiful she would be if lioness left her.

“No, my queen.” Huntress shook her head. “I fully disagree with you, but it doesn’t change fact… you are my queen.”

“So let’s go.” Hastened them Vitani. “We will discuss it when we get to our destination. I’m not in mood to talk.”

“How lucky we are…” thought lioness, trying to imagine what would happened if Vitani really wanted to argue with Nala.

All four walked slowly north to Elephant Ford. They had to stop four times to take a break. Queen was still weak and anger didn’t help her in that effort. Finally also Dhahabu felt that his strong yet short paws failed to maintain proper tempo. Kucha grabbed prince and put on Maitha’s back. Then that strange retinue climbed on River Hills. Hobbling queen, exhausted prince-cub and two unwilling supporters of monarchess were fleeing from their home.

*

Anasa tried to listen with all her

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