lioness asked.

“Ma’am, what is wrong?”

“Umeme.” Replied regent. “She should have been here already. Something happened there.”

Mto gasped with fear, following Nala’s premonition. However she couldn’t believe that Kucha and Maitha would raise their paws on lioness of pride. “No!” she thought. “It must have been Vitani herself. Only that Outlandress is capable of this.” But then she speed up, seeing that Bidii a bit outran her.

“Stay sharp!” called Nala. “We will settle it quick.”

So when ex-queen re-ordered her warrioresses, Timon and Pumbaa reached Priderock. They entered empty cave to find just shaman, sleeping on doorstep of inner chamber and Simba inside. They came bedding of knocked out ruler and his father.

“Ow… murmured meerkat. “We didn’t know that is so bad…”

“Nice to see you, guys.” Welcomed them lion. “I doubt you could help… but I need just your company anyway.”

“Why Nala and others went so quickly?” asked Pumbaa. “Is that hunt?” Simba shook his head.

“No. It’s… Stars! I even can’t name that absurd… They want to stop Vitani from returning here and make her to step down.”

“Yeah! That’s good!” called Timon, jumping on Pumbaa and clapping his paws in the air. “Does it mean we are back in home for good?”

“Or for bad.” Said brownmaned. “This day could cost us dear.” Then he shook his head, as if he woke up from sleep. “But enough of that. We must do something. Call for Zazu or Tiko.”

Pumbaa (and consequently Timon, still sitting on friend’s neck) exited chamber to search for birds. Meanwhile Simba sat down next to Tanabi and started to stroke his mane, murmuring. “I shouldn’t do it, for I’m no longer king. But if you are away, I must stop that slaughter. However I still hope you suddenly wake and do it yourself.” Then from main cave lion heard loud voice.

“I have no bloody idea where that rascal is. I saw him two days ago, when he flew away…”

“Zazu!” called Simba. “Come here, quick!” Hornbill entered chamber and sat down on ground before brownmaned and his son. “You said there is no Tiko here?” bird shook his beak. “But when you saw him for the last time… Where he was flying?”

“To the Outlands, of course.” Replied majordomo. “I saw him following Vitani and…” Then blue-feathered paused for a moment and added with uncertain voice. “Or no… He was going more on east… Like in direction of Mighty Waterfall.” Simba gasped. “Do you have any idea why, sir?”

“Yakta!” called lion. “Your nephew went for reinforcements! He wants to bring Yakta, maybe even with pride of Green Valley.”

“E… Timon…” murmured Pumbaa. “You said that would be <short, victorious war>, didn’t you?”

“Well…” threw Zazu in. “If Tiko manage to bring eleven lionesses and two lions to aid Vitani, that war still will be most likely short.” And added with whisper. “But not victorious.”

“Zazu, you must fly there and negotiate the peaceful solution.” Ordered Simba. Seeing angry stare of bird, added. “I know you got the worst share, but I – thanks Stars! – haven’t any wings. So tell Yakta – if he in on way – to wait, until we reconcile Nala and Vitani. Returning here, tell Nala about Yakta. Then…” He lost any idea. “Damn! Tanabi, I really need you here.”

“I know, dad!” called Tanabi, however he couldn’t be heard. His spirit was floating over his body and looking on gathered creatures. “But I still can’t return. Something is still undone… Some of you have to make decision that will allow me to wake. You must settle this yourselves!”

*

Vitani led her small retinue to the river. No word was said, because everybody knew what had to be done. Next to queen walked Umeme. She was – if that possible – even quieter than rest, however in her head thousands of voices called. She was also repeating in mind simple litany. “I’m doing what I have to. There is no other way.” But in fact she wasn’t sure what she was doing. She deflected, hearing queen ordering her. There was no guaranty that she wouldn’t do it again, seeing Nala. “It’s not right!” she gasped silently. “I’m acting because my emotions, not because of reason. But this is not a love story – it’s a matter of kingdom. Stars! Help me… help me, going in whatever path I will go!”

“Dhahabu!” said Vitani with decisive voice. “I want you to stay aside of this. Take Anasa and wait on the shore.” She expected a wave of protests, but her son replied in less expected way.

“I know, mom.” He turned to kitty. “Anasa, let’s go!”

„But Dhahabu...” called queen, seeing him running faster to beach. “I meant…”

“Don’t worry, mom. We will be safe.” Replied prince and added quieter. “All you will be.”

And two cubs took a path in crocodile’s den direction.

“Ma’am?” asked surprised Kucha.

“Leave them.” Ordered Vitani. “I trust his reason.”

“So there will be no <hostage-stuff>?” asked Maitha with tone of irony.

“No, just reclamation of just rights!” snorted monarchess. “We will win only of we enter my kingdom as queen and her guards. If we hurt any of my subjects, we lose anyway, even if I’m back on throne.”

“You can really cheer us up, my lady.” Murmured Kucha. “Will you really name your son Taka?” asked with half-smile.

“If I have a son, he will be named like that. If it’s daughter, her name will be Amali.”

“Hope!” translated lioness. “I like this name much more.” Then she paused for few seconds and exclaimed with amaze. “DHAHABU! It means <Golden One>!” Funny, none of Pridelandresses never thought over from where than name was from.

Vitani just smiled and replied proudly. “Why did you think that Outlanders haven’t sense of humour? But being honestly – that’s very good name – it served well to my great-grandfather.”

“Whatever will happen today.” Said Maitha, mixing amusement, fear and a slight tone of admire. “You will be remembered as Prideland queen.”

“We all love villains, aren’t we?” asked monarchess and all four females burst in laughter. Maybe it was just a vent of nerves and stress before battle, but maybe something different. Vitani felt as she did something she had neglected before – get genuine contact with her subjects. She laughed with them, shared efforts with them, hoped for the same. “I was so far from them!” she yelled in mind. “Why now? Why I couldn’t understand it earlier!? Now, I know what to do to be good ruler.” She thought. “I hope that will be useful for more than nearest quarter!”

Five kilometres south of there Tanabi opened his eyes and burst with chocking coughs. Simba instantly rushed for prepared coco-shell with water and poured liquid on lips of son. King spat the water mixed with remnants of dirt that stayed in his gullet. But then he inhaled deeply and with moan he call for more to drink.

“Tanabi!” screamed Simba with burning relief. But then king coughed again in the same moment when five kilometres north his mate gasped.

“What the crack!?”

She saw the beach of Border River and then her son Dhahabu being carried by a giant crocodile. Just after that pair was stomping second reptile with Anasa on its back. Six more predators walked in rearguard.

Vitani rushed without word into crocodiles direction. She pounced in the air, aiming on nearest reptile with her son. But in flight she noticed as Dhahabu raised his paw in protesting gesture.

“NO!” he called. “Those are friends!”

Queen hit the sand just before predator, still ready to attack. But <enemy> instantly bowed his head and said with low yet humble tone.

“Good day, my queen! I’m here to hear your commands.”

“Dhahabu!” yelled lioness.

“Take your son, if you want.” Said Msaka. “But he climbed on my back willingly and he’s the one who asked me to came here. I heard you might need a helping paw.”

“You…”

“I’m Msaka of Border Bend.” Replied reptile. “And this is my family. We are free creatures, but we are ready to defend our monarchess.”

“Mom, I brought them to stop the war.” Added Dhahabu.

“I’m gladly receiving your assistance, noble Msaka.” Said Vitnai with official voice. “Yes, we need some help with disciplining our disloyal subjects, who plotted against our throne. Could you join our retinue and help us enter our land as we should enter it?”

“Of course, my lady.” Replied crocodile with the same, official tone. Then he added quieter. “But lure them close to river. On savannah we will be much less efficient.” Vitani nodded.

“E… wait a second!” called Dhahabu with surprise. “What is the meaning of this? There will be no fight. You just show yourself and say you support mom!” cub ordered, knocking in Msaka’s skull.

“I suggest to fake a retreat and that way bring them to the shore.” Said predator, seeming to ignore prince. “When they reach water, we will join to action.”

“NO!” screamed both Anasa and Dhababu. Male cub added. “Msaka, there will be no fight! I order you to…”

Then crocodile looked on cub and smiled with his usual half-irony.

“Right, my prince.” He said. “But tell me few things. Have you order me to help you because of some particular reason?”

“Because our land is in danger and I must guard it.” Replied Dhahabu with decisive voice. “So I ordered you as a heir of Prideland throne.”

“Well, that makes some sense.” Murmured reptile. “So you order me, because you are – due to your birth – made responsible for your land.” Cub nodded. “And you claimed that you have better knowledge and sense what is right for kingdom, because of your title.” Dhahabu nodded even with more decisiveness. “So tell me, my young lord, if I obeyed you because of that, what would make me disobey the queen of Prideland.”

“Eee…” replied Dhahabu with sudden confusion.

“Believe me – due to the same reason I listened to you, now I’m listening your mother now, my prince.” Then he turn back to Vitani. “You son is smart, but you still have to work over him. Now, give your orders.”

“Just follow us, crossing the river.” Instructed queen. “When we enter the

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