prank, pray I’m dead for good!” Then he hugged mother with one and mate with other paw and roared. A audience’s roar replied to him. So he let his beloved lionesses loose, b give Tiko some aerie sounding title to repeat.”

“Sounds fine to me.” Nodded king. “So shell we?” he stepped ahead few steps, but therve for that.” Said Tanabi seriously. “I’ve very sorry, I’m happy with Vitani and I doubt if anything could change it.”

“I never…” started Umeme, but then stopped and added with sobbing voice. “All right, I did have some hope.”

“I also saw that you acted with your best intentions.” Assured her Tanabi. “What why our talk today is even harder for me. You’ve done great thing that proved your nobility. You did it against yourself. Just because…”

“I love you, Tanabi.” Threw lioness in. But then, surprised by own courage, added instantly. “But know my limits and I won’t go any further. I will speak with sir Yakta. I think he will accept me in his newfound pride…”

“No!” called Tanabi. “I never suggested…”

“That will be easier, my lord.” Replied Umeme. “At least for me. If you need me here, I will stay, but if you let me go…”

“I’m very sorry that it came this way.” Said king. “And I’m very sorry that I’m unable to thank you.”

“Just… be happy.” Replied lioness, barely repressing tears. “That’s good for a start.” But then she turned to exit. “Come, my lord, they are waiting for you.”

Indeed, they were.

The meal was over and two – or three, depends who counts – prides was impatiently waiting for official Dhahabu’s acclamation. Prince was presented as king’s son just after he was born, but that way was an opportunity to introduce him as future ruler. And for something more.

“My dear?” Vitani asked Tanabi, who just was exiting royal chamber with Umeme. She didn’t notice any emotions on ut make sure they were still hugging each other.

“Good.” Murmured king. “Stay this way for a while and wave. Wave, I said! They have to see you as loving daughter and mother in law.” And he left them, going to Dhahabu.

Lionesses – as they were told – stayed in that position, waving with free paws to group below ledge. Finally Nala didn’t resist and asked with whisper.

“Vitani… could we… after all what happened, still be a loving family?”
”I have no idea, mom.” Replied queen. Then they noticed as Tanabi gave them a careful look. “But I guess we have no other option.”

 

Epilogue – Brought with the Wind

 

Visit of friendly prides was a reason to be proud, but also a great effort for habitants of Priderock. So when three days later Jino and Yakta ordered departure, Tanabi and Vitani said farewell with genuine sorrow, but with relief too. When outer eyes were gone, came tome to order some things in home.

Pridelanders went in procession to Mighty Waterfall to accompany Greenlanders and Migthers. There took place maybe a saddest ceremony of that day – farewelling Umeme by her old pride and welcoming by Yakta and Kwini. Lioness didn’t change her mind and after thanking her old family for years together, went away with new settled tribe. When Tanabi was telling traditional formula of freeing from allegiance oaths, lioness replied to that only with one sentence.

“I love you, my king.” She whispered. “But I’m going away to let you forget about it.”

“I’m sorry, Umeme.” Replied redmaned for hundredth time. “I really want you to stay.”

“I want it too, that why I’m going.” Said goldenfurred. Then she stood up quickly and went to Yakta, her new ruler.

And few minutes after it all was done. Guests left Prideland and local pride turned back home. Tanabi was marching on lead, however from time to time he turned back to see how Nala and Vitani were going. Seeing they were steeping close each other, exchanging some courtesy remarks, he narrowed his eyes, sighed quietly and went ahead.

“So, it’s all over, my son?” asked Simba.

“No, it’s just a beginning.” Replied king. “Unfortunately. Or maybe…” he paused for a while, then added with quieter voice. “Or maybe fortunately? Wind is also a part of Circle of Life.”

*

Day were going easy and quiet on Priderock. The anniversary of Reconciliation Day (that how Vitani and Tanabi insisted to call day of their coup d’etat) was coming, but waiting for that date was not longer stressing nor fearful. Of course, Tiko and Zazu were arguing all days to settle occasional speeches for that day (where Tiko argued from scarist perspective and Zazu advocated simbist point of view) but it happened somehow next to normal live on ro reason to be proud, but also a great effort for habitants of Priderock. So when three days later Jino and Yakta ordered departure, Tanabi and Vitani said farewell with genuine sorrow, but with relief too. When outer eyes were gone, came tome to order some things in home.

Pridelanders went in procession to Mighty Waterfall to accompany Greenlanders and Migthers. There took place maybe a saddest ceremony of that day – farewelling Umeme by her old pride and welcoming by Yakta and Kwini. Lioness didn’t change her mind and after thanking her old family for years together, went away with new settled tribe. When Tanabi was telling traditional formula of freeing from allegiance oaths, lioness replied to that only with one sentence.

“I love you, my king.” She whispered. “But I’m going away to let you forget about it.”

“I’m sorry, Umeme.” Replied redmaned for hundredth time. “I really want you to stay.”

“I want it too, that why I’m going.” Said goldenfurred. Then she stood up quickly and went to Yakta, her new ruler.

The End

Taka_PL, October 2007

” Snorted king. “You are very sorry that it came to that. Cease that, dad. We talked about it many times. In first place we are responsible – Vitani and I that we let pride leave the past unsolved. But know we are correcting our errors. I feel that with every day Vitani becomes more and more queen of this land. The past, when it’s becoming more distant, is also becoming less aching. I think that this year our pride will be ready to honour Scar properly.” Simba narrowed his eyes.

“I think you’ve gone too…”

“Thank dad for your advises.” Interrupted him Tanabi. “I really listening them carefully. That one I heard and didn’t accepted.”

Ex-king wanted to reply something, but then he just sighed. He was not a ruler after all. His time was over, as well as over was time of Mufasa, Scar and Zira. There was a season for everything. For time being.

“So…” said brownmaned after a while. “What about Dhahabu? Are you sure that adventure taught him anything?”

“I’m sure of that.” Nodded Tanabi. “However not only what Vitani and mom hoped for. Mainly it’s about his acting in day of… family argument. He proved that he could think on his own, very mature as for a cub. And besides…” king wondered for a while, as if he wasn’t sure words he was about to say. “But he will be more careful too. I bet – wherever he is now – his plays are save and reasonable.”

“Yeah, for sure.” Agreed Simba.

*

It was beautiful midday of late rainy season when day was not hot, but pleasantly warm. By the river, when one

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