chapter 1
Claudius and Leona were sitting down together outside. Leona saw a woman carrying a baby. It looked like the most precious thing she had ever seen. She was smiling. "Why are you smiling like that?" Claudius asked.
"Claudius I just saw something," Leona said.
"You saw something that you wanted? What does your heart desire my love?" Claudius asked.
"I want to have a baby," Leona said.
"A baby?" Claudius asked.
"Yes, seeing a mother pass by with her child has made start to think. How wonderful it would be to become mother. Holding my baby, and singing to it, and hearing the child laugh." Leona said.
"You really want this don't you?" Claudius asked.
"Yes I do," Leona said.
"I want it to, it might be nice to have a cub running around." Claudius said.
Leona smiled and hugged Claudius.
They tried for years. Leona was becoming discouraged. Claudius saw Leona was sad he knew she needed something to care for to cheer her up. So he went out a got a kitten of one of the creatures they normally see as pets. "Happy birthday," Claudius said showing it to her.
"Oh, he's precious!" Leona said taking the kitten. "He's perfect," she said.
"What are you going to call it?" Claudius said.
"Snarf," Leona said.
Leona felt much better having a pet by her side. He was so cute. She fed him everyday and brushed his fur.
Claudius was relieved that Leona was happy again. Snarf was soon a few months old and almost an adult.
Leona was starting to feel sad she saw one of her old friends with a baby. "I'm surprised you don't have a baby yet and you are the queen," she said.
"I know, Claudius and we've been trying," Leona said.
"Just keep trying it will happen," her friend said.
"Fat chance," another voice said. It was the lady who had been Leona's old rival for Claudius. "You are probably infertile, call a medic and he'll confirm it and then I know what will happen Claudius will divorce you and take me and I will give him lots of heirs." she said. "So the baby will never happen." she said.
Leona ran off crying.
"You have some nerve." Leona's friend said. "I know for a fact that Claudius will never choose you, he loves Leona very much, and will always love her." she said and turned and left.
Claudius found Leona sobbing. He went to her and hugged her. She told him what happened. "I will never do that, I love you very much, and will keep loving you no matter what happens." he said.
A few months passed and Leona was once again feeling sad. "Oh Claudius for years we longed for a cub, yet fate continues to deny us. I think the problem lies within me," Leona said.
"Nonsense my queen, one can't force nature," Claudius said.
They saw someone come in. It was their friend Javan chief of their allies the tiger clan he was holding something it was a baby. "My friends life in the mountains has become dangerous. My wife was killed by the monster that prowls the mountains and my son's life is at risk I want you to take care of him until he is 16 years old. I will return for him then. I am only doing this because I love him. His name is Tygra," Javan said.
"What if he asks us about you and where he came from?" Leona asked.
"Then be honest with him." Javan said. He was about to give Tygra to them. Then held his son close. "I'm sorry son, I'm so sorry," he said. Then gave him to the queen.
They watched him leave. "Poor dear, I hope Tygra doesn't grow to resent him." Leona said.
"I hope not," Claudius said. "After all his father is a good man," he said.
They started to raise little Tygra. Tygra was laughing and under the sheets. "Come out come out wherever you are!" Leona said laughing. She pulled back the cover and Tygra smiled at her. "You are my handsome little prince," Leona told him.
Claudius saw how happy Leona was with Tygra. "Leona remember we are just his foster parents," Claudius said.
"I know, but taking care of him makes me feel like a mother." Leona said.
"It's makes me feel like a father," Claudius said.
"He's such a sweetheart." Leona said.
"Yes he's great little tiger," Claudius said.
Tygra soon learned how to walk. Snarf tolerated the young cub. The pet seemed to enjoy the attention the cub gave him. Tygra was very loved around the palace and Thundera. He was going to be fine tiger when he grew up. Leona and Claudius felt like their lives were complete but they knew that Tygra would be going back to the mountains of his birth when he turn 16, so it wasn't going to be an easy to go back to the way things were.
One night when Tygra was three and put to bed. Claudius had something important to tell Leona. "I have to go on an important trip and I will probably be back in a few months," Claudius said.
"I see," Leona said.
"Don't be sad Leona I leave day after tomorrow and during that time I'm all yours," Claudius said.
So during that time Leona and Claudius spent all their time together while Tygra was being watched by the nanny.
The next day Claudius left. Leona kissed him good bye. "Be careful sweet heart." Leona said.
"I will and you and Tygra take care," Claudius said.
"Bye sweet heart." Leona said.
"Bye daddy," Tygra said.
"I will be back in four months hopefully." Claudius said and left.
Soon things were going to change even more.
To be continued.