By Your Side


"So, how was your day?"

The young cub shrugged. "It was okay, I guess... Zazu taught me my lessons today. Daddy lectured me and said I shouldn't go down to the water hole. I don't know why he always does this to me."

"He's only trying protecting you."

Kiara scoffed. "Well, this 'protection' stinks!"

Fuming, she turned and looked at her reflection in the lake. "This is my home, isn't it? I should get to know it better, but dad's not letting me."

Her ears sagged down, her insides felt heavy. "It's like he doesn't trust me."

The night breeze blew at her fur. She was the Princess of the Pridelands, wasn't she? How could she not get to know where she's from?

"Sometimes, when we protect the ones we care about most, we get carried away. When we get carried away, we worry that we'll loose that someone. And that pain is... too unbearable."

A silence came.

"Your father loves you very much, Kiara. He worries a lot, but he does care for you."

She let out another scoff. "If he loves me, he should let me do whatever I want. I'm the princess... Everything should go my way."

A warm chuckle left the spirit. "I once told a little prince that there was more to being a king than getting your way all the time. Being a king or queen is more than just being in charge of everything. It's not about bossing everyone around, that's being a tyrant. It's about being fair and showing compassion to those less fortunate."

The knot in her brow turned into a somber face. Kiara didn't know why she felt bad about being mad at daddy for not letting her go to the water hole.

"Who knows..." the spirit continued. "Maybe he'll take you there tomorrow."

She turned to smile at him. "I hope he does."

"While we're on the subject of your father, he's probably worried out of his mind about you now, not to mention your mother. Shouldn't you be getting home?"

The cub's eyes widen. "Oh, no..."

Kiara was glad the lake was right by Pride Rock.

Before she dashed off, she turned towards the spirit one more time. "It's great to see you again."

A smile was across his face. "It's great to see you, too."

"Daddy told me the great kings of the past look down on us from the stars. Will you always be there, grandpa?"

"I will always watch over you, Kiara, I'm always by your side," Mufasa smiled. "I will always be there for you."


Note*~

This story is for my grandfather, who passed away last summer.

Rest in peace...