A few years passed and Ahadi and Erevu grew from teenagers with little experience into fine young adult lions. The lion guard proved to be an useful solution because the kingdom duties were no longer heaped fully on Mohatu, it also gave the young lions some needed skills that could support their futures. But despite the peace that the Pridelands was enjoying, many were concerned. Whispers hovered between herds. It had been several years since Amira and the TallLands had broken the betrothal and so far Ahadi had showed no sign of seeking out a replacement bride. The animals were glad that Ahadi had came up with a good solution to keep the land safe, but they also wanted to know that they would have a future with the heirs that Ahadi had produced. The lack of interest in looking for a likely bride had been a slight strain on the pride. Mohatu and Bibi had tried convincing Ahadi to seek out some lioness of good potential, but Ahadi always avoided the problem by spending time with the guard. Things had gotten so tense that the King had considered switching the birthright to Erevu, painful as it was given that the coffee-brown lioness had no interest in ruling.
But it seemed that there was one more chance. Queen Bibi approached Mohatu one day at the Meeting Place where the slightly greying King was resting with Ahadi, Erevu, and some other pridesisters. Ahadi watched as his parents quietly conversed, but the expressions on his father's face made it pretty clear that this probably was about him. Bibi turned to her oldest. "Ahadi," the Queen began. "I sent a messenger to the pride where my mother and I were originally from. It is known as the Galelands and Queen Busara is a dear friend of mine." Erevu glanced up with slight interest, unlike Ahadi, she had been very interested about the land in which her mother originally was from, but Bibi's knowledge was limited given she had been very young when they had left. Ahadi was quiet and the reddish-brown lioness continued. "The Galelanders Queen has a granddaughter that is close to your age," Bibi explained. "And, if you are willing to try, then she will be happy to send her granddaughter here to marry you." Mohatu did not speak, he didn't want to influence his son's choices, even if they may had ended up being bad. The Prince was silent. He wanted to protest at his parents' attempt to make the choice of his possible mate, but yet... From the corner of his two-toned blue eyes, Ahadi watched his twin. Erevu was gently bathing her cub who was near weaning. The cub was an unusual colored animal. Her coat was a pale creamy-yellow while her muzzle and belly were a dark tan. That was nothing compared to who the child's father was...Moyo, otherwise known as the Selfish Lion. When she had been questioned, Erevu had merely shrugged. "If I must be Queen then I don't want to worry about age-old quarrels." If the princess had any regrets about mating to a lion that was the same age as her father and not really the nicest creature around then she never showed any discontent. As for her cub, Erevu loved the little lass, who she had named Tatu. Ahadi was not thrilled, his last betrothal had been a disaster with Amira. But if he did not try then his sister would find herself being thrust upon a throne that she had no intention of wanting. Erevu would be a reluctant Queen while Tatu would be the future heir...but Moyo. Bibi and Mohatu were watching them, waiting. Some of the other pridesisters were also paying close attention, most likely hoping for some info to later evolve into juicy gossip.
"I will do it."