Hey Everyone! Chapter 11 is complete! I hope you like it. I was planning for some drama this chapter, but I thought that would be too fast paced. So I slowed down a bit. I want to thank everyone for supporting this story. For reviewing and following it. Thank You so much!

Please read and Review.

Happy Reading,

Jtechwriter

A Love Stolen:

Chapter 11:

Kings Talk, Marriage, and His Return.

The sun rose in the Pride Lands sending rays of red and orange through the early morning sky. The night though it ended rough proved to be peaceful. Sarabi had finally had a good nights rest, her heart returning to normal.

King Usabi woke up, moving outside. His thoughts had troubled his sleep throughout the night, but watching the sunrise calmed his mind some, but not enough to put it to rest.

Sarabi was his only heir, and Fanity was too old to bear cubs, it had been a miracle when she survived carrying and birthing Sarabi, what would he do? There were plenty of lions that could take his place when it was time to pass on his crown, but it wasn't like having a blood heir.

Usabi had learned enough to realize that Sarabi would never return to the Willow Lands permanently. His daughter would never leave Mufasa. Mufasa. What a beautiful choice for a mate! Usabi thought to himself. In just the day that the king knew the prince, Usabi loved him. So kind, passionate, loving, and willing to protect Sarabi with his life. It was clear that the two adolescents loved each other.

Unbeknownst to Usabi, King Ahadi had also woken up.

" Good morning, Ahadi. I need your advice, I would like to talk to you alone." Usabi asked. In the previous day, the two kings had become friends. Even after Usabi had tried to go after Taka.

"Of course, I know the perfect place." Ahadi led Usabi around the royal nest, to a wall. Usabi noticed that none of the lionesses slept against this wall. For some reason, they all slept against the surrounding walls of the den.

"Why do all the lionesses avoid sleeping over here?" Usabi asked curiously.

"You'll see in a moment, my friend." Ahadi smiled.

Ahadi tapped on a section of the wall with his massive paw, it suddenly moved, revealing a hidden pathway.

"Ahadi, what does this lead to?" Usabi questioned with excitement.

"Follow me!" Ahadi started walking the path.

At the end of the path was a space to the left and a space to the right. Ahadi took a stone and moved it to the right.

The sun was still rising, when Ahadi moved through the surprise entrance.

Two kings sat on the summit of Pride Rock.

"Usabi, when I am troubled, and have time, I come up here. This is where I can truly be alone, and say what ever I want to say, without others hearing.

The summit was so beautiful. From it you could see the entire Pride Lands. The wind seemed warm and inviting, almost like a mother's touch, or a father's comforting hug.

The two large lions sat side by side. Usabi took a deep breath, trying to gather his thoughts.

"Ahadi, Sarabi is the only heir to the Willow Lands. The line of Succession stops with her, unless, Sarabi has cubs. Fanity and I tried for years before having our daughter. When Fanity became pregnant, I was scared out of my mind. The shaman told us that it was no guarantee that the pregnancy would go to full term, or that Fanity would survive the birth. We were older when we had Sarabi. Even though it was successful, Fanity and I decided that we couldn't take such a risk again. Without each other, we are nothing." Usabi paused becoming overwhelmed with emotion.

"Well, I too was wondering what was going to happen, my friend. I would gladly let Mufasa join your pride if it made him happier. It most certainly would, if Sarabi left. The problem with that is, who would succeed Uru and I? Taka was second in line, but I was forced to exile him. That leaves no one!" Ahadi let the situations gravity hit him.

The sun was now half way through the sky, birds were singing.

It was then that an idea came to Ahadi.

"Usabi? What if we join our prides? That way, you won't have to worry about an heir, we could rule together. Mufasa and Sarabi could stay together, making everyone happy, if you agree."

"Ahadi, that's a wonderful idea! You know what? I can't be around another pregnant lioness!" Ahadi smiled at his friend.

"Me either! Oh the horrible things we go through!" Ahadi moaned in fake pain.

" I tried to be kind and understanding, only to have my head bitten off by Fanity!"

"Fanity? Usabi, she's so kind!"

" Not when she was pregnant! You probably had it easy with Uru!" Both laughed.

"Easy? I wish! A demon replaced Uru the minute she became pregnant! When she was in labor, I leaned down to nuzzle her lovingly. Uru reached out one paw; claws extended and smacked me hard! I fell over instantly, before running out of the cave!" Ahadi bellowed. It felt good to laugh with a friend.

"How about we go back inside now? I'm feeling tired." Ahadi suggested.

"I am too. I think it's time we go embrace the demons!" Usabi joked referring to Uru and Fanity.

Ahadi agreed and the two made their way back inside.

"Usabi, if you ever need time alone, just move the paw printed stone. It opens the pathway to the summit."

"Thank you Ahadi" Usabi answered before wrapping himself around Fanity.

While the Pride Land caves were full of sleeping lions, a lion with a brownish gold pelt, black mane, and blazing green eyes made his way to the border of the pride lands.

It had taken Taka longer than he had expected to get to the border of the Pride lands. He had no idea he had travelled that far.

I am going back! Taka thought with new energy. It had been several days since he had had a good meal, but his anger propelled him.

He took quick steps till he got over the border, taking in the African air, he surveyed the Pride Lands.

Sarabi had woken up. Her face was no longer purple, it had returned to normal, as well as her heart. She looked to her left, smiling at Mufasa's sleeping form.

How I love him. I can't wait to be his mate. Almost on cue, Mufasa woke up.

"Sarabi! Your well again!" Mufasa nuzzled her, and shook out his thick mane.

"Walk with me Mufasa!" Lovebirds once more, Sarabi and Mufasa started towards the water whole. Mufasa had never been this happy; his soon to be mate was walking beside him. Steady and strong.

" Sarabi, I'm going to go get our parents, will you wait for me?" Mufasa thought it was finally time that they became mates.

"Of course, I will!" Sarabi said, before taking another drink of water.

Soon, Usabi, Fanity, Ahadi, Uru, Mufasa, and Sarabi, were all gathered around the water whole.

"Dad, Sarabi and I wanted to talk to you guys about becoming mates."

" I figured you wouldn't want to wait, Son." Uru smiled.

"However, we need to tell you something first." Usabi cut in.

"Yes, it's very important, since you will become rulers." Fanity added.

"After we tell you, then we can go over everything you'll do on your honey moon!" Ahadi joked.

Then the adults all took on looks of seriousness.

"Son, you are the crown prince of the Pride Lands. Taka being exiled, had his title renounced, meaning at this time you are the only heir to the throne." Uru said.

Mufasa took in what his mother had said. In his heart, he may have known it to be true, but to hear it seemed to bring a new sense of responsibility to him.

" Sarabi, my child, you are the princess of the Willow Lands, your mother and I are unable to bear more cubs." Usabi started.

Sarabi knew what this meant. Would she be forced to leave the Pride Lands when her parents became unable to rule? Tears slid down her muzzle, as she thought about having to leave Mufasa. No! She couldn't do it.

"Don't cry Sarabi, we've come up with a solution that will benefit us all!" Fanity cheered, it was the happiest she had ever been.

"The Willow Landers and the Pride Landers, will become one. Your mother and I have decided to join our pride with Uru and Ahadi's. We could not bear to take you away from Mufasa, even if we could. With Uru's injury, it will help a great deal to have Fanity help." Usabi continued. He smiled as Sarabi and Mufasa beamed with happiness.

" I guess it's time for you to become mates then?" said an unexpected voice.

"Rafiki, what are you doing here?" Mufasa questioned. How did this crazy monkey show up as if he was beckoned?

"I'm here to make you and Sarabi mates! Come on don't waste my time Muffy! Or else, I'll bring this staff right to your head! Prince or no prince! The pride is already waiting at Pride Rock!" Rafiki almost yelled. Making everyone else laugh.

Sarabi couldn't believe it. This was it! Her dream was about to be realized.

Within seconds all were running to Pride Rock, trying to catch up with Rafiki.

Tears slid down Fanity's face as she rushed towards her new home, her only child was getting married. How time flies, when you find a love that never dies. Fanity thought to her self, it was true for Ahadi and Uru, also for Usabi and herself. The more she looked at Sarabi and Mufasa; she knew it would be true for them as well.

Taka had watched the Pride Lands from a cave not too far from the water whole. The cave was never used. In fact, it was pretty well hidden.

Taka growled with anger. In a matter of minutes it would be final. It pained him to see his family happy. He felt no love since being exiled.

You don't hate your family! Taka seemed to yell to himself.

Taka knew that he would have to plan his revenge. Now he would just wait.

The lionesses were looking up at the promontory of Pride Rock, as the Royal families ascended Pride Rock.

Ahadi cleared his throat, ready to make his speech.

"My family today is a happy day. Sarabi is healthy again, I am truly happy to see her well again." The lionesses below cheer happily, the wind is soft and comforting.

"Today we have gathered here so that we can all witness the joy of love as Mufasa and Sarabi become mates!" Ahadi continued. Excitement whirled through out the crowd.

"Furthermore, we have decided that the Willow Landers and the Pride Landers shall become one! That way we will be an even bigger family, and the kingdom will prosper with 2 wise king and queens instead of just one pair." Ahadi smiled broadly.

Ahadi then roared signaling the ceremony to start. He stepped back with Uru, Usabi, and Fanity. Letting the two lovebirds take their places in front of Rafiki.

Rafiki started his chant, asking the great spirits to bless the new union. Opening his gourd, he dipped some of the juice on both of Sarabi and Mufasa's paws.

"You too must walk as one from now on. Leave your troubles behind, as you start this new journey. Be prepared for hardships but know that you can take anything, for you have each other. You are now mates, and your hearts beat forever as one

Mufasa and Sarabi roared as one showing that they were mates. Mufasa took Sarabi into a hug, and whispered. "You are my love, Sarabi. I will never be afraid as long as you are by my side."

Sarabi cried at his words, and for happiness. Her dream came true.

"Mufasa, I've wanted nothing more, than to walk the paths of life with you. Without you, life would not be worth living. I love you." Sarabi breathed.

"You better get going son! You only have three days for a honeymoon!" Ahadi bellowed. He loved seeing his son this happy.

"You know we're coming too!" Usabi added.

"Watching your every move! Fanity chimed in.

"Please no!" Mufasa and Sarabi said in unison. The adults got a good laugh out of that.

Sarabi got on Mufasa's back. They knew where to go for their honeymoon. They were going to Lover's Falls. It was going to be a fun time for the lovebirds.

Taka had watched from his cave, his mind was busy at work. When it was time he would make himself known, and they'd all be sorry.