The sun began to set over the Pridelands. At Pride rock, the pride still grieved for the loss of their Prince and Princesses. But life continued to move on. Since their disappearances, the mysterious creatures hadn't bothered any Pridelanders since; none had been spotted for nearly a month.

Vitani padded out of the den; in her mouth she carried a chunk of meat from the latest hunt it dangled as she carried it toward her Queen. Bora sat atop pride rock where she would sit just before dawn and sunset to watch the horizon in hopes that she might see sign of her cubs or that Tami would return with good news.

Grunting, she dropped the meat beside the white Queen. Bora turned her head and nodded her thanks to the older lioness. Then she turned her head back toward the horizon.

Vitani sighed, though she loved her younger great nieces and nephew, many of the pride members were beginning to think they weren't coming back. "Bora…I know it is hard…but it's been a month now…you can't continue like this. Huru has taken up his duties as King once again. But this pride also needs their Queen. You just have to accept that they are never coming back…a cub their age would survive out there on their own…"

"Please, no more…." Bora whispered as the sun finally vanished from the sky to be replaced by the twinkling of the stars.

Shaking her head, Vitani bumped hers against Bora's, "You are still young…hold them in your heart yes. But it's time to move on; there is more time in your life to have more cubs. Maybe not now or anytime soon but like I said…you are still young!" pushing the meat closer to the white lioness she turned and headed on back inside where the other lionesses and three lions were gathering for the night.

Looking down at the food at her paws, she sighed, bending her head, Bora ate her fill of it. When she finished her meal, she looked up at the night sky, "Mother…I fear Vitani is right…I don't want to believe my cubs are dead…but…I worry they may not return even if they are alive. Those creatures took them and they might still have them!" tears slowly ran down her cheeks.

There was no response from the Great kings or Queens. Sighing, Bora looked away from the sky and down at the sleeping Savannah. "I just know you are alive. I would have felt it if you were all dead…we are one my little ones and I hope my love will lead you home…" she whispered though a slight little doubt hung to her voice.

Turning her head she suddenly jumped as she let out a small cry of surprise. Standing before her was a yellow coated, deep red mane lion; his amber eyes watched Bora with a soft look. "Who…who are you?" she asked, though inside her mind, his image clicked and she knew she recognized him. "Simba?"

The lion chuckled and shook his head, "I'm afraid you've mistaken me for my son. My name is Mufasa."

Eyes widening the white Queen stared in shock, closing her eyes, she shook her head in hopes that maybe she was seeing things. The lack of sleep was finally getting to her. She watched as the spirit of Mufasa stepped toward her, only to make her take a small step back when she realized she had no other place to go. "Why are you here?" she asked.

"You had called toward us seeking answers. Nala would have come but I had over ruled her."

"What about my mother? It was her I called too," Bora whispered.

Mufasa chuckled, "Yes we know. But she is busy right now. Leading your cub's home!"

"Th…they're alive…and they're coming home?" she stumbled on her words as she padded toward him softly disbelief clouding her face.

The old King nodded, "Yes, they are on their way home. So do not give up hope just yet. But do not grieve either. Your pride needs you. They need their queen. Give them the hope you have for your cubs, the hope that they will return and with that hope can the pride move on completely until the cubs return" Mufasa stated softly as he smiled softly at the young queen before him.

"The pride and the animals here need their Queen just as much as they do their King," he stated as he turned his head and looked out over the Pridelands.

"How can I be a good queen if I couldn't even save my cubs?" Bora asked, a bit of anger hinting her voice.

Shaking his head, the old king stared at the Queen before him, "Simba ran away after my death. That would be considered cowardly. And normally a pride would never accept that. Yet they did when he returned. Not even a Queen is perfect, young lioness. We all had our faults, but then we over see them. You just have to believe in yourself!" he grinned and with his paw pointed toward the cave.

"There is your King and pride. Lead and love them well. For at times that's good enough for them. They are all understanding," he added.

Bora looked toward the cave, a soft look in her eyes; turning back to the lion before her she saw she was alone once more. "Mufasa? Mufasa where did you go?" she asked turning in circles.

"Bora who are you talking to?" a voice asked behind her, making the queen turn around and sigh in relief when she noticed it was just Huru who was looking at her concerned. "I was waiting for you to come to bed, but when you didn't show I began to get worried!" approaching her slowly he rubbed his head against hers as Bora purred and buried her face in his mane.

"I was just…speaking to the Kings of old" she responded, purring softly.

"And did they say anything back?" Huru asked pulling away looking down at his mate with a small grin.

The Queen nodded, "Yes…to have hope and to rule my Pride with that hope and love that I have for us all" Bora explained, she didn't know why she hadn't decided to tell her mate about what Mufasa had said. She smiled as her mate nodded and licked her muzzle.

"They always do have great wisdom don't they?" he grinned as he began to lead her back toward the den and inside. Those who were still awake nodded their heads to the royals as they passed them. When they reached the back of the cave, Bora turned and smiled at the lionesses and two other males that looked at her and Huru.

"The spirit of the Great King Mufasa visited me this very night," the sound of soft gasps and whispers, echoed among the pride. Kiara was standing stocked beside Kovu. "He relayed this message to me…Our Prince and Princesses live and with the help of our Great Kings and Queens they are being led back to us. He spoke that we must all hold our hope true to our hearts!" her voice trailed off as she thought back to what he had said to her. She turned her head to her mate who was shocked as anyone else, licking his cheek she brought him back from his stupefied state.

Kiara stepped forth and looked at her daughter-in-law, "Do you speak the truth?" she asked.

Bora looked down at the old Queen and smiled, "Why would I ever lie to my pride?" she asked as she looked at the face of each lion and lioness that was looking at her.

"We all must have hope….for with that….it'll guide them home to us!" Bora stood watching as the pride roared, the roars echoing through the caves and out into the night crossing over the Pridelands. The sound of hope echoing in each roar.