Epilogue – Brought with the Wind

Epilogue – Brought with the Wind

Visit of friendly prides was a reason to be proud, but also a great effort for habitants of Priderock. So when three days later Jino and Yakta ordered departure, Tanabi and Vitani said farewell with genuine sorrow, but with relief too. When outer eyes were gone, came tome to order some things in home.

Pridelanders went in procession to Mighty Waterfall to accompany Greenlanders and Migthers. There took place maybe a saddest ceremony of that day – farewelling Umeme by her old pride and welcoming by Yakta and Kwini. Lioness didn't change her mind and after thanking her old family for years together, went away with new settled tribe. When Tanabi was telling traditional formula of freeing from allegiance oaths, lioness replied to that only with one sentence.

"I love you, my king." She whispered. "But I'm going away to let you forget about it."

"I'm sorry, Umeme." Replied redmaned for hundredth time. "I really want you to stay."

"I want it too, that why I'm going." Said goldenfurred. Then she stood up quickly and went to Yakta, her new ruler.

And few minutes after it all was done. Guests left Prideland and local pride turned back home. Tanabi was marching on lead, however from time to time he turned back to see how Nala and Vitani were going. Seeing they were steeping close each other, exchanging some courtesy remarks, he narrowed his eyes, sighed quietly and went ahead.

"So, it's all over, my son?" asked Simba.

"No, it's just a beginning." Replied king. "Unfortunately. Or maybe…" he paused for a while, then added with quieter voice. "Or maybe fortunately? Wind is also a part of the Circle of Life."

\/\/\/

Day were going easy and quiet on Priderock. The anniversary of Reconciliation Day (that how Vitani and Tanabi insisted to call day of their coup d'etat) was coming, but waiting for that date was not longer stressing nor fearful. Of course, Tiko and Zazu were arguing all days to settle occasional speeches for that day (where Tiko argued from scarist perspective and Zazu advocated simbist point of view) but it happened somehow next to normal live on rock, even didn't stop uncle-nephew reconciliation.

Pregnancy of Vitani was going without any serious problems, however Thamath was insisting that queen should rest and not tire herself, what for monarchess was stupid and useless superstition.

"My child will be fine, as well as me!" she snorted, every time when shaman wanted her back on Priderock.

"My lady. It's very important…" started Thamath one day, when he decided that if he would be a shaman of pride they have to need him for anything, even it that task was nursing most independent lioness in Africa.

"If you want me to rest, take over my duties." Interrupted him Vitani. "Lead hunting team, watch Dhahabu and…" she paused, looked down from ledge of Priderock, looking for son. "Dhahabu?" She turned to Bidii, resting in shadow of cave's doorstep. "Have you seen Dhahabu?"

"He was with Anasa recently." Replied lioness calmly, but then also raised her ears and took a look around with unrest. "Anasa?" But kitty was gone too. In one second both lionesses stood up and set of for searching of unruly children.

"My dear, I will look for them." Said Tanabi, standing up from his bedding.

"No, you are a king." Replied Vitani with half-irony in voice. "You're much too lazy for that."

"I guess she has right." Said redmaned to Simba, who was lying just next to him. Meanwhile Vitani organised searching team.

"Bidii, you look in waterhole. Mom…" she addressed Nala. But she did it without any irony – she was naming her that constantly since events two months earlier. Tanabi secured that unexpected burst of family love and respect. "Mom, see if they are in Gorge Descent. I will go to Bend. Call for Tiko, I need him to scout for me." And three lionesses went down from Priderock ledge. Simba was looking on that without word for some time, then turned to son.

"Do you think now it's all right?"

"No." Tanabi shook his head. "It will take months to heal every wound that was inflicted. But they are on the good way to achieve that. Time shall tell – maybe on the best way."

"Tanabi, I want…"

"Yeah, I know." Snorted king. "You are very sorry that it came to that. Cease that, dad. We talked about it many times. In first place we are responsible – Vitani and I - that we let pride leave the past unsolved. But know we are correcting our errors. I feel that with every day Vitani becomes more and more queen of this land. The past, when it's becoming more distant, is also becoming less aching. I think that this year our pride will be ready to honour Scar properly." Simba narrowed his eyes.

"I think you've gone too…"

"Thank dad for your advises." Interrupted him Tanabi. "I really listening them carefully. That one I heard and didn't accepted."

Ex-king wanted to reply something, but then he just sighed. He was not a ruler after all. His time was over, as well as over was time of Mufasa, Scar and Zira. There was a season for everything. For a time being.

"So…" said brownmaned after a while. "What about Dhahabu? Are you sure that adventure taught him anything?"

"I'm sure of that." Nodded Tanabi. "However not only what Vitani and mom hoped for. Mainly it's about his acting in day of… family argument. He proved that he could think on his own, very mature as for a cub. And besides…" king wondered for a while, as if he wasn't sure words he was about to say. "But he will be more careful too. I bet – wherever he is now – his plays are save and reasonable."

"Yeah, for sure." Agreed Simba.

\/\/\/

It was beautiful midday of late rainy season when day was not hot, but pleasantly warm. By the river, when one could cool oneself in every moment, it was even better. Cubs were using that with laughter and joy.

"So you are now 'Prince of Green Den', huh?" asked Anasa, fording in the shallow water.

"Well… yes. And so what?" asked Dhahabu, looking on her from bank.

"So why don't you move there? You would have whole lair for you solely." Said kitty, climbing on stone. It was a plane rock with upper surface just few centimetres above the water.

"No, it's just a custom." Snorted prince. "I'm prince of Green Den, but it's just a title to name me in cool way. Living in Green Den must be very uncomfortable."

"I want live there for a while." Laughed kitty, standing on rock. "Far from all boring mature lions of rock. We could play we are pride there."

"As you wish." Smiled Dhahabu. "But as a lioness you would have to hunt for me."

"And you will have to protect me, my price." Replied Anasa and they laughed again. After a moment kitty called. "All right, I'm ready."

In that second from water sprang a grey tail of crocodile and hit Anasa's back. She was thrown ahead into the river and slid on surface, skimming six time on the silver shield of water. She stopped in the middle of river, but when fast current started to pull her a giant crocodile emerged from it and took her on its back.

"Yeah!" called kitty. "Six points! Beat me!"

"As you wish!" replied Dhahabu and climbed on the same stone. "Msaka, give me at least seven bounces."

"Don't you fear, my liege, it's a bit dangerous?" asked reptile, lying in shallow waster just next to stone. "I bet your mother would have serious objections about your game."

"My mother is not…" started cub, but then he noticed a shadow, falling from hill behind him. "Here." Finished with angry voice.

And then sounded a call full of reproach.

"DHAHABU!"

The End

TakaPL, October 2007