Chapter 25: Accepted

It was evening when Tome's head rose high. He was surprised to see Simba's form approaching. He looked cautious, nervous and a little sad. Simba stopped a couple yards away from Tome, who dipped his head in greeting.

Simba skipped formalities, "I was just thinking…" he started, "that if you knew a bit more about Timon and Pumbaa you would understand why it's so hard for me to forgive you."

Tome nodded respectfully. "I already know it must be hard. But I would like very much to hear about them."

Simba breathed a sigh of relief that Tome was willing to listen.

"Well they were true friends. They would always lift me up when I was down. When I first met them, they saved me. I would have literally died without them."

Simba told Tome about his two friends, their lives, and the time the trio had spent together while Simba grew up. When he was finished, Tome felt sick to his stomach because he realized how much the two had meant to Simba. He was genuinely filled with guilt.

"I had no idea... I'm sorry for what I did." Tome tried to find the words for the sorrow he felt. He found it difficult. "I just hope you'll forgive me and let me join your pride because I love Vitani and want to be happy with her. She is happy here with her brother and friends."

Simba hesitated, then said, "I'm going to need more time to think about it, but now I would like to hear about your life."

"Me?"

"Yes. Perhaps about when you were growing up?"

Tome was surprised, but willingly thought back to his past.

"My mother and father were Queen and King of my pride. I had a tremendous pressure put upon me even from when I was a cub. No one could resist reminding me that I was a prince, and there were rules and standards that I had to meet, and responsibilities that would be mine…It was all so stressful at that age for me to think of ruling a pride as large as ours. That's probably why I was mostly a loner growing up. I didn't have friends, and I felt no real love from my family. What love they gave felt like an obligation; they were going through the motions. My mother died when I was an adolescent, which left my father dryer than ever. He pressed on me more and more about my responsibilities."

Simba listened carefully as Tome told him more about the tough training he was subjected to. Tome told him about his mixed feelings about the lioness, Jana, and how his father had forced him to marry her.

"The marriage to Jana was too much for me to take, because it meant even more responsibilities. I just felt like I was living a life that I didn't want to live. It made me wander from home. That's how I came to stumble upon your lands. Shortly after that, I met Vitani. She changed my mind about everything, and gave me the courage to leave my old life and start a new one with her. One where I did the things I wanted instead of what my father wanted." Tome paused, not knowing what to say since he had come to the end of his story. "Well, I think you know the rest..."

"Yes." Simba simply said. He looked up at the sky. It had grown dark. The stars twinkled at him.

The two talked a little more, but soon Simba was feeling exhausted and decided to turn in. He promised Tome he would think about the things he had said. Simba had a lot to think about.

The next morning was chilly because of an overcast sky. A young adolescent lioness was walking briskly with an older adolescent trailing behind her. He did not look as excited as she did.

"Come on, Mani, he's just over here." Tempest said.

"Slow down Tempest, what's the rush?" Mani said, quickening his pace.

"I just want you guys to get to know each other. I want my dad to like you."

"What if he doesn't like me?"

"Oh Mani, what's not to like?" Tempest spotted her father, and sprinted toward him. They greeted each other with a nuzzle. "Guess who I brought today?" Tempest said with a smile.

Mani arrived rather sheepishly. "Hello, um… Sir." Mani said, not used to being shy or in awkward situations.

"Well, Mani, hello." Tome stood and approached him. He stared deeply into his eyes. Tome's eye's pierced Mani's, but the young lion didn't flinch. "I'm sorry that we didn't get the opportunity to talk before. My daughter is quite taken with you, isn't she?"

"Er…" Mani said, and glanced at Tempest who was all smiles. "Yes, Sir, and I'm quite taken with her." He said confidently.

Tome's eyebrows rose at Mani's braveness. "I think we'll have to talk more about this in depth. Tempest, will you excuse us?"

Tome and Mani stared at Tempest for a moment until she realized he meant for her to leave.

"What? Why do I have to leave?" she protested.

Her father simply replied, "It's lion-talk time."

Tempest was beginning to growl a retort when Tome continued, "Don't make me call you that name you don't like."

"No, Dad, you wouldn't!" but Tempest didn't want to find out if he would or not. "Fine, I'm out of here!"

Tempest quickly nuzzled Mani, then briskly strolled away. Seeing Tempest's reaction to the threat raised Mani's curiosity. As soon as Tempest was out of ear-shot, he asked bravely,

"So what is the name she doesn't like?"

Tome laughed. "I like you, Mani. You're not intimidated by me at all are you?"

Mani was unsure how to answer. He didn't want to offend the older lion by saying he wasn't intimidated. So he decided to say the truth.

"Only a little. Because I'm eager to give you a good impression of me since you're Tempest's dad. And well…I love her."

"I can see you make her happy." Tome relaxed by lying down. Mani followed suit, glad to be having this conversation comfortably. "Oh, by the way, the name I've called her since she was a cub is…"

He leaned in and whispered the name into Mani's ear. Mani immediately burst into laughter, and Tome joined in.

As Tempest walked back to Pride Rock, she shuddered involuntarily. "Brr, where did that come from?"

Late in the afternoon, Kovu roared from Pride Rock's peak to signify a meeting. After a few minutes, the large pride had joined beneath the rock. The royal family, Kiara, Kovu, Simba and Nala stood atop the rock. Kivu decided to sit among his friends with the rest of the pride. Mani had returned from talking with Tome a few hours previous. The two became fast friends, and their talk was an easy one. They discussed Mani's intentions, and Tome realized how good he was for his daughter.

Kovu cleared his throat and began to speak. "Thank you for gathering. Simba and I have something important to announce." Kovu grinned happily at his sister who was sitting in the crowd. She appeared to be paying very close attention to the king. Vitani was surrounded by her cubs, Tempest and Tempest's friends. All were sitting quietly waiting.

"Well I'll let him say it." Kovu said, and then let the former king approach the peak.

"I will make this brief. I have decided to allow Tome to stay with us. If it is alright with Kovu, he will be considered a full member of the Pride." Simba gave Kovu a questioning look.

"My sister's mate is welcome here!" Kovu said happily. "Thank you, Simba for allowing her and her family to stay."

The crowd of lionesses began to whisper. Vitani looked elated. She nuzzled her children happily.

"Isn't he dangerous?" A lioness shouted out. A couple other lionesses shouted in agreement.

"Tome would never hurt anyone!" Vitani protested in his defense.

"Oh yeah, what about Timon and Pumbaa?" A different lioness countered.

"Enough." Simba interrupted. "All is forgiven. If Tome's past is brought up again you will have to answer to me."

The lionesses who had spoken up looked at each other, stunned, but no one said anything.

"So be it. Tome is one of us." Kovu continued. "He may come and go as he pleases, but we hope he and his family will stay." Kovu again grinned at his sister, then raced off the rock, bounding down the stair-like steps. His departure from the rock signified the end of the meeting. Lionesses began to disperse. A couple looked unhappy.

Kovu approached his sister and nuzzled her shortly.

Vitani laughed, "Enough of that, you lump!" she pushed him away.

"Go and get him." Kovu said.

"We can get Daddy?" Dayya asked her mother.

"Yes! Let's all go."

Vitani, Koru Dayya, Jayden and Tempest all ran toward the border where Tome waited.

When Tome noticed his family was running to him, he was overcome with joy. He stood and ran toward his mate and children. He met Vitani first, nuzzling her neck and inhaling her sweet scent. His children were at his feet next. No words were necessary as the family reunited. It was understood that Tome was allowed to enter the lands. The three cubs purred loudly, and Tempest licked her father's face while Vitani continued to nuzzle Tome's mane. After a few more sweet moments, Vitani said,

"Let's go home." She smiled widely, her purple eyes shined with an unbelievable happiness. She led them toward Pride Rock as the evening crickets chirped their approval.