Chapter 25
Three years had passed for the lions and other animals of the Northern Valley. To some it felt longer, like an eternity, and for others it felt like nothing had changed. But a lot had. The rains had come and gone, always re-filling the lands with new grass and filling up the waterholes each time. The rains were a blessing and a fulfillment that the spirits did, indeed, make all things new.
Aside from the lands still flourishing under King Hisani, his daughter, and the guardians of the kingdom, the lion pride found itself growing. Not with new members, but with the continuing growth of three cubs now fully adults. Grown, mature, responsible, and thanks to their families, more than willing to take up the duties of their parents or whatever else. These full-grown pride members had been born during the most painful and heart wrenching times, but their presence gave the pride what it so desperately needed: A new future to look forward to. A future that would help put the pain of the past behind them where it belonged.
In all these years hardly anyone thought of the past has a burden. It was talked about on occasion but not so much. There was simply no need. They were all well as was their leader, who was getting older as the days progressed, as the seasons continued to change.
The king of the Northern Valley was sitting on the royal stone, his tail at his right side, tapping the ground with soft strokes. He was focused, his eyes slowly looking around his lands gently, proudly. His whiskers twitched and a loving smile spread across his mouth. He felt his eyes shine. He was getting old. He was around ten and, some might say, far too old to still be ruling. But, despite his age, he was in perfect health. He made sure of that. He felt he wasn't done leading the kingdom. He would lead them until he took his last breath and if it meant falling while he walked his lands then he would die a happy, content, and immensely fulfilled lion. If he died that way, he wouldn't ask for a better way.
A small breeze came, blowing his mane outward; to the lands he loved so much. The lands he would give up his life for.
He was a lucky lion, even if things didn't go the way he expected them to a few years earlier. But that was something he'd made peace with long ago. Though he often missed the lioness he'd called his wife and queen, he had quickly come to realize his rule had been better and richer, without her. Even with this realization it didn't mean he didn't love her. He did, always would, even though she had betrayed and hurt him.
Idhara… wherever you are, I hope you know that I forgive you. I still love you… and I forgive you because I love you…
It was a thought he'd hung on to, especially in the last three years. It was something he'd longed to say, but knew he never could. He'd had his chance when she was here, but in his hurting heart, he couldn't bring himself to say it. He'd been a coward. A tough admittance, even for him, but it was true. And he'd forgiven himself of that and of all things he felt were bad.
Hisani breathed in the warm air through his nose and let it out through his mouth. His ears flickered. God… spirits… thank you… for everything…
His life was whole, filled with a great accomplishment. If, one day, he was called home to the stars there was something he had to do. And it couldn't wait, not anymore. Who knew, other than the spirits, how much longer he would live? He prayed for strength. He prayed that the decision he'd had filtering through his mind for months was right. He bowed his head and closed his eyes, thinking. It was right. It was time. It had to be done, soon. Of that he was certain, if he was certain of nothing else. He'd been secretly, in his mind, planning and preparing for this. He knew how it was going to be.
Anticipation flowed through him. He smiled again.
You're ready… both of you, he thought. He wasn't worried. If anything he was honored. It had been a long time coming, a very long time.
Without warning, something his late father had said came to him, and he spoke the words softly on the gentle air.
"When my time of leading this kingdom is done, the sun will set. But it will rise again when your time to lead has come my son. So it was with the royal lions and lionesses that came before you and me, so it shall be forevermore. As it was with my father and me, so it shall be with you and the cubs you and your future mate are blessed with. As long as there are lions and lionesses of royal blood, the Northern Valley has prosperity and a future."
Hisani had wondered about that saying for years, mainly after his father died. But when Adaeze was born, he never wondered again. The saying – when he first looked into his daughter's blue eyes, when he watched her take her first steps, say 'Daddy' for the first time, when he watched her play with Maabade and so on – rang true and clear.
"As long as there are lions and lionesses of royal blood, the Northern Valley has prosperity and a future," he said gently. He felt his heart beat in his chest. He continued to stare out into his lands. He'd ruled well and wise and his time of leading, he felt, was coming to an end. "It's time to let another of royal blood rule… I pray she rules as well as I have… The sun is preparing to set on my time, father…" he whispered. He looked up to the sky then back out into the lands. "If it is preparing to set on my leadership… then it's readying to rise on the leadership of my daughter… Princess Adaeze." He closed his eyes, love swelling up within him, spreading through his body. He opened them again and the look on his face, the feeling in his heart couldn't have been clearer. "Let it be so…"
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Imani patrolled the western side of the kingdom with his brother, Nyoka. It seemed foolish and unthinkable to him that three years earlier he would have considered patrolling with anyone, namely, his wife and eldest son, but his older brother. A consideration like that, however, was no longer true, further from the sake of his name, his morals and values and integrity. His anger and pain over what Nyoka had done with their best friend, and leader's wife three years ago was nothing but a memory, one Imani had buried deep into the small corners of his mind, never to be brought up again. Not only that, but he had forgiven Nyoka and forgave himself for being so cold and heartless.
He rarely thought about his last conversation with Hisani's former mate and queen, but seeing her with a rogue had knocked plenty of sense and guilt into him. Just that alone was enough to make him realize his fault and make him see that his brother's action with the former queen was not entirely his fault. It made him forgive and forget. It made him love his brother and his brother's only son. It had even made him love his wife and their children more.
And for the last three years he and Nyoka had gotten along better. They were almost inseparable now, the way they were as cubs and in the early years of Hisani's reign. The brotherly love and companionship they'd once lost was a thing of the past, and things between them were right.
Imani wouldn't change how things were for anything. These days he felt lucky. He had a good life and a family he would die on the job for. He had a wonderful wife, two amazing sons and a beautiful daughter. He couldn't and wouldn't ask for anything else.
He glanced at Nyoka. His brother's blue and green colored eyes were alert, attentive, but there was something else too – the urge to go home and be with his family. Imani knew that feeling well. He felt it every time he left the caves to do his job. He had also known for years that one day he could leave his family and the caves, patrol a border and find a rogue with malicious intent, fight him, and die in the process. He had always been careful when encountering a dangerous rogue.
When he was younger, not a father and not married, he didn't care whether he lived or died. If he did he knew he would do it defending the lands he swore to protect. In the early days of his and Atiya's marriage, he had to care, at least for her sake. When Maabade was born, he had to be extra careful. He'd have far too much to lose. The same thing when Makini and Rehema were born. He had a family that needed him, two cubs who needed their father.
He felt himself smile. Makini and Rehema, his youngest children… They weren't cubs anymore, though they would always be his youngest. His second son and only daughter were a grown lion and lioness now. Like Maabade, they too were following in their parents' pawprints. They were guardians of the Northern Valley and they were doing him and Atiya proud.
The birth of his second litter and the discovery of the former queen had helped open Imani's 'blind' eyes, and he was thankful for both events.
He tore his eyes away from Nyoka, shook his head and broke the silence between them.
"How are things with you and Tabia?" he asked.
Nyoka couldn't stop a smile or a glow in his eyes. The mention of his mate's name always caused him to smile and his heart to skip a beat. Tabia had been a childhood friend of his, one he didn't realize he could love until Hisani's ex-wife, the mother of his son, left him to raise the cub alone. The months after Idhara's abrupt departure, and watching Tabia taking it upon herself to look after his son and Imani's new cubs, made him realize that his son needed a mother. It also made him realize just how much he loved Tabia. Loved her personality, her attitude, the way she was with his son, always caring for him when he was serving the kingdom… then finally her…
Marrying Tabia three years earlier had been the best thing he ever did. He had the family he always wanted. He had a wife and a son, two creatures he would give his life for without a second thought. One of the things he was so grateful for was that his son, Kambiri loved Tabia as a mother. He'd been too young to remember the lioness that'd birthed him. The only thing he knew, would ever know, was Tabia as his mother. Nyoka wanted it that way. His son deserved it. And Tabia loved Kambiri as a son. Nyoka saw that in her eyes every day when Kambiri was a cub and when he was growing up.
As the years passed everyone in the pride saw with clear eyes that Tabia, though not Kambiri's real mother was a true mother to him, and like Nyoka, they couldn't have been happier.
Imani raised an eye. "Nyoka, hey, are you there, brother?"
The older lion shook himself. "Yeah, yeah, I'm here, and I heard your question. Sorry, I was just thinking…"
"You miss her, don't you?"
"Is it that obvious?"
Imani laughed. "Believe me, brother, I know how you feel. I'm the same way with Atiya."
"Tabia… she's the greatest thing that's ever happened to me, Kambiri too. I love them both so much."
"I know. I can see it in your eyes, and I can't blame you, even three years after the fact. Heh, we both turned out pretty lucky, I think."
Nyoka nodded. "Yeah, we did, pretty lucky." He paused for a moment, looked to the right then back to Imani. "Think Mom and Dad are proud of us?"
The younger lion stopped and lifted his head to the sky, wondering. He faced Nyoka, his eyes deeply certain. "Yes, I believe they are."
"I hope so."
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The son of Nyoka was walking the southern side with his cousin, Makini, his uncle Imani's second son. Despite the three month age difference between them, no one could tell that Kambiri was older than Makini and his sister, Rehema. The three of them had a close relationship; one neither would change for anything in the world. When they were cubs they played together, spent some nights with their families watching the stars. They learned the history of the monarchy of the Northern Valley, and the guardianship and how it was formed.
As they started growing their fathers taught them the basics of being guards, often taking them on patrols, but not letting them participate in the biggest part of the job – protecting the lands from rogues, but once their strength was enhanced, their manes full and grown, they started practicing their fight skills. Kambiri did well but was always careful not to hurt Makini.
The teachings of their fathers paid off and for nearly six months, Kambiri and Makini walked the beats together, always looking out for each other and protecting each other.
"We're family, Kam, we gotta stick together, like our parents," Makini had said when they were able to patrol without their fathers.
Kambiri had made no fuss. He loved Makini like a brother and he never asked for a better lion to patrol with. Their lives were well, safe and filled with a great happiness. Kambiri breathed in a sigh of peace. He looked towards his cousin. "You okay, Makini?" he asked.
The younger lion shook his mane. "Never better, Kam, you?"
He smiled. "I'm good, though I'm wishing we'd see a rogue, that way we can tell him to get lost."
"Yeah, but we can only do that if the rogue is bent on taking over the kingdom. If it's a weak rogue with no intent of taking over, then the king will be okay with it."
"Good point…" They walked on in silence for a while more, Kambiri looking at his surroundings, his eyes sharp and focused. He was ready for anything. In the quiet he wondered about his parents and how they were. He knew that his father was with his uncle and his mother with his aunt. They were fine, and they were all looking out for each other. The way a family should… He ran his tongue over his mouth. "Makini, are you thirsty?"
His cousin swallowed and noticed how dry his throat was. "Yeah, I am a little." He looked around. "There's some water over there, let's go."
They came to a waterhole not five feet away and drank. Kambiri plunged his head into the water, leaving it there for a moment then pulled back, shaking his head a little.
"What was that for?" Makini asked surprised.
He gasped. "I needed it. It's hotter than usual on this side."
"Dad says it can get that way sometimes."
Kambiri shrugged. They left the waterhole and continued their walk. Kambiri looked down at his paws, his mind spinning. There was something he had yet to tell anyone and he wasn't sure how to voice it. He'd been having problems for nearly a year and it was sure to eat at him until he got it out and explained it. He glanced at Makini. Maybe he'll understand. He took a breath and braced himself. "Makini… have you ever thought of leaving the Northern Valley? You know, to see what's beyond the lands?"
The young lion stopped in mid-walk, his left forepaw in the air. He hadn't expected a question like that. He put the paw down and stammered. "Uh… um… well, not really, no. Honestly, I have no desire to leave. I mean, I could, I just don't want to. This is my home, after all." He eyed Kambiri. "Why… do you want to leave?"
In spite of himself, he flinched. "I…"
Makini stared and pressed. "You do, don't you?"
Kambiri pawed the grass. "I don't know. I mean, don't get me wrong, I love it here. This is home…"
"And yet, you want something more? A pride of your own, perhaps?"
His ears fell. "I don't know… I mean, it's just an idea."
"How long have you thought about this?"
"A while, that's all I can say. I want to leave, and like you said, maybe find a pride of my own, maybe a land near here and yet…"
"What?"
"I haven't brought this up to Mom and Dad. Don't really know how… I don't want to disappoint them."
Makini put a paw on his shoulder. "I'm sure once you explain your feelings they'll understand."
"Yeah and there's a problem…"
"Which is?"
"If I left, you won't have anyone to patrol with."
Makini laughed softly. "Not true, dear cousin. I'd have Maabade or Rehema. Listen, if you decided that your life destiny lays not here in the Northern Valley, but somewhere else, I'm not gonna stop you. You're my cousin, Kambiri, and a second brother. All life has meaning and purpose and it seems yours lies away from home. But, may I offer some advice?"
He smiled a little. "You may." If anything Makini was always good with giving it.
"I suggest you talk to your parents and do it soon. It's better to tell them now, rather than later."
Kambiri only nodded, his heart pained. But his cousin had a strong, valid point. "Yeah… I will."
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Princess Adaeze looked up at the giraffe delegate, the representative of her species.
"You have told me everything I need to know about this, correct?" the lioness asked. She knew it would be a hard decision on her part, mainly because she would have to talk to her father. They were set for another upcoming rain season and it was supposed to happen soon. The change in the weather for the last few months was proof. Why couldn't the herd wait a little while longer?
The tall animal looked down at her, her eyes unsure of having the king's daughter taking care of such an important matter. She wasn't queen yet, so why wasn't the king here? Why wasn't he, their sovereign lord, handling this? She drew her long neck upward, her ears flickering up and down for a few minutes, then she stomped her hoof into the grass. She seemed to be the only representative out of her entire herd, and the other representatives and leaders of the animals, who seemed to dislike the unnamed queen handling their problems.
She'd even told her leader as such, who in reply told her that one day, the daughter of King Hisani would assume the throne, "but under the king's orders. Not a moment before."
And now she was here, telling the princess about the leaves on the trees in their territory. "They're dying, your highness," she said, pronouncing 'highness' in what sounded like a soft, irritated hiss. "My leader has told me to tell you that we'll need to move soon. If the trees in our area are dying then we'll have no other way of feeding ourselves or our children, and they need food, as much as we do or perhaps more since they are the next generation of giraffes in this kingdom."
Adaeze had done what her father had been teaching her to do since for years. She weighed the representative's words carefully in her mind then excused herself, calling the royal advisor, Nabila, over to her. Of all animals, aside from her father, she wanted to hear Nabila's opinion.
"Honestly, my lady, I can only say that if the representative is telling the truth," she looked back at the animal for a moment then back to Adaeze, "and I think she is, then you must grant the leader's request. I think it wouldn't take them long to find another area in the Valley that have trees with good green leaves. I mean, we are in the midst of yet another dry season, but thankfully, this one came later and not earlier."
The lioness eyed her carefully. "And you think this – letting them go to another area – is the best solution until the rain season comes?"
Nabila nodded. "I do, yes, ma'am."
"All right then…" She drew closer. "I'm not going to make my formal decision yet. I need to speak with my father. He is still the king."
"I understand."
They returned to the representative who stomped her hoof in the ground again, this time frustrated. "Forgive me, madam, but what is your decision?"
Adaeze felt her breath catch at the giraffe's behavior. But she shook her head and met the animal's stare head-on. "I will let you know tomorrow. I need to address this situation to my father, the king."
The giraffe's eyes grew wide in shock. "What? If-if you need to tell King Hisani of this then why did you –"
At this, Nabila stepped forward, her eyes threatening. "Representative, this is the king's daughter you are speaking to. Since she is your future queen, show the respect you would show his majesty to his heir!" she hissed, a low growl forming in her throat.
Adaeze glanced at her but said nothing. She watched as the giraffe, clearly surprised with the advisor's behavior, stepped back and bowed. "I am sorry, my lady, forgive me. I was… caught off guard."
"I understand and you are forgiven. Do you think your leader can wait one more day?"
"I… I suppose so. I will let him know and return here tomorrow morning to hear your decision."
"Very well, you may return home."
The giraffe bowed apologetically and walked away, her head held high.
Adaeze let out a breath and looked at Nabila. "Think I did the right thing?"
The advisor smirked. "Yes, I believe you did."
They left the clearing, silence surrounding them. Nabila had said that the giraffe case was the last thing to do, and now they were finished for the day. Adaeze felt a sense of accomplishment and she'd been able to handle all the problems that were presented to her. While she was yet to be queen in name, every time she spoke with the representatives or the leaders of the animals in the kingdom and tried to solve their problems she felt one step closer to the throne. All she needed was the title and she'd have it all.
Though she was only seven years old and should have had the throne long before now she wouldn't change her father's mind. Hisani, though the only real evidence of his age was the gray coloring of his muzzle and gray streaks in his black colored mane, was showing no signs of slowing down, even if he stayed home more often these past few months especially after the last rain season.
Her father was still strong, still self-confident and highly assured in her abilities to carry out the duties expected of her as his heir… but… When will he retire for good? He needs to. I can handle the kingdom, he knows that! She sighed hard, instantly hating herself for feeling this way.
"What is it, Adaeze?" Nabila asked.
"Do you think I shall ever be queen?"
The question caught the cheetah off guard and she had to think for a moment. "Adaeze, I'm sure your father just wants to make sure things will run as smoothly for you and your reign as they have for his."
What, smoothly? She could count the 'smoothness' of her father's reign on one paw. What exactly had been smooth in all the years of her father's rule? His mate cheating on him with one of the guardians, giving birth to that guardian's cub, then abandoning her cub to run off with a rogue? Adaeze groaned, stopped walking, and shut her eyes. While all these things happened under her father's leadership he was in no way at fault. For as long as she could remember her father had always done what was right.
He had given his ex-wife a second chance by allowing her to stay in the lands after her depravity and showed her the same clemency when she birthed Adaeze's half-brother, Kambiri. And her mother took those second chances for granted and took off with a rogue lion, not caring what her actions would bring to her family.
Adaeze's front claws came out and gripped the grass blades. She thought of Kambiri. He was on patrol with his cousin, Makini, no doubt. It struck her that in the last three years she never told him that they were brother and sister. She never told him that his real mother was hers too, and that same mother had abandoned him when he was too young to even remember what she looked like or if she even loved him. But once Adaeze had seen for herself how better off Kambiri was without ever knowing she let the matter drop. Her half brother had a mother far better than the one they shared by blood.
"Kambiri is lucky," she told herself often.
And she was right, but then she realized, mainly over these past few years, that she was lucky too. While she had lost her mother, her father, the king, was all she really needed. Not only that, but Atiya was like a mother to her too, as were most of the lionesses in the pride.
When Kambiri was a cub, they spend some good times together. Kambiri had once told her he thought of her as an older sister. Back then, Adaeze had made no movement to tell him that her mother was his. She couldn't. The fact that those words would come out of a cub's mouth had struck a chord in her heart and she drew him close, saying she loved him like a little brother. It had been true then and it was true now. Kambiri was the brother she never had and she loved him deeply.
In spite of everything her mother had put her, her father and the entire pride through… Nabila had a point. Her father's reign had been smooth. Everything that happened three years ago was the fault of her mother and her mother alone.
She opened her eyes again and felt her front claws retract. She faced Nabila and nodded. "I think he does too," she said at last. "I'm going to talk to him about this giraffe case, but then I'm going to ask him something."
"And… what would that be?" Nabila asked gently.
Adaeze sighed but the look in her eyes was deep and heavily certain. There seemed to be a spark in them, a deep one. "I'm going to ask if I can take over permanently."
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In the late afternoon, the hunting party returned to the caves with a good catch – two zebras, enough to feed them for a day in half. The pride gathered around the kills as the king performed a blessing. When he was finished they began stripping the carcasses. The atmosphere was silent, comforting for some, but tense for most and filled with some mild conversation.
All through the meal, Adaeze watched her father. While some, including the animals, saw the king as an old lion, she still saw him as the father who went out of his way to make sure his daughter was given a good future. She smiled as she thought of the walks they used to share when she was younger, how he taught her about the balance and how it was to be respected at all times. Her father was a great teacher, a wise king, and a merciful lion.
There's a place for you in the stars, Dad, she thought to herself.
She sent a glance towards Maabade, who gave her a warm stare in return. She had to wonder when they would declare themselves mates. They'd talk about it over time, both deciding that when she was proclaimed queen, only then would they fully commit themselves to each other. She'd been surprised that he had yet to come to her with second thoughts. She hadn't come to him either. Clearly, they were both in agreement.
Her eyes returned to her meal and she kept eating. She looked at her father again, sorrow welling in her chest. She had to tell him her feelings soon. Though she was happy being a princess, she couldn't always be for the rest of her life. One day her father would pass on and join the stars. She knew it and often, she felt it. Of all lions she knew, he deserved a good and peaceful retirement. I hope you're not disappointed when I tell you my feelings, Dad…
As soon as night fell and the pride walked into the caves to sleep, Hisani had had a feeling that something heavy was weighing on his daughter's mind. He had told her he wanted to speak with her when the stars were out. He sat on the royal stone, gazing up at the skies, thinking. He hoped she was okay. A part of him felt guilty. It wasn't fair, what he was doing to her, had done to her. She should have had the throne by now. She should have been queen a long time ago. What was I thinking? I should have stepped down after Idhara's second betrayal!
"Father…"
He turned and smiled. "Ada," he said, pronouncing her nickname, his special nickname for her with care, "come and sit. Look at the stars with me."
She walked up and sat down beside him. They shared a long look at the star-filled sky. At a length she said, "Dad… there's something I want to tell you."
"And there's something I must tell you as well."
"You go first."
Hisani sighed. "I've been thinking hard about the state of the lands lately."
She shifted. "You have?"
"Yes… Adaeze I have ruled the Northern Valley a few years longer than my own father. He ruled for well over four years, and he became king at the age of seven. He lived to be eleven but he along with my mother ruled gloriously. They took care of these lands, the animals and the pride. Even now their rule is remembered by some." He took a breath, savored it. "I want mine to be that way. I want my rule to be remembered."
"It will be, father," she said softly.
"I know you will make sure that it is and that this kingdom always thrives." He felt his heart beat, his eyes shone with fatherly love. "I am so proud of you, Ada, of the lioness you have become and will continue to be."
"Thank yourself for that. You taught me well."
He laughed. "It appears so. You don't need my advice on hardly anything anymore."
The problem with the giraffes entered her mind but she dismissed it. He was right. She didn't need his advice anymore, and she knew her decision on the matter. "What did you want to talk to me about?" she finally asked.
Hisani looked at her. "It's time I step down, Adaeze, and let you take the throne. You're more than ready and I shouldn't have let it go on so long. I am sorry for that."
Her eyes grew and her heart pounded hard inside her chest. She couldn't believe what she was hearing! Her father wanted to, and let her t – Words failed her and she couldn't speak.
"I should have let you step up years ago," the king continued. He looked down, his mane falling over his eyes and clinging to the sides of his face. "I guess… what your mother did… It got to me, made me think that I have to continue doing what my parents trained me to do: Be a king. My father once told me, 'Never let anything or anyone get in the way of your leadership. Your word, my son, when you are king, is law. To undermine your authority is like undermining the spirits' authority. The spirits anointed you as king and only they can undo you. What is given can be taken away, and what is taken can be given back.'"
She swallowed. "Father, I –"
"What your mother did, not just to me, but you, Nyoka and Kambiri… it hurt, and as her mate I took most of that hurt, but the pain of what she did to all of you, I felt it and I let it make me more aware of my father's words. In what she did I was determined to make my reign as king absolute. I was even willing to die and leave this world as king. These past couple of years I kept thinking, 'I entered this world as a prince, so I shall leave it as a king'."
Tears started falling from Adaeze's eyes. She blinked. "Dad…"
He didn't seem to hear her. "The more I thought about that, the more I wanted to see it done, but then I realized I wasn't being fair. I wasn't thinking of others I was thinking of myself." He finally looked at her, feeling tears in his own eyes. "I wasn't thinking of you, my daughter, the king's daughter… I was wrong not to. That only hit me this morning as I watched the kingdom and thought on my life and my rule, how much things have changed," he shrugged, "and for the better."
She sniffed. "Father… what are you saying?"
With a foreleg he reached out and tilted her head up to his with a paw. He looked into her eyes. She's so much like me… "The sun is setting on my time here, daughter."
"No… father, please…"
He smiled gently. "Sweetheart, I'm ten years old… I don't know how much longer I have on this earth, but –"
She pulled away. "No!" she insisted, her emotions rising. "Father, you –" A sob filled her throat.
"Adaeze, I know it's difficult for you to hear. You've never known someone who has died."
"You're right, I haven't, and I don't wish to."
"Daughter, everyone dies. It's part of the balance. I cannot live forever, no matter how much I want to. I love you and do not wish to leave you, but even when I am gone you will never be alone."
She shrugged. "I know, you'll be in the stars, but it won't be the same."
"No, it won't, but you will always have your memories of me. Keep them close to you."
"I will."
Hisani grew silent and put his eyes up to the stars, then faced Adaeze again. "The sun is setting on my time as king, Adaeze. I feel it."
"Then, does this mean that…"
"Yes… if the sun is setting on my leadership then it is ready to rise on yours. You can't wait much longer, nor can the kingdom. It needs a new leader, a new reign. It needs you."
She pawed the ground. "Father, I have been ready for a long time," she admitted, "but I didn't want to say anything. I know how much you love ruling."
"I do, but nothing in this world would make me happier than to see you take the throne."
"You mean it?"
"I do." He nuzzled her. "How are you and Maabade? Are you still thinking about a future?"
"We're doing fine and yes we are."
"Then how would the two of you like it if your coronation and, perhaps, wedding, were on the same day?"
She faced him, eyes wide but she couldn't speak.
"You both have waited a long time and that time is drawing near."
"I'll ask him."
He smiled warmly. "You two belong together and you would make good leaders for this realm."
"When…?"
"I don't want to keep you waiting any longer than I already have. Next week?"
Adaeze considered the idea and nodded.
"Good, then next week, you and Maabade will be married and named king and queen of the Northern Valley."
"I would be honored to marry your daughter and help her rule, sire," said a voice from behind.
Father and daughter turned to see Maabade walk up to them.
"Forgive me, I did not mean to eavesdrop."
"Then perhaps, it's a good thing you did, Maabade," said the king. "Tell me, and be honest, how do you feel about all of this?"
The young lion sat down and told him his thoughts as quickly and plainly as he could. "My parents taught me that patience is a virtue, and I have been patient, mainly in my relationship with Adaeze. I love her, Hisani and I will do whatever I can to help her lead this kingdom."
The ruler only smiled. "And with those words, my soon-to-be son-in-law, my retirement shall be a happy one."