A/N: Hello, I can' t thank you all enough for the wonderful support that you've given me. I know that the last chapter was intense for a lot of you; it was for me to write. I hope you enjoy this chapter, as it is the second to the last.


Chapter 29: Mourning Lands

With a last exhausting effort, Kanya, along with Zuria and Holly, managed to bring the big rogue down. He hit the ground with a thud; a look of surprise and shock served as the last expression to be drawn upon his face. She could feel the adrenaline that had been pumping through her veins only moments before, be replaced by relief. Looking up, she was happy to see that the other lionesses had defeated the remaining rogues. Some of them were looking at her with weary, but satisfied expressions. She gave a slow smile to Eme, who was tending to a nasty-looking wound on Ilanga's shoulder. Examining the other lionesses, she was glad to see that none of them had sustained any injuries, beyond a few scratches and bruises. Just as she was about to head toward Eme and Ilanga, a sickening sound pierced her ears. All the lionesses' attention was pulled toward the edge of the gorge, where the horrid sound had come from.


Mohatu's roar of agony sliced through the air, sending tremors across the flooded gorge.

"NOOOO!" he screamed, as he watched Jolina's weary form disappear from sight over the drop-off. Upon, hearing his cry, the other lionesses ran to him, looks of shock and horror hardening their features, for they too, had witnessed their beloved queen be swept over the waterfall. Mohatu was visibly shaking when he passed Uru to one of the lionesses and began to painstakingly make his way down the rocky ledge to the ravine where the drop-off was depositing the vast amounts of water. He was barely able to keep himself from slipping as a sickening feeling of dread formed a pit in his stomach.


The lionesses sat in ominous silence as they waited for Mohatu to return. None of them dared follow him, the fear of of what they would inevitably find keeping them all glued to the spots they stood in. And yet, reflected in all of their eyes, as they nervously glanced at one another, was a dim gleam of hope; hope that somehow the queen had survived. Uru lay in the middle of the group, too overwhelmed by the ordeal to do anything more than shiver in the cold, damp air as Zuria held her close. Brooding clouds appeared in the distance, turning the sky a dull and dead gray, and a brewing storm creating a low, ominous rumbling of thunder, which increased the anxiety that was creeping its way into the heart of each of the lionesses.

And so they stood for what seemed like hours in a painful and anxious silence, none able to find words that could reconcile the dreadful circumstances that they found themselves in; the only warmth that could be provided was the heat flowing from body to body as they huddled into one another. Finally, all perked their ears as the sound of slow, laboring footsteps was heard. Then the solemn form of Mohatu appeared before them. His eyes were swollen and his head lowered to the ground, unable to look any of them in the eye. He walked as if in a nightmarish trance to Kanya and Zuria, and whispered something low to them. Both slowly nodded their heads and a tear made its way down Kanya's dark cheek. Without looking at any of the lionesses, Mohatu carefully picked Uru up in the gentle cradle of his jaws, and began to walk toward Pride Rock. All the lionesses, except Kanya and Zuria, followed a small distance behind him, the sorrowful and saddened manner of their king, confirming to the lionesses their worst fear; their queen, their friend... their sister, was gone.


"If I die young bury me in satin, lay me down on a bed of roses, sink me in the river at dawn, send me away with the words of a love song."

As Pride Rock came into sight, Mohatu's heart only bled all the more, because for the first time, as his gaze fell upon the majestic stone mountain, it did not feel like home. When he and the procession of lionesses advanced closer to Pride Rock, Raoul and the other males came bounding up.

"No need to worry, we finished off those cowards like they were a couple of termite mounds!" Izogie said happily.

Mohatu only stared into the distance, a hazy look in his eyes. Izogie didn't recognize his friend's sadness, he was too consumed in the exhilarating rumble he'd just participated in, and before Ilanga or any of the other lionesses could stop him he asked,

"Hey, where is Jolina?"

This question was enough to bring Mohatu back to full alertness and with it, a staggering blow of pain ripped through him, nearly causing him to collapse. He let out a chocked sob before he finally answered in a low whisper,

"I failed her. She...she's gone."

Mohatu looked around at them for a moment, then the chocking emotions became too much for him. Dropping Uru from his mouth, he sprinted from the other lions and soon was out of their sight.


The smile had faded from Izogie and the other lions' faces.

"What happened to her. Where is Jolina?" Kelsh asked nervously.

Holly looked at her son as she helped Uru back up to her feet. It saddened the old lioness that the reunion with her son had come with her new friend's death. Taking a deep breath and gathering herself to explain the horrible news to these lions, who had been so close to Jolina.

"There, there was a terrible accident. Jolina saved us all when she opened the dam, but..but she wasn't able to get out, and the river took her over the drop-off." the old lioness said sadly.

The five males all looked at her in shock,

"No, please Holly, tell me it's not true." Azir said.

Holly only shook her head in sadness and the old king lowered his head to the ground and wept. Now that Mohatu was out of their presence, Ilanga and Eme ran to their mates, each couple doing the best they could to comfort one another. The other lionesses continued their walk back to Pride Rock to tell the rest of the pride of the queen's horrible fate.


When the news was given to the pride, the lions and lionesses all bowed their heads in sorrow and regret. Zaza sadly flew over the kingdom, telling the different clans the news and making funeral arrangements. It was nearly noon, but the sun hid itself behind the gray clouds, casting a gloomy shadow over the mourning pride. Zuria and Kanya had done as Mohatu had requested them, and brought Jolina's battered body back to Pride Rock, so that it could be prepared for the burial ceremony that evening.

Holly had done her best to comfort her son and new friends as they tried to cope with the crippling blow. Uru stayed by her side, as Holly went about the kingdom offering her comfort to any lion in need. The little cub had said nothing, she couldn't understand why everyone was acting so strangely, and she was naturally drawn to Holly's maternal aura. Holly and Uru came upon Mohatu. He was sitting under an acacia tree, staring at the ground. Uru slowly approached the grieving form of her father, and gently tapped her little paw against his leg. Mohatu slowly turned his gaze to his little daughter's innocent features. Finally Uru found her voice,

"Daddy, when is mama coming home?"

Mohatu felt another stab of pain pierce his broken heart as he drew a deep breath,

Uru, I..I'm so sorry. Mama isn't coming home." he whispered.

Uru looked at him, and said in a confused voice,

"But why? Why isn't she coming home?!"

Mohatu looked at her and answered,

"Because she is in heaven Uru."

The cub continued to stare at him, confused. Heaven was the place where old lions went to, after they stopped waking up. Her mama wasn't supposed to be there, she was supposed to be at home, with her family.

"No." Uru whimpered as tears began to spill across her cheeks.

Mohatu pulled his daughter to him, and his own sobs and tears mingled with hers. As Uru sought to find comfort by burying herself into her father's mane, Mohatu could only whisper,

"I'm so sorry."

Holly walked away from the grieving father and daughter, tears spilling down her cheeks as well.


"Lord and make me a rainbow, I'll shine down on my father. He'll know I'm safe with you when he stands under my colors, oh and, life ain't always what you think it ought to be no, ain't even gray, but he buries his baby."

Holly continued making her way back to Pride Rock when she heard a low sound. At first she thought it was the dark clouds that had been progressively making their way toward the Pridelands. But as she listened more closely, the sound was that resembling more of weeping. Rounding a small boulder, she found Azir in a crumpled heap on the ground, the tears rolling down his face. Holly approached him softly, and placed a comforting paw on his; it was the only comforting gesture she could give him, for no words, no gestures, nothing, not even time itself, can heal the heart of a parent who has lost their child. Finally Azir came to his feet,

"She can't be gone, I just found her, she can't be..." he managed to chock out.

Holly only shook her head in grief, and offered her friend a comforting nuzzle, before helping him back to Pride Rock where the pride and kingdom were beginning to gather.


"The sharp knife of a short life. Well I've had just enough time."

The animals of the kingdom and lions of the pride all gathered sadly at the base of Pride Rock to honor and mourn their beloved queen. The kings, queens, and dignitaries of neighboring prides had also come to pay their respects to the wise and compassionate queen of the Pridelands. Each clan leader gave a moving speech about the fair and just Jolina, many of them greatly grieving her untimely death. The visiting dignitaries also gave their condolences to Mohatu and his pride.

The lionesses of the pride sat near the king, none of them attempting to hold back their heart-wrenching wails as the body of the queen was brought out. Jolina's closets friends and family sat next to the grave; Kanya, Eme, Zuria, and Ilanga sobbing into their mates' manes. Strawberry did his best to comfort his distraught mate, Raoul and Kelsh hung their heads in sorrow, even Izogie had tears sliding down his cheeks. Holly, Mona, and Chaka sat next to Azir, doing their best to console their friend. Rafiki stepped forward and began to recite the funeral rituals. As the mandrill gave credit and honor to the selfless and honorable lioness, he had to pause in order swallow a sob and wipe the tears from his eyes.


"There's a boy here in town, says he'll love me forever. Who would have thought forever could be severed by, the sharp knife of a short life."

Mohatu resumed his distant expression as the other animals gave speeches to pay honor to his mate. Soon, though, he was asked to say a few words, this pulled him from his trance and the immense heart break and loss tore through him. The animals all turned their attention to the wise and strong king, whose form now seem drained and broken. The only words Mohatu could whisper were,

" There is no one as loving, wise, and beautiful as she is. She was my everything."


"A penny for my thoughts, oh no, I'll sell them for a dollar. They're worth so much more after I'm a goner, and maybe then you'll the words I've been singing, funny when you're dead, how people start listening."

As the rituals came to a close, two matriarch elephants stepped forward and gently placed the body of the queen into her grave. Then, one of the leopards placed the flowing crown of flowers, the one she had worn on her coronation and wedding day, gently onto her lifeless body. Last time she had worn them, they were vibrant, bright, and flashing with breathtaking colors. Now, the crown was nothing more than a withered chain; broken, brown, and dead .


"Oh, oh, the ballad of a dove, go with peace and love, gather up tears, keep in them in your pocket. Save for them a time when you're really gonna need them."

As Jolina's mate and daughter stepped forward to throw the last bit of dirt onto the filled grave, the wind picked up and thunder rumbled over the land. Soon, the grieving animals were pelted with a downpour of rain. The wind howled and the thunder roared, as if the very land itself was also mourning the death of its beloved Queen.

The usual orange sunset was replaced by the dark, weeping land. The rain churned the river, as if punishing it for taking the life of one so loved. Even against the incredible odds, only Jolina's life had been lost. And though all were thankful for the sparing of so many other lives, the death of their queen seemed too high price to be paid.


"The sharp knife of a short life, well I've had just enough time."

The animals began to disperse as the storm passed over, leaving a damp chill hanging in the air. The lions of Pride Rock slowly ascended into the warm comfort of the den as night began to fall, though no stars could be seen through the black clouds that covered the kingdom. Holly was about to follow after Mona and Chaka when she noticed that two lions were absent.

She found Mohatu fading away in the gray mists that had descended on the land, unaware that his daughter had been trying to follow him. The little cub lost her father's form in the mist, she was too cold and scared to whimper or cry for help. Holly found the cub staring into the fog where her father had disappeared.

"C'mon little one." Holly said softly as she picked the shivering cub up.

When she reached the interior of the den, she laid down next to Chaka, and pulled Uru into the warmth of her body. She gave the dark cub an affectionate lick, and Uru quickly fell asleep, escaping from the horrors of that day, if only for a little while.

"If I die young, bury me in satin. Lay me down on a bed of roses, sink me in the river at dawn. Send me away with the words of a love song..."


A/N: Thanks for reading. I cannot believe the amazing feedback I have received on this story. As, the next chapter is the last, I'd like to open a sort of discussion to you. If any of you wish to ask me questions about this story, my inspirations, my style, themes, etc, I will gladly address them in the end author's note of the next chapter. I'm also open to some personal questions if any of you are curious about my thoughts, opinions, or experiences. And of course, don't forget to review this chapter. Thank you all so much for following Jolina on her journey and I hope that I have not disappointed any of you. *Nantsingonyama*

*The song used in this chapter is "If I Die Young" by The Band Perry. I took liberties with the arrangement of the vesrus and changed mother to father to fit the story. I do not own the song, nor the Lion King.