They eventually made it into the nearby forest where they were initially greeted by some animals who did not feel trusting of them at first, but when they revealed that they were the Fellowship of the Rings, one of them, a hornbill whose name turned out to be Zazu exclaimed: "Oh yes, your quest is actually known to us! My king and queen are expecting you!"
They were given audience with Simba and Nala who welcomed them. But then the two of them looked confused.
"Not counting the owl and monkey, we were told that there 9 companions who set out on this quest. Where is Merlin?" asked Simba.
"He fell into darkness," replied Robin Hood sadly. The group did a basic recount of their journey through the
"I am heartfully sorry to hear that. Please, rest here until your strength has been regained. You have been through more than should have been necessary and your quest has only just started," said Nala. Basic accommodations were made for the Fellowship, which were welcome after essentially sleeping on rock inside the mines. Kay didn't seem to have an easy time settling down though.
"Does something trouble you, friend?" asked Aladdin.
"I just don't feel as though I belong here. Never in my life have I been in the company of so many animals. I'm not trying to complain but something about this place makes me unable to sleep soundly," Kay answered.
"Well, if it's any consolation, these woods are well protected, so that should put your mind at ease. If you can't sleep, get a drink, there's a good watering hole here," answered Aladdin who returned to his cot to unwind.
That evening, Mickey and Donald were invited for a private audience with Simba and a mandril named Rafiki.
"My friend here wanted to show the two of you something," explained Simba rather calmly. He wasn't smiling yet neither was he angry. Rafiki poured water into a bowl.
"We're not following," said a very confused Donald.
"Well, look and you might see. What that might be even the wisest cannot guess. It shows what was, what is, and what might yet be," said Rafiki. Donald volunteered to look first. He peered for about a minute before jumping up in fright.
"What is it, Donald?" asked Mickey.
"It was home! They've taken it over and enslaved so many of our friends! We gotta get home and save them!" exclaimed Donald.
"Ah, but that may not yet have happened. And bear in mind, even if it has happened the best way to save your friends back home is to continue on your quest to destroy the Ring. Do you really want to leave Mickey now, when he might need you the most?" asked Rafiki. Donald realized that the mandrill spoke the truth in that statement. Now Mickey felt brave enough to look into the water.
The first thing he saw was a figure that looked oddly like Merlin. He saw three boats going down a river. But then he saw a giant red eye that seemed to peer into his very soul. He felt the Ring suddenly become heavy upon his neck. It felt for a moment that the Ring, despite being on the necklace around his was trying to reach toward the eye. He grabbed the Ring and stepped back, panting heavily.
"He is always looking for that Ring Mickey, that is why when your company leaves here you must be exceedingly careful. You are dangerously close to his home turf," said Rafiki.
"I can't do it alone," said Mickey, knowing full well that he said that before at the Council that had elected him as the Ring Bearer.
"To be a Ring Bearer is to be alone," said Rafiki who revealed right then and there that he had a ring on his finger.
"Is that one of the Three?" asked Mickey astonished.
"Yes, this is the Ring of Protection, and I am its current Keeper. I know the responsibility and weight of accepting such power. But it is a necessity, you must complete this quest for all of our sakes. Be careful, but know that your journey is blessed," said Rafiki.
Later that week, the Fellowship was gathered by the river that would take them from Simba's realm where they were given cloaks to wear. They appeared green in the shade but a light gray in the sun.
"They were made from a special fabric, while they will not protect you from weapons, they can keep you warm as needed, and maybe help hide you as well," explained Nala. Then a group of meerkats came over bearing chests. They each approached the Fellowship, they realized that there was a chest for each of them, and that they varied in size. Mickey was told to open his first. He found a small vial filled with unusual blue liquid.
"That is light that came from a meteor. It will shine for you in the darkest of nights and tunnels when all other lights fail," explained Simba. Mickey thanked them and carefully tucked them in his pocket. Then it was Aladdin's turn. He was presented with a new sheath for his sword that contained a pocket for a small knife that was already there. Runes were inscribed all over the sheath.
"Any blade that is drawn from that sheath shall not be destroyed even in the worst defeat, and the small knife is made of diamond, able to cut through the strongest armor," explained Nala. Then Gopher and Piglet were each presented with a dagger each.
"They were made by elves long ago, much like Mickey's they will glow bright blue when enemies are near, we believed you could use that, and they will make good companions to the hardware you already carry," said Rafiki. Then it was Robin Hood's turn, and he was presented with a new bow.
"We know you lost your original in the Mines, but this one is hand carved from baboa and the bowstring is made from the hair of many lions, so you know it will never fail you," said Simba.
"It's a beautiful bow, I accept it gladly," replied Robin Hood with a small bow. Then it was Donald's turn. He was presented with a long coil of thin rope.
"This rope is specially woven from a special fabric that will never break, and despite its thin appearance, it can hold an immense weight," Nala told him.
"Plus, you never want to go on a quest without rope," added Simba with a small laugh.
"I've learned that the hard way," said Donald as he thanked them for the gift. Then it was Kay's turn, he was given a pendant shaped like a leaf with a rune inscribed upon it.
"Wear this around your neck and all will know that you are our friend, and that you have someone looking out for you," said Nala.
"Thank you," replied Kay who gladly placed it upon his neck with honor. Finally, it was Grumpy's turn. To him was given a belt with a buckle that was shaped like a feline of some sort.
"That is a lynx, we believed that with you being a dwarf, it might be more akin to you than a lion. But like Boromir's pendant, it shows that you are a friend of the animals. We know you've lost your brother, and for that we are truly sorry, but his spirit lives within you, and in everyone you have waiting for you at home," explained Rafiki. Grumpy gladly placed the belt on himself and thanked his new friends. Simba, Nala and Rafiki then approached Abu and Archimedes together.
"We weren't entirely sure what to give the two of you, but we will gladly ask if there is anything you would request of us?" asked Simba.
"I don't aske for much, my friend here could use a small knife like the one you gave his master and Piglet and Gopher, he might need it. Me without Merlin I'm not entirely sure where I'm supposed to go. Perhaps guidance, and if it's not too much to ask I'd like to receive a strand of hair from each of you. If I ever do get back from this quest, whether I return to my old nest or make a new one, it would be an honor for me to decorate it with a reminder of this wonderful place," answered Archimedes as humbly as he could. His request was granted. Nala plucked three hairs from the end of her tail, Simba and Rafiki plucked three from their mane, and they were put in a small bag which Archimedes humbly accepted. Abu was given a small knife with a special sheath that allowed him to carry it on his back.
"Continue to go with Mickey, he will surely look after you," suggested Rafiki. Archimedes nodded and made up his mind to continue travelling with the Fellowship, Mickey offered to carry his new bag for him as Archimedes had no pockets. Then they got into their boats. Aladdin, Mickey and Donald into the first. Kay, Piglet and Gopher into the second, Robin Hood, Grumpy, Abu and Archimedes and most of the gear into the third. It was a pain to have to say goodbye to such a wonderful place that had welcomed them after a harrowing experience. Going down the Great River, they kept looking back until their animal friends could no longer be seen.