The next morning…
Murmurs and chatter traversed throughout the multitude of animals waiting outside pride rock. It wasn't often that Zazu sounded the emergency squawk, so needless to say every denizen of the Pridelands, even the crocodiles, came rushing over. "Your majesty, everyone is present and accounted for" Zazu spoke to the queen.
"Thank you Zazu" Nala replied. She walked down the boulder steps onto the grass and approached the crowd of animals. This was an intimate moment and standing above them on surveyor rock just seemed wrong in her mind. "Animals of the Pridelands, I have…unfortunate news. Our beloved king, my precious mate, is severely injured. He put his life on the line to save myself and my daughter from falling into an unexpected sinkhole. Not only did he demonstrate the unwavering love of a father, he also showed the fierce drive to protect. A trait that is found within each and every one of our leaders and parents."
The crowd cheered at that truthful statement; they would do anything to make sure that their own was safe.
"But…will the king be alright?" a gazelle asked.
"He will be, thanks to the efforts of the Lion Guard, Timon, Pumbaa, Rafiki, Ma'Tembo and her herd. But it will take time. I wish I could tell you how long, but I don't know. While he is recovering, Kiara and I will handle all of Simba's duties. The Lion Guard will continue to protect the Pridelands with unwavering fortitude. All I ask is for your patience in this difficult time. Not only with myself and my children, but also with the king." She had to pause and wipe a tear that was threatening to slide down, and the fragility of her mind wasn't missed by the onlookers.
"Um…your majesty?"
Nala looked down and saw the leader of the galagos by her paws. "Yes Laini?"
"Is…is it alright for the king to have visitors? I'd like to give him my support on behalf of my group."
"I would like to offer my support as well" added Twiga the giraffe.
Soon dozens of other animals spoke up, wanting to wish the king a speedy recovery, causing a fond smile to appear on the queen's muzzle. "Thank you. If anyone wishes, you have my permission to see him. I know any support from you will make the recovery process that much faster. But please keep quiet. Any sudden sounds or movements could startle him and injure him further" she warned and the animal representatives nodded their heads. The volunteers followed Nala up to Pride Rock in a single file line. Before they entered the cave she commanded, "Please wait one moment. I want to tell him that you all are coming so he won't be surprised." Everyone heeded her request and she went into the den.
Once inside she saw Simba sound asleep with her daughter still underneath his paw, nuzzling her face into is mane. Her heart went out to her – guilt was gnawing at her very soul. "Kiara" she softly spoke and her daughter looked up at her. She carefully got up from underneath her father's paw and asked, "…Is it time to attend to royal duties already?"
"No, not yet. A few of the pride landers wanted to give Simba their get well wishes" she explained and smiled when she noticed a sparkle of light appear in Kiara's eyes. She went over to her mate and nuzzled her head against his. "Simba?" she gently called out.
After a few seconds the king started to stir. He slowly opened his groggy eyes and saw his beloved queen.
"I'm sorry to wake you up."
"Grmmm…no. 'S**yawwwnnn** 's okay. What's wrong?" he asked.
"Nothing my love. It's just that some of the animals wanted to visit you and pray for your speedy recovery. Are you up for seeing them?" she asked.
He gave a small inclination with his head before using his forearms to shakily lift his upper body up. His family was ready to assist at any moment, but they knew how vital it was for him to move on his own – not only to retain some semblance of independence, but also rebuild his strength. Even in a weakened state the regality he exuded was nothing less than extraordinary. "I'm ready" he said and Nala went to the entrance to retrieve the first visitor.
A shocked gasp came out of Bupu's mouth when he saw the monarch, but quickly pushed through the unease and approached him. "My king, if there is anything you need from me do not hesitate to ask."
"Thank you Bupu, I greatly appreciate that. And please let Tobali know that I'm praying for a healthy baby. I cannot wait to meet the newest member of your herd" he smiled.
The antelope leader was completely floored. Despite the insurmountable pain he was in and all the other going ons in the pride lands…he still remembered about the herd's pregnancy. "Great kings of the past, please don't let him join you so soon" he thought and reverently bowed before him. "Thank you, your majesty. I will" he spoke and his hooves quietly clacked against the rock floor as he left.
The reactions of the rest of the visitors were almost the same – unsurprising shock at the state he was in and complete awe for what minute detail he could address about their respective groups. Even though Kiara had seen this numerous times, it was awe-inspiring to say the least just what an amazing king her daddy is. Soon only one visitor remained, and it made her fur prickle. Makuu walked in with a respectable yet haughty air around him and merely let out a small "Hmph" when he saw Simba's condition. When he approached him he said, "I expect you to be back on your paws sooner rather than later. My float can bounce back from injuries far greater than that."
Oh how the princess wished she had her brother's roar right now so she could blast this jerk all the way to the outlands. But Simba just smiled and replied, "I know, because they have you as their leader and their combat instructor. And I intend to channel a crocodile's tenacity in order to overcome this. After all, my desire is to be in attendance for your first Savannah Summit."
Makuu's stunned countenance was a sight to behold. "You're…you're inviting me?" he stammered.
"I am. I wished to do it in person after you returned from the highland plains, but…" and he glanced over at his injured leg. "I don't think I could've made it to your territory in time. Thank you for coming to visit me and I apologize if the news of my injury caused you to leave your feeding ground sooner than expected."
The crocodile adverted his gaze and said, "Don't flatter yourself. We came back because there wasn't enough fish." But his façade didn't fool anyone; everyone knew that crocodiles stayed at the highland plains for weeks while they gorged themselves in order to prepare for the dry season. "And you better not make me come out of my way to attend the Savannah Summit if you're not there" he growled.
"I wouldn't dream of it" he firmly replied.
"Good! And…I appreciate the invitation" he quietly muttered and left the den.
"Oh wow! You were amazing daddy!" Kiara cheered, but he didn't match her enthusiasm. Instead he slumped back onto his side and closed his eyes. "Daddy?!"
"I'm…fine. …Tired" he explained and she immediately zipped her lip. Nala came back inside and smiled knowingly when she saw her exhausted husband. She walked over to him and licked his cheek. "You were fantastic my love" she whispered and motioned towards her daughter to follow her outside.
"…I'm guessing now it's time to go" she sadly assumed as they walked down the natural steps.
"Yes, but Timon and Pumbaa should be-"
"We're here!" Timon shouted as he rode on his buddy's back. "Sorry we took so long Nala, we were looking for Simba's favorite get-well grubs" and he showed them the tied bundle of leaves.
"Get-well grubs?" Kiara asked.
"Uh huh. Your dad scarfed these down whenever he wasn't feeling well and was back on his feet in no time" Pumbaa explained.
"What're they?"
He hopped off the warthog's back and unwrapped the bundle - revealing a plethora of succulent blue grubs with green stripes. "Creamy with a pleasant zing at the end" he described, finishing it off with a kiss to his fingertips. "Only found at the edge of Merehei Forest."
"You went all the way out to the backlands? Into leopard territory?" she asked, completely blown away that they'd travel to such a dangerous area for some bugs.
"Anything for our baby. Besides, leopard. Hyena. They all have teeth and spots, big deal" he nonchalantly dismissed.
"Thank you very much you two. I'm sure Simba will…love them" Nala respectfully grinned, trying her best not to gag at the sight of those squirming insects. How her mate could survive on those was beyond her.
"How's he now?" Pumbaa asked.
"He's asleep and he'll probably be that way until we come back. There's an old tortoise shell full of water and Ono and Zazu will be keeping an eye on the den in the midst of their scouting. Signal if you need anything."
"Don't worry Nala, I promise he'll be fine. Like I said, this isn't our first go-around dealing with injuries" Timon assured.
She smiled and replied, "You're right. We'll try to be back before nightfall."
"Alright, be safe out there."
"We will. …Ready Kiara?" but the cub remained rooted in place. She looked back up at the entrance to her home and sighed.
"Hey, it'll be okay grand baby" the meerkat assured and petted her cheek. "Right now the pride landers need you and your mom to be their rock through all this. And I know you can do it. After all, you've been a great support for your dad."
"How?!" she spat. If anything she's the reason why he's in this mess in the first place.
"Because you're safe. Not only you, but Kion too. Look, I understand how you're feeling because your dad felt the same way when I told him not to jump from tree to tree. But hey" and he just shrugged his shoulders. "Next thing you know he's falling from a broken tree branch. Thankfully Pumbaa caught him…squishing me in the process but I digress" he muttered to himself. "And then it turns out there was a bee hive in that tree and they didn't appreciate the sudden shake. I told Pumbaa to high tail it out of there while I dealt with them."
"What? That's crazy! You're not like Bunga" she scolded.
"Tell me about it; I looked like a tiny leopard with all the red sting dots I had. And like you he was feeling all kinds of guilty for not listening. But through all the pain, they were there. He and Pumbaa were my supports and fact that they were safe made everything else seem like little gnats. So hear me when I say that all those bandages on him are nothing but little gnats that'll fly away in time."
She took in his strange yet sound advice and nodded her head. "Thank you Grandpa Timon, grandpa Pumbaa" she smiled.
"You got it kid. We'll see you later" and they gave her a hug.
"Okay mom…I'm ready" The queen smiled and nodded and let her princess take the lead.