Three months had passed between when Ataria returned to her birthplace and when she had fled the home of her mate. She had been welcomed back eagerly by the pride, because she was the only lion living that was directly related to the father of Mufasa and Scar. She had proven herself to be a good mother and her son was a great companion for the newborn princess. For Simba and Nala had produced a girl cub who they named Kiara. Rafiki had come and dedicated Kiara as the heir-apparent to Simba and the prospective leader of the tribe. Already, Kiara was showing signs of being as curious and rambunctious as her cousin Tauzin. But, Ataria still missed her mate and her adopted pride. She loved her mate dearly and would have left to find him, but she still felt that Zenatae was angry with her. So she stayed at Pride Rock, growing sadder each day.

But one day, everything Ataria knew to be normal changed for the better. Ataria was heading out to hunt antelope and was halfway from Pride Rock to the beginning of the desert. As she came towards the hill that overlooked the Pride Lands, she stopped. At the top of the hill was Zenatae, staring down at her. As she stared at him in surprise, he made his descent and stopped in front of her, where he nuzzled her tenderly.

"Ataria, I am so sorry," admitted her mate. "I should never have forced you to leave."

"I am sorry for lying to you, Zenatae. I should have told you the truth," said Ataria with a downcast look.

Zenatae looked up and frowned at her words. "Even if you had told me at the start, I would never have killed you or sent you away."

"Do you really love me, Zenatae?" asked the now blushing Ataria.

Nizzling her happily, he spoke to her ear only "Yes, Ataria. I fell in love with you the moment I saw you."

"What will the pride say?"asked Atari asfter a thought

"I already handled the pride," said the now masterful Lion.. "They all know and they miss you and Tauzin terribly. Will you come back with me?"

"I must ask Simba first," said the thoughtful Ataria. "Come and meet him"

As they turned towards Pride Rock, Ataria saw Simba and the pride staring at them amusedly. As Tauzin ran towards his father and hugged him, Ataria lead the blushing Zenatae towards the royal family. Once she had reached them, she presented her mate to Simba. After receiving his blessing to leave for her home, the three headed off towards the Lush Lands. Once they arrived there, Ataria and Tauzin were welcomed back into their pride and life continued the same way as it had before Ataria and Tauzin had left it.