I approached the border, more out of hope than expectation. But, there she was. As if she was expecting me to turn up. From a distance, she looked at me, and said breathlessly, "Pridelander… Back so soon?"

"Mmyeah," I murmured.

"The Pridelander is not happy. Something troubles him."

"Again," I said gloomily.

"And why is this? Does he not meet expectations like this rogue?"

"Expectations?"

"Why else would I be guarding the border. Punishment for what he sees as disloyalty last time. Not that I ever intended to escape," she said bitterly.

"Isn't putting you on border patrol for attempting to escape rather, uh…risky?"

"Oh, he knows I daren't try and escape again. And he knows I talked to dear Pridelanders last time. He did rather hope they'd return. And he has!"

"I… needed to."

"But of course. Yet something still troubles you, Pridelander. You came here to discuss it, did you not?"

"Yes."

"Whatever will they think back home? A Pridelander confiding in a Riverlander! Rumours will be spread!"

"Oh, I shouldn't think they'll mind too much."

"No, indeed. It seems your people are more accepting than… these."

I laughed hollowly, "You think so?"

"I do. You don't know what you've got until you lose it, Pridelander. I've made that mistake, now don't you make it too."

"Somehow, I think it's too late. And please, STOP calling me Pridelander! Don't you know who I am?"

"Well, I don't believe I've had the pleasure…"

"Simba."

"Simba, eh? Parents weren't feeling original then?"

I frowned at her. "How should I know. I can't remember back that far." My mind was a whirlpool of thoughts, and I wasn't thinking about what I was doing. She didn't know, but any time I could let slip about my Kingship, and that would be the end of it. She wouldn't pass up an opportunity like that, surely.

"Apologies Simba."

"It's fine. And what do I call you?"

"I like 'the rogue' thank you."

"If you insist."

"So, Simba, what keeps bringing you back here? You must understand that I'm deep trouble. It wouldn't do to make my acquaintance."

"Well, the truth is… I see something of me in you."
She looked surprised. Certainly she wasn't expecting that.

"Really, is that so? I'm flattered."

"I wouldn't be. But, I don't think now's the time to talk about my problems." I said, hastily covering up my tracks and avoiding the issue of revealing my status. "I want to know more about how you came to be here."

"But you know! I was a rogue. I had cubs and needed the security of a pride."

"But why this one?"

"What was the alternative? Your precious Pridelands were a bit off in those days. Something about an evil ruler. I never paid much attention really. You can guess how much I regret joining this lot though."

"I suppose. What do you want though? To live as a rogue again?"

"Preferably," she eyed me cautiously, "but dreams very rarely become reality you know, Simba.

"With an attitude like that they won't," I said, reciting a lesson my mother taught me as a cub.

"Ha! I like your optimism, boy. But I've lived, I've been around. I know the grass is always greener on the other side, until you get there."

"Do you think the grass here looks greener than over there?"

"Of course. Anywhere would be better than this hell hole."

An idea formed in my mind. "Then perhaps, you could… join our pride? My pride?" My tongue had slipped, there was no turning back now, she must know.

"Your pride? No, don't tell me, you aren't the King!"

"What makes you so sure?" I tried to throw her off the scent. It didn't work.

"You are young. Indecisive. You struggle boy, and you need too much help. Any problem and you struggle to deal with it."

I thought about her words and decided they were true. "Well, why do you think I came here in the first place?"

"My experience? Please! I'm no leader. I am my own, as I always say. I have no place in a pride."

"You would in mine," I said quietly.

"You know full well you need the support of the other lionesses. And something tells me you lack it at the moment. Besides, they won't trust me. 'Riverlander' they'll call me. I'd be an outcast. Sorry, Simba. It's not meant to be."

She turned to leave.

"One last question," I said hopefully.

She turned, sighed, and said, "Yes?"

"Last time, you never mentioned what happened to your third cub."

I saw the first sign of weakness and sadness in her eyes.

"I'm not sure I can tell you… I was very close to my three little ones. I miss them all terribly, every day. If there's one regret I hold above all others, its…" she turned her head away, "never mind."

"If you ever have a cub, Simba, treasure it. Do it for my sake as much as for yours. Please, say you will."

"Er, I – will."

And without another word, she left.

For sure, none of my problems had been solved, but I felt that much better now. I returned to Pride Rock ready to face those who remained loyal. They stood in silence waiting for me. One of them stepped forward.

"You have some explaining to do Simba. Shuku told us you plotted with a Riverlander. I followed to call you home, and I go to find you inviting her to join our pride. Could it be that she was right, King?"

Clearly, I did have some explaining to do. Even Nala looked hurt.

"I…," I began, "I, er…"

Sarafina stepped forward, "For now, Simba, we reserve judgement, for we believe in you. But please, for yours and our sake, work with us. Its necessary, you cannot play into Shuku's hands. You know she's wrong, why give her the satisfaction of getting to you? Rise above it and prove her wrong!"

Murmurs of agreement followed her statement.

"I will," I said, rather more bravely than I felt. "And I'm sorry."

With that, they left, leaving Nala and I staring at each other. I couldn't keep her gaze for longer than a few seconds.

"Why'd you do it Simba? Why did you ask her?"

"I don't know. I guess I felt sorry for… her. She understands Nala. You know she does. She's troubled too. I felt I owed her something in return."

"I understand Simba, but the pride won't. To them, she's scum of the Earth. A-and I found something else out, too," she said quietly, "from Terema."

"Oh?"

"She was with Shuku once when they spied on you, and she recognised the rogue. She was the one who killed Yaya, Simba!."