The sparkling moonlight glinted off the tall blades of grass, and filtered through the low tree branches as Daren and Rafiki made their way through the small jungle. They had been running for all of the afternoon and late into the night. Daren's paws burned as if they were on fire, and every step tore at his chest. He had never run so fast for so long. Soon Rafiki stopped in a small clearing, and held his breath, as if listening. Daren caught up to him and collapsed on the ground, his sides heaving.
"Rafiki, please can we stop now?" he panted, his lungs fighting for breath.
The baboon raised a finger to his lips and motioned for silence. As Daren lay beside him, he heard sounds all around him in the forest and shuddered. Something was coming. As he struggled to raise his exhausted body, and prepare to fight, two animals, unlike any he had ever seen before, stepped out of the trees.
Daren's eyes widened in wonder as he looked at the figures who had gracefully stepped into the clearing. They were smaller than lions, and their bodies were quite a similar shape. The animals had longer ears however, and thinner faces. They even had thick manes. In the moonlight, Daren noticed the animals' reddish-brown and white fur. Their chests and paws were white, and their fur was thick and fluffy. Daren noticed that their tails were fluffy and they ruffled in the wind. He frowned. What strange things were these?
The two smaller animals approached Daren and Rafiki, and the young cub's muscles tensed, his body ready to spring. The slightly taller animal of the two stepped up to Rafiki, and respectfully lowered his head. The wise old baboon did the same, and then embraced the fluffy animal.
"What brings you here?" the stranger asked. He turned and looked down at Daren.
"My old friend," said Rafiki, "this is Daren, Prince of the Pridelands.
The fluffy animal's eyes flicked back to Rafiki. "Come. We will discuss this in my den."
Turning, the two animals led the way through the trees with Rafiki close behind. Daren sighed and got to his paws, following them at a slower pace. Finally, they stepped out into a large clearing. Daren gasped as he looked around him, and saw the same fluffy-furred animals everywhere, gazing curiously at him. Large holes were everywhere in the clearing, and the animals darted in and out of them. Near the far edge of the clearing, a rock stood in the moonlight. Daren's heart lurched, as he realized that the rock looked very familiar. It was like a smaller version of his dear Pride Rock.
At the base of the rock, Daren noticed another hole. One of the fluffy creatures was sitting just in the entrance of it. As the group approached the hole, the animal stepped out and dipped her head. Daren's ears flicked back, as he watched Rafiki step into the dark hole. Trembling slightly, he followed them inside.
To his surprise, the hole opened up slightly, and Daren found that there was more than enough room for the entire group inside it. He settled himself down on the sandy ground, and sighed, grateful to finally give his aching body a rest. As he waited, Rafiki and the animals spoke together in hushed tones. As they whispered together, Daren's eyelids began to feel heavy and he was ready to fall asleep when the animal that had greeted them cleared his throat and began to speak.
"Young Prince Daren," he began, and Daren looked up in surprise, his curiosity getting the better of him. "My name is Jayson. My parents knew your grandparents well, and I have been a friend to Rafiki for many years. He has told me about your recent loss, and the terrible things that have happened in the Pride Lands. I want to welcome you here. From now on, our home is your home."
The young prince nodded, his mind filled with many emotions. He opened his mouth to speak, but the animal shook his head.
"Go to sleep, Prince Daren," he said. "You have had a long night. Tomorrow we will talk." Turning, he left the hole, and the others followed him. Only the animal who had been sitting at the mouth of the hole remained. Her soft brown eyes gazed at him, and she moved closer, giving his head a comforting lick.
"Good night," she whispered; her voice soft and gentle.
The animal lay down beside the young prince, and pressed her warm body close to his. It reminded Daren of how his mother used to sleep beside him at night. Daren wanted to thank the animal, but exhaustion set in. As the sweet scent of the animal surrounded him, Daren let out a deep sigh, and drifted away into a dreamless sleep.