Time passed, and the floxes continued to live in the Pride Lands as the red sun rose and fell each day. Soon, Kianga bore the signs of cubs and the animals waited in deep anticipation. Rehema recovered from her loss and threw herself into healing – caring for each injured or sick animal as needed. All was well.

Almost.

King Daren stood alone on Pride Rock, looking out over the healthy, glowing lands. He had his pride and his kingdom back, he had a mate and soon he would be blessed with an heir. But still, the young king felt an empty place. Lisha – his dear adopted mother, had disappeared only a few days before her sister gave birth to the still cub. Time and time again, Daren had asked the floxes to go out in search of her, but every time, they returned, having found no sign of her. And so, as the sun rose and set each day, Daren stood alone at the peak of Pride Rock, gazing out across the lands, in desperate hope that one day, the silent lioness would return.

As Daren turned away, tears pricking his eyes, something on the horizon caught his attention. Stepping forwards, he strained to make it out. Two figures stood just within the border, a lion and a lioness. The golden colored lion was not familiar to the king, but there was no mistaking the lioness's pelt. Turning, Daren bolted down the rocks, not stopping for anything. He tore through the tall grass, finally slowing as he neared the border. Gasping for breath, he approached the pair, his eyes lighting up at the sight of them. It was Lisha!

The scarred lioness stepped forwards, her eyes sparkling. She rested her head on top of Daren's, nuzzling him gently as she always used to. The king breathed in her scent, sighing. Finally, she was back.

"Lisha, I missed you so much," he murmured.

The lioness stepped back, smiling. Then, she turned and nodded towards the lion. He stepped forwards, and Daren could tell the stranger was older than him. He felt nervous, but before he could say a word, the lion greeted him.

"Your majesty, I come and humbly ask that I be allowed to enter your lands. I have no desire to claim your pride or cause any trouble. I just want…to see Rehema again."

Daren raised an eyebrow and stared at the lion. "How do you know her?" he asked. The lion sighed.

"A long time ago, we played as cubs. As we grew older, I fell in love with her. One day, I asked that my parents meet with hers, to ask that I be granted permission to take her as my mate. I was with them at the time and her parents were more than happy for us. But, as we returned to where her parents had left her and her younger sister, a terrible sight met our eyes. The clearing was torn, the signs of a struggle lay everywhere. Fur – and blood lined the grass. At that moment, I lost hope. I left my parents and journeyed on my own. I have never loved another."

Daren glanced at Lisha who nodded slowly. The lion spoke the truth. Daren wondered how Lisha had found the stranger, and how she had convinced him to return with her. However, he knew of the strange connection she was able to have with others. Now the decision was his.

Nodding to the lion, Daren turned. "Come, I will take you to where she is."

The two lions and Lisha made their way slowly towards Pride Rock. Stopping just short of it, Daren noticed Rehema sitting alone by the waterhole. Just in front of her was the small mound which covered her only cub. Daren swallowed, as compassion and grief ran through his mind. Turning, he stared at the lion.

"She had been through much pain," he said softly. "Do not add to it."

Daren and Lisha continued on towards Pride Rock, leaving the lion alone in the tall grass. Slowly, he approached the mourning lioness. Clearing his throat, he stood motionless, waiting for her reaction. Glancing up, Rehema saw the lion standing near her. Something seemed familiar about the golden lion.

Suddenly, she rushed towards him. "Kade!" she exclaimed, as she threw herself against him. The lion sighed thankfully and returned Rehema's embrace.

"Rehema, I have missed you so much," he whispered. "I thought you had been killed."

The lioness gulped, tears running down her fur. "And I never thought I would see you again."

Rehema stepped back, her gaze sweeping over the golden lion. He smiled at her. "Rehema, I still love you. I never want to be apart from you again."

Rehema was almost overwhelmed. It was what she had always wanted – to be loved. And even now, after all this time, Kade still felt the same about her. As she gazed at him, the lioness realized that her feelings for him had never faded away. The loneliness she had often felt, even while at Redeye's side, was because her heart still yearned for him. She had never forgotten his love.

"Kade," she whispered, "will you stay here with me? That is, if King Daren allows it?"

The golden lion nodded. "I want to spend the rest of my days by your side."

Embracing again, the pair slowly made their way to Pride Rock, to ask Daren's permission. The king was overjoyed and granted it immediately, with Kianga looking on proudly at his side. Nearby, Lisha stood in silence. After a few minutes of celebration, Rehema left Kade's side and approached her sister.

"Lisha, I felt so lost – so alone when you were absent as I gave birth. But now I know what you were doing for me and I am more grateful than I can ever describe."

Lisha smiled, her lighter patch of moon-shaped fur glinting in the sunlight. Rehema smiled back.

"Besides, I would never have become as good friends with Kianga as I am now," she added. She glanced over at the gentle queen, standing next to Daren. Lisha smiled again and left the group, stepping down the rocks towards the floxes. They were delighted to see her again and immediately surrounded her with smiling faces and wagging tails.

As the evening set in, Rehema and Kade walked together through the grass. All around them, the stars twinkled. Rehema sighed happily, and then turned to Kade, her eyes wet with tears.

"Kade, I lost hope that this would happen," she said. Kade turned to look at her.

"What do you mean?" he asked.

"That I would be loved."

Kade pulled her against him, his body warm despite the cool night breeze. "I promise, you will never be alone again."

When the sun began to set the next evening, it set on two new cubs. As the exhausted Kianga rose from where she had spent the day with Rehema, Azmera and Lisha by her side, the animals gathered below to attend the announcing of the new heirs. Like the traditions of old, Rehema, as the healer, stood at the edge of Pride Rock and presented the cubs. Kianga had given birth to twin girls – a rusty colored cub with green eyes and a creamy cub with the eyes of the kings.

Daren smiled at his mate and glanced down at his daughters, Daysha and Karida. He had done everything in his power to make a good future for them and his pride.

Far above the assembled animals, three figures stood amongst the clouds in silence. Their glowing manes flowed gently in the breeze as they looked down on the Pride Lands and their king with satisfaction and approval. Turning, the older lion and the lion with a scar faced the third king, as he looked down on his son.

"Daren, I am so proud of you," he whispered.

As the three lions disappeared back into the stars, Daren raised his head as his father's voice was carried on the wind towards him. The king could have sworn that he had heard Kimoni speak, and as he turned to face his mate, he realized that Kianga had heard the same thing. The Great Kings truly were watching over them.