Chapter Four Meeting with Nala

Nala was summoned to the Office o f the President of the Healer School. As she waited on an antelope covered rock, she thought about her life so far. She was proud of being valedictorian and of becoming a healer but she had one regret in her life, the loss of her cub, Tau.

Nala had arrived at the healer school heavily pregnant. She showed promise in her classes and did not think about her pregnancy too much. Halfway though the first year, she gave birth to a strapping boy with a brown pelt. He had a black mane but was shaped more like her instead of Scar. He even had Nala's blue eyes. She named him Tau after her grandfather. She loved him and wanted to raise him herself. But Kanya, the dean in charge of the healers told her that she would be expelled from the school if she did not give up her cub. Lionesses with cubs were not permitted to become healers until the cubs were at least two years old. Kanya had suggested that she give the cub up to the orphanage in the Medicine Pride. Tau would be raised at the orphanage to become a healer. Another option was to give him up for adoption. Nala would not do either one. At this point, Kanya threatened her. "King Simba who is paying for your training, expects you to give up this cub. What am I going to tell him? How will you take care of this cub if you have no pride to go to?"

Kanya continued'"I am going to see the President of the school about this. Maybe he can suggest something. I know one thing though. If you do not finish your course here, Simba will not allow you to return to the Pridelands."

After one day, Nala had decided she would join her father's pride. Maybe he would accept her and the cub. She had enough training to work as a lay healer. She could come back when Tau was two years old. She would tell this when she would be summoned to see Kanya again. When she came to see Kanya in the latter's office Nala found Kanya had made up plans for her. "I have some great news for you, Nala, " the Dean of Healers stated. '"I contacted your father and brother about your little problem and they will look after your son until you complete your studies here. After that you can either take your son or leave him with your father's family. Your brother has a mate who has trouble having cubs. She is really excited about raising Tau. In fact your brother and his wife were coming here to adopt another cub and they were very excited about getting my message."

Nala was stunned. She did not want to give Tau away. She told Kanya "NO!"

"What do you mean, no? Your son is going with your relatives. He will be cared for until you can have him and you can finish your studies. Then you can make up your mind whether to go to your father's pride or marry King Simba. This is the best solution. If I were you, I would give your son to your brother. You can have more children! I am sure King Simba would agree with me!'"

"I want my son. I will go to my father's pride and become their healer. When my son is two, I will return to complete my studies."

"That will be hard. And your pride has one of our graduates already placed there as a healer. They do not need you. Your son will be in good hands and you can visit him and then raise him after you complete your studies. This plan will work out for everyone. In fact, I have been keeping in touch with King Simba. I told him that the child will be placed with your family."

Nala hung her head in defeat. She agreed to the plan. At least she would be able to return for her son in another year. But after a few visits with Tau, she realized that she was no longer his mother. Mheetu and his wife had developed an attachment to the cub. They had taken Tau and adopted a girl cub. Tau hardly ever wanted to visit with her and he called Mheetu's wife his Mommy. Mheetu was going to be the new King of the Pride and he was making Tau the Crown Prince. He asked Nala if he could adopt Tau. For Tau's sake Nala agreed. Her child would have a better future with a real family that loved him and cared for him. Sadly she realized he would be better off with them and he would be a king and heir. She could still see her son once in a while but she was more like an aunt to him then his mother. So all she could do was finish her studies and come home to King Simba. And that time was fast approaching. Once she was back in the Pridelands she would be expected to assume her duties as Queen. Simba had been in contact with the school and he told her to take the leadership training in addition to her medical training. She completed these classes and now she would be able to assume her duties as queen once she graduated. Zazu, Rafiki, and Sarafina would give her the lessons and King Simba would gradually initiate her into her duties as monarch. She really did not like the direction her life was taking but what choice did she have? She owed Simba some of her time because he had paid for her training as a healer. At least she would also be Chief Medic.

A lioness summoned her to the President's office. When she stepped inside, she gasped in shock. A large golden lion with a magnificent red mane and gorgeous ruby orbs smiled at her. He looked a little older but he was still powerful and regal and he still took her breath away. The last time she had seen this beloved face was when this same lion has rescued her from three hyenas when she was just a cub. It was King Mufasa. "King Mufasa," she cried. 'what are you doing here? Is it really you?'"Then she ran to the large lion and threw her forelegs around him. He hugged her back.

"I am no longer a king, " Mufasa said. "You can call me Mufasa or just Dad since we are almost family. And Nala you are beautiful. I am so proud of you for becoming a healer. It will only add to your talents as queen."

"How did you get here?"

"Rafiki had an elephant bring me here after Scar dropped me into the gorge. This pride was fairly new back then. I was healed in six months. I did not go back because Rafiki though that Scar would attempt to murder me again if he found out I was alive. I stayed on to train as a healer and organize and administer the school. And I did not know about Simba or you until this week. Rafiki has not been to see me in a long time."

"Are you coming back to the Pridelands, Mufasa? I am sure Simba would love to see you back there and so would I. You could be King again."

"I am going to let Simba be King, Nala. In fact I am going to resign my position here and act as a medic and an advisor to my son if he will have me. I can hardly wait to get back to the Pridelands and attend the wedding of my son and future daughter-in-law. And I look forward to having grandkids."

At the mention of this Nala's eyes welled with tears. She really missed her son. She felt she had to tell Mufasa about Tau, "Mufasa, there is something I have to tell you." She told him everything about Scar, Simba's plan to send her to become a healer, and how Kanya had forced her to give up Tau to her brother. She even explained that Mheetu had made Tau a crown prince and that she felt that Tau had a better future with Mheetu "Mufasa, am I a bad parent for giving him up?"

Mufasa looked at her with his gentle eyes and said in a strong voice:

"No, I think you wanted him to have a good future. It seems to me that he is happy and well adjusted from what you tell me. He is probably better off with your brother since Simba refused to accept him' Do not feel bad, Nala. You were unselfish. You did what was best for your son. You put his welfare above your need to have him with you. It seems to me that you are a good mother." Mufasa patted her paw with his own larger one. Nala felt better. It would be great to have Mufasa back with her in the Pridelands.

All too soon Nala finished her classes and attended her graduation. Mheetu, Mufasa, and even Tau attended as well as Nala's father. King Simba was too busy to attend. He would welcome her home. Mufasa did not announce his return. He wanted to surprise his son. In fact he decided that he would let Nala see Simba first, then he would return two weeks later.