Chapter 32: The Wedding
Three weeks passed. Clous and Zuna had repaired their relationship and were back to spending all their time with one another. They still hadn't agreed about having cubs but the couple decided to put that conversation aside for now so they wouldn't damage the love they had for each other.
Zula seemed to be holding up okay. As with all heart breaks, some days were better for her than others. Jayden made sure to be there for her friend in any way she needed it. They both agreed the conversation with Clous gave her some closure and would help her in the long run. Zula had also talked privately with her sister. She reported that it went well. Zuna was sympathetic and understanding when Zula confessed her feelings. Clous continued to be a good friend to Zula. He didn't let their recent conversation make things awkward between them.
Dayya had been dealing with her own heartbreak well, at least on the outside. She joined the hunt a lot and spent her free time with Nundi, Malowa and Ahila. At first Jayden thought her sister was avoiding her, but it was just that Dayya was becoming closer to her new friends. Jayden made sure to join them several times without Dark there, to get to know them too. Ahila still seemed flighty, but she was still young. Jayden didn't dislike her anymore. Nundi was actually pretty funny when he opened his mouth to make a joke or comment. Malowa and Dayya teased and bickered with each other a lot. Jayden noticed more than once his eyes lingered on the pale red lioness for longer than necessary. She wondered with a smile if her sister ever noticed it to.
Jayden didn't go back to joining the hunt everyday. She did it when she was asked or when she felt the need to exercise. Vitani had still not spoken to her since the day she found out about her and Dark. She supposed her mother was still angry for her about what she did to Dayya, even though all was forgiven and Dayya was moving on. However, she didn't feel the need to get back on her mother's good side. It was an impossible side to get on anyway!
Tome still talked to Jayden normally but never brought up Vitani's behavior which actually brought her relief. Tome, Jayden and Tempest spent a lot of time together with little Torrent. As those weeks passed, Torrent got bigger. He could walk pretty well, only stumbling occasionally when something was in his path or when he tried to turn. He could squeak out a few words now, like "mama," "daddy," "no," and to Jayden's delight, "Jayde."
The dark hair tuft on his head had grown and had more of a curl to it now. Anytime a lioness saw it, they made sure to tell him how cute it was. The cub bashfully covered his hair tuft with his paw whenever that happened.
Jayden got to babysit Torrent a few times so Tempest and Mani could get out together. Jayden loved spending time with her nephew. Sometimes Afia joined them too. Afia had gotten a little taller and loved being around Torrent now that he was bigger. The smaller cub was actually beginning to hold his own against her if she ever roughly shoved him or wrestled him. One such time, Torrent got a good bite in on Afia's paw.
"Ow!" Afia had yelped, pulling away. She went to Jayden who was watching them, "Torrent bit me! That really hurt, Torrent!" she glared at him. The cream cub only laughed. Jayden had to keep from laughing herself.
On another day, Jayden was watching the cubs again, this time with Dark. Afia and Torrent were playing in the dirt together. One would make a pile with the dirt then the other would destroy it in a fit of false rage, then laughter. When it was Afia's turn to destroy, Torrent would shout, "AF, NO!" as she trampled his pile. She'd giggle, then began saying, "TORRENT, NO!" when it was his turn to destroy. Jayden loved how Afia was with the younger cub. They were almost like siblings, even though they were cousins.
As Jayden and Dark watched them, they reflected on their future. "Will our future cubs be this close one day?" she asked him.
"Of course." He nuzzled her.
"How many do you want? Two? Or More?"
"I don't care, as long as they look like you."
She looked at him sharply, "What do you mean?"
"I don't want them to have my nose."
"What are you talking about, nothings wrong with your nose." She kissed it. "Why'd you really say that?"
"Well I just… you know, I don't want them to be all black like me."
"Why?" she studied him.
"I don't want them to grow up hearing the stories about the Black Pride and how the black lions were evil. I don't want them to hear about what I did back then to that lion and think I'm like them. I don't want them to be ashamed."
"I seem to remember two black lions that weren't evil." Jayden said simply. "In fact they are kind and very giving. And one is smokin' hot." She said with a wink and a huge grin.
Dark shoved her with his big paw and rolled his eyes.
She laughed, then said, "Really, I mean it, you should never think anyone of them would be ashamed. Even if any of them turn out that color, it wouldn't matter. There's nothing wrong with them and they'd be 100% loved."
"Of course they would."
"It is likely they'll be dark you know. I'm brown and you're black. We will probably have some adorable dark brown cubs." She smiled widely just thinking about it.
"Yeah I know." He looked genuinely worried. Jayden could only watch him carefully. She hoped overtime his nervousness about the color of their future cubs would disappear.
"Aunt Jayden!" Afia shouted, interrupting her thoughts. "Aunt Jayden!" The orange cub planted herself in Jayden's paws. Torrent followed her saying "An Jayde!" He shoved Afia over to sit with her.
"Yes, cubs?" she had given up trying to explain to Afia that she was her cousin, not aunt.
"Is today Ciara and Kivu's wedding?"
"No dear, that's tomorrow."
"Tomorrow!" Afia pouted.
"Tomar!" Torrent copied.
Jayden and Dark grinned at each other. As if summoned by the topic, Kudzu flew over their heads and disappeared into the distance. She knew he had a lot of work to do today. He was instructed to inform the herd animals about the wedding. Some herds would attend the short ceremony, as it was their future King and Queen who were tying the knot. Jayden couldn't wait to see them gather. She heard it was quite the spectacle.
"Jayden, will you and Dark get married too?" Afia asked with big yellow eyes.
The brown lioness smiled, "Yes, someday."
"Will I ever get married?"
"Maybe. If you find a nice boy."
"It doesn't have to be Torrent does it?"
"Afia, Torrent is your cousin…"
"I don't think she gets the cousin thing." Dark whispered in Jayden's ear.
"Okay good." Afia said and stuck her tongue out at Torrent. The smaller cub had no idea what they were talking about so he just stuck out his tongue back at Afia.
"Torrent has to go home soon." Jayden reminded Afia. "Just a few days."
Sadness instantly crept into Afia's eyes. "Tomorrow?"
"No, not tomorrow."
Afia sighed. "Okay as long as it's not tomorrow." She turned and hugged Torrent suddenly.
"Tomar?" he asked her quietly.
"Not tomorrow, didn't you hear?" she replied.
Jayden was so touched, she wanted to cry. Taking the two friends from each other would be so hard on them. It broke her heart. She looked at Dark with sadness in her eyes. She wondered if he were thinking about her decision about staying or going too.
A couple minutes later, Vitani approached them. Jayden stiffened, but she only spoke to Torrent. "Come on, Torrent, I'm taking you back to your mother."
"Grammani!" Torrent exclaimed and launched himself at her paws.
"It's Grandma Tani." She said as they walked away together.
"Grammani!"
"No.. Grandma Tani." Their voiced grew quieter as the distance grew. Jayden smiled despite her and her mother's silence.
Afia grew tired after Torrent was gone and curled up in Jayden's arms. Zula, Mebala and Taeliss joined them shortly after that. They kept their conversations quiet while the cub was resting. They talked about the wedding. The girls were particularly excited. Taeliss suggested they all put flowers behind their ears to dress up.
"Can we put flowers in your mane?" Zula asked Dark.
"No."
"Aw, come on!" His sister pleaded.
They also talked about a rumor going around that Koru had asked the royals if he could bring a lioness to the wedding. No one had heard from Koru himself and wondered if this was true.
The next day came quickly. All the lions and lionesses of the Pride gathered around the bottom of the steps of Pride Rock. Kiara, Kovu, Simba and Nala were on the top, near the cave's mouth. Kivu stood with them grinning from ear to ear. His mane looked very clean and straight. The curl on the top of his head was even forced down!
"I wonder what kind of bug juice he had to put in his hair to accomplish that?" Mebala had quipped when they noticed it.
Ciara was inside the cave with her mother, Toni, and her friends, Tali and Tempest. Tome and Vitani were babysitting Torrent, and Clous was babysitting Afia.
The herd animals were beginning to arrive. Jayden watched with awe as a small herd of zebra came into view. Soon, there were giraffes, gazelle and antelope behind them. The herds didn't sit near the lions, of course, but near enough to see Pride Rock clearly.
"Wow, how many animals will come?" Jayden murmured with excitement.
"I don't know." Dark said beside her. "But quit looking at them for a moment and look at me."
"Huh?" Jayden turned and looked at him.
Dark's mane was fixed and straight. It looked clean, like he'd run his paw over it a few times. In his mouth was a series of small purple flowers all attached to a single green stem. His lips smiled when she gasped quietly.
"How small and beautiful!" she said.
"May I?"
She smiled and nodded. The brown lioness lowered her head a little and Dark gently placed the tiny flowers behind her left ear. They poked out in front perfectly.
"How do I look?" she asked.
"Wow. You look amazing." He grinned.
She blushed. "Where did you find these?"
He only winked and said, "That's my secret. I call them Jayden's Eyes."
"Oh please." She scoffed and pushed Dark in the chest. He pretended it hurt and they began to play-bicker.
They stopped a few moments later when Mebala and Taeliss approached. They each had a white flower behind their ears that they had picked themselves.
"Hey!" Mebala greeted them. "Did you know it's true about Koru? He did bring a date!"
"What! No way!"
"Yes, she's meeting your parents now. We just saw. Let's go!"
Dark, Jayden, Taeliss and Mebala raced to the underside of Pride Rock. Koru was indeed there with a lioness standing beside him. Dayya, Larne, Tempest (with Torrent at her paws) were there too, standing with Tome and Vitani. Jayden and her friends approached to hear the conversation.
"Mother, this is Jiyi." Koru said, sounding a little nervous.
Jayden instantly recognized the lioness. This was the same female Jayden had seen Koru with near the edge of the Prideland border on the night she and Dark had snuck out to go on a secret stroll together. Jayden turned to look at Dark, he had an expression of recognition too.
"Hi!" The lioness said with a huge smile. "I'm so very excited to meet you!" Her voice was a bit high pitched. Her pelt color was medium brown. Maybe only slightly darker than Tali's and had more of a yellow tint to it. She had a rounded dark pink nose and greenish hazel eyes. She had dark brown markings around her eyes, and Jayden noticed by the lioness's right eye was a small dark dot. She had freckles on her muzzle and had a smaller version of Vitani's hair tuft on her head. She remembered noticing that on the first night she saw this lioness too.
"This is my mom, Vitani. And my dad, Tome." Koru said.
"A pleasure." Vitani said with only a small flash of a smile.
Tome was warmer. "Nice to meet you."
"That cub there is my nephew. "Koru explained to her. "He's my older sister, Tempest's. I think she's in the cave with her friends. His name is Torrent."
"Oh my gosh, he's adorable!" She lowered her head to Torrent's level. "Aren't you cute?"
Torrent only stared at her, then stuck his tongue out at her.
"Be nice." Vitani chided.
"Behind them is my younger sister, Dayya." Koru went on.
"Hello!" Dayya said.
"And that's Larne." Koru gestured to the old lioness who had moved away to lie down. "She's like our grandmother, but we're not really related."
Jiyi nodded with a smile. "You have such a big family!"
Jayden approached from behind. "Hi." She said cheerily. The two of them turned to look at her.
"This is my other sister, Jayden. She's Dayya's twin."
"It's nice to meet you!" Jiyi said with her high pitched voice.
"Same to you, I hope you enjoy your visit at the Pride Lands."
"I love it here!" Jiyi exclaimed. "I've wanted to see it up close for so long! I'm glad Koru finally brought me here."
Jayden took the opportunity to introduce Dark, who she introduced as her mate. She also introduced Taeliss and Mebala. Taeliss asked where she was from. Jiyi explained she had been just wandering from the time she learned how to hunt. She said she never minded being alone. She launched into the story of how she and Koru met. Koru looked embarrassed.
"I hurt my paw when I had tripped one night, and there he was. It was like he was an apparition, appearing out of the fog. He licked my paw until I felt better." She grinned at him.
"How sweet, Koru." Jayden said, giving him a toothy smirk. He blushed.
While they talked, more animals had arrived. Jayden spotted some ostriches that had settled near the gazelle. Speaking of spotted, two cheetahs had shown up too. They didn't sit close to any of the other animals. Jayden was glad to not see any leopards. It was becoming crowded and loud. The animals were staying stationary for the most part, but still bleated, called stamped or snorted every now and then. Surely they were wondering when the ceremony would begin.
The group decided to move to Pride Rock's stone steps where the Pride was expected to stand once the ceremony began. Most of the Pride had already gathered there. Jayden moved to sit beside Zula, Zuna and Clous. Afia was asleep in Clous's paws. Dark followed her, but Mebala, Taeliss, Dayya, Koru and Jiyi stayed near the bottom of the steps.
"Is that Koru's date?" Zula asked.
"Yeah, her name is Jiyi. She seems nice." Jayden replied.
"What's with that voice?" Clous commented. From where they sat, they could hear the high pitched voice.
"It certainly carries, doesn't it?" Zuna added. The others nodded.
"Nice flowers, Jayden!" Zula said nodding to the purple blossoms behind her ear.
"Thanks! Dark found them."
Jayden realized Zula was the only girl who didn't have a flower yet. Zuna had a red flower behind her ear. Clous must have gotten it for her. Jayden asked Dark to bite off one of the little ones off her flower's stem and put it behind Zula's ear.
"Aw thanks big brother. Does this mean you're my date?" Zula joked.
"Certainly, if Jayden will share me."
"Oh sure, why not." Jayden grinned.
Dark turned to Clous. "How did you get Afia to sleep with all this noise?"
Clous looked at his little sister in his paws. "She's tired from all the excitement."
"Did she get a flower?" Jayden asked.
"Oh boy, did she." Zuna said.
"It's over there." Clous said, motioning with his head further along the large stone they were on. On the step was a smashed and trampled red flower. "She said she hates flowers then proceeded to destroy it."
"That sounds like her." Jayden smiled.
A few minutes later, Toni, Tali and Tempest came out from the cave.
"It must be almost time!" Jayden said excitedly.
Tempest went to sit by Mani who was on one of the steps higher than Jayden and her group. Tali joined the two. Jayden saw a light yellow flower behind Tempst's ear. If she were closer, she would have seen the light blue specks of color on the petals. Mairu was coming up the steps now and joined the royals at the top near the cave's mouth. They talked quietly for a moment with big smiles. Mairu would be the one to do the ceremony.
Behind Mairu, up came Jai. He went straight to Tali and held out something for her.
"Tali, I got this for you." Jai said with teeth clenched. In his mouth was a blue flower.
Mani's mouth dropped as he watched but didn't say anything. Tempest flashed a huge open-mouth grin.
"Well isn't that pretty? Thanks Jai." Tali said. "Will you put it on me?" she asked, blinking at him.
"Of course." Jai closed the distance between them and carefully set the flower behind her ear. "It looks really good on you." He said shyly.
Tali smiled at him. "Oh Jai, you're the sweetest boy I know." And she slowly moved to touch her nose to his cheek. Jai blushed. Even his ears turned pink.
Before anyone, namely Mani, could react to this, Mairu was starting to speak to the crowd. "Please be seated!" She called.
Jayden hadn't noticed Mairu and all the Royals had moved to Pride Rock's peak. The excitement on the steps had distracted her and made her heart beat fast. She felt a flutter of happiness for Jai and Tali. Would they become a couple?
"The ceremony is about to begin if everyone could quiet down." Mairu said. The Pride Land lions and lionesses quieted but the animals that had gathered were still carrying on. Kudzu was flying overhead of them trying to quiet them, but it wasn't working.
"Quiet please!" Mairu tried to shout to the animals, but they didn't hear her.
Below her, at Pride Rock's bottom, Larne let out a huge roar that scared all the animals into silence. Jayden was surprised some of them hadn't run.
"Thank you, Larne." Mairu said. The old lioness grinned in response. Since the crowd had silenced, Kudzu flew in and perched on Kovu's shoulder. "The ceremony will now begin." Mairu announced.
Kovu and Kiara smiled widely, looking proud. Simba and Nala nuzzled each other, probably thinking back to their wedding day long ago. Kivu stood facing the cave, shifting from one foot to the other. He looked very nervous.
Jayden's heart beat fast. "This is it!"
Out of the cave came Ciara lead by her father, Jai Senior. Ciara looked beautiful. Her friends had placed several little white flowers in Ciara's red hair tuft, which looked extra brilliant today. Behind Ciara's ear was a large white lily with bursts of pink coming from the center.
"Wow…" Jayden whispered. Other similar quiet remarks from the other lionesses rang out. Along with gasps or sighs.
Ciara smiled from ear to ear, and so did the proud lion beside her. They walked slowly together toward Kivu and Mairu on the peak. Kivu stared at Ciara with huge eyes. He looked as if his mouth might drop any moment. When they reached each other, Ciara said hi and giggled.
Kivu could only say "wow" causing a chuckle to ripple through the gathered lions. Ciara turned to her dad. He smiled at her so widely.
"There isn't any other lion in the whole world more suited for you than him, Ciara. I love you." Jai Senior nuzzled his daughter.
"Oh dad, thank you." She nuzzled him back and licked his cheek. He smiled and turned back to walk down the peak and joined the Pridelanders waiting on the side.
"Today two families are becoming one." Mairu began, speaking loudly for all to hear. "Toni and Jai Senior had Ciara nearly four years ago. She has grown into a fine strong young lioness. She and her brothers, Jai Junior and Nundi will be joining Kivu's family. Kiara and Kovu had their son almost four years ago as well. Kivu and Ciara were betrothed at birth and remained friends through their young years. Kivu has grown to be a loyal lion with strong morals. Kivu, his parents and his siblings, Clous and Afia will be joining Ciara's family. Is this acceptable to the royal family?"
Mairu turned to look at Kovu and Kiara.
"It is." They said in unison.
Mairu looked down at Clous.
"It is." He called. Then, "Afia's asleep but she said 'it is' too."
This brought more chuckles.
"And is this acceptable to Ciara's family?" Mairu asked and turned to Jai Senior who now stood near Toni with Jai and his friends.
Jai Sr., Toni and Jai all said, "It is."
Mairu searched for Nundi.
"He's down here!" Someone proclaimed. More chuckles rang out. Nundi sat near the bottom of the rock by Ahila, Drayden and Malowa. Ahila nudged Nundi in the shoulder.
"Oh, uh.. it is." Nundi said.
"Good." Mairu grinned. "And is this acceptable to all Pride Land and visiting lions? All who congregate here today?"
All other lions called, "It is."
"And I agree, let's get these two married!" Mairu grinned and faced the couple. "Ciara, do you take Kivu to be your husband and mate now and forever?"
"I do." She smiled.
"Kivu, do you take Ciara to be your wife and mate now and forever?"
"Of course I do."
Ciara giggled.
"Then I, Mairu of the Pride Lands, pronounce you married." Mairu moved closer to them and with her eyes closed, touched her nose to Kivu's forehead, then to Ciara's. When the old lioness opened her eyes, she smirked at Kivu. "You can kiss her now."
Kivu grinned hugely and licked Ciara across the cheek excitedly.
"Hey!" she giggled, then nuzzled him fiercely. The crowd let out awwws and roars of approval. Mairu, Kivu and Ciara then moved to the very edge of the peak and faced outward toward all the animals.
"I present Kivu and Ciara of Pride Rock, now husband and wife. Future king and Queen of the Pridelands.
The animals began to cheer and stop loudly. The lions joined in with their roars. Jayden added her voice and roared with all her might for the couple. Kivu and Ciara nuzzled each other happily while wind swirled around them, pushing their respective manes to and fro. They listened to their cheers with huge smiles.
It took a while for the cheers to die down, and once they did, Kiara and Kovu padded over to the couple. Mairu had moved back toward the cave. Toni went up to her and told her she'd done a great job with the ceremony.
"We're so proud of you two." Kiara said as she nuzzled her son, then Ciara.
"May you have a long blissful life together." Kovu added, and nuzzled them both too. Then he turned to the crowds of animals and lions. "Before everyone goes, there's something I'd like to announce.
There was silence throughout.
Kiara and Kovu were grinning and they looked at the newly married couple.
"Kiara and I will be announcing our retirement as King and Queen in one year."
"And we will be appointing Kivu and Ciara as the new King and Queen of the Pride Lands."