Another three weeks has gone by, Eshe was still reeling from her conversation with her mother. She already knows who's to rule alongside her but there's other things that were more higher on her to do list.

Like for a an instance, she was meeting with Doa and Kula. She had no idea what the lionesses wanted to meet about, so she was completely surprised when she got to the meeting spot and saw her cousin Malka, her mother, brother, grandmother as well as Doa's daughter, Tafiti.

The meeting place was in a cave near pride rock she once remembered was the lair of the Lion Guard from one of her lessons before the accident. Shaking her head, the light brown lioness sat and dipped her head for someone to begin.

Doa and Kula shared a look before the creamy lioness took a deep breath before speaking.

"I don't know how you'll react, but I knew of the plot against your family."

Eshe didn't know what to say to that before she could handle her feelings Doa spoke with great pain in her voice.

"I did as well, my queen."

Tears fell from the young queen's green eyes. "We were friends! You betrayed me!"

Kula sobbed as Doa frowned as she pinned her thinly light brown rimmed ears. "Please, uunderstand! Kula was just a cub who was later abused by her own step-father!"

Eshe stopped pacing as she shot her head towards the older creamy brown lioness. "What do you mean by.. abused?"

Kula glanced at Malka who was clearly fighting with his feelings before looking at the queen with pain filled brown eyes. "I'm currently expecting Mufasa's cubs."

Everyone gasped. Malka looked up before snarling as he stormed out of the cave.

Eshe was silent for a moment before looking at Doa and Tafiti. "I'm assuming you regret your decision to follow my uncle as well?"

Doa nodded. "Immediately so. Soon after Mufasa forced the Queen Mother to abdicate, I joined her pride. I couldn't raise my cub under that influence."

Eshe sighed deeply. "I pardoned you both. As Tafiti was born after the treason, she's not affected but you both will be closely watched."

Doa and Kula glanced at one another, which didn't go unnoticed by Sarabi or Eshe.

"Is there something else you need to say?" Eshe looked between the two.

Kula sighed as she nodded. "Please don't underestimate my mother. She's been out of the action because she is pregnant with Mufasa's cubs as well. Once she gives birth, she'll surely come for you. She's already poisoning my brother, Chumvi's mind. Mbamba is a lost cause, but you need to be aware."

"As well as Zira and Judith." Doa added. "Those three are insanely loyal to Mufasa and no doubt will be seeking revenge."

Eshe started pacing again. "Avana's pregnant, I can't exiled them.. can I?"

"There's plenty of places she and whoever else is loyal to them and Mufasa could go." Sarabi advised before sighing heavily. "Unfortunately, even though we were warned. We can't exiled them without a accountability."

Sãhasí snarled in annoyance. "So what! We wait around for them to attack my sister!"

Sarabi didn't like it either but it was out of their paws unless they wanted to be seen as unfair and unjust.

Eshe seemingly reading her mother's thoughts sighed. "We don't need to be associated with Mufasa. We'll keep our guard up,"

That's when Sãhasi's orange eyes widened as a large smile formed. "That's it! That's our answer!"

Eshe frowned as well as the others gathered in the cave.

The pale brown lion smiled as he approached his sister. "Reinstate the Lion Guard! That way the kingdom will be protected as well!"

Eshe honestly thought about it but she couldn't just make a decision right on the spot even if reinstating the lion guard was the perfect option.

A loud roar caused the queen to stop mid pace, the intrusion got the attention of everyone in the cave. Before questions could be asked a familiar voice laced with worry came into the cave followed by the light blue feather body of Arella.

"Your majesty, you must come quickly! Rogues are at the border, Lord Mheetu has already went ahead!"

...

On the Pridelands northern border was a small group of survivors. A teenage white lion was lying on a perch, bored as he blew a piece of his growing white mane out of his face.

"What are we waiting for?"

A creamy tan lioness sighed before turning her pale blue eyes towards her nephew. "Because these are someone else's kingdom. It's the polite thing to do."

A few minutes after their queen sent the roar, another roar echoed back. The group didn't have to wait long before a tawny lion, with a dark brown mane came running over.

"You're trespassing on Pridelands territory!"

A dark red lioness stepped up with a regal step. "My name is Queen Afua. I recently became queen after the murder of my father, King Obasi of the Southern kingdom. Huge white lions attacked our kingdom, this group and myself are the only ones that survived from our pride."

The tawny lion looked the dark red lioness and her small pride over before moving his teal eyes back to Afua. "You seek refuge?"

"Yes," Afua smiled stepping closer. "Are you the king of these lands?"

The male cleared his throat before shaking his head. "I'm the future consort to the queen. And that's who will determine your fate."

"Mheetu!"

The tawny lion along with the Southerners looked to see a young light brown lioness charge forward with a light cream, dark red mane lion and a teenage pale brown, brownish mane lion.

"Are you alright?" the light brown lioness nuzzled the tawny lion.

"Better now, my queen."

Afua wanted to gag when one of the males that came with the cub-queen caught her attention. Soon her dark orange eyes widened with recognition. "Tojo!"

The light cream lion looked towards who called his name, for his pale blue eyes to widened. "Afua? What are you doing here?"

"Wait," the Pridelands queen shook her head. "Tojo, you know them?"

Mheetu nudge the light brown lioness. "I believe introductions are in order."

Tearing her green eyes away, the light brown lioness returned her attention to the Southerners. "I am Queen Eshe. You already met my future consort, I believe you already know Tojo and lastly my brother, Prince Sãhasí. How can I help you?"

Afua pinned her ears back as she bowed. "I'm Queen Afua. I'm seeking refuge for the remainder of my pride and myself."

Eshe stared down the older lioness before dipping her head. "The Pridelands are all about second chances. I'll allow you and her pride to stay."

"We're truly thankful, my queen. We're in your debt." Afua praised as she continued to bow.

"Yes, well..." Eshe turned before looking over her shoulder. "Welcome to the Pridelands. If you follow us, we'll get you settled in."

Afua stood up and started walking, with a flick of her tail the rest of the group followed. Both groups were unaware of a pair of orange eyes spying before quickly disappearing.

~TLK~

In the cave on the Pridelands border the loyalist of Mufasa were gathered waiting for their orders. Lying down on the side of the cave was Avana across from her were Zira and Tama. Sleeping by the dark tan lioness' side was a small tan cub with a scruffy tan tuff on her head.

"Mother!"

Avana's dark orange eyes moved from the sisters to the cave entrance where a dark brown teen lion with a small dark red mane came running in.

"Mother! There are new lions in the Pridelands!"

Judith sneered as she and Mbamba approached. "What good will that do for us?"

Chumvi narrowed his orange eyes at the dark grey lioness. "Mufasa is gone but I'm still my father's heir!"

"Watch how you speak to my mother, twerp!" Mbamba growled as he bared his teeth at his half-brother.

"Alright! That's enough!" Avana roared. Both lions bowed their heads in submission. "We have actual enemies! So I suggest we focus on them!"

Judith rolled her light green eyes. "Do you happen to have any plans, ole great leader of ours?"

Avana stood and faced the grey pelted lioness, her teeth bared as she snapped close to Judith's face before snarling. "Remember your place! As well as remember that just because I'm pregnant doesn't mean I won't show you who's exactly in charge! Do I make myself clear!"

Judith glared as she growled lowly before bowing her head. "Of course, m'lady. I will never forget."

"Mother," Avana turned to her son with a raised eyebrow. Chumvi stepped forward with cautious steps. "I have no doubt that they believe you won't strike because your pregnant. I could lead a strike and kill her myself!"

The dark brown lioness shook her head. "No. I can't risk you, my dear. You're too important to me."

"We can't wait and do nothing!" Mbamba growled in annoyance.

"Patience is virtue, Mbamba. Do remember that." Avana sneered at the black lion. "We'll have our revenge. I don't how long from now, but vengeance will be ours!"

Avana roared leading the rest of Mufasa's pride in a chorus of roars as the full moon shined faintly against the night sky.