I'm not sure if there is really anyone actually reading this but if there is, since this is a Alternative Universe, things are switched and not going to be the same. I admit that I'm mostly updating the story because I would love to read something like this.
Anyway, to those who are reading here's the last chapter of The Lioness Queen. I've already have a second book in works.
Eshe's and Mheetu's wedding was postponed with the recent slaughters. Then a death that was close to the royal family halted a lot of things as well.
On this particular day it was a gorgeous, sunny afternoon in the Pridelands. Graceful animals such as gazelles and giraffes pranced through the beautiful savannah without a care in the world. The sun shined across the land, illuminating the crystal, clear waterhole. Birds sang and butterflies floated around. Despite the beauty the Pridelands' atmosphere had to offer, this day was all but cheerful. In fact, this was a sad occasion.
"Blessed we were to have known Duchess Sanaa, the adopted mother to our late Prince-Consort Taka." Rafiki spoke. "We'll never see her here again in body, offering support and such. But she remains with us all in spirit. May her spirit be guided where she can rest in eternal peace. Duchess Sanaa, we say goodbye to you. Gone but never forgotten."
Eshe and the pride were overwhelmed with tears as Rafiki led this mournful ceremony. Sanaa's death was a peaceful one. The gold-tan lioness was truly an important part of Eshe's life, having been there for her since the day she left the womb. Once the burial service for the duchess was over, everyone departed from the site.
Later on that day, Eshe stood at the peak of Pride Rock and stared out at the setting sun. The light brown lioness was hardly feeling any better. The death of her grandmother was just another weight on her.
"Queen Eshe?" a voice interrupted the queen's thoughts.
Eshe looked and seen one of the huntresses, Rhea's daughter. "Hey Maisie."
Little Maisie, now three months and a half, climbed onto the queen's back. She was an adorable little rascal. She must got her appearance from her father, rogue that Rhea must of met. Light beige with grey eyes.
"I'm sorry about your grandma," Maisie said.
"Yes, so am I," Eshe sighed."However, it's only a short matter of time before my grief passes. You remember what your mom taught you about death and how it applies to the great circle of life?"
"Yes," Maisie nodded."Death is inevitable. There is always more life after death. It is what we do while we're alive that makes all the difference."
Eshe smiled before bending down causing the female cub to fall and giggle. Eshe and nuzzled the cub before a clearing of a throat caused the light brown lioness to look and see her mother walking over.
"Maisie, your mother is looking for you."
The light beige cub nodded and ran towards the cave. Sarabi chuckled before turning her orange eyes on her daughter with a sigh.
"Eshe, what's wrong?"
Eshe raised a eye brow. "What makes you think something is wrong?"
The dark beige lioness sighed heavily before shaking her head. "Eshe, you're my daughter. I know when something is bothering you." Sarabi took a deep breath. "Does it have to do what Doa and Kula told us?"
Eshe looked at her mother with wide eyes. "How did you know?"
Sarabi looked at her daughter and sighed deeply, "You haven't exactly been the same since that day. What's exactly wrong?"
Eshe frowned as her tail swayed side to side. "I really want to have cubs but how can I bring cubs into the world knowing that I have a target on my life?"
Sarabi pinned her dark brown rimmed ears against her head. "I see where that would worry you. But you have a amazing future mate and the lion guard is doing wonderful." she took a light beige paw and held her daughter's face affectionately. "My dear daughter. It would do you no good to wonder all the time."
Eshe bumped her head against her mother's before standing. "Unfortunately now I have to check on Avana. I don't know why but she left to give birth a few days ago. She came back earlier today, so I'm going to see her than go check on the herds with Tafiti."
Mother and daughter bid farewell before Eshe turned towards the slope, headed towards the cave that sat on the borders.
Mufasa's Loyalist Cave
A eight month old tan cub rolled his light purple eyes as he watched the lionesses that was loyal to his father fawn over his new baby sister and brother.
"They're adorable. What are their names?" asked a pale gray lioness.
Avana looked from the pale gray lioness to the brownish and dark gold cubs at her side. "Mufasa wanted to name the male, Simba and the female is Sherise."
"Lady Avana! Mama!"
Both Avana and Tama looked up towards the cave entrance to see a orange-tan furred cub run in with a small orange-tan backwards tuff on her head and wide bluish eyes.
The orange lioness stood from her sister's side and over to her daughter. "Zuri, what is it?"
The cub stopped by the tan cub's side. Her small yellow chest was heaving as she tried to catch her breath. "Queen Eshe is on her way."
Avana snarled before growling when the light brown lioness appeared with a creamy brown lioness with brownish spots on her legs and a brownish stripe on her back. "Eshe...What pleasure do I owe of this visit?"
Eshe dipped her head before looking at the dark gold and brownish cubs that was looking around with bright orange and purple eyes.
The queen cleared her throat and gave a small smile before turning and walked out of the cave with Tafiti following.
Avana smiled evilly before moving her dark orange eyes to her new son and daughter. "You two will be the key to help your brother take back your father's throne."
~TLK~
A few months before Simba and Sherise's births, Kula gave birth to two sons. Luis and Ahadi is what she named them.
Soon came the announcement that Auri was expecting. The time soon came that without any more incidents, Queen Eshe and her berothed were finally able to get married.
Animals traveled through the cold watering holes as birds of different colours flew across the bright blue sky. Sarabi stood with Rafiki as the inhabitants gathered under pride rock. Rafiki chanted a blessed chant before waving his wooden staff over the Queen Mother.
The mandrill bowed before taking a step back.
Sarabi roared, to state as former royal blood queen she approves the marriage and coronation. The animals bowed to the daughter of their late queen, Queen Eshe I, as the dark beige lioness headed back to the pride.
Mheetu was sitting by Malka as Eshe was sitting by Kula and Auri, the pale gold lioness' light gold stomach was budging.
Rafiki waved his stick over Eshe and Mheetu as he chanted a spiritual chant. Mheetu smiled at his bride before the two walked to the peak.
Eshe and Mheetu nuzzled before roaring, not only as mates but as Queen and Prince-Consort as well. The animals cheered for their new rulers before bowing as a sunbeam shined on the newly married couple.
Everything was peaceful until a painful roar was heard.
...
While Doa and Tafiti watched Luis and Ahadi, Kula sat with Eshe waiting on the news of the queen's adopted mother.
"Kula!"
Everyone waiting on pride rock looked to see Malka who looked like he was in a fight or something.
Malene walked over and nuzzled her son. "Malka, are you alright? Where have you been? Your grandmother is.."
Malka lowered his head as tears fell from his dark green eyes. "I'm sorry mother... I had to get away for a bit." with a deep breath he turned to the creamy lioness. "I want to apologize to you. I'm guessing the reason why you only confessed then is because you were afraid of my reaction?"
Kula nodded. "Malka, from the first time you comforted me in the lion guard lair I knew I had feelings for you that eventually grew into something bigger and stronger. I was afraid to lose you, the only one that saw me while my mother..."
Malka frowned before stepping forward. "Kula, I love you too. And if you would have me, I want you to be my mate. Will you marry me?"
Everyone gasped but none of them made any noise as they waited for the strongest of the Lion Guard's answer.
Tears fell from her brown eyes as Kula nodded. "Yes!"
Malka and Kula embraced lovingly before the pale gold lion licked the tears from his fiancee's face.
"I always knew they would make a beautiful couple." Mheetu smiled besides his mate's side.
Eshe smiled along with the tawny lion before moving her green eyes to the infirmary entrance to see her mother there. The dark beige lioness dipped her head with a smile.
Eshe nuzzled into her mate's dark brown mane. "Come on, Prince-Consort. We have cubs to meet."
Mheetu smiled before nuzzling the light brown lioness. Together they entered the cave. They both reached Auri, who was smiling at them.
Eshe gave the pale gold lioness a head bump and Mheetu followed before looking at the cub's at his adopted mother-in-law's side. One cub had light gold fur as the other had pale white fur.
Mheetu gave the cubs nuzzles before taking a step back.
Auri smiled at the Prince-Consort before nuzzling her daughters. They mewed before blinking open their eyes. Both of the cubs had their father's pale blue eyes.
"What are their names?" Eshe questioned while smiling lovingly at the now nursing cubs.
Auri smiled lovingly at her daughters. "The pale white one is Akua and the other one is Kopa."
Mheetu and Eshe smiled before nuzzling the cubs. They spent hours talking about the future before leaving to give the mother time to rest.
As the moon shined above surrounded by dozens of stars, Eshe and Mheetu walked into the main cave and laid on the platform.
Eshe nuzzled into Mheetu's mane before lying her head on his paws. "I love you."
Mheetu purred before he licked the top of his mate's head before he laid his head on her back. "I love you too, my queen. Always,"