Epilogue: An Era of Peace

The King of the Eastlands walked through the grasses on the northern side of the kingdom. He breathed in the crisp afternoon air, sighing happily as he gazed around his home. Seth smiled and saw the animals that were around bow their heads to him in respect as he passed. He returned the bow and his ears perked up, catching their conversations. He smirked. They were probably speaking of him and all he had done. But he couldn't take full credit. He had help. The guardians were always there as was the Queen herself. Without them, he couldn't do it at all.

Up ahead, Seth saw a small pond. He licked his lips in thirst and padded over to drink. He dipped his muzzle, allowing the water to wash over before he lapped it with his tongue. When he did, he closed his eyes. As always, the water was cool and refreshing. It was what he needed and he stepped back, his eyes watching the scenery. The lands were at peace even in the afternoon. He groaned and shook his head, his body overwhelmed with tiredness. He lied down by the water's edge and started to think.

His first year has king went by fast and the wet season for his second year had come and gone a few weeks ago, leaving the kingdom replenished. The grass under his body was still damp and it gave off a cool feeling. His tail curled at his side as a thought came to him, causing a tear to roll down his face. It was a joyful tear. He remembered what he had said to the animals after he roared his kingship… He stood on one of the lower platforms so his voice could be heard…

"Animals of the Eastlands… in the past two years you have had to deal with injustice, mistreatment and cruelty. My father, the late King Nafsi was a… troubled lion and as many of you have spoken to each other in quiet whispers, 'unfit to rule and is not the son of the last wonderful Eastlander king, my grandfather, Jabari.' " Seth paused, allowing the words to sink in. The animals murmured quietly until a zebra spoke.

"You are the grandson of Jabari… you should have been his son!" he yelled and his brethren agreed, stomping their hooves. The rest of the animals followed and Seth chuckled.

"I am Jabari's grandson but my father was his son. He was a bad king, that is true but he was still a lion… an animal of flesh and blood just as you are. He suffered in the body and his soul was too weak to fight it. Nafsi is at peace now. He was a prince and a king. I was a prince and now I am a king. I promise you… each and every one of you that I will not treat you as my father did. The representatives of your species already know how I act…" He paused and watched the one elder or leader for a species of the animals nodded their heads, talking softly. "Now the rest of you need to know and hear. I am nothing like my father. As many of you know I treat the animals of these lands as they, you, deserve to be treated… as equals. We share everything of these lands. We walk on the same grass, the same dirt, drink from the same waterholes and we each have our own special place to live and raise families in these lands. The Eastlands have an amazing history… a past and the rulers of the past… who's stories have been told time and again, passed down from generation to generation. You do not have to remember my father in any aspect but please, I ask this and I do give you all the option. Whether you agree or follow it is your choice. I will not force any of you. I ask that you remember my father as a lion of the Eastlander lion monarchy. You do not need to remember him as a prince or a king… just a lion and an ancestor of Eastland lion leaders."

He stopped and took a deep breath, allowing his words to sink and spread among the assembled crowd. They all turned to each other, the murmurs slightly louder than before. He waited patient. A wildebeest stepped up to the front, looking up at the lion with a gentle expression. Seth stared at the herbivore. It was the same wildebeest who had taken the ex representative's place not long ago. He smiled.

"On behalf of the wildebeest herd, we will do this, your majesty." The wildebeest bowed his head gracefully but his ear flickered as he heard the mutters of his said herd behind him. He stomped his back hoof hard. The mutters stopped.

Seth looked on the other animals as the representatives turned to their own kind. After a few minutes all their eyes fell on him and heads bowed in agreement to his words. The King smiled. He felt his reign had gone off to a fresh start.

He pawed gently at the ground. From that day his talks with the animal council and the animals in general always went well. There were times when he had to settle disputes among them but he always went with a guardian at his side, just in case things got rough, which it rarely did as he made sure to settle the issue as peacefully as he knew how. They respected him and thanked him for helping.

Seth's mind drifted some more. Of all the days he enjoyed during from his first year as king, the first day was the best. It changed him on the inside but as the days passed he proved himself on the outside, something that scared him slightly. Neema told him that it was okay to be scared on the first day that both she and Jabari were. She did not mention Nafsi for fear of emotional hurt for herself and her grandson.

He shook his head and remembered something. The conversation he and Kendra had had the night of his coronation and their marriage. It had been just her and him on the stone, watching the stars…

Such a beautiful night…

The new rulers of the Eastlands enjoyed their time with friends and those they loved. They had spoken with the young heirs and heiresses of the four neighboring lands but night came, they went up to the guest chambers in the pridal cave to rest and prepare for their journeys home the next morning. The pride, after giving the new leaders their goodnight bows joined their guests in the pridal cave, everyone going to their chambers to sleep. Now, it was just Seth and Kendra…

"It's a beautiful night," the new king noticed looking at the stars. His white colored queen turned to him, smiling and rested her head on his shoulder.

"Yes, it is and it's your night. You are king."

Seth smiled, his eyes shining in the dark. "And you are queen," he reminded in whisper. "We will rule together."

"I know, I know," Kendra said softly. "I'll do my best to help." She nuzzled him.

"The stars are shining brightly."

"Maybe they're blessing us." She smiled. "It was a good day."

"Kendra…" Seth began uncertainly. She turned to him. "This… this is the start of our reign has king and queen and I was thinking that..."

"What is it Seth?"

He stammered. "I don't think we should… you know, have, a family of our own right away. My grandmother said that being new rulers is a large responsibility and that once we get used to it then…" He paused and shut his eyes, feeling foolish. He felt her nuzzle him and lick his cheek in reassurance.

"Seth… you're right and so is Neema. We are new to this and we should get used to it. Besides, I'm not ready to be a mother, not yet anyway."

"Nor am I ready to be a father. In a way, we're parents to the pride and the kingdom. Not to mention, we are siblings to our fellow rulers and their heirs. We have a family already but… not of our blood."

Kendra leaned against him. "We will, but not now. It's too soon. We have a kingdom and pride to take care of… When the time is right for both of us, we will manage."

He rested his head atop of hers, their eyes still on the night sky. "Is your eye okay?" he asked in concern.

The lioness blinked. "It doesn't hurt as bad anymore. Nabihi says it's all but completely healed. She said it could've been worse…"

"She will never hurt you or Kamaria again…" he said in a low voice.

She licked his cheek. "Let's not worry or talk about my mother. She didn't come to the ceremony. I knew she wouldn't. I should have confronted her today but…" She paused and smiled. "'A queen never leaves her new subjects. She must get to know them' Neema told me that. I will talk to her but not now. This day was about you… and me."

Seth agreed silently and after a few minutes, he yawned. "It's getting late and we need to sleep. Come Kendra, let's go to our chambers." He removed his head from hers and rose. She followed and walked close to him. He moved nearer. "I'll make you proud Grandpa," he whispered. "You, Dad and Mom…"

As they went into the pridal cave, three stars blinked from above…

Seth's tail tapped in the grass as the memory left. They had been right to wait. Their first year as leaders passed by without an incidents or worries and it pleased them. They had gotten used it, and Kendra was always there to help her mate. She kept peace among the pride members and often went to see her mother. As the year began and ended, Shianna did not change and it hurt for the queen to continuously return but she did. She felt it was her duty as Shianna's daughter. Seth did not stop her. Kendra was his mate but he had no control over how she spent her days or who she spent them with. She was loyal to him and loved him unconditionally. He want to go with her many times to see his mother in law but Kendra felt it would be too risky, that it would spark a fire in Shianna and she would attack either him or her. Seth growled softy but it was more in worry and pity than in anger. Shianna was just too stubborn and chances were she would waste the rest of her life due to pride and selfishness.

Seth put his head down to his paws, his mind wandering again. He remembered the day after his ceremony… the day the other rulers were to leave. He had given his goodbyes to the lions of the Eastern/Western Jungles and shared a nice conversation with the lions and lionesses of the Northlands but the Pridelanders had stayed behind…

The Eastlander King and the future King of the Pridelands stood side by side in the grass. They watched as the rulers of three kingdoms left, the Northlanders going in one direction and the Eastern/Western lions going in another as their kingdoms were in the same area of the jungle they prides ruled.

Seth flicked his ear and turned to the brown colored redmaned lion at his side. Just ahead of the older lion, the new king saw Akase and Prince Arif talking. He smiled. He had a feeling that soon Akase would ask his permission to leave the Eastlands and live in the Pridelands. If it happened, Seth would not blame her. He noticed how pained the lioness was as being in the Eastlands reminded her of her late mother. He shook his head and turned to face the front, watching the distant animals as they did their daily routine. The guardians already had their duties and Kendra was helping her sister with the hunting party. The day was going well.

"That was a wonderful ceremony Seth," said Baraka, shuffling a paw in the grass. He wasn't sure why he was nervous. Perhaps the lion at his side of was a few months younger than he and already was king. But unlike Seth, Baraka could wait awhile. His parents, or his father, wasn't a tyrant and wanted to rule just a little bit longer, something he was more or less grateful for. For a few months he wasn't sure if he was ready to assume the Pridelander throne. He knew he would be a good king but something held him back. He shut his eyes but reopened them as the new king spoke.

"Thank you Prince Baraka. I am… pleased with how it turned. My father's ceremony wasn't all that grand. I hope that the shadow of his reign is lifted from the lands soon." He bowed his head. "My father was wrong with many things, including with himself. I shall miss him and I will be the king his good self would have wanted."

"You… you'll do fine, sire. You're a good lion."

"Prince Baraka there is no need to flatter me… but thanks. So, what about you? Are you looking forward to taking up where your father left off and take the title of King in the Pridelands?"

The lion looked away, his whiskers twitching. "I am… It's not the ruling that frightens me. You… you have a mate, someone who will always be there to help and offer her advice and wisdom. Me… I don't have one…" He shut his eyes, feeling his heart pound. His claws came from his paws and he scratched the dirt underneath the grass. He felt a paw of Seth touch his shoulder gently. He didn't turn but a shudder passed through his body. He sighed sadly.

"You'll find the right lioness to share your life with Baraka. You yourself are a good lion too. Surely there must be some lioness in the Pridelands who loves you…"

"No!" the prince snarled. Seth removed his paw. Baraka sighed again, with remorse. "I'm sorry Seth…" he said in a sincere apology. "No, there is no one." He didn't say more.

"Baraka, you will find someone," the king said in insistence.

There was no reply and the two lions stared ahead, watching the lands in silence. After a while Akase came over to Seth. The Eastlanders and the Pridelanders faced each other for a moment and soon they turned and headed for home. Seth prayed silently that Baraka's coronation would be pleasant and that he would not spend his reign and his life alone…

Seth remembered that day. The Pridelander prince had been short with him and it scared Seth just a bit. He wondered what was wrong but in his heart, he knew it wasn't his place to pry. He felt sorry for the older lion but he considered himself lucky. His friendship with Kendra had turned into something special and he was thankful everyday he was with her and that she was his queen. He couldn't ask for a better mate.

When the Pridelanders left, life went on but as the months passed Akase became distant. Seth knew the reasons. The lioness was missing Baraka's brother, Prince Arif. The King smiled. She was smitten. For the two days the royals were there, Akase and Arif spent the time together. Just by looking at them one could tell there was something between them. When they left, Akase started to wonder when they would visit them or when Seth would go there. She hoped he would one day. She wouldn't admit to anyone but she was indeed in love with Arif but was he in love with her? Was he missing her as much as she was missing him? The question was unbearable, the answer hard to give.

One day in the sixth month of his reign, Seth approached Akase and they started talking, Seth easing his way into a discussion about the Pridelanders. It broke the ice and she told him all about how they lived and how their customs were. The King was surprised that some of their traditions were almost the same as those of the Pridelanders. Akase, after a silence, slowly began to admit that being in the Eastlands was getting hard, that her dreams of finding her mother's dead body were returning. He sympathized and told her that whatever decision she made, he would support. He may have been her king but he was also her friend and he cared more about her well being and where she was comfortable than about how well she could contribute to the pride.

"You do what you have to Akase. No one will stop you and if you do love Arif… you should be with him. I imagine he misses you in the Pridelands," he had said one early morning when the two stood on the stone tip, watching the sun rise.

The words and her thoughts of the Pridelander prince was enough. With permission from Seth and Kendra, Akase left two days later.

Now, he wondered how his friend was doing, if she was truly happy. She was, he knew but it didn't stop him from wondering. He hoped to take some time away soon and visit the Pridelands. He heard so many good stories about the kingdom and their lion pride.

"It would be good to see Baraka again," Seth said to himself.

He looked up at the sky. The sun was starting to sink. Yawning, he rose, took another drink from the water hole and started to make his way home. It was another good day. The herds weren't warring as much as they used to and the council meeting animal representatives went well. Seth was always glad to have one or two guardians with him at the hearings.

Sometimes even Rubani would take time away from Nia to join him. Seth shook his head. Rubani had made it clear that he would no longer be a guard but some things were hard to let go. The gold lion was still a guard, just not in name. Seth was surprised Nia didn't mind it but she would go with her mate whenever he walked around the kingdom. Seth smiled as he thought of them. Rubani had pined for Nuru for as long as Seth could remember but watching the golden guard with Nia it was as if the feelings Rubani had for Nuru never existed.

Seth was glad his former caretaker had found happiness and Nia proved a good companion for him. All the guardians, aside from Ronan and Sandra, were finally happy with a significant other, which pleased Seth to a great extent. There was no room for the guards to have mates under his father's rule. Now, they were the happiest any pride member had ever seen them and when no one was duty, they all acted like cubs. Seth didn't mind it but when he needed something they were up and adults again, the masks in place, ready to serve him without question.

As he traveled home, he thought of Kendra and how she was fairing at the Rock. He wondered how she was feeling and their unborn cubs were. He smiled. A part of him couldn't believe he was to be a father. Kendra was nervous but thrilled, same as him. He hoped she would be alright as she was now in advanced pregnancy. Neema promised to help her granddaughter in law when the time to give birth came.

When Kendra told him, Seth prayed often that he would be a good father, a better parent than his own father had been. Kendra did the same, hoping she wouldn't end up treating her cubs badly like her own mother had treated her and Kamaria. The pride knew better, they knew the monarchs would erase what the past had brought onto Seth and his generation, that the way he ruled and treated others would be different than that of his parents and with Kendra at his side, it would be all the more real and true.

Just as he wanted, another memory spread through his mind. The evening after Kendra told him, they were lying in their chambers…

Seth lied down beside his mate, gently putting an arm around her. She nuzzled him and rested her head against his mane. He looked down at her. "You alright?" he asked in concern.

She looked up at him and smiled. "I'm okay Seth. A little surprised, but I'm alright. I promise I'll be a better mother than my own." A mischievous smile played at her muzzle. "She's not going to happy when I tell her, you know."

"I don't care Kendra. She should get over herself but she made up her mind…" He paused and touched her face with a paw, the paw settled just under her right eye. He leaned over and kissed her. "She shouldn't have attacked you… or Kamaria. Dinari hasn't gotten over that. I don't think he ever will. He wouldn't leave her side at all that night. I wouldn't have left you but Rubani…"

Kendra licked his cheek. "Rubani needed you. If you hadn't got to him, he'd be dead now. You saved his life. You did what was right. You always have. As for my mother, she will show respect to you and to me. The lionesses won't stand for mistreatment of us, especially from her. If she so much as thinks about attacking me, they will put her in her place. I won't stand for it Seth. I've put up with it my entire life and I don't…" She paused and growled softly. "I don't want our cubs to see how cold their grandmother is." She shut her eyes, a few tears falling from them.

He put his head upon her side. "I know dear," he whispered and smiled. "At least my grandmother will be there. Perhaps they'll see her as a grandmother instead of a great grandmother."

"Neema is a good lioness Seth. There's a reason she's still here. I'm glad. She's still teaching me a few things."

"She's also a good teacher… for both of us. They will love her as I do. You and I… we will surely love them."

Kendra rested her head on her paws. "We will Seth," she murmured as she drifted to sleep. Smiling proudly, he joined her in slumber a few minutes later…

He had broken into a run and right behind him was Danso. The redmaned guardian had searched all over the Eastlands for his king but with a stroke of luck, he managed to find him. Danso informed Seth that the queen was in labor. The news struck him hard and without waiting or asking questions Seth had stopped taking his leisure walk and started running. As he leapt and turned through the grass, his heart pounded and he prayed he would get there in time. He prayed she would be alright.

"Neema is seeing to her sire," said Danso as he ran beside the king. He smiled weakly. "Aneesa and Lisha are serving as guards to your chambers, to make sure no one gets in. The meal has already been caught but we were not sure to eat until you arrived."

Seth didn't reply. He was too focused on getting home and hearing about his mate and soon to be born cubs. He prayed to the ancestors they all would be alright, that the cubs would be born healthy.

"Grandfather," he said silently in a prayer. "Please watch over them, watch over Kendra. I don't wanna lose her…"

They arrived at East Rock some time later and when stepping on the main platform the two lions panted from exhaustion. Danso bowed to Seth and the king tossed his head, telling the guard to rest beside his friends. The lion did and walked over, falling on the ground, breathing heavily. Ronan came over to Seth. "Sire, I took over while Danso went to find you. He volunteered." He paused and shuffled the ground nervously with paw, afraid to ask the question. He looked up at Seth. "Are we… going to eat? The pride is hungry."

The king slowly turned to look on his pride. He saw the lionesses' hungry faces. He turned to Ronan and gave a deep nod. The lionesses rose to take their shares of the evening kill. Seth walked up the pridal ramp and lied down on the floor next to the entrance. He was worried and not wanting to bring disturbance, the pride ate and spoke in silence.

Dinari and Kamaria exchanged worried glances but the brown lion nuzzled his mate in comfort. Kamaria herself was also pregnant but was not due for another moon. When she gave birth she would take time away from the hunting party to tend to her future cubs. She returned Dinari's affection and licked him on the cheek. She purred softly.

"She'll be okay, Kammy," said Dinari.

"I know. She's strong. She gets it from mother… I just wish that…" The white lioness paused. "I could talk to her but she doesn't want to see me. She's mad that I attacked her because she attacked Kendra. Dinari… Kendra's my sister…"

"You did the right thing," her mate murmured. "If you hadn't Kendra wouldn't be here and we wouldn't have a queen or future heirs and heiresses… Seth would be ruling alone. It's Shianna's fault. Not yours or Kendra's. We both knew what a special bond she and Seth have anyway. It was there when we were cubs."

Kamaria did not reply. Instead she, along with Dinari, ate their share of the evening meal but the leader of the hunting party could not help but worry for her queenly sister.

Seth did not eat his share of the kill. He would wait. He wanted to be sure that his mate would be alright.

An hour passed and the sun was gone, the sky's color going from a light purple to the beginnings of blue, the color slowly changing as the stars made their appearance in the sky. The pride dozed but the king talked with the guards. They helped him take his mind off the events in his chambers. Suddenly all talking stopped and all heads were turned in the direction of the pridal cave. At the top of the ramp, stood Lisha and Aneesa with unreadable expressions. The two lionesses walked down and at the bottom Seth met them. His eyes were of worry and anxiety. The lionesses bowed and Lisha spoke.

"She is well my king, as are your cubs. There were no complications. Kendra is strong in both mind and body. Your cubs are beautiful. There are two of them. Twins…" She smiled.

Aneesa continued. "Her majesty is resting but Lady Neema sent us out to get you. Nia is still in there making sure Kendra is comfortable."

Seth smiled and a tear of relief and joy fell down the side of his face. He nuzzled the two lionesses and ran up the ramp, dashing into the pridal cave. The lionesses watched and made their way to their mates, who nuzzled them as they rested.

Danso licked Aneesa's cheek. "Kendra is well?" he asked.

"And resting," she answered. "The cubs are well, and very beautiful."

"And they're twins?" Ronan inquired. "What, two boys, two girls or…"

Lisha looked at the brown lion and smiled. "A son and a daughter," the tan lioness answered. Marko nuzzled her gently and she rested her head against his mane, sighing tiredly.

"An heir and heiress to the Eastlands throne…" Sandra mused, placing her right forepaw atop her left. "That hasn't happened to this kingdom in quite some time…"

"Not since before the reign of Seth's great, great, grandparents Mom!" Dinari called with a smile, Kamaria chuckled. The red lioness rolled her eyes playfully at her son then eyed her daughter in law. She smiled, knowing that soon she and Ronan would be grandparents. It would be good to have cubs running around the pride again. The whole pride talked happily and waited for Neema to come out.

OoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOo

Seth panted heavily as he rushed towards his chambers. By the time he reached the entrance, he stopped, breathing hard. His heart pounded in his chest, the beats loud. He licked his lips and lifted his head. He entered the large cave and walked towards the middle, taking a turn to the right and came into a room. What he saw made his jaw drop and he sat down.

Neema and Nia looked at the entrance and the older lioness came over. She nuzzled her grandson. "Congratulations Seth. I'm sure Lisha and Aneesa told you?" she said, guessing. The lion just nodded, completely at a loss for words. She smiled. "You have a son and a daughter. They are indeed beautiful and a wonderful combination of both of you. Your grandfather would be proud as would your parents. We shall leave you four alone now. Nia…" She walked out of the cave.

The brown lioness began to follow but she stopped and bowed respectfully to the king, smiling. Seth put a paw gently on her tail. He leaned over. "Thank you Nia… thank you for helping her and our cubs."

Nia looked at him and gave him a gentle lick on the cheek. "It was an honor, my king," she whispered back and continued on her way.

Seth watched her leave then slowly entered the room. As he approached what he saw in the middle of the room caused his jaw to drop and his eyes grew wide. But his surprise quickly turned into a smile and a tear of happiness and joy rolled out of his eyes. Kendra was sleeping peacefully with two cubs snuggled in the warmth of her paws, also sleeping. Seth walked over, his legs feeling heavy, his breathing labored from the anticipation of the moment he had been imagining since Kendra told him the news. He stopped at her side and looked down at the cubs. He smiled warmly almost unable to contain his joy.

From what he could see the cubs' pelts were the mixture of his and Kendra's but other than that, he couldn't see much. He didn't care. His children had been born healthy and his mate was well, taking her much needed rest. "A son and a daughter?" he mused softly.

He shook his head and lied down beside Kendra, bringing, himself closer to her to gaze on their cubs, watching their tiny chests go up and down in a smooth rhythm as they slept. He wanted to nuzzle them, to breathe in their scents. He brought his head down and sniffed them, a proud and gladdened smiled dancing at the corners of his muzzle, the joy dancing in his eyes.

He eyed a brown colored cub with an almost white colored muzzle. He noticed the tiny tuft of hair on its head. "My son… my firstborn cub…" he said in a still soft voice.

He looked up at the other cub, lying next to its brother. He studied her markings. The cub was also brown colored but from a hard look, the new father noticed that the cub's forepaws were white, the color stretching to the midsection of the forelegs. He also noticed that there was no tuft of color on the cub's forehead. This cub was his daughter. "A daughter… my daughter… Just newly born and she's as beautiful as her sleeping mother…"

Another tear rolled down his face. They were indeed beautiful and as Neema had told him, a good combination of himself and his mate. He wondered who's colored eyes they would inherit. Would his son have the green eyes or his sister? He shook his head. The color of their eyes were not important but their birth was and soon they would have their presentation, to feel the love of their ancestors, to have their blessing, to have the animals' praise and respect, to be welcomed into the pride who would protect them and love them.

"I will protect you both," Seth whispered. "You are my children and a father should love his children. I love you both." He leaned over and nuzzled the two cubs and giving a fond but loving glance to Kendra, he licked her cheek, purring gently in her ear. "Sleep well, my love," he whispered again.

He pulled away and looked around the dark, cold room. He shivered slightly but staring at his family, he was warm inside and out. Seth yawned, the tiredness and worry of his mate's well being catching up with him. With drowsy eyes, he slowly rested his head onto his paws, the happy and proud smile still on his face. His day had started out well but ended with a surprising miracle.

An hour later, the king opened his eyes and carefully shook his still tired head. He turned to the right, seeing Kendra bathe their cubs. The smile returned and his heart leapt with joy. "Beautiful aren't they?" he said in a proud tone.

She stopped and turned to him. "Hey there sleepy head," she teased and gave him a kiss on the muzzle. "Have a good nap?"

He chuckled. "Yes and so did you. You were still asleep when I came in. And…" He stopped and gestured to the cubs in her legs. "I saw why."

Kendra looked down at her charges. "They were worth it," she said smiling. "I was surprised. A son and a daughter… We may have our paws full with them…"

"We'll be fine dear." He noticed a large piece of meat lying on her right side. "Where did that come from?" he asked.

She turned and noticed the meat. "One of the pride members must have entered while we were asleep." She craned her neck out and sniffed it. "Rubani brought this. His scent is on it." She turned back to her children.

Seth laughed softly, shaking his head. "He just can't keep being loyal…" He smiled then looked back at her. "Have you thought of any names?"

The queen thought long and hard for a moment as she continued to stare at the newborns. Seth stared ahead, not wanting to break her concentration. He too, was thinking. Finally, after a few minutes, Kendra spoke, putting her nose on the girl cub. Afterwards, she looked up at her mate. "She was born last, I think I should name her," she said, seeing his blank stare. "You should have the honor of naming the first born, the heir…"

He was stunned. He thought for sure that she would name their cub, if they had only one but fate had given them two, two cubs that would play a special role in the Eastlander Circle of Life… She wants me to name our son… the future king of the Eastlands… well… He smiled, a name coming to mind. He turned to her, a special gleam in his green eyes. "I know the perfect name but I want your approval. Ready?" She nodded and he took a breath. "I wish for our son to be named after my grandfather, Jabari. I would have chosen 'Nafsi' but…" He paused, shuddering. He did not fear his father's name but the pride and the animals did. It would take years for the name not to scare anyone ever again. He looked up at her. To his amaze, she was smiling.

"I think that's a good name, Seth. I'm sure Jabari would like that, as will Neema." She set her eyes on the cub's sister. "For her, I've decided Nyota." She looked back at him. Seth nodded and smiled. "A beautiful name, Kendra," he said then stared. "Prince Jabari and Princess Nyota… a perfect fit…"

Kendra sighed and licked the cubs. They squirmed softly about in her paws. She yawned and shook her head, fighting to stay awake.

Seth noticed and nuzzled her. "Let us both rest for a while Kendra. The day has been wonderful but tiring for us both. Let's eat the meat later." She nodded, her eyes drooping. He nuzzled her again and licked her cheek. Kendra put her head on the ground, closing her eyes. He watched her for a long while until his body begged him to sleep. Finally surrendering to the need, the king of the Eastlands put his head on his paws, casting a fond look on his cubs. "I promise Jabari and Nyota, I will be a better father than my own." He shut his eyes, cursing himself for softly speaking badly about Nafsi. He shrugged and shook any unwanted thoughts and words away. He smiled at the new prince and princess and along with his mate, fell into a deep and relaxing sleep.

Outside in the lands, up in the sky the moon shined down radiantly, the grass, trees and waterholes covered in the silvery glow. Far in the middle of the lands, two figures stood on the rock ledges, staring at East Rock, which loomed in the distance. They were held the same color pelts, mane color and eye color. They were the two former kings of the Eastlands.

Nafsi stared down into the waterhole, knowing his reflection could not be seen. Slowly, he met the eyes of his father, Jabari. "I'm sorry father," he whispered into the darkness. "I should have been a better king."

The older lion smiled gently. "It's over Nafsi," he reminded. "You won't have to deal with the ego anymore. The gods, as you know, have taken care of him. It does no good to dwell on past events and… your son has restored everything. His cubs will grow in his likeness and carry on the circle with their future mates. He has made everything the way it should be. And you… you are healed from your transgressions and the sins you committed. I am very proud of you Nafsi."

Nafsi nodded in gratitude. "Thank you… it was a hard struggle, but I'm okay now."

Jabari smiled again. "Come on son, let's go home."

The younger lion nodded and they jumped from the rocks, walking through the grass, the auras of gold shining around their bodies. A few minutes later they walked up to a hill and stood on it, overlooking the lands. Jabari lifted his head to the sky and let out a tremendous roar that was echoed and followed by Nafsi. The roars spread throughout the lands, going to every corner.

When the roars were finished, the spirits of the two lions faded into the night but in their places was a wind that made its way to East Rock. The wind blew into the pridal cave, streaming into Seth's chambers, going into the room, hovering over the king and his family.