CAELYN

She lazed in the warm sunlight, her auburn fur aglow. Myria was bounding about in her usual sprightly manner, and the older lioness allowed herself a chuckle. Her daughter reminded her so much of herself in earlier years; she was jubilant and withouten care or worry, and her primary concern was play. Caelyn only wished she could be young again, but she was older now, and had been learned in the ways of the world - she had responsibilities to uphold, one of which was looking after her daughter. On that subject, Myria was chasing crickets a whit too close to some brambles. "Myria!" she called, rising to her paws and padding over. The young cub didn't hear, too prepossessed with the insect beneath her paws. Caelyn strode up beside her and gave a warm smile. "Myria, what did I tell you about playing near brambles?"

The young cub looked up shyly. "That they are pointy and hurt very bad and dangerous and I shouldn't go near them," she responded, the cricket leaping away as soon she was distracted. Noticing this, Myria let out a frustrated "Oh man," and flattened her ears in defeat.

Her mother laughed, giving her a pat on the head. "That's right."

"I almost had him, though!" she whined.

"You'll catch others." Caelyn smiled softly. "Why don't you go play with Kopa? He's sure to be awake by now."

The idea of this seemed appealing to the young lioness. "Okay!" she exclaimed, bounding off. She chuckled to herself and ambled over to a nearby acacia tree, her eyes transfixed on her daughter as she flopped down to relax. The cool umbrage was a welcome change from being out in the sun all day; the Pridelands, while fecund with water and prey, was slightly inhospitable due to the temperatures - and Caelyn conjectured there were only two of those: uncomfortably warm and uncomfortably hot. Withal, it was the best place anyone knew of for miles, and it was certainly much better than the Shadowlands. The lioness shuddered at the thought - how could beings live in such squalor?

She let out a massive yawn and then licked her lips, returning her focus to Myria. The cub had found her play-mate; they gamboled around and chased each-other. Kopa, fast at her heels, pounced and brought her tumbling to the ground in a cloud of dust. The lion laughed, the look of victory gleaming on his face. Within a moment, that look was switched to one of utter confusion as Myria threw him off and pinned him against the dirt. He wrenched himself free, defeated, and the two resumed their chase. Caelyn was about to grin when she saw where they were headed. Brambles. She sighed and rose to her feet, plodding over to them as quick as her wizened joints would allow.

"Myria, Kopa!" she called out. Upon hearing their names, the two cubs perked up their ears and stopped dead in their tracks. She gesticulated to the thicket behind them.

"Oh, right..." her daughter said, "Sorry!" Giggling, they resumed their chase in the opposite direction. Smirking, Caelyn returned to her tree.

Being a mother was difficult work, and she wasn't entirely acclimated to it yet. Her physical condition didn't assuage the situation either, considering she spent most of her time chasing her cub around. She cringed as she inadvertently leant too much weight on her right elbow, quickly changing her posture. I'm still not used to that, either,she thought ruefully. A year ago she would have been fine with jouncing about - but during a more recent hunting trip a wildebeest had trampled her in its panicked attempt to escape. Despite Rafiki's best efforts, the bone never healed properly.

As she was watching the cubs, Sarabi had appeared beside her. The former queen took a seat, smiling casually at the cubs. "How's things?"

"Wearisome, but good." Myria had bounded up a rock, out of Kopa's reach. The younger cub growled in frustration as he tried haplessly to jump after her.

"It is tiring work."

Caelyn looked at her uncertainly.

"Being a mother," Sarabi clarified.

"Ah, yes. My apologies."

She laughed. "No apology required; I'm sure you're exhausted."

"I am," she admitted. Kopa, having finally scaled the rock, was discomfited when Myria leapt back down, making a face at him. "They're going to drive each-other mad," Caelyn observed.

"Good couple material, right?" They both shared a laugh.

Jocular as always, Sarabi. "If you don't mind me asking, and I'm deeply sorry if you don't want to discuss it, but...Mufasa," The old queen winced at his name - luckily Caelyn didn't notice. "was he ever, you know - well..." She motioned towards the cubs as if to imply her meaning. Sarabi thought for a moment.

"You mean did he ever bother me?"

Caelyn nodded.

"Sometimes..." she began, a smirk touching her lips, "actually, most of the time."

The younger lioness chuckled. "How so?"

"He was always the impetuous sort; most of the decisions he made were on a moment's notice - lots of times I wondered how he kept the kingdom running, though I also knew that there was wit behind the whimsy." She paused, watching the cubs for a moment. "Things he did might have seemed like folly at the time, but eventually it all worked out. Maybe that was happenstance, but he did a good enough job. Certainly better than-" she shuddered, "well, the less said about him the better." Caelyn pursed her lips silently, remembering Scar and his despotic reign all too well. Myria had managed to pin Kopa again, laughing in victory. She quickly grew confused, though, when Kopa pulled her very own trick on her and brought her to the ground.

"Quick learner." Caelyn said. They both chuckled. "So why did - actually, nevermind." She glanced away uncomfortably, wondering if she had said too much.

"Why did...?" Sarabi's eyes widened, realizing what she had meant to ask. "Oh, well I'm not entirely sure." She frowned. "Which is to say, I'm not sure at all."

Caelyn sighed, regretting she brought it up. "Right, sorry."

"Again, no apologies necessary." Sarabi forced a weak smile. Her eyes grew distant, as if trying to recall something. "I've sometimes wondered, myself," she began. "Mufasa was a whit petulant, always quick to snap. The whole reason Scar got his scar was over a quibble. Mufasa was quick to realise his error and tried to mend it with apologies, but apologies can't fix a wound that's deep enough, emotional or physical. Maybe it was that, though I am dubious-" At this she got up and stretched. "Anyhow, I should probably be going."

"Of course." She nodded, avoiding the queen's gaze. I should have kept my mouth shut.

"Want me to look after them?"

Caelyn looked up unexpectedly. "Pardon?"

"The cubs." Both of them were still chasing each-other, seemingly ignorant of anything else.

"Oh, well - I don't mind if you don't?" The younger lioness smiled awkwardly.

Sarabi chuckled. "Not at all. In fact, I miss maternal duties; of course, I baby Simba every once in a while, but he doesn't exactly appreciate it."

"Alright, if you insist." She laughed and nuzzled Sarabi on the shoulder. "Perhaps I'll pay Rafiki a visit about my arm. Good luck!"

"I'm sure I'll need it."

Tenebrific clouds had rolled in by the time she reached the old baobab. The wind coarsed through her fur, but the air was still uncomfortably warm. There'll probably be thunder,she thought, looking up to the ebony skies. Perhaps even some rain. Caelyn looked around, but there was no discernible sign of the baboon. She cleared her throat. "Rafiki?" No answer. He was probably still asleep. "Rafiki, don't make me climb up there."

A moment passed, there was some faint rustling, and then Rafiki poked his head of a vestibule. He gave an amicable grin and a wave of the hand. "I'll be right with you." He reappeared out of a gaping hole in the tree, then climbed prudently down its side and landed deftly on his feet. He wiped his hands, then gave her a curtsy.

"Not bad," she remarked.

"Thank you," he replied with a laugh. "What can this one do for you?"

"Just my monthly check-up."

He tapped his chin in thought. "Well, you walked here, so you must be improving a tad." He smiled. "I conjecture it wasn't easy, though. How much did it hurt?"

"Immensely."

"I see." He squatted down and gently took her arm in his hands. She grimaced, but remained quiet whilst he mulled it over. "Well, nothing's changed for the worse as far as I can discern." He gave her a smile. "Maintain your quondam exercises, don't put too much strain on it, and you'll be alright."

"Not straining it would be easy if I didn't have a cub to chase after."

Rafiki chuckled. "Yes, yes I know." He looked around curiously, scratching his head. "Where is she, anyhow?"

"I left her with Sarabi."

"Ah," he said with a nod. "Very good, then."

"Sorry to bother you about such a trivial thing, by the way," she said, lowering her head shamefully. "I just-"

"Want to know if you'll hunt again; I know." He sighed, cupping her face in his palms. She looked up at him and frowned. "I am only an old shaman, not a magician."

The lioness pulled away from him. "I know, but you don't think it's a possibility?"

"Well," he said, gazing at the clouds above, "You have many years left in you, and still have a lot of esprit; one can never know for certain."

She grinned weakly. "I can only dream."

"Is there aught else we can ever do?" he said with a guffaw. "No, I imagine not. Every thing must dream, even if the dreams are diminutive; for to dream and to have faith in that dream is a panacea for the soul."

"I'm sure some would dissent and tell you it's a curse," Caelyn said facetiously. "But thank you for the words of wisdom."

Rafiki grinned and gave her a curt bow. "Anytime."

She nodded and turned to leave, and was about to when a fluttering of wings and a cacophonous squawking arrested her attention. Upon further scrutiny, she saw it was Zazu, and he was headed straight for them. He's in more of an uproar than usual, she thought, furrowing her brow.

"Rafiki!" he cried, landing between them. "Rafiki, Caelyn!" He waved his wings madly, pointing this way and that. "Ser Rygen!"

Rafiki held out his hand and rubbed his temple with the other. "What is it, Zazu?"

He drew in a deep breath, composed himself, and then with a tremulous voice he attempted to recount the story. "Rygen, he's been hurt, and-"

"How?"

"A hyena attacked him, t-tried to tear out his...jugular, and he didn't succeed! B-but, he's hurt badly, bleeding profusely. Please, this is a highly exigent situation!"

Upon hearing this, Rafiki's eyes widened. "What about Trentos?"

"Trentos was fine the last time I checked, but he may be in danger."

"Alright, I'll go see what I can do," Rafiki said, hastening towards his tree. "I'll get whatever herbs and tinctures I can. Caelyn?"

"Yes?"

"Go home and watch over Myria."

"It will be done." She bowed her head, cast a furtive glance at Zazu, and begun the long, painful journey home.