Penzi looked at the two, obviously disappointed in her loss, but walked over to them, “I wish you two a long life together.” She nuzzled Elanna gently. “Take good care of him, as I will still love him.”

Elanna smiled back and return the rub, relieved at her good fortune of being accepted into the pride. Slowly the other lionesses approach the group and introduce themselves. Most of them hovered around Kubali, remarking how well mannered he had become. Every so often, one of them would break away from the prince to introduce themselves to Elanna. Elanna felt it hard to try to keep names and faces together, and she fumbled with it for a bit. By the end of the night, though, she was becoming more comfortable and started making small talk to the other members. How she had longed for this, to actually have friends to speak to. How she missed it in her old pride, when Taka would keep her away from the other lionesses or the other lionesses wouldn’t approach her. Finally, as the night drew to the end, the king approached her.

“May I speak to you...alone.”

Elanna looked back to Kubali, who was involved in another conversation. Quietly she walked with the king a short distance away. “Yes, my king?”

The king asked her about her intentions and the time she spent with Kubali. “I understand how bad it is to be alone, and I’m grateful for everything you’ve done. Really I am. But now it’s time for him to take on his responsibilities. I wish you would reconsider becoming Kubali’s queen.”

Elanna just looked at him stunned. “But sire...you said...”

The lion cut her off, “I know what I said...and I won’t force anything. But, you must understand that I have to ask this of you. Penzi is his betrothed and I’m afraid if you marry him, what might befall these lands. I can’t force you to let him go because you did help him. You brought him back to me. Still, I must look after my lands.” He looked at her softly, “You have helped him so much...help him again by letting him go. Let him go, but do not tell him we had this talk. I promise I will reward you if you will do this.”

“Like...” she said speculatively.

“There is another male...and he is approaching his mantlement. It would make him...his mother...and me very happy to see a lioness pledge to him. You can be that lioness as a reward for you good deeds.”

Elanna laughed softly, “Sire...no insult intended...but I can’t do that. Many lionesses don’t find true love once in her life. Even fewer lionesses find it twice. I would be tempting faith to try for three times.” She looked down, “I love him...he gave me life when I thought my life had ended.”

“Then show your appreciation of that by letting him find his place in the circle.”

She looked at him, almost distastefully, “I can’t leave him...I’m sorry.”

“I’m afraid. The gods will be upset because the betrothal is broken. It does not tide well to turn your back on the prompting of the gods. Elanna, I like you--I really do. But I have raised my son over days, weeks, and months. I don’t want him to be hurt.”

“Then don’t break his heart. Can’t you see that we’re like leaves in the wind? Why didn’t the gods interfere then? Instead, against all odds, our love has survived and grown.”

He sighed a bit, “Yes, Elanna. I can see that you are past controlling your feelings. So be it. I will not interfere.” He moved and nuzzled her. “If it is from you that the heir comes, you are my daughter and I will shelter and love you. Welcome to the pride.”

She tensed at the nuzzle but returned it, feeling more relieved, “Thank you, sire. I will not mention this to Kubali.”

He smiled, “Thank you. Now enjoy your husband.” With that, they separated and she walked back to be by Kubali’s side.

It had been a few nights since they had rejoined the pride. She was making new friends and had even been on a very successful hunt with them. That was the best, she thought, having ‘sisters’ again. She could see the young male that she would have pledged to, watching over her. It wasn’t really bad, she thought. She liked have a bit of attention on her and not be it for bad reasons.

Other things did bother her, however. Although the king had accepted her into the pride as his daughter, he still didn’t go out of his way to be friendly to her. Same thing with Penzi. She had mentioned this to Debara and she just shrug it off, “Don’t worry, Elanna,” she would say. “They will get friendlier to you with time. Just wait till you bear the Prince cubs. You will become everyone’s darling then. Who can resist a mother and her young cubs?”

They might have told Penzi that she could just wait for him--when Elanna was gone, she could be there to console Kubali. They gossip about her. Did she really tell the whole truth? Was Taka really that bad? Might she have had something to do with Scar's death? Of course they don't mean it mean, but they do wonder about these things. Maybe one of them gets put up to ask her none too discretely. Awkwardly, in fact. Maybe this triggers the nightmare.

The most disturbing event happened during her sleep. As she was cuddled with Kubali, she feel asleep. She woke up in a dream, to see the land as it was under Taka. The lionesses all looked thin and the lands were parched. She went to Kubali to talk to thing. He turned to look at her, but it wasn’t Kubali’s face that she saw...it was Taka’s...his faced marred by the scar. She gasped and turned suddenly away from, only to come face to face with the king.

“See what you did, daughter? See what you did by your selfishness. You condemned these lands to this horror. If only you would had accepted my offer, this land would not be in this shape. That young lion that I had offered to you...he was the first to die.”

Elanna gasped. “No! Not again! Oh gods, was the curse on me instead?? Was it me all along??”

Suddenly, Elanna’s eyes flew open as she panted heavily against Kubali’s side. Her eyes scanned the area, just to see the peaceful scene she had seen before she feel asleep. Kubali’s eyes slowly opened and looked at her, “Dear?”

She turned to look at him, her breath calming down, “I’m all right...go back to sleep.”

He nuzzled her softly, “Bad dream?”

She purred softly and nodded. “Yes...but I can’t really talk about it. I’ll be fine, love.”

He yawned and gave her cheek a quick lick. “All right dear...if you say so. I’ll be right here if you need me.”

She did not fall asleep, however. Her mind raced of thoughts of the king’s word to her. Would this land fall into a drought because of me? Would Aiheu punish us all for my selfish love? What if he knew that I could never give him a cub? Now I’m not only ruining his future, but the future of a pride.

That last thought stung her deeply. She could never be his queen because of that. There would be no continue of the line beyond him. She looked down and sigh. She would have to leave him...give him a chance to have a future. She nuzzled against him, knowing it would be their last night together. He grunted with satisfaction, feeling her warmth against his body.

The next morning came quickly and she looked at him, fondling his mane like she did the first night. “Thank you for all of the things you gave me.”

He woke up slowly, purring at the fondle. “Thank me for what love?”

She looked at him sadly. “For all of the times we were together.” She sighed, building up her courage. “Love...I have to go.”

His head shot up instantly. “What? Why?” he stammered.

She continued to fondle him gently. “Dear...I have kept a horrible secret from you...something you must hear before you take me as your queen.”

His tongue licked at her paw. “Whatever it is...you will always be my queen.”

“Dear...I can’t have cubs.”

He looked at her stunned. “What?”