Taka was leaving the Pride Lands without even the traditional blessing. He had never learned to hunt, secure that he would always have a home. Now he left for the river valley. He took a small comfort knowing where he was going he would need no hunting skills, and no place to rest his head. Perhaps with the kings of old among the stars he could look down and see his beloved across the vault of heaven. Would she marry? Would she have beautiful cubs whose smiles warm the very heart of Aiheu? Would she remember his love through the years?
      Finally he stood on the brink of the river valley. On the threshold of death, his life blood coursed through his veins and his heart beat like a hammer. Not far from where he stood was a sheer drop-off, the kind of place where a lion could fall and fall without suffering on the craggy slopes, and then just stop. Just stop--what a thought. Would it hurt? Would it have time to hurt? Would it make a difference how he landed? He would know very soon.
      “Lord Aiheu, creator of the universe, I stand far from the rest, alone for I am dying. Forgive the many hurts I have caused. The night is coming when the breath you gave me will return to the heavens.” He dropped his formal prayers, and cried, “Gods, help me! I’m afraid. Let it be quick. Aiheu abamami! ” His legs tensed for the final spring into oblivion.
      Just when he was about to plunge to his death, he heard the death cry of a gazelle, and turned. He could see a lone hyena panting, pulling the hide off a fresh kill. Through his deep grief, he felt hunger. Even if he chose to die, he must not die hungry. “Aiheu provides.”
      Glad to experience one last pleasure before he died, he ran to the kill, baring his teeth. The hyena, a female, backed back. He glared at her, the first hyena he'd ever seen close up. Something about her took him by surprise. Down one side of her face were horrible scars, and the eye was missing. He stared at the horrible wound, stunned by the thought that in this way she was just like him, only she was blind on one side. And somehow he noticed how she was staring at his eye. For several quiet moments, they stood there and looked at each other.
      "I have young, my lord, " she said at last. "Have pity on poor Fabana. When you are gone, we must go on living."
      "Indeed, " he said. "There is enough for all. I am...." he hesitated to say it aloud. "I would rather not die hungry."
      "What happened to yours? Your old man do that?"
      "What?"
      "Your eye. You lions think we are crude, " she said. "Not good enough for the Pride Lands. But we don't drive off our sons into the cruelty of the unknown. We love them. Tell me, stranger, have you ever heard of a hyena jumping to his death?"
      "No, I don't think I have." He quickly changed the topic. "You say you're a mother. Where are your cubs? They must eat too. I won't hurt them. I'm only a danger to myself these days."
      "I can tell." She called softly behind her. "Shenzi. Banzai. Edward. It's all right. Come on out."
      Three pups came out of the brush and stared at the lion. Taka had never seen young hyenas before. The small female looked as their mother must have once.
      "My name is Taka, " he said quietly. "Don't be afraid." He lay his large bulk down like a huge sphinx. When he looked less threatening, the pups came over and cautiously sniffed of him. “So this one is Edward. What does it mean?”
      “It is the name of a man. He saved me when I was a pup. My parents were killed in a brush fire. Feel along my neck.”
      Taka carefully ran his large paw along her throat. He felt a gap where there was no fur.
      “The collar, ” she said. “I was tied to a tree with a rope. That’s something like a vine, but stronger.”
      “Then he was cruel to you?”
      “No, but his dog was. One day name calling was not enough, and the whelp did this to me.” She turned her scar to face Taka. “I killed him. That’s why the man drove me away. But I do not forget that he saved my life, so I named my first born Edward.”
      “You have saved my life. I’m not sure I could work up the nerve a second time.” He looked at her pleadingly. “Please do not drive me away.”
      "Your troubles aren't not so bad, ” she said. “Many lions come through this just fine. Someday you will find security and love."
      "But I already had, or I thought I did. You don't know how I have suffered."
      "When you have eaten, tell me."
      Taka attacked the carcass with desperation, but after the first few bites took the edge off his hunger, his wisdom took over. He stopped while there were still some choice portions and insisted that Fabana finish it.
      “My father, Ahadi—you’ve heard about him, haven’t you?”
      “He’s the Lion King, isn’t he?”
      “Yes.”
      “That makes you the Prince then?” She gasped.
      “No, Prince Consort.”
      “Oh, that explains a lot.” She shook her head. “I didn’t think a prince would want to kill himself. I take it you don’t get along with your brother?”
      “Actually I like my brother. He’s not very clever, but his heart is in the right place.”
      She clucked her tongue. “Then that leaves one possibility. You have a girl. I bet she’s stiffed you for the Prince, hasn’t she?”
      “No.” He had quickly denied it, but it didn’t seem that impossible. “This isn’t just any lioness and it isn’t just another girl problem.”
      “That’s what they all say.”
      “Yes, but there’s a curse behind this. Evil spirits. Makedde was treating me for this eye problem when his brother Rafiki tried to tell my future.”
      “Rafiki! ” She stopped eating. “Lord, honey, you just got to tell me all about this. Evil spirits you say? A curse?”
      For well on an hour or more he poured out his heart to her, and as he did, he watched her nod her head gravely once in a while. It made him cry to tell it, but they were tears of healing, and he felt much better.
      Out of lion manners, he waited to hear her story. But she would not talk of herself much. One thing she would say—Jalkort, the father of her cubs was dead, killed unjustly for the murder of the Princess Avina. “He ate after she had died, but of all the foolish things he’s done, he did not murder your Aunt. Someday I must face the King and plead his case.”
      “Though he is already dead? What will you accomplish?”
      “He was my husband.”
      “You are a romantic, ” Taka said, kissing her cheek. “If I was in trouble, I wouldn’t mind having you on my side. Perhaps I can arrange a meeting.”
      Fabana felt compassion for Taka and taught him all of the pass phrases and signs that would let him pass safely through her lands. But most importantly, she gave him some advice that would change his path forever. "I know the mandrill of which you speak. He told my fortune too. He said that I would meet friends in unexpected places, but they would turn on me in my hour of need. You have not turned on me. My advice is to forget the prophesy--it is a piece of nonsense that has cost you dearly. Apologize to your lover. Kiss your mother. Make your father proud of you. And remember old Fabana. If you do become King someday, teach your children that we all have a heart and soul under our different hides.” She pulled her pups close to her. “Lift the ban for their sakes."

      Sarabi was in tears when Mufasa found her. He nuzzled her affectionately and turned to face her when she looked away. "Sassie, tell me about it."
      "It's Taka. He's gone."
      "What do you mean by gone?"
      "Gone. He's left the Pride Lands. He begged me to come with him, and I thought about it. Now I wish I had. He's out there alone, Muffy! He's kind and gentle, but he doesn't know a thing about life in The Big World."
      It came as a complete surprise to Mufasa, though he believed her at once. "Did he say where he was going?"
      "No. He just left."
      "Sassie, don't cry. I know how much you love him. We all love him. Maybe when he cools off, he'll come home."
      "Do you think so? Do you really think so?"
      "Yes. But it may be a long while. He's a proud lion."
      She looked down. "What will I do? I always thought it would be Taka and I--just the two of us and our cubs. What's left for me? I will grow old alone and unloved like poor Barata."
      Mufasa felt a lump gathering in his throat. "Sassie, I'm going to tell you something, and it's going to sound awful under the circumstances." He looked her in the eyes. "I didn't want to get in my brother's way. But things have changed, and I have to say this or I'll burst."
      "Is it what I think it is?"
      "Probably." He nuzzled her gently. "Oh gods, Sassie, I feel like such a wretch! Like the lowest thing that ever crawled out from under a stone. But I love you. I've always loved you. There were times I would have given anything if you loved me instead of Taka. But I don't want to lose my brother or hurt him in any way. All my life I’ve felt like I was being torn in two directions. I can’t bear to lose both of you. Don't hate me for being truthful."
      "I don't." She nuzzled him. "I've always known how you felt. You can't hide a thing like that."
      "Maybe you don't love me the way I love you. At least you like me, don't you? I mean, I'll make sure you always have what you need. I'll take care of you. If you'll be my mate, I'll do anything for you--anything."
      "Even forgive Taka?"
      "You make it sound so hard. He’s my brother. I want him to come home."
      "I need time to think about it, " Sarabi said.
      Mufasa nodded. "Of course."
      Excusing herself, Sarabi rose and padded away slowly. She wandered through the tall grass of the savanna alone with her thoughts. Everything had been simple once. Love had been a cub once, but now it was a lioness. A lioness who chooses as she wills the lion to desire and the lion to pity.
      Now she was acutely aware that her love for Taka was a beautiful sisterly love, but one that did not need or even want to be expressed in passion. On the other hand, Muffy stirred feelings in her that were new and a little frightening, but very wonderful. Ever since Rafiki had whispered his advice to her, Sarabi said nothing to Mufasa but observed him carefully. She was flattered, honored, and even a little sad to think how he yearned for her but said nothing. Now he was gentle and kind, and he came to her with honest longing. She could hardly resist. She hardly wanted to. She desired him as she had never needed Taka, and it filled her with shame. Shame that if anyone had worked to earn her love, it had been Taka. Shame that her love could not be earned. Shame to think how she would destroy him when he found out.
      Pity for Taka filled her. She strained to tell the difference between pity and love. Was there really such a gulf, that her heart so quick to cry at his bumps and scrapes could not beat in time with his? Is it really so different to be with one lion or the other? Can she not learn to love when her wild heart is tamed with vows? Can she feel the heat his ardor and not be warmed?
      She tried to think of Taka coming to her in the shadows, flush with the expectations of his wedding night. She heard his quiet voice with an edge of passion asking, “Are you ready, beloved? Are you ready?” She imagined herself looking into his eyes the way they looked the last time he saw her, deep and longing. “I am ready.” Her heart raced, but it was fear, not desire. “No, I’m not ready! ” she said aloud. “I don’t want him! Not that way! Oh gods, he would know! ” She collapsed in the grass, sobbing. "Aiheu help me, I love them both, but I don’t want to marry Taka—I’d almost rather die! " She opened her eyes, seeing the savanna through a blurred film of tears. She blinked as a shadow passed overhead. Looking up, she saw Ahadi's majordomo gliding by.
      She hunched over, praying he wouldn't see her down here, crying like a hungry cub. With relief, she saw him heading away towards the river. She felt lucky; his sharp eyesight rarely missed anything on the ground.
      She started to head back home, but paused, thinking. His sharp eyesight rarely missed anything, even Taka! He could find Taka! Galvanized into action, she burst from her hiding place and sprinted after him, trying to keep him in sight. "Zazu! Wait! "
      High above her, the hornbill sped toward the river, the wind whistling past his ears dulling any sounds that might have reached him. Gliding down to a smooth landing, he paced over to the river's edge, eager to begin his noontime ritual. In a quiet spot in the shade of the reeds, he took in a deep breath, stretched his wings, and dipped one foot in the water. “Sheesh! ” He pulled out his leg quickly. “Perfect.”
      He backed up a few steps, took a flying leap, and after a few powerful strokes of his wings, folded and dropped like a stone into the cold water.
      “Ooo-hoo-HOOO! ” He splashed about until he got used to the frigid tide. It felt good in the oppressive heat. Singing, he splashed about, soaking himself from his primaries clear through to the down.
 
“Mai-sie, Mai-sie,
Your eyes are driving me cra-zy,
Pluck a dai-sy,
Ask it if I am true.
 
 
“You’ll pull off the fragrant petals,
And watch as each one settles,
I love you so, and off we’ll go,
To a paradise made for two.”
 
      A goose with her goslings watched with harmless amusement. One of the goslings swam over and had to stare a little more closely.
      “What’cha doing?”
      “Who? What?” Zazu shook off his head and looked at the youth. “Oh, I’m just tidying up.”
      “I thought you were in trouble.”
      “Hardly.” Zazu laughed.
      The small ball of feathers looked back unblinking.
      “Was there something else?”
      “Gee, that’s a big beak. What are you?”
      “I’m a hornbill.”
      “I like hornbills.”
      “Thank you.” He smiled. “Best run along or you’ll get splashed. Hornbills do a lot of that”
      Pushing along the bottom with his feet and flapping his wings, Zazu made it back to the bank with a great deal of effort. He fanned his wings to shake off diamond droplets, and began to use his beak with surprising finesse to preen his feathers. The show was over, and the gosling went back to its mother to fish for prawns.
      It was nearly time to gather the mid-day news for Ahadi. In return for his services, Zazu lived a safe life. He could pick the choicest fruits from the trees where predators made their stealthy living, for he was corban--off limits--to all who would enjoy a well-fed hornbill.
      When he was nearly dry enough to take off, a lioness came out of the bush. “Zazu! Thank heavens you’re still here.”
      “Sarabi! Good morning.”
      “It’s NOT a good morning, ” she said with distress. “When you make your rounds, tell me if you see Taka. He’s run off, and I’m worried about him.”
      “Run off, you say? That whining little imp? I didn’t think he had the nerve.” He rubbed his eyes. “I wouldn’t worry about him. He’ll come back when he’s had a taste of the bush.”
      “Zazu! I know you don’t like him, but you do like me, don’t you?”
      “Of course I do. I value your friendship highly.”
      “And you like Mufasa, don’t you?” She didn’t even wait for an answer. “Listen, it’s important for Muffy and I to know where he is. Besides, that would be some real news for the King. Akase is going crazy worrying about him.”
      “I’ll get right on it.”
      Zazu spread his wings and in a moment he was up beyond the tops of the trees, headed off to make his rounds.
      “Good luck! ”

      The next morning, the green plain of the Pride Lands was covered by zebras, antelopes, elephants, giraffes, and many other peoples who pushed and shoved for the best position. Zazu, the King's majordomo, strutted about nervously. He had never spoken before such a huge audience before. King Ahadi looked drained, though he kept up appearances. Queen Akase had a difficult time sitting still beside her husband. She stared into space.
      Sarabi and Elanna were wards of the queen, and were invited to sit with the royal family. It was especially a comfort for Sarabi to be next to Akase and smell the familiar smell of her milk mother.
      “Zazu, ” Sarabi asked quietly, “Have you seen Taka?”
      “I’m sorry. I’ve put out word all over, but I’m afraid he’s long gone.”
      “Oh.” She bowed her head.
      “Even Gopa the stork hasn’t seen him, and nothing escapes Gopa. But I can fly out past the boundary if you wish. After the ceremony of course.”
      “It won’t be necessary.”
      Akase motioned her over and nuzzled her affectionately. “You are such a comfort to me. You were his milk sister, and how many times as I nursed you I thought of you as my own little girl, as if I had carried you.”
      “I felt it, ” Sarabi said, resting her head on Akase’s shoulder. “Tell me the truth--should I have gone with Taka?”
      Akase purred. “No, my child. It is sad enough to lose a son without losing a daughter. And I feel you will be my daughter before the day is out.”
      Mufasa got the nod from his father, and started out toward the end of the spur to meet the crowd. But first he paused by Sarabi and smiled to see how gentle she looked leaning on Akase. “My last cubhood thought will be of you, ” he said. “And the first thought as a lion will be of you. Sassie, would you rest your head on me some time?” She looked deep into his eyes and her chin trembled. “Muffy, ” she purred, “My beloved.”
      Mufasa walked to the end of the promontory. A brief, dim memory came back to him. “Old Makedde, ” he thought. “Was I so small that he could hold me up?” He smiled, and looked over the crowd. It was good to be back where it had all started.
      Zazu shouted, "Long live Prince Mufasa, son of King Ahadi! "
      The crowd bowed and scraped. Zebras whinnied, elephants trumpeted, and antelopes stomped their hooves. It only stopped when Zazu spread his wings.
      The King met his son at the tip of Pride Rock. "Let all within the sound of my voice know that my son is coming fast on the path of his forefathers. Look, he bears the sign."
      Akase took Ahadi's place. "Look down o gods and bless my son who is now a lion." She shuddered visibly. "And bless my son Taka, wherever he is. Hear a mother’s prayer and have mercy on him."
      A hush fell over the sward. The zebras looked at one another and the elephants shook their head. Akase stood on the tip of the Pride Rock with a certain dignity, but a deep sadness that bowed her head and stooped her shoulders. They waited for her to say something, anything. One of the zebra mares nuzzled her foal. The leopards bowed their heads and Bhetu the bat-eared fox howled mournfully. Ahadi came out and kissed his mate, leading her back to a sanctuary of private grief. Zazu dismissed the crowd with a quick blessing, and they stalked quietly away, aware that something very bad had happened.
      Mufasa left the peak, and headed back to the cave where he had spent his cubhood. "So I am a lion now."
      "You are my lion now, " Sarabi answered. She came from the deep shadows to meet him. He gathered his nerve and put his paw paw on her left shoulder. She answered with a deep purr. It could only mean one thing.
      Mufasa said "Before the gods, before the stars, before the assembled host I swear to give you my protection, my life, and my comfort forever."
      She trembled and nuzzled him affectionately. "Till the last beat of my heart, to the last breath I sigh, our lives are one, so help me gods."
      "Bless you, Sassie. I'll love you forever."
      “Let us go someplace alone, ” Sarabi whispered.
      “Right now?” Mufasa whispered back. “Are you sure you want this?”
      “Yes.” She kissed him. “Once Taka needed me, but now he needs something I can’t give him. I hope he finds it.” She nuzzled him and added, “Let me be selfish, Muffy. Let me think of myself for once. Give me what I need. Love me. Let me feel your breath on my cheek.”
      “Sassie, ” he whispered passionately. “To love you for a moment and then die, I would have no regrets.”
      Mufasa nodded at his parents and Ahadi winked back. “Have fun, kids. There’s a nice walk to the mirror pool in the cleft of the rock. You could watch the fish swim.”
      When Mufasa led his timid new wife out of the cave, Ahadi whispered to Akase, “Thank the Gods. Sarabi is a good lioness, and she has made the right decision. Taka is a good boy, and clever, but he is so immature. Besides, it’s just like Rafiki says--Muffy really loves her.”
      “Did he tell you that too? He’s a meddlesome old ape, but he has a heart from the gods.” She shook her head. “I hate to agree with you, husband, but you are right about Taka.” She sighed. “Do you ever think we’ll see him again?
      “Probably not while we’re alive, old girl. He’s proud, that one. Proud and stubborn.”
      “Then go after him, ” Akase said.
      “Go after him? Where? This is no antelope hunt. His tracks cover every square paw of the Pride Lands. I’m not a god, you know.”
      “You don’t have to tell me that, ” she said in a feeble attempt at humor. “But if you don’t look for him, I will.”
      “Akase! You must be careful! I can’t have you leaving the Pride Lands. I’ve already lost a son—must I lose his mother as well?”
      “Then come with me.”
      “I’m not sure it will do any good. But we owe him that much at least.”
      Just then, Zazu came excitedly into the cave. "Good news, everyone! You'll never guess! " He bowed deeply. "Your Majesties, Taka is coming back! I've spotted him in the brush and he's headed this way! "
      “That is good news for us, ” Ahadi said. “I only hope it will be good news for him.”

      Taka was devastated by his loss. It was too much for him to accept completely, and he constantly watched for opportunities to get Sarabi alone. Such chances were few, for Muffy fawned on her day and night, smitten with a love both deep and selfless. And Sarabi was not the passive subject of his advances. She nuzzled her mate for no obvious reason, played games of hide and go seek with passion at stake, and would lie against him with her head buried in the softness of his mane. When the lionesses would talk as they gathered for the hunt, her every other word was Muffy this and Muffy that. Their attraction was healthy and strong, and those who knew her said she would have the light in her eyes soon enough.
      Once Sarabi enjoyed Taka’s company. Now she tried to avoid him. He had met her at the watering hole and begged her to come away with him. Once he’d waited for her to come back from the kill and put his paw on her left shoulder in front of the other lionesses. She was terrified that Muffy would overhear some of his remarks and try to satisfy the demands of honor. Taka misunderstood her warnings as concern for “their relationship, ” and began to block out the evidence of her strong attraction to Muffy. To him, she was trapped in a marriage she did not want, trying to protect her true love from the wrath of a jealous husband or outraged gods.
      Sarabi tried to disenchant him from that fantasy. He only believed more strongly than ever in her love. A brave, fragile thing of beauty that would try to turn his affections to another rather than have him killed by his own brother. At first it was easy for Taka to cling to this story and make his rejection bearable. In a way, it made her more beautiful and desirable to him, and he suffered greatly over it.
      Then one day her love for Muffy took tangible form inside her. She came to him that morning, nuzzled him, and called him “father, ” and with tears of joy he kissed her and called her “mother.” Ahadi and Akase were the next to know, but then she went to tell Taka she was with child. This was more of a duty she had to perform, and she took no joy in it.
      He stared silently at the ground for a moment, then looked at her. “So you are with his child. Where has the time gone.”
      “I hope you are glad for me.”
      “I could be glad for us.” He reached out with his left paw and touched her shoulder.
      “I wish you wouldn’t do that.” She backed up. “Muffy would use you for a throw rug. Besides, I’m expecting. Doesn’t that mean anything to you? Taka, it’s over between us. Can’t you see that?”
      “Because your child is forming inside you? Sassie, it could be our child. I love you so much, and I would love your cubs so much. I can’t just give up on you. No one has ever loved you the way I do. I cannot blame Muffy for wanting you. I couldn’t blame any lion for wanting you. But you loved me back. I waited for you, I prayed for you, I was prepared to turn my back on family and friends for you, even the gods themselves.”
      She was shocked. “Don’t you fear the gods?”
      “The gods?” Taka uttered a short, mocking laugh. “If there are any gods, they hate me. They have let this curse eat away at me and done nothing to stop it.” His eyes bored into hers. “You are my god now. You and the child inside you. I would worship you. I would bring you sacrifices. Sassie, look at me! ”
      “Stop it! I’m not going anywhere with you. I love you like a brother—a spoiled little brother that has his good moments. I thought I could also learn to love your breath on my cheek, but it will not happen. Muffy is the first thing I think of when I wake up and the last thing I think of as I fall asleep. When he touches me, I tremble. You never made me feel that way.”
      His jaw clenched. “I don’t want to hear this.”
      “You NEED to hear this! He and I are in love. I pitied you, and wanted to make you happy. But you are aggravating, dependent, selfish, and obnoxious, and those are some of your LESS irritating qualities. If I’d married you, that would not have changed. But thank the gods I narrowly escaped making the biggest mistake of my life.”
      Taka took in a short gasp. The dream was shattered forever. He gaped at her, unable to speak for several seconds. “Well then, ” he said bitterly, “it seems I ran away at a very convenient time. I hope you two will be happy together.” He started away.
      “Wait, Taka! I don’t know what made me say those awful things.”
      “What awful things, Sarabi?” He gave her a withering glance. “I’m the one that loves you, you said. Taka, when you grow up, I want to marry you, you said. And that little crack about how I wouldn’t survive the wedding night. Well I almost didn’t.” She backed away a step as he stalked towards her. “While his breath perfumed your dainty little cheek as you so delicately put it, I was planning my own death.”
      She put a paw to her mouth, horrified.
      “You didn’t know why I ran away, did you Sassie. I ran away to blot you out forever. I thought you were worth a little plunge off a cliff. Now at least I know why I didn’t.” He nodded to himself. “Some higher power spared me so I could learn you weren’t worth it.”
      She cuffed him across the face. “Get out! ”
      He turned and walked off. Taka often went out alone, and no one in the pride knew where. He took a haunch from a zebra and headed off toward the elephant graveyard.
      Fabana the hyena was waiting for him. She had a sense about these things.
      “Fay, it’s good to see you again.”
      “What is it this time, Scar?”
      “She has the light in her eyes. His child.” He didn’t have to fill in more details, for she heard from him regularly.
      The pups were older, and they recognized him. “What’cha got today, Uncle Scar?”
      “Zebra. Do you like that, Banzai?”
      “It’s my favorite! ”
      “Food is his favorite diet, ” Fabana said, as the pups began to tug over favorite scraps. “There is good in you, Scar. You are a true son of Roh’kash.”