Milk-faded eyes of the newborn cub gazed blindly upon the lioness, mewling and growling as it found its way to their mother’s belly to nurse. Kiara blinked lovingly at the bundle of ochre fur and gave a quiet sigh of approval as she protectively wrapped her body around the cub; she drug her tongue across their head, leaving little wisps of fur standing on end. She’d given birth to the Prideland's next heir.
The evening prior Kiara had felt the early pangs of labor as she assisted the hunting party pass around the day’s prey. Being the independent lioness she was, she made sure to make her discomfort invisible to the lions around her, carrying herself with grace and normality. She dared not even alert her mate, Kovu, in case things were to go awry. He’d been acting distant lately, his mind clearly preoccupied with the duties of a newly appointed Royal Knight; she dared not disrupt him and distract him from his role to the pride.
As the day’s duties and activities began to wind down and the sun crept lower into the sky, Princess Kiara casually made her way to the Shaman’s Lodge, a cozy den deep within Pride Rock where the pride shaman carries out their role as the pride healer and caretaker. Talazami had been the Prideland’s shaman for countless years and provided a wealth of knowledge to her pride. The keen shaman’s eyes gleamed when she saw Kiara approaching, belly swollen and mouth pulled tight in a curt smile.
“I sense that the time has come, Princess,” Talazami breathed, pushing aside the poultice she’d been mixing with her claws in a deep crater within the stone flooring. “Come. I’ve already prepared your nest, as requested.”
The shaman nodded warmly toward the princess and led her deeper within the den, bringing Kiara to a soft pallet woven with delicate vines, leaves, flowers, and shed fur collected from her pride members. The den smelled warm and comforting; like a warm hug from your loved ones.
“Thank you, Talazami. I appreciate this so much, ” Kiara purred, wincing slightly as she felt another pain of labor. She swallowed her pain quickly and butted heads with Talazmi in appreciation. She’d asked the shaman to prepare her nest ahead of time, knowing her cub could arrive any day. Kiara stepped into the nest, circling once to make space for herself, and settled in facing the outward cliff that loomed at the end of the Shaman’s Lodge. She let out an exhale of anticipation for the night to come as she watched the sun sink below the hills, filling the cave with twilight.
Talazmi looked upon her princess and smiled to herself. Talazami had been the lioness to overlook Queen Nala’s birth, watching Princess Kiara as she took her first breath. And now she would be watching the princess once more as she now leapt into motherhood herself. Talazami never had cubs of her own, and thus treats every member of the pride as if she herself carried them within her barren womb.
The old lioness mumbled sweetly as she adjusted the bedding around Kiara’s paws, “you’re a strong one, Princess. You’ve nothing to fear; be it laborious pains or motherhood. It is such a beautiful night to meet your cub!” The shaman smiled as she placed a loving lick behind Kiara’s ear, returning to her poultice and leaving the princess to her trial ahead.
She would keep a watchful eye on the young lioness from a distance. Bringing one’s cubs into the world is often done in seclusion and secrecy, but Talazami and many other shamans in neighboring prides believe it their duty to oversee the mothers and aid as much as the lioness’ will allow them, walking a fine line of observation and protection.
°°° °°° °°°
“A girl! The cub is a girl!” Kovu roared excitedly as he galloped away from the Shaman’s Lodge, Talazami hot on his trail, snapping at his tail as it barely escaped her maw as she chased the ecstatic father away. He felt nothing but pure happiness as he made his way through the dens, announcing the birth of his daughter to everyone. Congratulations and praise showered him, loving licks and butting heads covered him as he passed.
“Another daddy’s girl within the pride. How wonderful,” a coy voice spoke as Kovu passed. He turned and gleamed toward Zuri, who smiled with reservation when he laid eyes upon her. Her fur prickled under the Royal Knight’s gaze uncomfortably. Kovu did not take notice, he was too caught up in the euphoria.
“And healthy too! Her fur is beautiful, eyes like gems, and paws nearly as big as mine!” Kovu laughed and raised his paw as an example. He continued to praise his newborn daughter as Zuri held her smile, the edges of her lips fighting a saddening frown as she felt the flutterings of her own cub beginning to grow within her belly. She knew the pride would never be as happy for her as they are in this moment for her friend Kiara… “Her name is Akina,” Kovu finally spat out as he turned to continue to spread the news.
Zuri nodded and swallowed back a lump of envy; slight embarrassment heating her fur to an uncomfortable degree . “What a beautiful name,” she spoke to herself as she rose to her paws. She gazed back toward the Shaman’s Lodge and breathed a steady sigh. She would soon put on an overly excited smile, wrap herself in a cloak of illusionary fawning and go congratulate one of her best friends, the princess, and welcome the newest heir to the Pridelands.
But for now she will keep to herself. Turning her gaze back toward the den opening of Pride Rock, she saw as Kovu excitedly delivered the news of Akina’s birth to King Simba, both lions clearly happy and beaming with pride. Zuri itched and prickled again with discomfort. She cut her eyes toward the ground as she approached them, passing them with a nod of respect, and calmly walked the path leading toward the open fields of their territory. She needed some time away to herself.
“Let me introduce you to your granddaughter,” Zuri heard Kovu say to Simba as she departed, “and you’ll see what I mean when I say she’s a perfect addition to the family!”
