TLG: happy ever after

Chapter 3: The dawn of a new era

The day of Kion's coronation...

Right after the official end of the crowning ceremony, the new king spent hours talking to his new subjects. At first, all the herd leaders took turns to congratulate Kion and welcome him to the Tree of life once again, this time to rule the land. Then Kion got surrounded by a group of different animals, who he couldn't recognize because he didn't meet them last time he was there. Those guys, however, seemed to have heard A LOT about their new ruler and were eager to introduce themselves personally. After having brief conversations with all of them and answering a lot of questions, Kion excused himself and left to talk to his family.

As he was heading towards the spot where they were resting, the golden-furred lion met another group of animals who also wished to have a chance to speak with the king. And so, Kion was stuck in a long boring small talk again. Fortunately for him, after what felt like an eternity, someone spotted Rani walking nearby, and the group went on to overwhelm their beloved queen.

When Kion reached his parents' den it was already getting dark. As soon as he entered, Nala got up and gave her son a gentle nuzzle. "I'm so proud of you, Kion!", the lioness said happily. "Look at him, Simba, our boy is a king now!", she took a step back and looked at her son with a warm smile.

Simba moved closer and gave Kion a hug. "We're indeed very proud of you, son. The ceremony was beautiful, and the locals seem to accept and like you already. How does being a king feel?", the older lion asked as he pulled away and joined his wife's side.

"I don't think I'll ever get used to being called that.", Kion chuckled. "Thank you for coming, it really means the world to me.", he added in a sincere tone.

"We wouldn't miss it for anything, little brother!", Kiara walked in, smirking. She had clearly heard the conversation from her and Kovu's den that was located close by.

"Oh, hey there, big sis!", Kion vocally emphasized the word "big" and smirked back. "How come your precious fiancé isn't by your side?", he added sarcastically. The siblings always liked to tease each other every time they got an opportunity to do so. Neither of them ever meant any harm, though. That's just how siblings are.

"Kovu's asleep, he clearly ate too much during the celebration feast. He could barely walk after that, I practically dragged him to our den!", Kiara complained. "The real question is, where is Rani? Did you abandon your queen, your majesty?", she ended the question with a bow.

"Oh, break it up, you two!", Nala put a stop to her kids' sarcastic exchanges. She never particularly liked it when they talked to each other that way.

"Yeah, Kion, I thought you'd spend as much time together as possible today. Is she busy?", Simba looked confused.

"Well, we were going to pay you a visit together, but she bumped into a group of very talkative guys on her way here.", Kion explained. "And, trust me, there's no escaping them. I spent like an hour with them, yet I have no idea what the conversation was about. It was nice but also kind of exhausting."

"I totally understand how you feel, some animals just love talking about nothing.", Simba chuckled. "And they always manage to bump into you right in the middle of something important."

"Are you referring to my friends?", Kiara turned to face her dad. A couple of weeks before Kion's crowning ceremony Tiifu and Zuri met their king on his way to a big meeting with the Pridelanders' herds. They had an argument about who should be the princess' maid of honour at her upcoming wedding, despite the fact that Kiara had already asked them both. Needless to say, Simba ended up being late to the meeting.

"Maybe?!", Simba answered in a playful manner and winked at his daughter.

"Anyway, Kion, you should go get some rest, you've had a big day.", Nala said softly. "We're leaving tomorrow, but before you ask...no, we're not leaving without a proper goodbye", she answered the question she knew her son would ask, even before he could think of it. Nala knew her children very well.

"Ok, see you all tomorrow then. Good night!", Kion headed towards the den exit.

"Don't forget to save your wife on your way back, little brother!", Kiara laughed as she followed him.

"You know we're not married, right?", Kion answered, a little annoyed.

"Sure!", Kiara stated with a grin, prancing, clearly pleased with the way she made her brother uncomfortable.

"I'll make sure to feed Kovu again, just so you'll have to carry him back to the Pridelands on your back!", Kion countered, as they were leaving the den.

All Nala could do was shake her head. "They'll never stop doing that, will they?", she asked rhetorically. Simba just smiled and motioned her to join him on their sleeping stone.

...

"Holy paws, I'm so tired!", Kion sighed and let out a loud yawn as he practically collapsed on the floor inside the Tree of life.

Rani walked in right after him. "Never expected to hear these words from you, Mr Fierce.", she chuckled and approached the stone pedestal. "Long day?"

"Yeah. Too many animals, too much talking.", Kion stated plainly, staring at the ground.

"Well, what did you expect? Of course everybody is curious about their new king."

"I know, I know. I'm not complaining. Just very tired."

"It's fine, I understand. So... are you going to sleep on the floor or are you going to join me up here?", Rani asked with a chuckle.

"Uhm, sure. I'll join you if you don't mind.", he slowly got up.

"Why would I mind?"

"I don't know, it's just... well, we've never even slept in the same den before.", Kion answered a little awkwardly.

"Oh, you're right.", Rani got his point. "Well, I would like to assure you it's completely fine, don't even worry about it."

"Cool. Uhm... Thanks?!", the red-maned lion said as he laid down on the pedestal, still a little unsure.

"You're welcome, Kion!", the queen replied with a smile.

Rani opened her mouth as if to say something, yet after seeing how tired Kion looked, she decided not to continue the conversation. Clearly there was a lot of things that she wanted to discuss with her new king, including their relationship. But that could wait, at least until the next day. Instead Rani simply laid down, not far from Kion, yet not too close to disturb him.

"Good night!", she said.

"Sweet dreams!"

The two adolescent lions closed their eyes and soon fell asleep. The whole kingdom was silent and peaceful. For the first time in many years, the Tree of life had two reigning monarchs   ̶  Queen Rani and King Kion. And thus began the new era.