Love In a Hopeless Place

The passing days had been like a dream to Ilani. The Outlands had been, thus far, remarkably serene and quiet. The barren lands reminded Lani of the desert home she had left behind, and the pride had been welcoming to the newcomer, over all. The normally withdrawn lioness seemed to be coming out of her shell with Kiume's presence and influence, and she was less shy around the Outlanders as she became more comfortable in her own fur. Most of the time, she simply forgot that Kiume was the king of the territory. The title did nothing to change how she felt about the lion. It could not be helped, and Lani no longer tried to hide her affections for the lion. She was a full grown lioness after all, old enough to have had a litter if she had allowed a male near her before. There was only one lion she wanted.

Kiume had left for a patrol near the borders earlier in the evening, and Lani found it impossible to sleep while he was gone. She wasn't fearful that he would be harmed, for she knew he could hold his own and that there were few intruders threatening the territory anyway. His presence soothed her, and that night, the small lioness felt especially restless. It was late now, a bright full moon overhead illuminating the scenery and her pale coat as Lani paced around the termite mounds, alone. She knew Kiume would be returning soon, and she kept a watchful eye open for the golden male. The others were fast asleep within the mound den, and the only sounds were the soft padding of her paws and the symphony of nocturnal insects all around.

Everything had went better than expected, the King had nothing to worry about on his patrols. The lands were silent, almost an eerie silence, as if something was going to happen that night. Small roars could be heard on the wind, coming from the direction of the Pridelands. The thought of Scar being angry scared the king, he could somehow be coming after the Outlanders. But what had they done? They had stayed in their borders, in their exile from the lands, but it was probably just his imagination running wild.

But when Kiume approached the dens he saw Lani padding about, it worried him slightly and he quickened his pace to see what was the matter. He had not yet taken the female as his queen, but he planned to one day. He wouldn't do it without her permission, as who would want to bear the responsibility of a title out of nowhere? It was probably the same reason that Kiume was given the title of monarch. He was the only one who wanted it, even in the slightest inclination, he had the title thrust upon him, he was not of royal blood. But now, he had the chance to change that.

"Lani!" Kiume cried softly as he finally came upon the female. And affectionate nuzzle was given and the king sat down in front of her. A small chuckle emitted from the male's muzzle as he looked into the bright cerulean eyes of the female. They glowed in the darkness and gave Kiume a sense of peace that he had not had in a long time. "What are you doing up? Something the matter?"

Lani bumped her forehead against Kiume's in greeting, a soft purr rumbling from her throat the instant he was near. "Oh, no, there's nothing wrong. It's hard to sleep alone now." She looked down as she spoke, a momentary lapse into shyness taking hold. Lani met Kiume's gaze again a second later, unable to help the smile that crossed her muzzle. "Are you exhausted from your patrol?" She would be understanding if he was, but the lioness still felt peculiarly awake. Her love's presence calmed her nerves, but she didn't care to join the rest of the pride just yet. Why sleep when waking life was worth staying up for?

It was a funny feeling, one she couldn't describe. In her adult life, she had avoided the males of her species like the plague. But Kiume was unlike all the other lions she had encountered before. He wasn't intimidating, he didn't try to manipulate the lioness. She had never before felt so comfortable around a lion before. Now, she side stepped around Kiume, allowing the tuft of her tail to tease his nose. She peered over her shoulder to see if he would follow her for a moonlit walk through his kingdom, or call it a night and enter the termite mounds for rest.

Kiume listened as Lani said that she couldn't sleep alone and a small frown fell upon his face. He would have to change that, but with his busy schedule as king it was unknown if he could be with her every night. But then Lani questioned about his stamina, if he was exhausted from the patrols. The king chuckled, "Nah, not really, wide awake honestly," but what happened next was something that he didn't expect to happen. Lani walked past him, away from the entrance of the dens, her silvery chrome tail brushing against his nose.

A small sniffle was given from the king and he looked towards the pride sleeping. They were peaceful for the time being, so it wouldn't hurt. Besides, the males were much defense until he could get home if something terrible happened. Kiume smiled and padded softly, quickly catching up to Lani. Kiume wouldn't be a leader, only a follower this time. Wherever Lani wanted to go in this night time stroll, he wouldn't care.

So many things ran through the male's head, they were finally alone and away from the prying eyes of the pride. So many things could happen, but he decided to push those thoughts away for the time being. "So," Kiume started, "you're having a hard time sleeping?" The question was one of worry, was there an underlying reason of homesickness? Either or, Kiume would deal with the problem. He didn't want the former Desertlander to be miserable, and if worse came to worse, he did not want to lose his Lani ever again.

If the night's destination was to be left to Lani, the pair would undoubtedly end up lost. The Outlands were still an unfamiliar landscape, and even though Lani was starting to know her way around the territory, the night made the entire place look different. Being lost, alone with Kiume didn't sound half bad though, and so she padded along with no particular destination in mind, the gold lion now at her side. For being the leading destination for outcasts and rogues, the

She hadn't meant to worry Kiume, and she shook her head quickly to reassure him that she was adjusting to life in the Outlands as best that could be expected. "It's nothing to be concerned about. I would rather have you there before I call it a night, that's all." Well, maybe she did worry about Kiume on his patrols, after all, and she gave a soft chuckle at the realization. Despite being smaller than the male, the pale lioness managed to keep pace with him, form so near to his that she could feel his body heat radiating. A soft purr escaped at the warm feeling.

"I have been thinking, though. What more can I do for the Outlanders? I could patrol, as you do, or..." Her words trailed off into thoughtful silent. Lani fully realized she was not built for fighting, her small frame a constant disadvantage in physical altercations. Still, she felt as if she should do something for her new pride, and for their king. It still seemed surreal to think of the golden lion as the leader of his own pride, but she was getting used to the idea now.

A smile formed across Kiume's muzzle, she would rather have him there for the night before she slept. It made the king feel more special than not, having someone need him in their presence. A soft purr was heard from Lani, and it made Kiume's smile grow. He nuzzled her head quickly and continued on their walk throughout the kingdom, with no destination in sight. If this was an everyday thing, Kiume would love it. Midnight strolls with the lioness he loved the most, it would be one of the most amazing things.

But then, Lani asked and thought a difficult question. What more can she do for the pride? She mentioned patrols which Kiume quickly shook his head no for, he wasn't going to endanger Lani for that. The king felt like a small cub with asking, but he finally came up with the courage to do so. "Well," he started, "the pride needs a queen..." His voice was shaky, one could tell he was clearly nervous. But then, a better idea came over his head and a smile formed. Kiume stopped and leaned his head closer to the lioness' ear.

"If not queen we can take it one step at a time. A mother perhaps?" Kiume stressed the word mother in his inquiry, Lani would make the perfect mother for his cubs, besides! Sarabi was inducted as queen only a few days before Simba was born. Kiume licked Lani's cheek and nuzzled the spot afterwords, the next line was but a whisper, "I love you Lani," The display of affection was more sincere than the last time the words were exchanged. The king did not wish to pressure Lani into anything, and if she declined both of his requests he would try again another day. But for some reason, everything just felt right.

Ilani froze in her tracks when Kiume finally made his suggestion for how she could help the pride. She was the product of a sham pride, of a tyrant and his harem who never cared for their own children, who had been adopted by a pride who saw her as being different. She wasn't the daughter of a king or anything close to it. Kiume wasn't of royal blood either, but found himself in the position of leadership regardless. The thought gave Lani some hope, but she remained silent as the male spoke once more, offering another idea.

Naturally, the idea of having cubs had occurred to Lani previously. Throughout her adolescence, the pale lioness had often dreamt of a caring, devoted family who loved her, in spite of her tendency to be a misfit. She would teach her offspring to be better than that, to not judge and to give all an equal chance, to be fair... But the dream had seemed so distant, she had never imagined a lion would want her. And yet, there was Kiume, light gold pelt shining beneath the full moon, heart opened to her and soul bared.

She stood still in her place as she considered everything that was happening. Life had certainly taken an interesting turn lately. Kiume professed his love, which brought a wide smile to the female's white muzzle. "I know," she said with a playful wink, returning his nuzzle with a purr that only grew louder. "I trust you. I am certain you will be the best father a cub could ask for."

A smile emerged on Kiume's face, Lani not only trusted him, but said he would become an excellent father. "And you my dear an excellent mother." The king stopped in his tracks and laid down for a moment, gazing at the stars. It was the one thing Kiume loved about the lands he ruled, the night sky was so beautiful, so peaceful. And with doing so, he motioned Lani to lay next to him. Once she did, Kiume would place his arm around her, bringing her in close for a moment of silence and stargazing.

A chuckle, "I can see it now Lani, strong cubs, with silvery manes and tails when they grow older. A silver pelt like yours, and your bright cerulean eyes." Kiume rather not have his cubs look like him, but more of Lani. A golden cub would be nice, but a royal family should have a unique design and pelt color. That was what Denali was trying to achieve before his death, dark russet cubs with a light russet mane. The deceased king tried to shove that ideal onto Kiume, but he'd rather have a family out of love, not unique appearance. Just as he was doing now, this was all out of love that he held for Lani, not just because of her appearance.

The king would nuzzle Lani's cheek and lay his head upon of her own. He imagined a small litter, a male and a female. Both looking like Lani in many ways, but with the female carrying his eyes. Names were something Kiume hadn't thought of, but he'd rather live in the moment than worry about the future. Yes, a royal family with Lani at his side. A small whisper escaped his muzzle, "You'll be amazing Lani, I know that for a fact. Our cubs, will fall in love with you,"

Settling down beside the lion, Lani was lost in her thoughts. Was she asleep or awake? It seemed too good to be true, the moment more perfect than she ever could have dreamt of. When he commented that he hoped their future offspring would take after her looks, she seemed to snap out of her dreamy daze, blinking a few times as she considered his hopes. Her own parents had hardly looked like little Ilani, her father even blaming her mother of infidelity. Her looks had always been a mystery, and the idea of another lion that looked like her made her chuckle softly. "I'll bet they will take after their father." Kiume's personality was more dominant, it stood to reason his genes would be, as well.

Having never had a caring, doting mother in her lifetime, Lani wondered to herself if she would know what to do. Would instinct kick in once she became a mother, or would she be clueless? Either way, she knew she would have Kiume. As she had voiced, Lani trusted the Outlander king completely, and she was certain he wouldn't abandon the lioness or their cubs. Whatever the future would bring, the two would have each other, she knew in her heart. Nothing before had seemed so right to the lioness.

The stars were twinkling like diamonds above them, and it reminded her of the desert she had left behind. She purred continuously, simply enjoying the peaceful night and the nearness of her love. It was likely to be the happiest night of her life, and she tried to remember every second of it for future recollection. "I can picture it, too." No other words seemed right then, and Lani was quiet again, save her gentle, contented purrs.


[We could end it there, unless Kiume has more to say!]