Change of Heart

**Change of Heart** is the third episode of Season 4.

## Synopsis

Some of the Pridelanders still do not trust Kovu and the former Outsiders. Will Naba succeed in making them change their hearts?

## Script

The Sun was still rising in the Pride Lands, and most of the inhabitants were still asleep. Kovu, joined by Naba who had snuck off with Kovu, went to patrol the Northern Borders of their Kingdom, where the Out Lands were.

“Why are we patrolling here again?” Naba asked, as he and Kovu kept walking. “The Outlanders are neutral now, that’s what Elimu!”

”Well yes. But we still should be patrolling. A rogue lion or a leopard could be passing through the Out Lands to go to the Pride Lands.” Kovu spoke. “Anyways, it’s my job.”

”And mine too!” Naba remained Kovu. “Well, unofficially, but still i do help!”

“…of course.” Kovu nodded, satisfying Naba. “It’s our place in the Circle of Life, at least for now.”

”Will you be patrolling borders when you are going to be King with Kiara?” Naba asked, titling his head towards Kovu as they carried on walking.

”Well…we haven’t decided about anything yet.” Kovu answered. “Hey, what’s that noise!”. Kovu and Naba stopped, as they turned their heads left towards where the noise was happening. Bupu and his heard raised their heads.

”Oh.” Naba said. “It’s Mr. Bupu and his heard out for their morning grassing. Hey! Hello there!”

”Oh…good morning.” Bupu muttered, while whispers from the heard started.

”Hey, what is everyone whispering about!” Naba asked. “Uh oh…do i have a baobab in my mane?!”

”It isn’t *you*, your majesty.” Bupu stated, as the heard nodded their heads.

”Then what is it?” Naba asked confused.

”I think it’s me…” Kovu said, looking down at the ground. “Simba did accept us into his pride, but a few of the heards still don’t trust me.”

“With all to respect, Prince Kovu, we feel as if we should be proven too that you are not going to hurt anyone.” A member of Bupu’s heard stated, as most of them nodded their heads in agreement.

”What’s your problem!” Naba shouted at the heard, causing them to look at the prince confused. “Kovu and the former Outsiders *have* changed! Why do you think Kovu and my sister convinced dad and Zira not to kill each other or whatever! And if it wasn’t for any of them, you all may not be here today! You all should be thankful, instead of being rude!”

”Now, let’s not all shout and-“ Boboka, a female antelope and Bupu’s sister, began to speak, but was cut off.

”Come on, let’s go back now Naba.” Kovu said as he gently pushed Naba ahead. “Sorry about him.” Kovu apologised, as the heard went back to their grassing.

”I didn’t know you could shout *that* loud.” Kovu looked down at Naba.

”I can shout as loud as i want.” Naba grumbled, as he looked down at the ground.

”Something troubling you?” Kovu asked, looking down at Naba as they crossed into Urembo Meadows.

”Isn’t it unfair that some of the heards treat you like this?” Naba stated, looking up at Kovu, who was a bit surprised seeing the little lion being serious for the first time. “I know that they may have their worries, but it doesn’t mean they need to be so blunt and rude about it! They need to accept the truth that you are good!”

”Naba, I don’t think they will change easily.” Kovu sighed. “Anyways, i have a fun idea we can do! When we get back to Pride Rock, why don’t we get Kiara and Simba and we can all go to Acacia Grove! Binti is going to talk to Twiga and her heard about something which i didn’t hear, but it sounds like it could be fun?”

“Sure!” Naba grinned, livening up his mood. “As long as it isn’t any boring Grandpa and Granny politic talk!”. The two lions kept talking until they reached Pride Rock. They could see Simba, Nadra, Kiara and Vitani talking.

”Hey sis?” Kovu looked in confusing, looking at Vitani. “I thought you would be with the rest of the guard now for morning patrol?”

”Well, they already have gone. And I would have gone too.” Vitani stated, before looking down at Naba. “But Bupu told Binti something which you two know. Isn’t that right, squirt?”

“Well…if you know then why would you be angry?” Naba looked at his parents, questioned.

“I’m going to go now.” Vitani said as she ran off.

”Naba.” Simba started, before turning to his mate and daughter. “We know that the some of the heard’s are still unsure if they should trust the former Outsiders, and we are talking to them.”

“We still do think that your little move was a bit reckless.” Nadra finished. “We don’t need Bupu to start up unnecessary problems.”

”Sorry Mom, sorry Dad..” Naba looked down, as his parents smiled. “Anyways, let’s forget about this now!” Naba jumped up, smiling while looking at Kovu and Kiara. “Let’s go then!”

”I need to go with the hunting party!” Nadra said, as she walked down Pride Rock.

”We’re coming!” Kiara laughed, as she, Simba and Kovu ran to Naba, with Binti following. The group of four walked until they got up to Acacia Grove. They spotted Twiga’s heard waiting.

”We shall now proceed.” Binti stated. “Twiga, you may go first.”

Simba, Binti, Kovu and Kiara listened to what Twiga was saying. Naba yawned. He got up, and walked not far away. Just outside of the Trees, he spotted a hole that the Followers of Scar had made to trap some of the heard, which had failed. Naba looked down, and gasped.

“Dad! Dad! Dad! Everyone, anyone!” Naba screamed as he ran towards the group, bumping into his sister.

”Naba, this isn’t the time to-“ Simba started, before he was interrupted.

”I saw Juhudi stuck in the hole with Hamu and Mtoto stuck!” Naba shouted. “I don’t talk to them only when i have too because they are older but I still know there names!”

“Shingo, stay with Majani!” Twiga shouted, as she, Naba, Kovu, Kiara, Simba, Binti and the whole heard rushed towards the hole. They spotted Mtoto’s mother and Muhimu over the hole, with Vitani and the lion guard and Bupu’s heard watching from afar.

”Don’t worry, we are going to-!” Tazama looked down, but was stopped by Kovu who rushed at the end of the hole.

”Hamu is it?” Kovu looked at the young adolescent Zebra. “Grab my paw!”. Hamu stuck out one of his legs, as Kovu pulled Hamu out. He did the same for Juhudi and Mtoto.

”Thank you, your majesty!” Mtoto thanked Kovu.

”Thank you so so much!” Hamu looked at Kovu. “Your majesty!”

”It’s my pleasure.” Kovu smiled. He saw Vitani looking at him.

”I didn’t know you could do that.” Vitani smirked.

“Kovu?” Bupu spoke, as he and his heard approached. “I think me and my heard owe you an apology. We judged you wrongly. Please, do forgive us.”

”Of course i do!” Kovu said, as the heard nodded and walked away.

”Well that was fast.” Kiara said, as Twiga, her heard, Simba and Binti went back to Acacia Grove to check up on Juhudi and carry on the meeting. “Should we ditch the meeting? It’s kinda getting boring and we have listened to it a million times.”

“Yeah!” Naba shouted, as he ran ahead. “Race you all to Pride Rock! Last one has to stay in the mud overnight!” Naba giggled as the three of them ran to Pride Rock.