Asha

"This cub, second daughter of Imani of the Spotted Coats- her Name shall be Asha, meaning 'Life'. May all who speak her name reflect on the gifts of the Great Spirit, and may she lead her life in a manner that honors us all." The tiny cub, but five days old, huddled between her mothers legs, her eyes still sealed closed. She felt the fluttering heartbeat of her older sister next to her, a comfort. Suddenly strange raspy tongues licked her head, startling a mewling from her. In succession, following Lasimba's lead, the lionesses of the pride all licked Asha and her sister, welcoming them into the world.


At seven days old, Imani returned to her twins with a rock held between her teeth. Setting it on the ground, she sat and watched her girls. Asha smelled the strange stone and wiggled toward it. When her nose made contact, a flash of light accompanied a sudden growth spurt and she sat in astonishment as she realized she was an adolescent!


When she was one year and one month old, still getting used to being drastically older, Asha was wandering around the edge of the pride's current camp, she came across a strange bed of flowers. Rolling around in the maroon flowers, she didn't realize she was staining her fur!


At Asha's Huntress Ceremony, she was honored before joining the hunting party for the first time. After she returned, victorious, Asante offered her a bundle of beautiful blue flowers. She shyly accepted the offering and placed it behind her ear, refusing to remove it.


As with the rest of the pride, she was deeply saddened at the sudden passing of Lasimba, her father and mentor. She attended the Passing Ceremony with a heavy heart, her sorrowful roars joining those of her pride. She was shocked when, at the Naming of the King, Asante was chosen, and then again when he chose her to be Queen. She accepted, but felt trepidation. She wasn't Queen material. Was she?