Oriel

Lilac Beard (Slot 11), Golden Waves (Slot 12), Whisper Quarter (Slot 13).

Marley was not very old and not worried about death coming soon, but he knew when he did retire, he wanted Oriel to be king. So despite it being soon, Marley announced Oriel as his heir to the pride which was taken well by the majority of the lions. A couple lionesses disagreed with Marley’s decision as they saw Oriel as too soft and kind to be king, even voicing their opinions but never acting on them.

Oriel originally joined as a loner who had left his previous pride for a new life. At first he planned to stay temporarily, to help this newborn pride with his experience and knowledge, and move on again to find somewhere else to live, but that plan had become more difficult to follow through with the more he bonded with the pride. And when Oriel decided he should finally leave, Marley (who Oriel had become especially close with) insisted he stay, both of the males wanting Oriel to become a permanent member of the pride. So he stayed much to almost everyone’s pleasure.

In the process of persuading Oriel to stay, Marley also admitted to loving Oriel, and although surprising to Oriel, he reciprocated. After a few months they were ready for the ceremonial exchanging of gifts and the pride was given an occasion to celebrate.