Author's Note: Here is a key of how the OUAT characters relate to their Lion King counterparts.

David as Simba

Snow as Nala

Emma as Kiara

Killian as Kovu

Cora as Zira

Zelena as Nuka

Regina as Vitani

James as Scar - (I am turning David's twin into an uncle. And turning that uncle into James Hook, Killian's predecessor.)

The Apprentice as Mufasa - (I decided to combine what we know of Ruth, David's mother, and the Apprentice to create a Mufasa. Ruth means companion, and so I've named this character Reuel, as it means the same thing.)

Merlin as Rafiki

And the Dwarfs will fill in as the other animal sidekicks. We will see other beloved OUAT characters but they do not necessarily represent a Disney counterpart from this franchise. Finishing up on chapter one, and I'm nervous/excited as it has been a long time since I've written. KIND reviews are welcome.

Chapter 1

The breeze was warm for 8:15 on a late October morning. The sky was a brilliant blue and reflected off of the sea surrounding the castle. Everything was still for a moment as David looked over the landscape of his kingdom from the nursery window. The smell of the forests wafted through the open window as a few multicolored leaves floated past. The smell reminded him of his father, almost displacing him back to a simpler time, before his father's untimely death, a time when he and his father would ride through the woods and fields to the distant cliffs where every inch of the land was visible under the rising sun.

"Look my son, everything you see before you is our kingdom." David remembered his father's words; even now, he could almost hear his father's deep, strong voice. "A king's time as ruler rises and sets like the sun. One day, David, the sun will set on my time here, and will rise with you as the new king."

The tiny cooing from the center of the room pulled David back to the present, as he walked softly over to his baby girl. He watched the beautiful little princess as she tugged at the purple ribbon of the white blanket her mother had painstakingly made, her delicate fingers pulling the wool too tight and causing the cooing to be more like fussing.

Before she could bring tears to her eyes, David had scooped her up into his arms, re wrapping his daughter to make her more comfortable.

"It's ok, Emma. I'm right here, daddy's here, I've got you," he said beaming at his newborn daughter. He carried her over to the window, putting a soothing bounce in his step as Doc had shown him. Worked like a charm.

"Look Emma, this is your home and one day you will be queen of all the land." David smiled as another warm breeze carried more multicolored leaves swirling around them. Emma reached out to feel the leaves float around her hand.

David wondered if he would ever be able to follow in his father, King Reuel's, footsteps as king or father. He'd only been a child when his father had been killed. David's uncle, James, allowed his envy to overtake him and he plotted his own brother's assassination, blaming David as Reuel died protecting David. And so James used David's guilt to cast him into exile. All so James would be king. When James had successfully killed his brother and banished his nephew, he came back to the palace claiming that they had both been killed in a hunting accident.

"David?"

He turned to see soft green eyes, filled with concern, as Snow entered the nursery to face her husband.

"David, what's wrong? Is it Emma?"

"No," he said quietly, his voice raspy with emotion, "I was just thinking about… About…"

Snow's expression shifted with loving realization, "You were just thinking about your father, and how much you miss him. How much you wish he was here today." She placed a graceful hand on David's cheek and gave a supportive smile.

How was it that he could never keep a secret from this woman? Snow and David had grown up in neighboring kingdoms, and had been best friends since birth. She knew him better than anyone. She was his playmate, his partner in crime, and not that he'd have ever admitted it as a child, but she was the only reason he could use a bow and arrow.

When James had run through the kingdom's resources, Snow took off to the forests as a bandit, running from the corruption and seeking the aid of the people. It was during her search that she ended up trapped in a net, only to find out that David was alive and well, and a much better hunter now. David had been reluctant to discuss the past, and straight out refused to go back. How could he? He was the reason this was all happening.

But Snow saw past his walls, and got the truth out of him. Just like she was doing now.

"David," Snow started softly, taking Emma into her arms, "I know you still question your guilt, but I know your heart. There is not an evil bone in your body. It wasn't your fault. And King Reuel is here. Can't you feel him?"

David couldn't help but smile as a single tear slid down his cheek. His brilliant, beautiful wife had done it again. Shown him his own strength in a moment of feeling weak.

"Of course I feel him. And what's more, I think this little angel does too," David said, smoothing his daughters golden curls, and kissing Snow on the forehead.

"Come on, I'll dress Emma. You go get changed. The naming ceremony is set for an hour from now."

David smiled and headed towards their bedchamber, stopping at the nursery door for a moment to gaze upon his perfect little family.

It seemed the whole kingdom had gathered to hear the announcement. Their friends had decorated the ballroom with flowers and ribbons, the food prepping in the kitchen smelled heavenly, and the merriment of the occasion filled the heart of every citizen for the birth of this child marked the continuation of the royal line whose kindness and generosity had brought the land back to life. She was not just their Princess; she was their hope.

The lively music carried through the halls, chiming matched only by the laughter and excited chatter of everyone invited. Rather than being disturbed, little Emma seemed to be exhilarated by the delightful sensations of new sights, smells, and sounds.

"Everyone's ready!" A bubbly brunette with piercing eyes and a broad grin came bounding gracefully to the royal family's side.

"Thank you, Red. You look beautiful!" Snow greeted her friend, and Emma's Godmother, with a warm hug.

"And you really are glowing Snow! Fairest in all th…"

"Ok, ok, maybe one of these days I'll get to stop hearing that!" Snow laughed and David couldn't help but hear the melody in her voice. She may hate it, but her Fairest In The Land title suited her. Her long black hair pulled back in loose curls, cascading down her back with little white flowers tucked into the tresses offset the all white, floor length lace gown perfectly, her green eyes sparkling and her lips and cheeks a rosy red.

David thought Emma looked just like Snow, but with the touch of his golden hair. Snow insisted that she had David's chin and cheekbones, but they both realized that trying to find their features in a newborn was unrealistic.

David straightened his red velvet tunic as Snow fussed over Emma's tiny lace dress and the small flower crown of forget-me-nots resting in her curls.

Red nodded to Snow and David, who nodded back. It was time.

As the doors opened, the great hall erupted into applause. The royal family walked in towards the thrones, greeting their friends as they walked past. The Dwarves were ready to escort them, in their natural protective manner. They reached the thrones, where Merlin, their family friend and spiritual leader, received them. He had blessed David on his naming day and married Snow and David, and now, he would bless Emma.

Merlin kissed Snow on one cheek and then the other as he embraced the family as a whole. He smiled down at his new Godchild, gently anointing her with his mystic oil and a sprinkle of fairy dust. Everyone took their place, quieting the room as the guests followed the ruler's lead.

David and Snow sat down in their thrones, Merlin standing beside David, and Red behind Snow, with the tiny princess in her mother's arms. Snow bounced the baby on her knee as she turned her attention back to the room of people waiting to her the new mother's words.

"Thank you all for being here to celebrate the birth of our precious daughter, our first born, and your future queen," Snow said graciously, meeting as many of her guests' eyes as she could. David was always grateful to Snow for doing the public speaking for the family. While he had learned to fight and survive better than most princes due to his unusual upbringing in the forest with seven dwarf brothers as his guardians, Snow had been raised to lead, and so she did. "This custom has been around as long as this kingdom and it is our honor to continue tradition with the next generation. Friends, family, loyal subjects, we would like to introduce you to our daughter, Emma!"

As the room filled with the sounds of jubilation and David placed his arm around his wife's shoulders, a stream of light came in casting a warm glow on Emma's sweet face, rousing her from her sleep, but instead of tears and wailing at the noise, the little girl smiled and began to laugh emphatically. It was clear that this child was not only the pride and joy of her family; she was the pride and joy of her people.