Author's Note: This is my first fanfiction story and is the first in a collection of stories that I will be (hopefully) writing about the lives of Pride Rock's Queens. The collection is called Heart of a Lioness: Through the Eyes of a Queen. This first story is about an original character, Jolina - "the first queen of the Pridelands" - and mother of Uru. The collection will feature Uru, Sarabi, Nala, and Kiara. This collection tells the stories of the Pridelands through the eyes of its queens. I do not own anything Lion King related including characters, settings, and themes; Disney does. So without further ado, the story of Jolina, the first Queen of the Pridelands. If you are just starting this story, please leave a review. I frequently check for new reviews and I would love to hear what my new readers think so far! Thanks!

Heart of a Lioness: Through the Eyes of a Queen -Jolina

"The strength of a kingdom lies in its king, but its heart, within its queen."

Prologue: Destiny's Path

A blood-curdling scream sliced through the chilly night air as a young lioness stumbled through the darkness, carrying her new-born cub. Gently placing the cub on the ground, she glanced behind her to the place that had been her home for the last time.

"Don't worry, my love; I will keep our daughter safe, no matter the cost."

Another scream pierced the air and the lioness grabbed the cub and headed for the cover of a nearby jungle, silently praying to the Great Kings for guidance ...

Chapter One: A Powerful Huntress

Almost four years later ...

An old male antelope edged further and further away from his herd, the warm sun on his back and the sweet taste of the rain-kissed grass making him oblivious to nearby dangers.

A lioness eyed her prey who was but mere yards away, but experience told her to wait. Her sharp amber eyes were set in deep concentration as she inched her lean, toned body closer and closer to her unsuspecting prey. With a flash she shot from her cover and jumped onto the back of the fleeing antelope. Sliding off his back as he stumbled, she used her strong paws to cause the animal to trip and he tumbled to the ground and was dead in a matter of moments. Pausing to catch her breath, the young lioness dragged the carcass to the edge of her jungle home, then trotted off deeper into the foliage.

"Mom!" she called. "Hey, Mom, where are you?"

"I'm here, Jolina - what is it, dear?" an older lioness replied.

"I caught an antelope. C'mon, it's just over this way."

As the two lionesses approached the carcass, the older lioness paused and looked at her daughter, pride filling her eyes. "Oh, Jolina, my little one, you have grown into a powerful huntress. I'm so proud of you."

Jolina smiled at her mother's warm praise. "Thanks, Mom ... I did learn from the best!"

This comment caused the elder lioness to chuckle. "Let's eat, I know you're probably starving."

As mother and daughter settled down to their meal, neither one noticed the pair of dark, menacing eyes watching them from the shadows.

Author's Note: Well, that's my first chapter! Hope you enjoy, please leave reviews so I know what you think so far. I know it was a short one, but all of the chapters will vary in length, depending on the plot. This was just an introduction, don't worry the plot begins to boil as we move along in the other chapters. I just wanted the first few to give you insight into Jolina's life now.

Jolina is a young lioness, almost four; she has a light beige coat, dark dirty blonde tail tuft and rich amber eyes (like those of Mufasa and Simba).

Jolina's mother (Aza) is a light gray lioness, with soft lavender eyes, and a dark gray tail tuft. She has an off-white underbelly.

Till' next time ...*Nantsingonyama* (means "The Lion Comes").