The Golden Queen
Warning!
This fanfic was written by non-English-speaking author. Due to my limited language (and poetical!) skills, it may contains lot of grammatical and syntax errors. Please, don't bother with harsh form of the text, and try to focus on the plot.
Fanarts to this story made by Sarafina from Lwia Ziemia Forum (Polish Pridelands Forum)
Dramatis Personae (in alphabetical order, my characters are marked with \/\/\/):
Ahadi – once king of Priderock, father of Mufasa and Scar (Taka).
Amini – rogue lion from Horen Pride, father of Kovu.
Arista\/\/\/ – once king of Golden Pride, father of Sparthi and Zira. Died during the Great Drought.
Hawaa\/\/\/ – lioness from Outland (former Pridelandress)
Horen\/\/\/ – leader of rogue lions pack.
Kiara – daughter of Simba and Nala, sister of Tanabi. Princess of Pridelands.
Kovu – son Zira, adopted son of Scar.
Mufasa – once king of Priderock, son of Ahadi.
Nala – Priderock Queen (in Simba's era). Mate of Simba, mother of Kiara and Tanabi.
Ostasi\/\/\/ - Outlander lioness, friend of Danti.
Rafiki – old mandrill, shaman and advisor of Simba.
Sakia\/\/\/ – old lioness, friend of queen-mother Sarabi, once faithful subject of Scar.
Sarabi – queen-mother, mate of Mufasa, mother of Simba, grandmother of Kiara and Tanabi.
Sarafina – friend of Sarabi, mother of Nala.
Scar – Priderock king after death of Mufasa.
Simba – king of Priderock, after Scar's death. Son of Mufasa, father of Kiara and Tanabi.
Sorphi\/\/\/ – lioness from Simba's Pride.
Sparthi\/\/\/ – son of Arista, brother of Zira. Prince of Golden Pride. Deceased during the Great Drought.
Tanabi\/\/\/ – son of Simba and Nala, prince of Priderock, younger brother of princess Kiara (name was inspired by many of fanfics, where Tanabi plays main role. But watch out, i've made few of changes in this character. What is most important, he's second child of Simba!)
Vinia\/\/\/ – lioness from Simba's Pride.
Vitani – daughter of Scar and Zira, sister of Nuka and Kovu. Heir to Scar's throne.
Zazu – old hornbill, majordomo of Simba's court.
Zira – Once queen of Priderock (in Scar's era). Daughter of Arista (Golden Pride's king), sister of Sparthi, Mother of Nuka, Vitani and Kovu.
... – and others characters, that I can't introduce now, because of "spoiler threat".
Odd numbered chapters (except of 19th) are about times just before "Simba's Pride"
Even numbered chapters are about times just after "The Lion King"
„Treasure" song. Quite merry tune, in chorus becoming more serious.
Capture of Prideland's Border, between savannah and desert. Zira is running at the edge of sands in direction of setting sun.
Every minute on this world
We possess the wealth untold
With an every breath this treasure shines inside
Zoom on Zira's eyes. Her face is calm and joyful. Then, switch to lioness's recollections: She in times of Great Drought, on the lead of Golden Pride. Then capture of Scar, who is helping Zira to carry Sparthi.
Something that is worth to keep
Something we have buried deep
In our hearts, our spirits and our minds
Zira is hugging with Scar in Priderock's back cave.
Knowledge, beating in our chest
Chest of wealth, our spirit's crest
Show us clearly what that untold value is
Zira during her coronation: all lionesses are bowing to her.
By our lives we are to prove
Are we worthy of this truth
Are we destined to win or bound to miss
Capture of Scar playing with tiny Nuka, younger Zira is watching this with smile on her face.
Chorus:
It's a wealth of our heart
Something that you keep inside
And never, never, never give it up
Back on desert: capture of paws of Zira, who are hitting sand in fast run.
It's a reason for your days
Keep you going in life's maze
This is treasure of your life, prize on top
Zoom to Zira's face, she is looking like she is about to cry.
Second verse:
Choose carefully what for you up
Don't risk life for just a scrap
So make sure you always take the lion's share
Pictures are moving, but in background is still Zira's sad face.
Learn the joy that comes from pride
Only meal that satisfy
Only way that points the aim and takes you there
Scar is back from hunting. He looks exhausted, but he gives Zira (she is pregnant in this capture) and Nuka decent piece of meat.
You must take the sacrifice
There's no prize without the price
But what are tears when main goal is to lose
Capture of Zira, running thought the desert, but it slowly changes to Zira's returning to Priderock, in night of Scar's death.
If your treasure is at hand
If you're ready for last stand
Fight for it, fight for life that you choose
Capture of Zira, fighting the hyenas and coming to dying Scar.
Chorus:
It's a wealth of our heart
Something that you keep inside
And never, never, never give it up
Capture of last talk of Scar and Zira.
It's a reason for your days
Keep you going in life's maze
This is treasure of your life, prize on top
Fading picture of Zira, carrying Scar's body. It becomes capture of older Zira, who stopped next to border rock of Prideland. Sun is almost set.
01 – The doorstep of Change
Another turn of Circle of Life had passed. Sun was setting on west and also whole season was ending. Zira smelled the scent of rain. Although air was still dry, queen knew, that season was changing and rains was about to come. Again, she made it. She kept her pride safe in hardest time. For once more, existence of Golden Pride was secured... until next dry season.
Lioness looked on plain of the desert. Behind her was fertile savannah with monumental rock in centre – Priderock. Place both loved and loathed by her. Before her was the desert – miles of golden sand, hiding her old home and old life. Closed chapter. That moment she was living only there – between two worlds. This was the border, outskirts of Pridelands. Here she met Scar, when she was emigrating from Golden Sand, looking for paradise. Her pride hadn't discovered paradise, but sanctuary, that allowed them to survive. Zira herself found even something more precious, than any paradise could be. Him.
"Oh, my love... How long it was? Five years?" she muttered to hot air of desert. "And since you left... almost three years. Eternity for me." She whispered with breaking voice. Since day of Scar's death she hadn't cried with single tear. But she was so often crying inside, without sobbing nor wet eyes. She was just... in the same time mourning her loss, but also tasting sweet taste of beautiful memories. "I miss you so much..." she continued. "I know, that law is law... but even one word from you, would calm my heart... Scar... speak to me!"
But this was useless. Dead king have never appeared to his mate. Zira felt his presence almost every time she was talking to him. But this was a silent presence. Breath of longing and love, so profound but soundless. And this time was exactly the same. Lioness was enblown by gentle and warm wind from the desert. This breeze was whispering something soothing and comforting, but Zira was unable to identify any single word. That was surely words of love, that was surely words from Scar. But what he was talking?
"Thank you, anyway." Replied Zira to unseen interlocutor. "Some day, we will be one again and then we will talk all days and nights... But before it happen, I have to fulfil your last will." Wind grew a little, like silent interlocutor wanted to say something, but lioness didn't notice it. She was still talking, to soothe her anxiety and sorrow. "Kovu is almost ready. I will send him to Simba's pride, for reconnaissance and... if that is possible... for assassination." She stopped and looked in the sky. Sun already had set, so first stars were shining on firmament. She pointed her head to most dear to her – star that sparked for the first time at night after Scar's death. It was northern star, strong and beautiful. "Please, understand me!" she whispered with uncertain voice. "This is a trick... in fact, a deceit. But we must use it! We are too weak to fight face to face. We haven't you on your side. Pridelanders are too numerous for us. We are weak, because of hunger... our only advantage is memory of you... memory of your wisdom and intelligence. We must kill Simba, in order to return to Prideland. I know, that you never deceived anyone, never failed your word... But look, how it ends. We... " she sighed silently. "We must use that lie to bring back the truth. Please, forgive me, Scar."
Wind ceased, but feeling of presence not. Zira was still touching by unfelt paws of her mate. She was certain, that dead king was there and listening. She closed her eyes, to focus on bittersweet pleasure of that contact.
"We all are doing well... at least, as well, as we could at the end of dry season..." she smiled and her face changed. Countenance of dreadful warrior queen, that was running her pride in fight against all word, ceased and then appeared some other countenance. Face of gentle beauty and sensibility. Zira was beautiful lioness and even years of hard life hadn't changed it. But this smile, that she was smiling that moment, was seldom guest on her face. She was looking like young lioness, who just had fallen in love. Her lips became smooth and peaceful for long moment. She looked like that only in those moment, when she was talking to Scar. Alone. But even then, this smile faded quickly. So Zira opened her eyes and once again looked on stars. "Kovu is worthy to bear your name... I hope, you are proud of him. I know..." she turned her sight to the ground. "...that it should be Nuka... But, please, understand me... Nuka wouldn't stand a chance. I raised Kovu in that single purpose, of coming in your pawprints. I was too weak, to be ideal mother for all of them. But I swear, that your children, Nuka and Vitani will get what they deserve, a royal life! Kovu is the key to revive your power and glory! Scar!" she exclaimed with all her might. "I love you and I'm faithful to you! I will avenge you and give your children heritage of their father! But..." she finished quiet, almost whispering. "...help me! Be with us, support us. I will fulfil your will, or... unite with you on the sky! Soon!"
She stood and started to run in Outland's direction. She was just a step from cry, but her eyes had no tears. Not yet. Mission was not finished.
\/\/\/
"LET ME OUT!" was screaming Scar.
In Skyworld neither strength nor size matters not. Dead king was holding by tiny cub, who was hugging his head. They looked amusing – small one was keeping bigger in steel grip, in order to stop crying king.
"Scar, please!" gasped green-eyed cub. "You know why! You can't interfere!" Blackmaned lion stopped and felt motionless. Cub let his head loose and stepped back few steps. "You know, what have to be done."
"Tarki..." said Scar with breaking voice. Lion was holding his head in paws, to hide his cry. "I know... But I still can't get over it. I love them..."
Starcub came to black-maned lion and gentle stoked his mane.
"I know, my nephew... That why I'm here. To stop you from doing something you don't want to..."
"I must stop this wicked Mufasa's game!" whispered Scar. "I don't care if it necessary or not. The Circle of Life? I hate it for sacrificing my family!" he looked on his uncle with anger in eyes. Shadows of lions, those who are living on the sky seldom are able to express their feelings. But Scar was. He was still bounded to world beneath him as strong, as if he was alive.
"Calm down, boy!" replied cub. "Mufasa and Ahadi had to do their way... We both know, that they are wrong, but they have right to do this error. They're Kings of the Past too."
Scar closed his eyes and calmed down. His starbody was laying on unseen surface of lower sky motionless. He was crying and thinking at once.
"Tarki... I just want to speak with Zira..." he started. "Not about future... Just say, how I missed her and cubs... Can I do that?" asked with hope. But cub was relentless.
"No... sorry, Scar, but you can't. We have a deal with Mufasa and Ahadi. No interference." He noticed, that his nephew was already calm, but also still angry on brother. "Look... If Zira success, Circle will be restored. Maybe in harsh and painful way, but restored... And if she doesn't... Well, then will came to our turn."
"And Zira? Vitani? Nuka? Kovu?" whispered Scar. "They will suffer because my and Mufasa's errors."
Tarki looked on Scar with curiosity.
"You really care about Kovu. Why? He is not your son. You have never seen him by your own eyes..."
"He is son of Zira." Replied dead king. "I love him the same love I love my mate."
"Calm down, Scar... We will try to stop things, when they come too far." Said Tarki. "We will be watching them all the time. Just... without interference. You can't do anything. You promised." Reminded cub.
"I know, uncle." Said dead king. "All right... just get back up there." Both lions started to walk on path of stars to higher firmament. Then Scar stopped. "Or... go by yourself. I'll catch you there... I want to watch Zira for little longer. Alone." Tarki looked on him with uncertain stare. "I promised!" replied Scar. "I won't speak to her... I won't speak to my cubs..." Green-eyed cub narrowed his face. "I mean Kovu too. I just won't say anything to any living lion. Are you satisfied?" asked dead king.
"I am." Said Tarki. "Sorry, Scar, but it must be that way." He started to walk in dark sky and soon he disappeared in space. Blackmaned lion sighed.
"I promised not to speak with living." He whispered. "But I gave no word... neither to you, nor Mufasa, about the dead ones." He turned his head to western sky and called. "Amini! Hear me, Amini!" silhouette of lion with almost back mane appeared.
"Yes, Scar?" asked newcomer. "What do you want?"
Dead king smiled.
"You know, what... That what I always want... and you want it too."
Another ghost came to Scar and they exchanged gentle bow for greeting. Amini said with uncertain voice.
"Aren't they suspecting something?"
"Well." Muttered Scar. "Tarki for sure, but he is with us with all his heart. Mufasa? I don't think so. He know nothing about you nor Sparthi."
Blackmaned lion burst in laughter. It was laughter of satisfaction and joy. He was just happy, that he could serve the ones he love, in the best way he could.
"Thank you, Amini." Said Scar. "Your protection over them is so helpful..."
"Kovu is my son, after all!" interrupted lion. "I'm worrying about him just the same like you."
"I know, Amini." Agreed Scar. "And I know, that you still love Zira. I can understand that..." he added, smiling. "And for Stars sake, I'm glad of it. If Sparthi helps us, we will save them, whatever Mufasa intend. Are you with me, partner?"
"I am, Scar." Replied Amini and raised his paw.
Dead king toughed paw of friend with his own. They alliance and friendship was strong. Just for hard times, where strength was to be needed.
\/\/\/
Zira returned to Golden Hall about midnight. All lionesses were sleeping, just like Kovu. Vitani was not there – princess often was wandering late at night through Outlands. Nuka... well Nuka was probably with Hawaa... again. But this made a lioness only happier. Zira felt, that this night was peaceful and calm. Almost no one knew, what was about to happen.
"Sleep, my child." She whispered, coming to Kovu and stroking his dark mane. Lion was lying next to trunk called 'the golden throne', where he used to sleep in cubhood. "Rest and get prepared to your mission." She sighed with unease in her voice and added. "I'm so sorry, about that, Kovu, but you must do it. We all count on you. We all depend on you. Do it, for your father, your siblings and whole pride..."
She turned her head to lioness and looked on them with anxiety. Ten of her pride (counting absent Hawaa) were facing the greatest trial in their life. As soon, as Kovu would kill tyrant of Priderock, they had to retake lost home. This was necessary, for both revival of dead king's glory, but also for survival. Outland was not able to feed thirteen lion for next dry season. They desperately needed for Pridelands wealth. There was no way back, but straight path ahead – a war!
"You won't starve... you will never starve again!" whispered Zira in darkness of their keep. "As your queen, I promise you, that I will retake, what is ours! Golden Pride will stand again... united with truly lions of Pridelands... those loyal to the real king... King Scar!"
\/\/\/
Hawaa was greyfured adolescent lioness. Her comeliness was very unusual for pride of desert lioness and instantly betraying her true origins. Yes, she was Pridelandress, at least born in Prideland. In her heart she considered herself as Outlander and loathed those who lived at Priderock. And she loved her adopted family... especially one from it.
"Come down, Hawaa!" called Nuka to climbing lioness. "This mound is about to fall."
"So you will catch me." She replied with smile, while she was trying to get some eggs of quail. After poor supper of long dead carcass of mongoose, tasteful bird's eggs would be delicious dessert. She was doing it for Nuka, but he was more scared of danger than pleased by lioness efforts. It looked quite fun – although Nuka was older, Hawaa was surely stronger one in their team. But Nuka treated his role of "caretaker" seriously.
"Please, come down!" he repeated. "Or I will climb to you!"
Wow, this was a serious threat – Nuka would fall in half a way that lioness had made. But she knew, that he was ready to do this. "O, my sweet Nuka..." she thought. "I'm ready to climb here everyday, just to hear, that you worry about me." And she added aloud. "I'm coming... Just a moment..."
She almost reached quail's nest with extended paw. She was standing on mounds ledge, about five meters above the ground and anxious Nuka. Agile lioness just jumped to nest's hollow and plunged claws of one paw to mound's wall. With second paw, she started to grab eggs.
"Watch out!" yelled Nuka, seeing, that lioness slowly sliding down.
"Just a minute..." replied she and took last delicacy from it's hiding. But she was not able to maintain balance with just one paw – in next second she started to sliding down from mound's wall.
"Hawaa!" screamed Nuka and jumped up to wall.
Because she was still holding her load, she managed just to slow her slipping a bit. It could be called 'controlled fall', at least in optimist's eyes. But Nuka was not an optimist, so he was climbing up, as fast, as he could. They met in the middle of track – surprised Hawaa hit lion with legs and threw him down. But this caused her to stop. She got basis with legs exactly in the same moment, when Nuka hit the ground.
"Oh, thanks... Nuka?!" she called with fear.
"Don't... do that again..." replied lion with weary voice. He was lying at mound's foot in cloud of dust.
Hawaa immediately jumped down, but so agile, that she didn't break any of four eggs. She put her load on ground and ran to lion.
"I'm sorry! Nuka! Are you all right?" she sobbed with remorse. Lion seemed to be all right, except of temporary shock.
"Yes... I guess." He replied, when Hawaa started to lick his face. "I'm not wounded... for sure not here..." he said. "But don't stop. I'm sure it won't hurt me!"
Both lions burst in merry laughter. Nuka stood and hugged young lioness. Although she was heavier built and stronger that lion, she immediately felt like helpless cub. Nuka was her caretaker and nothing would changed it.
"Sorry... I just wanted to get some dessert for us."
"And you did." Replied Nuka. "A decent portion of adrenaline!" and laughed once again.
She, at first angry on herself for what she had done, seeing smiling Nuka burst in laughter too.
"All right... shall we consume the prize?" she asked. "You deserved for it, by saving me."
"It was a prize itself." Said Nuka with gallant smile. "But, of course, such a delicious can't be wasted."
They went to mound's foot, where Hawaa left eggs and shared the trophy. In Outlands even such a small piece of food was a treasure. But they ate it not to satisfy, but just for joy of common eating. "We are like small pride now." Noticed Hawaa. "I get the food and you protect me in danger. I would say, that is nice deal..."
Nuka smiled and then he added seriously.
"Hawaa... I must ask you about that. Do you really plan to be with me?"
She just smiled and looked in his eyes.
"Of course I do!" replied with playful voice. "Who would be catch when I will fall?" but she added with sober and determined voice. "I love, Nuka. And I see I can make you happy. So what is the problem – I decided it long time ago... Of course, if you don't change your mind."
Nuka sighed and looked in starlit sky.
"Yes, I know... But I ask myself, if I can make you happy." She came closer and hugged lion. He continued. "I'm Scar's son... But I haven't inherited most of his... gifts... I will never be a king. Mother decided it for good – Kovu will avenge my father."
She licked his forehead and stayed silent for a while. They often talked about it and she every time was talking the same.
"Let Kovu be king or whoever your mother want him to be. I want you... not a throne. I know, you would be better leader that Kovu... I'm sure of that. But as a king you wouldn't have so much time for me. And I want you as my private king, not to share you... with any other lioness." They both smiled. "When this war will be over, I hope that you take me as your mate."
"I hope it too." Replied Nuka. "I just wish, that I could make you queen, as you deserve."
"I am queen, already." Said lioness. "In our small pride." She gentle pushed him in river direction. "Come to have some bath, you are whole in dirt, my lord."
"I've hoped, that you would clean my in... more lionish way." Muttered Nuka with smile.
"Well, later I will." Laughed Hawaa. "But now go to the river. Some swimming after meal... maybe is not very healthy, but quite fun."
"Thank for excellent supper, my dear." Said Nuka and followed lioness. But in the same time he was thinking intensively. "And what if I make you a Queen? What if I show mother, I'm worthy of the throne? You will get what you deserve, my lady!"
Lions came to Border River and started to fool around in shallow water of almost dried seasonal torrent. They were so alike – almost adult at first sight, but still cubs in hearts. Even hard years in Outlands haven't changed it. Living in such a hell would be burden for most of creatures in world. But this son of Outlands and daughter of Pridelands were as happy, as they could be, with hungry bellies and satisfied hearts.
\/\/\/
Vitani saw it from termite mound nearby. She had went to look on stars, but she was looking on her brother and her friend instead. She felt mixed feeling in her heart. For sure she was happy, that Nuka found someone. She always worried, that he would stay alone. Young lion was handsome with original comeliness, but vulnerability of his body made a serious flaw in his attractiveness. Vitani was glad, that was not a problem for Hawaa, strong and independent lioness. But this meant something other, a envy for his luck. Life of Vitani was just a participation in Zira's plan. Endless trainings with Kovu, where she was just a sparring-partner, never praised, never paid with attention. She was sharing her mother dream with all heart... but she envied, that Nuka was not and even he found some life aside war of the prides. She wished to know, that was her destiny. That why she so often asked stars for help. But stars were silent.
Even when she felt some soothing presence of some unknown, but also well known spirit, she heard nothing.
"Maybe this is point of life." She muttered, looking on Nuka and Hawaa. "I must find my place by myself." She slowly started to descend from mound. Whatever Nuka was intending to do in night, she had to get some sleep.