The lionesses were lying together at the foot of pride rock. It had been an exhausting and unsuccessful day – the scattered stragglers of the herds weren't easy to find, but Scar urged them to go hunting: he had to keep the hyenas quiet.

Nala looked at her mother, and a tender desperation rose within her. Sarafina looked old – of course she was by now, but there also was that broken look that betrayed her hopelessness.

Suddenly Nala got up. She could feel the other lionesses' glances upon her as she started striding back and forth. "We can't go on like this", she said, in a hushed voice so she wouldn't be heard further up the rock. "Someone else has to take over the pride." Heads jerked up; a few of the younger ones leapt to their paws. All of them had been thinking that, none would have dared to speak her mind.

Sarabi, though, upon whom Nala's eyes rested now, thoughtfully licked her paw before answering slowly: "We are lionesses, Nala. Who should do that?" But there was no disapproval in her voice – she really expected an answer.

"One of us has to go and find someone. Anyone can outmatch Scar in a fight", she added scornfully, "he's far too old to lead a pride." "He won't risk a fair fight", Sarabi replied, and then she got up – majestically like a true queen. "But probably it's our only chance. Who will go?" "I will", Nala said immediately – she had had this in mind from the beginning. "Nala!" Sarafina started up. "That's too dangerous! You will be all on your own!" "I know", Nala replied softly and nudged her mother tenderly. "But someone has to do it. And you are too old."

Sarafina looked her in the eyes for a moment before she nodded. Pride and sadness mingled in her glance. "I will respect the queen's decision." She lowered her voice as she pronounced the title. Since Sarabi refused Scar, he had forbidden to name her queen. Sarabi didn't miss the little act of rebellion.

"I don't want to cause you grieve", she quietly said to Sarafina. Sarafina smiled sadly. "I know, Sarabi." The queen turned to Nala. "Try. Take the path through the creek and see to it that you leave the borders of the pridelands behind as soon as possible. We others", she raised her voice a little, "will distract Scar and the hyenas. Let's hope for a miracle."

"Farewell, mom", Nala whispered and licked her mother's snout for one last time before she turned around and sprinted away between the other lionesses, who respectfully made way for her.

The night swallowed her. She didn't know which kind of diversionary tactic Sarabi had had in mind, but no hyenas came after her. She kept her rests short, always in search of other lions. She started to get hungry, but didn't come across any prey to speak of before, after a couple of days, the unmistakeable scent of a warthog tickled her nose – an unexpected stroke of luck.