Disclaimer: I DO NOT take credit for The Lion King characters or their respective storyline. They are owned by Walt Disney. This story is just a depiction of said story with the characters turned human. Some original characters and ideas will appear, and I will take credit for them as they do. I hope you guys enjoy and let me know what you think of the idea :). Note: this is rated T for possible language and slight violence.

The (Human) Lion King-a retelling of a classic tale

Chapter One: The Birth of Hope

On the third Wednesday of the sixth month of the year, the sun rose majestically over the vast land just like any other day. The dew-stained plants opened their eyes to the warmth of the coming day, and the villagers of the main city prepared for the unvarying tasks that occupied their everyday lives. A seemingly normal day, yet inside the Stolz Palace, things were anything but ordinary. The beloved Queen Sarah was giving birth to her first child. The entire castle staff was in a bustle as they prepared for the birth of the prince or princess. All were excited and anxious, but none more than the Queen and King.

King Michael, ruler over all the kingdom of the country of Stolz, revered for his lion-hearted bravery and soft spoken benevolence, paced back and forth in the great palace hall. Being the brawny, six-foot tall, well-built man that he was, his stature would be intimidating to those who did not know him. He strode with a scowl on his face, not one of anger, but concern for his wife. This was the third time they had tried to conceive a child, and the only time the Queen had carried to full term. Many of his royal advisors had tried to convince him to marry again, to find a wife suitable to give the kingdom a healthy heir. Michael would not hear it. He loved his Sarah, and that meant something important to him.

He just hoped he was right in believing both Sarah and the baby would be alright.

"You must relax, sire," said Ezekiel, King Michael's Chief advisor. "Both wife and child will surely be fine."

Ezekiel was a young advisor in his mid-twenties, the youngest advisor the King had. His family had been loyally serving the royal family for almost as long as the royal family had been in power. With his dark brown hair pulled back into a low ponytail at the base of his neck and his perfectly crisped powdered blue advisor's suit, he was the very model of excellence and sophistication. Ezekiel was the most organized and efficient servant in the entire kingdom. King Michael trusted the young man to always be honest and honorable in his work and in his words.

"I understand that, Ezekiel. My wish is that my prayers will finally be answered and God will grant us a healthy child."

"Of course, your majesty."

"I don't think Sarah or I could bear it if we lost another one. Nor could this kingdom."

"You must have faith, sire. The entire kingdom is as anxious about Queen Sarah's health as you are. With that many prayers, surely God cannot stand idly by."

The King clasped a solid hand on Ezekiel's thin shoulder. "Thank you, dear Ezekiel. Your words are not lost on me." Ezekiel smiled.

"They never are your majesty."

The midwife bustled through the doors, sleeves rolled up and a film of sweat upon her brow. She dipped her head in a slight curtsy and stated, "Forgive me, your highness, but the Queen had requested your presence."

King Michael's heart raced. "Is she alright?" he asked, not even trying to hide the desperation in his voice. The midwife broke into a smile that reached all the way to her tired, dusty eyes.

"She's fine, sir, perfectly fine. And the baby…" she paused. The King and his advisor leaned forward in anticipation. "It's a boy, your majesty. Congratulations."

Ezekiel let out the breath he had been holding and Michael clapped his hands together with glee. "A boy!" he laughed jovially. "Did you hear that Ezekiel? I have a son!"

"Congratulations sire." Answered Ezekiel, stoic on the outside yet inwardly flooded with joy and relief.

"Lead on, Midwife. Take me to Sarah and my son at once."

"Right away, sire."

The midwife and King Michael soon entered one of the many bedrooms of Stolz palace, this one no different from the others aside from a tired-looking Queen Sarah tucked knot the sheets of the four poster canopy bed. Even better was the tiny bundle of blankets wrapped up in her arms, feeding at his mother's chest. The Queen's face, fatigued yet filled with happiness, lit up at the sight of her husband.

"Oh Michael," she whispered, careful not to disturb the child. "Come, see the miracle we have brought into this world."

The King quietly sat in the plush chair beside her bed and watched the baby, his son, in awe. His son; he had a son! A sense of pride surged through his entire being. "He is beautiful." The King cooed.

"Spittin' image of his mum, I say." The midwife, who stood at a respectful distance to give the couple some privacy. "Absolutely gorgeous." Sarah blushed at the compliment. Michael chuckled. His beautiful Queen: a strong-headed woman, yet tender at heart.

"What shall we name him?" he asked.

The Queen gazed down at the now sleeping babe in her arms with a look of pure love only a mother would understand. "I was thinking…Samuel. After my grandfather."

"Samuel…" the King smiled as he absorbed the name. "It's perfect, a name fit for a King. Here," the King offered to take the child into his own arms. "You must rest, my Queen. It has been a long, tiring day for you, I am sure." The King handed the baby to the midwife as he loosened the pins in his wife's long, brown hair and pulled the pillows forward to comfortably rest against her back.

"Thank you, my love." The Queen cupped her husband's face in her hands and gently kissed him on the lips.

"Promise you will call for me when you wake?"

"I promise." Michael could see Sarah's eyes were drooping, heavy with sleep deprivation, so he placed a sound kiss upon her forehead and left her in peace. The midwife joined him in the hall and gently placed his son, baby Samuel, in his arms.

"Thank you, good midwife, for all you have done today. The entire kingdom shall celebrate because of you."

The stocky woman blushed, causing the freckles on her rosy cheeks to stand out. "Oh no, dear King, I have only done my job sir. For the good of this kingdom."

"Well you may take a day off from your duties Madame, for tonight, we celebrate!" he laughed, a booming, boisterous laugh. The midwife curtseyed and left the King's presence with an extra spring in her step. It was time to spread the news of the kingdom's good fortune: a prince had finally been born.

For character references, here is who has been introduced from the movie so far:

Michael- Mufasa

Ezekiel- Zazu

Sarah- Sarabi

Samuel- Simba

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