A/N: This is my first go at a TLK fic so I apologise in advance if something sounds off, I'll do my best to make it as authentic as I can to the world of TLK. I will be using an aging system that resembles true lions but also merges with human aging in a way.

Chapter one: The new King

The rain was a relief for the drought ridden lands. The earth became moist again and the few seedling plants strained to reach a drop of water so they could grow. Through the mists and clouds, amongst the dead, grey landscape stood a structure. Pride Rock. A tall, strong monument and home to the Pridelanders, a group of lions who had lived there for a century or more and held the largest territory in the area.

The last five years had been the reign of King Scar after the tragic death of his brother King Mufasa and the young Crown Prince Simba. It was uncovered however, that Simba was alive and that Scar had murdered his brother in order to gain the throne. Simba had returned and confronted his uncle for his crime and defeated him in battle, so on the tip of Pride Rock stood a golden lion with an auburn mane. The new king. Simba.

Simba looked out at his ravaged home; he was now king, the very position he had been born for and trained for. He knew there was so much to be done before he could rest so he walked back to the base of Pride Rock and stood before his pride. There were faces he recognised from his cubhood, his mother Sarabi, Nala's mother Sarafina, Tojo's mother, Chumvi and Kula's mother and Tama's mother. His friends were nowhere to be seen and he remembered Nala mentioning that they had found sanctuary with Malka's kingdom in the East after escaping from Scar's claws, there were new faces too, and lionesses he didn't know. He took a breath and motioned for Nala to come forward.

"Nala, is there anyone else? Is this everyone?"

Nala looked nervous and he became worried.

"Nala?"

"During the fight Scar's mate Zira was killed. They had three cubs but we don't know where she has hidden them."

Simba blinked in shock, he had cousins? Then he sobered, the law of the Pride Lands stated that any new king must erase all competition, Scar's cubs had to die, family or not. The gathered lionesses saw their king come to this decision and they pitied him, for a lion so young as Simba to have to do this brutal act was nightmarish but even the king could not ignore the law. Simba ordered a group of lionesses to search the caves for the cubs while he waited with Nala, Sarafina and Sarabi.

"Mother? Why do I have to do this? Surely the cubs are young enough that they don't pose a threat to me."

Sarabi bowed her head.

"Of course they don't pose a threat to you now but there are two males and if they grow then they could challenge you."

Sarafina thought back to her cubs, Nala and Mheetu and recalled Scar's words after he took the throne.

"I know that it is law for me to kill all the cubs here tonight but to do that would be a mistake. I offer all of your cubs the chance to live if they accept me as their king and give their word not to challenge my rule once they are of age."

"Simba? I know you still feel betrayed by Scar, we all do but there is one thing he did right."

Simba looked at his mother in law; he trusted her and nodded his head for her to continue.

"Scar let all our cubs live so long as they didn't challenge him and accepted him as king, you could do the same."

Sarabi nodded,

"I had forgotten about that one good thing he did, thank you Saffy for reminding me."

Simba thought, he would offer the cubs more than that. While he played around with the idea in his mind he voiced his thoughts.

"What if Nala and I took them in? Allowed them to keep their titles and raised them?" At the shocked looks on their faces he continued "hear me out. Any cubs that we have will be the heirs but what if we betrothed them to Scar's cubs? Is that possible?"

Nala was the one to reply.

"We could do that Simba, but what if we only have two cubs? What would we do then?"

"I can train both the males to be king, there's no law that prevents two or even three kings ruling together. Dad told me that he and Scar were always meant to rule together but his father stopped it."

"Simba's right." Sarabi added, a smile forming on her muzzle. Sarafina and Nala voiced their agreements and Simba smiled, happy that he wouldn't have to kill. The family started to catch up on news of Simba's life in the jungle, he introduced them to Timon and Pumbaa and Sarabi lectured him when he mentioned all the dangerous stunts he'd done and all the worry he'd put his best friends through.

Their reunion was cut short by a shout from the returning scouts.

"King Simba! We found the cubs, they are in the main cave sire, waiting for you."