A/N- Just a warning that this story does not follow the usual flow of fan thinking so please read with an open mind.
Also all characters are copyrighted to disney thank you.
Daughter of Mine
Chapter 1- Hope
"Stupid cub," the lioness hissed in absolute fury, eyes flashing in the moonlight. She snarled again and slapped at the small cub with an unsheathed paw, sending the youngster rolling through the dirt.
"I'm sorry mother!" the cub cried out in pain, desperately ignoring the pain and fighting to stand so it could avoid the next blow.
"Not sorry enough!" screeched the lioness, swiping out with a paw again. This time the blow was more forceful, flinging the cub into the air and into a towering termite mound. The two of them were alone in the outlands, supposedly out for hunting lessons. The cub should have known better when the lioness had used that excuse as they left the rest of the pride, but hope has a way of flowering in even the darkest situations.
"Now answer me again," the lioness growled. "What is your destiny?!"
"I am the chosen one. I will rule the Pride Lands. None shall challenge me," the cub mumbled, spitting out a little blood from a cut lip.
"Better," the lioness responded, her voice an unusual mixture of a growl and purr. "Don't you ever forget that, understand me?"
"Yes mother."
"Good, now it's time for sleep," the mother lioness ordered again. Still heated from the fight she stomped over to the edge of a termite tower, flopping down and raising a small puff of dust. The little cub didn't move, continuing to sit and stare dejectedly at its paws. "Come here!" the lioness hissed, suddenly realizing her child was absent. Abruptly the cub leaped up, sprinting over and almost diving in between the crossed front paws, seemingly eager to avoid another blow from them.
"That's my sweet little girl," the lioness purred, methodically licking the top of the cubs' head. After several rough washing she paused, looking down at her daughter expectantly.
"Good night mother, I love you," the cub quipped out with the monotone of a sentence repeated so often its meaning has been forgotten.
"I love you too Nala," Sarafina purred back, making the cub shiver at the emotionless flat tone of the words. However the light colored cub merely curled up tighter, focusing on losing herself to sleep—comforted by the knowledge that no nightmare could be worse than her reality.
"What do you think Sarabi?" my mother asks, her voice so overly compliant and submissive that I have trouble believing that the queen doesn't see through the act.
"It's all right with me," the other lioness responds coolly, and I swear she is pointedly ignoring the tension between my mother and herself. But there's no doubt Simba is oblivious. He howls in delight and jumps over me in an invitation to celebrate. I roll over and join him, unwilling to walk the tightrope thin line of political balance between the two lionesses right now.
"As long as Zazu goes with you!" Sarabi calls over, breaking through Simba's happy outburst.
"Oh no, not Zazu!" the golden prince complains, giving me a look of utter despair.
It had been a typical day in the Pride Lands until he had come bounding up, blabbering about something cool he had to show me. My mother had kept me at her side like she always does, giving the appearance of being a very attentive parent while in reality she is merely watching to make sure I don't foil her plans. In order to fulfill the destiny she has thrust upon me I have to be the perfect candidate for future queen—and even as a cub I cannot make the usual mistakes.
I must be able to lead the hunting party on its nightly expeditions, and protect and defend my pride sisters from intruders. I must be able to reason and be diplomatic, both amongst my own pride and any visitors. I must be able to prioritize which problems of the kingdom are most in need of attention, and which can be dealt with later or forgotten entirely. I must be kind and generous without being manipulated by those around me.
It's a lot for one little cub to live up to. I try my hardest, honestly. For the longest time I thought that if I just worked harder I could just live up to my mothers expectations and then…then she would no longer be so cruel to me. That night in the outlands, where she brought me so we would be far from any prying eyes I learned different.
I could never be everything she wanted me to.
Even my appearance had to reek of perfection. My mother is beautiful, I can admit to that, and luckily some of her has been passed down to me. It fits quite perfectly with a ruse of her being a caring mother to bathe me often to look my best. Out of habit I make sure all my fur is lying flat and straight while we wait for Zazu to come and escort the prince and me to wherever it is we're going. I can feel my mothers piercing eyes on me as I do so, acknowledging that I have remembered my training and will not have to be punished.
Again.
It's amazing how creative the mind could be. It would never have occurred to me that the simple act of forcing someone to sleep on rough stone with a pelt packed full of sand could be so painful. But it was extremely effective I admit. None of the other lionesses even suspected, I was the only one who noticed the raw rubbed skin all over my sides, forcing a smile instead of a wince every time I brushed against something. That memory is still fresh enough that I even double check everything before Zazu finally comes and Simba drags me after him on todays adventure.
"Behave you two!" Sarafina calls after us, her tone making it obvious that she knows we won't listen. The impish smile Simba gives her and the queen over his shoulder merely encourages her doubts.
"Pheh, like we've ever gotten into trouble!" the prince rolls his eyes are me, their amber depths sparking with mischief. I grimace slightly, knowing that she meant it more as a warning to me than anything. Sometimes I wish Simba were not such a blabbermouth, he is a good friend and I want someone to know about that painful night in the outlands. But if word ever got back to my mother…well my imagination about what might be probably doesn't even compare to the ideas she would formulate.
"So where are we really going?" I ask the prince, vaguely curious but more to keep him from asking what I'm thinking. As he rambles on I'm not truly listening, the image of my mother and the queen, napping companionably in the shade is stuck in my mind. See, I know a little more about the politics of the pride than Simba does—partially because I play such a huge role in them.
The happy rule under King Mufasa and Queen Sarabi is really not so happy as it appears. Yes the land is thriving but internally…the pride is divided. The king and queen were betrothed at an early age, as is customary in the Pride Lands. Though to all appearances they are the perfect, loving couple doting upon their son it is all a sham. It is MY mother, not Sarabi, that the king loves so well. That is why he took both her and I from my birth pride so long ago. He dotes on her, his mistress, in the night away from the curious eyes of the pride. I know this because there are many sleep times were I've woken up alone, free from the trapping embrace of those familiar paws—and the king has also been absent far too many times for coincidence.
They hide it well though. Even though my mother keeps me at her side nearly constantly I can never detect anything more than the usual interactions between her and the king. And if I cannot see anything I doubt the other lioness do either…
Except for the queen.
Sarabi is not stupid, and I'm sure she knows what is going on as well as I do. So it bothers me that she doesn't put an end to it. Perhaps that is why she keeps my mother so close, feeding the façade that they are the closest of friends and desire nothing more than each others company day in and day out. That would have the effect of keeping rumors to a minimum. After all, who wants to call their queen stupid about not seeing something right under her nose? And who would suspect treachery between two such close companions? At least my upbringing has the good fortune to make sure I am not blind as some.
"Ahh look at you two little seeds of romance blossoming in the savannah," Zazu quips happily, fluttering down in front of Simba and I. "Your parents will be thrilled!" The blue hornbill sounds entirely too thrilled himself. "What with you being betrothed and all."
"Be what?" Simba queries, confusions rumpling up his whiskers.
"Betrothed, intended, affianced," our babysitter supplies, happily showing off his vocabulary. Unfortunately my mental dictionary seems to be lacking in this area.
"Meaning?"
"One day you two are going to be married!"
"Yeck!" Simba gags, sticking out his tongue in disgust. I make a face to, but my repulsion stems from different reasons than his. I've known my entire life that Simba and I were betrothed, that's how Mufasa was able to explain bringing back my mother to the pride. It would have looked suspicious to welcome a beautiful, unknown lioness for no reason, but to bring back a mate for his young son….well no one would question if that future mate was still young enough to need her mother. It infuriates me that I was manipulated so young, unable to realize yet what was going on or even try to control it.
However it is not all so bad. Long ago I realized that Simba was my ticket out of this situation. When we two are finally king and queen I can send my mother back to the despicable place she deserves to be. Then I will be free to laugh and be happy without fear of repercussion.
And as for the fact that I have to become Simbas' mate for it all….well for a male I guess he's not so bad. As he and Zazu trade rebukes and taunts I don't see a young prince before me. Instead I see a golden lion, full grown and king. I see myself as queen at his side. I see freedom from my mothers clutches. I see hope.
A/N- Ok just to clear this up that I honestly do like Sarafina and think she's a good mother. This was just an interesting concept I'd been toying with lately, thinking about how everyone jumps to conclusions about her when she only has one line the entire movie. That's all I got. Hope you enjoyed and please leave a review!
