Request for Arashi-wolf-princess, for her birthday on August 30th. I am so sorry it is late. I was without internet then ended up in the hospital after a miscarriage, but that's still no excuse. I am sorry for it being late, and since I failed to get it in on time it will be a multi-chapter fic. My apologies again.

NOTE: USING HUMAN YEARS.

Mufasa groaned as he paced at Pride Rock, earning an amused glance from his mother, Uru. "My son, why are you so troubled? Were you not aware it takes eight suns' time to complete a betrothal agreement, and then two suns' time of travel to get here? You must be patient. Your father will be home in his sweet time, with the youngest princess of the Land of Waters yours to claim. Your grandfather is finding Taka his own bride."

"Scar. Not Taka. Scar." Mufasa snarled, fire lighting his eyes at his brothers first given name.

Uru only shook her head and turned away. She had no clue what had happened between her sons, but it was theirs to resolve. Her boys weren't cubs anymore, or even teens. Theirs manes had sprouted years ago, and now covered all but the lowest chest and belly. They were young adults, and they would either get over it or get used to it.

"MOTHER! Is that Papa? Is it? Can you see if she...the princess...is with him?"

The excitement of her son snapped her attention to the horizon where she signaled her answer with her tail and then laughed as her son bounded and sprang from the rock, racing as if his tail was lit aflame, to his father and the young princess, skidding to a halt and stopping just before reaching his destination.

The young princess lifted her head, and upon seeing that a large, golden mass was headed toward them, she lifted her head and looked down her nose, knowing this must be the prince she was sent here to pledge herself to in matrimony. He slowed down dramatically, putting off a regal air as he held his head up high, whiskers twitching and ears flicking forward in an open, welcoming signal. His paws lifted a bit higher as he stepped slowly towards the group, his ruby eyes ever inquisitive as he looked her over with respect, and turned to his father. Two nods were exchanged and then the rusty golden lion jerked his dark ruby, not quite black, mane forward and the rest of the group of lionesses followed the king and left the two alone.

"So...you, you're the...the, um...princess?"

His nervous question jolted her and she nodded, forcing her face to remain neutral. "Yes, I am. My given title is Regent Princess of the Lowland Waters, but I suppose you may call me Sarabi. And yours?"

"High Prince Mufasa of the Pridelands, declared the Future King, but you may call me Mufasa."

As custom, they bowed to each other in show of respect.

A few weeks later, she watched as the great ceremony was beginning. Today, she would tie herself to a lion she did not know, or love. But by doing this, she would tie her kingdom to another, make it stronger. Sighing, she turned to the one female she had been able to form a relationship with in the pride, that lioness being Queen Uru. The sky blue eyes of the crimson lioness sparkled at her soon to be daughter-in-law, and she smiled in an encouraging way. She brushed her fur against the princess and spoke to her, by a whisper into her ear.

"Dear Sarabi. You don't need to be so worried. My son is a quiet lion who doesn't share many feelings, but when he loves, he loves deep. And child, he loves you."

"How...how do you know that? I...I mean, do I want his love? Love in an arranged marriage? This is only to unite our kingdoms and have a child to further unite them. We only need that. Love makes it dangerous, love makes you care...and love is what gets you hurt, My Queen."

Uru nodded and wrapped her tail around the young lioness and lifted her ears to the many sounds that surrounded them with the ceremony nearly underway. "I had those feelings once, too. Mine were a tad different, but the sentiment the same. My father abandoned our family, leaving my mother to rule and raise me alone. Then, she passed when I was still a young child. My mother's sister had to rule until I was of-age. I had no faith in males. The one I should have trusted beyond everything betrayed my mother and I. Males had sought to harm my mother in a horrible way and in fighting the monsters off, she had no strength left to survive.

When King Ahadi strutted in and asked me for my hand in marriage, I accepted only because I needed cubs to continually run my kingdom. I despised being wed for the same reasons you have, but after a few months, when new life blossomed in me in the form of my twin sons, the both of us changed. We found harmony. There had been naught but vows tying us, and then there was more, to our marriage than sleeping on the same rock. Our sons saved our marriage. Ahadi and I have been married in the true sense of the word for many years. This year will mark the thirtieth year since our vows, and we have not regretted that day since. Your and Mufasa's time will come, young one. That I promise."

Sarabi was silent for a while. "You are right, Uru. Thank you. I will wait before I judge his character. I suppose I must go. Thank you, Uru."

The ceremony was long, long and bothersome. The end was still the same. She and Mufasa were greeted by The Golden King and Russet Queen as the new heir and heiress of the kingdom. Prince Scar was there to greet his brother and new sister, droll voice and uncaring attitude present as well. He would assist the King to rule in their stead until they returned from the four day honeymoon they were presented with.

END: FOR NOW.