Sleep never came for him. Being the only one still fully awake among the pride Simba never found it in him to fall asleep. He closed his eyes many times hoping the darkness behind his eyelids would lull him to slumber, but it never came.
Giving up on the idea Simba stood up and exited the den to sit right outside and quietly stargaze by himself. It had been about a week since he last looked at the stars so intently, and at that time his father had appeared among the clouds to talk with him. It had happened so quickly Simba barely had the chance to register what exactly happened, but by the time the foggy figure of his father in the sky vanished he finally realized that it really had been him.
For years he had dreamed of seeing and talking to him again, and he never ever thought it'd actually come true. If only he had reacted quicker maybe Simba would've had the chance to tell Mufasa how much he missed him, how sorry he was for everything that happened and how everyday he thought of him.
Right then looking at the stars Simba briefly wondered if he'd be ever be given the chance to talk to him again, but deep inside he knew it'd never come.
Now that Mufasa wasn't there how was Simba supposed to know he was doing a good job? Zazu, the lionesses and the other animals told him countless of times he was doing a great job in such a short amount of time, but for some reason Simba couldn't seem to believe them. Perhaps it was because he still felt guilty, or because his actions had yet to make effect in the Pridelands.
He just wanted to do what was best for everyone and make them all proud. He owed it to the pride, to the Pridelands, to the animals, to his mother and to Nala. They all deserved it, especially her.
Simba bowed his head to look at the ground beneath him. He was still in shock after Nala's surprising reveal, horrified that Scar was not satisfied with taking his father, his pride and his home away from him, but he had gone after his best friend too.
Back then when they finally reunited Simba would never had guessed everything Nala went through. He was just ecstatic to see her, for the first time in years he listened to his heart and found a warm fuzzy feeling that he didn't know he had been harboring for so long. And that night they had gotten closer than they ever had before, and for a moment Simba was sure it was the start of something amazing. But despite all of that and wanting to properly talk about it Simba felt unworthy. As he was right now was he enough to be what Nala deserved?
"What are you doing awake?"
Simba turned behind him to see Sarabi sit down by his side. Did he wake her up?
"I'm just… thinking." Simba sighed tiredly, looking back at the sky. "I can't help wondering if I'm really doing what everyone expects of me. I wish I could know what my father would do."
"Simba, listen to me." Sarabi began softly. "You are doing wonderful, everyone is proud of your hard work. Your life changed completely just a few days ago and despite that you've already done so much. For the first time in years things are finally looking up for the Pridelands, and it wouldn't be that way without you."
Simba smiled weakly at his mother's words before his gaze fell down to the ground. Sarabi frowned sympathetically.
"You and Mufasa are not the same."
Upon the mention of his father's name Simba immediately perked up to closely listen to Sarabi.
"He was a great king and we remember him fondly, but there's no way you can be exactly like him. You need to be yourself."
When Simba continued quietly looking at his mother unsure Sarabi mustered a comforting smile.
"I'm sure that you'll be a great king, because you're you."
Her words seemed to have reached the depths of his troubled mind and a sense of relief washed over Simba. A genuine smile of gratitude appeared on Simba's muzzle, finally feeling at ease.
"Thank you."
A relaxing atmosphere enveloped both as they quietly continued looking at the stars, each in their own thoughts but enjoying the company of the other. It was this kind of moment that made Simba happy he returned. Had he stayed in the jungle any longer he may have never seen his mother again.
"You know," Simba suddenly spoke breaking the silence. "I saw father before I returned. I even talked with him."
Sarabi looked at Simba with surprise.
"What?"
"I saw him." Simba repeated. "He appeared in the sky and reminded me who I was and what I was supposed to do. Had it not been for him I probably wouldn't have returned, but now I wish I could see him again just so he could guide me from here on too."
Sarabi followed Simba's gaze to the stars, looking at them with marvel. She was more than aware of the story of all the kings residing in the stars watching over everyone, but she never imagined that it could be so literal.
"Maybe Mufasa is not appearing again because he knows you don't need him. He can see you're doing just fine." Sarabi's smile widened. "He is watching over you after all."
He definitely was. Simba smiled in melancholy, remembering when Mufasa first told him the stars would look after him. Though he had been momentarily relieved at the time Simba hadn't taken it to heart, but in that moment looking back at the stars he felt safer than ever.
'Maybe I'm just thinking it over too much.' Simba mused inwardly.
Though his mind seemed to be at peace his heart reminded him that not everything had been settled. Simba frowned when the image of Nala's face resurfaced in his mind.
Noticing Simba had suddenly fallen quiet again Sarabi looked at him wondering what could still be troubling him. His eyes were timidly looking down at his paws and he seemed deep in thought. If what was troubling him wasn't about his reigning then there could only be one other thing.
"Is something wrong with you and Nala?" Sarabi suddenly asked.
As if caught doing something he wasn't supposed to Simba gasped and flinched in surprise, frowning bashful upon seeing the amused expression on Sarabi´s face as she realized she had been right.
Simba cleared his throat nervously when Sarabi laughed.
"I… I wouldn't say there's something wrong exactly." Simba said timidly. "But I want to talk to her about- about stuff that's happened, and our betrothal."
Sarabi looked at Simba with an intrigued smile. She didn't know Simba was aware of the betrothal, but now that he did and wanted to talk about it with Nala perhaps things were going in the direction the pride thought they would.
"But I can't help feeling like I failed her." Simba sighed. "I just realized that all the time I wasn't here she needed me. After all I made her go through I don't even know what she thinks of me anymore."
"Well it's true you weren't here when Scar was king," Sarabi said causing Simba to frown momentarily. "but you returned to fight and do the right thing. And not only me but everyone in the pride is grateful, including Nala."
Simba frowned hesitant. Sarabi was right, he did return to fight Scar and reclaim the throne, but it had been almost too late.
"It's okay if you don't feel ready." Sarabi smiled. "But you'll never know what she really thinks unless you try."
On that final note and leaving Simba to calmly think things over Sarabi turned around and walked back to the den.
"Mufasa, thank you for looking after our son." She quietly murmured to herself.
When Simba was left by himself he let out a deep breath he didn't know he had been holding. The idea of being straightforward and talking to Nala about their betrothal and what would become of them terrified him, but if there was a chance even if small that she reciprocated his feelings then perhaps it was worth a shot.
Sarabi was right, he'd never know unless he tried.
The moment the sun rose by the horizon Simba had to push back his thoughts of Nala and continue focusing on restoring the Pridelands. As soon as he stepped out of the den Zazu received him with the morning report, informing Simba that a tower of giraffes was waiting for him by the border of the Pridelands in the hopes of talking to him.
Simba was aware that Aminifu was widely known throughout the savannah, but he didn't think his influence would make effect that quickly. Happy to see things were moving forward again Simba asked Zazu to tell the giraffes he'd be there as soon as possible.
Watching the hornbill fly off Simba made his way down Pride Rock only to be stopped by Nala before he could get too far away. Immediately remembering the talk he had with his mother the previous night Simba felt his heart skip a beat when Nala asked if she could join him, and though he gladly complied he forced himself to not get distracted by his feelings, he was still in the middle of business after all.
As the two lions walked away from Pride Rock the rest of the pride gossiped amongst themselves intrigued.
"You know it's already been a few days since Simba returned, do you think he'll start looking for a mate soon?" One of the lionesses whispered excitedly.
"Well every respectful king does need a queen." Another lioness added. "But I'm pretty sure we all know who he's going to pick."
All the lionesses turned to look at Sarabi with mischievous smiles, waiting for her to reaffirm their theory.
"Well I won't go into much detail, but it seems like that really is the case." Sarabi chuckled at the lionesses' enthusiasm.
Sarabi watched with a hopeless smile how the pride cheered happily at her revelation. Everyone was aware that Simba and Nala had a long history together, and if someone was fit to reign fairly alongside Simba it definitely was Nala. After all she'd been through she finally deserved to get her happy ending.
"What's a mate?"
Following the young voice Sarabi looked down to her side to find Nuka had been listening to the conversation all along.
"Well," Sarabi began with a smile. "a mate is a partner for life. It's the animal we decide to spend the rest of our life with."
"That's it? Then why is everyone so excited that Nala may be Simba's mate?" Nuka frowned confused.
"Because whoever is Simba's mate will be queen of the Pridelands." Sarabi explained.
Nuka widened his eyes and gasped amazed. During Scar's reign there never was a queen, what would it be like to have one for a change? Could a queen help the king and make things better? Nuka couldn't help thinking that perhaps that was why Scar's reign hadn't been that great.
"Oh I see, thank you!"
With this newfound knowledge Nuka hurriedly made his way back to his mother's hideout, hoping that maybe she could enlighten him further on the subject.
Entering the small den Nuka found Zira and Vitani in their usual places, both lying down next to each other and napping.
"Hey mom!" Nuka walked closer to his mother's head, seeing how she opened a single eye tiredly. "Why didn't Scar have a queen?"
Almost immediately Zira scowled and turned around to not face Nuka.
"How should I know? And why do you care?" She replied bitterly.
Zira was growing impatient with her lack of ideas to continue Scar's legacy, and after yesterday's accidental encounter of Simba and Nala's moment she found herself in a very foul mood. The last thing she needed was Nuka reminding her of her failed attempts of capturing Scar's heart for herself.
"Well the lionesses were saying that Simba will be looking for a queen soon." Nuka explained briefly. "And they think it's going to be Nala, I'm not so sure why though."
Zira rolled her eyes and did her best to ignore Nuka. Unlike her and the rest of the pride her son had no idea that at this point Simba and Nala's union was almost set in stone.
"I don't see why it has to be Nala, everyone has equal chances don't they?" Nuka said to himself, not caring that both Zira and Vitani were trying to ignore him. "Mom even you could be Simba's mate! And I would be prince Nuka."
"Prince? You?" Vitani blurted out in disbelief. "Don't make me laugh."
"What are you mocking me for? That would make you a princess!" Nuka frowned annoyed. "But because I'm the oldest I'd get to be king and you wouldn't."
As if struck by lightning the gears inside Zira's mind started turning and her thoughts began rampaging around her mind. Of course, how didn't she think about it before? Whoever is Simba's mate will be queen and her cubs will officially be part of the royal family, whether they are Simba's or not. If she managed to become Simba's mate then her cub would definitely be acknowledged for the throne.
Of course it wouldn't be pleasant to pretend to have feelings for him, but once she was queen Simba could easily be taken care of by a sudden 'accident'. This way Zira could avoid physical confrontation, the pride wouldn't try anything against her, and her cub would rule the Pridelands. It was perfect.
However there was one little detail that threatened the entire plan: Nala.
The romance between Simba and Nala was there, even Zira could see it, so if she wanted to step up and beat Nala to it she'd have to be aggressive about it. If she could intimidate Nala and manipulate the situation then there were good chances it could all work out.
Smirking to herself Zira suddenly stood up from her place interrupting Nuka and Vitani's bickering, not uttering a single sound as she left her den in search for the rest of Scar's followers.
Did you know a group of giraffes is called a tower? That's awesome!
Next time Zira's plan starts setting in motion. Reviews are appreciated!