WARNING: Messed up format. Bear with me, sorry and enjoy!
Practical Matters: Simba's POV
Never to return." The words echoed in my mind. It had been a week since I'd banished Zira and the other Outlanders, we called them. Even though my mother, Nala, and Zazu had assured me it was the right thing to do, I still felt horrible about doing so. Zira was right. The Outlands had little food and less water. How would they survive? "Simba?" Nala's voice echoed softly in the empty cavern. We were staying alone for the time being. The rest of the pride had either gone hunting, patrolling or just resting outside. "Is something bothering you?" "Nuh…no. Nothing. Everything's fine. The sun's shining, birds are calling, this couldn't possibly be a better day," I replied, almost sarcastically. "Simba," she chuckled. "You know you can't hide anything from me." She walked over to me and rested her head under mine and mine on hers, laying down. If my duties permitted, I would've stayed like that all day. "Alright," I sighed. "You're right. I still feel terrible about-" "Simba, you know that it was the right decision!" Nala suddenly yelled, angry. She raised her head and stood up, leaving my head to hit the cold stone floor. "Nala, Zira did have a point there, you know. The Outlands are no place for a mother and...what's worse...TWO CUBS!" I screeched, my paw flopping over my eyes. Nala walked over to me, looking very serious suddenly. "Simba, I think it's time I told something I should've told you a long time ago." I was silent for a moment. "Uh, hah, um...is it bad news?" I asked nervously. "I'm not so sure you will like this, but...ah...when you were gone, Scar forced me to become his queen and...we-I had a cub." I was silent for a moment. "You...you...Scar and you...I thought you loved me!" She sighed. "I was afraid you might say that. I didn't, Simba. I hated him but he already chose me and forced me. I had a cub...her name is..." "No. Just, no. I know already. Vitani?" I stood and paced around the den. "Simba..." "No. Just-stop it, okay?" "Simba, I can explain!" "No, Nala, no need. I know." "You-you don't understand!" Nala cried, following my angry footsteps. "Simba, Scar forced me! He-he wanted to murder her," Nala started sobbing. "Simba, he wanted to kill my cub!" I had no choice but to walk back over to her and let her lean on me as she sobbed into my mane, gasping for breath. Even though I was hurt and was mad, I still loved her. "Shh, shh, it's OK. She's fine, it's okay." "Scar then ordered Zira to capture her and kill her. At the time, she was still nice and had mercy because Scar was still around, but when I found out, I ran. And I found you." She rubbed herself against me. "Why did Scar want her dead?" "He wanted a boy to take his place as king. You know, Simba , I don't want to talk about this anymore. Let's talk about somethig else." "Alright," I sighed and let her rest on me. We sat like that for a while until Zazu came flying in. "Sire!" he hollered, not noticing Nala until he skidded to a stop. "Er, Nala." Nala nodded her head in acknowledgement. "Right, Sire, there are some urgent matters that you need to attend to...or, rather, ah...practical matters, shall I say." "Like what? I thought I finished everything this morning," I replied, confused. It was true, I had finished my morning rounds, as I called them, and even did a noontime round to make sure I did everything so I could have the rest of the day off. "Er, it's better if we discuss this in private," Zazu stammered, beet red. Nala walked over next to him, looking slyly at me. "Of course I can stay, right, Simba?" She flicked her tail on mine. Not knowing what the "practical matter" was, I replied, "Zazu, if you want to tell me something, you might as well say it here." He looked oddly triumphant. "Well, royal protocol demands that all kings are matched with their queen by their father a week after their crowning. However, for you, Simba, you would have to do this on your own, though you might want to seek counsel from the great kings first." "What are you saying? Give it to me straight." "You have to pick a queen, Sire," he smirked. I was totally shocked. That was the complete opposite of what I expected. Not to mention the love of my life, Nala, was right beside me to witness my decision. I couldn't help but turn red. Beside me, Nala snickered. "Oh, what an interesting matter to bring up, Zazu, especially at this time!" she laughed as he took a bow. Zazu finally got me back for the time I stuffed him under a rhino during the "I Just Can't Wait to be King." I cleared my throat. Since I was king and Nala wasn't, I still had the power to pick whoever I wanted as my queen, and I reminded her now. To Zazu, I said, "Zazu, I will give you my answer tomorrow during the morning report so you can go blab it off to the world." He nodded, "Alright, Simba. I shall quite enjoy 'blabbing it off to the world' who the lucky lioness will be." "You are dismissed. Anything else?" He shook his head, bowed, and flew out of the cave. As soon as he was out, I shot Nala a glare. "Nala, what did you go supporting him for? You were there, too!" Nala grinned. "It was funny watching you blush the color of flamingos!" Luckily I had a plan. I loved Nala, still do, but this time I was going to trick her. I frowned. "Nala, that wasn't funny. I still haven't forgiven you for keeping that from me.
" Nala's POV I stared at him, dumbfounded. I think my mouth dropped open a little. He suddenly pulled away from me and stared at me like I was Zira or Scar. "Nala, I'm really shocked at your behavior. You said you-" "WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE?!" I hollered, pressing him against the wall, suddenly angry mat him for not supporting me. "YOU'RE NOT MY PARENT! YOU DON'T EVEN KNOW WHAT I'VE BEEN THROUGH!"I stalked out of the cave, half crying half angry. I ran to my mother, sobbing against her shoulder. Sarafina's POV
So I'm just resting near the water hole with Sarabi, Kinya and Fatima, the older lionesses, when I see my daughter Nala sobbing and running toward me. Surprised, I stood up and walked to her. "Nala, honey, what's wrong? I thought you were with Simba!" "I was," she sobbed, "but now he doesn't love me anymore!" I shot an amused glance with Sarabi. "Young love," I mouthed. She bit back a smile. "Honey, I'm sure it was all big misunderstanding. Simba's not like that-right, Sarabi?" I looked at Sarabi. "Right, right, right," she said in a soothing voice. "I'm sure Simba just made a silly mistake. He does do that, you know." She padded over and licked Nala's ear. "I'll go talk to him. Make sure it really was a misunderstanding." Nala nodded and sniffled loudly. Sarabi's POV I walked up to Pride Rock, biting back a smile for Nala's sake. When I reached the cave, however, to find him, I found Nomalanga. "Oh, hi, Nomie," I greeted her with her nickname. To my surprise, she gulped loudly and glanced around nervously. "Hah, hh, heh, um...hi, Sarabi!" she replied in a shaky voice. Shockingly, there were beads of sweat on her forehead. "Um, if you'll excuse me..." I began, and walked around her to get into the cave. "Nope, uh, I mean, you can't go in." 'What do you mean? I am the former queen! Let me pass! I demand it." "King's orders. No one is permitted in or out of the cave." "Yeah, right." "No, I'm serious! Ask Zazu!" I yelled for Zazu to come prove it. Apparently it was true and Simba had gone back to the jungle to do something private. According toZazu, he had most likely gone to seek counsel from the great kings of the past as to who his queen would be. I smiled and laughed, knowing who it would be. Simba's POV That worked a little better than expected. Part one of the plan, DONE. Time for part two. I ran out to the jungle where I met Nala. I climbed onto the big cliffs overlooking the jungle and walked slow, steady steps as I had just a week ago to proclaim the jungle as part of the Pride Lands, including the surrounding desert and thorn forest. As I roared and marked the territory, I worried about Nomalanga. She usually wasn't a tough lioness, even during hunts she would wince as the lionesses or Nala made a kill. Which was why I told Zazu to guard the cave also, so the Pride Lands wouldn't go berserk over a supposedly missing king. I ran back to the spot where Timon, Pumbaa and I slept in the jungle. They had gone back after the battle for a bit. Luckily, they were there, sleeping. "Hey! Timon! Pumbaa! Wake up!" I prodded them with a paw. Timon blearily opened his eyes and blinked a couple of times. As his eyes set on me, he started screaming and jumping around. "AAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH! PUMBAA, PUMBAA, WAKE UP! COME ON! GIDDY-UP! LET'S GO! THE LION'S GONNA EAT US! AAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH!" I just chuckled. "Come on, guys, it's only been a week." Pumbaa jumped up and tentatively walked over. "Simba?" he asked. "Of course!" I replied. "Gee, you look kinda different. Right, Timon?" Timon walked over and inspected me. "PFFT! Different? Our boy looks just the same-hey, you look kinda different! What have you been doing, old friend?" Timon exclaimed. "Do I? Well, you know, just ...king...stuff." "Well, for one, your mane's a bit thicker and fuller. You're bigger and..." Timon sighed, "look less like the lion cub we had Hakuna Matata with." "Awww," I patted his back with the tip of my tail. "I'm still the same guy. I haven't changed. But guys, I came todaybecause I need your help." "At your service, my liege," Pumbaa sauntered over and bowed. "Sure, sure, anything your heart desires!" Timon bowed also. "I need you guys to decorate the waterfall a bit." 'Why?" they chorused. "Um," I blushed, "I'm gonna ask N
ala to be my queen." Their mouths dropped open and hit the ground-that was not an exaggeration. "Well, you really love her, huh?" Timon sighed and wiped tears from his eyes, "Well, love never dies. I'm happy for you, kiddo." I smiled. "Thanks." "Yeah, you deserve no one better, You guys are like two soul mates joined across the years by the bonds of true love," Pumbaa sobbed. I chuckled at Pumbaa's analogy. "We have to get started, guys. I want to propose at sunset." "Calm down! Let's go now," Timon and Pumbaa chorused.
By the time we finished, the sun had started setting and it was getting late. "Thanks, guys," I beamed. 'It looks great." It was true, the sun setting turned everything gold and red, and the specially paw-weaved drapes made of vines and flowers hung across the branches of every tree for privacy. The water looked naturally beautiful on its own, and we'd gathered flowers together into a heart shape on the ground for Nala and I to sit on. Timon and Pumbaa both swore that they would neither peek nor eavesdrop on us. I waved them away and ran back home to find Nala. Nala's POV "Ir's almost dark! Where is he?" Sarabi exclaimed, panicked. "What if he was attacked? What if-" "Relax, Sarabi. He'll be back soon. He's not a cub anymore," my mother soothed. Suddenly, we all saw a distant shape on the horizon yelling "Nala! Nala!" My mother laughed. "That's him, alright. He wants you. Sarabi, why don't we give them some...time together?" Sarabi smiled and nodded agreement, and they backed off. I took a deep breath and watched as he approached. The way the sun glared off his mane was just so...striking. It took my breath away. He came to a stop as he approached me. "Nala, I'm really sorry about what happened today. I didn't mean it and it was totally just a big misunderstanding. Forgive me?" he asked tentatively. His apology seemed genuine and I really loved him, so I smiled and pressed myself against him. He grinned. "Come on, I just heard about this really cool place!" he whispered I my ear and started walking, motioning for me to follow him. I glanced behind me uncertainly. "C'mon! It'll be great, I promise!" he urged. His enthusiasm was contagious, and we ran, laughing and playfighting until we reached the 'really cool place', which was...the jungle! Simba was grinning hugely. "Come on!" he exclaimed, bounding along with his mane flying everywhere. He looked just like he did when he pulled me into the water. A little bigger, a little more like Mufasa, and...WAY hot. And immature. Well, I reasoned, might as well take advantage of the time away from our parents. I followed him and as we did when we were little, I jumped on him and we rolled around but this time, amazingly, Simba used my flip trick to flip me over. As we stayed in that position for a while, panting, Simba suddenly cleared his throat. Simba's POV Now, I thought. "Nala, I have to tell you something." I got off her and lay down in a half bow. She looked stunned. 'Simba, what are you..." "Ssshh..." I said. "Nala, you are the love of my life. You make me smile everytime I see you. You light up my night and you brighten the day..." Nala's POV As I sat there, amazed, listening to his speech about me being his "moon, stars, sun and sky. I don't go a day without thinking about you." and so on and so forth, tears came to my eyes. I had wanted so badly for someone besides my mom to love me in that way. Not only that, I loved Simba. He was also my life and my love. I started crying silently, tears sliding down my cheeks. When he finished with "...and now, I ask you, do you love me in the same way?" "Yes," I smiled while sobbing. "Yes, I do." "I ask you, will you be my mate for life, my queen to rule alongside me, the partner I love?" he inquired. I was so shocked I couldn't get a sound out of my throat. Me, Queen of the Pride Lands. Queen Nala. Yes, I liked the sound of that. Sounded way better than Queen Zira. When Simba was looking into my face worriedly, wondering if I was ever going to stop sobbing, I finally croaked, "Yes." Gaining confidence, I managed to stop crying for a second and and said, loudly, "Yes. I will be your mate for life. I love you, Simba."
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