Act I Scene 3
(Pride Rock in the middle of a starry night)
Sarabi:
(she exits the cave slowly and sits at the top of the ledge, looking at the stars, seemingly remembering Mufasa)
Scar (standing in the shadow at the entrance to the cave):
The hyena, an ever hungry beast,
Knows not real hunger in the least.
Again, dear Sarabi, the gaping hollowness in our souls does not permit us both to enjoy the nightly recreation.
Sarabi:
(cries silently)
Scar (sadly):
Oh merciless lashes! Once again you fall upon my back, making me remember the burden I must carry.
Nearly every night, she comes here and weeps.
More nights of mourn then the ones when she sleeps!
And with every tear that drips from her eye
I too must grieve them, I too must cry.
How I would dream to console her! How I would dream to console myself!
But can I speak to the one who'd once rejected me?
(the wind blows forcefully, both Sarabi and Scar gaze at the sky)
Scar (startled):
Brother! Are the old legends true? Are you observing your tainted slayer through the window of a star?
It is a frightening thought, even though you might be so far.
But no matter. What happened, happened. I suppose there's only one thing to do.
The cup of suffering is brimful and tonight I intend to spill it.
Mufasa, if you're watching, I hope you approve the concept of my mind.
If you don't- then I hope death made you blind.
(he approaches Sarabi)
Scar:
Gazing at the stars
Seldom heals our scars.
Sarabi (trying to hide her sorrow):
Welcome, Scar.
Scar:
You wanted to say- welcome, tyrant.
Sarabi:
That's not what I meant.
Scar:
But you also didn't say- welcome, king.
Sarabi:
Are you not the king?
And shouldn't you be sleeping?
Since when are you concerned about somebody's weeping?
Scar:
Am I not scarred myself?
I have seen you crying, mourning the two.
Sarabi:
I'm sorry I can't say the same about you.
Scar (sadly):
Oh I do shed tears. Ones that are unseen.
A scarred heart bleeds though it remains hidden from all eyes
Like a fish in the sea depth whenever it cries-
It's tears are mixed with the water,
Yet they are what makes the water salty.
Sarabi (abashed):
Forgive me then!
So you are starting to feel the weight of the crown?
True, it's weight's enough to bring a ruler down.
Scar:
Hence the phrase- a royal pair.
Sarabi:
Is there no one to aid you with this lion's share?
Scar:
I'm not a fool! I know most of you look at me with hate.
Futile is to search for friends, let alone a mate.
I got used to living without much love.
Sarabi:
Is it even possible? I find it hard to accept.
There must at least be one for whom your love you've kept!
Scar (sadly):
Oh, I believe you've met him, or at least heard the rumors
Since weaving them for females is almost an art.
You know what they say- beneath a black mane there beats a black heart…
Sarabi:
(aside)
He's talking about himself, but I know there is something more.
Oh Mufasa! Was it you who whispered to your brother the silent council so that he may open to me his aching inside? All this time I have been unaware of the painful wail that echoes there, so deeply resembling my own mournful sob! Yet now the mist seems to be thinning. Is this your answer to my request? Is this by what you wish to save your successor? To console your widow? To confirm your kingdom?
So be it, then!
Mufasa, if you're watching, I hope you approve the concept of my mind.
If you don't- then I hope death made you blind.
(to Scar)
I was unconscious of your pain, dear brother-in-law.
Scar:
As I have said before, there is much you still don't know about me.
Sarabi:
That may be, yet it seems to me that in the lives of us both night has fallen.
A night in which we wade, too far from the stars, too far from the sun.
Is it not so? A lone king and a lone queen do not help the pride!
Scar, let us put an end to a time of darkness!
My relative, my friend, as I hope! I beg you to answer-
To make the daylight shine above the Pridelands again
Would you wish to have me as your companion?
Scar (aside, abashed):
What! She precedes me in the proposal?
Has her sorrow stolen her reason away?
I pray not!
(to Sarabi)
But I am a devil to you!
Sarabi:
What makes such a horrible thought fog your mind?
Scar:
Once you'd chosen my brother over me, the fact is commonly known!
Sarabi:
My will is with the wellbeing of the pride, not my own.
Scar:
Still you did that because you loved him!
Sarabi:
Of course! He was the sun in my sky!
Scar:
The sun that has set and said it's goodbye.
Sarabi:
The sun always rises again in the morning.
Aren't you your brother's successor?
You've promised us to bring a new era of light.
Among my inner darkness you can now shine bright.
Scar (affected):
Fair Sarabi! My sometime sister, now my queen!
The love you've lost I never had.
What we now lack is what we can add.
Sarabi (smiling):
Look- the sun is rising and night will soon be gone
And even stars agree to fade before the dawn.
(they embrace as the curtain falls)
(end of Act I)
AN: Oh my gosh, Scar/Sarabi pairing!
Duh, of course I had to make such a thread if this is to be based on 'Hamlet'! In the play, the widowed queen Gertrude is married to her husband's murderer, king Claudius. Also, there are a few stunning fanarts at DA that inspired me to write such a story with TLK characters.
So why does Sarabi become Scar's mate? Obviously, it's not out of lust for bodily pleasures or power, as was with the original Gertrude. Sarabi is above that. First of all, she does it for the good of the pride, since her brother-in-law proves to be a more responsible ruler than some had thought. Second, she simply feels extremely lonely after losing Mufasa and Simba. After all, if she hadn't been betrothed, Scar would have been her second choice. Lastly, she also considers that such a solution would be a good thing to do even in Mufasa's oppinion- as 'stars agree to fade before the dawn'.
But do Scar and Sarabi really love one another? Let me leave you with that question.
Act II comming soon!