Chapter 3: The Annoucement
"I have an announcement to make." Scar yelled from above the pride, as the dark clouds opened up an evening sky. "The hyenas tell me you refuse to hunt an extra time…but in these bleak times we need to survive. Sarabi, you will lead your pride out once more before the night falls, that is an order not an option."
He hissed out the last words with a demanding power. "On the other hand, I do admit I may have been a little harsh, but it does seem the dodo bird can bring forth some good ideas as a king's visor…"
"What are you getting at Scar?" Sarabi asked.
"Only that I need more help in ruling over such a well rounded bunch of lionesses as yourselves. " He said with a fake tone of admiration. "Ever since Zira's pride left, they're hunting success has left with them. Your defiance is futile, and some of the hyenas were considering plucking a few of the…oh what…not so youthful lionesses off for their own meal."
"You wouldn't!" Sarabi hissed at him, the other members of the pride in wide eyed awe.
"I said I'd try to have the lions and the hyenas to live in unity, but ta, ta Sarabi. We know how venomous they can be." Scar looked over with a prideful smile at Shenzi who was circling with her brothers, letting the warning go to her head as a compliment.
"…However, since I am in need of a Queen…and one such offered to take the place as a guarantee with the hyenas for the safety of others…"
"Who made such a promise?" Sarabi looked at the lionesses and yet none held a high head to signify.
"I did."
The lionesses turned to see Nala walking through the pride cutting it in two.
"Nala?" Sarafina asked wide eyed.
"How could you?" Sarabi asked more afraid for Nala, then for herself.
"It was the only way to guarantee our safety. The hyenas won't strike as long as there is a Queen to take responsibility for the pride. Sarabi you know you will always be Queen to me just as Mufasa was…"
"Dare you say his name!" Scar yelled above.
She gave him a dark stare and continued. "…King, but you would be the first to be killed. Take care of the pride on the hunts, and I will make sure everything is fine otherwise."
"But you were to be with Sim.."
"Simba is gone. He was my friend, and he'd want the pride lands to be ruled with grace and peace like He once did." She'd avoided using his name, but they all knew who "HE" was revering to.
"So all is fine?" Scar interrupted, "Now Nala, go up to see Zazu and tell him to go out with the pride hunting tonight, a little air fair might help the hunt…since we don't want anymore failures do we?" He gave Sarabi a look, and left without a look back.
"Nala you don't have to," Sarafina warned her child, nuzzling her neck.
"I do. It's the right thing to do." Nala said. "Don't worry mother, I will leave the pride lands or step down before I do anything as Queen that I regret."
"Ah, back so soon. I was afraid you'd be clinging towards long goodbyes." Scar said as he absentmindedly played with a bone lying on the ground next to him.
"They left to go for the hunt before moon rise. And no, it's not goodbye, they are my pride now." Nala said.
"Ah, ah they are my pride." Scar warned. "A King is a higher power then a Queen."
"A Queen still has authority." She said.
He snuffed at this and needed a way to bring her off her pedestal again. "You know as my Queen you are my mate."
Nala had already assumed as much, but she knew she'd rather die before succumb to such a duty. "We don't have enough food to support a child. We can barely feed the pride, or your blessed hyenas."
"I decide when to have a child, I am King!" He rebutted.
" I will not sacrifice a child's health for your stubbornness. I am Queen now." She'd even felt youthful to be considering a child, none the less with one such as old as Scar. Nala knew she was stubborn; her mother had always nagged her about it growing up. 'd always been a bit bitterer since Simba's death. She watched as the pride returned, with a small piece of an antelope, probably strayed from its already departing pack.
"Only until I say otherwise, and your pride is as good as picked off." Scar hissed. "Now my dear Nala, why don't you come closer and find yourself to sleep? The hyenas will feast now so their mouths will remain free of any lion's flesh.
