Author's Note: I think Sarabi and a few other lionesses look like they don't belong in the Pride Lands. So I came up with a reason, which morphed into a story. Enjoy!
Sarabi
Chapter 3: Revelation and love
Sarabi was excited about the arrival of her little brother, but she wondered why everybody was making such a fuss. The Prince was presented formally to the Pride, accompanied by the seven roar salute, only performed at the most special of occasions. Bitterly, the Princess noted that there was no such salute on her first birthday, and had she been able to remember her infancy, she would have been even more disappointed to learn that there was no formal presentation for her either.
The cub looked nothing like his big sister. Whilst Sarabi's appearance was inherited mostly from Storm, the Heir had a softer fur colour, similar to that of Aurora, and eyes of such a pale yellow that when he looked up to the heavens the stronger blue dominated and reflected in them. Both Storm and Aurora came up with the same name for their son, which fitted him rather well.
The son of King Storm and Queen Aurora, the Prince and Heir of the Star Pride and the would-be future ruler was named Sky.
As much as she loved her brother, Sarabi noticed some changes a few weeks after he was born. Aurora was busy nursing, and did not have much time spare, other than to hunt every so often, and Storm was occupied with arrangements for the future King. Sky did not attend the creche from dawn until dusk like the Princess did, but only from mid morning until mid afternoon. And then one day, when she walked to the watering hole, by herself, she was quite old enough, the animals there would not part to let her through.
"Excuse me," she started politely, "but could you let me drink? I am very thirsty."
A big gnu slowly raised its head and turned around.
"And who might you be, little girl, that you cannot wait your turn?"
Sarabi felt a rush of pride running through her small body. She straightened up and said, as regally as she could, "I am Princess Sarabi, daughter of the King of the Star Pride, the soon to be co-ruler of this territory."
There was a pause amidst the animals, and then the gnu laughed, soon being accompanied by the rest.
"I will let you drink because you made me laugh today, child. But you shouldn't be making such things up."
Sarabi gazed at the antelope with her unbelieving dark eyes.
"Everybody knows that the Heir to the throne is the young Prince Sky."
Lost for words and unable to look at the laughing animals, Sarabi ran from the pool of water, all the way back to the acacias where the Star Pride rested. Aurora dozed next to Sky. Storm was not to be seen. Sarabi nudged her mother's neck.
"Mhhhmm?" said the Queen sleepily.
"Mother, I have to ask you an important question."
"Can it wait until dusk, my sweet? It is too hot for questions."
"Mother, it worries me. I must ask you now."
Aurora yawned, and her neat, deadly teeth gleamed in the sunlight. Still lying outstretched on the ground, she turned her head to see her anxious daughter.
"What, my child, what is it?"
"I was at the watering hole just now. A gnu told me that the Heir to the lands is Sky. Is this true?"
The Queen looked sad for a moment. "Yes," she replied.
"Sarabi, the Star Pride is one with a foundation of tradition. It has been running for generations, and we are powerless to change it. The only lion who can is your father, but he does not want to. You are the first born, and had you been male, you would have been the Heir. But only the sons of Royal Blood can be the Heirs. That is Sky."
"And me?" asked Sarabi, "Father said he would need me to help him and you to govern the land."
"That was before the birth of your brother, dear. Now, he will rule by himself, and he will choose a Queen out of the Pride. That is how I was chosen when your father became King. I do not agree with this, Sarabi, but I can't do anything to change these ancient laws. There are other prides which operate on a Firstborn rule, but the Star Pride is reluctant to change. But you remain the Princess. Nothing can take that away from you."
Suddenly, Sarabi felt useless, small and insignificant. Her parents spent less time with her, and more with Sky. She was approaching two, and was nearly fully grown. Not all was bad, however. She was in Hunting Group A, the best trainee hunter out of the elite few young lionesses, and she was readily gaining and using skills taught to them by the adult hunters. She had already managed to make a kill with a partner, but she had yet to go out on her own. She couldn't do that until she turned two years of age, but she was getting all the practice she could. In addition to this, she felt a lot closer to her friend from creche, Dusk. He was a few months older than her and had already made his first kill. She found she was thinking about him a lot more, and she enjoyed being around him. He was funny and brave, and his eyes glistened when he talked. He made her feel important. Like she was significant, and useful. To him, it didn't matter that she would never rule the Pride. Secretly she thought when she was old enough, she and Dusk would start their own pride, elsewhere in the Savannah. One day in the wet season, they went out for some more hunting practice, for Sarabi's birthday was only a few weeks away. She managed to pin down a rabbit quite easily in spite of the rain, but of course had to let it go, as she couldn't kill yet. Dusk was impressed. It took him two attempts to get his first kill, which was a bit embarrassing for him, and his older sister made a lot of fun out of him afterwards. His paws sinking in the muddy grass, he padded over to Sarabi, who lay down to rest after the chase to congratulate her.
"That was very good," he said, "Incredibly good. But you could try edging closer to the prey before you sprint."
Sarabi sat up tiredly, and looked at him. The rain fell down his fur and his eyes glistened even more so than usual. She didn't know why she felt like saying it, but she did,
"You always look beautiful when you run."
Dusk smiled sheepishly, and then replied in a soft voice,
"You always look beautiful."
And that afternoon in the ever pouring rain that was so welcome after the long drought, Sarabi had her first kiss with the lion she thought she would love forever.
