The Influence Stars Have

by MiraEstrellas

[SHAPESHIFTER AU] The kingdom of Ardhi Ya Kiburi has welcomed the new heir of their King and Queen. When King Mufasa dies and Crowned Prince Simba is given for dead, the King's brother rises to power and Ardhi Ya Kiburi becomes the subject to misery. Ardhi Ya Kiburi's true King is in a land beyond the savannah living a life with no worries, unaware of the suffering of his kingdom.

4. Betrothed I

"You know," Sarabi says, "Sarafina just had a daughter."

The Queen paces around the royal chambers, Simba on her arms and latched to her breast. The King is on the bed, reading over the letters of formalities the neighbouring kingdoms are obliged to write after the presentation of a new heir. The lengthiest one is from the nearest kingdom, from Mto Mlima, the kingdom of Queen Hafzah. Mufasa and Sarabi wrote their letter to her after the birth of her son no more than a year ago.

"I'm happy for her," Mufasa says.

"We never spoke of promising Simba to another kingdom's heir."

"I don't think we'll need to, Ardhi Ya Kiburi is on good terms with all kingdoms as far as the eye can see."

Sarabi sits on the bed. "Then I think Sarafina's daughter would be great for Simba."

Mufasa looks up for that. "Your lady-in-waiting's daughter?"

"Unless you have a better idea."

Sarabi's tone says: unless you want to have an argument about it.

"A servant's child?" Mufasa reiterates.

"My closest friend's child." Sarabi lifts Simba to her shoulder, patting his back. The baby burps and tries to grab the earrings of bone his mother wears. "You sit on a very high horse for the son of a commoner, Mufasa."

He exhales a laugh, it sounds like a lion's huff.

"Your father married into royalty, I married into royalty. Sarafina's daughter will too."

"And what's the name of my future binti mkwe?"

"Nala, I think."

Mufasa drops the letter he is holding, reaches over the bed, grabs his wife's chin between two fingers and kisses her. Simba loses interest in Sarabi's earrings and instead tries to grab Mufasa's dreadlocks decorated in gold. Mufasa rumbles a laugh, a low lion growl but amused. He takes his son into his arms, rubbing his forehead to help the lingering stain of the guardo fruit fade. Simba tries to grab Mufasa's fingers. Mufasa lets him.

"I can speak to Sarafina," Sarabi says. "She'll be ecstatic to hear the news."

"Will we tell them?" He means the kids.

"We weren't so young when we were told we were to marry."

"So, we wait?"

"Simba and Nala should be able to be friends first."

Simba is purring in his father's embrace. Mufasa agrees. He would do anything to make his son happy.