Chapter Seven

Sarafina could not sleep knowing that so many lives were gone, and Scar... Scar was with the hyenas— those monsters— who knew what they would do to him. Suddenly, she heard voices outside. She peeked through the entrance and saw Sanaa talking with Zenobia and three younger cubs.

"That one is my mama." One of the cubs pointed to a little star. "And Zenobia's mama is over there. They're hunting!" she laughed.

"That's right," Sanaa replied. "Now, who do think that star is?" She pointed to a bright one far in the distance.

"Almasi of course," Zenobia piped. "Our queen would be the brightest star, sparkling like a diamond."

Those words made Sarafina smile. She went back to her space in the den and fell asleep wondering which star her father had become.

Once the rainy season ended, she and her mother were called to a private meeting with King Ahadi. He waited for them beneath an umbrella tree at the back end of Pride Rock. As the two lionesses approached, he was very surprised. Sarafina had grown so much that she looked exactly like her mother, but with different coloring. The lionesses bowed, and then he spoke.

"Concerning the matter of your betrothal, I have found a solution: Hasani needs a wife to legitimize his ties to this pride, and it cannot wait any longer," Ahadi explained. "Therefore, you will marry him in seven days."

"Yes, your majesty," Dafina replied. "Sarafina is most honored."

Once they were a fair distance from him, Sarafina cried, "I thought Hasani was engaged to Zenobia!"

"That was broken off when he became a rogue." Dafina rolled her eyes.

"Didn't he come for her?" Sarafina asked.

"Who knows how a lion chooses his pride. You must remember that a lion always does the choosing," she sagely replied.

"What does that mean?" Sarafina asked.

"You'll understand soon," Dafina said.

Sarafina was puzzled. As a lioness; didn't she need to understand these riddles now?

Before she knew it, her wedding day arrived. She looked at the faces of her loved ones as she made the long walk. Zuzu's eyes were full of happy tears. Dafina and Sarabi were beaming with pride, and Zenobia could not have been more jealous. Sarafina considered talking to her, but she realized it would be a waste of time. Her paws felt so heavy, but she took a deep breath and entered the den. Soon, a tall and muscled lion came in.

"Sarafina," he said warmly.

She watched as he laid down beside her.

"I know that you were engaged to someone else for a long time, but I promise to love you and our cubs," he said.

Sarafina was silent for a moment, and then she looked into his eyes. "May I ask you something?"

"Anything," Hasani replied.

"Why did you leave the South?" she asked.

He took a deep breath and explained, "Our new king was a very bitter lion, with a grudge against this pride. All he cared about was getting revenge for something that happened during his father's reign. He neglected his duties so much that the kingdom became a dry wasteland. When the lionesses suggested that we leave; he decided to conquer Pride Rock. I couldn't be a part of that…" he trailed off.

"Weren't you a prince?" Sarafina asked.

"Yes." He nodded. "But I still had a choice. Even if Mkaidi were my father, I had the right to leave…Either way, I would have ended up here."

"Right, your betrothal," Sarafina sighed.

"Enough about me," Hasani insisted, "let's talk about you."

"Me," Sarafina laughed nervously.

"I want to know everything about you." He smiled at his bride.

Gradually, love blossomed between the newlyweds. The pair stood side by side as Mufasa gave his first address to the pride, as king: "Since my father has joined the great kings, I have the option of pardoning anyone who was convicted during his reign. Now, there is an individual who I have in mind, but I have decided to base my decision on a vote."

Everyone began to whisper, "A vote…he wants us to vote…who could it be?"

Doa, a dark lioness with a spot under her right eye, cried, "Why a vote? We trust your judgment!"

"Because, I wish to pardon Prince Scar," Mufasa replied.

Everybody began talking at once. Mufasa remained calm and soon they quieted down. "This would restore Scar's status as a member of the royal family, and his privilege to live here. However, I cannot reverse my father's decision if the Pride is unable to accept him."

A grayish lioness named Lulu spoke up, "Mufasa! I feel the prince deserves a second a chance."

Many of the lions shouted in agreement. Then, the fully grown Zenobia squeezed from between her aunties and cried, "Never! Have you all forgotten his betrayal: We were at war and he brought in another enemy…Hyenas! HYENAS! They killed your mothers, and both my parents. Will we allow Scar to harm us again?"

"Scar lost his mother too," Sarafina clarified, "I'm sure the grief has taught him a lesson."

"A lion who consorts with hyenas cannot be trust!" Zenobia thundered.

Everyone became agitated again then, suddenly, an angelic voice calmed the crowd: "We have all made mistakes when we were young. Anyone who is exempt may cast the first stone." That voice came from Hasani.

Most of the Pride responded with cheers. Sarafina couldn't help but smile. In this moment, she felt so proud to be his wife!

"All in favor of pardoning Prince Scar," Mufasa called.

All but four lions raised their front right paws.

"All opposed," he called.

Doa, Zenobia, and two others raised their front right paws.

"Then, it's settled. I'll have our new majordomo deliver the message," Mufasa concluded.

As everyone left the summit, Zenobia walked over to Hasani and smirked. "You'd better keep an eye on your wife."

"You mean, the way you've kept an eye on me?" he asked.

Zenobia looked humiliated. She ran away from the shaming stares of her pride sisters.


Thank you for all of your reviews and follows! If you are wondering what happened to make Mkaidi so bitter towards Mufasa's pride, check out the prequel "The Outsider."