Chapter 11: The Great Lakes Pride Part1

They ran, and ran fast. They never stopped and never even though about turning back. Simba and Nala ran the entire night never stopping for food or to sleep. Every time Simba wanted to stop the images of those lions being slaughtered alive made him run faster. Early on Nala been in tears from the sights she had seen but now she had no more tears to cry all she could do was follow her husband. Simba began hallucinating as he ran he saw the evil lions chasing after him and killing Nala and this made Simba run even faster. Simba and Nala were expected to arrive in the Great Lakes Pride late at night on the 7th day of their journey but because of all their running they arrived right around dawn

It was a beautiful day in the Great Lakes Pride. Gunnar the young lion prince of his pride laid lazily over a tall rock at the border of his pride's lands. Gunnar had been given the duty of lookout for the morning a position he loathed. "Why am I even he here?" he asked himself. "There hasn't been an attack on our lands in years and the other kings aren't expected for hours." The prince dropped his head and sighted. He thought about all his friends who were probably hanging out somewhere together or playing a game. Gunnar was about ready to abandon his position when heard footsteps coming quickly. He looked up to see 2 lions on a full sprint. They seemed to not notice him and ran right by. Gunnar jumped down from his perch and roared, "Halt!" Simba and Nala turned around to see the young lion growl at them but at this point were to out of breathe to react.

"Who are you?" Gunnar growled.

"We're..." Simba was out of breath he couldn't answer. "Simba, Nala"

"Where are you from?"

"Priderock" Nala answered still panting heavily.

Gunnar looked up shocked, "You are King Simba and Queen Nala of the Priderock pride! Oh it is such an honor I've heard so much about you." He said now moving from paw to paw with excitement.

"Thank you." Simba responded, "Where exactly are we?"

"The Great Lakes Pride."

Simba and Nala immediately fell on the ground relieved they were in safe lands.

"Uh are you ok?" Gunnar asked.

"We need to speak to your king immediately!" Simba ordered.

Gunnar, a little surprised he was being given orders, led the couple to the cave that his father was sleeping in. On the way to the cave Simba finally caught his breathe looked up to the the beauty of the lands around him. There were large lakes with crystal clear water. Each lake had a large waterfall dumping more water into them. Herds of animals of all kinds grazed in the open field between the lakes.

"Its even more beautiful than I imagined." Nala said her eyes glowing at all the beauty.

"I bet your land is even better. I heard Priderock is the most amazing structure in all of Africa!" Gunnar said with a very excited tone in his voice.

"You sound like you really like our pride." Simba noted.

"Yea I've heard so much about it. Me and my friends always talk about going." Gunnar said. Simba then realized how young Gunnar was, his mane wasn't even fully-grown and he was nowhere near his full size. Before Simba could say anymore he realized they had reached their destination. A large male lion approached them and said, "Simba, Nala great to see you!"

"Baron!" They both said remembering the king from last years counsel.

"Father is this really them? The king and queen of Priderock!" Gunnar asked

"Yes this is them."

"Father?" Simba said thinking then turned to Gunnar and said, "Your Baron's son?"

"Simba, Nala, meet my son and future king of this pride Gunnar." Baron said

Simba and Nala were speechless not expecting the young lion they met was a future king.

"Uh... Gunnar why don't you give us a few minutes to catch up." Baron said

Gunnar put his head down and left to find his friends. Baron caught up with what his friends had been doing since the last counsel in the South Saharan Pride. Baron then asked hem about their trip. Simba and Nala looked at each other nervously then told him about what they saw with the other lions. Baron dropped his head and said, "So they've struck again."

"Who?" asked Simba

"The Bandit Pride. We will be discussing them when the counsel is all here, but until then get some rest." and with that separated.