Introduction: Hello! This is my first fan fiction piece. All feedback is greatly appreciated! Enjoy.
Disclaimer: All rights to Disney and the Lion King franchise! A few OC's are my creations.
Chapter Note: Adding and developing on OC's a bit further, but will also focus on Pridelanders again in the near future.
Sins of the Father
Chapter Eleven
One month later...
On the other side of Mitirefu, clear across the woodlands and well past the river, existed a place known as the Shimokina Crater.
Many eons earlier, a volcano had erupted and formed a caldera into the plains of East Africa, leading to the the creation of an inhabitable area inside the crater. This valley was now home to an array of animals, including a few different lion prides.
Several generations ago, the first pride to settle in the crater came to be called the Karimu. Over time, forefathers of the Karimus generously allowed others lions to settle into the area as well, sharing the land and resources with their new neighbors.
Thus for many generations, the lions of Shimokina Crater had lived peaceful lives, with little hostility or unrest among them.
But for the Karimu Pride, their future now seemed unclear.
King Busara paced about worriedly outside the pride's small domain, impatiently awaiting news from the lionesses whom were residing inside. The king was an older lion, with a weathered face and walked with a limp. He had been young and strong once, but now life was catching up to him far too quickly.
An agonizing roar come from inside the den.
Busara stopped in his tracks, and instantly looked over to the entrance of the cave. He seemed deeply conflicted, as if unsure whether to remain outside or rush into the den. Taking a deep breath, he swiftly began to make his way towards it.
Several hours earlier, Queen Jua had gone into labor with their long-awaited first child. Jua was a few years younger than Busara, yet the two were an affectionate and loving pair. But the king had often assumed his wife would outlive him - she was healthy and still in her prime, while he was aging rather ungracefully.
Now, he was not so certain.
Jua was having severe labor complications, causing her even more pain than a mother-to-be would normally experience during giving birth. The other lionesses of the pride were quite worried, but did their best to comfort the beloved queen.
As each uncertain hour passed by, Busara became more distraught and agitated. In concern, the lionesses suggested he step outside to recuperate. He had resisted vehemently, but out of all of them, it was Jua whom most desperately insisted he leave.
Though no one spoke of it, they all had no choice but to prepare for any outcome, whether it brought joy or tragedy.
Finally, the king reached the den's entrance and peered inside.
An elder lioness cautiously came up to him, her face grave and serious. But when she looked at Busara, she tried her best to give him a smile. The king knew something was not right.
"Just in time. Come see your daughter, she's beautiful."
The two made their way deeper into the den. The two other lionesses whom had been keeping vigil stepped out of the way. At the back of the cave, Queen Jua lay resting on her side, her breathing shallow and fragile.
"...my daughter?", Busara whispered to himself. It was the first time he truly spoke such words, he was in total awe.
The elderly lioness held herself back, giving the king and queen privacy as Busara carefully walked up to his wife's side. When the king approached, he saw a small tawny-colored bundle of fur next to Jua. He could not help but smile.
"You are amazing, and she is perfect.", Busara said to the queen.
He leaned down and nuzzled the side of her face affectionately. But Jua was far too weak to lift herself up, instead just tilting her face up to meet his own. She gave the king a sad smile, her beautiful face looking weary and tired.
"Yes, she is.", Jua said softly.
Their eyes locked together for a long, quiet moment. But in the silence, they shared unspoken words of love and gratitude.
The king and queen soon turned their attention back to their newborn cub, gazing down at her in pure adoration. She was sleeping soundly and appeared healthy, completely oblivious of the world around her.
Busara's hazel-colored eyes began to glisten.
"What shall we name her?", he asked quietly.
"Amira, our lovely Amira.", Jua responded.
She took a long, last look at her daughter. Then ever so gently, the queen laid her head against the ground and closed her eyes, slowly becoming overtaken by a deep sleep.
Now, small tears began to fall from King Busara's eyes as he struggled to accept the fate of his family.
The last words Queen Jua ever spoke was the name of her daughter, and never again would she awake to greet her husband or child. From now on, she had left Busara and young Amira to continue their lives without her.
The heartbroken king was uncertain of his own fate, but would try his best to hold on for the sake of his daughter.
As one lion cub and it's mother tragically parted ways, another lioness and her cub were much more for fortunate.
Nzuri gently picked up Khali by the scruff of his neck with her jaws and headed out of their den.
The rain had let up in Nchiwazi for a couple of days, granting it's residents a break to enjoy the cool weather and revived landscape. Daylight had passed by now, giving way into another beautiful evening. For many locals, it was well-deserved chance to enjoy quality time with their loved ones.
With her young cub, the lioness stealthily made her way to a nearby kopje.
Khali was a month old now and had recently learned how to walk, but for his safety Nzuri carried him with her whenever they ventured past the den area. The lioness was a protective and watchful parent, but still enjoyed taking her son out to explore occasionally.
Approaching the stone kopje, Nzuri carefully began to climb it. Once she reach the flat surface at the top, she gently placed Khali down to the ground, and gave him a soft nuzzle. The small cub giggled, responding with small lick to his mother's cheek.
"Mommy!", he exclaimed happily. Khali rolled over on his back playfully, looking up to his mother and giving her a big smile.
Nzuri gazed down at him and smiled right back.
'My sweet little one.', she thought fondly.
The lioness stretched her tired limbs and leisurely settled into the ground next to her son. Khali kept himself entertained by playing with some tiny pebbles and the plants sprouting from the top of the kopje. Nzuri looked on, amazed by how quickly the cub had grown in the few weeks since his birth.
After some time, she turned her attention and looked out over Nchiwazi. There were not many high points in the area, but the kopje offered a nice view. The landscape was bit greener and thicker with shrubbery now, attracting a few more visitors here and there, but still rather quiet.
On this evening, the sky was dark and clear, with a thin crescent moon looming high above. Nzuri looked up, admiring the endless beauty that was the Serengeti heavens.
A perfect night for stargazing.
Though until now, the lioness had not enjoyed this simple pleasure for many months. In the past, Nzuri would often gaze at stars with her beloved sister, speaking to each other of their hopes and dreams.
Unfortunately, after Imara's tragic death she lost interest in such things. But these days, Nzuri now had someone else to share her life with. Someone whom she would teach and guide through life, as her mother and older sister had once done for her.
Just then, Nzuri felt a weight drop onto her right paw.
She immediately looked down and grinned. Khali had made his way back to her, now attempting to snuggle with his mother. He let out a small yawn, crawling over her paws and settling himself between her arms.
"Tired now, are we?"
"Nuh-uh!", the cub insisted, resting his head on her paw.
Khali stretched and let out another yawn, getting comfortable in his new resting spot. He blinked quickly a few times, trying his best not to fall asleep just yet.
"Hmm, we'll see about that.", Nzuri replied.
The lioness could not help but smile at her son's daily antics, watching him learn and grow each day. For some lion-mothers, living on their own without a mate or pride would be unthinkable. But for Nzuri, she would not trade her new life for the world.
'Well, maybe a lullaby will do the trick', she thought, ready to put the young cub to sleep.
Carefully, she brought her paws closer together and cradled Khali near her chest. Nzuri thought back to her own childhood, to the different lullabies her mother and sister had sung for her. She chose her favorite one, the one about the stars.
"Mkali, mkali, nyota kidogo ,
Jinsi mimi ajabu nini wewe ni.
Juu ya dunia ya juu mno,
Kama almasi katika anga.
Mkali, mkali nyota kidogo,
Jinsi mimi ajabu nini wewe ni."
She repeated the lullaby a couple of times, watching Khali slowly drift off to sleep with each verse.
The lioness admired how serene and peaceful he looked, having not a worry or care troubling him. As long as Nzuri could help it, this was how things would remain for many years to come. She did not want to imagine their lives any different.
"Good night, little one."
Author's Note:
The lullaby above is a just a Swahili translation of the classic, "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star." I tried to find actual Kenyan/East African lullabies to fit in the story, but unfortunately did not come across much on the internet :\
I did find one about not getting eaten by a hyena, though lol
And some more translations...
Shimokina – "Deep Hole." This is molded after the Ngorongoro Crater in Tanazania. Apparently, this name means the same thing in another language.
Karimu – Generous
Busara - Wise
Jua – Sun
Amira – Princess (I believe this is Arabic origin, but it seems there is a lot of overlap with between local and Arabic names in Eastern Africa.)
