The Messenger

Author's Note: Hi all! I hope you are all enjoying Sarabi and Zarifa's journey so far. Please read and review!

Chapter summary: Zarifa discovers a shocking truth about Simba from an unlikely source.

She didn't know how it happened, but Zarifa suddenly found herself in the Pride Lands. But there was something about being there that made Zarifa feel uneasy.

Unlike the desolate and barren landscape she had grown up with, the Pride Lands were full of beautiful trees and bushes, something Zarifa barely remembered from her childhood. The sky was a dark purple twilight, and the stars were glistening brightly. Everything was ethereal and perfect. Almost too perfect.

As she walked through the savannah, Zarifa suddenly became aware of the way that she moved. It felt like she moved like air, gliding through the Pride Lands.

Zarifa looked around. Although the Pride Lands were full and bountiful, there was not a soul in sight. She felt incredibly lonely, and hated it.

"Mom? Nala? Apollo, are you there?" Zarifa called out, her voice echoing. "Can anyone hear me?"

It was strange. Zarifa felt free from the confines of time and even space. But somehow, she also felt at peace, something she hadn't known since she was a cub. Zarifa closed her eyes and let the breeze gently blow on her face.

Her peace was disrupted when she was acutely aware that she was no longer alone.

Zarifa opened her eyes and searched around, trying to find the looming presence that she felt watching her. She couldn't see anyone. She didn't trust that she was safe anymore. Though she had been trained by Lupita to never show fear, Zarifa felt afraid. She continued to search around.

"Hello? Is someone there?" Zarifa called out into the open space. Maybe she was going crazy. Or maybe her years of fearing Scar's wrath had made her paranoid.

She dismissed those thoughts when she saw a figure moving the shadows. Zarifa couldn't move.

Zarifa couldn't make out the figure completely, but from what she could tell, the figure was a lion. She could tell that the lion's mane was large and impressive. When he walked, he seemed to glide, almost float.

As the shadowy figure continued to walk towards her, Zarifa finally got it in her head that she needed to be prepared to attack. She quickly got into her warrior stance, ready to pounce.

"Don't come any closer! I will attack," Zarifa warned, her voice raspy and still echoing. The figure continued to walk towards her, unnerved.

"Zarifa…" The voice said gently. Zarifa's ears perked upwards.

"Who are you? How do you know my name? Answer me!" Zarifa demanded, ready to attack with great force.

She was waiting for this dark shadowy figure to pounce and attack her. But the lion just stood in the shadows, observing Zarifa. She felt self-conscious, as if she wanted this stranger's approval. Zarifa couldn't figure out why she felt this way all of a sudden. She felt her shoulder relieve tension, but not much.

The lion took a step into the light. As Zarifa suspected, this lion was tall, broad and muscular, with a magnificent red mane. He was golden yellow and had sunset red eyes. Zarifa discovered that his eyes – like his smile – were kind.

"Zarifa, it's me – Mufasa. Your father."

Zarifa felt her breath hitch. She was finally meeting her father.

Abandoning all reason, Zarifa ran to Mufasa and she nuzzled him, her head fitting perfectly under his chin. She felt him lick her lightening bolt-shaped birthmark on her head.

Her father. Zarifa was finally meeting her father. Though she was happy, Zarifa was also crying.

"Daddy…" Zarifa cried, tears streaking down her cheeks. Mufasa licked them away.

"Why are you crying Zarifa?"

"Oh dad, I wish I could have known you while you were still alive. Mom has missed you so much," Zarifa cried. In that moment, Zarifa realized that she was missing both of her parents, crossing the lines of life and death. Mufasa sighed and cuddled the daughter he didn't live to meet.

"I know, Zarifa. I have watched you and your mother grieve. But I am so proud of the lioness you have become and will continue to be. But I need your help," Mufasa said, his face suddenly serious. Zarifa's ears perked up.

"My help? What can I do to help you?" Zarifa asked, incredulous.

Mufasa sighed once more and he began walking across the empty savannah. Dutifully, Zarifa followed him. She didn't know how much longer she had her father for, and she wasn't going to miss any time with her father.

"I fear that what I am going to tell you is going to greatly alter the course of your life's path, but this may be the only thing that can save the Pride Lands," Mufasa said, as he and Zarifa walked together. Zarifa couldn't look away from her father.

"If it will help me save the Pride Lands, you have to tell me. No matter what it is," Zarifa said, her voice faster than usual. Mufasa shut his eyes and took a deep breath.

"Your brother is alive," Mufasa said simply.

Zarifa stopped walking entirely. She felt like she had the wind knocked out of her. Simba was alive. She had a brother. Sarabi didn't lose her only son. But if Simba was alive all this time, why didn't he come home? Why would he put his mother through that grief? Zarifa's head was spinning.

"Simba's alive?"

"Yes Zarifa."

"Where is he?"

"He is hiding in a jungle somewhere. I need you to find him and bring him back to the Pride Lands and take his place in the circle of life," Mufasa announced, his voice strong and powerful.

Zarifa felt like she was going to be sick. Not only was she meeting her father for the first time, she learned that her brother was alive and it was now her responsibility to find him and bring him home. The influx of information was almost too much to comprehend.

"Why haven't you appeared to him, dad? The way mom talks about you and Simba, I know he would listen to you," Zarifa offered, suddenly nervous at the thought of finding her brother. Mufasa shook his head.

"I can't get through to him. I have tried to appear to him, tried to find a way in. And he just…won't let me in," Mufasa said, his voice full of sadness.

Zarifa could see that it broke Mufasa's heart and spirit to know that Simba was doing everything he could to not think about him. Zarifa just couldn't possibly understand why. Based on stories from Sarabi and Nala, Simba idolized Mufasa. Wouldn't he want to hear from his father? Wouldn't he want to take his place as king?

There was just so much that Zarifa didn't understand, so much that she didn't think she could do to help. She was shaking her head slowly.

"Dad, I can't help. What you're asking me to do is just too…"

"Zarifa, you must," Mufasa interrupted desperately. "If you do not find your brother and bring him back to Pride Rock to challenge Scar, the Pride Lands will die. Your mother will die. I have seen it happen. You are their only hope."

No one understood better than Zarifa that you could only outrun who you are for so long. She had been taught for as long as she could even remember that one day she would have to save the Pride Lands. And finding Simba was the only way she could do that.

The thought of losing her mother and the home she loved so dearly was enough to convince Zarifa that this journey to finding her brother was worth it. Her heart full, Zarifa gave her father a soft smile.

"I will find Simba, dad. He and I will both fight for the Pride Lands," Zarifa promised, straightening her back out to feel mighty. Mufasa smiled proudly and he nuzzled her.

"I don't doubt you for a moment, my love. You must leave in the morning," Mufasa said, licking Zarifa's head and started to turn to walk away. Zarifa chased after her father.

"Father, wait! I don't know where to go. Please, please don't leave me," Zarifa begged. Now that she had met her father, how was she supposed to go on without him? Mufasa looked over his shoulder and gave her a knowing smile.

"I never left you, my sweet girl. I will be with you the whole time. Goodbye, Zarifa. You are my whole heart," Mufasa said.

And just like that, he disappeared. Zarifa searched around desperately.

"Dad! Dad, where are you? Dad!" Zarifa shouted into the abyss.

And then Zarifa woke up.

Zarifa told Lupita, Chiwetel and Apollo about her father appearing to her and telling her about Simba just before breakfast. She also told them that she was going to set out to find her brother, as per her father's instructions.

"Do you think I'm crazy?" Zarifa asked, afraid to hear the answer. Chiwetel was shaking his head.

"Of course not, Zarifa. Only a few chosen ones have been able to connect with the Great Kings of the Past. This is something remarkable," Chiwetel said. Lupita tilted her head.

"Are you going to leave?" Lupita asked. Zarifa was nodding.

"I have to. If I don't at least try to find him, the Pride Lands will be completely destroyed. And my mother will die. I can't lose her, too," Zarifa said, pacing to calm herself down.

"Perhaps our pride should accompany you, should you need us for battle," Lupita offered. Zarifa stopped pacing and shook her head.

"That won't be necessary Lupita. I will go alone to find my brother. Once I convince him to come back, we will come back and think of a plan," Zarifa said. Lupita nodded with an understanding smile.

"Of course, Zarifa. When do you leave?" Zarifa was looking out into the open savannah.

"I leave right now," Zarifa said. Chiwetel and Lupita were both nodding.

"Zarifa, I wish you luck and the guidance of your father as you embark on this journey," Chiwetel said as he nuzzled Zarifa. Lupita also nuzzled Zarifa.

"You are so brave, and strong and I know that you will be successful," Lupita said. Zarifa smiled warmly.

"Thank you both. I promise I will return," Zarifa said as she was preparing to run into the savannah. Apollo jumping in front of her stopped her.

"I am coming with you," Apollo announced. Zarifa shook her head.

"No, Apollo, the Warrior Pride needs you," Zarifa said, but Apollo shook his head.

"Wherever you go, I go. We've always been a team and I love you. I won't let you go through this alone," Apollo said, standing his ground.

Though she would have objected, Zarifa knew she just couldn't argue with Apollo. She loved him, and wanted him with her, even if it was just for emotional support. Zarifa nodded, leaning over and licking Apollo's cheek.

"If you can't keep up with me, you better stay behind," Zarifa joked with a wink.

With blessings from Lupita and Chiwetel, Zarifa and Apollo embarked on their journey, where they weren't sure where it began or even where it all ended. They just knew that it had to happen. Once they walked away from the den, Apollo turned to Zarifa.

"Any idea on where you want to start?" Zarifa shrugged her shoulders, uncertain but unbroken.

"Not a clue. But I know that we have a very wise guide watching over us," Zarifa said, glancing up at the sky.

Knowing that her father would be guiding her every step of the way, Zarifa began to walk east, hoping it would lead her to Simba.

To be continued…

I got a few requests to have Zarifa meet Mufasa in some capacity and this felt like the most natural way for that to happen! Write what you think will happen if Zarifa meets Simba in a review!