Chapter 25- The Calm
I couldn't believe we were back in the Pridelands. Or at least, we nearly were. Nguvu had told everyone who was coming along that we would rest up just beyond the borders. Leaving was hard, but it happened so fast that we didn't have time to struggle to let go. Queen Amali, her daughter, and many other lionesses stayed behind in addition to a few male lions. They didn't want to leave their kingdom too exposed after all. It felt a little strange that Amali wasn't going to be there to provide guidance to me, and much to my surprise, Laini was requested to stay behind as well. This meant that of the lionesses, I was the leading figure, which didn't sit well with me. To my relief, I had Winda to make sure I didn't freak out over the responsibility, and very soon into our journey, I grew into it, relaying information as and when Nguvu needed to give it. I knew I had to just push on with it. There was no time for me to question what I was doing, because there was no turning back, and we all knew it.
Simba and Fikiria had similar roles to myself, though they were led by Kiburi and Nguvu to a larger degree than I was. However, all princes were leading in their respective ways. With a large number of us walking to the Pridelands together, it meant that time flew by, and before we knew it, we were all at the border. Once we arrived, I could feel the fear in the pit of my stomach, and I knew Simba would be feeling it too. I stood by Nguvu at first and we both looked out ahead, just about able to see pride rock in the distance. It loomed over the land, giving us an exact focus point for the threat. He announced there that everyone would need to rest up and gather their strength. Only on his next command would we start our plan. The atmosphere around everyone was tense, we knew this was it.
Kiburi and I volunteered to walk alongside the border we were sticking to, checking if there was any easier route, or if there were more foes than we thought. We guessed we could spot them if we followed along the border. We had been wandering through in silence for the most part, though Kiburi and I had gotten better at chatting to each other, thanks in large part to my efforts and the prince giving in. "When I look at the Pridelands from here, I have to wonder why you and Simba want to get back as soon as you do." Kiburi commented, a small huff escaping him as he sounded out a small attempt at laughter, "When I first asked my father, he explained that the only reason the land is degrading like this is because of the mistreatment that has come from the circle being broken. I trust his word, of course, but I do have to wonder if there is a way to repair the land in such a way that it returns to how it was." He looked to me after saying that, smiling a little bit, "I asked my father, and again he had an answer. He told me how the Pridelands have suffered severe droughts before, but that their leaders were always able to find a solution. Perhaps that is why the Pridelands are so revered by other prides. At that point, I actually ran out of questions to ask my father. He knows it all." The lion offered an amused look my way, suggesting he wasn't often out of questions for the king.
"Hmm, odd. You know, I think I've asked you a lot of questions and never really had an answer from you. I'll let you off." I smirked his way, "But only if you can answer me some other questions." I waited for his approval, knowing he was ore willing now we were friends, "You seem to take it all in your stride, but now that no one is here, I want to hear how the heir to Kifalme actually feels about being heir." I took a moment to walk up and nudge him after that. He rolled his eyes but had already agreed.
The large prince took a moment to think of an answer, though his smile changed to a frown, "I don't need you telling anyone any of this." He checked to see I was agreeing to it. My silence was his answer and he seemed satisfied with it, "To be heir to Kifalme is a lot of pressure. I have to live up to my parents' success. You might not know this, but they have been the king and queen that made our pride flourish. Not just kept our pride happy, but actually improved what was already a respected pride. I look at them, I look at my father, and all I can think is how I can't do what he's done. How do you improve on someone who did so much to improve what we were? And like I said, it wasn't as if we were a struggling pride to begin with." He explained, though he didn't seem to get too emotional about it. "I know I don't have to do everything he did. Feeling worried all the time wouldn't help me though, so I push through in all the work I can. I've tried to do what my father would do in situations where I don't know." He continued, looking to me as if for support.
Feeling I'd heard enough, I interrupted him, offering a kind smile to the prince, "You know what, I think everyone is grateful you're not just taking your position at face value. Everyone knows how hard you work. I think the next step you've got to take isn't what your father would do. I think you have better judgement than you give yourself credit for. Sure, you could tone down the harshness in your words, but I think everyone will take notice of your decisions. I imagine that you'll see what your father would do, and then use your own knowledge to make your own decision. No one would expect you to throw out what your father would do, but you're never going to be him. All you can do is be the best version of yourself. If that means having to improve over a lifetime, then so be it, right?"
The prince chortled at my words, shaking his head, "When did you get so wise? The day you arrived in Kifalme, you were still a brat. It wasn't hard to see you had a good heart, but you were still a brat. Anyone would think a routine with discipline has helped you out. I suppose you are right though. It may be that I need to start doing things how I think they should be done, rather than just going for what my parents would do. Though, that in itself presents problems. Sometimes they really do make the right decisions." He lowered his head a little, looking at the ground with a slight frown.
Sighing, I stepped up to him again, "Stop doubting yourself so much. It's creeping me out." He looked up to see I was giving him a cheeky grin, trying to keep the mood high. "I am serious though. You don't need to think like your decisions will be worse. You've learned from your parents. If it's the right decision, I know that everyone in your kingdom would trust your word. They would right now." The reassuring tone in my voice brought him out of his temporary doubt. "Would you choose love?"
He raised a brow at me, processing the question. From my own expression, eh could tell that I wasn't joking around. He knew how I felt about betrothals, and he had revealed to me how he felt as well. "Perhaps I would. I know what I've told you. In truth though, I think my parents are the kind that would accept my decision if I were to find someone else. I know they would accept it, but that doesn't mean they would be happy with the decision. I suppose that's why I have accepted that I will need to find a betrothed at some point. I am fortunate that my parents have my best interests as well, so I can trust that the decision will be well made. Still, I think it wouldn't be a secret to you that I am normal...I do catch feelings for others." He explained, his voice sounding a little more strained.
"Oh, Neema, right? She'll be waiting for you back in Kifalme, so I guess you have that to look forward to. Woo her." I couldn't help but giggle, pressed up to his side as I gave him those words in a sort of melodic tune. I could tell he was rolling his eyes in response, but I didn't feel him shake his head.
My confidence was thrown when he shook me off, making me stumble for a few feet, "no, I can see why you might think Neema. Actually, I haven't really spoken to this lioness. Another reason nothing should really come from it. I don't know her, and yet I know I can feel attraction towards her."
Even if he didn't want to hear it, I gave a little snort in my laughter, "Oh, Kiburi, don't get too romantic, please. Who is the lioness you feel attraction towards?" I laughed out, those last two words in a mocking tune, earning a small glare from the prince. "Okay, sorry, but it wouldn't hurt to use more emotive language." I shrugged. "Who is she though?" I grinned. In my head, I wondered why I was pushing so hard to know. It wasn't like me to behave like this. I guessed the time I had spent with my friends had something to do with it. I would have to have a word with those lionesses.
Shooting him a softened look to try and break his resistance wasn't a textbook tactic, knowing how gruff the lion could be, but after building a solid relationship with him, I knew I could act in different ways to others, "Your friend, Tabia. Even before you came to Kifalme, I had noticed her. I had seen how she interacted with her friends and even those she didn't know so well. I hadn't seen someone build friendships with such ease before. Perhaps my mother could, but there was something about her natural charm that just drew others in and made friends with her." He looked to see I was staring at him, a raised brow, "Don't look at me like I was being creepy. It was just whenever I happened to see her, I noticed, okay?" He huffed, going back to his stern demeanour. That didn't do anything to stop me from smiling though. "How could I even speak to her when we both know that there's every chance I will get betrothed to another lioness from some other pride?" He sighed.
With a gentle nudge, I brought his attention back to me, "Well, after we have finished this, I will make sure you get to talk to her, okay? Just go with it and see for yourself. At the very worst, she will just be a friend. The horror, I know." I snickered, shaking my head. I knew that Tabi had her eyes on the prince already, so this was perfect. I could almost feel the initial awkwardness at their first meeting.
"I won't go forward with anything until this war is over though. You understand that, right?" He asked, earning a nod from me as we continued to walk along the border. "That wasn't a fair conversation. I can't ask the same thing of you. You already have Simba." He huffed, though an amused expression started to grow on his face. "I suppose that is well played." The oldest prince commented.
Musing over it for a moment, I decided to play along with what he said, "Well, I guess you could still speak of it. It'll just be less comfortable...hit closer to home. I still have feelings for your brother, for one thing. Even if I have gotten better at hiding them. I know I'm better at pushing those feelings away as well. It doesn't mean I don't feel them though. It still hurts me just as much that I can't be with him. It's so strange, because I feel like I'm torn in two directions. I know what I feel for Simba is real, but then I know it's the same for Fikiria. I know it's bad that I feel that way for both of them. I'm staying with Simba not just because I've made an agreement, but also because I do want to be with him." I stopped, feeling content that I'd let it all out. Kiburi was about the only one I could let these things out to. In a split second I went from sighing to glaring at him, albeit in a mocking way, "Also, it wouldn't have killed you to make sure they weren't friends? It makes it harder knowing they get along." I complained, but it didn't earn anymore than a deadpanned expression from the prince. "Fine."
A few steps later, he replied, "I understand it though. You and my brother compatible to each other in many ways. From where I see it, your more thoughtful nature and way of being has influenced him to calm down to a point where he won't make a stupid decision, even if you two have both already made a stupid decision. In the same way, his greater enthusiasm is a way that he brings you up with him. You are perkier when he's nearby. So, I understand why you two have such natural chemistry with each other. You both make each other better." He paused for a moment, "As much as it may not feel good, you know you're doing the right thing. If you ever need to vent it out on someone, just let me know. Although if I'm busy, wait for me to finish and then let me know. I'll be there for you." He nodded, gifting me a caring smile.
Looking to him with a bit of surprise, I replied, "That's very sweet of you. From thinking I was a brat to wanting to let me vent problems at you. I guess we've come a long way in that short space of time. Though, I have to ask how I'll be able to vent when you're back, ruling Kifalme?" He knew I was going to smirk at him after such a question, letting the prince know I was just playing with him.
His expression didn't grow stern though, instead he gave a soft look that reminded me of his mother, "Well, I suppose I was referring to any moment that you and Simba may visit, or if my queen and I were to visit. I look forward to seeing what the Pridelands is like once you and Simba are king and queen. I have no doubt that you two will be successful. I can already hear the stories from the other animals. There's a chance you two will go down as legends." Both of us snickered at that, the very thought of being called a legend making me laugh. "No, I exaggerate, but there is a good chance this will be remembered. I am serious though; I do look forward to the days when the three of us are ruling our kingdoms. When we meet, no doubt there will be serious business, but I imagine a large portion of our visit would be pleasantries. Talking about it now, I can already imagine you and Simba will either be expecting or will have an heir. Perhaps I will too. Either way, I think the future looks good."
The frown that came to my face surprised the prince, and he was about to ask me, but I answered before he could, "As much as the thought of having an heir scares me, as well as to a degree excites me...I don't know how you can feel so confident about our chances in this war. I'm looking into the Pridelands and I don't have visions of when Simba and I are ruling. I don't even have visions of this all ending in a horrible mess. I just can't see beyond where we are at this point. You talk as if winning this is a sure thing. I know your father is a great leader and has come up with a great plan, but a part of me still thinks about what can go wrong. I don't want to have come here just for some lions who don't know Simba and I to lay their lives on the line for nothing. What was the point if we don't even win? I just worry that even after all the training I've had that it won't be enough for us to even worry Scar." I explained, my head dropping a little as my ears fell back. I didn't know how he could have that much confidence when none of what would happen was a guarantee.
To my surprise, the prince nudged me out of my thoughts, urging we continue to walk. "You're well within your rights to feel like that. I guess it must seem a little odd that I'm the optimist between us. I have faith in my father's plan. He wouldn't have let you and Simba come if you weren't ready to take the mantle. I know that we would have done this attack anyway. As much as my father respects the rules, he was aware that another pride's lions were suffering. He really has done what he thinks is in the best interest of everyone. You know that he gave all pride members a choice at the end of it. My father said he would not judge them if they didn't leave to help take back the Pridelands. You saw how many agreed to come still. We had to tell some of them to stay so that we didn't leave our own pride vulnerable. If they have that much faith in their king, then I have no reason not to have faith. I know him better than most pride members. He wouldn't have put his pride at risk if he didn't think we were going to win this. That's why I have confidence that we will win. We will get you and Simba as the rightful king and queen of the Pridelands." He paused, seeing there was still concern on my face. I needed more convincing than that, "Look, think abut how you felt on your first day of training. Don't tell me you weren't nervous, because I have good word from Neema exactly what you were like." He gave me no choice but to relent, "Compare your first day to the day before we left. You proved you can be a capable huntress already. You've been able to keep up with Laini's training. Do you want to know what I've been told is your best trait?" He looked to me with an encouraging smile, small as it was, "I was told it was your mental fortitude. No matter how dire the situation was for you, there wasn't a moment that looked like you were ready to give up your ground. You're mentally tough. Whether that's because you always have been or because of what you have been through, it doesn't matter. So, you can tell me how you don't have the confidence in this plan that I do, but it doesn't bother me. I know that once you're in the plan, you'll believe in making it happen." It sounded very odd to hear something so encouraging from him, but I had to accept that it was happening.
Nodding at him, I spoke up, "Okay, you're right. I'll calm down. When we get into it, I'll be fine. It's just that all this waiting is driving me crazy...and it hasn't even been that long." I groaned. "I want you to promise me something though, okay?" I waited for him to agree, confirming with a small nod as I made my way closer to him, "I need you to promise me that once we're in this war...you and I, we'll watch each other's backs, okay?" I looked him in the eyes, holding a serious expression.
In another move that I didn't expect, Kiburi pressed our foreheads together, both of us purring for a moment, "I promise that if you watch my back, I'll watch yours. You won't have to worry about that. Neither of us will be alone in this war, especially if we stick together, okay?" We bumped heads one more time, showing the strength our friendship had grown to. Both of us nodded to each other before Kiburi finished, "I think we've walked far enough this way on the border. Lets head back."
Upon returning, I made sure to stay good to my promise. After sifting past other lions there, I was able to spot her, "Tabia!" I beamed, getting the attention of the lioness as she was talking with our usual group, minus Winda. Once she saw me though, the quiet confidence was broken when I gestured to the lion who was walking behind me. I looked around to see if there was a more open area than in between all these other lions. To my luck, there was, and it was only a short walk away. "Follow me please." I called in a musical tone, chuckling to myself when I looked back to see the stern prince shift himself with an uncomfortable look on his face. He was just surprised I had followed through with my words. I knew he said he wouldn't do anything until after the war, but I was nothing if not persistent. I was going to matchmake to at least give the two of them a chance.
Once we were in a less crowded part, I stood between the lion and lioness, smirking at both. "Tabia, I believe you've heard of his majesty, prince Kiburi. Kiburi, this is your chance to speak to one of my friends. I hope you'll both enjoy one another's company. You're both great company with me, but now, it's time for you both to broaden your horizons. So, if I may be so bold as to suggest, but one of you should say hello to the other. It's usually a good way to start." I had to hold back my snickering, though both of them could tell I was always close to the edge of doing that.
In a way that came across as less annoyed and more embarrassed of my words, Kiburi was the first to speak, looking at Tabia with a smile. It was something she hadn't seen all that often either. "Hello Tabia, it's a pleasure to meet you." He started. I could hear the nerves in his voice, which was a good indication he wanted her to respond in a positive way to him.
After looking at my smug expression, Tabia returned to face Kiburi, her cheeks a little rosy as she was finally getting the chance to speak to the prince, "Hello to you too. Your majesty." She even bowed, rending me unable to hold back with a giggle at her expense. It was clear they both wanted to keep talking but didn't. I couldn't work it out at first, but after a moment, both of them were side eyeing me. "Tishala." Tabia spoke to me.
I looked between them with an expression that suggested I was cherishing the moment. I was shaken though by Tabia's words, noticing that I was the reason they didn't want to go on, both too embarrassed to be like that in front of me. "Oh! Right, got it. I'll uh...leave you two to it...because..." I looked around for a reason to leave, thanking the great kings when I saw Simba and Winda returning from their own walk along the border, albeit in the opposite direction. "My future king has just arrived. I love living him...so yeah...love." I eyed them both before darting away, knowing I had gotten awkward in those last moments.
Bumping into Simba and Winda, I laughed, looking back to see Tabi and Kiburi had started talking once I had gone, "Thank goodness you're both here. It was getting awkward. I was playing matchmaker with Kiburi and Tabia. It turns out, I don't know when I should leave them to it. So, you guys are my escape route." I beamed at them, though I earned a couple of raised brows from both of them. "Thanks you two, appreciate the support." I nodded. "Find anything of note on that side of the border?" I asked, prompting both of them to shake their heads. It gave me some relief to know we hadn't been spotted yet. It meant that we had a better chance of succeeding.
Winda just shook her head and excused herself, saying that she needed to go check on some of the other lionesses. With Laini staying behind, Winda had been entrusted to keep them sharp, even if she wasn't their leader in this. Simba and I let her go, waiting until she had disappeared amongst the army of lions before we spoke, "So you decided to force them to both speak to each other?" He chuckled, asking me about the two lions who were enjoying each other's company at the point he asked me.
"I did not force them...I pushed them into the place they wanted to be anyway. Sometimes you just need a little push in the right direction. I am there. I am the push." I grinned at him, earning a playful nuzzle from the lion I'd declared my love to. "A bit like how I pushed you to say you wanted to be with me." My grin only grew, though he looked me in the eyes.
His expression made me want to laugh some more, "That's not how I remember it. I seem to remember you being a mess of tears the whole time." He grew a smirk after that.
The sarcasm in my smile was clear, though it didn't dampen the mood of our moment, "Oh so you do remember. That's good. We'll see if you remember everything in the future, eh?" I let my brows flick up for a moment, "Next time you tell me your memory is no good, I'll remind you of this exact moment. You know I will." I warned, though we both had smiles on our faces as we were saying that. "Come on, let's get out of the crowd." I told him, darting away to a small, raised platform, with plenty of space for me to be on with Simba.
He joined by my side, the two of us able to see pride rock in the distance. It gave us a sense of excitement because we were back home where we should be, but at the same time, we knew it wasn't the place we knew from before. We didn't know the effect Scar's reign had there since I ran away. "We will get everything back to how it was...or as close as we can manage." I looked at Simba as I watched him stare at his old home. I could tell he was worried more than I was about it all. "I promise you can embarrass me as much as you want in front of everyone when we're back as well. I know you'd love doing that." I chuckled, trying to take him out of his worries. "Come on, you don't need to worry so much. Everyone is here because they believe we can do this. I know I have my worries too, but when that many others think that we're capable, then why should we doubt them?" I tried to inspire, though I couldn't help but note I was pretty much saying the same things that Kiburi had told me earlier. "You also know that whatever happens, I will be there with you. We are a team now." I put one of my front paws on top of his, breaking Simba from his trance, getting him to smile at me.
With a small chuckle and a short nuzzle, he replied, "Thanks. I don't know how I'd ever stay positive without you. You're right though. We will get through this. We'll do it as a team, and then afterwards, we have the rest of our lives as a team together. I got a weird feeling when Winda and I were scouting the borders that you and I were always meant to do this. My father's death will be avenged, but I think he would be telling us that we need to do this for the Pridelands, not just for him. A land that he worked so hard to look after, and now we're going to be the ones to make sure it gets back to that way. I know he's watching over us with a smile. We are the right ones to do this." He let out a calmed exhale, looking ahead to pride rock again, though without worry in his eyes. "What do you think you'll do first when this is all over?" He looked to me, asking with a reserved smile on his face.
A moment of thinking allowed me to come up with my answer, but he answered before I could, "I think first thing I'm going to do is spend time with my mother. And Nala. It'll be the least I can do to make it up to them for running away. I know it wasn't my fault, but I still feel bad. My mother and my best friend, I just left them. That doesn't make me feel too good about myself, even if I didn't have a choice." He looked to me, "Sorry, I just had to say it as well."
"That's okay. I agree with it though. I would want to spend time with them...though I'd have to include Nala's mother, and Inja. I need to thank her. She risked herself to help me escape. It couldn't have been easy for her. Your mother was like a mother to me...so was Sarafina. Ugh, every time I think of how I left, it just makes me feel sick. What if they didn't forgive me for leaving? We're gonna get there, take back the Pridelands and then your mother is going to hate me. How are you going to tell her that we're together?" I could feel my breathing get faster.
Simba's response wasn't to panic with me. Instead, he sighed, used to my mini episodes of worry. "You know that's not how she'll be. Plus, we'll all get to spend time together again." He assured me, rubbing our cheeks together to start to get my heart rate down. I knew he was right. I was just panicking for no reason. I knew I was lucky to have someone who could calm me down that fast.
Both of us stopped our conversation with each other when we noticed that Nguvu was looming over us, looking down. Although he had a smile on his face, I could feel the tension he felt. He was as nervous about this as anyone. "It warms me to see the two of you are planning time for your loved ones back in the Pridelnds. I hate to be the lion who has to bore you though, when I say that you must remember your priorities are to restore the Pridelands to their glory. Tishala, even since the last time I visited, I can see the quality of the land has degraded, no doubt to the king's lack of respect for the circle of life. Even in his short time as king, we can see the effects of the abuse on his kingdom. There will be plenty of time for both of you to catch up with your loved ones once the lands are restored. It may take some time, but your kingdom will only benefit from the effort you put in right at the start." He explained, making both of us nod, agreeing with the Kifalme king.
There was a moment silence before I spoke up, "You're right, we have to rebuild everything first. Even if it takes a long time, it should be our focus." I reconfirmed what Nguvu said, knowing that a time to sit back and relax wasn't even on the horizon. It would all be about small victories. The king gestured for Simba and I to follow him as we would continue talking. I noticed we were getting close to the line we had noted was the start of the Pridelands. We vowed not to cross it until we were starting. Seeing that line get closer, Simba and I looked to each other, our nerves growing. "Nguvu, I know that this is just the start of all we need to do, but right now, it's the part that has me the most worried." I voiced.
Simba stepped in as well, "We always knew it wasn't going to be easy. I think what Tishala and I are trying to say is that we want to be sure that we're doing everything right...at the right time." The two of us looked at each other, sharing a smile as I gave him silent thanks.
The large lion nodded slow. His expression full of thought. He knew the gravity of the situation ahead, both in the immediate future, as well as the distant. "I can never make guarantees. If I didn't think we would be capable of overthrowing your uncle, then I would not have allowed this to go ahead. Coupling that with the fact we have others suffering for as much time as we wait, I think it was the right decision for us to come here now." The three of us climbed up a gentle sloped rock, rising to the highest point of view at the Pridelands ahead, aside from an extra base that was a small climb to the right of the rock we had just walked up. "Having arrived, it makes me hurt to see the declining state of these lands. Even since the last time I came here, I can see the effects of Scar's reign. It appears as if drought has only made this worse. It strikes me as odd though, because since he became king, it seems as if these oppressive conditions have lingered. It's almost as if it's a sign from the great kings above that he was never meant to rule." He gave a small chuckle at that, shaking his head, "It almost sounds ridiculous, but the timing couldn't seem more fitting. Regardless, witnessing this right now, I hope it shows you two what effect leadership can have on a kingdom. I can't tell how long it will take for this change to be reversed. It could take a few moons. It could take a lifetime. There is no way of knowing. None of that matters though, because it is both of your responsibilities as king and queen to protect the kingdom. In this case it means rebuilding. Looking out across at what you can see, what do you think about it?" He asked. Considering what he had been saying, I didn't know how to respond.
My answer didn't need to come though, when Simba spoke up again, "I think it needs help. I think that if you'd asked me a few moons ago, I wouldn't think it could be helped. It looks awful, and not how I remember it. However, even when it looks as bad as this, I see it as my home. That's what it is. It always will be. If I can't stick with my home when it needs me most, then I wouldn't deserve to be here." He puffed is chest out, glaring in the distance as the three of us stared at pride rock.
"I just hope we aren't too late." The large monarch sighed, holding the same stare that Simba did. It became clear the pressure he was putting on himself to help the lionesses who he viewed as prisoners in the Pridelands, what with their current rule. "I think I would take a long time to forgive myself if we were too late. None of them deserve the treatment they are receiving. It is my assumption that some of them will have been abused in some form. We can't know for sure, but I needed to talk to you about what you might expect to see in the aftermath. It is likely that many will have to take time to readjust. You may see some things that you find disturbing. It's okay to feel that way. Sometimes this is the harsh reality when the circle of life is abused in such a way." He sighed again, as if he was preparing himself for the worst, "My hope is that Mufasa's queen has managed to reduce any impacts. She is a strong, smart lioness. No doubt, she will have remained strong for all of her supporters." He nodded.
Simba broke his gaze at pride rock to look at Nguvu, "I know my mother will be helping in whatever way she can. She will have made sure as many lionesses felt safe as she could." His tone sounded confident. He hadn't seen his mother in a long time, but even he knew that she was not the type to break under stress. She was the type to make sure others didn't struggle either.
Reaffirming what Simba said, I joined in the conversation again, reassuring the mighty king, "Simba's right. If there's one lioness I know you could count on to keep everyone safe in a dire situation, then it's Sarabi. You can take that from two of us who she had to look after, a lot." I looked to Simba, putting a paw on top of his, "Neither of us turned out too bad. They have the best chance of any pride...uhm, no offence." I let out a rather sheepish chuckle when Nguvu looked to me with a raised brow.
The towering king chose not to say anything, instead looking ahead to pride rock again, small as it was in the distance. Simba leaned in to whisper, "You know, when we are back in the Pridelands, I'd like to talk about those three cubs again." He snickered, trying to lighten the mood.
Pulling away, I looked at him with surprise, "Is that really an appropriate thing to say, given the situation we're in?" I asked, pouting whilst my cheeks went red. After seeing his response was laughter, I couldn't help but start to form a smile as well. For a brief moment, I thought I had a way to pay him back, silly as that thought may have been, "Well when we're back, I might just tell that to your mother." I smirked, raising a brow at him.
Hearing my words after I said them, I realised how little I thought it through, "I think it's safe to say she wouldn't be upset with that news. If anything, she would be...excited about it." He held onto my paw a little more, continuing to laugh at my expense. "You just can't accept it, can you?" He grinned at me, "No one is going to dislike the thought of us having cubs in the future. You're just too funny." He proceeded to lick my cheek, chuckling again, "My perfect lioness."
We both looked away from each other, my expression having softened again, "I resent you so much when you tease me like that. I know I made a mistake, but just let me have it." I stated in a blunt tone.
Simba couldn't help himself, laughing even in the rather serious environment, "I love you too." His response even bringing a small chuckle to me. I couldn't stay pouting at him for long. "Cutie."
That last second addition forced me to raise a brow and stare at him as if he had just said the most ridiculous thing, "No. Don't call me that. Just before we go into a war, you don't call me cutie. You finish it with what you said before." He was looking at me, an amused smile growing on his face as he watched me react. "Now, with me, on three, you're going to say, 'I love you', okay?" He didn't respond, but I knew he was going to go along with it, prompting me to smile once more. "One, two, three." We both took a small breath.
"I love you." We said in unison, looking each other in the eyes as Simba's amused smile grew into a loving one, both of us pressing our foreheads to each other's.
We brought our attention back to the king who had been chuckling at the little sequence he just saw, "You two almost make me want to be young again. Almost." He hummed in leisure as he turned to face us. His expression shifted to become more serious. Simba and I responded by getting as serious as he was, knowing the king would be saying something important, "I have made my decision. It is time." The older lion nodded, a small roar reaching all of the Kifalme members. They gathered below where the three of us where elevated. I could see all eyes on us, including Kiburi and Fikiria's. "Tishala, please, stand atop the highest point of this structure." He gestured. I did as he asked, seeing all eyes on me. He called out to the pride members, "The future queen of the Pridelands will signal the start to our conquest."
Nguvu turned to look up at me on the highest point, the same way everyone was. I could feel my nerves rise again. After the king spoke, everywhere was silent. I looked around to see all eyes fixed on me. I guessed Nguvu meant a roar was my signal. I took a deep breath, looking out to pride rock one more time before everything started. When I looked back, I took a moment to stare back.
With the Pridelands in my mind, I gave the most fearsome roar I could. It was time.
A/N: There you have it! I really pushed to get this chapter done this month so that I could give you an appropriately sized chapter in December, sort of like an xmas present to you all! I don't own Lion King, that's all Disney's property. I'd love to see what you guys think, so please, don't hesitate to send in a review! Until next time, see you all!