I only own my OCs. The Lion King and its characters belong to Walt Disney.
The Lioness Princess
Chapter 4: Leaving the Village
Lyra slept in the bed of the attic with Pauly wrapped around her arms.
The attic was sometimes too cold to spend the night despite her best to give it a nice welcome atmosphere, but she was relieved that Pauly decided to stay with her.
The sound of ringing bells caused Lyra's eyes to snap open and gasp in shock.
"Oh no!"Lyra panicked. "The breakfast!"
The seven year old girl removed her blanket to reveal the rags she now donned for her new role at the manor.
Instead of the usual nice clothes, Lyra now wore a short white-collared and puffy white-sleeved brown bodice and a long, light brown skirt that was full of rips and holes and also had several patches on it with light brown clogs and lilac-pink stockings. Her vermillion red hair was in its usual braided pigtails.
Pauly watched in sadness as Lyra headed down the ladder to go and prepare her step-family's breakfast.
With her father now gone, Lyra's life now had gone worse.
Magdalene, Thomas, Mary and their pet cat Mittens abused and mistreated her, ultimately forcing her to become a scullery maid in her own home.
Lyra was notable for being silenced repeatedly by the baroness, creating the assumption that she was expected to do chores without speaking out.
And day and day, the Wavebury children considered Lyra less a sister than a servant.
Like the other servants, Lyra was left to do all the work.
This was a good thing, for it distracted her from her grief. At least that was what her step-mother said.
And the baroness and her two children were more than happy to provide Lyra with lots and lots of distraction. In their defence, they did share with her the very food they ate, or rather, the scraps from their table.
Like Pauly, Caroline and the other servants were sorry for Lyra, but they tried their best to cheer the orphan girl up.
Lyra headed to the living room and started preparing Magdalene's morning tea as the baroness walked in.
Magdalene frowned. "I thought breakfast was ready."
"It is, step-mother."Lyra assured as she used a teapot to carefully poured tea in three cups. "Your Earl Grey tea and marmalade bread are prepared."
Lyra brought the tray on the table as Thomas and Mary sat down with their mother.
"In future, can we not be called until the work is done?"Magdalene ordered.
"As you wish."Lyra said with a bow.
Lyra placed a bowl of milk on the floor for Mittens to drink as she wiped her left cheek that was covered in some dirt.
"Lyra, what's that on your face?"Magdalene asked.
Lyra placed a plate of bacon and eggs on Thomas' side and a plate with small slices of strawberry cream stuffed French toast for Mary.
"Just some dust from the attic."Lyra answered slightly.
"It's a nice look on you."Thomas commented with a cruel smile. "You look like a penniless gypsy."
"Duh, she is a gypsy."Mary sneered. "Well, her mother was. Am I wrong?"
Lyra was silent at the mention of her birth mother.
"I think the name gypsy wench would set her more."Mary suggested.
"You are too clever, my dear."Magdalene declared smugly.
Mittens let out a slight meow as Lyra brought another plate on the table.
"Who's this for?"Magdalene asked in a fake shock tone. "Is there someone we've forgotten?"
"It's my place."Lyra responded.
"It seems too much to expect you to prepare breakfast, serve it and still sit with us."Magdalene declared with a smirk, her voice soft and cruel at the same time. "Wouldn't you prefer to eat when all the work is done, Lyra? Or should I say 'You poor little gypsy wrench?"
Lyra didn't trust herself to answer her step-mother, so she kept quiet as she simply walked out of her room holding her plate.
She could feel the anger boiling up inside her. She knew it was wrong to hate her step-family like this, but she was finding it very hard not to do so.
Lyra made her way up the attic as she heard Magdalene's sickening laughter from downstairs.
Tears of anger and sadness gushed out from Lyra's eyes as she silently ate the small piece of bread on her plate, trying her best not to sob.
A few months ago, it was just her and her kind father living in the manor.
Now the manor and her father's fortune was in the hands of the most vile people that she had to respect as her new family members.
Pauly suddenly flew inside the attic holding a plastic bag that he placed next to Lyra.
"Hassian heard what happened and he told to deliver this to you."Pauly exclaimed. "It's some cooked sweet potatoes that his mother made."
Lyra wiped away the tears in her eyes as she gave her parrot friend a fragile but grateful smile.
"Thanks, Pauly."Lyra thanked as she opened the bag. "You are the best."
"Be sure to thank also Hassian and Shani too."Pauly reminded. "They are your friends."
"I will."Lyra replied with a nod.
The seven year old girl gave one sweet potato piece for Pauly to eat before she started eating the ones that were for her.
"Pauly, you shouldn't say such things about them."Lyra informed. "They are my step-family after all and I promised my father to always be kind to them."
Lyra felt her heart suddenly ache at remembering the last conversation she had with her father.
"So I'll make sure to keep that promise even though he is not around anymore."Lyra admitted with a firm tone.
Soon after finishing her breakfast, Lyra continued finishing the rest of her chores as the baroness expected her to do so.
Thomas and Mary then began giving Lyra their clothes that needed to be fixed and washed.
"And this as well, Cinderella, my shirt."Thomas instructed. "Now don't forget it."
"Lyra, take my dress! Here, mend the buttonholes!"Mary ordered. "Press my skirt as well and mind the ruffle. You're always-"
"And, Lyra…"Magdalene said.
"Yes?"Lyra asked.
"If you're through and before you begin your regular chores, I have a few little facts."Magdalene instructed with a smirk.
"Very well, step-mother."Lyra replied.
Lyra headed down to the laundry room of the manor, holding the pile of clothes as her step-family headed out of the manor.
The laundry room was sort of dark and had lots of plates that needed washing as Lyra placed the clothes pile next to a large bucket of water.
Lyra sighed sadly as she began to wash the clothes.
Do I miss you?
Count the stars
Multiply by ten
Of course I do
More than now and then
Lyra held a soap bar with her hands as she placed it inside the bucket to wash the clothes, creating various bubbles that started floating above her.
The bubbles that were floating about began to show happy memories of Lyra with Jonathan such as learning to ride a bike, looking at the stars and running in the woods.
I could paint a rainbow
Shine the sky
Set the stars in space
Faster than explain
Lyra held up one of the bubbles which showed her father holding her as an infant as they stared at the iconic Taj Mahal building while the sun was setting in the background.
How much I miss your face
Watch the moon
Someday soon
He will start to smile
When I say I'll see you
In a while
Tears dropped on the bucket which showed Jonathan's reflection causing Lyra to quickly wipe her face with the skirt of her dress to dry away the ones that were coming out of her eyes.
But 'til then I miss you
Dry my tears
Hide my fears away
Until that happy day
To the rainbow's end
His where I would go, my friend
I do
Miss you so
Lyra sighed sadly as she continued doing the washing, unaware Pauly stood at the window of the room watching her with a sad expression.
Later that Day…
Lyra went to village to buy ingredients for the Wavebury's upcoming dinner party while Imani was accompanying her.
"Why do you stay there, when they treat you so?"Imani questioned with a frown. "You know my house has an extra room, where you can stay in."
"Thank you, Imani. But I can't. Because I made my father a promise to cherish the place we were so happy."Lyra exclaimed. "He loved the manor...and now that he's gone, I love it for him. It's my home."
"But a home is supposed to be a house where love resides, memories are created and laughter never dies, Lyra."Imani reminded. "Not a place where you are forced to become a servant."
"I don't have no where else to go."Lyra admitted, shaking her head. "My grandfather back in London refuses to recognise me as a member of the family because of my family background."
Imani became shocked and outraged by Lyra's sentence.
"Seriously?"Imani retorted. "Your own grandfather. Your father's father refused to see you as his granddaughter just because your mother wasn't from a rich noble clan?"
Lyra let out a sigh as she held her basket.
"He is a powerful and proud man, who is very cold and obsessed with family honour."Lyra explained. "But deep down I am sure he has a soft spot."
Imani frowned. "Right."
The following night, Lyra and the other servants were serving food for the Waveburys and their guests.
Magdalene, Thomas and Mary were busy chatting with their guests, so neither of them were aware what Lyra had in mind what to do when all of them were sleeping.
Lyra carefully made sure everybody in the manor was asleep and began to pack up her blue backpack with the items she will need.
The seven year old girl then placed on a disguise to make herself look more like a girl from the village.
Lyra now wore a two piece buckskin crop top which exposed her midriff and navel and a skirt ensemble and her mother's bracelet on her wrist. She wore a head necklace with a single small gem in her front. She had a medium necklace with three fangs tied across her neck. She wore long, dangling, oval shaped earrings and had a lioness wooden mask that was attached with a short cream fur cape. The mask was cream brown with ears and white paint lines and three sunshine yellow holes for a mouth and eyes.
A small smile sprung on Lyra's face as she stared at her new appearance in the mirror.
"In a way I look like a princess."Lyra commented.
Lyra then carefully tied her bed sheets into a rope and dangle it out in the attic's window, only for Pauly to fly inside.
"Young lady!"Pauly whispered in a strict tone. "Just where do you think your going?"
"Getting out of here."Lyra commented with a frown. "I can't stay here any longer."
"Lyra, your leaving?!"Pauly squawked.
Lyra made Pauly's beak shut to prevent the others from waking up.
"I thought about what Imani said. She's right. I can't live in a home that treats me like a slave."Lyra complemented, staring at Pauly in the eyes. "I need to be free. Do you want to come with me?"
"I don't like where this is going, but I'll come with you."Pauly sighed in defeat. "I don't want to continue being chased by the baroness' fur ball."
Lyra smiled at Pauly's reply and hugged him.
"Thanks, Pauly."Lyra thanked.
The young girl then opened the heart shaped locket of her necklace that showed a picture of a beautiful woman with orange red vermilion hair and purple eyes wearing a stylish rose pink gown.
Next to the photo was the words engrave that characterise a true Lady: Merciful, Courageous and Noble.
"My mother believed in second chances, so I will make sure to do the same."Lyra stated softly. "Let's see how they will handle things once I am no longer here."
Lyra placed on her backpack and carefully climbed out of the window as Pauly flew down to join her.
Pauly placed the sheet rope back up before closing the attic's window behind him.
Lyra placed on her mask and started heading out of the manor with Pauly flying after her.
Like a lioness, Lyra started crawling beneath a bunch of crate boxes and several other things in order to avoid being spotted by the guards around the village.
However, a conversation of two men from inside one of the huts earned her attention.
"We're in a race, my friends, and the prize is nothing less than the continent of Africa."the first voice stated. "We are building the most expensive and daring railroad in history for the glorious purpose of saving Africa from the Africans and, of course, to end slavery."
"But we have a problem, boss."A second voice warned. "The animals are making all the trouble."
"This is Africa. What did you expect?"A third voice scoffed. "There's always a bunch of vicious beasts waiting to scratch people's eyes out."
"You've been here three months, and already you're behind schedule."the first voice retorted. "Do we wish the world to think that the builders of the British Empire are afraid to do their job because of a few minor difficulties with the local wildlife? I don't think so."
"So, what are you planning to do?"the second voice asked.
"Here is my plan."the first voice responded. "We'll wipe out the wild animal. Starting with the lions. Once they're out of the way, we'll be able to build this railroad and above all get rich. Terrifically rich."
The three men chuckled sinisterly causing Lyra to cover her mouth in shock and accidentally knock a vase down causing it to break.
"What was that?!"
Lyra quickly hid underneath a carriage covered with hay as the three men came out of their hut to look outside with their guns loaded.
"Must be some sort of rat."the first voice replied bluntly. "Nothing important."
Once the men were gone, Lyra made her way out of the village by climbing on the tree that she used to go out to save the lioness that was trapped a few months ago.
Pauly flew over to Lyra.
"Ready, Lyra?"Pauly asked.
Lyra smirked. "I was born ready."
The seven year old girl and her parrot friend started running away from the village and into the savannah with the stars only guiding them to their unknown destination.
After a few hours, Lyra and Pauly stopped travelling to relax in an area surrounded by a bunch of big trees that were quite separated from each other.
"Lyra, did you happen to bring a map that would show us to the next village?"Pauly asked.
Lyra brought down her backpack that was covered by her fur cape to take out a small compass.
"I didn't bring a map."Lyra admitted. "I only brought my compass."
"Okay."Pauly said, keeping his cool. "So which direction does your compass say we should go?"
"I don't know what's wrong with it."Lyra complemented. "The wind is strangely not moving the arrow to show the next village. It has never done this before."
Pauly's eye started twitching at Lyra's respond.
"Oh."Pauly said slightly. "If the compass isn't working, then I guess that would mean one thing for us."
"Which is?"Lyra asked.
Pauly cleared his throat and grabbed Lyra by her necklace with a panicking look on his face.
"WE ARE LOST IN THE SAVANNAH!"Pauly yelled out.
Lyra frowned and rubbed her ear at Pauly's shouting as she stood up.
"We are not lost, Pauly."Lyra said with a smile. "We are just going need to follow our instincts to find our way."
"Instincts?! Follow our instincts?!"Pauly retorted in disbelief. "Since when following our instincts was ever helpful?"
"That depends on what you seek."
Pauly notice a mandrill next to him hanging upside-down from a tree causing him to freak out and hide behind Lyra.
Lyra was surprised to see the mandrill.
"Uh, hello."Lyra greeted with a wave. "Where did you come from?"
Rafiki let out a laugh as he climbed up a big tree.
"Oh, the better question is, where are you and your friend going, young one?"Rafiki remarked.
"A place where I can call home."Lyra answered with her arms folded.
"Ah. Finding a new path after a terrible tragedy, perhaps?"Rafiki suggested.
Lyra and Pauly were stunned at Rafiki's great guess.
"Y-Yes."Lyra responded in awe and became a bit suspicious. "How did you know that?"
"Hey!"Pauly complained, completely unaware. "Who are you anyway, sir?!"
"All will revealed in time, my parrot friend."Rafiki chuckled. "Bye!"
Rafiki disappeared from sight causing Lyra and Pauly to glance at each other.
"A very strange monkey."Lyra commented with a sheepish smile.
"Creepy is the better word to describe him."Pauly suggested.
Lyra let out a small yawn and laid down beneath one of the big trees as she wrapped her fur cape around her.
"We'll continue our travel tomorrow."Lyra murmured with a smile.
"Tomorrow?"Pauly asked. "But wouldn't it best to-"
Pauly notice Lyra already have fallen into a deep sleep causing him to sigh.
"Tomorrow it is then."Pauly complemented.
The Following Morning…
After eating a few fruits that were packed in her backpack, Lyra and Pauly continued their travelling.
But soon the two of them stopped when they saw the view in front of them.
All the breath left Lyra as she and Pauly looked upon the lands in front of them.
They stood atop a cliff face that dropped into a deep gorge. But beyond it…as far as the eye could see was the greenest grass Lyra had ever laid eyes on.
Six or seven blue blurs of watering holes including zebra, antelope, giraffe and various other animals galloping around the area.
The herds were vast in number, dotted figures spread out amongst the savannah.
It was beautiful and almost in the middle of the lands sat a large rock formation.
It jutted out from the ground like the snapping jaws of a crocodile, mouth open to the sky.
"Wow."Lyra whispered in amazement. "It's so beautiful…."
Pauly silently took in Lyra's words to look around at the beautiful landscape.
Every side his head slowly took, Pauly found something new to marvel over.
Whether it was the rich green of the grass, the bugs and the birds chirping away, or how bright and beautiful the sky was.
"It's extraordinary."Pauly declared.
Next chapter we will see Lyra and Pauly meet the lions...
(The song 'I Miss You' is from the Tom and Jerry Movie.)