It only took the first several weeks for the lionesses to get a clear
picture of what King Scar's reign was to be like. He was intense,
determined, and absolutely focused on having his own way. It also became
apparent, at least to Sarabi, that the lion was more interested in his
title as King than the actual responsibilities that came with it. Sarabi
often found herself calming the leaders of the different clans and
promising to speak to the King of their different issues. He never took it
into his own account, which left Sarabi secretly directing the clans behind
Scar's back.
As the weeks and months passed, the animals began to leave. The hyena inhabitation of the Pride Lands had made it unsafe for most to live. They hunted without prior permission from the King, and in excess amounts. Strewn, half eaten carcasses began to cake the lands and the stench of rot became pungent in the air. It was a terrible waste. Mohatu's law had stated that kills were a dire sacrifice made by the various clans, and should be treated with respect. You could hunt only after seeking prior permission from the King, and only what was absolutely necessary. The healthy were not sought, only the sickly or the clan convicts. Hyenas had broken each of those laws, hunting as they pleased and too excessively.
One afternoon, Sarabi walked over to the waterhole for a drink. She usually enjoyed going for a chat with Kala and Sarafina, or speaking with the leopards or the cheetahs. The lioness arrived, but pinned her ears sadly to see the desolate emptiness of the waterhole. She sighed as she took in several mouthfuls of water. It tasted good on her parched tongue. As she bent low in the water, she noticed something odd. She realized she was bending much lower to reach the cool water, and that it seemed much more shallow than it had previously. Then she looked into the sky, and at the fiery sun shining over her head. Something then crossed her mind.
When was the last time it rained?
She suddenly realized it hadn't rained since the night of Simba's presentation. That had been the end of the rainy season, and it was long past due for it to begin again. She realized that if it didn't rain soon, the threat of a drought would come upon the lands. That was the last thing they needed.
Suddenly, Sarabi heard a rustle behind her. She whirled around, claws extended, and teeth bared at the intruder. She lowered her guard to see a lean cheetah make her way out of the bushes. It was Raha, her cubhood friend.
"Raha! Old friend how are you?" Sarabi said as she embraced the cheetah.
"I'm fine Sarabi, how are you doing? Is everything alright?" she asked.
"I'm doing well. It is so nice to see you."
Raha smiled, but it quickly faded as she pulled her gaze away from the old Queen. Sarabi tried to meet her eyes again, but stopped as she noticed Raha's eyes begin to well with tears.
"Raha...what's the matter?" Sarabi asked.
"Sarabi...I didn't want to do this to you...I know it's the last thing you need during these times..."
Sarabi waited for her to continue.
"I'm afraid that the Cheetah clan has decided that it is best to leave the Pride Lands," Raha finally said.
Sarabi was silent for a moment. She sighed deeply, and her heart began to ache as the ones she loved began to fall out of her life so quickly. She had trouble thinking about how things would be with Raha not there to enjoy them with her.
"It was not my choice Sarabi. But the leaders felt it best. The hyenas have been breeding a path of destruction since Taka let them in. We cannot hunt without them destroying it. We cannot be at peace from their bickering or their harassment of us. If we do get a kill, so many times they have stolen it from us. They've killed 3 cubs, and Taka has done nothing. He does not listen to us, and our people are starving as the herds continue to leave. You know we don't have a choice."
Sarabi smiled. "I understand Raha. There is no need for guilt. I'm hungry too, and if it were my choice, I would go along with you."
"Why don't you?" Raha asked. "Gather Kala, Sarafina, and Nala, and we'll all leave here never to return! Life would be better for us all."
Sarabi smiled. "Thank you for the invitation Raha, but I'm afraid I cannot accept it. I am bound to these lands, and the pride needs me. Taka is a monstrous ruler, only I am left to keep them strong. You understand this."
"Indeed I do," Raha replied, smiling at her. "You are very noble Sarabi. You were such a wonderful Queen."
Sarabi smiled at her.
"In fact, I believe all see you as our Queen still. Peace be with you Sarabi. One day I will return."
With that, Raha bowed low, then turned and bounded off towards her clan. Sarabi watched them depart and sighed deeply. Perhaps they would return someday. She could only hope. That night, Sarabi thought to retire early. She was exhausted from the attempted hunt, but those stupid hyenas had broken every chance they had of getting a kill. She was starving, and her energy was draining by each day that she went without food. She padded slowly toward Pride Rock, when suddenly a loud screech crossed her ears.
"SARABI!" Zira roared from the tip of Pride Rock. "Get your ugly carcass up here!"
Sarabi growled under her breath, and slowly made her way up the Rock. Zira sat impatiently, snarling at the lioness as she nonchalantly sat in front of her.
"What have you been doing all day!?" Zira demanded as she extended her claws. "Fruiting around at the waterhole till sunset?"
Sarabi paid no heed to Zira's cold remarks. "The lionesses and I have been attempting a hunt. Sadly we were unsuccessful."
"Well I can see that!" Zira replied sarcastically, growing more impatient. "We're growing hungry Sarabi. I am pregnant with the future heir, and I must be eating well. Quit coming back empty handed and get us something to eat!"
"We have tried," Sarabi said calmly. "But the hyenas have been getting in our way and disrupting out pattern-"
"That's just like you Sarabi to make up excuses!" Zira growled as she came within inches of Sarabi's face. "Go and blame the hyenas for your indiscretions, that's quite low for a lioness of your stature."
Sarabi glared at Zira, desperately attempting to hold her tongue. She never liked Zira, because she often bullied or insulted her when they were cubs. She had always been jealous when she learned that Mufasa had chosen her to be the next Queen. The only thing that kept her quiet was Scar's promise to her that she would become his Queen.
"You never did much as Queen did you?" Zira sneered. "You failed as a leader, and you are undoubtedly failing to feed your King and Queen!"
Sarabi could stand no more. "Well why don't you get off your lazy ass and help out with the hunt?" she growled.
Zira froze and glared furiously at Sarabi. "How dare you speak to your Queen like that?" she hissed.
"As far as I'm concerned," Sarabi said. "I don't even see a Queen around here."
Zira roared and struck Sarabi hard in the face. Sarabi fell back and hit the ground hard. She winced in pain, but suddenly was overpowered with a menacing rage. Sarabi shot to her feet and leapt with fury at Zira. She bit her and clawed her, roaring angrily. Zira, caught by surprise, fell to the ground and rolled around desperately trying to get the bulky lioness off her. She whirled around and bit into Sarabi's foreleg tearing out a chunk. Sarabi screamed in pain and roared loudly.
Suddenly the lionesses looked up from wherever they were and shot back to Pride Rock. Sarafina raced out of the den, quickly followed by Nala. The hyenas, hearing the fray, raced up to see which would die first to eat.
With pure rage and claws extended, Sarabi reared up on her hind legs and swatted Zira hard in the jaw. The lioness staggered back and seeing another chance, Sarabi bit into her ear, tearing off a large chunk. Weak from loss of blood, Zira fell backward and hit the ground hard. Exhausted, Sarabi staggered back and fell. The lionesses raced onto the scene and immediately came to Sarabi's aid. Some walked over to Zira, noticing she was unconscious.
"WHAT'S GOING ON HERE?!" Scar boomed as he stormed onto the scene.
"There was fight here sire," Kala replied as she helped Sarabi to stand.
"How did this start?" Scar asked.
Sarabi panted, exhausted and weak. "Zira wrongly accused the hunting party of weakness. I overreacted and attacked her. I am partly to blame."
"You are fully to blame!" Scar roared angrily. "How DARE you strike my Queen, YOUR Queen!?"
Sarabi was stunned. He totally had no respect, nor remorse for her.
"You are fully responsible for the failure of the hunting party!" Scar growled. "Your job is to feed the pride! If you weren't the most capable of the lionesses of this pride, I'd have you killed and replaced instantly!"
Sarabi's eyes were wide with horror and anger as Scar said these things to her. Was this really the sweet little cub who tagged along behind she and Mufasa on their adventures? The rambunctious youth who played tag with her so many times? The one who first told her the stories of the Great Kings even before Mufasa did?
Sarabi had lost the strength to defend herself. She was exhausted, injured, and in terrible pain. She winced painfully. Suddenly, she felt something rub against her leg. She looked down to see Nala nuzzling her, and rubbing her head against her leg. Sarabi smiled. Nala was all she had left as a memory of little Simba. She wrapped her good paw around her and licked her. Suddenly, she felt her world spin. Her eyes rolled back and she collapsed to the ground.
"Sarabi!" Nala cried as she propped up on her and tugged her ear. "Wake up!" Sarafina bounded over and tried to prod her up. But Sarabi was down. She examined the wounds.
Scar in the meantime, had gone to check on Zira's well being. She had regained consciousness, and with the help of some of the lionesses, had managed to stand.
"You three, escort Zira to Rafiki's tree and have him clean her up," Scar demanded. "And have him make sure our child is alright."
The lionesses nodded, and limped off towards the shaman's home. Scar looked over at Sarabi and at the lionesses surrounding her and asking if she was alright. Scar shoved through them and up to Sarafina who had been looking her over.
"She's injured very badly your majesty," Sarafina said. "She was hurt worse than Zira. She needs medical attention badly."
Scar twisted his nose in disgust down at the unconscious lioness. He glared angrily.
"No."
Sarafina was stunned. "Sire?"
"She will not receive any medicine or healing herbs. That shall be her punishment for harming the Queen and endangering the life of our unborn cub."
"But your majesty she could bleed to death!" Kala cried. "It wasn't even her fault!"
Scar glared and came within inches of her face. "Are you suggesting that your Queen is responsible for this chaos?" he hissed.
Kala pinned her ears in fear. She looked over at Sarabi with tears in her eyes. She then looked back up at Scar. "No sir."
Pleased, Scar stepped back. "Let Sarabi's suffering be a reminder to you all, the consequences of such actions taken against the King and Queen. Get her out of my sight."
With that, Scar turned his back and sulked off.
Stunned, the lionesses finally broke away from the crowded circle. Sarafina was shocked at Scar's cold order. It would be a long night. She wanted to move her from Pride Rock's tip, but was too afraid to, fearing Sarabi would bleed more. So the lioness rested her head on to of Sarabi's body in an attempt to keep her warm throughout the night. Nala curled up in her paws and fell asleep. So saying a prayer, Sarafina hoped in her heart that Sarabi would survive the night, before falling into an uneasy, uncomfortable sleep.
As the weeks and months passed, the animals began to leave. The hyena inhabitation of the Pride Lands had made it unsafe for most to live. They hunted without prior permission from the King, and in excess amounts. Strewn, half eaten carcasses began to cake the lands and the stench of rot became pungent in the air. It was a terrible waste. Mohatu's law had stated that kills were a dire sacrifice made by the various clans, and should be treated with respect. You could hunt only after seeking prior permission from the King, and only what was absolutely necessary. The healthy were not sought, only the sickly or the clan convicts. Hyenas had broken each of those laws, hunting as they pleased and too excessively.
One afternoon, Sarabi walked over to the waterhole for a drink. She usually enjoyed going for a chat with Kala and Sarafina, or speaking with the leopards or the cheetahs. The lioness arrived, but pinned her ears sadly to see the desolate emptiness of the waterhole. She sighed as she took in several mouthfuls of water. It tasted good on her parched tongue. As she bent low in the water, she noticed something odd. She realized she was bending much lower to reach the cool water, and that it seemed much more shallow than it had previously. Then she looked into the sky, and at the fiery sun shining over her head. Something then crossed her mind.
When was the last time it rained?
She suddenly realized it hadn't rained since the night of Simba's presentation. That had been the end of the rainy season, and it was long past due for it to begin again. She realized that if it didn't rain soon, the threat of a drought would come upon the lands. That was the last thing they needed.
Suddenly, Sarabi heard a rustle behind her. She whirled around, claws extended, and teeth bared at the intruder. She lowered her guard to see a lean cheetah make her way out of the bushes. It was Raha, her cubhood friend.
"Raha! Old friend how are you?" Sarabi said as she embraced the cheetah.
"I'm fine Sarabi, how are you doing? Is everything alright?" she asked.
"I'm doing well. It is so nice to see you."
Raha smiled, but it quickly faded as she pulled her gaze away from the old Queen. Sarabi tried to meet her eyes again, but stopped as she noticed Raha's eyes begin to well with tears.
"Raha...what's the matter?" Sarabi asked.
"Sarabi...I didn't want to do this to you...I know it's the last thing you need during these times..."
Sarabi waited for her to continue.
"I'm afraid that the Cheetah clan has decided that it is best to leave the Pride Lands," Raha finally said.
Sarabi was silent for a moment. She sighed deeply, and her heart began to ache as the ones she loved began to fall out of her life so quickly. She had trouble thinking about how things would be with Raha not there to enjoy them with her.
"It was not my choice Sarabi. But the leaders felt it best. The hyenas have been breeding a path of destruction since Taka let them in. We cannot hunt without them destroying it. We cannot be at peace from their bickering or their harassment of us. If we do get a kill, so many times they have stolen it from us. They've killed 3 cubs, and Taka has done nothing. He does not listen to us, and our people are starving as the herds continue to leave. You know we don't have a choice."
Sarabi smiled. "I understand Raha. There is no need for guilt. I'm hungry too, and if it were my choice, I would go along with you."
"Why don't you?" Raha asked. "Gather Kala, Sarafina, and Nala, and we'll all leave here never to return! Life would be better for us all."
Sarabi smiled. "Thank you for the invitation Raha, but I'm afraid I cannot accept it. I am bound to these lands, and the pride needs me. Taka is a monstrous ruler, only I am left to keep them strong. You understand this."
"Indeed I do," Raha replied, smiling at her. "You are very noble Sarabi. You were such a wonderful Queen."
Sarabi smiled at her.
"In fact, I believe all see you as our Queen still. Peace be with you Sarabi. One day I will return."
With that, Raha bowed low, then turned and bounded off towards her clan. Sarabi watched them depart and sighed deeply. Perhaps they would return someday. She could only hope. That night, Sarabi thought to retire early. She was exhausted from the attempted hunt, but those stupid hyenas had broken every chance they had of getting a kill. She was starving, and her energy was draining by each day that she went without food. She padded slowly toward Pride Rock, when suddenly a loud screech crossed her ears.
"SARABI!" Zira roared from the tip of Pride Rock. "Get your ugly carcass up here!"
Sarabi growled under her breath, and slowly made her way up the Rock. Zira sat impatiently, snarling at the lioness as she nonchalantly sat in front of her.
"What have you been doing all day!?" Zira demanded as she extended her claws. "Fruiting around at the waterhole till sunset?"
Sarabi paid no heed to Zira's cold remarks. "The lionesses and I have been attempting a hunt. Sadly we were unsuccessful."
"Well I can see that!" Zira replied sarcastically, growing more impatient. "We're growing hungry Sarabi. I am pregnant with the future heir, and I must be eating well. Quit coming back empty handed and get us something to eat!"
"We have tried," Sarabi said calmly. "But the hyenas have been getting in our way and disrupting out pattern-"
"That's just like you Sarabi to make up excuses!" Zira growled as she came within inches of Sarabi's face. "Go and blame the hyenas for your indiscretions, that's quite low for a lioness of your stature."
Sarabi glared at Zira, desperately attempting to hold her tongue. She never liked Zira, because she often bullied or insulted her when they were cubs. She had always been jealous when she learned that Mufasa had chosen her to be the next Queen. The only thing that kept her quiet was Scar's promise to her that she would become his Queen.
"You never did much as Queen did you?" Zira sneered. "You failed as a leader, and you are undoubtedly failing to feed your King and Queen!"
Sarabi could stand no more. "Well why don't you get off your lazy ass and help out with the hunt?" she growled.
Zira froze and glared furiously at Sarabi. "How dare you speak to your Queen like that?" she hissed.
"As far as I'm concerned," Sarabi said. "I don't even see a Queen around here."
Zira roared and struck Sarabi hard in the face. Sarabi fell back and hit the ground hard. She winced in pain, but suddenly was overpowered with a menacing rage. Sarabi shot to her feet and leapt with fury at Zira. She bit her and clawed her, roaring angrily. Zira, caught by surprise, fell to the ground and rolled around desperately trying to get the bulky lioness off her. She whirled around and bit into Sarabi's foreleg tearing out a chunk. Sarabi screamed in pain and roared loudly.
Suddenly the lionesses looked up from wherever they were and shot back to Pride Rock. Sarafina raced out of the den, quickly followed by Nala. The hyenas, hearing the fray, raced up to see which would die first to eat.
With pure rage and claws extended, Sarabi reared up on her hind legs and swatted Zira hard in the jaw. The lioness staggered back and seeing another chance, Sarabi bit into her ear, tearing off a large chunk. Weak from loss of blood, Zira fell backward and hit the ground hard. Exhausted, Sarabi staggered back and fell. The lionesses raced onto the scene and immediately came to Sarabi's aid. Some walked over to Zira, noticing she was unconscious.
"WHAT'S GOING ON HERE?!" Scar boomed as he stormed onto the scene.
"There was fight here sire," Kala replied as she helped Sarabi to stand.
"How did this start?" Scar asked.
Sarabi panted, exhausted and weak. "Zira wrongly accused the hunting party of weakness. I overreacted and attacked her. I am partly to blame."
"You are fully to blame!" Scar roared angrily. "How DARE you strike my Queen, YOUR Queen!?"
Sarabi was stunned. He totally had no respect, nor remorse for her.
"You are fully responsible for the failure of the hunting party!" Scar growled. "Your job is to feed the pride! If you weren't the most capable of the lionesses of this pride, I'd have you killed and replaced instantly!"
Sarabi's eyes were wide with horror and anger as Scar said these things to her. Was this really the sweet little cub who tagged along behind she and Mufasa on their adventures? The rambunctious youth who played tag with her so many times? The one who first told her the stories of the Great Kings even before Mufasa did?
Sarabi had lost the strength to defend herself. She was exhausted, injured, and in terrible pain. She winced painfully. Suddenly, she felt something rub against her leg. She looked down to see Nala nuzzling her, and rubbing her head against her leg. Sarabi smiled. Nala was all she had left as a memory of little Simba. She wrapped her good paw around her and licked her. Suddenly, she felt her world spin. Her eyes rolled back and she collapsed to the ground.
"Sarabi!" Nala cried as she propped up on her and tugged her ear. "Wake up!" Sarafina bounded over and tried to prod her up. But Sarabi was down. She examined the wounds.
Scar in the meantime, had gone to check on Zira's well being. She had regained consciousness, and with the help of some of the lionesses, had managed to stand.
"You three, escort Zira to Rafiki's tree and have him clean her up," Scar demanded. "And have him make sure our child is alright."
The lionesses nodded, and limped off towards the shaman's home. Scar looked over at Sarabi and at the lionesses surrounding her and asking if she was alright. Scar shoved through them and up to Sarafina who had been looking her over.
"She's injured very badly your majesty," Sarafina said. "She was hurt worse than Zira. She needs medical attention badly."
Scar twisted his nose in disgust down at the unconscious lioness. He glared angrily.
"No."
Sarafina was stunned. "Sire?"
"She will not receive any medicine or healing herbs. That shall be her punishment for harming the Queen and endangering the life of our unborn cub."
"But your majesty she could bleed to death!" Kala cried. "It wasn't even her fault!"
Scar glared and came within inches of her face. "Are you suggesting that your Queen is responsible for this chaos?" he hissed.
Kala pinned her ears in fear. She looked over at Sarabi with tears in her eyes. She then looked back up at Scar. "No sir."
Pleased, Scar stepped back. "Let Sarabi's suffering be a reminder to you all, the consequences of such actions taken against the King and Queen. Get her out of my sight."
With that, Scar turned his back and sulked off.
Stunned, the lionesses finally broke away from the crowded circle. Sarafina was shocked at Scar's cold order. It would be a long night. She wanted to move her from Pride Rock's tip, but was too afraid to, fearing Sarabi would bleed more. So the lioness rested her head on to of Sarabi's body in an attempt to keep her warm throughout the night. Nala curled up in her paws and fell asleep. So saying a prayer, Sarafina hoped in her heart that Sarabi would survive the night, before falling into an uneasy, uncomfortable sleep.