A/N: Here we go everyone, the final chapter to The Diamond Star Chronicles! Whew, what a year it's been writing this story! I hope you all enjoy it! Stay tuned at the end for some acknowledgements! But for now, enjoy!
Chapter XIV
Consummation at Last
Kamau shot like a bullet towards the falling lionesses, his mind racing wildly. If he could just get to Sarabi before she fell….
"Kamau NO! You'll be crushed!" Tanabi yelled as he leapt in front and forced him back. The two skidded to the ground and looked up just in time to hear the lionesses collide to the ground with a deafening thud.
Simba shielded his eyes as the massive upraising of dust clouded the area. Everyone coughed and hacked, desperately waving at the dust simply to breathe. Simba waved his paw madly as he searched for his children and mate. He sighed with relief to find Tanabi and Kamau lying against the ground, protecting each other from the dust. Not far off he could make out Kiara and Nala coughing up dust but otherwise unharmed.
Kamau quickly rose and bolted against the fog desperately searching out his mother. Simba joined him in the struggle and they desperately called Sarabi's name. As the fog began to clear, two figures, barely visible in the clouded dust, became apparent to them. The were lying almost 2 feet away from each other unmoving. Simba's eyes widened and his ears pinned against his head as he saw them. Kamau's jaw hung loosely as he looked forward, barely registering what he saw. At first, Simba did not want to go forward, he could not bear the thought of looking upon his mother lying dead in the dirt. The same dirt on which his father had died.
Somehow he found the courage to stumble forward, and Kamau followed closely behind. They first came upon Zira's form, lying motionless in the dirt. Her blood spilled across the ground, crawling slowly forward beyond her wretched form. Kamau took a moment to look at her, and her unmoving stare made him tremble. She was surely, and unmistakably dead.
Simba was the first to see Sarabi's battered body. He suddenly saw his father's body again, the fear he felt as he approached, and his stupid naivety for not realizing he was gone. How stupid he had been.
He came up behind her, and looked over to see her eyes barely open, but open nonetheless. Tears began to form in his eyes as he outstretched a paw, ready to close them.
"Simba! Wait!" Kamau said from next to him.
Simba looked at Sarabi's body. He could make out her faint breaths, and the slight rise and fall of her stomach. His eyes widened in disbelief as he beheld his mother, alive. Battered and broken, but alive.
Simba went around her and sat facing her, looking into her eyes. With her slight, yet laborious breaths, Sarabi still managed to lift her head barely a centimeter off the ground to look into the eyes of her sons. She forced a small, joyous smile as they looked upon her worriedly.
"Mom…." Simba whispered. "You…you survived! But how? That fall should have killed you!"
Sarabi lifted her head a little higher and swallowed hard, trying to find her voice. She took a deep, raspy breath to speak, but the pain of the inhale forced her to wince. All her ribs were broken and the pain was indescribable. Mentally shaking off the pain, Sarabi tried again.
"Yes Simba…so it seems indeed. But I'm afraid this victory will still come at a price."
Simba shook his head. "No! No it won't, mom! I know you're injured, but the lionesses and I can still carry you back home! Rafiki will mend your wounds and you'll recover! I know you will!"
Sarabi couldn't help but chuckle slightly. "Simba…you bear the same naivety your father once had."
Simba bowed his head, and the long locks of his mane drifted over him. Sarabi weakly lifted her left paw-the only one unbroken-and lifted his chin. He sorrowfully met her gaze, with tears flowing down his muzzle.
"It's so refreshing," she said with a smile.
Simba took her paw into his own, and held it against his cheek. He clenched his teeth and shut his eyes painfully.
"Mother..." he whispered. "Don't leave me here. Don't leave me like dad did."
Sarabi looked at him, almost in shock. "Simba…" she said in disbelief. "All this time since your father died, you've believed that he 'left' you? Don't you see? He never left!"
Simba said nothing.
Sarabi started again. "In body perhaps he is gone, but his spirit was forever forged into yours. You showed that in your victory over Scar. You showed it in the endless quest against Zira's tyranny. And…you showed it in the mercy you had for your brother."
Simba turned and looked at Kamau, sitting silently next to him. The lion was shifting uneasily on his haunches, unsure of himself and what was to come. The gaze of his half brother filled him with a sense of mystery, not knowing what was destined for him should their mother die. Yet when he saw Simba's weak, yet gentle smile, Kamau's fears were instantly washed away. This lion, his half brother, the King of the Pride Lands, loved him regardless of who his father was.
"Kamau…" Sarabi rasped looking at him. "I cannot tell you how truly, and deeply sorry I am for sending you away. I could have done something different. Maybe then Yetunde would not have died and you would not have suffered like this."
Kamau looked at her quizzically. "But Mother…you saved my life. Scar would surely have killed me otherwise. Don't trouble yourself like this…you aren't to blame."
Sarabi sighed painfully. "Kamau, understand that though your father was mad at the time of your birth, he was not always so. I loved him once….and I always did, even into his madness. Yet when he went mad, the lion I loved died. Your father died long before you were born, Kamau. Scar was not your father. Taka was."
Kamau nodded his head as tears welled in his eyes.
Sarabi smiled. "My sons…." she whispered. "My time is short. Perhaps you will not see me, but I will always be here to guide you. I go now to my father, the Great Kings, and my beloved Mufasa…in whose noble and regal company I will stand watching you. My sons, do not weep for what you have lost. Because in truth, nothing is lost, only gained. Look now to the future, and to your children, and to their children. For it is them that should be the cause of your tears, not those who came before you."
Simba still held his mother's paw tightly. "I love you mom…."
With her paw, Sarabi stroked Simba's mane. "I love you too Simba….my King."
Kamau placed his paw below her head and licked her forehead. She licked his muzzle, ignoring the pain it took to raise her head high enough. Then she gently lowered her head and rested it against the ground. Taking one deep breath, Sarabi closed her eyes and surrendered her spirit. And at last Sarabi, daughter of Johari and Chaka, mate of King Mufasa, mother of King Simba and Prince Kamau, and 4th Queen of the Pride Lands, ascended to the land of Aiheu and the Great Kings.
Encircled around the body of the former Queen, the members of the prides-Outlanders and Pride Landers alike-bowed their heads in respect as Rafiki, standing watch during the entire battle, approached the grieving brothers and put a hand on each of them. They held her body tight and cried into her fur, not caring about their so called appearance to uphold to the rest of the Pride. Standing somewhat more inside the circle were Nala, Kiara, Tanabi, Vitani, and Kovu, all heads bowed in memory of the old lioness. Even Timon and Pumbaa approached the circle and paid tribute to her memory and sacrifice. Zazu stood at Nala's feet and she comforted him as he began to weep. Kiara cried into Tanabi's mane, stunned at the loss of her beloved bibi. Tanabi held his sister tightly and let his head rest against hers, his own tears coming down upon her head. Here rested the final subject under Mufasa's kingship, and the final member of his generation.
Rafiki anointed Sarabi's head with the juice of a gourd and blessed her. He raised his staff and shook it solemnly creating a rhythmic beat that made for the funeral hymn.
Simba stood and stepped back from his mother's body. Kamau followed in suit, and the Prides stood quietly for a moment. As tears continued to streak down his muzzle, Simba sang, his voice cracked, the long ago chant.
"Fatshe…leso….lea…hallalela…."
The Prides joined. "Fatshe, leso, lea hallalela…."
And where the journey may lead youLet this prayer be your guide
Though it may take you so far away
Always remember your Pride…
The chant was repeated throughout the Prides several times until they at last fell silent. A gentle wind blew Simba's mane as he looked over his mother's body. Then, for a reason he couldn't understand, the lion gave a small smile. She was with him now. She was finally with Mufasa again. And her parents. And all her friends. And even her best friend, Taka. For Sarabi, it was her long awaited triumph. Consummation at last.
A voice then rang out in the gorge.
"Let this be a lesson to us all!" came Kamau's loud call. "That violence will not bring victory to anyone, despite what it may seem. Victory is failure because victory comes at a price. Look what it has done to us!"
Eyes drifted to the dead lying about the gorge. The spilt blood running. The cuts and bruises marring every lion at the scene. The moans of the dying as they lay about the rubble.
"Who do you think 'won' this battle?" Kamau asked looking about the carnage.
Not a word was said. Simba looked over at Kamau, stunned at how he held these feuding lions tight in his paw.
"Know that what happened today did not result in a victory or closure to a feud, but in the death of those noble and respected in this life! This war has not helped us, it has only separated us more! My mother only ever wanted peace! Even the wisest of you all can't live up to the wish of an old lioness! The strongest lion does not resort to violence, but strives to bring peace to those afflicted with the thirst for blood."
Again there was silence.
"Let us end the fighting now," Kamau said stepping forward. "Let us band together as a single Pride. As one."
Simba, inspired by his brother's speech, rose to the high cliff edge overlooking the lions and stood proudly.
"Hear my brother's words!" Simba yelled loudly. "What we have destroyed in the fighting we can rebuild! United as one, we will change the paths set by those before us! Let us join together and build the great future prophesized by our ancestors!"
Everyone began to nod and cheer at this, smiling with new hope.
Seeing their faces, Simba raised his head into the air. The sun had set, and the stars illuminated the light sky with a mystery all its own. Looking into their fire, Simba saw the Kings looking proudly upon him, and in their own special way, giving their show of approval. Smiling, he felt his mother's spirit surge through his heart, reviving within him a newfound strength of body and mind.
"This one's for you, mom," he whispered into the skies.
Taking a deep breath, King Simba released a great roar that echoed off the walls of the gorge, bouncing out into the skies and soaring to the heavens. Following his lead, the Pride joined with their own roars, announcing to all the Pride Lands that the battle was ended, and peace would once again prevail over all.
0Oo0Oo0Oo0Oo0Oo0Oo
The moon cast an eerie glow on Pride Rock, as Kamau sat curiously before it on the promontory. There was a gentle breeze that shook the leaves softly, and murmured a whisper throughout all the kingdom. Another night had fallen upon the abundant and majestic Pride Lands.
The padding of footprints shook Kamau from his thoughts. He smiled to see his nephew and friend approach him quietly. Tanabi's diamond green eyes always had a flicker to them, a flicker that seemed to shake Kamau whenever he stared into their flame.
"You're still up," Tanabi said.
"Couldn't sleep," Kamau replied simply.
"That makes two of us," Tanabi said with a sigh.
"What's troubling you Tanabi?"
Tanabi cast his head downward. "Tomorrow I am being christened as Prince Regent."
Kamau's face lit up. "Tanabi! That's wonderful! Congratulations on receiving such a high honor!"
Tanabi didn't look up. "It…it was my bibi's wish that I be christened after my mane grew full." His eyes began to well up with tears. "She…she said she was going to help prepare me for the ceremony."
Kamau sighed deeply as his already heart sank lower. He placed a paw on the young lion's back as he started to cry once again. "I miss her too Tanabi."
"Will she really be with me tomorrow?" Tanabi asked, not looking at Kamau.
Kamau smiled. "She wouldn't miss it for the world."
Another set of footsteps interrupted them. The lions turned to see Simba trot out to them. Kamau smiled wide at seeing his half brother. Simba sat on Kamau's other side and the two just butted heads.
"The mind is a trickster," Simba said with a smile. "When it's filled with thoughts, it seems to ward off sleep."
Kamau chuckled. "With such events that have occurred, it seems likely that it should be so."
The three lions sat in silence for a moment, and looked into the vastness of the sky. Quietly and somewhat hesitantly, Kovu trotted forward and sat down next to Tanabi. Not tearing his gaze from the sky Tanabi asked, "I suppose you couldn't sleep either?"
"Not a chance," Kovu replied with a smile.
"It seems strange," Kamau began, talking more to the sky than anyone else, "that sitting together under the stars are the descendants of two brothers with a promise. A promise to rule this kingdom with whatever it took. And though they were separated by death, greed, lust, and war, those who followed after stand now united under the sky of Aiheu."
Simba chuckled. "Who would've thought?"
"I think that mother knew," Kamau said turning to Simba. "I think she knew all along."
For a moment, the lions sat smiling, all warmed by the memory of Pride Rock's loving and devoted matriarch. Her body remained untouched, save for the flowers placed on her body by mourners. There she would remain until she returned to the earth, and completed the Great Circle.
"Well," Simba said after a moment. "Look now at the moon. It's in the middle of the sky. Perhaps we should all get some sleep."
"My brother," Kamau said with a smile. "The show is not over. Let's stay and watch. The night is still young."
With a smile, all four lions looked into the mysterious skies, and let the wind blow about their manes as they pondered it in all its splendor.
0Oo0Oo0Oo0Oo0Oo0Oo
Sarabi awoke as the roar of the clouds echoed through her eardrums. She opened her eyes weakly. She tensed herself for the pain she knew would come…but it never came. Stunned, her eyes popped fully open. She looked about her surroundings curiously, and was overcome with what she saw.
The sky was a deep lavender, and the stars shone bigger and brighter than she had ever remembered. She looked at the ground she lay upon, and was stunned at the soft, cozy feel of the grass. There were no flies or bees to annoy her, no rats or termites crawling about the ground. The air smelled of milk and honey, and above her the clouds floated barely a few feet off the ground. Easy jumping distance.
Somewhat curious, the lioness rose to her feet. Absolutely shocked, she realized that the aches and pains of her age had completely disappeared. She moved her paws about. No pain. She smiled wide, and began to laugh joyously. She was young again! With a yelp of glee, she leapt high into the air and onto one of the clouds. She roared joyously and fell upon it, inhaling its sweet smell and cuddling in its softness. She took a deep breath and sighed. All was over.
"Sarabi?"
The lioness whirled her head and looked down. A rusty brown lion sat nervously below her, barely managing to make eye contact. Sarabi was stunned into silence. It couldn't be….
She gently leapt and landed onto the ground, staring shocked at the lion before her. He had a small and thin build, with a long and lavish black mane falling on his shoulders. His eyes were a sharp, bright green that sparkled in the light, but his face was so unsure. Yet the most stunning part of his appearance, was the absence of a scar on his left eye.
"Taka…." Sarabi whispered in disbelief. She approached him slowly, almost unsure if this lion was truly real. "It cannot be you…."
"Not Scar," Taka stated flatly. "But yes, it is me."
"I can't believe it…" Sarabi said. "It's really you!"
"Please do not show me such kindness Sarabi," Taka said looking away. "I'm so undeserving."
"Taka," Sarabi said looking at him. "You cannot let the past bind you like this."
"It binds me now and it forever will," he replied sadly. "I cannot begin to tell you how sorry I am for all that I put you through. Every little thing you suffered because of me."
"I never suffered because of you," Sarabi replied simply. "I suffered because of Scar."
"Scar and I are one in the same," Taka replied ashamedly. "I made him. Through my jealousy and hatred, I gave him life. I let him control me. I let him fight my inner conscience, and I let him win."
"No you didn't Taka," Sarabi replied smiling and meeting his gaze.
Taka lifted his eyes to Sarabi's beautiful face.
"It is not Scar standing before me now, after all," she said gently.
With that, the two shared a nuzzle, a nuzzle of friends. "I've missed you Sarabi."
"I've missed you too my friend," she replied happily. "It's so good to see you again."
Taka broke the fond embrace, obviously troubled by something else. Sarabi looked at him thoughtfully as he took a breath and returned her gaze.
Suddenly a small, rambunctious ball of fur ran and collided into Taka's foreleg. The cub laughed happily as Taka's great paw rustled the patch of fur on his head.
"Nuka!" Sarabi cried excitedly.
"Auntie Sarabi!" yelled the cub.
Sarabi was stunned. This was not the tattered, malnourished cub she had once known. This cub was healthy with well groomed fur, and a disposition of such kindness and integrity that totally outweighed Nuka's former qualities. Taka nuzzled the small cub and licked his forehead. Sarabi smiled and swelled with happiness at seeing the father and son so happy together. Suddenly Taka looked up, and faced Sarabi hesitantly.
"Sarabi…how is our son?"
Sarabi looked at Taka with a slight smile that quickly spread wider. "Our son is quite well, Taka."
Taka smiled warmly, and looked down from the clouds. "He is so beautiful…just like you. I wish he hadn't suffered like that. Because of me…."
"Kamau loves you, Taka," Sarabi said gently. "Because he knows you for the good lion you once were. Not the lion that invaded you."
Taka nuzzled Sarabi again. "I will always watch over him. He has made me so proud."
Sarabi looked at him proudly. Suddenly, Sarabi remembered something else.
"Taka…where is Zira?"
Taka was silent for a moment. "She never repented her crimes," he said flatly. "Aiheu gave her a chance, but she refused saying she only ever fought for me. But she fought for who I once was, not for who I am. So Aiheu damned her."
"Much as one such as she deserves," Sarabi replied icily. She pinned her ears and tensed at the sudden memory of the mad lioness, but soon eased.
"Let not such petty things bother you now," Taka said with a smile. "Come, Sarabi. There is one very much eager to see you again."
Suddenly Sarabi's eyes went wide with excitement. She gasped and smiled wide. "You mean….?"
He motioned her to look beyond the knoll. "Look there. My brother waits for you."
Sarabi leapt to her feet and ran up towards the knoll. She felt no tiredness, no hint of exhaustion, no pain. All she felt was happiness, as the lion she loved came closer and closer into view. With one great leap, Sarabi fell into Mufasa's mighty paws and embraced him, weeping into his majestic auburn mane.
"Sarabi, my beloved," Mufasa whispered into her ear. "It's alright now. I'm here."
"My love, I have missed you so much," she sobbed as she held him.
"Never again will we be parted," he said raising her chin to meet his gaze. "Come now my love. Let us go into our Kingdom together. And let us watch over our son from the highest cloud, and guide him in the way that the Kings guided us."
"I will always follow," Sarabi said warmly. "Always and forever."
A:N: Wow, what a journey this has been. I cannot begin to thank all of my wonderful reviewers, who stuck with this story through thick and thin, regardless of my lousy updating. You guys are the reason I stuck with this project and never gave up on it. I have never been so proud of a story as I have been with Sarabi's "Chronicles." Sarabi was a character in the Lion King who deserved much more than the movie gave her, which was the reason I started this in the first place. So again, thank you to everyone who ever read this story whether you reviewed or not. Just the fact that you took time out of your day to sit and read my work really gives me a good feeling, because I know that there are people who appreciate what I sit and slave over. Sarabi's story is finished, but this isn't the last story you'll see authored by me, I promise! I have a few more tricks up my sleeve, so I hope you'll stick around for those! Until then see you later and remember: help control the pet population! Have your pet spayed or neutered! G'bye everybody!