Sarabi opened her mouth but quickly shut it as she couldn't respond. The rich brown lion looked at her in concern but waited until she could reply. It was rude to stare and he knew it but before he could speak, Sarabi began to reply.

"I'm fine, sir. But why did you attack that leopard? He wasn't doing anything." Sarabi said in confusion and the lion sighed.

The rich brown lion shifted on his creamy paws as he looked at her. "He was going to attack you. I saw him in the fighting postion. He was going to make you his lunch. Couldn't have that now, could I?"

Sarabi flushed as she realized he had saved her from certain death. "You have my thanks for your bravery, sir. May I ask your name?"

"Only if I can have yours." the lion charmingly smiled.

Sarabi smiled as she giggled. This lion was certainly interesting. It turns out the lion's name was Scar and that was an unusual name but he said it was a nickname due to his scar across his left eye, which he explained he got from saving a childhood friend. Sarabi gave her own name and invited him to join her on her walk, which he didn't deny.

The King and Queen could wait if it meant he got to know her better.

*TP & TR*

"I see." Scar mumbled as they sat down at the Falls. Sarabi had just finished saying how she was to be married to Prince Mufasa but expressed how she only saw him as a brother. To Scar, it was painful to see the beauitful lioness in such a fate.

"I have no idea what to do." Sarabi replied with a sad tone.

Scar sighed as he gave her a friendly nuzzle.

"Why don't you just tell him and their majesties straight up that you don't wish to marry him?"

Sarabi winced at the idea and shook her head. Scar arched an eyebrow at the way she looked, but Sarabi just gulped as she lowered her head to the ground. Her eyes closing tightly as she fought back tears and Scar felt his heart aching.

"He loves me."

Scar frowned at her but wasn't angry at her. He was just confused. "But you don't."

"They can't just cancel it now! The wedding is in three months."

Scar sighed. "But you don't love him, Sarabi! You can't just marry him to please the royals! What about your future? Your future matters just as much as his does! This cannot be all about him!"

Sarabi winced at the tone in his voice but heard honesty. This rogue was right about it. She couldn't just do whatever was expected of her just to please her majesties. What about what she wanted? What about her future that she had wanted? Long ago, she decided she'd find her own mate, find a male that made her happy and be with him.

It just wasn't Mufasa.

There was no way she could be with a lion she thought of as a brother! A lion she didn't love. A lion whom his parents decided they would be married.

"You're right. But I can't end it now."

Scar held back an angry growl as his tail flicked. "But you can!"

"No, Scar, I can't. I have to deal with this. If I say no to Mufasa, who knows what will happen? I know Mufasa isn't violent, but he has a short temper like his father."

Scar arched an eyebrow as he remembered what his new friends said. "I have heard Mufasa was a troublemaker when he was a cub. Is this true?"

Sarabi laughed as she looked at the older lion. "Yes. He was always getting into trouble. Dragging me and Sarafina along. But we had good laughs." she smiled before frowning. "Times were simpler back then."

The rich brown lion smiled at how she seemed happy and felt horrible for her when he heard how she said the next few words of that sentence. He wished she could be free. She didn't deserve a life where she couldn't decide a thing for herself.

He hoped she could tell the rulers she didn't wish to marry their son.

*TP & TR*

"Sarabi!"

The beige lioness turned to see Mufasa coming towards her with a smile. "Hello, Mufasa. I'd told you I'd be fine, didn't I?"

The golden lion smiled. His love never ceased to amaze him. "I'm sorry, but I get worried. Accidents can happen and I just want you to be safe."

Sarabi laughed at his worries. "Aren't you the gentlelion? Queen Uru and King Ahadi did a fine job raising you."

Mufasa chuckled as he gave her a nuzzle and Sarabi fought the urge to move away. "My parents just got back from their walk a few minutes ago. I'm sure mother is looking forward to sharing hunting lessons with you. Even queenly lessons."

Sarabi gulped as she moved with him towards Pride Rock. "I am as well."

Mufasa grinned. "I was maybe hoping... that we could watch the sunset tonight?"

Sarabi smiled as she looked at Mufasa. "Very well." she agreed, maybe she could tell him tonight then.

"Great!" Mufasa purred happily as he nuzzled her lovingly. "I can't wait. I'll see you later, father wishes to teach me some more."

Sarabi watched as he padded off towards his father and failed to notice Sarafina coming towards her. Her mind was on Scar and what he told her. If she wanted to escape this future, then she'd have to tell Mufasa and his family that she didn't want to marry the Prince. But she had to do so.

It was for the Prideland's future.

"Sarabi?" Sarafina's sudden voice almost made Sarabi jump. "Sorry for scaring you!" she laughed as she stood next to her best friend.

Sarabi gave Sarafina a smile. "What did you need?"

"You looked like you needed saving." Sarafina commented. "But it looks like you saved yourself."

"All I did was agree to watch the sunset with him."

Sarafina sighed as they headed up the rocky steps. This wouldn't end well.