-"The Prayer"-
Night hung over the Pride Lands. In previous eras, the animals would be able to look up and admire the stars, but now the dark clouds blocked them out, casting a dark shadow over the kingdom. Scar stood on the balcony of Pride Rock, looking over the land. Roy came up behind his uncle, asking, "Do you think she'll accept Uncle?"
Not turning around, Scar replied, "I certainly hope so."
"She would be very lucky to have you as her husband," Roy said with certainty, "Especially after she committed such a treasonous act."
Scar nodded, though as he looked out on his kingdom, he felt strong doubt at this.
At the lionesses' encampment, Zelda was talking to her mother, saying, "Mother, I don't know what I can do."
"But you can't possibly do this!" Her mother insisted, "You'll be a prisoner, a hostage. If you marry him against your own will, you'll never be happy."
"Maybe this way I can at least do some good," Zelda said, though her voice made it clear she didn't believe this herself. Her mother sighed and said, "I know you think there are only two options, but there may be a third: Exile."
"Exile?" Zelda puzzled, "Scar would never allow me to leave."
"But it's the dead of the night," Her mother said, "If you leave, tonight, right now, you may make it."
"But where would I go?" Zelda said, finding it hard to believe they were even having this discussion. Her mother replied, "Go south. There are other lands there. Maybe you could even find help for us."
Zelda nodded, taking it all in. She couldn't imagine ever leaving home, but that sounded like the best option right now. Besides, maybe her mother was right, perhaps she could find help. After a moment, Zelda looked up at her mother, saying, "Okay, I'll go."
With that, they went over to their supplies. Zelda grabbed her sword, putting it at her side. Her mother gave her a canteen saying, "This should last you a few days."
Zelda nodded, saying, "Hopefully after that I can find water for myself."
Her mother looked her daughter up and down, prepared to go out on her own. Tearing up, she pulled the young woman in for a tight hug, saying, "Be safe, my child."
"I will, mom," Zelda promised, her voice cracking with emotion. Mother and daughter looked at each other, crying as they said their goodbye. They shared one last embrace before pulling apart, Zelda's mother saying, "Now go. Run, and don't look back."
Zelda nodded, turning away and started running as fast as she could. As she sprinted across the plains, she could think only one thing: don't look back, don't look back. Whatever you do don't look back. Because she knew if she did, she'd never escape this place.
As her mother watched the woman go, she began to sing towards the sky, to the hidden stars, "I pray you'll be my eyes, and watch her where she goes. And help her to be wise, help me to let go. Every mother's prayer, every child knows.
"Lead her to a place, guide her with your grace, to a place where she'll be safe. I pray she finds your light, and holds it in her heart. As darkness falls each night, remind her where you are.
"Every mother's prayer, every child knows. Need to find a place, guide her to a place. Give her faith so she'll be safe. Lead her to a place guide her with your grace to a place where she'll be safe."
She then broke down in tears, falling to her knees sobbing as her daughter disappeared into the night.