Always

She'd lived through hell, or a version of it anyways. Between the death of her husband, the alleged death of her son and Scar's reign Sarabi had a sort of fearlessness one didn't dare mess with. She had stuck around during Scar's reign not because it was hard to get past the hyenas alive, but because she felt she had to as queen to lead her pride through the tyrants rule. She may not have been queen officially at that time but she would always be a queen in her pride's mind. Her very presence screamed of her nobility and she'd earned all their respects.

Now Scar's reign was finally over and Simba had returned as the rightful king. A mother's pride could barely begin to reveal what Sarabi felt whenever she looked at him.

He was his father's son in looks that much was certain. He also wanted to be his father in actions as well and no one was a stranger to the fact.

Sarabi smiled watching Simba and Nala nuzzling nearby. The two were young and in love and made her remember her own love affair with Simba's father. She still missed him.

She watched Simba and Nala part ways as her son came to join her.

"Hi mom," he greeted with a quick nuzzle of her own.

"Simba," she smiled . There had been many years where she never thought she would see him again. Too many.

"Can you believe I'm going to be a dad?" Simba exclaimed. This was all the news in the pride at this particular time. Nala's pregnancy brought a sense of hope that things could return to normalcy after everything Scar had put them through .

Sarabi smiled. Simba wasn't yet a dad, but somehow fatherhood looked good on him.

"Mom, can I tell you something?' he asked.

"Anything."

"And it'll stay between us?"

The queen smiled. "Of course."

"I'm excited, but," Simba admitted, "I'm petrified."

Sarabi wanted to laugh but she knew better. That wasn't what he needed.

Simba continued . "I just think back to all the dangers Nala and I put ourselves in and with the outsiders now… how can I possibly keep this cub safe. And I don't know how to be a dad. I only ever had a dad for a few years. And then I deserted everything he ever taught me to go be a fool. Til I got some sense knocked into me and came back."

Sarabi looked at her son with a look in her eye that only a loving mother can give. One that screamed I have faith in you without any words needing to be present. It was a look that quieted Simba. It was a look that always had.

"You'll be fine," Sarabi laughed.

Simba sighed. "Do you believe dad watches over us mom?"

"Yes," she replied without a second of doubt. "I believe he always watches over us. And someday we'll join him."

Simba sighed once more and Sarabi noticed a small tear in his eye. "Do you think he knows I'm sorry?"

She nodded knowing exactly what the young lion meant. Sorry for abandoning his pride. Sorry for taking so long to come back.

"Yes," she solemnly replied. "I believe he knows." The queen sighed. She chose her words slowly but surely. "Simba, you need to stop beating yourself up for your past choices. They're done. They're in the past. It's time to let it go. Forgive yourself."

Simba sighed more heavily this time, but said nothing.

Sarabi's motherly instinct took over as words she didn't know she had came out. "He's forgiven you."

Simba looked puzzledly at his mother. Of course they both knew the "he" she was referring to was none other than Mufasa. "How do you know that?" he asked.

"Because I know your father."

Simba paused clearly contemplating something though what exactly Sarabi wasn't sure.

"Can I tell you something I've never told anyone?" He asked, "Even Nala"

Sarabi nodded silently.

Silence passed between the two of them for a moment. Sarabi said nothing. She simply waited.

"I didn't just come back because I decided it was time or because of Nala or because it was the right thing to do or because Rafiki talked some sense into me although he did in a way but that wasn't it."

Sarabi nodded for him to continue.

"I know it sounds crazy," Simba continued, "but I saw dad."

At this Sarabi's face twisted . "You saw your father."

"Yes. He came to me."

"In a dream?" She questioned.

Simba shook his head. "No, he came to me from the clouds . Rafiki led me to a magic watering hole and dad came down and spoke to me ."

Sarabi stood silent for a moment .

Simba frowned. "You don't believe me do you?"

Sarabi's eyes met his own. "I do."

Simba smiled. "I knew you'd understand. The great kings of the past watch over us and sometimes when we're lucky they speak to us."

Sarabi smiled at her son. "What did he say to you?"

Simba's own smile turned to a frown once more. He looked towards the ground, unable to meet his mother's gaze.

Simba sighed. "He said I'd forgotten him."

Sarabi nodded. For a mere moment she closed her eyes and then opened them again. "And you had."

"I never forgot him," Simba replied, "But I did forget who he wanted me to be."

Sarabi blinked away a couple tears.

Simba looked at his mother again. "But I'm back now. I'm here and I'm trying to follow in his pawprints as best as I can."

She nodded. "You are back. And you are trying. Now the question still remains can you forgive yourself for leaving, taking so long to return and forgetting your father?"

Simba looked his mother directly in the eye this time. "Can you forgive me? By staying away I hurt you too and I know it, mom"

Sarabi smiled for a moment then returned to her solace expression . "Son, as your mother I've already forgiven you, the instant you returned."

Simba smiled and quickly nuzzled his mother. At first she was taken a bit off guard by the nuzzle but Sarabi quickly returned it.

Breaking the nuzzle Sarabi looked her son directly in the eyes once more. "Now forgive yourself."

Simba nodded. He'd have to work on that one still. It wasn't something that could just happen.

"Your dad loves you," Sarabi continued, "Enough to come back to this world to speak to you. Always remember that."

Simba grinned.

Sarabi pulled her son into a nuzzle once more "And so do I. Always."

Simba smiled.

"Forgive yourself, my son," she repeated.

Simba paused and then nodded. He knew she was right. He had to let go of his past mistakes. It was time he stopped beating himself up for them.

Simba smiled. "I love you, mom." It was something he hadn't been able to say for years. He would always cherish his ability to say those four words.

"Always," he continued.

The two nuzzled once more.

"Always," Sarabi repeated.

They may have spent years apart, but their bond of mother and son would always remain. Always.