Hey y'all. Got the second chapter up and running, so please read and leave me some good reviews.
Onwards my dears.
The realization that Simba was now the king of the Pride Lands was still sinking in for him. There were so many thoughts racing through his head. Could he really be a good king like Mufasa was? Would he be able to rule over everyone the way his father once did? Simba needed to calm down before he let his thoughts get the better of him. He would certainly try his best to rule just as his father did. It was going to be a case of trial and error for the most part. His lessons in ruling had barely begun when he was still a cub. So, this was all new and unfamiliar territory. But nonetheless Simba wouldn't run away anymore. Whatever the future held he would embrace it and try his upmost best to make things right no matter how tough it would be.
His eyes looked to his pride, and he couldn't help but wonder how much they had suffered under Scar. It was even a miracle that they were still alive. Simba knew that he was the key to a new future, and he wouldn't disappoint them. When he reached his pride Nala was the first to approach him. Her eyes were filled with tears of joy. "Welcome home, my King".
Simba smiled, he never imagined that he'd fall so much in love with his childhood best friend. But there she was looking so radiant even in the pouring rain, overjoyed that he was now the king. But still there was something else that needed to be done.
"Nala, I want to ask you something?"
She looked at him expectedly "What is it?"
Simba remembered from long ago how he was betrothed to Nala and now it was time to take that next step to uphold the tradition. Every king needed a queen by their side and Nala was the perfect choice for him.
"I am the king now; I will do my best to rule and keep everyone safe. But I can't do it alone. That is why I humbly ask if you would be my queen".
Nala almost hadn't heard him; did he just propose to her?! She felt her heart pick up and a huge smile spread across her face. "Yes! Yes, I'll be your queen". Nala was so happy as she nuzzled Simba, never in a million years did she think that she would marry the lion she had spent her childhood days with, but he was the same lion whom she loved so much. Neither of them was the least bit embarrassed that the whole pride could see them, but nobody seemed to mind. Everyone had a smile on their face as they watched the couple rejoice.
But not everything was as it seemed. In the darkness of a cave towards the back on Pride Rock, a hateful lioness named Zira was boiling with rage as two tiny newborn cubs squirmed by her side, sensing their mother's rage. She had overheard everything from the shadows and now her former ruler was gone. Not long-ago Zira had been the queen of the Pride Lands under Scar's rule, but now everything that she had ever known was stripped away from her in the blink of an eye. The new king of the Pride Lands was to blame for this. He was the one who had killed her beloved Scar and now what was she supposed to do? "Simba" she growled, the hatred in her heart grew colder and deeper. A tear escaped her eye, it was at that moment that Zira vowed that she would have her revenge and take back what was rightfully hers.
She led a group of lionesses out into the open carrying the newborn cubs. There was a seething hatred in her eyes. Simba's attention was on her. All eyes turned to Zira, everyone knew that she was dangerous and hot-tempered. Nobody wanted to mess with her, but Simba calmly stood his ground. If looks could kill, he'd be six feet under by now.
"You despicable beast! You have killed Scar! How dare you!".
"Scar was never the rightful king. For he had caused so much destruction and fear". Simba knew that he had to maintain his composure. He should've known that not everyone was so ecstatic that he was now the king. Zira's rage was so great that she was starting to foam at the mouth.
"I will give you a choice. You may stay and swear your loyalty to me as the new king. Or you and your family will have to leave the Pride Lands".
The rest of the pride stood their ground with Simba. Sarabi knew firsthand how bat-shit crazy Zira was and she wasn't about the let her son face down this lioness alone.
"My son is showing you mercy Zira, the choice is yours whether you choose to accept it".
"Mercy? Mercy?! After you have killed Scar?! I will never accept you as the king as long as I live". In her fit of rage Zira attacked Simba but was quickly subdued by him. Simba had her pinned down beneath keeping her from standing. "I tried to give you a chance, but you refused it. For that I hereby banish you and your family to the Outlands forever". Zira gasped "The Outlands?! We will not survive out there!". Simba still had not let her up "That is an order from the king, either you leave now, or I will have to use force". Every inch of Zira wanted nothing more to tear Simba to shreds but all she could do was growl in acceptance and gather her followers and cubs. "If I ever catch you or any of your followers in the Pride Lands the punishment will be one pound of flesh" Simba's eyes noticed a dark brown newborn cub in the jaws of one of the lionesses loyal to Scar. It looked so much like him that he couldn't help but scowl "Regardless of where it comes from. Should you refuse then I'm afraid the sentence will be death". The hatred Scar had left in his heart was still fresh and while Simba didn't realize it, he would soon come to regret his decision in the future. He watched as Zira led her followers out of the Pride Lands into the empty wasteland that was the Outlands. He knew that this wouldn't be the last time he would see her. He just hoped that he would be strong enough to deal with this new evil.
Sarabi approached him "My son, it is best that you watch your back. I've seen with my own eyes what Zira is capable of and I'm sure that she will come to get revenge on you". Simba sighed "Yes mother, I know. But she is the least of my worries right now, what matters now is that I restore the Pride Lands to what it once was".
She nuzzled her son "I am here for you. We all are. This is not your burden to bare alone, everyone will help in any way they can".
Simba appreciated his mother's words and he leaned against her. He had missed her greatly.
"Your majesty" Zazu appeared in front of him "I believe that it would be best to get some rest. I do think that you have a lot of work to do tomorrow, and you can't possibly do it while you're exhausted".
Zazu did make a few points. As of now he was the king, and he was expected to make sure that the Circle of Life was restored. There was a lot of work to be done, but all of that could wait until sunrise. As the pride settled down for a good night's sleep for the first time in years. Simba was unable to sleep. He had sat up looking at the night sky for some time, lost in his thoughts. He still remembered the days when his father was by his side. It all seemed like a distant memory now, he sighed "Father, I wish you were here. I feel so nervous and uneasy. How can I possibly lead the way you did?" He stared up at the night sky hoping to find an answer.
"Simba?" he turned to see Nala. She sat beside him "Are you alright?"
"What are you doing out here? Shouldn't you be in bed?" Nala moved closer to him resting her head on his shoulder "I was worried about you".
Simba sighed again "I guess I'm just feeling overwhelmed. My father was such a great king and he died before I had a chance to learn". It was to be expected that Simba felt that way. The fact that he was the king was still a lot to take in. But Nala knew that with time, Simba would be a wonderful king.
"I spent so many years living in fear and sorrow. Even though Scar is gone it's like he's left behind a shadow that follows me. I don't want to make the same mistakes that Scar did". "You won't. I know that you won't". Simba didn't look too convinced, and she truly felt sorry for him.
"It's ok. I know that you're feeling anxious, but that is why I'm here to help you. No matter what happens I will stay by your side. I love you Simba".
She nuzzled him and he nuzzled her back "I love you too, Nala".
In the weeks that followed Simba's coronation, slowly but surely life was returning to the Pride Lands. The shoots of new vegetation were beginning to grow, and the buds of new leaves and flowers were just starting to be visible, although it would be a while before any of the herds returned. It was a start. There were more important issues that needed to be attended for now. The king still needed his queen, and it was finally time to make it happen.
Today was a rather special day for Simba, at long last he was getting married to his beloved Nala.
Zazu had explained to them beforehand that to make their union official, a wedding would be held to solidify their bond as the true king and queen. The ceremony was to be held atop Pride Rock at sunset and everybody was all a flutter with excitement about the wedding. Especially the soon to be royal couple. Zazu and Rafiki had taken care of all the preparations and as was tradition, Simba and Nala had not been allowed to see each other for three days prior to the wedding but at long last it was time.
Timon and Pumbaa had insisted they help Simba get ready to make sure that he looked his best, the devoted meerkat and warthog had stuck with him all this time and Simba loved them both like his own family. So of course, the duo was eager to help him in any way that they could.
"Gee, Timon it is rather sad. Our little Simba is getting married. Where did that small lion cub we first met go".
"He's all grown up now. Our sweet baby is now a king and he's getting married to an awesome babe. Oh, where did the time go by".
Simba couldn't help but smile at the sight of his two best friends burst into tears of happiness. He took them into a hug "You guys, I'm always going to be your best buddy. After all I wouldn't be here now if it weren't for you two". That made Timon and Pumbaa cry harder, and Simba could only comfort them with reassuring words. They had always been a bit dramatic, but he knew that they truly were happy for him. They'd always be the best of friends no matter what.
When sunset finally came, everyone was gathered on top of Pride Rock with Simba sitting in the center. He hadn't been able to stop smiling. As a cub the idea of getting married didn't hold his interest but now all he wanted was to be with the lioness he loved more then anything for the rest of his life. He couldn't keep his eyes off Nala as she walked towards him, he could feel his heart pounding in his chest; she was so beautiful. Her blue eyes were sparkling more than usual. He still couldn't believe that after today she would be his now and forever. Once the bride and groom were seated side by side, it was Rafiki who carried out the ceremony. First, he placed crowns of flowers on top of their heads and then recited a chant that would bond them together as one. Finally, after smearing a red paste across their foreheads, it was time for them to say their vows.
"Now Simba, do you take Nala to be your queen for as long as you live".
Both lions couldn't keep their eyes off each other. It was truly a magical moment for them that they would always remember.
"I do".
"And do you Nala take Simba to be your king for as long as you live".
"Yes. I do".
The old baboon laughed in glee "Then by the power of the great kings above, it is my honor to announce you both as husband and wife. Long live the king and queen!".
There were cheers among the pride as Simba and Nala embraced each other. Timon and Pumbaa were practically bawling their eyes out and Sarabi and Sarafina couldn't be happier at the sight of their children finally married. If Mufasa was here, he would've been proud.
Simba and Nala received tons of congratulations and blessings from their pride. The pair would be expected at some point to produce cubs to continue the bloodline. But that would come later, there was no need to rush anything. Everybody was celebrating the marriage of Simba and Nala that night. Even Timon and Pumbaa had gotten wild. When everything had settled down, the couple slipped away into the night to be alone and neither of them could describe the feeling of happiness they were in.
"I can't believe that we're finally married now Nala".
She snuggled up against him "I'm so glad that I'm yours now my king".
He licked her cheek "Remember when we were cubs and how weird we thought it would be to get married".
She laughed "Oh, what kids we were back then". He laughed alongside her "But you got to admit I was pretty charming". "More like a serious troublemaker". "You followed along with everything I did". "Only because I couldn't let you go alone". Both laughed again remembering the days when they often caused trouble everywhere they went. Their childhood memories flooding back to them. Nala nuzzled her mate "I couldn't ask for a better lover. Even back then I knew that I wanted to be with you for the rest of my life". "Really?" she nodded "Back then and now". The two snuggled closer together resting their heads on top of each other. It was a beautiful night; the stars were shining like diamonds high above them in the dark sky. It was like this night was made especially for them. Nothing could ruin this moment; it was just them and their love.
"Nala?" "Yes?" Simba gave her look that could've made her heart melt "No matter what, I promise that I will always love you until the end of time. You are the only one for me, I'll protect you even if it costs me my very life. I will make you happy, I swear I will". His words were so genuine and pure that Nala burst into tears. She rubbed against her mate "Simba you've made me so happy. I love you so much". The king and queen shared a romantic night together, whispering sweet nothings to each other and drowning in each other's embrace. For just this night, everything was perfect as it was meant to be.
Isn't that darling. I love this couple.
Next chapter will be up whenever I have the time but for now we stop here.
Until next time everyone, ;P