Sherise blinked her purple eyes open for her to snap them shut when the sunlight hit them. When Sherise felt that she could open her eyes again, she was confused by the walls that surrounded her. The feeling of something stirring next to her caused her to jump away from her spot just in time to see a pair of familiar greyish eyes.

"Delina!" Sherise cried out before running over to the dark tan lioness and buried her head into her friend's pale chest.

Delina purred before nuzzling the brownish lioness. "I'm glad you are alright."

Sherise smiled before nodding. But that smile soon faded. "What happened?"

Delina took a deep breath before releasing. "The prince rescued you. You actually have a audience with King Simba."

Sherise tilted her head in confusion. "King Simba?"

Delina nodded. "The king of the Pridelands or well as of later today, King-Father. His daughter is becoming queen at noon and after the coronation you'll speak with the new queen and the King-Father."

Sherise took a moment to register everything before her ears perked at a loud roar. The sound of paws approaching caused the former Northwinders to look towards the den entrance to see a creamy brown pelted lioness standing there with her head lowered.

"Pardon my interruption. My name is Ramona, his majesty asked me to get you for the coronation."

Delina dipped her head. "Thank you, Ramona." she turned to Sherise and nudged her friend's head with a purr. "Come on, Sherise."

Sherise took a deep breath before releasing. With a small smile, she stood and followed her friend out of the den to a area where a lot of lions and lionesses were gathered. Underneath was the largest number of animals in one place she ever seen.

The mandrill standing ahead raised his paws before he began shouting to the crowd."We're gathered here for the crowning of the new queen and her consort!"

The animals cheered as the pride roared. Simba roared softly to silence them all before walking to where the mandrill was standing. With a deep breath, he let loose a mighty roar.

A beautiful gold pelted lioness stepped up with a dark brown pelted, darker brown mane lion. She roared first, followed by her mate. Together they roared as the newest rulers of the Pridelands.

-TLKTLKTLKTLK-

Queen Kiara smiled at her subjects that cheered below the kopje where she stood with her newly mate. She couldn't wait to give birth to their cubs and build a future together. But then she remembered her first duty as official queen was to handle the situation that showed up a few days ago.

After nuzzling her mate, the gold lioness turned and nodded to her father before heading to the Lion Guard Lair. Not long after entering, her father and mother followed along with the runaway Northwind queen. After settling, the new queen turned to address the bit older lioness.

"I'm aware of the situation that you unfortunately found yourself in. The Pridelands before I was born has had it's share of a tyrant ruler."

Honestly, Sherise didn't want to think about it. Her concern was about her mother and brother. Sherise took a deep breath before releasing. "I'll do whatever I can to ensure the safety of myself and fellow Northwinders. But I am also asking sanctuary for my mother and brother. I can't live a decent life knowing that they're still with that psychopath."

Kiara shared a look with her parents before turning back to the brownish lioness. "I understand your concerns but I'm afraid that I won't be able to send help right away."

Sherise's purple eyes widen as tears began to fall. "So it's hopeless? They're stuck there?"

Kiara pinned her dark brown rimmed ears against her head. "I'm not saying never... just until I can find someone to send for the rescue. I'm limited with the Royal Guard and my brother..." Kiara stopped as she thought about her brother and his guard. "Give me some time. At least until we both have our cubs, all this is not good for either of us."

Sherise wanted to protest, why should she be concerned about the cubs she is expecting? But in the end she doesn't want anything to happen to them no matter if their father is Nakul. And as hopeful as she is for a successful rescue, the outcome may not be pretty and she has Draco and Delina's cubs to think about as well.

"In the meantime I think it's best for us to betrothal our cubs to secure the cubs and your safety." Simba put in, gaining the attention of the three lionesses.

"Betrothed?" the Queen-Mother asked with wide teal eyes. "Simba, are you serious? There hasn't been a betrothal since, well.. us."

Kiara looked down at that. It was important and tradition to betrothed the heir to another to stable the connections and bloodlines. But she fell in love with Kovu and her original betrothal with Prince Afua was nulled.

"As I want my children to find happiness on their own as I did, we'll discuss this more after our cubs are born as well." the Pridelands queen wrapped her tail around her pale colored paws. "In the meantime however, are you familiar with councils?"

Sherise nodded as she remembered that Northwind's council but that council was most likely very different than the Pridelands or any other kingdom.

"As the new queen, I'm to assemble a new council. It happens every time a new ruler takes the throne. So I ask you, would you like to be my advisor as well as have the head spot on my council?"

Sherise couldn't believe the queen's offer. But then, the job was best for her as her knowledge and status would be a big help. Bowing her head low, "I'll be honored to assist you, my queen."