Princess Zaidi was unpleased with the situation she was currently in. But se also knew moving to the Pridelands is the best way to gain a higher status then her current one if she stayed at Avaloria.
The pale tan lioness was the last born to King Ojore and Queen Zuwena. She had three older brothers in line for the throne, and her father was one of those idealist that believed females shouldn't be the sole ruler, only a subordinate.
Now she was travelling with a her daughter to the Pridelands to reestablish the alliance with them by betrothing her daughter to the Pridelands future king.
The pale tan lioness walking ahead looked over her shoulder with stern hazel eyes. "Olisa, move quickly. We don't need to be out here when a sand storm begins."
A creamy tan cub nodded before walking a bit quicker. It wasn't going to do none of them good, travelling through the desert longer than necessary. The pale tan lioness frowned before getting into step with her daughter.
The journey through the desert was hot and horrible. The burning sand scorched their already worned paws. After awhile Olisa stopped with a heavy breath.
"Mama! My paws hurt!" the creamy tan cub voice her complaint with her ears against her head.
Olisa was more than aware why her mother and her was moving to another kingdom. It was for a better future for the both of them. Just the cub didn't think that they would have to cross the desert. It's so hot! And dry! They have been walking through this land of endless sand for most of the day and every step they took feels like it's going to be the last one!
Their paws ache from the brutal temperature of the scorching ground beneath them and the creamy tan cub could almost hear her saliva sizzle as soon as it escapes from her mouth and hits the sandy ground.
Young Olisa sighed, she could hear her mother now saying, 'How unladylike!'
Zaidi looked at her daughter before sighing. She couldn't stop so she picked up her daughter and continued forward. After what felt like forever Olisa's mother relaxed a bit after feeling the cracked stones turn into soft grass. But before she could rest a loud roar caused the pale tan lioness' ears to perk before she place her cub on the ground just as three lions appeared with a light blue hornbill flying above.
"You must be the royals from Avaloria! We have been expecting you and the princess." the tawny, dark brown mane lion dipped his head in a respectful and regal greeting.
Zaidi dipped her head in return."Yes, I'm Zaidi and this is Princess Olisa." the pale tan lioness nudged her daughter forward. "Can we continue later, we're exhausted."
"Of course, princess." the tawny lion smiled. "Before we head on introductions are in order. I am Prince-Consort Mheetu and these two are my brother-in-law and his cousin, Prince Sãhasí and Malka. We welcome y and your daughter to the Pridelands."
~TLK~
"Catch me if you can!'' a cheerful voice said.
''Oh I can, Alastair! Just you wait!'' a slightly younger voice exclaimed excitedly.
During the time that has passed the cub that Sarabi adopted and Princess Nala were best friends.
Young Alastair had crazier ideas and was more of a daredevil than anything, Nala was also pretty daring, but always followed her parents' rules to avoid being in a situation with the Chumvi that one day.
The pale beige cub jumped over a log while throwing up a baobab fruit from his pale muzzle, which Nala caught with her muzzle, then ran ahead of the older cub who half leapt off of a tree trunk and ran pass the light beige cub but not before he snatches the baobab fruit out of Nala's 's mouth and kicked it over her head,causing a giraffe to duck from the baobab fruit coming at it.
''WHOA!'' Nala yelled, before both she and Alistair ran after the baobab fruit that was flying towards priderock.
As Nala and Alistair ran after the baobab fruit, the princess spotted two familiar female cubs, Kopa and Akua.
''Hi Kopa, hi Akua!'' Nala shouted as she passed the two older cubs.
''...she's so weird.'' the pale white cub groaned.
Kopa rolled her pale blue eyes before they walked away towards the training area.
At Priderock
"Everything the light touches is a part of our kingdom. The Pridelands. Ruling it is a big responsibility, Jashua and some day when you're king-'' Eshe started, but both her and Jashua stopped as they heard Nala's voice.
''Headaup! Incoming!'' Nala yelled as the baobab fruit hit her mother on the head.
''Nala!'' Jashua glared as the young princeess ran in front of him and their mother.
''Oh! S-Sorry mom..me and Alistair were playing baobab ball-'' Nala started, but was interrupted by Alistair.
''And the princess couldn't handle the pass!'' the pale beige cub finished causing Nala to glare.
''What!? A giraffe couldn't handle it! You kicked it over my head!'' Nala narrowed her teal eyes as she bend low and pushed Alistair with her colorless paw.
''Nala!'' Eshe scolded as Alistair threw the baobab fruit over the princess head and caught it.
''And you couldn't handle it.'' Alistair said with a smile after tucking the fruit under his paw.
''Oh yeah? Try to handle this!'' Nala playfully growled as she pounced on Alistair causing them have a tug of war with the baobab ball.
''Alright!'' Eshe shouted, causing Nala to let go of the fruit, ''Nala, sweetie...I need to talk to your brother. He'll be tracking gazelles with Askari today.''
''Because I'm training to be-'' Jashua started.
''King of the pridelands, yeah yeah, I know all about it Jashua!'' Nala rolled her eyes in slight annoyance.
''At least I have my life figured out.'' Jashua scoffed, ''What are you gonna grow up to be, little sister?''
''Happy?'' Nala replied with a cheeky smile.
''Alright you two, that's enough.'' Eshe started as she moved in between the cubs before looking at her daughter,''Nala, how about you and Alistair take your game somewhere else?''
''Good idea mom! Let's go, Alistair!'' Nala smiled before she ran off with Alistair following the princess.
Jashua shook his head before looking up at his mother. "Sometimes I can't believe we're related."
Eshe sighed deeply. "Your sister will understand one day...I hope."
...
Nala and Alistair raced through the Pridelands passing the baobab fruit back and forth unfortunately before the fruit went over a cliff that leads into the Outlands.
"Awe. There goes our game." Nala sighed before turning to head back home.
"Come on Nala! What could happen?"
Before she could stop him, Alistair leapt down the piles of rocks before running over to the fruit.
Nala gasped when she saw that her friend wasn't alone. "Alistair, look out!"
Before he could do anything or respond he found himself being picked up just before coming face to face with some hyenas that appeared laughing.
"Looks like Janja will pleased!"
"H-hey! Let him go!"
The hyena laughed as he looked up at the princess. "Why don't you come down here and make us!" when Nala didn't move the hyenas laughed before they turned to the pale beige cub with hunger filled black eyes. "I'm starving!"
"No!" something in Nala snapped. Her eyes began to shine like the stars. "Let him go!"
She roared which sent the hyenas tumbling back. When Sherise stopped roaring she looked around before taking a deep breath. "Hevi kabisa! What was that?"