The tale of Sarafina

“Nala? What’s wrong? Sadfi said she heard you crying.”  I said quietly as I walked into the den. Nala looked up. Four large bloody slits ran across her face.  “Scar hit me.” “He won’t ever again.” Not if he wants to see another day, anyway. Marching up to the new king with my daughter, I snarled at the king. “How dare you hurt her!” my enraged tone made all snap to attention, lionesses forming a large ring around us three. “You, my dear, are lucky I didn’t obey the old laws- the one where all cubs not mine get killed. She is-.” “Oh, shut up- I know you better than most. You won’t ever touch her to kill her- not while I’m still around. As for the old rule, did it ever occur to you that Takuma is not your own? Remember, King, he is of my body… and Kakaylan’s.  My mate sired your son, if you still can call him that. Ergo, I swear on my sister’s grave if you ever harm my daughter again- the only thing anyone will find of you is your teeth and claws.”

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Oh, the memories that lie with Mufasa and Pride rock. They haunt me and they bless me. Walking with Emzyine, Simba, and my daughter, I keep my head low, aware that I am nearing my homelands. “Mama, where are we? I don’t recognize this land.” “Of course not. You’ve never been here, this is- well, was- my pride. My dad ruled for many years after my mother’s death until his untimely death in what your father and I call ‘The Great War.’ Believe it or not, this land once was filled with one of the largest prides in Africa.”

I sighed “It has been so many years since I’ve been here, but I recall everything that ever happened.” I thrust my paw at a large den in the back of the lands. “That there is where the royals slept. We tried to stay close to the observation rock and our nursery.” I close my eyes for a second, and am transported back in time; I hear my father’s deep commanding roar, my mother’s compassionate one answering back. Roka and Clair running to me, falling over each other as more cubs join in and start to nip and pounce.  Young Kakaylan with a flower in his mouth to give to me, Emzyine practicing his roar.  Abasi sleeping over on the tilted rock, his mom sun bathing beside him.

“Sarafina, Fina, is that you?” My eyes pop open, revealing my brother, Roka, and sister-in-law, Delease, both walking towards me with a younger adult lion. “Rokaak! Brother, oh how I have missed you!”  We hug, laughing as I bend my head low to Delease. “Your Highness. Blessings.” She looked uncomfortable with my presence, but bowed as well. “You are the true highness, Queen Sarafina, youngest daughter of King Asad and Queen Ada. Blessings the same. Who are these two; Emzyine I recognize, but…?”  “Ah, yes, this is my daughter Nalara, Nala as common name. And King Simba, son to Mufasa, King of the Pridelands, is her mate.” My brother looked astonished. “The grand King Mufasa shows in you, young one- treat my niece well.” “Yes, sir. I will, sir!” I chuckle at my son-in-laws excitement. “So, how are things in the kingdom? And who is this charming young lad?” “I am Chiku, eldest son of King Rokaak and Queen Delease.” Giving him a slight nod, I turned to my brother, the king. “May I look around?” “Why, do think my father didn’t do as good a job as you would? You are nothing but a trait-”  “CHIKU! Your den, NOW! And do not let me see you out of it today. No supper until you apologize and learn to respect your elders.” His son snorted. “All I did was tell the truth. You use bad judgment to allow HER back, father. I just hope this mistake doesn’t have the same ending like your last one. Good night.”  As he ran for the den, I shook my head. “Don’t be too hard on him, brother. For I only wanted to come to show my daughter. I will leave soon.”  Roka shook his head. “Ever since his younger brothers’ death, he has been hostile.  A few weeks ago, my younger sons’ new mate killed him while the lionesses were out hunting, and Delease and I were out checking boarders. She left him barely alive. He died after he told us what happened. Chiku feels I am responsible because she was a rogue I allowed to join.” “Why, that’s ridiculous! I am very sorry for your loss.”  “What happened is behind me. My decisions are not the best, but I do try.”

But that night, when sleep didn’t come, I got up and walked the grounds. More memories blasted at me from every side. I could hear my mother’s cheer as I took my first steps, I was able to feel the tenseness of the air and see the day of my first hunt. And then I walked to the field here my life had ended.. but also just begun. The worst day of my life was also a type of blessing, for without it, the Pridelands would never had housed me. But let me begin at the beginning, on my first day in the brilliant lands I now call my home.

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As I lay panting on the cool grass, eyes closed, I could feel someone watching me. I had collapsed late night, weak from the running and from my breaking heart. “Saaaaraabiiii, where are yooou?”   Oh, why doesn’t that lion shut up!  I thought to myself, and then I heard a somewhat angry voice saying softly. “I’m right here Mufasa. Be quiet- this girl’s in bad shape.”  Thankfully, there was quiet. I then heard the soft, gentle padding of footsteps, and I could tell from the thumping of the ground as the animal walked that it was a male, large body, and most likely a heavy mane, in his late teens, and from his smell he was friendly and would do no harm to me.

 “The hunting party” I heard the female murmur. “Go get them, so that they may carry this lioness into the den.”

By this point I know I have to do something, so as fast as my body will allow, I stand up, or at least try, anyway. Thud I land painfully again.   “Keep still, help is on the way.”  The lioness assured me quietly.

It wasn’t long before quite a few lionesses began to show with a large antelope, as well as what was obviously the rulers of the pride; a neon yellow one with a dark red mane and what appeared to be his mate, a dark brown female, and beside them walked a carbon copy of the female, but a few shades lighter, and male with a pretty jet black mane. As they gathered round, I knew what was expected of me, so I sat up as best I could after a few attempts, and waited quietly.

They stood staring at me, and I dipped my head in embarrassment as the brown female asked quietly.  “Aren’t you hungry, child? This is for you.”   “I… I was taught that the king eats first, no matter when your last meal was.  We lost many a lioness that did not abide by that law. My father made me promise I would follow that rule wherever I went.” The lioness nodded. “Ahadi…” she said softy.

Her Ahadi looked angry. “No, Uhru.  And… and YOU…How dare you? This is a gift, and you have the nerve to refuse it?”

His words startled me into nearly backing up in fear, but I remembered that I was Sarafina; High Queen of the forests of Agra, youngest daughter to King Asad and Queen Ada.

 Very softly I began my apology. “My King, I beg of your forgiveness. I realize this is a gift, a sacrifice on your part. But, you see, my entire kingdom has passed on, murdered by a few rouges. I… I would accept this, but for the fact that the last words I heard my father say was to abide by his rules. I... I cannot break that, not now.”

I lowered my head, and Uhru gave a snarl to him.  “You cannot be so cruel. If you will not abide upon her small plead, the future king will. Mufasa…” Quickly he bit into it, and then turned it to me. Good enough I thought. After I ate the entire antelope I bowed my head in thanks to the Queen and her son.

“You… you are the future queen?” I said as I looked from Mufasa to Sarabi. “How did you know?” Sarabi said, startled. I couldn’t help but smile. “My… my father was able to look at an entire pride and know each lion and lioness’ rank. I have the same ability." “Oh, GREAT, there goes my chance.” The dark- brown lion muttered.  “Shush, Takari.” Sarabi growled. I looked at him sharply. “I don’t know what you are implying, but I can assure you that rank does not matter to me, as my mate is… was… an omega.” I