take us in

As we escape the disorder.”

Together the pair raced out of the water up onto the grassland. Through the grass they ran until they reached the hill above the river.

“This magnificent land

That we call home

This is our destiny.”

Leaving the hill Scar and Zira ran side by side through the Pridelands matching the others pace they ran as equals.

“We’ll chase the setting sun

As we outrun

A life of agony

Great Kings how we ache to be

WE WILL MAKE OUR WAY,”2 Scar sang as the pair rang.

Reaching the plateau above the gorge, Scar led Zira the section of rocks under which the hyenas had hidden, rocks that looked like a small Pride Rock. Unknown too many there was a small cave in the rock just large enough for two lions to lay in comfortably.

“I used to come here as a cub, there is a fact you need to know about the past,” Scar said as they lay down in the cave.

“I will not judge you on past actions,” Zira replied nuzzling him.

“I killed Mufasa and Simba to become king,” Scar said explaining everything from his cub hood up until the moment of Mufasa's death.

“You did what you had to in order to claim your rights. You should have been king from the beginning. I understand your motivations perfectly,” Zira once the tale had finished.

“I had a feeling you would do my Queen.”

Smiling the pair kissed, looking at each other with utter adoration. At last two lost souls had found one another.

Dawn’s light woke the pair the following morning, rolling over they gazed at one another, memories of the night before surfacing. For a moment they lay side by side enjoying the hazy morning sun, the warmth just creeping into their fur. Leaving the cave they walked proudly side by side through the savannah grassland which sparkled with early morning dew. Arriving home they were greeted by a slightly concerned pride along with Zazu and Rafiki.

“Zazu summon my subjects, I wish to marry Zira and have her formally crowned my queen.”

The pride were taken aback by the announcement, all rendered speechless by the fact Scar and Zira had managed to hide their relationship from them. Though a king's choice was his own it was common practice for a king discuss his choice of queen with those he trusted.

“Yes Sire, when do you wish the ceremony to take place?” Zaza asked recovering.

“Today at sunset.”

“Of course Sire,” Zazu replied taking off into the morning air.

“Rafiki you will perform the ceremony I trust you remember it?”

“I never forget a ceremony once I have learned it,” the old baboon replied bowing.

As the sunset over the Pride Lands the animals assembled at the base of Pride Rock. Above them Scar and Zira stood side by side. Standing in front of them Rafiki performed the marriage ceremony; place a string of flowers around each of them as the ceremony ended.

“All assembled bear witness to the marriage of Scar and Zira. Through right of marriage to the reigning king I declare Zira Queen of the Pride Lands,” Rafiki announced.

Together Scar and Zira walked to the edge of the rock, one by one the assembled animals bowed to their king and queen. In unity Scar and Zira roared their voices filled with utter joy. At last they had a happy ending of their own.

Seasons turned, herds and flocks migrated, and the second anniversary of Mufasa and Simba’s death came and went with the day marked as day of mourning throughout the kingdom. The lionesses adjusted to Zira’s change in status and to everyone’s surprise Sarabi provided assistance in the early days. New and former queen seemed to reach an unspoken understanding, both respecting the other despite their contrasting personalities. Several rouge males were spotted on the edge of the kingdom bringing concern to Scar’s mind and excitement and interest to the lionesses. Some were seen off sharply while others were welcomed for a while at least as they brought news of events in other kingdoms. One male made quite an impression on Aina and the pair would frequently slip away. As with all males he was forced out after a set period of time.

Standing on the top of Pride Rock, Scar watched the golden set over his kingdom as the wind gently ruffling his mane. Seeing him standing there Zira nervously walked over to join him. Seeing her Scar nuzzled her gently, surprised when she pulled away.

“Scar there is something I have to tell you…..”

“Zira is something wrong?” Scar asked with concern. “If something has happen please tell me, I would never hurt you.”

“I’m expecting our cub,” she whispered softly smiling at Scar.

A look of amazement covered Scar’s face as he made sense of the information. Before Zira could say another word Scar affectionately licked Zira, a booming purr resonating from his chest.

“Wonderful, words cannot describe what I feel,” Scar said affectionately.

“An heir for you, a cub, something I never imagined I would have.”

“You can have anything you want my queen.”

The following day the pair announced their news to the pride and to the kingdom to the surprise and delight of all. Standing at the back of the pride fear shivered down the spines of Sarafina, Sarabi and Nala. Gathering together out at the waterhole the trio discussed the news with Rafiki.

“Rafiki how will a cub affect the kingdom?” Sarabi asked nervously. “Any cub would be raised to be like his parents.”

“Do not act to quickly Sarabi, wait until the cub is born first,” Rafiki replied wisely.

“How can we not think like that? We all know what Scar is like! Zira is little better, she had a worse upbringing! How can anything positive?” Sarabi snapped.

“Sarabi you dwell too much on Scar’s personality, he has proved a careful and fine ruler so far, regardless of the hyenas. Remember Taka, if lessons are learned then perhaps history will not be repeated. Nothing will replace Simba or Mufasa but neither of you can hate Scar for an accident. Scar may not be the king Mufasa was but he is rightful king.”

“I think a cub would make Scar and Zira happy.” Nala chipped in, her eyes shining with innocence. “They love each other so they will love their cub.”

“You are correct Nala, a cub could change their lives for the better,” Rafiki replied smiling kindly.

Rafiki’s words appeared to prove true, Scar became increasingly protective of Zira, insisting she was accompanied when she went out by a lioness or more often Scar himself went with her. Having never experienced love or protection before Zira found his actions endearing.

Lying next to the river watching the sunset a few weeks later Scar tenderly licked Zira whose head was resting on his shoulder. Looking up at him Zira smiled, placing a paw over his.

“Zira are you alright? You have been quite for a while.”

“I am enjoying the peace of just being with you, enjoying a beautiful view,” Zira sighted softly. “There is something wonderful about the peace here.”

“This place becomes something more at night, the river takes on a life of magic at sunrise and sunset. I am looking forward to bringing our son or daughter here,” Scar replied tenderly placing a paw on Zira’s stomach, his eyes widening with surprise as he felt a kick beneath his paw.

“So do I,” Zira replied smiling as she felt their cub move. “You will make a wonderful father. I wonder what he or she will be like?”

“Our daughter would powerful, sly, intelligent with her mother’s beauty and heart. A son….”

“Terribly cunning and handsome with his father’s softer side and of course a mighty protector of those he loves. Just like you Scar, you have a heart you hide from the word most of the time yet recently you have let others see that side.”

“I cannot hide how I feel about you, for you I would do anything, giving you anything your heart desired.”

“You already have. All I ever wanted was to be loved, you have shown me love beyond my wildest dreams.”

“You have shown me how to love, before you I never truly understood what love truly meant.”

Laying side by Scar and Zira watched the sun set over their kingdom, their hearts united by a love, utterly at peace with the world.

Time of Love

The sun rose in the African eye, in the first rays of dawn’s light animals began to move across the savannah. Birds flew above the mammals while the smallest hitched a ride on their larger counterparts. Vast herds ran together, young cheetahs raced each other and hyenas chattered as they walked. From the farthest corners of the kingdom the animals gathered at the base of Pride Rock.

Standing above them on the rock’s edge was King Scar, his black mane blowing the breeze. Turning around he walked into the cave, passing Rafiki who stood to at the cave's entrance. In acknowledgement Scar nodded, leading him into the cave. In the centre lay Queen Zira, her eyes fixed on the small cub between her paws. The cub was female, with Zira’s colouring on her body, though where most lionesses had lighter fur she had black. In appearance she looked more like Zira yet she had the bright emerald eyes of her father.

“She is so beautiful Zira, just like you,” Scar whispered nuzzling Zira.

“With your handsome eyes,” Zira replied as Rafiki marked the cub’s forehead.

Gently