A time of Transition

Passing Judgement

Two days had passed since Simba had defeat Scar and claimed his kingdom. Scar, Zira and many of their supporters had survived the battle and now waited under guard in a cave to the side of Pride Rock. Due to her pregnancy Zira had not fought in the battle but had remained in a cave guarded by hyenas. Though miraculously surviving his fall, Scar had suffered three broken bones and a host of sever cuts, in truth the battle had nearly killed him. Tensions ran high through the group as all feared Simba's retribution for past crimes.

On the top of Pride Rock Simba sat with Sarabi, Sarafina, Rafiki, Zazu and Nala, discussing how to deal with Scar and his supporters and the remaining hyenas. While many hyenas had died a great number remained, enough to pose a very real threat in the future. Now that the smoke had cleared a decision had to made about the futures of both groups. Sarabi argued for the immediate death of Scar followed by Zira and their cub once it had been born. Sarafina also argued for the immediate death of Scar but suggested that Zira and the cub could live among the pride. Zazu was firmly for allowing the unborn cub to live and raising the pride, utterly unaware of it's true parentage. The arguments battled back and forth, Simba seeing the wisdom in each one.

“I will not kill Scar or his cub,” Simba said finally. “I know what Scar did but I cannot commit murder.”

“Simba, he killed your father,” Sarabi snarled, the marks of Scar's paw visible on her face.

“Your mother is right,” Sarafina snapped glaring at Simba. “If that cub is allowed to live it will threaten everything you hope to build.”

“I cannot punish an innocent cub for his crimes. If I did then I could be little better then him!”

“Rafiki what do you think?” Nala asked, turning to the wise baboon.

“Either choice could prove for good or ill. Scar is weakened by battle so will not have the strength to defeat Simba. The future of the cub is unclear, if raised by it's parents it could prove a future adversary. On the other side of raised by us then the danger could be even greater if it later discovered we killed it's parents.”

“I understand what has to be done,” Simba replied looking across the land. “I will banish Scar and his supporters to the Outlands. Mother if I kill them then the cycle of hatred will begin again. Perhaps by showing mercy Scar will be able able let go of his hatred.”

“You have your father's wisdom my son,” Sarabi replied proudly, nuzzling him.

“You have seen the truth of things young king. Cubs do not always follow the paths their parents lay down for them. If given the chance what blooms after fire can be better than the generation before,” Rafiki replied ruffling Simba's mane.

“Moving on if we may Sire, the hyenas?” Zazu asked shuddering.

“Banishment. They were given a second chance by my grandfather. They will be shown to the borders on pain of death if they return, no mercy. The Elephant's Graveyard will be annexed to the Pride Lands,” Simba replied without hesitation.

With the ending of the discussions group went their separate ways. In silence Simba and Nala walked to the cave where Scar and his supporters were being held. In Simba's mind lay questions that had silently haunted him since the day of his father's death. Against his friends’ s advise Simba had decided to speak to his uncle as the questions could only be answered by the former king. Arriving at the cave they found the captive lions drinking from a small pool. The moment Scar saw them he and a lioness called Aina jumped to the paws, standing protectively in front of Zira.

“Well well King Simba descending upon high to mingle with his prisoners,” Scar said mockingly.

“Now what can this murder want, come to gloat?” Aina hissed, her hackles raised.

“I am not here to fight. I swear not to harm any of you,” Simba replied in a firm voice.

“Your word!” Zira scoffed angrily. “I have heard that song before. You could break your word and justify your actions.”

“I mean what I say Zira. Scar you and I will speak alone, come.”

“As you wish Your Majesty,” Scar replied following Simba.

Walking away from the cave Simba and Scar walked side by side in silence for a while. Scar silently stole a glance at his nephew, the old king saw shades of Mufasa in Simba, yet there was something which surprised the former king, a shard of darkness that stone in the new king's eyes. Finally Simba broke the eerie silence which almost suffocated them.

“Why did you kill my Father? During my cub hood you lied to my face.....why?”

“I wished to be king......It should have been I who ruled not your father,” Scar began, explaining Ahadi and Ure's treatment of him and his relationship with Mufasa. .

Listening to the tale Simba felt himself sympathise with his uncle despite the past, able to see things from his point of view. Shaking his head Simba brushed those thoughts away, in his uncle's place he would have chosen to either let the feelings go or walked away from the Pride Lands to seek his own life. At last he had the answers that would quieten the ghost that had haunted him for so long.

“No matter how you were treated the reasons do not warrant regicide. My father loved you, he used to tell me stories about your adventurers cubs.”

Scar gazed at his nephew in shock, he had been unaware of the fact that Simba knew about his and Mufasa's time as cubs. For the briefest second remorse and guilt filled his heart. Yet quickly the feelings faded, the cub Taka was long gone and Scar's conscience was clear.

While Simba and Scar were talking, back home Nala and Zira were having a talk of their own. Sat on opposite ends of a large rock the pair glared at each other, a look of utter hate in the older lioness's eyes.

“You have to be just as troublesome as I feared Nala, everything I held dear you took from me. Traitor.”

“I am not the traitor Zira. Had you had surrendered when you learned the truth........I could have helped you. Simba is the truth king but he does not want bloodshed.”

“His reign began in blood. Tell me Queen Nala, where is my daughter Zola? Did your beloved Simba kill her the moment you told him Scar had an heir?”

“I do not know where Zola is,” Nala replied coolly, looking directly at Zira.

“So you say Nala but I do not believe you. Neither Scar or I will forget our daughter, I swear to that,” Zira hissed as Simba and Scar arrived back.

That evening the subjects of the Pride Lands gathered at the base of Pride Rock to hear the judgement of Scar and his supporters. On the edge of Pride Rock Simba and Nala stood side by side while the rest of the pride gathered on the surrounding rocks. Standing below them Scar and his supporters looked at the assembled animals, fear mingled with defiance running through their veins.1

“I pass judgement on Scar and his followers. I banish you and all future descendants to the Outlands. If any trespass in this kingdom they will be punished. Scar despite the calls for your death, you are still my uncle, I am willing to let you live. Zira despite the wishes of others, I am sparing your life and that of your cub, raise it well. The years of hatred stop here no more bloodshed,” Simba roared, his voice echoing through the still evening air.

Scar and Zira looked at each other in part relief and anger, glad their lives had been spared yet furious at Simba all the same. Looking Scar, Kula felt anger course through her veins. The pain she had felt at seeing her friend Chumvi exiled and the pain at witnessing Scar's attack on Tojo the night before the young lion was exiled.

“OUTSIDERS, EXILES, TRAITORS,” she roared, her eyes burning with hatred.

In an instant the cry was taken up by the assembled subjects. Kula, Tama, five other lioness moved to escort Scar's pride to the borders, the chanting echoing in their wake. In silence the pride walked to the Outlands one by one they crossing the border. Watching them crossed Kula realised two lioness she had been expecting to see were absent.

“Tama where is Zola and what about Aina's daughter Masika?”

“They are not with....but surely they would be....unless Simba killed Zola,” Tama replied anxiously.

“We need to ask Nala when we get back.”

Arriving home they found the rock silent, the animals having returned to their daily lives. Under the shade of tress Nala, Sarabi and Sarafina relaxed. Seeing them Kula and Tama walked over.

“Nala what became of Zola and Masika?” Kula asked nervously. “I did not see them with the others I just escorted to the Outlands.”

Sarabi and Sarafina gasped in utter shock, both had presumed the pair had been with their parents. Seeing the fear and uncertainty Nala sighed with regret, she had been praying the former heir's absence would have gone unnoticed.

“Simba does not know Zola exists and I plan to keep it that way. The night we returned she and Masika left the Pridelands with a group of lions. Before she left I swore never to tell him or her existence.”

“Nala you are playing a dangerous game, everyone believes they vanished,” Kula replied, her eyes wide with amazement at the revelation.

“Then they can keep believing that!” Nala snapped in reply. “Zola is not a threat, give her a chance to