Dawn of a new era.. [open!]

[Indigo<3]

A dawn of a new era, it was a beautiful moment for any one alive to witness it. It had been a long time coming for the pride and now it was finally here. Scar had been exiled from the land by her dead son. Sarabi was still reeling from the fact that her son had returned seemingly from the dead to save them. Her heart had broke when she looked upon his face and seemed so estranged from him. He had been raised far from her love and protection, raised by a meerkat and warthog even. Sarabi had politely stepped down from her rank and allowed her forgotten son and his mate to take the throne. Nala had grown into a wonderful lioness, and she knew deep down she would lead the pride perfectly. Her ears flickered around for a moment, as she looked upon the horizon her thoughts a million miles away. Indeed things seemed perfect now, and the pride was happy and content. Yet she had a feeling it wasn't going to last. Simba had mentioned leaving for a while going back to the jungle with his foster parents. It angered the lioness that her son was leaving them all so soon to go back and have fun. He was a King now and he should be here acting like one. If he left the pride who knew? Scar could easily return here and try to take back what he thought was his. The thought chilled her to the very core, the return of Scar would spell the end of the pride.

Bowing her head for a moment, the lioness tried to quell her feelings. The sun slowly rose and brilliant orange light spread across the pride lands. Sarabi looked at her kingdom, thinking back upon her mate Mufasa. How happy he'd be that things were normal again, it pained her to think of him. He was her beloved and husband, the heart of her. His death still hurt her deeply and she tried to focus more on her offspring. Nuru and Lulanti had been gifts from the Great Kings, a means to keep her strong during a dark time. She had raised them as best as she could. As for her youngest cub Ajali she adored her very much. The young cub was a product of forced mating but she'd never tell her that. A cub would never recover from such a dark secret.

Sarabi was just glad she was a girl and not a boy. Scar had been obsessed with having a son, and he had a few out there but thankfully he had never realized it. A stroke of luck if she did say so herself. As her thoughts drifted again the regal lioness just enjoyed the beauty of such a morning and she wondered what today would bring her.

[/center]

[sousa]

The great lion's mouth gaped as he yawned, revealing his fearsome and magnificent teeth. But he was not attempting to intimidate anyone now. His only goal was to rid himself of the sleep that still desperately attempted to cling to his coat. He planned to leave the following day to return to the jungle for a short time (how could anyone expect him to just abandon his past life so quickly?) but he had a few things he still needed to do before he could safely leave.

He'd already spoken to Nala about his leaving. Although she wasn't entirely thrilled with the thought of it, she understood his reasoning and had agreed to watch the Pride in his short absence. He'd spoken with Rafiki and apologized for his rude behavior back in the jungle. All was well now and the crazy monkey said something cryptic and confusing like usual about not looking too deep...Whatever.

Now, he had to speak with his mother. He hadn't really had the chance to do so yet and he had to reassure her that his love was still there. Although she had been absent for his life for years, she needed to know that she was still the most important figure in his life. And luckily for the young King, she happened to be an early riser.

Simba shook his head and main a bit, trying to get the unruly hair to lie flat but it wouldn't. He had yet to bath himself that morning but he figured his mother wouldn't mind his messy appearance. She was his mother after all! And as long as she didn't try to bath him now.......

He almost shuttered at the thought of a fully grown lion -a King no less!- still being bathed by his mother when she was spotted out on the peak. He smiled to himself, his large paws treading on the ground. He made no sound as he walked up to her, looking over the edge at the beautiful colours that flitted across the ground. After a few moments of the silence, he moved to lay next to her. His heart had grown heavy as it watched her, wondering what she could possibly be thinking of...

He laid his massive head on her arm, a loving gesture. When he spoke, his voice was still a bit groggy from sleep. "Mother? We...haven't really talked since I've been back. You know, about... any thing really."

[Indigo<3]

The former Queen had been lost in her own thoughts, remembering old times and how life had been so different when she was young. How the Pride Lands had been a eden for everyone and life had been so peaceful. It all changed when her mate and his brother grew up and both wanted to be the ruler over the eden. She knew deep down that Ahadi and Uru had been torn about how to pick. Who wouldn't be? Thankfully she had only birthed one cub in her first pregnancy and so that had never been a issue for her or Mufasa. Her mate had never even lain eyes on his second son and only daughter... and that made her sad. He would've adored them both but it was just not meant to be. The Pride lands were returning to their former glory but there was still this unrest in her mind and heart. This conflict was not over, she knew Scar would never give up completely. He didn't have that mind set to give up on something he wanted all of his life. In a way she wished Simba had killed him and finally put an end to his greed. She smelled her son way before she saw his large form approaching her, a beautiful smile crossed Sarabi's face as she looked upon him.

He indeed had grown into a fine young lion, and perhaps he would be as large as his father once was? He had time to grow yet after all. A soft laugh escaped her as he flopped down beside her and nudged her leg with his face. It made her heart ache in a tender way seeing him so big now, her memories were all of him as a tiny cub. Oh, it pained her knowing he grew up without a mother's love and attention. That he had lived with prey for most of his life and they had made him into the lion he now was. Sarabi frowned a bit but the expression didn't last as his words reached her ears.

"No we haven't had time to talk yet have we my son.. Life has been hectic since Scar was dethroned and you took your rightful place. That you've been busy starting your own family, which is only normal for a lion your age."

Sarabi told him absently, her thoughts drifting to her darling grandson who was new to this world. Only hear for about a month and already she loved him more than anything. Kopa was the hope of a new era for the pride and she hoped he would be a great King one day. Leaning down the lioness nuzzled her son's head with her muzzle, purring quietly as she did so. She didn't like the idea of her son leaving again but he was her King.. he could do what he wished.

"I will watch after Nala and Kopa while you are gone my son. Perhaps you can convince your friends to come back with you this time around? They will be welcomed here among us lions for they raised you after all."

She told him that gentle look on her face. Perhaps in time they could get used to one another again. He was her first born after all and she would love him no matter what. What else could a mother do?

[sousa]

"No we haven't had time to talk yet have we my son.. Life has been hectic since Scar was dethroned and you took your rightful place. That you've been busy starting your own family, which is only normal for a lion your age."

He couldn't help the happy sigh that passed through his mouth. Her voice was full of ache and although he knew there wasn't anything he could have done when he was younger (he'd been threatened to death if he ever returned) he knew that all her pain and grief had been entirely his fault. "I'm sorry I didn't come back sooner... I didn't know. I thought you'd... I thought you'd all hate me for what I did. I didn't want that."

A soft smile broke out when he felt her nuzzle him back. In that single gesture he was transported back to his cub days. The days when he would wake in the morning, snuggled between his two parents. The days when she would play with him or take him away from playing with Nala for a bath or for food. He really had missed her during his jungle time.

"I will watch after Nala and Kopa while you are gone my son. Perhaps you can convince your friends to come back with you this time around? They will be welcomed here among us lions for they raised you after all."

He looked up at her, his smile turning to one of gratitude. "Thank you. That means so much. I was hoping they'd return with me. I know it's weird but I miss them. They're my friends and they deserve to live here under our protection."

[Indigo<3]

Sarabi watched her son's expressions silently as they conversed. He mentioned how he was sorry for not returning sooner and she moved to hush him. "If you had returned any sooner I think Scar would've killed you.. He was power mad and would not take a threat lightly. Your brother Nuru suffered because of him.. always hiding for fear of being killed.." That had been a terrible time for Sarabi, having to constantly watch her younger son, in fear that Scar would kill him. The Red King had acted so happy about her unexpected pregnancy.. but it was false. He wanted Mufasa's entire line destroyed and she knew that deep in her heart. Thankfully he had became preoccupied with creating his own heir and so her cubs were forgotten about. She frowned slightly but it left her, "I'm just glad you returned when you did. Food was running very low and many of the pride were falling ill from starvation and diseases.. You saved us from him. Do not worry about the past.. your father would be proud of you if he was here Simba." Nuzzling him softly again the dusky lioness felt her eyes beginning to burn.

A few tears trickled down her cheeks, crying for a few moments. She had never been able to cry when Scar was King. She always had to worry about the pride and her cubs. Her grief for he rmate was tucked away for the most part. Sure sometimes she'd sneak off and cry by herself but it was rare for the hyena always trailed after her. Now she was able to cry without fear of being punished for remembering her mate. Breathing heavily she bowed her head, the tears continued to fall for the time being. Sarabi grieved so deep for her Mufasa, he had died so young. There had been so much left for him to do.

"I'm glad your here. You can help me get through this." Her voice broke for a moment, and she learned on her son for a moment. Wishing for strength and knowing she would not have it yet.