All right guys, here's chapter 1! Enjoy!
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Chapter 1
The banquet that Mufasa and Sarabi had thrown to celebrate Simba reaching manhood was in full swing. There was great food, including perfectly roasted meats, dates, figs, grapes, baklava and more. Mufasa and Sarabi sat at the head of the table, as was customary. Next to them sat Simba. Next to him were his three closest friends: a gorgeous female cheetah clad in a magenta bedlah top and poofy magenta bedlah pants named Eden, an attractive female meerkat clad in a pink bedlah top and poofy pink bedlah pants named Alicia and a brown-furred, green-eyed male lion cub clad in a purple vest and billowy white pants named Kovu. Nearby sat Vitani. She was clad in a red bedlah top and poofy red bedlah pants. She also wore a golden snake bracelet around her upper left arm. Though she wouldn’t dare say it aloud, she was envious of her cousin and was plotting what she would do with him once her father was sultan.
“If my father allows you to live, I will make you my servant,” she said in her mind.
Meanwhile, the party continued. Eden looked at Simba.
“Now you’re a grown lion, and such a handsome one at that,” she said flirtatiously.
Simba smiled. Since they were teens, he and Eden had had minor flirtations with each other. Though they had never been a true couple, they had shared a kiss once or twice during the course of these flirtations. However, now that Simba was going to seek a bride, both knew that it would have to stop. However, they figured they should enjoy it while it lasted.
“So, Sire, what else to do you plan to give Prince Simba in preparation for his journey to Fayiz?” a courtier asked Mufasa.
The sultan smiled proudly.
“I plan to let him enter the treasure chamber and take a few things for himself. Perhaps he’ll find a gift he can give the princess,” he said.
Everyone shared a slight chuckle. Nearby, Scar was whispering to Zira.
“When we take over, we will throw a banquet like this,” he stated.
Zira smiled.
“Yes, my love. We will need to celebrate our rise to power,” she replied.
Just then, Sarabi looked in their direction.
“What are you two talking about?” the sultana asked.
“Oh we were just talking about how proud we are of Simba,” Zira replied, playing the role of the loving and devoted aunt.
Sarabi nodded and then went back to the delicious meat she was eating. It was then that Eden decided to ask something of the sultan.
“Your majesty, if it is all right with you, I would like to perform a special dance for Simba,” the cheetah said.
“Yes, young one. That would be excellent,” Mufasa replied.
Eden bowed in respect, picked up her dancing ribbons and took to a clear spot in the middle of the room, marked by a beautiful rug from Persia. The musicians fell silent for a moment, and then began to play. Eden let the rhythm of the harp, flute and drum overtake her and she went into her dance. The ribbons whirled around her body as she moved. The movements themselves were as graceful as they could be, never missing a beat. Finally, the dance ended. Everyone in the room clapped. Eden approached Simba.
“Well, your majesty, what did you think?” she asked.
Simba smiled at the cheetah.
“That was the best dance you’ve done yet,” he said.
Eden was overjoyed to hear it. Simba then looked at Kovu, who was glaring at him.
“Look, Kovu, when you grow up, you’re going to start seeing girls differently,” he said.
“He’s right, Kovu,” Alicia added.
“Well, I don’t intend to fall in love or get married,” Kovu stated as he crossed his arms over his chest.
Simba, Eden and Alicia all shared a laugh. The party continued and finally ended late in the night. Several days passed. One day, Scar decided to disguise himself as a commoner and take a walk through the marketplace in order to further develop his plan. It was during this walk that he made a breakthrough. He met a hyena from the kingdom of Ghadir. It turned out that this hyena was a spy for Ghadir’s sultan, Ramses, and his wife, Shenzi. After explaining who he was and what his plan was, Scar decided to ask if a meeting could be arranged between him and Ramses, who was seeking to conquer Agrabah and take its riches for himself and his family. Scar decided that this suited his purposes. He would see if Ramses would attack Agrabah while Scar and Zira were watching Simba in Fayiz.
“Can you make it to Ghadir soon?” the hyena asked.
“Yes. I will give my brother an excuse and be on my way,” Scar replied.
The agreement was made. That night, Scar explained everything to Zira and Vitani.
“I am ready to serve you, Father,” Vitani stated.
“Thank you, dear daughter,” Scar replied.
“As am I, my love,” Zira said.
Scar smiled wickedly. The plotting continued. The next day, Scar went before Mufasa.
“Mufasa, do you mind if I take my family on a short journey to Ghadir?” he asked.
“Ghadir? Are sure you want to do that, Scar? Simba’s journey to Fayiz is not far off, and you and Zira agreed to go and keep a watchful eye on him,” Mufasa replied.
“I understand, but this will just be a quick trip. You see, Vitani just received a marriage proposal from a noble in Ghadir,” Scar lied.
Mufasa nodded. Scar stood up, his black and red robes and cape billowing as he did so. Vitani then handed him the gold, ruby-eyed, cobra-headed staff that he always carried with him. Scar and his family then left to pack for their short journey. Meanwhile, in Fayiz, Nala sat within her chambers, looking out the window and contemplating what had happened with all of her previous suitors. She was clad in a blue bedlah top and poofy blue bedlah pants, as well as a gold necklace.
“Why can’t I just be allowed to marry for love, or to marry who I want?!” she said aloud.
Just then, Sarafina entered.
“Nala?” the sultana began.
Nala looked at her mother, frustration and anger visible in her beautiful eyes.
“What is it, Mother? Do you want to talk about the new prince that’s coming?” she said.
“Nala, I want you to give this new prince a chance,” Sarafina replied.
“But what if he’s just like all the others?” Nala countered.
Sarafina’s eyes narrowed.
“Nala, the sultan of Agrabah described him in his letter. He is a very humble individual,” she said.
“Mother, did it ever occur to you that I might want to marry for love? For crying out loud, I’ve never even been outside the palace walls,” Nala replied.
Sarafina sighed.
“Nala, you’re a princess. The law says that you must be married to a prince,” she stated.
“Fine. I’ll give him a chance, but I won’t guarantee that I will accept him as my future husband,” Nala replied.
“That’s all I ask, Nala,” Sarafina answered.
Mother and daughter embraced and then Sarafina left to return to the throne room. Nala decided to go with her, if only to get out of her room for a bit.