Peace for the Soul ~ A Lion King Fanfiction

Chapter 7: Through the Eyes of the Enemy

(Fuli's POV)

It was a normal day in the Valley. The males had left to do their normal patrol through the Jungle, the females and children stayed in the fields and awaited their return. I only hated the patrols because it meant that I would have to part with Duma, but who am I to be concerned, he's the champion of the game of tears after all!

As the sun is setting we see the coalition's males marching back, but something catches my eye, actually two things. Duma isn't with them, and they brought back an injured lion...

I walk up to Heshima, who already has been making his way over to me. "Father, where is Duma?" His face is grim, "I'm sorry, my princess. He is gone." Tears sting my eyes as I run back to my den. I can't believe it, the one whom my soul loved, gone. Gone. Gone! What am I to do?

The sound of multiple pairs of pawsteps echo through my den walls, as I turn to see Azaad and some other males dragging the lion into the corner of my den. "What do you want, Azaad?" I say with a hint of a growl.

"Heshima has ordered that you care for the lion until he is healed and leaves." I stand there, flabbergasted, "Why must he bring this burden to me?" Azaad tries to come closer, but my sudden growl keeps him at bay, "With him gone, my feelings towards you haven't changed, Azaad."

He sighs in frustration, "Fine, maybe you can love your mates killer instead!" He says as he looks to the lion, that's when I really see him for the first time.

He's clearly a teenager, around my age. His mane isn't fully grown yet, his muscles are broad, but not yet bulky. He has a unique scar on his left eye, and is covered in scratches and bruises. This is my lovers killer, and I have the privilege' of caring for him. "Leave us now, Azaad."

"But..."

"Leave!" He turns and takes his warriors with him. I turn to face the lion.

He's clearly exhausted, I grab him by the scruff and drag him to a corner of my cave. I then turn to go rest in my corner, wanting nothing to do with the lion that took away my love. As the days went on however, he became much worse...

Winter was upon us and being in a high valley, temperatures would drop tremendously at night. I would wake almost every night to his shivering and breathing, but then, something changed. As he spent more time in that corner he would shout in his sleep, loud enough to echo through the valley, terrifying all who heard his cries.

"Father, No! This is wrong!"

"Umeme! No!"

"I just wish I could've told you sooner..."

"At the end of the day we are like fire and flame!"

"End it! Please!"

"No!!!"

Days turned into weeks...

Then Months...

Spring was soon to be upon us, and the lion still slept in the same corner of my den, I was sick of being dishonored by his presence, I walk over to him, not fully knowing what I was about to do. I just stand there, waiting for endlessly for him to give a sign of life.

His eye began twitching, and they slowly opened, his eyes traced the room until they fell upon mine, then I could see it. In his eyes and his facial expression towards me, I saw a story of emotions. Pain, sorrow, loss, regret, but as our eyes studied each other's, I saw so much more. Joy, love, hope...

His eyes returned to their unstimulated state, as I turn and walk away, making sure I was out of ear shot.

"Did that really just happen?"

"Did what just happen, my dear?" I turned to see my dad, "Father, why do you dishonor my lover by bringing that outsider into our den?! This shame is too unbearable!" He inches closer, "Know your place, my daughter." I look down in defeat, "Yes, Father. I'm sorry for overreacting." He puts his paw over my shoulder.

"The Lion is from the Pridelands." I look up to my father, surprised and confused,

"Then why are we keeping him!? We should cast him out to the wild like they did with our kind years ago!"

"That was during Scars reign my daughter! We have a chance of peace now."

"What do you mean?" He looks in the cave, "If we return the lion to his home, then we stand a chance of making peace with the new king." I put distance between me and my father, "Father, you know the tradition better than anyone. No outsider, let alone challenger can leave without..."

"And what makes you think he'll loose? Look at him Fuli, he already has the strength and ferocity to face a coalition in his weakened state." I shudder.

"He is our chance for peace, please care for him Fuli." He turns and leaves. I
reenter my den, and face the lion once again.

He is shivering violently, but he isn't cold... "He must be dehydrated." I whispered, I bring leaves with water to let him drink, and I prod him awake. His eyes open, locking on mine, though I'm not sure why, he just gazed intently into my eyes. 'Must be hallucinating.' I thought to myself. "Umeme..." he says with a visceral rasp in his voice. I tilt my head 'definitely hallucinating' he falls back down after a few drinks of water.

That's it for Part one! Crazy seeing how much reception I've received in just the last 7 chapters. Currently working on on the next portion of the story which I estimating as of now will be another seven to eight chapters. Hit a writers block recently and have slowly been breaking through it, but I have most of it done! I will probably start uploading again in early November to try and get as much work on the story as I can, believe me... LOTS of stuff is about to go down and I can't wait to see y'all reactions! But I want to make the best quality possible, which is why I'm taking some time off to rest and think of how to tell the rest of this story.
Stay frosty y'all! 🤞