Coronation [AW!]

((Time period: Ahadi has just died, Uru is still alive. Mufasa is about to succeed his father with Sarabi at his side.))

Rafiki walked the length of Pride Rock and stood on its rim, an ocean of rippling, waving grasses beneath him illuminated by pearly moonglow. A cold wind tousled the mandrill's mane and whistled off the peak of the great monolith. Rafiki clutched his staff, his eyes downcast and brow furrowed in sadness, his vision blurred as he looked over the Pridelands. He inhaled and threw his gaze to the skies, pulsing with rain clouds that began to shed the very first tears of the Kings on high.

Ahadi was dead.

Soon, the silent call for all the animals to make their way to the throne of the Lion Kings would be made, as it had for Ahadi's presentation, Mohatu's death, and other occasions streatching as far into memory as anyone could remember. And now, they would come to pay respects to the past king who slumbered eternally in the den behind Rafiki, not even yet laid to rest in the savanna where his body could become the grass, and to acknowledge Prince Mufasa as the new king. Rafiki's thoughts became heavy at the thought of Mufasa and what would ever become of Taka, who so lusted after sovereignty. The mandrill sighed. Only time would tell that story.

Rafiki heard the subtle tattoo of paws on rock and looked over his shoulder to see Mufasa, his full, cinnamon mane draped over his tear-stained face. The mandrill smiled weakly and stepped forward to embrace the lion. :hugs: "Mufasa, don't you remember what your father once told you? Look at the stars." Rafiki pointed to the sky, where a single window through the clouds had opened. A beam of moonlight shone on Pride Rock. "The great Kings of the past look down on us from those stars. So whenever you feel alone, just remember that those kings will always be there to guide you."

Mufasa peered up at that window to the past and could imagine his father there now, smiling down at them, and could hear his voice finishing the statement. "And so will I." The young lion smiled with newfound courage.

Rafiki nodded wisely and shook his staff. "Come now, Mufasa. It is time."

Sarabi looked Mufasa and smiled. Her friend, Sarafina, looked at her. "Good luck Sarabi, you really have a great husband." Sarafina smiled. "Thanks Sarafina." giggled Sarabi. she nuzzled her friend then looked at Mufasa, pride welling up inside her. Uru came out, tears streaming down her face. She smiled at her son then went to sat down next to Sarabi and Sarafina. Sacr snuggled up closer to Sarafina. She glared at him. she shifted closer to Sarabi.

It grew closer to morning as the sky began to become lighter. Mufasa was already awake as the others were resting peacefully.Mufasa remembered what Rafiki had said earlier "The great Kings of the past look down on us from those stars. So whenever you feel alone, just remember that those kings will always be there to guide you." He began to cry with a little smile on his face.