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Sarabi padded slowly down the side of Priderock, her steps carefuly and steady. This was one of the few times she descended from her den to drink from the nearby watering hole, and it was always a big ordeal for her. Once at the bottom, with the easy part over, she stopped and sat in the shade to catch her breath and regain some of her strength. Even such a short distance tired her, it was easier with gravity to help her down. Now came the long walk to the watering hole, with a stop half way for a break, then another rest when she got there and drank.

The queen sighed softly, and with no one around to see her do it, she let tears well in those kind red eyes, her face falling into familiar lines of frustration and self-pity. This helplessness was more of a burden to the lioness than the fraility of her body. She hated not being able to hunt anymore, and especially being always confined to the distance she could walk from Priderock before she tired. She'd been a force of nature when she was younger, before her last litter. Now she was a feeble old woman, good for nothing more than sitting around waiting to give admittance to the pride to those who came seeking it. Even her children had deserted her to live their own lives. She felt forgotten, and very, very old.

But the moment passed quickly as thrist made her tongue dry in her mouth. Brushing the sad expression from her face and stuffing the debilitating feelings back in the mental drawer where they belonged, she picked up her paws and began the slow walk that would take her to the watering hole.

It took nearly three times what it would have taken any other lion for Sarabi to make it to the watering hole. She'd had to stop twice, and that fact grated at the lioness. Was her state getting worse? She used to make it with just one stop...

Cautiously approaching the water, she crouched down on her belly and began to lap up the coolness, letting it slide over her tongue and down her throat. She also took more water than she used to, knowing it wouldn't be until tomarrow at this time that she'd make it back for another drink. Drops sparkled on her chin when the queen finally lifted her head, settling back to gather strength for her return to Priderock.

The sun beat down warmly, even so late in the day, and sleep pulled at her weary body. It would be nice to nap here for a while, but if she stayed too long, she'd be walking home in the dark. Not a problem for any other lion, but with all the new rogue flocking to the Pridelands and her fragile state, it just wasn't safe for her. So far all the rogues had been good lions, and quite respectful, but you only had to hold up the example of the rogue brothers that had taken over the pride to remember that not all were so gentle.

Sarabi's ears perked at the soft hiss, and she turned bright crimson eyes on a lion of dusty brown colors. Letting a benign smile slip onto her face, the queen rose to sit back on her haunches, curling her tail primly around her paws. "Hello there, Stranger." She studied him discreetly, keeping the polite smile on her face. "It seems you already know who I am, so might I ask who you are? And what brings you to our fair lands?" He looked nice, from the rather shy, kind expression on his face. It put her at ease, letting her relax.

"I see. You're another rogue looking for a home here. The pridelands are open to lions like you, and we havn't yet turned someone away. You may certainly stay, if you like, and become a part of the pride." She smiled crookedly, turning to glance at the falling sun as it painted the sky in deep reds and purples. "I'd like to know your name though, before I head back to priderock for the night."

Sarabi smiled as she heaved her delicate body up onto its paws, turning smoothly to orient on the great rock structure she called home. "Well, lets go back to Priderock then, Tefu. Its nearly night time, and I don't walk very fast I'm afraid. Come, young one." She started off at a slow, comfortable pace, her tail swinging behind her with each step.