Chapter Eleven

When Indigo got back to Pride Rock, everyone was settled down for the night. She found a spot to lay down near Nala, who ushered her over.

“Indie! Where have you been? I haven't seen you all day.” she said. Indigo just gave her a smile, and could see Kiara winking out of the corner of her eye. Indigo laid down beside her sister, and only half-listened to what her sister had to say about the day. Then, everyone went quiet and looked at the cave entrance. Simba was walking in, with Kovu behind him. Kiara gasped, leaping up and greeting Kovu.

“Kovu shall sleep with the pride tonight, if that is okay with everyone.” Simba said. All the lionesses nodded, Kovu seemed decent. Kiara led him over to Indigo, and the three of them talked long into the night, until they fell asleep.

That night Indigo dreamt about Silas. She dreamt of him roaring at his own coronation ceremony, and her roaring beside him as his queen. When she woke up, she was almost surprised not to see him there beside her, but remembered that he was outside, waiting for her. She got up, stretched out her body, and walked out into the early morning sun. She squinted, it was bright today. She made her way down Pride Rock to the field where she left Silas last night. She sat down and waited for him, and when she saw him coming towards her, it was all she could do not to run up to him. When he was close enough, she tackled him to the ground, kissing him.

“H-hey!” he exclaimed, laughing. “Where did that come from?” he asked. Indigo giggled, getting off of him.

“I don't know, I guess I just missed you last night.” she said. 

“I'd say!” he said. “C'mon, I want to show you something.” he went behind her, pushing her to move forward.

“Where are we going?” she wondered. 

“It's a surprise, now follow me!” he shouted, running ahead of her. Indigo laughed and ran after him. They made their way to a high cliff, and climbed up it. When they got to the other side, there was an oasis with a waterfall, trees, and pairs of animals. Indigo was breath taken by the beauty.

“Oh Silas, it's beautiful.” she said, smiling. Silas sat beside her, putting his head on hers.

“You didn't know it was here?” he asked. Indigo shook her head. She lived here all of her life, yet she had never seen it. That's when she heard a laugh from the distance, and she knew the only monkey that had a laugh like that. She turned around, and sure enough, Rafiki was swinging from a tree.

“Of course she didn't!” he said, coming down from the tree. “You only know about it when you're in love.” he said. Silas looked at her.

“In love?” he parroted. Indigo blushed.

“Silas...I...love you.” she whispered. It was odd, Indigo knew she loved him, but hearing herself say it aloud made her feel tingly, like she was confirming it for herself as well. Silas smiled, and the two walked down the side of the waterfall and stopped at the edge, laying together until the late afternoon, when Indigo decided she should go back to Pride Rock. Silas walked her halfway, and kissed her goodbye.

“I'll see you soon Indie. I love you.” Silas said. Indie purred into his mane.

“I love you too Silas, very much.” And with a quick kiss, she returned to Pride Rock, only to find Simba at the top of the rock, surrounded by the rest of the pride. Other animals were gathering around too, and Indigo quickly rushed to Nala, who was hovering over Simba. He was badly beaten, Indigo winced.
“What happened?” she asked, her voice low. Nala shook her head.

“The Outsiders attacked. Apparently Kovu was behind it all this whole time.” Indigo's eyes widened. Kovu? It couldn't be. He hadn't shown any hostility since he had come here. 

“Has Rafiki examined him?” Indigo wondered. Nala nodded.

“He just left. He said Simba will be fine, just needs some rest.” Indigo gave a sigh of relief. Then, out of the corner of her eye, she noticed Kiara coming out of Pride Rock, sniffling. Indigo walked up to her as Nala helped Simba up on his paws. Kiara's eyes locked on Indigo's, almost pleading with her.

“You don't believe them, do you?” Kiara whispered. Indigo shook her head. Kiara gave a weak smile. Indigo looked back at Simba. He was hurt, there was no way he could fake an injury like that. But did she believe that Kovu was behind it? No, not for a minute. She and Kovu were similar in a lot of ways, and one of these ways was how their past and where they came from seemed to define who they were to others. Even though Indigo was liked by many, she was still viewed as Scar's cub. And then Kovu would always be viewed as Scar's heir. They couldn't run away from their past, but they had to fight them. They would probably have to spend the rest of their lives proving people wrong. When Indigo saw Kovu coming up, she was both surprised and happy. She knew he would say sorry, and Simba would forgive him. After all, Simba had changed. 

She walked a little further, and noticed the scar on Kovu's eye. She gasped. He could have been the exact replica of Scar. She had to look away, images of her father flooding her memory.

Kiara was especially happy to see Kovu, and tried to run up to him, but two lionesses blocked her path. Indigo was confused, but soon it became clear. Simba hadn't changed. When he roared out the word exile, she was taken aback. She even noticed Nala frowning. Nala didn't believe Simba either. But why didn't she say something? As Kovu was running, she saw Kiara run into Pride Rock as well. She tried to run after her.

“Leave me alone!” Kiara shouted. Indigo stopped in her tracks. She knew Kiara didn't mean to sound angry at her, but it still stung. She decided to stay behind, maybe she could talk with Simba.

“Simba...” she started, but he interrupted.

“No Indigo. I don't want to hear it. I have made my decision.” and with that, he went off to the water hole. Nala came and stood beside Indigo.

“Don't worry, I'm sure everything will sort itself out.” she said. Indigo gave a pessimistic shrug. She walked down Pride Rock, and realized she had forgotten about Silas. She had to talk to him. It was too dangerous for him to stay in the PrideLands now. She went down to the grassy field, the stars illuminating the sky. Quickly she found him, laying on his back, looking up into the heavens.

“Silas.” she said softly, so she wouldn't startle him. He rolled over and smiled, motioning for her to come close.

“Indie. I didn't expect you to come back tonight.” Indigo returned his smile, he had one of those smiles that you just had to give back.

“Silas, I need to tell you something.” she said, her tone serious. Silas looked at her, confused.

“You have to leave the PrideLands. It isn't safe for you to stay. Simba got attacked by the Outsiders.” Silas' jaw dropped. “They think Kovu did it.” Silas shook his head.

“No, Kovu's a good kid.” Silas said, Indigo nodded.

“That's what I think too. But anyways, Simba exiled him, and if he found you...if he knew you were here...” Silas shushed her.

“Indigo, it's okay. I was going to tell you tomorrow that I would be leaving anyways.” Indigo jumped a little, surprised.

“Y-you were?” she asked. Silas gave a nod.

“Actually, Indie, I have something to tell you too.” Indigo cocked her head to one side.

“Indigo, I'm afraid I haven't been truthful to you. You see, I am more than just a pride member in the Arid Lands. I'm next in line to the throne...or I suppose now, the king.” Indigo couldn't help but gasp. Silas smiled.

“I guess what I am asking Indie, is if you would come back with me. Be my queen.” Indigo couldn't believe what she was hearing. Silas was the king? Why would he leave his kingdom? She supposed it was to look for help. But still, she was surprised he wouldn't have told her.

But did she want to be his queen? Of course she did. That wasn't even a question. She would even have her chance of ruling a kingdom, something she had been promised long ago. But she remembered about Nala. Indigo was her sister and her advisor. She had duties to her. And with their mother and Sarabi becoming old, she knew that Nala would need all the support in the coming months. And then there was Simba. Right now he was hurt, and he would be better, but he was still irrational at times. And Indigo always offered a second voice to Nala's. It was something that had helped mould the PrideLands. And then Kiara...where would she be? Nobody ever really listened to her except Indigo. Indigo sighed. She loved Silas. She truly did. She wanted to grow old with him, and she desperately wanted to be his queen. But she knew where her heart belonged. And she realized something, she had always belonged in the PrideLands. This was her home.

“Silas,” she began “I love you. You are the best thing that has happened to me. You've made these past few days so wonderful. But I can't go with you. I'm needed here. I...I hope you understand.” Indigo said, a tear running down her face. Silas came up to her and licked away the tear.

“I understand. You really are an amazing lioness Indigo.” Indigo looked up to him and smiled.

“Please, call me Indie.” 

Indigo and Silas made love that night, Indigo could feel the passion she had for him flow through her, and she could feel his passion too. The two of them laid completely still for what seemed like an eternity, but felt like a brief moment. Silas got up, nuzzled Indigo one last time, and made his way back. Indigo watched him until she couldn't see him anymore, and slowly, she returned to Pride Rock, only to find everyone gone.