Life was not easy in Agrabah. The streets were crowded with people coming and going from kingdoms and lands many would never see. At points, the amount of people could make the city unbearable for the citizens who lived there year round.
But for Jafar, it made slipping in and out of crowds easy. He knew exactly what areas of the city to go to at exactly the right time of day to find merchants distracted by multiple customers.
The young boy stretched as he looked out the opening of the building he called "home". It was one of the only things he could call his own. It was small, but serviable for what he could find. And the location was perfect, overlooking the seaport of the massive city. He was able to track when new shipments for certain items would come in just by the style of the boats or the flags that hung from them.
He brushed back his curly hair, a smile creeping on his face. One of the bigger boats had arrived within the port and he knew that the circus of another kingdom coming to visit would cause the distraction that he needed.
Jumping from the opening, Jafar went into a roll as he landed on the rooftop of the neighboring building. He scaled down the side and landed in an alley. The street was bustling with people, merchants voices crying out over the chatter of others, while the sun hung high in the sky.
'Another day in Agrabah', he thought as he merged into the crowd, moving between bodies as swiftly as he could. All his life, he had only known this place. The same routine almost every day, no matter how tired he would be from running away from the guards or one of the many merchants he angered. It was all he knew. There was no mother or father to return to, he had lost them years ago. Jafar only had himself to rely on.
And that was all he needed.
Quickly passing by a table, the merchant was distracted by another customer, Jafar snatched a small apple. His hand slid itself back into his baggy sleeve, stashing the item in a satchel he had hidden under his ragged cloak.
Blending back into the crowd, his eyes scanned around, wary of any of the palace guards. Dealing with them was not something he wished for today, not after last week's incident. His shoulder was still healing from the bruising grip of one of them had on him before he was able to make his escape.
From the corner of his eye, a flash caught his attention. He stopped, receiving some unsavory comments from other passersbys, and gazed at the object. It was golden bracelet, beautiful blue and red jewels adorning the sides, and other smaller details he couldn't make out. But it was stunning and just sitting on the edge of the table. How could one be so careless with something so precious?
The merchants were always foolish. A small piece like that wouldn't be missed by anyone.
Weaving through the crowd, Jafar's eyes didn't leave the sparkling item. Almost as if it had set him in a trance. The amount of food he could get from trading such an item in would keep him set for a week or so at least. As he approached, his hand stretched out towards the bracelet.
"Street rat! Get away from that!"
Snatching the bracelet, Jafar ran before the merchant could grab him. He could hear the yells from the merchant, alerting the guards in the area, but he continued to push against the crowd. Turning down an alley, Jafar sprinted as fast as he could, glancing back quickly to see no one following him.
At the end of the alley, he didn't see any guards. He would snake through the city, make sure that no one was following him, and during the right time he'd make it back to his ho-
He slammed into the hard body of someone, seeing stars for a moment. A hand tightly gripped his arm, causing him to cry out, and yanked him forward into the street.
"You think you can just run off? You have another thing coming boy!"
The guard backhanded him, Jafar could taste blood in his mouth, and attempted to drag him away. The young boy fought, pressing his heels into the ground, hitting the hand that was holding him.
The guard holding him looked down at him, a sneer on his face, "You little brat, if you don't sto-"
"Is everything alright here?"
A calming voice stopped the guard, his head whipping around. Jafar squinted, unable to find the source of the voice. Who could stop the guard with just a command?
A man came through the crowd and Jafar's eyes widened. The clothing was unmistakable, the fabrics prestine, gold lining the edges of the sleeves. The way that the man carried himself, his dark brown beard cut clean, his eyes taking in the scene before him. The ring he wore on his hand.
It was the prince of Agrabah.
"My prince…" the guard's grip loosened, "I was just taking care of this thie-"
"A thief you say?" the man asked, an eyebrow raised, "For someone so small, he seems to be a handful for you."
The prince brushed off the guard, kneeling in front of Jafar. The young boy was still stunned, unsure of what was happening. He didn't realize until he saw the bracelet in front of him that the prince had taken it from his grasp.
"The detail is very nice," the prince admired, turning the item in his hand, "But I would assume not for you. What were you going to use this for young man?"
His gaze was friendly, the question not laced with the anger that Jafar is used to. He tugged on one of his fingers, unsure of how to answer. Should he be honest? But when has that ever helped him? Being honest only ever ended with him getting into more trouble. But this situation didn't feel the same. There was something...different about the prince.
"Food," he admitted, "I needed food."
The prince's brows furrowed, confused, "Can your parents not provide that?"
The young boy shook his head, "No...parents."
For a few moments, there was silence between the two, the hustle of civilians around them providing the only distraction. Jafar's eyes hadn't left the prince's face but he can feel himself becoming panicked. Thinking about his parents hurt him. They didn't want him, they left him on the doorstep of an overrun orphanage. He may as well be dirt to them, to anyone. Who could care about a street rat like himself?
They only brought sadness and anger to his heart.
A roll appeared before him, dragging Jafar from his thoughts. His eyes lingered on it for a moment, before looking up to the prince, who was offering it. His eyes, a deep brown, were warm, "Here. It won't bite, I promise."
His gaze flickered back and forth, suspicious, before slowing taking the roll. He held it in his hands, as if it was precious.
No one had ever given him something before.
Biting into the roll, he heard the prince laugh slightly and he started to talk to one of his personal guardsmen. It was like white noise to Jafar, he could feel the tears welling up in his eyes as he took another bite. He tried to hide them from the prince, this overwhelming wave of emotions, by trying to hide his face.
Something being placed on his head snapped his attention back and he quickly looked up and saw the prince. The prince's eyes panicked for a moment, noticing the boy's tears, before he ruffled Jafar's curly hair.
"Don't cry...it's ok," he whispered, a soft smile on his lips, "I have an offer for you, if you'd like to hear it?"
Jafar nodded, "They are looking for some boys to work within the palace. You seem very bright for your age...how would you like to come back with me?" the prince asked, his hand resting on Jafar's head.
Shock went through young boy, "The...palace?"
When the prince nodded, Jafar didn't know what to say. There were no words he could think of, just the trembling of his hands. He bit his lip, trying to hold back the tears he felt welling up again. He needed to compose himself, crying this much was unlike him.
Using his large sleeve, he wiped furiously at his eyes before taking a deep breath, "I would...like that," he answered.
The prince ruffled his hair again, "Wonderful. Than we can go…?" he trailed off, taking his hand off Jafar's head.
Confused, Jafar looked at the older man before realizing, "Jafar."
"Hamed," the prince replied, holding out his hand, "It's a pleasure, Jafar."
Taking the other man's hand, Jafar tried to keep a firm grip, shaking it. Prince Hamed's hand was warm, not as callous as his. He felt slightly embarrassed, someone with such power shaking the hand of a commoner.
Prince Hamed smiled and stood up, their hands still linked. Jafar, for the first time in as long as he could remember, smiled up at the prince, "A pleasure...Prince Hamed."
They walked together, guards following behind, back to the palace. Prince Hamed described what Jafar's duties would be and answered any of the questions the young boy had for him.
This had to be an opportunity. Someone had given this chance to Jafar, to be more than what he was. To gain more power then he had ever dreamed. The people who forgot him, who sneered at him, would regret it. He would make sure of that.
At the same time...the concept of someone caring for him. Who looked at him more then just what he was. There was a warmth within him that he hadn't felt before.
So...I love the new Aladdin. I've seen it way too many times? Anyway, I also love what they did with Jafar. I thought Marwan did a fabulous job and I really liked the backstory they added to the character. It couldn't be touched on more obviously cause it's Aladdin & Jasmine's movie, but my mind has been racing with ideas.
Anyway, this first chapter was inspired by a FABULOUS comic I found on twitter (the twitter user is orb00001). It's short and I was unable to understand exactly what was being said because it was in a different language, but that comic got me thinking about the different relationships Jafar probably had with the royal family and the people in the palace. Marwan also brought this up in an interview, how he thought that the Sultan brought Jafar in from the streets and he was like a mentor for Jafar until he fell into his jealously, need for power, and greed.
Anyway, I hope y'all like this! I have other chapters planned out too, appereances form Jasmine, my boy Hakim!, and maybe some others. And yes, I checked out the Aladdin Fandom Wiki and they said that the sultan's name is Hamed...so if y'all are wondering, that's where I got that.
Side note, I feel like Jafar as a young boy would be very emotional, he's very lonely!, but as we go into the story...he'll grow into the cold and calculating man that we know. Life does that to you.