Gone
The blazing heat beat down upon the back of Aladdin's neck. The sun lit the sky and heated the sand. It heated it—for any other word could not describe the temperature of the grains of rock under Aladdin's feet. The heat rose from the ground and suffocated him, for the heat was so extreme and so sickening, Aladdin felt as though he might fall and never get back up. Just another day in the desert.
It was nearly night time, but still the heat lingered in the air and on the ground. Aladdin felt that the burning sensation of the heat would never separate from his skin, his clothes, and his muscles. He looked down at his feet, which fortunately were covered with shoes. He was glad that he bought them before he left, even if they did not completely abolish all the heat from his toes. But that was fine, since he hadn't paid too much for them anyway.
Wiping the beads of sweat that were pouring from his forehead with the back of his hand, Aladdin gazed up from the ground to view the city. He was on the outskirts, near the canyon just outside the large conurbation. The palace covered much of his view, and he couldn't take his eyes off it. It was where he belonged. Not in the palace really, but with the person who lived there.
Jasmine.
With her on his mind, he found renewed strength hidden deep within his body, strength that had been lost until that moment. He took a deep breath and moved his feet again, trudging back to his home and back to his life, which he hadn't visited in too long.
A sense of relief swept past him as he entered through the main gates, even though he knew he was still at least an hour away from seeing all those he loved. Still, he loved the city, and the people in the city. The citizens were his extended family, and although he might not know them all by name, he had grown to love the citizens for what they offered him. He protected them in their time of need, and they overlooked him with a kind of reverent respect, something which the street rat truly appreciated.
It was less than an hour away from night, but the city still bustled with liveliness. It was the cooler part of the day, and all the merchants wanted to sell a little bit more before they retired to the night. The people wanted to get a few more errands out of the way before they returned home for dinner with their families. Everyone was focusing on their last task that hardly anyone noticed Aladdin as he slowly crept past them. The few that did see him gasped and rushed quickly to one side. Aladdin didn't even notice. It was too much effort to notice.
He walked further. As he got closer and closer to the heart of the city, more and more people grew aware of his presence. Again, he was oblivious. People gasped and cried out, people smiled and clapped their hands in delight, and others were stricken with confusion. But soon, an entire crowd had gathered to one side, watching Aladdin's back as he slowly made his way down the main street of Agrabah.
The ones that knew him pointed him out to their friends and acquaintances. "Look!" They said. "There is Aladdin! He has returned to Agrabah! But how?"
"Aladdin? Who is he?"
"You've no knowledge of him? Why, he is the greatest hero this side of the seven deserts!"
"Doesn't look like a hero to me. Look at him; he's so tired and dirty. Besides, he isn't even dressed as a hero. He is dressed as a street rat."
"But he is a street rat! A street rat that turned into a hero!"
"What ridiculous nonsense. You've been under the sun too long today."
"But I tell you, he is the greatest hero this city has ever seen!"
Children gawked at him like children do. They tugged on their parents' arms and pointed openly at the man. "Look Mama! Who is that? Is he a soldier?"
Their parents looked up and gasped. "How did he return?"
Aladdin was not met by any of the people. They stayed back and pointed at him, rather than greeting him with open arms. But the street rat did not see them; he could see nothing except the menacing palace gates. To Aladdin, the gates represented his latest journey, one that had taken him from his home and loved one. But now was the time to return.
He passed by a familiar stand now. It was full of fruit, and the merchant who was working it first shrieked and then sighed upon seeing Aladdin. "Come back now, eh street rat? You might want to go to your hovel before you go to the palace. You'll be surprised!"
It took tremendous force to stop the constant stepping of his feet, but Aladdin managed to halt before the fruit stand to look up at Omar. Aladdin looked at Omar and saw the past, dancing feverishly in his mind. Omar looked at Aladdin and saw severe sadness, so much so that he could not bear to look the poor man in the eye.
Omar caught Aladdin glimpse briefly at his products and the merchant grabbed a ripe, red apple. He handed it to the hero. "Here, take this. I'm sure the whole city owes you for whatever you did to save us out in the desert." Aladdin hesitated at first, not sure what the merchant meant, and then took the apple from Omar. "Don't be in such a hurry to get home, Aladdin. You might not like what you see." Aladdin continued to look at Omar with the weariest eyes Omar had ever seen. It was as if Aladdin's body kept going, and his eyes were the only truth of how tired he was.
The merchant looked away from Aladdin again, and began putting things way, for the sun was nearly set and he was done selling for the day. "Go home, Aladdin." He sighed. "Go see everyone you love. Maybe it will take the blankness out of your eyes."
Aladdin felt the weariness that Omar perceived began to take its toll on his body. He stumbled a bit before slumping against the wall, the apple falling from his hand. He wanted so badly to lie down and rest—probably for the rest of his life, he was so drained—but knew that he would never find sleep until he had seen his friends and loved ones again. And so with great force he lifted his feet and turned to walk away. He nodded to Omar after a few steps and then began the longest walk he had ever taken: to the palace, some hundred yards away.
To Aladdin, an eternity passed with every step he took. The sand was starting to cool from the setting of the sun and the rising of the moon, but it also seemed to grow thicker and hotter, halting his tread more and more. The laughter and the whispers were dying away now and the only noises Aladdin could hear above the pounding of his chest and the heaving of his breath were the sounds coming from each house he passed, each family he elapsed. Families that sat down to dinner and watched from their windows as the hero passed them by, looking like a zombie in the red shadow of the setting sun.
A lifetime later, Aladdin reached the palace gates, their size and weight as intimidating in their imminence. At the moment, Aladdin felt like a stranger forbidden entry into the prominent palace and he was hesitant to go any further. Should he wait until morning, refreshed and ready to feel again? But he knew he could wait no longer, and the lingering only made his hungry need to see Jasmine and all those he loved even greater.
The gate was heavier than he remembered, and it took a bit of effort to push it open. He had it nearly ajar when a hand grabbed him from behind and pulled him around.
"And just what do you think you're doing, stranger?" Rasoul asked Aladdin, pulling the young man away and throwing him to the ground. Rasoul cowered over Aladdin, but Aladdin knew not to be afraid of the loyal palace guard.
"Stranger? I think that hurts more than street rat." The hero rose to his feet and steadied himself on the gate. "But stranger is a nice touch considering I haven't seen you in a while."
Rasoul let out a gasp when he the street rat faced him, and he took several steps back in fear. He put his hand on his sword, but didn't pull it completely from its sheath. "How can it be?"
Aladdin gave the guard an inquisitive look and took a step toward him. "What's wrong, Rasoul? It's me, Aladdin…remember?"
Rasoul put up an arm, blocking his face, as if to shield himself from Aladdin. "Yes, I remember, but…."
Aladdin took another step forward and Rasoul took another step back. "But…what?"
Rasoul gulped and moved back again. "I think you should go see the princess." With that, he turned on his heel and hurriedly jogged away from Aladdin. He stopped at a corner, gave Aladdin one last look, shook his head, and then left Aladdin's sight.
Aladdin stood there for a second, slightly dumbfounded. "Okay…." He walked past the huge, blue gate and pushed it closed after a moment's pause. "Maybe Rasoul should stay out there; I think there's something wrong with him…"
He gave a shrug and slowly made his way to the palace door. The complete absence of the guards did not dawn on him in his weary state, and his slow tread up the steps enlightened his heart each time his foot pressed against the stone. Minutes—no, seconds!—and he would be finally be at rest.
He half stepped into the throne room, but stopped short in the doorway when he heard the sound of her laughter. Only his head and upper body were visible past the door as his eyes sharply searched the room to find her.
Jasmine was sitting on a large pillow next to the dining table brought out every night, and her smile was evident from across the room. Her father, the Sultan, was at the head of the table, facing Aladdin, and he also was grinning largely, as though he and his daughter had just shared a common thought and found it humorous. Genie was floating in the air next to the Sultan, lying on his side, beaming as well.
"Okay! Okay! So turning Iago into a monkey to punish him for stealing from the royal treasure room might be a little bit extreme, but…"
"…it's funny!" Jasmine finished for Genie, putting her hand over her mouth to stop the laughter.
The Sultan shook slightly as he quietly laughed too. "Now Genie, I'm sure Iago learned his lesson… I doubt he will steal from the royal treasure room— "
"For a few weeks. Father, Iago has tried to steal again and again and again! Why won't you realize this too?"
"Dearest, Iago has a thieving nature. It's all right. Just leave him as a monkey for… oh…three weeks and I can bet he will never do anything like this again!"
"I suppose…. But you must admit Father, this is funny!" Jasmine giggled at the image that popped into her head and smiled widely at her father.
"Yes, seeing a monkey with a beak is rather amusing…"
Aladdin watched the three laugh happily together and found that he was silently laughing too. He was so glad to see them again that he continued standing in the doorway, afraid of breaking up the precious moment he so sorely missed being a part of.
"Now, Jasmine, you must tell me about what happened in Presse. I must know what happened with--" But the Sultan never finished his sentence. He caught a glimpse of Aladdin standing in the doorway, and put his arm before his face much like Rasoul. "By Allah…"
Jasmine, still giggling, noticed his odd expression. She stopped laughing and looked at him curiously. "What's wrong, Father?"
Genie looked at the Sultan, too, and then followed his eyes to where they were fixed. Genie set eyes on Aladdin and fell out of the air.
Jasmine saw Genie hit the ground and looked back at the door. She saw Aladdin and her eyes grew large and her mouth dropped open in surprise. Genie brought his head out of the floor and looked up again at his friend. Aladdin, realizing that he was caught, came out of the doorway and walked forward into the large room.
"Aladdin?" Genie was standing now, rooted to the spot, confusion splattered all over his face.
"Hey, Genie…" was all Aladdin could get out. He looked at Genie and smiled when he saw his expression. "It hasn't been that long, has it?"
"Aladdin… my boy, you're back! But how?" The Sultan seemed to be the first able to respond to Aladdin's presence in a functioning manner, and jumped up from his cushion to cross the room and shake Aladdin's arm vigorously. He realized what he was doing before he pulled Aladdin's arm off, and instead dispersed the height difference and pulled Aladdin in for a hug.
Aladdin bent down to the Sultan's level to receive his greeting, but kept his eyes on Jasmine the entire time. She had both hands over her mouth and her eyes were reflective with tears. She stayed back, however, and made no effort to move. As the Sultan let Aladdin go, Genie came whizzing over and picked Aladdin up. He twirled him in the air and hugged him tightly. "Aladdin! Kid! You're back! And your front! You're both here!"
Aladdin spun in the air with Genie and gasped for breath as Genie hugged him tightly. "I'm back, Genie…"
Genie tossed him into the air and caught him. "I can't believe it! My buddy is back!" He changed into a mother-figure that oddly resembled Edith Bunker from 'All in the Family'. "Oh! I'm so glad you're back, Arch! How was your day, dear?"
Aladdin raised his eyebrows, but smiled. He was glad to be the victim of Genie's antics again.
Genie changed back quickly and grabbed one of Aladdin's hands to swing him around. "My buddy is back! He's back, he's back, he's back…" He was dancing around and dropped Aladdin to the floor as he continued his cheer. "He's back, he's alive, he's still his same old size…" Genie stopped for a second. "What else rhymes with alive?"
The Sultan shrugged. "Thrive?"
Genie shook his head. "No, I don't think I could make that work." Genie stuck his tongue out as he concentrated. "Wait, what about, 'Into our hearts he still has dived? No, that doesn't work… maybe if I don't use alive…"
Aladdin picked himself off the floor and dusted off his pants, though they seemed permanently stained with the blood of the desert. He chuckled at Genie as he raised his head. His eyes met Jasmine's almost instantly and he froze when he saw her. Genie and the Sultan looked over at the two. Jasmine was now standing and her mouth was still open in surprise and wonderment; Aladdin had a look of slight fear—as though he were afraid of her reaction in seeing him.
Jasmine took a step toward him. "Is it really you?" She whispered.
A hundred feet apart, Aladdin heard her every word and nodded. "It's really me, Jasmine."
She continued walking toward him, unsure of how her feet found the order to move at all. She was now just a few paces away. "Say it again."
Aladdin's eyebrows knitted together. "Say what again?"
Jasmine took one more step forward. "My name. I've been praying I could hear you say my name one last time."
Aladdin's eyes were already filled with love, and now his voice filled with it too. "Jasmine…"
Jasmine choked out a cry and ran over to Aladdin. She jumped into his arms and cried into his chest. He picked her up and held her tightly, kissing the side of her head and slowly rocking her back and forth. The rest of the world was forgotten as Aladdin and Jasmine reunited: he held her close, afraid to let her go, and she cried softly onto his heart, afraid of ever being away from it again.
She trembled in his arms, and he regretted ever leaving her side. How stupid he'd been to leave her, with their wedding day so close! He ran his fingers through her soft ebony hair and rocked her gently to the beating of his heart. Choked by her emotions and his own, Aladdin was at a loss for words. He couldn't think of what to say that would bring her comfort and quiet her pain, and could only hold her tightly, the pressure of his arms assuring her that he would never let her go.
Jasmine stopped sobbing after many minutes, but stayed in Aladdin's arms. She was so comforted being held by him, that she forgot everything and was lost in him. Lost in his arms, lost in his scent, lost in the powerful emotion that enveloped and warmed her heart at his touch. She whispered into his ear. "Is this a dream? Are you really here?"
Aladdin took her chin in his hands and she looked up away from his chest and stared into his eyes. "I'm really here, my Princess. But this feels like a dream anyway."
She held his hands as he lovingly caressed her cheek. "I thought I lost you forever…"
Aladdin shook his head. "You'll never lose me, Jasmine. I'll love you until the day the earth dies. I'll always be by your side." He hugged her tightly again and she began to cry once more.
Carpet, Abu and a much disfigured Iago (who resembled a half-bird half-monkey) came bursting through the door. "What's all the commotion? Jeesh, you'd think we're having a party in here…" Iago stopped short as he saw Jasmine hugging someone and crying. Aladdin's back was to them and Iago, Abu and Carpet couldn't see his face. "What the…"
As Iago spoke, Aladdin moved back from Jasmine, and turned around. As soon as Iago and Abu saw Aladdin's face, they gasped and stepped back. Iago rubbed his eyes with his feathers, blinking, certain that his eyes were deceiving him. Abu simply stood there, too surprised to move, too stunned to register the presence of his friend.
Aladdin, attempting and failing to ease away the awkwardness of the moment, shrugged his shoulders and cracked a small smile. "Hey guys…"
It was as if a gun had exploded. Abu and Iago both let out boisterous shrieks and ran as fast as they could to Aladdin, almost knocking him down in fright. Abu leaped onto Aladdin's shoulder, circled his neck, and wrapped his tiny arms around Aladdin's head, hugging tightly. Iago flew up and then back down (his wings now only being able to carry him so far, as they weren't really wings anymore), grabbing hold of Aladdin's leg and squeezing it firmly. Carpet expanded and then hurriedly flew to Aladdin, sliding under his feet like a rug and lifting Aladdin into the air wildly before setting him back down on his feet.
"Al! Oh Al, you're alive! You're alive!"
Genie, sensing a "group-hug" moment, took hold of Jasmine and the Sultan's hands and threw them onto Aladdin. "Everyone, in together now!" He shouted, picking up the large and fumbling group, too shaken for words at the sight of their true friend and companion.
Eventually it was Iago who called everyone off a few minutes. "Okay, that's enough mushy stuff. Okay… GET OFF NOW." The Sultan stepped back somewhat as Iago shouted. "Thank you. I think I've managed to keep some of my spine intact…"
There was laughter all around, and a few sniffles from Jasmine, who didn't seem capable of composing herself just yet. Aladdin looked at her, the thing he treasured most in the entire world, and held her hand. He almost regretted it for as soon as he did Jasmine started bawling again, surrounding Aladdin with her arms, threatening to choke his breath.
The dinner on the table lay forgotten as everyone in the room was marveling at the return of their greatest friend. The Sultan, the only one who seemed to be able to produce full, coherent, and sane sentences, called for the guards and the servants. "Everyone, in here!" Rasoul and a few of the servants nearby quickly gathered round. "Rasoul, you are to alert the city as soon as possible tomorrow morning that there will be an announcement concerning Aladdin's return. Kader," he said, addressing a servant to his left, "please go and prepare Aladdin's chamber—I want him to have the best night's sleep he has ever had tonight. The rest of you, please see to it that Aladdin is made comfortable."
The other servants obeyed immediately, all hurrying off to follow the Sultan's orders. Rasoul bowed roughly and muttered something about not wanting to celebrate the return of a street rat, but even he seemed pleased to see Aladdin yet again. Aladdin, focused on Jasmine and his friends' crazy antics, seemed not to notice any of it.
Genie was beside himself with happiness. He was bouncing off the walls of the room, picking Aladdin up and putting him down, throwing food in the air, and being more Genie than Aladdin had ever seen him be. There were nearly tears in his eyes whenever he looked at Aladdin, and his words were cut off with laughs and cheers. "I can't believe it—you're back! Little buddy! I never—but how? But why? Who cares! You're back!"
Abu chattered happily around Aladdin as well, sitting on his shoulder and then running off to hit Iago excitedly, who in turn would chase him about the room. More of the dinner was ruined this way, but the servants, recognizing the noise, began to gather what remained of the supper and cleared the table.
Of course, Aladdin was thankful that his friends welcomed him back so happily, and he wasn't angry at all the bliss occurring in his honor—but he was suspicious. Perhaps he had been away while something major had happened? Maybe Mozenrath had attacked while he was away? Was a sand monster assaulting the city and stealing all the children? What was going on?
It was then that he spotted the turban.
He had been looking at Genie (who in turn had been turning himself into random things in all his delight of seeing Aladdin) when out of the corner of his eye he had spotted something red. Something VERY red. The color so contrasted with the marble walls of the palace that he didn't know why he hadn't seen it before.
It was a turban, sitting on a table in the next hall across from him. The door had been left slightly ajar by a servant who was busily clearing the table, and Aladdin's eyes slowly fixated upon it. No one else noticed it; Genie was bouncing around again, Iago was throwing dinner plates at Abu who was running around the Sultan's feet, Carpet was trying to save Abu, and Jasmine was hugging Aladdin tightly, almost draining his breath.
But there it was: a deep, blood red turban sitting on a table in the hallway next-door. However, the question wasn't why it was there, but who it belonged to.
Jasmine pulled back to look at Aladdin, and he found his eyes automatically drawn to her own. Tears had covered her cheeks and reddened her eyes, and yet he still found that her face was the most beautiful thing he had ever looked at. Its beauty was something that he had truly missed after his short leave, and couldn't believe he had gone so long without looking into her eyes and staring into her soul.
"I can't believe you're back…" she whispered to him, almost afraid that the words would drive him away.
"Oh, but you can believe it, Jasmine. I'm back here now, and I'm never going to leave again."
Her eyes had closed when he had said this and then opened slowly to look right at him—her stare piercing through his very being. "You'll never leave? Do you promise?"
He chuckled slightly and pulled back a loose strand of her hair from her face. "I promise that I will never leave you alone again, my princess. I promise that everyday you shall find me with you, and that whenever the sun sets you shall find me close to your heart. Always."
More tears climbed down her face and she smiled as the words soaked in. "Then that's enough for me, Aladdin. That is enough for me."
Her eyes traveled to his lips and she kissed him deeply; she not wanting to let his lips leave hers and he wanting to forever take in her taste, salty tears and all.
Aladdin purposefully walked through the palace, his fingers interwoven with Jasmine's, and looking unashamedly at her every moment he could. The palace was surprisingly different already, and Jasmine tried to remark on the changes made during his trip, but could hardly keep from sniffling in between sentences. That curtain replaced after the rainstorm, that vase a new gift from the city of Mercadia. To Aladdin, her words were like a melody, and he was having a hard time paying any attention to the subject of their discussion, but instead continually pointed out the obvious.
"By Allah, you're the most beautiful jewel in the desert, Jasmine." Statements which prompted a buried blush and broad smile from the princess.
"Are you even paying attention, Aladdin?"
Aladdin grinned as he hooked his arm with hers. "No."
"Then you don't want me to show you to your room?"
Aladdin shook his head. "It doesn't matter, Jasmine, where a new tapestry came from or how many tons of roses where sent by a foreign friend. The palace wouldn't mean a thing to me if you weren't here to brighten its marble walls."
Jasmine sighed a little, a sigh of contentment and peace. "And just where did you learn such smooth talk, Aladdin? I hope you weren't off courting another woman in the time you've been gone."
The joke, meant to tease the man, actually made her start crying again. It pained Aladdin to see any hurt upon her face and in her heart, but for the life of him he couldn't understand why she was being so moody. He'd been gone a short time, and they'd been apart much longer before, so why did Jasmine start crying at every mention of his absence? Aladdin had assumed that although the trip had exhausted him physically and mentally, everything would be normal upon his return.
Jasmine gave up looking at his face now, and he stopped from pulling her attentions there. He would give her the time she needed to recover, and made a mental note to never leave her side for more than a week again.
The couple passed by a large empty room with an underwater theme, another bedroom with red silk covering nearly every inch of it, a room with a large bath in the center, and another hallway until finally Aladdin found familiar landmarks. He saw the large picture of the palace and city near the huge blue doors and knew he had arrived at Jasmine's sleeping quarters. She sniffed a little as she turned and pointed down another hallway to the door at the end where he would be staying for the night.
"I thought you might like the bedroom with the other balcony. That way you could sleep next to it, if you'd want to, like before."
He turned to her, and his eyebrows went up slightly. "Like before?"
She choked back tears when he started talking, but then turned to him with a smile on her face. "You know, in your hovel? The large window that you sleep next to? I thought you would be used to that."
Frankly, he wasn't used to walking in the palace again, but he smiled widely at her thoughtfulness and squeezed her hand tightly. "I would like that. Thank you."
She looked to the floor and he looked over the window—the uneasiness seemed to have come back. For some reason or another, she wasn't used to seeing him just yet, and she took to staring at the floor whenever there was an awkward pause. Like now.
Aladdin thought of something quickly, and drew back his free hand to the vase behind him. He pulled on a flower, and brought it before her. Jasmine looked up and smiled at the sight of it.
"The most beautiful flower, for the most beautiful lady."
She looked at the flower, then up at him with a pleased look on her face. Aladdin, bemused, looked down and noticed that the flower he had intended to pick from the vase was actually shriveled and dead. "Uh…."
She laughed and took the dead plant from his hands. "It's lovely. I wouldn't change a thing." She giggled again as she held it away from her, taking in a full view look. He smiled at her and put his hand below her chin to turn her towards him.
"Neither would I." He stared into her eyes again and she smiled broadly, the tears quickly evaporating from her face.
"Even after all this time, you're still throwing out cheesy love lines?"
He looked at her, somewhat confused as she pulled away a little, though the smile on her face she couldn't hide. She laughed as she added, "And after all this time I'm still falling for them." Giggling, she pushed herself up against him. She wiped some of the dirt off his face with the back of her hand, and then stopped. Her smile quickly vanished as they locked eyes and became still.
Aladdin slowly caressed the side of her face and held her cheek in his hand. "It feels so good to drink in the very sight of you. I can't believe we ever parted."
Jasmine sighed into the side of his hand and cast her eyes downward. "I can."
Aladdin pulled her face over to look at him and he saw the tears he thought had vanished had simply hid in her eyes. "What's wrong, Jasmine?"
Jasmine sniffed and focused her stare onto Aladdin's chest. "Nothing. Everything is fine. Everything is just as it was before."
Aladdin was confused again. "Is that a bad thing?"
Jasmine looked up again to answer but couldn't get anything out. They heard a loud noise to their left, and they turned to face Jasmine's bedchamber door. They saw the swish of blue mist and heard a small squeak that sounded familiar.
Aladdin dropped his hands from Jasmine's face and laughed. "Genie…"
A small voice came from inside the nearly closed door. "Nope…no Genie here….you're hearing things…no one here…."
Aladdin smiled over at Jasmine as she chortled, and he joined in as he walked up to the door. "Oh, yeah, you're probably right, Jasmine. The guys wouldn't be right behind this door. Because if they were, it would hurt when I did this." He suddenly pushed the door over hard and heard it hit something solid. There was a muffled 'Ow!' as the door swung back to close again. Aladdin, amused, hit the door open one last time to hear it hit something seemingly solid.
There was another stifled mutter as three eavesdroppers came around the door, each rubbing a specific part of their bodies, where the door had obviously hit. Genie was the first to respond. "Gosh, Al, I wish you wouldn't have hit the door open so hard…"
Aladdin put a hand to his cheek, acting shocked. "Did I hit you, Genie? I thought no one was there. I mean, no one told me so."
Genie looked up, blushed slightly and then grinned. "No one told you so, huh? Are you hearing things, Al? Do the voices speak to you often?" He turned himself into a doctor, oddly taking after Patch Adams. He pushed a flashlight into Aladdin's face. "Hmm, pupils in good condition." He checked Aladdin's pulse and pulled out his tongue. "Heartbeat good—tongue normal color." He began writing on a tab. "Take three aspirin tonight and don't yell at me in the morning."
Iago walked around Genie's foot (now looking perfectly normal again, with no monkey tail) and held onto his leg to steady himself. "I don't know what's talking to Al, but my head sure is talking to me. It was awfully nice of you, Aladdin, to hit the door twice, by the way. As if the first time the door slammed into my skull wasn't painful enough…"
Aladdin smirked at the parrot. "I thought it was awfully nice of that no one person to be eavesdropping on a private conversation, too."
Iago shook his head and then grinned, suddenly recalling the conversation he heard Jasmine and Aladdin share. "Oh, yeah, Romeo, you were looking good. You should be thankful no one bothered you. One more minute and I think you would've ended up farming. It was getting so corny in there, I'm surprised monkey-boy hadn't rushed in there looking for food."
Abu, who had been leaning on Genie's other foot, growled loudly and jumped for Iago. Iago instinctively flew up and landed on Aladdin's shoulder. He soon wished he hadn't as he was hastily covered in dust. "Geesh, I wonder where you could've been. IN A DESERT MUCH? I mean, just because we live here, doesn't mean you gotta roll around in the sand. First off, it's called a bath; you could've at least showed some thoughtfulness by cleaning up before you came back…" But Aladdin never got to hear the rest. A large, straw bag with CORN written across it abruptly covered Iago's head and he fell to the ground.
They all giggled as Iago struggled to free himself, yelling out every so often. Jasmine, however, was one of the first to stop laughing. Her eyes focused on Aladdin as he continued his laughter, watching his every move. The brims of her eyes glistened with tears and she sighed deeply. He was home at last, and she still couldn't understand how or even why. But Allah had finally decided to grant her deepest prayers and hopes.
Aladdin suddenly became aware that Jasmine had ceased her laughing and looked over at her. She had her eyes closed and was crying silently. Genie saw this as well, and grabbed Abu and the bag with Iago still inside, and quickly hurried into the next room, giving Aladdin and Jasmine some time to themselves.
But he needn't have left—Jasmine simply opened her eyes, moved to Aladdin, gave him a kiss on the cheek, and strode into her bedroom, closing the door behind her. Aladdin stood there, staggered, and wondered how long it would be before Jasmine would act normal around him again. After all, he had only been gone for a few months.
Aladdin had decided he had never slept better in his entire life. He knew that the bed would be soft and comfortable, but he was sure that had nothing to do with it. He was home, he was with his friends, and no matter if he had slept on rocks, he would have gotten the best night's sleep he had ever had.
The desert sun shone brightly behind the cloth substituting a door to the balcony. Aladdin smiled as he got out of bed when he remembered where he was, and when he remembered that he was about to get up and spend all day with the woman he loved and the friends he loved as well.
He quickly cleaned himself and dressed, servants running around to take care of his every need. A new outfit had been left for him, and he swiftly donned the garb before rushing into the hall to find Jasmine. Practically sprinting to see her, he nearly fell on his backside when he turned the corner and collided with her in the hallway.
Aladdin hastily straightened himself and reached down to help her up. "Wow! Hey Jasmine, where's the fire?"
She smiled up at him and bit her lip. "I could ask you the same." Aladdin smirked and then stepped back slightly as Jasmine immediately wrapped her arms around his neck. She kissed the side of his head as she grabbed for his hand and pulled him to start walking with her. "Did you sleep well?"
"I think I've never slept better in my entire life."
She continued smiling. Aladdin hoped silently that all of her tears had been dried up. "Good."
They passed a maid who was on her way to see the princess herself. "You called for me, Princess?"
Jasmine and Aladdin stopped. "Yes, Aula. I want you to send this letter for me. I trust you know to whom it is addressed." She handed the woman a letter with a red stamp on it (one Aladdin had failed to notice before), then gave the maid a sharp look. "Send this as fast as you can." Aula nodded and then headed into another hallway. Jasmine continued her pace as though the transaction was a normal occurrence.
"What was that about?" Aladdin asked, as he was pulled along by Jasmine's hand.
"I forgot to send a letter to one of our allies. Father has trusted me with things like that for some time now, and I was foolish to have forgotten."
Aladdin was confused for the umpteenth time since he had gotten back, although his curiosity wasn't strong enough to question anything just yet. Jasmine's brisk tone had caught him off guard. But he had no time to inquire as he and Jasmine walked through the hall and into the dining hall. He saw the Sultan and Genie already there, and he and Jasmine hurried forward to take their seats.
The Sultan smiled when he saw Aladdin and sat him down directly to his right. "Come, come now, my boy, sit down, sit down. Rasoul has just been off to announce to the city of your arrival. I trust you slept well last night?"
"Yes, I did. I don't think I've slept that well in months." Aladdin answered cheerfully, happy to see that the Sultan was acting so nice to him. But the Sultan gave him a curious look, before shaking his head and going on.
"Very good. Well, I suppose breakfast will be served shortly, and then perhaps you can tell us all about your travels, hmm?"
Aladdin smiled at him again as another servant brought out a large platter filled with eggs, breads and everything else under the desert sun that Aladdin could possibly want. He had forgotten exactly how hungry he was last night because of all the excitement, but now his stomach reminded him by growling loudly. He had a bit of everything as small talk was made around the table. Genie enlightened them with jokes they had heard him tell dozens of times (but which all got roaring laughs from the Sultan, who seemed to have forgotten them), and amused them with imitations of Iago when he had looked like Abu.
But after the food was all eaten, and all stomachs were bursting to the brim, the Sultan brought up the subject that everyone (except maybe Aladdin) was anxious to hear. Jasmine, so apprehensive to listen to the topic, hadn't eaten anything at all.
In fact, she looked almost sick. Numbness appeared to have taken over her body, and she sat still, slightly rocking back and forth. Aladdin had noticed immediately, as had everyone else, but the Sultan and the others seemed accustomed to it.
"So, Aladdin. Since your return as of last night, we've all been wondering how you got back." He paused, thinking. "Actually, we were all wondering where you had gone to. I must say, it is certainly surprising to see you alive and well."
Aladdin looked up at the Sultan, confused (what was it, the twentieth time now?). "Surprised to see me alive and well?"
"Yes. I mean, no. I mean… you were gone for so long… of course we thought you were…" The Sultan gave his daughter a grave look, her rocking stopped at the mention of Aladdin's death. "My boy, you were gone for six long years."
Aladdin's mouth dropped wide open. "Six years?" He turned to Genie. "Six years?"
Genie gave him a strange look, and nodded. "You've been gone for six years, pal. Didn't you know that?"
Aladdin closed his mouth and looked straight at the table in front of him. "I was not gone for six years. Six months, maybe, but certainly not six years."
Jasmine had tears flowing freely down her face now. She even gave a small sob at the thought of Aladdin having only been gone for six months. "You were gone six years. I counted the days myself. 2,264 days, four hours and forty-seven minutes."
The Sultan and Genie gave Jasmine a piteous and knowing look. Aladdin gave a snort. "You counted the days? Jasmine, I was not gone for six years."
She gave another sob, and turned to look at him. "You were gone for six years, Aladdin. I celebrated my twenty-third birthday one month ago. You had your twenty-fourth seven months ago. Rasoul got married, he has a son now. We haven't seen Mozenrath in six years, not after the attack on the oasis. And Mirage? She hasn't been seen since she tried to put the entire city to sleep. Omar had a heart attack; Sadira moved into a near-by city. Saleen tried to take over Agrabah three times, but after she learned you were no where to be found…. And Abis Mal works at one of the casinos in Getizstan. Haroud as well. We think they're up to no good, but Sultan Pasta-Aldente refuses to listen. You were gone for six long years, Aladdin. And I will be damned if you sit there and laugh as though you weren't." She threw her napkin on the table and got up, storming out of the dining hall with a flick of her long hair.
Aladdin sat there for some odd minutes as he absorbed the new information, like a poison. Six years? Mozenrath and Mirage no where to be found? Saleen trying to take over? Six years? Abis Mal and Haroud in a casino? Six years? He was now twenty-four? SIX YEARS?
His head hurt just thinking about it.
Genie and the Sultan whispered to each other quietly as Aladdin banged his head on the table, and the back of the chair, trying to literally rack his brain for the memories.
"Why doesn't he remember?" The sultan whispered discreetly to Genie.
"Could be amnesia."
"But then why does he remember us? And the palace?"
"Could be amnesia for things he doesn't like."
"Then why does he remember Rasoul?"
"Hmmm…. Maybe he's sick. Or maybe whatever happened to him was so bad, he can't remember."
"Perhaps he was stuck in time and was only awakened a little while ago. Like Allah's will caused him to wait six years before returning."
"You've been playing the Legend of Zelda too much. I knew that would be a bad gift… Besides, people don't just get frozen in time. You get banished for that kind of stuff."
"Banished? Why?"
"Union rules. All union rules, actually. The Convention of 2,349,823 BC forbade permanently messing with mortal's time. Or was it moral decline? Anyway, I know it's practically impossible—only REALLY powerful sorcerers can even try that."
"But then that must mean…" The Sultan turned to look at Aladdin, who was sitting still, rubbing his head.
"Yeah…. Al was playing with some big-shot wizards."
Aladdin looked over at them. "Was it really six years?" He whispered, tears coming from his eyes now. They both nodded solemnly at him. He looked away, toward Jasmine's empty seat. But then his head came up, and he threw his own napkin on the table, and ran after the love of his life. "Jasmine!"
He found her moments later in her bedroom, lying flat on her stomach with her face smothered into the pillow as she tried to hide from him. He was sure she had been crying again, and now that he realized why he felt like doing to same. However, he heard no weeping or bawling coming from her, and as he sat down by her side, she turned to face him and he saw that there were no tears to be found on her face.
"Jasmine?" He asked, taking her hand when she turned fully toward him. She refused to look at him. "Jasmine?"
"I've wept all the tears I could a long time ago," was all she said.
He was looking straight at her again, and she wished he would look away. The pressure under his stare increased as the seconds rolled by, and still they both would not say anything.
"I thought I was done crying. I thought I was done being torn in two—that my heart would finally get some rest and stop aching. And then you came back, and it has done nothing but burn all over again."
She finally looked at him, and he at her; their eyes locked and she spoke low, whispering that which only he was to hear.
"Why did you come back?"
He could no longer avoid his own grief, and a single tear bathed his face as it ran down the side of his cheek. He looked away, then back at her, and then away one last time. He could not answer, for he had not anticipated such a question being asked.
"I came back for you. You kept me alive from whatever it was that was keeping me away."
She pulled her hand from his and she looked into her lap. "I was just starting to get used to life without you. I thought there was no way that I could ever live without you when you were gone for so long. I questioned everything—my family, my friends, my life. And yet, somehow, I managed to keep going. Just as my heart was about to close, to retrieve the last piece of it and be whole again, you show up. And all I can think about is how I ever made it without you."
She looked up at him again, and this time pulled his face to look at hers. "I love you still, Aladdin. But I don't understand how you came back, where you even went. I was so worried, at first, when you didn't come home. I thought for sure you had been taken by an old enemy. I searched the entire desert. Then, I was nothing but angry—I was sure you had left me, left me to pursue another life. I thought you had given your love to another, and had forgotten about me. I gave up my search. You were dead for certain; else you would never come home.
"But you did. You did come back, just as I was starting to be happy once more. I do not regret your arrival. I only want answers. Every night I asked myself where you had gone, or if you were safe, dead, or with another. If you were trapped somewhere, lying in the dark, being beaten and I unable to save you. If you were running around the desert with another woman, with another friend. If you had thought I didn't love you anymore, and had simply left."
She was unable to continue further, and both sat there for quite some time, crying together and alone at the same time. They were together, for they were in the same room, but they were alone for both were unable to understand the other after all the time that had passed.
Jasmine wanted answers, but Aladdin could find none. He racked his brain and searched his entire memory for some sort of information, some detail that would remind him of where he had been. But nothing came. It was as if his entire life had simply stopped from when he last remembered Jasmine until now. And that scared him more than anything in the entire world.
Wait—he did remember something… An image of an old man, crippled…. And a young woman, radiant and lovely….
"I remember you, Jasmine. I came back for you. You're the reason my feet kept moving, my heart kept beating; it was all for you. I can't remember where I went. I can only remember your voice in my head telling me to keep going, beckoning me forward like some kind of goddess…"
"Aladdin, I--" Jasmine began, having finally gotten the courage to tell him everything and forgive him for ever leaving, willing to get their lives back together and have the happiness they once had had. But she couldn't finish her sentence. And even if she had, he would not have heard her.
For the horns from the city of Presse were bellowing, and the prince had arrived.
Aladdin stared up at Jasmine and saw the horrified look upon her face. He could not understand why, but she seemed to stutter as the horns continued to blow. It was as if her worst nightmares had just been shown true, and she was unable to stop the catastrophes from occurring—from ruining all that she had hoped and dreamed.
"Jasmine, what is that?" He asked her, waving his hand in front of her eyes in hopes of receiving some sort of response. He got none. Frozen as though she had just looked into the eyes of a gorgon, Jasmine sat, not blinking, not seeing, and not breathing. Aladdin shook her a little and still she did not falter from her pose. He heard the horns blow again and again—and when he had asked Jasmine thrice more for answers, he finally walked over to the balcony to see what was the matter.
What he saw made his memories sharpen. There, on its way to the palace, was a large parade, with horses and elephants, swordsmen and belly dancers, and wealth of the extremes. He saw ribbons and posters, a swirl of red that contrasted with the brown city. All red. The city appeared on fire, the flood of the parade sweeping through the streets and heading straight for the palace. It was a wonder the citizens of Agrabah were not terrified by this new arrival.
But the people seemed most pleased with the parade, and cheered and rooted on the mass of red that was creeping closer and closer to the city. The people applauded the parade as though they had known and hoped it would be coming by, as though they had seen it before and welcomed it always.
It was exactly like the parade Aladdin had used to make his way into the city as a prince. And then it hit him. He looked back to Jasmine who saw him at last, and made a mad rush for the door. Aladdin sprang over to her, blocking her path, and grabbed her arm. She was forced to look at him, and he looked intently onto her face. "Who is that parade for?"
Jasmine, tears threatening once more, merely shook her head. "No…."
Genie suddenly burst into the room and flew to Jasmine. "Jas! The prince from Presse is here and-" He stopped when he caught sight of Aladdin and his mouth fell open. "Oh… hi, Al…"
Aladdin looked to Jasmine to Genie a hundred times in a matter of a few seconds. Then he ceased to do so, because he got a headache from it. Neither one would give Aladdin a look, never mind any answers. "Genie?" He gazed at the ground. "Jasmine?" She gawked at Genie. Aladdin was growing very impatient very fast, and when both had finally looked at him, it was to watch his back as he exited the chamber and headed for the throne room.
He nearly ran through the hallway, pushing past servants and tables, vases and pictures. He ran and ran; his fears and insecurities eating away at him as though he was made of bread. He made it to the entrance of the throne room in record time, and halted at the doorway, hiding himself and listening to the people in the throne room. He recognized the Sultan's voice immediately.
"Ah, yes, Prince Roseau, welcome back…. Though I hadn't expected you back so quickly…."
"The princess insisted on my speedy return, and I dare not keep her waiting."
Waiting for what? Aladdin wondered. What were they talking about?
"Well," the Sultan started, "it's never smart to keep my daughter from anything she wants, I'll agree with you there. But I do believe she sent a letter to you this past night, saying she couldn't accept your return so soon…"
"Yes, that I received on my way here. I wondered at her sudden change of will—but that was always one of the things I fancied about her. She has such a strong will, but she doesn't realize that I have one to match. I'm afraid I couldn't stay away from her for so long… and what with the war going on outside my country and everything…the battle has crept to our home front, you see… I was afraid I would never see her lovely face again…."
Lovely face? This guy talks as though… as if he…
But Aladdin had heard enough. Without so much as a second thought, he strode out of his hiding place and found himself instantly before the Sultan. The kind old ruler's eyes grew outsized when he realized the young man stood before him, and gasped when he saw the look on Aladdin's face.
Aladdin, confident a moment ago about confronting the two, now didn't know what to say. He looked from the Sultan to the prince, back and forth, forth and back. The prince was surprised at him, and merely peered at Aladdin from his place next to the Sultan. The Sultan nervously glanced at the prince and cleared his throat several times.
If the situation hadn't been so dramatic, Aladdin would have laughed at the tension. He stood before the two richly dressed, royal men, looking between them anxiously, and they stared at him, wondering why he was there. Each man wondered who would be the first to break the silence.
Aladdin, able to see properly now that he was out in the open, stared roughly at the noble man. He was shocked to discover that the prince actually looked a bit like Aladdin. He was taller than Aladdin, with straight, black hair and a wide, bright smile. He had a traditionally handsome face, one that displayed nobility and heritage. He had a long, straight nose, square jaw, and small forehead. His eyes were dark, a deep shade of brown that bordered black. But aside from his appearance, there was an air about the price that pricked Aladdin's nerve. There was something not right with the man, and Aladdin couldn't put his finger on it.
Jasmine suddenly poured into the room, Genie close behind, both trying to catch their breath. "Aladdin…!" She saw Aladdin turn to her when she called to him, and saw the red prince standing just behind him.
When he heard the princess, the red prince was all smiles, forgetting the awkward situation he stood within. "Jasmine! There you are! I was wondering where you had gotten off to." He stepped up to greet her with a grin and a kiss on the cheek. Beyond him, Aladdin glowered.
"Prince… Prince Roseau! Yes, yes you're here… in-in Agrabah… why?"
Roseau chuckled slightly and grabbed one of her hands as she spoke. "Is that any way to greet your fiancé, I wonder? Perhaps it is some strange custom in this city I was not told about, hmm?"
Jasmine laughed tensely at his laugh and turned her eyes to her father, who looked away. She looked at Genie who shrugged a touch, and then to Aladdin.
Aladdin was as frozen as a statue. He kept his stare on Roseau and hardly breathed in and out. Jasmine closed her eyes when the realization hit her—he knew. And she had betrayed him.
Roseau, noticing another uneasy moment, looked around at everyone. "Jasmine? Is everything all right?" Jasmine didn't respond, at all, so he continued further. His eyes met Aladdin's and he gasped in apprehension. "Ah! Where are my manners?" He turned back to Jasmine. "Where are our manners?" He twisted around to face Aladdin and extended his hand. "I am Prince Roseau, of Presse. It's a pleasure to meet you… Aladdin, was it?"
Aladdin looked at Roseau as though he had three heads. He glanced at Jasmine and answered coldly. "Yes, I'm Aladdin. It's nice to meet you, Prince Roseau." He reached out and shook the prince's hand coldly, to the surprise of everyone in the room; the prince seemed pleased.
"So, Aladdin, are you a friend of Jasmine's? Or perhaps Genie's? Or do you…ah…come from the city?" He blushed at his own question. "Sorry…it's just you…"
"Don't look like royalty." Aladdin finished for him. He now gave the prince his full and undivided attention, speaking to him like a new friend. "Yes, I live here, in Agrabah. And I suppose you could say I am a friend of Jasmine's. And Genie's." Jasmine begin to silently cry as she watched and heard the betrayal in Aladdin's voice, and Genie cringed and looked away when he recognized his own disloyalty.
Aladdin was so surprised at such a turn of events, that he wasn't sure how to act. Prince Roseau was here to marry Jasmine. Genie obviously knew him, the Sultan as well. He had been gone six years. And life had apparently moved on without him.
But he was angry. And felt deceived. Jasmine had gone on with her life, and had forgotten about him. Genie was probably best friends with this new guy.
Roseau smiled again and again, as though he had just made a new friend. "Nice to meet you then, Aladdin. But you say you are a friend of Jasmine and Genie, though I have never met you. Have you been gone? Are you visiting for the time being?"
Aladdin stared at Roseau for a prolonged time before answering. "Yes… I was gone a long time. I just returned. But it looks like everything has been changed." He glanced at Genie. "Friends have changed." He looked at the Sultan. "People have changed." Finally, he stared at Jasmine. "Hearts have changed." He looked back at the prince when he finished. "And you, Prince Roseau… have you been gone?"
Roseau gestured in agreement. "Yes, I was gone for quite some time… probably longer than you! There is a war going on outside my city and I have been busy setting up the proper protection, should it suddenly threaten my kingdom." Aladdin wondered at the need for a large parade with a war happening, but Roseau seemed to read his mind, a gesture which made Aladdin even more resentful. "Ah, you wonder at the parade then, eh? I brought many of my servants with me… to get them out of the palace. And, I thought since Jasmine and I are to wed soon, I could bring some of my city's wealth here for safe keeping." Roseau smiled suddenly as he remembered. "But then you must have heard of my engagement to Jasmine, no?" He stroked Jasmine's back as he talked. "So happy I was when she accepted! Therefore, Aladdin, you must come to the wedding! It would be splendid to have a friend such as yourself present!"
Jasmine paled at this while Genie turned white, literally. Aladdin, emotions raging, pulse pounding against this chest and his head, could think of nothing to say in response.
"Roseau…" Jasmine began, but stopped when she realized the familiarity might anger Aladdin. "Prince Roseau… I don't think this is the time to discuss such things…"
The Sultan caught on quickly. "Yes! I think you're right, dearest. Prince Roseau, you must be tired after all that traveling… would you like to-"
"Well, I am a bit tired, though I think I should have a good night's rest tonight. Aladdin, have you eaten breakfast yet? Would you like to stay for the meal? The food here is always excellent."
Aladdin almost laughed, but stopped short. "No, I think I should get going. I'm sorry for rushing off so soon, Roseau… but I must be getting back home. I think I wore out my welcome here anyway. Genie," he said, nodding to the jinni, "Sultan," who sighed in response. "Good-bye." And with that he walked out of the palace, letting her go. Without so much as a goodbye to Jasmine. Without so much as an angry word or a soft tear.
Roseau waved goodbye to Aladdin as he gaited out of the large, blue palace doors. He then turned to the remaining, and beamed. "He was very nice, wasn't he? We'll have to have him over sometime again." He patted Jasmine' back and walked her to the menagerie. "Now, Jasmine, I must tell you all that happened at Qatar, it was truly remarkable the stories they told…"
And Jasmine walked away with the prince. Without so much as a goodbye to Aladdin. Without so much as an angry word or a soft tear.