Thank you all for your patience; hope you continue to enjoy the story!
Adam woke up the next morning surprised to find cold tea by his side and a warm blanket wrapped around him. He looked out the window and groaned realizing he had fallen asleep doing work the night before and had slept until morning. He ran his hand over his face and sighed as he got up to get ready for the day. He reminded himself to say thank you to the servant who had covered him.
Aladdin, who was trapped in the cavern, shook his fist and cursed as he looked up at the closed off cave. "Two faced son of a jackal!" He shouted before looking around for another way to escape. He sighed to himself and wondered if he would still have a job at the palace if and when he returned. He supposed that when they found him missing they would assume he had stolen some from the Palace and ran off. Aladdin was used to people expecting the worst of him, but some part of him hoped that Adam wouldn't be held responsible.
Abu watched his friend's face and smiled, knowing that he had something that would make Aladdin happy. He reached into his pocket and revealed the Lamp that they had taken on the old man's orders. Aladdin smiled as he reached forward for it "I wonder what's so special about this lamp?" he said softly "Hey... I think there's something written here…" He said as he began to rub the side of the lamp.
Adam looked around the Palace all morning trying to find where Aladdin had gone. He wondered if the boy had gotten lost, living in the palace was a change from living on the streets. He hoped that Aladdin was not the thief that everyone was saying he was. He didn't want to think the worst and instead continued to look. Unaware that the advisor's thoughtful eyes were following him.
Belle could see by Adam's posture that he was carrying a heavy burden on his mind. Usually she would go to him and see if there was something that she could do, but Adam seemed to believe he had to take care of everything himself. She shook her head and grabbed her sketch pad and a few plant books; she wanted to explore the garden again today.
Belle went into the gardens and could immediately feel familiar eyes on her, eyes that were dark like burning coals and gave off the same warmth. She turned and smiled as she pushed a stray strand of hair behind her ear. She looked up through her lashes to see that Jasmine was motioning for her to follow; she didn't have the strength to resist.
Aladdin was sitting in the oasis in the desert looking at the beat up oil lamp he held in his hands. He had managed to trick the Genie to free them from the cavern. Though the genie was now insisting he only had three wishes and he wasn't getting any more 'freebies'. The genie gave him a sly and knowing look over some summoned glasses that had dark lenses and said "So what do you want to do kid?"
For the first time Aladdin realized what it was like to have the world at his feet. He had a genie, he had three wishes, and there were only three things that were unavailable to him. He couldn't raise the dead, he couldn't force someone to fall in love with him, and he couldn't wish for more wishes. Those were things that even the richest man sometimes couldn't buy; he was now equal to the Sultan himself.
At the Palace Mrs. Potts was sadly watching as Adam once again worked himself into old age, she was almost certain that she could see grey hairs forming on his hair. She frowned as she set down the pot of freshly brewed tea. She looked around and noticed the distinct lack of Belle; she could feel her brow arching. What was that girl up to?
Belle laughed as she watched Jasmine playing around with her pet tiger Raja. It had taken Belle awhile, but she could say that she was reasonably used to seeing someone play with a tiger that weighed a few tons like it was a calico kitten. Belle shook her head as Jasmine waved her over to join, still she wasn't able to resist and set her book aside as she went to join the beautiful princess.
Jasmine smiled, glad to see that Belle was starting to relax around her, or technically around her tiger. She was happy that Belle and Raja were getting along well. She trusted Raja as a judge of character and the tiger liked Belle very much, almost as much as Jasmine was coming to like her.
Belle laughed as she pulled her apron, which was now shredded, out of Raja's mouth. She had continued to wear her Western wear even through the burning sun thinking that any less would be indecent of her. However since her only clean set of clothes was now dirty and partly shredded she thought there might have to be a change of plans.
Jasmine could have sworn that Raja had winked at her as he shredded part of her dress. Jasmine had covered her mouth to laugh hoping that Belle wouldn't notice that she was happy that Belle would be borrowing some of her clothes. She had just the set in mind…
Belle gave a disapproving look at Jasmine as she looked at herself in the mirror "This can't be decent…" She said shaking her head as she looked over her exposed midriff and the emphasis that it placed on her top. On top of that Jasmine had convinced her to loosen her hair, so now her long brown hair flowed over her shoulders and around her neck. She turned to Jasmine, about to say "I couldn't possibly where this…" The words were stopped in her throat by the look in Jasmine's dark eyes.
Jasmine couldn't help but appreciate how the clothes looked on Belle's pale body. She tried to look away before her look was noticed but it wasn't soon enough. There was a silent look that passed between the two of them before a pale blush came on Belle's cheeks as she lowered her lips gently against Jasmine's lips.
Jafar had spent the day pacing angrily in his secret chamber. How dare the boy betray him! He was furious that he would have to spend longer under the sultan's command. But he had no choice but to make do until another plan came to steal the Sultan's throne. He would just have to continue patiently waiting.
Genie smiled as he heard the boy's wish. If it had come from any other person he would have seen it as a sure sign of greed. However the boy Aladdin made no attempt to hide his true motives, and genie could see that they were as pure as his heart. "Let's make you a star!"
When all the magic was done the Genie looked over Al as he had taken to calling his newest master and said "You certainly are a Prince Charming." He said proudly as he looked over his handiwork. He narrowed his eyes when he saw the slightly dreamy look on Al's face "Now remember kid…" He said slowly, not wanting to disappoint the Master who was coming to mean a lot to him. "I can't make anyone fall in love with you."
It took Aladdin to realize what the Genie was saying "No! I don't want anyone falling in love with me…I just want to repay a favor… Besides we're both men!"
Genie smiled and said nothing 'this kid's heart really is gold.' He thought to himself before he said "Then let's head to Agrabah!"
Adam knew that he was working too hard. The Sultan had already agreed to the trading terms, the plans had already been set. They even had an extra caravan wagon filled with items to begin the trading line. His work was done, but…what else was he supposed to do?
Genie and Aladdin arrived a few miles outside of Agrabah's walls. For the first time since meeting the Genie Aladdin felt a shift of unease. His clothes had changed but what was he supposed to do? Just walk back into Agrabah? How would he prove he was his new identity Prince Ali? He looked to the Genie, wondering if his new friend had any ideas. He did.
Aladdin arrived at the palace amazed that a new name, clothes, and all the trimmings that Genie summoned for him was all it took for people to respect him as the prince he claimed to be. They didn't remember him as the scruffy street rat they thought was born to be trouble. It was both amusing, and a little disappointing. He smiled down at the Sultan who was marveling over his flying rug he had also found in the cavern.
It seemed that he was not born bad as everyone said it wasn't him who was bad, they were only judging him based on the money he made. It seemed that even though the old man had said the truth. Those who had the gold made the rules. He smiled and graciously accepted the Sultan's invitation to stay in the palace.
Jafar narrowed his eyes as he watched the Prince finagle with the Sultan. There was something off about this Prince Abubu…and he was going to find out.
Aladdin smiled as he settled in the rooms he was given. He wasn't aware that he was staring off into space until the Genie appeared floating by his side "So…where's your handsome Prince?" The look Aladdin gave him proved that he was not amused.
Adam had finally given into Ms. Pott's 'kind' suggestions that he go out and take a walk in the gardens. It seemed that Belle was fond of him, he hadn't seen her recently and he hoped that she wasn't feeling ignored in this new land. He supposed that soon enough they would be returning home. In France it was almost wintertime. He had gotten past his memories of Christmas time and being cursed, since then he had begun to appreciate the winter, now however he was starting to see winter as the cold dark time that he remembered.
Aladdin ran his fingers through is hair as he tried to dodge the Genie's pointed questions. He saw a flash of movement out of the corner of his eye and turned to the genie as he said "I'll…talk to you later."
Genie looked up to see what had suddenly distracted Al and smiled slowly when he saw the handsome French man walking through the gardens. "I see…" He said with a suggestive smile. Aladdin just gave him an annoyed look and walked out into the gardens.
Adam looked up when he heard a noise in the bushes he was surprised to see a richly dressed young man stepping gracefully out into the path. Adam brushed his fingers through his hair and rubbed the back of his neck. He didn't want to be rude to the stranger but he had rather wanted to be alone for a moment. He smiled and said "Are you one of Jasmine's suitors?"
For a moment Aladdin paused Adam's voice echoing in his head. Even he didn't recognize him just because of some new clothes and borrowed confidence. He stepped forward wanting to talk to Adam but at the same time a part of him was crushed that he wasn't as special as he thought he was. Not even to Adam. It was then that Adam stepped forward, his intense blue eyes narrowed as he said "Do I know you?"
I hope that you all enjoyed the update that you all for your patience!