CHAPTER 4: Cookies and Tea

Aladdin had not moved from his spot in front of the window. He was too worried about Alibaba to think about anything else. He sighed deeply as he rested his hand to the side of his face and stared out the window towards Amon's Dungeon. He had gone with Morgiana to stay at her house until Alibaba returned.

Morgiana's house was like what we would call an apartment. It wasn't very big, only large enough for a person or two to live in. It wasn't fancy either. It was a little like Alibaba's house, but there were more colorful pillows and the walls looked more like our own home walls. They were painted a sweet pearl color.

Morgiana noticed Aladdin's depressed look as she walked in the room and set a tray of tea and cookies on a small table. She sat down on one of the chairs and poured the tea. She wanted to keep Aladdin's spirits up.

"I'm sure Alibaba is just fine," she said with a smile as she looked towards the boy. But Aladdin continued looking out. He probably was too involved in his own thoughts and concern for Alibaba to even hear her.

Morgiana looked down at her cup of tea with a sad face. In all honestly, she wasn't sure if Alibaba was alright. Still, she didn't want to think anything negative right now.

She stood up and walked over to Aladdin. She put a hand on his shoulder and Aladdin looked up a bit. She smiled again.

"Come on, Aladdin. Let's have some cookies and tea, okay?"

Aladdin looked towards the tray that Morgiana had set out and nodded a bit.

"Okay," he said reluctantly. He got up and sat on the opposite chair from Morgiana. He popped a cookie into his mouth and smiled.

"Chocolate!"

"Yes," Morgiana smiled. "I figured you would like them."

"You make good food!"

Morgiana blushed and managed a giggle. "I don't know about that. My cooking's not that good!"

"I like it!" Aladdin sang as he too giggled and kicked his legs back and forth.

They ate the cookies and drank the tea as they talked about each others' past. After a while, Aladdin asked Morgiana a funny question.

"Do you like Alibaba?"

"Of course I do, he's my friend," she nodded. Aladdin smiled widely now.

"Are you going to come live with me and him soon?"

Morgiana almost dropped her tea cup at his question. So that's what he really meant when he said 'like'. Morgiana blushed and shook her head.

"I haven't thought about it. I'm sure Alibaba hasn't either. Besides, we are just friends. I'm happy with the way things are now."

"You would make a great mom!" Aladdin said.

"So is Alibaba like a father to you?" she asked him. She would assume so because of how close the two had already become after only knowing each other for a day. Aladdin looked down at the floor and shrugged.

"I don't know yet."

"I see," Morgiana nodded. She still wasn't sure about this boy. Even thought he told her a little bit about himself, she still only had a vague idea about what his past was like.

"Tell me about your parents, Aladdin," Morgiana decided to chance the subject.

"My parents?"

"Yes. Do you remember what they were like?"

Aladdin thought about it for a minute and smiled.

"Daddy was very strong! He ruled a big country and lots of people loved him! Mommy was really nice, too. She always sang me to sleep and told me stories. She used to cook for me a lot. She always made my favorite foods!"

"Sounds wonderful!" Morgiana smiled. "Where are your parents now?"

Aladdin hung his head and she noticed tears appearing in his eyes.

"They aren't here anymore. They are dead. My aunt is suppose to look after me...but...I don't trust her. She's never really liked me. And now that I have run away, she has sent bad people after me. That's why I think Alibaba can protect me. If he goes too...,"

Morgiana pulled him close into a hug. She didn't want him to assume such horrible things.

"Hey, it'll be okay. You have me here to protect you too!" she rubbed his blue hair. Aladdin held her close and cried silently. He was still so young to have lost his parents. He was probably scared that his aunt was searching for him. But for what reason, she didn't know. All that mattered was that she keep her promise to Alibaba and keep Aladdin safe.

A hawk's screech could be heard from the window and Morgiana walked over to the bird and saw a message attached to the bird's leg. She petted the bird before taking the scrap of paper from it's leg. She opened the message and read. She turned to Aladdin with a big smile.

"It's from Alibaba!"

"Really?! What does it say?!" Aladdin yelled with joy as he jumped up from his seat and quickly rushed to Morgiana's side. He tried peeking over her hands to see the Arabic letters written on the paper. Morgiana lowered her hands a little so Aladdin could see.

"He says that he is doing well and that he conquered Amon," Morgiana told him. "He should be back by tomorrow."

Aladdin's eyes were so filled with so much joy that they became really large. He threw his hands up into the air and started dancing with glee.

"Hurray! Alibaba did it!"

Morgiana was thrilled too and she exhaled deeply. She had not noticed that she had kept in such a deep breath until now.

Suddenly, there was a knock on the door. Morgiana frowned.

"Strange, I'm not expecting company." She sniffed the air and was suddenly worried. "Aladdin, come over here now!"

"Why?" Aladdin asked as he noticed her concerned look. But he obeyed and stayed close to her.

"We have company."

There was another hard knock before someone tried breaking down the door. Morgiana stood prepared to fight. Aladdin held onto her close.

"And something tells me, they aren't the friendly type," Morgiana finished before the door gave in. A fog of dust filled the room, making it impossible to see.