Chapter 10: The Big Finale

I gulped as Jafar turned quickly into a large cobra. I had always been afraid of snakes and seeing one this huge scared me a whole lot. I shrank back as Jafar's cobra hood spread and he hissed loudly. I was going to have nightmares after this. If I survived that long. As much as I wanted to shut my eyes, I was frozen in place and could only watch as Al ran from Jafar's strikes

Again and again the giant snake tried to bite my brother and each time I winced in fear, but Al managed to dodge each attack with a finesse only a true streetrat could have. Al got the upper hand when Jafar stuck yet again and Al stabbed him with the sword.

"Rickem, rockem, rackem, rake stick that sword into that snake!" Genie chanted turning into three girls with the letter, 'A' on their shirts. I laughed and he grinned at me.

Jafar turned to him with a large hiss. "You stay out of this!" He warned and Genie rolled his eyes, turning into one girl with a flag that had a 'J' on it.

"Jafar, Jafar he's our man if he can't do it GREAT!" I snickered again and Genie winked at me.

Al took the distraction to run over to Jasmine. "Hang on Jasmine!" Al shouted as went over to help her out of the hourglass. As he was about to swing at the glass, Jafar spotted him and blocked him causing him to drop his sword and send it spinning across the floor.

"Aladdin!" Jasmine called out as more sand fell onto her. From the looks of things she didn't have much time and I wasn't trying to make a pun. Suddenly Al took off and leapt onto a giant diamond, sliding across the floor and grabbing the dropped sword as he flew out the room. The snake took off after Al and then I heard him scream in pain.

Al came running back inside moments later and went towards Jasmine again. But once again Jafar got in the way.

"Al!" I screamed as the giant snake wrapped around my brother wrenching him away from the hourglass. Jafar laughed hideously. The sound sent chills down my spine.

"You little fool, you think you can defeat the most powerful being on earth?" He squeezed Al as he spoke and I saw Al wince.

"Squeeze him, Jafar." Iago encouraged and to my amusement I saw that Genie was edging slowly towards him. "Squeeze him like a-Awk!" Genie elbowed Iago off the pedestal into a wall and I gave him a grin. Genie grinned back and then we looked up at Al.

"Without the genie, boy, you're nothing." Jafar taunted and Al looked defeated.

"Al…" I murmured and even though he was halfway across the room he turned his head to look at me. His dark brown eyes met my blue ones and I tried to relay a message. Don't give up. You never let me. I pleaded and then a sly smile went across his face. There's the Al I know.

"The genie…"Al murmured and I arched an eyebrow. "The genie! The genie has more power than you'll ever have!" Al shouted up at Jafar and the snake man looked down at Aladdin.

"What?" He hissed loudly.

"He gave you your power, he could take it away." Al said slyly.

"Al, what are you doing? Why are you bringing me into this?" Genie asked coming up beside me. He looked at me and I shrugged. Or did the best I could do being tied to a pillar.

Al smirked. "Face it, Jafar-you're still just second best!"

"You're right." Jafar said slowly, contemplating. "His power does exceed my own. But not for long." I grimaced as he slid nearby to ensnare Genie.

Genie looked about how I felt. Scared out of his wits. He gave a nervous laugh as Jafar twisted around him. "The boy's crazy. He's a little punch drunk. One too many hits with the snake." He made a puppet on his hand to hit himself in the head to emphasize.

"Slave!" Jafar interrupted giving Genie a squeeze. "I make my third wish. I wish to be an all powerful genie!" Genie sighed.

"All right your wish is my command." He said and he glared at Al. "Way to go, Al." He muttered out the side of his mouth. Genie turned to the side and held his hand up. Once again Jafar was struck with a lightning bolt. Jafar's snake form disappeared much to my relief and he transformed again.

All I could see was red smoke and Jafar's eerie laughter was all that could be heard. When the smoke cleared somewhat I gave a gasp. Jafar was now a genie. A large red, evil genie with yellow eyes. Now I was officially worried. Al was now free of Jafar's grip had immediately freed Jasmine. She lay limply in Al's arms and I was worried she wasn't all right. She suddenly stirred, coughing sand, and I sighed with relief.

"Yes! Yes! The power! The absolute power!" Jafar hollered and he broke through the ceiling. A giant wind started to blow and it was slightly a good thing I was tied to a pillar. I might have blown away. I squinted through the wind at Al and Jasmine. They held on to each other tightly.

"What have you done!?" I heard her cry out. I was wondering the same.

"Trust me!" Al answered back. Al looked up at me and met my gaze. His eyes lit up and he motioned to the left. I looked and a wide grin spread across my face.

Itty bitty living space! I grinned at Al and he stood up holding Jafar's lamp.

"The universe is mine to command, to control!" Jafar yelled swirling planets and stars with his newfound powers.

"Not so fast, Jafar! Aren't you forgetting something?" Al asked loudly and Jafar stopped what he was doing to look down at him.

"Huh?"

Al smirked. "You wanted to be a genie, you got it!" Jafar looked down at his wrists. Golden cuffs appeared.

"What!" Jafar yelled as he realized what was happing. Al then showed Jafar the black lamp in his hands.

"And everything that goes with it."

"Nooooo!" Jafar screeched as he started to go down into the lamp.

"I'm getting' out of here!" Iago shouted, apparently he had recovered from the smack Genie had given him. He tried to fly away but Jafar grabbed his tail. "Come on, you're the genie. I don't want-" He was cut off as he and Jafar went down into the lamp. Then all was silent.

"Itty bitty living space." Al said and we all sighed with relief.

"Al, you little genius you!" Genie rubbed Al's head. He glanced around at everyone and then in a snap of his fingers, he made everything go back to normal. Abu was turned back to a monkey, Carpet was sewn back together, Rajah was now a normal sized tiger, I was released from the pillar, and the Sultan and Jasmine were put in their usual garb. The palace was put back and the sun even came out to celebrate the defeat of Jafar. All seemed well in the world, but I knew it wasn't just yet. There were things to do first.

I came up to Al who was holding the lamp and he hugged me, being careful of my back which was throbbing now.

"I'm so sorry, Alaric." He said and stroked my hair. "I never meant to hurt you."

I shook my head and smiled at him. "I'm just glad you're still here, big brother." Al laughed and hugged me again, but I pushed at him. "Not to tight, okay?" Al frowned.

"Are you hurt?" He asked and grabbed my arm turning me around so he could lift up my vest.

"Al, don't."

I heard Al take in deep breath. "Jafar did this? What about all these bruises?" I remained silent. "Alaric."

"I'm fine, now cut it out. People are looking." I pulled away from him, keeping my eyes averted away from Jasmine and the Sultan who were looking at me sadly. I didn't want their pity.

"So is he really in there?" I asked, nodding at the lamp in Al's hand and he nodded.

"Get your blasted beak out of my face!" Jafar's voice snarled suddenly and I jumped. Al lifted the lamp with a grin. I grinned too when I realized where the voice had come from.

"Oh, shut up you moron!" Iago shouted and I smirked. Guess he should have listened to me.

"Don't tell me to shut up!" Jafar retorted and I shook my head.

Genie came over to us with a smile. "Allow me." He said and he lifted the lamp from Al's hands. "Ten thousand years in the Cave of Wonders out to chill him out!" He then wound up as if to throw it, but instead he put it flat on his palm and flicked it. Jafar and Iago were still yelling as the lamp flew out of sight and I sighed with relief as it landed somewhere far away in a blast of magic.

Jasmine came up to Al and I smiled at her before going to sit on the balcony railing to give them some space. Al took her hands, a sadness in his eyes. I sighed knowing what was coming and I had to look away from them for a moment. It wasn't fair, but then again when was life fair? Why should we get to be the exception to that? Why should I?

"Jasmine," Al began. "I'm sorry I lied to you about being a prince."

Jasmine smiled just as sadly. "I know why you did." She answered, lovingly. I smiled, I knew she'd understand. I turned my face towards the city of Agrabah. This was the end of our charade, the fantasy was over. We had to go back to the streets, but I didn't want that for Al. Not when he had come so far. Carpet patted my head and I grinned at him. At least we had a new friend to come with us. "Alaric told me." I turned back around in shock and Al and everyone else was grinning at me, gratefulness and awe practically oozing from them all and I felt my face redden at the attention. Jasmine smiled softly at me before turning back to Al.

"I guess this…is goodbye?" Al asked and Jasmine looked like she wanted to cry. I heard a sniff and saw Genie peering around the side of the palace. His eyes were filled with tears too.

"Oh, that stupid law!" Jasmine said in frustration. "This isn't fair, I love you." She said and I watched Al as he was about to let go of the love of his life. Poor Al.

"Al, no problem." Genie said coming up to them. Carpet and I looked at each other and then back at the group. "You still got one wish left. Just say the word and you and Rick are princes again." He would give up his freedom for Al? That made me frown.

"But Genie, what about your freedom?" I asked, hopping off the railing. Carpet trailed behind me. "You can't give that up. Not for this."

Genie shrugged like he didn't care and it made me feel extremely unhappy. If Genie would be forced back into the lamp…that would be the most horrible thing in the world that could happen. "Hey, it's only an eternity of servitude. This is love." He pushed Al and Jasmine together and then stood behind her. "Al, you're never going to find another girl like her in a million years. Trust me I know I've looked." Al looked at me and I shook my head. Genie deserves to be free. We both knew that.

"Jasmine, I do love you." Al began, stroking her face lovingly. "But I've got to stop pretending to be something I'm not."

"I understand." She said and he let go of her. I sighed. I knew it was the right thing, but they were in love. It made me wish I could do something to make sure they ended up together.

Al turned around, lamp in hand. "Genie, I wish for your freedom." He said and we both turned to Genie. He apparently hadn't heard Al say anything past "I wish". He instead, cracked his knuckles and then pushed up his 'sleeves' readying himself for magic.

"One bona fide prince pedigree coming up. I-what?" Genie looked shocked and I grinned. Al held up Genie's lamp like an offering.

"Genie, you're free." He said softly.

The lamp floated into the air out of Al's hands and bright lights started to swirl around Genie. A bright flash of magical light blinded us and when it was gone Genie was left standing there his golden cuffs gone and the lamp clattered to the ground at my feet. Al picked it up and, grinning, held it out to a stunned Genie. He took it and looked at it in disbelief.

"I'm free, I'm free." He muttered, an uncertain giddiness to his voice. This was probably the best thing to ever happen to him hands down. I startled out of my thoughts when Genie turned and wildly thrust the lamp into my hands. "Here shorty, quick, quick, wish for something outrageous! Say I want the 'Nile'. Wish for the Nile. Try that!" Wide eyed at his sudden earnest expression, I tried to open my mouth.

"I-I wish for the Nile." I finally stuttered and then Genie got in my face.

"NO WAY!" He shouted in laughter and Al caught me as I fell back in shock. It wasn't that I didn't understand what had just happened, but he was really hyper! I really couldn't blame him though. I looked up at Al and he grinned down at me before pushing me onto my feet.

"Oh does that feel good!" Genie hollered and he bounced around the balcony happily. "I'm free! I'm free at last!" Although he was happy, I was suddenly hit with the reality that Genie would leave now. I had grown rather fond of him being around and I selfishly didn't want him to go. I instantly pushed that thought back. Who was I be so self-centered? Genie was finally free to do as he pleased. Why would he want to hang around with us?

Genie was suddenly packing a bag and I smiled a bit. I really would miss that blue guy, but at least he was happy.

"I'm hittin' the road! I'm off to the see the world! I'm-" Genie trailed off looking at me and Al.

"Genie, I'm-I'm going to miss you…" Al said, running a hand through his hair.

Genie sniffed and lowered to pull my brother into a hug. "Me too, Al." He hugged Al and then turned to me, hesitant. I didn't hesitate to fling my arms around him, hugging him tightly. He didn't hesitate to hug me back though, surprise radiating with the hug as he carefully held me.

"I'm gonna miss you, Genie." I murmured.

"I'll miss you too, shorty." He pulled back and got on one knee, taking my shoulders. "Don't let anyone tell you're not good enough, hear me?" I nodded and he smiled. "You're not a jinx."

I shifted a bit. "Don't, uh, forget about us out there in the big world."

Genie shook his head. "I don't think that's possible. There isn't any other kid out there like you. I would never forget about you or Al." I hugged him again and he hugged me back. "You get rested and healed up, okay?" He said, talking about my bruises and whip marks. I nodded and he smiled. "You are a great kid, you know that? I promise I'll come back." I grinned when he ruffled my hair. "Stay out of trouble."

"Al, I think he's talking to you." Al rolled his eyes and shoved my head away. Genie snickered.

"And no matter what anybody says, you'll always be a prince to me. Both of you." He said smiling at us.

"That's right." The Sultan spoke up and I jumped forgetting he was there. "You've certainly proven your worth as far as I'm concerned." He said to Al, a smile on his face. "It's that law that's the problem."

"Father?" Jasmine asked wondering what he was getting at. We all were for that matter.

"Well am I sultan or am I sultan?" He chuckled. "From now on the princess shall marry whomever she deems worthy." Jasmine smiled and ran towards Al, who caught her and spun her around happily.

"Him!" She shouted and he set her on her feet and she snuggled into my brother's arms. "I choose…I choose you, Aladdin." He laughed lightly.

"Call me, Al." He murmured and Carpet covered my eyes as they moved in to kiss. I laughed and then Genie suddenly pulled us all together into a huge bone crushing hug.

"Oh, all of ya. Come over here. Big group hug." I smirked as Abu screeched next to me, not liking this at all. "Mind if I kiss the monkey? Ack! Hairball!" He set us down and Abu spat in disgust. Genie took a deep breath ready to depart. "Well, can't do any more damage around this popsicle stand. I'm outta here!" He started to fly off and he turned and called out to us as we watched him.

"Bye, bye you crazy lovebirds! Short man, stay outta trouble! I mean it!" I scowled and Al snickered. "Hey, Rugman ciao! I'm history! No I'm mythology! Oh, I don't care what I am! I'm free!"

"Bye, Genie!" I yelled waving wildly. "Come back really soon!" He saluted me and took off until I couldn't see him anymore.

Silence filled the air and I turned around. Now came the big question. What happens now? The Sultan looked at Al and me. I think he was still assessing that we really weren't princes. I looked away from him, unable to face the judgement I expected to see upon his face. Jasmine wanted to marry Aladdin and the Sultan had changed the law, but…things could still go sour for us. Or for me anyway.

"Perhaps we should head inside now. I'd like to make sure that all of Jafar's evil work has really been undone." The Sultan said and we headed into the palace to help clean up things that Jafar had left behind. Razoul met us in the doorway and I flinched back unable to help it. He gave me a pained expression, looking uncomfortable and Al frowned, putting a protective arm around my shoulders. He didn't know why I flinched, but I wasn't about to get into just then.

I sat next to Rajah in the garden later that evening, petting his head as he purred happily, my knees against my chest and my back against the water fountain. It had been a few hours since Genie had left and…things were still awkward. Al and Jasmine weren't sure how to talk to one another and I was pretty sure the Sultan was avoiding us and I was avoiding him and the guards. Though the short ruler seemed to have forgiven us for our charade, I had a feeling he was still a bit peeved at being deceived and I didn't really blame him.

I was also hiding because the truth about what Jafar had done to be came about. I had exited the room when things got a little heated between Al and Rasoul and honestly didn't want to see how it ended. Especially since Al blurted that I had been hit before. After that I just wanted to go back to the marketplace.

The sun was starting to set now, casting long shadows across the grass and my stomach alerted me to the fact that I hadn't eaten all day which just worsened my depressed mood.

Rajah looked at me funnily and I smiled. "Sorry. Guess I'm a little hungry." He nudged my knee with his head and I stroked his head again.

"Alaric?" Al called from the palace steps. "Rick, are you out here?"

I heaved a sigh. I couldn't just not answer like I wanted too. "Over here." I muttered reluctantly.

He found me and sighed with relief. "There you are. I've been looking for you." He came over and sat on the edge of the water fountain. "What have you been doing? I thought you had decided to run away." He smirked slightly at me and I rolled my eyes.

"Sitting." I replied. "…So…did you tell them?"

"Alaric," He began and then shook his head. "You…You don't have to hide out here."

I frowned and rested my chin on my knees. "What did they say?"

Al sighed. "They were upset about it, but I didn't tell them everything. I thought you could that when you were ready to talk to them about it."

"Thanks." I murmured and he put a hand on my shoulder.

"Rick, you deserve a better apology than the one I gave before. You were right about this whole thing."

"You're in love, Al. Guess that makes you do crazy things."

Al rolled his eyes, a lightness in his eyes. "Yeah, I guess so. Anyway…I'm really sorry. You've been nothing but supportive to me and I…I never should have said what I did no matter how angry I got. It was just…Rick, that whole situation scared me. First you go and talk about leaving me here alone and then you start in about how you were going to write letters to me. Letters, Rick."

"And what exactly was so bad about that idea?" I asked, looking up at him with a frown. "It might not have been an ideal," I rolled my eyes. "But it would have worked for a while."

"But you still wouldn't have been here. I meant what I said the other night. You are the reason I ever made it this far. Thank you."

"I didn't do much, but you're welcome anyway." Al moved so that he was sitting next to me and we looked up at the darkening sky. We could make out a few stars overhead. "Did you and Jasmine and the Sultan talk?"

"Yeah. The Sultan is giving us rooms in the palace. We can come and go as we please."

"Us?"

Al paused and looked down at me. "Yes. Us as in me and you." I frowned.

"But-"

"But what?"

"I'm not marrying her. You are. Why do I need to be here?"

"Alaric." Al said sharply. "Don't say that. I want you here with me. They want you here." Confused I looked at him.

"They do?"

"Yes, of course they do." He sighed. "I know this is going to take some getting used to, Rick, but…Jasmine and the Sultan both adore you."

I looked away from him. "Until they find out about me." Al sighed and I decided to drop it for now.

"What does that mean exactly? To come and go as we please?"

"It means, we don't have to live in the hovel all the time. Just whenever we feel like it. I mean you know we're not exactly used to living like this."

I nodded. "I don't think Razoul will like us going in and out, but okay."

Al snorted. "Yeah, he definitely still doesn't like us."

"I don't know about this, Al." I said softly and he looked at me. "I mean…all of our lives we've lived out there in the Marketplace… And all their lives they've lived in our hovel, our house… We could still get our heads chopped off."

"Would you stop being paranoid? You're driving me crazy with that! No one in the palace is going to come after you with an axe!"

"How do you know?" I questioned with a frown. "Not only did we deceive the royals, but all the people that work for them! The cooks, the maids, the servants that cleaned up after us daily! What about all them? And Razoul and the other guards. They hated us before there's no telling how much they hate us now."

Al rolled his eyes. "Alaric, calm down. None of the servants are out to get you. If you had bothered to come inside earlier you would have heard me make an apology to them from both of us."

"You did?"

He nodded. "I knew you still felt bad about it and I explained what had gone on. None of them hate you, Alaric."

"The guards still do."

"That's true, but you know that they don't like anyone. Besides the Sultan made it clear that we are off limits as long as we don't steal anymore."

I felt better knowing that. "So, uh, when's the big wedding?"

"Not for a while." Al sighed sounding relieved. "Jasmine and I want to get to know each other better. So maybe in year or so." Al tossed his arm around me. "And you are going to be here with me every step of the way."

I looked up at him. "What? Really?"

"You're my little brother, Rick. Where I go, you go." He stood up then. "Dinner will be ready soon. Are you coming?"

"Maybe, later."

"Alaric…"

I shook my head. "I believe what you said, but I…I still don't know what to do."

"About what, Rick?"

"About…well, everything I've done."

"What are you talking about now?"

"He may have forgiven you, but what about me? I…I kinda duped him."

"What? When?"

"The painting, Al." I rolled my eyes. "He thought he was putting up art from a prince, but instead it was from me. A lowly street rat. A jinx. I've embarrassed him and the Royal Painter. I doubt either of them wants to talk to me anymore and I don't blame them."

"Alaric, what did I tell you about calling yourself that? You are not a jinx. As for the Sultan…"

"Forget it." I stood up and sighed, giving Rajah one more pat on the head. "I'm going for a walk."

"Aren't you coming to dinner?"

"Nah." I muttered and left my brother in the garden.

"I've said it before. It's still a very nice painting." Jasmine said and I jumped. She was standing behind me, casually observing my art. "Do you often stare at your own work?" She teased and I felt the corner of my mouth twitch.

"I was just wondering why it's still here."

She frowned. "Why wouldn't it be?"

"It's kind of obvious isn't it? All that boasting about the prince with the magic brush is a lie."

"It's still art. Doesn't matter where it came from."

I frowned at the painting. "So you say, but when it really boils down to it…What would be your answer?"

"To what?"

"To who painted it? Farid or Alaric?"

Jasmine finally understood what I was getting at. "It may be a bit unorthodox I'll admit…" She said slowly. "We've never had someone from the streets draw for us before and we display it. In fact, I don't know of any kingdoms that have. But," She smiled at me. "It's beautiful no matter who drew it. And my father feels the same way. Farid and Alaric are the same. We would be proud to tell people it was you."

"Not really." I argued. "We're not the same. Farid…He didn't have to worry about upsetting the balance of things."

Jasmine shook her head. "I don't understand you. Sometimes you act older than you are. The way you say things I mean."

I shrugged. "I've always been that way I guess."

"Do they still hurt?" She said softly and I knew what she was referring too.

"No." I told her. "It's fine." There was no need to worry her about the pain I still got just from doing nothing.

Jasmine sighed. "Aladdin told us that you might not come down to eat so I came to get you."

"Tattletale." I muttered and she stifled a few giggles. "I…I hope you don't think I don't like you or the Sultan." I said, feeling a bit guilty about how it must have looked when I hadn't shown up to eat with everyone else.

"I don't and neither does father." She held her hand out to me. "You don't have to be afraid of us, Alaric. We won't hurt you."

I nodded. "Yeah…but I hurt you in a way."

"Then let's all start over. Tell us more about who Alaric is. I'll bet he's not much different than Farid."

I smiled at her and took her hand. "Okay, but you'd be wrong." I hoped that this dinner would go better than the previous one we had had. At least there would be no creepy Vizier staring at Al and me. It would give Al and me an opportunity to redo our introductions with the Sultan.

The dinner went smoothly. The Sultan had been delighted and not angry like I had imagined him to be. We told him how we even came to find Genie and the whole story had him looking at us like a small wide eyed child.

Of course we didn't tell him and Jasmine everything. Al was the only one who knew all the details about my whole past. Jasmine and the Sultan both sensed something we were holding back, but they never asked and I was glad. I didn't want to tell them about the Freak Show and see the look on their faces. I think Al understood. It would be better to wait until we know them better before I say anything about that.

I was in my new room currently, sprawled across my bed and gazing out the window into the night sky. Al had taken Jasmine out on Carpet for a romantic night ride among the stars, so I was alone with my thoughts. I felt a hand on me and looked over to see Abu. He was looking at me sadly, chattering lowly.

"I'm okay, Abu." I told him. "I'm just a little tired." Abu started to argue with me when he caught sight of something. I felt something cold nudge my hand and looked over to see Rajah in my face. The tiger licked my face and I laughed.

"Ick! Cut it out!" I said giving the tiger a shove. It didn't do much good and he only purred in response. "Abu, relax!" I shouted as the monkey clung to my arm in a death grip. He was cutting off my blood circulation. "Rajah wouldn't eat you. Would you Rajah?" I started to pet him and he purred loudly nudging my hand. "Who's a good kitty?" He purred again and then he gripped the pillow I was lying on. I rolled my eyes, thinking he was playing with me.

"Oh!" I shouted suddenly as he jerked it out from under me. My face hit the bed and I looked up with a frown. "Hey! What's the big idea!" The tiger then promptly took off running with my pillow. I leapt from the bed and took off after him.

"Come back here!" I hollered my voice echoing off the walls. Rajah, being a tiger, was much faster and I soon lost him in one of the hallways I had chased him down. Abu caught to me and I sighed. "Well there goes that pillow."

"Having trouble, my boy?" A voice chuckled and I looked behind me to see the Sultan standing in the doorway to the library. He chuckled again at my expression. "Are you busy?"

"Well, now I'm not." I said glaring down the hall. "Thanks to that cat. He stole my pillow."

"Would you like to come in?" He motioned for me to follow. Abu jumped to my shoulder and we went inside. The Sultan went to a wide couch and sat. He waved me over and patted the seat next to him. I sat down hesitantly, wondering what he wanted from me. He saw my expression.

"Don't worry, my boy. I'm not about to yell at you."

I smiled sheepishly. "Sorry, your highness. I just get a little cautious about people."

"I see." He stated and then smiled. "My daughter told me you enjoyed reading."

"Yes, your highness." I admitted. "I do."

He smiled. "That's a good thing." He looked up at my painting. "She told me about what you said to her earlier…"

"I hope you're not offended by it."

"Not at all. I do enjoy your painting though. In fact I was wondering if you would do another."

I looked at him in shock. "Really? You mean…you want me to paint more?"

He chuckled. "Of course! An artist's work should be appreciated. Did you know that my royal painter came from similar backgrounds?"

"No, sir. You mean he wasn't always in the palace?"

"He used to live in the streets much like you and Aladdin. Then one day, the young ruler of Agrabah came by and saw his work. He admired it so much that he paid quite a bit of money for it. The painting was so well loved that the very next day, the Sultan went back out and offered the man a job."

"You?" I guessed and he nodded.

"I gave him a job and he's done it all these long years."

"So…he's not mad at me for lying to him?"

He chuckled, a twinkle in his eyes. "I think he knew all along. He didn't act surprised when the news reached him."

"Oh." I said and smiled slightly.

He recommended a few books for me to read and then we sat in a peaceful silence reading quietly. After a while he started to drift off to sleep.

"Um, your highness?" I said and he woke up with a snort. His snoring had gotten extremely loud.

"Oh, dear." He said. "Where am I?"

I laughed. "In the library."

"Oh, well, I suppose I better go to bed now." He said with a chuckle and I followed him to the door.

"Good night your highness." I said and Abu chattered at the Sultan. The little monkey had fallen asleep too.

"Goodnight to you both." He said with a laugh and he went down the hall.

We started off too and then I found Rajah waiting outside my room. He had the pillow in his mouth. "Give that here you!" I said pulling it from his grip.

"Ick, gross!" I hollered as I held the now dripping wet pillow. I heard Al talking down the hall and quickly went into his room. Not wanting to have the wet pillow I swapped it with one of Al's and ran for it. I slipped into my room and jumped into bed. I closed my eyes and pretended to be asleep when he opened the door to look in at me. I heard the door click shut and waited. For a few minutes, there was silence and I almost drifted off to sleep.

"Alaric!" Al said loudly with accusation dripping into his voice. My eyes flew open and I smirked as my door was suddenly slung open. I rolled over to look at him. In his hand he held the pillow.

"Why is my pillow wet? And why does it smell funny?!" He demanded and I ended up bursting out in laughter. My brother rolled his eyes and tossed the pillow aside.

"Goodnight, Al…"

"Goodnight, Alaric." He said through clenched teeth and I laughed some more. "I'm going to get you back for that."

"Sure you will." I smirked at him and he rolled his eyes fondly before shutting my door. I rolled back over to get some sleep and hoped that our life here in the palace would turn into something good. Hopefully, nothing else bad would happen.

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