Chapter Twenty: Perfect Ending to a Perfect Night
Gradually, the rush of the waterfall and leaping dolphins slipped away to leave a peace. Jasmine breathed in the soothing, salty ocean air as they continued on down the coast, onward back to Agrabah. Releasing a long, content sigh, rested her head on Aladdin's shoulder. If this was freedom, she was already loving it. An entire world open for the taking. A way to experience her kingdom like she never had before. A friend who understood her, who was excited to guide her and be with her every step of the way.
"The lanterns are still lit," Aladdin said quietly, almost as though he didn't expect her to hear. "I am almost surprised at this hour."
"The people tend to celebrate until nearly morning hours," Jasmine said, just as quietly. She smiled. "I remember trying to stay up with Mother and Baba that long during the Harvest Festival. I never could. And after Mother died, I stopped really trying."
"Now look at you," Aladdin said, half-chuckling. "Exploring the world and staying up way past midnight."
Jasmine smiled. Then she realized what she was doing. It was a rather intimate gesture, to be leaning against him this way. But there was a safety, a rightness to it that beckoned her to remain. So it was with some reluctance that she straightened. A part of her mourned that small denial. As she looked at Aladdin to see his reaction, she could see in his eyes that he too missed that contact yet understood why she had taken it away.
Looking out over the city again, she said, "Let's find a square where they're still celebrating. I'd love to see it."
"Should be simple to find if there's still celebrating going on," Aladdin said.
Little less than an hour later, they were above Agrabah once again, floating over a square lit by fire and ringing with music and shouts of celebration. Together, they shifted so that they were perched on the edge of Carpet. A shiver raced over Jasmine's skin, prompting Aladdin to give her his coat. She smiled her thanks as they settled in to watch the celebrations.
"Of all the places you've shown me, this is the most beautiful," Jasmine said.
"Everything looks different from a new perspective," Aladdin said, yet with a mischief that hinted he knew what she really meant.
"It's them," she said, gesturing to dancing figures below them. "The people. They make it beautiful. And they deserve a leader who knows that." She smiled sadly. Unfortunately, she wouldn't be the one. Not if Baba and Jafar had their way. "I don't know why I think it could be me–"
"Because it should be you," Aladdin said sincerely.
Her heart caught in her throat. Yes, he had said several times how his mother had ruled as sultan. But that hadn't really shown his opinion in general. "You really think so?" she asked.
"For what it's worth, I do," Aladdin answered, reaching over and tucking back some of her windblown hair.
Jasmine fought the warmth in her cheeks. She turned back to the celebration, heartened by Aladdin's trust in her abilities, and his support. A little monkey was playing around with some children, reminding her of another certain little monkey. "I haven't seen Abu since you arrived," she said.
"Currently entrusted to an able-bodied valet who knows how to take care of the rascal when I am at formal functions, or simply wanting some down time without worrying about him," Aladdin said.
Jasmine turned to him, fairly confident now that they could speak freely. "So, how many names do you have?" she asked.
"Not counting what enemies call me, three," he answered. "'Ali' for royal duties and casual noble acquaintances. 'Aladdin' for wandering the streets and my closest friends. 'Al' a new one given to me by a friend."
"So how do you know the city so well?" Jasmine asked.
"I came to Agrabah early," Aladdin answered, "because to know a people, you have to see them for yourself. Seeing how the worst and poorest are treated says a lot about a kingdom and its rulers, I have found. But you already know that to some degree," he added. "When we first met, you were disguised in your own city."
Jasmine couldn't deny that. And that had been the reason she had slipped out. She had wanted to see what was happening to her people, how they were being treated.
"You saw us arrive with dancers, riches, and exotic animals," Aladdin continued. "People don't see the real you when you're royalty. Sometimes, I'm not sure if they actually see you at all. If I were to see the city now, I would be given a guided tour where I only saw the best, and everyone considered below my station would be kept at spear-length. I didn't want to see a facade."
"I'm embarrassed," Jasmine said. "You've seen more of Agrabah in days than I've seen in my entire lifetime."
"Three months actually," Aladdin corrected awkwardly. "If that matters. Though I should probably take it as a compliment that you think I can make so many friends that quickly."
"Marginally better," Jasmine said. "So, you didn't make all those friends in a couple days?"
"That entire network that helped us escape the guards took nearly three weeks simply to start developing," Aladdin said.
"And what about this Magic Carpet?" Jasmine asked. "Apparently a new acquaintance, and why didn't you make it to our meeting, that you promised to come to?"
Aladdin winced. "A bit of 'trouble and adventure seem to follow me around'?" he offered. "I'd rather not spoil the night, but I will say that, I ran into a bit of trouble that kept me away. However, that trouble led to me meeting Carpet and a new friend. And unfortunately, I had lost count of a day or two of when Khaleel was supposed to get me, so I may not have been able to keep the meeting anyway. Even if I would like to think that once I explained things, Khaleel would have allowed for one more night."
"Explained what things?" Jasmine asked.
Aladdin shifted. "One of my mother's final wishes was that Desert Moon would guide me to the one I was to marry. Khaleel and I were confused as to what she meant, at least until I heard you playing in the minaret." He looked to her, his eyes pleading for her understanding.
"The song," she said. "That connected us?"
Aladdin nodded. "At least I believe so. I felt a connection as soon as your fingers plucked those chords, and . . . that night, I could have sworn I heard you singing in the desert, felt your heart reaching out for mine."
Jasmine's breath caught in her throat. "I . . . I felt it too."
"So, think we might have a chance?" Aladdin asked.
Jasmine quirked a smile. "We just might," she answered. She then found herself leaning closer, her eyes flicking to his lips. Even as he did much the same.
Yet, before their breath could mingle, Aladdin stopped himself. "We should be getting back," he said quietly.
Disappointment swept through her. "Already?" she asked. But she understood, even as her heart cried that their time had been too short. It was getting late, and they'd both had a big day. Exhaustion could muddle judgement, could loosen moral standings. For both their sakes, they needed to return and refresh themselves for another day. This wasn't an ending. This was a beginning.
A few minutes later, Carpet hovered at her balcony.
Aladdin helped her stand and then descend onto her balcony, a balcony that felt more like a doorway than a prison now.
She returned his coat, ignoring the chill still hanging in the night air. She smiled back at him, words failing her for the gratitude, the love, she felt.
Aladdin returned her smile as Carpet descended so that they were on equal ground. "Until tomorrow, Princess," he said. He stumbled forward, as Carpet rolled.
Jasmine froze. They were so close now. Yes, the railing separated them. But . . . His head lowered and his lips touched hers. She caught the balcony as her knees went weak. There was a thrill, a spark, that she couldn't explain. But before she could tell her mind how to return the kiss, he was gone.
Decorum demanded that she be angry with him. But how could she be angry when that was the farthest thing from her heart and mind? She compromised by fighting her smile. "Good night," she forced out, almost breathy. She turned, barely catching his breathless echo. She bit her lips, holding back her giddy, girlish smile as she entered her chambers.
But she was fairly certain she caught Aladdin breath out a quiet victory, "Yes!" A moment later, a whoop sounded.
She looked back to just catch sight of Aladdin flying back to his own chambers. This night had been amazing. And she had no intentions of ever forgetting it.
Aladdin couldn't hold back the grin on his face as he watched the stars above him. He couldn't have wished for a more perfect evening. Oh he knew it was a couple hours after midnight, but he would not have changed anything.
"Oh, I like that face," Khaleel said, signaling that they were back to their guest room. "Date go well?"
"More than well," Aladdin said. "More than amazing really."
"And how much did you tell her?" Mozenrath asked.
Aladdin barely bothered to glance at his brother to see him leaning back against the railing. He honestly figured his brother would be elsewhere by now, but who was he to complain. He was the one to insist Mozenrath get more involved in his life. "I told her about being in Agrabah for three months to get to know the people, 'Desert Moon,' and brushed over why I wasn't able to meet her the night Khaleel was supposed to meet me."
"'Brushed over'?" Genie asked.
"I didn't want to spoil the evening," Aladdin answered. "But I intend to tell her everything tomorrow. Probably over breakfast or morning tea if she is willing."
He vaguely saw Khaleel nodding-wagging his head. "That works. Just make sure you do it. Never good manners to start a battle before informing at least one member of the royal family."
"It won't be easy," Mozenrath said. "Jafar has everyone fooled from what I can tell. I even suspect that he has the Sultan trapped in his coils. I'm sure that it is only a matter of time before he strikes with his fangs."
Aladdin fought the shiver that wanted to shoot down his spine. "Part of why Khaleel and I made a safety precaution in case I'm the one he tries to bite." He pulled out a small parchment. "If I am unable to voice it," he told Genie, "this is my second wish. I'll keep it on my person until either it's used or there is no longer a threat."
"Got it, Al," Genie said. "So," he zipped up, changing into a girl with foreign sleep attire, "tell me all about the date."
Aladdin laughed and shared everything but the most personal events of the evening.
Jasmine collapsed back on her bed, reveling in the afterglow of the perfect evening.
"Oo, I'm loving that look," Dalia said, dropping onto the other side of the bed. "Good date?"
"The best," Jasmine said, "but it was even better than the best. He introduced me to a Magic Carpet, just like from some of Mother's old stories. He showed me some of his favorite places growing up. He showed me Ababwa as they got ready for their Harvest Festival. We flew through the great trading oasis, over a waterfall that led to the sea." She giggled as she looked at her best friend. "He even made the promise of teaching me how to swim so that one day we can find out if dolphins are really as friendly as they seem."
"Anything about why he didn't see you when he promised?" Dalia asked.
"He didn't give me all the details, saying he didn't want to spoil our night," Jasmine said. "But he told me that he was only pretending to be a thief for three months so he could see the city but he is actually a prince. He wanted to know our people, Dalia. He cares about them, at least as much as he cares for his own people."
"And why he left you standing all alone under the moonlight?" Dalia asked.
"Khaleel was supposed to meet up with him that night to take him back in preparation for his grand entrance." Jasmine sucked in a deep breath as she recalled what he had told her so far about why he'd been unable to make it. "But, apparently, between the time he left here and the time he was supposed to meet Khaleel, he ran into trouble. It sounds as though he runs into these sorts of things regularly, because he brushed it off as nothing, seeming to see it was worth it since it led to him meeting Carpet and a new friend."
"But it was still bad enough that he feared it would ruin your date if he told you everything," Dalia said. "Are you really okay with that?"
"I think so," Jasmine said.
"He could be lying through his teeth," Dalia said, turning on her side to face Jasmine. "Even if he is telling the truth, it could be very dangerous. You remember what Dhandi told us."
"I trust him, Dalia," Jasmine said, playing with her fingers. "I'm sure that he'll tell me everything next chance he gets." She released a breath through her nose as she also turned on her side, facing Dalia. "We're already connected, Dalia," she confided. "After you went back to our rooms that night, I-I sang 'Desert Moon.' I don't know why, but something deep inside compelled me to sing it. And, and I felt Aladdin singing with me."
Dalia's eyes grew wide, her expression of horrified fascination reminding Jasmine of when they heard or shared ghost stories as children.
"Aladdin confirmed that he himself felt it as well," Jasmine continued hurriedly. "That same compulsion to sing that song, felt me singing with him. He told me that from the moment I plucked the first few notes of that song on his mother's lute earlier that afternoon, he felt a connection between us. He said that one of his mother's final wishes to Ababwa's Royal Family Genie was that 'Desert Moon' would lead Aladdin to his bride."
"Soulmates," Dalia gasped. "Like some of those stories that we would laugh over." A feisty gleam entered her eye as she half-accused, "The stories you hated because it left both parties with no choice in the matter. You never wanted that to happen to you."
Jasmine ducked her head with embarrassment as she realized it was true. Her relationship with Aladdin was starting to sound like one of those silly romances that soulmates predestined to meet each other at appointed times. But now, she realized that she couldn't begrudge those heroines anymore. If they truly felt as drawn as she did to Aladdin, sensed the rightness, the fulfilment of being by the one man's side just as she did, why would they fight fate? Why should she fight fate if this was indeed a match made by Allah?
"I think that I maybe understand them a bit better now," Jasmine confessed. "And, I would like to think that I'd still feel drawn to Aladdin simply because of his character." She quietly chuckled. "He actually has a side hobby when he isn't racing around the streets of some city in the guise of a thief."
"What sort of hobby?" Dalia asked.
"He searches out genies and uses one of his three wishes to set them free from their lamps so that they can have their greatest wish achieved," Jasmine answered. Her voice dropped to a whisper, "Khaleel used to be the Genie of the Royal House of Ababwa until Aladdin freed him three years ago."
Dalia's mouth dropped as she flopped back in shock. "A genie, a former genie, admires me? He willingly spent an entire evening with me as I rattled on about my brothers, goat, and yak napkins?!"
"And I suspect thoroughly enjoyed it," Jasmine said. "Aladdin was actually convinced as early as this evening that so long as things work out, Khaleel just might be staying in order to be with you, whether things work out between Aladdin and me or not."
Dalia muffled a squeal as she pressed both hands over her mouth, her eyes sparkling. "He actually told me that his time with me was the most enjoyable he had ever experienced! And he has centuries to compare!" She squealed again.
Jasmine giggled with delight as Dalia rejoiced in her good fortune.
"If this is a dream, I don't want to wake up," Dalia declared. "Never!"
"And it might be best to get what sleep we can before dawn finds us," Jasmine said. "It would be horrible to realize this isn't a dream and not have the proper rest to enjoy it."
"Oh, yes," Dalia said.
So together with laughter and hopes for their prospective futures, they changed into night things and settled for bed. And together, they prayed that none of this was a dream and that they would wake on the morrow with the assurance that their dream men were in fact real.
Author's Note: And thus ends this Arabian Night. Hope you all understand why Aladdin didn't share about Jafar and the whole plot to overtake Agrabah. It just didn't feel like date approved material. But first thing in the morning, Aladdin will tell her everything. . . . Or will he? Do you think Jafar may strike first? Or will Aladdin manage to beat Jafar? Love to hear your thoughts.
I may or may not take a bit to answer reviews this week. Just found out that I have to put my dog down within the next couple days. I hate it honestly, but I don't want to see him suffer. And the irony? I'm just a scene or so away in my NaNo story to shooting down a monster dog. At least I only have to work up the proper amount of desperate terror and not any other emotion. Yeah. First draft at least probably won't be going into too much detail with that.
Well, sorry for that bit of downer. This is my way of either grasping at normal, finding a distraction, or both. See you all either in the reviews or next week. :-)