Epilogue
~Twelve years later~
Aladdin walked hurriedly through the halls of Agrabah's palace. He and his family needed to get down to the port soon if they were to reunite with Khaleel and Dalia as soon as they reached the shore. Jasmine already had eleven-year-old Farah ready, as well as six-year-old Saladyne and two-year-old Aisha. They were just missing Cassim.
The last twelve years had proven to be a unique blend of eventful and uneventful. He and Jasmine had to juggle the handling of two kingdoms. They had one year that they only had to worry about ruling Ababwa, until Jasmine's father started the process of stepping down so that he could ensure having plenty of opportunities to spoil his grandchildren. Thankfully, Uncle Iroh had stepped in with his fount of wisdom to help them figure out a proper solution.
So after much debate, it had been decided that aside from the most dire circumstances, Aladdin and Jasmine would spend a half year in each kingdom together, while a trustworthy regent would take care of the day to day needs of the other kingdom. Only when something serious came up did they separate to deal with their individual kingdom. They recognized that as time passed, it may not be the perfect solution. But they refused to spend months apart for the sake of ruling their kingdoms if they could help it.
Then of course both councils were giving them headaches already about which of their children should be proclaimed heirs. Yes, Cassim was the eldest, but he was adopted. Farah was the eldest blood child but a girl (oh, Jasmine had been furious at that protest). Saladyne would make the ideal heir, but to which kingdom? Uncle Iroh convinced Aladdin and Jasmine to let him handle the councils for a time. There were more important things to worry about than something that Allah willing wouldn't be necessary for decades. Frankly in their own private discussions, Aladdin and Jasmine wished for their own children to have a say if they wished for the crown and if so of which kingdom. But they agreed with Uncle Iroh, they didn't have to worry about it, at least not until their children were old enough to understand what being sultans and sultanas meant.
Aladdin slowed as he returned to the present at the sound of voices coming from an open doorway. On near silent feet, he reached the door edge and peeked in.
"That's it," Mozenrath said patiently. "Let the water play a little. You are just getting acquainted. Actually working with it will come later."
"Yes, Uncle Mozenrath," Cassim said. The thirteen-year-old's whole focus was on a little stream of water floating between his hands.
Aladdin smiled as he leaned against the doorframe. Jasmine and Aladdin had discovered shortly after Cassim turned five that he had a natural affinity for magic. Until they talked with Mozenrath, they couldn't figure out how someone formerly very weak in magic could then grow to be strong in magic. Mozenrath then explained that there were two kinds of magic wielders. One could only learn and grow in magic through a harsh, cruel environment (how Mozenrath had learned). The other could only learn and thrive in a caring, love-filled environment. Apparently the former Jafar, Cassim, had been this sort of magic wielder.
Almost immediately Mozenrath took Cassim under his wing as his apprentice. Cassim thrived under his teaching, even if there were a few missteps during the first couple years. But a run to shelter behind his father and to seek comfort in his mother's arms usually set things to rights within a few hours.
Aladdin knew that Mozenrath was considering Cassim possibly becoming his heir to the Black Sands. But even the wizard admitted that would be a poor prize for such a bright, happy child as Cassim.
The young sultan brought his mind back to the present to study his eldest. Anyone looking at him could believe that Cassim was their blood son. His eyes were the only hint that he had once been the power hungry Jafar. Yet, even his eyes were different. Cassim's brown eyes were warmer, gentler, and happier than Jafar's eyes had ever been.
Cassim yelped just before a stream of water hit Aladdin in the face. "Baba! I'm so sorry! I guess I focused too much and—"
"It's alright, Cassim," Aladdin said, chuckling and wiping the water away. "I actually came to get you ready to head down to the port. Khaleel and Dalia should be arriving within the next half-hour."
The boy's face lit up. "I need to grab Rugman!" He raced off, leaving his father and uncle chuckling.
"Is he actually getting anywhere with crafting a flying carpet?" Aladdin asked.
"He's a lot farther along than I am," Mozenrath answered. "A working theory is that if a rug is going to be anything like Carpet, it will require the innocence and joy of a child."
Aladdin nodded. "I could see that being a requirement. So, want to join us?"
"Considering Khaleel would give me dressing down for not having a good enough excuse to miss it," Mozenrath said, "I better come along."
Aladdin chuckled. "Come along then, brother. We can't keep them waiting."
Khaleel breathed deep, catching traces of dust and other landbound scents. He was tempted to leave the final half-hour of work to his crewmen as he drank in the sights of Agrabah. But he had yet to shirk his duties as captain, and he wasn't going to start now. He chuckled as Lian and Omar watched their approach from the bow of the boat, marveling at the large ships and the colorful banners.
Dalia's arms crept round his waist in a tender embrace. "Think they learned anything?" she asked.
"They aren't wishing our boat was like the fancy ships," Khaleel said. "So, hopefully." He turned round in her arms to press a quick kiss to her lips. "I need to help the crew. We'll have our moment later."
"I'll hold you to that," Dalia said.
"Mama, Baba!" Lian called.
Khaleel turned to see their ten-year-old pointing outward.
"What is that blue thing?" she asked.
Khaleel joined his children at the front, Dalia beside him as he searched out what had caught his daughter's attention.
"Is it dangerous, Baba?" Omar asked.
Khaleel furrowed his brow in confusion before he laughed. "No, my son," he told his seven-year-old. "Merely the first part of our welcoming committee." He climbed atop the railing, holding the rigging with one hand as he stretched out over the water. "Genie!"
With a great whale song, a bright blue orca leaped out to tap its nose on Khaleel's outstretched hand. Seconds later, the blue man was there. "Khaleel, old buddy!"
"Hey, Funny guy," Khaleel greeted. "How are ya doing?"
"Oh, just one of the happiest genies in the world!" Genie sing-songed. "Eden and I have been married for almost six years now and." He quivered. "We're having a baby!"
Khaleel stared. "Really? That-that hasn't happened in centuries, millennia. Are you both positive?"
"I've never been more in love with an adorable little tummy bump," Genie said in answer.
Khaleel laughed in rejoicing. "Congratulations!"
"And there have been no signs of muktaars," Genie added. "We and our little one will be perfectly safe."
"That's wonderful," Khaleel cried.
"Ah!" Genie cried, his eyes turning into red hearts. "Are these your kids?"
"They are," Khaleel answered with a laugh. He hopped back to the deck, gently urging his kids forward. "Lian and Omar. Two of my most precious treasures."
"Aw, so precious," Genie crooned. "Everyone is going to love you two."
"Baba, who is he?" Lian asked.
Khaleel chuckled. He had almost forgotten. "This is Genie. The Genie from the story."
Their eyes lit up as they gasped in delight. "You know Prince Aladdin and Princess Jasmine?" Lian cried, turning to Genie.
"Did you really throw Jafar's genie lamp into a cave of wonders?" Omar asked.
Khaleel gave Genie the barest nod. He, Dalia, Aladdin, Jasmine, and Genie were the only ones who knew that Cassim was really Jafar given a second chance. But to ensure that second chance, they had to craft an alternate tale of what happened. Genie's favorite thought was tossing the lamp far away. Khaleel hadn't been too keen on that one, but when sharing the story of Aladdin, the Princess, and the Lamp, he had decided that Genie's idea was possibly the best.
As Genie regaled the children, Khaleel turned to help the crew. He stopped in surprise as he saw multiple Genies working while the crew stared in amazement. One of the Genies paused, gave him a wink and a finger-gun before getting back to work. Khaleel shook his head in amusement. He quickly gave his crew leave to relax and watch the entry into port if they so wished before he returned to Dalia's side.
A few minutes later, Genie was securing their boat to the wharf and helping the kids off. Khaleel insisted on helping Dalia. It certainly wouldn't do to put her at risk by Genie being too enthusiastic. They suspected the possibility of a new little one, but they didn't plan for anyone outside the two of them to know until they were certain.
"Khaleel!"
The man turned so see the Sultan of Ababwa racing down the wooden walkway. "Aladdin!" he called back. He only managed to run a few feet before the younger man crashed into him, squeezing the air out of him.
Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Dalia hugging the Sultan of Agrabah.
"Oh, we missed you so much," Jasmine said.
"We've missed you too," Dalia said.
"Please, say that you kept this rascal out of trouble," Khaleel said turning to give Jasmine a fatherly embrace.
"You should already know that is an impossible task," Jasmine said with a laugh.
"Hey!" Aladdin protested, chuckling. He greeted Dalia. "I trust Khaleel's been treating you well."
"He has indeed," Dalia said. "Even got two children into the bargain."
"Thankfully they've been blessed with their mother's looks," Khaleel said. He turned to introduce them only to see the children looking at them all with slack-jawed surprise.
"The story you told us," Lian started.
"Was your story?" Omar finished.
Khaleel shrugged. "I played a small part, and it was how I met your mother."
"So, this is the man who braved the Cave of Wonders, all by himself?" Omar asked.
"He is," Khaleel answered nodding.
"This is the princess who refused to be silenced by the men around her?" Lian asked.
"She is," Dalia answered smiling.
"So," Aladdin said. "The stories and songs?"
"Just the last couple days have been focused on you and how you met your princess," Khaleel said. He added in a whisper, "I adopted Genie's favorite idea."
Aladdin nodded slightly. "And Cassim?"
"I didn't mention him. I didn't know what you told him."
"Tell me about what?"
Khaleel turned to see a young boy just starting to toe the line of manhood. He had Aladdin's nose and Jasmine's mouth. Aladdin's ears, Jasmine's hair, and both of their slender but well-formed bodies. His eyes . . . they were Jafar's eyes but they were very different.
"The story of how we found you," Aladdin answered, drawing the boy under his arm, although it appeared that the lad's next growth spurt would make that more difficult. "There are just some details that we haven't shared because we don't believe you're old enough yet."
Cassim rolled his eyes. "And when would I be old enough?"
"How about sixteen?"
"But that's three years away," the boy groaned.
"Lucky you," a girl beside him said, holding a toddler. "I have five years before I reach that age."
"He could be making you wait until you're twenty," a little boy said. "That is really old."
"Don't talk too loud, Saladyne," Aladdin said. "I was almost twenty when I met your mother."
"Ew!" Saladyne cried.
"Alright, introductions," Jasmine said, taking control of the scene. "Our eldest, Cassim. Our second eldest, Farah. Our second youngest, Saladyne. And our miracle baby, Aisha."
Dalia took over. "Our eldest, Lian and our youngest, Omar. It's wonderful to meet you all."
"Very wonderful," Aladdin said. "So, Khaleel, does this maybe have to do with my offer?"
Khaleel laughed. "You know me well enough, Aladdin. As if I could say no."
"What offer?" Lian asked.
"Your father was asked to return and be the godfather for Aladdin and Jasmine's children," Dalia answered.
"And for your mother to be their godmother," Jasmine added.
"There is only one thing I would ask," Khaleel said. "Will you and Jasmine do the same for our children?"
"We would be honored," Aladdin said.
"Why is Cassim carrying a carpet?" Omar asked.
"Oh," Cassim said, seeming to remember what he was holding. "I am apprenticed to my uncle, Mozenrath, as a wizard. He and I have been trying to figure out how to make flying carpets. This is our closest success so far."
"Well let's have a look, Cassim," Khaleel said. "And where is your uncle anyway."
"He decided to come along after all the hugs and any tears were done," Cassim answered, unfurling his little rug. It was barely big enough for a child, but a promising start.
Khaleel ran his hands along the carpet as it started floating. "Are the two of you enchanting a carpet that's already made? Or are you enchanting it as you weave?"
"We took a preexisting rug," Mozenrath answered, finally appearing.
"Hm." Khaleel stood up, casually throwing his arm around Mozenrath's shoulders, trapping him. "Good for testing, but I think you may want to start from scratch. Study Carpet a bit more. The magic is steeped into him. Not just lying about the surface."
"That must be what I sensed," Cassim said. "I thought something wasn't quite right. Maybe if we had enchanted dyes, used enchanted tools to transform the raw wool into the needed threads. Farah, could I—"
"No! I do not want to have living tools, thank you," Farah protested.
"Then could you at least teach me? We can't let Carpet live out the rest of his years alone," Cassim said.
"I think enchanted tools could be fun," Lian said.
Cassim turned to her quickly, blinking owlishly. "You do?"
Lian nodded. "And once you have them enchanted right, who knows what other things you could make with them other than carpets."
Cassim's eyes lit up. "Like cooling cloaks."
"Blankets that never get wet," Lian said. She paused. "Well, we'd have to figure out how to wash them."
"Salt water repellent," Cassim said, "so they can be washed in fresh water."
Khaleel's eyes darted between the two eldest children as a terrifying thought dawned on him. Oh no. His baby girl was much too young for any boys.
Aladdin caught his shoulder. "Khaleel, they may grow out of it."
He eyed his former ward. "And yet you seem a little too pleased at the prospect."
"Just the idea of your family and mine becoming one is a nice idea," Aladdin said. "But I won't force it. And we still have around ten years. They could just become good friends, nothing more."
Khaleel sighed. "Okay. But they're kids for now. Nothing more."
"Nothing more," Aladdin agreed.
Khaleel smiled as he watched their two families start mingling and interacting. This was the sort of life he'd always wanted. Yes, traveling the world was fun and wonderful. But, when he started feeling a pull towards home, he knew it was time to return. And now, he wouldn't have this any other way.
Cassim smiled as he listened to his new friend's ideas, pushing aside the questions of what Baba and Khaleel had been talking about. But a part of him suspected what he would be told once he turned sixteen.
He had dreams of dark times. Dreams of cold, musty dungeons and starving on the streets. Looking at Mama with hate and vengeance. Longing to destroy Baba. The unrelenting drive to be the most powerful man in the room. Baba's promise to teach him how to be the most powerful while seeming so unassuming.
He knew the dark deeds of Jafar from the stories of how Mama and Baba met. He knew Jafar was someone evil, but somehow things were different. He knew it.
"Cassim?" a voice trilled.
He glanced to his side, seeing Azar. The phoenix twined his tail feathers round his arm. "I'm okay, Azar," Cassim assured him.
Mozenrath was surprised that Azar had never shifted into any other forms. But Cassim had his own theories for why that was the case. But for now, he would put these mysteries to the side.
He looked around his family and new friends. Whatever he thought and believed as Jafar, if that was truly the case, he was different now. He knew the power of a parent's love for their child. He knew the strength of bonds with siblings. He knew that there was nothing more powerful than the love shared between those you saw as family.
It didn't matter if he somehow had been Jafar. He was Cassim now, the beloved son of Aladdin and Jasmine, the apprentice of Mozenrath.
"How's Dhandi?" Khaleel asked Baba.
"Married to a fine man and expecting their first child any day now," Baba answered.
"How did she even manage to court with the lot of you watching her?" Dalia asked, laughing.
"Oh, they had some help," Mama said. "Aladdin, Genie, and Eden couldn't possibly watch her all the time."
"We made a show of being upset," Genie said, "but it helped make sure the boy was serious about getting to know Dhandi."
"They're currently in Ababwa," Mama said. "But we've been due back for a visit." She was already starting to lead the way back to the open carriage that they had come down in.
Cassim looked out over the great water. He had a feeling that there was much more ahead of them. Unless muktaars had been driven to extinction, there was always that threat. There was also the mystery of his namesake. There was even the question of whether someone might recognize him from the past and if so what would they do?
"Cassim?"
He turned to see Baba. He smiled as he ran to Baba, hugging him round the waist while he still could. It didn't matter what the future held. He didn't care about gaining power. He was loved and cared for by two people willing to give him a second chance. That was enough for him.
"Copper for your thoughts?" Baba asked, wrapping an arm around his shoulders and following after the rest.
"I'm just really happy to be your son," Cassim answered.
"And I'm proud to be your baba," he said, scooping Cassim up.
Cassim laughed, hugging Baba's shoulders now. Yes, it didn't matter what anyone thought or said about his past. He was the beloved son of Sultans Ali and Jasmine. And in his heart, he knew that it didn't matter if they were paupers, they would still be the happy family that they were now.
Mama slipped up beside them. "Everyone's home again," she said.
"Ready for the next chapter of a whole new life?" Baba asked.
"So long as our family and friends remain, I am," Mama answered.
Cassim buried his face in Baba's shoulder as he and Mama kissed. But he secretly smiled. Yes, he wouldn't trade this new life for anything.
The End
Author's Note: And thus ends this Arabian Nights. I wanted to end this story and yet hint that more may happen in this universe. Of course I had to somewhat weave in the opening for the live action film, and I had fun imagining where the other characters are in their lives.
Originally, I hadn't thought too much about how Jasmine and Aladdin would be running their two kingdoms. But from some positive expectation from GoodShipSherlollipop, I laid out what I think may have been a possible solution.
For any wondering, Aisha is the last blood child Aladdin and Jasmine can have. They haven't shared the details yet, but there is a reason Aisha is their miracle baby. But that doesn't mean that they still can't adopt later in life. Who knows? I currently don't.
And I had to include magic carpet experiments since Mozenrath was so interested.
Genie (randomly pops beside Princess): Oo! Any sequels planned? Please! Please! Please!
Princess (chuckles): Sorry, Genie. Not at this time. (Genie droops as she continues) I currently have too many stories in the fire. I want to finish my Two Hobbits story, get a Doctor Strange story set in my Sherlock/Kingdom Hearts universe written before I write the actual sequel, try to get some other fanfictions wrapped up, and hopefully get an original story finished and ready for publishers before the end of this year. And that is not taking into account the numerous responsibilities and aspirations I have outside of writing.
Genie (perks up): What sort of aspirations?
Princess: Well, I have a blog that I need to make myself get committed to again. Try to breath some life into my Deviantart and YouTube accounts. And, apparently I'm getting nipped by the TikTok bug that wants me to play with it and maybe prove to be another outlet for my blog. So, yeah, pile all of that on top of my job: Aladdin's stories will have to wait. Which is why I did my best to give this story a satisfying conclusion.
Genie (sighs): Okay. (smiles wide before giving Princess a huge hug) For the record, I'll always leap at a chance to join your stories again.
Princess: Thanks, Genie. Okay, readers. I want to hear from you now. Do you have any favorites in this story? Anything that you think could have been improved? Any insights on this chapter? I would love to hear from you. I sincerely hope that you enjoyed this crazy ride with me. If you have, feel free to check out my other stories. I'll start publishing a new story next week. I know at least one of my readers is especially anxious to read this one. ;-)