Warning: We will have a bit of a difficult scene of violence to deal with in this chapter, there should be plenty of hints leading up to the moment. As always, I respect anyone's decision to jump ship if it becomes too much.


Chapter 9: Recognition

Jasmine dreamed of terrible things. Of an arrow driven through her flesh, of a knife tearing at the base of her skin, and a pair of hands pulling the sharp tip free. She could feel herself wake, but only for a few moments at a time before the pain forced her lids closed.

She was slow to remember what events had led to her torture, but as time passed the memories began to take hold. The attack, the ride, and then the capture. The princess cursed herself for not taking Jafar's threat more seriously. Jasmine ordered herself to fight against the hands poking her wound, but had no power remaining to even raise her arms. Did he not know how much pain he was causing?

She groaned before finally opening her eyes. Jasmine's foggy mind was slow to recognize the fingers sewing the wound, but she sighed in relief that it wasn't a glowing blade searing the injury. As her mind cleared her heart jolted in sudden revelation.

"You," she breathed through the pain.

"Don't move," Aladdin ordered. Carefully holding the stitching in one hand, he used the other to stop her from sitting up.

"It's you," she repeated tiredly. He hushed her before pushing her shoulder back to the sandy ground.

"You need to rest."

She wanted to argue, but her mind protested.

"It's… You," she breathed heavily. Jasmine's head fell back against the sand while her eyes drooped. Within no time her conscious faded once more.

When she woke again the hot sun was burning her skin and beneath the princess were the subtle movements of a horse. Jasmine's eyes opened just enough to see the land moving slowly, while her head rested against an uncomfortably warm body. At the corner of her eye, she could barely make out Layl limping beside them.

The movements tore at her wound, but her exhausted body refused even the chance to beg him to stop. Sweat coated her skin as her body burned unnaturally, yet the overwhelming discomfort prevented her from caring that the prince could see her in such a vile state.

"Where are we?" She finally managed to mumble.

"I'm looking for shelter, in case they return." Aladdin answered. His arm tightened around her shoulder while the other fumbled with the reins. "Those men, they wore Agrabah's crest."

"Jafar," she croaked. "It was Jafar."

The tiny amount of speech sent her into a fit of coughs. Jasmine could feel the prince nod.

"Try to get some rest."

"I feel sick." Her throat was unbearably dry as she croaked.

"I know," he sighed against her hair. All energy faded as once again her head fell limp upon his chest. "I've got you, princess. Trust me."

The next time she woke, the fever had faded. Jasmine's body ached from exhaustion and her mind remained heavy. Forcing her eyes to open, she quickly came to realize that night had fallen. How long had she slept?

Her eyes ran across the top of the cave, to the small fire nearby. Behind it, she caught a glance of her prince. With a gasp, she sat up straighter; ignoring the searing pain from her wound. His back was bare, but only for a second before a shirt was pulled over his shoulders. There were fresh wounds that he attempted to hide, however, it was the old ones that the princess fixated upon. Even now, years later, she managed to recognize the faint marks that struggled to heal perfectly. Marks that not only failed to fade from his own skin, but also from her memory.

"Sorry, I thought you were asleep." He explained quickly before turning to see her. "How are you feeling?"

"It's you," she breathed again, ignoring his question.

"Yes, I'm here," he assured gently while making his way to her side. She continued to shake her head but winced as she attempted to sit straighter. His hand fell to her shoulder, urging her back down. "You'll tear the stitches."

"You're him." She ignored his warning at first. However, after another moment of fighting his persistent commands, she finally compromised by moving to rest against the hard wall.

"You're moving too much," he stated in concern, oblivious to her true distress. Jasmine's mind reeled in question as she sorted her rattled thoughts. When he attempted to turn, her hand reached out on its own accord. Aladdin's eyes widened as her hand cupped his cheek, forcing that familiar gaze to meet her own. How had she not recognized those eyes?

"How?" She whispered in disbelief. Aladdin watched her carefully with confusion etched into his expression. He swallowed nervously as her fingers traced the edge of his chin, nearly pulling away before she grasped the edge of the leather cord at his neck; the cord that had been there all along for her to see. Pulling it from the hidden folds of his shirt, her fingers traced the teal pendant. Her pendant.

"The boy from the market," Jasmine whispered in disbelief. Her eyes lingered at the jewel before finally rising to see his surprise. Aladdin simply watched her, for a moment she believed he would deny the claim; to make up some sort of tale as to how he acquired such a similar jewel. Then, his own hand moved to take the cord from her. With a strong pull, he stripped the necklace from his body. His thumb ran along the edges of the gem as he pondered, but her attention was focused on his face. Taking in those same brown eyes she had softened to years ago. It was him; he was alive.

"I didn't think it would take this long to return it," he finally whispered. Reaching for her hand, he carefully placed the necklace in her palm. Her heart flared at the sight of the tiger, once again resting in the safety of her own hands. "Though, in my defense, I waited two months for you to return."

"How?" She breathed heavily. Aladdin sighed before reaching behind him; pulling a water skin from his pack before practically forcing it into her hands.

"My parents died when I was very young," he explained while helping her drink. "My father left when I was three, in search of treasures. Mother never said it aloud but I knew she had given up hope that he was still alive by the time I turned six. Then, mum got sick. I thought of stealing medicine, but she scolded me for trying; rejecting the idea of resorting to thievery. But, she died a month later."

Aladdin capped the water skin as she finished. Jasmine could not help but notice the way he avoided her gaze while scratching the edges of his eyes. A feeble attempt to hide the tears she had already seen.

"I didn't know what to do with her body," his voice barely broke a whisper. "When I realized that she wasn't going to wake up, I left the house. I took to the streets and become something my mother reviled. I became a thief."

She waited for him to recover from the memory. However, he managed to wipe the tears before banishing the rest from falling.

"Your captain, Razoul, he caught me one day and gave me to my master."

"Your master?" She gasped.

"The man that you tried to tackle," he smirked. Her jaw fell in disbelief, recalling the horrors of finding the man with the whip. Only now, the disgust swelled even greater as she realized what he had truly been. "He owned me for about a year before you found me."

Her eyes closed to combat the flood of tears. Slaves. In Agrabah. How disgusted her mother would have been had she known the truth. Or perhaps she had already understood whilst hiding the truth from her.

"You saved my life, princess," he met her gaze sternly. "I had struck a final nerve that day. My master was tired of my disobedience."

Jasmine didn't notice her own trembles as he spoke, nor did she recall grasping his hand. Her mind felt fuzzy as she took in his story. Shaking her head as it only raised more questions.

"Razoul freed them after your mother died. They almost captured me, but I managed to escape." His gaze turned to glance at Layl. Only then did she notice the horse lying in the sand. His large body was coated in scrapes and the way he breathed heavily caused her to shutter. What had they done to the poor beast? Aladdin stared in concern for his friend, but sighed before continuing. "I stole him from a guard that was mistreating him. Together we ran as they chased us from Agrabah."

"Agrabah," she whispered. "You're from Agrabah?"

"Yes," he nodded.

"Then," she fumbled for speech. "You're not a prince?"

"I wasn't born a prince," he agreed; his gaze fell slightly in shame at the proclamation. "But, we ended up reaching the borders of Ababwa in our race. Layl and I were both ready to collapse when they finally caught us. That's when we found the king.

He protected me from Razoul, while my masters fell to quicksand in their attempt to retreat. I lost consciousness before I could see what happened to the captain, but I was told that he had been slain. The queen took pity on me and I woke to her care. Since they struggled to have a child of their own; I guess I was their solution. When I recovered, they told me that I could not leave. But, I never rebelled against the idea, since it was the first time that I went to bed with a full belly. I was more than happy to have a mother again, but, only later did I realize what I had left behind."

He met her gaze again.

"Why didn't you tell me?" Jasmine attempted to sniffle quietly as she whispered. Aladdin appeared to struggle with her question, opening his mouth more than once to speak before closing it.

"Who would want a street rat?" he finally answered with a whisper. Under normal circumstances, she would have laughed at the comment. Thinking at the back of her mind, why would she want a prince?

"For so many years, I stood by the gates." Shaking her head in disbelief, she clenched the pendant in her palm. "Wanting nothing else but to find my thief."

He thought upon her words and she offered him a moment.

"I was waiting just on the other side. After the first month, I thought you had forgotten me. After two, I tried sneaking through the gates; I wanted to try one last time," he admitted with a shiver. "That's when Razoul spotted me and my race from home began."

A tear escaped at how unjust it all was. How close they had been that only a wall of stone had kept them apart. They both struggled for the proper words; having so much to say yet no power to do so. She squeezed his hand before opening it just as he had, placing the necklace back into his palm. When he moved to shake his head, she forced his fingers around the jewel.

"Keep it," she ordered gently. Before he could open his mouth to protest, she hushed his worries. "It's been with you all these years. I want you to have it."

Once more it seemed that he failed to find the words before sighing.

"You freed me. I never got the chance to say thank you."

Jasmine shook her head absentmindedly, confident that he would have endured without her intervention. Yet, given the way his voice nearly trembled as he spoke, she took it as a clear statement of sincerity. Nodding her head, she squeezed his hand a final time.

"You should get some rest."

"Jafar," she gasped in remembrance; ignoring his advice. "He planned this."

She explained the vizier's interaction moments before they departed Agrabah. Shaking her head in defeat, Jasmine glanced at the thief. "What are we going to do? He has everyone fooled."

"Not everyone, princess," he smiled lightly. Jasmine tried to return the smile, but her hope fell short. How would they convince her father?

"We should return to Agrabah," she whispered in defeat.

"His men are expecting that," Aladdin shook his head. "Besides, we are closer to Ababwa now. You need medicine and time to heal."

She sighed at his words, but failed to refute the logic. Aladdin rose to his feet.

"Sleep. We're a day behind, we must get back on the road tomorrow."

His sudden departure pained her as she was left to mourn the warmth of his hand within hers. The thief kneeled beside his horse, offering comforting strokes along its neck. She felt sick to her stomach when Aladdin pulled away a bloodied rag from the beast. Jasmine wished to ask about his condition, but his sullen expression prevented her from speaking.

Reluctantly, the princess laid back against the soft sand. Uncertain how to feel, Jasmine forced her eyes closed as she thought of the boy that she had met so long ago. Thinking of every night spent wondering his fate. She smiled as the comfort that had taken so long to find surrounded her in a welcomed embrace. Her mind found rest quickly knowing the simple truth; the boy had survived.


"Jasmine," the thief whispered. Groaning as her body woke to more aches and pains, she waited a moment longer before opening her eyes to the sunlight creeping through the entrance of the cave. Aladdin ignored her protests of waking so early as he forced bits of bread and meat into her hands. "Eat."

He ordered firmly.

"When did you get so bossy?" she moaned.

"Like it or not, princess, now you have no choice but to trust me." He smirked while packing the mare with Layl's load of supplies. Jasmine glanced at the fallen gelding, saying a silent prayer that the animal would survive the day's journey. After a single bite, her belly remembered just how starved she was. She ate the sandwich quickly before finally moving to stand. "Hold on!"

Aladdin was at her side in an instant.

"I can't stay down forever," she groaned as the wound reminded her how cruel its rips and tears were.

"Clearly, you've never been injured before," he argued while slowing her climb.

"I'm stronger than I look," Jasmine retorted through the pain. However, as she took another step she fell into his expecting arms. The princess didn't even need to see the prince to know that his eyes rolled.

"Not when there's a hole in your stomach," he reminded while helping her limp to the mare. "Are all princess' this stubborn?"

"Are all thieves this aggravating?" She chuckled, despite the claim.

"Absolutely," he didn't even bother to deny the claim. Jasmine felt her feet being swept out from underneath her. By the time she thought to protest his actions, her body dropped into the saddle. The motion was painful, but as her mind cleared she knew climbing the horse on her own would have caused even greater pain.

Aladdin moved next to his horse, kneeling beside the large animal.

"Come on, Layl," Aladdin begged as he tried to help the beast stand. "You have to try."

And try he did. The horse put a foot out to force himself to stand, however the animal was quick to collapse back on his side. The thief paused, staring at his fallen friend. His hand reached to examine the substance pouring from the large nostrils and Jasmine's stomach twisted when his fingers returned bathed in red. She didn't even need to see the thief's broken expression to understand the sullen silence. There would be no recovery.

"Take her out of the cave," he ordered quietly.

"What are you going to…" she paused as he pulled a blade from his belt. Jasmine's instincts nearly forced her forward, to leap off her mare and take the knife from his shaky hands. However, as the beloved animal let out yet another pained groan, she swallowed her tears. Rising in the saddle she gathered the reins quickly and nudged the mare into the sunlight.

Jasmine only wished she had made more haste when she heard Layl's short squeal of betrayal, followed shortly by the soft sobs of the thief lying over his friend's corpse.


No words were spoken for the rest of the day. More than once Jasmine bit her lip to refrain from groaning in pain as the horse's movements tore at her side. However, she would never dare to make her pain known. Guilt nearly consumed her more than once as she imagined alternate decisions that would have ensured the gelding's survival. Knowing that she should have insisted on a pair of guards the moment she had heard Jafar's taunt. Or perhaps had she been more watchful the night of the attack. So many possibilities and yet, it felt as if she had chosen the only path of failure.

Aladdin walked beside them, leading her horse along the sandy path. Not once did the prince complain about the scorching sun burning his skin, nor the undoubtable aches and pains he felt from walking through the thick sand. He was nothing like the fragile princes that would show up at her doorstep, with servants to comfort even the slightest inconvenience. The boy had remained strong, even after growing into the role of royalty.

Jasmine desperately wished to know more about his journey, about the life he had lived after leaving her in that alley. Yet, she could not bring herself to break the silence for her selfish requests.

"Hold on to the saddle," he finally spoke as the sun neared its descent. "This is where the path becomes dangerous."

Doing as he commanded, her fingers grasped the sturdy leather. He led them through narrow roads, where the path turned to stone. Her grip tightened as she noticed the sudden drops of the cliff side, swiftly gaining understanding as to why the kingdom was so difficult to find. Jasmine lost count how many times she questioned the thief's sanity as he led them through terrifying feats.

Aladdin never faltered as he led them once again to safe ground. Before the sun was lost completely, she finally mustered the courage to speak.

"I'm sorry," she whispered. Aladdin shook his head slowly.

"You were right. I should have left him home."

"Then you would be dead," she swallowed nervously; recalling how the horse had stood with him in battle. The animal's nobility put all Agrabah's steeds to shame.

"He was one of my final links to Agrabah," his voice broke along with her heart. "I feel… lost."

"You still have one link remaining," she quickly promised. The moment the words passed her lips she feared its truth. Though she had desperately wished their paths had been different, Jasmine had not been there for him as a boy. Then, she failed him once again as a man. Her heart sunk at the thought, but when Aladdin's gaze turned to meet her own she forced herself to nod. "You are not alone."

Though the words didn't cure his depression, she was pleased to see his mood shift slightly.

"Thank you," he whispered. The gratitude surprised the princess; she had not earned it. Swallowing nervously, Jasmine ducked her gaze from the prince. She sorted through the possible deeds she could offer in reverence for his pain, but nothing appeared fitting. Agrabah had plenty of horses to offer, but she knew all too well that none would replace the dearness of the thief's friend. She imagined losing Rajah and the gull of some fool offering a new pet as if it were a suitable replacement. No, of course not.

As she pondered, a glimpse of light caught her eye and they widened at the sight.

"Is that?" Her mouth fell open as the golden spires pierced the sky. As they descended lower down the mountain, it was as if the clouds parted just for them.

"Welcome, princess, to Ababwa," he smiled while gazing ahead. Her jaw fell as she observed the golden spires of the palace. Of the unique foliage that grew along the shoreline and the rolling green hills flanked by tall mountain peaks. Exotic birds flew past as they walked closer. By the time her mouth closed they had reached the brick pathways of the city, where crowds slowly recognized just who it was that had entered their gates.

"Prince Ali!" Shouted many.

"At last, he is home!"

Jasmine would have felt intimidated by the growing crowd, had their gazes been filled with anything but admiration. She watched the prince fall to his knees while countless children clambered over each other to greet him. His laughter illuminated the look of pure adoration on his face as their arms surrounded the young prince.

Something snapped inside her as she felt the walls crumble around her heart. As she gazed upon the scene, she felt a tenderness that she had not witnessed before. A child of royalty kneeling in a mess of joy upon being in the presence of his subjects. Everything about the man had changed as his mask was lifted. No, she thought, he wore the same smile that he'd offered her countless times in his attempts gain her favor; even before revealing their past. There was nothing different about the man as he addressed each child with their proper name. As she continued to watch, her heart fell to despair. Realizing that for so long she denied the truth, the truth that had been there all along. The prince was a good man.


A/N – So a little heads up, this is where chapters will likely slow down. NOT because I'm quitting or losing interest, but because this is where I left off on my first draft before I started posting. So, it just means that I'm having to go through 1st - 3rd drafts where I've only been having to do 2nd and 3rd up until now. I have a good outline and everything planned out, so hopefully it's not a huge time difference, but didn't want to alarm anyone that started to notice a bit of a time gap. This story is currently how my free time is spent and I'm very much still enjoying it!


Review Replies: Thank you all anonymous guests who left feedback, there were some wonderful reviews from guests this chapter and I very much appreciate it!

Mgpatino21 – Me too! I absolutely loved how Disney handled the live action. I am glad that it led you to my story. You're a Scarvis fan?! Awesome, there will most likely be more of those stories in the future when their t.v. show pops up. Thank you for reading and you are very welcome!

Classified Director 101 – Haha I shouldn't have too many cliff hangers in this story, though when it fits it fits ;) Thanks for reading and continuing to leave your comments!

Lauren – I am a sucker for cliffhangers, though probably only because I know what's going to happen haha Thank you for the lovely comments and for continuing to leave your reviews!

Shy Guest 3 – I am so glad that you are enjoying the story! I toyed around with keeping their meeting at the normal age, but as the entire story started to come together in my mind it fit to give them a small meeting as children. I totally respect your wishes to remain anonymous, feel free to keep listing yourself as Shy Guest 3 so I can reply to you! Thanks again and I hope you enjoy the rest of the story.

Annunminujaliel – Aww that is wonderful to hear! I am so glad that the story is still interesting, I hope it remains that way the entire way through. Thanks for reading and leaving your comments!

Denz-El – Holy smokes! What a review! First off, I have to suggest the book "Far From Agrabah" by Aisha Saeed, she gives a Disney approved look at Ababwa as a real place. It's a pretty good book, it's definitely catered to a more young adult audience but the story is interesting enough for me as an adult at least. Anyways! I am so glad that you are enjoying the story so much! I agree on your thoughts on Jasmine's MTV Music video, I wish they would have kept it like the first part of speechless at the beginning.

I'm glad that you're enjoying the pair's development and as for your theory on Abbas, I don't want to really spoil anything but I'll tell you that Genie's entrance will be obvious. Abbas will still be an important character. God bless you back and thank you again for leaving your thoughts and beautiful compliments!

Lynnell246 – Agreed!Jasmine is indeed very smart. Though sometimes even the smartest people can fall short sometimes, in this case it was an oversight. From being in the "safety" of the palace for so long, she was trusting Aladdin when he assured her they'd be safe. Glad you are enjoying the progression! Thank you for continuing to leave your thoughts and lovely compliments!

Disnerd02 – That is such an awesome thing to hear that you get excited for chapters! I know that feeling as a reader, so to be the one bringing that excitement is so humbling. I am glad you are still enjoying this story and thank you for the lovely praises!

KorriChan – I have to keep you guys interested somehow! ;) Haha, but at the risk that cliffhangers aren't your thing, they should be minimal in the future I can think of one more for certain that is planned.