Chapter 8: Broken Promises
I woke up with a headache to find myself strapped bound and gagged across a horse's back. Across from me was Al, who was blinking slowly. Just waking up himself. Al suddenly realized what was happening and he looked around wildly before locking eyes with me. He gave me an apologetic look like this was all his fault and I gave a small shake of my head. It wasn't his fault. It was Jafar's.
"Are you sure we have to do this a kid?" One of the guards asked and I saw Razoul step into sight. He was looking at something I couldn't see.
"Jafar's orders were to be rid of both of them. They are out to harm the princess."
Eyes widening, I looked at Al. Maybe it wasn't all Jafar's fault. Maybe it was mine too. My jinx-like self, had kicked in again. Al narrowed his eyes, like he knew what I was thinking. He usually did.
I heard the sound of waves crashing and I froze. We were near the sea? I glanced at Al to see him frowning at the guards. He turned to me when he felt my eyes on him. I relayed all my fear into the look I gave him. I couldn't swim. I had never learned. Al had a long time ago, but I had never been taught. My only knowledge of the large body of water came from the distant memories of my mother who had taken me to the seaside for small visits. That was before she left me. And we had only gone to the tide pools which hadn't been very deep.
Al tried to be reassuring, but I wasn't convinced. We were going to drown. Even if I could swim. My hands were tied behind my back.
I panicked when I felt hands on me and I thrashed. "Stop squirming boy." The guard holding me demanded and I felt hands on my ankles. I looked down to see them attaching a ball and chain to my feet. I swallowed and looked to see that Al was getting the same treatment. The feeling of dread filled me.
The guards dragged us over to the side of a high cliff. I looked down at the dizzying height and felt faint. Here we go. We were going to die. They held us high and I looked at Al.
It's okay. His eyes seemed to say. Keep looking at me. It'll be all right. I nodded at him and then we were dropped. A scream caught in my throat as we fell and then we hit icy cold water. I opened my eyes and saw millions of bubbles around us in the dark water. I looked up and saw the surface of the water and icy fear clutched at me as I saw how far it was getting.
The lower we sunk, the more my lungs started to burn. Al struggled not to hit the bottom, but still did. I have to breathe! My lungs are burning! Slowly my vision started seeing spots and I sighed internally. At least I got to meet Al, Abu, Carpet, and Genie. My friends. Who knows, I thought as my eyes started to close from lack of air, Jasmine and the Sultan might have liked us too. I briefly wondered if Iago might have ever talked to me again. My eyes closed, unable to keep awake.
I sat in the window, absently playing with some little sticks I had found. Today, the man with the traveling wagon came back to our town. He came once a year the people said so now I was five-years-old. Mama was somewhere in the house, she never wanted to see me anymore. I was a bad boy. I got in her way a lot.
My door opened and I turned around. Mama looked happy today. She gave me one of her bright smiles and I felt happy. She came over and hugged me, kissing my cheek. I hugged her back. Maybe my wish had come true. Maybe she had forgiven me for whatever I had done.
"Why are you inside, darling? Let's go for a walk." Her voice was once again the musical tone it used to be. She used to sing to me every night and I missed it so much. I gasped and leapt up, eagerly taking her hand.
"Let's go mama!"
We arrived in the middle of the town and I looked around eagerly, trying to find out why we were there. I saw the water fountain going and waited to see if that was where we were going. I frowned when we didn't move and looked up impatiently to find my mama was gone.
"Mama? Mama?!" I called and turned in a circle. Where had she gone? Where did she go? Still calling for her, I ran looking for her. This was the first time in a long time she had taken me outside and I had gotten lost. She'd never take me back out again! Finally I spotted her and ran up to her, grabbing her skirt.
"I found you!" I exclaimed. "I got scared."
She looked down at me with a harsh expression and I let go of her, frightened.
"Why did you follow me! Go away! I don't want you!" She hissed at me, swatting at me with her hands like. I gasped and backed away looking at her in horror.
"But mama, don't you love me?" I asked timidly. "I was good today."
She rolled her eyes and the man next to her that I hadn't noticed before scoffed.
"Didn't you hear her?" The man demanded with a sneer. "She doesn't want you! You're a bad little boy! She doesn't love you anymore you give her bad luck!"
I wrung my hands. "Bad…luck?" I repeated and he nodded.
"Yeah, you are a stupid little jinx! Now get lost!" He looked ready to hit me if I got close to him, so I back-peddled away. I watched with blurring eyes as my mama walked away in the thickening crowd of people, disappearing from sight. I waited to see if it was some kind of odd trick, but she never looked back.
"Mama…come back…I'm sorry…"
I groaned, coughing water from my lungs as someone patted my back. I opened my eyes slowly as I was turned and found myself staring up at a starry sky. My head and shoulders were being cradled a bit by something and I rolled my head to see Genie and Al looking down at me. I smiled weakly.
"What's going on guys?"
Genie laughed and helped me sit up, it was then I realized that I had been leaning against him. Al hugged me to him, pulling back and looking at me in concern.
"Rick, are you alight?" I nodded slowly and then looked up at Genie. He looked down at me, watching to see if I was really okay.
"I'm okay Genie just tired. Thanks for saving us."
"You're welcome. Just don't ever do that to me again, okay?" He said and hugged me tightly. "Ever!"
Al looked at me. "You were out for a while." He said softly. "We thought you were dead." I nodded solemnly, I could imagine what that looked like, and patted Genie awkwardly. He still hadn't let go of me.
"I'm fine, Genie."
He let go of me reluctantly and sighed. "Sorry."
"It's okay." I nodded at him.
"Aww, Al, Rick you know I'm getting' kind of fond of you kids."
I wanted to say the same, but that wasn't good. In fact I was a bit surprised to hear Genie say it. Wouldn't he just forget about us when he was freed? Genie set Al and I onto his shoulders and I came out of my thoughts. "Not that I want to pick out curtains or anything." He continued as we started off by towards Agrabah. I laughed and Genie smiled.
"Can we go kick Jafar's butt now?" Aladdin burst out laughing and rubbed my head.
"Sure."
I frowned at the dim city lights before us and sighed. "So…what's the plan? Bust in and punch that Vizier in the face?"
Genie snickered and Al rolled his eyes.
"We need to get in to see Jasmine." He said. "She'll listen to me I just know it."
"So, I take it things went well then?"
He nodded, a dreamy look coming to his face. "It went wonderfully."
"Please, no details." I said and dodged the hand that swung in my direction.\
After a second, Al turned to me.
"Thank you, Rick."
"For what?"
"For what you said to Jasmine earlier. That's why she spoke to me. So thank you."
"Anytime, Al. that's what brothers are for." I felt confident saying that and Al's happy smile affirmed it was the right thing to say.
Genie slowed a bit and we circled the palace once before he set us on the balcony. He put a hand on my shoulder and I glanced at him.
"Be careful, short man." He said and I gave him a salute and he chuckled. Al hissed at me and I waved to Genie who disappeared into his lamp in Al's turban. Al and I frowned as we heard Jafar's oily voice drifting towards us from inside the room.
"…Prince Ali and his brother left."
"Shall we bust in?" I asked snootily and Al smirked.
"Why yes, we shall."
Al and I stepped into the room unnoticed. Jafar was looming over Jasmine who was trying to talk to her father. The Sultan looked off somehow which was worrying.
"Better check your crystal ball again, Jafar." Al said smugly and two out of three whirled around to face us. The Sultan remained staring at nothing.
I waved at Jafar and Iago. "Surprise, we didn't leave!" I declared and then dodged behind Al when Jafar's eyes landed on me. I was still creeped out!
"Prince Ali, Prince Farid!" Princess Jasmine shouted in happiness and I was glad to see that Al must have really made her happy.
"How in the he-uh, awk!" Iago squawked loudly and I smirked at the parrot.
"What was that, Iago? You can talk?" I asked, cupping my ear, and the parrot stuck his tongue out at me. At least this way, Iago wouldn't get in trouble for me learning he could talk. Jasmine looked from us to Jafar and Iago in confusion, her eyes widening when she heard Iago speak.
"Tell them the truth, Jafar. You tried to have us killed!" Al snarled and Jafar faked shock. I peered around Al.
"It's true!" I said hoping Jasmine and the Sultan would believe us. Jafar narrowed his eyes at us and I hid back behind Al. That guy was a creep!
"What? Ridiculous nonsense your highness." Jafar said all innocent like and took his staff, showing it to the Sultan. "They are obviously lying."
"Obviously lying…" The Sultan repeated and I made the connection. The snake staff's eyes were swirling red and so was the hypnotized Sultan's.
"Father!" Jasmine she exclaimed and examined him. "What's wrong with you?"
"Al, his snake staff!" I hissed at him and his eyes suddenly lit up with comprehension. "You gotta smash it." Iago and Jafer were both eyeing me and I was pretty sure they had heard me or at least guessed what was going on.
Al gave a nod and strode forward. "I know what's wrong!" He shouted and grabbed the staff from Jafar's hands. A puff of red smoke came from the staff as Al smashed the cobra head against the tiled floor with a loud crack.
"Oh, my!" the Sultan exclaimed shaking his head clear of the hypnotism.
"Your highness, Jafar's been controlling you with this!" Al held the broken staff in front of the Sultan.
"What? Jafar, you…you traitor!" The Sultan was really angry. Jafar started to back away and we advanced upon him.
"Your majesty all this can be explained." He tried to weasel out of it. But no one was convinced.
"Guards! Guards!" The short ruler shouted angrily and they came running in. "Arrest Jafar at once!" The guards grabbed at the Vizier and as he tried to get out of their grip he pulled something from his pocket. Iago flew off instantly, but no one made a move to follow him.
"This is not done yet, boys!" Jafar hissed and tossed whatever it was into the floor. A large puff of red smoke hit the air and we started coughing. Once the smoke cleared we saw the guards were strangling each other, Jafar gone.
"Find him! Search everywhere!" The Sultan yelled and they took off.
"Are you all right, Rick?" Al asked and I nodded still coughing. I shooed him towards Jasmine and he smiled with a nod. He went over to her and she clutched his hands.
Al looked Jasmine over. "Are you all right?" She nodded.
"Yes." At least they're happy. Suddenly a thought occurred to me. Once they were married…what would happen to me? I'm not really a prince so this whole charade would end here for me at least. Al… Well once he married Jasmine they would teach him things so he could keep his cover. Besides, my part in this was over. I journeyed with Ali, my brother, to meet Jasmine. Now I'd have to go back to our kingdom. Alone.
The Sultan pushed between the pair, muttering about Jafar and I snickered quietly. Suddenly he froze and turned around to look at them, joy spreading across his face.
"Can this be true? My daughter has finally chosen a suitor?" Jasmine nodded happily and he chuckled. "Praise Allah!" He ran over and I hid a laugh as the tiny ruler spun Al around and hugged him. "Oh, you brilliant boy! I could kiss you! But, I-I won't. I'll leave that to my… But you two will be wed at once. Yes, yes. You'll be happy and prosperous, and then you, my boy, will become sultan."
"Sultan?" Al repeated and I rolled my eyes. Duh.
"Yes. A fine upstanding youth such as yourself, a person of your unimpeachable moral character is exactly what this kingdom needs." Al's face faltered with each praise. Could Al keep up this royalty scam on his own? I don't know.
The Sultan turned to me. "Oh, Farid, my dear boy! Come here!" He hugged me and I felt a huge wave of guilt hit my stomach. "You must be so proud of your brother."
"Yeah." I said sincerely. Al deserved this and I was going to make sure it went great for him. Al looked at me hesitantly, fear in his eyes. I couldn't let him down. "I'm very proud of him."
"We owe it to, Farid." Al said and I looked at him as did the Sultan. "I couldn't have made the journey here without him. He's the best little brother I could ask for." I felt my eyes sting with the words Al said and I smiled a bit.
Jasmine smiled at me. "He certainly is. Thank you, Farid." I flushed when she hugged me next, planting a small kiss on my cheek.
The Sultan beamed at me. "I don't know what you did, my boy, but I'll thank you too."
"Oh, um, I didn't really do much." I said, but the Sultan patted me.
"You must have done something. I never thought my daughter would find someone she loves."
I shifted. "Well, I didn't do that, Ali, did it on his own." I coughed. "Well, I'm, um. Going to turn in. Fighting Viziers tires one out." They laughed at that and bought my excuse. I passed Al who was trying not to look overwhelmed by the wedding plans and exited Jasmine's room.
I stepped out into the garden and jumped when a shadow loomed nearby.
"Forgive me, your highness." Razoul said, shifting awkwardly. "Jafar…he told us." I raised a hand.
"Forget it. You were just doing your job." I told him and he nodded.
"We released your elephant and your Magic Carpet."
"Thank you." I said and he bowed, leaving me to walk the rest of the way alone. Alone. I might as well get used to that.
Carpet met me outside and searched me over for injuries. I laughed and patted him. "I'm okay, I promise." I told him and Abu came around the corner of our rooms.
"Are you okay, Abu?" The monkey/elephant nodded and I smiled. "I'll see you in the morning then." He waved his trunk at me and I walked inside.
I threw myself across my bed and buried my face in the sheets. I felt Carpet pet me.
"What am I gonna do, Carpet? This whole thing is a mess. They want Al to become Sultan. Do you know what that means? Our kingdoms are supposed to unite. We have no real kingdom. They could send us packing…unless…I think of some way for Al to keep his head." I lifted my face from the sheets.
"Carpet…I'm afraid of being alone again. I've been with Al for two years…almost three, but I have to be." He leaned, like he was inclining his head and I elaborated. "See, once Al is married, I'll have to go back to my "kingdom". So I'll have to go… You and Abu will help him right?" Carpet nodded. "Good. I mean, Al will free Genie soon and…well I…" I hugged Carpet. "Just promise to come visit me sometime, okay?" The rug nodded, hugging me back. I didn't realize how tired I was until Carpet was tucking me into bed.
"Thanks…" I said and my eyes slid shut as he drifted over me.
The next morning I woke up and just laid there with my eyes closed feeling the soft sheets. It was amazing! I honestly hadn't slept like that…well ever! I rolled over expecting to find Al in his bed, but instead I found him fixing his turban.
"They sent us breakfast." He said, his tone neutral, and I nodded.
"Great." I slid out of bed and plucked a plate of food from the table. It was loaded with different foods. "You didn't sleep well." I said, sitting on a pillow near Al and shoveling food in. This would probably be the last time I got food like this.
Al shook his head. "Nope."
"You know, I've been thinking…We can pull this off Al. All you have to do is pretend to write letters to me." He quirked an eyebrow at me. I rolled my eyes. "After the wedding and all that. Because you know…" I began softly. "My part is over."
Al paused and looked at me. "What are you saying?"
"Al, I came here with you to see you get married off, remember?" I said slowly. Not condescendingly, just trying to calmly explain. "I'll have to go back to our kingdom."
"Rick, we don't really have one."
I nodded. "Exactly. And they will figure that out unless you pretend to write to me. Or really write to me and let Carpet bring it." I shoved another bread slice into my mouth. "All you have to do is remain calm."
"I can't…You can't live on your own."
"I've done it before."
"But you don't have too now."
I frowned. "Yes, I do. Jasmine…You deserve her, Al. She's the best thing for you and you for her. I've seen the way she looks at you. She would never judge you, but if you don't want to tell her this is the way it has to be. I have to go."
Al shook his head. "I don't like this. I just don't." He turned and walked outside.
"Well, you know there is an easy solution…"
"No. I can't. They're going to make me sultan, Rick." He whispered and I cocked my head to one side.
"Yes. We were just talking about that." Al continued to look out and I felt something was off. "Al?"
"Huzzah!" Genie yelled and he came up from the lamp. I smiled at him. "Hail the conquering hero!" He played an upbeat tune but Al just gave him a strange look and walked past him. Genie scratched his head in confusion and looked at me.
"Don't look at me. He woke up moody. Maybe he needs more cheering up?" But I knew that wasn't it. It made Genie feel better though. He nodded with a smile and went over to Al. He got in front of him and made a square with his hands.
"Aladdin, you've just won the heart of the princess. What are you going to do next?" We waited. Al sighed and walked back into the room and flopped onto some pillows. I went and sat on the edge of my bed which was the closest to where they were. Genie came up beside Al. I grinned as I saw him wearing glasses and holding a book that read "Aladdin".
"Psst, your line is: I'm going to free the genie. Anytime." He whispered making a motion with his hand for Al to say it. I sniggered and he caught my gaze with a wink.
"Genie…" Al sighed. "I can't." What? I frowned. What's he talking about?
"Sure you can." Genie encouraged and then I burst out laughing when he grabbed Al's head. "You just say 'Genie I wish you free." He made Al say and I laughed again Genie grinned and then he Al elbowed him in the ribs. Genie looked shocked and a sudden bad feeling filled me.
"I'm serious!" Al said standing up. "Look I'm sorry okay? I really am. But they want to make me-no! They want to make Prince Ali sultan." He turned to Genie sadly. "Without you I'm just Aladdin."
"Al you won!" Genie said desperately and I frowned. No, Al, don't do this. You promised.
"Because of you!" Al shouted poking Genie in the chest. "The only reason anyone thinks I'm worth anything is because of you! What if they found out I wasn't a prince? What if Jasmine found out?" He looked up sadly. "I'd lose her. And Rick…He just pointed out the most obvious reason. I'd lose him too."
"Don't bring me in. I told you what you can do. I'll be perfectly fine on my own. It's a great solution."
Genie frowned. "What solution?"
I sighed. "Genie, none of those things are real. We don't really have a kingdom and the Sultan thinks we're princes. Our lands are supposed to be united. They can't be if there is nothing there."
"So, Alaric's solution is to go back to living on the streets alone and pretending to be back at home in our kingdom." Al scowled. Genie looked at me in shock and I nodded.
"You know it's the only way."
"Oh, yeah? Well what happens when they want you to visit? Or when Razoul catches you? I promised you that I wouldn't let you live like that anymore."
I scowled at him. "You can't have it both ways, Al! Either you keep your promise to Genie and set him free, or just tell Jasmine the truth. She's not going to throw a fit. She fell in love with you. Not your status."
Al looked at his feet for a moment and then back up. "Genie," He began and we both looked at him skeptically. "I can't keep this up on my own. I can't wish you free." The look on Genie's face put me over the edge. Tears stung my eyes at his broken hearted and I frowned at Al.
"Hey, I understand." He said rather sarcastically. "After all you lied to everyone else. I was beginning to feel left out. Now if you'll excuse me master." He said "master" like it was a nasty phrase and gave a mock bow disappearing into his lamp.
"Genie, I'm really sorry." Al said and then Genie blew him a raspberry. "Well fine!" Al shouted. "Just, just stay in there." he shoved the lamp under a pillow and pushed down on it. Abu and Carpet were looking in the window. "What are you guys looking at?" He snarled at them and they both got hurt looks. Al was immediately sorry, but the rug and the elephant were leaving. "Guys wait. Abu-wait I'm sorry." He sighed. Then he looked up at me. He saw the angry look on my face.
"Rick…"
"How-how could you Al!" I yelled backing away from him when he came closer. "How could you do that to Genie?! You lied to him and you made it look like I made you choice between us! I-I trusted you, he trusted you! How many promises are you going to break?"
Al scowled. "I'm doing this for you! To keep my promise to you!"
"I don't want you too!" I shouted back at him. "Genie deserves to be free more than I deserve to live in a palace. I'm a streetrat, Aladdin, and no amount of magic will change that."
"Well you know what, Alaric?" He snapped back. "Maybe you should just go then." I frowned.
"What?"
"You heard me, go on! If you can't be on my side, then go. I thought you were my brother, but maybe you're not. Maybe you are just a jinx."
I nodded. "And finally you see it!" I lifted the pillow from over Genie's lamp. "I'm sorry, Genie." I said. "This is my fault for being here. I should have never came." I glared at Al and headed for the door. "I'm glad I'm leaving! I'm done with this stupid charade! I'm done lying to good people who don't deserve to be around me." I jerked my turban off and stalked towards the door. "I hope you have a happy life, jinx free, you big, stupid jerk!"
"Alaric! Alaric, wait. I'm sorry! I don't mean that!"
"You know what, Al? I don't know what to believe anymore." I left the room and went down the steps. Ignoring Aladdin calling to me, I went further into the garden as I stalked off I began to lose anger and gain guilt.
Maybe Al had been correct in calling me a jinx. I mean I had gotten us in so much trouble. If I hadn't been here…Genie might have been set free. Maybe Al wouldn't have almost drown. I shook my head at myself. Getting mad at Al wasn't helping. It was just covering up what I had done.
"Farid? Prince Farid, there you are!" I jumped and looked wildly. Princess Jasmine stood there wearing a purple colored outfit and she smiled warmly when I spotted her.
"I've been looking for you and your brother everywhere!" She exclaimed. Uh-oh, am I in trouble? She saw my face and giggled. "Don't worry you're not in trouble. If you're not busy maybe you'd like to join me? My father is going to announce the wedding to our people and I would love it if you were there."
"Oh, um, I don't think that-"
"Oh, please? You will be my brother-in-law after all. We can get to know each other."
"Well, I, uh, I dunno about that, I mean…"
"Please? It wouldn't be the same without you there." I couldn't say no to royalty. So I nodded slowly and she held her hand out to me. "Come on then." Swallowing the guilt, I took her hand and she led me to some steps that led to the balcony that the Sultan made all his important announcements on.
"Father." Jasmine said as she came up the steps the Sultan turned and smiled as he saw us. Guilt ran through me and I jolted as he suddenly addressed me.
"Oh, Farid my boy!" he exclaimed. "Where is your brother?"
"I, uh, I'm not positive your majesty." I said and I gave him a bow. He waved me off.
"Oh, no need to be so formal!" He hugged me. My eyes widened. "You'll soon be family!" I gulped as he said this and held back the tears that threatened to come. I didn't deserve his happiness.
"Well, thank you." I murmured and he laughed.
"Your highness!" A tall man said. "The citizens are awaiting you." The Sultan smiled and patted my arm.
"We'll talk more about it later." I nodded and he walked out of the curtain to address the crowd. Jasmine noticed my grim expression.
"Is something wrong?" She asked.
I shook my head. "Nothing you can fix." I muttered and she looked at me curiously, but before I could say anything further a familiar voice rang out.
"Jasmine?"
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