Jasmine slumped into her bed, exhausted. She had finally put Jebu to sleep after spending a painful two hours with her father. He was fading, and fading fast. She knew he didn't have much longer, and it made her wish more than ever that Aladdin would hurry back so he could be there with her when it happened. But then she thought of why he left and she wasn't so sure she wanted to deal with him at the same time she had to deal with her father's inevitable death. Aside from that, however, she was pleased how the meeting with Araden and Shiara went. She even managed to save Aladdin's ass in the process without revealing why he had left in such a hurry.
Pulling the covers over her, she sank down into the soft mattress and fell into a deep, restful sleep.
The day dawned bright and cheerful like it normally does in the desert. Araden paced back and forth in his war room as his advisors continued to consult a map and a few scattered papers with random bits of information on them. "How could it be?" he asked no one in particular. Before his visit to Agrabah, he had been sure that the attack on his beloved city had come from the east, but further investigation and some inconsistent evidence now pointed the attack from the north. "There is nothing anyone in the north wants from me, or my city!" he proclaimed angrily. Tokumatei stood and placed a calming hand on Araden's shoulder.
"Sometimes there is no good reason for war," the gentle old man explained in his soft, fatherly voice. "Conquest is nearly as inviting as increased wealth or vengeance to some people." Araden sighed and sat back down at the table. He ran his finger from Mennosite towards the direction of Etruskel, the only city large enough to have been the origin of such a large attack. His face darkened as his finger slowly traced a path back to Agrabah.
"Jasmine said Aladdin was going to Etruskel," he mused quietly. Since Tokumatei was the only other one present during the meeting in Agrabah, he knew the significance of this statement. Araden stood and slammed a fist onto the table. "He was not there to sign OUR peace treaty because he is consorting with MY enemy!! The treaty does not hold without HIS signature!"
"If Etruskel really is the cause of this, my liege, if I may be the voice of reason," Tokumatei interrupted. The other advisors were talking amongst themselves, and were apt to agree with whatever Araden said. Araden sighed and sat back down, restless.
"For Aladdin's sake, I hope it's not. I truly admired the old Sultan, but if Aladdin is a part of what has happened, rest assured I will not hesitate to retaliate. . ."
Jasmine had finished her lunch and was sitting at her father's bedside. A nurse had been in earlier to feed him what little he could get down. Jasmine knew he didn't have much longer, a couple days at best. In all honesty, though, her heart wished he would just let go. It was too painful for her, and for the people to witness his slow deterioration. She folded her hand over his and smiled sadly as he looked up at her.
"What's wrong, dearest?" he managed to rasp out. Even in his near-death state, he could tell if something was bothering his only daughter. Jasmine shook her head and sighed.
"It's Aladdin, father. He left, to meet an old friend in Etruskel, but I'm afraid I'm questioning his honesty in the matter…I don't know who this friend is, I don't know what their relationship was in the past…" She paused as he squeezed her hand with his remaining strength.
"Jasmine, listen to me. I know Aladdin loves you, maybe just as much as I do. He will always love you and he'll be back…" his words trailed off into weak coughing and Jasmine stroked his hand lovingly. Her mind knew her father was right, but her heart couldn't help but keep doubting.
"I know," she said, not wanting to upset her father. "Now get some sleep, alright? You're tired."
"Yes, I am…" The old Sultan slipped into an uneasy sleep, his breathing irregular and ragged. Jasmine sighed and stayed by his side to watch him sleep for a long while.