Disclaimer:
I WISH I OWNED AlADDIN! But I don't because he and all the other classic characters belong to Disney. However, every other character, Nadira, Tali etc, are mine
To my reviewers:
Thank you, all feedback and advice is appreciated!
I hope you enjoy this chapter!
Recap:
But when they all peered in closely, they saw, in extremely tiny letters what was written. Tali: of Cassim and Jameela. Everyone drew back in utter shock. Tali gasped repeatedly. Aladdin didn't know what had hit him. It felt as though a part of him he didn't know was missing had been returned. Tali swallowed, trying to absorb this information. HE is my father? I don't believe it, and yet I do. This means everything, I, I don't even know how to put this! She thought while her mind ran wild.
Genie and the others simply stared at the sudden discovery. "So If you're Tali's father…" said Aladdin. Cassim nodded. Aladdin looked at Tali, who stared at him with the same expression "…Then Tali's my sister!"
Chapter 8:
Tali was overwhelmed. It was practically beyond her belief. She'd found her brother and her father, and they were both standing in front of her. Tears appeared in Tali's eyes. She didn't know if it was happiness or shock, or both. Aladdin looked at her fondly. She's my sister! I have a sister! He thought happily.
Tali ran to Aladdin and hugged him with all her might. He smiled and ruffled her hair, then looked up at Cassim. "I'm sorry Tali, I wish I had been there for you and Aladdin" said Cassim as tears formed in his eyes. Tali and Aladdin looked at their father. Aladdin found it was strange to see him cry, it was like a sign of surrendering from his strong father.
Tali ran up to him and jumped into his arms, and held strongly, like she was afraid she'd lose him if she let go. Cassim lifted her up and swung her in his arms. "My beautiful daughter, you have become a gorgeous…well, woman! I haven't been there for you, can you ever forgive me?" he said as he bent down on his knee with his hands together.
Tali smiled as the tears of joy slid down her cheeks. "I forgive you! I still can't believe it is you, dad" she said, hugging him again. Suddenly a loud burst of tears could be heard form the back of the room. Everyone turned around to locate the source of the noise. All eyes fell upon Iago, who was bawling away. "It's so beautiful…Don't look at me, I wasn't crying!" he said returning to his blunt state. Abu fell back in laughter. "Knock it off chimp!" Iago said forcefully "I'm still…emotional" as he burst out in tears again. Abu pondered that for a moment and then gave him a hug. "I'm fine again! No need for that!" he squawked.
The ebony coloured sky was lit with a scattering of stars that sparkled like diamonds thrown across black velvet. Aladdin and his reunited family were eating dinner and still recollecting their thoughts from earlier in the evening. I wish Jasmine were here! He thought sadly, Oh, I'd better let Dad know now, so we can leave in the morning. "Dad," he said as he put down his plate. Cassim looked up from his conversation with Tali. "Yes son?" he asked, walking to Aladdin with Tali by his side.
"Jasmine is well…Let me explain it from the start" said Aladdin. He told his father the entire story, from the letter to finding himself with a gypsy (he left out the kiss part). "So, Dad, could you help us find Jasmine?" he asked. "Why son, of course! We must go now, chances are she will still be in the Abia desert, what with the stars and all…" he said. Aladdin looked at him strangely.
"Why does everyone keep referring to the stars?" he said, thinking of Nadira comments on the stars. Genie burst out from behind him "Yeah, I met a nomad who helped Carpet, Abu, Iago and me get to Efram, and he mentioned something about the stars for that night…my astrology is getting rusty!" he said as he poofed a dozen start charts in front t of him and speed read them. Iago flew over to Cassim's shoulder. "Oh great, an astrology lesson just what we need, something else to confuse us!" he squawked. "Speak for yourself Iago!" Cassim laughed.
"Seriously son, don't you study the stars before you head out on a journey? Why, I always made sure to check the stars were in my favour before I went on any voyage!" Cassim said seriously. Aladdin sighed "Dad, no one does that anymore, besides what of the stars said to wait for years? Then what would you do?" he said. Iago flew over to Aladdin's shoulder "One point for Aladdin!" said Iago.
"All I am saying is, the stars were not good for anybody that night, the stars predicted the sandstorm, chaces are, if Jasmine was caught in the sandstorm, she could still be there" said Cassim as they all headed outside to set off. Iago and Abu had fallen asleep and were already curled up on Carpet. Cassim mounted his horse and Aladdin and Tali mounted Sadeek.
"Genie, keep an eye on Iago and Abu, you never know when those demanding rascals will wake up for something" said Aladdin. Genie obediently placed his lamp on Carpet beside the two dozing animals. Everybody quietened down and zoned into complete solemness as they rode off, back to the Abia desert.
Jafar's return had disturbed Jasmine's sleep. She sat against the cold wall of the cell praying for Aladdin and the others. "Jasmine, Jafar says he'd like for you to meet him" Mozenrath said frostily. Jasmine stood up, her glittering eyes narrowed to Mozenrath's coal like stare. He opened the cell and pulled her out quickly. "Don't touch me!" she screeched. He simply grinned wickedly and walked off in the opposite direction.
Jasmine could feel her heart beat fasten with each step. Her legs shook so much, she felt as thought she'd fall over. She fearfully made her way through the narrow passages of the dungeon. Suddenly, her foot hit something sharp and she fell forwards. She didn't hit the ground but instead, landed in Jafar's arms. "Why Princess, you have to watch your step, lucky I was here" he said deviously.
Jasmine swung herself out of his arms "I'd rather die, than fall into you!" she said. "A bit feisty, aren't we?" Jafar said with a sinister smile "Doesn't matter, I like it better that way" he said as he put his hands on her bare shoulders. She shuddered at his touch and pulled away quickly. "Jafar I—" she began. He placed a long finger at her lips "Not another words princess!" he said.
He pulled his snake staff and cast it in Jasmine's direction. A beam of scarlet light shot from the snake staff and was aimed at her. Instantly, her clothes changed. She found herself wearing a strapless red belly dancer's top and red harem pants. Her hair was opened and was flowing down to her hips. "That's better!" said Jafar. Jasmine felt bubbles of fury rise inside her. Maybe if I play along with Jafar, I can find some way out of here! She thought I sure hope this works!
Nadira had returned to her carriage. Her dancers and she had just come back from dancing in a bar in Efram. She looked at where her horses were tied, noticing Aladdin's horse wasn't there. He's already left, well once I have that amulet and Aladdin back, he'll never want to leave! She thought happily. She walked over to the curtained area of her carriage. Gently she pushed aside the Persian drapery. Sitting on a low table beside a silk cushion was a crystal ball.
"Ah, my friend, I have missed you!" she as she sat down by the crystal ball. She placed her hands around the ball and recited "Cristallo Sfera, assegnimi l'alimentazione!" Instantly the ball glowed brightly. Nadira smiled with pleasure. Then the glow changed and an image of Aladdin and the others riding to the Abia Desert appeared. "Leaving so soon handsome?" she said with mock sadness. She waved her hands around and the vision disappeared.
"Cristallo Sfera, assegnimi l'alimentazione!" she said again. This time an image of Jasmine standing seductively before Jafar appeared. "So this is Jasmine, well Aladdin, doesn't look like she cares for you that much, not worry, Nadira will be right there to pick up the pieces of your broken heart!" she threw her head back in evil laughter.
"Jafar," she crooned. Jafar shook his head for a second, not believing she was actually crooning to him. He watched her sceptically, unsure if this was a trick. "I have something to admit" she said coyly as she slinked closer to him. Jafar watched her curvaceous body move gracefully in his direction. She smiled irresistibly "I have a sort of confession to make" she said placing a hand on his shoulder. Jafar seemed hypnotised. Jasmine felt her insides cringe. I can't believe I'm doing this! She thought ridiculously.
"Well, for the past few nights, I have been having these dreams of a tall and dark stranger entering my life" she said alluringly "I felt so strangely wonderful about this new man, and he was…you" she finished with a charismatic smile. Jafar laughed for a second "Princess, do you really expect me to believe…" he paused when he saw the princess step closer to him.
She was so close to him, that he could feel her breath on him. Her dark eyes shone brilliantly. On the inside Jasmine felt disgusting, she was doing this to get herself and Aladdin out of this mess, but she couldn't help feeling like she betrayed him, after he'd been nothing but good to her. He'd never even think of another woman she thought confidently.
The serenity of the night clamed the fatigued travellers as they continued on their way to the Abia Desert. "Alright, I think we should stop for a few minutes" announced Cassim as he dismounted his horse. Aladdin and Tali obeyed and dismounted. The brother and sister walked together towards their father.
Tali looked from Aladdin to her father, smiling broadly. "Dad, you really should come back to Agrabah, I could convince the Sultan to give you a job at the palace, that is, if I'm ever allowed to show my face in Agrabah if we don't find Jasmine" he finished slowly.
"Aladdin?" said Tali "I know we haven't known each other long and here we are as brother and sister, but, I have a feeling Jasmine is fine, I have a real sense of it, I'm never wrong when I have these feelings, honest to Allah" she said with a smile. Aladdin sighed then smiled gratefully. "Come here!" he said with open arms. Tali hugged him reassuringly. Cassim watched as his two children embraced before his eyes.
"Is there anything to eat here? The Genie is asleep and won't conjure up anything for me! Hello? Cassim!" squawked an impatient voice. "That would be Iago, kids, I'll be right back!" he said to Aladdin and Tali.
Iago's outburst woke Abu. He shrieked angrily. "You want a piece of Iago?" Iago asked ferociously, gesturing a wing towards Abu. Abu jumped up immediately putting his hands into fists. The two proceeded to attack each other when Cassim walked up. "Now, come Iago, Abu! We don't need any fights on this trip!" he said as sternly as he could manage although he was doing his best to hide a smile. Abu and Iago's jaws dropped and immediately they were pointing at each other. "Yes, I understand, but if you could get along for this trip, it would mean so much to Aladdin, his mind is fraught with worry" Cassim said pleadingly. Abu hung his head apologetically.
Iago put his wings by his side. "Alright, alright, but could we get some food around here?" he asked gruffly. Cassim laughed. He pulled out two red apples from his pouch. Abu and Iago grinned and snatched the apples and began eating greedily. Cassim laughed "Animals!" he said under his breath.
Tali and Aladdin were catching up on lost time. "So Tali, any boyfriends?" Aladdin asked mischievously as they sat down by a large rock. Tali blushed. Aladdin grinned "So there is someone?" he probed. "No, but there was one" she said. "Yeah?" Aladdin said. Tali sensed he wanted her to continue. "Well—" "Alright troopers, let's get going, I told you this was a short break!" commanded Cassim. "This isn't over!" said Aladdin with a wink at Tali. Tali giggled and followed him to the horses. The group set off again.
Aladdin's head was swirling. The joy of reuniting was still playing in his mind, but at the back of it all, his heart ached terribly. Jasmine, I know I don't say it often enough he thought but I love you, I'd die before I let anything happen to you! He then vowed to himself exactly that. If I have to die for you, he thought determinedly I will!