So, the chapter of the wedding. I thought it would be nice to delve a little into Jasmine's thoughts. I'd like to flesh her out more than what the movie made her out to be. I also found out there was a book, A Whole New World, that fleshed Jasmine out more as a ruler because of a plot twist the author took in terms of Aladdin and Jasmine. I'm kind of happy not everyone sticks to the cookie cutter impression of Jasmine from the films.
Chapter Six- Contemplation of a Life Sentence
"Alright, Squadron A and C take the West Wing, Squadron B and D take the East Wing, Squadron E come with me. No killing anyone, maiming…okay."
Huddled they were together in the belly of the palace, horses and camels put away with the other animals, the Forty Thieves hyped themselves up for this moment, their itching fingers desperate to get their hands on jewels, gold, and other commodities. Cassim had his eyes on only one prize and glanced at the trio, his E Squadron to follow him. Darkness swallowed them in the desolate room. Savannah glanced around, praying they weren't in the dungeon, although the smell of death flared up inside of her nostrils and left an unsettling feeling behind.
The dungeon brought back memories for her and caused her to grow anxious as the moments passed, thankful for Cassim quickly moving, she heard the footsteps of the men dispersing along the sectors and corridors that would lead to light. She passed the chains, curious as to which she were in. The forgotten pin Abu had used to unlock her lay abandoned on the ground; she pocketed it for possible future use; either to pick a lock or stab someone, a pin had many uses. However, the fact the pin was still there told her the dungeon had not been used since Jafar. As much as Savannah winced at the memory, she was surely grateful that it was saw to that it never be used again.
Omar took Savannah by the wrist to keep her moving along, uncertain why she was behind, it made no difference. He couldn't have Sa'luk getting his hands on her, despite the fact he truly was no match. He was lanky, no muscle whatsoever. Sa'luk was all muscle and all Omar had against him was wit.
Babkak walked beside Cassim, listening to the dragging drips, the humidity and dampness clung to their clothes. Both men would be grateful when this was over. Ascending the staircase, voices of handmaidens and giggling women rang throughout the numerous rooms and halls. The guests were multiplying and Babkak's nose turned up. It was a chorus he was unfamiliar with; he turned back to Savannah who shrugged.
"Doesn't the princess look ravishing in white?"
"But the groom, he is quite a looker-" And the giggling resumed.
It was all the same. Women gushed over the bride, swooned over the groom and poured themselves into a ceremony that only lasted several hours, and then life resumed as though it never happened. Perhaps it was because Savannah and Jasmine grew up in two different life settings. Jasmine grew up to prepare and dream of her wedding day, whereas Savannah was taught to survive. A wedding never came to mind, meeting someone never occurred to her.
Jasmine stood in the room where she was being prepared. The alterations were complete and she stared at herself in the mirror. She thought about all of the life changes from when her mother died until now. Jasmine was only a little girl, her mother ill and frail, she pleaded with her daughter to follow her heart and marry only when it was right. Her mother, desperate, admitted to Jasmine that forcing a woman to wed was wrong. Jasmine could still be a good leader and be happy; it was in her, in her blood. She was her mother's daughter and bore the spirit of many good rulers before her. Whether Jasmine married or not, she had what it took to be a good leader.
The illness took her mother quickly, just as Jasmine had reached her tenth birthday. A young child growing into a woman was lost without the most crucial figure in her life. Her father had to learn to balance, as opposed to concentrate his energy on ruling a kingdom. He doted on Jasmine the best he was possibly able to, while making sure she was taught her values. Jasmine was raised on handmaidens and teachers, clenching the bouquet tightly in her hands she stared at herself in the mirror. All of this was planned. The wedding was planned, her forcing herself to find love was planned, and she had begun to doubt herself.
Suitor upon suitor, she tested. Born and bred to be spoiled little leaders that would birth other spoiled little leaders and the generations would just down spiral. And she, regardless of being sultana, would be on the backburner because she was a woman. The law states the man is stronger; the man is more of a capable ruler. Perhaps Jasmine shifted into a rebellious young woman, but she couldn't possibly fall in love with a man who sought to overpower her. Prince Achmed was just the icing on the cake.
And then Aladdin came along. He was unlike the other princes, perhaps because he wasn't a prince. He was an average man who knew what struggle was. Jasmine saw this as an opportunity to cherish that about him, love that about him and want someone for them. He protected her, he had a personality! He wasn't selfish, nor was he simpleminded; he had brawn, and exhumed passion. Aladdin just so happened to come with the complete package aside from his upbringing. However, the further away she was from Aladdin, the more she thought. Being alone had granted her the ability to gain her independence, but now she had the emotional support of another, she realized just how good it felt to have someone who understood.
Aladdin would be a great companion that much she knew. They were enamored with one another, and from where Jasmine stood, enamored was good enough for her to begin with. They could learn from one another, and Jasmine was always up for expanding her mind.
"I'm ready for this," Jasmine said to her reflection in the mirror. "I'm ready to be married. This is my choice. This is what I choose to do with my life."
The handmaidens buzzed in and out of her room, flitting about her like she was still an infant, yearning for a bottle or a rattle. Glancing up at the jeweled flower in the crystal vase, she knew her mother would be proud of her. Jasmine was sure her mother was with her today, guiding her daughter in the right direction.
The Sultan was next to follow, taking cautious waddles into the bridal suite to gaze upon his daughter with a smile. He came to fetch her as the ceremony was about to begin in a short time. She needed to finish the preparations and make Agrabah proud.
Cassim waved Savannah, Babkak, and Omar down the side corridor, away from the bridal suite as the sultan passed. Savannah glanced further along and motioned for the others to follow. The wedding was to start soon, and when everyone would settle in the wedding pavilion, it would be the perfect time to strike. Overhead, Savannah noticed a red object fluttering above them and squinted her eyes to attempt a better look. The little figure was a bird, but one she assumed got loose from its cage. She ignored it and pressed further, slowly creeping along the corridor.
The further she crept, a scent lingered in her nostrils. It was familiar, but one she couldn't place. How much time had passed? She wasn't certain. All she knew was that she heard a harp, clapping and stopped at an open window to take a look outside. The wedding trestle was set up with lilies and other wild flowers from outside kingdoms. It was truly a wedding fit for a princess, with lush carpet Jasmine's slippers would sink into when the time came. The guests marveled at the scene, hence why the clapping had commenced. Savannah could only imagine the sultan beaming in delight.
She had to force herself away from the dreamscape, and resume down the hallway with the tangy, coppery smell. It was far more potent once the windows were closed and they reached their goal. A sealed off room, with a match lit behind her, Savannah jumped back into Omar's arms. A man lay dead, Savannah's feet soaked in his blood, the stench overwhelming the room while Sa'luk cleaned off his claws.
"You want a job done right? The bastard won't be squealing to anyone now. Let's move."
"Any key?" Another thief asked.
"No key," Sa'luk growled.
Cassim's lips thinned as Sa'luk had taken matters into his own hands. No killing, how hard was that to maintain!? And here Sa'luk was, mad for treasure. Lives did not need to be lost in order to proceed with the plan! Who was the leader? Cassim was, and he'd be sure to remind Sa'luk of the minor lost detail.
"You and I will speak later," Cassim growled.
"You'll thank me later," Sa'luk retorted.
Omar nudged Savannah back to her senses, taking note of the lock attached to the door. Babkak eyed the golden gleam that billowed from the bottom crack of the door. With a trembling hand, Savannah retrieved the pin from the pocket of her pants. With labored breath, she squeezed between the bickering men and inserted the rusted, sharp implement and played with the innards of the lock until she heard the familiar click. Sa'luk pushed Savannah aside and entered the trove of gems and treasures.
"Probably Agrabah's tax money," Savannah rubbed her shoulder as she glared at the older man.
"It's got to be in here!"
And so began the search for the Oracle, Cassim desperate to find her. He was desperate to find the key to happiness and his family. Now that Aladdin was alive, there was a chance at redemption. Cassim noticed Savannah's face ashen and he shook his head.
"Start looking," he ordered.
Coins clinked beneath her feet and gems buried themselves, rubies glinting and emeralds sparkling. This reminded Savannah of the Cave of Wonders and Aladdin's near death exploration. When the Genie emerged was when she received a mere taste of what the Cave was, aside from sand and rubble.
Outside, the slashing was heard by very sensitive ears. Rajah perked his head up from his spot as Best Man and turned his head to the Genie in utter confusion, who also heard noises coming from the Eastern Tower, nearest to the bridal suite where Jasmine was. Aladdin turned his head to the sound of the disruption, cries followed behind him. At all costs, he would protect Jasmine. He vowed that to himself the day he met her and upheld it since. On this day, their wedding day, the vow still applied. As Aladdin turned his head, he noticed grubby men in uniformed blue and black with fingers in parcels and pockets, satchels and coin purses. The moment Aladdin noticed, he was swarmed. Cries from the tower Jasmine had been located in burned in Aladdin's ears.
With no time to waste, Aladdin made good use of his and battled the thieves as they came to him in small droves. Genie disappeared, only then to reappear as Aladdin ascended the tower.
"Jasmine is safe, Al. She's alright."
"Who are these guys!? Where did they come from!?" Aladdin pressed his foot to the chest of one and sent him down the staircase, taking two more with him. Aladdin turned his back and ran up the rest of the stairwell.
"They're everywhere, Al!" Genie confirmed, which granted a look from Aladdin, not so much appreciating the obvious statement.
"Forget it, we've got to go," Omar warned as he heard footsteps and voices.
"We can take them on!" Sa'luk replied.
"Cassim, it ain't here," Babkak commented over Sa'luk.
It was amass of warnings and urges all at once, white noise Cassim did not need at the moment. Savannah slid down from a mountain of coins and peered outside the door, only to see Genie and Aladdin. Her heart stopped and glanced back.
"Abort the mission, abort, abort!" Savannah cried out, tempted to close them in from Aladdin and Genie finding them, but it was a completely sealed treasury. All the wedding presents, taxes, were stored in this room. There had to be a trap door hidden beneath all the coins, but there was no time to dig beneath the piles. Cassim glanced back over Savannah and motioned for everyone to wrap it up. There was no scepter to be found, not here. Whoever had made that prediction, whoever wrote the legend of the hiding place of the Oracle had misguided them. Probably, and more than likely, it was some peddler who wanted the treasure for his/herself.
Genie noticed the mess of sienna hair, bunched up beneath the veil and blinked his eyes before turning to Aladdin, whose gaze was focused on the leader. He tackled straight for him, only to miss as Cassim brushed past him, the group surrounding Aladdin once more and distracting his vision. It didn't take long for the thieves to vanish, signals to drop and forget spread like fire. Aladdin watched past them as Genie moved into the treasury, glancing back at the feminine figure that followed behind with the rest of the men.
"Damn it," Aladdin muttered, Razoul and the other guards shook their heads.
"They got away, all of them."
"What did they want so badly?" Aladdin asked, noticing Jasmine heading towards him. He held his intake of air. A vision in white, and he had to see her under these circumstances. He let it go and shook his head. He assured himself he would find them and make them understand just what they ruined for him.
"This," Genie answered Aladdin's question as he raised the scepter that must have been mistaken for an emerald as it was found buried in the center beneath, the only thing to separate the item from the gems was the ankh resting atop.
