Disclaimer: I do not own Aladdin or any of the character's they belong to Disney and co. Please R&R as the feedback is greatly appreciated.
When Mozenrath finally released her, Jasmine sat back down on the bench. "Well, that was interesting, so what is it you wanted to tell me?" she said, smoothing down her silken skirt.
He shuddered, he knew how difficult the news he needed to break to her would be to hear. "Please understand that I would die at this moment then tell you what I am about to."
Alarm crossed Jasmine's face, "Why?" he rose and sat besides her, taking her hands. "Because I know what I am going to tell you will hurt you, and you must know by now that I seek to avoid that whenever possible."
Calm returned to her expression "All right, just tell me." he shifted slightly, turning to face her as he spoke "At the very beginning of all this, I planted one of my men within your council. It was merely superficial, I had him keep an eye on you and listen in on the proceedings of court while you were otherwise occupied with our arrangement."
He paused and Jasmine squeezed his hands supportively "Go on." he gave her an appreciative smile before doing so, "I received the news shortly after our arrangement, according to the Council Aladdin plans to come back to Agrabah. He will challenge me to mortal combat, one of the rites of passage for the seat of power now that there are two proclaimed rulers. He plans to destroy everyone in his path to the crown and then enslave the people and use them for his own gain, as he once tried to do."
Jasmine leapt from the bench in shock "What? No. That will not happen, Mozenrath. I will not let that happen."
"You won't be able to prevent it, my flower. You will have been bound by an oath to your kingdom not to intervene in any circumstances. Your choice will be between watching us fight, or violating your holy word, and surrendering the kingdom over to him. I'm sorry." he said, brokenly, watching horror creep into her face, the face that only moments before had been transfixed in happiness.
Jasmine bolted from the gazebo, and seconds later could be heard the sounds of retching in the bushes below it, followed by heartbreaking sobs. He struck one of the gazebo columns with his head, his hands clenched in fury. He struggled to contain his wrath, and the rise of the darkness, knowing she needed him to be steady far more than he needed the release turning it loose would bring.
Finally the tears stopped, and a moment later she came up the stairs into the gazebo again. Her face was florid, but calm, and her dress, though wrinkled, had been smoothed into place. She met his eyes, and her gaze was without re-incrimination, without sympathy; he couldn't tell if she was feeling anything at all. He gazed at her for a moment more, "Can you forgive me?"
Jasmine's face remained passionless, "I don't think there is anything to forgive you for, Mozenrath." He grimaced, "I could have put a stop to this plan."
"How? By being disloyal and to my people by letting it slip that you know of this plan? No. Mozenrath, our negotiations were to new to let that happen, if the Council had even suspected that you'd had insight into their meetings. Thank you, no. I don't want that on my head. We can only play our parts, and promise that, when this is all over, we will live our own lives honestly, without this kind of deception."
Jasmine sighed, "Is that all there is to this story? There's nothing else is there?" he stared at her, "Isn't this enough" she turned in his arms and managed a weak smile "More than enough"
He smiled down at her, "After everything you've heard, do you still want to marry me?" he asked softly. She replied just as quietly with her heart in her eyes "More than anything."
"And given the choice, assuming all other things are unimportant, would you rather begin tomorrow as my fiance or as my wife?" Understanding began to dawn on her and she started to smile "As your wife, of course."
His eyes mirrored hers "Then marry me, Jasmine. Marry me tonight."
The words of their wedding vows, beautiful in the way that only two people who had been through so much sorrow and pain, to come out on the other side of that deception whole and in love could speak them. They had committed the vows created in the gazebo, so that the garden itself would bear witness to the love promised there.
The incredible happiness she felt and saw in his eyes as they promised themselves to one another; the tenderness of their lovemaking as their souls touched and were joined completely in the total knowledge of who they now were. The giddiness of unabashed laughter could be heard from her bed chambers as they rolled beneath the covers, sharing secrets and plans that night, the hopes they told each other of. It had been her first taste of true and utter joy.
Author's Note: To those that I disappointed with such a short viewing of their Wedding. Don't worry there will be a public wedding in the chapters to come. But, right now they couldn't afford to wait as the future is uncertain, what with Aladdin set to come back at any time and all. Thank you to my reviewers, I had hoped for more, but to those faithful, I appreciate the comments!