So close to finishing! I'm actually happy that this chapter was Savannah central, it was time for her to really gain insight and try to understand from a different perspective. She also has more interaction with Jasmine. Helps to sort out the feelings, you know? Thank you for the reviews, you guys are awesome! Luiz, glad to hear from you again!
Chapter 13- Prince Abubu
"Sav, you look good," Aladdin commented as he stood beside her in the mirror and offered her a winning thumb up. That was before he actually looked at her and he quieted. She was donned from head to toe in arabesque silk of lavender and her hair smoothed; losing its matted, tangled abomination. She stared at herself, noticing for the first time just how big her eyes were. She slithered her arms around her waist in embarrassment, her ribcage noticeable. The silk felt good against her skin, so soft and water-like, and most importantly, she was clean- she looked clean.
"It's a total transformation!" Genie shrilled excitedly, like a young school girl. "Just look at this before and after!" Genie held up a blown up copy of Savannah in her ragged attire to an image of Savannah now. Aladdin glanced up before settling his hands on her shoulders and looked down at her.
"You really do look beautiful," he said and pressed his lips against her cheek. "I know you're against this, but I appreciate you doing it for me. You don't know what this means." He murmured this against her temple before walking away to join the newly transformed Abu.
Savannah raised a hand to her cheek and rubbed her fingers against the flesh he kissed before letting them fall and settling her arms back around herself in a hug. "You don't know how this is killing me," she whispered to herself and glanced up to find the Genie's reflection staring at hers, through hers.
It was a monstrous procession; Savannah took her place across a girl of Genie's creation and fanned Prince Ali with large green leaves. He grinned and wooed the crowd with ease, and Genie's exaggerated and untrue stories of his bravery and heroism. Savannah peered down, watching the people cheer, their hearts swelling with hope and excitement of a new suitor for their princess. The children, dressed in their saris and tunics bounced up and down, catching the gold coins Ali tossed down to them. The streets were showered with it and snowed with confetti.
They finally reached the palace, Aladdin leaving Abu to ride on Carpet to zip and zoom around the palace, curling around the Sultan and creating an impressive landing. Savannah managed her way down from Abu, in the expansive lobby of the palace. So, this was it. She was within the walls of the place she despised for most of her life since her mother passed. She stroked Abu and glanced over to the direction in which she heard Aladdin's voice, impressing the Sultan who giggled with glee at a new potential for his daughter.
Smoothing her hair back into the bands, she set off to explore. She felt a speck of entitlement deep within her. Ascending the staircase, she noticed the servants and women dashing back and forth with cloth in their hands, men with trays and tools. The floors were of marble, the walls white smooth to the touch, nothing at all like the rough stone back in any of the homes you'd walk into. The walls were adorned with portraits of past Sultans and Sultanas in the family tree, a blank space at the end for Princess Jasmine.
She was surprised that she hadn't been stopped or questioned, but she did blend in with the other handmaidens. Guards did pose her some odd looks the further she traveled down the hallway. But, after a handmaiden passed her, the guard nodded his head to her. The morons, especially Razoul, didn't recognize her, and she couldn't help but inwardly grin.
"There's no reason for you to be standing out there, gawking like an idiot," an older woman clucked. Savannah turned her head to see a woman garbed in a sari, hands on her hips, portly and stout with a kindly stern face. "The princess needs help dressing for her meeting with this new suitor! Unexpected, yes, but that's what you're here for, hurry!" Savannah was pushed into the further most room, despite her protests, past the double doors and skittered into a room the size of Aladdin's hovel three times combined.
The bed was impressive, large, and colorfully decorated. The pillows were as well garnish, but completed the look nicely. Plush carpet along the floors, tapestries on the walls, tassels for a touch. It was truly a room for a princess. She felt the anger well up inside of her, how she had these unnecessary items when people were ill and starving. Savannah wanted to rip the sheets and tear the tapestries. Items like those could go for a pretty coin in the marketplace.
"Did father send you?" A voice angrily came from the doorway as Savannah stood in the center of the room. Princess Jasmine marched into the bedroom. "For this, Prince Ali? Who does he think he is, barging into here with his," she began to stammer, "His caravan!" She was fuming, which caused Savannah's eyebrow to perk with amusement. So, she didn't buy into it, either; smart girl. Jasmine picked up a pillow from the bed and threw it against the others in aggravation. "I told him I didn't want to see any other suitors!" She groaned and plopped down onto the bed.
Savannah remembered, clearly, how desperate she sounded in the hovel just a few nights ago. She didn't want to be forced into marriage. Jasmine had no desire to follow her father's bidding. She looked absolutely miserable, and still did. The anger began to simmer from Savannah, and rather than stand and wait for her to speak, Savannah took a few steps towards the bed.
"It was a bit excessive, wasn't it?" Savannah inquired. "I, uh, your highness," That was the proper lingo, right? "You shouldn't have to be forced to marry. But, that's the system, right? This is how it goes."
Jasmine picked her head up from the pillow she buried her face into and looked up at Savannah. She was quiet; taking her in. "You seem, very familiar. Do I know you?"
Did Jasmine remember her from Aladdin's hovel? She swallowed, unwilling to take any chances, especially seeing how emotional the princess was. "No, I'm just a humble servant."
Appearing momentarily unconvinced, Jasmine sat upright and continued on about her initial topic. "I know I'll be Sultana someday. But, can't I become one with someone I love? Can't my father see that?"
"This arrangement isn't about love; it's about security for you and for the kingdom. Your highness," Savannah quickly added the proper address, although the words felt bitter on the tip of her tongue. She continued to keep her composure, if only to gather more information on the princess' intentions. Savannah realized that with the right collection of words, this whole thing could crumble and she could take Aladdin back and they could be happy, just the two of them.
Savannah stepped towards the balcony instead, looking down at the people of Agrabah, how they crowded around the palace to catch even a mere glimpse of the princess or her father. How they collected together like drones in a hive. For the first time, Savannah caught a glimpse of seeing things from the higher end. Seeing all of Agrabah was overwhelming, no wonder Jasmine was in no rush to take it all. Did Aladdin understand how much responsibility he was taking upon him by gaining Jasmine? Savannah had to smile to herself. Of course he didn't, like a child; he saw only what was in front of him. Her smile slowly dropped, and what was in front of him was Jasmine.
How was he going to pull this off? She would find out the truth somewhere, at some point. Savannah turned around and glanced back to Jasmine, who had taken no notice of her absence in the middle of the room. The princess sulked over the loss of her freedom, having no control over her future.
The head nursemaid knocked on the door and stood as regally as a nursemaid could at the entrance of the room. "Princess, please excuse the intrusion, but your father requests your presence for Prince Ali." She shot Savannah a glare for not having the princess ready. Savannah merely blinked as though to say, 'Hey, not my responsibility.' Savannah only assumed this nursemaid was close to Jasmine, either that, or the princess was a very open person with her subjects for she merely picked up her head as the nursemaid opened her mouth once more.
"Please, princess, your father is struggling between the ancient laws and making you happy. Please try to understand. This man is a handsome fellow, with an equally handsome caravan." Her eyebrows waggled, which caused Jasmine to roll her eyes amusingly. She sat up and glanced over Savannah's way.
"Alright, I'll meet this Prince Ali," Swinging her legs over the bed, she moved over to her vanity to make herself presentable.
"Who knows, he may be the man of your dreams," Savannah commented. "The man to take you away from that feeling of being…trapped."
Jasmine paused and stopped brushing her hair to turn around and face Savannah. "You're that girl from the marketplace with that boy!" Her face lightened. "He's alive, isn't he!? Please, tell me where he is."
The desperation lingered from Jasmine's words like stale wine on an escort's breath. Savannah's chest tightened with panic before shaking her head. "No, princess, I am not." And to reinforce her point, she took hold of Jasmine's hair and brushed the ends. "I am but a humble servant. And you are to meet Prince Ali Ababwa, and we shall pray everything works out."
Jasmine put the idea to rest, but she still wasn't entirely convinced. After finishing freshening up, Jasmine descended the staircase to overhear the conversation that had begun to ensue between the males in the audience chamber. Savannah was hot on her heels, though attempted to be as graceful as she could manage. They were discussing Jasmine, and not in the most positive of ways, either.
"Fear not, your highness. I am Prince Ali Ababwa. I will win your daughter."
Savannah's eyes widened, unable to believe what she was hearing from the lips of her dearest companion. "Oh no," she breathed before seeing the enraged look upon Jasmine's features. Savannah didn't believe she would ever think these thoughts, but as a woman, Jasmine had every right to be angry.
"How dare you," Jasmine hissed from the doorway of the chamber, her eyes seeing red, hands clenched into fists at her sides. "Standing around here and deciding my future. I am not some prize to be won!" Her hair whipped behind her as she stomped out of the room. "I can't believe them, how could they!? And that…that…ignorant stuffed peacock…swaggering jackal," Jasmine prattled on angrily as she stormed past Savannah, the Sultan waddling behind her hurriedly, calling out endearments to capture her attention.
Jafar stood there, tall and intimidating, cobra scepter in hand and appearing amused. Savannah eyed him before approaching "Prince Ali." "Prince Ali, if I may request audience with you."
Thankful for the chance for escape, Ali nodded and cleared his throat. "Why of course, miss, right this way!" He responded authoritatively and bid adieu to Jafar, who gazed upon Savannah with curiosity.
"Before you flee, where did you say you were from again?" Jafar inquired.
"Uh, oh, well, further than you've traveled, I can promise. Ababwa is very small and very intimate," Ali continued on in his newly discovered prince voice.
"Uh huh, try me."
"Prince Ali," Savannah touched his arm. "It is detrimental I speak with you. I implore you."
"We shall have to pick up on this conversation at a later time, Jabar. It appears I am needed." And with that, Aladdin kept in step with Savannah to exit the room.
Jafar scowled. Those two appeared oddly familiar, and not in a good way. Jafar was not a fan of being unawares. He would have to do away with what he was unsure of; do away before it became a problem.