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"Trapped"
An adaptation of Disney's *Aladdin* through the eyes of Princess Jasmine

by Disney Princess

This story is dedicated to all the members of the Aladdin Mailing List, who have helped me find "a whole new world" where the magic of Agrabah thrives.

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Chapter 1

     I feel the rays of the warm desert sun on my face and awaken.  I stand up and stretch.  Looking out my window, I see the sun rising over the dunes, telling me it is early in a beautiful day and I smile.  Walking back to my bed, I fold the light sheet covering it and put it away.  At the foot of my bed, I kneel down next to my sleeping pet tiger, Rajah.
     "Hello, Rajah.  How's the best tiger in the whole world?" I ask him, petting his thick fur.  He stirs and sits up, nuzzling me.  He then rolls over on his back and lets me give him a belly rub.  I start to laugh, but am suddenly interrupted by a knock at my bedchamber door.  I get up and answer it to see that, as I expected, it is Aziza, one of my servingwomen.  She is only a few years older than I am, but she acts so stiff and formal around me that she seems much older.  She makes me feel uncomfortable.
     "Good morning, Your Highness," she says, bowing and handing me a cloth, basin of water, and my favorite every-day outfit: a short, pale sea-green top and a pair of light, billowy pants to match.
     "Thank you, Aziza," I say graciously, taking the items from her hands.
     "Shall I help you dress, Your Highness?"  I've asked all my servants to just call me Jasmine, but none of them would listen, so I've given up on trying.
     "No, thank you, I can manage."  I always find it odd to be asked that question.  I'm quite capable of dressing myself without help.
     "As you wish, Your Highness.  I will wait outside your door.  Call when you need me to help fix your hair."
     "That won't be necessary, Aziza.  I can handle it."
     "I insist, Your Highness."  Some days I can convince Aziza to let me do my own hair, but I can tell this won't be one of them.  I thank Aziza and shut my door.  Sighing, I draw my heavy, green curtains.  I walk behind the divider in my chamber, wash with the cloth and water, and change into my clothes.  I look at my reflection in the mirror, focusing on my outfit.  Although I can't choose which of my outfits I can wear for special occasions (that, like mostly everything else in my life, is decided for me), I at least have the freedom to select which every-day outfit I get to wear.  ~Well, that make's *one* decision I can make on my own.~  I get lost in these thoughts when I hear another knock.
     "Are you alright, Princess?"
     Having nearly forgotten Aziza was there, I am a bit startled, but open my bedchamber door to let her in.
     "I'm sorry, Aziza," I say, putting on a pair of brown shoes.
     "Quite alright, Your Highness," she replies politely, gesturing for me to sit down at my vanity.  I do so and watch in the mirror as she lets my long black hair loose and begins to brush it.  I sit there watching her pull my hair back into an elaborate ponytail divided into three sections.  There is an awkward silence that neither of us breaks.
     I suppose I will take this opportunity to introduce myself.  My name is Jasmine, and I am the Princess of Agrabah.  I am fifteen years old, and, unluckily for me, my sixteenth birthday is only four days away.  You see, my father's law decrees that I must be married by this day.  You may wonder what could possibly be so bad about this, but all I can say is that royal suitors aren't exactly fun to receive.
     Aziza tops my hairdo with a sea-green headband with a large jewel adorning it.  Bowing, she silently leaves, closing the door behind her.
     "Finally!" I say quietly, looking at Rajah but talking to myself.  Don't think that I'm ungrateful for all Aziza and my other servants do for me, but I wish they would understand that I'm not helpless and don't want *everything* done for me.  I put on a pair of golden earrings and the gold necklace that was once my mother's.  My thoughts briefly go to her.  ~Would I still be in this situation if she were alive?~
I pet Rajah one more time before walking downstairs to eat breakfast with my father.
~*~
     "Good morning, Dearest," my father greets me as I approach the dining hall.
     "Good morning, Father," I reply, embracing him before taking my seat beside him at the table.
     "You're awake early, even for you.  Did you sleep well?"
     "Oh, yes.  I only drew the thin curtains last night.  It was too lovely a night to block out the moonlight completely.  The sun was streaming in this morning, and I rather liked it."
     Smiling, my father says, "I'm glad you to hear you had a pleasant rest.  That's a good thing."  As he speaks, the Royal Cook comes in, carrying our breakfast trays and placing them in front of us.
     The smile vanishes from my face.  I know why he thinks that is a good thing.
     "Oh, Father, no!" I say.
     My father frowns.  "Now, Jasmine, you know that your sixteenth birthday is in just four days."
     I sigh and eat a little of my food.  After swallowing, I ask, "What's this one's name?"
     "Prince Achmed.  He is from a prosperous kingdom that would bring a good alliance for Agrabah."
     I nod and say nothing more.  Nibbling on a little food, I stare down at my plate, then realize I'm no longer hungry.
     "Father, may I be excused?"
     Reluctantly, he lets me go.
     I turn to leave.  Standing up, I hesitate for a moment before exiting the room.  Then I run out to the garden.  On the way, I encounter Jafar, who is my father's advisor and someone I truly despise.  I just don't trust him.
     "Good morning, Prin*cess*."
     "AWK! Good morning!" his parrot Iago says.
     I quickly reply and then hurry through the garden doors.  As I enter the garden, I smile a little to see that Rajah has wandered there as well.  I take a seat at the edge of the marble fountain at the center of the garden.  This is my favorite place in the whole palace.  It's so beautiful.  The fountain is surrounded by many trees and flowers, some native to this part of the desert, but mostly exotic.  Except for the twittering of the caged birds and the trickling of the fountain, it is completely quiet and very peaceful.  I often come here during times like this when I need to escape my royal duties and just think.
     Rajah nuzzles against my legs, startling me.  I absently stroke him, thinking of what to expect when Prince Achmed arrives.  ~Maybe he'll be the one,~ I think for a moment, but I shake my head, silently scolding myself for thinking such childish thoughts.  I want to believe it, but I know I'll only end up disappointing myself when he turns out to be just like all the others...arrogant, vain, and thoughtless.
     I look down, seeing Rajah watching me curiously.  "Another one is coming today, Rajah."  He looks upset by this.  I smile at him.  "I know, I don't exactly anticipate it either."
     Now, before you think I'm pessimistic, let me tell you more about royal suitors.  They didn't seem quite so bad when I was twelve and received my first few.  I knew they weren't "right" for me and politely turned them away.  When I was thirteen they came more frequently and became far more unbearable.  The past two years I have come to expect them on approximately a weekly basis, and each is more self-centered than his predecessor. I've also come to discover that a polite "no" isn't enough of a rejection anymore.  I really don't *mean* to insult them, but they don't understand "no," so how else can I make them leave?  I'm not a heartless shrew, although I'm sure that is what my people must think of me.  Actually, I don't hate men and I don't hate the thought of marrying.  I just hate being rushed...is it too much to ask to be able to wait for a husband who will love and respect me as a *woman*, not a princess, and not care about inheriting Agrabah?  I sigh.
     "Oh, Rajah, if only they could understand."  My thoughts drift back to my mother.  I don't remember her, but I again wonder...if she were alive, would things be different?  I sit there for hours, just thinking...
     "Princess Jasmine!"  I am brought back to reality by the sound of a servant's voice calling my name.  "Your father wants you!"
     "I am coming!" I call, petting Rajah one last time before going to the throne room to see my father.
     "Yes?" I say, bowing before him when I arrive.
     "Jasmine, I just ask that you *please* try to give Achmed a chance.  Need I remind you again of what day it is?"
     I sigh, rising to my feet.  "Father, I can't control my heart.  I will try to be open-minded towards him, but I cannot accept him if my heart will not let me love him."  I realize that doesn't make much sense, so I add, "I can't explain it, Father, but I'll know if he's the one for me."  I've had this conversation countless times.  I love my father and appreciate his concern for me, but is it impossible for him to understand my desire to be loved?
     "Jasmine, you don't give them a chance.  Perhaps if you tried harder..."
     "It's not that simple!" I say, interrupting him.  "I can't decide who I love.  I *do* try to accept, Father, but I can't marry someone who uses the word 'I' more than the word 'love' when trying to woo me.  None of them *ever* say 'love'!"
     "Dearest, you should feel lucky you have the freedom to choose your own husband.  Many princesses are married off to men they don't meet until their wedding day."
     "Maybe that's better...it eliminates suitors," I can't help but say.
     "Jasmine, I..." he trails off.  "Just try.  That's all I can ask."  He smiles and holds my face in his hands.
     Smiling sadly, I embrace him.
     "Now, shall we go to lunch?" he asks.
     "Of course."
     The meal is brief and neither my father nor I says much.  Seeing it is the afternoon, I go upstairs to watch for the Prince from the front balcony.

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Chapter 2

     After waiting on the balcony for about an hour, I see a finely dressed man considerably older than me approaching on a white stallion.  I assume he is Prince Achmed.  He glistens with golden jewelry and both he and his horse have their noses in the air.  ~Just as I thought.~  Suddenly, I see two small children rush out from the gathering crowd, right in front of the Prince's horse.  To my surprise, the Prince pulls out a whip!  Afraid to watch anymore, I turn and go to my bedchamber.  I hear the Prince enter the palace, but I stay put for another hour or so.  I don't wish to see him until I have to.
     Unfortunately, as if to mock this thought, Aziza knocks on my door.
     "Your Highness, your father requests that you dress for dinner and come join him."  She hands me a short lavender top with sheer sleeves and a pair of lavender pants with a turquoise stone at the waist.
     I quickly change, change my hairbands, and scurry down the stairs.  I enter the dining hall to see a vacant seat beside the Prince, who is next to my father.
     "Good evening, Father," I say politely, taking my seat.  I say nothing to the Prince, but rather wait until we are properly introduced, which doesn't take long.
     "Jasmine, this is Prince Achmed of Eclistan," my father says as soon as I sit down.  Turning to the Prince, he says, "Prince Achmed, this is my daughter, Princess Jasmine."
     I nod politely and Prince Achmed returns the gesture.  He has a self-satisfied smile on his face as he says to me, "Princess, I had heard you were lovely, but your beauty stuns me."  He takes my hand and kisses it.  I try not to cringe.
     ~Oh, please,~ I think.  "Thank you, Your Highness," I reply, trying to sound like I am truly flattered.  If he thinks he's the only Prince to ever attempt to win me over with flattery, then he must be a dreamer.  I only feel uncomfortable being called beautiful by a suitor.  It makes me think, usually rightfully so, that they only care about my appearance, which is not only superficial of them, but a topic I don't like talking about.  I don't consider myself unattractive, but I don't consider myself stunningly beautiful, either.  I am convinced that the only reason that suitors say this is because they think I’ll be so flattered that I’ll blush and giggle and immediately fall head over heels in love.
Obviously, Achmed, like all my other suitors, doesn’t know I’m not like that.
     I keep my eyes fixed on the table throughout dinner, not wanting to talk to this new suitor.  Luckily, he talks to my father all evening.  I can’t hear, as they are whispering, but I know it’s about me.
     At last, my father excuses me from the table.  I bid him good night, then do the same to the Prince.
     “Farewell, Your Highness,” he says kissing my hand again.  I can tell the gesture is as insincere for him as it is awkward for me.  ~No, he’s not the one.  If he were, kissing him would feel *right*.~
     I retire early so Achmed will not be allowed to visit me again.  Changing into my pink pajamas and letting my hair loose, I leave my lavender and aqua outfits outside the door for Aziza, hop in bed, crawl under my thin silk sheet, and close my eyes.
~*~
     I rise early again the next morning.  I take my time dressing, putting on the same sea-green outfit from the day before, which Aziza has placed back outside the door for me, clean and fresh.  I hurry and fix my hair quickly so Aziza won’t insist on doing it for me.  I’m not in the mood today.  I go down to breakfast to see that Prince Achmed is holding out a seat for me, next to him, of course.  ~Am I so helpless I can’t even sit down without aid?~  I nod to him politely, taking the seat, but I can tell by my reflection in my empty plate that I don’t look grateful.  I force a smile, hoping it looks genuine.  When the cook brings out the meal, I eat slowly and silently.  Father and His Wondrousness aren’t saying much, either.  When I am finished, I look up at my father pleadingly.  He sighs, disappointed, but nods.  I quickly stand, resisting the urge to tell Prince Achmed that I am quite capable of pulling out a chair.  I go to the garden and sigh with relief.  Rajah is sitting near the edge of the fountain, and I walk over to him.
     “Ah, Rajah, you don’t know how good it is to get out of there!  Has anyone fed you?”
     He nods, content.
     I rub his neck, laughing.  I stop, however, when I see Achmed coming into the garden.  ~Please, no!~  I hate receiving suitors in the garden even more than receiving them anywhere else.  This is my haven; I don’t appreciate my peaceful time being interrupted by some obnoxious royal fool who bores me with reasons why *he* is the one I should marry.
     He sits beside me on the fountain.  I glance up at him, resisting my temptation to move.  ~Remember, Jasmine, you promised…~
     “Good day, noble Prince,” I say calmly.
     “Yes, I suppose it is.”  He looks around, obviously not paying any attention to me.
     After a moment, he finally turns to me and says, “As I’m sure you have reasoned by now, I have come to claim you as my bride.  Imagine what a union with Agrabah would bring Eclistan!  If our kingdoms joined, we would have an army strong enough to conquer the Seven Deserts!”  He stands and pulls me to my feet.  Putting his arms around my waist, he adds, “And think!  Our children would be raised to be as intelligent and knowledgeable rulers as their father!”  He gently rubs my bare stomach as he says this, which enrages me.  I can’t help myself.  I can’t hold my annoyance in any longer.
     “I assure you, Prince Achmed, even if I were so crazy as to wed one so self-absorbed and vain as you, I assure you I would see to it no children would come of such a marriage,” I reply coolly, recalling how he treated the children in the street yesterday.  Even if I were forced into a loveless marriage, I could *never* bring a child into a loveless family.
     Achmed stands there deep in thought for a moment before he realizes what I mean.  ~And he boasts of his intelligence and quick wit.~  Enraged, he grabs my wrists.
     “Oh, Princess, you must see you need me.  Someone must teach you how to behave in front of a man!”  Rajah growls at him.
     “Oh, I know how I am expected to act, Your Highness, and even if I did think myself weak and subservient to men, and therefore required to obey such unfair rules, it wouldn’t matter now.  I see no man here, only a proud peacock, vain and ornamented, but not the most intelligent of creatures.”  I point to Rajah.  “And he doesn’t like peacocks.”  Rajah growls again, louder.
     “You vile wench!  I’ll see you change your disposition before we are married!”
     “Oh, I’m sorry.  I guess I forgot to mention that there will be no wedding.  Now, I order you to leave me alone.”
     “I will die before I take orders from a woman!”
     Suddenly, Rajah sneaks behind the haughty Prince and bites off the seat of his pants.  Screaming, the Prince turns on his heels, exposing his heart-print underthings as he runs from the garden.  When he is gone, I collapse in laughter, until I realize I will be in a lot of trouble for this.  I feel almost sorry for what I did, not because I regret what I said, but because I’ve let my father down again.  I gaze down into the fountain sadly, waiting for him to come and lecture me.  Sure enough, I hear him calling my name.
     “Jasmine?  Jasmine?  Jasmine!”  He stops.  Curious as to why, I look to see Rajah circling him with a piece of Achmed’s pants in his mouth.
     “Confound it, Rajah!” Father cries as he pulls the fabric, but Rajah won’t let go and the material rips.  My father looks at the piece in his hand and immediately knows what it is.
     “So, *this* is why Prince Achmed stormed out!” he says, holding the piece above his head.”
     I try not to laugh.  “Oh, Father!  Rajah was just playing with him!”  Rajah walks over and gives me the rest of the piece of silk.  I toss it over my shoulder and pet Rajah playfully.  “Weren’t you, Rajah?  You were just playing with that overdressed, self-absorbed Prince Achmed, weren’t you?”  Rajah purrs and I giggle, but I clear my throat and stop my laughing when I turn and see the look on my father’s face.
     He sighs, and I know what he’s about to say.  “Dearest, you’ve got to stop rejecting every suitor who comes to call!  The law says you…”
     I stand up and walk away from the fountain.  I’ve heard this speech so many times I can’t help but speak with him as he says “…must be married to a prince…”
     I stop before the birdcage as Father finishes his sentence.  “…by your next birthday!”
     I take one of the little white birds from the cage and hold it, stroking its feathers gently.  I sigh, exasperated.  “The law is wrong!”
     “You’ve only got three more days!”
     “Father,” I begin, turning to face him.  “I hate being forced into this.  If I do marry,” I continue, turning my attention back to the bird, “I want it to be for love.”  As I press the bird against my cheek before scratching its head, I notice my voice became very soft with those last few words.
     I stop paying attention and continue petting the bird’s head.  I only barely hear my father sat, “Jasmine, it’s not only this law.  I’m not going to be around forever and…”  He pauses to take the bird from my hands.  “I just want to make sure you’re taken care of.  Provided for.”  As he says this, he places the bird back in the cage.
     ~But keeping someone locked up doesn’t mean that you’re giving them what’s best,~ I think, feeling like that bird.  I head back towards the fountain.
     “Please, try to understand!”  I plead, sitting on the edge again.  “I’ve never done a *thing* on my own,” I say, more to myself than to my father as I run my finger through the cool water of the fountain.  “I’ve never had any real friends.”
     Hearing this, Rajah, who has been resting, growls.
     “Except you, Rajah,” I say, smiling at him.  I turn to my father.  “I’ve never even been outside the palace walls!” I add.
     “But Jasmine, you’re a princess!”
     ~I know!  But how am I supposed to be a good queen someday if I know nothing about my people?~  I can’t take it anymore.  I stare into the fountain and see the reflection of myself…*Princess* Jasmine.  “Then maybe I don’t want to *be* a princess anymore!”  I shout, splashing my hand in the water, shattering the image.  I turn away from my father.
     “Ooh!” he cries as he turns to go, seeing that our argument is going nowhere.  He stops when he sees Rajah.  “Allah forbid *you* should have any daughters!” he proclaims before leaving.  Rajah is confused, but I understand what he means.
     I stay seated at the fountain, feeling more helpless than ever.  ~Am I really only expected to find a husband with whom to conceive and bear an heir to Agrabah?  Is that the only duty of a princess?~  I feel as though my spirit is screaming to see Agrabah and its people, but the high walls of the palace trap me here, like the birds.  I stand and walk over to the birds’ cage and thrust it’s doors open, letting the birds fly off into the sun.  ~If only I could be free like you,~ I wonder as I watch them slowly vanish from my sight.
     Looking around, I feel that the garden doesn’t seem very comforting anymore.  Instead of flowers, all I notice is the stone walls that hold me in this place.  I can only imagine what it would be like to be a part of the world of my subjects.  Suddenly, I notice one tree next to the wall.  ~If I could climb the tree, I could get over the wall and escape…~  I shake my head.  ~No, Jasmine, it’s crazy.  But I’m sure there’s something on the other side that I could easily use to climb down…~  I shake off the thought, but it stays with me.  ~Perhaps I could!~
      I go back into the palace, trying not to drive myself insane with all this excitement.  As I tear up the stairs, I nearly crash into several servants.  “Sorry!” I call as I enter my chamber.
     ~Could I really go through with it?  What would Father think?~  So many thoughts race through my mind as I pace through my room.  ~Jasmine, this is crazy.  But I need to know!  To see my city!~  I sit on my bed and hold my head in my hands.  ~What am I thinking?  I can’t just *leave* like that!  What *would* Father think?  What would my people think?~ I wonder, as if I hear a voice in my mind.  I shake my head.  ~No, it’s ridiculous.  You’ve had your fantasy.~  I sigh.  I know I can’t go through with it.  It was foolish to even think of it.  I stay in mychamber just staring blankly at the floor.  I must have fallen asleep, because the next thing I remember is hearing rapping on my door.
     “Princess Jasmine!”
     I recognize Aziza’s voice and open the door.  “Yes?” I ask politely.
     She looks out of breath and tired, as if she’s been knocking and calling me for quite some time.
     “Your father requests your presence at dinner now,” she says, sounding annoyed.
     “I will be there shortly,” I reply.  I close my door, quickly redo my hair, which has become slightly mussed in my sleep, scurry down the corridors and down the palace stairs.
     When I arrive, I groan to see not only my father, but Jafar at the table.  I greet them both as politely as I can.
     “Good evening, Dearest,” Father greets me, smiling.
     “Yes, it is a lovely evening, isn’t it, Prin*cess*?” Jafar says.  The word ‘lovely’ sounds so odd coming from his lips.
     “Yes, Jafar, I agree.”  My voice has no emotion.
     I take a seat opposite Jafar, but I look at my plate rather than at him.
     My father and Jafar discuss some political matters while we wait for the cook to bring our meal.  Suddenly, my father looks at me.
     “Dearest, you’ve been unusually quiet tonight.  Is everything alright?”
     “I’m fine, thank you,” I reply, managing a smile.
     Jafar looks at me and smiles.  I sense something malicious in his grin.  “I understand you met with another suitor today, Prin*cess*.  How did it go?”
     The smile fades from my face.  I know that my father has probably told Jafar about my meeting with Prince Achmed.  Jafar only wants to humiliate me.  ~He just has to bring it up!~
     “He wasn’t the one for me,” I respond dryly.
     Jafar fakes a laugh.  “What a surprise.  What a pity that the beautiful heiress to the most prosperous kingdom in the Seven Deserts is so shrewd.  Perhaps he doesn’t care if her family’s bloodline ends because she will not choose a husband.”  He seems delighted in embarrassing me.  I look desperately at my father.
     “Now, Jafar, this isn’t necessary.  Jasmine and I have already gone over her royal duties.  And I won’t have you insulting my daughter.”  He pats my cheek lovingly.
     “My apologies to both of you,” Jafar says in a syrupy voice.  ~I’m sure you are.~
     “But Jasmine,” my father says, “I will again remind you that you haven’t got much time remaining.”
     I bite my tongue to keep from retorting.  I love Father and really don’t like arguing with him, but I can’t help but wonder…~can’t he talk of something else for once?~
     Luckily, the Royal Cook comes out with the dinner.  I feel unusually hungry this evening and clear my plate quickly.  My father allows me to leave the table and I hurry upstairs.  Once there, I walk more slowly down the halls on the way back to my room.  I pass one of the servants’ rooms, where there are two women folding laundry, chattering away.  I pause when I hear my name mentioned.  I don’t want to eavesdrop, but my curiosity gets the better of me.
     “Oh, I agree,” the first woman says.  ~With what?~ I wonder.
     “What a pity.  All that beauty and intelligence.  But if you ask me, she *thinks* she’s prettier and smarter than she is,” the second says.
     “That’s what I feel.  No one’s good enough for her.”
     “It’s the only logical explanation for her behavior towards her suitors.  The Princess is always so polite to us, but I think it’s all an act.”
     ~What?  I hardly know these women!  They have no more right to make presumptions about me than I do about them!~
     “Her poor father.  He tries so hard to give her what’s best, but she’s so ungrateful!”
     ~That’s a lie!  I *do* appreciate my father’s concern for my well-being; I just wish he would consider my feelings as well as his ideas for me!~
     I can’t bear to listen any longer.  I silently hurry to my room.  I sit down on my bed and look at my angry reflection in the mirror.  I know I was wrong to listen in on the servants’ conversation, but I can’t believe what they think about me.  I don’t mean to come across that way.  ~Maybe if anyone ever listened to what *I* had to say about *my* life they could know the *real* me.~
     I don’t know why, but I pull out my childhood book of faerie tales.  I smile down at it.  It’s so worn.  It was always my favorite book when I was a child.  Oh, how I longed for my life to be as full of adventure and romance of the princesses I read about!  I flip through the pages and see the stories of excitement, danger, love at first sight, and happy endings.  ~If only real life always had happy endings like these…~
     My thoughts drift back to my plan from this morning.  Suddenly, running away doesn’t seem so crazy an idea.  I feel a strange sensation telling me to go through with it.  I could live my own life, start over.  I wouldn’t have to be the Princess of Agrabah; I could be another woman, not the trophy that no man has yet been able to claim.  I go to my wardrobe and find a thin, brown traveling coat my father recently had made for me, although I don’t know why; I never really go anywhere.  It’s a perfect disguise!  I slip it on over my clothes and look in the mirror.  I smile.  The world I am about to enter is one that has never seen my face except in portraits, and the hood of my disguise shadows my face just so that none of the strangers in the streets would recognize me.  ~I’m really going to do this!~ I suddenly realize.  I feel my heart pounding.  ~I’ll leave just before dawn, when everyone is asleep.~
     The hours until then pass slowly.  I am too excited to sleep.  I’m finally going to see my city.  This is a major event for me.
     Finally the hour comes.  Silently I creep out into the garden.  I walk towards the tree by the wall, but stop halfway there.  I look back, suddenly thinking of my father.  I stay for a moment.  ~Don’t look back, Jasmine, or you’ll lose your courage!~  I turn back to the wall.  As I reach up to grab a limb of the tree, I feel a tug at my cloak.  I turn, startled, hoping I was imagining it.  I sigh with relief to see it is only Rajah.  I kneel down to say goodbye.
     “Oh, I’m sorry, Rajah, but I can’t stay here and have my life lived for me!”  I hug him, telling myself to be strong and hurry up before I change my mind.  “I’ll miss you,” I whisper just before hurrying up the tree.  I look back once more at my one real friend and let out a little whimper when I reach the top.  “Goodbye,” I whisper before lowering myself to freedom.

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Chapter 3

     I hurry around to the front of the palace so no one will see where I’ve come from.  I look out and see what must be the marketplace.  As the sun rises, I stand there and look on in awe, watching as the merchants set up their stands, unaware of me, and call out to the people who are slowly emerging from their homes.  I watch them, amazed at the liveliness of Agrabah.  Inhaling deeply, I smell a blend of fruits, spices, and flowers.  It seems so exciting, especially when compared to the monotony of palace life.  I slowly walk past a row of stands, watching the merchants’ actions intently, and listen to them proclaim their wares.
     “Pretty lady buy a pot?  No finer pot in brass or silver!”
     “Sugared dates!  Sugared dates and figs!  Sugared dates and pistachios!”
     “Would the lady like a necklace?  A pretty necklace for a pretty lady!”
     “Fresh fish!  We catch ‘em, you buy ‘em!”  I jump back, startled, as the fish seller thrusts a large fish in my face.
     “No, I don’t think so,” I say, slowly backing away.  I jump again when I crash into a fire eater, accidentally causing him to really swallow the flames.  He looks ill.  I watch as he belches flames, the force of the belch blowing the hood of my cloak off my head.
     I look on, quite disturbed, for a moment.  As I turn to leave the area, I apologize.
     “I’m really…very sorry.”  I smile at him as I replace my hood and walk away.  ~What a wonderful city!~ I think.
     Suddenly, I notice a little boy, who appears rather poor, reaching for an apple from a cart.  Taking pity on him, I walk over.
     “Aw, you must be hungry.  Here you go,” I say, handing him the fruit.  He smiles graciously at me and runs away as I turn to walk around some more.
     I hear a gruff voice behind me.  “You’d better be able to pay for that!” it scowls.
     I turn around.  “Pay?”  I silently scold myself.  ~Why didn’t you bring money?  You’re not the princess anymore; you’re in the real world now!~
     The merchant grabs my arm and whirls me around.  “*No one* steals from *my* cart!”
     I try to escape, but his grip is too tight.  “I-I’m sorry, sir.  I don’t have any money,” I stammer.
     He pulls me back again.  “Thief!”
     I feel my heart race and beads of sweat appear on my forehead as I become more panicked.  “But i-if you let me go to the palace I could get some from…the Sultan!”  I realize too late how crazy that sounds.  My only way out is to tell him the truth.  I go to open my mouth to explain, but I don’t get a chance.  He slams my arm down hard against the cart.
     “Do you know what the penalty is for stealing?”  He raises his sword over my hand.
     My eyes widen with fear.  “NO!  No, *please*!” I plead.  As he lowers the blade, I turn my head and close my eyes.
     To my surprise, he doesn’t finish the deed.  I look to see a young man about a year or two my senior holding the man’s arm.  Taking the sword, he says to the merchant, “Thank you, kind sir, I’m so glad you’ve found her.”  There is relief in his voice.  “I’ve been looking all over for you,” he adds, turning to me as he waves a finger at me in a scolding manner.  He hands me the sword, which I hide behind my back, then drop.
     “What are you doing?” I ask him, bewildered.
     “Just play along!” he replies.
     The merchant is as confused as I am.  “You…know this girl?”
     “Sadly, yes!  She is my sister.”  The young man looks at me to be sure I understand.  “She’s a little crazy,” he whispers to the merchant, gesturing with his hand.  I am offended at first, but then remember it’s all a game that I have to play if I want to escape.
     “She said she knew the Sultan!” the unconvinced merchant shouts, grabbing the boy by his dark purple vest.
     The young man looks down at a small monkey in the street.  “She thinks the *monkey* is the Sultan!” he explains, breaking free.
     I look at the stranger desperately, and he waves at me as if to say “go on!”
     I go with it.  “Oh, wise Sultan!  How may I serve you?” I say, bowing low and looking down before the monkey, who stands up proudly and pats my head.  He makes some chattering sounds, trying to sound regal.  Hearing the giggling of the crowd, I try not to laugh myself.  To my surprise, I’m enjoying this!
     “Tragic, isn’t it?”  I hear the young man say.  “But, no harm done.  Now, come along, Sis,” he says, helping me up.  I try to look dazed.  “Time to go see the doctor!” he continues, leading me away.
     I stop in front of a camel.  “Oh, hello, Doctor, how are you?” I ask it in a distant voice.
     The boy gently leads me around the camel.  “No, no, no, not that one!”  He turns back to the monkey.  “Come on, Sultan!” he calls.
     The monkey bows to the crowd and money and apples spill out from underneath his vest.  He shrieks, trying to salvage as much of his treasure as he can, and runs off, following us.
     The merchant turns and sees what has happened.  “Wha-what is it?  Come back here you little thieves!” he bellows.  But he is too late: the boy, the monkey, and I are already bolting away, giggling.
     We stop when we reach an alley.  It is silent, and there isn’t a single person in sight.  I lean against the wall of a building to catch my breath.  The young man looks at me, concerned.  “Are you alright, miss?” he asks.  I smile.
     “Yes, I’m fine,” I reply.  He grins at me.
     “We’ll just rest here a little while.  I’ll take you to my place if you’d like, but it’s kind of far.  We should wait here a while in case that guy sent the guards after us.”  He smiles at me again, and I can really look at him for the first time.  He is young, I can tell, and very poor.  His clothes are torn and look dusty, but they’re in better shape than you might think, judging by the type of life he apparently leads.  His black hair reaches nearly to his shoulders and hangs loosely.  He’s very handsome.  I notice him looking at me in a way I’ve never been looked at before, but it’s a pleasant feeling.
     “Are you ready?  Would you like to go to my place?” he asks.  I realize that we must have stayed there, just looking at each other, for hours, for I look up to see that sunset is approaching.
     I smile a little.  “I’d love to.”
     The monkey climbs on the shoulders of the young man, who takes my hand.  His touch is so gentle.  “Let’s go,” he says.
     He silently leads me down several alleys and streets, finally stopping at a building with a ladder leaning against it.  I see it leads to the rooftop.  To my surprise, the young man begins climbing it.  He reaches back for my hand to help me up the first few rungs.  I follow him up.  When we reach the top, he climbs over the edge of the roof, then turns back to me to help me over.  “Almost there!” he says.  I sit on the roof for just a moment and our eyes seem to lock briefly.  I take his hand and go to step over the edge, but I trip on the hem of my cloak and fall forward…right into the stranger’s arms.  I notice that even after I’ve steadied myself, he holds me against his chest.  Looking down at me, he realizes the same thing and helps me stand up.  For a moment, we look at each other in shock.  I know we’ve just met, but I also know that a powerful feeling is taking over me, and I see in his eyes that he feels it, too.  He smiles again, and for the first time I really examine his smile, for it’s so…perfect.  It’s as if the sun has appeared after a dark storm and the light seems to dance everywhere.  That’s how his smile is.  I suddenly realize our eyes are still locked.
     It is I who breaks the silence to tell him what I’ve been wanting to say since we escaped.  “I…want to thank you for stopping that man,” I tell him nervously as we let go of one another.
     “Uh…forget it!”  He shrugs.  “So,” he remarks casually as he picks up a long wooden pole, “this is your first time in the marketplace, huh?”  As he says this, he uses the beam to vault over to the roof of the next building over.  I pay careful attention to his motions, then look at him, putting my hands on my hips.
     “Is it that obvious?” I ask.
     He stands the pole up next to him and leans against it.  “Well, you do kind of stand out.”  He is looking at me as if he is dazed, and I feel my face heating up as I look down.  He snaps back to reality.  “Um…I mean, you don’t seem to know how dangerous Agrabah can be.”  He extends the pole between the two rooftops, forming a bridge for me to walk across.  I can tell he is more than a little surprised when I vault over his head.
     “I’m a fast learner,” I laugh, tossing my pole to the boy.  He and his monkey look at each other, speechless.
     “Hey!” he remarks to the monkey after a pause, still impressed.  To me he says, “Come on, this way,” standing up and gesturing for me to follow.  We leap over a few more rooftops until we reach one old, crumbling building with a staircase covered by a tattered cloth where the roof should be.  “Oh, watch your head there,” he warns as we ascend the stone steps, pointing out a wooden beam supporting the canopy.  “Careful!”  He’s led me to a small hovel formed out of what’s left of the abandoned building.
     “Is this where you live?” I ask, fascinated.
     “Yup!  Just me and Abu.  We come and go as we please.”  He sounds happy with this.
     “That sounds fabulous,” I reply genuinely.
     He shrugs.  “Well, it’s not much, but it’s got a great view!”  He pulls back a tattered curtain to reveal the palace in all it’s splendor, shining gloriously under the setting sun.  I never knew how beautiful it was, and it thrills me to see it from this perspective.  “Wow, the palace looks pretty amazing, huh?” he asks.
     My smile fades thinking of the life I so recently left behind.  I sit on a step.  “Oh,” I reply blandly.  “It’s wonderful.”
     He ignores my apathy for the moment.  “I wonder what it would be like to live there and have servants and valets,” he says, obviously fascinated with this dream.
     Thinking of the way the servants had just spoken of me yesterday and their awkward, stiff way of treating me, I frown.  “Sure, people who tell you where to go and how to dress,” I reply, not looking back at him.
     “That’s better than here…you’re always scraping for food and ducking the guards.”
     “You’re not free to make your own choices,” I add, still looking at the ground.
    I hear him say, more to himself than to me, “Sometimes you feels so…”
    In the same way, I say, “You’re just…*trapped.*”  Now I look back.  The young man has ended his sentence with the same word.  ~He understands.  His life is the opposite of mine, but he understands.~  We both smile and our eyes lock again.
     This time it is his turn to break the silence.  “So,” he says, grabbing one of the stolen apples out of the monkey’s paws and rolling it down his arm, flipping it to me.  “Where are you from?”
     I catch the apple, but I’m not very hungry now.  “What does it matter?  I ran away and I am *not* going back.”
     “Really?” he asks, biting his own apple and handing it to the monkey, who seems annoyed by this.  “How come?” the young man asks, taking a seat next to me.
     I hesitate for a moment, suddenly worried.  ~What am I doing?  He’s a total stranger!  How do I know I can trust him?~  One look in his beautiful dark brown eyes is enough to melt my fears away, for I see pure concern, interest, and understanding there.  “My father’s forcing me to get married,” I say, hoping he doesn’t think my reason is selfish or stupid.
     “That’s…that’s awful!” he says, and I can tell he is being sincere, for he has that gaze in his eyes.  Suddenly it fades.  “Abu!” he cries, annoyed.  I turn to see the monkey behind me, reaching for my apple.  Upset that he has been caught and is still apple-less, the monkey chatters wildly and goes to sit on a ledge.
     “What?” I ask the young man.
     “Um, Abu says, uh…”  He thinks for a moment, then he turns to me and says softly, “That’s not fair!”
     ~Oh, *Abu* says that, does he?~  “Oh, did he?” I ask softly.
     “Yeah,” the boy says, blushing.  “Of course.”
     I move a little closer to him.  “And does…*Abu* have anything else to say?” I tease.
     “He wishes there was something he could do to help.”
     “Hmm,” I murmur, satisfied with his answer.  I suddenly realize our faces are slowly moving closer and closer.  “Tell him that’s very…sweet.”   Our faces are only inches apart.  I can feel his warm breath on my face.  My heart is pounding in my chest.  Our eyes slowly close, and I know I’m about to be kissed.  Oh, I’ve been kissed before by my suitors, but they were all out of tradition and usually on the hand or the cheek.  They never *meant* anything.  This will be my first *REAL* kiss…a sincere kiss…a kiss…like a prince in a faerie tale.  I lean forward a little.
     Just as our lips are about to meet, I hear the voice of Rasoul, the captain of my father’s guards, bellowing.  “Here you are!”
     The young man and I stand up frantically to see Rasoul leading several guards.  “They’re after me!” we cry in unison.  I turn to him just as he turns to me.  Again we speak in unison.  “They’re after *you*?”
     As my rescuer stands in his window, I am frozen with fear.  “My father must have sent them to…”
     “Do you trust me?” the young man suddenly interrupts.
     I turn to him, confused.  “What?”
     “Do you trust me?” he repeats, extending his hand.
     “Well…yes…” I reply cautiously, taking his hand.  ~After all, he *did* save my life…and he *did* show true concern for what I said…~
     “Then *jump*!” he cries, pulling me down as we leap out of his window with Abu following.  I shut my eyes, preparing to hit the ground hard, but we land rather softly on a large pile of sand.  The boy pulls me to my feet and pulls me along as he runs.  We turn down an alley and he bumps into Rasoul.
     “We just keep running into each other, don’t we, street rat?” he asks harshly.
     “Go!” the young man cries, still leading me around in circles.  “Get out of here!”  We try to escape, but there are more guards at every turn.  The young man again crashes right into Rasoul, who this time grabs him by the vest and whirls him around into the arms of the other guards.  Abu is knocked into a vase.
     “It’s the dungeon for you, boy!” Rasoul growls.  ~All right, that’s it!~
     “Let him go!” I cry, hitting Rasoul’s arm.
     He laughs.  “Oh, looky here, men!  A street *mouse*!” he mocks, knocking me to the ground and turning to leave.
     I have no choice.  I have to reveal myself or my rescuer will be locked up.  “Unhand him!” I command, rising to my feet.  I draw back my hood.  “By order of the Princess.”
     The guards turn back to me.  Rasoul is stunned.  “Princess Jasmine!” he murmurs, awestruck.  He bows and the others follow his example.
     “The *Princess*?” I hear the young man proclaim, shocked.
     Rasoul continues.  “What are you doing outside the palace?  And with this street rat?” he asks, gesturing to his prisoner.  He goes to say more, but I cut him off.
     “That’s not your concern.  Do as I command, release him!” I demand angrily.
     “Er…I would, Princess, except my orders come from Jafar.  You’ll have to take it up with him.”  He bows and goes about his way.
     I am now boiling with rage.  ~Just because Jafar is my father’s advisor, older than I am, and male…I *am* the Princess!  Do my orders mean *nothing*?~  I cross my arms and watch the guards leave.  “Believe me, I will,” I mutter under my breath.  I then storm down the street back to the palace.  Another set of guards lets me through the large main doors.  As they slam shut behind me, I realize I am too furious to care that my plan fell through.
     As I make my way up the stairs and to my chambers, I ignore the questions of the servants.
     “What happened, Your Highness?  What were you thinking?”
     Once in my room, I throw my disguise to the floor, grab a small pouch of money, and rush back out to look for Jafar.  As I look around, I see Rasoul heading back outside to patrol the streets.
     “Rasoul!” I call, handing him the pouch.  “Please give this to the apple seller and tell him that Princess Jasmine sends it with apologies for what happened this morning.”  He bows and then leaves.
     ~I’ll explain to Father later,~ I think as I continue searching.  ~This young man saved my life…I must repay him somehow.~
     I finally spot Jafar in a large sitting room and call his name.  He seems startled.
     “Uh, Prin*cess*!” he says, spreading his cape as he bows to me.  “How may I be of service to you?”  His voice is dripping with phoniness.
     Not allowing myself to play his game, I glare at him.  “The guards just took a boy from the market…on *your* orders!”  I shout.
     He yawns, making it obvious that he values the words of the Princess about as much as Rasoul and the other guards did earlier.  “Your father has charged me with keeping peace in Agrabah,” he remarks blandly.  “The boy was a criminal,” he adds with a malicious grin.
     “What was his crime?” I ask, still angry and still not convinced.
     “Why…” he pauses, searching for a false reason, I’m sure.  “Kidnapping the Prin*cess* of course!”
     I am exasperated, but I force myself to try and keep my composure.  “He didn’t kidnap me, I ran *away*!” I explain.
     The phony, smug look fades from Jafar’s face.  He appears truly upset.  “Oh dear!” he says, walking away from me.  “Oh, how frightfully upsetting!  Had I but known!”
     “What do you mean?” I ask suspiciously.
     “Sadly, the boy’s sentence has already been carried out.”
     ~You don’t mean…~  I stop this thought.  I refuse to let myself put the pieces of this terrible puzzle together.  I swallow before I ask the fateful question.  “What sentence?”
     Jafar turns back to me.  “*Death*.”  The word echoes in my head over and over as I gasp, slowly backing away from him.  “By beheading,” he adds.  Frozen in shock, I sit down on a cushion in the center of the room.  I can’t move.  I can’t think of anything except *him*.  ~The first person to understand me…gone *because* of me!  *WHY?*  If I hadn’t left…~
     I am brought back to reality by the feeling of Jafar’s icy fingers on my bare shoulders.  His touch sends shivers down my spine.  That syrupy quality returns to his voice as he fakes an apology.  “I am *exceedingly* sorry, Prin*cess*.”
     I look back at him angrily, breaking out of his grip.  “How *could* you?” I whisper before running from the room out to the garden.  My eyes burn with tears, but I bite my lip to keep them from falling until I am alone.
     I finally reach the garden and collapse against the edge of the fountain, half hoping I’ll hit my head on the marble and die so I won’t have to live with the guilt that is slowly eating away at me.  Or the fact that I’ll never see that young man again…and I never even got to ask him his name.
       The tears start flowing, and I am powerless to stop them.  I just lie there under the stars, weeping.  I think back to the wonderful afternoon I had with him…how he asked questions and really listened when I answered…how the world lit up when he smiled…“Do you trust me?”…but most of all, I remember how close he came to kissing me.  My tears only come harder now, knowing I’ll live the rest of my life without knowing the feeling of his lips pressed to mine…that what I thought would be my faerie tale come true turned out to be the nightmare I can never forgive myself for.
     *Death.*  Jafar’s word echoes through my head again.  I can’t believe how easily he draws conclusions!  Why did Rasoul have to tell him that the young man was with me?  It’s the only way Jafar could have known…could have made that horrible assumption…could have *killed* him!  But for all the contempt I have towards Jafar, I can’t put the blame on him.  The real fault is mine.  *I* ran away.  *I* gave the terrible conclusion basis.  ~If only I hadn’t been so selfish!  It’s *my* fault!~
     A nudge on the arm causes me to sit up.  I see Rajah next to me.
     “It’s all my fault, Rajah,” I say, wiping tears from my face.  For a moment, I stop sobbing.  As soon as I stop, however, my lower lip starts quavering again.  “I didn’t even know his name!” I tell Rajah.  I throw my arms around his neck, bury my face in his fur, and let the tears continue to fall.  He puts one of his front paws around me.  I’m not sure how long I stay like that.  All I know is when I look up, I see Aziza standing over me, looking alarmed.
     “Your Highness, your father wishes for you to come inside to eat dinner.”
     The thought of eating makes my stomach churn, but I can’t let my food go to waste after seeing what life is like for someone who doesn’t always *have* food to eat.  “I am coming, Aziza.  I’ll just be a moment,” I tell her, stopping my tears for real this time.  She turns to deliver the message, but I call her back.  “Aziza!”  She turns to me abruptly.  “Please don’t tell Father about…”  I can’t finish the sentence, so I gesture to my red, teary eyes.
     She bows.  “As you wish, Princess,” she says.  She then turns and goes back inside.
     I hug Rajah a little longer before standing up.  Before going in, I check my reflection in the fountain.  Even in the dim moonlight, it is easy to tell that I have been crying a lot. I wipe away some stray tears with my hand and go inside, hoping Father won’t really notice.
     I walk slowly down the corridors leading to the dining hall with Rajah following me.  After what seems like forever, I arrive.  I nod slightly to my father before sitting down silently.  Rajah lies at my feet.
     “Dearest, where were you?” Father asks.  “I was so worried!”
     “I ran away.  I’m so sorry, Father.  It was a big mistake and I regret it.”  I realize that I might sound like a typical spoiled princess making up stories for her father, but I couldn’t mean what I say more.  “Please forgive me.”  I look at him nervously.
     “Jasmine, I…” he begins.  “I was afraid.  But I’m so glad to have you back safely…of course you are forgiven,” he says smiling.
     I smile back at him before looking down at the small plate in front of me.  There is little food, as it is rather late, but I suppose my father wants me to have a decent meal before I go to bed.  However, that sick feeling I've had since Jafar uttered those terrible words becomes so overwhelming that I’m afraid to take even a single bite.  ~You have to eat it, Jasmine.  Think of him…~  Not wanting to be wasteful, I force myself to eat a little.  Most of the food, though, I quietly drop for Rajah, who gladly eats it.  I notice Father watching me, confused.
     “Are you alright, Dearest?  You’re so quiet this evening.”
     I nod my head and look up at him, my eyes begging him to let me go.  He understands and nods to me.  Bolting from the seat, I run to my room, feeling the tears welling up again.  Rajah bounds after me.  Once upstairs, I sit on my bed and bury my face in my hands.  I know I’ll never be the same.  As I sit there sobbing, I hear his voice whispering in my ear.  With my eyes shut, I see his face.  I can feel his touch on my skin.  ~Jasmine, it’s *just an illusion*!  He’s *gone*!~  I try to force myself to stop acting childish, but I can’t stop the tears all together.  Rajah comes over to me and just sits there letting me stroke him.
     “Jasmine?”  I turn to see my father in the doorway.  “Dearest, what’s wrong?” he asks as he comes in.
     I’m so glad he’s here.  I have to tell someone.  “Jafar,” I say through tears, “has done something…terrible.”  I look away from him so he won’t see how hard I’m trying to keep my tears back.
     Gently, he puts his hand under my chin and turns my face back towards him.  Sitting on the bed next to me, he says reassuringly, “There, there.  We’ll set it right!  Now, tell me everything.”
     I lean my head against him, letting him hold me close like a little girl, as I tell him the story…about the apple seller…about the rescue…the hovel…the chase by the guards…and Jafar’s horrible sentence.  My voice chokes on those last words and my eyes well up again.  ~Stop it, Jasmine!  You’re acting like a little girl!~  But the more I relive the events in my mind, the harder I am hit by the realization that he is gone because of me.   I purposely don’t mention the way the boy looked at me, or how close we came to kissing…that’s something I know that Father just wouldn’t understand.
     Father strokes my hair gently, not knowing what to say.  After a pause, he begins.  “Jafar was wrong to do this.  This young man should be rewarded for rescuing his Princess, not beheaded like a traitor would be.”  He tilts my chin upward and looks at me with sympathy.  “Jasmine, I know I can’t bring him back, but I promise you that I will talk to Jafar in the morning about this to make it clear that this will never happen again.  I want you to be there, as he does owe you an apology as well.  Now, try to get some sleep, Dearest, and dry your tears.”  He brushes tears out of my eyes, but more quickly take their place.  “Things will seem brighter in the morning.”
     “But Father, how can they?  How can I ever feel happy knowing that he’d still be alive if it weren’t for me?”
     “Don’t worry yourself over this, Dearest.  It was Allah’s will.  Take comfort knowing how he risked his life for you.  He died a hero, and I’m sure he will find Paradise because of his bravery.”  He smiles a little before leaving the room.
     ~It was Allah’s will.~  It is now my father’s words that roll around in my head.  ~Was it Allah’s will that I should discover what it’s like to fall in love, only to leave me alone in the world while my faerie-tale prince is snatched away from me?  For that boy in the marketplace was more of a prince than all of the obnoxious royal suitors I have had.~  I sigh as I rise from my bed and change into my pajamas, still weeping.  I toss my clothes out into the hall to be cleaned.  I usually fold them or hand them to a passing servant, but I’m too upset to care now.  Shutting the door, I blow out the lamps in my chamber and crawl into bed, crying myself to sleep.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Chapter 4

     I awaken late in the morning.  My head is throbbing.  I spent a good portion of the night tossing and turning as I cried into my pillow.  I still feel overwhelmed with nausea from guilt and now exhaustion as well, but I promise myself…no more tears.  I can’t let *it* overpower my life.  Besides, I have other things to worry about.  Tomorrow is “the day.”  I take my time getting ready to go downstairs, knowing that the two subjects I least wish to discuss will be what I hear about the most all day.  I look in the mirror.  My hair is a mess, my nightclothes are terribly wrinkled from all my tossing and turning, and my eyes, which I am struggling to hold open, are completely bloodshot.
     I wake Rajah after I have dressed and done my hair.  “Hello, Rajah,” I say sadly, my voice a bit hoarse from all my sobbing the night before.  I clear my throat and check my reflection once more.  I appear more awake and the water I splashed in my eyes seems to have helped somewhat, but all I see in the mirror is a young woman trapped, not only by unfair laws, but by her own guilt.
     I sigh and hurry down the stairs, hoping to escape right to the garden without having to eat or talk of suitors and killers.  Of course, I am not that lucky.  Father sees me heading out and stops me.
     “Jasmine!  It’s very late in the morning!  Breakfast is over and the cook has gone to the marketplace!”
     I am glad of this.  “That’s alright.  I’m not hungry anyway.”
     Father looks concerned but simply says, “Jasmine, stay here.  I want to talk to you.”
     I prepare fore the same lecture that I’ve already had so many times, but I decide to change the subject.  I have an idea for a way to honor my hero.  “Father, I want to do something for the poor people-”
     I am interrupted by Father.  Ignoring my comment, he begins.  “Dearest, you only have one more-”
     Now I cut *him* off.  “Father, I know.  I still think this law is stupid and unfair.  But I have to tell you something important!”
     “We can discuss it later.  For now, come to the throne room.  I’ve bid Jafar to come as well.”
      We silently walk to the throne room.  I stand next to the magnificent golden chair and look around.  I never much cared for the room.  It’s so large…so cold…so lonely.
     Jafar enters and I turn my attention to him.
     “Jasmine,” my father says sternly, “why did you wish for me to summon Jafar?”
     “He ordered the execution of an innocent man,” I reply coldly, “and I *can’t* allow anything like this to happen again in Agrabah.”
     “Thank you.”  Father looks down at Jafar.  “Is what my daughter says true?”
     Jafar seems uncomfortable.  “Why, yes, but you see-”
     “Jafar, this is an outrage!” my father interrupts.  “If it weren’t for all your years of loyal service…” He pauses.  “But from now on, you are to discuss sentencing of prisoners with me, *before* they are beheaded!”
     “I assure you, Your Highness, it won’t happen again,” Jafar replies, bowing.
     My father takes my hand and gives it to Jafar.  “Jasmine, Jafar…now let’s put this whole messy business behind us.  Hmm?”
     “My most abject and humblest apologies to you as well Prin*cess*,” Jafar says, leaning forward to kiss my hand.  I yank it away, not convinced.
     “At least *some* good will come of my being *forced* to marry,” I tell Father.  Turning back to Jafar, I continue.  “When I am Queen, I will have the power to get rid of *you*.”  Giving Jafar one last dirty look, I head for the doorway.
     I hear my father saying something as I leave, but can’t make out what it is.  The only words I hear clearly are, “Now, Jasmine, getting back to this suitor business…”  ~Oh, wonderful.~  I speed up as I go back to the garden.  I take a longer, more tedious route to my haven, making a poor attempt to lose my father, whom I can hear following me.  No sooner do I set foot outside than I hear his unmistakable voice behind me.
    “Jasmine, now that we’ve settled things with Jafar, we need to talk.”
     “Father, we’ve talked about this more times than I can count.  Nothing anyone can say can force me to choose.  But please, the people of Agrabah need our-”
     “But Jasmine, you must be married by tomorrow!  You haven’t even a day left.  What are we going to do?”  Again, he ignores me and brings up suitors.  I sigh and decide it’s hopeless.
     “Well, *I* for one *know* that there must be someone for me out there and I’m not going to settle for anything less than true love!”  I turn to him.  “Did you love Mother?  Did she love you?”  I don’t want to bring up the subject, as Father doesn’t like talking about her, but I can’t help it.
     “Jasmine, this isn’t about her, it’s about *you*!”
     “You didn’t answer my question!  Did you love her?”
     “Yes, Jasmine, but-”
     “Well, why don’t you want your daughter to have as happy a marriage as her parents did?” I ask.
     He is silent for a moment.  “Jasmine, it’s not that simple.  You just don’t understand!”
     “What don’t I understand?  I only want someone who will love and respect me!  And if this is about my eventually bearing an heir, let me say that I would never *dream* of bringing a child into a loveless world, so even if I *am* forced into a loveless marriage, there wouldn’t *be* any heir to speak of, so why waste your efforts?”  I know I sound like a brat, but I’m tired of people assuming that just because I am a princess that I have no feelings.
     “Ooo!  Jasmine…” He storms out before finishing, muttering something as he goes back to the throne room.
     I slowly head up to my room, but on the way, I hear a fanfare of trumpets.  I decide to ignore it at first, but after a few minutes my curiosity gets the better of me.  I walk out to one of the front balconies and look at the scene.  There is an extravagant parade in the streets and the people are singing of the arrival of the wonderful Prince Ali Ababwa.  It would be an impressive entrance if it weren’t for the fact that it was so self-glorifying.  Apparently I am the only person in Agrabah who can see this, which is too bad for the Prince, since I am sure I am the one he is trying to impress.  Prince Ali, riding atop an enormous elephant, has a cocky smile on his face and is being fanned with large feathers by some servant women who are riding with him.  ~It’s a shame he’s so conceited,~ I think to myself.  ~At least *this* one isn’t twice my age.~  Listening to the singing of the crowd and the parade’s drum major, I hear enough boasting of the wealth, charm, menagerie, and overall irresistibility of Prince Ali Ababwa to make me sick.  After hearing of his golden camels, purple peacocks, good looks, and wonderful sense of fashion, I can’t stand to keep listening.  Rolling my eyes one more time, I scoff at the parade and go back inside.  I start back towards my room, but I stop, thinking of Prince Ali.  For some reason, I feel very curious about him.  His flamboyant arrogance in entering Agrabah…the look on his face…he seems so phony…almost too extravagant to be real.  I feel tempted to go down to the throne room to see him…catch him off guard.  I decide to meet him now, whether than wait to be introduced.  ~Maybe I’ll even scare him away.~
     I quietly hurry down the stairs and stand just outside the throne room, waiting for just the right moment to make my presence known.  As I approach unnoticed, I hear my father’s voice.  He is with Jafar and Prince Ali.
     “Oh, Jasmine will like this one!” Father declares happily.  ~Don’t be too sure…~
     I hear the Prince speak.  His voice has an unnatural depth to it.  It’s rather odd, yet vaguely familiar, though I can’t place it.  “And I’m pretty sure I’ll like Princess Jasmine!” he replies, giving my father a self-satisfied smile.  ~Just like all the others,~ I think.  ~They all have a preconceived opinion of me and they all force themselves to see the woman they expect me to be.  Not one has tried to see the *real* Jasmine.~
     “Your Highness, no!  I must intercede on *Jasmine’s* behalf,” Jafar says with his usual phoniness.  “This boy is no different than the others.  What makes him think he is worthy of the Prin*cess*?”  For once Jafar seems to be standing up for me.  Yet something seems odd about this…something about the way he said that only makes me more suspicious of him.  He’s certainly never sided with me before.  ~Besides, who gave *him* permission to decide for me, especially in matters of the heart?~
     Prince Ali seems unfazed.  “Your Majesty!  *I* am Prince Ali Ababwa!  Just let her *meet* me!  *I* will win your daughter!”  The way he says this really bothers me…as if he feels he can accomplish the feat no other man could by winning my hand.  Now, I see I really feel like a trophy, knowing that men are practically competing for me.  ~Sorry, Prince Ali.  *This* Princess isn’t so easily impressed.~  I can’t take their assumptions of my feelings anymore.
     “How dare you…*all* of you!” I shout at them.  “Standing around deciding *my* future?  I am *not* a prize to be won!”  I am happily surprised to see how embarrassed they all seem to have been caught.  ~Serves them right.  Maybe now they won’t presume to know my feelings as if I’m incapable of thinking for myself!~  With that thought, I storm out of the throne room.  ~The nerve of them!~ I think to myself as I head to my room.  I frown.  ~Just a few more decisions important to my life that I have no control over…but it still bothers me…~
     I arrive in my chamber to see Rajah asleep on the floor.  “Good idea, Rajah,” I whisper to him.  I didn’t sleep well last night…I couldn’t.  I flop onto my bed and decide to rest.  I close my eyes and drift off to sleep.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Chapter 5

     ~“Believe me, I will,” I tell Rasoul, anger in my voice.  I hurry back to the palace.  *I promise you, my rescuer, I will save you,* I think to myself.
     I suddenly find myself in front of Jafar, looking at him questionably.  “Death,” he whispers maliciously.
     In the next instant, I find myself back in my room.
     “*Princess!*” a familiar voice calls to me.  I look around, but see no one.  “*No, you can’t see me!  I’m gone, remember?*”  It’s the boy from the marketplace!  “*Why couldn’t you save me, Princess Jasmine?  I trusted you!  I risked my life for you in the marketplace!  You know I didn’t kidnap you!  Why didn’t you say something?*”
     I hold my head, as if I really think that it will make his tormenting words cease to invade my mind.  “No!  It’s not like that!” I cry, trying to convince myself as well as the boy’s spirit.  “I *did* try!”  *But I was too late.*  The thought fills my mind, but the words never leave my lips.
     “*I trusted you, Princess, but an innocent man died because of you!*”  His voice is touched with anger, but filled with disappointment.  “*An innocent man died…died…died…*”
     “No!  I didn’t want it to be this way!  No!  *NO!*”~
     My eyes bolt open.  I try to assure myself that it was only a dream, but I can’t shake the knowledge that it was more than a simple nightmare.  It was *true*.  ~I haven’t had nightmares in years…how can I go on living with this guilt?~
     As if the world is truly determined to torment me, I look up to see the sky glowing with vibrant shades of pink, orange, and gold as the sun begins its descent beneath the horizon.  I walk out to my balcony and watch the sunset, but today I don’t feel awed by its beauty like I did yesterday.  I only feel that sickening guilt that I’ll live with the rest of my life slowly wash over me again as I am faced with this reminder of *him.*  My lip quivers, but I bite it hard to keep from crying.  The last thing I need now is to have someone come in and see me crying again…or for me to have to see Prince Ali and let him see me acting so weak.  I try, with no avail, to expunge the indelible feelings of guilt and helplessness that overpower me, knowing I couldn’t save that young man’s life.  I wish he were here.  I wish I could feel his gentle touch again.  I wish I could see his smile that shone brighter than the sun just one more time…that I could hear his voice again.  But more than anything, I wish I could have had that kiss.  The soft desert breeze on my face reminds me how close we were…that I could feel his breathing much the same way.  We had been so close…and I discovered what it was like to fall in love.  ~But why can’t my faerie tale have a happy ending?~
     I watch as the last golden rays of sunlight disappear beneath the horizon.  The sky darkens with my mood.  I turn and go back in my room, happy to see that Rajah is still there, awake now.  I lay on my bed and stare at the floor.
     “Well, Rajah, tomorrow is the day,” I say, still not looking up.  ~Now what?~ I wonder.  ~Here I am, hours shy of sixteen, and yet unmarried.~  The thought evokes mixed emotions in my mind.  I know I’ve let my father and the people of Agrabah down, which tears at my heart.  But at the same time, I’ve managed to defy the unfair laws and not sell myself short.  My thoughts drift back to the boy in the marketplace and how he had sympathized with me in my situation…he wished he could have done something to help me.  ~If only you were still here…I didn’t realize it then, but now I see you could have helped me now more than you know, my love…I now realize what I want in a husband…I want you.  But we can never be together…and it’s *my* fault!~  I know I sound silly; I did only spend one day with him, but he was everything that my royal suitors weren’t.  And I felt a powerful connection between the two of us that felt as if it was never meant to be broken.
     “Princess Jasmine?”  I look up suddenly.  That voice…it’s unmistakably the voice from my dream!  I see a figure standing on my balcony, but the thin curtains in front of the window obscure my view.  ~Could it be?~ I wonder, daring to hope against hope.
     “Who’s there?” I ask warily as I head towards the balcony, confused.  The only way to my balcony is through my room…how could this person, whoever he is, have gotten there?  Deciding that the stranger must have climbed a tree near the balcony, I walk to the curtains to look out.
     “It’s me, Prince Ali-”  He stops and clears his throat.  He speaks again with that overly deep voice.  “Prince Ali Ababwa,” he declares proudly, as if I should be impressed to be worthy of standing in his presence.
     I feel angry at myself for daring to believe that it could have been my love there, and annoyed to see Prince Ali.  ~Maybe I imagined that voice…I knew it was too good to be true.~  I open my curtains a little and stick my head out.  “I do *not* want to see you!” I tell him, trying to be blunt without being overly insulting.  I close the curtains and turn around.
     “No, please…please, Princess…give me a chance,” he calls after me in his normal voice which still seems familiar to me.
     “Just leave me alone!” I call over my shoulder, not letting myself be fooled into believing he’s someone else again.  Rajah bounds out onto the balcony and growls at the Prince.  I turn to see that Prince Ali has removed his turban and is using it to try and shoo Rajah away.  Without it, he bears a remarkable resemblance to the to the young man in the marketplace…an uncanny resemblance.  I can’t help but ask him about it.  “Wait, wait,” I call to him, coming back outside.  Rajah returns to my side and Ali sighs with relief.  “Do I…know you?”
     Ali gives me a blank look.  “Uh, no!” he says nervously, replacing his turban.
     I still dare to hope.  “You remind me of someone I…” I hesitate, realizing I must sound crazy.  After all, he’s a Prince from another kingdom.  Why would he be in the marketplace of Agrabah?  But still… “…met in the marketplace.”  I stroke Rajah as I watch Ali skeptically, waiting for a reply.
     “The *marketplace?*” he says, swatting at a fly as he speaks.  “I have servants who go to the marketplace *for* me!”  I look at Rajah and roll my eyes as Ali continues.  “Why, I even have servants who go to the marketplace for my *servants,* so it couldn’t have been me you met!”  He stops swatting, blows the turban feather out of his eyes, and flashes me a cocky smile.
     “No,” I murmur sadly, feeling stupid for considering the possibility.  I lean against Rajah and look sadly down at the balcony floor.  “I guess not.”
     There is an awkward silence for a moment.  ~Maybe he’ll leave,~ I think hopefully.
     Of course, I’m not that lucky.  Ali speaks again.  “Princess Jasmine, you’re very…” He pauses while he searches for the right word.  “Punctual!” he blurts out.
     I look back at him, confused.  “*Punctual?*” I repeat.  Certainly it’s the *strangest* compliment I’ve ever received!  “Er, beautiful,” he quickly corrects himself.
     ~Here we go again.  Can’t any of these princes think of anything else to say?  I thought they were well educated!~  I decide to play along with his little game.  “Hmm,” I sigh.  “I’m rich too, you know,” I tell him as I walk slowly towards him.
     “Yeah…” he murmurs, obviously enchanted with the thought of riches.
     “The daughter of a Sultan…” I add coyly.
     “I know,” Ali replies, still sounding dazed.  ~Well, he’s obviously more interested in my riches and appearance than in *me,*~ I think.
     I move even closer to him, trying hard to hide the satisfaction I feel as he looks at me nervously, trying to get away from me.  I smile seductively.  “A fine prize for any prince to marry.”
     “Uh, right!  A-a Prince like me!” Ali blurts out, sounding very insecure.  ~How typically self-centered.~
     “Right.  A Prince like you,” I coo, playfully tapping him on his chest, chin, and nose.  Then I let him have it.  I grab the purple plume adorning his turban and use it to pull the hat over his eyes. “And every other stuffed-shirt, swaggering peacock I’ve met!” I shout at him, tangling him in his cape as I storm back into my room.
     “Wha-…?” he blurts, obviously totally confused by the fact that I haven’t already broken down and become the submissive, innocent princess he expects me to be.
     I’ve had it.  “Just…go…jump off a balcony!” I cry over my shoulder.
     He mutters something under his breath as I leave.  It sounds like “Yeah right!”
     “*What?*”  I ask, furious.  This one is *really* testing my patience.
     “I said, uh…you’re right,” he says with a touch of remorse in his voice.  I look to Rajah in disbelief.  ~What did he say?~  I suddenly pay more careful attention to him as he continues.  “You aren’t just some prize to be won.  You should be free to make your own choice.  I’ll go now.”  ~Am I imagining this?~  Before I can say anything, Ali dejectedly steps over the edge of the balcony.
     “*NO!*” I call after him, hoping against hope that he hasn’t fallen.
     “What?  What?” he asks, hovering at the edge of the balcony, looking around for something that might have startled me.  I suppose he doesn’t realize that he is floating in midair.
     I look on, amazed.  “How…how are you doing that?” I ask, skeptical.
     He suddenly *flies* back onto the balcony, riding on an exquisite carpet of purple, blue, red, and gold.  “It’s a magic carpet,” he remarks casually.
     I run my hand over the finely woven threads.  The carpet takes my hand with one of its tassels and ‘kisses’ it.  “It’s…lovely,” I exclaim, not sure what else to say.  I never knew that magic carpets really existed, and I *certainly* never imagined there would be one right in front of me!
     “You don’t…want to go for a ride, do you?” Prince Ali asks me.  “We could get out of the palace…see the world…” I smile at him.
     “Is it safe?” I ask him, looking back to the carpet, trying to decide if it seems strong enough to support two people.
     “Sure, do you trust me?”
     Now I look up at Ali with undivided attention.   “What?” I ask incredulously.  ~Am I imagining this, or did he really just say ‘do you trust me’?~
     He leans over and offers his hand as he repeats, “Do you trust me?”
     Again I wonder.  ~Is it possible?  There are too many similarities to be coincidental…it has to be!~  I hesitate a moment before deciding that if Ali is really who I think he is, that I know I can trust him.   “Yes,” I reply cautiously, taking his hand.
     As soon as I am standing on the carpet, it rears back and takes off.  Startled by the sudden movement, I lose my balance and fall to my knees, throwing my arms around Ali’s neck to steady myself.  He seems surprised and looks back at me, smiling shyly.  I feel my face heat up, but don’t really mind being there holding him.  I already feel that Ali will keep me protected, but rather than shutting me out from the world so I won’t get hurt, he’s taking me to explore it for myself.  Never before have any of my suitors shown any concern to let me be free; they have all desired me as property.  I can tell there is something special about Prince Ali…something I can’t put into words, but yet it’s real.  I look down below us to see Rajah on the balcony, looking up at us confused as we climb higher into the sky.  Suddenly, Ali begins singing to me, his sweet voice emanating a beautiful tone as he sings a lovely melody.  “~I can show you the world- shining, shimmering, splendid.  Tell me, Princess, now when did you last let your heart decide?~”  We soar past a window with a vase full of delicate white blossoms…jasmine flowers, in fact.  As he sings, Ali hands me one of them.  I inhale the flowers sweet fragrance before Ali takes it and tucks it in my hair.  “~I can open your eyes- take you wonder by wonder…over, sideways, and under on a magic carpet ride,~” he continues.  “~A whole new world!  A new fantastic point of view!  No one to tell us ‘no,’ or where to go, or say we’re only dreaming.~”  His words touch my heart.  I understand exactly how it feels to be shut out of the world and have your hopes of ever seeing it being ignored.  I can relate to what he sings, and my excitement grows as I see the palace disappear beneath the clouds as we ascend higher.  I let my mind go blank and continue the song with the first thoughts that come to me as we fly.
     “~A whole new world!  A dazzling place I never knew!  But when I’m way up here, it’s crystal clear that now I’m in a whole new world with you.~”  My eyes light up and dart around as millions of new sights surround me.  I feel like a young child, truly in awe of the world.
     “~Now I’m in a whole new world with you,~” Ali echoes.
     I continue as we soar over the wispy clouds, nothing but sky and a flock of startled birds in our path.  “~Unbelievable sights, indescribable feeling!  Soaring, tumbling, freewheeling through an endless diamond sky!~”  I feel a rush of exhilaration as the carpet flips through a series of tricks.  “~A whole new world!~” I continue, before realizing that we are descending over a bay full of sharks!  I cover my eyes with my hands, suddenly afraid.
     “~Don’t you dare close your eyes,~” Ali rejoins, pulling my hands away, revealing that the “sharks” are actually nothing but a group of resting sailboats.
      “~A hundred thousand things to see!~”  We pass the Pyramids of Egypt, which are far more beautiful in reality than any paintings my tutors showed me when I was schooled.  I feel like a little girl as I watch the sights go by.  A wide smile spreads across my face as my eyes widen in awe.
     “~Hold your breath, it gets better!~” Ali tells me.  I can only imagine anything more glorious than this!
     Near the Pyramids there is a man sculpting an enormous statue of a creature with the body of a lion and head of a man.  Ali and I wave to him as I continue singing.  “~I’m like a shooting star, I’ve come so far, I can’t go back to where I used to be.~”  The sculptor waves to us, but he loses his concentration and the statue’s nose falls right off!  I look nervously at Ali, who just smiles and continues singing.
     “~A whole new world!~”
     “~Ev’ry turn a surprise.~”  We fly over a sandy beach with magnificent white horses running along it.
     “~With new horizons to pursue.~”  Ali smiles at me again, his whole face lit up in delight.
     “~Ev’ry moment red letter.~”  I gently stroke one of the horses’ manes.
     Ali and I sing together as we fly from the beach to the gardens of Greece.  “~I’ll chase them anywhere, there’s time to spare.  Let me share this whole new world with you.~”  Ali and I gaze into each other’s eyes fondly, and I can tell that we both know that last line was more than just words for both of us.
     “~A whole new world,~” he sings, picking an apple from a tree, rolling it down his arm, and flicking it off his elbow into my hands.  ~Just like the boy in the marketplace.~
     “~A whole new world,~” I echo, looking at him suspiciously.
     “~That’s where we’ll be.~”
     “~That’s where we’ll be.~”  I run my hand through a sparkling river beneath us.
     Ali looks down at his reflection in the river, his handsome face a perfect image in the still water.  “~A thrilling chase…~”
     “~A wondrous place,~” I add, looking down to see my reflection beside his.  I smile at the sight, knowing that I want to see him beside me for the rest of my life.
     We look up at each other and finish our song.  “~For you and me.~”  I lean my head on Ali’s shoulder as he wraps his fingers around me.  ~That same gentle touch…that flip of the apple…the hair…the smile…the voice…“Do you trust me?”~  As we slowly float over the river, I know it must be him.
     We stay like this for a while with our eyes closed until I hear the sounds of explosions and look up.  We’re in a land I recognize from my schooling as China, and there is a great festival with a dancing dragon in the street.  The sound is that of spectacular fireworks bursting above us.
     “Ali, aren’t they beautiful?” I whisper.
     “You are,” he says.  To my surprise, I sense sincerity in the way he says it.  I can tell he’s not just saying it out of obligation.  For once, I *am* flattered by the compliment.  I smile at him shyly, realizing I am blushing.  He grins.  “I’ll give you the finest place in the world to watch them from, my Princess.”  He gives a command to the carpet, which in response flies to the top of a building overlooking the dragon.  Ali helps me off onto the roof.  I sit down and he takes a seat beside me.  As I watch the fireworks, which are truly beautiful from where Ali and I are sitting, I can feel his eyes on me the entire time.
     I sigh happily.  “It’s all so magical,” I murmur dreamily.
     Ali sighs too.  “Yeah,” he agrees.
     Glancing over at him, I decide to again question him about yesterday’s experience in the marketplace.  Playing with my apple, I casually remark, “It’s a shame Abu had to miss this.”
     “Nah.  He hates fireworks.  He doesn’t really like flying either.”  He looks at me and immediately realizes he’s given himself away.  “That is…uh…oh no!”
     I roll my eyes and pull his turban off.  I don’t know how to react.  I’m ecstatic that he’s alive, but I can’t help but be angry that he tried to trick me.   “You *are* the boy from the market!  I knew it!  Why did you lie to me?” I ask him angrily.
     “Jasmine…I’m sorry!” he replies quickly, reaching for his turban as he thinks of what else to say.
     “Did you think I was stupid?  That I wouldn’t figure it out?”  I throw the turban at him and wait for him to explain.
     “No!  At least, I *hoped* you wouldn’t.”  Afraid that he’s insulted me, he corrects himself.  “Wait, that’s not what I meant!”
     “Who are you?” I ask, growing impatient.  “Tell me the truth.”
     “The truth?  The truth is…” he stammers.  “I sometimes *dress* as a commoner to escape the pressures of palace life!  But I really am a prince!”  He replaces his turban and looks hopefully at me.
     I look back at him, not knowing if I can believe him.  He sounds so unsure of himself.  “Why didn’t you just tell me?”
     “Well, you know…royalty going out into the city in disguise,” he explains, a smile on his face, “it sounds a little *strange,* don’t you think?”
     “Hmm.”  I think about it for a moment, then smile, deciding his story is believable.  After all, hadn’t I done the same thing?  If we hadn’t, we wouldn’t be here now!  Besides, I’m so glad that he’s alive, I can’t stay angry with him.  “Not *that* strange,” I tease, nudging him gently with my shoulder.  I look into his eyes and smile again.  Flicking the feather of his turban out of his eyes, I rest my head on his shoulder and close my eyes.  Unconsciously, I drop the apple from my hand.  I don’t acknowledge that fact, though.  I just sit there with Prince Ali and let myself get lost in the wonderful feelings that fill me being here in this whole new world with Prince Ali.
     All too soon, I here Ali whisper in my ear.  “Come, my Princess.  We have to get back to Agrabah.”  He puts his arm around me.
     I open my eyes and look at him sadly.  “So soon, my Prince?”
     He nods.  “Yeah.  Time flies, huh?”  Grinning, he helps me up and whistles for the carpet.  It floats in front of us and forms a tiny set of stairs to allow us to climb aboard.  I hesitate to get on, but Ali bows.  “After you!” he says, smiling and gesturing for me to get on.  I ascend the stairs and my Prince follows me.  We sit down and the carpet begins the flight back to Agrabah.  We soar through the azure sky and gaze out at the stars, glistening like diamonds.  I look into Ali’s eyes and smile at him.  I feel my heart beating quickly and this powerful feeling I couldn’t begin to describe come over me.  He smiles back at me and looks as though he is experiencing all the same feelings I am.
     Ali breaks the silence by clearing his throat.  “Jasmine?” he asks me.
     “Hmm?” I respond, braking out of my daze.
     “I want to tell you that I…I’m sorry for acting so obnoxious earlier.  I…uh…haven’t met with many princesses before, and none of them were like you,” he says, caressing my cheek.  “And I’m sorry I lied to you.  It was stupid of me.  Can you forgive me?”
     “Of course.  I want to apologize, too,” I say to him.  “I was rude to you, and I didn’t exactly give you a warm welcome or much of a chance before.”  I put my arms around his neck.  “I guess it’s because I never met a prince like you before either.”
     He just smiles again.  “Apology accepted,” he says.
     I look at him quizzically.  “I do have one question.  Jafar told me you had been beheaded.  How did you escape the dungeon?”
     He looks panicked for a moment before replying.  “I…uh…don’t want to spoil the moment telling you the details now.  I’m here with you now, and that’s what matters.”  He holds me close to his chest.
     “I understand,” I whisper into his pure white robes, content with his answer.  I can hear his heart beating in time with mine.  ~We must be meant to be together.~
     Suddenly, Ali gently pushes me away from his chest and tilts my chin up so that my eyes gaze fondly into his.  “Jasmine,” he says softly, “we’ll be back in Agrabah soon, but first, I need to tell you something…well, actually…ask you something.”  He takes my hands and holds them tightly in his own.  I notice that his hands are shaking.  “You heard me talking to your father earlier, and well…I’m sure you know why I came to Agrabah.”  He stares at my hands intently for a moment, then looks up into my eyes, gazing at me the way he did yesterday.  “When I saw you in the marketplace, I knew there was something special about you.  When I saw you in trouble, I knew I had to save you or I’d live to regret it.”  He pauses, and takes a deep breath, still sounding nervous.  “Jasmine, getting to know you yesterday was the best thing that ever happened to me, he says with only sincerity in his voice.  “You must think I’m crazy since it was just one day we were together, but I already know that I need you with me every day.”  He releases one of my hands and gently presses it against his cheek.  “Jasmine, I want you to make your own choice because I understand your desire to be free, but I want nothing more than to marry you.”  He looks at me pleadingly, nervously.
     I am speechless for a moment.  All I can do is smile.  So many thoughts race through my mind.  ~He really means this!  He wants to marry *Jasmine,* not the Princess of Agrabah.  He does feel what I feel!~  I finally speak.  “Ali, I don’t think you sound crazy at all, because I feel the same way.  When I met you, for the first time I saw someone truly understand and respect me regardless of my title.  And when I thought I had lost you, I discovered the reason I was so upset because I realized there was no one else in the world for me.”  I gently squeeze his hand.
     He flashes me that lopsided grin that almost deceives me into thinking it is dawn.  “So, is that a ‘yes’?”
     “Yes,” I whisper.  We lean in to kiss, but Ali points behind me before we get the chance.  I turn to see that we are approaching my balcony.  I sigh, sorry that our wonderful evening together is ending.
     “Well,” he says, sounding equally disappointed that I have to go, “we’re back.  Thank you for coming with me,” he remarks, flashing me that smile again as he bows.
     “Thank *you,*” I respond.  “For a wonderful evening…for showing me the world…for understanding…for everything.”
     Ali helps me to my feet as the carpet stops above the balcony.  It again forms a small staircase that I slowly descend, still holding Ali’s hand.  We sadly let go of each other, but he doesn’t leave yet.  The carpet hovers just beneath the balcony, so I stay, leaning over the edge of my balcony to gaze at the man I want to marry…the man I’m *going* to marry.  “Good night, my handsome Prince,” I murmur, staring into his deep brown eyes.
     “Sleep well, Princess,” he replies softly, looking lovingly back into my eyes.
     Suddenly, Ali’s lips are touching mine.  He seems as surprised as I am that this is happening, because he hasn’t shut his eyes yet!  Looking at my reflection in those beautiful eyes, I see my face mirrors his statement of shock.  But after a second he slowly lets his eyes close and I do the same.  We allow ourselves to get lost in a passionate kiss.  ~*This* is what a kiss should be like,~ I think to myself, reveling in the thought of having finally found my real-life faerie-tale Prince and knowing that we will live happily ever after.  We pull away all too soon and I turn to go back to my bedchamber.  I open the curtain, but before I go in, I look back and smile at my love one last time.

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Chapter 6

     “Yes!” I cry softly, letting myself flop onto my bed.  I lie on my back, gazing at the flower I have removed from my hair.  I inhale the sweet aroma one last time before placing the flower in a vase on my vanity.  Sitting down in front of the mirror, I slowly let my hair loose and begin brushing it, humming the song Ali and I created as my mind wanders.  ~He’s alive!~  The very thought lifts a huge weight off of my shoulders.  ~And I finally got that kiss…my first genuine kiss…the kiss of the man I…Oh my!  I never actually *told* him that I love him!  Yes, I’m sure he knows, but I have to tell him!…Won’t Father be surprised?  I, Princess Jasmine of Agrabah…engaged!  It seems almost too good to be true!~  I feel like I’m still soaring through the sky as I continue to brush my hair, still humming the song.  Though I only heard it for the first time tonight, my memory of it is perfect and I know it will stay with me forever.
     “Jasmine?”  My father’s voice interrupts my daze.  I rise and walk to my doorway where I see him standing.
     “Oh, Father, I just had the most *wonderful* time!”  I turn in circles as I speak, realizing that I’m not walking, but rather dancing.  “I’m so happy!”
     “You should be, Jasmine,” my father replies in a monotone, seeming as if he doesn’t see me.  I feel suddenly uncomfortable.  Something isn’t right…  As if to confirm my fears, Father continues in that same distant voice.  “I have chosen a husband for you.”
     “*What?*” I ask in disbelief.
     “You will wed Jafar.”  Jafar pushes open the other door to my room with a triumphant smile on his face.
     I gasp and back away in shock, but Jafar follows me.  His icy fingers entwine around my own hand.  “You’re speechless, I see…a fine quality in a wife!”  He gives me another triumphant look.
     “I will *never* marry you!” I shout at Jafar, yanking my hand away as hard as I can.  I bend over my father.  “Father!  I choose Prince Ali!”
     “Prince Ali left!” Jafar hisses at me.
     “Better check your crystal ball again, Jafar!” a voice from behind me yells.  I turn to see-
     “Prince Ali!” I call, running to him.
     “How in the he-…er…AWK!” Iago screeches.
     Ali storms over to Jafar angrily.  “Tell them the truth, Jafar.  You *tried* to have me killed!”  My eyes go wide with shock.
     Jafar shrugs off the remark.  “What?  Ri*dic*ulous nonsense, Your Highness.  He is *obviously* lying.”
     “Obviously…lying…” Father repeats, dazed.
     “Father?  What’s wrong with you?” I cry, shaking his shoulders a little.  But he still seems far away and unresponsive to anyone…except Jafar.
     “I know what’s wrong!” Ali shouts, grabbing Jafar’s golden cobra staff from his hand and smashing it to the floor.  Sure enough, my father shakes his head and returns from his daze.
     “Oh…oh…oh…oh my!” he stutters.
     “Your Highness, Jafar’s been controlling you with this!” Ali declares, holding the broken staff out for my father to see.
     “Wha-what?  Jafar?  Why, you…you…you *traitor*!” he cries.  Father, Ali, and I advance towards Jafar as he tries to clarify the situation.
     “Your Majesty, all this can be explained,” he remarks cooly.
     Father pays him no heed.  “Guards!  *Guards*!”  Two of the palace guards rush to the doorway.  “Arrest Jafar at once!” Father orders.  The guards grab Jafar, who pulls a tiny bottle from beneath his belt as he stuggles to evade their grasp.
     “This is not done yet, boy!” Jafar calls to Ali, throwing the bottle to the floor.  Smoke fills the air, and I double over choking on it.  When I finally look up, Jafar is gone.
     “Find him!  Search everywhere!” I hear Father order the bewildered guards, but I turn my attention to Ali.
     “Jasmine, are you alright?” he asks, approaching to embrace me.
     “Yes,” I reply softly, reaching out to put my arms around him.  We lean into kiss, but as we approach, Father walks between us, muttering something about Jafar.  Suddenly, he realizes what is going on and looks back at the two of us with our arms around each other.
     “Can this be true?” he asks in amazement.  “My daughter has *finally* chosen a suitor?”  I nod happily.  Father laughs a bit.  “Ha ha!  Praise Allah!” he cries.  He moves between us again and looks at Ali.  “Oh, you pretty boy!  Oh, I could kiss you!”  He pinches Ali’s cheek and almost kisses it, but stops himself.  “Oh, but I won’t, I’ll leave that to my…” he trails off and gestures to me as he pushes Ali and I back into each other’s arms.  “But you two will be wed at once!  Yes!  And you’ll be happy!  And prosperous!”  He continues, but I am no longer listening.  I smile at Ali once more and lean my head against his chest so I can hear his heart beating in time with mine again.  I don’t look up until a few moments later.
     “We will announce this joyous news to the people of Agrabah tomorrow,” Father says, “and the wedding will take place within the next two weeks!”
     ~Two weeks!~ I think happily.  ~In two weeks, I’ll be a wife…a married woman!  And my husband will not be an arrogant suitor I was forced to marry…he will be the man I love…the man *I* have chosen!~  I look up at Ali, beaming.  He smiles back, but his smile seems nervous.  I decide it must just be fatigue.  “Well, my Prince, I think we’d best get our rest.  Good night,” I whisper softly, kissing his forehead.
     “Sleep well and sweet dreams, my Princess,” he murmurs softly, returning the kiss before bowing to my father and leaving the room.
      “Well, Jasmine, you may not be married *yet*, but tomorrow is your birthday and here you are…engaged.  Why, I can scarcely believe it!”  Father embraces me.  “I am so happy for you, Dearest.  And I’m proud of you.”
     ~I’m proud of you.~  For years, since I began receiving suitors, I’d long to hear those words.  I wanted to know that I wasn’t a disappointment to him.  I know I’ve been difficult, but I did try with all my heart to be a good daughter.  I fight back tears of joy as I whisper, “Thank you, Father.”  I pause for a moment before adding what I’ve been wanting to tell him through all our fights.  “I love you.”
     “I love you too, Dearest.”  With that, he leaves the room.  As soon as he’s gone, I blow out the lamps in my chamber, flop down on my bed, and drift off to sleep in my clothes.
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Chapter 7

     I awake the next morning to the sound of Aziza rapping at my door.  “Come in!” I call, sitting up.  She enters carrying a basin of water and a cloth as well as a lavender dress.  Looking at me, she shakes her head.
     “Asleep in our clothes, were we?”  She smiles at me, something I don’t think she’s ever done before.  Handing me the items, she says, “Go wash and dress.  I’ll wait outside.  Tell me when you want me to do your hair.”
     I am in too good a mood to protest today.  As soon as Aziza leaves the room, I walk behind the divider and quickly wash up and change.  I look at myself in the mirror, and for once I don’t see a little girl screaming to be free.  I see a young woman in love.  The dress is beautiful.  Made of soft lavender silk, it goes off my shoulders and the neckline has a fold of a filmier material in a slightly paler shade of purple.  It is fitted at the top and the skirt slightly flares out at the bottom.  There is a shorter overskirt of the filmy material adorned with a blue triangular jewel at the waist.  I feel so…regal in this dress, perhaps because I don’t normally wear dresses.  I twirl around in front of the mirror.  I haven’t felt this way since I was a little girl.
     “Princess, are you ready yet?” Aziza calls through the door.
     “Oh, Aziza, come in!  I’m so sorry!” I reply.  She comes in and shakes her head when she sees me dancing around my room.
     “Princess, come and take a seat please,” she says in a tone that sounds more like that of my father than that of a peer.  I decide to shrug off the awkward moment as I take a seat in front of my vanity.  Aziza removes the aqua hairbands from my hair and picks up my brush.  “Prin- um…Jasmine,” she says.  I am quite surprised to hear her address me by my name.  “I just want to congratulate you on your engagement.”  She begins to brush my knotted hair as she continues.  “Prince Ali Ababwa seems like a wonderful person from the little I’ve spoken with him this morning, and I truly hope you will be happy together,” she says with a smile.
     I nod.  “He is,” I murmur softly.  “Thank you for your good wishes, Aziza.  I’ve never felt happier.”  Smiling, I add, “my, how quickly the news has spread!”
     Aziza nods as she finishes brushing my hair and quickly, but ever so carefully, pulls it back into its usual ponytail, topping it with a hairband to match my dress.  Neither of us says anymore, but I feel pleased to have finally connected with her for that one moment.
     “There,” she says when she has finished.  “Your father and Prince Ali are waiting in the dining hall for you, Princess.”
     “Thank you, Aziza,” I reply, sorry to be ‘Princess’ again.  “You are dismissed.  I will be down in a moment.”  Aziza bows and leaves as I change my earrings and hurry downstairs.  I arrive in the dining hall to see that the cook has just brought out the plates of food along with a bowl of fresh fruit.  I see Ali talking to my father, but they stop when they see me.
     “You look lovely, Jasmine,” Ali says.  Grinning, he adds, “but that shouldn’t surprise really surprise me.”
     I smile shyly.  “Thank you, Ali.  You look very handsome yourself.”
     He shrugs and grins at me again.  “Well, I have to look my best to be worthy of standing beside you.”
     I shake my head, still smiling, and take a seat between my father and my fiancé.
     “Good morning, Dearest,” Father greets me.  “Did you sleep well?”
     “Yes, thank you.  My night was filled with very pleasant dreams,” I reply, smiling at Ali with that last comment.  He returns the smile.
     Father also smiles and turns to Ali.  “Well, my good lad, you may or may not know that today is a very special day.”
     Ali nods.  “Yes, I have heard.”  He turns to me.  “Happy birthday, my Princess,” he says softly, kissing my hand.
     My birthday!  I had nearly forgotten!  “Thank you!”
     Father looks at me lovingly.  “Has it been sixteen years?  My, my how the time has flown.”
     “Oh, Father,” I reply.  I see Father reach for his fork and we begin our meal.  Ali tosses me an apple from the bowl, and this time, I eat it.  After a moment of quiet, Father speaks.
     “Well, Prince Ali, soon my daughter will have a husband and in good time, Agrabah will have a new Sultan!  This is a most exciting time!”
     Ali looks slightly uncomfortable at this remark.  He thinks for a moment before responding.  “Well, Your Highness, I must say that I have thought more about the love of your daughter than the power of the throne, but I...uh...hope I will be as good a ruler as you and...lead Agrabah through her...umm...finest days.”
     Father and I applaud.  “Well, said, Ali!” Father says.
     I nod in agreement.  “Just think, one day we will rule over the city together.  I’m sure you will be a wonderful Sultan.”
     Ali smiles but still looks a little uneasy.  Finishing his food, he requests to be excused.
     “Of course, my boy,” Father tells him.  “Just know that the engagement announcement will be held on the front balcony this afternoon.  You should be there to present yourself to the people.  After all, you will one day rule over them!”
     Ali bows and exits quietly.  I can’t help but notice how strange it was that he seemed so apprehensive about ruling the city.
     “Well, Jasmine,” Father says, “I suppose I will send a messenger to announce that the people should gather outside the front of the palace at about 3 o’clock.  Be ready.  Dearest, this is so exciting!”  Father scurries out of the room like an excited child to find the messenger.  When he is gone, I go out to the garden where I see Rajah lying on the ground.  I kneel beside him, gently stroking his soft orange fur, not saying anything, but still thinking of the impending announcement.  ~My first official appearance to the people of Agrabah!  What will they think when they see me?~  I let the time drift by outside for a while, playing with Rajah, laying by the fountain, and admiring the flowers.  The hours seem to float by as my mind races with hopes, dreams, and questions.
     “Jasmine!”  My father’s voice shatters my reveries.  “Come quickly!  The announcement is about to take place!”
     “I’m coming!” I call back.  Standing up, I smooth my skirt and hurry to the staircase that leads to the main balcony.  I dart up the stairs, taking them two at a time, where I see my Father standing behind a curtain...the only thing separating me from the sight of the people.  Father is about to walk out onto the balcony, but he suddenly stops.
     “Where is Prince Ali?” he asks.
     I look around, worried.  ~Why isn’t he here?~  “I’ll look for him, Father,” I offer.
     “No, no, Dearest.  I’ll stall for time.  He walks out onto the balcony and begins to speak.  I peek beyond the curtain to watch.  It seems as if everyone in Agrabah is gathered outside.  I feel the excitement rush over me.
     “Jasmine?” a voice behind me calls.  I turn to see Ali coming up the stairs.
     “Ali, where have you been?” I ask, rushing towards him.  He is saying something, but I cut him off, worried that if we get into a conversation, he will miss his cue from Father.  “The whole kingdom has turned out for Father’s announcement!”  I take his hand and we hurry up the stairs.  Just as we reach the top, I hear Father about to announce Ali’s name.  “Good luck!” I whisper, quickly kissing his forehead before pushing him out onto the balcony.  I hear a resounding cheer from the people, which only makes my heart beat faster.  I wring my hands nervously as I listen for my cue from Father.
     “...and it is my honor to now present to you, for the first time, my daughter, Princess Jasmine!”
     I take a deep breath and walk out onto the balcony, taking a place beside Ali.  I look up at him nervously, not knowing what to do.  He waves at me to acknowledge the cheering crowd, so I turn to them and wave. Ali puts his arm around my waist, which makes them cheer even louder.  Father continues his speech, but my attention is fully divided between Ali and the crowd.  My attention shifts when the sky suddenly begins to darken.  ~Strange...~  A strong gust of icy wind whips by and blows off the top of the canopy over the balcony.  The frightened Agrabanians flee to their homes.  Father’s turban then starts rising off his head!  He pulls it back on, but as he struggles to hold it down, he begins floating in midair.  His robes dissolve into swirling beams of light and fly through the air.  “Father!” I cry, frightened.  I look behind me in time to see the light surround Jafar who has just appeared before us.  His long black robes magically transform into the cream colored ones of a Sultan.  ~What’s going on?~  Jafar laughs triumphantly.  My eyes go wide with fear.  I knew Jafar was shady, but I never thought of him as *evil*.
     “Jafar,” Father bellows, “you...vile betrayer!”
     “That’s *Sultan* Vile Betrayer to you!” Iago, Jafar’s scarlet parrot accomplice retorts.
     “Oh yeah?  We’ll just see about that!” Ali declares defiantly, removing his turban.  He looks down into it, worried.  He whispers something I can’t make out as worry washes over his face.
     “Finders keepers, Abooboo!” Jafar replies as he orders a giant blue creature to lift the palace off the ground.  I struggle to maintain my balance as the blue creature lifts the building and carries it to a mountaintop, where he sets it down.
     “Jafar, I order you to stop!” Father cries.
     “Ah, but there’s a new order...*my* order!” Jafar hisses.  “Finally *you* will bow to *me*!”
     Father prepares to do so, but I move into his path, getting in the way to stop him.  “We will *never* bow to you!” I shout at Jafar defiantly.
     “Why am I not surprised?” Iago remarks, rolling his eyes.
     Jafar remains unfazed.  “If you won’t bow before a Sultan,” he says, “*then you will cower before a sorcerer*!  Genie!” he calls to the blue creature.  “My second wish- I wish to be the most powerful sorcerer in the world!”
     The Genie, whose eyes are filled with sadness, reluctantly aims his finger at Jafar, shooting out a beam of magical light.  The glow surrounds Jafar, raising him off the ground.  His robes turn black and red again, but with a more sleek, sinister look.
     “Ladies and gentleman, a warm hand of our welcome for Sorcerer Jafar!” Iago announces as a gleaming new cobra staff appears in his master’s hand.
     “Now,” Jafar says, examining his new staff, “where were we?  Ah, yes.”  He glares at Father and me.  “Abject humiliation!”  He aims the staff at us and it shoots out a red beam of light.  It surrounds me, stabbing with the pain of a thousand knives as I struggle to resist its magical force.  I try with all my might, but I can’t fight it.  I drop to my knees and bow before Jafar.  I hear Rajah come charging, but Jafar simply calls out “Down, boy!”  I listen for Rajah’s ferocious roar, but all I hear is the soft meow of a kitten.  ~No...~
     Jafar tilts my chin up towards his face with his staff.  “Oh, Princess!  There’s someone I’m *dying* to introduce you to!” he sneers.
     “Jafar!  Get your hands off her!”  I turn to see Ali approaching on the carpet.  Jafar ignores him and begins to sing.
     “~Prince Ali, yes it is he, but not as you know him.~”  He zaps Ali with the staff, and Ali begins to glow with the same red aura that surrounds Father and me.  Jafar waves his arm and Ali and I float by as he continues.  “~Read my lips and come to grips with reality.~”  He turns to me.  “~Yes, meet a blast from your past...whose lies were too good to last...~”  Jafar grabs my arm and the red light, as well as that stabbing numbness, disappear.  “Say hello to your precious Prince Ali!” he screams, again shooting that beam of red at Ali.  The glow vanishes, and Ali’s princely robes change to the rags of the boy in the marketplace!
     “Or should we say...*Aladdin*!” Iago sneers.
     “Ali?” I ask, confused.
     “Jasmine, I’m sorry!” Ali/Aladdin apologizes, approaching me.  Taking my hands, he adds, “I tried to tell you...I’m just-”  I can’t speak.  I only stand there, looking on, trying to figure out what’s happening as Jafar pushes...Aladdin...away from me and continues his song.
     “~So Ali turns out to be merely Aladdin- just a con, need I go on?  Take it from me!~”  Aladdin’s elephant charges at Jafar, who reveals the creature to be Aladdin’s monkey, Abu.  That odd red light surrounds both Aladdin and Abu as Jafar goes on.  “~His personality flaws give me adequate cause...~”  Jafar slaps Aladdin across the face.  I want to do something, but I am frozen with fear.  “~...to send him packing on a one-way trip so his prospects take a terminal dip...~”  Aladdin and Abu are trapped in a tower of the palace by Jafar’s magic.  “His assets frozen, the venue chosen is the Ends of the Earth...*whoopee*!~”  Using his staff, Jafar hits away the tower.  I feel a sinking feeling in my stomach as I watch the turret disappear into the sky, but try to take hope in the fact that I did see the carpet escape with Aladdin.  As the tower vanishes from sight, Jafar calls after it.  “So long, ex-Prince Ali!”  His eyes turn red as he turns to Father and me, laughing maniacally.  I can’t move.  I can’t think.  I can only wrap my arms around my father to protect him as we cower in Jafar’s looming shadow.

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Chapter 8
 
     “Why, Jasmine,” Jafar taunts me, spitting out my name to emphasize the absence of my title, “I rather like seeing you this way.  You’re finally realizing how a woman should behave in front of a man.”  With a twisted grin, he adds “Perhaps I shall make you my harem girl.”
     “Don’t get used to seeing me like this, Jafar,” I shout.  Looking him straight in the eye, I add, “If you think for an instant that I would *ever* be reduced to a harem girl, especially *yours*, you truly are crazy.”  As I move towards him to show him how serious I am, shackles appear around my wrists and ankles and I fall to the ground.  “You traitorous fiend!” I scream.
     Jafar looks at me, hatred glinting in his eyes.  “I may be a traitor, but *I* am the Sultan and *you* are my slave.  Now, what to do with the fallen monarch?”  He rubs his staff and sneers at my father.
     “No!” I plead.  “Jafar, don’t hurt my father!  Do what you want to me, but please, don’t hurt him!”
     “Ah, Jasmine, Jasmine...fear not.  I don’t want to *harm* him...I have other plans for him.  He gives Iago a sinister grin.
     “Sultan want a cracker?” Iago squawks at my father, laughing.
     “Yes, Iago, you’ll get all the crackers you want to feed him in a moment, but first...Genie!”
     The Genie looks at Jafar with sorrow-filled eyes and bows.  “Yes, master?”
     “Take us to the throne room and redecorate it for me as you see fit.  That’s not a wish, it’s an order.”
     The Genie lets out a sad sigh and snaps his fingers.  We appear in the throne room, which looks like a pit of fire, decorated in red and gold with a large cobra throne in the center.  ~How appropriate,~ I think.  ~A snake for a snake.~  The Genie then sits alone dejectedly in a corner.  I pity him.
     “Now, Iago...” Jafar sneers.  With a wave of the cobra staff, my father is dressed in a jester suit and dangling from the ceiling by marionette strings.  A small table with a bowl of crackers on it appears beside him.  Iago grabs a cracker in his talons and shoves it into my father’s mouth, laughing and mocking him.  Rajah, in kitten form, charges at Iago, but Jafar traps my friend in a cage, which then floats across the room, landing beside the throne.
     I shoot a dirty look at Jafar and open my mouth to speak, but Jafar interrupts before I can utter a single word.
     “His situation could easily be made much worse, you know,” he says, “so I wouldn’t try anything if I were you.”  I am silent.  With an evil smirk, Jafar continues.  “And that outfit doesn’t match the decor of *my* palace at all.”  He shoots another beam at me and my outfit changes to a sleeveless red top and a pair of red harem pants.  My hair is held in a high ponytail by a golden clasp and a snake armband is coiled around my right arm.  I feel incredibly uncomfortable.  My arms and midriff are completely bare and my hair falls just so that almost my entire back is exposed as well.  I’m sure Jafar notices too, judging by his comment earlier and the way he is looking at me now.  But now, he just walks over and takes a seat on the throne.  He waves his staff and a small table with a glass of wine and a bowl of fruit appears next to him.
     “Come, servant girl!”  The shackles around my ankles vanish, and , afraid to protest, I walk to the table and pick up the bowl of fruit Jafar is pointing to.  As I carry it to him, I continue to hear Iago taunting my father.
     “Puppet ruler want a cracker?  Here...here’s a cracker.  Shove ‘em all the way down your throat!  Have lots of crackers!”
     “Stop it!” I beg Jafar, looking to see my poor father being humiliated.  As Jafar pulls me towards him using a long chain connected to my shackles, I plead with him.  “Jafar, leave him alone!”   Jafar just looks at Iago and does nothing to stop the bird from shoving another mouthful of crackers down my father’s throat.  Turning back to me, Jafar points to an apple in the bowl.  I take it and place the bowl back on the table.  As Jafar pulls me back towards him, he mocks me.
     “It *pains* me to see you reduced to this, Jasmine,” he remarks in that phony-sounding voice of his.  Pausing, he takes a bite out of the apple I am holding.  Not bothering to swallow, he continues.  “A beautiful desert bloom such as yourself should be on the arm of the most powerful man in the world.”  As I flick away a piece of apple Jafar has so nicely spit on my cheek, the chains binding my wrists vanish and a small golden crown appears in Jafar’s hand.  I stare at it, not knowing what to think, as Jafar holds the crown out for me, continuing.  “What do you say, my Dear?  Why, with you as my...Queen-”  My eyes widen with disbelief and disgust.  I reach behind me until I find it...Jafar’s wine glass.  I wrap my fingers around the cup, scarcely able to move.  I feel nearly frozen with shock as Jafar looks at me in a way he’s never looked at me before.
     “*Never!*” I scowl, pouring the unholy drink in Jafar’s face.  He screams and drops the crown as the beverage burns his eyes.  Wiping his face with his sleeve, he looks at me, hatred in his eyes and his fists clenched in rage.  I slowly back away from him, but I stumble backwards, knocking the table to the floor.  I grab the table cloth and pull it over myself, though it is sheer, to try and cover myself, knowing what Jafar wants from me.
     “Why you!  I’ll teach you some respect!” he bellows through clenched teeth, raising a fist above his head.  Afraid to anger him further, I turn my head and shut my eyes, preparing for the blow of his fist against my cheek...but it doesn’t come.  I look back at him.  A twisted, triumphant smile appears on his lips.   He picks up the lamp, not taking his eyes of my trembling form.  With an evil sigh, you calls to the Genie in a voice so unlike Jafar.  “Genie...I have decided to make my final wish.”  He looks back at me, that same malicious grin still on his face.  “I wish for Princess Jasmine to fall *desperately* in love with me.”  I gasp in horror.  My skin crawls and my mouth runs dry.  I sit there, frozen with fear.  ~What did he say?~
     “Uh...uh...uh, Master,” the Genie replies, “there are a few, uh, addenda’s...some quid pro quos...”  I hear Genie’s words, but I don’t listen.  My attention turns to a window high on the wall opposite me.  There, with Abu and the Magic Carpet, is Aladdin!  I am almost unable to keep from shouting with joy, but Aladdin silently orders for me to remain quiet.  I think for a moment.  ~How do I keep Jafar from seeing him?~  One idea springs to mind immediately.  I shudder at the thought, but since I have no other ideas and not a lot of time, I go with it.
     “Jafaaar,” I coo seductively.  Jafar and the Genie, who are squabbling over wishes, fall silent and look at me.  Giggling coyly, I stand up and set the golden crown on my head.  The tablecloth flutters to the floor.  “I never realized how...”  I pause, not wanting to say the words.  “...incredibly handsome you are.”  I run my hand down my thigh and try to look enamored with Jafar.  He is stunned, and the Genie just gapes at me in disbelief.
     “Hmm...that’s better,” Jafar says happily, forcing the Genie’s mouth shut.  “Now, Pussycat,” he continues, turning back to me, “tell me more about...*myself*.”
     ~What an ego!  He’s as bad as a suitor!~  Still, I continue with my act.  I slink towards Jafar, trying to imagine how *anyone* could call *him* handsome. “You’re...tall...dark...”  ~At least *that’s* true!~  “...well-dressed...”  I fall silent for a moment, trying to think of more ways to compliment him.
     “Yes?” he whispers, enthralled.
     “And your...eyebrows are so dark.”  ~Just like your heart!~  “They frame those dreamy beady eyes of yours *so* well!”  I know that sounds silly, but I can’t think of anything else nice about him!
     He watches me, fascinated, obviously believing me.  The look on his face begs for more compliments, which doesn’t really surprise me, since Jafar’s ego always seemed very large to me.
     I look over Jafar’s shoulder to see Aladdin climbing down from the window, talking to the Genie.  I can’t hear them, but I watch Aladdin out of the corner of my eye as I turn back to a grinning Jafar, gushing over him.  “And those cute little gaps between your teeth...” Unable to think of more to say on that, I just sigh dreamily.
     I notice Aladdin, poised to approach the magic lamp, which Jafar has set atop of heap of gold.  His eyes meet mine for a second, as if to say “Just a little further...tell me when I can make my move.”
     “Go on...” Jafar whispers.
     I wrap my arms around his neck, running out of ideas.  Thinking fast, I continue.  “And your...*beard* is so...twisted.”  I gesture with my finger in a twisting motion for Aladdin to come closer...Jafar is totally convinced.  “You’ve stolen my heart...”
     I hear a loud gasp and see Iago, who has noticed Aladdin prepared to call out to Jafar, but Abu silences him in the nick of time.  I sigh with relief, grateful Jafar didn’t hear it.  He just moves his face closer to mine.  “And...the street rat?” he asks me.
     Trying not to let him see my disgust as he moves closer, I gently caress his cheek.  “*What* street rat?” I reply flirtatiously.  Something about saying that makes me feel awful inside though...I know it’s just an act, but I feel like somehow I’m betraying Aladdin, even if I’m doing this to save him and the city.
      A loud clamor interrupts me.  Looking over Jafar, I see Aladdin only inches away from the lamp and a fruit bowl on the ground.  I only have to distract Jafar a little longer...and I only have one option left.  As he turns to see where the noise has come from, I pull him back and kiss him, and not just a playful peck on the cheek either...a full-blown passionate kiss on his dry, cracked lips.  I cringe in disgust as Jafar’s deathly cold fingers wrap around my waist.  Not able to take it anymore, I pull away and force a satisfied-looking smile.
     The look on Jafar’s face mirrors that on my own.  The scary part is that his is *real*.  “That was...” he begins, but stops and fixes his gaze on my crown.  Whirling around, enraged, he faces Aladdin.  “YOU!” he bellows.
     ~How...?  Oh no!  He must have seen the reflection or something!  All that agony for nothing?~  However, I cease these selfish thoughts when I see Jafar reaching for his cobra staff.
     “How many times do I have to kill you, boy?” he shouts, raising the staff and aiming it at Aladdin.  Jumping in front of Jafar, I struggle to yank the staff from his hands, but he pulls it so hard I am thrown to the floor.
     Aladdin jumps in in my place and calls to me.  “Get the lamp!”
     I run towards the golden object and grab it.  As I turn back to take it to Aladdin, Jafar calls to me mockingly.  “Uh-uh-uh, Princess, your time is up!”  He raises the staff again and shoots a beam at me, the force causing me to double over.  The lamp slips from my fingers.  I feel myself soar through the air, but not with the exhilarating thrill of a magic carpet ride.  This sensation nauseates me as I flip upside down before the feeling finally stops with a thud.  When I regain my senses, I realize I am trapped in a giant glass prison with “walls” almost as thick as I am!  I feel along the wall for some sort of crack where I can push the glass away, but find none.  It is when I look up that I realize this isn’t just any prison...it’s an hourglass!  I shield my face with my arm as the sand in the top begins cascading down on me.  Some of it still manages to land in my eyes, temporarily blinding me as my burning eyes fill with tears to wash the sand out.  I shut them to ease the burning and manage to get back to the wall of the glass, as far from the middle as I can.  When my eyes stop tearing, I open them and see a toy monkey and a heap of blue and gold string on the floor.  ~Abu...Carpet...~  The sand is falling fast.  Even away from the center, where it lands first, I realize the heap around me is almost knee-deep.  I search frantically around the room for Aladdin.  When I see him, he is standing in a circle of flames, wielding a sword.  He shouts something at Jafar, but they are too far away for me to hear what he is saying through the glass.  Jafar steps through the flames, approaching Aladdin with a look of pure evil on his face.  He sneers a response.  Suddenly, he starts changing shape until he has assumed the form of a giant cobra.  My eyes go wide as fear for Aladdin’s safety...indeed, his life, fills my heart.  He evades Jafar’s snaps at his legs and, after numerous attempts, drives the sword through his tail.
     “Aladdin!” I cry out as the sand buries my legs.  He rushes to me while Jafar moans in pain.  As Aladdin approaches, his voice becomes audible.
     “Jasmine, hang on!”  He raises the blade and prepares to shatter the glass.  As the sword comes closer and closer to making contact with the glass walls, Jafar, recovered from the blow, grabs Aladdin and wraps him in his coils.  I watch the two of them arguing and look on with curiosity as Jafar approaches the Genie.  I try to hear what they are saying, but I can barely stand up anymore.  As the sand nears my chin, I take a deep breath and hold it.  I see the Genie look up at Jafar and point before I am completely covered with the sand.  Trapped in the darkness, I sway as I begin to lose air.  I feel my body become suddenly light before it seems to disappear altogether...
     The sudden rush of falling and a gust of fresh air revive me.  Coughing violently, I open my burning eyes to see a pile of sand lying around me on the cold floor.  When I look up, Aladdin’s eyes gaze into mine, filled with relief.  He holds me in his arms.  I roll over onto my stomach to see Jafar...in the form of a gigantic scarlet genie!  A gasp escapes my throat, which runs suddenly dry.  ~We don’t stand a chance against him now!~
     “What have you done?” I ask Aladdin, shouting over the strong wind and Jafar’s bellows.
     “Trust me!” he replies, standing up and walking to a small black object in the center of the room.
     Picking up Aladdin’s sword, I cut the strings that hold my father to the ceiling.  Both of us stare on at Aladdin and Jafar, afraid to make a move.
     “The universe is mine to command!  To *control*!!!!” Jafar cries with malicious glee, growing so large that his head is no longer visible above the blood-colored sky.  Again, a gust of icy wind whips through the room.
     Dropping to my knees, I throw my arms around my father and bury my face in his robes.  I’m too afraid to look.  I trust Aladdin, but I can’t shake this fear.
     However, as soon as I hear his voice, I turn my eyes back to him.  “Not so fast, Jafar!  Aren’t you forgetting something?” he calls out over the howling wind.  I look at him skeptically, but he doesn’t notice.
     “What?” Jafar asks indignantly.  His superior tone turns to disbelief as golden shackles appear on his wrists.
     “You wanted to be a genie,” Aladdin continues, “you’ve got it!”  He lifts up the black object...a lamp!  “And everything that goes with it!  Phenomenal cosmic powers...”
     “No!  *NO*!” wails Jafar as he is sucked into the lamp, dragging a whining Iago in with him.
     “Itty-bitty living space,” Aladdin says with a smile as the two villains disappear into their tiny prison.
     “Al,” says the much happier Genie, mussing Aladdin’s hair, “you little genius you!”  He shoots a magic beam at Abu, bringing him back to the form of a monkey.  Another beam revives Carpet.  Next, Rajah’s cage vanishes.  As he leaps into Father’s arms, Genie restores him to his full size as Father’s jester outfit is replaced with his cream and aqua robes and my own harem outfit is transformed into my sea green clothes.  Finally, Genie restores the throne room to its normal decor as the palace is gently transported to its rightful location.  The night of terror has ended and the sun shines in the perfect blue sky to beautify the new morning.
     Meanwhile, Aladdin is standing on the balcony, suppressing a laugh as he listens to the bickering coming from inside the black lamp he holds.  Genie walks over and takes it.  “Allow me,” he says.  A strange hat appears on his head as he whirls his arm around in circles.  “Ten thousand years in the Cave of Wonders ought to chill him out!” he cries.  With that, he flicks the lamp out of sight.
     Smiling, I walk over to Aladdin and take his hand.  He looks down at me sadly and I feel my joy turn to sorrow in an instant, finally realizing what this means.  ~If he’s not a prince, then...~  I refuse to finish the thought.
     “Jasmine,” Aladdin begins, taking my other hand in his and holding my hands against his chest.  “I’m sorry I lied to you about being a prince.”
     “I know why you did,” I reply.  After all, I understand all to well what it’s like to feel you must pretend to be someone else to try and find happiness.
     “Well, I guess...this is...goodbye?” he asks.
     Hearing the sorrow in his voice, a lump catches in my throat.  I can hardly believe it...I find him...only to lose him again.  I can’t bear to look in his eyes, which are filled with sadness.  “Oh, that stupid law!  This isn’t fair!”  I turn away for a moment.  Forcing myself to look back into his eyes, which glisten with tears I know he will never allow himself to cry, my voice softens as I finally tell Aladdin what I’ve been yearning to say since our magical evening together.  “I love you.”
     The Genie pokes his head around a column and brushes away a tear as he watches us.  “Al, no problem, you’ve still got one wish left!  Just say the word and you’re a Prince again!”
     Aladdin releases my hands and turns to his blue friend.  “But Genie, what about your freedom?” he asks.
     It all begins to come clear to me now.  The Genie made Aladdin a prince...and Aladdin must have promised to grant his freedom...and I am the obstacle that has come in the way of Aladdin keeping his promise.
     The Genie shrugs.  “Hey, it’s only an eternity of servitude,” he remarks casually, trying to hide his disappointment.  He gently pushes Aladdin and me closer together.  “This is *love*!”  He puts a soft blue hand on my shoulder.  “Al,” he continues, “you’re not gonna find another girl like her in a million years.”  I force a smile, but inside I am torn in two.  I can’t imagine going back to the sort of life I had before Aladdin opened my eyes.  Allah knows my birthday’s already come and gone, and I doubt that I’ll feel for anyone else what I feel for Aladdin.  I can’t bear the thought of losing the one I love...again.  I ponder the situation, drowning out the Genie as he whispers something else to Aladdin.
     ~It’s not fair!  I *love* him!  Does that mean nothing to anyone?~  But I realize that because I love him, I can’t force him to stay with me.  I can’t make his decision for him...I know how much that hurts.  I can’t take his freedom...or the Genie’s...I know how trapped they must feel, and I won’t trap them further.  Even if I lose my freedom, they can have theirs.  As I look back into Aladdin’s eyes, I know he feels the same way.
     “Jasmine, I do love you,” he explains, taking my hands again, “but...I’ve gotta stop pretending to be something I’m not.”
     Now it’s my turn to fight back tears.  “I understand,” I whisper as he lets go of my hands.  They feel suddenly cold as he releases them...for never again will they be held like that.  Never will I feel this way again.  I hang my head, knowing that I was right to let him go, but I feel my heavy heart being torn in two.  I feel more trapped than ever before.
     “Genie, I wish for your freedom,” Aladdin declares.  His voice sounds so strong, but I still hear the touch of melancholy in his voice.
     “One bona fide Prince pedigree coming up!” the Genie says happily.  “Huh?” he utters with disbelief, catching himself.
     “Genie...you’re free!” Aladdin tells his friend happily.
     I move next to Aladdin and we look on in awe as Genie is surrounded by a pure white light coming from the lamp, which floats before him in mid-air.  The gold cuffs on his wrists fall to the floor and vanish.  Then the light fades and the lamp, now just another oil lamp, clatters to the ground.  I smile at the amazed Genie, forgetting my own problems for a moment and just sharing in his joy.  He picks up the lamp and looks at it.  “I’m free,” he murmurs, tears of joy in his eyes.  “I’m free.”  Handing Aladdin the lamp, he speaks frantically.  “Quick, wish for something outrageous!” he orders.  “Say, uh...‘I want the Nile!’  Wish for the Nile, try that!” Genie pleads.
     “Uh...I wish for the Nile!” Aladdin obeys, looking very confused by this request.
     “NO WAY!” Genie responds, denying the wish.  He points at Aladdin and laughs hysterically at his own joke.  “Oh, does that feel good!” he declares, darting around the balcony so quickly that I feel dizzy watching him.  “I’m *free*!” he repeats again.  He takes Aladdin’s hands and mine in his own and spins us around as he continues celebrating.  “I’m free at last!”  He snaps his fingers and a brown travel bag appears.  “I’m hittin’ the road!” he cries as he begins tossing in various unusual objects.  “I’m off to see the world!  I-...”  He stops in the middle of his sentence and looks down at Aladdin, suddenly silent.
     “Genie, I’m gonna...miss you,” Aladdin says, rubbing the back of his neck and looking up at his friend with that sad look again.
     “Me too, Al,” Genie replies softly, putting his hands on Aladdin’s shoulders.  As a lone tear slides down his cheek, he pulls Aladdin into an embrace, whispering to him.  “No matter what anybody says, you’ll always be a prince to me.”
     I watch as Aladdin returns the embrace.  A bittersweet feeling envelops me as the two of them say their goodbyes.  I again hang my head so no one can see me trying not to cry.
     “That’s right!” a voice behind me agrees.  I turn to see my father approaching.  “You’ve certainly proven your worth as far as far as I’m concerned!  It’s that *law* that’s the problem.”
     I look up in disbelief and place my hand on my father’s shoulder to steady myself.  Excitement and hope fill my heart, so much so that I feel I could faint.  “Father?”  I ask, not sure if I heard him correctly.
     “Well, am I Sultan or am I Sultan?” Father asks himself, beaming with happiness.  He smiles at me.  “From this day forth, the Princess shall marry whomever she deems worthy,” he decrees.
     Suddenly, I feel light and graceful.  A smile slowly spreads across my face as I run to Aladdin, who stands before me with open arms.  “HIM!” I cry, leaping into his arms.  He twirls me around, his face mirroring my look of ecstasy.  As he gently lowers me to the ground, I murmur, “I choose...I choose *you*, Aladdin.”
     His sparkling brown eyes gaze into mine as he flashes me that perfect smile.  “Call me Al,” he teases.  Slowly, he pulls me closer.  I close my eyes and lean in to kiss him, but the Genie, dressed in a very odd outfit topped with a most unusual hat, bursts between us and shouts with glee.  Ignoring the slightly annoyed look on my face, he cries out, “Oh, come on...all of you!”  He takes Aladdin, Father, Carpet, Rajah, Abu, and myself in his massive blue arms and embraces us all at once.  “Big group hug!  Group hug!  Mind if I kiss the monkey?” he asks Aladdin.  Before Aladdin can utter a word, Genie kisses Abu on the head and promptly hacks up a wad of brown fur.  “Ew!  Hairball!”  I don’t know whether to laugh or be disgusted by that.  Setting us down, Genie grabs his unusual travel bags and rubs his hands together.  “Well, I can’t do any more damage around this Popsicle stand; I’m *outta* here!” he calls as he blasts into the air.  “Bye bye, you two crazy lovebirds!  Yo, Rugman, *ciao*!  I’m history!  No, I’m mythology!  Oh, I don’t care what I am, I’m *free*!”  Then he disappears in a flash of white light.
     Carpet, Rajah, and Abu head back into the palace.  Father turns to follow them.  “Jasmine, are you coming?” he asks.
     Putting my arms around Aladdin, I reply absently with a shake of my head, not taking my eyes off Aladdin.  “I’ll be there in a minute.”  Smiling, Father goes inside.  Once he has gone, Aladdin puts one arm around my waist and gently strokes my face with the other as he pulls me in for a kiss.  I tighten my grip on him, never wanting to let him go.  As he slowly pulls away from me, I smile at him.  “I love you, Aladdin.”
     “I love you too, Jasmine,” he softly replies, a touch of sadness in his voice.
     “What is it?” I ask, looking at him skeptically.
     “What?  I’m fine!” he replies nonchalantly.
     “You sounded sad...what’s wrong?”
     He sighs.  “I guess I can’t hide anything from you, can I?”  He shakes his head.  “Not that I would *want* to!” he adds quickly.  “It’s just that...no one has said those words to me since...since my mother died,” he softly explains.
     “I’m sorry,” I whisper sympathetically, wishing in that instant that I could remember my own mother.  With a mischievous grin, I add, “Well then, we must make up for lost time!  I love you, Aladdin.”  I pull him close and kiss him again.
     He smiles as we pull away.  “Ah, before I forget!” he says, still smiling, “Jafar’s...well, you know...kind of got in the way of your birthday before I could give you your present!”
     “Aladdin, really, you’ve given me enough-”  He presses a finger to my lips, silencing me.
     “Would you like to go for a ride tonight?  I would be honored to give my Princess the world.”  He bows.
     “As I would be honored to be in the company of my hero,” I reply, pretending to drop a curtsy.  Aladdin stifles a yawn as a grin spreads across his face.  “Am I boring you?” I tease him, trying to suppress a yawn myself.
     “Jasmine, I could watch you do nothing but stand here breathing and not be bored.”  He stretches his arms over his head as another yawn escapes his throat.  “I’m just kind of tired, that’s all.”
     “Well, you were up all night defeating evil sorcerers...no easy task!”  I pause and let out a yawn myself.  “Now look what you made me do!” I tease.
     Aladdin laughs.  “You seem tired yourself, my Princess.  Maybe we should get some rest before tonight.”
     “That sounds wonderful,” I agree.  He leads me inside the palace, along the corridors, stopping outside the door to my chambers.
     “Sleep well, Princess,” he murmurs as he did that magical evening.  He gently takes my hand and softly kisses it before closing the door behind me and going to his own room.
     I lie down on my bed and shut my eyes, but despite my exhaustion, I can’t sleep.  I suppose I’m still too excited by all that has happened to me in the last few days.  I can’t wait until tonight.  I want to see him again...and this time, it will be just us.  No Father, no Jafar...nothing will get in the way.  I have so much I want to say to Aladdin.  I lie there thinking of him.  With my eyes shut, images of the two of us dance in my mind.  I try to imagine the life we will one day have together, though I must admit, I don’t want to rush into getting married.  I want to get to know him more.  I want to wait for the right time, and I know I will be able to tell when that moment comes.  The moment when we suddenly realize that we are ready for that final step...and then we begin a whole new life together.  A small smile appears on my face.  Unable to sleep, I find that lying there with these pleasant thoughts makes me feel more peaceful and rested than an entire month of sleep ever could.
     After lying there for a few hours, I decide to get dressed for our date.  I quickly change into the lavender outfit I wore when Prince Achmed was here, so happy and carefree that I don’t care if someone scolds me for actually choosing my own outfit.  I redo my hair, replacing my aqua bands with royal purple ones.  Finally, I drape a sheer shawl around my shoulders.  Opening the door to my room, I notice Aladdin, dressed in fine robes of royal purple and gold, heading towards the grand staircase.  He stops in his tracks when he sees me.  “You look wonderful,” he murmurs.
     “So do you,” I reply, deciding it would be rude to ask him where his robes came from.
     I didn’t have to.  Gesturing to his open jacket, he remarks, “Your father found these in a trunk of old clothes that were...well, I don’t remember whose, but they fit!”  He grins.  Offering his arm, he asks, “May I escort you, my Princess?”
     “Of course, my Prince,” I reply, taking his arm.
     “Aw, come on, Jasmine, I’m just a street rat, remember?”
     “Aladdin,” I scold firmly, “you are *not* a street rat.  I don’t care what anyone else has said, but I will see to it that it stops.  You are the man I love, and in my eyes you are more of a prince than all the royal suitors I’ve ever had combined.  You are always welcome here.”
     “Jasmine, I...I don’t know what to say.”
     “How about this?” I remark playfully, kissing him softly on the cheek.
     He shakes his head.  “Nah.  I think I prefer this.”  With that, he pulls me close and presses his lips to mine.
    “I like that too,” I remark afterwards.  I take his arm again and we descend the stairs together.  We enter the throne room to tell Father that we are leaving, but find it full of various nobles and royals.
     “Surprise!  Congratulations, Dearest...and my future son-in-law!” Father proclaims, embracing us.
     Aladdin looks to me, confused.  He is trying hard to hide his annoyance, but a certain amount of pride shows in his face as well.  He politely thanks Father.
     “Well now,” my father declares to the guests, “I suppose now that the guests of honor are here, let the engagement gala commence!  Let us proceed to dinner and here my daughter’s fiancé tell how he saved Agrabah!”
     “Yes, let’s!” call several of the guests as we proceed to the dining hall.
     We are seated at the head of the table, facing the guests, as the meal begins.  As we eat, we all listen to Aladdin recount his story.  He tells of how Jafar tricked him into retrieving a magic lamp from the mystical Cave of Wonders...of releasing the Genie inside the lamp...of how Prince Ali Ababwa came about...of Jafar nearly drowning him...and finally of heroically saving my life and the city and winning my hand.  When he is finished, everyone applauds.  Even though I witnessed much of what he has described, I am impressed.
     “I would like to propose a toast,” I declare, rising to my feet.  Ignoring the stunned looks on the faces of several of the guests, obviously surprised to see a woman speaking out of turn, I continue.  “To Aladdin, Agrabah’s hero and future Sultan,” I announce, raising my glass.
     “To Aladdin!” the guests echo.
     After dinner, everyone proceeds to the ballroom for dancing, but not much dancing actually goes on, since most of the guests are male and have no one to dance with.  I feel like I could die of boredom when Aladdin approaches me with a sly grin on his face.  “Having fun?” he asks.
     I sigh.  “No, not really,” I admit.  “I’m a little annoyed that Father through a party without telling us...I was looking forward to being with you.”
     Aladdin glances around the room before responding.  “Your father’s not watching us...what do you say we escape?  Carpet’s been waiting out in the garden...we could sneak out without anyone noticing!”  His smile widens.
     I return the mischievous grin.  “Let’s do it...fly away from this stiff royal...‘party’ and journey to the stars.”
     “Sounds like a plan to me!  Let’s go!” he whispers.  We quietly run out of the room, unnoticed by all the noble guests who use the celebration as an opportunity to discuss trade and foreign affairs and are too engrossed in their diplomatic conversations to pay attention to anything else.
     Once in the garden, Aladdin and I burst out laughing, hoping no one can hear us from inside.  I take a seat on the edge of the fountain to catch my breath, and Aladdin sits beside me.  Carpet hovers in front of us, but Aladdin shakes his head.  “No, Carpet, not yet.  I want to talk to you first,” he adds, taking my hand.
     “I could talk to you forever,” I reply.
     “I only want a few moments now, but someday we’ll be married and we’ll have the rest of our lives,” he says.
     “Mm..” I murmur, leaning my head on his shoulder.  “When will that be?”
     “Oh, I don’t know,” he says.  “I don’t want to rush into anything yet.  Let’s just take it as it comes... I think we’ll know when the time is right, don’t you?”
     “Absolutely.”  I look into his eyes for a moment, but then turn and look down into the fountain.
     “What’s wrong?” Aladdin asks.
     “Nothing,” I respond.  “Just look into the water.”
     He does so and smiles at the sight.  Our reflection is perfect in the rippling water with the moon shimmering behind us.  The last time I saw my reflection here, I spoiled it.  Now, I never want it to disappear.  I want to see this forever.  “Look at it, Aladdin.  I want to be able to always look and see this...you beside me...together forever.”
     “You will, Jasmine.  I promise.”  With that, he kisses me.  Neither of us moves for a long time.
     “So,” he remarks when we’ve finally pulled away, “shall we be off?”
     I nod, and Carpet immediately appears in front of us again.  “Take me away with you,” I whisper.
     “Your wish is my command,” Aladdin replies, and we both giggle.  He lifts me in the air and sets me down on Carpet before hopping on himself.  I hold onto his shoulders as the Carpet ascends into the night sky.  My gaze is fixed on his deep brown eyes, but he points down at the Palace.  I look to see fireworks in vibrant hues of red, green, and blue bursting over the golden domed roof.
     “Looks familiar, huh?” he teases.
     “How could I forget?  It was only two days ago!” I reply with a laugh.
     “I love you, Jasmine,” is his only reply.
     “I love you too, Aladdin.  Thank you...for opening my eyes to this whole new world...for your love...for everything.”  I lean my head against his shoulder again.  As we soar higher, Aladdin sings.
     “A whole new world...”
     “A whole new life...” I look back into those eyes.  My future shines in those eyes.
     He takes my hands as we end in unison.
     “...for you and me.”
     We share one last kiss before flying off through the “endless diamond sky.”  I lean against him, not letting go of his hand.  He holds me close, and as we glide off into the silvery moonlight, I feel my spirit soar as my heart dances within my chest.  For I know as Aladdin holds me in his arms and takes me to this whole new perfect world that exists only for us that I have found my real-life faerie tale Prince, and he has given me his love.  But this isn’t the happy ending...this is the promise of a new beginning to a whole new life for both of us...together.  Through his love, he has set me free.
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Disclaimer:  Aladdin, Jasmine, and all the other characters in this story are the children of the minds of the dream makers at the Walt Disney Company.  They are used without permission for no monetary gain.  *Aladdin* script written by Ron Clements, John Musker, and the team of writers that created this wonderful story from which this adaptation came from.  Songs have music by Alan Menken and lyrics by Tim Rice and the late Howard Ashman.
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Hope you enjoyed it!  Feedback is greatly appreciated!  Please e-mail Disney Princess at arielbellejasmine@yahoo.com !  I’d love to know what you thought of this story!
 
~*BELIEVE IN THE MAGIC*~
AGRABAH 2000