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Chapter 9: Princes, Viziers and Parrots

We sat on Abu's back in a small little tent like thing and all around us sat girls with large feather fans covering us from view. I twitched nervously in my seat.

"Stop fidgeting. I told you it will be okay." Al said and I sighed.

"I can't help it." I muttered and then I grabbed at Al. "Al! We could get beheaded for something like this! And besides no one is gonna believe I'm your brother. I mean look at me. We're nothing alike." I ended up looking at my lap as the last sentence was whispered.

"Alaric," Al lifted my chin. "Look at me." I lifted my gaze to him and he shook his head with a slight guilty look. "Everything is going to be fine. And to me it doesn't matter what you look like. Besides they won't question it as long as we stick together, okay? So don't worry. I'll be right there. I'll always be there for you."

"Really?"

"I always have." He ruffled my hair and I grinned. Then he grew solemn. "Alaric?"

"Yeah?"

"Listen, I've always considered you to be my little brother. I just assumed you knew that. I'm sorry I never told you."

"Well, truth is Al I-I always thought of you as a big brother and I just wasn't sure what you thought of me. Or even if you needed me." Al hugged me then.

"Always, little brother." He said and I grinned at the name.

"Ya'll ready for your debut?" Genie asked sticking his head in.

"Uh, sure." Al and I said nervously at the same time. Genie grinned.

"Don't worry, you'll do fine. Just don't fall over."

"Oh, great!" I moaned and Genie patted me.

"I was just kidding, kiddo. Everything will be fine." Genie disappeared again and I heard trumpets blast. Ugh, I feel sick. Al caught my sickened expression and he grimaced too. He patted me reassuringly and then we heard people singing and Al and I looked at each other.

Make way for Prince Ali!

Say 'hey it's Prince Ali!

Next Genie's voice filled the air and grinned as his voice carried around the air and I couldn't help but grin. I really wanted to see what Genie was doing but the feathers were in the way.

Hey clear the way in the old bazaar

Hey you! Let us through!

It's a bright new star

Oh come be the first on your block to meet his eye!

Make way, here he comes!

Ring bells, bang the drums!

All are gonna love this guy!

Prince Ali, fabulous he, Ali Ababwa!

Suddenly the feathers fell away and 'Ali' and I were presented to the crowd. I gulped and gave the crowd a shaky grin. Ali gave them his best 'princely' smile and tried to look as regal as possible. After a while I started to enjoy the attention. Finally people liked us.

Genuflect show some respect

Down on one knee!

I smirked as Genie made a rug come out from underneath Rasoul, causing him to bow to us. Maybe this being royal thing wasn't as bad as I had thought.

Now try your best to stay calm

Dress up your Sunday salaam

And come and meet his spectacular coterie

Prince Ali, mighty as he, Ali Ababwa!

Genie wheeled lots of people up towards us and dumped them upon our heads as they were shaking hands with us. Then he made Al really strong and he lifted the people into the air in a design. I stood at the top and flexed my 'muscles' for the crowd, giving them a show.

Strong as ten regular men, definitely

I watched as Genie filtered through the crowd changing into different people.

He faced the galloping hoards (As an old man)

A thousand bad guys with swords (As a little boy with a wooden sword)

Who sent those goons to their lords? (As a merchant)

Why Prince Ali!

Soon the crowd joined in as well, as Genie popped up saying random things.

He's got seventy-five golden camels

Don't they look lovely June?

Purple peacocks, he's got fifty-three

Fabulous Harry, I love the feathers

When it comes to exotic type mammals

Now Genie popped up as animals around the crowd.

Has he got a zoo?

I'm telling you

It's a world class menagerie

I spotted Genie next in a balcony with three harem girls. I tugged on Al's arm and pointed him out in a burst of laughter. Al snorted at the now rather large female Genie. I held on to Al as I laughed so I wouldn't fall off Abu as Genie and the harem girls sang.

Prince Ali, handsome is he, Ali Ababwa!

There's no question this Ali is alluring, never ordinary, never boring

That physique! How can I speak?

Weak at the knees

Everything about this man just plain impresses

Well get on out in that square

He's a winner, a whiz, a wonder

Adjust your veil and prepare

He's about to pull my heart asunder

To gawk and grovel and stare at Prince Ali!

And I absolutely love the way he dresses

Al blew the girls a kiss and they fainted. Genie caught them and I snickered again.

He's got ninety-nine white Persian monkeys

He's got the monkeys! Let's see the monkeys!

And to view them he charges no fee!

He's generous! So generous!

I frowned at the people that jumped upon the money we tossed to the group. Greedy vultures. The really poor ones didn't even get a chance to get any of it.

He's got slaves! He's got servants and flunkies!

Proud to work for him!

Bow to his whim! Love serving him!

They're just lousy with loyalty to Ali!

Prince Ali!

The closed palace doors were soon burst open and Abu paraded us inside.

Prince Ali, amorous he, Ali Ababwa!

Genie grabbed the Sultan and started to dance with him.

Heard your princess was a sight lovely to see

And that good people is why

He got dolled up and dropped by

With sixty elephants, llamas galore

With his bears and lions a brass band and more

His forty fakers his cooks and bakers

His birds that warble on key!

Make way!

For Prince Ali!

With that the doors slammed shut and all the magically entourage was gone. Al was bowing to the Sultan and I was trying to get down from Abu's back. I finally ended up sliding down his trunk and he steadied me as I almost toppled over. I smiled at him gratefully and then went over to Al and the Sultan. His majesty was shaking my brother's hand in delight his pudgy face full of awe. He looked as kind as I had heard that he was.

"Your highness I have journeyed from afar to seek your daughter's hand." I suppressed a snicker at his fake princely accent.

"Prince Ali Ababwa, of course I'm delighted to meet you" The short royal said and then he spotted me. "And who is this? Your brother?"

"Yes, your highness this is my brother Prince Farid." The Sultan shook my hand, wonder etched onto his face. I got nervous then thinking he was going to call me out for having blue eyes.

"It's nice to meet you your highness." I said sincerely and he smiled warmly. That was close!

"Of course. And this is my grand vizier Jafar, he's delighted too." The Sultan indicated a tall sinister man behind him. The man wore robes of black and red, in his hand was a cobra headed golden staff and upon his shoulder was a red and blue wing-tipped parrot. He looked at us with a slight sneer and I hid behind Al as he came up from the shadows.

"Ecstatic." The man drawled and I frowned. I didn't like that guy one bit. He scared me. He came closer and I clutched at Al.

"But," the man continued. "I'm afraid Prince Abooboo-"

"Ababwa!" I corrected him and he fixed me with a stare. I swallowed and hid back behind Al. What a creep!

"Whatever." I glared at Jafar as he waved dismissively. "You simply cannot parade in here uninvited and expect too-" Once again he was interrupted and it was by the Sultan this time.

"By Allah this is a remarkable device." The little round man was examining Carpet who took his mustache and pulled on it. "Might I hm?" he indicated up and Al smiled.

"Why course your majesty allow me." he helped the Sultan onto Carpet and then Jafar came over and slammed his staff down pinning Carpet to the ground.

"Your highness I must advise against this." He said with a very forced smile.

"Oh, button up, Jafar." The Sultan said with a frown. "Learn to have a little fun." He then kicked the staff off and Carpet flew off with the Sultan.

"Just where did you say the two of you were from?" Jafar asked giving Al and me suspicious looks.

"Uh, much farther than you've traveled I'm sure." Al said trying to pacify the grim vizier. He narrowed his eyes.

"Try me." I glared at him and then I got a better look at the parrot. It eyed me warily as I came closer. Jafar was busy interrogating Al to notice. The parrot cocked its head to one side blinking innocently at me. I grinned and stuck my hand out to pat it. Clamp.

"Ow!" I hollered clutching at my hand. The parrot gave me a smug, cocky grin and I glared at it.

"That is why little children should not touch things that don't belong to them." Jafar said and I wanted to jump him, but Al knowing my mood pushed me behind him glaring at Jafar. Stupid parrot.

"Look out polly!"Called the Sultan and we all ducked as he and Carpet flew over our heads almost hitting us. I was delighted to see that the parrot got what he deserved as he was hit by Carpet and then chased about the room. I laughed as Iago slammed into a pillar thanks to Carpet and Jafar rolled his eyes.

"I'm coming in to land, Jafar watch this!" The Sultan called as Carpet did one more flip before diving to the ground. The Sultan slid across the floor and landed at Jafar's feet.

"Spectacular your highness." Jafar said in fake-appraise. I sniggered as Carpet wobbled around and Abu had to catch him as he fell forwards.

"Yes, I do seem to have a knack for it." Sultan grinned and I laughed quietly. He then got up and pinched Al's cheek.

"A very impressive youth and a prince besides." The Sultan then leaned into Jafar and whispered into his ear. Jafar got an angry look and scowled as he whispered back furiously. I was getting the impression that we were not liked by the grim vizier which was all fine with me. I didn't like him or his parrot either.

"Jasmine will like this one!" The Sultan exclaimed.

"And I'm pretty sure I'll like Princess Jasmine." Al said rather cockily leaning in towards the Sultan. I rolled my eyes. Oh, boy this won't end well.

"Your highness no, I must intercede on Jasmine's behalf." Jafar said butting in between Al and the Sultan, knocking Al out of the way. "This boy is no different from the others. What makes him think he is worthy of a princess?"

"Your highness," He said as he tugged on Jafar's beard causing it to puff out and I tried not to laugh. "I am Prince Ali Ababwa." I frowned at Al in disbelief. What? Can you say swelled-head much? "Just let her meet me. I will win your daughter." Way to go Al.

"How dare you!" We all jumped with guilty expressions as Prince Jasmine herself appeared in the room, her eyes flashing with anger. "All of you! Standing around deciding my future! I am not a prize to be won!" With that she turned and stomped from the room. That could've gone better.

"Oh dear. Not to worry Prince Ali, just give Jasmine time to cool down. In the meantime would you and your brother be interested in a tour?"

"Why certainly your majesty." Ali said and I nodded eagerly. The Sultan smiled at us and took Al by the arm leading him to the door.

"I think it's time to say goodbye the Prince Abooboo's." I heard Jafar mutter darkly and I walked faster trying to keep up with Al. And as I did I felt Jafar's eyes boring holes into my back. I gulped and tried to shake the feeling of dread and fear that filled me.