Because I Knew You (Maleficent)

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“A shame there isn't a spell to share knowledge. Or make us better fighters.”

“I’m afraid there isn’t,” Maleficent remarked, her voice taking on a teasing edge. “You’ll just have to put in the effort yourself.”

She listened to Jasmine talk about how the guards had only “trained” her to get her to stop pestering them, how she got better once she began training herself. Maleficent couldn’t help feeling a little impressed.

And then Jasmine mentioned Aladdin.

Oh, not this again.

Maleficent didn’t say as much, waiting to see if the conversation would take the turn she had expected. It didn’t, not by a longshot. Rather than continue to go on about how she missed her loved ones, Jasmine offered her – as well as Diablo and Grimhilde – a place in Agrabah when the conflict ended.

Maleficent couldn’t speak for almost a full minute, merely blinked at the princess in astonishment. When at last she regained her voice, the dark fairy observed, “It’s a generous offer, but I think I might disconcert your more normal subjects.”

[Princess Jasmine]

Jasmine nodded when Maleficent confirmed what she already knew.

"I know. I guess the things worth doing you have to work hard for." said Jasmine.

She grinned as she waited for Maleficent to respond to her offer. Maleficent seemed surprised before saying it might disturb her people.

"Well the city gets attacked by monsters and sorcerers nearly every day. And two of my friends are a flying magical carpet and a blue genie. I think the Diablo, Grimhilde, and you would fit right in. And she could bring her mirror too of course. But the choice would be up to all of you. If you chose not to come I'd understand. I'd miss you but I'd understand." said Jasmine.

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“The key word in that sentence, princess, is attacking. Not exactly a way to build tolerance. I resemble them in action and ability – don’t you think that would cause a bit of a stir? To say nothing of how your friends and family would react.”

Maleficent wasn’t sure why she felt the need to keep poking holes in Jasmine’s plan. In all honesty, it wasn’t a bad idea – certainly better than having to try and salvage her fortress at the Forbidden Mountain (assuming that the fortress was still there at all) or live out her days trying to evade King Stefan’s armies. Jasmine was offering her a home in what seemed like a very interesting place.

So why couldn’t she just accept the offer and be done with it?

“Have you approached Grimhilde or Diablo with this idea or am I the first?”

[Princess Jasmine]

Jasmine paused with a frown.

"I suppose that's true. But my kingdom will adjust. To tell you the truth part of me doesn't want to rule my kingdom. There's so much I want to do with my life. I want to see the world and I got to go on adventures with Aladdin and the others after we defeated Jafar. I guess I have an adventurous side. Once I become queen I won't have the freedoms of coming and going as I please anymore." said Jasmine.

Being in this adventure had made her realize perhaps she didn't want to go back and rule her kingdom. Her father must have had other contingency plans. Perhaps there's a hero or another relative of hers could take the throne.

"You know I do want to go back. But not to rule. Not anymore. I want you, Grimhilde, and Diablo to come with me. I suppose I should ask Gene, and Ace to come with as well. Unless Grimhilde frees Gene from the lamp with one of her wishes. I think he'd enjoy hanging out with my friend Genie. I know my friends and family will come to trust you, Grimhilde, and the others in time. We could go together and explore my world and be having adventures. Perhaps build a new home for all of us somewhere. In your world and Grimhilde's world, you could return to death or could be hunted for your crimes. If you come with me you'd get a fresh start." said Jasmine.

She was asking Maleficent first but would then ask the others. But if Maleficent said no she had a feeling the others wouldn't go without her.

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“I suppose that's true. But my kingdom will adjust.”

If the people of Agrabah are anything like the people of Stefan’s kingdom, Maleficent thought, there’s definitely room for reasonable doubt.

“To tell you the truth part of me doesn't want to rule my kingdom.”

Maleficent couldn’t mask her surprise on this one. She arched her brow, fixing Jasmine with a look of sheer incredulity. Even when the princess explained her motivation for such a decision – feeling as though she would become trapped in her new role – that expression didn’t change.

“I’m afraid I don’t understand, Jasmine. Yes, you would have more responsibilities, but you would also have more power. Doesn’t that appeal to you at all?”

The instant the words were out of her mouth, Maleficent realized that it had been foolish to say them.

The subject quickly shifted back to the possibility of Maleficent going to live in Agrabah with Jasmine, much to the dark fairy’s dismay. “Why don’t you ask me when this conflict has been settled?” she suggested, eager to avoid further discussion. “By then, I’ll have an answer for you.”

[Princess Jasmine]

Jasmine paused listening to her.

"Well no I wouldn't. Not really. All the power would go to my husband. I'd just be the pretty wife. I wouldn't really have much say in my kingdom. Despite me falling in love with a commoner that probably wouldn't change. I'm sure Aladdin would try to keep me in the loop but it would be pretty much Aladdin in charge. Of my kingdom. So I'd really have nothing to do. I wanted to go out and see the world and have adventures. I did that. But I at the same time I don't want to go back to being stuck in the palace for the rest of my life like I was before I met Aladdin." said Jasmine.

She paused to catch her breath and continued.

"I ran away from home originally to not be forced to marry. I love Aladdin but I sometimes wondered if maybe I should have let my cousin or someone else rule Agrabah and Aladdin and I could go live somewhere else. I'd be happy with Aladdin as a commoner if it meant we were together and could have freedom to do what we wanted." said Jasmine.

She didn't want to let her people down but at the same time she wasn't sure anymore if she should devote her life to her people and stay there as a pretty face while Aladdin ruled basically.

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“It’s your kingdom,” Maleficent pointed out, growing more and more frustrated by the minute.

She couldn’t explain why she was suddenly so invested in Jasmine ruling Agrabah, but she was. Perhaps she just couldn’t stand seeing the potential in front of her go to waste.

The dark fairy decided to try a different tactic. “You’re its heir by birth, aren’t you? Surely that would entitle you to some form of control over Agrabah.”

Maleficent was obviously unfamiliar with the way succession worked in Agrabah, but that was how it was in her world. The king and queen each had power and responsibilities.

“Besides, from what you’ve said of Aladdin, he hardly seems like the sort who would make you stand by and do nothing.”

[Princess Jasmine]

Jasmine paused and sighed.

"Yes it is. If only I'd be allowed to rule it." said Jasmine.

She paused as Maleficent spoke. Jasmine shook her head.

"Not really. In Agrabah males are heirs to the throne. A princess is supposed to marry a prince and the prince would rule my kingdom. I'd just be a figurehead. A pretty face. Of course since I met Aladdin things have changed. Aladdin's a commoner. And I've been allowed more things to do with my kingdom. But not many are pleased with that. Or me being engaged to a commoner. I rejected several princes before I met Aladdin and that's frowned upon." said Jasmine.

She sighed listening to her.

"I know Aladdin and my father both would want me to help. But even with their permission I wouldn't do much if I married Aladdin. I'm sure he'd try to include me as much as he could but it wouldn't be the same you know." said Jasmine.