The Desert song

Epilogue

The moist breeze shook the wind chime hanging from the cabin. It was a miracle it wasn't humid today, of all days.
I smiled gently as the ocean breeze caressed my face. Although it was late in the evening, and the sun was just setting, I could hear birds chirping as clearly as if it were dawn.
"Morgiana!" I heard a soothing voice call out, breaking the silence as I sat on the front deck of the wooden house.
"Morgiana! There you are! We've been looking all over for you."
I stood up out of my chair as I met Yunan's eyes.
"Sorry, I was just knitting. Its almost Nisan's birthday, you know. I was thinking of making him a shawl. I'm worried about his health."
Yunan and Alyssa laughed.
"You worry too much!" She giggled.
"It's too humid here, he'll burn to death!" Yunan joined.
"Well, he is my only nephew. I tend to worry."
That wasn't completely true, or at least might change. Aria was pregnant again, and she might have another boy.
"Well, either way, come on your majesty, we need to get you down there!" Alyssa joked. "You're already dressed!"
"Cut it out, Alyssa! You know how I hate when you call me that!" I jumped up and chased her around Yunan, who was uncontrollably laughing.
"Okay, okay, stop it you two, we really need to get going. And Morgiana, I'm ecstatic you chose my island for your wedding place. It's even more than I had originally asked you all those years ago."
I giggled.
"Well we had our 'official' wedding in the capital, but I told him it didn't count to me. I wanted to have it somewhere special, where all of my friends and family could come."
Yunan chuckled and the three of us began walking down the hill path into the opening.
"Okay Morgiana. We have to go and sit down now, but you're escort should be here any moment." Yunan informed me, and he and Alyssa walked away towards the beach where the rest of the guests were sitting, waiting for me to walk down too.
I breathed deep, enjoying the ocean scent. Soon I would have to return to the palace, but for now, at least, I would enjoy this.
"Mor," A small yet mature voice woke me from my small daydream.
I jumped and turned to see my beloved friend, Aladdin.
"Ah, Aladdin! So you're my escort this evening?" I laughed.
He smiled wide and nodded.
"Of course. I wouldn't let anyone else do the honors. Although Saare was pretty upset. You don't mind, do you?"
I looked at him and smiled. "I wouldn't have wanted it any other way."
The moonlight shone off of his hair, and I wondered if he could feel my anxiousness from the connection of the shackles that still sat on my arms, even today.
Especially today.
"Don't be nervous, Mor!" He laughed.
"Me? Nervous? Please. I've already done this once in front of an entire kingdom." I breathed, and I could tell he knew I was lying.
"It's ok Mor. I'll always be with you."
I smiled.
"Yeah, me too. Lets always stay together, okay?"
He nodded in agreement.
The soft white sand felt like feathers as I was led down the beach, my arm attached to Aladdin's. Floating lanterns and lamps of bright fire filled the night sky and complemented the stars. I made eye contact with many of my familiar faced friends and, last, my family.
Alibaba and Aria were sitting side by side, and on Alibaba's lap sat Nisan, they're first son, who was waving and trying to stand up, much to my brothers dismay. Alibaba was holding back tears and wiped his eyes furiously. Aria caught my eye and winked, smiling brightly. She was wearing a loose dress, so her pregnant stomach could be seen. I wondered quickly if I'd be like that soon.
Aladdin tugged my arm and gave me a know-it-all glance, and I looked away quickly, embarrassed and undoubtedly red as my hair.
Finally, we reached the alter, and I calmed myself enough to look at my fiancé.
As usual, he was stunning. His eyes shyly looked at me, and then to Aladdin who was surely making a face at him.
Although Aladdin had agreed to the marriage, he hadn't been happy about it. As long as we were together, however, he didn't mind.
"Morgiana," Natsume whispered.
I looked up at him and smiled brightly, not noticing Aladdin letting go of my arm.
Natsume took it, and I saw Aladdin stand behind him. With Alyssa behind me, chocking back sobs.
"All rise," Said a young voice who belonged to the not-so-young-anymore figure standing between us.
Stella, who was now eye leveled with me, spoke.
"We are gathered today to unit two people. Natsume," He turned to the King.
"Do you take Morgiana as your bride?" After a quick double take to me, who he was staring at, he squawked "Yes! Yes of course! Please!"
The crowd chuckled and Stella turned to me.
"Morgiana," He paused, looking at me in the eyes.
"Do you, take Natsume as your husband?"
"Yes," I said without hesitating.
The crowd of my friends and family cheered and flower petals were thrown up into the sky around us.
I could hear Alibaba sobbing loudly as Aria laughed and tried to comfort him.
Natsume leaned in and kissed me, and we kissed until the musicians started playing.
The rest of the night was a party. We danced, we sung, we drunk, we ate, we shared stories of the past, King Sif danced around the fire with his new wife, and Stella told us of his Magi training with Yunan.
"And then, next week he's going to teach me about ice magic!" Stella shouted enthusiastically.
"Tch! I could do that way better... than Yunan...! Let me teach you..!" A drunk Aladdin slung his arm around Stella, who backed away quickly.
"No way, ice monster!" He joked.
"Besides, your going back to the kingdom with Mor, I have to stay here and complete my training with Master Yunan!" Yunan hugged him after that.
When the moon was high, and I had sung about all the songs I knew, I walked down to the beach and sat by the ocean, thinking about the past five years.
They had been a blur, honestly. After I had returned to the palace after saying good bye to Saare, and after learning about my previous lives with Aladdin, I had begun to live in the palace, and from time to time, I would go traveling around the world with Aladdin.
Two years ago, after being with Natsume for at least two years, I accepted his proposal of marriage. With him being busy with his kingdom, and Aladdin being angry, it took this long for us to work it out.
However, now that I was twenty, I had a lot of expectations to live up too.
Especially being a good queen for the kingdom. Natsume said I would do amazing, but I still had my doubts.
"Clear night, huh," Aladdin's voice once again surprised me and I jumped a little in the sand.
"Oh, it's just you.." I laughed.
"Just thinking about the-"
"Past. I know," Aladdin cut me off. "We're connected, if you remember. So after this, what are we going to do?" He asked quietly.
I looked at him. I knew what he meant. What were we going to do now that we were to be living in the palace the rest of our lives.
"..I'm not sure. And the future scares me.." I looked up towards the stars.
"But I'm not alone anymore. And Aladdin, will you stay with me no matter what? I know it's s selfish request after I haven't been able to do anything for you, but-"
"What are you talking about, Mor? You've done everything for me. You saved me from loneliness more times than I can remember. Of course I'll stay with you. No matter if you like it or not, we'll be together forever."
I laughed, and squeezed his hand.
"Yes.."
Forever, Aladdin.
--

This is my story. Of hot, burning sand, of cold, cold loneliness, and the love of friends and family.
My life had many lessons, and many sorrows. But in the end, I too, had a happy ending. With Natsume, and with my family and friends.
Until my dying breath, I was with them. And beyond that, I loved them.
Forever, right? Aladdin.
Forever, Morgiana. Let's start, again.