The genie says they can't be freed due to another rule in the genie book, and they seem down about it. You learn that the genie has little to no actual power, and was only putting on a front.
You give the genie a big hug and vow to come back and visit every Tuesday. The genie can see in your eyes that you're lying, but doesn't say anything. They give you a heavy, inconvenient cave rock as a parting gift, and you continue your journey at a quarter of the speed you were going before.