Rashmi too smiled in joy and hugged her.  She mumbled a thank you to Agneya but asked worriedly, "She doesn't have powers.  Will she be able to cross through this door?".  He said, "Although she doesn't have powers, she can atleast travel once.  Frequent travels may not be good for her".

Then all three of them left through the door.

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Kalindi was present in the common hall of their chamber, looking after the arrangements for welcoming the King as well as soldiers.  Meanwhile, Agneya, Rashmi and Dakini entered the realm through the giant door in the study chamber.    As the door closed behind them, Dakini felt a little weakness and Rashmi held her to make her steady. 

Agneya looked around the study chamber of his father but found no one.  So he asked both the women to wait inside the study chamber itself and went out to check on the situation.  Kalindi heard the door of the study chamber opening behind her and became alert and quickly stood up and turned back to look at the intruder with her hand on the dagger. 

Kalindi became still at her place and her eyes couldn't believe the sight infront of her.  Agneya smiled at his mother and went towards her and touched her feet to get her blessings.  As he stood up, he asked, "How are you, Maa?".  Kalindi immediately hugged him, unable to form words and tears escaped her eyes due to the sudden unexpected happiness.  She looked at him from head to toe while caressing his cheeks and arms, to satisfy her heart that he is safe and is present infront of her.

Agneya wiped her tears and said, "I'm good Maa.  Don't worry".  She nodded at his words and he continued, "The study chamber is empty.  Where is Baba?  The court must have been dismissed by this time right?".  Kalindi nodded at him and pulled him to sit beside her on the couch and said, "Yes.  But the situation was different".  And she narrated the recent happenings of the war and that they have won.

Just as Kalindi had narrated him, they heard the drums and horn sounds indicating that Abhyuday and others have entered the Palace gates.  So Kalindi stood up immediately and then said, "You stay here Agni.  Because we have given a different reason for your departure.  If even the palace maids saw you then they will have many questions about how you returned.  Let's discuss with your father before letting the news out".

Saying so, she rushed to welcome her husband and son.  Kalindi took the aarti for Abhyuday and Arunaditya while Parth's wife did the same for him.  As the father son duo came to their chamber, Kalindi was smiling widely with a never-ending smile.  Abhyuday asked, "What is the reason behind your extra happiness?".   Arunaditya exclaimed, "Maa, you are smiling as if you got some long lost precious thing?". 

Abhi looked at her with a serious look and asked, "Did you see Agneya?".  Kalindi was surprised at his quick guess but nodded at him.  Kalindi called out Agneya, who came out of the study chamber.  He smiled on seeing his father and brother and immediately went to hug his father.  Abhi controlled his tears after embracing his son after so many months.  As they broke the hug, Agni told, "I have kept your promise Baba". 

Abhyuday nodded at his words with proud feeling and then Arunaditya wasted no time in hugging his brother tightly.  "Bhai, I have missed you so much.  Please don't ever leave me like this.  I cannot stay away from you".  Agni too returned the hug with same intensity and told him, "I'm happy and proud of the way you have took upon the responsibility of a Prince.  And you have won your very first war". 

Kalindi saw another person emerging out of the study chamber and turned towards the door, to find a girl standing there.  Although she was an unknown person, Kalindi could deduce that she is from a Royal family by the look of her attire and jewellery.  But then the way of wearing the saree was different and it was similar to the way, her biological mother had worn when she visited Rakshatra.

Abhyuday and Arunaditya too noticed her and Agni gestured her to come forward.  Rashmi came near him and greeted others by folding her hands.  Although Abhi and Kalindi had some idea about who she could be, owing to their son's slightly flustered face, they waited for a formal introduction.  Agni told them, "Baba! Maa!  This is Rashmi, my destined soulmate".

Then Agneya proceeded to give details about Pranyakta and the five Kingdoms as well as Rashmi being the Rajkumari of one of the kingdoms.  He continued to narrate about how he had accidentally marked her and also the unexplainable marriage ceremony.  After saying all this, Agneya felt somewhat guilty for doing a marriage without his parents' knowledge.

Abhyuday caught his expression of guilt and said, "Agneya!  Never ever feel guilty for something which is not your fault.  We understand that you didn't know about their rituals and even if you had married her knowingly, we wouldn't object or feel bad.  Don't think much about it".  Agni nodded his head relieved and Rashmi too smiled without any hesitation.  Arunaditya immediately touched Rashmi's feet while greeting her, "Welcome Bhabhi".  Rashmi was surprised but thanked him politely. 

Kalindi laughed at his antics but asked Rashmi with concern, "Rashmi, how come your parents allowed you to come here?  I'm sorry that you have to leave your parents who have brought you up for so many years".  Rashmi replied her, "No Maharani, I have come here willingly".  Agni met Rashmi's eyes and both of them agreed that they still have time to disclose other details leisurely.

Abhi told everyone in his stern voice, "Now, we have to announce infront of our people that their Yuvraj has returned and also brought a Yuvrani as well.  Since we had previously told them that Agneya had gone to help a Kingdom to win a war, let's say that he has returned victoriously and Rashmi is the Rajkumari of that Kingdom".  Everyone nodded and Arunaditya asked, "But baba, how do we say that Bhai had reached palace without anyone's notice?".

Agneya interrupted them and said, "I can transport ourselves through a portal to wherever I want to be".  The three people were surprised at his increased powers and agreed with his idea, while Aditya became curious to see how it is done.  But before all that, Kalindi told, "Lets have dinner together and then by early morning you can go".

Everyone nodded and Abhyuday told, "I will inform parth to send your Royal elephant to the border and both of you can enter the Kingdom on that.  This will indirectly announce that both of you are married and then we shall hold a seperate marriage ceremony here".  Everyone was happy and Rashmi was hesitant to talk about something so Kalindi told her, "You want to say something Rashmi?  Don't hesitate to talk within our family, understand?  I know it will take sometime to get along with new people here, but don't be afraid of anyone".

Rashmi said, "Understood Maharani!  Actually I have brought my only friend, who is also my head maid, here with me.  As she doesn't have any special powers, she couldn't withstand the travel through the portal.  So she is unconscious right now.  Could you please check her through Royal physician?".  Abhyuday nodded at her and asked her to keep her in a seperate room so that it will not be suspicious.

Later, Agneya exclaimed, "Maa, where is my sister?  I haven't seen her till now".  Just on time, the door of their chamber opened with a loud bang and in came a little girl running towards her father, who picked her up without missing a beat.  As she was up in her father's arms, she kissed his cheek and then looked at the other people present in the room.

As Aarunya saw her eldest brother after a long time, she quickly jumped in his arms and said, "Bhai!  You came back.  When did you come?  I missed you so much.  I have many things to tell you".  Agneya laughed at her non-stop blabbering and asked his parents and brother, "She is talking so fluently now.  She couldn't spell her words clearly, just a few months back when I left.  Now she is like a bundle of energy".

Agneya gestured Rashmi about something and she went back inside the study chamber and brought something to Agni.  He said, "See Aarunya!  What your brother has brought for you?".  Aarunya got the gift and opened the cloth wrapped around it and squealed in joy saying, "Bangles!  Thank you Bhai".  She kissed him on his cheek and nudged him to let her down.  Then she went to Arunaditya and kissed his cheek as well before leaving the chamber telling them that she is going to show it to her friends. 

Kalindi stopped her and informed her that it is dinner time and everyone will have dinner together, so tomorrow she shall meet her friends.  Then everyone enjoyed an intimate dinner with only the family members while a physician was asked to check upon Dakini.

Glossary:
Samrat - Emperor
Samragyi - Empress
Rajkumar - Prince
Bratashree - Brother
Bhabhishree - sister-in-law
Acharya - Master/Teacher
Mamashree - Uncle (Mother's Brother)
Mamishree - Aunt (Mother's brother's wife)
Bade - elder or big
Chote - younger or small

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Hi guys,

Hope you like the chapter.  Do vote and comment if you like it.

I thought of splitting the epilogue into two parts if it requires.  The next update will be after a week.

Word count: 1600

Thanks,
SM.