"I did hear the news of the demise of you and your brothers and mother."

Draupadi had decided to stay on the lookout with Arjuna until it was Nakul's turn. The guards maintained the distance but were still pretty much there to Arjuna's annoyance. 

"And you did not believe it?"

"How could I? You all are the disciples of Dronacharya!"

Arjuna arched his eyebrow frowning.

"Yes, Father despises him to no bounds but that does not mean I will do the same, he is one of the greatest sages of our time."

"That he is." Arjuna agreed.

"How did you escape? Burst a cloud or-"

"No, we wished to remain discreet, so underground tunnel."

Now, Draupadi frowned, "If you knew about the malice why did you not escape beforehand?"

"We came to know of the deceit only minutes before the fire broke out."

"I heard your cousin had it made so that he could strike your elder brothers out so that he could seize the throne. Why would he have a tunnel constructed?"

"He did not, we made it."

Draupadi was befuddled, was he serious or just pulling her leg?

"We have bhrata Bhima on our team and he is the best there is." Arjuna grinned.

"Oh, Lord!" Draupadi exclaimed, worried.

"Are you fine, Panchali?" Arjun started.

"Yes, something just slipped out of my mind. I need to go back, right now. Vrishank, to the palace, now." Draupadi cut him off in the middle.

"Yes, my queen." he signalled, and all the guards on horseback rode to the closes.

Draupadi whistled, and a white stallion came in front of her in a second.

Arjuna blinked and Draupadi was already on top of the horse.

She turned towards him she looked fierce in her red attire, "We will meet again Prince."

She did not even wait for a reply and rode away. Arjuna just stood there till she was not visible at all. He smiled. Slowly his smile turned to a grin, realising there was no one around him he laughed out loud. He could not remember the last time he had done that.

"Jeshtha?" came a voice from behind. Nakul, it was his shift.

"Umm... Hey brother, I will get going." he said trying to suppress his happiness. He must have failed miserably. Because Nakul was grinning ear to ear.

"Spill."

-

It had been an eventful six months. Arjuna had now braided his beard, their camp was now not so temporary. Life had fallen into a pattern. They said forest life was full of adversities, and the cities and towns were where you find comfort. It had been exactly the opposite for Arjuna. He had suffered a lot in the world 'civilized'. To this Draupadi had replied that it takes immense pressure to make diamonds. She always had an answer, to all his problems. When she didn't, she was just there, and all felt right in the world. Just her presence was enough for Arjuna. He could see this as his life. But destiny had other plans in store for him.

Kunti was inside the hut sleeping, the brothers were outside poking fun at each other.

"Arjuna, can you stop sleeping on my lap?" Bhima asked feigning irritation.

Arjuna snuggled closer to him in reply. The twins burst out laughing, even Yudhishtira was smiling. It was pleasant weather. The noon was blissful as the sun was resting behind the clouds for a while. A gentle breeze added to the beauty. 

"Panchali!" said Bhima exclaiming. Arjuna sat immediately eyeing his surroundings after some time he realized that his brother was pulling his leg.

"Jeshtha-" laughing along a little flushed.

The brothers laughed out loud. Suddenly Arjuna held his hand up forming a fist, signalling silence. He stood up, walking towards the dense foliage. The brothers followed suit. The horse's gallop was unfamiliar to Arjuna. A woman in armour came to view, her hair hidden by a turban she wore.

She came to a stop on the other side of the foliage. She looked around as if desperately looking for something or someone. Arjuna recognized her, she was Draupadi's sister. He came into view.

"Pranipat, Devi Shikhandini!"

"Prince Arjuna?" the woman asked, walking towards him, till the time the brothers were also visible.

"That would be me, Devi." Arjun said bowing a little. The description looked about right. So, the commander decided to not waste time.

"You need to come to the place with me right now. Father feels obliged to get Draupadi married." she decided to keep to herself that Draupadi was furious, "And he has decided to arrange a swamvar for her again. Draupadi has assured him that she will get married but not to someone she does not even know." by threatening him, she left that part, "So, Prince I ask for you to come right away to the palace to wed my sister." 

Arjun was taken aback with the forwardness. The eldest Pandava was the first to regain his senses. He placed a hand on Arjuna's shoulder, "It is your Dharma brother. Go save your love." 

Despite all the suddenness, Arjuna was ecstatic. He nodded and climbed the back of the other horse Shikhandini had brought. 

Only the necessary rituals were performed, the wedding would take place ceremoniously in the presence of Arjuna's mother. The wedding had not yet taken place,  but the rituals signified Arjuna and Draupadi as partners.

They were on horseback riding back to the camp. To take blessings from Kunti. The brothers rode a little behind. They agreed to come when Shikhandini had sent soldiers for Kunti's protection.

Arjuna was wearing his usual hermit clothes, but much to Draupadi's annoyance she was clad with apparels and jewellery. But they both sported similar garlands of flowers, jaimalas, signifying them as husband and wife.

Labourisoly Draupadi reached the door of the hut. Kunti had woken up by now, her back was facing them. She was igniting the lantern whose fire had gone out, unable to do so.

"Maa, see what I have brought!" Arjuna said excitedly, ready to say a wife.

"Divide whatever you have brought equally to your brothers, Arjuna." Kunti stated not even looking around to see, she was busy trying to ignite the lantern. As she took her hands away from the lantern to take another matchstick. The lantern ignited itself, with so much vigour it looked like a small fireplace. After a few moments, the glass shattered not able to to handle the immense heat. Kunti turned back. There stood her sons with their mouths open. Arjuna wearing a jaimala and shedding silent tears. On his side stood a woman, way taller then Kunti. Her eyes red with anger, sparks of fire crackling around her. Without a word, Draupadi turned away and stormed off. 

Author's note: I am providing a vocabulary for words you may be unfamiliar with:

Bhrata - Hindi for the elder brother

Devi  - (here) Hindi for Miss

Jaimala - It is a garland used in Hindu wedding ceremonies made of flowers