"Panchaali! Careful do not run so fast." Shikhandini chastised as she ran behind her younger sister, who was being her joyous self again. King Drupada would be furious, his anger and dislike for Draupadi had not gone down a bit, but thankfully he was busy with his son discussing some political matters, but Draupadi running around would attract his attention sooner than later. She really needs to understand that this is the palace of King of Kashi and not their home kingdom. She being the elder one was also responsible to protect her from everything, even the anger of her father. She needed to prevent her sister from doing something naive, her father's wrath was not something to play around with.

"Jiji come catch me!" Draupadi shouted back, her voice filled with joy as giggles erupted in between her words. Her anklets made beautiful sounds with her every step, "Draupadi!" Shikhandini called out again in the hopes of stopping her sister but in vain.

"Madhav, are you sure this is the right place to hide? Someone might recognize us even though we are in disguise." Arjun voiced his doubts as he walked with Krishn, who had a sweet mischievous smile on his face.

"Dear Brihannala the best place to hide is right in front the eyes of your enemies. Ashwathama had spotted you in the forests with your family and he has a doubt that you and your family are alive. What's better place to hide other than in the wedding of Princess of Kashi, everyone is going to be from Kuru family and no one would expect anyone of you to hide here, right in front of them in disguise." Krishn explained with his signature smirk that just increased his charm, Arjun and the other pandavas smiled.

"Vasudev you really are the smartest in the entire Aryavart. No one can rival your intelligence." Bheem complimented, "just the way no one can rival the hunger of bhraata Bheem" Nakul teased making everyone laugh. "but Vasudev why can't we just reveal ourselves?" Yudishthir asked, his voice calm like always, "The time is not yet right. But soon there would be no reason to hide." Krishn assured but before anyone could ask anything further, they heard the jhankar (tinkle) of payals (anklets). That had everyone freezing, the voice of female laughter, soft and melodious, like the sweet voice of the cuckoo bird, had them all looking to their right.

Sahadev's looked curiously at the girl who was running towards them, she was looking behind at something or someone. "Jiji come and get me!" Her sweet baritone had Sahadev mesmerized, for the first time he had lost his capacity to talk. He tried to look away but just like all the males and females around he was rooted to his spot, his mind willing her to look around and face him.

Nakul felt like for a moment he was in heaven, and was looking at an angel, her voice was sweeter than veena, her beautiful dark hair was tied up in an up do, fair like the milk, fragile like a flower, who was this princess?

Bheem for a moment forgot everything, his eyes only looked at the one girl. Her soft voice and her dainty body had him intrigued, her carefree nature had him smiling. Not many princesses had this innocence in them.

Arjun felt everything around him disappear slowly, he felt as though he was dreaming. For he knew it was not possible for any human to have such a mesmerizing voice and the beauty that this woman radiated.

Yudhisthir was curious, this girl had everyone mesmerised, there was no doubt about it. He for the first time had felt something other than calm, that she threatened to destroy, his mind was restless to see the face of the one princess that had the capacity to make them all speechless.

Krishn smiled, the mischievous glint in his eyes shined brighter. His Sakhi had no idea that she was moving towards her fate, the smirk turned into a full smile as his Sakhi turned around and he heard the breaths of his beloved cousins' hitch.

The amusement just amplified as his Sakhi stopped in her tracks, she looked surprised before a huge smile of pure joy spread across her face. "Govind!" She exclaimed happily, that had Krishn's heart melting. Selfless joy at just looking at him, most people had always showed happiness on his arrival because they had some motive but here was Draupadi, who was happiest to see her friend. She was a true friend. She ran towards him. She came to a sudden stop in front of him, her happiness turned into nervousness as she looked shyly around at his cousins, who were dressed as woman.

"Sakhi. How are you?" Krishn asked, his voice laced with happiness. " I am good Madhav, thank you for asking. How are you? And everyone at Dwarka?" She asked, tenderly, her voice so soft it was a surprise they heard her, "Everyone is good and so am I. Sakhi. . ." Madhav was cutoff by Shikhandini.

"Draupadi!" Her tone was harsh,
"Govind save me." Panchaali pleaded innocently as she hid behind Krishn, who was beaming amused. The altercation between Draupadi and her elder sister reminded him his childhood days when he would hide behind his dau (elder brother) in the hopes to be saved from his maiya (mother).

"Pranipat Vasudev." Shikhandini joined both her hands and bowed her head respectfully as she greeted him. Vasudev nodded and greeted back. "What happened why is Sakhi hiding from you?" Krishn asked, his voice laced with suppressed laughter.

"Vasudev she has to get ready. But she is refusing to wear the saree that the maids have chosen." Shikhandini loved her sister but at times she felt frustrated, she was a warrior not her babysitter, she tended to loose her patience easily.

"You do not have to worry about her from today onwards, in fact that's what I am here for. I have brought brought this five daasis here to help her." Krishn smiled mischievously at the shocked look of his five cousins who had finally snapped out of the daze.

"What do you mean Vasudev?" Shikhandini asked, as she looked at the great yadav in front of her. She looked behind Vasudev at the five women. No definitely not woman, the muscular, defined muscles definitely didn't belong to a woman. But Vasudev would never bring men as her sister's help. Than they were eunuchs.

"King Drupada wanted his daughter to be perfect in everything before her
Swayamvar. So here, I have brought people who can help her. This is
Yogini she'll help you with the political matters." Krishn stated as he pointed at Yudhisthir, who joined his hands and greeted, to his surprise Draupadi returned his greetings she too joined her hands.

"This is Bhumika she will help you learn the art of cooking." He introduced as he pointed towards Bheem. "This is Brihannala she shall help you learn dance." He stated as he pointed at Arjun. "This is Nalini, she shall help you learn horse riding." He stated as he pointed at Nakul, "this is Sonali, she shall teach you some ayurveda." He looked at Sahadev as he introduced him.

Shikhandini left, seeing that her sister was in right and capable hands. "Govind are any of them going to be my Sakhis or would they be like all others and say that royalty and commoners can't be friends ? If so than I don't need them. Take them back. " Draupadi stated, trying to sound stern but all the princes suppressed a smile, she was adorable. Govind laughed, "you leave us with little choice Sakhi. They shall be your friends, and your protectors. I am giving here the big responsibility of protect you at all costs." The last statement was aimed at the five as Govind looked at his cousins with all the seriousness. The other five nodded, Madhav was trusting them with the responsibility of this princess and they were determined to protect her.

"I shall now leave you in the capable hands here Sakhi, they will help you with everything you need. I need to go and meet the king of Kashi. You take care dear." Madhav's words were kind as he left, Draupadi nodded.

***

Draupadi's POV:

I looked at the dark sky, today the moon was not out, I sat in the swing that hung from the ceiling of the balcony. I could see the forest as I looked at the vast forest, I always I know I won't be able to sleep, I haven't been able to sleep for more than two to three hours since I left Hastinapur.

My heart squeezed, the heaviness returned whenever I thought about the five friends, my family, Mata Kunti. I don't know how she is, past so many years, no one tried to contact me except Madhav. It was like they were happy to get rid of me so much so that they forgot me.

Maybe they did, for some reason tears gathered in my eyes. They had every reason to, I wasn't angry at them just hurt for some reason even after so many years.

"Rajkumari you're still awake?" Brihannala's voice had me turning around, she walked in a smile on her face. "Is it a prince that has stolen your sleep princess?" Her words were laced with amusement, as she walked in.

I had to laugh, she really was sweet. "No Brihannala, but I think someone sure is on your mind, otherwise why would you be out in at such a late hour." I teased her, my heart eased listening to her laugh, she really was a sweet person and always a good friend and a great teacher.

She moved behind me and slowly began to push my swing, "Brihannala how was your life before coming to this palace?" I asked curious, I really had no idea who she was as a person and from where did she come. I was curious about her.

"It was hard." She didn't elaborate so I didn't push her, I didn't want her to feel cornered. "Princess if you don't mind me asking why are you still awake?" She asked making me smile, "I can only sleep for 2 to 3 hours a day that too only if I am very tired." My voice almost faded in the end, I hadn't shared this news with anyone for so long. However for some reason with Brihannala I felt like I didn't need to hide anything.

"Since when princess?" She asked, her voice rang with sadness, "Since I returned to Panchaal, you see Brihannala I stayed with my mother's best friend since I died so when moved back here I lost my sleep." And my calm, I wanted to say but said nothing, I think she sensed my mood that was slowly submerging in the darkness so she didn't ask further.

***
Arjun's POV:

I pushed the swing, Draupadi was quite, her happy chatter had completely come to a halt and she looked really very beautiful, than again she always did. But without all the heavy jewellery her nothing inhibited her natural beauty, her long hair just amplified her gorgeousness a hundred times. She really was the most beautiful woman.

I could no longer take her silence, though I was here in disguise, my friendship with her was true. She really had become my good friend, she was not a spoilt princess but a very sweet and disciplined one who treated everyone equally and with great respect.

The slow throbbing in my feet snapped me out of my thoughts, I had a cut there a few days, I guess due to all standing it must have reopened.

"Oh Lord Brihannala, why didn't you tell me you were hurt?!" I looked up surprised to see Panchaali had a look of shock on her face, tears gathered in her eyes as her face morphed in a mask of concern.

Before I could say anything, she pulled me towards her bed and pushed me down to sit. "Sakhi..." I began but was shortly cutoff by her,"Not another word Brihannala, one moment you call me your friend, the very same time you hide from me that you are hurt." She chastised, her words warmed my heart, the care was visible as day, her voice wobbled. I opened my mouth to assure her but was swiftly cut off by her glare, her face had a look, as though challenging me to speak.

I placed my finger on lips showing her that I will remain quite, she went back to examine my leg. "Oh god there is so much swelling, I'll go get Sonali don't you dare move." Before I could say anything, she ran out. My heart warmed, being the tuff warrior that I was, when someone saw my injuries they expected me to go all macho and stay quite about it.

I was fine about it but after so long, seeing someone so worried about my injuries was good, princess Draupadi really had a heart of gold. I heard some foot steps like they were running.

I watched surprised as Draupadi and my brothers came in running, worry marring their faces as though expecting to see me almost bleeding to death.

"Come in fast Sonali. See she's hurt." Draupadi urged as she watched Sahadev carefully as he sat down near my feet. I felt soft fingers on my feet and nearly jumped, I never let a woman ever touch my feet, it's almost like a sin according to me.

"Please princess you shouldn't be touching my feet..." my voice faded in my throat as she glared up at me, there was laughter in the eyes of my brothers, they wanted to laugh and were biting their lips to keep it from breaking through their lips.

I was the best archer in this world, considered to be one of the best warriors but here I was being cutoff by my friend. Madhav's words rang through my mind, "Even the best warriors loose their weapons when they are bound by love dear Paarth." He had chuckled at that time,though I stood there confused, now I was understanding what he had meant by it.

Bhraata Yudhisthir and I shared a look, over the years we had grown so close that each of us could understand what one was thinking just by seeing the expressions.

"She'll be fine princess." Sahadev said once he was done bandaging me, "Are you sure. It looked really bad. " she stated worried, I couldn't help but chuckle and so did the others.

"What? It really does." She whined like a child, making me laugh harder, she really was adorable. "You worry too much Princess." Nakul stated the obvious, a smile on his face, slowly I along with others retired to my room, my mind wandering back to the part where the princess had confessed to me about her inability to sleep. What must have happened in her life to make her loose her sleep. . .

***

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