She is a glorious sight to behold. Dressed in a deep red silk, her hair is braided back. She is adorned with heavy gold necklaces with inlaid rubies and many other ornaments. Yet the ornaments seem to be beautiful simply because she is wearing them. She is holding a garland of white flowers in her hands.

The instruments fade to the background and there is no sound as Krishnaa walks to her seat. Everyone is awestruck by her beauty.

She sits down. Her gaze sweeps the arena. Many of the men are staring at her with lust in their gazes, and she ignores them and looks to the crowd of Brahmanas. Her eyes settle on the five brothers, all staring up at her as though their hearts have been pierced by Kamadeva. Relief and recognition mingle on her beautiful face, and she lowers her gaze once, bites her lip almost invisibly and looks back up at them. A flush spreads across her dark cheeks.

DHRISHTADYUMNA

My greetings and gratitude to all the valorous kings and princes assembled here today on the occasion of my sister's svayamvara. The task to win her hand is simple. With these five arrows and the bow here, you must shoot the target through the hole in the centre of the machine. Whoever does this, I tell you truly today, O noble ones, will obtain my sister Krishnaa in marriage.

Dhrishtadyumna steps back and begins to speak to Krishnaa. We sweep over the gathered royals' faces, their gazes alternating between the bewitching beauty of Krishnaa and the machine.

KING 1

(standing up)

Krishnaa will be mine!

KING 2

You are a fool! She will never be won by the likes of you! She shall be mine.

While the kings argue amongst themselves, Krishna is looking amusedly at everything. He leans over to Balarama.

KRISHNA

(discreetly pointing to the Pandavas)

Dau, I tell you, that is Yudhishthira. There is Bhima, Arjuna and those are the twins.

BALARAMA throws a glance in their direction, and he smiles happily to see the Pandavas. He casts a pleased glance at Krishna who smiles back more brilliantly.

Then, a king arises. He walks to the centre, inspecting the target. He smirks at the bow, and places a hand on it. He pulls, but the bow is immovable. He strains under the effort, applying more and more force, and is eventually thrown back. His rings clatter to the floor.

Ashamed, he throws a dirty glance at the bow and returns to his seat, dejected.

One by one, all the kings try and fail. Some are unable to even lift the bow, while others manage to lift it but cannot string it. The exuberant atmosphere of the arena fades as more and more royals fail.

Krishnaa watches the proceedings with the barest hint of a smile on her face, while Drupada and Prishati grow more and more worried by the moment.

Duryodhana makes his attempt. He lets out an angry shout as he is thrown back to the floor while attempting to string the bow, and Bhima chuckles lowly.

BHIMA

(in a very soft voice, unheard by most)

All that strength doing you any good now, Duryodhana?

YUDHISHTHIRA

(fixing him with a stern look)

Be quiet, Anuja!

Then, Karna rises. He helps Duryodhana up, and clasps his friend's shoulder for a moment in solidarity. He passes Duryodhana, and he spends several seconds simply observing the contraption.

He kneels, and picks the bow up. It is not very difficult for him to do so. He then grabs the discarded string, and while he attempts to tie it to the other end, the whole arena holds its breath.

Krishnaa shows the barest hints of worry in her expression.

But eventually, just as he is straining to reach the other end of the bow, it snaps clean out of his hand and falls to the ground. The thud of the bow has Krishnaa exhaling minutely in relief, while Karna stares at it almost incredulously.

He scoffs at the bow and walks away.

When Karna has returned to his seat, people begin to share glances. Their confidence is shattered. Prishati grips Drupada's hand tightly, worried that their daughter will not find a husband if no one else is willing to try.

No one comes forth.

Arjuna takes a deep breath, determination fixing his fate. He bends to touch Yudhishthira and Bhima's feet, and they bless him.

YUDHISHTHIRA AND BHIMA

(softly)

Vijayi bhava.

He steps up.

Everyone looks at him in disbelief. They begin to murmur amongst themselves. Some Brahmanas wave their deerskins, pleased. Others do not.

BRAHMANA 1

When valorous Kshatriyas like Karna and Shalya failed to string the bow, what will this weakling Brahmana do? Stop him from shaming us!

BRAHMANA 2

There is no task that a Brahmana cannot accomplish when he sets his mind to it! He will certainly win, this one who is like the king of elephants.

These murmurs continue, both praising and demeaning as Arjuna comes to stand in front of the bow. He circambulates the bow, then stands still for a moment.

Krishnaa's breath catches as his hand reaches out to grab the bow. In an instant, he lifts it. He bends down to pick up the string and attempts to bend the bow. The firm wood which yielded to none, now lies pliant in Arjuna's experienced hand.

He strings it. Positioning one arrow on the bow, Arjuna kneels. His eye on the still water, focus intent on the rotating fish, the world is hung in the moment before he releases the arrow.

Krishnaa grips her garland tighter.

He lets go. Everyone's eyes snap skyward, tracing its path. The five arrows soar one by one, released in the blink of an eye, into the fish's eye and hit it with a definitive thud.

The crowd roars, and flowers shower on Arjuna from the sky.

Drupada smiles, pleased, even though his eyebrows furrow as he looks at Arjuna.

BRAHMANA 2

I told you he could do it!

The Brahmanas shout, waving their deerskins in celebration. Most of the kings are stunned silent.

Krishnaa's smile is brilliant and relieved, and she shares a look with Krishna, who nods silently at her.

His brothers smile widely. The shouts reach a new level of sound.

YUDHISHTHIRA

Nakula, Sahadeva, let us go. I would rather we not be spotted in the crowd, and most of the kings are looking this way.

BHIMA

But Jyeshtha, what about Arjuna?

YUDHISHTHIRA

(smiles softly)

We'll bless him when he comes back to the house, Bhima. Stay with him in case there are any problems.

NAKULA

Jyeshtha's right. Convey our congratulations to Bhrata, we'll see him soon.

Bhima nods, though somewhat displeased. Yudhishthira, Nakula and Sahadeva walk out.

Back in the rest of the arena, Krishnaa stands up from her seat, smiling widely. Arjuna is looking up at her, face filled with awe as though he doesn't quite believe she's his.

A part of the melody from her song plays in the background, soft.

Krishnaa's steps are deliberate as she walks down to him. She is like a goddess descending from the heavens to wed him.

Once they meet eye to eye, the music swells a bit. Still holding his gaze, Krishnaa garlands him. Her relief and love resounds off her expression as she lowers her eyes.

There is an angry shout from one of the kings above.

KING 1

What kind of a svayamvara is this?! We are the powerful kings of Bharatavarsha gathered here to wed Draupadi, supreme among women, and this Maharaja Drupada gives her away to a mere Brahmana!

The kings murmur in agreement.

KING 2

The sacred texts clearly say that a svayamvara is for Kshatriyas only; Brahmanas are not allowed to participate!

If this woman will choose none of us, let us throw her into the fire and return to our kingdoms! O kings, we must protect our dharma!

The kings grasp their weapons and rush out of their seats.

Drupada looks horrified, and Arjuna is angered. He grips his bow, and shields Krishnaa behind him immediately. Their hands brush very quickly as Krishnaa reels from the shock and sudden movement, her eyes wide.

Bhima is quick to react and he rips a tree from its roots; he stands in front of Arjuna.

Prishati's hand covers her mouth, and Krishnaa's brothers are half out of their seats, ready to attack.

Krishna appears relaxed as he leans towards Balarama, who is mildly alarmed by the turn of events.

KRISHNA

I am sure that the one who holds the bow is Arjuna, Dau! If I am Vasudeva's son, there is no doubt about this! The warrior holding a tree has to be Bhima, for no other mortal can perform such a feat!

I believe the ones who left earlier were Yudhishthira and the twins. Our cousins escaped the Lakshagriha, Dau!

BALARAMA

(happily)

This news delights me, Kanha! I am happy that Pitrishvasa and her sons escaped!

Meanwhile, the kings stand ready to attack.

GROUP OF BRAHMANAS

Do not fear these warriors, child! We will fight with these enemies!

ARJUNA

(smilingly; he itches for combat)

Do not worry, stand aside. I will repulse these warriors with my arrows!

The kings hear this and a roar passes through the crowd.

KING 3

If these Brahmanas are willing to fight, it is permissible to kill them!

Karna and SHALYA are at the forefront. Arjuna glances back at an alarmed Krishnaa, and blinks assuringly at her.

Karna reaches Arjuna, but before he can pull out an arrow from his quiver, Arjuna summons three arrows and strikes him.

Karna lets out a shout.

They begin to battle. Karna's arrows are swift, but so are Arjuna's, and their battle increases in intensity.

Beside them, Bhima and Shayla wrestle.

A particularly sharp arrow grazes Karna in the arm.

KARNA

I am pleased with your strength, O Brahmana! Are you Parshurama, unparalleled warrior? Or are you Vishnu himself? When I am angered in the battlefield, no one but Shachipati and Arjuna can withstand me!

ARJUNA

(in a cold tone)

I am no one, Angaraja! I am simply a Brahmana, blessed by my preceptor's grace! Wait awhile, I will vanquish you in this battle!

Karna looks stunned. He drops his arrow from where it is nocked on his bow.

KARNA

You may well be invincible, Mahabahu!

An unreadable expression on his face, Karna retreats. Arjuna stares at Karna until he is out of sight.

Beside them, Shalya and Bhima continue to fight.

Bhima lifts Shalya, much to the surprise of most and the amusement of Arjuna, and hurls him on the ground.

The crack of some bones are audible, and Shalya recoils in pain. Some Brahmanas laugh, as Bhima stares at Shalya with a blank face.

The kings surrounding the brothers are now frightened.

KING 4

These Brahmanas are supreme warriors! Who else can withstand Karna in battle save the king of the gods or Krishna, or defeat Shalya save Balarama or Vrikodara?

Krishna rises from his seat. This action draws the attention of the gathered warriors.

KRISHNA

O kings! Krishnaa Draupadi has been won according to dharma!

They mutter amongst themselves, and the crowd eventually dissolves.

Arjuna turns back to Krishnaa, all the anger in his frame gone. His smile is unspeakably gentle as he holds a hand out to her.

Krishnaa flushes and accepts his hand. Bhima watches them fondly, but with a strange longing on his face.

We zoom in on Arjuna and Krishnaa, and their joined hands.

CUT TO:

INT. A SMALL ROOM - AFTERNOON

Kunti's eyes are shut as she prays, lips moving. Her eyebrows are creased in worry.

KUNTI

Mahadeva, where are my sons? The sun has set, and they have not returned.

(she opens her eyes)

Have the sons of Dhritarashtra recognised my children and killed them? Have they been killed by rakshasas?

The wind is the only noise in the silent atmosphere save Kunti's voice.

KUNTI

But Maharshi Vyasa's predictions can never go wrong. Mahadeva, bring my children back to me safely!

CUT TO:

EXT. A PATH - AFTERNOON

Bhima, Arjuna and Krishnaa are walking along the path to the potter's house in mostly silence. None of them are sure of what to say.

Krishnaa surprises them when she speaks.

KRISHNAA

I know who you are, Panduputrah!

Arjuna and Bhima do a double take, and look at her. She giggles at the expression on their faces.

BHIMA

How do you—

KRISHNAA

(grins)

It is not something very complex to puzzle out, Kaunteya! Who else could perform such a feat and defeat Madranaresha? Who else but Arjuna could string the bow made specifically for him?

Arjuna and Bhima look at Krishnaa in awe, and perhaps a little love. Krishnaa notices their expressions and falls silent, her smile growing. Her gaze darts between the two.

Bhima looks at Arjuna, grimaces shortly and looks away from the both of them.

A/N: ArDi being cute is never not going to get to me (•ᴗ•)