CUT TO:

EXT. OUTSIDE THE POTTER'S HOUSE - AFTERNOON

Yudhishthira, Nakula and Sahadeva join the others. Yudhishthira's gaze seeks out Bhima, who dips his head quickly.

Then, for a moment, no one is sure what to do. Her melody plays in the background. All five brothers are staring intently at Krishnaa, something inexplicable in their expressions.

Krishnaa sees this and flushes lightly, her gaze darting from each of them to the next.

The silence is a little awkward, and Yudhishthira gestures to Krishnaa and Arjuna to enter the house first.

They both walk ahead together, and Arjuna's face gains the smallest of mischievous smiles.

INT. THE POTTER'S HOUSE - AFTERNOON - CONTINUOUS

Arjuna walks in first. The room is turning dark, though lit by several torches.

ARJUNA

Mata, see what alms we have got today!

KUNTI

(without looking up from her puja)

Share whatever it is amongst yourselves, Putra.

Several gasps make Kunti's head snap up. Her eyes widen as she sees radiant Krishnaa. Her sons are horrified; Krishnaa's eyes are wide for only a moment before her face settles into a calm expression, with a small smile on her face.

Horror grows on Kunti.

KUNTI

What—what have I done?

She rises, and takes Krishnaa's hand. Krishnaa says nothing but smiles softly.

KUNTI

(anxiously, looking towards Yudhishthira)

Putra! What have I said? Out of ignorance, I said what I always say, but this is not something so trivial to be brushed away! How should my instructions not become a lie without Adharma touching this princess?

Yudhishthira's expression is conflicted as he looks away from Kunti. He walks over to Arjuna after a moment's thought.

YUDHISHTHIRA

(he places a hand on Arjuna's shoulder)

Phalguna, you are the one who won the Rajakumari. Make her happy and marry her.

Arjuna looks at Yudhishthira in surprise. His gaze travels over his brothers, all alight with discomfort. Their eyes flicker from Krishnaa to Kunti to Arjuna and Yudhishthira.

Arjuna's expression clears as he remembers something. Lightning strikes over the hut, illuminating all their faces but especially Krishnaa's and his eyes settle on her divine form for a moment.

ARJUNA

(somewhat desperately)

Jyeshtha, do not make me commit this Adharma. You should marry her first, followed by Bhrata Bhima, and then the three of us. You are our eldest brother, you will know what is best for us and Panchalanaresha.

Arjuna's words are met with a nod from Krishnaa, and everyone looks from her to him, shocked.

They sit down and silence falls upon them.

All five of the Pandavas keep looking at Krishnaa, their body language directed towards her, their faces somewhat stricken with love, desire and discomfort. Krishnaa looks at each of them in turn, her hands in her laps but quietly fidgeting with her fingers, her cheeks tinted with a blush.

Yudhishthira watches all of this, and Vyasa's words echo in his head.

VYASA (V.O.)

She is destined to be the wife of you all! There is no doubt you will be happy in obtaining her as a wife!

Yudhishthira wets his lips, and then speaks. Everyone looks to him, even the background noise fades for a second, and the world waits to see what he says.

YUDHISHTHIRA

Krishnaa shall be a wife to us all.

Thunder cracks in the background.

CUT TO:

EXT. A PATH - AFTERNOON

Krishna and Balarama are walking on the same path Bhima, Arjuna and Krishnaa had been on a few minutes ago.

BALARAMA

Are you sure this is where they are, Kanha?

KRISHNA

(grinning)

Yes, Dau. Don't you trust your little brother?

Balarama gives Krishna such a deadpan look that Krishna cannot help but burst into laughter.

They approach the house, and walk in.

INT. THE POTTER'S HOUSE - AFTERNOON - CONTINUOUS

Conversation halts as Krishna and Balarama walk in. Kunti recognises them immediately and she smiles brilliantly.

Krishna walks over to Yudhishthira first.

KRISHNA

(touching Yudhishthira's feet)

I am Krishna, Jyeshtha!

Balarama does the same. They then touch Kunti's feet.

KRISHNA AND BALARAMA

Pranaam, Pitrishvasa!

Kunti raises the two brothers and a tear rolls from her eyes as she caresses Krishna's curls. Krishna smiles gently at his aunt, and then looks to the others. His gaze meets Krishnaa's, who raises her eyebrow at him, and he nods, causing a smile to spread on Krishnaa's face.

Everyone smiles genuinely as they look at Krishna.

YUDHISHTHIRA

How did you find out where we were, Krishna?

KRISHNA

(laughs)

Can fire ever be hidden? Who but the Pandavas can display such valour? It is good fortune that you are alive!

The two brothers greet each of the Pandavas, one by one. Balarama hugs Bhima.

BALARAMA

Words cannot express how glad I am to see you alive, Vrikodara!

BHIMA

(grins)

My joy is boundless, Gurudeva.

Krishna and Arjuna look at each other for a moment. Arjuna wears half-recognition and wonder on his face as he looks at him.

ARJUNA

(in a soft voice lined with wonder)

Pranaam, Krishna.

KRISHNA

(laughs)

You never have to greet me, Sakha. Our connection goes beyond this lifetime, can you not feel it?

Arjuna looks somewhat overwhelmed as Krishna hugs him. He takes a deep breath, and then his face smoothes out to peace as he hugs Krishna back.

Nakula and Sahadeva take blessings from Krishna and Balarama one by one, and their smiles never fade.

KRISHNA

(gazing outwards)

Permit us to leave, Jyeshtha. Otherwise the kings may discover you here.

Yudhishthira nods, somewhat sad. They greet each other and Balarama leaves first. Krishna is about to step out, but then he looks back to Krishnaa, who is wearing a conflicted expression on her face.

KRISHNA

(very softly)

You will be alright, Krishnae. You deserve them.

Krishnaa hears his words, and she smiles at him.

Krishna inclines his head and walks out.

CUT TO:

INT. A PALACE ROOM - AFTERNOON

Drupada paces the room as Prishati stares into the distance. Dhrishtadyumna and Shikhandi look in opposite directions.

PRISHATI

(in a worried tone)

Where has our daughter gone, Svami?

DRUPADA

I do not know, Prishati...

PRISHATI

(whirls around to him)

We must find out somehow! Who knows who that Brahmana was who won our darling child?

DRUPADA

(takes her hand)

Breathe, my love.

(to Dhrishtadyumna)

Putra, can you trace those Brahmanas and find out who they are?

Dhrishtadyumna rises.

DHRISHTADYUMNA

I will, Pitashri.

He walks out. Prishati exhales, and leans into Drupada, who strokes her hair gently.

CUT TO:

EXT. OUTSIDE THE POTTER'S HOUSE - EVENING

Dhrishtadyumna walks soundlessly outside the potter's house. His gaze darts here and there every moment, and then he spots some bushes below a low window that gives a view of the inner rooms of the house. He sneaks quietly into the bushes, and hides himself from view.

INT. THE POTTER'S HOUSE - EVENING - CONTINUOUS

Kunti, Krishnaa and Yudhishthira are inside the house. Krishnaa has removed most of her heavy jewellery, and is only adorned with the simplest gold necklace and earrings. Yudhishthira is absorbed in some thought, and Kunti and Krishnaa are talking about various things.

We pan towards the door where Nakula and Sahadeva have just entered, followed by Bhima and Arjuna. They smile to see each other, and they offer all the alms they have gathered to Yudhishthira.

Each of them grabs a banana leaf from the pile in the corner, and they sit in a circle.

KUNTI

(to Krishnaa)

Putri, take one half of this food and offer it to the gods. Give another quarter to a Brahmana. Of what is remaining, give half to my Bhima, and divide the rest amongst all of us.

Krishnaa smilingly does as she is told. She voices no discomfort, and as she serves each of her to-be husbands, their gazes meet very quickly.

Once everyone is done eating, she eats the small amount of food on her plate without any complaint. It is a while before anyone speaks, and when they do, it is Sahadeva.

SAHADEVA

May I speak to you privately, Rajakumari?

KRISHNAA

Of course.

They move slightly away from the rest of the family. Sahadeva appears slightly nervous. He scratches the back of his neck. Their conversation is very quiet so as not to alert the others of their topic.

SAHADEVA

(softly)

We never asked, but—are you alright with all of this, Rajakumari?

KRISHNAA

(smiles)

I am. More than alright, I am happy, Aryaputra.

Sahadeva looks discomfited with her address.

SAHADEVA

Please don't call me that, not yet.

KRISHNAA

(inclines her head)

As you will, Kumara. But know this, I chose the five of you as my husbands from my previous birth, and I choose you all again, now.

Sahadeva bows his head. He is overwhelmed by the faith in her voice.

SAHADEVA

The world has never seen such a union before, Rajakumari. You will be mocked, everywhere we go. Yet you choose us!

KRISHNAA

All I will ever need in any world is you five. Even if the world is against us, we will weather it together. This I swear to you, Sahadeva: I will never abandon your side, no matter the trials. Even unto my death.

Sahadeva shudders. He clasps his fingers together, hands twitching as though he wishes to take her hand in his, but they stay firmly at his side.

They have garnered the attention of the others, the other four brothers staring at Krishnaa as though they have heard her words despite it being quieter than their ears are able to catch. It is not a light declaration, what she has said.

She smiles.

KRISHNAA

Do not think I say this because I am hasty; this is something I have given careful consideration. There is nothing I am surer of.

After some time, the sun has set completely. A few torches illuminate the dark room. Sahadeva spreads some kusha grass on the ground, and they all lie down next to the other. Kunti lies along their heads, and Krishnaa close to their feet.

Outside the house, Dhrishtadyumna strains his ear to hear what the Pandavas are saying. They talk about various warriors and stories from the Kshatriya perspective of things, and Dhrishtadyumna purses his lips in whatever part of his expression we can see in the dark.

FADE OUT TO:

INT. DRUPADA'S CHAMBERS - EARLY MORNING

Dhrishtadyumna enters his father's chambers. Prishati is fast asleep on the bed, but Drupada is awake.

DHRISHTADYUMNA

(whispering)

Pita.

Drupada turns. His worried face breaks into a smile. He looks to Prishati, then gestures to Dhrishtadyumna. They both walk to another room.

INT. A SIDE ROOM - EARLY MORNING - CONTINUOUS

They enter the room, and Drupada is eager for answers.

DRUPADA

Did you find them, Putra?

DHRISHTADYUMNA

Yes, Pita, I did.

DRUPADA

Where has my Krishnaa gone? Who has taken her away? Is it a Shudra or a Vaishya? Or is it someone from our own varna, or a higher one? Tell me, Dhrishta, is there any chance that Pandu's sons are alive? Is it perhaps Arjuna who took up the bow and shot the target?

Dhrishtadyumna places a hand on his father's, perhaps to calm him down.

DHRISHTADYUMNA

I followed the Brahmanas to a potter's house outside the city, Pitashri. Inside the house were three men, surrounding a woman, radiant like the fire. I think she was their mother. Leaving Krishnaa there, they went to ask for alms, and when they returned, it was my sister who offered the food to the gods, a Brahmana and ate only when everyone else was done.

Drupada looks at his son as Dhrishtadyumna continues to relay the entire story.

DHRISHTADYUMNA

(cont.)

They all lay to sleep together, and Krishnaa slept along their feet. They spoke of various tales that no Shudra, Vaishya or even Brahmana may speak. There is no doubt that they are Kshatriyas, Pitashri! Our hopes have been fulfilled, and I am certain that they are Maharaja Pandu's sons!

Drupada sits stunned at his son's words, hope and joy blossoming across his face like the sun appearing from behind clouds. It even appears as though there are tears in his eyes.

DRUPADA

(to a guard)

Paalaka! Go and bring Acharya here, if he is awake!

(to Dhrishtadyumna)

My son, your words are a balm to my heart! My Sakha's sons, alive!

Drupada's eyes glimmer with tears. Dhrishtadyumna smiles gently.

DHRISHTADYUMNA

Perhaps then we should make the arrangements for Krishnaa's wedding feast, Pitashri?

Drupada nods, unable to speak. Dhrishtadyumna rises.

DHRISHTADYUMNA

I will go seek Bhrata Shikhandi's help.

He walks out.

A/N: Indradeva any time the plot requires it: lights, camera, lightning! Or thunder. Hmm.