Early the next morning,
Mrithyunjay woke up and found to his great astonishment that while he had been asleep, he had been transported elsewhere. It was a small damp and dingy cottage. The place seemed to have been opened the first time in many months. There was a musky odor to the place. While he was wondering to himself how he had been so careless or how he had slept through when he was being moved from one place to other, a deep voice from the corner of the room spoke, "No, you weren't careless. We were careful. Your food and drink last night were drugged. We didn't want strangers to know our hideouts. For all we know, you could be one of Subahu's or Vijayamarthanda's men."

While speaking the last line, the man gave an enigmatic smile as though he himself didn't believe what he was saying. He observed the young man in front of him with keen interest.

Mrithyunjay gave a soft smile, "Then it's a good thing I am not!"

"You sure sound too confident for one so young", the man continued in a cool and icy tone not giving away his real feelings and opinions. He had, of course, guessed the true identity of the young man but he wanted a reconfirmation before he would divulge his knowledge to the young man.

"For one who has found his way across the seven seas since the age of twelve, finding his way back from this place to where he originally was is no difficult thing even assuming you must have camouflaged and wiped your tracks to prevent detection", replied Mrithyunjay.

"Good! That is what I would have expected out of one born in the illustrious lineage of Senapathi Bhairava Varma and his equally patriotic and valorous spouse Katyayani......MRITHYUNJAYA VARMA!

Mrithunjay coughed in surprise, "How did you find out?" This was the last place, and the person in front of him was the last person he expected to unveil his true identity. The man continued, "You have a tattoo of a sword, shield, and spear inscribed on your right arm. That is something peculiar to your family. Your father also has the same tattoo on his right arm. As a matter of fact, I was also one of the guests who attended the grand function when this tattoo was inscribed on your arm. I am Aditya Varma, son." He stopped speaking a moment to look at the young man in front of him. He continued, "Your father and I were close friends. We went to the same Gurukul. We also happen to be distant relatives. After all these years, I never expected that I would meet you like this Mrithyunjay."

"How is mother?" Mrithyunjay eagerly asked.

"Katyayani is fine. I have sent her and the other ladies to a safe location", Aditya said. "Now tell me all about yourself. Where were you all these years?"

"BHAGIRADHI!"

"What? The river?"

"I mean Bhagiradhi, the daughter who was named after the river, the daughter of Mahishmati, the mirror image of the late Rajamata Sivagami who came to fill up the void left by the great lady and reinstate Mahishmati to its former glory, the granddaughter of the late Rajamata Devasena, the most loved daughter of the king of Mahishmati, Mahendra Baahubali and Rani Avantika, the foster daughter and the apple of the eye of Maharaj Mahendra's aunt and the former queen of Vijayapuri, Shodasi Devi, and the only surviving and rightful heir to throne of Mahishmati. I have been in her service all these years", Mrithunjay said.

Aditya stood for a moment uncomprehending like a statue before this torrential downpour of revelations, "Is my little and naughty Bhagiradhi really alive? Everything that I have struggled for all these years is not lost then. Hope at last! Sanga amma would be elated to hear this."

"Yes, it's your own little Bhagiradhi. She has grown up into a fine warrior and leader, very much like her father, the brave Mahendra Baahubali and her illustrious grandfather, the undying legend of Mahishmati, Amarendra Baahubali. She has sailed across the channel between the Malava Islands and the mainland of Mahishmati with a battalion of rebels and three elite Persian regiments who are expected to arrive at the borders of Mahishmati to aid her in her endeavor of recapturing the kingdom from Subahu's hands. She has the full support and backing of the Persian emperor, Sharyar. The time to oust Subahu from the throne of Mahishmati is finally here", Mrithyunjay replied.

Mrithunjay had a long saga to narrate to the astounded uncle; of how he and many other refugees and fugitive soldiers found a new home on the distant shores of the Malava Islands, beyond the reach of Subahu's persecution. He explained how Bhagiradhi had been whisked away by Mahendra's aunt, Shodasi Devi to protect her from her enemies. He spoke with great pride about how she had succeeded in rehumanizing the cruel and brutal cannibalistic tribe, the Raktabijas even at that young age, and how the entire tribe had pledged their allegiance to her. He finished his tale by narrating how Bhagiradhi became Aparaajitha, the invincible, and became the spirit behind the formation of a kingdom without a history.
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Later that morning,
Aparaajitha had been preparing to set out to the Shiva temple along with the imposter who was playing the role of Prince Virupaksh when she was informed that there was a sudden change in plans and that they were all to head to the blissful Udhyanavan (Garden)of Paarijatavana. The place derived its name from the beautiful Paarijata trees, full of the fragrant blossoms of Paarjata.

She was trying to figure out how she could meet Maharani Eiravati without bringing it to everyone's notice. The ghat at the Shiva temple where she was scheduled to meet the queen and the Parijaatavana where they were going were in two different directions. Her inner instincts told her that this meeting was going to be extremely important.

Moreover, there was no way she could go to meet the queen with the Prince of Ashwakootam dancing in constant attendance at her feet. She was beginning to tire of this excessive attention and fawning. She hadn't had a moment's leisure or the space to draw a single breath in privacy since morning when the Prince had shown up in her tent entertaining her with his insipid jokes and lewd gaze.

At one corner of her mind, she was still wondering what became of Mrithyunjay. Was he in some sort of danger? Just then, she observed Mrithyunjay sneaking into the camp unobserved by anyone. Managing to avoid the Prince, Aparaajitha went up to Mrithyunjay and accosted him, "Where did you go last evening? And where were you the whole night?"

Mrithyunjay explained everything that had happened in detail, how he had seen his mother, how he went behind her, how he had been caught by masked rebels, and how the leader of the rebels had turned out to be her father's cousin brother and uncle, Aditya Varma. Though Aparaajitha was happy that her uncle and grandmother, Sanga were alive, Mrithyunjay escapade did not escape her displeasure and disapproval, "Even after everything, I still cannot forgive you for your negligence Mrithyunjay. We set out to save the motherland. By deserting your motherland, you failed all those countless mothers who have been suffering under the shackles of Subahu's bondage."

"I forgot everything when I saw my mother in that state after all these years. Will you not forgive me?"Mrithyunjay pleaded.

Aparaajitha turned aside to avoid looking into Mrithyunjay's searing and soulful-looking brown eyes. This was the first time she had been so angry and disappointed with Mrithyunjay. She had grown up looking at him, admiring him and growing in love with him. He had always been her image of the ideal man after her own father. When that infallible image faltered and tottered a bit from the high pedestal in which she had placed him in her mind, she found it hard to accept this reality.

She paced about nervously as she said, "Forgive you, I can, Mrithyunjay. But trust you, I can't. They say that faith and trust are like glass. Once shattered, you cannot put them together."

Mrithyunjay bent his head as he promised, "I accept everything that you have said, Princess. I will not apologize in words hereafter. I will let my actions speak for me. I will regain your unconditional faith and trust."
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At the Paarijatavana,
Aparaajitha had been serenading the exclusive royal gardens of the Paarijatavana with the Prince of Ashwakootam for nearly an hour. It was an exclusive resort which the royal couple of Mahishmati frequented pretty often. It was closed to the common public. Though famous for the Paarijata flowers whose scent wafted through the northwesterly breeze that was flowing at the current moment, the whole garden was a riot of colors and exclusive flora and fauna which made it a literal feast for all the senses.

The gardens were well-maintained and interspersed with water fountains and small streams. Marble figurines of dancing women and peacocks added a new sheen of luster to the ambiance of these gardens. There were two major attractions in these gardens. The first was a green grass and bamboo maze henge. It had been conceived and grown in such a manner that the royal couple could play hide and seek and get lost here for hours together. The second was a huge magnificent emerald lake that had its water source from the Bhagiradhi river. By swimming in the eastern direction, one could reach the source of water that fed the lake.

"I hope you are enjoying your visit to these exclusive gardens, Princess. I am happy that there was a change in plans and we came here instead of going to the Shiva temple. I love natural beauty", said Shatadru, the imposter who was playing the part of Prince Virupaksh. The definite innuendo with which he spoke the last line and definitive leer that accompanied it were rather hard to escape notice.

Aparaajitha tried hard to hide her exasperation and anger and appear courteous and cordial. The attention that Shatadru was lavishing on her was getting on her nerves. She wished he would just let her be for a moment on her own. She nodded and gave a cursory glance at his observations so as to not appear rude, "Of course...of course..."

Noticing she was more engrossed in sniffing a rare exotic flower and examining its petals than listening to him talk, Shatadru tried to capture her interest by detailing about the wonders of these gardens, taking his role as a host, guide and companion rather too seriously, "I am told Maharaj Subahu especially had this green grass and bamboo maze henge made for Maharani Eiravati. One can happily get lost here for hours together and not even realize it."

This bit of information did not elicit much interest from Aparaajitha. When he looked back, he found that she had walked off ahead of him on the gravel path while he had still been detailing about the wonders of the garden. He hurried behind her and when he was about to touch her from behind, he found his path blocked by a six-foot-tall, handsome, demure bodyguard of the Princess who wore a dead-pan expression. He fretted and fumed, "What the...."

But the man nonchalantly stood his ground till Shatadru was unsure about what to do next. Impersonating the part of a fake royal, he didn't know how he should have reacted or dealt with the man in that situation. Should he yell at the man? Or should he punish him? Or merely let this pass without any comment? Shatadru chose the last option.

At this precise moment, Aparaajitha turned back. A slight imperceptible smile of pride came over her face when she witnessed Mrithyunjay's protectiveness regarding her before the memory of the previous day when he had deserted her for the sake of his mother came back to her driving away the smile from her lips. However, seeing the Prince of Ashwakootam apparently nettled by Mrithyunjay's actions, she tried to assuage the situation by saying, "Prince Virupaksh, this is Mrithyunjay, my personal bodyguard. He is very good at his job, isn't he?"

He spoke between his gritted teeth, "Yes...yes...very good." In an aside to himself, "Rather too good for comfort!"

The man immediately stepped aside letting him pass. Shatadru, fortunately for his sake, did not recognize the murderous intent that lay behind the man's placid face.

Shatadru continued on his rambling while ambling along with Aparaajitha, "You wouldn't have witnessed another marvel like this. This is an artificial lake fed by the waters of river Bhagiradhi. By swimming east, we arrive at the original source of this lake, the magnificent Bhagiradhi river."

Aparaajitha looked at Mrithyunjay as though to ask how to get rid of the constant nuisance who had been hovering near her elbow. It was imperative that she meet Maharani Eiravati and also her uncle, Aditya Varma both of whom were at the Shiva temple on the banks of Bhagiradhi at the present moment. Mrithyunjay winked at her pointing towards the grass and bamboo maze henge and the artificial lake. She immediately understood what he intended to convey. Much as she was angry with him for deserting her at the moment when she needed him the most, she had to acknowledge that he was impeccable while planning such outrageous schemes.

Aparaajitha cleared her throat and spoke in a lilting and sensuous tone laying her hand on Shatadru's shoulder, "Your words have roused my interest, Prince. I would love to get lost with you in this green maze henge for hours together." Dropping her voice even lower and almost whispering in his ear, she asked, "Would you too, Prince?"

A few minutes later, both Mrithyunjay and Aparaajitha were swimming in the eastern direction of the lake leaving the clueless Shatadru still very much lost in the grass maze henge. They had reached a bank of Bhagiradhi river but were still miles away from the spot they were supposed to reach. Aparaajitha remarked in a worried tone, "We will never make it in time, Mrithyunjay."

Mrithunjay replied, "Where there is a will, there is a way, Princess. Just see there." He pointed towards a pair of horses tied to a nearby tree. Their owners were two soldiers who were having a dip in the cool waters of the river. Even their clothes were laid beside so that they would not get wet. "Quick, Princess! Nobody will dare stop us if we are wearing these clothes, and nobody will recognize us either."

He quickly got into the clothes and turned back so that Aparaajitha could change into hers. Both of them urged their horses to run faster as they rode nonstop at a furious pace to make up for the lost time.
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On the banks of Bhagiradhi near the Shiva temple,
The rituals of the annual ceremony commemorating the death day of Mahendra Baahubali and his wife Avantika was already in progress by the time Aparaajitha and Mrithyunjay reached.

They hastily dumped the stolen clothes they were wearing over their own behind a few bushes. They emerged from there and arrived at the place where Aditya Varma, who was Mahendra Baahubali's cousin brother and Aparaajitha's uncle, was performing the ceremony. Sanga was sitting behind him and they were cordoned off from the rest of the crowd by Aditya's men. All of them were armed to the teeth and disguised.

Aparaajitha's eyes glistened for a moment before they became blank and vacant again. Mrithyunjay observed, "You must be missing your parents."

"I never forgot them in the first place in order to remember them. Everything that happened to them is still vividly etched on my heart and soul. I stopped crying that day because I did not want the fire in my heart to cool down because of my tears", said Aparaajitha

"I can feel what you are going through. I go through the very same emotions every minute, every second. At least, your parents went down fighting like true warriors. They are out of pain. My parents are still suffering", Mrithyunjay consoled.

"I still remember how we left behind everything and came away. Father had left behind the throne, power, kingdom, everything. Why couldn't they let us just be wherever we were? They kept pursuing and hunting us down like we were animals. They came in hordes, surrounded us from all sides. My parents sent me and my brother with Annapoorna Amma. My tiny little brother who hadn't seen the world for more than a month drowned before my very own eyes. I was helpless to do anything. Those villains came in hundreds and my parents were just two, fighting against tremendous odds. I was helpless to do anything. My vengeance will be complete only when I reduce all my enemies to grovel in a similar state, all alone, bereft of everything, utterly helpless."

Mrithyunjay hesitantly laid his hand on her shoulder without saying anything. Aparaajitha mutely caught hold of his hand with both her hands while closing her eyes. A single tear streamed down her cheek and fell down on the back of his hand. That broke the spell of the moment. She recollected herself and stepped back gently removing the hands that held his. He was about to say something but later reasoned within himself that it would be better not to talk at the present moment. Time would repair all wounds.
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The priest officiating the Shraadh (Death anniversary) ceremony asked, "Please mention the names of the people to whom you want the fruits of this ceremony to accrue."

Aditya gave a detailed description of Mahendra Baahubali and his lineage at this point, "Mahendra Baahubali, son of Amarendra Baahubali, grandson of Mahadeva. The name of his spouse is Avantika."

"Do they have any living heirs?" The priest asked.

"Yes, a daughter, Bhagiradhi, and a son, Gajendra Baahubali", Aditya replied.

Sanga tried to interrupt, "But Aditya they...."

Aditya hastily replied before she could complete her sentence, "Both of them are alive...At least, my heart tells me so." He said within himself, "I wish I could tell you that Bhagiradhi is somewhere near this place. Mrithyunjay promised to bring her to the ceremony. But I will not spoil the surprise by telling now itself."

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At Subahu encampment,
Subahu was getting ready for the crackdown on Aditya Varma. His spies were already keeping a close watch over the proceedings at the Shiva temple and near the Ghats surrounding the temple. Physical descriptions of the suspects had been dispatched. Vijayamarthanda had already left with his soldiers. He was wearing his armor, leg guards and arm guards and placing all his weapons at the appropriate places in his war-gear when a pair hands sneakily crawled up his chest.

For a single moment, he tensed up slightly, his hands moving instinctively towards his knife before he relaxed instantly recognizing the touch. With a soft and gentle smile softening up his rough and hard face, he asked, "When did you come from the Gurukul, son? Why didn't you let us know that you were coming? We would have made better preparations for your welcome."

"I didn't know either that I was coming. My Guru called me and told me that it was imperative I go and meet my family now", Narasimha said.

Subahu stepped back a bit to see his young son to his heart's content, "You're as tall as I am. Maybe, as strong too. Gurukul life seems to have made a wonderful difference to you. We will talk, spend some time together, and do some Malyudh(Wrestling), just like the good old times, after I come back from this mission. I have some pesky rebels to deal with."

"I see now that you are in your war gear. I will also come with you, father", asked Narasimha.

"No, son. I will take care of these responsibilities for now. Your time will also come. But until then, just enjoy your carefree life. These days are not going to come again", said the doting father. "Go and meet your mother and Trinetrini. They are here too. Your Mama(Mother's brother)and I will meet you after dealing with the rebels."

As he was about to go, Narasimha suddenly hugged him once again saying, "I love you, father. Please come back soon. I'll be waiting for you."

Subahu hugged him back, "I love you too, son."

On his way out, Subahu instructed one of his guards, "Keep a close watch over Narasimha. See that he does not sneak out and follow me."
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Author's Note:
Dear friends and readers, I wish to share with all of you the happy news that I and my husband have been blessed with a handsome baby boy. Both I and the baby are fine. I know these past few months I have not been updating as regularly as I used to. There were many times when I went on brief hiatuses. I know it is frustrating to have so many breaks and interruptions while reading your favorite stories. I haven't been reading, voting and commenting on all your wonderful stories either. But I hope you all understand. Things were really beyond my control. Though I cannot promise anything for sure, I will try updating Shatru Sesham once in a fortnight with bigger chapters from now on. Hope all of you enjoyed the current chapter. Please support, vote and comment if you liked what you read.