Chapter 1

Many years ago.

The Kaveri river flowed rhythmically, and the goddess Ponni, carried the lotus petals like they were her children. The air had a cold breeze carrying the neem leaves along with it. The grasshoppers sang their songs along with the sparrows. The temple bell rang adding an extra melody.

Arulmozhi's sword clashed with Adithan's as they were engaged in intense combat. Young Kundavai sat under a mango tree cheering her little brother on.

They moved back and forth, back and forth, slashing and cluttering their swords, finally, Adithan pushed away Young Arulmozhi's sword as soon as he was distracted by a nearby butterfly.

"Focus on the enemy while fighting thambi," Karikalan said as he picked up Arulmozhi's sword and gave it to him for round two, the temple's priests and the flower girls were coming out. A small smile formed at the edge of his mouth as soon as she walked out. His love. His Nandini.

Arulmozhi saw his brother getting distracted, So he charged toward Karikalan. He blocked the first few charges but his mind was elsewhere. It was with Nandini, walking alongside her at the banks of the Kaveri river.

His heart jumped a beat as Nandini looked at him and gave him a peaceful smile.

Clank.

Karikalan's sword fell to the ground and Arulmozhi jumped up and down in victory. Kundavai clapped her hands and joined her brothers.

"Anna, focus!" Arulmozhi laughed. Karikalan looked at him and ruffled his hair. "Seri, Guruve," He laughed. (Okay, Master)

"Anna! Now my turn!" Kundavai beamed. Karikalan kept his eyes fixated on Nandini and shook his head. "Later, Kundavai," Karikalan said. Kundavai crossed her arms and looked at him angrily.

"Train with Arulmozhi," He said. "I'll...be back," Karikalan took off.

Kundavai didn't look too happy. She knew he was going to go run behind that flower girl.

"Akka, Where is Anna going this fast?" Arulmozhi asked perplexed.

Kundavai looked at Karikalan as he approached Nandini. His face lit up like an oil lamp. Nandini smiled at him with her mesmerising smile, A smile that would bring anyone to their knees, but not Kundavai, She found Nandini revolting. She didn't know what it was, she couldn't bring herself to like Nandini. Something was off about her.

***
"To whom do I owe the pleasure to see the prince," Nandini asked, smiling at him.

"I should be the one asking that, Nandini," Adithan smiled. His heart melted each time Nandini smiled at him, talked to him and each minute she was with him. The first time he saw Nandini, he knew at that moment that he couldn't live without her. No one knew what spell Nandini had casted on Karikalan.

They talked for a while, as they walked along the bank of the Kaveri river. Karikalan loved watching Nandini talk, her expressions, the excitement in her eyes when she talked about the topic she liked pulled his heart-strings.

They sat down at the steps of the river bank and enjoyed the view, while soaking their feet in the river. Nandini gently swayed her feet in the water as she looked down at her reflection.

"You look beautiful today, Nandini," Karikalan complimented her.

"You say that everyday," She joked.

"Isn't that the truth," He said. Nandini smiled to herself shyly. "I love you, Nandini," Adithan said as he gently pulled back the loose hair which was falling on Nandini's beautiful face and tucked it behind her ear. Nandini looked surprised but delighted. She too loved Karikalan more than anyone. But there was no way their love would end up in a marriage. A tinge of sadness appeared on Nandini's face as she realised the fact.

Adithan frowned at Nandini as her expression changed. "What's the problem? Nandini?" He asked, taking her hand in his palms.

"Will the Chola empire accept our love, Karikalare?" She asked with sadness.

"Why wouldn't they?" Karikalan asked moving closer to her.

Nandini looked at him. "You're the Crown Prince, the future King of this vast empire, while I..." She shrugged and turned away from Karikalan. "I'm just an Orphan," She said.

"Don't say that Nandini, You're part of my family too," Karikalan said.

"But your sister doesn't seem to like me very much," She said sadly.

"Kundavai is just a kid, She'll understand soon," He said gently, caressing her hands with his thumbs. Nandini didn't look convinced. Adithan sighed and lifted Nadnini's face so that he could see her eye to eye.

"I'll fight the whole Chozha empire to get to you if I have to," He said looking into her sea-blue eyes. Nandini gave him a weary smile.

They held their hands together and looked at the beautiful sunset. But both of them had a small fear in their hearts. The fear of being seperated from eachother. Adithan held her hands tightly and promised to her that he would never let it go.