"I wonder why father called us this early," asked Bharat, as the brothers paced down the hallways of the palace at 6 in the morning. "I almost got killed by my grumpy brother for no fault of my own!" he attempted a glare at the elder twin, who was dragging his feet behind him, but thought better of it when Lakshman scowled.

"Calm down, I am sure whatever it is, it's worth an hour of sleep." chided Ram good-naturedly, leading the line of brothers down the long corridor. Shatrughan shook his head, and whispered audibly in Bharat's ears, putting his hand over his mouth dramatically.

"Not for my bhaiyya!" and he quickly took shelter behind Bharat when the third prince looked up again with an angry face planted. They entered the bejeweled door which marked the entrance of the throne room.

"Wow!" squealed Bharat. "The throne room is decorated quite nicely. Did we miss father's birthday?" Bharat was right; the throne room was decorated grandly. Flowers threaded on invisible threads hung from the ceiling, as if suspended in mid-air, strings of beads, shining white and retty were wrapped around the tall golden pillars which held up the room, and even the throne, which needed no adornment, was covered in luxury velvet. A velvet that the king kept reserved for birthdays.

"Oh, no." Shatrughan sighed. "We missed father's birthday." Ram shook his head guiltily, Bharat frowned, and even Shatrughan had the capacity to act a little repentant. Lakshman, however, had a crafty face on, and decided that he didn't want any of his brothers sad or regretting on a day which was sure to be filled with exciting celebrations.

"I'll cover for you all." He pulled out a small wooden statue of the king seated on his marvelous throne proudly, something that he had carved in his spare time, out of a small pouch in his dhoti, and handed it to Ram.

"Here, bhaiyya. You do it. Father should believe that we all contributed." Ram nodded, and they all fell in line as Dasharath and the queens approached them.

Right before Ram could say 'Happy Birthday!', Dasharath began speaking rapidly, exuberantly, joyfully.

"It's my 60,000th anniversary of coronation day!" he squealed, most child-like, and Ram froze, mid speech.

"Um, erm, yes! 60,000th anniversary-we knew that!" he laughed nervously as Shatrughan gritted his teeth at the horrible acting. The king looked expectantly at them, and they all beamed innocently back at him, even Lakshman. Ram decided that the king wanted a gift, and so...

"Here's our anniversary present!" he shoved the statue into his father's hands and fidgeted as Dasharath studied his regal form.

"Wow, Ram! It's perfect, and looks just like me! Very handsome! Come on, we are going out to celebrate in the kingdom. We'll be giving out grain and food to the needy, and rewarding all my loyal officials-" Kaushalya cut in quickly.

"But first, food! You need to eat on your father's coronation day!" Shatrughan saluted and ran away before Sumitra could catch him, Bharat made a flurry full of excuses, and only Ram decided to eat, and appease his parents, Lakshman deciding to do the same.

A few hours, a starving Shatrughan, a full to bursting Ram, an over spice consuming Lakshman, and a fainted Bharat later, the royal family, decked out in red and gold, ventured out of the palace without a carriage and a care in the world.

"No Sumant, we couldn't possibly take a carriage! I wish to see how my praja does, how they are!" Dasharath had refused Sumant's services, and given him a luxurious week off, something which the loyal adviser had most reluctantly agreed to.

As the royal family walked through the city of Ayodhya, people crowded around the pathways to catch a glimpse of the king, and moreso, the crown prince, Ram. Waving, the crown prince listened to their worries, their ambitions, promised a good life under the king, and eventually himself. The people were appeased, the queens were happy, and the king was overjoyed.

"Look, the king himself is walking among us! Rejoice!" cried someone from the crowd, and a loud roar responded to the call. Dasharath beamed, and Shatrughan whistled, resulting in an ear twisting and great laughter.

"Seems like you're a fan favorite, Shatru!" cried Bharat, after they had passed the village. "They love you! You could become the people's ambassador once Ram becomes king." Ram grinned, clapping a hand on Bharat's shoulder.

"You'll be the court poet and artist Bharat, and Lakshman can be the army general!" Shatrughan cried, but Lakshman shook his head and Ram was confused.

"I'm not great at leading people, I can be an infantry combat soldier in the army, however. Or, I'll not be a government official at all, and I can do something else." he tried, not wanting to leave his brother's side once he was king. Bharat frowned a little bit, Shatrughan swallowed, and Ram's smile diminished. Only a soldier, a mere soldier for a prince? Impossible, Ram would convince him to become the general!

His talk, however, was interrupted by Dasharath announcing the next village from his map. "Oh look! There is Tarapur! I heard that they are known for their amazing stargazing opportunities." he pointed out.

As they walked in, the people beckoned them into the middle of the village, the center, where many of the activities celebrating the king's Golden Age were happening. Large, loud, colorful fireworks, spraying sparks everywhere, and blazing bonfires, with roasted peas were thrown in.

"Father, the people really love you! Let's go there!" cried Shatrughan excitedly, jumping up and down, an amusing sight to see since he was eighteen years old at this point. Dasharath laughed, and followed his son's wishes.

"Look!" cried someone. "The king, the queens, and the princes!" The crowd cheered and Dasharath gratefully took a chair that someone had brought to him. The entire royal family watched the celebrations happily, tiny oil lamps being lit, dances, dramatic fights, which Shatrughan always predicted the winner accurately, and rangolis and paintings being done of the king and the royal family.

"Let's have another fight before the king departs!" someone said. "Let's see how well the crown princes battle!" Dasharath beamed, eager to show off his sons, the queens very reluctant, but the princes, they gaped.

Their jaws dropped, as they stared at each other. Would any of them be willing to fight, lft a weapon against his brother, regardless of whether it was all in good fun...or not? Ram swallowed, and nodded slowly. I-it was his duty, he tried telling himself.

"Bhaiyya?" Bharat whimpered, but Ram nodded again, squeezed his hand reassuringly, and walked forward.

"We'd be willing to have a duel between any of you-" he began, but this was cut off by another call.

"Let us see who is the best in battle of you all!" someone cried. "Against each other!" Dasharath, again, smiled, and pushed the princes forward. Shatrughan understood that his Ram bhaiyya really didn't want to do this, but had to, as to not embarrass the family.

"Laksh," he whispered, and his twin whirled around to face him. A communication of understanding went through them in one blink, a single tiny action that no one noticed except Sumitra, who bit her lip, not being able to say anything against the king.

The twins, for the first time, lifted their swords against each other. Both of them knew exactly who was going to win. Shatrughan went for offense first, slashing the sword towards his brother, god that felt so wrong, and Lakshman parried just as it was about to hit him. A whoop went up from the crowd.

Bharat wiped a bead of sweat from his brow, and looked towards Ram in fear. Lakshman drew out the fight, as to not make it seem that Shatrughan was a bad fighter, but eventually, his sword ended up next to Shatrughan's head. He quickly removed it, sheathing his sword.

Ram and Bharat fought next, and Ram won easily, although he tried not to make it seem like it was easy for him. As he went off the fighting arena, and Shatrughan went up to try for third, Ram's heart beat tenfold. It didn't matter who won this round, he would have to...fight Lakshman.

Every single blow felt like it brought them closer to fighting. Shatrughan and Bharat were equally matched in the sword, as neither had much experience with it, but Shatrughan, being the youngest, ended the fight by surrendering. The fight took longer, but eventually, both Ram and Lakshman walked upon the podium.

When he looked into his brother's coal black eyes, Ram knew that Laksh was about to surrender the first chance he got. Ram gritted his teeth together. As if he would give Lakshman a chance to lower his head! Lakshman gripped his sword loosely, as if ready to drop it and not fight, but Ram slashed his, and Lakshman, son of the conqueror of the world, ruthless warrior among the princes of Ayodhya, definition of the name Raghuvanshi, automatically and instinctively defended.

The fight went on long, Ram not giving Lakshman a chance to surrender, but Lakshman refused to offense, just kept on defending, refusing to lift a weapon against Ram. Ram had, however, heavily underestimated his brother, and eventually, Lakshman found a loophole, Ram's sword found its place next to his neck, and the fight was called off.

As they stood up and walked off, breathing heavily, chest rising and falling rapidly, Lakshman grinned, and hugged Ram.

"See, bhaiyya? You are the best fighter among us!" he cried, and Ram was soon enveloped in Shatrughan's and Bharat's arms.

"We didn't even get injured!" said Shatrughan, before widening his eyes, as they all looked towards Lakshman. "There aren't any willow trees around here, right?" the third prince asked weakly. "Or anything that is capable of possibly being harmful, hurtful, lethal, fatal, detrimental to my health, et cetera?" Bharat blinked.

"Again, when did you acquire a rich vocabulary as that?" Bharatanuja gulped. "Just, sort of, came to me?"

A/N-Soooo...no, this chapter had no princesses. Would it have been better with the princesses? Maybe? But I don't think this was for romance, rather the connection that Ram and Lakshman have above all. I think the twins have been bonding too much, over the main two, and I have maybe been underplaying the devotion Lakshman has towards Ram. Sorry 'bout dat.

There is going to be one (I think) more chapter in this era, then two transitionals, and then the romance commences. I'm keeping you guys updated, just so you know. In about 4 or so chapters, we will have the first meeting! Ram and Sita will not have as many complex moments as Shatrukriti, Lakshmila, and some Bharma (I really want to say that is the ship name...?)

Anyhoo, by a unanimous vote, there will be jealousy in Lakshmila (Bharma is going to be too shy and sweet, and Shatrukriti will have a hilarious aspect to it). Everywhere. Because, apparently, you all want their love life to be difficult (*sob*). I'm just wondering if I want it from Urmila's side or Lakshman's side. I am leaning towards Urmila. What about you all?