The night was short, we had only a few minutes left to leave.

Yudhishthir and I were thanking the King for his hospitality and support, while Krishn had already left.

" Yuvraj Ajatshatru, I am eternally grateful to have given you shelter and support in my home. I hope we can be of future help to each other as well, ties between Vajji and Pragjyotishpur should always remain like this and for that, I have a proposition." He said and Yudhishthir and I looked confused, although, Yudhishthir looked like he had an inkling of what Maharaj was about to say.

" My wife, the queen has just given birth to our beautiful daughter, Mrignayani. We hope, that you might be happy to have our ties strengthened by the strongest bond, the bond of marriage, " He said and I choked on my own words...

They wanted a baby to marry me? That's preposterous.

Yudhishthir, seeing my reaction leaned in and said, " They're talking about your son Ajatshatru, " He smiled.

Rudra? But he's four! They're going to have a four year old married to a - I'm stupid.

" Maharaj, the idea is appealing and would bring me no greater joy of we had our families joined in marriage, I think we could leave this decision to the children. Let them decide when they're older, it will ensure them a life of love, " I tried diplomatically and the Maharaj sighed.

" Yuvraj, this has assured me, that if ever my daughter was to marry into your family, she would be treated with love, for only a father can think about another child's life just as much as his own son's. I'm grateful for your thoughts, we shall let the future decide the fate, thank you, " He greeted us with a handshake.

As he left us at the door, we were joined by our wives and children. Bheem, Arjun and their wives had left an hour ago, just as earlier, all of us left at different times to avoid being caught. So far, we were fine.

" Ready to leave Yudhishthir? " Saag asked as he nodded.

Their son, now finally awake sat in his mother's arms, who had not let him out of her sight all day today.

As we walked out of the city gates, I readied myself to a life of a forest dweller.

However, the marriage proposal still bugged me far too much.

" Don't think too much of it Ajatshatru, if the Maharaj didn't immediately get offended, your words haven't hurt your ties with Vajji, " Yudhishthir said which made my wife turn around, Rudra holding her pinky finger.

" What did you say? " She asked and Saag, intrigued raised her eyebrow.

" Maharaj presented a marriage proposal," Yudhishthir said and Saag looked at him with eyebrows scrunched in confusion.

" Marriage proposal for whom? Sulo Or any others? " She asked and I shook my head, laughing.

" No, one for my son, " I said and Devi's eyes widened in disbelief.

" For Rudra? " She exclaimed and I nodded.

Her eyes now looked me up and down, assessing my answer.

" But you refused, right? " Saag scowled.

" Of course I did! What did you think I would do? " I shouted and Yudhishthir grunted, " Accept it of course, many in your position would have. My father would have of he had been offered such a marriage for any of us, " He answered.

Devi looked relieved, " That's why he's not like the others jijashree, " She smirked and I gave her a smug smile..

" Wipe that grin off your face, " She teased .

" Yes ma'am, "

Saag however had qualms with what Yudhishthir had said.

" What do you mean many in his position would have accepted, would you? Is someone proposed marriage for Madhu let alone Abhi would you have accepted?" She asked and he sighed.

Oh boy. Big mistake.

"With Madhu, it depends on her age. If she were above fourteen I would ask her and based on what you both tell me I would give my decision. With Abhi, no. " He answered and I had a feeling Saag was amicable to the answer.

" And what if Madhu never wanted to marry? " She scowled and I thought this is a private conversation, we should move ahead.

" Abhi! Come with me, I have a surprise, mama and mami are going to surprise you-"

" - we are? " Devi asked and I stared her down, " Oh yes we are, come Abhi, " She took his hand as we moved ahead.

^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•

Yudhishthir had once again surprised me when he agreed to allow Madhu to remain unmarried if she so wished.

As the night grew darker, the woods played tricks on us under the lunar shadow, branches looked like men, and the movement of animals amplified to make us think that it was a cavalry of soldiers.

Yudhishthir and AJ decided to make a makeshift hut under the banyan tree where we lit a fire to rest.

My dear son was resting in my lap, his head on my lap and feet in his father's.

" Forest is dark mumma, " He said, looking up at me.

I ran a hand through his hair, " I know dear, do you want more light? " I asked and he nodded.

" Tread carefully Karali, too much light attracts attention, " Devi said and I nodded.

I produced a small ball of fire in my hands and watched as my son was completely enamoured by it, his eyes tracking the flame with excited eyes.

" We should rest, one of us will rotate in rounds, first is me, " AJ said and I nodded but Yudhishthir did not agree.

" No, I'll go first, " He said and AJ stared at him, as if he knew exactly why, " No, I'll go, because you will not let anyone do it because you want us all to rest. You get the last round, isn't that true? You wouldn't let anyone else take over, " He said and my husband blushed.

" I cannot lie, do not ask me questions I would need to have to lie for, " He scowled and AJ laughed.

" And I have my answer. Sleep you all. AJ will keep guard, " He said and I smiled, pulling my son to rest with me and Yudhishthir lay by our side.

Our son between us reminded me of my daughter, what would she be doing now...
It was her birthday today.

^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•

Dwarika was always beautiful, but today it shined brighter than the sun as the kingdom celebrated the ninth birthday of their beautiful princess. Rows and rows of flowers were arranged in intricate detailed patterns, thousands of diyas lined the street illuminating the night sky and the main palace was glowing.

" Madhu! " A young woman shouted as the girl in question laughed loudly, her smile sweet enough to melt the heart of all that met her.

" One minute mamishree! " She exclaimed as Dwarikeshwari Satyabhama stood right underneath the wide mango tree, hands on her hips as anxiety filled her heart for the beautiful girl.

" Come down this instant or I'll call your mausi! " She called Madhu, but the princess was unfettered as she lunged a bit more, missing her step and falling down.

" Madhu! " She screamed in panic, her hands rising to catch the child, but before she could, she saw two strong arms ready to welcome the clumsy princess of Dwarika.

" Arya? " Satyabhama sighed in relief as she saw Shree Krishn grab hold of a flailing Madhu.

" My dear niece, how far am I to protect you? Your mamishree is right, you are becoming more naughty day by day," He scolded though his eyes glowed with mischief.

" I'm sorry mamashree, " She whispered and Satyabhama, content that her nieve was in safe hands left to return to the party.

" That was splendidly done putri, all you had to do was step right, " Krishn said, bending low to pull her into a hug.

" I know mamashree, " She answered, her voice reflected sadness.

" Why are you here? Why aren't you in the party? " He asked her and she sighed, flopping to the ground, her lehenge flying dust everywhere.

" I miss my mumma and papa. We used to pick mangoes every year in the gardens," She whispered and Krishn, who had been joyfully watching his niece felt a pang of hurt in his heart.

He raised her hand to her head, gently pulling her into a hug.

" Don't worry my dear, you'll meet them soon, " He said to her as the girl nodded, eyes brightening in the love.

" Did you know mamishree Rukmini made your favourite dish? On my birthday! " She exclaimed and Krishn jumped back.

" That is scandalous! She is so wrong, what do you say, shall we remove her as the queen? " He asked and she shook her head.

" No, we will make me the queen, then I can decide what we have for dinner everyday ! " She proclaimed and Krishn burst into laughter.

" Oh? And what about the duties, " He asked and she blushed.

" Well, why are you there, you're the king. That's your job, " She laughed, skipping away.

" That it is, " He sighed, following the girl into the palace.

^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•

The night in the forest was hard enough, the next morning was chaotic.

We woke up to the sound of Devika's scream. Yudhishthir and I jumped up, eyes looking over to see a worried AJ and a panic stricken Devika.

" Devi? What's wrong? " I asked and she clutched me into a bone crushing hug, all I could do was reassure her as I looked at AJ over her shoulder.

His face was as white as a sheet and I looked at him with bewilderment.

" What's wrong? " Yudhishthir asked and AJ just pointed at the ground.

There lay nothing but a few cloth scraps and drops of blood.

Which is when I realised.

" Where is Rudra! " I shouted and AJ hung his head low.

" Mumma Rudra where? " Abhi asked, drawing on the mood of the room.

Debi cried harder and all I could do was let her cry into my arms as I looked at my husband and brother in confusion.

°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°

Okay.. Our dear Madhu has grown up 🥺

Also, who took Rudra.... 😈

Tell me how it was and do vote

Much love

Radhekrishn ♥