As the night grew, my own anxieties settled in my mind.

A war... A war where... Where my kids could die.

'Why will they die? They aren't even at the age to fight'.

' Age has never stood in Niyati's way... You of all people know that'.

' But -'

"Sagarika? " A soft voice murmured. He kept his hands on my shoulders and I snapped out of my reverie.

" Is something wrong? " I asked and he shook his head, placing his head against mine.

"No... I just feel less restless, " He sighed, " You calm my heart. " He placed my hand to his chest. I could feel his heartbeat gradually slow down.

" Why are you restless then? " I asked, placing my hand to his neck, softly massaging the nape.

" Having about half the empire fight on your side.... Their lives... The guilt after they lose their lives... This is going to haunt my soul. "

" I see... But do we have a choice? If Duryodhan brings his own army, we can't simply send only you, " I said and he nodded.

" I know that. It's like you keep telling me... I know it.. Doesn't make it easier or acceptable. " He ran his hand over his face. So many years...

I sound like a lady in her seventies... But when you've lived a life like mine... Ten years seem a lot.

" So, what do you want to do? Pull back? " I asked and his eyes snapped up.

"Absolutely not! Why do you ask? " He said, eyes flitting over mine, as if to see if I am alright.

" I just asked... It's a matter of a life full of challenges... I'm -"

" - I have you, " He whispwred, " I have our children... I have you all... I will be fine. "

" But I don't want you to be fine... I want you to be great... Happy. "

" That's what I am telling you, " He sighed, placing a hand on my cheek. I have you all.. That's all that matters.. "

" But -"

" Yudhishthir! " Jyeshth rushed into the room, panting.

" What happened? " I asked and he shook his head.

"Come to the sabha... You need to see this.. "

^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•

"Seriously! Such cowardice? From Hastinapur? " Arjun roared, as both Panchali and Subhadra tried to calm him down.

" Arya, please listen-"

" No! This is preposterous! Trying to save his skin! "

"Arjun! " Yudhishthir called sternly, as we walked in.

"Jyeshth! Look at this! Shakuni has played another game! Like the sabha -"

"- Arjun... Quit blabbering and come to the point. " Bheem growled and he sighed.

" Jyeshth... They have refused to allow Panchali and her sisters from participating in the war... Saying that goddesses don't fight the wars of man. "

I was....

If you expect me to say shocked... Don't bother.

...  I expected this.

" Okay... I know what to say... Give me a paper and brush. " I said and they looked at me confused.

" What is it? Give me a paper and a brush... I don't understand what's the big deal-"

" Sagarika-"

" Yudhishthir... Trust me. " I implored and he nodded, smiling.

So I sat in my room... And wrote a very short letter, tying it for Yudhishthir to throw.

We walked out to the grounds, where he tied the letter to a spear.

" What chaos are you about to spread now? " He asked, smirking and I laughed.

" I think that they have forgotten their own roots... Just reminding them of it. "

He shook his head, then steadied the spear, launching it away.

^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•

In Hastinapur

"With this in mind... I hope you don't forget... Devi Durga was called to kill Mahishaasur... We are just flames... If you want we can skip the whole battle and burn Hastinapur down..... An easy way out for us, as well as one without any collateral damage, one which the Samrat and I always condone.

If you are hearing this, Maharaj Dhritarashtr, before your dear sala ( mamashree) and your son influence you with their ill minded schemes and destroy the Kuru lineage at the core, you should agree to our terms.

Otherwise... I'm not sure watching Mahamahim Bheeshm willingly give up his life in dejection, would be  a sight you'd like to see. Seeing as the destruction of Hastinapur is his greatest nightmare..

With respect to your throne.

Regards,

Samragyi Sagarika."

Dushashan read out, his hands crumbling the paper.

Maharaj Dhritarashtr looked white as a sheet... While Mahamahim Bheeshm nodded in appreciation.

" Send them a new letter... We accept their terms... Samragyi and her sisters can fight, " He said, while Shakuni and Duryodhan were outraged.

" But pitashree -"

" No... This is my decision and it is final! " He yelled, as all sat down. Shakuni sneered and huffed... His plan was foiled.

^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•

"

Bhabhishree, this was far too brilliant... I never understand why Jyeshth doesn't enjoy this, " Bheem said happily, as he had more of the matar kulcha.

" Your brother has unusual tastes Bheem... " I sighed and he laughed.

" You're one of them priye... Don't forget, " He called from across the room, as everyone burst into laughter.

"My dear darling husband... If you'd suggested anything else you'd find me back in Kaliyug. " I said sweetly, as he turned beet red, when the cacophony of laughter intensified.

"But bhabhishree... Tell us... What did you write? " Nakul asked and I sighed.

" I told them, of you cannot understand that devi Durga herself was called down to fight Mahishaasur... Well.. You're screwed anyway... Then I threatened to have Mahamahim Bheeshm killed by his own hands. " I said and the table ran quiet.

"What is it? " Mini asked her husband and he shook his head.

" Nothing Saudamini... I just... I got caught up in memories... But they don't -" Sahdev shook his head, continuing to eat while tears made their way into all of their eyes.

" Bhabhishree... I know our war is important.. But is it really necessary to kill Pitamah as well? " Arjun asked.

" Anyone who prioritises the promises of himself over the modesty of a woman.. Or even the promises he made to himself or others over the wellbeing of all, where the general public is at harm, must surrender to fate Parth. Death is secondary. Karm and Karmphal is primary and the absolute truth. " Krishn's voice called as he strode into the room with Devi and AJ behind.

"AJ! " I exclaimed, running over to crush him into my hug.

Devi gently swaddled a small child..

" Oh! I'm so happy! You did tell us that he was born... And you brought him here too! " I squealed..

Wrong move... The baby began to cry.... Very. Very... Very loudly.

I was under the impression I didn't have to hear those shrieks ever again.

How wrong was I.

" Oh, I'm sorry-"

" Saag... I barely managed to get him to sleep... Oh gosh... You enjoy Devi... You need the rest," He said softly, taking the baby away..

I looked over to Yudhishthir who shook his head in amusement.

"Go go... It's not as if I can stop you, " He said and I rushed over to kiss his cheek before sprinting away.

"AJ! I'm coming too! " I called, following him to the guest rooms.

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So... This is me hiding after two days and no posts..

Anyways.. Tell me how it was... And please do vote.

Much love

Radhekrishn ♥