The Goddess of the Himavan - Chapter Three

The peasant bowed when the aide came to stand before him.

"Good evening, memsahib," he wished a little hesitantly, not sure why she had walked up to him. He had not realized he had been spotted by them.

"Good evening. Are you new to our Kingdom?" the aide asked. "You were seated here the whole day watching us. Who are you?"

The peasant bowed again before replying, "My name is Harinder, and I come from the mountain area over there. He pointed to the Himavans. They were shrouded with mist and looked fabled from where he stood. "The heavens were found over its majestic boundaries," Harinder thought suddenly.

"What are you doing here?" The aide's interest deepened. "Be quick with your tale, peasant, for my princess waits to be on her way."

"I am here to seek greener pastures. I have lived a hard life in the mountains, and my whole family has since perished from lack of food and water. We were trapped after an avalanche blocked our pathway to get out in time. My family members died one by one. I managed to escape and reached here the day before. I need work and a place to stay, memsahib."

The aide, in turn, said, "Come with me, I can find something for you to do at the Palace." She walked away quickly to escort Marianetta back to the palace.

Harinder thought that it was the luckiest thing to have happened to him. He looked up at the skies, said a prayer, and briskly followed the princess's aide.

It took about fifteen minutes to reach the majestic Palace of the Maharaja of Hintrupate's Kingdom.

The palace was tucked away in a sprawling paradise of lush greenery and forested utopia. Flowers of every kind and every color lined the pebbled pathway, and the whole area was perfumed by nature's aromatic scents.

Harinder had never walked in a sanctum such as this. He had lived all of his life among the rocks and hardened earth on a rugged mountain. This place was idyllic. It led to the nirvana of peace and tranquility. Gentle and nourishing, they were the epitome of beauty and serenity.

Somewhere in the distance, Harinder heard the soft, gentle trickling of water. He wondered if the springs of Utopia were hidden in this paradise. He would explore the whole place when he had a chance, an awed Harinder promised himself.

Not wanting to be left behind, he quickened his pace.

After a while, the maiden who had first spoken stopped and turned to speak to him.

"Wait here," she said authoritatively. "I will speak in length with the Maharaja and see if we can find some work for you around the palace gardens."

Harinder bowed his head and thanked the maiden. "Yes, memsahib, thank you."

He stared ahead. The majestically crowned palace was a sight to behold. The huge pillars were carved in bronze and gold. There was a big golden statue of the King on a horse carriage at the entrance, and surrounding the palace a dozen or more soldiers stood in attendance.

"How grand! The palace is trimmed with gold!" Harinder exclaimed in astonishment. "Surely, this must be the richest kingdom in all of the lands."

He watched as the maidens made their way through a side entrance into the Palace. Once the maidens had entered the Palace, he sat down on a stone bench and waited.

After more than an hour, Harinder saw the maiden returning. He quickly stood up, his heart beating erratically, and bowed when she reached him.

"I will send a guard to take you to your quarters. The King has approved the princess's request to have you tend to the gardens here at the palatial grounds. You will be paid a wage and provided food and clothing, together with a place to stay."

After saying that, the maiden walked away without waiting for Harinder's reply. It was an order that she had delivered to him. Harinder's face projected a look of utter astonishment.

He couldn't believe his luck.

"Indeed, none is as lucky as I," he thought happily.

A guard came after a few minutes and took Harinder to his quarters.

Even the quarters are kingly, Harinder gushed inwardly. He had never lived in a house that had clean water running through its taps or the view of the most incredible set of nature's vintage dressing.

"I cannot believe that I have this house of my own. No one to take away my shadow or my glow. I can do as I please, sleep wherever I want, or dance to that beautiful maiden's sweet melodious treats."

The guard ordered Harinder to report to work early the next day. The princess had allowed him a day of rest.

Harinder agreed to do as commanded.

It was late in the night, but Harinder was too excited to sleep.

He went outside to the gardens. Only the moonlight brightened his path.

The shadowed fronds moved almost silently against the quiet winds. The air was so different here. The mountain air choked at times, and was thick with moisture, unlike the atmosphere here, so breezy and so refined.

Harinder felt all his cumbersome thoughts and feelings leave him at that juncture. He wondered what the princess was doing. He couldn't wait to hear her sing or see her once again. He couldn't wait for the morning to spring.