Chapter 11

Prakriti P.O.V

Our People started settling in the Kingdom, we made our way towards our new Castle, looking at the marvelous beauty of the Castle. "I have never seen this type of Castle before" Nakula said looking around, his eyes shining with interest. Brother Bhima chuckled and put his hand on Nakula's shoulder "Vishwakarma himself made our Kingdom, it is like we are living in heaven" he said and everyone nodded their head in agreement. I went into my chamber and sat down on the bed, sighing in exhaustion, today was a very long day. First the crowning of Elder Brother, moving to Khandavprastha, fighting with the God himself and building of our new Kingdom, Indraprastha. Arya entered in the chamber, his eyes dropping from weariness, he gave me a small smile and sat beside me. "I am very proud of you, Arya, not only you have saved our people but you have also win the heart of God Indra" I said praising him, he beamed at me pulling me in his arms "Thank you, my beloved" he said fondly, I snuggled into his arms and closed my eyes enjoying his warmth. "I have to go back, I have to help our people to set down comfortably in their new home" he murmured slowly patting my head, I hummed in response not detaching myself away from him. He sighed and caress my hair "You are tired" he stated pulling me and himself in lying position. I slowly nodded my head, I have used my earth element too much today to make our Kingdom productive again thats why I am feeling tired right now.

"Go back to sleep, I will be here when you wake up" he said and started humming the tone Mother used to sing to us when we were children, slowly sleep took over my body and I welcomed it with open arms.

***

Next morning, I went to our Assembly, everyone was present there, Brother Bhima looked angry while all the other Pandavas looked sad and disappointed. "What happened, Elder Brother?" I questioned him in confusion, he looked at me "King Dhritarashtra is not allowing Mother to come here for our Kingdom worship" he said, my eyes widened in shock, Brother Bhima growled in anger "If he won't allow our Mother, then we will wage war on them" he decided looking furious. "But we are not independent yet, we can not attack Hastinapur" I responded, anger bubbling inside me, I thought now that we are away from them, they will let us live in peace. "Prakriti is right, you can not wage war against them but a mother's son can fight for their Mother" Brother Krishna suggested with a small smile, Arya looked confused "Can you explain it, Madhava?" He questioned not understanding brother's words. He looked at Arya "How can I explain it Partha, it is your mother, it is your Kingdom" he turned his head towards elder brother "Your decision, your Dharm" he said, I mulled over the thought and looked at Elder Brother for suggestion. He looked deep in thought "I can not give permit to wage war but you can go and request Elder Father, trying to make him understand our point of view, if they don't understand, I won't stop you from taking their arms in self defense but remember if you attack first, I will give away the throne" he announced looking at all of us.

"Fine Brother Yudhishthira, Brother Bhima will control his anger and won't attack first, we just have to made our point clear and let King understand" I said agreeing with his decision, he smiled and nodded his head. Brother Krishna smiled as well all the Pandavas except Elder brother decided to travel to Hastinapur and took their leave. "You will be a great General Secretary" Brother Krishna said with pleased smile on his face, I grinned feeling accomplished hearing these coming out of my brother's mouth. They took their weapons and moved towards the gate of Indraprastha while I stayed with Elder Brother, Krishne. Draupadi looked at me in worry "Will Elder father understand our side?" She asked me, I gave her a reassuring smile "You don't have to worry any more, brother Krishna will handle everything" I said knowingly to which her worry lessened a little and she gave me a small smile.

Later we found out that Anga King Karna was here to send Vrushali back to our Kingdom and give us Mother's message. She said that she won't enter in our Kingdom until we are a free nation and has done our Rajsuya yug. I agree with her, as long as we are associated with Hastinapur we will be associated with Adharm.

***

"Where are you heading Arya?" I asked while arranging my items to start the ritual for Lord Shiva, he turned towards me "I am just going to check around the Kingdom" he said casually, I nodded my head and sat down on the ground in front of Shivling joining my hand together "Very well, I will be starting my ritual, kindly see to it that no one interrupt me, Arya" I said gently, he gave me a smile and nodded his head "I will make sure that no one will disturb you" he said and took his leave. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath "Om Namah Shivah"

"Om tryambakan yajaamahe sugandhin pushtivardhanam

Alavarukamiv bandhanang mrtyormuleey maamrtaat

Laghu mahaamrtyunjay mantr- ma joon sah "

I completed my ritual and bowed my head in front of Shivling standing up from the floor. I turned around and saw one maid was standing at the entrance of my chamber bowing her head towards me. "You may come inside" I called her as I walked towards her, she nodded her head and entered in the chamber "Did you come here for any special purpose?" I asked her with a smile on my face. She nodded her head "Takshak kidnapped the cows for tomorrow ceremony, Prince Arjuna went to rescue them" she said lowering her head, I nodded my head and turned around to take the platter "To take his bow, he set foot in the chamber of Queen Draupadi when she was with King Yudhishthira" she uttered, the platter fall out of my hand and my eyes widened in shock. I turned myself around abruptly and looked at the maid in alarmed "Where is Arya now?" I asked her urgently, for breaking the rule, he has to incur the penalty of exile for twelve years. "He is coming back with the cows to the city" she said and bowed her head. "Thank you" I said and she went out.

I sighed and sat on the bed thinking about the exile, I know what I have to do.

***

I moved towards the gate of our Kingdom where my family was standing looking sad, Arya was touching Elder Brother feet and getting ready for his departure. I walked towards them, everyone looked at me in surprise when they took in my Brahmin clothes. I made my way towards Arya who looked shocked as I stand beside him joining my hand in respect towards Elder Brother "Give me blessings, Elder Brother so that I can be with my Arya and observance my responsibilities towards my husband" I said bowing my head in respect. Arya quickly shook his head in denial "I have made a mistake, Prakriti, I can not let you take the responsibility of it" he said opposing when he looked at my sage's clothes. I gave him a smile "Arya, you and me are not different, we are one, that means your punishment is mine as well" I said calmly, he opened his mouth to reject the idea when Brother Krishna intervened. "Prakriti is right, she has every right to be with you Partha" he said with his serene smile. "Goddess Sita went into Exile with God Rama, have you forgotten that?" he asked with a grin on his face.

Arya looked at him frowning "But I can't let her feel the pain of moving around in the forest, she has already suffered enough" he said, I gave a short chuckle "Arya, I am nature, I don't feel pain when I am with myself besides my dharm states that I can't leave your side in happiness and in sadness, so when we were together in our happy time how can you expect me to leave you in your tough time" I said with a smile and moved towards Elder brother touching his feet "Give me blessings Elder that I can do my duty with full justice" I said, he put his hand on my head "May god bless you and you two will come back soon" he said, I pulled myself up and moved towards Brother Bhima touching his feet, "Come back soon, I will miss you" he said with a smile on his face, I smiled back and moved towards my brother, he gave me a loving smile and embrace me in a hug "This journey will be fruitful for you both" he stated breaking the hug, I nodded my head and made my way towards Krishne pulling her in a hug, tears running down her cheeks, she sniffed when I broke the hug, I wiped her cheeks "Don't cry Krishne, it is not anyone's fault and we will be fine" I gave her a reassuring smile, she nodded her head and wiped her cheeks giving me hug once again with a smile. I went towards twins, they both touched my feet in respect and I gave them blessing "May God always be with you".

I turned towards Arya and took my place beside him, he still looked upset with my decision but atleast he is ready to let me go with him. "Before the end of your exile, do visit us in Dwarka" Brother Krishna said smiling, Arya nodded his head and I smiled back, meeting my family after so many years will be good for me. I miss Dau and my sister in laws. We both joined our hand in Pranam gesture one last time and turned around walking towards the door to our Kingdom, I glanced at Arya who was looking forward as people stand beside the road with joined hands looking sad. I slowly put my hand in Arya, he turned his head towards me and I smiled at him in reassurance , a smile pulled on his face and we both looked forward, starting new chapter of our life.