Meanwhile near the forest at Pandavs home.

Kunti had already completed her puja and was waiting for her sons. Sighed in relief on seeing her sons approaching, they were carrying a huge bag, it means they have got enough today, but she couldn't see her eldest anywhere. Pandavs touched Kunti's feet and she blessed them.

Sahdev :- Mata, see we have got enough bhiksha, but keep it safe from bhrata Bheem otherwise it will be over soon.

Bheem :- Mata, tell Sahdev to stop before I hit him hard.

Kunti :- (smiles) Sahdev, he is your elder brother, my son looks so tired, today a big meal for you all.

Arjun :- Bhrata Yudhisthir, we should head back.

Kunti :- Where you all are going immediately, and where are Karn and Awantika, they also went with you all.

Nakul :- Mata some brahmins were requesting us to attend the swayamvar of Panchal princess so they stayed back and told us to return after giving you all this.

Kunti :- Then you should all hurry, I know Karn, he will not sit in one place quietly for long, go and bring him back before he creates any problem there.

Bheem :- We will mata don't worry.

All noded and left. ----------------------------------------------------------- Back at the swayamvar sabha,

Brahmins danced in happiness, elderly ones blessed the couple, praising him.

Suddenly the Pinak in his hand rose in the air, all watched in surprise as it broke and vanished. Karn just stood, numb to react, a priest came forward.

Priest :- Objective of this dhanush has been completed, so it vanished automatically. Like the Shiv dhanush in mata Sita's swayamvar broke and vanished at the hands of Sri Ram, the sole purpose of that dhanush was to find the right person destiny had chosen.

Hearing to his words, Karn glanced at Draupadi, who looked equally surprised.

'Companion for your journey will be someone else'.

'Was she talking about this ?'

He thought confused.

All the kings and princes were angry, and resented at the show.

Rukmi :- Maharaj Drupad, if you had to marry your daughter to a brahmin then why did you invite us here, just to humiliate us and send us back, I will not let it happen, either she will marry one of us or she will be thrown in fire.

Shakuni :- How can a princess born from fire, live with a brahmin ?

Vikram :- You are born to sit on the throne decorated with diamonds and jewels.

Duryodhan and Shakuni sat with a winning smile, didn't even need to interfere.



Shishupal :- A queen can get all the luxuries and privileges, which a brahmin's wife cannot. You can change your decision, we will forget what just happened.

Vikram :- Yes, a beauty like her deserves to be a queen, princess you still have chance you can choose any of us.

He looked evilly at her and smirked. Balram wanted to interfere but Krishna held his hand, nodding a no.

Karn :- VIKRAM! A woman is not any object to be owned or thrown here and there, she is going to be my wife and I will see who stops me.

His voice silenced the entire sabha.

Amrit :- Only speaking dosen't makes any difference, come fight and lets find out who is the best.

Karn :- Dogs bark in groups, but a lion's roar is enough to spread its fear.

Amrit raised his bow, pulled the string to max, releasing the arrow with full power but Karn caught it in front of his face. All were simply stunned, many couldn't even know what happened.

Karn :- (laughs) You think you can stop me with these toys ?

Duryodhan :- Soldiers capture this brahmin, lets see how will he take the princess from here.

10 soldiers came and surrounded Karn. He removed his garland and handed it to Draupadi, all eyes were fixed on this brahmin, who rushed foreward to attack the soldiers. Within seconds, he disarmed them, removing all their weapons.

Others stood up to join the fight but as they did so, arrows came flying and struck in front of their feets.

5 brothers came and surrounded their elder brother, Amrit raised his bow once again but Arjun broke it before any arrow could be summoned. Karn glanced at Krishna, who noded with a smile. He held Draupadi's hand and began walking away, Awantika picked up a sword and followed them.

Suddenly all the kings and princes attacked at once, creating an atmosphere of chaos. Bheem pulled out a pillar and blocked their way, Arjun's arrows bound many, Yudhisthir, Nakul and Sahdev made sure no one went after Karn and Draupadi.

Vikram sat on his seat, looking at Draupadi, leaving the sabha. He picked a spear nearby and threw at her, but Karn came in between. A bright golden light shined, as his golden armour appeared, shattering the spear into pieces.

Everyone recognised him and stopped their attacks while 5 brothers slapped their foreheads.

They went away making sure no one was following them. ----------------------------------------------------------- Pandavs, Draupadi and Awantika reached outside the village and stopped to take some breaths.

Arjun :- Jeystha, mata knew you would not stay quiet for long, and you participated in swayamvar, didn't even wait for us.

Karn :- It's.... it's because of her.

He pointed to Awantika.

Awantika :- What did I do ?

Karn :- You told me to go and lift the dhanush.

Awantika :- Oh, so now you're dumping the blame on me....

Sahdev :- Pranipat bhabhishree, I am Sahdev, youngest of them all, and I bet I'll be your favourite devar.

Nakul :- Not till the time I am alive Sahdev.

Bheem :- How did this all happened Jeystha?

Karn :- I myself am trying to figure out.

Yudhisthir :- Okay okay, we should get going, talking can be done at home.

Draupadi :- But.... where are you all staying ?

Awantika :- It's not far from here bhabhi, this way.

Aggreeing, all set towards their huts once again.

Draupadi walked alongside Karn, who looked at her for a moment before speaking.

Karn :- I think you know, who am I.

Draupadi :- Yeah.... actually Govind said that only you are the one to have that sun mark on forehead.

Karn :- If you don't mind, can I ask you a question ?

Draupadi :- Sure, why would I mind ?



Karn :- Are you happy ?

Draupadi :- What ?

Karn :- I mean you're a princess, and I maybe a prince but we live somewhere in forest, sleep on floor, eat whatever we get. You really don't mind marrying me ?

Draupadi :- (she kept a hand on his shoulder) Arya, I really don't mind marrying you, even if you were a simple brahmin, I'm indeed lucky to get a talented one.

Karn stopped for a moment, trying to read her facial expressions, to which she narrowed her eyes. Next moment they heard sound of a chuckle.

Nakul and Awantika were leaning on a tree, grinning at them, Draupadi blushed and lowered her head.

Nakul :- Jeystha, you both look perfect together, what do you say ?

Awantika :- Of course, most beautiful princess with most handsome prince.

Nakul :- O hellow, I am the most handsome prince.

Awantika poked his belly.

Awantika :- What is all this then ?

Soon they reached near huts, where Kunti sat preparing food for her children.

Seeing her sons return safely, she felt relieved, but noticed a girl coming along with Karn, both had garlands around their necks, and girl looked more like a princess than any other brahmin bride.

Both of them came foreward and touched her feet.

Kunti :- May you both remain blessed. Putra Karn, when and how did all this happen.

Karn :- Mata.... woh....

He elbowed Awantika and gestured her to explain.

Awantika :- She is younger Panchal princess, Draupadi. We went there to see the participants and....

Brothers except Karn started laughing as she narrated the incident.

Arjun :- (laughing) Madhav very well knows how to trick anyone.

Kunti :- Putri, you both look cute together, may God shower happiness in your life.

She then hugged Draupadi and cupped her face.

Kunti :- Thank you putri for accepting my son.

Draupadi :- No mata, thanks to arya for participating in the swayamvar, all other kings and princes were arguing about sacrificing me into fire.

Bheem :- But mata, everyone there recognised us after seeing bhrata's golden armour.

Kunti :- Then putro, we need to move to a different place.

Krishna :- ( coming from behind with Vidur ) Untill when will you keep hiding from your responsibilities, all of you.

Pandavs :- Pranipat Keshav.

They all bent to take Vidur's blessings.

Vidur :- Putra Karn, you are going to get married, you should take blessings with your would be wife.

Draupadi came foreward and the they both took blessing together.

Vidur :- Ayushman bhava putra, sada sughan raho putri.

Krishna :- Hiding and taking rest from world is good sometimes, but running away from responsibilities is considered to be a sin bua.

Kunti :- But Krishna, do you think my children would be safe there, they tried to poison Bheem, burn us down in the palace made up of wax, how can we think that they will not do anything to get the throne.

Arjun :- Madhav, tatshree will never give any punishment to bhrata Duryodhan, and do you think Gandhar Raj will just allow bhrata Karn to be the king, they will definitely try to remove us from the path, probably with more deadly trick.

Krishna :- Parth, obstacles are a part of life, real warrior is the one who faces it instead of running away. You all shouldn't ask for the throne, ask for your rights.

Bheem :- Vasudev, do you mean that the throne is not our right.

Krishna :- Throne is not anyone's right to possess bhrata Bheem, it's a responsibility which one needs to take care of. Lets first complete this wedding of my sakhi, oh now I see, she is the most impatient person standing here, of course she is going to be married to...

Draupadi :- GOVIND! will you shut up now.

She looked down blushing in shyness, making others laugh, Karn glanced at his mother with an exaperated face, to which she caressed his head.

Vidur :- Putron, you all should hurry, Duryodhan has manipulated Maharaj for his coronation, before anything unwanted happens, we have to reach there, come on, the royal tents have been put up, you all should change your attire before marriage, we will start off tommorow.

Karn :- Madhav will you not come with us to Hastinapur, I mean if you came we would have got some help.

Krishna :- If you insist bhrata Karn, I will. But first get ready for your wedding.

All went away from there. ----------------------------------------------------------- After some hrs,

Everyone gathered at mandap with the priest.

Karn was in his tent, standing in front of a mirror, looking at himself as he adjusted his crown.

Kunti came there and smiled at her eldest son, the same boy whom she left in a basket and set afloat in the waters of mata Ganga, the same baby boy now stood in front of her, grown up to be a tall handsome man.

Karn :- Mata.

Her trance was broken by his voice, she wiped the tears at corner of her eyes and caressed his face.

Kunti :- Putra, I always wanted to see you grow up, play with your brothers, learn archery from your father, listen stories from your choti maa but it couldn't happen. Now that I can see you getting married, feel all those longings vanish, I'm so happy for you, both of you, I wish your pitashree and choti maa would've been here to witness your wedding.

Karn :- They must be seeing me from heaven, blessings me and telling me to keep my family together in all the situations.

Kunti :- Now lets go, everyone must be waiting for us.

She gave him a sword and they walked out. ----------------------------------------------------------- Karn sat in front of hawan kund as priest chanted the mantras.

Soon Draupadi came there, along with her siblings and sakha, dressed as bride and was made to sit beside him.

Tilting her head a little, she glanced at his face, he obviously wasen't looking at her, but feeling her gaze, he turned and both their eyes met for a few seconds before he looked away. She lowered her eyes, feeling her cheeks turning reddish.

Between singing, teasing and enjoyment, marriage was completed, couple took blessings from elders.

Drupad was now relaxed that his daughter is married to one of the foremost archers of aryavarth.

Krishna felt contended that first step towards dharma sthapna has been taken.

Kunti's heart was elated to see her eldest son getting married, her wish was completed, her eldest son was with her, she could witness his marriage, all her sons loved each other.

Yudhisthir was glad to have an elder brother, a person with whom he could share his troubles, a person who could guide him to the path of dharm, a person who was like a father, but still sometimes messed everything up like kids.

Bheem was very happy as there will be another person who could taste his recipies and comment on them, now someone would be there who would not scold him for asking more food.

Arjun was happy for his brother but his mind was clouded with the thoughts of plans Duryodhan and mamashree Shakuni will make to remove his brother from the throne, he just wished that everything goes on well like last few months.

Nakul was excited, he will get a new member to tease, he will ask new tips from his bhabi to look more handsome. A wide grin appeared on his face as he imagined himself looking more handsome in the future.

Sahdev had mixed emotions like Arjun, he enjoyed the wedding with everyone, he was happy for his eldest brother, but had feeling of something unexpected happening, he too wished that whatever happens would be for good.

Awantika stood at a corner as she watched the brothers tease the newly wedded couple. Holding back the unshed tears, she wished her family too would be all fine and happy, now that their only tension was away.

Srikhandini was moved to tears for her younger sister, unlike her, Draupadi was loved by their father, but it was only because of her that she became senapati once again. She wanted to see her sister always happy and smiling.

Driystadyumna was not much in mood, he didn't had good impression of Karn from their initial meeting but Vasudev and his father praised Karn a lot, he was only happy on behalf of his baby sister cause he knew about her crush on prince Karn.

Suryadev smiled seeing his son getting married. ----------------------------------------------------------- After the dinner,

Everyone slept as no one had much strength left after the entire tiring day.

Karn still sat on a chair near the mandap.

'Bhrata Karn'

He heard Krishna's voice from behind and turned to see him standing there.

Krishna :- Bhrata, why are you awake, aren't you tired after the day's work.

Karn :- I'm not feeling sleepy, so came here, hoping to find some peace to calm this aimlessly running mind.

Krishna :- Peace isn't an object bhrata, it's an emotion that can only be felt, it is everywhere, in every situation, all you need to do is to close your eyes and feel.

Karn :- But Madhav, my mind is not able to think of anything, its just messed up, I... I don't know what is it but something is not letting me feel the peace.

Krishna :- I know, sometimes life takes some steep turns, sometimes it dosen't happens what we expected, the reason of our sadness is not the situation but the expectations that we keep from others and from life.

Karn :- So keeping expectations is not right ?

Krishna :- Keeping expectations is good, but you should also keep in mind that everything dosen't happens as we expected, we should accept it. I know everything that happens doesn't feels good, but eventually everything happens for a greater good, you should have faith on your destiny, if something is written in your destiny, then that thing will happen, no matter what and no one can stop it.

Karn :- How can you take life so easily, don't you have any emotions, Madhav, you forgive anyone very easily, you never stay angry, you are always smiling, how Madhav, how ?

Krishna :- Lets just keep it simple, I take everything as it comes, neither do I ponder about past or worry about future, I just live the present and try to find happiness in it.

Karn :- (nodding) But it's easier said than done. I should go now, probably take some rest, will have to leave for Hastinapur tommorow.

Krishna :- You should go, I'll stay here for some more.

Karn :- As you feel comfortable.

He went away, Krishna looked up at the moon and chuckled.

Krishna :- Atleast something's there I won't have to worry about. ----------------------------------------------------------- Did you like the chapter ?

How is the change guys, fine now ?

What will be Jhanvi's reaction now ? Will she be able to accept this bitter truth.

Thinking about Pinak dhanush, well you all only said to give him Vijay dhanush so it was necessary. Don't worry, its in the chapter following next.

Upcoming chapter will divide Hastinapur into two parts.

Target :- 73 votes.

Do comment if you have any suggestions.