"Our Armoury!!" Nakul and Arjun took a deep breath in excitement as they ran towards the weapons.

"Finally my weapons. I haven't touched them in a year." Dhriti said picking up the sword and Bow kept around.

"Didi, come! One practise match with me." Nakul called.

"Yes yes ! Coming." Dhriti said tying around her Angawastra and walking towards Nakul.

"I'll be the judge." Bheem said sitting across them with fruits in both hid hands.

"Why to sit when you have Duryodhan to practise your skills with Vikrodhar?" Shakuni said entering the armoury and both Nakul and Dhriti didn't even turn back to look at him.

"What will I learn from Duryodhan, Mamashree? How to make mastermind traps?" Bheem said as Shakuni frowned.

"Dhriti Nakul, greet him." Yudhishthir said tapping them.

"Never let your focus shift. Your concentration is far more greater than the mere tricks of a mouse. Said by Guru Drona." Nakul said, their swords still crashing.

"He got a point. You greet him from our side as well jyesht." Dhriti said.

"So both of you started disobeying my-" Yudhishthir started.

"Pranipat Mamashree." Dhriti and Nakul said in unision, continuing their practice.

"Try some diffrent attacks Didi, I'm bored with your previous ones." Nakul said nonchalantly.

"Okay." Dhriti shrugged as she smoothly flicked Nakul's sword out of his hands but it unfortunately landed in front of Shakuni just a few inches away from hurting him.

"Oops." Dhriti said covering her mouth.

"We're doomed." Nakul said walking towards him to pick up the fallen sword.

"You'll regret insulting me warriors." Shakuni muttered as he left the armoury as Yudhishthir glared his two siblings.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

"Leave it to me Pitashree, Dhriti is my sister as well and being the Yuvraj of Hastinapur, I should get a chance eto arrange my sister's Swayamwar." Duryodhan wickedly smiled putting everyone in shock.

"Maharaj, we agree with Anuj Duryodhan but being Dhriti's siblings, we have full rights to take part and look after these things as well." Yudhishthir spoke.

"Maharaj, I suggest, we should talk to putri Dhriti first, before planning anything." Vidur added.

"Kakashree, why do you worry so much. She'll understand." Duryodhan said.

"This is not more important than what I am about to speak.
Almost everyone in the whole of Aryavart knows about Dhriti, so I want the Swayamwar to be grand. The Kings and Yuvraj from every part should be invited to participate." Duryodhan started.

"That's what everyone does. What's grand in that?" Arjun asked.

"Yeah, as I said, everyone aspires to win her hand in marriage. Therefore, I only want the most powerful Kings and other Kshatriyas to attend this. Not anyone else." Duryodhan explained as Sahadev caught his evil meanings.

"Yes you're right Bhrata. In the present day, Dwarka is the most powerful kingdom in aryavart, so I completely get what you mean." He smirked.

"That's the exact opposite of what we means to say." Shakuni laughed, putting a question mark on everyone's face.

"Dwarkadheesh, Yaduvansh Shresht, Vasudev's son, Krishn won't be invited for the Swayamwar...." Duryodhan's loud voice let out as the 5 brothers got up in shock and Vidur looked down in dismay, nodding no in disappointment.

"What are you saying Vatsa. Everyone is familiar about Vasudev and Dhriti. And why not? She has the choice to choose her husband, so stop this." Bhishma got up.

"Keep her rights aside for a minute Pitamah, think about the alliance and power. Dwarka already shares great relations with Hastinapur. Dwarkadheesh is Mata Kunti's brother. Dau is our Guru.
Now it's time to built relations with other kingdoms. And nothing is more beneficial than a marriage alliance." Duryodhan reasoned.

"Maharaj, I once again request you to ask and talk to Dhriti about this before something grave happens." Vidur spoke.

*At the same time*

Wow Dhriti, this temple is so huge and beautiful than the one back at Panchal." Draupadi said entering the temple.

"And look at the beautiful idol of Maa Parvati. Its so soothing and calm." Draupadi smiled looking at her.

"Rajkumari! Rajkumari!" A dasi came running inside the palace.

"What happened? Why are you in such a hurry?" Dhriti asked patting her.

"Anarth Rajkumari, Anarth." She said gathering her breaths.

"What Anarth?" Draupadi piped in.

"Maharaj is planning your Swayamwar." She said.

"That's obvious. I'm a burden to their evil tactics." She shrugged.

"Rajkumari, Gandhar Naresh and Yuvraj Duryodhan said they are going to look after every single thing, even sending the invitations to everyone. " She huffed.

"My Aryas won't let that happen." Draupadi said relaxed.

"No Rajkumari. Yuvraj Duryodhan and Gandhar Naresh are giving reasons to Maharaj for not inviting Devkinandan Krishn front the Swayamwar. You have to stop this Rajkumari." The dasi spoke.

"Not inviting Kanha?! What stupid reason did he give for not inviting him? And nobody else said anything against this?" Dhriti asked, anger building up.

The dasi narrated both of them the whole conversation till now as tears of anger started forming around her eyes.

"Let's go. Yuvraj is going to be in huge trouble now." Dhriti said, joining her hands in front of the idol and leaving.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

"Why Mahamantri? Where's the problem?, even my Dushala got married to Sindhu Naresh, that to without any objection, and see, we have the support of Sindhu territory now." Shakuni said.

"The problem is I'm not Dushala jiji, neither I'm an object which the royal family of Hastinapur would use for increasing and strengthening their military power." Dhriti lowkey shouted standing at the doors of the bhavan.

"Dhriti? Who gave you the right to enter without the permission?" Duryodhan shouted.

"Nobody did, I came here by myself. But don't talk about rights and permissions because nobody gave you the right to talk about my swayamwar in my absence without my permission." Dhriti said entering.

"And what is the say of my dear brothers and Pitamah and Kakashree? Want to sell off the happiness of their sister and daughter for an alliance?
If each one of you is so fascinated for power, then please, I request you to win that honour and status in a war.
Marrying me off, against my will, will only bestow guilt and regret." Dhriti said coldly stating at each one but her voice conveyed her sadness.

"What is this way of threatening Dhriti? Stop it." Dhritarashtra got up.

"I'm not threatening, your agreement on this grave idea is an invitation to peril, Maharaj." She said, tears now brimming around her eyelids .

"What.Do.You.Want?" Duryodhan gritted.

"I respect your descision to arrange my swayamwar and calling the kings and royalties from all over Aryavart so that they don't feel insulted, but your reason for not inviting Devkinandan is unacceptable. What if want to marry him and him only? Afterall, its my will na." She fake a smile at him, angering Duryodhan.

"The Yuvraj of Hastinapur, Son of Hastinapur Naresh Dhritarashtra orders everyone to start preparing for Rajkumari Dhriti's Swayamwar.
Order Kul Guru Kripacharya to find the nearest date.
Invitations to be sent to all the royalties of Aryavart except Dwarka.
And make sure, no one sends any spies or secret messages to Dwarka." Duryodhan announced as Dhritarashtra did not object, therefore showing his agreement.

"Now let me see, how much your Kanha loves you, and for how long your love is going to be devoted to him." Duryodhan whispered as he, along with Dushasan and Shakuni took a leave.

"Dhriti, Putri...." Bhishma and Dhritarashtra walked towards her.

"No Maharaj, no Pitamah. Please don't assure me. What is meant to happen, will happen without a doubt. Pranipat." She joined her hands and left the room as lone tear escaped Arjun's eye.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

"What! Duryodhan said all this?" Dau paced in his room as the five brothers stood in front of him.

"Yes Dau." Sahadev said.

"And not a single thought crossed in your minds to stop that nonsense? " Dau bawled as the 5 of them looked down.

"Dau, why are you yelling at them? Do you think Yuvraj Duryodhan is someone who would listen to them. Leave them, he does not even listen to Maharaj Dhritarashtra." Kanha laughed.

"Don't even try to calm me down Kanha. Come with me." Dau fumed pulling Kanha towards Dhritarashtra's room where Kunti, Gandhari, Bhishma and Vidur were discussing something.

"Everything is messed up." Arjun said running his hand through his hair.

"We can't escape Dau's wrath now. Let's go." Bheem said as they followed.

"Vasudev, Balram what happened putro?" Bhishma worriedly got up.

"Pitamah, upon everyone's request we both agreed to stay and be the part of the festivities. Now I want Maharaj Dhritarashtra to grant us permission to leave for Dwarka." Dau joined his hands in front of them as Kanha looked down.

"Putro? What are you saying?" Kunti git up.

"Yes Bua, Duryodhan have done an extreme job by insulting our father and the whole of Yaduvansh. Therefore we can no longer stay here. Please grant us the permission so we can reach Dwarka as soon as possible." Dau further explained.

"I'm really sorry for what Duryodhan said Devkinandan. I apologize from his side." Dhritarashtra got up.

"You don't need to apologize Pitashree." Duryodhan entered along with Shakuni.

"So are you going to apologize Putra?" Bhishma rhetorically asked.

"Why should I Pitamah? My statement was reasonable and I don't find anything wrong in it." Duryodhan crossed his arms.

"Alright, we must take a leave then." Kanha smiled at everyone.

"Keshav....No!" Arjun whispered as Kanha walked out.

"Wait for me Parth!" Kanha said entering Dhriti's chambers.

"Priya......" Kanha walked towards her little figure staring at the stars.

"I know you won't let this happen, I'm strong, I'm not at all crying." Her croaked voice said turning back.

"If you know, then why are you hurting yourself with this assurance?" Kanha asked wiping her eyes.

"I'm angry with the way Bhrata Duryodhan insulted Dwarka and the power of Yaduvansh. I just don't understand why Jyesht Pitashree does not say a word against it." Dhriti said looking at him.

"And he has foolishly forbidden anyone form sending letters and spies to Dwarka as if that's the only way we can converse." She said crossing her arms.

"Priya, before leaving to Dwarka, I just wanted to tell you one thing...." He said holding her hands.

"No matter how much and how hard anyone tries, no one in the entire trilok holds the power to separate Kanha from his Priya.
Just like Lakshmi is the shakti for Vishnu and Devi Sita was the reason for Shri Ram being Maryada-puroshottam, You are the reason and my companion to hand out ideals of Dharma, friendship, justice and love to this Yug.
I am a part of your soul, and the body cannot be separated from its soul before death. " He spoke as Dhriti instantly put her hand on his mouth.

"Don't talk about death and the soul leaving your body Kanha. I can't even bear the thought. No matter what, you're not going to be taken away from me. Jaha Priya hai, wahi Krishn bhi hai." She smiled as this time Kanha had water in his eyes.

"I told you , if next time you're going to Dwarka, I'm coming along. And why are you crying?" She questioned making him smile

"That's what we're- I mean I am working on." He laughed carassing her cheeks.

"You're not going to abduct me." Dhriti giggled.

"Oh! That would have been a good option!" Kanha laughed.

"Nah! I want to see everyone's faces and also let them know that they can't go against someone's wish to fulfil their selfish agendas.
Also, after that, they'll think 100 times before plotting against this Yaduvansh Tilak Krishn." She explained making Kanha laugh.

"Okay done. Just want to make them realize that marriage is not always about alliance, and marrying a girl against her wishes is nothing but adharma.
And I won't let that happen." He said hugging her.

"But I'm not going to leave Bhrata Duryodhan and Mamashree Shakuni for that insult. I'll show them someday." She mumbled.

"Until than, promise me, you would be happy here, you won't despise anyone for what they are doing and respect all the royalties participating in your Swayamwar. " He spoke.

"Promise." She smiled as Kanha picked up the lotus floating in a vessel around her balcony, immediately giving off delicate golden sparkles.

"I'll take this. This reminds me of you." He smiled, leaving the chamber

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

"You definately have some mastermind plan behind that signature smile of yours." Arjun said as he waited near his chariot.

"You know me too well Parth, now come with me for a minute." Kanha said pulling him aside.

"What! No way I'm going to do that." Arjun said laughing in shock.

"That's the only option left. I'm not going to abduct her, because that's against her wish. She wants everyone to know that they can't force her to do something she doesn't want to, by suppressing her opinions and choices." Kanha explained.

"This girl's brain works diffrent than others." Arjun said.

"Ofcourse. She's here to make a difference." Kanha said patting him.

"So, amongst the 5 of us, you decided to put me in this Dharmsankat?" Arjun laughed.

"Jyesth Bhrata won't lie, Bhrata Bheem not suitable for this one, Priya needs Nakul and Sahadev because they goof around each other and you're not that funny. So you, my dear friend are the only one left.
Won't you do this for your sister and your bestfriend Keshav?" Kanha glanced at him.

"Okay now stop being sentimental. I'm in. " Arjun said raising hands in surrender.

"Kanha, its getting late. We have to reach before dark." Dau called as Kanha walked towards his ride bidding Kunti , Draupadi , Vidur and the 5 of them a goodbye.

"What must be going on in Bhrata Narayan's mind, Swami?" Parvati asked as they watched the happenings in Hastinapur.

"You'll see how this Lakshmi Narayan will give this Dwapara Yug the ideals of devotional love." Mahadev smiled at her.

"Soon the time will come for you to leave Kailash and go to Hastinapur to meet your Sakhi Lakshmi." Mahadev said as Parvati's eyes glistened.

"Really? I'll immediately inform this to sakhi Saraswati." Parvati smiled.

"Hey Narayan, my well wishes are always with this Trilok Swami and his Ardhangini." Mahadev thought as a smile appeared on Kanha's face.

"Mahadev, won't you come here like Gauri to meet your Mitra?" Kanha said smiling.

"I'll answer this the way you do mitra." Mahadev chuckled.

"Really? How?" Kanha asked.

"You'll see Narayan, very soon." He replied as both Bholenath and Triloki Nath awakened the entire Dev Lok with their revered voices.

_________________________________________

Hope you liked it.
If you do, don't forget to vote and comment.
Thanks.
xx.