Thanjavur,
Sundar Cholar's chamber,

"Mandakini!" wept Sundar Cholar.

Nandini was paralysed, she didn't know how to react. She just kept staring at the woman in Sundara Cholar's arms.

" Who...who is she?" Whispered Nandhini.

Sundar Cholar's continued mourning,
" She is my sister" replied Sundar Cholar.

Nandhini's eyes widened, Nandhini dropped the sword from her hands and stared at the woman.

" What is her name?" Questioned Nandini.

" Mandakini " cried Sundar Cholar.

The face of her Father calling this name flashed before Nandhini's eyes.
" Mandakini" Nandhini repeated.

"If she is your sister, then why does she look like, me?" questioned Nandhini as she diverted her gaze from the woman to Sundar Cholar.

" She is your mother " uncovered Sundar Cholar.

Nandhini took a step back in shock, " No... No, My mother is dead. " Whispered Nandhini.

Sundar Cholar shook his head, "No, she was not." Replied Sundar Cholar.

" Is this the reason why you reacted that way on seeing me for the first time? Because I look like her replica?" Questioned Nandhini.

"It was not the first time I met you." Whispered Sundar Cholar.

" Then, when did you meet me? Do you know who I..am?" Questioned Nandhini as she felt her chest getting heavy with guilt.

" Very well, You are the Crown princess of the Pandiya Nadu."Replied Sundar Cholar.

Nandhini felt her legs giving up because of the overwhelming revelations.

" When did you meet me before?" Questioned Nandini as tears gathered in her eyes.  

" I met you before I lost my wife, nearly fifteen years ago," told Sundar Cholar.

"Where?" Asked Nandhini.

"Thanjai" Came the reply from Sundar Cholar as he started Narrating the whole Incident.

"It was a good start, everyone in Thanjavur was celebrating my return from Elangai.

My sister, Mandakini, the wife of Veera Pandian, Oomai Rani of Madurai."

A chariot stopped right at the entrance of the Thanjavur Palace, a beautiful woman carrying a small baby along with a small girl got down the chariot.

Vannanmadevi, the only wife of Sundar Cholar came to receive her.

" How are you Mandakini?" Questioned Vannanmadevi as she got the baby from her, she took them inside.

Mandakini, being mute from birth spoke with Vannanmadevi by gestures.

" I am fine how are you?" Mandakini questioned by gesturing.

" I am perfectly alright, is Veera Pandiyar treating you well?" Questioned Vannanmadevi.

Mandakini started to blush as soon as she heard his Name, "Of course, he will be, you both married out of love." Chuckled Vannanmadevi.

"Ah, I see, my lovely thang ai is here." Bloomed a voice from behind.

Mandakini ran towards her brother and hugged him. " I missed you a lot, Mandakini." Told Sundar Cholar as he caressed Mandakini's hair.

Mandakini broke the hug, " How are you Anna, you didn't get any hurt during the war right?" Signalled Mandakini.

" Well, I have earned ten new Veera thalumbugal." Told Sundar Cholar with a chuckle.

Mandakini playfully punched his chest.

" How is my marumagal ?" Asked Sundara Cholar as he walked up to  Nandhini who was nearly five years old, shyly standing a few steps behind her mother.

Mandakini gestured for Nandhini to take Sundar Cholar's blessings.

Nandhini bent down to touch Sundar Cholar's, " All of you have increased desire more, calling me like this, if the  Karikalar changes his mind at the end, then you all are responsible." Told the little Nandini.

"Love at this age?" Chuckled Sundar cholar at a Nandhini who was staring at him.

" I won't accept anyone as my marumagal other than her." Declared Vannanmadevi.

Sundar Cholar looked at Vannanmadevi and smiled, " Even you are in this ".

Vannanmadevi chuckled, "Who else will be? Come Mandakini let's go to our chamber and then gossip about them. " Called Vannanmadevi.

Mandakini nodded and followed her. Sundar Cholar smiled at them. Just as he turned to leave, he noticed little Nandhini standing with him.

" Your father didn't come?" questioned Sundar Cholar.

Nandhini shook her head and folded her hands against her chest. " No, he didn't buy he told me that he will join us when the celebration starts." Replied Nandhini.

Sundar Cholar's nodded. Both continued staring at each other until the Chola Nadu's sibling trio interrupted them.

The sound of anklets grew louder followed by a boy's voice, "Kundavai stop!".

Nandhini's head snapped towards the direction of the voice.

" Appa!" exclaimed the girl around Nandhini's age, holding a small boy's hand, who could be nearly three years old, hiding behind their father.

" Adhita, what happen?" Questioned Sundar Cholar. Nandhini's face beamed with happiness as soon as she realised that this was Adhita Karikalan.

" Appa, Kundavai along with Arunmozli broke my toy soldier." Complained the boy named Adhitan who could be seven years old.

" No, thandaiye we didn't." Protested Kundavai.

Sundar Cholar shook his head and asked Kundavai to apologise to Karikalan.

Kundavai pouted and apologised," Sorry Anna."

" Hmm, it's ok." Told Karikalan, his eyes fell on the girl in front of him.

" Appa, Who is she?" Questioned Karikalan with a frown.

" She is your Athai's daughter, Nandhini." Introduced Sundar Cholar.

" The one who kundavai told ..." Kundavai came running to her brother and closed his mouth.

" Anna, shhhhh, It's our secret." Whispered Kundavai in Karikalan's ears.

Karikalan nodded and composed himself. " Oh, ok father then we would like to take our leave."

Sundar cholar hummed, " Karikala, Kundavai, take Nandhini with you as well." Ordered Sundar Cholar.

Karikalan looked at Kundavai, kundavai nodded and asked her to join them.

Nandhini smiled at Sundar Cholar and ran with her newly found friends.

Evening,
Thanjavur,
Sivan Temple,

" Is everyone here?" Asked Sundara Cholar.

Vannanmadevi nodded, " Yes, the kids are playing near the pond." Informed Vannanmadevi.

" Ok,then let's start it after the prayers to Emperuman." Told Sundar Cholar. He walked towards the deity and prayed.

The priest came out with some Prasadam for the emperor, empress and Mandakini.

" Long live the king and queen of Thanjai, long live the Queen of Madurai." Blessed the priest.

Just as they were about to get the prasadam, they were startled by the screams of the people.

" Who is it?" Questioned Mandakini.

Sundar Cholar ran forward to see who it was, " It's The former Elangai king's soldiers." Announced Sundar Cholar.

I had no other option than to make Mandakini as Sundar Cholar's sister .Two more chapters to go...

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