Prakriti P.O.V
"Mother, have you seen Abhimanyu?" I asked walking in her chamber, she finished her worship and moved towards me with platter in her hand giving me sweet and putting her hand on my head when I joined my hands in respect. "Daughter, he must have been playing around" she said with a smile. I sighed , I know he is here somewhere but a mother always worry for her children. "Yes mother, but he is such a lively child always running around, he can lose his way in the vast Hastinapur" I said worried, she gave me a small smile, put her hand on my shoulder "Daughter, he will be fine" she said in reassurance and finally I nodded my head and took my leave from there continuing my search. He was definitely not in the Castle, I couldn't feel him around me, his aura is connected to me and he is not nearby. I can't tell Arya either, he would just chuckle at my over protectiveness. So I closed my eyes and felt the connection between us, I opened my eyes and smiled following the trail to the back of the Castle in the forest. I moved the bushes aside and entered in the forest looking for my little warrior.
"You have to pull the string a little close" I heard a familiar voice coming from nearby, I walked in that direction and saw my son with his bow getting help by Anga King, well he is not a King anymore, he left the crown on his own. He was teaching him to properly hold the bow for better aim. "Son" I called coming closer to them. Both turned their heads towards me, Abhimanyu looked at me sheepishly knowing that I am going to scold him. Anga King looked at me in confusion then to my son "He is your son!" he asked surprised, I nodded my head and joined my hands together in greeting gesture, he joined his hand in respond, greeting me back. "My apology Princess, I didn't know he was your son" he said looking at Abhimanyu who was smiling and setting his bow on his shoulder. "Why are you apologizing, you are doing nothing unacceptable" I responded, he is great archer and if my son can even learn some tricks from him, my son will be lucky. He shook his head in denial "I am a chariot son, I have no right to teach a Prince son" he said, his voice void of any emotions, I knew he has been getting backlash since his childhood for being a chariot's son and an archer. I chuckled at his comment, he looked at me in shock, his jaw clenching in irritation. "Knowledge doesn't see caste or post, everyone has same right to adapt to the knowledge and become capable and you Radhe is capable among all of us, your ability is greater than anyone, a mere caste can't stop you to move further and achieve your goal" I said, a smile appeared on his face and he looked towards the ground "You really are different from everyone" he said looking at me trying to read me. I smiled "Everyone is different in their own way, it's our choice how we want to see them".
"Mother, this great warrior was helping me in archery" my son said standing beside me, I put my hand on his head, my worry and anger long forgotten by seeing his innocent face. "This is Maharathi Karna, you are lucky that he is helping you, he is one of the best archer in the World" I said truthfully, Maharathi Karna is a great warrior, his skills are commendable. My son smiled and nodded his head, he turned his head to Maharathi Karna and bowed in front of him in respect, I could see proud and joy in Anga King eyes. I joined my hand in front of Radhe "My son would be lucky if you give him some of your knowledge until he is in Hastinapur" I requested politely, Maharathi Karna looked taken back, his eyes widened in surprise "But you have many great archers in Castle who can teach him better than me, why me?" He questioned in confusion, I gave him an encouraging smile "But your capability is different from anyone, you are Parshuram student, you are divine and I would be happy if you help my son" I responded to him, he looked lost in thought. "What about Prince Arjuna, he is my enemy, would he like that his son is getting taught by me" he asked, his jaw clenching and he looked away. I sighed, he still didn't forget that my Arya is not his enemy. "He doesn't discriminate in your potential and he is not your enemy, you are like his elder brother" I said smiling. He stared at me for a couple of seconds "You and your brother Krishna really had way with words" he smiled which made me chuckle, we just speak truth and nothing else.
"So, will you accept my son as your student?" I asked him, he nodded his head giving my son a smile who was jumping in joy. "It will be my honor" he said finally accepting my request. I smiled, Maharathi Karna is not bad, he is just bound with his promise to Prince Dhuryohdhan who is on the side of Adharma.
***
I was sitting with Mother telling her about our exile period when Arya entered in the chamber looking confused. He directly stand before us, greeting mother then his gaze met me. "You are letting our son to learn archery by Maharathi Karna" he asked in disbelief, Mother on the side looked shocked but I could detect a small amount of joy in her eyes. I nodded my head towards Arya "Yes, I did" I responded straight away, he looked at me frowning "But he is our enemy" he said not understanding my decision, I sighed and shook my head "He is not our enemy until we make him, right mother?" I asked turning my gaze at mother who was in shock, she got out of her state and nodded her head "Prakriti is right, Maharathi Karna is not our enemy" she stated, her eyes showing sadness in them, I knew the reason behind the sadness but I cannot say anything, it is her choice. "But he always challenged me, always try to belittle us" Arya said, his voice cold as he stared at the wall behind us, his fist clenched. I stood up from the bed and stand beside him, taking his clenched fist in my hand "He just has been misunderstood all his life, he has capability, he has Dharma in his heart, people always belittle him at every corner of his life, it is not his fault that he is little bitter towards us" I explained unclenching his hand, he sighed but finally nodded his head "You are right and I am sure he will be a great teacher to our son for the time being" Arya said with a small smile. I smiled "Indeed he will be" I responded, my gaze went to Mother who has tears in her eyes for his lost son.
***
We stayed in Hastinapur for couple of days enjoying the love of our elders. Finally we decided to leave Hastinapur and moved towards our Kingdom, Indraprastha. Everyone were standing at the entrance to bid us farewell, I remember the time before our exile when Indraprastha was given to us, when that happen before, at that time we were angry, sad and lost but today we are happy that we are leaving for our home, time really does change things.
"Pranipath, Elder father" I said touching his feet, he put his hand on my shoulder and gave me a smile "May God bless you" he said finally, I smiled and moved towards Elder mother and Mother, I touched Mother feet, she pulled me in hug crying on my shoulder, I broke the hug and shook my head wiping her tears "It is not the time to cry mother, we are going to make you proud, you should be happy" I said and took her hands in mine squeezing them. She nodded her head and wiped the remaining tears "These are happy tears, daughter" she responded and looked at my son "Take care of my grand son, he is a gem" she smiled in affection staring at Abhimanyu who was taking blessings from his great grand father, I nodded my head with a smile, after taking their blessings, I went to Grand father, his eyes were shining with tears, I touched his feet, he pulled me into hug, sighing, "If it was in my hand, I wouldn't let any of you to go away" he said sadly, breaking the hug, I gave him a reassuring smile, "Grandfather, we are not going anywhere, we are always in your heart" I responded, he gave a soft chuckle and put his hand on my head "Always smile like this" he said smiling, I returned the smile and moved towards Uncle Vidhur, touching his feet, he gave me his blessings "I can tell, you will be a great General Secretary" he said with a proud smile on his face, my face break into a happy smile. He is the great General Secretary in the entire Aryavart and the compliment coming from his mouth is a big deal. "But never better than you" I responded, he shook his head and put his hand on my shoulder "You will be better than me because you are on the side of dharma" he said with a sad smile. I looked at King Dhristrastra who was speaking to Mr. Sanjay then turned my gaze back at Uncle Vidhur and slowly nodded my head, taking my leave.
We sat on the chariot and moved towards the exit of Hastinapur, people were standing on the side of road to bid us farewell. My eyes met Maharathi Karna who was standing at the back looking at us. "Stop the chariot" I said to Arya, he looked at me in confusion but stopped the chariot, I get off from it and took Abhimanyu with me moving towards Radhe, people made way for us, they joined their hand greeting me, I pulled a smile on my face and greeted them back. "Pranam, Maharathi Karna" I said joining my hand when we reached near him. He stopped his work and pulled his hand together in greeting gesture. "Pranam Princess Prakriti" he responded with a smile, his eyes went to Abhimanyu who moved forward and touched his feet in respect "Pranam, Gurudev" he said in his sweet voice when he stood up to his full height, Radhe nodded and put his hand on my son head "May you will become better Archer than me and your Father" he said giving my son his blessings, I smiled and looked at the scene in adoration. Brother Krishna stand beside me and stared at them with a small smile on his face. "Are you happy now that your son got the blessings from his elders" he said, I nodded my head smiling, my wish is fulfill now, I can focus on my duties and help my Kingdom to become free nation.
Finally we left Hastinapur behind and moved towards Indraprastha, our family eagerly waiting for our return.