The Inseparable Princes

101.

Once the last rites of Ravana were completed, Vibhishana broke down altogether, not guilty, but just grief-stricken. "Vibhishan," began Rama, his tone compassionate as ever, as he took the King of Lanka in a most comforting embrace. "He died on the battlefield, as a real warrior does." Vibhishana looked up, blinking away his tears and sniffling. "Don't mourn his death in this way, when you need to stand strong for your citizens. Now, you are their king, and a ruler's duty is to ensure that everything that the people require is provided to them even at the time of crises like these. One of their requirements is an official ruler, who can give them the peace they must be yearning for." Vibhishana's nodded wiping away the last of his tears, and standing straight up. It was like Rama's words were a switch, and when that switch of his would be turned on, they would send so much positivity and optimism, even a sense of responsibility into the person he's speaking to, that the person would forget all previous sorrows and guilt. "Lakshman will crown you King now, Vibhishan. Maharaj Vibhishan."

★★★

As instructed by Rama, Lakshmana, in the presence of the new ministers of Lanka (four of whom were the four people who had accompanied Vibhishana to Rama when they had gone to him to seek refuge, if you're as curious as I was to know how there were suddenly enough ministers after a massive war ¯\_(ツ)_/¯).

Vibhishana sat on his throne, as Lakshmana sprinkled the ocean water on him, before taking the King's crown, large, gold - as every other thing in Lanka - and studded with jewels generously, and placing it on the new King's head (nahi, mujhe laga usne mukut ko kha liya). With the entire Kingdom hailing their new king, kind, compassionate and intelligent, it was informed to Rama that Vibhishana was officially the King.

★★★

Well, that wasn't required for Vibhishana walked back to the shores once again to take the blessings of his Lord before embarking on this new journey in his life; ruling a kingdom. "Lakshman's crowned somebody King for the second time in less than a year's time. Woah!" laughed Rama, while pulling Vibhishana (who was taking Rama's blessings) up and embracing him.

"Third, totally." said Lakshmana, shrugging.

"Really? Who is the third person you've crowned?" added Angada. Lakshmana smiled sheepishly.

"My twin. But that was just a roleplay, you know." he said rather hesitantly.

"Lakshu, you had said that you take that one VERY seriously, right? Why are you always changing colours, eh?" asked Rama, slapping his brother's back. "Whatever." He looked at Hanuman. "Uh, Hanuman..." He trailed off, looking down as though hesitant or even shy. Hanuman frowned. Something was off. No matter what, his Prabhu wasn't going to hesitate to say something to him.

"Prabhu?"

"With the permission of Vibhishan," Vibhishana widened his eyes. Permission? From him? "-please go and inform Sita that Lakshman and I are safe, and also that Ravan has been killed." he said. Hanuman smiled. Lakshmana grinned. Finally. Finally, their Lord would truly be happy, and so would their Sita Mata.

"Certainly, Prabhu!" said Hanuman. "It's my duty. It's an honour, that I'll be able to give her the news she has yearned for, even if she already knows it. It was her confidence in you, in Lakshman Bhaiya, in a servant like me, in everybody else, that we have achieved this today. Her confidence in you, Prabhu, and yours in her. That was it." Rama tried not to show his tear filled eyes to anyone. He really was overwhelmed by the unwavering confidence she had had in a man like him. It almost hurt.

★★★

Rama shuddered when he saw the palanquin approaching him, behind which walked Vibhishana. Rama was so broken. He felt lovestruck all over again by just thinking about the fact that he was going to hear the jingling of her anklets once again, that he was going to see her gorgeous smile for hours on end once again, that he was going to have her in his arms once again. Suddenly, though, he felt misery. Right at him, hitting him hard, bringing him out of all his thoughts. He didn't even know why his mind was doing this. Tears filled his eyes, and he couldn't help it. It all hurt so much that she, who had been abducted because of his carelessness in the first place, was now here. Here.