Like the Moon and Sun

Rama's whole world collapsed when he saw Lakshmana hit the ground.

No, no, no, not him too. He'd already had Sita taken from him. He couldn't lose his brother. Not his sweet, caring brother who was always there for him. Not his dutiful brother who followed him like a shadow always. Not his brother, who had left behind his home, his family, and his wife just to serve him.

Urmila.

The name sent a fresh wave of sadness through his body. His dear sister-in-law who had told him not to worry, who told him she was confident her husband would return to him. His Sita's sister who he may have just widowed.

Running over to Lakshmana's side, he gently stroked his brother's dark hair, unruly as usual.

"No, no, Lakshmana, please... Thambi, wake up." he pleaded.

It was no use, his brother lay on the bloodied grass, barely breathing.

Sita... Lakshmana...

Their names haunted him, refusing to let him have any peace. The battle raged around him, but Rama paid no attention.

What was he going to tell their mothers? Or Bharata and Shatrughan? How would he break the news to Ayodhya that the beloved prince of Ayodhya was dead? Or, perhaps it was only his family that would mourn... Or would they be too caught up in the joy of him returning? Perhaps the only people who would shed tears would be he, his brothers, Sita, and Urmila. Perhaps his mothers would be too busy (or forced to be too strong) to cry.
Deep down, he knew it was just wishful thinking and that all of Kosala would feel the loss of their prince in every moment he was not there.

No. If they were to cry, Rama would not. For he was like the moon to Lakshmana's sun. His brother was bright and cheery, and it was his light that brought a glowing smile to Rama's face every day. What would he do now that he was gone?

He was prepared to just let himself die, when Hanuman landed next to him.

"Prabhu, what are you doing?! We must save Sita Amma Devi!"

Rama shook his head. If Sita was his heart, then Lakshmana was his soul. Without either of them, how was he to carry on?

"It is no use, Hanuman. Without Sita, I have no hope of saving Lakshmana, and without Lakshmana, I have no hope of saving Sita. They were my heart and soul, respectively. What do I do now?"

"I will help you," he replied. "I will fly and find anything and any way to bring back Ayodhya Ilavarasar Lakshmana. Don't worry, Prabhu. With me on your side, I will allow nothing to happen to neither your heart nor your soul."

As he flew away, Rama smiled. Sita was his heart, Lakshmana was his soul, and now... He'd accepted Hanuman as his mind. A part of the body the others can not function without, always the one to try and solve a problem, no matter how difficult.

He kissed Lakshmana's forehead.

"I trust him, Thambi. Don't worry, he will be back soon."