The Princess Of Dwarka: An ArSu Novella

1|Books and Archery

" That was a neat trick, wasn't it, my dear?" Krishna chuckled, as he removed his foot which had pinned his sister flat.

They had been practicing with swords, in which the former won with contemptuous ease without breaking a sweat.

His sister had been fighting bravely, though she was languishing, when Krishna grew bored and decided to end a fight by an easy yet suave leg charge.

Subhadra. That was her name. Elegant in its simplicity. She was milky in complexion, with a round face dominated by almond-shaped innocent eyes, that fluttered with long lashes. Her curly hair was now tied into an empirical bun, as strands escaped from it.

"Indeed!! Teach me this tomorrow, I'm too exhausted." Subhadra arose, taking Krishna's hand.

She didn't really like warfare, but she didn't hate it either. She just did it, because well, she didn't want to forfeit the opportunity of being called a 'warrior princess'.

Also, perhaps because she enjoyed rebelling. To rebel against the boundaries society had set up for women. When girls her age were taught to act ladylike , she rode horses, clanged swords with warriors, and studied administration.

But she wasn't passionate about those either. Her true love lay in reading. She'd devour novels, plays, even enormous tomes in a single day!!

She would float into the magical world of those pages, as she would read and read and read, page by page by page, word by word getting lost and mesmerized by their fascination.

"So, what are you planning to do now?? Pray, don't tell me you are going to read " Krishna frowned.

"But, of course, read!!" Exclaimed Subhadra.

"Nerd!!" Krishna teased her indulgently, as the latter scowled.

" Shut up!! At least I don't go around stealing butter like you!!" Subhadra retorted, a subtle flush settling her cherubic cheeks.

"You know Krishna, books are the best companions," began Subhadra her voice suddenly pensive "They take you to another world, where you'd rather be."

"Wise words, Sister" Krishna clamored in a supposedly contemplative tone, as he sheathed his sword. "But again, they look preposterous coming from a clown, like you!" He smirked, receiving a mock glare from Subhadra.

"Bet you can't catch me," Krishna giggled before running away, as Subhadra grinned giving chase.

The palace echoed with the laughter of the siblings, enlivening the atmosphere, as mynas chirped happily and the breeze rustled with their music and happiness.

                      --------------------

Far away, from the sunny sea-kissed Dwarka, in the northeast of Bharatvarsha, lay a kingdom, surrounded by the dense greenery of trees and hills. The pristine waters of the Barak river flowed like ink in the twilight.

"Do you have to leave me alone?" Implored a teary Chitrangada, as she gazed at the man who had come to mean so much to her, in the abrupt span of three years.

"I don't have a choice, my dear" he replied, his eyes gleaming with melancholy at this tearful farewell. He was trying his most to conceal his own emotions under a veil of determination.

He was handsome, with his tall, sturdy yet lithe frame. His azure eyes, were like stars against his dusky complexion, as his breezy wavy hair drooped to his shoulders, a very masculine mustache adorned his face as the moon does to the star-sprinkled sky. Clad in coarse saffron, he still looked magnificently royal.

"Well, we had good days," he choked, despite his best efforts, as a lone tear slipped his eyes.

"And better nights too," jested Chitrangada, as they burst into teary chuckles.

"Take care of Babru," he said, before adding "and yourself too." He whispered huskily.

She threw her arms around him and kissed him full on his lips,  he embraced her and returned it, as they shared a long fervent kiss before Chitrangada pulled away to get her breath back.

He gently broke the hug, caressing her face as they shared a long gaze as his azure eyes bathed in her emerald ones.

"You will always remain in my heart," he said as she nodded, smiling tearfully.

Without another look back, he spun to walk away. Any more words and he would have cried like a child.

Chitrangada watched him vanish into the horizon, till the man she loved became a minuscule speck on the vast expanse.
                        ---------------

The city of Dwarka was just a few miles distance now, Arjuna pacified himself, as he briefly rested in a clearing amidst the woods.

He had been walking barefoot from Manipura, trying to not halt anywhere, for he wished to reach Dwarka at the earliest, until now when exhaustion overwhelmed him.

Despite the weariness, he felt an irresistible desire to practice archery. He knew he didn't have much time, and that shooting would deplete his energy and also that he had got limited arrows in his quiver, but...

He jerked out his Gandiva---the celestial bow that Agni gifted him, the bow glistened in the sunshine.

Pulling out an arrow from his quiver he shot a lone leaf, that had been pleasantly crinkling in the humid breeze. The arrow stabbed the leaf without felling it!  A masterpiece!

Watching Arjuna shoot, was like a master artist crafting his best creations, it was like witnessing the creator, shaping the universe.

He shot another arrow, it gored the first with unnerving accuracy, still not disturbing the leaf.

A third impaled the second one, as Arjuna smiled, in satisfaction. Instead of tiring him out, it seemed to have rejuvenated him.

Archery was his first love, he was married to the art.

It had all begun, when he had been a small child. When he had watched a tall gaunt brahmin with a flowing beard, retrieve their play ball from a deep well, using that very art.

Since then he had fallen in love with the art. From the time of piercing the eye of the wooden bird to piercing the metallic fish. He was in love with his bows and arrows, the love of a lifetime.

He swiftly turned around, to commence his journey for Dwarka. Where his best friend lived. And someone else too...