The calm before the storm: The sanguine Krishna-Arjun journey

ℂ𝕙𝕒𝕡𝕥𝕖𝕣 𝟝: 𝕋𝕙𝕖 𝕔𝕙𝕠𝕚𝕔𝕖

Arjun's pov

Yudhishthir, with King Virata and King Drupad's help, had sent out invites to all their allies. Their army gathering in the kingdom of Matsya made the war more real to Arjun by the minute. 

Planning strategies had not begun full-fledged yet, but Arjun often discussed them with Bheem, Drishtadyumna and Shikandi. Abhimanyu insisted on listening in.

It was the first day of winter when Arjun, walking and sipping tea in the palace lawn with Madhav, got the most unpleasant shock of his life.

"How long do you think the war should last, Madhav?"

"A couple of weeks," suggested Madhav.

"That long?" said Arjun dubiously. "I with my Gandiva and you with your Sudharshan chakra can wipe out the Kaurava army in a day, can't we?"

"My Sudharshan chakra and I cannot fight in this war," said Madhav.

Arjun turned. "What did you say?"

"I'm afraid you have to win the war for righteousness without my interference, Parth. The opposition will accuse your side of unfair means if I, the Lord of Creation, fight on your side. Honour must win on its own merit."

"What--Madhav--you cannot not fight in the war! Are you insane?"

"Are you trying to suggest you cannot win on your own, Parth?" said Madhav. "I was under the impression you had better confidence in your abilities than that."

"It is not a question of confidence or competence--" said Arjun impatiently. "It's you and me. We have to be there on the battlefield together, I cannot--"

"You have fought most of your wars without me."

"I WILL NOT FIGHT THIS WAR WITHOUT YOU." Arjun drew in a shaking breath to calm himself down. "You are joking. I know you're joking."

"I am deadly in earnest."

Arjun was not aware he had let go the cup in his hand till it hit the ground and shattered with a crash, Madhav's lunge to save it coming too late.

"Parth," said Madhav reproachfully. "Watch what you're doing."

"What I am doing?" Now that he had got over the shock, he was overcome with fury. "Do you hear yourself? You won't fight with us because they will accuse us of unfair means? Do we all not have allies? Do our friends not fight on our side?"

"Mortal friends," said Madhav gently.

The more gently he spoke, the angrier Arjun felt. Maybe Madhav sensed it, because he spoke in a bolder tone. 

"They will accuse me of meddling in the war, just because I am your friend."

"Everyone has their own different reasons for meddling in the war!" said Arjun. "It's not the King of Anga's war, but he is fighting for Duryodhan! It's not Acharya's war, but he is being forced to meddle for it is Hastinapur's throne! In fact--it is no one's war but us cousins'."

"Again I remind you, Arjun, they are mortals," said Madhav. "I cannot blatantly choose sides, both for your and my sake."

"Sometimes," said Arjun truthfully, "I do not have words for you."

Madhav beamed. "I take pride in that."

"All right," Arjun drew himself up, shaking. "Farewell."

"I am not leaving for Dwaraka just yet--"

"I am leaving your sight," said Arjun fiercely. "I had better got used to it if you are not to be present by my side in the war, hadn't I?"

"Well," said Madhav, "take care."