After tons of jokes, fun stories and silly games, the Pandavas along with Yuyutsu and Manvendra, fell asleep in the Pramankoti.
A peaceful afternoon nap it was, the type which comes after a long day of fun. They all were tired after playing so much hence they all slept like a log.
Because they all were in such deep state of slumber, Duryodhan and Dushashan decided to take advantage of their defencelessness. They both snuck in the Pramankoti, and tip toed their way towards Bheem, who was sleeping beside Manvendra.
Duryodhan and Dushashan grabbed either of his feet and began dragging him out. It was great struggle but they succeeded in taking him out without anyone noticing.
The afternoon turned into evening, Manvendra stirred a little and woke up, but didn't find Bheem near him. With squinted groggy eyes he looked at room, and all the Pandavas were there, so was Yuyutsu, but Bheem wasn't there.
Manvendra sat straight up rubbing the sleep off of his eyes. He stood up and went outside Pramankoti, the sun was about to set. The son of Vidur waited for sometime for Bheem to return if he had gone somewhere but he didn't.
Hence Manvendra rushed inside and woke Yudhishthir up.
"What happened, son ?" Yudhisthir asked opening eyes.
"Bheem is nowhere to be found." Manvendra told.
"What ?" Yudhisthir frowned, sleep discarded him completely hearing that sentence.
-----
"Where would he be ?" Kunti muttered worriedly walking back and forth.
"Have this water, bhabhishree. Everything will be fine." Sulabha said.
"Nothing can be fine. My son has been missing since long." Kunti said.
"Bhabhi, I have faith my spies shall soon find Bheem." Vidur said.
Even the Pandav brothers were getting quite nervous now. All sorts of negative possibilities were plaguing their mind.
"Will Bheem be fine ?" Arjun, who was sitting behind Manvendra, asked worriedly.
"He will be." Manvendra assured, Arjun looked at him and then gazed down, tears blurred his vision. The Vidurputra looked at the third Panduputra, and wrapped an arm around his figure, embracing him.
"It's going to be alright. He'll be back soon." Manvendra said, although he himself was nervous about the possibilities.
Arjun just hugged Manvendra tightly, his breathing uneven due to his faint sobs, but in the arms of Raudra, he felt safe. He felt secure, the way he did in front of a shivling. Hence Arjun calmed down a little.
But Kunti was still agitated as she took the fire torch hanging in the wall, in her hands.
"That's it ! I am going to find my son !" Kunti said.
"Bhabhishree calm down !" Sulabha said holding one arm of Kunti.
"Have patience, Bhabhishree." Vidur said.
Suddenly the sound of running fell into their ears, a smile appeared on the face of Kunti, who instantly recognised the footsteps of be that of her son, Bheem.
"Putra !" She went running outside and rest followed.
And there was Bheem, being brought by the spies of Vidur. He rushed towards his mother and embraced her. Kunti showered plenty of kisses on Bheem's face and then looked over his body, not finding even a scratch she thanked the gods that her son returned without any injury.
"Mahamantri, we wish to convey something to you." The spies told.
Vidur nodded and went with them to a quiet place. Meanwhile the Pandavas hugged Bheem.
"Taat, don't ever disappear like this again !" Nakul said wiping his tears.
"We were so worried !" Cried Sehdev.
"Enough brothers, Bheem has just come. Let him sit for a while." Yudhisthir said.
"Right ! Come inside Bheem !" Arjun said said holding his hand and taking him inside.
There Manvendra rushed towards Bheem and embraced him, the Vrikoder too reciprocated with the tight hug.
"I'm so glad you're back safely." He said.
"Ofcourse I had to return. I haven't got enough of your smile yet, Raudra." Bheem joked.
"But what had happened ? Where did you go ?" Manvendra asked looking at Bheem.
"I nearly drowned." Bheem said, surprising everyone present there.
"But how ?" Manvendra asked.
"Duryodhan did it." The voice of Vidur fell on their ears as he returned back.
"Duryodhan ?" Kunti frowned.
"Yes. He and Dushashan dragged the sleeping Bheem out and threw him in the river." Vidur said.
"That.... That cannot be Pitashree. Duryodhan might be a menace, but he can't be that evil. He's not even 16 !" Manvendra said.
"Evil has no age, my son. The sooner you realise the better. My spies told me that this was the deed of Duryodhan. The ill-omens at the time of his birth are proving themselves to be true." Vidur said with a sigh.
"Maybe he didn't mean to kill Bheem. Today morning we threw them both in the river as a joke. Maybe they wanted revenge." Manvendra said.
"This was not a child's silly revenge, Manvendra. It is a case of attempted murder." Vidur said.
Manvendra was completely in shock, and so were Kunti, Yudhisthir, Arjun and the twins.
"I will smash the head of that wicked Duryodhan !" Bheem said angrily.
"Talk something else besides smashing heads. If you do that, what will be the difference between you and Duryodhan ?" Yudhishthir asked.
"So do you want me to go to him and give my thanks ?" Bheem asked, Vidur shook his head keeping a hand over Vrikoder's shoulder.
"You shall not do this either. This is our family matter, if it goes out in the public then what about the reputation of Kuruvansh ? If our rival kingdoms come to know this, then won't they take advantage ? You don't live in the forest anymore Bheem. Your lives, our lives are in front of the public eye." Vidur said.
"And there is no way Tatshree Dhritrashtra will punish his son." Manvendra said.
"Manvendra is right. Revealing this will have no fruit besides creating even more conflict. Hence I advise you all not to reveal it." Vidur said.
Bheem huffed folding his arms. Manvendra chuckled, keeping a hand over his younger cousin's shoulder.
"Please Bheem." He said with a smile, seeing the charms of which the anger of Vayu-putra vanished.
"Fine. I shall not bear any ill will towards Duryodhan or his brothers. But only because Manvendra said with a smile." Bheem said.
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A/N
Actually Vidur's plan to not revealing any of these conspiracies was very smart.
Because firstly, the praja will get insecure if they come to know the rivalry between the cousins, one among who was going to be the king.
Secondly, enemy kingdoms can take advantage of this situation to rip Hastinapur, if they come to know that royal family has grave internal conflicts.
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𝐑𝐀𝐔𝐃𝐑𝐀 𝐁𝐇Ā𝐕𝐀
Historical FictionFirst among 11 Rudras is Manyu, the war god, wielder of thunder and Slayer of foes. He is the one who brings wealth and health. Through him Vidur and his wife Sulabha beget a son, named Manvendra, who was fierce, queller of foes, follower of Dharma...
