Aditha's Queen

Fresh Arrival And New Beginnings

Aditha and Nandini entered Kanchi in his chariot squeezed together in the driver's seat. She was now handling the reins and Aditha was guiding her and troubleshooting for her as needed. He had playfully started her driving lesson. "Nandini! There are a few skills that will help you in your life as a royal. I will teach them to you soon. One of them is sitting close to your partner and assisting him in driving by leaning on him and making him happy and sometimes handling the reins yourself and giving him the pleasure of holding your hands in assistance", Aditha had said. Nandini obliged and was hooked. She loved driving the chariot. She had quite some way to go before she could do it alone but she was inching there. Aditha was a superb instructor and he was very impressed with her grasp. And they enjoyed snuggling up against each other during the long journey.

Nandini was fascinated by glimpses of the beautiful architecture of the buildings, the innumerable towering temples interspersed with jinalayas, viharas and chaityas here and there, the many kinds of monks and mendicants ambling along the streets, the countless institutions of learning, the scores of scholars and students thronging huge kalmedais under enormous trees ubiquitously and the incessant stream of devout ladies carrying fruit and flower baskets to various temples.

Aditha pointed at a gopuram nearby and said, "This is Perarulala Perumal temple." Nandini bowed her head in salutation to the lord. "This city is a melting pot of Saivism and Vaishnavism. There is an equal number of both types of temples in every street. Wouldn't it be apt if we two lived here as a couple?".

"I already love this city," Nandini declared. She realised that they had taken a small detour so that he could show her the Perarulalar temple as they drove through the same areas again to reach his palace. Trust Aditha to be the caring charmer!

They reached Aditha's sprawling three-storeyed moated palace that had a golden facade with a central golden tower and a series of exquisitely crafted golden gate lamps adorning the palace walls. "We are home, Nandini!",  Aditha said to her happily. He gestured to the guards at the gates who understood he was their prince in disguise. They bowed down to him and welcomed them in. Before Aditha and Nandini had parked, alighted and started walking towards the palace doors, a guard had rushed inside to announce their arrival. Arulmozhi, Parthiva and Vandhiya came out together greeting and cheering them both. Parthiva and Vandhiya hugged and lifted Aditha, unable to contain their happiness. They introduced themselves to Nandini amidst the merriment.

"Welcome home Anna and Anni" Arulmozhi said and led them in after a couple of very curious women employees of the palace had waved coloured waters and lamps before the just coronated victorious prince returning home and the strikingly beautiful maiden beside him and marked their foreheads with thilakams.

"Please bear with us bachelors until the royal ladies show up, Devi" Parthiva said.

"We have wondered if a lady would ever step in to this palace, Devi! Now that you have arrived, that jinx is quashed. We hope this place is flooded with ladies henceforth," said Vandhiya.

"So that you can have a field day?", Arulmozhi asked Vandhiya.

"And he was the jinx", Parthiva chipped in pointing at Vandhiya. They all laughed.

Nandini saw the strong sense of camaraderie among the men and was quickly drawn into it herself.

After refreshments and preliminary chat, they decided to meet at dinner and retired.

Aditha took Nandini to his apartment and showed her around. He then took her to another apartment close to his own. "You can stay here for now, Nandini. The maids here will assist you with everything. And don't hesitate to come in or send a word whenever you need me. Now rest and relax. I will meet you before dinner", he said and introduced the royal maids to her. After Aditha left, Nandini started to chat with Niraimadhi and Poongodhai in an effortlessly friendly manner.

They warmed up to her very soon and Poongodhai said, "Devi! I have never seen a lady as beautiful and graceful as you, ever."

Niraimadhi followed saying, "Devi! Is it possible that Ilavarasar will marry you? You two look divine together, like Eaasan and Parvathi."

Poongodhai interjected, "Did you notice the sparkle in Ilavarasar's eyes? Let's hope your words come true." Nandini just smiled.

Aditha met Arulmozhi in his apartment. "I hope you are liking your stay in Kanchi so far, Arulmozhi!," he said.

"I am having a great time here with Parthivendrar and Vandhiyar since we reached Kanchi two days ago, Anna. Now that you are also here, it will be jollier. I have asked them both to stay here at the golden palace until the wedding to help us with the arrangements. I am pleased to say that the family has happily consented to your wedding with Nandini Anniyar and they will all start arriving soon. The wedding date is now just three weeks away." And Arulmozhi shared with Aditha all the information - the discussions and plans that transpired at their Thanjai Palace after he had left for Kanchi with Nandini. Aditha hugged Arulmozhi and said, "Thanks, Arulmozhi! Not everyone is blessed with a brother like you."

"Don't thank me. We owe this to you, Anna." said Arulmozhi.

"Don't go exploring solo in Kanchi; there may be hidden dangers." Aditha warned him before leaving and Arulmozhi nodded. Neither brother knew that Sundara Chozhar had already packed and sent a group of handpicked guards to keep a watch over his sons' safety after he heard about the Aabathudhavigals' oath from Thirumalai.