Tethered ; Arjun and Draupadi

3. Takshak tricks Arjun

AUTHOR'S NOTE : 100 reads on this! SO THANKFUL 🩷 Also, I am aware the chapters are lengthier than most fics but I don't want it to be rushed and feel incomplete! hope you all understand and read regardless! no compromise with quality here, readers! I promise y'all 🩷

Draupadi arrived at the gates of Indraprasth where she was greeted by her husbands and Subhadra. The heavily pregnant Subhadra was not accompanying them. Subhadra was about to touch Yudhishthir's feet when she was stopped by Draupadi. "Wait, Subhadra. You should not be stooping in your condition. Take care of my child, silly". Draupadi said as she affectionately smiled at Subhadra. Subhadra, who had begun to love Draupadi as her own elder sister obliged gladly.

It warmed Subhadra's heart to hear that her Jiji Draupadi considers her child to not just be hers and Arjun's but also her own. Subhadra, who had initially been nervous to face the Empress of Indraprasth's fury when she had arrived at Indraprasth after she had abducted Draupadi's husband and married him, was now a relieved woman. Subhadra wanted to win Draupadi over ever since she started for Indraprasth from Dwarka with Arjun and under her elder brother Krishn's guidance, she had succeeded in accomplishing the feat. It was never Arjun's love Subhadra had to strive for. He knew her friend and her Bhratashree's friend Arjun would be a good husband to her. It was Draupadi's love that she had strived for. Subhadra had heard about Draupadi and Arjun's first fated meeting at Kampliya Nagar's Shiv Temple from Krishn. Krishn had told her how the Pandava Prince had lost his heart to Drupad Kanya the very moment he had laid eyes on her and how the then Princess of Panchal had recognised him in his disguise of an ascetic Brahman, when even his own cousin couldn't. Such was their connection that transcended both the tangible and intangible. Though Subhadra who had always loved Arjun had become sad on hearing the story, she knew that Arjun and Draupadi's love wasn't a threat to her married life. If anything, their love was a catalyst to her being welcomed into their family and to Indraprasth wholeheartedly by Draupadi herself. Growing up with two elder brothers, Subhadra's secret wish for an elder sister had manifested itself in the form of Draupadi. Draupadi and Subhadra along with the Pandavas and now, the new child in Subhadra's womb were a close-knit and happy family. Subhadra hugged Draupadi and greeted Arjun and her brother in-laws.

As Draupadi was about to get into her palanquin (paalki), a restless and scared messenger interrupted. "Maharaj, Takshak and his venomous subjects have bit citizens living at the far end of the city. Do something, Maharaj. I request you". The messenger said in one singular breath. "What? But Takshak had accepted Arjun's refuge. Why would he do that and compromise the Serpent Community's security?, asked Yudhishthir. "I do not know, Maharaj. I did not personally see Takshak but the bites aren't ordinary snake bites. There is lethal venom involved that only Takshak harbours being the Serpent King. Hence, my guess is Takshak is the culprit, Maharaj", said the messenger. "He is right, Maharaj. We should see to it", said Draupadi to  Yudhishthir. "But Panchali, we have to proceed towards Hastinapur. We cannot disregard Tashri and Jyesht Mata", replied Yudhishthir. "Jyesht is right, Panchali. The Royal Doctor will be asked to treat the affected citizens. We must go", opined Bheem. "Yes, Panchali. We must hurry. Sahadev and I have already given the Royal Doctor our specialised remedies for snake venom and everything else. The citizens will be alright", said Nakul. "But I think Panchali is right, Jyesht. We should not abandon the citizens", said Sahadev to Yudhishthir, half out of concern for the citizens and half out of his intuition telling him that Hastinapur should be avoided today. "Jyesht is right. But so is Panchali", said Arjun. Draupadi, glad to have Sahadev and Arjun's support, turned to Arjun and asked, "So what should be done, Arya?". "Panchali, you, Jyesht, Bhrata Bheem and Nakul and Sahadev should proceed towards Hastinapur. It is I who had offered Takshak refuge and I shall have to see to it. Moreover, only I have divine weapons if a situation arises where Takshak needs to be put down. And I too will proceed towards Hastinapur as soon as this situation is dealt with and join you all", said Arjun. A worried Draupadi was about to protest against Arjun being left behind to fight Takshak alone once again but was stopped by Bheem. "Arjun is right. Jyesht, Panchali, this is the best solution to this situation. The citizens will be taken care of and Takshak will be dealt with and Tashri and Jyesht Mata's wishes will be regarded too. Let's not waste any more time. Charioteer, Soldiers! Make haste!", said Bheem and climbed atop his horse. He was followed by Nakul and a reluctant Sahadev. Yudhishthir got on his chariot and said to Draupadi, "Let's go, Panchali. We're getting late. Arjun will handle the situation at hand. Do not worry". Draupadi looked at the Emperor and nodded and then turned to look at Arjun. Arjun could read the tension lines on her forehead. Arjun took a step closer to her and placed his palms on her shoulders in a reassuring manner and said, "Do not worry, Panchali. I will let nothing happen to the people. I promise you I will deal with this and join you in Hastinapur soon". Draupadi's eyebrows scrunched up in worry and she said, "I do not know, Arya. I feel so anxious and restless going to Hastinapur without you". Arjun smiled at her and gently said, "Do not worry about me, Panchali. Nothing will happen to me. Neither will anything happen to you. My Gandiv is with me and my brothers are with you". Draupadi nodded, still not convinced, and got up on her palanquin reluctantly. They began their journey towards Hastinapur. Draupadi looked at Arjun through the curtains of her palanquin, both getting a strong sense of deja vu from the first time they had seen each other. Arjun smiled at her recalling the event from the past. Draupadi managed to smile at him through her worry. Arjun got up on his horse and went deeper into the city as Draupadi watched him disappear into the horizon. She recalled Krishn's advice on holding the string of patience carefully. She tried to reassure herself that everything would be alright and continued the journey towards Hastinapur.