A union of three, was not unheard of. The men guarding the boundaries heard the sound of the conch before sunrise. It was blown thrice. It could only mean one thing, the war was called off or there was a winner. The enemy armies stood in attention, thousands listening in to understand what happened.
The victory sound of carnyx was heard from both sides of the wood. The sound of drums were heard. Then the sound of lyres and flutes were heard from both sides and all warriors looked at each other in shock. That meant the announcement of a royal marriage.
The hostile army retreated, slowly back into the woods, up the hills and were gone. And they were definitely not Karivayis.
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Eloy was in his tent soon. He just sat there on the floor. He had refused a bed because he didn't want any special consideration other soldiers did not get. He sat there wondering about his life as it is.
Left at the door of the palace itself at the age of 1 or even before that, Guardioni had taken care of him like a father. The King and Queen had loved him too. Atleast he likes to think so. And then they died, leaving him and Mithraos alone.
Even though they rarely spoke, it was them against the world till now. He was feeling numb.
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The Malvans reached their tents. Rishi was leading the pack.
"Before me atleast one of you should get married. Given that it is you both who are acting like tragic lovers for the past - for as long as I can remember, It would be great if you could bless the marriage as husbands," said Adharva casually.
Samarth snorted and Dhruv coughed hanging onto Shikhar still as he always does. Shikhar and Rishi looked at each other and away.
"I agree. Whatever problems happened between you can surely be sorted through conversation. Given that you both managed to bring up three normal men like us, I would say that you both owe it to yourself to finally be a family in every sense," said Samarth, seriously.
"He does not need a ring or pendant bearing Hrishikesh Malvan's name to be part of the family, as all five of us know," said Rishi.
Shikhar looked Rishi and then turned to Adharva.
"I am not happy with the way you asked for Eloy's hand, Adharva. Did we teach you to treat others as objects?" asked Shikhar, not really harsh because he was too happy about the impending nuptials.
"Well, maybe my way of asking was not right. Don't pretend that you are angry, your smile is yet to leave your face at the prospect of my marriage," said Adharva.
Shikhar huffed.
"It does not feel right leaving them alone now. In all honesty, we have five of us. They are only two. And probably Guardioni like we have Pahlan. No one else can be trusted," said Shikhar.
"I always knew you had a soft spot for them," said Rishi gently.
"Well, let us not pretend you didn't. I remember a whole argument about the problems with this war," said Shikhar equally gentle.
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Mithraos stood looking into the darkness of the woods. They will be writing the treaty contract next day. Obviously it will have nothing about the marriage. Marriage is a divine union in Arthanava even though royals don't do it that way. Atleast, they were not going to do it like that.
He looked at Eloy's tent. They were going to be together forever now. He always used to worry about someone else coming between them when they get married. He never liked sharing his friend. Though not like how he worried, he would still have to share Eloy.
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Shikhar went through the royal scrolls brought by the guards from the palace. They spoke of the wedding rituals and the practices. Rishi stood at the door watching him.
"You can help me rather than stand there your highness," said Shikhar.
"Let me not take your fun away," said Rishi.
Shikhar looked at him.
"Can you believe it? Our Adharva is getting married," said Shikhar.
Rishi gave a small smile. He walked over. Shikhar stilled when he felt the man behind him.
Shikhar turned his head slightly. He did not move away. They were both extremely vulnerable after the recent happenings.
Rishi rested his head atop Shikhar's.
"We brought them well, didnt we? "
"We did, your highness" said Shikhar leaning back against him. They stood there and jointly picked a ritual for the wedding. Rishi left a small kiss on Shikhar's forehead.
"Your highness, you shouldn't," said Shikhar, his voice low.
"Because you don't want me to?"
"It's unbecoming of a man of your stature. And I- in all honestly I am just another servant under the royalty," said Shikhar.
"Shikhar- I didn't mean-
"But it's true, your highness and the servants will talk," said Shikhar turning away.
"There is nothing for the servants to talk. They abide you like they would my mother and my grandfather before that," said Rishi.
Shikhar looked at him.
Rishi sighed and lifted Shikhar's head and pulled him close by his waist.
"Even though circumstances never allowed me to make you mine legally, the Kingdom and beyond knows you are my one and only. And will always be. But know this, Shikhar, I want you to find happiness. Even if it is not with me. If we are binding you in any way, I would like you to think yourself unbound now," said Rishi and left a peck on Shikhar's forehead and left.
Shikhar stood there and let the tear drops fall.
"Why doesn't he understand that its always him for me?" screamed Shikhar throwing his sword at the wall.
Shikhar just wiped his eyes and took the rolls and left the room. He knew why they were both getting so emotional. Going from detached to closer. Things were changing and they , as much as they try can't stay away from each other.
-------------
Thoughts?
What do you think happened between Shikhar and Rishi?
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The Warrior And His Emperors
Fantastik#1 in Kings (Earlier) #1 in Threesome He was a warrior. He was meant to protect the King and the Kingdom. His name brought the fear for life in warriors across the world. What he never thought he would become was the High King of two Emperors. Their...
