Fire Herself; Panchali Draupadi

Chapter Three: The Promise Part Two

Panchal: Dhrupad's time; 10 years old

The young boy stood in fright. He watched as Bhishma took his bow, pulled the string and stood with a firm stance as his bow let out another terrifying roar. Now the young prince feared not only for his father's life, but for his and his mother's life as well. It was warrior code to never raise a weapon to harm children and women, as they were considered weak, and Dhrupad had thought that Bhishma would honour this tradition no matter how wrong his father deemed it was. His father had made it customary in Panchal that if a women knew how to fight, then she was fair game for war. He even had willing women in his military force, But that number wasn't that great as women still feared their own husbands and society's view on them. 

Dhrupad watched as Bhishma descended from his chariot pulled by his honourable charioteer Adhirath, a man whose story will be very important later on. He pulled out an arrow and the prince watched as King Prihas, his father did the same. As both released their arrows, a huge explosion was heard as soon as they collided. The people of Panchal watched in fright, not accepting, despite knowing, who would be their King and who would be dead, once this horrible duel was over. 

Bhishma's arrow however, surpassed the explosion and headed straight to free his step-brother, King Vichitravirya. After his binds were broken, the sick King spoke, "See coward Prihas, my brother would never let me be executed by such a lowly life such as yourself. You created this, so call, 'no trespassing' rule just so that you wouldn't die from Hastinapur's arrows." King Vichitravirya made his way to stand on his step-brother's chariot. 

Drupad braced himself for his father's response. But he saw that his father had dismissed every word King Vichitravirya had said and was focused on defeating Ganga's son Bhishma. 

King Prihas knew that he would not be able to defeat such a mighty warrior but, he would rather die in glory then keep his kingdom in cowardice. He looked at the loving eyes of his Queen and then turned to look at his son. But the emotion in his son's eyes, somehow he wasn't able to grasp. Before he could think more of it, he let out another arrow to collide with Bhishma's and Dhrupad flinched again from the sound. 

Dhrupad knew that if he were to do something it had to be now. He picked up a sword from the nearest solider that had fallen unconscious from the sound of Bhishma's bow. He made mental note, that when he became King, he would create such a military force that would never back down. Not in front of Bhishma or any warrior. These soldiers were not worthy of defending their beautiful land, if they were so fear struck of their enemies. 

He tried to maintain the perfect posture while carrying a sword, just as he had been taught by his father a couple of weeks ago. He ran with the sword to where his parents were standing and where his father was battling Bhishma. He ran in front of his father and shouted, "You will not kill my father without killing me first". The people of Panchal were awestruck at the such bravery of the child. His father and mother's eyes filled with tears of joy and pride. 

Even Bhishma was moved by such bravery. He put down his bow and spoke, "Oh brave child who might you be?"

Dhrupad stop straight and tried not let his voice waiver as he said his next words with authority, "I am Prince Dhrupad, son of King Prihas and the next ruler of this kingdom."

Bhishma let a small smirk fill his face. He continued, "Well Dhrupad, I bow to your bravery and dedication towards your father and this kingdom. Very well, I will spare your father and this kingdom only because I believe you will be a great king. Maybe one day you will diminish the breach between Hastinapur and Panchal. Besides, I do not fight women and children."

As Bhishma made his way back to his chariot, King Prihas could not help but utter these next words. "Oh Bhishma, you are ignorant of your strength and therefore you and your kingdom did not honour the deal between me and late King Shantanu. But you are divine, being the son of Mother Ganga herself. Therefore, I do not curse a divine man like you. But even divine men deserve punishment for ignorance. So, I King Prihas promise you that though, you may have the boon of death, the cause of your destruction, will take birth here in Panchal, in the form of two females. The very females who you deem to be weak. Daughters of Dhrupad! Princesses of Panchal". 

The clouds rumbled with thunder upon hearing such a prophecy. Adhirath the charioteer let out a gasp. Mother Ganga who sat at a distance let out tears of her own upon hearing such words for her son. Even King Vichitrvirya who had never cared about anyone after the death of his father, seemed struck by King Prihas's words. Yet Bhishma, the oh so strong Bhishma. Who had learned to cover his feelings day by day, let out no reaction as he sat on his Chariot and drove off to Hastinapur. 

The people of Panchal did not know whether to cry tears of joy upon knowing that their land was safe or tears of sadness that a boy who had not even reached youth, now had to carry the burden of such a future. 

A/N

This was all a part of my imagination but damn I got goosebumps writing this prophecy!! Anyways I hope you all enjoyed!!!!! Comment, Vote and Share if y'all are Mahabharat lovers!!

*****ALSO IMPORTANT: IF ANY OF YOU KNOW DHRUPAD'S WIFES NAME THEN PLEASE COMMENT IT DOWN BELOW, AS I SERIOUSLY NEED IT FOR FUTURE PARTS!!!!!!!******

Lots of Love, 

Krupa