LOVE: To Infinity And Beyond

The Guise

All of them walked into the forest in the dark. Arjun couldn't help but increase his love for Krishnaa by manifolds.
"So.. What is the next propaganda Ma'am?" Arjun asked Krishnaa with a mock innocence in his voice. Everyone laughed.
Krishnaa blushed a bit below her cloak, then quickly composed herself and replied, "I actually have two plans in mind. But that depends on whether you all want to return to Hastinapur to the lion's den and flaunt your close shave, or you want to take up a guise and stay away till you are sure of your safety."
All of them looked at Kunti, for the reply. After giving it a bit of thought, Kunti calmly replied, " The second option would be safer and wiser to choose."
"Okay then. I have talked with an old Potter and his wife who live in their hut in the outskirts of Kampilya. So that you guys can stay safely in guise, and I can also take track of your needs and safety.", Krishnaa informed in an authoritative voice. Arjun thought to himself, how much more can he ever love anybody??
After covering some distance, they reached the princess's camp. There Krishnaa had arranged for food and water and all sorts of accomodations for her guests. It was her first opportunity to offer hospitality to her husband and his family. Krishnaa took them inside the tents.
Arjun had a wound in his left arm. Krishnaa took it to herself to treat and bandage the wound. Besides the aushadhis, it was her intense love that promised of Arjun's quick recovery. As she nurtured the wound. Arjun stared into her intense blue eyes and her supremely beautiful face, that has been freed of the cloak just minutes before.  As Krishnaa bandaged the wound and was about to get up, Arjun pulled her back to himself by her hand. "What are you doing?" ,she gasped as she nearly fell on him. The heat from his body was mixing with her heat. The two stared into each other's eyes. After staring into his hazels for some time, Krishnaa's eyes became moist. She suddenly broke down and hugged him tight. "For a moment I thought that I have nearly lost you and the very thought shattered me completely..", she sobbed into his chest. Arjun caressed her head, " It's alright. How can I ever leave my warrior princess?", he sweet talked her, laughing at the end.

The devastating news reached Hastinapur in a day. Gandhari and Duhshala instantly broke down. Bheeshm, Dron and Vidur were too shocked to believe . They decided to travel to Varnavart.
"Mamashri.. Thanks a lot, yet again. Now!! No Arjun , no Pandavas. Nobody can claim their rights on either the throne or on Draupadi!!!" Duryodhan laughed wickedly while holding up his Sura glass at Shakuni. Duhshasan and Ashwatthama joined them in no time. "Pitashri is so sad, that I wonder if he would have mourned this much even if I was dead." Ashwatthama grudged.

Uruvi was totally shattered bu the news.  Her Kunti maa-- her God mother!! Her Arjun!! No . Maybe he isn't hers anymore. But she did love him, maybe as her best friend, but she did love him a lot. She loved all of them. She sank to her knees.
Karna came back to the palace, late at night. "You too were involved in all this, right?!" Uruvi enraged at him, more than enquired. Karna looked at her, trying to find out a logical explanation , but he didn't have one.

Bheeshm, Vidur and Dron reached Varnavart. Bheeshm first used a special Bari-astra to shower water on the burnt ruins. Then, walking through the ruins, they came across six burnt corpses in the left wing. The corpses were unidentifiable . However they assumed those to be of the Pandavas and Kunti, and carried those to Hastinapur. The whole city mourned.

Krishnaa was sitting in her own chamber. She had just now narrated the whole incident to Sakha, Pitashri, Maa, Dhri, Shikhandini, Malini and Nitambini. Now she was showing them the royal attire and weapons of the Pandavas which she has carried with her after they changed into the commoners' disguise at the potter's hut.
"I think it's time we begin Sakhi's Swayamvar preparations.." Krishna suddenly said. Krishnaa couldn't help but gape at him, all shocked.

At the potter's hut, Arjun was busy giving the final touches to his new bow under the moonlight. Suddenly Sahadev came out.
"Bhaiyya..." He subtly called Arjun. "Hmm?" Arjun mildly responded,his eyes never leaving his bow. "I sense something is wrong..."