Panchal Present Day; Shikhandini 18 years old

"I, SHIKHANDINI DAUGHTER OF KING DHRUPAD AND QUEEN PRIYA. GRANDDAUGHTER OF KING PRIHAS SWEAR, KEEPING PANCHAL MY WITNESS THAT NEVER IN MY LIFE WILL I MARRY. MY LIFE PURPOSE IS THE REASON I LIVE AND IT WILL BE THE REASON I DIE. I HAVE NO OTHER GOAL THEN TO FUFIL THE PROPHECY LAID OUT BY MY GRANDFATHER AND I WILL NOT LOOK TOWARDS ANYTHING ELSE. Emotions, People, Relations are DEAD to me. And the only reason I live will be this oath. Next time think twice before making comments about me."

These words kept echoing in King Dhrupad's mind, as he sat in another one of his duty meetings with Queen Priya seated right beside him. His mind kept wondering to two years ago, when his daughter took these words. He was so proud of her for showing that man his place two years ago, but she soon became a cause of his worry when she uttered the words of celibacy. She became a deeper worry when the next morning at the time of her coronation as Yuvrani and Senapati, she had magically disappeared, leaving no trace of herself except for a note. King Dhrupad's mind flashed itself to that horrid piece of paper:

Dear King and Queen of Panchal, 

I ask for forgiveness for leaving without a trace. Yesterday's events have startled my being and shook me to the core. I may have a strong exterior but I too am a human from the inside. The nasty words of people have brought me down and I do not wish to take on responsibilities with that sort of burden. Oh but don't you worry, I have not left forever, I will return when I know the purpose of my existence. The reason why Mother Earth continues to burden herself with such a being like me. The reason why I, myself am burdened by carrying the oath of King Prihas. When I return, I will be filled with fire and knowledge of my past. Continue to run Panchal and do not let the people know that I am gone. 

- A citizen of Panchal, Shikhandini

Dhrupad had cried for the first time in his life that day. His daughter had not dressed herself as his child, she had not called him father but she only now saw him as a King. herself as a citizen. Queen Priya took the news a lot better then Dhrupad and it made him wonder whether his wife was human or just a statue of some sorts with no emotion. He blamed himself for doubting whether his daughter could become a Senapati. He wished that maybe if he had shown her more confidence then she would be beside him today. He blamed his father for capturing King Vichitravirya all those years ago and he blamed fate for having his father take that wretched oath. Maybe if he had been faster that day and stopped his father from tainting Bhishma then perhaps, this situation would have not occurred. He refused to come out of his room for two months. Panchal would've fallen if it weren't for Queen Priya's strength and King Prihas's leadership. The duo continued to make up lies of why the Princess and King were not visible. And the citizens of Panchal believed it. 

"I, Princess Shikhandini of Panchal, current Heiress to the throne, promise his highness King Dhrupad, that I will protect, serve and lead our country Of Panchal to the best of my abilities, even to the cost of my life will I not break this promise. I keep her highness Queen Priya and the last ruler of Panchal, King Prihas as my firm witnesses. I have now only two goals in my life, one to always lead the Panchal army to victory and two to be the cause of Bhishma's death. The oath I took, two years ago still stands firm. My duties will come first, relations last." 

These were the words firmly said by Princess- no Commander in Chief, Shikhandini. Two years later when she returned from her voyage of some sorts, she looked as if a new aura had surrounded her personality. She rarely smiled, and kept the fire of anger in her eyes at all times. Every citizen of Panchal feared her enough to respect her and she liked every minute of it. 

King Dhrupad had coronated her as the commander in chief, the minute she returned. He did this for his own selfish needs, as he feared she would take off again if she did not have the burden of responsibility on her shoulders. Inside he was breaking. He wanted to see his grandchildren but how would that happen as now his only daughter had taken the oath of celibacy. He wanted to see her become a Queen. But how would that happen, if she would not have a King. But most of all he wanted to hear her call him father, dad anything one last time. He refused to hear her call him King Dhrupad. He would give up the crown if he could get his position as a father back. His Queen Priya was dealing with the same situation. Shikhandini had resorted to calling her Queen as well. However if she did want to cry, she never did. The more emotion she felt, the more she indulged in her Queen duties. 

Arya, Arya, ARYA! The nudging of Queen Priya brought him back to reality. "huh?" Dhrupad asked. "The minister here is asking if he can borrow more land for the school we agreed to build for women." 

"Oh yea. Yea give it. There's no problem." Dhrupad replied with no emotion. Queen Priya sighed. "Ministers please give us the room, we will continue this meeting tomorrow." The ministers respectfully bowed and left the room. 

"Arya, you need to focus. You are a King. I cannot run this Kingdom alone." Queen Priya took her head in her hands, feeling completely stressed. 

Dhrupad put his hand on her shoulder. "How can I do that, knowing that I will have no heir. Knowing my daughter willingly will not sit on the throne. That she will not marry. She will not have children. She will not acknowledge me as her father. What's next? That she will give up her life once she becomes the death of Ganga's Son Bhishma?"

Queen Priya was about to give her generic response of how Shikhandini is a young lady allowed to make her own decisions. And how god has done the best and how everything has a reason for it's doing but as she was about to start, someone stopped her. 

"King Dhrupad you are completely right. Once my life purpose is done and once my duties as Senapati as complete, I will willingly give up my life. But don't worry that will be long after I see that whomever you seat on the throne is completely worthy of running Panchal." Shikhandini now walked in the room, her head held high and fire always in her eyes. She walked up to the King and Queen and bowed. "Your highnesses King and Queen accept my respect." 

Dhrupad sighed, "Daughter you know we are family you don't need to do that." 

Shikhandini fired back, "Oh but I am a commander, your highness and its only respectful to do the right thing." Dhrupad sighed knowing there was no end to this argument. 

Shikhandini continued, "I have come here to ask for your leave. Tomorrow morning I will escort myself and the army to Dwarka. I was thinking of discussing our military protocols with the King of Dwarka, Krishna. His military force is very strong and I want to observe his army up close. I just came to inform your highnesses of his decision."

Dhrupad nodded, "Yes of course. You may proceed."

Shikhandini nodded. "Thank you, your highness." She respectfully bowed again and as she was turning to leave she spoke, "I overheard what you and Queen Priya were discussing before my arrival. All I'm going to say is you should be happy, I fulfilled your dream of making Panchal's military force one of the strongest in Aryavarth. The only force that can beat us is Dwarka and tomorrow, I will go and make peace with them." She left the room.

Dhrupad now took his head in his hand and began to cry again, knowing his daughter was far gone. And in place was just a body forcing itself to complete its life goal. 

a/n THISS QUEEN DON'T NEEDDDD A KINGGGGGG. These were the words echoing in my head when I wrote this chapter. 

😂

Lots of love

- Krupa