Panchal, Present Day, Shikhandini

As Shikhandini stepped out of her chariot she knew the first person she had to find was her father. As she made her way up the stairs after dismissing the army for rest, she saw Queen Priya standing at the door to welcome her. It was early morning and the sun still hadn't risen up. 

"Has my brave daughter brought news of greatness for Panchal?" She asked with a gentle smile. Shikhandini folded her hands just as gently and replied, "Of course Maharani. While I am commander none of Panchal's dreams will ever fail." Priya flinched at the term Shikhandini had used for her. Even after two years of hearing it she couldn't get used to it. She quickly masked her emotions and said, "Good. Panchal can rest knowing we have people like you working day and night to make it better."

Shikhandini nodded curtly and further asked, "I must speak to the King at once. Where can I find him your highness?" Priya replied with, "He's in the courtroom. Hardly even spoke to me today. Don't know what gotten into his mind. If I wasn't mistaken, it seems like he's remembering a part of his past that he wants to desperately forget, but being unable to do so he's locked himself up."

Shikhandini looked surprised at the Queen. Priya gave a short laugh, "Spending years with someone really does enable you to read their face and every emotion, you know." And with that she left Shikhandini to her thoughts. 

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As King Dhrupad sat at the foot of his throne, he couldn't help but keep thinking over his childish mistakes. He had recalled a memory this morning, that kept taunting him wherever he went. He knew that he had to be strong as a King, as he had many people looking up to him, but lately staying strong could not come to him naturally. 

The only thing that kept him excited for today was the fact that after two days, Shikhandini was to have returned with their newly formed allegiance with Dwarka. He could care less about the allegiance but he wanted to see his daughter. Just as he thought of his daughter, he heard the throne room open, and in walked the commander in chief of Panchal. 

"Your highness", Bowed the commander. "Come Shikhandini" Sighed Dhrupad. "What news have you brought for Panchal?"

"News of greatness. Our military is secured! Dwarka has sighed the contract. King Krishna did it without even reading it. He just signed!" Shikhandini seemed happy at her success. But soon a look of worry flashed her face as she remembered what Krishna had warned her of. 

Dhrupad looked indifferent, he of course knew that Dwarka was a place that welcome those on the path of Dharma and he also knew that the contract would have obviously came back signed. He looked back up at Shikhandini from where he was sitting and said, "That's great. We have no enemies now."

Shikhandini scoffed, "Yea that's what I thought as well. Until King Krishna told me something about the 105 princes of Hastinapur attacking us two days from now. Well actually today because two days ago was when I met him. Seems like he knows how to make jokes. Completely crazy I tell you." 

And just like that all the colour drained from Dhrupad's face. He stood up abruptly, "What did you say?" He took the collar of Shikhandini's armour and asked her again, "I said WHAT DID YOU SAY?"

Shikhandini looked surprised. "I just said that King Krishna was making up some random story about how the 105 princes of Hastinapur were to attack Panchal today on the orders of Sage Drona. But it doesn't makes sense because Drona is your best friend and also because we have great alliances with Hastinapur!" She exclaimed. 

Dhrupad knew better. He knew that whatever Shree Krishna said came true always. And he also knew the reason for this attack. 

"Prepare the army at once." Dhrupad spoke. Shikhandini looked surprised, "But why. It's all lies, I tell you. LIES." 

Dhrupad looked firm. "You should know, dear daughter, that King Krishna's words always come true. He is no less then god." When he saw that Shikhandini was going to argue, he further said, "May my orders be followed commander." 

Shikhandi now looked surprised. Her father had never once referred to her as a commander. It was always Shikhandini despite all of the times she had called her father, King. She found a little bit of anger at her father for not listening to her and not telling her why he was so adamant on getting ready for war. 

She spoke, "Your orders will be followed your highness but may I just remind you that a portion of the army that came with me to Panchal is extremely tired from the journey. They will have low chances of fighting well. So if we lose. Oh no far from that. If this imaginary war does not happen and you've got my army worked up for nothing, then it will be your fault that the military force, we have worked so hard to make, is destroyed. " 

With that she left the room to find some answers. And she knew that if her father hadn't given them, then her mother wouldn't either. Now there was only one person who she cold turn to. 

King Prihas. Her grandfather. The one person whom she still addressed as family. 

A/N HAPPY DIWALI, ( WELL SOON TO BE) IF YOU CELEBRATE IT!!!

SORRY FOR THE DELAY IN UPDATING. I HAD LOADS OF EXAMS THIS WEEK SO I COULDN'T. BUT ANWAYS HOPE YOU ENJOYED!! THE NEXT CHAPTER WILL ALSO BE A FILLER JUST LIKE THIS ONE BEFORE THE FIRST WAR. 

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LOTS OF LOVE, 

KRUPA