The next day pooja went very well and all the princes were ready to depart. Aditi was excited and is praying to Mahadev for the victory of the princes. "Hey Mahadev, let the princes fulfill their Guru's oath and return back to Hastinapur victorious" she bowed down before the Shiva ling. Just as she was about to get up a flower placed on the Shiva ling fell in her hands, Kunti who was beside Aditi saw this and was sure Mahadev has listened to the prayer and sent a sign that her wish will be fulfilled. She hugged Aditi and said "Putri, I want you to apply tilak to the rajkumars, you are blessed by the gods and tilak from you will keep our sons safe. What do you say Jiji" she asked Gandhari. "Of course Kunti, but I don't know about Duryodhan, he is still angry with her, first let's go, the princes are about to leave" she hurried. All of them reached the entrance where dasis held the aarthi thali. Aditi went to them, took the thali and started doing aarti and tilak to the Pandavas who were the nearest to her. Just as she turned to do aarti for the Kauravas, Duryodhan stopped her "We have our own sister, we don't need some outsider to do the aarti and tilak for us. Come Dusshala, I want the Lakshmi of this house to do the aarti for us" he said. Aditi just smiled and passed the thali to Dusshala. Nakul instantly came to her side, he didn't like anyone calling her an outsider, but she assured him that it is ok. 

The Kauravas climbed onto their horses and left immediately. As Aditi was about to go to her horse, Yuyutsu arrived with Karna behind him "Wouldn't my sister do tilak for me?" he questioned. Aditi's face lit up as she took the thali and did tilak to Yuyutsu. She then turned towards Karna, "What are you doing Aditi, I am not participating in the battle, you don't need to do aarti for me" he said. "Can't I do aarti to my friend, life itself is a battle Karna, and I wish you would be victorious in life" she countered while applying tilak on Karna's forehead. Arjun was confused but he let it go, while Yudhishtir gave her a nod. But Kunti couldn't express her happiness as tears formed in her eyes. Her son is finally being accepted by other, her Krishaa is really a blessing, she thought. 

Soon everyone sat on their horses and started. The fastest horse rider in the whole of Aryavart, Nakul, was trailing behind everyone, making sure his sakhi wouldn't fall off the horseback. Everyone asked her to come in a palanquin or atleast a chariot. But stubborn as ever, Aditi wanted to ride a horse just like the others. And Nakul is having fun watching her try to ride a horse, he has calmed the horse, so he is sure the horse wouldn't make sudden movements. But calming down the princess on the horse is much difficult. She held the reigns so tight, he is sure she'll either cut her hands or break the reigns. "Sakhi, loosen your grip on the reigns, you will not fall, just sit calmly, the horse will follow ours and bring you safely to the camp" he said for the fifth time. "It is easy for you mitr, but I'm not used to riding horses" she whined. She can understand the horse, it is trying to be slow and gentle but the fear of falling off the horse is still gripping at her heart. 

Finally they somehow reached the borders of Panchal where the camps were set. Nakul was sure they'll reach the camp next day but halfway through the journey, Aditi slowly started to relax, he decided to teach her horse riding as soon as they go back to Hastinapur. They finally settled down in the tent. Saying Aditi was relieved would be an understatement. The Pandavas were discussing their final plan and Aditi was looking around the tent, thinking on what to do once the princes left. Just as she was thinking about the battle, she heard a commotion outside. Everyone looked at each other confused as to what is happening. They ran out to see the Kauravas ready for battle with weapons in hand arguing with Mahaguru Dron.

"How is this fair Gurudev? You said that through this battle everyone will get to know who is capable of being the next Yuvraj, but if we attack together, how will anyone decide who is superior? The choice is obviously between me and Bhrata Yudhishtir, so we'll attack seperately. I am sure me and my brothers can easily defeat the Panchal Naresh. Let us prove ourselves Gurudev" demanded Duryodhan. He turned just in time to see the Pandavas, so he immediately addressed them "Bhrata Yudhishtir, you are known to be fair, tell me what to do, if you and your brothers went and defeated Panchalraj, then we won't even get a chance in the competition. Is that dharma? Is that a fair way to decide the heir to Hastinapur's throne?"

Yudhishtir understood the plan, but what Duryodhan said is also correct, they should be given the chance to prove themselves. So he turned to Dronacharya and said "Gurudev, I accept their proposition, let them prove themselves. They are our brothers, any of us might win, but all of us  will be happy when we fulfill your oath and pay you your gurudakshina". The Pandavas and Aditi were shocked "Jyesth what are you saying?" they questioned. While Kauravas were smirking seeing their plan work. Now they'll go and defeat King Drupad and the throne will be theirs. 

The Kauravas departed, already celebrating their victory, while the Pandavas returned back to their tent. "Bhrata this all a plan of theirs to not let you become the yuvraj, they can't take away your right". "Let it be Nakul, they will not be able to defeat Panchalraj anyway, we will get our turn, then this Vrikodar will show them how battles are won." he said flexing his muscles. As everyone started laughing, Aditi sat beside Yudhishtir and said "Jyesth, I can see you becoming a great samrat. A wise and just king, ready to do anything to uphold dharma. I wish I can stay and watch your rule". "You are the younger sister I always wanted Aditi, I promise you that I will always put dharma before me and will always be just. I wish you can stay with us forever too, but we can't separate you from your family, Saurastra is waiting for their princess too" he said with a sad smile. Aditi fell into deep thought as conversations continued around her. She decided it's best to thank her saviour soon. So she turned to Sahadev intent of completing her mission. 

Just as she was about to call him, yells echoed from the outside. The message was clear. The Dhrithrastr putras have been captured by Panchal Naresh Drupad. The Pandavas looked at each other and nodded, now it is their turn to fulfill the oath and also free their cousins. They told Aditi to stay safe and took off towards the battleground on their horses. 

Aditi huffed, why couldn't she even thank her saviour, whenever she tries, something happens and Sahadev leaves. She sat in her tent for sometime checking all the herbs and medicines she brought. She has almost everything, except for a few medicinal leaves, "No problem, they can be easily found in the forest nearby, but I need to take permission from Guru Dron for that, as right now I am under his protection" she spoke to herself and decided to walk to Guru Dron's tent. 

She has only heard about Mahaguru Dron through Arjun and the gossiping dasis. She never met him and is worried what to expect. But she wasn't prepared for what she saw. There sat a man on the ground in simple saffron clothes, studying the scriptures, with a peaceful expression on his face. She thought he would be angry or worried for his students, but looking at him a calmness took over her too, he looks familiar she thought, but she couldn't remember where she knew him from. She calmly waited beside him, unwilling to disturb him. 

Who are you balika, what do want, he questioned her, without even lifting his head. She was confused on how he knew, but answered anyway. "Pranipat Gurudev, I am Aditi" she thought for a second and then added "princess of Saurastra". He finally looked up at her. "So you are the girl everyone is talking about, the gift from lord Indra himself" he said. "Yes Gurudev" she bent down to touch his feet "Sukhibhav rajkumari" blessed Dronacharya. But he instantly observed the weird expression on her face. "So you don't like to be referred to as rajkumari?" he questioned.

"Yes gurudev, I am a person before royalty, I want to be recognized by my name not by someone else's achievement. My father being a king doesn't give me the right to be arrogant and showoff my status. A king's job is to care for his people, not act as if he is superior to everyone, and that applies to the whole royal family, so I prefer to be called by my name." she answered without seeing the smile that is now adorning on the Great Guru's face. 

"So what I heard about you is true as well as false" laughed Dronacharya. "Arjun told me about his little sister, all he had for you were praises, and I can see all the Pandavas are very protective over you, but I also heard about you from my putr Ashwatthama, looks like his mitr Duryodhan isn't really fond of you". "It depends on the perspective of the person Gurudev, the Pandavas have spent time with me and they see me as a sister or friend, while a few wrong incidents and trying to correct a person will obviously make them hate me. A person never likes others when they try to correct him or say he is wrong." Guru Dron nodded. 

"You are right Aditi, though you are young, you have a good knowledge on what is right and what is wrong. I admire that" he said. "That feeling might also change Gurudev" she said, bowing her head. Confused at what she said Guru Dron asked "What do you mean?"

"I don't mean to sound rude, and when compared to you, I have neither experience nor knowledge, but I have heard about what happened between you and Maharaj Drupad. I know what he did was wrong, breaking a promise and insulting a skill are sins. But why were you hurting yourself because of someone else's sin, burning in the flame of revenge your whole life. I am not saying Maharaj Drupad needs or deserves your forgiveness but you deserve peace. You made revenge your life goal and now once you get it, you wouldn't know what to do. Forgiveness is virtue of the brave, gurudev. And no one is braver than you. Please let go of this revenge. After the fulfillment of your oath, let go off the resentment, I'm sure you will finally find peace". There was stunned silence as Dronacharya processed what was said. He didn't expect her to be so straight forward. He would have gotten angry and scolded her if she said this sometime ago. But now that his oath is being fulfilled by his beloved students. His mind has been quite. His raging heart is cooling down. He finally could process what she said and both his brain and heart agreed with her. He let out a deep sigh, releasing all the hate and revenge he had been holding up inside him for years. 

Finally he spoke up, "You are right, I was blinded by my fury and wish for revenge, but now I will forgive my friend, I took an oath to make my son a king, but I don't need the whole of Panchal for that. If I take the whole kingdom, Drupad will again seek revenge, but now I will break this chain, I will leave half the kingdom to Drupad and make peace with him." he decided. "Thank you Aditi, I have heard that a daughter fills a person's heart with love and frees him from every negative emotion, and since you saved me from the burning flames of revenge and gifted me peace, from this day on you are a daughter to me, Putri".

Aditi didn't know what to say, she didn't expect Guru Dron to agree with her. She folded her hands and said "I am honoured Gurudev". "What??" came a voice from the entrance. "Ashwatthama, she is now like a sister to you putr.", "But how pitashree, my mitr Duryodhan hates her and I can't hurt my mitr by talking to her."

"Bhrata, relationships are made by heart, it is ok if you don't like me. I understand your friendship and loyalty towards Bhrata Duryodhan" she spoke. "I don't hate you. I have been impressed by your knowledge and presence of mind, and I'll always respect you for that, but I will never go against my mitr for you, remember that" Drauni said as he left the tent, waiting for his mitr to comeback.

"Putri, you helped me find peace, so tell me what can I give you in return." asked Dronacharya. "Gurudev, I didn't help you to gain something from you". "But can't a father wish to give something to his daughter. You call me Gurudev, hence I will teach you few of the battle strategies and techniques that will help you understand war and might be of assistance to you". Thus Guru Dron drew battle formations on the ground and explained different strategies to Aditi, who with utmost concentration listened to them, even though she wasn't sure why she need to learn about war, she doesn't like violence. She wouldn't start a war with anyone without a reason, but she has heard of the battles between Devtas and Asuras, sometimes you need to defend your people from others. So she stored all the information in her brain. 

Few hours have passed and Dronacharya concluded his lesson, he also told her that she could come to him anytime and he'll always be there for his daughter. As they were sitting in the tent, she suddenly remembered the reason she actually came to Guru Dron, she hit her head with her palm, causing Dronacharya to look at her "What happened putri?" 

"I totally forgot Gurudev, I need your permission to go to the forest for collecting a few leaves, the princes will be back soon and I want to be prepared to treat them" she requested. Guru Dron was about agree, but stopped in thought, "Ashwatthama and I have to go towards the battleground and I can't let you go alone to the forest putri." "I won't be alone Gurudev, I'll take Angraj Karna along with me, he is staying at the camp of rajkumar Duryodhan and he might be bored of being alone for this long". Dronacharya finally nods his assent and gets up to leave. 

Aditi reaches the camp and calls for Karna. A smile appears on Radheya's face who was sitting idle in his tent the whole time. "What is this Aditi? You promised to talk to me the whole day. I have been waiting here for so long, completely bored out of my mind." he complained. Aditi looked down embarrassed, she didn't want to keep him waiting but she totally forgot everything while talking to Guru Dron. "I'm sorry Karna, I didn't mean to make you wait." she started but was interrupted by his chuckles. "You are so naive Aditi" he said. "You were making fun of me" she frowned "I came here to ask you if you wanted to come along with me to the forest, but now I will go alone" she said turning her back on him. "Hehe, stop Aditi" he ran after her still chuckling. 

They reach the forest and start searching for neem leaves, aloe vera and other medicinal plants. "So what else are you proficient at apart from medical knowledge and winning arguments?" asked Karna. "Are you again making fun of me? I just have basic knowledge of Ayurveda I am not a doctor or anything and I don't argue with people, I just say what I feel is right. I was always taught to speak whatever is on my mind." she said while trying to get the neem leaves from the tree whose branch is just out of reach. Karna goes and bends the branch for her to pluck the leaves. After getting all the necessary items, they sat down to let Aditi catch her breath, she walked all around the forest in search of everything and is tired while Karna looked just like he was when they started the journey. 

After talking for long and cracking jokes on each other, they decide to go back, "The rajkumars would be back and I could be of help to them" she said. "Duryodhan doesn't even talk properly to you, will you still treat him?" questioned Karna. "Of course, he might not like me, but he is still like a bhrata to me, he is the son of Mata Gandhari, if he is in pain, I will do all I can to help him. I am not stone hearted to ignore someone's pain just because I don't like him" she said. Just as she was coming to the entrance of the forest, a beautiful parrot flaps and lands in front of her. Though it is trying to fly, it couldn't. "It seems to be hurt, give me those neem and aloe vera Karna, they will soothe and heal his wound" she said as she took the parrot into her hand and washed the wound before applying the medicinal paste and wrapping a cloth around the wound. She looked around but couldn't find any other parrots, "I think he is the only parrot here, I can't leave him here alone, I'll take him along with me, take care of him till he heals and then set him free". What should I call you?" she questioned as she held the bird delicately in her hands.

Karna has already been impressed by her wisdom, but now he got to see her compassionate side and it left him speechless. "Yes, I know the perfect name for you, since you look so beautiful, I will call you Suroop. Doesn't it suit him Karna" she asked. 

"Perfect" Karna said looking at her. 

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Here I am with another update. I'm still writing the next chapter and it'll be out in two days. I hope you like the chapter. 😇

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Love

-- Ashwini ★