The Warrior Princess(RTMC)-OS

She looked around the Rajmahal which was bustling and alive with activity. It was the annual 'Devi Mahotsav' which was just a week away. And this time it was a twin celebration. Her father the great king of the precious and rich land of Sumaina had succeeded in erecting a 'Swarna Mandap' in the honour of the presiding deity of the kingdom ...the Goddess of warfare ... Mahashakti.

Mahashakti as she was called by the people of the kingdom - better known as Maa Durga or Devi Durga to most of the other people was the most important goddess in the land. The whole kingdom was covered with temples of Mahashakti.

Maharaj Shaktisen ...the ruler of Sumaina was a noble and just ruler and a pious and rule abiding monarch. He was a widower who had chosen to remain so rather than marry once again. He treated his subjects as his own children and spent his time in taking care of them, making sure that they had all the comfort and security which his administration could provide. Art, craft and literature was encouraged during his reign. Artists and craftsmen from afar used to visit his Kingdom because everyone knew that Maharaj Shaktisen was a connoisseur of art and he gave apt and just treatment to all of them. In addition to it he had a strong army and he took care to maintain it that way because he firmly believed that only a strong ruler can properly administer peace in the kingdom. It was a golden period in the entire history of Sumaina.

He had a large treasury which was full of precious stones and other artifacts but Maharaj made it a point to keep a track of that treasury himself instead of assigning the job to some treasurer. So although the stories about his 'Khazana' were very famous and widespread... none other than the king knew about it... None other than the most precious jewel of his collection... His 16 years old daughter... the beautiful Princess Kumudini...

Kumudini was an exact replica of her father where the nature was concerned. She was connoisseur of art, was an excellent singer, a talented dancer and an extremely brave and trained fighter. She had been put to the training of arms by her father at an early age with the hope that she would emerge as the best warrior of the age and she hadn't disappointed him. She had made her mark as a true warrior. She was an excellent marks-woman, sword-fighter and was even skilled in wielding a mace. In addition to it while she was an excellent runner and swimmer, she was also good at horse riding. Their neighbourhood kingdoms were in awe of her and were thus on quite friendly terms with Sumaina because nobody wanted to face the wrath of the warrior princess.

But all these qualities did not make her arrogant. She was a very learned girl, well versed in scriptures and other books ... be it the Puranas, Upanishads, science, grammar, geography, literature, poetry, politics... name a subject and she knew it. Her teachers were very pleased with her devotion and efforts towards studying and constantly encouraged her in pursuing the same.

She had inherited her mother's beautiful looks and a deep sense of compassion for every animate and inanimate thing around her. With such a beautiful and learned daughter, the king had a real tough time in finding a desirable suitor for her... who could match her learning, skills and training and yet would be compassionate and loving enough to capture her heart.

There was no dearth of suitors who wanted to woo the beautiful Princess. But none had qualified in the tests which the Princess put forth for them. They all had retired shamefaced and humbled by her.

Princess Kumudini herself was a great devotee of Mahashakti and today she was to do the inaugural maha aarati in the Swarna Mandap. She decked herself in a red coloured lehenga and choli and draped the heavily embroidered red coloured dupatta around her. Her slim figure and her creamy white skin were highlighted by the deep coloured dress that she wore and made her look even more beautiful than before. Her beautiful black eyes were accentuated with kohl while the perfectly shaped lips had traces of red colour on them. She wore long gold chandeliers in her ears while a heavy gold necklace covered her long neck. It used to belong to her mother and she had seen the late queen wear it on special occasions. She felt really special on wearing it... and also extremely responsible of her position.

Gold bangles decorated her dainty wrists and as she fixed the dupatta to her waist with the help of a gold waistband. She put on gold anklets on her dainty feet and stood up, her ensemble complete. The gorgeous and beautiful princess was ready for the evening.

***************************

Maharaj Shaktisen was in deep conversation with the head sculptor who had single handedly sculpted the gold statue of Devi Mahashakti.. Her exquisite features and the radiance on the face of the statue marked a skill which was incomparable. Only a sculptor of repute could have done it. The statue looked ethereal from every inch as if it would burst out and come to life any minute. The king couldn't have imagined a better work by any known sculptor of the kingdom.

The king surveyed the young man who stood in front of him with bowed head. Smiling, he clapped the young man on his shoulders. "Well done... I am extremely pleased with your work."

"Thank you Your Majesty. It's an honour for me to have worked on this ambitious project of yours."

"Any reward which I give you will be extremely negligent in front of this great work. You name your own reward son... I promise you that I will give it."

"Forgive me O Great Sir... but I don't want anything. It was the dream of every sculptor of Aryavrat to carve this statue of Goddess Mahashakti... and I got that golden opportunity. It not only has enhanced my repute as a sculptor but I also feel myself blessed to carve such a piece on my maiden project."

"This was your maiden venture... I don't believe it." The king was astonished beyond words. "You seem like you have been in this profession for long."

"No sir... It is the first project which I have undertaken outside my training."

"Who is your teacher my son... If you have done such a great job then I can't even imagine what your guru would be capable of."

"He is an awesome sculptor Your Majesty but he doesn't want to be named."

"Why so...?" The king was astonished.

"I really don't know...and please don't ask me... The only gurudakshina he wanted from me was to keep his identity a secret. I have already revealed too much Maharaj... please excuse me..."

The King understood his predicament and dropped the topic. Instead putting an arm around the young man he led him nearer to the statue of the Goddess.

"The inauguration of the Swarna Mandap is in the evening Veer. I want you to attend the function."

"I will be there in the crowd Sire." Veer replied humbly.

"No... not in the crowd. All throughout these 6 months I have kept your identity a secret on your request. But now, I want to reveal the artist who made my dream a success. You cannot refuse it... Please... I beg of you..."

"Please don't make me feel so small in front of you Sire. The King orders... he doesn't request. As you wish..." Veer bowed humbly.

"Tell me something Veer... where are you from???"

"From Aryanagar..."
"Really... that's so great... Your King... Maharaj Aryavardhan will be attending today's function. I am sure he knows about such a talent in his kingdom."

Veer laughed pleasantly at this before answering softly. "Aryanagar is full of such talents Maharaj. I am but a small fish in the sea..."

"You are joking..."

"I'm very serious..."

"So tell me something son... since you are from Aryanagar, I was wondering if you can provide me some information about the Princes..."

"You mean Prince Dharam Sen and Prince Veersen...? What about them???"

"I want to know about them..."

"And what do you want to know about the princes of Aryanagar Pitaji??? And why do you want to know should be the most important question" A sweet voice interrupted in their conversion.

Veer turned to look at the door and found himself staring at the most beautiful girl he had ever seen.

***********************

Princess Kumudini just turned away from the mirror when her cousin Princess Suhani came bouncing in to her room. Tall, thin to an extent, she was yet a very pleasant and beautiful girl. She was very devoted to her sister Kumud as she liked to call her. 'Oh Kumud... you are looking so beautiful." She gushed at her sister.

Nothing mattered more to Suhani than her sister Kumudini. She was ready to do anything to get a smile her face. Though she was a year elder to Kumud, yet she acted more like her mother than a sister. She jumped, danced, frolicked only for Kumudini. Otherwise she was a very reserved girl, religious to an extent and a very good artist. She didn't share her sister's passion in warfare but certainly knew how to sing, dance and play musical instruments.

"Di...aren't you coming to the function?" Kumudini eyed her elder sister warily.

"I'm coming child... why?"

"Then why aren't you ready?"

"It won't take much time. I just came from the temple after surveying the arrangements. And Mamaji wanted you to be there. The function starts in an hour."

"Okk... I will meet Pitaji..."

"Sure...you go to the mandir... I will catch up with you in half an hour."

***************************

As Maharaj smiled and walked towards the owner of the voice, Veer kept on staring at the young girl. Her face bore the signs of calmness as well as the pride of royalty. She stood tall, erect and looked at him squarely in the eyes. The fire in her gaze burned veer to the very core.

He had really been very much impressed with the women of Sumaina. They were not put behind purdah but were treated as equal to men in all the fields. And Princess of Sumaina was the greatest example of the freedom and privilege which the women of Sumaina enjoyed.

He had seen her the very first day on the outskirts of the kingdom of Sumaina. She was in the outfit of a male warrior. He had just stopped near a well to get some water to quench his thirst when a horse rider pulled near him.

The stranger had his head and face covered in a black cloth. He was wearing a blue tunic aver a white kurta. Veer had noticed the rather luminous and shining eyes of the stranger. He hadn't said said anything, had just gestured if he could get some water. Veer had obliged and drawn some water for him as well.

It was then that she took of the black cloth covering her face and out rolled her luxurious hair which had till then been encased in the turban. He had stared at her for some time until she had nudged him and then he had poured out the water for her.

Just then a galloping sound was heard and alert veer had looked up at the same instant when she turned to look around. It turned out to be another young woman on the horse, but she was not dressed in such a manly fashion. She had stopped just near them and alighted from her horse..

"Kumari... you could have waited...!!! You raced ahead..." The girl complained.

It was then that he realized that he was in the royal presence and had lowered his eyes to maintain the decorum. The Princess was obviously angered at having her identity revealed... but now that her friend had already done the harm.. She had nothing else to do.

She had turned towards Veer and had asked him about himself. He had replied that he was a sculptor and had come to Sumaina to find some work since he had heard that Maharaj Shaktisen was building a swarna mandap. So maybe he could get some work there. Smiling, the Princess had directed him towards the Castle and had set up a meeting between him and the Monarch and that was how Veer had landed here.

******************

Kumudini surveyed Veer with a thoughtful gaze as she absent minded noticed her father walk towards her. She had met Veer on the outskirts of Sumaina. Though he had introduced himself as a sculptor from Aryanagar, but she had her doubts regarding his true identity.

Not that he was not a sculptor... instead he was a remarkably talented one... but still Kumudini felt that the young man standing a few feet away from her was more than what he actually claimed to be. She had been here in the construction site countless times... sometimes in her true identity and many a times in a disguise. She had watched veer working there. To say that she had her doubts would be too small... Veer intrigued her... Even if he was a sculptor, he was something certainly more than that.

And now... why was Pitaji asking him about the Princes of Aryanagar???? She had a shrewd idea behind his motive. He probably wanted to set up an alliance with them... According to her father... Veer was the perfect match for her as Dharam was for Suhani. She however personally didn't care for this match. She had always wanted to choose her own husband and something deep within her right now wanted to rebel to her father. But she knew she would have to deal with her father carefully keeping in mind the prosperity and safety of the kingdom and the glory of their family.

"Why do you want to know about the Princes of Aryanagar Pitaji?" she asked her father again.

"I can see that you have understood my intention child..." Maharaj laughed pleasantly at his daughter.

"Maybe... but I want to hear it from you,..."

"It is because Maharaj Aryavardhan is interested in forging an alliance with us..."

She raised her eyebrows. "What kind of alliance?"

Veer cleared his throat from the other end of the room. He was amused at the banter but didn't show it on his face. The Princess screwed her face and looked pointedly at him.

"Ohh...so as I was just asking Veer... oh by the way... you share your name with your Prince Veersen..."

Veer smiled and looked down for a while before answering. "Not just my name but also my birthday..."

"Now that is certainly interesting... what else do you share with your Prince Veersen O Royal Sculptor...?" Kumudini remarked acidly. She was liking this conversation less and less with every passing moment.

"This much is more than enough Kumari..." Veer remarked sweetly causing her to burn in anger.

Maharaj started laughing and put an arm around her daughter. "There is no need to be so angry with this poor fellow my child. He told all of this because I asked him."

"Right Maharaj... and before Kumari flares up again I would like to say that Prince Dharam is a very charming and responsible young man. Reserved, sweet and caring... he is truly a gem of a person. In addition he is a great warrior and has a good strategist. He has helped our Maharaj in formulating many numbers of policies and had also controlled the crime rate in our Kingdom. He is a true gentleman...If I may have the audacity to suggest Maharaj... he is just suitable for Rajkumari Suhani."

"I'm so glad that you brought it up Veer... I can now say a yes to Maharaj Aryavardhan regarding Dharam and Suhani... But what about Veersen...?"

"Ummm... he is also good Maharaj..."

"Just good... what is holding you back Veer... Let me know..."

"Actually Maharaj, Prince Veer is nothing in comparison to his to his elder brother. He is charming, handsome and dashing but then he is always surrounded by the girls..."

"But isn't that a prerogative of the royal families, O great Sculptor...?" Kumudini was amused.

"What makes you feel so Princess... I mean he is not suitable for you... He is irresponsible and careless to the core... he doesn't even care about anybody... he would be just wasting his time in amusements and other frivolous activities... roaming around here and there instead of staying back in the Mahal and helping his father and his elder brother. "

"I don't believe he is that bad... you are exaggerating things..." Kumudini replied hotly.

"I can prove it to you..."

"And how...?"

"See... Maharaj Aryavardhan is you guest today. He will be arriving with his whole family... that is his wife Maharani Nivritti and his elder son Dharam... trust me when I say this that Prince Veer won't be there. And as a loyal brother Dharam will cover up his absence by saying that Veer was held up in some important work and hence will make a late appearance."

Before Maharaj Shaktisen could react the bearer came and informed them that Maharaj Aryavardhan was arriving with his troop. While Shaktisen hurried out to receive them, his mind totally in a whirl all thanks to Veer's lecture, Kumudini was left fuming at him.

**************

"I'm so sorry that Veer couldn't come with us Maharaj... He was actually caught up in some important work... he will be coming here soon enough..." Dharam smiled apologetically at the king.

Shakitsen was so shocked that he didn't notice the coy look which Dharam passed at Suhani nor did he see notice his neice blushing under his gaze.

The initial functions had started in the grounds while in the sanctum sanctorum, the fiery Princess stood glaring at Veer.

"You think you are very clever... right...?"

"I didn't understand what you meant Kuamri..." Veer stared into her eyes as he replied.

"What was your objective in spreading such a rigmarole crop of lies about Prince Veersen in front of Pitaji...?" she hissed furiously.

"It is so simple... cannot the learned Princess guess my intention...?" he smiled staring deep into her eyes.

For the first time in her life, Kumudini was jolted. His eyes spoke volumes even when he was so very quiet. However she didn't like to admit defeat and hence stared right back at him with anger. However his charming and sweet, angelic smile disarmed her completely and suddenly she couldn't find any valid reason for her anger. However she continued to hold her attitude in place.

"How dare you stare at the Princess of Sumaina?"

"I never knew appreciating beauty was faulted in this Kingdom... I thought artists are free to appreciate the beauty in front of them and that's what I'm doing..."

Kumudini blushed furiously at this comment but kept her calm and replied sweetly. "Ohh... then you could have appreciated it in front of Pitaji as well... He would also have liked it..."

"I could have definitely done it Kumari... but it is not my nature to put beautiful girls in trouble."

"Ohh really... then you mean to say that you are courteous...?"

"Courtesy is my second nature Kumari..." He gave her a mock bow.

Instead of replying, Kumudini whirled around and picked up a dagger which was kept at the foot of the idol. Without even blinking an eyelid she threw it at him.

Veer didn't budge from his place. Instead his hand shot up instinctively and he caught the dagger just a few centimeters away from his face. Surprised he looked at the girl standing in front of him. She was smiling wickedly at him as if she had won a bet. All of a sudden Veer realized what he had done. But there was no way out now... Not that he wanted to find any solution. He knew he could handle the young girl.

"What was this Kumari? If I wouldn't have been attentive I would have been dead by now..."

"Are you afraid of dying?"

"If death takes your form, then m ready to lay down my life this very moment..." he placed the dagger at her feet. "Please do the honours Kumud..." For the first time in these six months, he had addressed her by her name. She smiled shyly and turned away from him.

"Come and help me set the Puja materials for Devi Maa..." she called out to him after a few seconds.

"And what about my punishment?" he asked her as he came and knelt down on the floor besides her.

"Death would be a very easy and painless punishment for you... I will make sure that you are punished adequately... Wait till the function is over..." she smiled.

"I can wait till eternity... but do me a favour..."

"What...?"

"Let the punishment come from your side and you should be the person to initiate it..."

"Agreed..." she smiled and turned to leave. He caught her wrist to stop her.

"When I'm not there tomorrow, please don't forget me... here is something which will help you in keeping my memories intact." He handed her a pair of beautifully made gold bangles studded with the brightest of the rubies she had ever seen.

"Well... I dare you to give me this present in front of my father... and I will accept it then." Pulling her hand out of his grip with amazing deftness, she rushed out of the room..

************************

She had seen the hidden traits of a warrior in him. She had been bending down to drink water when her sharp ears had detected the faint sounds of the galloping of a horse. She knew her friend had finally been able to catch up with her. She had turned to look back acting on pure instincts but then she noticed him. He had balanced the pitcher in his left hand while his right hand immediately went towards his left waist out of customary habit. True... there was no sword or dagger, but the act had caught her eyes.

The more she had watched him closely, the more she started believing her guts that the man was not just a sculptor as he had mentioned. He was something more... he was a kshatriya... a warrior... and the more she noticed him, the more confident she was about her haunch. And today, when he had stopped the dagger just a few centimeters away from his eyes, she knew she had been right all along. And she knew that he had read the victory in her eyes and had grown bold.

"Well, he will have to pay for this..." thought the warrior princess to herself.

If Devi Mahashakti willed, all her troubles and patient waiting would end today. "Help me Maa..." she whispered a silent prayer and moved towards the ground.

******************

The Maha aarati had been done and Kumudini had met the members of the royal household of Aryavrat. She had been tremendously impressed by Dharam and dearly wanted her sweet and dear sister to get married to him. With the sixth sense of a woman, she could feel that Dharam would keep her sister happy.

She turned slightly and searched for Veer in the crowd. He was sitting with the other ministers in the first row. The whole crowd was watching the final competition of the evening ' sword fight.

As the two Princes of neighbourhood kingdom sweated it among themselves, she caught sight of Dharam staring at the sculptor with a mixed feeling which could be placed as a combination of anger and amusement.

To make matters worse, her father chose that moment to comment in an undertone. "I don't see Kumar Veersen around."

She replied even before anyone else could think of anything. "Oh... m sure he will be here by the time this function ends Pitaji..."

"Ends... but then what will be left to see..."

"Pitaji... I am damn sure that Prince Veersen wouldn't have missed even one percent of the function. I have heard that he likes to move about with the common people in disguise... I am sure he will be here... He won't disappoint his hosts... isn't it Kumar Dharam..." she smiled sweetly at him.

Dharam just nodded his head and kept quiet. To say he was embarrassed would be such a small thing.

Fortunately at that moment, one of the dueling prince had managed to disarm the other raising loud shouts from the crowd. With a smile, Princess Kumudini got up from her seat. Almost immediately the shout died down. While the crowd watched with bated breath, the beautiful princess made her way towards the arena with slow but unhesitating steps.

Congratulating the prince, she sent him out of the arena and stood there holding two swords in her hand. Under the dark sky, with the lamps burning all around, she looked like an incarnation of Devi Mahashakti in her red dress. The colour of her eyes matched her dress which left the crowd breathless and anxious in anticipation of the forthcoming events.

Raising her left hand, she hurled the second sword through the air. Cutting across the sky, it came and planted itself straight at Veer's feet. He looked up to meet her gaze and could see the steely determination in them. She surely had chosen a novel way to punish him. He could hear the sharp intake of breath as most of the people gasped in surprise. They knew what it meant. He could hear Dharam cackle in amusement and he knew he didn't have a chance to refuse.

Pulling out the sword from where it had dug itself in the mud, he walked towards the arena. As he entered, he could see a mix of happiness, joy, anticipation, anxiousness and even a bit of agony in her eyes. She could really speak volumes when she was quiet. Soon the only sound which could be heard in the dead silence of the night was the clashing of swords.

Even the heavens had stopped to watch the warring couple. The whole crowd was in confusion while they continued to fight among themselves.

"You have chosen a novel way of punishing me Kumud..." he remarked softly.

"I am not punishing you... m punishing myself..." she remarked sadly.

"And why so?"

"Because you chose to ignore the procedures which would have been easier for both of us... SO what option did I have?"

"I didn't want to win over you by fighting... I wanted to win your heart..."

"You had done it the very day when I had seen you for the first time in Gauri mandir Kumar Veersen... Then what was the need for this whole drama...?"

"I didn't know that you had seen me..."

"I had seen you... but you have changed so much in all these 6 years that I couldn't recognize you the first day I met you."

"Then when did you see through my game...?"

"Oh... I had seen through your game right from the first day... when hearing the sound of the hooves of the horse your hand automatically went to pull out your sword which was not there... But I could ascertain you identity only this evening..."

"And how could you do that..."

"Because amidst all your lies regarding Prince Veersen,, you had told one truth about him... he is a mischievous young man who is fond of remaining incognito..."

"My last mistake..."

"Why are you here...?"

"Is it so difficult to guess my intention Kumari?"

"Maybe... you are a mysterious fellow..."

"I don't see any mystery in this..."

"Then tell me..."

"I wanted to see you and win you over if possible... because I had been pinning for you right from the day I had seen you in the temple... And after I came back from my gurukul, one of my friends Arjun presented me with a painting of yours... I couldn't believe it was you... I collected every bit of information about you... I knew you had set up three rounds of competition for your swayamvar... and I knew I could win them all easily..."

"So why didn't you approach for the syayamvar... It was anyways a flop..."

"First thing because I caught up in some matters of internal security of the kingdom... And secondly I didn't want you to lose three times to me so that I can prove my superiority. My wife would be my equal Kumud...and this the only time I am ever going to win it..."

"Why so?"

"Because if I want to keep losing to you all my life, I need to have you with me... and for that I have to win this time."

With one final stroke of his sword she was disarmed. She stood there panting for breath as they looked at each other. They had been dueling for almost two hours before he had disarmed her.

He let his sword fall down on the mud and took a step towards her. His movement jerked her out of her trance and moving forward she bent down at his feet... but was stopped in midway...

They walked up to the aisle together.

"Pitaji... as all of you have witnessed, Prince Veersen has finally fulfilled the condition of my swayamvar..."

"Veer... I mean Veersen...hain... did I..."

"Forgiving me for deceiving you Maharaj..." Veer bent down and touched the feet of his would be father in law... "It was completely unintentional..."

Maharaj Shaktisen hugged the young Prince in delight as Veer looked at Kumud adoringly over his shoulders.

"Veer... now that you have won a bride for yourself... where is the shagun?" Nivritti asked naughtily.

"I don't know what you will give Ma... but here is something from my side for the beautiful Princess..." And he presented the bangles to her.

As the crowd cheered in joy, Kumud and Veer looked at each other with a promise of bright future in their eyes.

******************************

He pulled her behind one of the pillars in the Rajmahal...

"Veer...let me go..."

"No..." he pulled her wrist and she almost collided against his chest. He put an arm around her slender waist and pushed her to the wall for some support.

She blushed under his gaze and looked down. She was in her night clothes when Veer had been successful in pulling her out of her bedroom. She didn't have her dupatta with her to cover herself.

"Let me go Veer..." she pleaded.

He didn't budge an inch from his place. Instead he put his forefinger beneath her chin and raised her face up so that she was meeting his gaze...

"You are the most beautiful person I have ever seen... But I had fallen in love with the girl who had come to the temple clad in a warrior's dress; a sword hanging by her side, the bow hanging from one shoulder and the quiver of arrows tied to her back. Kumud... you are my Warrior Princess... you are the princess of my heart... and before I get married married, I just wanted to tell you that I love you... I have always loved you and will always love you till my last breath."

She put her hand on his lips, all her discomfort forgotten at his words... "You will always find me by your side Veer... be it in Life, be it in death."

And she buried her face in his chest sealing the promise which they both had made to each other.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

ishhh di...

its sooo awsum...

simply amazing n beautiful...

loved to see RTMC in periodical shows...

n this OS was sooo amzing..

do write more..

thnx for the pm...