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It was still night when they had started their journey back towards the city. They were riding their horses at the top of their capability. By the time they neared the city, the sun was up in the sky.
Mrityunjay was riding Maria as fast as possible. Maria didn't complain about his harsh riding. She knew the state of her master and complied with it. While riding, he had seen Tara's face once in the moonlight. It was not as pale as earlier but it was still far from being called healthy. In the light of the sun, Tara seemed more fragile. Mrityunjay just wanted this ride to end and a physician to see her.
Soon they neared the city. From far away, the hooves of horses were heard. A knight rode in front of the group to move the crowd out of the path. The knight was closely followed by Mrityunjay, the King, and Govind behind him, who was further followed by the knights. People lined up on either side of the street till the palace to see the troop galloping swiftly towards it past them.
When they entered the city, word of the King's return spread like wildfire and soon reached the Palace. As soon as the news of the King's return reached the Palace, Aradhana, Nirmala, Aditya, Meethi, and Vasu rushed to the gates.
When they reached the gates, they received an update to the previous news. It said the King was returning with his knights, two more men, and an unconscious lady. Nirmala soon understood who were returning. Her eyes welled up with tears of happiness. She ordered to ready the infirmary immediately and turned to Aradhana. "Our children are returning, she said clasping her hand with Aradhana's hand. Aradhana got confused but didn't question her Queen.
When the troop was moving through the city, everyone was amazed at the unknown man on the horse with the unconscious lady. He was radiating power which demanded respect. In the crowd, someone recognized Govind and soon whispers started spreading. Someone shouted from the crowd, "It's the prophet!
Mrityunjay heard this but ignored it as the most important thing to him at that time was Tara. He rode faster seeing the gates of the Palace. Soon the approaching troop was visible from the Palace. By now the group was led by Mrityunjay. The royal family, along with Aradhana, was standing near the Palace gates.
Princess Vasu was the first to see them. "Who is that man in front? she asked facing Nirmala.
Nirmala didn't move her eyes away from the troop seeing her son after a long time and whispered, "My son.
All heads turned towards Nirmala in astonishment. By now the troop had reached the gates. Mrityunjay immediately untied Tara from him and got down from his mare. He scooped her into his arms and moved towards his waiting family. Seeing Tara unconscious, everyone rushed to her.
Aradhana gasped seeing her daughter unconscious. She burst into tears. Suddenly someone put their hand on her shoulder and she looked at the man whose hand was on her shoulder. Looking at him, her eyes bulged out. "Go...Govind! she stammered and fainted. Both Tara and Aradhana were immediately taken to the infirmary.
The healer was already present in the infirmary. He checked Tara and when he was satisfied that her life was out of danger, he relaxed. Tara's healing power had slowly started to heal her now. He gave Tara some potion and assured everyone that she would wake up in a few hours.
By now Aradhana was up. When she opened her eyes, she found her husband sitting beside her. She hugged him tightly and wept all the unshed tears that she had kept within her. When her sobs subsided, she looked at the bed next to her and saw Tara sleeping there. Colour to Tara's cheeks had returned and her lips were red again but she was still unconscious. Mrityunjay was sitting beside her in his battle-torn clothes holding her hand in his. But his visible wounds had been dressed. He had a cut on an arm and a scratch on his forehead. Possibly more cuts on his body where his clothes were torn.
Aradhana looked at Govind and tried to ask about Tara. He understood and said, "She is fine. She is just sleeping. She again tried to say something but again Govind understood and said, "You raised our daughter very well.
Here outside the infirmary, Princess Vasu, Prince Aditya, and Princess Meethi were curious about the unknown men. But didn't ask anything seeing the gravity of the situation. The healer walked out of the infirmary and informed them about the situation which relaxed them.
Seeing no one asking anything, the King said, "You all must be wondering about the unknown men. All three nodded. "The old man is Prophet Govind, Tara's father, he said looking at his children.
They were surprised to hear this. Princess Vasu was the first to voice her thoughts, "Where was he all these years?
"I am coming there, said the King taking a deep breath. He looked at the Queen. "The other man in the room is our eldest son, Prince Mrityunjay, he said taking the Queen's hand in his and beaming at her.
All three were stunned hearing this. The King and the Queen looked at them and smiled, "Let's start this from the beginning. Saying this, the King narrated the events from Mrityunjay's birth to how Kalavati kidnapped him, till last night with the death of Kalavati.
When the King stopped again, Princess Vasu was the one to ask, "So he is our brother? The Queen nodded. Princess Vasu hugged her mother and said, "I am so happy to know I have one more brother.
Prince Aditya smiled and said, "We are glad to get him back, Dad.
After a while, all of them walked into the infirmary. Seeing the royal family there, Aradhana stood up from her bed and curtsied. Govind bowed to them. The King walked to Govind and clasping his shoulder, he said, "Thank you, Govind, for saving my son.
"It was my duty, my King, said Govind bowing again.
"You stayed away from your family so that our son could be protected. Thank you, Govind. Thank you once again, said the Queen with tears in her eyes. She then looked at Aradhana and hugged her. "Sorry, for keeping you away from your husband.
Aradhana parted from her and said, "It was our duty, my Queen. The Queen looked at Mrityunjay whose back was towards them.
The royal family walked up to him. The Queen went near Mrityunjay and placed her hand on his shoulder. He looked up and she said, "She will be fine. He nodded.
Then he stood up from his seat and saw tears well up in her eyes. He recognized her as the woman whom he had previously met in the forest. "Mother, he whispered and hugged her.
The Queen immediately embraced her child in a motherly hug. The years of love which she had for him, she poured it into her hug. Tears were flowing from her eyes unrestrained. The pain that she had gone through for years knowing he was alive but being unable to meet him was coming out in the stream of tears. He parted from her and wiped away her tears. She brought his forehead down to her and kissed it.
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