"No!" Kaikeyi began to bawl, holding tightly onto Bharat, while Kaushalya looked stricken, and Sumitra about to faint. "You can't snatch our children away like this! They're meant to grow up in the palace! With us." Dasharath sighed sadly. He should have expected devastation among the queens.
"Rani Kaikeyi, we have to send them to Gurukul. They will learn things they can't here. Life lessons, you must understand." He tried to explain, but the queen shook her head frantically, and tightened her hold on Bharat. Sumitra was clutching onto the twins for support, and Kaushalya was hugging Ram as if never to let go.
"We must. I am sorry. Let the children go, enjoy their last day in the palace. Then Guru Vashishta will take him to Guru Vishwamitra's hermitage, where they will stay for 6 years." Kaikeyi's sobs became even louder, and Ram came up to her, wiping away her tears.
"It's okay, Maa Kaikeyi. We will be back soon. 6 years isn't a lot once you think about all we will be learning. And once we come back, you can spend the rest of your life with us. Do not cry." he consoled, before walking away.
Bharat hugged his mother quickly before following, but the twins didn't leave quite yet, as their mother still was holding onto them for support.
"Um, Maa?" Shatrughan grunted. "Let go please?" She plopped down into a chair, and smiled weakly, excusing the twins to leave, and they also ran off.
After walking out, Ram turned to the brothers. "We expected this. All princes have to learn at some point. Our parents might be sad, and it is our duty to comfort them. However, let's just enjoy our last day in the palace for now." He headed off towards the temple, Bharat towards the garden, Lakshman for the weaponry unit, and Shatrughan for the kitchens.
All of them felt devastated, but accepting, although Shatrughan was planning a big goodbye for himself while eating a large sweet called a ladoo given to him by the chef.
That evening, Sumitra insisted that they all pack together, and so the queens stared lovingly at them as they each gathered a few things. No quarreling, except between Lakshman and Shatrughan, ever stubborn.
"Shatrughan, that dagger is mine!" Lakshman cried, snatching it from his brother. Shatrughan narrowed his eyes.
"Well that gold necklace is mine as well!" Lakshman rolled his eyes. By this time, they had caught the attention of everyone in the courtyard, as they turned to look amusedly at the pair of bantering brothers.
"Yeah, and that anklet you've been wearing since we were toddlers? You stole it from me. Little thief." Shatrughan looked offended, and pointed towards the pair of shoes Lakshman was wearing.
"Well, those are ours. Ours to share. Which means neither of us can wear them at the same time!" Shatrughan cried, and they turned towards the queens and king in one movement.
"Why do people who give us gifts always give them to both of us?" Lakshman asked, pointing between him and Shatrughan. "We never get our own, everything is for us to share!" He looked at Shatrughan's large pack as well.
"Shatrughan, you don't need gold when we go to Gurukul," he pulled out all the jewelry and coins. "Neither do you need toys, I thought you outgrew these!" Out went the toys. "And, Shatru! No sweets!" Out came the dozens of ladoos which had been stuffed into the pack. Shatrughan wheedled, protested, cried crocodile tears, but all of the unnecessary things were out, and his traveling pack was much lighter, and amid the laughter, Shatrughan scowled.
"God, I'll miss Ram. He was ever nice, and the subjects loved him. And Bharat, painting everywhere. Laksh and Shatru, always fighting or cooperating, and for some reason, I never want the latter to happen." Kaushalya shook her head good-naturedly, and hugged Kaikeyi. Sumitra beamed at the princes, and Dasharath, although heavily saddened, allowed himself a small smile.
The next morning, all four princes walked out of the palace the final time, and the queens waved them goodbye, not allowing them to see the tears glistening on their faces. Loud fireworks and bangs echoed, and everyone turned towards Shatrughan suspiciously. Ram turned around and faced the front of the carriage where they were sitting.
"It's very exciting isn't it? Going somewhere without our parents?" Shatrughan piped up, and Bharat shook his head, ruffling the youngest's hair.
"Yes, and you look forward to pranking everyone. However, Guru Vishwamitra is very strict. He won't tolerate your shenanigans." Shatrughan huffed, crossing his arms. The entire population of Ayodhya, and some even from the Malla Republic nearby had arrived to say goodbye, whistling, clapping, crying, reaching up their hands to shake, and Ram spoke to them.
"We hate to say goodbye, but I hope when we come back again that we see you healthy and happy." he declared, and a loud cheer rose up from the crowd as he sat down. Bharat stared out the side of the carriage, eagerly memorizing the eye-catching scenery as it passed by, acquiring ideas for paintings.
Miles later, as Sumantra continued to drive the carriage eagerly, Lakshman began to fidget, biting his lip, clenching and releasing his fists, drumming his feet, and cracking his knuckles. Ram observed his brother interestedly. Usually Shatrughan would be the one to start getting bored, but the youngest prince was also swallowing up the scenery like Bharat. Crashed in the center of the confining carriage, Lakshman also began to feel claustrophobic.
"Laksh," Bharat asked, finally tearing his eyes away from the view. "Are you alright?" Lakshman gulped, and blinked nervously, but his muscles were tensed as if he sensed something. Something dangerous.
"Fine!" he cried, with a high voice, but his eyes darted around the area, and Shatrughan became confused. Why was his elder bhaiyya acting so alert all of a sudden? The answer came seconds later with a loud roar coming from the approaching forest. Lakshman jumped, before pointing towards an ugly form emerging out of the trees.
It, for no one could confirm if it was a he or she, had a large, blubbery body, and tusks protruding out of its thin mouth, and a single eye spot on the center of his forehead. It ambled forward, and its bloodshot eye focused on the carriage hungrily.
"Food! I smell human blood. What is it?" It came closer, and Ram quickly alerted Sumantra.
"Sumantra, drive faster! A monster is coming!" The man's eyes widened, and he immediately urged the horses to go faster. Meanwhile, Bharat had taken out a few lethal-looking paintbrushes, Shatrughan had sourced a few dungbombs, Lakshman had slipped out a small dagger he had smuggled along, and Ram quickly pulled out a bow and arrow that was located in the side of the carriage for emergencies.
As the monster came closer, and it was obvious that they couldn't outrun it, Shatrughan threw his first dungbomb as a warning. The monster sniffed it and appeared to become even more agitated, swinging its ugly arms.
"Smell! I smell something bad! Where are the humansssss?" It roared, and Bharat shivered at the sound.
Ram threaded his first arrow, aiming for the arms. His grip on the weapon tightened. He had never done this before, but his father had many times, and he knew he could. Shivers rushed up his body as he stared the monster down. And, the arrow released from his sweaty fingers. The missile rushed towards the monster and made it bleed, stopping its progress for a while.
Arrow after arrow flew from his bow, and Ram became more confident per twang of the bowstring. Bharat had thrown some sharp painting tools, causing its legs to become sluggish and slow. Shatrughan was on his last dungbomb, and Lakshman was still holding the dagger tightly. Faintly, Ram wondered what he was doing. He always thought that Lakshman would face the danger head-on. The monster ambled closer, despite all of their best tries, and Ram scrambled for another arrow, finding that it was his last.
That very moment, Lakshman threw the dagger, and it pierced the monster's single eye, and Ram gasped in relief. It was blind, it couldn't see, and Ram quickly finished it off with a last arrow. It was dead. It was over. A sudden rush of peace fell over his body, and he plopped down on the carriage seat with a sigh. Bharat was staring mournfully at his remaining brushes, Shatrughan was laughing, and Lakshman was still breathing heavily.
"We're alive!" cried Sumantra, just in time as they reached the gates of the hermitage. Vishwamitra, the great sage, stood there, and raised an eyebrow at the driver's exclamation. The princes loaded off the carriage, and he nodded towards each, leading them into the ashram.
"What did he mean by that proclamation?" he asked. Ram answered with the long story, beginning from Lakshman's alertness, right to meeting him, and Vishwamitra nodded along, although his smile was very weak.
"Yes, monsters have been terrorizing this area. Let me show you your cabin, princes." He walked along, showing everyone the meditation center, the weapons arena, and the old willow tree (the princes shared a look). People turned to stare, especially a boy Daura and his friends, who snickered and even seemed to silently taunt the group. Lakshman stiffened, but Ram quickly pushed him away from their view.
Guru Vishwamitra led them into a small hut, and readied himself for complaints, but no one spoke a peep. Awed, but not letting anyone know about it, he announced "Breakfast begins at eight. Don't be late." Walking out, he heard the faint voice of one prince.
"Thank goodness we have a cabin! I thought we'd be sleeping outside. I was going to ask Lakshman to build me a little hut." This was followed by a sound of a smack and laughter echoed throughout the area. Shaking his head admiringly, Guru Vishwamitra paced away.
A/N-I know this chapter was not very well written, but I tried! It's supposed to be a starting chapter for all their adventures at Gurukul, which will be slightly more dangerous and exciting than Ayodhya, so get ready for that! Mainly a transition.
This was a very important chapter, though, because it marks a milestone. They have transitioned from one setting to another, the first time this has happened so far. Gurukul will lead to character development, emotions, angst, and much more, and I am very excited to continue writing this.
Also, this is very overdue, but thank you all for 100 views and counting! It means so much to me, so thank you! Also, my document in Google Drive has now over 10,000 words, so congrats to me too!
Anyways, I want to thank you all for all the views, votes, and comments. To any silent readers (for I know you have to be there somewhere, and some of you may even like my story) please comment if you want to! Just an emoji, or some suggestions and feedback, or even a random word. I like knowing that people are actually reading, and maybe even enjoying my stories.
Have a snappy 2021!
Shoutout to: arjunsuba! Thanks for voting, friend!