"Hail Maharaj a letter has arrived from hastinapur." A soldier said handing it to Ahaan.

"What is it?" Amerandhra asked looking curious.

"Pitashree it is an alliance letter written by Gangaputr Bhishma asking for the hand of Maharaj Amerendra's daughter for his grandson and the current Yuvraj of Hastinapur Dhritarashtra putr, Duryodhana." Ahaan said after reading the letter.

"Well I was thinking to conduct a swayamvar for Aadrika but this alliance seems good for her. We wil fix this-" Amerendra was cut off by Ahaan

"Pitashree this alliance is for Alakanadha not for Aadrika."

"Oh." Well he wasn't expecting that.

"I think we should decline it pitashree because Alaknandha is too small to get married." Ahaan said making Amerendra nod his head.

"Refuse and let Amernath get destroyed?" Jayandhika asked looking at Ahaan with narrowed eyes.

"What are you talking about Jayandhika?" Amerendra asked confussion marrying his face.

"Arya what I meant is if we refuse for this alliance then it will be considered as an insult to Gangaputr Bhishma and Hastinapur. If they wage a war against Amernath, then our common allies will take their side and the rest of the allies are not that strong enough to win over the great army of Hastinapur. If a war comes then we will surely lose." Jayandhika explained.

"But Nandha is just a kid maa." Ahaan argued back.

"She is twenty Ahaan. This is the perfect age for marriage. If not now then when?" Jayandhika asked.

"What you are saying is rigth Jayandhika, but I won't do anything against Alaknandha's wish in this. I have promised Mandhita that I would never force our daughters to get married against their wishes. If she refuses then this alliance will be canceled. If they want to fight then the army of Amernath will fight. I won't let my daughter become a scrapegoat." Amerendhra said making Ahaan smile.

" I will ask her pitashree." Ahaan asked getting up.

"Putra Ahaan you don't have to. I am her mother and it's my duty to talk to her about matters like this." Jayandhika intervined.

"Yes Jayandhika is right Ahaan. She is her mother. Jayandhika you itself talk to her about this." Amerendhra said before Ahaan could say something.

Ahaan sighed frustrated at the turning of the events. He knew his father's decision was final. If his mother is going to talk to Nandha then she will surely make her say yes. If his mother is showing this much interest in Alaknandha's marriage then something is not right. He knew his mother won't do anything without any gain. She is planning something with this marriage.

"Then now itself I will talk to her, Arya." Jayandhika said.

Amerendhra nodded his head telling her to proceed. Giving him a smile Jayandhika walked out of the court with her confused mother on her heals.

Alaknandha sat on the stairs watching the kids of the daasi's play. It was one of her favourate thing to do. Unknowingly a smile apperared on her face as watched the kids play. Watching the kids play has always brought back her sweet childhood memories. The memories which she will remember forever. The memories that she share with her best friend Nakul. Her Nakku.

"Hey nandhu stop running you will fall." A boy said as he ran behind her.

"I won't fall Nakula. Come and catch me if you can." Nandhu said giggling.

He extended his hands trying to catch her but she moved side ways escaping before her could catch her.

"Aaaaaaaaaaa" a scream escaped from Nandha's mouth as she stumbled over the vines falling flat on the muddy ground.

"Nandhu" Nakula screamed horrified as he watched her fall flat on the muddy ground.

He immediatly ran towards her. He knelt before her. Slowly he helped her to stand properly. He frowned as he noticed the wound on her hands that was bleeding slightly. Without thinking twice he took a piece of cloth from his pocket and tried his best in patching up the wound. He blew softy to the wound trying to lessen the pain. He gently wiped down the tears that had fallen from her eyes.

"I told you not to run. Now see what happened. You have ended up wounding yourself. See when elder tell you something you should listen to them. You are eight now. When will you grow up? " Nakula scolded her.

"Oh come on you are just two years elder to me. I accept it's my mistake. And I am perfectly fine now. No need to scold me." She huffed turning her face away.

"I scolded you because I can't see you getting hurt. Its hurts me too ok?" Nakula said making Nandha look at him.

"I'm sorry Nakula. I will listen to you ok? Now please don't be sad." Nandha said with a pout. Nakul smiled a little seeing her cute pout.

Its been 10 years since she saw him. She was 10 and he was 12 the last time they met. They lost each other's contact after Alaknandha went to Kanyakul and left with his family back to their own kingdom. After returning from kanyakul she tried to search for him but till today no luck. A part of always tells her that she will find him. Nandha was so lost in thoughts that she failed to notice the arrival of Aadrika.

Aadrika looked at Nandha and sighed. Its been 3 months since they came back from Hastinapur. From that day onwards it was a common for Aadrika to see Nandha often lost in her thoughts. She tried asking Nandha but no avail. She would shake her head saying nothing. One thing Aadrika is sure something had happened to Nandha during their stay in Hastinapur.

"Nandha." Aadrika called out

"Huh?" Nandha said coming out of her thoughts.

"Again lost in thoughts are we?" Aadrika asked.

"What? no nothing like that. I am just looking the kids playing there. Anyway tell me why were you searching for me." Nandha asked looking at Aadrika.

"Jayandhika maa is calling you." Aadrika said frowning.

"Me? I swear I didn't do anything." Nandha whined.

"She doesn't need a reason for scolding you." Aadrika said.

"You are right. Anyway let me go before she thinks to punish me for going late." Nandha said getting up.

"Tell me everything after coming back ok?" Aadrika said looking at Nandha.

"When have I not told you. Surly I will tell you jiji." Nandha said rolling her eyes.

"Everything?"

"Ha everything."

* * * * *