#vanmozhi

Hindu Mythology:

1. Kannamoochi Yenada: A Rukmini-Krishna o/s (c)

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Dhurandhar:

Kalank: A Rehman Dakait x Reader fic (c) Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3

Phir Le Aaya Dil: An Uzair Baloch x Reader o/s (c)

Panaah: A Rehman Dakait x Reader fic (o) Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3

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Ponniyin Selvan:

Avalukkaga Vandha Ilavarasan: A Vanmozhi o/s (c)

Narumugaye: An Aditha Karikalan-Nandini o/s (c)

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As promised, here is the first OS!

*****

sundari kannal oru seithi

solladi innal nalla thethi

(Oh beautiful one, tell me an answer through your eyes,

Give me the answer on this auspicious/good day)

The skirmish among his sisters' friends gave Arulmozhi pause, an action a little out of the ordinary for him. However, as luck would have it, his helping nature was also very well known, and he felt a tiny smirk cross his face.

He swiveled to see what was happening, and if his Akka was there.

'If she is there, then everything is fine. If not, I will go in,' he thought to himself, his legs taking three steps forward even before he had seen what was going on.

Frowning when he saw his Akka hurry inside, he moved his neck, craning to see who was being carried in.

The golden cheek of the maiden gave Arulmozhi pause. He knew who it was instantly.

He had seen Vaanathi's jittery hands; the little tremble as she did his aarati. But he had seen it as her nervousness of sorts, given their first interaction and now finding out that he was Ponniyin Selvan.

Arulmozhi smiled wryly.

He had gone from being the 'yaanai paagan' to 'Ponniyin Selvan' quickly in her eyes, causing him to frown. He turned to meet the eyes of the lead soldier, smiling quickly but reassuringly.

"I will be back soon. I need to go find Akka."

With those words, he headed inside, but not before he caught snippets of what the elders were saying about Vaanathi's thattu falling.

"The thattu falling is inauspicious.." some muttered. They clearly had no idea he was trained to listen to even distant words, a helpful side effect of warrior training. Arulmozhi controlled himself from snapping.

The very thought of anything about Vaanathi being inauspicious sent swirls of fury into his body, vibrating through him. He did not know why he got so angry with her actions being called so, when she probably fainted either out of panic, worry or something deeper.

"But see, her light remains- bright. It is auspicious, the Kodumbalur Princess brings fortune for our Ponniyin Selvar."

These words calmed his heart a little bit. He did not wait to talk, instead nearly running in, knowing his sister will be in the antechamber closest to the entrance.

The antechamber was buzzing, full of maidens; Princesses from different clans of the Chozhas, in fact. Arulmozhi could hear their furious mutterings, but he refused to even listen to them.

Anyone who could be vapid about another woman but sweet to his face did not deserve his attention. He would rather focus on the woman now held up by his sister.

He could see, just by how Kundavai gently tapped Vaanathi's cheeks, that his sister had a deep fondness for Vaanathi, but did not yet know how to show it fully.

He would have to do something for his Akka.

But Vaanathi...first.

"Akka? Is she okay?" Arulmozhi asked softly, ignoring the surprised eyebrow raise Kundavai gave him. It would not do for their eyes to meet.

Kundavai knew Arulmozhi too well and would see more than the latter was comfortable showing. In fact, even his behaviour now would have triggered something in her. Kundavai was, as it is, too sharp to not notice things even when her focus was elsewhere.

And when it came to Arulmozhi? No chance.

"She will be, kanna," and there was the mild inflection only he had caught. Arulmozhi met Kundavai's eyes, which glinted with curiosity and knowing, and tried not to wince.

Uh-oh.

His Akka had caught on and was going to 'test' him, even if indirectly.

"But what happened, Akka?" he asked softly, his voice low, and his eyes on Vaanathi's golden face and closed eyes. He wanted to meet her eyes; the red blush on her cheeks when their eyes had met during the aarati was endearing to his heart.

"Is the Kodumbalur Princess okay?"

Arulmozhi could feel the furious eyes of all the other Princesses, for he had clearly known who Vaanathi was. But strangely, Vaanathi had never been around Kundavai when the Prince had spoken to her in the days he was at Pazhayarai.

"How did you know who she is?" Kundavai asked with a minute smirk, and Arulmozhi could feel the blood rush to his cheeks. However, he was not the Ilaya Puli for nothing.

He looked at his Akka and said, "We met once unexpectedly, and I got to know she is Periya Velar's niece."

He had also gotten to know her nurturing and kind heart, as well as her tendency to babble like a brook, and laugh gleefully when she found something funny. But that was for him to know, and for his big sister to never discover.

"Indeed she is, thambi. You know, she is Siriya Velar's daughter, raised by our Athai, Varaguna Perumanar."

"She is Athaiyar's step-daughter, is she not, Akka?"

Arulmozhi knew he was right, smiling mildly when his sister nodded, her eyes drenched with compassion and a tender fondness he had never before seen in her eyes for a Princess she trained.

Had Vaanathi touched his Akka's heart already?

'When she has touched yours with a single meeting and a few glimpses, would she not have Akka's, who spends a lot of time with her?' his voice snarked, and he ignored it in favour of listening to Kundavai's words.

"Do you remember how Siriya Velar Maama ascended to the heavens, Mozhi?" Kundavai asked gently, but in a tone only Arulmozhi would recognize as gently pushing him to remember.

"He lost his life in..." Arulmozhi faltered, suddenly understanding what Kundavai was getting at. "He lost his life in Eezham. Akka, is that why the Princess fainted? She remembered what happened to her Appa?"

"That is my belief. She was incredibly close to him. She has often told me that he was everything to her. Athai also wrote the same to me."

Arulmozhi said nothing, though his eyes fell on Vaanathi's face- golden bronzed in complexion, more oval shaped like a crescent moon, a tender flower, yet he could sense that hidden under layers, she was incredibly resilient.

"I want to wait for her to wake and make sure she is okay, Akka."

Kundavai cast him an imperceptible look, and Arulmozhi knew what it was for. Kundavai had seen something in his face, and would definitely match make Arulmozhi with Vaanathi hereafter.

But despite his current stance against marriage, Arulmozhi found he did not mind it, though, to be fair, he may also create issues about it.

'Open your eyes, Princess of Forests,' he urged her from within, and he saw her eyes flutter open. A quiet smile dawns on his face, one that made all the Princesses around melt, but made Kundavai get a thoughtful, sharp gaze.

One which generally spelt trouble for anyone on its receiving end.

His eyes met her beautiful, doe-like eyes, the brown orbs peeking at his in what looked like worry, pain...and was that a tint of a blush?

"Kodumbalur Ilavarasi, how do you feel now?"

Her eyes, mesmerizing in their movement, locked on to Arulmozhi's, and she said, "I am okay, Ilavarase...oh no, what have I done?"

The sudden shift from calm to panic threw Arulmozhi off for a moment, before he realized that Vaanathi might not be like his Akka.

But how did that matter?

Her eyes, when they had met his, had given him the answer he needed. The answer he had waited for, though he might not admit it.

His presence flustered her, which is why she hid from him. A smile threatened to break its way across his face, but he schooled himself.

When the time came, he would bring it up himself. For now, he had to listen to Vaanathi's worried talks and Kundavai's gentle consolations.

Her flustered feelings and his own reactions are for a different time in life.

𝐏𝐀𝐈𝐑𝐈𝐍𝐆: Arulmozhi Varman x Vanathi

𝐒𝐘𝐍𝐎𝐏𝐒𝐈𝐒: On the auspicious occasion of marriage of Nakkan Akkarmangaiyar, eldest daughter of Avani Sundarapurathu Deivar of Pazhuvur, Arulmozhi is confused why is he getting jealous of Kumaran Maravan- son of Avani Sundarapurathu Deivar when he's talking to Vanathi? Anyways, he can't talk to Vanathi.

𝐑𝐄𝐐𝐔𝐄𝐒𝐓𝐄𝐃 𝐁𝐘: @zeherili-ankhein (a Diwali gift to you🪔)

Vanathi giggled.

Arulmozhi felt his eye twitch.

At Vanathi's giggle? No. Because of the yoing man who stood beside her right now, laughing heartily along with her.

The Pazhuvur Palace was lit up, decorated like a bride. And why not? It was the wedding of Akkarmangaiyar, eldest daughter of Avani Sundarapurathu Deivar, who was son of Chinna Pazhuvettaraiyar. The whole Royal Family were invited, along with all the Chieftains of allied Kingdoms.

Arulmozhi had known very well that the ties of familial connections ran deep between Pazhuvur and Kodumbalur like it did with Kodumbalur and Royal Family. Pazhuvur's Avani Sundarapurathu Deivar was married to the younger Sister of Irungolan Siriya Velar and Periya Velar Bhuthi Vikramakesari, named Chandravadhani. Chandravadhani bore two daughters and three sons to Avani Sundarapurathu Deivar, eldest being Akkarmangai, who was getting married.

But that wasn't bothering him. He had known Akkarmangai. The said Pazhuvur Princess, epitome of grace was around same age as his Anna Aditha Karikalan. Although not relatively close, the two had shared a good bond. The younger son Kumaran Maravan was two years younger than Arulmozhi himself— same age as Vanathi.

What bothered him was how Kumaran was making Vanathi laugh. What bothering him was how OPEN Vanathi was with him. What bothering him was that she was behaving same way with him just like she did with HIM. And why? He didn't knew.

'You don't love her, why bother?' a voice said tauntingly in his mind.

"Did you see them?" One of the Wife of Chieftains said. "See who?" The other asked.

"The Pazhuvur Prince and Kodumbalur Kula Vilakku."

"Ah, yes, are they courting each other?"

Arulmozhi's heart skipped a beat.

"I do not think so, or maybe they are. Isn't Arasi Chandravadhani Princess of Kodumbalur and Ilavarasi Vanathi's Athai?"

"Yes yes, maybe they will marry. Avani Sundarapurathu Deivar was a close friend of Siriya Velar. And I have heard lots of praises of Kodumbalur Vanathi from Periya Pirattiyar and Ilaiya Piratti."

"But isn't she betrothed to Arulmozhi Devan?"

"I do not think so. They weren't officially engaged. My Mandakini told me that Komagane doesn't really pay heed to them when he comes to meet Ilaiya Piratti." One of the other said.

"Ah yes, also, she's isn't born of Varaguna Perumanar. She's not his Murai Penn." The first one said off handedly.

As they continued talking, Arulmozhi felt his stomach drop further and further, and it was shown on his face. Aditha, having noticed, looked at him in concern. "Mozhi? Kanna? Are you fine? Why do you look green?" He asked confused.

When he got no answer, he followed his younger brother's gaze and it fell on Vanathi and Kumaran Maravan, and suddenly Everything clicked.

"Ah, they do look good together indeed." Aditha's words made him snap his head at his Anna. "What?" He asked, his voice hoarse. "Well, they look good." He said matter of factly. "Anna, what are you saying? They don't look good together." Arulmozhi denied.

Aditha leaned casually against a pillar, watching his younger brother with a knowing smirk. His eyes darted to the far side of the courtyard, where Vanathi was laughing with Kumaran Maravan, their conversation flowing with a warmness. Glancing back at Arulmozhi, he caught the way his brother’s gaze had narrowed, jaw tight as he watched them.

"But they indeed look well matched." Aditha mused, obviously egging his Kanna.

Arulmozhi shot him a warning look, but Aditha continued undeterred, a glint of amusement in his eyes. “You know, they’d make a fine pair—two bright young heirs, well-connected families. I’m sure everyone in the palace is already talking about it.”

“You’re exaggerating,” Arulmozhi replied tersely, but the tension in his voice betrayed him. “They’re just… cousins.”

“Cousins, yes. But isn’t that often how alliances begin?” Aditha chuckled, giving him a playful nudge. “Besides, look at the way they’re laughing together. She seems quite taken with him. And who could blame her? Kumaran is every bit the charming prince.”

Arulmozhi’s fists clenched, his patience fraying. Aditha leaned in, lowering his voice just enough. “Tell me, little brother… would it really bother you that much if Vanathi chose Kumaran?”

That was the last straw. Arulmozhi snapped, his voice sharp. “Enough, Anna!" He said eith a angry frown.

Aditha only laughed, his smirk widening as he took in Arulmozhi’s reaction. “Touched a nerve, have I?” he teased, crossing his arms. “It’s clear enough—you’d rather she be here, laughing with you, wouldn’t you?”

Arulmozhi turned away, jaw still set, trying to mask the frustration burning beneath his calm facade. “You don’t understand, Anna. This isn’t a game.”

“Isn’t it?” Aditha replied lightly, leaning back. “Then maybe you should make it clear to her before someone else does.”

Arulmozhi’s gaze drifted reluctantly back to Vanathi and Kumaran, tension tightening his chest. Was Aditha right?

.

Kumaran chuckled, eyes gleaming with mischief as he recounted the story to Vanathi. “So, Azhagi was preparing for her dance recital, all serious and focused. And, well, I may have told her that one of her anklets was missing.”

Vanathi’s laughter bubbled up, eyes bright with amusement. “Oh no, I can only imagine how furious she must have been!”

“You have no idea,” Kumaran grinned, shaking his head. “She turned every corner of the palace upside-down looking for it—her temper was as fierce as a storm. And of course, by the time she figured out I’d hidden it, I was halfway to the stables.”

They both laughed heartily, unaware of Arulmozhi’s silent gaze lingering on them from a distance. As Kumaran glanced over and he noticed Arulmozhi’s expression, a rare vulnerability beneath his usually composed face. A slow realization dawned on him: his friend, the reserved and ever-dutiful prince, was in love with Vanathi.

Just then, Thillaiazhagi appeared, tugging at Kumaran’s arm. “Anna, come quickly! Chinna Patta is asking for you,” she said, casting a warm smile at Vanathi. “Akka, you must tell him not to trouble me with his silly pranks!”

Kumaran chuckled, nodding. “Alright, alright, I’m coming.”

"Yes Chellame, now go. Chinna Pattanar must be waiting for you." Vanathi mused as she patted Azhagi's cheek. The Princess beamed and dragged her Anna away.

As Kumaran and Thillaiazhagi left, Vanathi’s laughter slowly faded, though the warmth lingered in her eyes. She turned, only to find Arulmozhi standing a few steps away, his gaze unreadable.

“Ilavarase,” she greeted, a gentle smile forming on her lips as her cheeks dusted. “Did you overhear our little tale of Kumaran’s mischief?”

Arulmozhi nodded, though his expression remained serious. “Yes, it seems he’s quite the charmer.”

Vanathi tilted her head, sensing something beneath his words. “You look… troubled.” She said, her eyes roving over his troubled face. The tension in his brow was visible, and the tautness of his muscles too.

He hesitated, his voice softer than usual. “I just wanted to… remind you to be cautious, Vanathi. Not everyone is as they seem.”

Vanathi frowned, blinking. "What do you wish to say, Ponniyin Selvare?" She asked softly. Oh how he wished she'd call him Yaanai Paaga once again.

Arulmozhi decided to be blunt.

“You can’t talk to Ilavarasar Kumaran Maravan.”

Vanathi blinked, momentarily thrown by Arulmozhi’s abrupt tone. They stood alone in a secluded corner of the grand Pazhuvur Palace, where wedding festivities were underway, a lively hum of music and laughter filling the distant halls. Her gaze flicked up to his face, catching the unusual tension in his expression.

“Why can’t I speak to him?” she asked, tilting her head in confusion. “He’s…he’s my cousin. Surely there’s no harm in exchanging a few words?”

Arulmozhi hesitated, his jaw clenched as if fighting for the right response. “It’s… it’s not appropriate right now,” he said, choosing his words carefully. “There are things you don’t understand, Vanathi. It’s better if you just stay away from him.”

The reasoning sounded hollow, and Vanathi’s brows furrowed deeper. She had always known Kumaran to be respectful and considerate to everyone, his easy charm earning him friends across the kingdom. In fact, her own mother often spoke fondly of him, saying he carried himself with dignity beyond his years. Why, then, was Arulmozhi so intent on warning her against him?

“But, Ilavarase,” she insisted, a soft laugh escaping as she tried to lighten his mood. “What could possibly be the harm in a few words? Kumaran is my aunt’s son—he’s family.”

He looked away, visibly uncomfortable, rubbing the back of his neck as if hoping the right words would appear out of thin air. “Vanathi, there’s… there’s more to Kumaran than you know. He’s… let’s just say, he’s got a role to play. You can’t get tangled up in his affairs, even if he is family.”

His evasion only deepened her bewilderment. “Since when did you become so cryptic?” she asked, half-smiling in exasperation. “I’ve spoken to Ilavarasar Kumaran countless times, and there was never a problem. What’s changed now?”

Arulmozhi’s eyes flickered, the faintest hint of frustration creeping into his expression. “Things have changed, Vanathi. There are undercurrents you can’t see. Sometimes, even those close to us can be… involved in matters we aren’t meant to understand.”

She opened her mouth to argue but closed it just as quickly, an uneasy feeling settling over her. Why was Arulmozhi suddenly being so protective, so evasive? She trusted him, but his reluctance to explain made her feel like a child kept in the dark, shielded from truths she could just as easily understand.

“Ilavarase,” she said softly, trying to meet his eyes, “I’m not a stranger to the world we live in. You can tell me if there’s something more going on. I’d rather know the truth than be treated like I’m too delicate to handle it.”

He took a deep breath, looking torn, and for a moment, she thought he might actually tell her what was going on. But then he sighed, shaking his head with a faint smile. “It’s not about what you can handle, Vanathi. Some things are better left… unspoken. Please, just trust me.”

She felt a mix of frustration and concern simmering beneath her confusion. What was he so desperate to hide? And why did he look so determined to shield her from someone as kind as Kumaran?

Just as she was wondering, she caught his eyes. Something was amiss. The tightness in his muscles, his shallow breaths, the tension lines on his forehead, the erratic heartbeat which caused him to take rapid breaths...

She gasped softly when he huffed and grabbed her hand.

Arulmozhi was feeling his breath go awry when she questioned him, and he saw Kumaran coming to them. Vanathi, of course, couldn't see. It's now or never. He didn't wanted to lose her to Kumaran, or anyone in fact.

Vanathi was his Muraipenn, not of someone else. She was his Athai's daughter, she should be marrying him.

He suddenly grabbed her wrist and put her hand on his chest, watching how her cheeks turned red and breath shallowing. "Vanathi, I don't like seeing you with Ilavarasar Kumaran. I don't like how you laugh with him. I don't like how comfortable you are with him. I don't like you with him. You are my Muraipenn, he can't court you!" He exclaimed, an exasperated tone in end.

Vanathi stood shell shocked at the sudden confession, suddenly realising as her eyes widened. Her Ilavarasar, he liked her.

He liked her like she liked him.

He loved her.

"Do- do you-" She couldn't find right words, but her voice shook with emotions. "Vanathi, allow me to Court you.." He said softly.

Vanathi’s heart stilled, each beat suspended as Arulmozhi’s words sank in. Court you. The words lingered in the air, tender and vulnerable, as if he’d placed his heart right there between them, fragile and open.

She could barely breathe, her mind racing to catch up, but her emotions overwhelmed her. A warmth bloomed in her chest, spreading through her like sunlight, each corner of her heart filling with a joy she hadn’t dared to dream of. Her vision blurred, and she felt a tear slip down her cheek, her happiness spilling over in a way words couldn’t capture.

She searched his face, seeing his own hope and uncertainty mirrored in his gaze. He loved her—he truly did. All the quiet moments, the glances they’d shared, the protectiveness in his actions, all suddenly made sense, weaving into this one, perfect truth.

Unable to trust her voice, she nodded quickly, a soft smile trembling on her lips as her eyes sparkled. She didn’t need to say a word. The relief and joy on her face spoke for her, her expression telling him everything her heart had longed to say.

He smiled finally, like the sun rising over the hills that covered the Thanjai, the same she often crossed when she had to travel to Kodumbalur. She was finally his. Or maybe she had been his since long, but he was just stupid.

Kumaran suddenly jogged over to them, clearing his throat. "Hopefully I'm not interrupting you two?" Arulmozhi somehow pushed the frown on his face down, and he gave a tight smile. "Definitely not, Ilavarase." He smiled, his expressions tight.

"I'm glad, Komagane." He smiled and turned to Vanathi. "Amma is calling you. She says that it's time we take Mangai Akka to Mandapam, Akka." He said the last Akka with a certain pressure, staring at Arulmozhi.

It dawned on Arulmozhi suddenly that what he thought was between Vanathi and Kumaran was actually the Sibling Bond they had, considering they were really close and his neck flushed red. He was so stupid! His jealousy didn't let him see things other way!

Vanathi nodded with a smile, unaware of all this as she left for Chandravadhani. Arulmozhi watched her go, his eyes sharp as she turned her head coyly, and shyly smiled at him before scurrying away.

Moonlit Serenade - Vanmozhi Fic

The moon cast its silvery glow over the tranquil waters of the Veeranarayana Lake. Vanathi, seated on the stone steps leading to the lake, strummed a gentle melody on her veena. The soft music blended with the sweet songs of the night birds, creating an enchanting atmosphere.

As she played, Vanathi's thoughts drifted to Arulmozhi, the young prince who had captured her heart. She wondered if he would ever return from his journey, and if he would still cherish the memories they had shared. The persisting yearning in her heart was too much to bear.

Just then, a faint rustling sound came from the nearby bushes. Vanathi's heart skipped a beat as Arulmozhi emerged, his eyes shining with a warm smile.

"Illavarase, you...here?" For a moment she thought she was dreaming.

Arulmozhi smiled, "I came back today morning. I specifically told akka not to let you know, I wanted to surprise you" he said softly. He stepped closer to her, confident in his stride and gaze.

"Vanathi, your music has beckoned me," he said, his voice low and husky. "I couldn't resist the allure of your veena."

Vanathi's cheeks flushed as Arulmozhi sat beside her, his shoulder touching hers. Together, they watched the moon's reflection dance on the lake's surface.

As the night wore on, their conversation flowed like the gentle lapping of the water against the shore. They spoke of their dreams, their passions, and their love for the land and its people.

In the midst of their tender conversation, Arulmozhi reached out and gently brushed a strand of hair behind Vanathi's ear. The touch sent shivers down her spine, and she knew in that moment that she was forever bound to this kind and courageous prince.

As the moon reached its zenith, Arulmozhi took Vanathi's hand, and they walked along the lake's edge, their footsteps echoing in harmony with the music of the night.

In that magical moment, they both knew that their love would flourish, just like the lotus flowers that bloomed in the lake's waters, under the watchful gaze of the moon.

😭😭😭😭

@stxrrynxghts or @ahamasmiyodhah WRITE SOMETHING WE ARE ALL DYING

Second collab with @harinishivaa and oh my god, there were so many butterflies while writing this

A/N: Inspired by my love for Jayam Ravi and those eyes of his OOF (feel free to imagine a younger JR in this fic as well haha). Would love to hear your thoughts in the replies!! 

---

There was no way around it. 

Ever since they had all come back from Nagapattinam…her Ilavarasan had been different. 

The days where he’d barely acknowledged her presence - where she’d melted into the walls when he walked by and he didn’t even notice that she was there in the first place - were long gone. Now, she could hardly remember the last time they were in the same room together and she didn’t feel him…watching her. 

This is my first try at Vanmozhi Fanfiction. Inspired from the PS 2 movie scene. Planning to do a two part follow-up of this prologue. Let me know what you think!

Prologue

'Tis better to have loved and lost Than never to have loved at all.’ (In Memoriam A. H. H., 27.13-17) 

The sky of Thanjavur was strangely grey on a Vaikasi afternoon as the people waited for their beloved crown prince, Aditha Karikalan, to come home.

Only this time, there was no line of excited girls, wearing their best sarees,  chattering away with their aarti thali on the steps of majestic Thanjavur fort, waiting to catch a glimpse of their handsome  prince.

Instead, a grief-stricken royal family waited patiently. Chakrvarthi and the young prince, Ponniyin Selvan were waiting at the front, while the women of the royal family waited behind.

Slightly behind the royal family, Kodombalur Ilavarasi Vanathi was also waiting along with other royal women, looking over the sea of the people that gathered at the outer court of the fort. Since last night, as the news of the prince’s death spread, people kept coming from all corners of the Cholanadu. 

While Vanathi waited, she thought of everything and nothing.

Such a contrast, Vanathi reflected, looking at the grey sky briefly before her gaze settled on the royal family who were clad in pristine white, a decorum when someone in the family passes away.

As if even the sky was mourning along with this family.

Vanathi’s thoughts got interrupted as people’s clamour suddenly increased, making her focus at the entry gate of the fort.

Finally, Aditha Karikalan had arrived in Thanjavur.

In the city where he grew up. In the city where he belongs.

A long procession of regiment came by foot, closely followed by the prince's beloved horse regiment, waving the chola flag. 

From where she was standing, Vanathi could  see the chariot carrying the prince’s body from a distance, closely flanked by his trusted fighting companions, Manamalyan, Parthibendran and Vanthiyadevan; not leaving their beloved prince’s side, even in death.

As the chariot slowly moved across the crowd, Vanathi could hear muffled cries while some people started to shower flower petals at the chariot, a sign of their last respect to their Ilavarase. A section of the crowd even started to tussle with the guards to touch the chariot and pray.

It took a long time for the guards to clear the way for the chariot to cross the short distance of the entry gate to the steps of the fort. 

When the chariot carrying the prince's body finally stopped in front of the fort stairs, there was a momentary pause among the royal family members. 

As if they could not believe what they were seeing.

The ailing Chakravarty was the first to break down as he could not support his weight anymore. Ponniyin Selvan gripped his father tightly, making sure his father could come down the stairs to meet his beloved elder son.

Raṇi varataṭcaṇai Sembiyan Mahadevi, Rani Vanavan Mahadevi, Iliya Piratti slowly started to walk behind the Chakravarty to meet their nephew, son and brother, Aditha Karikalan, one last time. Vanathi followed them as well, her steps heavy with grief.

As everyone in the family huddled at the front of the chariot and tried to caress the beloved prince’s face, the cries of the Chakravarti and Rani were the most heart-breaking.  Vanathi, who was standing at the end of the chariot, could not take it anymore. She bowed her head, closed her eyes to drown out the sound of cries and desperately put her hands together in prayer.

Ishvara, may the Ilavarase join you in heaven. And…And give my beloved royal family and the people of Cholanadu the strength to overcome this difficult time.

Vanathi stayed still for a few minutes, hoping the cries had subdued. As she opened her eyes, she knew that her attempt at focusing on praying was futile. 

But she had to try. 

In desperation, her eyes searched for the only face that could give her strength at this moment. 

As her eyes landed on Ponniyin Selvan’s face, Vanathi realized, despite being such a pillar of strength to his father, the young prince could not hold himself together anymore.

His face contorted with unspeakable grief; tears were streaming down his eyes continuously.

Vanathi had endured loss in various forms from a very young age. Her mother’s death, even though she had never met her, had left a deep wound in her childhood. Then her father’s death at Ilankai war, leaving her as an orphan in this cruel world. Then bidding farewell to her only father like figure uncle Periya Velar before every war, not knowing whether he would return alive from them was always tantamount to loss for her….Yet, no pain of these losses compared to the pain of seeing her beloved Ponniyin Selvan grieving at this moment.

Until this point, Vanathi did not realize that she had been crying along with everyone else. But seeing her Ponniyin Selvan break down like this, fresh tears blocked her vision completely. Her heart felt so heavy that for a moment she felt like she could not breathe anymore.

Wiping her tears with pallu, Vanathi took a few deep breaths to calm herself.

As the guards started to move to take the chariot away for cremation, on a whim, Vanathi decided to come at the front of the chariot and touch Ilavarase Aditha Karikalan’s feet, seeking blessings.

An opportunity she never had before.

While she looked at the crown prince’s resting face one last time, Vanathi realized, in death, Aditha Karikalan had finally found his peace.

The peace that he had been searching for a long time.