The Story of a Princess-9

Even after the wedding celebrations got over, we continued our evening excursions. The courtiers, who had initially thought this to be a passing phase, now started raising objections. They started with the issue of security. As the crown prince, it was Ram’s duty to take his personal safety seriously. And was it right to risk the life of his wife and his younger brother this way? Ram could have said that he could very well protect his wife and his younger brother against any enemy, and he would not have been making an overstatement. But he was not given to making such proud remarks, even if he knew them to be true. As usual, Laxman came to his rescue, “I can protect my bhaiya and bhabhi without any help. No harm can come to them while I am alive. Bhaiya won’t even need to string his bow. I can single-handedly destroy all his enemies”. (Later, when the three of us were alone, he said, “I just said all that to shut those people up. So you two, don’t go about getting into trouble, all right?” It had been a really long time since the all of us had laughed so hard.)

Their second objection was me. Was it appropriate for a lady of the royal family to walk among the commoners so? Was it right for the future Queen to appear before men not her kin, without a veil? Was it appropriate for her to interact with male strangers at all? I could feel my ears burning. What were these people implying? Suddenly Ram spoke up. Why should Sita, or any other woman, have to cover her face? Why should she feel shame in talking to men? Why can’t she hold her head up high and feel proud to be a woman? She is a daughter of the same Mother as we are, Mother Earth, for whom all her children are equally precious.

Ram’s skin has a natural blue glow about it, but now it had turned a beautiful, dark blue. This took my mind completely off everything else. I looked around, but it seemed like no one else had noticed anything. The council-men were muttering. While it was all right for Ram to talk about respecting women and treating them as equals, we should not forget the threat posed by Ravan and his rakshasas , who given half a chance, will destroy everything we hold dear. We ask women, and particularly Princess Sita, to stay indoors for their own protection.

“Princess Sita can protect herself!”

Who said that? And why is everyone looking at me like that? Did I say that? Shut up, you fool! You’re only making a bad situation worse. But I couldn’t stop. “Princess Sita can protect herself. She has been trained in the art of war. She will not be confined indoors.” With that I walked out. Behind me, I could hear the meeting getting concluded.

“Well spoken,” that was Ram. “Yeah, but the council wasn’t happy”. Laxman. “I don’t care”. Me.

Later.

Ram: Sita…

I: Yes?

R: Will you do something for me?

I: Why is that even a question? You know I will if I can.

R: I know, but this is somewhat different….

I: Say it, Ram.

Sita, I know you were trained by the best teachers in Mithila. You were given all the arms training that is only imparted to princes these days.

I: Yes….

R: And I know that if you were to take up a bow, there are very few warriors in Aryavarta who can stand up against you….

I: I am nowhere as good as that….

R: Shut up! I saw a couple of you practice sessions in Mithila..

I(taken aback): How? When?

R(smiling now): Let’s just say that you are not the only expert at disguises around here. The point is, you are among the best warriors I have ever seen, and believe me, I have seen my fair share.

I: Okkk….so?

R: Well, Sita, I want you to promise me that you won’t take up arms in the war that I am foreseeing, unless I specifically ask you to….

I: What? But why? If I can…

R: I can’t explain. It’s just that….wars with rakshasas get very ugly and….well thay don’t always fight fair…and they don’t always kill quickly. They don’t have any humanity. Just….just do it for me, will you?

I: Ok Ram. I promise. But you’ll also have to promise me two things.

R: What?

I: If there is the need, you wont think twice before asking me to fight.

R: I won’t. I promise.

I: And Ram…

R: Yes?

I: Promise me you’ll protect my honor before my life?

R: I’ll….I’ll always protect you.