Years passed. The four princes excelled in their various subjects starting from their texts to warfare. In Mithila, the four princesses blossomed into young women - each with strong characteristics.

AYODHYA

King Dashratha was over the moon. Why wouldn't he be ? His four sons had come back after so many years. His Ram had come back after so many years. Ram was the apple of his eye. Right now, they had been taken by their mothers. He knew that his wives had missed them. He had gone into the chamber where he knew his sons were. He had expected what he saw. But what he hadn't expected was that Ram was with Kaikeyi and Bharath with Kaushalya. He smiled. Ram was laying on Kaikeyi's lap as she listened to his stories about Gurukul. Bharat was being fed ladoos by Kaushalya. Lakshman and Shatrughan were taunting each other in a brotherly sort of way while Sumitra smiled at them. His family was happy. Little did he know that this happiness would be short-lived when Brahmarishi Vishwamitra would visit Ayodhya.

Brahmarishi Vishwamitra was a learned sage and was known for his pride and temper. He was on a visit to Ayodhya for a purpose. He wanted help. Many sages performing yagnas were being disrupted by demon asuras. The asuras when spotting a yagna being performed, dropped things like bones and blood into the pious fire putting an end to the yagna.

It was for that exact reason he had come to Ayodhya. He had heard a lot about the eldest prince Ram from the sages who had passed by his ashram. He wanted Ram to travel with him to rid the sages of their worries.

LAKSHMAN'S POV..

Brahmarishi Vishwamitra in Ayodhya. I wonder what is it about. I was on the way to the Throne Room with my brothers to meet the learned sage. His story is not an ordinary one. Born a Kshatriya, he had performed a very tedious penance to attain the title of a Brahmarishi. As we entered the throne room, I saw Father talking to him. He looked up at us. Ram Bhaiya was the first to offer his greetings.

Ram : Pranaam Brahmarishi

Vishwamitra : May you live a contended life, Son.

Bharath Bhaiya, Shatrughan and I followed suit. Brahmarishi Vishwamitra looked at my father. Father didn't look good.

Ram : What is the matter, Father ? Are you well ?

Dashratha : I am in a tough situation, my son.

Ram : What is it Father ?

Vishwamitra : Son. Let me tell you. I had asked your father to send you with me for help. Your father is having second thoughts about it.

Ram looked towards his father. Dashratha couldn't look at him.

Ram : Why not Father ? Why aren't you sending me with him ?

Dashratha : Son. You are too young. And you just finished Gurukul.

Ram : Father. Being a Raghuvanshi, our word is our Dharma. We cannot turn back on our Dharma. That is going against our clan. Please let me go, Father. Let me fulfill my Kshatriya dharma.

Dashrath looked defeated. Brahmarishi Vishwamitra had a pleasant smile on his face. I was livid.

Dashrath : I won't stop you Son. But do come back soon. For Ram, you are my soul.

I was beyond myself. Stay without my brother !! Never. My day never started without seeing my dear brother. How can I let him go !! I am being selfish but Ram Bhaiya is my life. I had to do something.

Me : Brahmarishi... Pranaam.

Vishwamitra : Yes son..

Me : Please take me along with you.

Dashratha : What are you saying, Lakshman ?

Me : Father. Please let me go. I want to help my dearest brother in any way possible. Brahmarishi, please take me along.

Vishwamitra : So be it.

NOBODY'S POV..

Brahmarishi Vishwamitra, Ram and Lakshman departed to the deep jungles. Vishwamitra was an intelligent man. He could read the emotions of the two princes. While Ram was the calm sea, Lakshman acted on an impulse with a quick temper. He knew he had made the right choice..

MITHILA..

Time had passed yet the chamber remained the same. Only the people in it had. Instead of children, there were young women. Holding a plate and distributing ladoos was Sita. An ever-pleasant smile, slanting swan eyes, slim figure and pale skin.. Sita was a delicate beauty. She handed over one ladoo to a tall girl with thick hair that was braided. She had big eyes lined with khol, a lean frame and an innocent smile on her face. She accepted the ladoo with a graceful smile.

Sita : Shrutikeerti. Eat the ladoo before you keep it somewhere and forget.

Shrutikeerti : I don't forget it Sita. It is either dear Mandavi or Urmila who ask me something and I tend to forget about things.

One of the two girls turned to look at Shrutikeerti. She had almond shaped eyes, broad shoulders that gave her strong frame a taller edge and her lips were pursed at the youngest sister. Sita went and stuffed a ladoo into her mouth.

Sita : Hush now Mandavi. Have the prasad.

Mandavi wordlessly chewed the ladoo while Sita went to the other sister - Urmila. She was busy staring at the blank canvas with a finger on her chin. Doe shaped eyes, volouptous curves and full lips that curved into a beautiful smile - that described Urmila. Sita called out to her. Urmila turned her doe shaped eyes to look at her. Sita wordlessly put a ladoo in her mouth prompting Urmila to chew it slowly..

Sita : You should stop staring at that canvas. You are a wonderful artist. You will get an idea soon.

Urmila : I really want to start something on it. It looks very blank.

Just then two maids came in with few clothes. They both were chatting animatedly.

Mandavi : What are you two talking about, Priyamvada and Mandakini ?

Priyamvada : Greetings Princesses. We were talking about the two princes who killed the demon Tadaka and freed Ahalya.

Urmila stopped mixing the paint and turned towards the two maids with wide eyes.

Urmila : What ?? Killed Tadaka and freed Ahalya ?? What are you talking about ?

Mandakini : No Princess. It is true. Two princes from Ayodhya have put an end to Tadaka and freed the sages from the misery. One of princes freed Ahalya

Mandavi : Any idea who ?

Priyamvada : The oldest prince Ram and third prince Lakshman. News is that the princes are visiting Mithila with Brahmarishi Vishwamitra under whose guidance they accomplished these feats.

The maids left leaving the princesses to their thoughts.

Shurtikeerti : Brahmarishi Vishwamitra !! He's supposed to have a bad temper. What if he curses us ??

Mandavi : Why would he curse us Shrutikeerti ???!! Don't talk like that.

Urmila : I've heard about him and his penance. Now we get to meet him.

Sita : Sisters... We should be at our best and be as gracious as we could to Brahmarishi Vishwamitra and the two princes. They really helped a lot since even Mithila was under danger from the asuras.

Urmila : Ever ready to help Sita.

Sita : Come on dear Sister. Don't tell me you're not least bit interested in meeting those princes

Urmila : I am... Its just that I am more interested in meeting Brahmarishi Vishwamitra than the princes. That doesn't mean I won't be gracious.

Mandavi : You are mean

Urmila : Look who's speaking. The Ice Princess..

Mandavi started chasing Urmila around with a paint brush she picked up and both started attacking each other's brushes. Except for their physical appearance, nothing had changed. There was no spite in their words. Just light-hearted banter in sisterhood. Sita and Shrutikeerti were charged with the task of separating the duo before either got their clothes dirty and caught by their mother or aunt.

Meanwhile Brahmarishi Vishwamitra, Ram and Lakshman were enroute to Mithila to get a darshan of the mighty Shiv Dhanush. They were given shastras by Vishwamitra to help them in time of need. Vishwamitra knew that he had to take the princes to Mithila since he knew it would change their lives..