"Yes there! Just a little more towards right. Yeah, yeah that's alright." Jodha commanded one of the carriers. Once the palanquin was placed on the ground, she got out of it and she stepped her foot on the ground, a plant trunk struck in her rather brown skin. She stood straight without realizing.

"Bring her some refreshments!" Her chief maid said to one of the subordinates.

"That's okay Kaakisa! I am fine. Just a little stroll and I'll be alright."

"Are you okay?"

Jodha stepped on a rock and helped kaakisa climb. She asked the caravan to rest while she and kaakisa strolled for a while.

"I am alright. The biggest fear I had of Amber being destructed. Now that's solved and father is alright so I am okay."

"What about ranisaa?"

"Maa will be alright within a few days. All she needs right now is closure. I am sure once she gets to play with her grandkids, she will be alright."

"Alright? But will you allow your husband?"

"Right now, I need to adjust in Agra. My husband won't be there for me every time I need him. I need to make friends with the people there. As far as he is concerned, marriage is a very important relationship and we will need time before comforting with each other. Once that is done, kids are a matter of weeks!"

"So, you'll make love to him without actually being in love with him, then?"

"That is what most princesses and queens do anyway. My mother wanted a different reality for me but that isn't possible anyway so its okay. The sooner I accept my reality, the better."

"Are you the same Jodha who so wanted to fall in love? I remember how you would describe the features of the man you would fall in love with."

"At least my husband is a young man. Dare not say how much Maa compromised with father. I think he will be able to understand me since we are almost the same age!"

"So, what now?"

"I'll go back to where the caravan is and sit inside the palanquin which will lead me to my destination. By the way, where is Shehenshah?"

"He went out early for hunting."

"I hope he kills a tiger and comes back in a good mood so that I can discuss something importan.....

Before she could complete the sentence Jodha tripped down one of the rocks and slipped down falling on the ground, hurting herself in the elbows and the knee.

"Oh Goodness. Are you alright?" Kaakisa tried helping her but the pit she had fallen into was too large and so she decided to call someone for help instead. "Wait here Jodha! I am bringing help."

"Kaakisaaa...I am alright."

"You stupid girl, stop arguing!"

Kaakisa ran towards the deep forest but lost track and was now in the midst of the forest. Scary sounds were coming from everywhere and she couldn't help but weep. As she proceeded with wobble legs somehow and cried for help, she tripped down and on getting up saw a wild beast staring straight into her eyes. She panicked and tried to get up but couldn't. Her brain couldn't think rationally anymore. She was sweating more than usual. The beast steeped closer and the adrenaline rush increased in her system. She tried to run but couldn't get up. She had to protect her princess and here she was struggling for life and death. She was Rajput and was fierce enough to fight any number of men in the army as she had even helped protect the princess' earlier but this time she just couldn't. With the last amount of courage that she had, she got up and tried to run but the beast growled just in time causing her heart beat to increase at a level from where there was no going back. She stood there shivering as the beast launched his attack on her. She closed her eyes chanting Lord Shiv's name. When nothing happened for a few minutes, she opened her eyes very slowly and saw the beast lying, struggling for breath. An arrow was struck right on his vein as he struggled for the last few breaths and then finally gave up. She wiped her face with her dupatta and then turned around to see the person who saved her. There stood a medium height, young man in a very simple attire, but he looked royal. As she stepped closer, she realized he was Shehenshah himself, and gasped.

"I have seen you somewhere." Jalal spoke.

"Your...Your Majesty!"

"Thank you for distracting the tiger. I got him just in time."

"Thank you, Your Royal Highness, for saving my life."

"You know me then!"

"I am Princess Jodha's chief maid!"

"Oh, I see. Weren't you supposed to be on the way to Agra? It's almost noon."

"Yes, Your Highness, but Princess Jodha wanted to....." she stopped speaking as soon as she realised that she had completely forgotten about Jodha. "Oh no."

"What is the matter?"

"Your Royal Highness, Jodha fell into a large pit and I had come to seek help but got lost and then became prey to this beast. I...I hope she is okay. She is..." She ran without completing the sentence.

Jalal followed her but kaakisa was lost herself.

"Jodha! Jodha!" She cried out loud.

Jodha had almost lost hope of any help when she heard kaakisa's voice.

"Kaakisaa! I am here." She shouted as hard as possible.

Kaakisaa followed the direction of the voice and found her way to the pit. As she reached the pit, she saw Jodha lying inside and blood flowing out from her wounded areas. She had been trying to get out leading to her dress being torn.

"Apologies Your Royal Highness! I.... please help..." But when kaakisaa turned around to ask Jalal for help, he was already there, and Jodha had almost come out with his help.

"So, this is how you protect your queen?" Jalal questioned.

Kaakisaa looked down and wept and apologized.

"No need for apologies. You will head straight to Amber." By this time Jalal's caravan had already arrived and they helped Jodha inside the palanquin.

"Apologies Your Grace." Kaakisaa wept inconsolably.

"Prepare for your return."

Kaakisaa continued crying as Jalal left.

Jodha came back to her senses after about two hours. She had been properly treated and was all fine by now.

As soon as she gained consciousness, the caravan was prepared to leave for Agra.

Kaakisaa was sent back to Amber and no matter how many times Jodha asked no one told her the reason why. One of her favourite maids now became the chief maid. Jodha was sad at Kaakisaa's departure but it was almost on reaching Agra that she found Kaakisaa's letter meant for her.

"Jodha, I shall now depart for Amber. I was not able to protect my kunwari. I had promised Ranisaa to always protect you, yet I couldn't. I am extremely sorry for I cannot be there. Agra is a distant and new place for you. But make it your home from now on. You shall live and become the most prominent there as you were never here! I always wish for your happiness and whenever in need, just remember, go to your husband! You may think of it as absurd now but believe me Jodha you were wrong about him. He'll always be there for you!"

Jodha wept but controlled herself as they were soon approaching the Mahal. She wiped her tears and covered her face with her veil.

As they reached the fort, Jodha peeped out of her palanquin. It was indeed very majestic. Then suddenly the caravan stopped moving. Her palanquin was slowly kept on the ground and then Jalal came near her palanquin. He offered her his hand, and she accepted it by putting her hand in his and coming out. She did not have kaakisaa or her mother here to tell her what to do and when to do but then just as kaakisaa said, this was her home from now on, and she would be able to manage here. She followed Jalal's lead as they entered the fort. After walking for a while she approached a group of women and Jalal stopped walking.

"Khushamadid Ammijaan!"

She noticed he was bowing in front of an elderly lady. Assuming her to his mother, she touched her feet. Hamida Banu was surprised by the gesture but then she asked for Jodha's name.

"Jodha!"

"Come closer daughter!"

Jodha stepped closer and Hamida Banu unveiled her face. She looked majestically beautiful. Whenever she used to cry, her beauty used to increase by ten times.

"Masha Allah!"

Jodha did not met her mother-in-law's gaze but smiled.

Hamida then took off one of her rings and asked Jalal to slip it in Jodha's finger.

"Your father, His Majesty, Humayun, had presented me this when I was wed to him. Now I want you to give this to Jodha!"

Jalal did as instruct. Jodha met his gaze for the first time in daylight as he held her hand and slipped the ring in her finger.

She smiled and withdrew her hand once he was done. Then Jodha's maid performed some Rajput rituals and then finally Jodha retired into her chambers.